Bryant Engage - April 2020

Engage

B RYA N T UNIVERSITY I N S I G H TS A N D OPPORTUNITIES F O R A LU M N I , PA R E N TS , A N D FRIENDS Volume 25 No. 2 April 2020

Board of Trustees Announces the Appointment 2 3 of Economist and CCSNH Chancellor 4 Ross Gittell as Bryant’s Ninth President

New webinars Staying connected: Social media Alumni panels

continues on page 5

he annual Alumni Achievement Awards recognize the active, inspiring members of the Bryant community who are not only personally and professionally accomplished, but also exemplify what it means to be “inspired to excel.” The difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony and

dinner previously scheduled for April 17 doesn’t make our alumni award recipients any less special. Bryant looks forward to celebrating this year’s honorees at a future date, but in the meantime, please learn about their career paths and accomplishments. continues on page 6

B RYA N T C O M M U N I T Y M O B I L I Z E S TO A D D R E S S C OV I D - 19

C

ollege campuses, and indeed all communities across the country and around the world, are confronting unprecedented and previously unfathomable challenges in the face of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 10, Bryant was one of the first schools in the region to announce a transition to online learning, effective March 17. Later that week of spring break, the University notified students that while the school would remain open for essential services all overnight stays on campus would be limited.

Students were encouraged to remain at home and return to the residence halls only to retrieve personal belongings.

Bryant’s dedicated faculty members responded to the need for innovative teaching, and are also generously sharing their expertise as thought leaders helping to inform the broader community about the impacts of coronavirus. Visit news.bryant.edu

to read insights from Bryant faculty appearing in top national media outlets.

In recent weeks, dedicated individuals across every facet of the organization have stepped up and are working together to address issues presented by the worldwide health crisis. Through a series of timely emails that have kept the Bryant community abreast of evolving plans, President Machtley noted the collaborative spirit of our close-knit community as one of the University’s greatest strengths during this challenge. “We will make it through this difficult situation as a Bryant Bulldog strong community,” he said.

To stay up to date with the latest information and resources regarding the Bryant community’s response to COVID-19, visit emergency.bryant.edu.

INSPIRED TO EXCEL

Dr. Gittell is highly regarded in economic and policy circles for his economic analysis and forecasting. With an extensive background in university teaching, strategic planning, and management, Gittell’s focus has been on applying economic, organizational, and management theory to regional, state, and community economic development issues.

He has frequently served as an expert resource for government, non-profit, and business leaders in New Hampshire and nationally on topics including economic policy, workforce development, job creation strategies, community development, and the business climate.

Dr. Gittell holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Harvard University; a

Master’s in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago. Prior to his appointment as CCSNH Chancellor, he was the James R. Carter Professor in the Department of Management at the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire.

His teaching career spans more than 20 years and includes, in addition to the Whittemore School, teaching at the Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at the New School for Social Research in Manhattan, and the Graduate School of Education, Economics Department and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Dr. Gittell is active on numerous boards and commissions and is extensively published. Beyond the academic arena, his background includes senior economic consulting for corporate and public sector clients.

Bryant’s Presidential Search Committee co-chairs were Chair of the Board of Trustees William Conaty ’67, Senior Vice President (Retired), Corporate Human Resources, General Electric Company; and Bryant Trustee

T

Bryant University

Dr. Ross Gittell

WILLIAM J. CONATY ’67 CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Honoring outstanding alumni in unprecedented times

1150 Douglas Pike

University’s next president. Earning unanimous support from Bryant Trustees, Gittell will succeed Ron Machtley, who has served as Bryant’s eighth president since 1996.

A LU M N I AC H I E V E M E N T AWA R D W I N N E R S

Smithfield, RI 02917-1284

of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), as the

e are thrilled to find a leader W like Ross Gittell, who embodies the character and future vision for Bryant. Dr. Gittell’s experience as a leader of seven community colleges make him a perfect fit to succeed the legendary Ron Machtley.

Follow us on social media

O

n March 4, the Bryant University Board of Trustees announced that after an extensive national search it had appointed distinguished economist and economic development expert Dr. Ross Gittell, Chancellor

SOCIAL MEDIA

D E E P, L I F E - LO N G C O N N E C T I O N S

NAC

Bryant Alumni Virtual Networks

CORNER Join us for a number of upcoming hot topics, presented by leading speakers, and offered at no charge to our alumni. In addition to these upcoming topics, visit alumni.bryant.edu to view the archives of past webinars.

MAY 6TH

JUNE 2ND

Bring Your Brain to Work: Using Cognitive Science to Get a Job, Do it Well, and Advance Your Career

Parents Who Lead: Parent with Purpose, Fuel Your Career and Create a Richer Life

Whether you're looking to advance your career or to help others to maximize their career potential, there is great value in learning more about cognitive science.

Design a career and family life based on core values.

JUNE 25TH MAY 13TH

Pivot: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One Learn how to pivot strategically into

Creating a Culture of Accountability A culture of accountability drives employee return on investment, giving you more flexibility to scale and attain your most ambitious aspirations.

your next opportunity or grow within your current role.

Over the past few weeks, I have kept coming back to the phrase ‘no ordinary time,’ the title of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s biography of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and an apt description of the past two months at Bryant.

Bryant University

Bryant University

@BryantUniv

Bryant University

@BryantUniv

@BryantUniv

In early February, after an historic search, Bryant named its 9th president, Dr. Ross Gittell, a distinguished leader both in the academy and as head of a major consortium of community colleges in nearby New Hampshire. His strong academic foundation in business and economics, coupled with his administrative leadership experience, make him an ideal candidate to lead Bryant into the future. I was fortunate to be on the search committee representing our National Alumni Council and our Board of Trustees. I am confident that we picked the right person.

Just a week later, the global COVID-19 crisis began a cascade of major — and in some ways heart wrenching — choices on college campuses across the country, including Bryant. The unprecedented decision to move all undergraduate classes online, coupled with the need to limit student access to our campus was an historic first. These were no ordinary times, indeed, as our students adjusted to a major disruption to their academic year — both inside and outside the classroom — and, in some cases, outside of the country as they were recalled home from study abroad programs.

Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life

I know you will join me in supporting our students and our community of parents and alumni beyond the Archway by staying connected and thinking creatively about ways to remain engaged with each other. Throughout everything, Bryant will always aim to remain true to its mission of being student-centered and seeking academic excellence.

In these not-so-ordinary times, Bryant has benefited from 24 years of strong leadership from Ron Machtley and anticipates a bright future with our new president, Ross Gittell.

Get the best out of technology, without letting it get the best of us.

Be well.

MAY 20TH

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Kudos to Ross Gittell, stalwart regionalist, #NEBHE delegate, friend, key member of Commission on #HigherEd and #Employability and frequent contributor to our NE Journal of Higher Ed

Some massive shoes to fill, I know the whole Bryant community wishes Dr. Gittell the best of luck.

Congratulations to our new incoming Bryant University President, Dr. Ross Gittell. We here at Bryant CEO are thrilled to have you join our wonderful community of Bulldogs!

Congratulations to @BryantUniv on selecting Dr. Ross Gittell as their next president! We look forward to his leadership.

Congrats to Ross Gittell. Nice to see an economist calling the shots at Bryant University.

Wishing the best of luck to the new president, Dr Ross Gittell. You will have big shoes to fill and a proud university that will support you. Learn from the students, utilize the alumni, and continue to make @ BryantUniv a great place!

John Poirier, MBA, Ed.D. Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management at Bryant University

— Rita Williams-Bogar ’76 President, National Alumni Council Member, Bryant University Board of Trustees

732 likes

To register and learn about more webinars, visit

Please visit alumni.bryant.edu/getinvolved or contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement at alumni@bryant.edu to join our efforts.

alumni.bryant.edu/events

ALUMNI AND PARENT NE TWORKING EVENTS

March 9 | Raleigh, NC Darryl Buchanan ’85, and Dan Callahan P’20 were among

the nearly 90 alumni, parents and friends who gathered on a Monday night to catch up with Coach Pressler ahead of the Men's Lacrosse match at UNC.

888 likes

View more pictures at facebook.com/bryantalumni/photos

January 19 | Jacksonville, FL

January 9 | New York, NY

Hosts Paul ’79 and Kathy Blackman welcome Teri and James Bergeron ’92, a member of the Board of Trustees of Bryant University, to the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club for a Sunday afternoon alumni reception.

Alumni shared career advice with current students at the New York City offices of Grant Thornton in January. Featured left to right: Alfred Dorbor ’20, Eulogio Portugal ’20, Darnell Grant ’20, and Mark O’Brien ’21.

January 7 | Boston, MA Grant Thornton provided the perfect space for students and alumni to connect at their Boston offices in January. Featured left to right: Colby Sturgis ’20, Mario Wilson ’20, Kara Watson ’15, and Stephanie Vlohiotis ’15.

BRIDGING THE FINANCIAL GAP FOR STUDENTS

Support Bryant students immediately by making a gift to the Find out more about #WeAreBryant at: www.bryant.edu/wearebryant

I want to give a shout out to my senior learners at Bryant. Typically during the spring semester seniors suffer from "senioritis", a condition that causes disengagement from learning. Symptoms include excessive absences, missed assignments and lingering lethargy. Under this year's anomalous circumstances, however, members of the class of 2020 are coming to the virtual classroom prepared, turn in assignments early, and are fully engaged in the courses I am teaching. Maybe they don't have anything better to do. But I am chalking it up to a widespread manifestation of the "character of success." Great job to all of you. And, thank you.

For the latest news from Bryant and more about alumni, faculty, and students

follow us on social media.

N M P S

UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI

TWIT TER @BryantUniv

TWIT TER @BryantAlumni

FACEBOOK BryantUniversity

FACEBOOK BryantAlumni

INSTAGRAM BryantUniversity

INSTAGRAM Bryant_Alumni

L INKEDIN school/bryantuniversity

LINKEDIN Bryant University Alumni Association (Group)

Engage ISSN 1099-1913 is published four times a year in January, April, July, and October for the alumni of Bryant University. Publication offices are located in the Office of Alumni Engagement, Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917-1284. Periodicals Postage Paid at Providence, Rhode Island.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Engage, Bryant University Alumni Office, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917-1284.

2 Engage | April 2020

Engage | April 2020

3

COLLEGIAL COMMUNITY

Alumni panel reflects on rise of women in C-suite jobs S

ome of Bryant’s most successful alumni gathered in Boston to discuss

trends in diversity and inclusion — specifically the growth of women in leadership — and provide advice about paths to success.

The panelists included Ellen Wilson ’79, Office of the Chief Executive and Executive Vice President, UnitedHealth Group, and Bryant Trustee; Ann-Marie

Boards are not only looking at this statistically, but saying, ‘We have to look at ourselves.’

ANN-MARIE HARRINGTON ’86

Harrington ’86, Partner, Scribo and Rhode Island Foundation Board member; and Scott Voss ’92, Managing Director,

HarbourVest Partners. The panel was moderated by Diya Das, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Management.

According to a McKinsey report, organizations have seen an increase in women in the C-suite from about 17 percent in 2015 to 21 percent in 2019.

While noting this trend is a moderate step in the right direction, the panelists cited some concrete steps being taken by corporate America that might explain it.

“Recruiting and development, that’s a piece of it — but the numbers tell only a tiny part of the story. Inclusion is actually the bigger piece,” said Wilson, who is the head of human resources at UnitedHealth.

The company, she explained, has set up emerging leaders groups sponsored by company CEOs. Their

aim is to create inclusive mentoring and help the top decision-makers gain exposure to a diverse pool of talent to promote.

The panelists gave some advice about what individuals could do to be part of the trend. In addition to finding a mentor who believes in you, the panelists told the audience, advocate for what you want, whether it be pay or opportunities, and From left, Scott Voss ’92, Ann-Marie Harrington ’86, and persist in reaching your goals.

Ellen Wilson ’79 took part in a panel discussion moderated The discussion resonated

by Professor Diya Das, Ph.D. with many of the Bryant students and alumni in empowerment and confidence that the attendance. “The panel was panelists illustrated was motivating a perfect representation of what and made me truly believe that if I can Bryant University is about,” dream it, I can do it.”

Julia Di Natale ’22 remarked. “The

I D E AS W O R T H S H A R I N G

2020 Vision guides alumni TEDxBryantU talks B

ryant alumni were among those taking center stage at February’s TEDxBryantU event.

United by a desire to change the world, the alumni were among the eight presenters drawn from across the Bryant community who came together to share ideas, perspectives, and advice at TEDxBryantU 2020. The theme of this year’s event was “Vision 2020.”

“TEDx is such a respected organization; to be included is truly an honor,” says Don Wilson ’92, ’94 MBA, who spoke about building confidence

to get up on stage and say, ‘This is my knowledge, this is my strength, this is what I have to share.’”

NEW PRESIDENT continued from page 1

Bryant does a great job of involving alumni and bringing the community together.

It’s great to come back and be part of the community.

LAUREN FRIEDRICH ’07

A COMMUNITY EVENT TEDxBryantU 2020 gave voice to a wide range of Bryant community members, including students, alumni, staff, and friends of the University.

“We’re all united in that we care about the world. We care about learning and we care about being better as people. I think the best way to do that is with a diverse group,” notes presenter

IDEAS WORTH SHARING A student-run initiative, TEDxBryantU is independently organized and licensed by the TED media platform. Samantha Scoca ’18, inspired by Bryant’s culture of innovation, applied for a TEDx license in 2018 and brought the conference to campus. The 2020 committee was excited to continue her legacy.

or the fourth consecutive year,

the Gap: An Alumni of Color Panel.

alumni who talked about their

multicultural alumni returned to

The audience — students of similar

experiences and discussed how to

backgrounds — heard from six

prepare to enter the workforce as

campus to participate in Bridging

a person of color.

“Being able to navigate among different groups of people here at Bryant and getting to know different people is important,” said Shirley Carrington ’18, a second-year law student at New England Law. “Once I started reaching out and getting to know people outside of my friend group, I was able to get a better grasp on where I wanted to go and build my network.”

Other panelists agreed, and talked about the special challenges people of color might experience in the workplace.

They urged students to be clear about their own unique value propositions and use them to their advantage.

Panelists also encouraged students to take full advantage of all the resources available to them at Bryant, including The Amica Center for Career Education, and the University’s extensive alumni network.

The February event was organized by the PwC Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Alumni Engagement Office, and the Multicultural Student Union.

the Bryant Board of Trustees Academic and Faculty Committee and Associate Provost for Budget & Planning at Boston University. As the human resources leader for over 300,000 GE employees worldwide, Conaty was widely acclaimed for his track record of innovation and the architect behind many of GE’s HR practices in the areas of workforce differentiation and succession planning. Dr. O’Brien previously served as Deputy Dean of Harvard College, Dean of the Simmons College School of Management, on the faculty of the Harvard Business School, and held teaching positions at Babson College and Brandeis University.

Throughout higher education, we need new models for enhanced student success aligned with economic growth and opportunity, and societal needs. With its exceptional student learning outcomes, engagement with industry, and deep commitment to educating future leaders, Bryant University is at the forefront.

I am excited to begin the next era.

Multicultural alumni panelists share career knowledge and experiences F

Dr. Patricia O’Brien P’15, Chair of

ROSS GITTELL, PH.D. INCOMING BRYANT PRESIDENT

From left, Jennifer Shahady ’05, Don Wilson ’92, ’94 MBA, and Lauren Friedrich ’07 were alumni speakers for TEDxBryantU.

and facing uncertainty in both life and business. “Especially when you can share something you truly care about and you think can help other people.”

Lauren Freidrich ’07, who urged the audience to “Be the Catalyst” and use their unique skills and knowledge to ignite change, says being part of a TED event had been a life goal. “It’s exciting

Jennifer Sahady ’05, who discussed the importance of honesty in managing finances in a relationship. “More than ever we need opportunities where we can share ideas and different perspectives.”

“Bryant does a great job of involving alumni and bringing the community together. It’s great to come back and be part of the community,” added Freidrich.

“I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger and I wanted to create a difference on campus,” says the 2020 conference’s lead organizer Sarah DeSantis ’21. “It was a special experience to help create a platform for the Bryant community to share their perspectives and bring the community together.”

Members of Bryant’s Presidential Search Committee also included Bryant faculty members Diya Das, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management; Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D., Professor of Biology; and Christopher Roethlein, Ph.D., Professor of Management; in addition to trustees Tim Barton ’88;

Bob Calabro ’88; Lisa Churchville ’09H; Joe Paparelli ’17; Ed Santos ’81, P’18; Peg Van Bree, MHA, Dr.PH; David Weinstein; and Rita Williams-Bogar ’76. Tim Paige,

Bryant University Vice President for Human Resources, served as ex-officio member of the search committee.

From left: Moderator Matthew Caruso ’21; Anthony “Ant” Thomas ’10; Jasmine Perkins ’19; Shirley Carrington ’18; Nicole Yong ’16; Dylan Zhou ’14; and Matthew Yong ’17.

ALUMNI AND PARENT NE TWORKING EVENTS

View more pictures at facebook.com/bryantalumni/photos

January 22 | Denver, CO

March 5 | Boston, MA

Patterson Benero ’51 and Luke Lorenz ’18 were among

The historic College Club of Boston (the oldest and first women's collegiate club in the US) provided the perfect backdrop for a dynamic diversity and inclusion discussion. Left to right: Alina Aksjonova ’12, ’13 MPAC, Haley Connors ‘14, ‘15 MPAC, with Bryant Dean's Council Member and panel speaker, Scott Voss ’92, and Laura Timmerman ’12, ’13 MPAC.

the alumni and parents to get together in Denver.

March 10 | Chapel Hill, NC March 6 | Naples, FL Eric R. Handa ’97 hosted nearly

January 30 | Fort Lauderdale, FL The Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort was the setting for a wonderful sunset and evening with guest speakers Bill Smith, Director of Athletics, and Chris Merritt, Head Football Coach at Bryant.

Pictured are Charlie German ’69, who hosted this reception; Joanne Spirito; and fraternity brothers, Bill Martin ’69, and Bernie Spirito ’77.

4 Engage | April 2020

February 27 | Fairleigh Dickenson, NJ Alumni cheered on the Bryant Bulldogs Men's Basketball team at Fairleigh Dickenson.

50 alumni, parents, and friends at a special reception at the Clubhouse at StoneCreek. Left to right: Edward A. Magro, Executive Director of Development, Rita Williams Bogar ’76, Bryant Trustee and National Alumni Council President; Connie (Bartkiewicz) Rainone ’57, ’68; Paul Fioravanti ’97MBA; and Mike Langlois ’86.

Parents of Bryant lacrosse were joined by alumni to cheer on their Bulldogs in what turned out to be a challenging and very difficult game. Up against UNC Chapel Hill, ranked no. 5, the Bulldogs scored record setting goals but were just shy of taking the Tar Heels with a 16-18 loss.

Engage | April 2020

5

I N SSPPIIRREEDD TO TOEEXC XCE LE L A LU M N I AC H I E V E M E N T AWA R D W I N N E R S continued from page 1 This year’s honorees have not only followed their passions in life, but have demonstrated exemplary character, and have enhanced the excellence and reputation of the University through their engagement, their giving, and their ongoing ambassadorship.

GEORGE E. BELLO ’58, ’96H Key to the University Award This award is the most prestigious honor the University bestows. It is presented periodically to an esteemed graduate who has made a major and lasting impact on Bryant through service and support that spans decades and has improved and distinguished the University in a singular way.

Bello’s admiration for the University is inseparable from his high regard for Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley and his wife, Kati. “Their dedication to the University and its students is outstanding.”

“I heard Ron’s first commencement address and was very intrigued by his remarks,” recalls Bello. “Twenty-four years ago, we needed an entrepreneur and we got one and much more. He had a great vision for Bryant and a clear plan to bring it forward that has worked. It’s most impressive, I think, that when students graduate, virtually all of them have a job waiting with a solid starting salary. I think our alumni are very proud of the University and the education they received here.”

Now a private investor, Bello has served on numerous corporate boards in the United States and Europe. He and his wife, Carol, support a number of charitable organizations and have been involved as volunteers for the Archdiocese of Bridgeport.

SHARON (GUENTHER) GARAVEL ’85 Distinguished Alumna Award (established 1981) This award recognizes a Bryant alumnus or alumna with a record of outstanding professional achievement or community service. Such distinction may include the fields of education, science, business, government, sports, the arts, or other areas.

Sharon (Guenther) Garavel ’85 cites

George E. Bello ’58, ’96H is a passionate champion for Bryant University and a worthy recipient of this rarely conferred honor. He has brought his business expertise to the Board of Trustees, first serving from 1986 to 1989. Reelected in 2006, he served through 2015, and joined the board again in 2016. He co-chaired the University’s first Capital Campaign from 1998 to 2004, contributing a lead gift of $5 million for the construction of the George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology, which houses the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library and a host of cutting-edge technology resources for students.

“When I had the opportunity to give back, I was glad to do it,” says Bello.

Under the leadership of Bello and the late Malcolm Chace, that campaign raised $40.6 million and launched the visionary approach to academic excellence and stellar facilities that has characterized Bryant’s steady ascent among higher education institutions nationwide.

Bello is the retired Executive Vice President and Controller of Reliance Group Holdings. A long-time member of Bryant’s Wall Street Council, he offers valuable insight and advice to students beginning their finance careers and provides networking opportunities for alumni. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1984 and is a member of the Bryant Leadership Council of Donors.

At the heart of Bello’s support for the University is his admiration for Bryant students. “I am deeply impressed by the high quality of the Bryant student body,” explains Bello. “They are well prepared, exceptional students who make Bryant a very special place.”

6 Engage | April 2020

two particular aspects of her Bryant experience as formative in her life and career. The first is the memorable teaching style of the professor who taught her auditing classes, Robert Provost.

Garavel recalls that while he expected students to master the textbook material, Provost told stories based on his real-life accounting experiences to teach auditing principles, practices, and pitfalls. “Everything was memorable,” says Garavel. “It was where I learned storytelling is a memorable way to teach.” Guided by this influence, Garavel uses stories from her own life to teach people about leadership. “To this day, I am a massive storyteller.”

The second transformational experience was the opportunity to step up and lead — including serving as an RA, orientation leader, campaign coordinator for naming the on-campus ice cream shop, and alumni reunion leader. “Bryant has always made it easy to be a leader. You always had the chance to step up,” Garavel notes.

“All you needed was the desire and it was all there — resources, programs,

accessibility. My leadership skills were a driving force during my time at Bryant.”

Those skills — and a passion for teaching and continuous learning — have helped Garavel succeed and thrive in the two career positions she has held since graduation. She is the Managing Director/Operations Executive at JP Morgan Chase, a position she had held for three years.

As head of the wholesale lending services for all lines of business, she is leading 2,300 employees in 40 locations worldwide on a journey to transform how the division functions.

Prior to JP Morgan Chase, Garavel spent 27 years with GE Capital — the company’s commercial lending division. In her last position as a company officer and Vice President for Enterprise Initiatives, she supported operations, risk, finance, legal, and compliance functions for a complex and strategic regulatory mandate.

Both positions “reinforced my love for leadership, teaching, and shaping strategy,” explains Garavel. While it’s “the hardest job I’ve ever had from an influencing point of view,” Garavel is up to the challenge. “Bryant helped me to be a leader and I’m grateful.”

LOREN J. “ANDY” ANDREO, SR. ’51 Distinguished Alumnus Award (established 1981) This award recognizes a Bryant alumnus or alumna with a record of outstanding professional achievement or community service. Such distinction may include the fields of education, science, business, government, sports, the arts, or other areas.

Bryant’s ability to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of its students dates back decades — and is evident in the life and career of Loren J. “Andy” Andreo ’51. Shortly after graduating at age 23, he opened Andy’s Market in East Hartford, CT. It was the first of many independent grocery stores he owned and operated that remained competitive for more than five decades in an ever-changing food and retail environment. Always the entrepreneur, he invested in many other entities including bowling lanes, liquor stores, and professional sports teams.

Andreo also had the foresight and business acumen to build a strategic portfolio of 700,000-square-feet of commercial real estate and food franchise operations that has grown into a thriving family business, Andreo Family Enterprises.

Complementing his desire to serve friends and neighbors through local, independent grocery stores is Andreo’s longstanding commitment to service in his community and industry. He has held positions as a member of the Connecticut Vocational Board of Education; director of the Glastonbury Bank and Trust Company; treasurer for the Dewey Investment Company; director of the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce; member of the East Hartford Rotary; director of the Connecticut Food Stores Association; and board member of the Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT. With a grateful nod to his heritage, Andreo has been a member of the Manchester chapter of UNICO, a nationwide organization of people of

Italian descent who work together on community, national, and global projects to benefit others. He has served as a director of the charitable foundation sponsored by the Hartford County Sheriff’s Office. He also has generously supported a number of other organizations, with a particular affinity for East Catholic High School of Manchester, where his 6 children and 14 of 22 grandchildren were educated. Several endowed scholarships and the gymnasium at the school bear the Andreo family name.

Andreo credits Bryant for the excellent education he received and has fond memories of Nelson J. Gulski, a revered faculty member and dean.

Among his proudest achievements, Andreo cites the ability he and his late wife, Margaret, had to fully fund high school and college educations for their beloved grandchildren.

“Coming out of the Navy and attending Bryant under the GI Bill, I found the accounting and finance classes interesting, and helpful as I entered the business world. I started with Commercial Credit Corporation and within six months received three promotions. I said to myself, ‘I might as well start my own business and see how I do.’ With a supportive wife, a supportive family, and God’s blessings, I did pretty well.”

A marketing and management major, Dunn discovered that while the tactical side of marketing intrigued her, she more naturally embraced the challenges of leadership and management. In just seven years, Dunn has progressed through five increasingly responsible positions at Tribal Vision, starting as a Marketing Associate and culminating in a recent promotion to Director.

Her appointment marked the first time a non-owner of the company has held a director position.

Dunn, who played on Bryant’s Women’s Lacrosse and Soccer teams, thrives in a competitive environment.

“I love the people I work with and the ability to control my own destiny,” she explains. “Being competitive motivates me.” She manages a team of more than 25 talented staff who help businesses grow by serving as extensions of their marketing operations. “We’re consultants who stick around to help our clients implement solutions.”

The leadership opportunities at Bryant — as captain of two sports and director of a school play — prepared Dunn to excel in her workplace.

“Those extracurriculars really helped,” she says, noting that the skill set she brought to Tribal Vision accelerated her advancement. “If you take on responsibility, they will keep feeding you more.” Her “more” includes overseeing an in-house mentoring program for employees that provides feedback and accountability between new hires and seasoned employees.

Dunn’s continuing connection with Bryant includes participation in the AlumniFire career mentoring network, and the Alumni Shadow program. Her husband and their group of close friends are all Bryant alumni — as is the co-founder of Tribal Vision and many employees.

Her recognition with the Young Alumna Leadership Award is particularly gratifying to Dunn. “I do consider myself a hard worker. To get the promotion I worked so hard for and receive recognition from the school I love is really awesome.”

JAY WEINBERG ’85 Nelson J. Gulski Service Award

MARY (GREEN) DUNN ’12, ’13 MBA Young Alumna Leadership Award (established 1989) This award recognizes an alumnus/a from 2005 to the present who has demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership, outstanding personal achievement, and/or dedicated community service.

Mary (Green) Dunn ’12, ’13 MBA received a job offer from Tribal Vision — a marketing services company in Assonet, MA — as she was handing in her final graduate exam. She accepted the position — and found a professional environment where the opportunities for leadership and advancement mirrored her undergraduate and graduate experiences at Bryant University.

This award recognizes a Bryant alumnus or alumna with a record of exemplary and longstanding volunteer service to the University or the Alumni Association. Such service will have enhanced the name, prestige, or educational excellence of the University or significantly furthered the outreach and professionalism of the Association.

This award is named for Nelson J. Gulski ’26, ’72H, ’92H, whose association with Bryant as a student, teacher, administrator, and trustee spanned more than 70 years.

With his Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in hand, Jay Weinberg ’85 began to build a career that merged his technical skills with a passion for marketing. After positions with industry leaders EDS and Leo Burnett, he founded The JAY Group in 1999, a marketing services and technology company in Chicago that specializes in customer loyalty.

In recent years, Weinberg has reconnected with Bryant and offered his industry experience, leadership skills, and life lessons to Bryant’s alumni and students in many creative ways.

eligible for this award. The candidate is nominated in recognition of devotion to teaching, dedication to the profession, as well as personal concern for and commitment to students.

“I’ve always had a fondness for Bryant,” explains Weinberg. “I had a wonderful experience there and love the place and the people. When I started to get involved, I realized I could bring my experience to the forefront. It’s important to me that I apply my skills and talent to a worthy cause I really love.”

Weinberg’s gifts of time and talent to Bryant have been many and varied.

He is the immediate past president and current honorary member of the National Alumni Council. He also serves on the Council for Jewish Life and Culture, and is a member of Bryant’s Alumni Ambassador Program, Alumni Admission Connection, and Midwest Regional Alumni Network.

He participates in the University’s AlumniFire career and mentoring program and has served as an Alumni Mentor for the IDEA Program and as a judge for the New Venture Competition.

Weinberg’s favorite thing about his many Bryant connections is the incredible number of relationships he has fostered. Whether it’s mentoring students and recent grads, collaborating with faculty and staff, or networking with fellow alumni, he is most proud of the impact he has been able to both give and receive with the Bryant community.

It’s the University’s commitment to continuous growth and change that keeps Weinberg enthusiastically engaged. “I’m really proud of Bryant — to see how the University has grown both in reputation as well as in the campus itself. When the Unistructure was first built, it was unique. And that tradition of innovation continues, especially with the AIC. Every institution, like every person, should always be growing.”

As a child, Dr. Allison Butler’s favorite activity was “playing school.”

It became her professional passion when she taught fifth graders after earning her undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary and realized first-hand, “the remarkable impact a teacher can have on young people.” She loved the energy of the classroom and particularly enjoyed instructional design and curriculum development.

Determined to become a master teacher, Butler earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Virginia and a Doctorate in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College. In 2008, the Cranston, RI native came “home” to join the faculty at Bryant University where she has earned numerous awards recognizing her teaching excellence and inspiring leadership. “When I came to Bryant, I didn’t know what a wonderful fit it would be for me. This is a school that’s on the move with energy and a forward-thinking approach.”

Butler teaches classes in Educational Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, and Design Thinking — a cross-disciplinary course she co-teaches with colleagues from the Department of Management. “I never envisioned that my training in educational psychology would evolve into a passion for design thinking,” she notes. “But Bryant’s focus on the intersections between business and arts and sciences allowed me to be creative and explore the psychological underpinnings of innovation and design in both my research and teaching.”

A faculty team member in Bryant’s signature IDEA program since its inauguration, she has served as program director for three years.

She is thrilled by the opportunities to mentor student leaders and develop an inspiring curriculum for the three-day design thinking boot camp. “Being part of IDEA has really connected me to my foundations as a teacher and has changed my professional trajectory,” she explains.

A member of the advisory committee for the Academic Innovation Center, Butler helped plan instructional spaces where creativity, collaboration, and discovery — for both faculty and students — can flourish. “I think of it as a professor’s playground,” she says, adding, “Bryant gives students everything they need to grow. This absolutely is my dream job.”

JOHN FROEHLICH, M.D. ’09 MBA ALLISON G. BUTLER, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Distinguished Faculty Award (established 1981) Full-time faculty members who have been employed by the University for at least three consecutive years are

Distinguished Alumnus Award, Graduate School

business degree would enhance his ability to provide the highest level of care to his patients. He earned a Bryant University Master of Business Administration degree — adding to an impressive list of medical education and professional accomplishments.

Dr. Froehlich is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and has been associated with Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital for more than 30 years. He specializes in reconstructive surgery and sports medicine for patients of all ages who are diagnosed with shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee injuries and ailments.

He is a founding member of University Orthopedics, a regional referral center with a team of more than 45 board certified, fellowship trained musculoskeletal and sports medicine physicians.

A Clinical Professor of Orthopedics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Dr. Froehlich led the development of the Total Joint Center at The Miriam Hospital, the region’s highest volume program for total hip replacement, knee replacement, and shoulder replacement procedures. The Center’s clinical and quality outcomes rank among the best in the nation.

“My business degree from Bryant University was a significant contributing factor in my ability to establish and manage successful health care practices and clinics,” Froehlich says. “The high-quality professors, including Elaine Notarantonio, Ph.D.; Lori Coakley, Ph.D.; Sam Mirmirani, Ph.D., and Michael Roberto, DBA, helped shape my understanding of the business side of medicine and helped prepare me to lead.”

Even as the field of orthopedic surgery has been transformed through advanced techniques that require new approaches and skills, so too have the “back office” functions of medical practices been impacted by ongoing changes in health policy, regulations, and insurance.

Dr. Froehlich has experienced and embraced challenges at every turn in his medical career. He remains confident about his profession’s commitment to patients and its ability to deliver comprehensive care in the most effective and efficient way.

This award recognizes an alumnus or alumna of Bryant University’s Graduate School of Business who has a demonstrated record of outstanding professional achievement or community service.

A decade ago, John Froehlich, M.D. ’09 MBA, a skilled orthopedic surgeon, recognized that a graduate

Engage | April 2020

7

D E E P, L I F E - LO N G C O N N E C T I O N S PA R T N E R S H I P S Notices from 6/19 to 12/19

June 29, 2019 | Plymouth, MA Katy Biagi ’15 and Cody Ward

August 4, 2019 | Harwich Port, MA Ian Bonner ’14 and Haley Pleasant ‘14

October 5, 2019 | Bristol, RI Kristopher DaRosa ’12 and Tayla (Draper) DaRosa ‘14

Send wedding photos that feature a group of Bryant alumni to alumni@bryant.edu. Contact us in advance to receive a complimentary Bryant banner.

We receive more photos than we can print for each issue of Engage. To view all wedding photos received since the last issue, as well as the names of alumni in attendance, please visit facebook.com/bryantalumni.

Submit your “Partnerships” and “Additions” to the Office of Alumni Engagement by emailing alumni@bryant.edu or enter a class note through our online directory at alumni.bryant.edu.

October 25, 2019 | Kingston, MA Jeff Steacie ’10 and Katie Aspell

December 21, 2019 | Boston, MA Megan Goodnow ‘12 and Robb Rodriguez ‘12

C A L E N DA R

ADDITIONS Notices from 8/20/19

New events are added frequently.

2019 * PLEASE

NOTE: All scheduled events are tentative and

will depend upon public health and safety considerations.

Please check alumni.bryant.edu/events for the most current schedule.

May* Smithfield, RI

TBD Senior Class 2020 Champagne Toast

Smithfield, RI

TBD Graduate School Commencement

Smithfield, RI

TBD President’s Reception

Smithfield, RI

TBD Honorary Degree Dinner

Smithfield, RI

TBD Undergraduate School Commencement

New York, NY TBD Wall Street Council Event

June* Portsmouth, RI TBD Newport Polo

Newport, RI

TBD President’s Golf Tournament

Smithfield, RI

June 10 Women’s Summit

Branford, CT

TBD Bryant Alumni Reception at Stony Creek Brewery

Michelle (Sinisgalli) Auger ’10 and Christopher Auger ’10 welcomed their second son Andrew Roger on August 20, 2019. He joins his older brother Lucas Michael, who was born on 7/8/2016.

Let us help celebrate your news!

Submit your announcement to alumni@bryant.edu or enter a class note through our online directory at alumni.bryant.edu.

July* Boston, MA

TBD Class of 2020 Welcome Reception

New York, NY

TBD Class of 2020 Welcome Reception

August*

S AV E T H E DA T E

Hartford, CT

August 9, 5 PM Bryant Reception at Hartford Yard Goats

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

REUNION@HOMECOMING 2020 O C TO B E R 2 - 3

TBD Bryant Alumni Reception

October* Smithfield, RI

October 2-3 Reunion@Homcoming

For more information, visit

alumni.bryant.edu/reunion Get involved: 0’s and 5’s, find your Reunion event on Facebook.

Search for Bryant Alumni Association.

s t ay i n t o u c h

e n gag e s ta f f

For questions, updates, story ideas, and to send photos of you and other Bryant alumni, contact us at alumni@bryant.edu or call 401.232.6040.

e d i to r - i n - c h i e f

Join Bryant’s secure online community at alumni.bryant.edu, where you can update your info, submit class notes, find classmates, volunteer for AlumniFire, learn about events and programs, and access exclusive Bryant alumni resources.

m a n ag i n g e d i to r

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by searching “Bryant Alumni.”

8 Engage | April 2020

Robin Torbron Warde, P’17 Sarah Garnsey d e s i g n /p r o d u c t i o n

Jessica Purcell Jennifer Zevon

e d i to r s / w r i t e r s

a r c h way s o c i e t y

Kathleen Brown Jessica Dang ’18 Stephen Kostrzewa Karen Maguire, P’18 Patricia Viera

( loya l

project specialist

Jessica Cantone ’21 MBA

Leslie Bucci ’77

guard) liaison

Donna Harris, P’03

a lu m n i r e c o r d s l i a i s o n

Rita Colburn a lu m n i w e b m as t e r