THE MAGAZINE OF ASSUMPTION COLLEGE SPRING 2018
AN EDUCATION FOR A CHANGING WORLD Nick Veltri ‘07 and Greg Kaminsky ‘87 are making their marks in NYC’s world of high finance. For both, Assumption’s blend of liberal arts and professional education paved the way.
CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM
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REVOLUTIONIZING SCIENCE EDUCATION
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HOCKEY CENTENNIAL
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FOCUS
Accounting student Mariah Trainor ’18 during class in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center.
ASSUMPTION Magazine
in this issue
FEATURES
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What do you get when you cross a liberal arts degree with solid career development? Assumption graduates who are prepared for whatever the future brings.
Wonder what’s next for Assumption? Find out how the public phase of Assumption’s exciting Light the Way 2020: Capital Campaign is moving forward, continuing to position Assumption as a world-class institution.
Mental Agility & Career Flexibility
D E PA R T M E N T S 2 20 31 35 36
FROM THE PRESIDENT HOUNDS WATCH CLASS NOTES IN MEMORIAM LAST WORDS
Light the Way 2020 Gains Momentum
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The Men’s Ice Hockey team celebrated the program’s centennial anniversary with an alumni reunion that brought former players to campus to mingle with today's team, a heartfelt fundraiser for veterans, and an exciting conference matchup.
There’s a revolution going on in our science classes. By departing from traditional lectures in favor of adopting innovative new teaching strategies like the “flipped classroom,” Assumption professors are preparing and inspiring students to succeed in science careers.
Transforming Science Education
A Century of Ice Hockey
ON THE COVER Nick Veltri ʼ07 and Greg Kaminsky ʼ87 photo by rod jovanelly
See story on page 6
ABOVE Peggy Tekelis ʼ21 and Angela Dalpe ʼ21 get hands-on experience clipping string from rows of tomatoes at Community Harvest Project as part of their BIO160: Concepts in Biology class. See story on page 12
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What, then, is the lasting value of a liberal arts education, and can a liberal arts institution survive – and thrive – in this competitive higher education environment in which there are a decreasing number of collegeaged students? A recent article in the Wall Street Journal offers an answer:
FROM THE
PRESIDENT IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN AN intensified focus on encouraging students to study a single subject area to perform a specific task, eschewing a liberal arts education. However, many single-track graduates have discovered that as technology evolves and the economy fluctuates, the needs of the workplace change. The trouble with a singlefocused degree education? If the job becomes obsolete, so does the degree; there are no additional skills to fall back on. When Assumption explored new majors that would attract a new type of student to the College, cybersecurity was the focus of many conversations. Admittedly, I was skeptical about how such a major would conform to Assumption’s mission. Then I met with James Trainor ‘87, former assistant director of cybersecurity for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cybersecurity Division.
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I asked what type of background the FBI looks for in an applicant. James shared that the bureau did not need technocrats, as such skills can be acquired by enrolling in a handful of courses. Instead, what is needed are individuals who can analyze significant amounts of data and those who can effectively communicate the value of this data in an accessible and useful manner. Ultimately, FBI recruits must be able to write, think, and masterfully articulate their findings. An article I recently read offered a succinct summary of this trend in the modern workforce: “An English major who can write or speak compellingly is just as valuable as a history major who can interpret data.” This is the core purpose of the liberal arts: to form and educate the next generation of leaders to be malleable, especially for the jobs that do not yet exist.
“Fields of study centered on philosophy, history, literature, art, and music help us appreciate the ambiguity of the world, which in turn exercises our creative muscles. Liberal arts courses don’t offer clearly defined answers to questions. Rather, they nurture disagreement among students and help them develop the ability to marshal cogent arguments in support of defensible positions. The ability to express a viewpoint verbally and then articulate it in writing is a skill that will serve graduates whether they are pitching a business plan to a venture-capital firm or writing a report to shareholders explaining why their portfolios took a hit last quarter.”
A recent survey conducted in collaboration with Assumption’s Career Development and Internship Center (CDIC) found that 94 percent of Assumption’s Class of 2017 are employed, pursuing additional study, in the military, or engaged in volunteer service. In the cover story, alumni share how they have used their liberal arts background to seamlessly switch between careers, many outside their original field of study. You are also invited to read about the Fortin and Gonthier Core Texts and Enduring Questions Program that allows students to explore the great works of human thought and art in a cohesive learning community, where the full potential of the liberal arts enhances the undergraduate experience, preparing students for lives of meaning and purpose after college. Through the success of our alumni and students, there is no doubt that the liberal arts are a foundation for a lifetime of personal and professional fulfillment and employability.
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. President
THIS IS US A Liberal Arts Education for the 21st Century
Americans will have 11.7 jobs between the ages of 18 and 48 U.S. DEPT. OF LABOR
4 5
600+
out of
employers agree that all students should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.
RESUMES
REVIEWED THROUGH THE COLLEGE’S CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNSHIP CENTER (CDIC) IN 2016–17
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
7 OUT OF 10 FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS WILL CHANGE THEIR MAJORS.
81% OF 2017 GRADUATES COMPLETED AT LEAST ONE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
92%
of students said their internships prepared them for their careers.
SOME MORE THAN ONCE!
Magazine Team SPRING 2018 / VOL. 16 NO. 2 ISSN 1089-1296 Executive Director of Communications Michael K. Guilfoyle Director of Public Affairs Kimberly E. Dunbar Art Direction/Design Keating Associates Worcester, MA
Contributing Writers Kimberly Dunbar; Karen M. Lionello-Denolf, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA; Holly Robinson; Kathrin Havrilla; Fr. Richard E. Lamoureux, A.A., ’64; Brianna DiPanni ’18; Emily Tomanelli ’18; and Julia Goyette’18 Photography Kindra Clineff & Rod Jovanelly Printing The Lane Press Burlington, VT
We encourage your feedback. Please address your letters, class notes, and story ideas to: Assumption Magazine 500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296
508.767.7160 acpa@assumption.edu www.assumption.edu/magazine
Assumption Magazine is published three times a year (spring, summer, and winter) by the Office of Communications. Assumption Magazine is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, staff, administration, and parents of undergraduate students. Its purpose is to share stories and conversations that help alumni and friends stay meaningfully connected to the College.
STAY CONNECTED For web-exclusive content and links to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, visit assumption.edu.
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// LIVING THE MISSION //
Alumnus Carries Assumption Mission to Ecuador FR. RICHARD E. LAMOUREUX, A.A., ʼ64, VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION
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▲ (L–R) Frank and some students at Refuerzo, the afterschool program where he tutors kids // Visiting a family outside of their home to commemorate the beginning of a relationship ▼ (L–R) Frank with his community mates and another friend at a local barbecue // Helping a student practice spelling and vocabulary at Refuerzo
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hen they graduate, Assumption students have a number of possibilities open to them. Frank Bruno ’17, an English and mass communications major from Wethersfield, CT, has spent much of his time since graduation engaged in a year of service helping those in need in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
“I remember that week, I couldn’t help but admire the volunteers for their bravery in addition to the way in which they live, valuing simplicity, community, relationship, and faith,” reflected Bruno. “I will always give thanks to God for putting me on that trip to Ecuador junior year.”
Bruno was first introduced to the idea of service during his junior year in 2016 when he participated in a weeklong SEND service immersion trip to Monte Sinai through a Rostro de Cristo retreat – the exact place he has spent nearly a year as a volunteer. It was during this SEND trip that Bruno, after witnessing the value of service firsthand, seriously began to consider getting involved in a service project after graduation.
“A hug or a smile from a child, seeing a kid’s face light up when they understand their homework, or someone telling me how much my presence here means to them are the small moments that I enjoy the most,” explained Bruno. “The people here continue to amaze me each day with their knowledge, wisdom, and advice, but also their faith and dependence on God in the midst of struggles. My day is filled with great experiences, like when I am
There is no typical day for Bruno; each one is challenging and fulfilling in a different way. Bruno spends much of his time in the poverty-stricken neighborhood of Monte Sinai. As a volunteer at an afterschool program, he tutors neighborhood children in English and helps them with their homework. Bruno also spends time in the homes of the families of Monte Sinai, listening to their life challenges but also learning from them.
sitting in someone’s home, and they have enough trust in me to become vulnerable and share their life story with me.” While at Assumption, Bruno’s faith deepened through his work with Campus Ministry, and his passion to carry on the mission of the College has only intensified since graduation. “Young people in the world like myself have an obligation to be an example for others in working toward the things we believe in and what’s important, doing the small things we can in making this world a better place,” he said. This experience has inspired Bruno to switch his intended career path from sports journalism to working with high school or college students in a faith formation role, in particular Latino or Spanish-speaking students. “When I think about this year as a whole, I think about how I put so much trust in God in making this decision to leave the comforts of home, my friends, and family for a year,” Bruno shared. “I think that this experience has also taught me to focus on doing something I love, rather than only looking at a career from the financial standpoint.”
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Julie Martin '18 and Thanh Vu '19 are confident that a liberal arts degree is the best foundation for any profession – no matter how often they change career paths.
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THE VALUE OF A 21ST CENTURY LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IN A RECENT SURVEY BY THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, 74 PERCENT OF EMPLOYERS REPORTED THAT THEIR MOST DYNAMIC WORKERS HAVE A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION. AT ASSUMPTION, THIS CAME AS NO SURPRISE.
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HEN FORMER STUDENTS CALL DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL STUDIES KEVIN HICKEY, THE CONVERSATION OFTEN BEGINS WITH: “HI, PROFESSOR HICKEY. YOUʼLL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT IʼM DOING NOW!” Prof. Hickey is seldom surprised by what graduates share with him about their career trajectories. In fact, he typically welcomes new families to campus by saying, “I have a number of truths to tell you. The first is that, one day, you will have a job. The second is that I have no idea what that job will be. Anyone who says that college is a path to prepare you for a specific career is simply not being honest.” Hearing that makes students and parents sit up straighter. They might even look alarmed. College is a significant investment. Shouldn’t you know exactly what outcome you’re paying for at the end of four years? The truth is that most graduates don’t know. And with evolution in technology, knowing is impossible, yet exciting. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American changes jobs every 4.2 years, and more than 30 percent of the jobs that will be available in five years don’t even exist yet. That’s why a liberal arts degree can be the best foundation for any future career. “A liberal arts education is like cross-training for your brain,” Prof. Hickey said. “It goes perfectly with not always knowing what is ahead, but preparing for it anyway.” Rhode Island native Nick Veltri ’07, now an investment banker at Morgan Stanley in New York City, couldn’t agree more. “Assumption and my work in the liberal arts helped open my mind and prompted me to ask the right questions, particularly of myself,” he said.
A LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE: MENTAL AGILITY AND CAREER FLEXIBILITY “A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IS LIKE CROSS-TRAINING FOR YOUR BRAIN. IT GOES PERFECTLY WITH NOT ALWAYS KNOWING WHAT IS AHEAD, BUT PREPARING FOR IT ANYWAY.” PROFESSOR KEVIN HICKEY DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL STUDIES
After graduating from LaSalle Academy, a Catholic high school in Providence, Veltri was attracted to Assumption for its Catholic intellectual tradition and strong liberal arts curriculum. With his sights set on applying to law school, he chose to major in political science. A former administrator at Assumption encouraged him to add a handful of accounting courses to expand his career opportunities. The accounting courses earned Veltri his first job post-graduation, but it was the combination of his accounting skill set and his liberal arts background that helped him successfully navigate his way from an MBA degree at Yale University to his current position at Morgan Stanley. “The business environment is very similar to the liberal arts environment,” he said. “Everyone is working together to bring their strengths and motivations to the table.”
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Professor Arlene DeWitt observes students during a group activity.
Professor Marc Guerra, Ph.D., engages in conversation with a group of students after class.
As he started learning more about mergers and acquisitions, “it struck a chord with me,” he said. “This area has a strong underpinning of financial planning for my accounting side, and it incorporates the human elements of considering the various and sometimes contradictory interests of the people behind these negotiations for my political science side.”
Kaminsky’s first job in business, as a runner on the trading floor for Merrill Lynch, was what he called “the lowest-level job” in the industry – one where he had to compete with others who had degrees from Ivy League schools – as he told a group of Assumption students visiting his office on a spring break externship trip. “If you’re willing to work harder than anyone else, that’s what will set you apart,” he said.
Veltri’s story is one of many examples in which a liberal arts education proved to be the perfect launch pad for career paths that took unexpected turns. When Prof. Hickey looked at Assumption’s Convocation Award winners from past years, for example, he found a psychology major who went to graduate school for physical therapy, a classics major who took a job in business, a women’s studies major who was accepted into a doctoral program in economics, an art history major who is now an MBA student, and – well, the list goes on.
Through his guest lectures for business classes, meetings with students and faculty members, and hosting Assumption students at Highbridge Capital, Kaminsky regularly reconnects with his alma mater. “I enjoy mentoring students because I know what it’s like to be in their shoes,” he said.
“Academic agility, that’s Assumption,” Prof. Hickey concluded. “And that’s life!” For Greg Kaminsky ’87, who first learned about life and the value of hard work on a farm in rural Connecticut, studying the liberal arts at Assumption “opened my eyes to the world.” A foreign affairs (now known as global studies) major and economics minor who is now managing director of Highbridge Capital Management, a global investment firm in New York City, Kaminsky said that some of the most valuable skills he learned at Assumption probably aren’t the ones people typically associate with a business career. “Assumption was a launching pad for me,” he said, explaining that his studies taught him to be a good listener and a good communicator, and to think critically.
OUR TOP PRIORITY: TEACHING STUDENTS TO LIVE “A GENUINELY HUMAN LIFE” Both Veltri and Kaminsky demonstrate the value of a liberal arts education from Assumption College, not only in business but in any field, said Provost and Academic Vice President Louise Carroll Keeley, Ph.D. “The traditional aims of the liberal arts have been to foster a person’s ability to write and speak well, to know the culture and the history which has shaped a person or an idea, and to reason carefully with a broadly informed point of view.”
Rooted in the Catholic intellectual traditions of the love for learning and the pursuit of truth, Assumption College is committed to meeting those aims. Through the Core Curriculum, all students are required to enroll in five different areas of study, each of which brings perspective to a classical liberal arts education. First-year Core assumption.edu | SPRING
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Shannon Curtis with students in the Career Development and Internship Center. The CDIC prepares students for careers from day one.
Seminars introduce essential philosophical, literary, and theological texts, after which students choose liberal arts courses that best match their personal and professional interests and give them a solid foundation for anything they’ll study in the future. In addition, the College’s unique Core Texts & Enduring Questions (CTEQ) Program serves as a unique hub for a liberal arts education at Assumption, said Professor Marc Guerra, Ph.D., ’90, G’94, director of CTEQ and chair of the Theology Department. The goal of the CTEQ program is to awaken and cultivate each student’s desire “to be thoughtful of what it means to be and live as human beings,” he explained. The CTEQ program offers an intellectually rich, engaging interdisciplinary minor to complement a student’s studies in a pre-professional, natural science, mathematics, or humanities major. The classes – drawn from art history, theology, philosophy, and political science – encourage students to explore enduring questions about the nature of justice, beauty, human nature, and God. “As people, we all have a host of big questions that we think about,” said Guerra, “but too often we do not ask about the root of those questions: What does it mean to live a genuinely human life, both individually and collectively?”
A PROVEN RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: CONNECTING LIBERAL ARTS MAJORS WITH CAREER COUNSELING
When Alex Cerbo ’18 applies to law school after graduating from Assumption this May, he knows he won’t be “the cookie cutter candidate that many law school applicants are.” But that’s fine with him. As a double major in psychology and criminology, he has gained “a vast education, learning about issues such as mental health disorders, clinical settings, mental health treatment, and resources,” he said. But wait, there’s more: Cerbo says he has also learned about “the criminal justice system, the prison system, and the stigma and societal issues that surround both mental health and the criminal justice system.” More importantly, Cerbo hasn’t just learned about these high-profile topics through textbooks or his classes, but firsthand. “I have, throughout my time at Assumption, interned at two psychiatric units, a prison, and a district attorney’s office,” he explained. “I have accumulated a vast array of experiences, skills, and connections, and I am so blessed because of that.”
“WE STRIVE TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS CAN SEE HOW WHAT THEY KNOW AND WHO THEY ARE NOT ONLY RELATE TO MANY DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS, BUT ALSO TO THE BIGGER PURPOSE OF WHO THEY’VE BEEN CALLED TO BE.” SHANNON CURTIS, DIRECTOR OF THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT & INTERNSHIP CENTER
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Alex Cerbo ’18 at his internship at the Worcester District Court
Alexis Wilusz ’18 exploring DC while interning with The Washington Center
Studies have shown, these days a student’s choice of major – whether her to work with children with autism, something she has been doing in a liberal arts or pre-professional field – often counts less with now for four years. “That opportunity set me up to be a senior with future employers than practical experience. Fortunately, while multiple job offers,” she said. Assumption’s renowned professors work side Through her criminology major, Wilusz attended by side with students to develop crucial liberal “I HAVE INTERNED AT TWO The Washington Center in DC, where she worked arts skills like communication and critical for the Corrections Information Council, an PSYCHIATRIC UNITS, A PRISON, thinking, the Career Development and independent monitoring body that looks at how Internship Center (CDIC) staff helps students AND A DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S inmates are treated in federal prisons. develop robust career skills and hands-on OFFICE, ACCUMULATING A VAST Her career goal is to ultimately work for a work experiences from the moment they set foot on campus. ARRAY OF EXPERIENCES, SKILLS, government intelligence agency. Wilusz knows that goal may change, but she isn’t worried. “The “My interaction with the CDIC is constant,” AND CONNECTIONS. I AM SO liberal arts foundation at Assumption has set me said Cerbo, who hopes to add a fifth internship up to have a well-rounded education,” she said. in summer 2018 with the Rhode Island Attorney General. “I have taken full advantage of the many resources they offer, from reviewing my resume and mock job interviews to finding internships.”
BLESSED BECAUSE OF THAT.”
She is right to feel confident. The unique blend of liberal arts education and strong career development at Assumption is a recipe for success, as recent graduates have demonstrated: More than 94 percent of Assumption’s Class of 2017 graduates were employed, pursuing additional education, enlisted in the military, or participating in postgraduate service opportunities by January 2018.
ALEX CERBO ʼ18
The value of the liberal arts education he has received at Assumption is “immeasurable,” he added. “All of the classes I have taken have seemed to connect in such a way that I am able to learn about all aspects of humanity and the world in which we live.” Alexis Wilusz ’18, originally recruited to Assumption for the swim team, fell in love with the College’s criminology courses and ultimately chose to triple major in criminology, psychology, and sociology. Freshman year, an internship through the Psychology Department led
“Life and learning at Assumption are all about relationships,” said Shannon Curtis, director of the CDIC. “We strive to make sure that every career development service we offer is highly individualized, so students can see how what they know and who they are not only relate to many different career paths, but also to the bigger purpose of who they’ve been called to be.”
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// CAMPUS NEWS //
Students Apply Biology Concepts to Address Food Insecurities BY BRIANNA DIPANNI ’18
LAST FALL, 31 ASSUMPTION STUDENTS enrolled in the BIO160: Concepts in Biology class learned practical and valuable skills through a hands-on experience working with Community Harvest Project (CHP), a local nonprofit that grows and donates produce to those grappling with food insecurity. In addition to learning important topics in the classroom, such as basic cell biology, evolution, and metabolism, students also explored issues related to food production, sustainable practices, and basic human rights. “This was an experiment that came more from my desire to provide a first-year class with a memorable experience together than to teach them biology,” said David Crowley, Ph.D., associate professor of biology. “I wanted the students to remember that biology is more than a list of concepts or terms. I think it is helpful to connect disciplinary content with the larger goal of having students become thoughtful citizens and people who serve others with compassion.”
“The content of BIO160 focuses on interpreting and analyzing data, and I was able to utilize those skills when completing my project on the effects of hunger on a child's education.” GERTRUDE COX ’21 Prof. Crowley decided to implement a community service component to his fall 2017 biology course because the opportunity not only aligned with his course goals – and the College’s mission – but enhanced the course by providing students an opportunity to create a memorable, shared learning experience through self-designed projects and a trip to CHP in neighboring Grafton. “I think it is important that courses in all disciplines make connections to key social problems and how practitioners of that discipline can impact these problems for the good,” said Prof. Crowley.
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During their time volunteering at CHP, students worked in the tomato fields, which this summer provided more than 50,000 pounds of tomatoes to hunger and relief organizations, and helped prepare the same fields for the next growing season. Students also worked on independent projects such as a public service announcement about food waste, and created flyers to increase awareness of hunger issues, food waste, and volunteer opportunities at CHP. Gertrude Cox ’21, a psychology major from Wellfleet on the pre-med track, enjoyed the opportunity to meet a curriculum requirement while getting involved in the local community. “This course allowed me to expand my perception of biology outside of the classroom,” she said. “The content of BIO160 focuses on interpreting and analyzing data, and I was able to utilize those skills when completing my project on the effects of hunger on a child's education.” Cox added that as part of her project, she created a donation page to support the cause, sharing that this class gave her the courage to “step outside of my comfort zone.” “These students are becoming ambassadors for health and hunger relief on their campus and within their network,” said Tori Buerschaper, education and volunteer coordinator at CHP, adding that these efforts will “increase student volunteerism, decrease waste, and make students more conscious of their own health and the impact their food choices make.” Assumption students learn about food insecurity and how Community Harvest Project in Grafton, provides nutritious options to local food banks. Students pulled stakes and cut twine as they assisted in post-harvest activities. (L–R TOP) Chloe Tew ʼ21, Marissa
Mitola ʼ21, Cassidy Dicken ʼ20, and Maddy Papitto ʼ21 (BELOW) Jacob Walz ʼ21 and Katherine Doyle ʼ19
Lifelong Learning Thrives at Assumption BY EMILY TOMANELLI ’18
as an institution of higher learning committed to
inspiring students to embrace learning as a lifelong passion, for 25 years Assumption College has hosted the Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE).
WISE provides numerous continuing education opportunities to hundreds of seniors in Worcester and surrounding communities. Sponsored by and housed at Assumption, WISE offers those seeking knowledge after retiring from successful careers more than 30 courses per semester, ranging from math and “The presence of science to music and arts. Encouraging lifelong learning is a cornerstone of the WISE on campus Assumption College mission, and the and the lifetime benefits of having an organization such of accumulated as WISE on campus are both valuable and important for students. wisdom of its
members enrich the life of our campus and the lives of our students.”
“For the undergraduate student body, witnessing the wholesome enthusiasm of the students in WISE is an uplifting experience,” said Susan Perschbacher, Ph.D., WISE director. “Our students are a living example of lifelong learning, and we hope to show the undergraduate FRANCESCO C. CESAREO, PH.D. students that intellect and love for President of learning are not limited by age.” Assumption College Perschbacher speaks highly of Assumption and its students, affirming that Assumption’s role as the host to WISE means a great deal to its members. “The presence of WISE on campus and the lifetime of accumulated wisdom of its members enrich the life of our campus and the lives of our students,” said Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., president of Assumption College. “The presence of these individuals pursuing continued education on the Assumption campus provides students with additional sources of knowledge and inspiration.” WISE is a member-directed program led by former Assumption professors with expertise in their subjects of interest. Created in 1993, WISE remains an integral part of the College’s commitment to making available a number of specialized continuing education programs. WISE encourages its members to continue their educational journey through intellectual stimulation, socialization, personal growth, and opportunities for service. The peer-learning methodology adopted by the program allows for both social and intellectual growth. “In retirement, it can be difficult to downregulate from a highpowered career,” said Perschbacher. “WISE provides the perfect opportunity to continue into an energetic retirement full of community, social events, structure, and of course learning.”
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// CAMPUS NEWS //
Rehabilitation Counseling students enjoy the Washington, DC, sunset while attending the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) conference.
History Professor Named President of Local Archaeological Institute
Grant Provides Students with Real-World Opportunities When Assumption’s Rehabilitation Counseling program was awarded a five-year, $1,000,000 long-term training grant in 2015 from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the College embarked on an effort to develop one of the best programs in the country.
For the second consecutive term of leadership, an Assumption College professor will serve as president of the Worcester chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). Sharing his vision for the AIA, Professor of History Lance Lazar, Ph.D., will “continue the mutually beneficial [lecture] series, while expanding the AIA integration with undergraduate courses and students at Assumption. The lectures have frequently been standing-room-only affairs, but with the new Jeanne Y. Curtis Performance Hall, the College can comfortably accommodate larger audiences for insightful discussions on topics of interest to the broader community.” The Archaeological Institute of America is a nonprofit organization founded in 1879 with a mission to promote “archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of diverse cultures and our shared humanity.” The AIA also aims to support archaeologists in their research and practice, as well as to educate as many as possible about the importance of archaeological discovery.
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Kassandra Carefoot ’16, G’17 and Patricia Malone ’16, G’17 in front of the Lincoln Memorial while attending the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) conference in Washington, DC. Malone later presented at the NCRE conference in Anaheim, CA.
This grant from the RSA, a division of the U.S. Department of Education, supports scholarships and provides funds for leadership, technical assistance, and increased enrollment as well as student visibility. Ninety percent of the funds distributed thus far have benefited nearly 50 students with individual average tuition awards of $8,500. “Through the resources of the generous federal grant, Assumption is able to offer tuition assistance to students enrolled in the Rehabilitation Counseling program to pursue a career assisting those with disabilities,” said Nicholas Cioe, Ph.D., CRC, director of the Rehabilitation Counseling program. “The Assumption program takes a unique approach to preparing leaders in this critical field by using content-expert faculty across the various rehabilitation sectors to provide a breadth of experience-based learning.” In just two years, Assumption has allocated funding for more than 30 students to attend National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) conferences in Washington, DC, and Anaheim, CA. The conferences expose students to the latest services, therapies, and educational initiatives to assist those with disabilities. Three Assumption students were invited to make presentations at the spring conference exploring best methods for effective practice with individuals with disabilities and techniques to strengthen the therapeutic relationship with clients living in poverty. Assumption’s Rehabilitation Counseling program, offered both online and on campus, is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The N.Y. Met Opera at Assumption BY JULIA GOYETTE ’18
Accompanied by a new Steinway Concert Piano, Assumption College hosted a concert featuring its Chorale and special guest New York Metropolitan Opera tenor Matthew Polenzani. This unique event was also an opportunity to formally recognize Jeanne Y. Curtis, for whom the performance hall is named, as well as her family and those who recently made donations to purchase the majestic piano. The melodious voices of Polenzani and the Chorale, under guest director Richard Monroe ’85, were accentuated by the beautiful acoustics of the state-of-the-art performance hall. “Jeanne was a lover of art, a lover of music … who had a magnanimous heart and magnanimous spirit. She was a woman who lived her life to the fullest and spread her joy with those whom she encountered,” said President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., prior to the performance, expressing his gratitude to Jeanne’s children and grandchildren in attendance: Arthur Remillard III, Regan Remillard, Danielle (Remillard) Haxton P’07, Elizabeth Haxton Kelly, Amanda (Haxton) Sinicola, and Renee (Remillard) Granger. He added that the musical showcase was “a fitting tribute to her unwavering love for Assumption College and its students.” The program included selections from both Italian and Irish culture in addition to a number of classic Broadway pieces. These musical compositions were elevated by the accompaniment of the new piano, which was generously donated by Charles Brusard, professor emeritus of
Matthew Polenzani takes the stage with the Assumption College Chorale.
mathematics; Rene Lamothe ’57, brother of Assumption professor and archivist Rev. Donat Lamothe, A.A., Ph.D., ’57; and Steven O’Brien ’69 and his wife Cynthia. The Grammy-nominated Polenzani — who has performed all over the world and traveled to Zurich to debut as Rodolfo in Verdi’s Luisa Miller following his Assumption performance — called the evening a “gift” and felt extremely welcomed by the Assumption community. Polenzani said he was “very appreciative” of having been asked to be part of such a wonderful evening in which he performed four solos and an additional encore. When
referring to the program that joined his pieces with the Chorale, he commented, “To be able to watch them and for them to be able to watch me — that’s joy going in both directions.” Polenzani, who is passionate about the arts, applauded the College’s commitment to the arts and provided a culturally rich evening for the campus and Worcester community. “We have a duty to children to promote a love of music and to help people understand that music is a beautiful and unifying element of life,” he said.
President’s Lecture Series Attracts Diverse Speakers The President’s Lecture Series at Assumption College is a public forum in which important ethical, spiritual, and human issues are illuminated and examined within the Catholic intellectual tradition. The heart of a classical liberal arts education is an ongoing conversation across disciplines. By ensuring that the sharpest minds, representing diverse viewpoints and areas of study, are a part of this dialogue, Assumption reaffirms – and bolsters – its commitment to providing students with an education that goes beyond the mere memorization of facts and acquisition of skills and empowers them to continue the discussion. All lectures in the series are open to the Assumption College community and the general public at no charge.
Dr. Carlos Eire
Fr. Edward Beck, C.P.
Dr. Anthony Esolen
During the 2017–2018 academic year, Assumption welcomed the following speakers: The Reformation after 500 Years Dr. Carlos Eire / T. Lawrason Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies, Yale University / OCTOBER 2017 Religion, Church, and the Media: A Delicate Balance Fr. Edward Beck, C.P. '80 / CNN Faith and Religion Commentator / NOVEMBER 2017 Dante and Liturgical Time: The Eternal in the Passing Hour Dr. Anthony Esolen / Fellow, St. Thomas More College / NOVEMBER 2017
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// CAMPUS NEWS //
Judith S. Beck, Ph.D.
Bishop Robert Barron to Deliver Address at 101st Commencement Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and one of the world’s most-followed Catholics on social media, will deliver the keynote address during Assumption College’s 101st Commencement on Sunday, May 13, at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. Bishop Barron; John Agresto, Ph.D., the former president of St. John’s College; and Judith Beck Ph.D., co-founder of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, will receive honorary degrees during the ceremony. Bishop Barron is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking, award-winning documentary about the Catholic faith, which is now a nationally syndicated series. His website, WordOnFire.org, attracts millions, and Bishop Barron is followed by more than 1.5 million on Facebook. According to Bishop Barron’s YouTube channel, his videos, which have been viewed more than 25 million times, provide “brief and insightful commentaries on faith and culture” that complement his weekly sermons podcasted at WordOnFire.org. Francis Cardinal George described Bishop Barron as “one of the Church’s best messengers” because of his extensive and effective use of social media to spread the Catholic religion. Bishop Barron has served as a keynote speaker at many conferences and events across the world, including the 2016 World Youth Day in Kraków, Poland, and the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which included Pope Francis. He is also a #1 bestselling author on Amazon, having published 15 books, and has written many articles on theology and the spiritual life. Bishop Barron regularly appears on CNN, EWTN, FOX News, and NBC, offering clarity or a Catholic perspective on significant issues.
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Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., is president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, a nonprofit organization based in suburban Philadelphia, which she co-founded with her father, Aaron T. Beck, MD, in 1994. Through the Institute, she has trained thousands of health and mental health professionals, nationally and internationally. Dr. Beck is also a clinical professor of psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania; her online courses have been taken by mental health students and professionals in more than 100 countries. Dr. Beck divides her time between teaching and supervision, administration, clinical work, program development, research, and writing. For more than 20 years, Assumption College has been home to the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies, working in conjunction with the College’s clinical counseling psychology program. Each year, the Institute hosts internationally recognized psychologists and psychiatrists during its annual clinical workshop series on cognitive therapy. These workshops aim to educate mental health professionals, Assumption College students, and the community at large on cognitive therapy and its efficacy in resolving problems in daily living. Dr. Beck has written more than 100 articles and essays, and has made hundreds of presentations, nationally and internationally, on a variety of topics related to cognitive behavior therapy. She is the author of the widely adopted textbook Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond, which has been translated into 20 languages.
John Agresto, Ph.D. John Agresto, Ph.D., is known for his commitment to education and, in particular, the liberal arts. From 1989–2000, Dr. Agresto served as president of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM, during which he conducted the most successful capital campaign in the college’s 300-year history, tripling its endowment and realizing a number of ambitious construction projects. In addition to his leadership service at St. John’s, Dr. Agresto served as assistant deputy and acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, DC, interim president of the American College of Education, and a Lilly Senior Research Fellow in the Liberal Arts at Wabash College in Indiana. From 2003–04, Dr. Agresto was senior advisor for higher education and scientific research for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Over the next several years, he would return to Iraq, fulfilling important roles at the American University of Iraq in Sulaimani as provost and dean of faculty and interim chancellor and provost, positions he held from 2007–2010. Though retired, Dr. Agresto currently serves as president of John Agresto & Associates and, in May 2017, he was appointed Santa Fe (NM) County’s new probate judge, a position in which he can further serve his community.
FACULTY PROFILE
Christopher Klofft
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY
Education
S.T.D., Catholic University of America; Moral Theology, 2000 S.T.L., Catholic University of America; Moral Theology, 1997 S.T.B., Catholic University of America; Theology, 1995 B.A., Assumption College; Theology, English, 1991
Classes Taught at Assumption
Introduction to Theology Faith and Reason Moral Theology Catholicism Today Theology of Human Sexuality Religion and Modernity Social Teaching of the Church
How is theology relevant in an increasingly secular society? There will never be a time in which theology is not relevant. Theology addresses the biggest questions about life’s purpose and the deepest longings for meaning in our lives. A secular society can ignore these questions, but individual human beings always long to know something (someone) beyond themselves; that’s where theology comes in.
Why do you enjoy teaching theology? I love that theology has relevance beyond the intellectual enterprise of the classroom. Whether or not I make it explicit, most of my students come to understand that what we’re talking about impacts their lives in important ways. When I get to see that a student is suddenly thinking about things beyond our class discussions, it is tremendously rewarding.
How have you affected students’ lives beyond the classroom? At the end of one semester, a student told me that, during a study group, all the students concluded that they couldn’t study this material without taking a long, hard look at their lives. That was humbling for me to hear. I have also been blessed to mentor several students into graduate studies in theology, especially in the fields of marriage and sexual ethics. I have been invited to several weddings of former students who first studied the Sacrament of Marriage in my classroom!
If you weren’t teaching, what career would you have pursued? When I first came to Assumption, my career plan was to write spy novels. Haven’t gotten around to that yet. I would like to pursue game design as a profession.
How do you make theological teachings interesting to students who are atheists or agnostics? First, I try to make it clear to them how theological conclusions are not as foreign to our reason as they expect. As a result, some students discover they are not as agnostic or atheistic as they thought! Second, I always try to make their questions and challenges welcome in the class. I’ve found that atheism and agnosticism are often the result of a lack of knowledge, not a committed philosophical stance. Finally, I try to demonstrate that the Christian story – both in the Scriptures and in history – is a fascinating one, with a great cast of characters. That story can sometimes be an invitation to future exploration.
What is one aspect of your life that your students or faculty would be surprised to discover? I have played Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games on a weekly basis with the same group of people for the past 30 years. I make no apologies for my profound and far-reaching nerdity.
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Lighting the Way for Assumption’s Future The College’s capital campaign is well underway. Now comes the exciting part.
T
he Tsotsis Family Academic Center is the newest building on the Assumption College campus, yet it is already integral to campus life. Maybe that’s due to its classic brick and stone exterior or because of the way students and professors gather outside on the D'Amour Plaza to continue animated discussions they began in the building’s state-of-the-art classrooms. This blend of classic and contemporary, of intellectual and social communities, feels exactly right to Brian Kelly ’83, head football coach at the University of Notre Dame. “It’s important to provide today’s faculty and students with a comprehensive teaching and learning environment,” said Kelly. “To me, the Tsotsis Family Academic Center represents the tenets of a Catholic education, allowing Assumption to be what it is while doing so much more.”
LIGHT THE WAY 2020: THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR ASSUMPTION COLLEGE
Kelly donated generously to help build the Center – the atrium is named after him and his wife, Paqui. Now he serves as honorary chair of Light the Way 2020: The Capital Campaign for Assumption College. Kelly, along with Campaign co-chairs Carolyn Clancy ’82 and Michael Sullivan ’83, is spearheading this effort to prepare Assumption for many decades of educating students to make a difference in the world in which they live. Announced in October 2017 by College President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., the public phase of the Campaign is well underway, raising funds to put Assumption at the forefront in offering distinctive academic programs, sterling facilities, new technologies, funding for student financial aid and faculty research, athletic facilities, and more. “The priorities for the campaign allow us to advance our mission and continue to position Assumption College as an institution that properly prepares its students for a professionally and personally fulfilling life,” said President Cesareo.
Building a World-Class Institution During the silent phase of the Light the Way Campaign, the College raised $17 million to construct the Tsotsis Family Academic Center. 18 ASSUMPTION Magazine
The next phase will continue positioning the College “as a world-class institution,” said Clancy, executive vice president at Fidelity Investments. In addition to financing bricks-and-mortar projects, funds raised by the Campaign “will help us continue to enhance the quality of education by adding top-notch academic programs and extracurricular activities like athletics, music, and the arts,” she said. As a former standout field hockey player for Assumption, Clancy can attest firsthand that these activities “are integral parts of the Assumption experience and a big part of a liberal arts education as a whole.”
Your Gift Can Change Lives From inspiring professors to athletics, from research projects to band practice, college experiences have the power to transform young lives. For instance, Paula Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., who chairs the Psychology Department, shared that support from alumni and friends of the College make it possible for her to mentor and support students conducting invaluable summer research. One of those students, Lindsay Gomes ’18, a double major in psychology and human services and rehabilitation studies, recently presented her research at the 2017 New England Psychological Association Conference. Another, Andrew Lampi ’16, who is currently finishing his master’s degree in clinical counseling psychology at Assumption, presented his work at the 2016 International Meeting for Autism Research and has submitted a paper to a highly regarded journal. Both students have been accepted to prestigious doctoral programs in developmental psychology. “These sorts of mentoring opportunities are an important way for students to engage in innovative research alongside a faculty mentor and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community and literature,” Prof. Fitzpatrick said.
“Our alumni, trustees, parents, and friends of the College have been extremely generous in their support of the Light the Way Campaign. We are well on the way to achieving our goal of $35 million.” TIM STANTON, VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
“This is a win-win, in that it supports faculty research, provides students with hands-on applications of research methodologies and analysis, and builds a strong foundation for students to pursue graduate study.” The College has always been committed to increasing both access to and the affordability of higher education; during the last academic year, 98 percent of Assumption’s undergraduates received some form of financial assistance. One crucial initiative of the new Campaign is to strengthen Assumption’s endowment by $14 million, allowing the College to provide more funding for merit- and need-based financial aid, endowed faculty chairs, and other critical resources. That goal is the largest in Assumption history, but one that Sullivan feels confident will be met. He encourages alumni to donate now, reminding them that even small amounts can change lives.
“By engaging our community to become more avid givers – even if it’s just a small amount every month – we can create a higher participation rate,” said Sullivan, president of Linchris Hotel Corporation. In turn, seeing that higher alumni participation rate lifts Assumption’s status with philanthropic organizations, he explained, “leading to additional outside funding for continued improvements that will benefit us all.”
Now Is the Time to Pay It Forward
As Clancy sees it, the Light the Way Capital Campaign represents an opportunity to show both gratitude and a sense of community. “We all received so much from our Assumption College education,” she said. “It’s important to pay it forward by giving back to the College that made us who we are today.” To make your gift to Light the Way 2020: The Capital Campaign for Assumption College today, please visit www.assumption.edu/campaign
OCTOBER
Assumption College Light the Way CAMPAIGN TIMELINE
APRIL
2016
MARCH
2016
With campaign months ahead of schedule, groundbreaking begins on new Tsotsis Family Academic Center
2017
Dedication of Tsotsis Family Academic Center Campaign goal set at $35M as public phase announced
APRIL
2018
Athletic facility enhancements become focus of campaign
College Trustees respond to challenge with $2M in pledges
FEBRUARY OCTOBER
2015
Silent phase of the Light the Way Campaign begins
2016
Anonymous $1M Trustee Challenge Pledge
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1OO
YEARS ON THE ICE 20 ASSUMPTION Magazine
In late January, the Assumption College Men’s Ice Hockey team celebrated the program’s centennial anniversary. Though founded in 1917, it was not until 1977, when Stephen Lindberg ’73 assumed head coaching duties, that the program took off. That team went 11–9, led by junior captain Bobby Benoit ’79, who the following year set Assumption’s single-season scoring record with 63 points (17 goals, 46 assists), while leading the team to an 11–8 record. Those teams started a string of successes, leading to numerous playoff appearances. Benoit was a fixture through it all, becoming an assistant coach for two different stints, as well as attending numerous games each season before his unfortunate passing this past summer. As part of the 100th anniversary celebration, more than 50 alumni from different decades returned to the ice for the inaugural Bobby Benoit Alumni Game.
For senior Cam Laughlin ’18, meeting the former players was a night he will remember when his time at Assumption comes to an end this spring. “Their support not only during alumni weekend but throughout the whole year is what makes this program so special,” he said. Following the alumni contest, the hockey team geared up for a crucial conference matchup against Franklin Pierce University as they competed for a spot in the playoffs. The team also raised money for The Scott Milley Fund, which helps veterans in need; it was named after a local man who was killed in action while serving as a first lieutenant in Afghanistan. Members of Milley’s family dropped a ceremonial puck before the game.
Dr. Ted Barton and wife Cindy Litzenberger watching their son Ben Barton ’20 play hockey at Assumption
ABOVE
The 1967–68 Assumption Hockey Team BELOW
Former head coach Steve Lindberg ’73 with fellow alumni following the Bobby Benoit Alumni Game
Going the Distance
When Alaska native Ben Barton ’20 chose Assumption College to continue his education and hockey career, his parents were very supportive – in fact, they’ve made the trek across four time zones and nearly 4,700 miles from Kenai to Worcester several times this year to watch him play. “It means the world to me to “Itʼs a dream have my parents at the games come true to to watch me play,” said Barton. be able to play “It’s a dream come true to be college hockey, able to play college hockey, and they fully and they fully support that.” Though Barton was considering support that.” other colleges, he chose BEN BARTON ʻ20 Assumption “because of the tight-knit community” and reputable coaching staff. “My parents have always enjoyed coming to my games, and they told me they would come to as many as possible in college because you can only play college hockey once, and that’s something they don’t want to miss,” he added.
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// HOUNDS WATCH // SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
Impressive Season for Ice Hockey in 2017–18 The Assumption ice hockey program amassed one of their best seasons in recent memory. The Hounds finished the season with a 15–10–2 record for their best win percentage (.592) in a season since the team went 19–8 back in 1993–94. Assumption earned the No. 3 seed in the NE10 Tournament and fell in the semifinals to St. Michael’s, losing 6–5 in overtime. The team boasted three of the top five scorers in the conference in Cam Laughlin ’18, Tommy Mahoney ’18, and Brian Farrell ’18, all three of whom earned NE10 Player of the Week honors at least once during the season. Laughlin was honored as the NE10 Player of the Year at the conclusion of the season, while Dante Tomassini ’19 was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year. Head Coach Lance Brady was also honored as the NE10 Coach of the Year while Mahoney earned Second-Team All-Conference honors and John Chamberlain ’21 was named to the All-Rookie Team.
2017–18 Womenʼs & Menʼs Track & Field Team
Antonia Pagliuca ‘18
Winter 2018 Sports Highlights Cam Laughlin ‘18, 2018 NE10 Player of the Year
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The Assumption Women’s Track & Field team had many impressive showings in the 2017–18 season. Throughout the season many individuals were honored by the NE10 as Athlete or Rookie of the Week, and at each meet numerous school records seemed to fall. At the 2018 NE10 Indoor Track & Field Championship at Smith College February 17–18, the team attained its highest finish in program history, placing fourth out of 12 teams. Between those two days there were numerous medal winners and new school records set. Antonia Pagliuca ’18 earned two gold medals in the 5K and the 3K, and ran a new school record of 10:09.28 in the 3K. Courtney Fisher ’18 received silver in the 5K. Abby Jones ’19, meanwhile, was named the NE10 Co-Field Athlete of the Meet after winning the pentathlon with a school-record 3,597 points, while also earning top-four finishes in the high jump, long jump, and 4x400 relay.
On February 10, the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams hosted the Third Annual Hounds4CRS fundraiser to raise money for and increase awareness of the humanitarian work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). As part of the event, game admission fees were waived in lieu of a donation. Assumption, which is one of only 12 college campuses nationwide with the CRS Global Campus designation, has raised more than $10,000 for CRS in the last two years of the partnership. The women’s and men’s season was marked by signs of promising growth for the future. In January, the women played to a four-game winning streak, during which they defeated nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas 72–60. Morgan O’Donnell ’19 led the team in scoring this year (14.2), and over the last 10 games of the season averaged 17.8 points per game.
Cameron Donoghue ’21
In January, the men took down New York Institute of Technology at the Barclays Center in NYC, home of the Brooklyn Nets. Matthew Kelly ’21 was selected twice this season as the Worcester Area College Basketball Association Rookie of the Week and as the NE10 Rookie of the Week. Other prominent players for the Hounds were guard Branislav Vujadinovic ’20, leading the team with an average of 14.6 points per game, and forward Joe Sullivan ’20, who averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Abby McKanna ’19
The Assumption Men’s Track & Field team put up spectacular marks in the 2017–18 season. Many team members rewrote their own school records while breaking longstanding marks as well. Kevin Hack ’20 shattered his own school record in the high jump, clearing a height of 6’11”, an NCAA provisional mark, during the season while a pair of freshmen set new records in the 400 meters and 60-meter hurdles. Max Michaud ’20 broke one of the oldest school records, a 39-year-old mark in the 1,000-meter run, coming in at a time of 2:28.74. At the NE10 Championships, the team was picked seventh in the pre-championship poll, but used a number of impressive performances to take fifth, the best finish in program history. Cameron Donoghue ’21 took second in the heptathlon with a school-record point total of 4,614, while three more school records were set on the final day of competition.
The Women’s Swimming & Diving team completed yet another successful season filled with many wins and accolades, wrapping up the stellar 2017–18 season with a second-place finish at the NE10 Championships. Shannon Quirk ’19 and Colleen Kurtz ’20 each won individual gold medals at the NE10 Championships and were two of many podium finishers for the squad. During the season, Isabelle Roberts ’21 received NE10 Rookie of the Week honors. In addition, the team was recognized as one of five in the Northeast-10 Conference to earn the Scholar All-America designation for its performance with an impressive 3.38 GPA in the classroom during the Fall 2017 semester, making it the 21st consecutive semester the Hounds have been named to the list. In September, the women once again participated in the annual Swim Across America event in Narragansett, RI. The team raised $7,200, the second highest mark in program history (Assumption raised the top amount last year with $7,660), benefiting the Oncology Research Center in Providence.
Darien Walcott ‘21
Colleen Kurtz ‘20
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// HOUNDS WATCH //
Andy McKenzie Hired as Assumption Football Head Coach In February of 2018, Andy McKenzie was named the 10th head coach of the Assumption College Football team, bringing with him more than 20 years of collegiate coaching and playing experience. McKenzie most recently coached at The College of the Holy Cross from 2008 to 2015, where he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his tenure, he oversaw an offense that averaged more than 20 points per game in each of his four seasons as the offensive coordinator. He was also instrumental in the development of 2008 and 2009 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Dominic Randolph.
Greyhounds in the NFL, Division I
Scott Simonson
Former Assumption Football Players Turn Pro and Another to Play for Division I LSU Tigers BY JULIA GOYETTE ’18
Scott Simonson // Carolina Panthers tight end Scott Simonson of Red Bank, NJ, was the first former Greyhound to play in the National Football League (NFL). He appeared in the 2015 Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos and is entering his third year in the league. Simonson was a force to be reckoned with while at Assumption. Over his collegiate career, he totaled 104 receptions for 1,537 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.
Zach Triner ’14 // Former Greyhound Zach Triner of Marshfield was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad at the end of the 2017 NFL season. After transitioning from collegiate lacrosse to football, Triner has pursued his dream job, which as an undergraduate he described as “anything I enjoy waking up to.” Triner, a long snapper, wears number 57 for the Packers. Cole Tracy ’18 //
Assumption’s two-time All-American kicker and winner of the 2017 Fred Mitchell Award, Cole Tracy ’18, will join the Division I Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers for his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer. Tracy commented that he is “looking forward to working hard and competing to the best of my ability” after announcing his commitment to LSU. Tracy went 27/29 this season in field goal attempts, earning an impressive .931 conversion rate and a perfect 67/67 in extra-point kicks.
Zach Triner ‘14
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Cole Tracy ‘18
Prior to Holy Cross, McKenzie spent six seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Allegheny College, an elite Division III liberal arts college. During his time at Allegheny, McKenzie helped lead the Gators to the 2003 North Coast Athletic Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Division III Playoffs, with a perfect 7–0 record in conference play. He also coached at Division III Williams and Division I Northeastern. McKenzie earned his bachelor's degree in English from Allegheny College in 1996, and went on to earn a master's degree in exercise science and health promotion from California (Pa.) University in 2006. MCKENZIE'S COACHING RESUME 2008–2015 Holy Cross 2002–2007 Allegheny 2000–2001 Williams 1996–1999 Northeastern 1995 Allegheny
Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach Quarterbacks Coach Wide Receivers / Secondary Coach Wide Receivers Coach
Professor Emeritus Paul J. Mahon, Ph.D. ’66 While reading a letter from a classmate that outlined how alumni could support the College at their 50th Reunion in 2016, Assumption College Professor Emeritus Paul J. Mahon, Ph.D. ’66, realized he had never shared the legacy he planned to leave his alma mater. Prof. Mahon took action, listing the College as a partial beneficiary on his IRA account. This gift would help the Class of 1966 raise one of the largest class gifts to date for a 50th Reunion. This act meant more to Prof. Mahon, whose planned giving is a sign of support for the College he loves and taught at for nearly 40 years as a professor of biology. He knew that by making Assumption a beneficiary, he would be taking care of students and academic programs that meant so much to him.
For more information on how you can support Assumption with an estate gift, contact Melanie Demarais at 508.767.7332, or visit assumption.edu/plannedgiving.
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“AT ASSUMPTION, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS ARE INFINITE. MANY DOORS ARE OPEN TO OUR GRADUATES BECAUSE OF THEIR FINE PREPARATION HERE.” MICHELE LEMONS, PH.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
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BENCHMARKS: 06.
INNOVATION IN SCIENCE EDUCATION ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY JESSICA MCCREADY, PH.D., VIVIDLY REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME SHE WENT TO A PROFESSOR FOR HELP WHEN SHE WAS AN UNDERGRADUATE. “When I told the professor that I hadn’t done well on the last exam and asked if he had any advice, he didn’t even look up from his computer,” she said. “He just kept typing and said I must not have studied properly.” That class was held in an enormous lecture hall, she added, and was taught in a traditional format, with the professor lecturing at the front of the room. “Even then, I thought there had to be a better way to teach science,” said Prof. McCready.
01. Prof. Jessica McCready observes students engaged in a group project. 02. Miranda Page ’19 conducts an experiment in the lab. 03. Students in Prof. McCready’s class listen intently to a fellow classmate’s presentation. 04. Jerry Kenney ’19 measuring liquid in the lab 05. Zach Shepard ’18 participates in a hands-on lab experiment in class. 06. Prof. Michele Lemons 07. The Richard and Janet Testa Science Center
There is. Today, Assumption professors are transforming science education, with a departure from traditional lectures in favor of adopting active learning techniques like the “flipped classroom.” The result? Assumption students benefit from innovative classroom approaches and working closely with professors who mentor them through hands-on projects and opportunities for laboratory research beginning in their freshman year, effectively preparing them from the first day of classes to pursue professional careers in health, research, and industry.
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SO WHAT’S A FLIPPED CLASSROOM?
BENCH TIME IS A GOOD THING
The “flipped classroom” is an innovative teaching method that focuses on actively engaging students. When it was first developed, this pedagogical model called for professors to have students watch videoed lectures online before class, then come prepared to answer questions and complete assignments.
Many professors also encourage students to participate in research projects. “I love working with students in the research lab because it’s so hands-on,” said Prof. Lemons. “These students apply everything at the lab bench that they’re learning in class.”
Prof. McCready uses a modified version of this model. In her anatomy class, for instance, she asks students to complete brief assignments on new material prior to class. “Students then work in groups during class to answer questions as I review the information,” she said. “This encourages them to take ownership of the material.” Associate Professor of Biology Michele Lemons, Ph.D., also engages students through active learning strategies in her upper-level neuroscience class. Students read about patients who present with certain symptoms, then work in groups to apply their understanding of neuroanatomical pathways and “solve the puzzles,” formulating a diagnosis.
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Sarah Morley '18 (foreground), Prof. Brian Niece, Ph.D., and Krystin Albano ’20 work with the new NMR spectrometer in the Testa Science Center.
Non-science majors benefit from an active learning approach, too. Prof. Lemons has developed a new class, Matters and Mysteries of Your Brain, that helps students from any discipline use case studies to introduce new neurobiological concepts. For instance, the first case study centers on a woman who has lost her sense of balance. “It serves as a springboard to dive deeper into the topic of the vestibular system, our sense of balance, and the brain,” said Prof. Lemons. From there, students develop their own classroom experiments to gain a deeper understanding of the neurobiology behind human balance, then research current news stories on the topic, honing their science literacy skills.
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Thomas Barringer ’19 grew up in Maryland close to the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and became fascinated by animals. In high school, volunteering as a counselor in the zoo’s summer camp program “inspired me to want to be a zookeeper,” he said. At Assumption, he’s majoring in biology and currently completing an independent research project on cell growth. Laboratory research might not sound useful for a zookeeper, but Barringer discovered its relevance firsthand while working as an animal care intern at a zoo in St. Louis last summer. “The zoo veterinarian did PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests on monkeys. I knew what they were because I’d done those tests in my cellular and molecular biology labs.”
Bench time at Assumption starts as early as freshman year. Zachary DeLoughery ’12, a triple major in chemistry, biotechnology, and biology with a concentration in neuroscience, logged many hours in Assumption’s Testa Science Center (see sidebar). His research internships – one in organic chemistry and the other working on a research team with Prof. Lemons – were instrumental in preparing him for a career in biomedical science. “When I started my graduate work at Brown University, I realized that we were taught very advanced laboratory techniques at Assumption,” he said.
“PEOPLE WHO WANT A STRONG EDUCATION IN SCIENCE SEEM TO SHY AWAY FROM LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES LIKE ASSUMPTION…BUT SEEING THE AMAZING LABORATORY RESEARCH GOING ON HERE, AND REALIZING THAT I’D REALLY GET TO KNOW MY PROFESSORS, MADE ME APPRECIATE THIS UNIQUE SETTING.” LAUREN BROWN ‘15
WHEN IT COMES TO SCIENCE, A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IS THE PLACE TO BE When Lauren Brown ’15 toured Assumption, she knew immediately that this was where she needed to be. “People who want a strong education in science seem to shy away from liberal arts colleges like Assumption,” she said, “but seeing the amazing laboratory research going on here, and realizing that I’d really get to know my professors, made me appreciate this unique setting.” Brown, who originally set her sights on being a high school biology teacher, graduated with a B.A. in molecular and cellular biology and a minor in secondary education. Today, she is a Clinical Bioinformatics Analyst II at Foundation Medicine in Cambridge, a company that connects patients and physicians to the latest cancer treatments, and she is pursuing an MBA. Like Brown, Maggie Bara ’14 was interested in becoming a teacher. Then she took an Introduction to Biology class and experienced a “transformative moment.” “One day, the professor was talking about this metabolic pathway called glycolysis, where your body breaks down sugars,” said Bara, “and she said your body’s cells are doing this right now, while you’re sitting in my classroom. That was the first time I ever thought about how people are doing research and making new discoveries in biology every day.” Bara eventually became a biology major and conducted a full year of research at Assumption, studying what happens to immune cells during an infection. Today, she is a Ph.D. student at Duke University and conducting lung cancer research. Part of what makes it possible for Assumption undergraduates to conduct such high-level, hands-on research is the College’s small class sizes that allow professors time to closely mentor students. “Assumption students earn authorship on publications in peerreviewed science journals, and many attend professional scientific meetings where they present their research to an international audience,” said Prof. Lemons. Students also benefit from being at a liberal arts college, she added, “where we’re dedicated to graduating well-rounded, ethical citizens with great communication skills.”
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND AT ASSUMPTION’S TESTA SCIENCE CENTER The Richard and Janet Testa Science Center, named in honor of Assumption alumnus Richard Testa ’59 and his wife Janet HD ’07, houses the Natural Sciences Department. Noted for its state-of-the-art and artistic elements, the 63,000-square-foot Testa Science Center offers: • 10 teaching laboratories • Seven faculty and student research laboratories • Cutting-edge equipment, including a fluorescent compound microscope, NMR spectrometer, and quantitative PCR machine • The Brazelton Greenhouse, a rooftop greenhouse for biology and botany studies • Lounge and study areas • The Adler Trust Auditorium, a lecture and performance space
“Assumption’s message of energy and inspiration is ‘Light the Way,’” Brown reflected, “and I love it. To me, ‘Light the Way’ means learning how to light your own fire. My professors were so passionate and motivated that I couldn’t help but be passionate and motivated, too. Assumption really helps shape what you believe and who you are.”
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ALUMNI NEWS FROM THE ALUMNI A S S O C I AT I O N PRESIDENT I always loved the spring while at Assumption. Campus really comes to life with the blooming of all the flowers and trees and, of course, the return of the ducks! Alumni gatherings took place across the country to start 2018 – from San Francisco, California, in January to Naples, Florida, in February. The Alumni Association Board of Directors planned a successful inaugural Alumna in Residence program featuring Candy McGovern Race ’78, where she connected with faculty and students throughout the day on the Assumption campus. The event culminated with a Career Networking Night where Candy delivered the keynote address on the “Value of a Liberal Arts Education,” which welcomed over 40 alumni and 140 students. Members of the Alumni Board volunteered on campus for spring open houses to engage with prospective students and parents, as well as at the Step and Dance Competition in April, which is a great event for the community. We have also been working with the subcommittees to support various areas of the College. The Admissions Support Subcommittee is looking to build a network of alumni who are interested in volunteering at future events. If you would like to learn more, please contact me or alumni@assumption.edu. Michela D’Eramo Mesa ’06 mderamo@assumption.edu
ALUMNI NETWORKS
To better serve our alumni, Regional Club programs have been restructured into Alumni Networks, with 14 established regions to date. If you wish to start a Network in your area, please let us know! Instrumental in maintaining the groups, Network Ambassadors will plan and implement a variety of programs to enhance your engagement with the College and other alumni. Visit assumption.edu/alumni to get involved.
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Assumption Alumni Excellence
Each year, Assumption College recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession. On Saturday, June 2, the following alumni will be honored with the Annual Alumni Awards. Michael Sullivan ’83, of Holliston, will receive the Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award, given to an alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his/her chosen field of interest. Sullivan, who earned a degree in accounting, is president and partner of Linchris Hotel Corporation in Hanover. He has served on the College’s Board of Trustees since 2009 and is a member of the President’s Council and a co-chair of the Light the Way Capital Campaign. Donna O’Neill Connolly ’78, of Worcester, will receive the Jack Bresciani Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes continued enthusiastic service and devotion to the advancement of the Alumni Association. Connolly, who earned a degree in rehabilitation counseling, is director of youth access and career planning for Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCO). Since graduating, Connolly has been an active member of the Alumni Association as a former Alumni Board president and as a member of several alumni committees. Kevin Peterssen ’08, G’12, of Worcester, will receive the Young Alumni Award for demonstrating leadership and support to the Alumni Association and for embodying the College’s mission. Peterssen, who earned a bachelor’s in accounting and an MBA from Assumption, is vice president of commercial banking for United Bank. He is an Alumni Board member, class ambassador, serves as an MBA mentor, and has volunteered for Veterans Inc. for more than 10 years. Charles Brusard, professor emeritus of mathematics, will receive the Honorary Alumni Award for his outstanding devotion and generosity to the College. Prof. Brusard, of Arlington, has taught at Assumption for nearly 50 years, and taught at Assumption Prep prior to coming to the College in 1968. In 2011, Prof. Brusard was honored with “professor emeritus” status for his “long and distinguished service to the College” and for “having earned the affection and respect of the Assumption community.”
DROP US A LINE OR GIVE US A RING Share your thoughts and feedback on the content and new layout of Assumption Magazine by email to acpa@assumption.edu or by letter to Assumption College Magazine, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609–1296 or give us a ring at 508.767.7173.
ASSUMPTION CLASS NOTES
CLASS NOTES Submit your news online at assumption.edu/classnotes. SUMMER 2018 issue deadline July 1, 2018. Weʼd love to hear from you!
1973
45TH REUNION
Louise M. Peloquin, Ph.D., of Groton, was named Knight of the National Order of Merit during a ceremony at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris in February. This distinction, which is decided and proclaimed by the president of the French Republic, was in recognition of her 13 years of service with the Ministry, as well as the 30 years she spent promoting New England’s Franco-American community and its cultural heritage. From 2005–18, Louise was a language coach at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and worked with eight ministers and countless high-level civil servants and government officials.
1976
Joan Laracy, representing the Worcester Garden Club, created a floral arrangement for the Flora in Winter event at the Worcester Art Museum. She was also selected to present a piece of artwork through floral design. Joan and her husband, John ’73, own the Bagel Inn Company located in central Massachusetts.
1978
James Bruce has announced his retirement as a partner from the CPA firm Daniel Dennis & Company LLP after 36 years. Jim remains at the firm as a principal where he provides client services on a part-time basis.
1981
Bob Guinto, founder of Non Profit Capital Management in Sterling, has moved into a consulting role with the organization.
1982
Joseph Finn, of North Andover, recently retired from his career in federal law enforcement in which he served as the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Special Agent-in-Charge in the Chicago and Boston field offices. He recently joined the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage firm in Andover as an associate broker.
1983
35TH REUNION
Paula J. Del Prete, of Ashland, announced her retirement from the Framingham Public Schools (FPS) after 31 years. During that time, Paula taught middle and elementary school, and served as principal and vice principal of an elementary school for the last nine years. She also worked in the area of special education as a team coordinator and a department head. Paula will continue her role as a part-time FPS mentor for principals. Vincent Librandi has been named chief operating officer of the Jewish Healthcare Center (JHC) of Worcester. Additionally, he will oversee JHC Hospice, JHC Home Care, and Eisenberg Assisted Living.
The artwork of Sandra Merlini, a Marlborough-based artist, was exhibited at the Marlborough Senior Center and Northborough Public Library from midFebruary through March. Her “Purple Heart” and “Floral” paintings were on exhibition at the Spring Arts Festival in March. For the 20th consecutive year, Michael Sullivan coordinated a dinner with his former roommates and their spouses. Attendees of this annual roommate Christmas dinner included Brian Bulger P’11 and his wife, Wendy Bulger P’11; Dean Hildreth and his wife, Patti Bishop Hildreth ’82; George Hogan and his wife, Sharon; Todd Solar and his wife, Rose Karl Solar ’85; and Michael and his wife, Cathy Thomas Sullivan.
1986
Robert A. Martin began a new position in the insurance claims area of Robert M. Currey & Associates in Boston in January. Bob serves on the Alumni Association Board, working on the Alumni/Admissions Committee, and recently completed another Pan-Mass Challenge; in the last 12 years, he has raised $169,059 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.
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ASSUMPTION CLASS NOTES
1987
Michelle Loranger was named South Coast Woman of the Year for her work as executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center in Bristol County. She was recognized for her work with the victims of physical, sexual, and emotional trauma.
1990
Raena Heppenstall was recently featured in the Telegram & Gazette; her restaurant, Corner Grille in Worcester, is celebrating 20 years of operation. She has been the proprietor and chef since it opened in 1998.
Louise M. Peloquin ʼ73 receiving the Knight of the National Order of Merit distinction during a ceremony at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris
Alumni Christmas Dinner Gathering: Michael Sullivan ’83; Brian Bulger ’83, P’11 and his wife, Wendy Bulger P’11; Dean Hildreth and his wife, Patti Bishop Hildreth ’82; George Hogan and his wife, Sharon; Todd Solar and his wife, Rose Karl Solar ’85; and Michael and his wife, Cathy Thomas Sullivan
Jessica Cremin ’03 receives the AFCEA Award: (L-R) Joseph Sifer, AFCEA Board Chairman; Jessica Cremin ’03; and Lt. Gen. Robert M. Shea, USMC (Ret.), AFCEA President and CEO
Alex Marshall ’14 shows off his Super Bowl ring at a recent Patriots game with his sister Nicole Marshall ’17
1991
Ellen J. (Lavigne) Pilch has a story published in the book Black Cats Tell All. The book is a compilation of stories about black cats to help end the superstitions about them.
1992
Maureen (Murphy) Wojnar, of Grafton, has been promoted to vice president of operations of the Homefield Credit Union. Maureen, who joined the credit union 30 years ago as a part-time teller, is also a member of the compliance committee, IT steering committee, and spirit committee, which directs fundraising campaigns. She is also a dedicated volunteer in her community, working for many years with the Grafton Lions Club as a volunteer Biddy Basketball coach, and is an active member of the Grafton Garden Club. In 2017, she was awarded the Banker and Tradesman’s Credit Union Heroes Award for her dedication to volunteer efforts.
1998
Derek Mohamed, of Westborough, recently earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor SM Certification, awarded by the Investments and Wealth Institute. Derek has worked in the Wellesley Hills Merrill Lynch office since 2015.
1997
BIRTH: Mark Cleland and his wife, Katherine Kane Cleland ’04, welcomed their first child, Aislinn Rose, on January 11.
2001
BIRTH: Sarah Briggs Galindo and her husband Patrick welcomed their son, Patrick William Galindo, Jr., on August 28, 2017.
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2003
Jessica Cremin received the prestigious Distinguished Young Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Award at the organization’s international conference in February. Jessica was recognized for her outstanding contributions to AFCEA’s Lexington-Concord Chapter, including raising more than $5,500 and helping to increase membership by 25 percent.
Matthew Starr married Melissa Carey Starr at the Publick House in Sturbridge on August 9, 2013. Their first child, Kaitlyn Carey Starr, was born on June 27, 2017.
2005
BIRTH: Heather (Miner) Sweeney and her husband Michael welcomed their third child, James Patrick, on January 17. James joins Nora (5) and Connor (3).
Valerie Kerr, of Manchester, CT, was recently promoted to circulation librarian of the Manchester (CT) Public Library. Valerie received her Master of Library Science from Clarion University (PA) in December 2015.
BIRTH: Rowena (Cowie) Pouliot and her husband Jeffrey welcomed their second daughter, Norah Rosaline, on October 11, 2017.
2004
Steve Pagios was recently named the director of student engagement at Stonehill College in Easton.
Identical twin brothers Matthew and Michael Perfetuo appeared in Chen Sicheng’s comedy thriller, Detective Chinatown 2, which opened in February in Beijing, Boston, and other cities. The movie is the second in the series; Sicheng has a goal to film a movie in every major Chinatown in the world. The brothers have held several other movie roles and have appeared in HBO shows and in national commercials. They reside in California.
2006 2008
10TH REUNION
Teresa Kuehhas Leite married Jason Leite in Smithtown, NY, on July 6, 2017. Classmates Cristin (Costa) Freed and Lauren (Konicki) D’Ambrogio were in attendance.
ASSUMPTION CLASS NOTES
2009
Caitlin Lahey recently performed in the play It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, which was produced by the Worcester Light Opera Company. Caitlin is an English teacher at Wachusett Regional High School. Joe Fabiano has been named co-leader of the Jones Lang LaSalle real estate service’s New England Industrial Practice Group. Joe will manage the growth of the industrial brokerage business and work closely with the firm’s national industrial group. He also serves as co-chair of the Italian Home for Children’s Emerging Leaders Society and is a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. Liz Storer is an elementary education teacher in the Walpole Public Schools. She received her master’s degree in elementary education from Bridgewater State University in 2011. She resides in Foxboro. Lynne Cronin ’09, G’12 was honored at the St. John’s High School (Shrewsbury) Annual Gala in fall 2017 for her service as chief financial officer. Lynne serves on the board of Catholic Charities and the United Way Dollars for Scholars program. BIRTH: Rebecca (McCarthy) Martin gave birth to her second daughter, Cecelia Lynne, in April 2017. Cece joins big sister Aubrey Marie.
2010
Kimberly Cohen married Robert Tyler on October 8, 2017, with Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A., ’69 concelebrating. Alumni in attendance included Quentin Bond ’17, Jacqueline Branca, Kevin Dabrieo, Cait DeFerrari ’11, Dan Ferry, Kevin Grayson, Holly (Tortora) Haskell, Sarah (Ambacher) Paradee, Kevin Pratt, Derek Shanahan, Brian Sullivan ’11, Brian Tirrell, Courtney (Stratton) Wall, and Sean Whalen. Jennifer Clancy married Jason McWhirter on May 27, 2017. Alumni in attendance included Kerry Davis, who also served as matron of honor, Conrad and Gena (Bevilaqua) Audette, Amy (Laurendeau) Basbas ’09, Marie Bucklin, Danielle and Dan Case, Ashlee (Sweeney) Grassey, Matt Kisil, Gayle (Renfrew) and Peter Melko, Alyse Moccia, Steve and Brandon Pare, Nichole (McIntyre) and Doug Reilly, Kim Ricciardone ’09, and Sarah Wyman. Jeffery Alderson married Brittany Sousa on September 24, 2017, at Five Bridge Inn in Rehoboth. Jeffrey works as a technical director for Cramer Productions in Norwood. BIRTH: Jessica (Gerardi) Mordarski and her husband Nick welcomed their first daughter, Lennox Avery, on May 21, 2017.
Lessons in Love and Resiliency Lilliam Alonso Miller ’89 learned more than just numbers at Assumption. She also learned the virtue of compassion. When Hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated the Caribbean last fall, she and her husband Arland mobilized to provide critical relief for their neighbors.
beyond repair. “We are still trying to come to terms with our new reality.”
Though the Millers had no water or power of their own, they once again dedicated themselves to helping others. Despite having given everything to neighboring islands, they managed to gather “We always said that we have to take this opporsome water, food, and clothes, which they tunity to teach our children that during adversity brought to people in areas of greater need while you don’t just quit and move on,” Miller said. the Flyers assisted those who couldn’t be reached “You stay and you deal with the on foot. Two months later, when problem at hand. I am a strong “WE HAVE TO TAKE the Millers were able to reopen believer that you teach people kitchen and bath store, THIS OPPORTUNITY their by example.” Remodela, Inc., they cut prices to TO TEACH OUR help customers despite already After Irma struck, the Millers and suffering deep financial losses. CHILDREN THAT some friends embarked on a self-funded mission they dubbed DURING ADVERSITY In addition to her personal relief the Caribbean Flyers, in which they efforts, Miller also put in many YOU DON’T JUST delivered food, water, and other hours with the Drug Enforcement provisions to neighboring islands QUIT ... YOU STAY Administration’s (DEA) Caribbean that incurred the brunt of the Division. Miller, who has worked AND DEAL WITH hurricane’s force. “For those two for the DEA for eight years, cared THE PROBLEM weeks we made hundreds for and brought toys to displaced AT HAND.” of flights, making sure babies orphans and provided necessities were fed and sick people were to bedridden elderly in the Lilliam Alonso Miller ’89 taken care of,” she said. They also hurricanes’ aftermath. transported medicine, doctors, and “Assumption has always been an important part those who needed treatment elsewhere. of my life,” said Miller, who is a member of the However, when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico two weeks later, the Millers were the ones who needed help. “We lost everything,” she said, adding, that both of their houses were ravaged, their windows, doors, and furniture ruined
College’s Board of Trustees. “It was the foundation of what later became the base to the family I wanted to raise. The values, the morals, the dedication, and the most important thing … the love for others.” assumption.edu | SPRING
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ASSUMPTION CLASS NOTES
2011
Katie Storer is a senior assistant director of admission at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. Katie received her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Nichols College in 2014. She resides in Foxboro.
2012
Aspiring to Do More Leslie Lupien ’10 developed a passion for science at a young age, a passion that grew exponentially as a student and continued as a Ph.D. candidate studying cancer metabolism in the Experimental and Molecular Medicine Program at Dartmouth College. “My affinity for the sciences continued through high school and was fostered as a biology major and through a research fellowship in Professor Colby Davie’s lab,” said Lupien, who is in the final stages of earning her Ph.D. “I originally planned to become a physician, but over the course of lab work became enthralled by the idea of developing treatments for a disease that impacts almost everyone in some way.” Lupien, who played basketball for Assumption, is also a semiprofessional cyclist and model for Velocio, a cycling apparel company. “Having cycling as an outlet actually helps me maintain motivation and focus for the lab,” she said. “In a way, cycling and lab work are also “THERE WERE similar. Both research PROFESSORS WHO and high-level bike racing require resilCHALLENGED ience and adherence ME TO DO MORE, to the path.”
SEE MORE, ASPIRE TO MORE THAN I THOUGHT POSSIBLE.”
Lupien is grateful for the “diversity of learning” she received through her liberal arts Leslie Lupien ’10 education. “I earned a degree in biology, but took a full curriculum that included significant social science work,” she said. “I learned how to think critically, be objective, troubleshoot, and communicate effectively. Those skills are immeasurably useful regardless of your ultimate profession. … I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with several exceptional professors at Assumption. … There were professors who challenged me to do more, see more, aspire to more than I thought possible.” 34 ASSUMPTION Magazine
John Clinton married Bridgette Boyle ’13 on November 12, 2016, at Assumption’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Alumni in attendance were Rilie Brown ’13, Stephanie Coombs, Julia Donovan ’13, Emily (Davies) Emrick ’13, Grace Flaherty ’13, Lillian Irwin ’14, Sarah Matteodo ’13, Katie McIsaac ’13, Greg O’Rourke, Sam Pericolo ’13, Ross Petrain ’13, Justin Pugliese, Tim Robertson ’13, Joelle Santiago ’13, Stevie Senior, Jr., Andrew Smith, Emily Tavares ’14, and Jules Verbic. Bridgette and John reside in Watertown, and both work for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Delia Klim and Brian Nowak were married at Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire on September 16, 2017. Alumni in attendance were Timothy Bienert, Ashley Caissie, Jacqueline Carlson, Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Kelsey Fitzpatrick, Michelle Lubas, Stephen MacDonald ’11, Katrina Mitchell, Taylor Parent, Janet Testa HD’07, Elizabeth Villano ’11, and Jack Weissman.
2013
5TH REUNION
Jennifer Kennedy married Christopher Rawson in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on November 11, 2017. Alumni in attendance were Nate Lafond ’12, Jennifer Libin ’12, Kim McIntyre ’12, Pat McIntyre ’12, Kevin O’Brien, Michael Perkins ’11, Ashley Perkins ’11, Allie Plack, and Matthew Wrenn.
ASSUMPTION PREP AP’61
Frank Dionne is making the most of his retirement in East Winthrop, ME, where he enjoys fishing and playing music.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CE’02
Bethanne Groccia CE’02, G’14, of Auburn, has been promoted to chief human resources officer at Oriol Health Care, which owns and operates Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston and a separate branch in Holden. She has worked in executive human resource leadership positions for more than 15 years.
GRADUATE STUDIES G’77
Cynthia Bioteau, Ph.D., will retire from her position as president of Florida State College at Jacksonville at the end of the 2017–18 academic year. Cynthia, who has an M.A. in special education from Assumption, has served as president since 2014.
G’97
Kerry Ann (Leblanc) Goldsmith was promoted to executive director of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where she previously worked as the assistant executive director for 10 years.
G’07
Kristin Mayotte has been named vice president for strategy and program development for YOU Incorporated.
2014
Alex Marshall ’14, G’15, a Shrewsbury native who now lives in Mansfield, led the New England Patriots out of the tunnel and onto the field carrying the American flag before Super Bowl LII. Alex works for the Patriots as a senior accountant – cash supervisor.
2015
Kyle Barrett began working as a human resources associate for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston in December.
2016
Tim Carroll is an enterprise risk analyst at Santander Holdings USA in Boston.
CLASS NOTES SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Assumption Magazine publishes Class Notes in each issue (spring, summer, and winter). Submissions can be made at alumni@assumption.edu or by mailing us your information. An icon may be placed by a wedding announcement, indicating a photo is posted online. The Magazineʼs editorial staff makes every effort to accurately print announcements, but cannot always verify the accuracy of information submitted for publication.
IN MEMORIAM Brother Armand G. Lemaire, A.A., ’48
Peter Toscano, Ph.D.
1925–2018
1951–2018
Brother Armand Lemaire, 93, passed away peacefully on February 28. He professed his first religious vows in 1944 and, for nearly 70 years, he served the Assumption College community in a number of critical roles where he inspired and impacted countless students’ lives. These include service as assistant treasurer, alumni ambassador, and, most recently, special assistant to the director of alumni relations. In 2006, Brother Armand was a recipient of the prestigious Assumption College President’s Medal, conferred by President Emeritus Thomas Plough, and in 2008 was inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his unique and numerous contributions to the department. In addition to his accounting expertise, Brother Armand was devoted to the liturgical life of the Church and dedicated much time to preparing for Masses and prayer services on the Assumption campus. His services were held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in early March. Gifts in memory of Brother Armand can be made to The Brother Armand Lemaire, A.A., Scholarship Fund, created in his honor by the Class of 1969, to support Assumption College students.
Peter F. Toscano, Jr., Ph.D., retired associate professor of psychology who taught at the College for 40 years, passed away on January 21. Dr. Toscano began teaching at Assumption in 1975 as an adjunct professor in the graduate psychology program and was appointed as a full-time faculty member. Dr. Toscano retired in 2016. During his 40 years at Assumption, Dr. Toscano served as chair of the psychology department, practicum/ internship coordinator for the clinical counseling psychology program, and coordinator for the child and family interventions concentration in the same program. He was deeply devoted to his students and clients who benefited not only from his expertise, but also from his genuine compassion and sense of humor. A memorial Mass presided by Fr. Roger Corriveau, A.A., was held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on February 10.
† Paul J. Raymond ‘63
† Michael Palmer ‘82
† Robert ˮBobˮ Laurence, Ph.D., AP’53
† Dennis Ferrante ’72, G’76
† Walter “Wally” W. Swett, Jr. ‘72
† Joseph F. Diliberto, M.D., ‘81
† James Barbato ’65
† Martin Paulausky ’68
† Fr. Richard G. Roger ‘59
† Gerard E. Goggins ’60
November 24, 2017 November 28, 2017
December 9, 2017
December 10, 2017
† Robert O. Dupuis AP’44, AU’50, G’63 † Colleen Driscoll Leonard G’92 December 3, 2017
December 17, 2017
† Richard H. Jaquish G’69
† Leo A. Archambault AP’53
December 9, 2017
December 27, 2017
December 28, 2017 December 30, 2017 January 6, 2018
† Raymond Babineau AP’38
January 20, 2018 January 24, 2018 January 25, 2018
January 7, 2018
For an updated list of dearly departed alumni, faculty, and staff with links to online obituaries, please visit assumption.edu/obituaries.
Did you know that Assumption College offers 11 graduate programs? • • • • •
Addiction Counseling Applied Behavior Analysis Business Administration (MBA) Clinical Counseling Psychology Health Advocacy
• • • • •
Rehabilitation Counseling Resiliency in the Helping Professions School Counseling Special Education Transition Specialist
Assumption College has a new MBA in Healthcare Management program! Learn more at www.assumption.edu/healthcare-mba For information about our graduate programs, please email graduate@assumption.edu or call 508.767.7387. assumption.edu | SPRING 2018 37 Visit us online at www.assumption.edu/graduate
// LAST WORDS //
Endurance of a Fad Autism Therapy How Assumption Teaches Students to Distinguish Evidence-Based Therapies from Fads KAREN M. LIONELLO-DENOLF, PH.D., BCBA-D, LABA VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DIRECTOR OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS PROGRAMS
imagine being a parent of a nonverbal child with autism and wanting nothing more than to communicate with your child, to know his/her thoughts, hopes, and dreams. Imagine, too, there was a therapy that unlocked those lines of communication. Decades ago, “facilitated communication” (FC) was thought to be that therapy. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and excesses of repetitive behaviors. The type, number, and severity of symptoms vary widely across individuals, who also vary in their need for treatment. Finding reliable information on effective autism therapy is daunting because autism has long been a fad-therapy magnet. Fad therapies promise unbelievable results and quickly gain popularity, often before they are subjected to review by the scientific community. Over time, the “therapy” undergoes rigorous testing. At that point, it is either shown to be efficacious and becomes part of accepted practice or, more often, proved ineffective and its use declines. Examples of fad autism “therapies” include chelation therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatments. FC was developed for people with cerebral palsy but became popular as a communication therapy for autism in the 1990s. In this method, a facilitator helps the FC user control motor movements by holding the user’s hand or arm while he/she points to (types) letters on a keyboard to communicate. FC seemed to break the barriers that prevented those with autism from expressing their thoughts and desires. FC output was astounding; people
36 ASSUMPTION Magazine
initially thought to be lacking language skills were writing essays and solving complicated mathematical problems. Success stories were profiled in the media, and FC use spread worldwide. However, by the end of the 1990s, rigorous scientific investigations had demonstrated that facilitators, not FC users, were (unknowingly) creating the “communications”; use of FC as a communication therapy was discredited.
Given the widespread condemnation of FC by the scientific community and the serious harm it has caused, it is shocking that its use continues nearly 20 years after its debunking. Popular books, online reports, and television documentaries still tout FC successes based on anecdotal evidence, and training workshops are still offered. FC continues to be used as a therapy, and reports of abuse continue.
The harm perpetuated by fad therapies is just as astounding as the miracles they promise.
It is essential that programs train aspiring clinicians not only on how to deliver evidence-based autism interventions, such as those based on applied behavior analysis (ABA), but also on how to avoid fad therapies. The undergraduate and graduate ABA programs at Assumption teach students how to recognize the characteristics of evidence-based interventions and understand the underlying behavioral principles that support them. Understanding the science of behavior is the first step in creating a generation of clinicians who are able to resist the temptation of fad and potentially damaging therapies.
The harm perpetuated by fad therapies is just as astounding as the miracles they promise. They provide false hope. They waste resources and time that could be spent in meaningful therapy. They sometimes tear families apart; for example, FC user “communications” included numerous accounts of sexual abuse that were later determined to have been originated by the facilitators rather than by FC users.
Your support of
THE ASSUMPTION FUND
helps provide students like Johnny Brand ‘18 with a variety of resources for learning in the classroom, the Chapel, the library, and the community.
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Your support will help provide Johnny and today’s students with the resources to have the opportunities to grow academically, spiritually, and socially at Assumption College. The ASSUMPTION FUND supports: • Academic Programs • Athletics • Campus Ministry • General Scholarships • Student Life Make your gift using the enclosed envelope or online at www.assumption.edu/donate. assumption.edu | SPRING 2018
500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296
SAVE THE DATE // ALUMNI EVENTS Thursday, May 17, 2018 CT Alumni Reception / Pond House Cafe, West Hartford Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 3, 2018 Reunion / HoundFest Saturday, August 4, 2018 Cape Cod Alumni Reception / Hyannis Yacht Club Monday, September 17, 2018 FBI Golf Tournament / Worcester Country Club Saturday, September 22, 2018 Prep Reunion Thursday, September 27, 2018 Boston Alumni Reception Clarke – Sub Zero & Wolf Showroom & Test Kitchen Event information: assumption.edu/alumni/events
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #389 BURLINGTON, VT 05401