Curry Magazine is a publication for the alumni, families, college community and friends of Curry College. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and (except for editorials) do not necessarily reflect the position of the College or the editors.
Please send editorial correspondence to: Curry College
Office of Marketing and Communications 1071 Blue Hill Avenue, Milton, MA 02186 (617) 333-2121 pr@curry.edu
COVER:
Leveling Up: Olivia Connor ’25 enjoys an immersive gaming experience in the new Esports lounge.
Members of the Curry Compass Club take in the fall views at Houghton’s Pond.
A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT JAY GONZALEZ
I am excited for you to flip through these pages and see all the great things that are happening at Curry.
The most consequential accomplishment this past year was the adoption of our new, three-year strategic plan. The status quo was not sustainable, and we needed a clear, actionable strategy for positioning Curry for stability and success. We now have concrete initiatives that lean into our strengths, meet market demands, enhance our value proposition, and increase revenue for the College. It is realistic and ambitious.
We’ve also launched other new initiatives to increase enrollment and improve our students’ experience, including the new SAIL program to support students with social and emotional challenges, the new President’s Leadership Program, and the new men’s volleyball team. We invested in a new marketing campaign and in digital marketing. As a result of these efforts, we welcomed our largest new class in five years!
We made it a priority to improve our students’ campus experience. Everything from Adirondack chairs on the academic quad, to purple sidewalks and Curry van wraps, to a new Esports lounge, to a new commuter lounge. Students’ ideas and concerns are actively solicited and addressed whenever possible.
We’re updating academic programs in business and communications to better meet market demands, and we launched a new exercise science program that has attracted lots of interest.
We raised $5.5 million in fiscal year 2024, the largest amount raised in any year in the history of Curry College. We’ve also seen a 40% increase in the number of alumni and family members who’ve attended engagement events so far this year.
I’m proud to be associated with this special place. I’m confident in our collective capacity to make Curry stronger. I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with our community to make Curry better at delivering on our mission for the benefit of our students.
Jay
Curry College Becomes
the Only Institution in Massachusetts to Offer a Job Guarantee
THE CURRY COMMITMENT is a job guarantee program for full-time undergraduate students. This four-year program prepares students to enter the workforce seamlessly after graduation by integrating career readiness programming and experiential learning opportunities into the undergraduate experience. Through this program, students receive support and services that prepare them to take the next steps towards their career shortly after graduation.
A JOB PROMISE THAT WORKS.
This past April, President Jay Gonzalez announced at his Inauguration that Curry College will be the first college in Massachusetts to offer a job guarantee program, called The Curry Commitment, available to all traditional undergraduate students beginning with the Class of 2027.
“Curry is leading the way with this initiative,” said Gonzalez. “Curry is the only college in Massachusetts to make a commitment like this to students, and we are one of only a handful across the country. This is a bold step that differentiates Curry in a meaningful way. And it’s responsive to the number one priority of students and families today—that their investment in college is going to be worth it and result in a job.”
“I commend Curry College for its clear focus on preparing students for careers, for designing a comprehensive, four-year program to achieve that preparation, and, above all, for guaranteeing students a job soon after graduation as long as they participate fully in the learning opportunities that Curry will provide them.”
- Richard Freeland, President Emeritus at Northeastern University and former state commissioner of higher education
Boston Globe: Curry College President Jay Gonzalez offers job guarantee to grads
Inside Higher Ed: Curry College Guarantees
Graduates Will Be Employed
WBZ Nightside News
Update with Dan Rea: President Jay Gonzalez Announces the Curry Commitment
By developing partnerships with businesses, creating a robust career readiness infrastructure, and guaranteeing to connect students to jobs or paying their student loans if they don’t, Curry College is an emerging leader in how higher education responds to the needs of students and employers.”
- JD Chesloff, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable
After officially moving in, the Class of 2028 participated in fun activities, meet-ups, and information sessions during Welcome Weekend 2024. Over 600 students officially started their college journey at the New Student Convocation ceremony, where first-year and transfer students processed from the Academic Quad to the Student Center ushered by members of the men’s soccer team.
Fourth Annual Day of Giving Boasts Record-Setting Engagement “
The Fourth Annual Curry Counts Day of Giving raised over $100,000 from 544 supporters, the highest participation total since the fundraiser’s launch in 2021. The community-wide crowdfunding event saw contributions from Curry alumni, faculty, staff, students, families, and friends, who came together and raised funds for institutional priorities such as academic programs, athletics, student financial needs, PAL, and more.
The 24-hour philanthropic event featured a variety of competitive challenges and matching gifts, including a feature video of Athletic Director Vinnie Eruzione facing community resource dog Graham Gonzalez in many grueling challenges. Thanks to a matching gift from former student-athlete Trent Scott ’96, a record 102 donors from the men’s soccer team, and over $50,000 in total funds for athletics, the Curry community watched Vinnie and Graham duke it out in a video that was released once the $30,000 goal was met.
The campaign also challenged the community to provide Graham with his own house, crafted by
our students from the Alternative Spring Break program. With each donation, our students built a piece of the doghouse, using skills they’ve learned through Habitat for Humanity experiences.
An all-time high 12% of our students contributed to this year’s cause, raising over $2,000 total, while the Class of 2027 headlined the Battle of the Classes with $626. Senior Andrea Wallace, a psychology major, chose to give this year “to help the Curry community.”
While each year features new and exciting challenges, the goal remains the same: to support our community and everyone in it. We look forward to reaching new heights for next year’s Day of Giving. Thank you to all those who made this day a historic one!”
-
Maura Donovan, Director of Annual Fund and Alumni & Constituent Engagement
“ Social Achievement in Learning (SAIL) Program
The Social Achievement in Learning (SAIL) program, launched in Fall 2024, is designed for academically capable students with social or emotional challenges that may otherwise prevent them from reaching their full potential in a traditional college environment. SAIL is appropriate for students who would benefit from social assistance, transitional support, self-advocacy skills, and alternative housing, and who have a primary diagnosis of ASD, anxiety, depression, or selfreport a demonstrated need for these support services.
The SAIL team includes a Speech Language Pathologist, a Wellness Coordinator, and Community Directors with specialized training in ASD and students’ social, behavioral, and organizational needs.
Learn more about the SAIL program
The SAIL program supports students to thrive in the social and campus-wide aspects of college life.
Curry has been a leader in supporting students with learning challenges to achieve academic success, and we are proud to continue to lead the way in providing social support to reach an even larger group of neurodiverse students.”
- Sarah Hannigan, SAIL Program Coordinator
Unique Academic Pathways Expand Career Options for Curry Students
Curry recently launched a variety of relevant new minors and concentrations, enhancing students’ skill sets, and showcasing depth and versatility to potential employers. These unique additions not only broaden students’ knowledge in their respective fields, but also allow them to tailor their education to align with specific career goals and emerging industry trends.
COACHING MINOR
The Coaching minor prepares students with the required business, managerial, and leadership skills for pursuing careers in coaching and athletics administration at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels. The minor is particularly attractive to those students majoring in Sport and Recreation Management, Exercise Science, Education, and more. The curriculum includes courses such as principals of coaching, sport and recreation facility and event management, sport media and communications, and more, giving students a wide variety of knowledge across the sports industry.
FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS MINOR
Students minoring in Forensic Investigations are introduced to the various techniques, tools, and scientific tests used to investigate crime along with the application of these elements in a court of law. Through a variety of criminal justice, forensics, and accounting courses, students will learn how
law enforcement officials prepare for criminal and civil trials, how evidence is identified and preserved, various techniques and tools used to investigate crime, and more.
BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS (BAIS)
A minor in Business Analytics and Information Systems provides students with the skills needed to manage a business built on data, software, and artificial intelligence. Students will learn how to design data architecture that can support the digital transformation of a business by collecting, cleaning, and integrating data from internal and external data sources. Through this learned skill, students will be able to learn how clean, integrated data can be used to analyze business data to solve various business problems.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCENTRATION
The Law Enforcement concentration, composed of rigorous criminal justice coursework, promotes both strategic
law enforcement skills such as conducting specialized investigations and strategies for crime prevention, as well as professional readiness like strengthening emotional intelligence and ethical responsibility. The possible career paths for this concentration casts a wide net in the industry, with outcomes such as corrections officer, crime analyst, drug enforcement agent, federal law enforcement officer, and more.
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
Curry College now offers a track within the Special Education major in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), leading to a national credential as a Registered Behavior Technician. In a formal partnership with Boston Public Schools, this track prepares Curry students as Special Education Paraprofessionals, who teach and support both an academic and life skills curriculum in the context of facilitating the development of behavioral and emotional skills.
As one of the only institutions to offer the ABA track at the undergraduate level, Curry offers specific courses to support instruction and differentiation in literacy and mathematics across age ranges through Grade 8.
“ It was so rewarding to put what we learn and talk about in the classroom to the real world. This experience has deepened my passion for coaching and continuing my career in the Sport and Recreation field.”
- Emma Burke ’26
Get Your Game On! Esports Now at Curry
Last spring, the College unveiled a state-of-the-art Esports lounge, a space where students can gather to engage in competitive gaming while fostering essential skills like critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.
CHECK OUT THE FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES
Assistant Director of Intramurals, Club Sports, and Fitness Center
Operations Kevin Blackmur first identified an opportunity to transform the current game room into an Esports lounge. Blackmur emphasized, “Esports is rapidly growing in global education, and by embracing this initiative, Curry can position itself as innovative and ahead of the curve.”
Recognizing that students are already engaged in gaming within their residence halls, Blackmur envisioned a space where students from all areas of campus could gather to create shared memories. Equipped with ten desktop computers, the lounge accommodates students interested in both competitive and non-competitive gaming. Functioning like an “open gym,” any student is welcome to drop in and use the computers at their convenience.
Beyond gaming, Esports highlights the significance of community building. The program is a part of the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), which helps facilitate connections not only among Curry students, but also enables them to engage with friends from other schools that are a part of the conference. This affiliation also opens the door to nationwide connections with peers from other programs, fostering relations that might not have otherwise been possible.
“ The Esports lounge is a great addition to the Student Center and will help accommodate the growing population of those interested in gaming on campus by providing everyone a place to meet.”
- Tom Crisafulli ’24
The Esports lounge is located on the first floor of the Student Center
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, MACJ '00 Highlights Social Justice Series
“ Being a police officer is a very important job. Community policing is about building relationships. It’s about putting the public first.”
- Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, MACJ ’00
Last March, the Curry College Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice was honored to welcome Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, MACJ ’00 back to campus during the Annual Social Justice Series. Commissioner Cox was the featured guest for the event, facilitated by Criminology and Criminal Justice Professor, Dr. Jennifer Balboni.
“It was an honor to have Commissioner Cox with us in our community,” said Balboni. “His story is one of courage in the face of tremendous adversity, resilience in persisting in the profession he loves, and inspiring leadership to facilitate change.”
Students in the audience were inspired by Commissioner Cox’s story, including junior Criminology and Criminal Justice major Sebastian Kee, who said, “Listening to Police Commissioner Cox speak about his experiences was a great opportunity to hear about the power of somebody to overcome challenges in their career and rise as a leader.”
Commissioner Cox, who grew up in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, shared his story of why he decided to become a police officer, and his rewarding but also challenging career path, which led to his current leadership role at BPD. This included his resilience in the face of police brutality and racial hostility chronicled in The Fence: A Police Cover-up Along Boston’s Racial Divide, along with his enduring philosophy of improving policing by building trust with the community through partnerships in an authentic community policing model.
Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Inspires Campus Community as First President’s Speaker Series Guest
We were pleased to welcome former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to campus as our first guest for the President’s Speaker Series. As a respected lawyer, businessman, and politician, Patrick shared profound insights on leadership, ambition, and perseverance with the Curry College community. President Jay Gonzalez joined Patrick in Keith Auditorium for a Q&A session among Curry students, faculty, and staff. During the engaging conversation, President Gonzalez asked Patrick to speak on behalf of something he’d written in his memoir, A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life. The excerpt pertained to how it was implied that Patrick had a choice to make between two different worlds to feel like he belonged in one versus the other–his life at Milton Academy versus his life in Southside Chicago. Gonzalez related the question to the huge life adjustment that many Curry students face in transitioning to College, and how our community strives to make that adjustment as smooth and as well-supported as possible.
Students, faculty, and staff gather on the Academic Quad to watch a K-9 demonstration from the Massachusetts State Police.
50 Years of Curry College Men’s Hockey
1974-75
Inaugural Season; James Brown hired as first Head Coach
1983-84
Became members of NCAA Division III
1985-86
ECAC North Champions
1987 Robert Hutchinson '80 becomes the first men's ice hockey team member to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame
2003-04
1st NCAA Tournament Appearance
2004-05
ECAC Northeast Champions, NCAA Quarterfinals
2009-10
ECAC Northeast Champions, NCAA Quarterfinals
2010-11
ECAC Northeast Champions, NCAA 1st Round
2016
Joined the Commonwealth Coast Conference (now known as the Conference of New England)
2019-20
Colonels call Canton Ice House their new home
2022-23
Highest National Ranking (#5)
March 11, 2023
1st NCAA Tournament WIN; 1-0 (OT) vs. Bowdoin under Head Coach Pete Roundy
April 13, 2023
The Washington Capitals sign senior Reid Cooper to an amateur tryout agreement to serve as their backup goalie against the New Jersey Devils
March 16, 2024
Played in the second-longest game in NCAA history during the National Tournament Quarterfinal game against #1 Hobart in Geneva, NY
• Length: 135 minutes and 17 seconds
• Curry first-year goaltender Shane Soderwall ties the Division III men’s saves record with 98 saves
June 14, 2024
Ryan Warsofsky '11 hired as Head Coach for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League 2024
Curry College celebrates 50 years of Men’s Hockey
Curry College Enhances Brand with Innovative Partnership
In the fall of 2022, Curry College partnered with Carnegie Higher Education, a marketing and enrollment strategy organization, to help us clarify and define “who we are” as a college, and who we want to be in the future. Visit the Branding Initiative Webpage
The majority of the brand work focuses on marketing Curry’s undergraduate programs to prospective students and families. During the 2023-2024 academic year, part of this work was to simply raise awareness of what Curry is all about. The rest of the work is very specific and targeted marketing to high school students who we think would thrive at our school.
As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the College’s overall brand, a new academic logo was revealed to the community. The prevailing logo favored by students, staff, and faculty, is just one piece of the extensive branding work the College has completed in partnership with Carnegie.
“In today’s hypercompetitive higher ed environment, Curry needs a differentiated, authentic, emotionally resonant, and wellcommunicated brand to remain competitive,” said Liz Matson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “Developing and implementing this comprehensive
brand plan helps position the College to recruit new students, foster student life and retain our amazing current students, and grow fundraising opportunities.”
The modern and sleek design of the new academic logo gives Curry College's brand a more contemporary look. The new wordmark font is Ringside, and the "Infinity C" icon represents
the endless caring, support, and community offered at Curry. The upward trajectory of the angled edges in the "Infinity C" and "R"s, along with the upward-facing arrow in the "G" add not only an air of tradition to this modern design, but also signifies Curry's forward-thinking, mission-driven approach to improving the lives and experiences of our students every day.
As part of the branding work, Carnegie and Curry created a video advertisement titled, “Made for You,” which recently won several national awards.
• Award of Excellence in the 30th Annual Communicator Awards Competition
• People’s Gold in the Online Commercials category
• Bronze in the category of Writing at the Telly Awards
BRAND EXPRESSION
Carnegie’s work centers around identifying an authentic “personality” of the College, as if it were a human entity. The branding work began with gathering input on who we are and who we want to be as well as gaining a data-informed understanding of how Curry College is currently perceived in the competitive market.
In the end, three personality types were chosen that best reflect who we are:
PURPLE
THE CARING COMPANION
Supportive and selfless, driven by compassion, warmth, and the desire to care for others. Delivers nurturing, comfort, and protection. Values altruism, commitment, and generosity. Causes people to feel valued and supported.
COLLABORATIVE COMPASSIONATE NURTURING
ORANGE
THE CREATIVE CONTRIBUTER
Creative and imaginative, driven by self-expression and artistry. Delivers something new that encourages creativity. Values originality, ideation, and new concepts. Causes people to feel constructive and expressive.
ORIGINAL IMAGINATIVE EXPERIMENTAL
THE DETERMINED CHAMPION
Resilient and tenacious , driven by overcoming challenges through grit and determination. Delivers surprising strength, perseverance, and toughness. Values fortitude and hard work. Causes people to feel triumphant and inspired.
RESILIENT PERSEVERING EMPOWERING
MAROON
Commencement
“ You have fought so hard and been through so much. The world doesn’t quite know what to do with people like us. People who can get knocked down and doubted, failed, and still rose again. People who defy the odds and the statistics. People who the world knocked down and instead of becoming bitter and small we decide to CHANGE the world instead.”
- Adrianne Haslet, Hon. ’24
International Adrianne Haslet
Commencement 2024
On May 19, President Jay Gonzalez proudly conferred nearly 500 degrees during the 144th Curry College Commencement ceremony at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass.
International keynote speaker and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet delivered a powerful Commencement address. Haslet was a professional ballroom dancer when she survived the 2013 terrorist attack where she lost her left leg. She quickly rose to meet her daily challenges with fierce determination and Boston Strong strength, encouraging our graduates to do the same.
Haslet was among a distinguished group of individuals to receive an Honorary Degree, including President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. Colette Phillips, Police Commissioner and Chief of the Boston Police Department Michael Cox, MACJ ’00, and Retired Civilian Coast Guard Keeper, Boston Light and Former Curry Education Professor Dr. Sally Snowman, M.Ed. ’89.
VIEW THE 2024 COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHT REEL
You might be leaving the place, but you can’t leave us. We will always be here for you, supporting you in whatever ways we can. You are and always will be part of the Curry family, and we will always be proud of you and proud to have played a meaningful role in helping you become who you are.” - President Jay Gonzalez
New Era Award
Yvonne Welsh ’24
Undergraduate Valedictorians
Madison Brown ’24
Julia Erricola ’24
Haley Ferrara ’24
Tao Ishizuka ’24
Continuing Education Valedictorian
Andrew Coville ’24
The Heart of Healing Through Guided Exercise
A Q&A WITH COURTNEY JAMES, PROFESSOR OF EXERCISE SCIENCE AND DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Dr. Courtney James has always been committed to providing quality care. On paper, she’s an experienced physical therapist. But to her clients, she’s a compassionate healer.
After receiving her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton, Dr. James entered the workforce in a clinical setting. From pediatric care to outpatient orthopedics, she saw countless patients in a day, often for only 30 minutes, due to the laws of insurance and strict appointment windows. At that point, it didn’t matter that her objective was to deliver quality care; she simply wasn’t afforded the time and space to do so. Things began to shift when the pandemic hit, and she began seeing clients through telehealth. She used this opportunity to start her own business via telehealth and give her clients the time and concentrated healing exercises they deserved.
“CHECK OUT THE NEW EXERCISE SCIENCE LAB
The whole reason I got into the field is my love for healing through exercise. Through telehealth, I can see people when it works for them, and when it works for me. And I thought, ‘You know what? Something I’m really missing is the teaching.’”
Dr. James joined the Curry College faculty as an adjunct professor, and this past fall, helped launch the Exercise Science program.
Curry Magazine sat down with Dr. James to talk about the launch of the new major and the significance of healing through exercise.
Q: You were teaching at Curry before this new major was developed. How did Exercise Science come to the table?
A: I’d say it was mostly just talking with the students. I started to have more and more conversations with our students, and they were asking me about my Physical Therapy and Exercise Science background, and then they would say, “Actually, when I was first thinking about going to college, that’s what I wanted to study, but Curry didn’t have it, so I chose to study something else instead.” It was a story I was hearing a lot.
Q: You said you chose this field for your love of healing through exercise. Where does that come from and how do you implement that in your teaching?
A: That’s such a nice question. As far as where it comes from, there isn’t one moment of origin, it was just over time. Something that I became really passionate about is when I played very competitive basketball and started getting a couple different injuries, I started to figure out what my body really needed to not keep on getting injured and how to heal it on my own. I realized a huge component of that was
how I was training and the methods that I was using through exercise, diet, and other different things like that. I got to a place where I felt great in my body, and that’s what I was looking for when I thought of a career.
At that point, I wanted to help people in this way where we can use exercise as a method to really look at the entire body and the entire person—not only the physical aspect, but that nutrition and psychology component. And that’s why I chose Physical Therapy, because it encompasses all of those things.
Q: What sets our Exercise Science program apart from other institutions in the area?
A: I’ve made the curriculum very practical based. So, anything that we’re doing in the classroom, we are meant to then go and practice. And that’s relatively unique. Many schools with a practical based program, the undergraduates are still very much in the classroom where a student is sitting, listening passively to a PowerPoint presentation, and that’s not what this major is supposed to be. We also have two internship experiences built into the curriculum, which is relatively unique as well. Some colleges now have at least one, but to have two, sets us apart.
Q: The College recently built a state-of-the-art Exercise Science lab for experiential learning. Can you talk about the equipment?
A: The lab is a fantastic space for everything in that way. When you walk in, there’s a traditional small classroom setup right at the front. The rest of the space is all of the testing and strength and conditioning equipment. So, we use it for lab space, we use it for classroom space, and we use it for research.
Q: What is your favorite part about teaching? And similarly, what is your favorite thing about Curry?
A: Sparking curiosity in the classroom is definitely my favorite part about teaching —when we create really dynamic conversations, I don’t like just standing up there and being a talking head—that’s not something I ever aim to do. I try to make it collaborative and make it so students feel comfortable pausing me if I have to give more of a lecture on a topic.
A s for Curry, something that stood out when I first started working here was the diversity of the student population, which I enjoy. It makes students aware of other ways of living, of thinking. It brings something totally different to the table, and in turn affects how they approach certain things.
HOMECOMING & FAMILY
FAMILY WEEKEND 2024
We were all smiles as we welcomed families, friends, and alumni to campus for our cherished Homecoming and Family Weekend tradition! From reunions and tailgating, to festive fall celebrations, to the annual EvvGirl Hike at Blue Hills, #CurryHomecoming24 was one for the books.
A Journey of Gratitude: How Curry and the PAL Program Changed the Life of Chris Menton ’77
By Abby White
If there’s one word that Dr. Chris Menton, Curry College Class of 1977, would use to describe himself, it’s grateful. Grateful for his education. Grateful for his career. Grateful for his family–his wife and two children–and the beautiful life he built for himself.
After struggling for many years with his schooling, it was Curry College’s Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) that gave Menton the opportunity to redirect his life and receive a truly valuable education.
“It changed my life,” Menton said regarding his time in the PAL program. “Curry gives students the opportunity to turn their lives around.” And that is exactly what Curry did for Menton–it allowed him to turn his life around and find value in his work and life experiences.
Today, he chooses to give back to the College and to the program that did so much good for him. “Do for those who have done for you,” he said.
Having dropped out of high school at age 16, Menton finished his early schooling at a remedial school. After graduating, he started at California State Long Beach University where he took two courses before moving back to Boston and attending Boston State College for a short time.
It was Menton’s aunt who read an article about Curry College and the new Program for Advancement of Learning. For over 50 years, the PAL Program has provided resources to aid in learning for students diagnosed with learning differences, executive function challenges, and/or ADHD. As it sounded like a good fit for him, Menton’s aunt suggested he check it out.
“So, I did,” Menton said. “I met Dr. Gertrude Webb, who was the founder of this program, and she chatted with me about the program and took a look at my test results.”
Menton recalls that though he did not have a high enough GPA to transfer in at the time, it was Dr. Webb who allowed him to enroll under special circumstances, joining the program in its second year. Feeling that this was his last chance, he intended to take full advantage of this opportunity at Curry. Menton attributes his success at Curry to the help and support he received from teachers and peers but claims that “putting in the work is what makes it happen.” So, he put in the work, explaining that his roommates would often refer to him as the Hobbit in good humor, as he spent so much time hunkered down studying in his dorm room.
“I got to be a good student,” Menton explained. “It was like I finally got it, and then, I graduated.”
Before graduating, Menton received invaluable support from his teachers in the PAL Program, claiming his sociology professors “bent over backwards to make accommodations,” ensuring his success as he completed his bachelor’s degree while working full time in the prison system. He even recalls one of his tutors in the PAL Program, who he is still in touch with today, spending her lunches with him to make sure he stayed organized and ontask with his work. It was this combination of the support from his teachers and peers as well as his own hard work that allowed Menton to go on and lead a successful life and career.
Massachusetts Department of Correction working his way up from sergeant, lieutenant, supervisor of security and director of training. Though he recalls his work in the prison system as daunting and frustrating at times, Menton is proud of the work he did. And seeing as he held a high-risk position, he was able to retire early and reassess where he wanted to take his career. It was then that Menton decided to turn his life around once again, pursuing his doctorate in education from Boston University and going on to teach criminal justice at Roger Williams University.
Menton is now retired and an advocate for biking as a means of impacting levels of social civility and CO2. Biking has been a lifelong passion for Menton, as he recalls riding his bike from the North End to Curry for school every day. Residing in Bristol, Rhode Island with his wife, he continues his research on police bike patrols, teaches children and adults how to ride bikes properly and safely, and has even written and submitted bike curriculum to be taught at a college level. He has presented his research at the Stockholm Criminal Justice Symposium and most recently, the Rhode Island Transportation Forum.
After graduating, Menton went on to lead a successful 20-year career in the
“The programs that I participated in at the PAL program turned my life around,” Menton said as he reflected on how his education set the trajectory for his life and career. “And it left me with the feeling that that’s a capability we all have–to turn our lives around.”
Planned Giving for All Ages
Your Legacy, Your Way
HONOR THE IMPACT CURRY COLLEGE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
The 1879 Planned Giving Society invites you to join in the bright future of Curry College through a philanthropic commitment, regardless of your wealth and age.
14 FAMILIES
While over 20,000 people have graduated from Curry College, only 14 families have joined the 1879 Planned Giving Society. You can be part of this exclusive society.
RIGHT AFTER YOU GRADUATE
At no cost to you, simply add Curry College as a beneficiary in your life insurance policy. You can even designate your contribution to the program that impacted you most.
• Gift of Stock • Estate • Bequest • Trust
OTHER PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS YOUR GIFT MATTERS. JOIN TODAY. CONTACT US TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION. Office of Institutional Advancement 617-333-2121 giving@curry.edu
Will • IRA Charitable Rollover • Qualified Charitable Distribution • Donor Advised Funds
“Dare to dream, but be not an idle dreamer.”
- Samuel Silas Curry
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR 1879 PLANNED GIVING SOCIETY
Dr. William L. Boyle, Jr.
Jeffrey E. Diluglio, M.Ed. ’88
Nina Forde ’97 and Bruce F. Forde
Carol F. Freedman ’66
Louis R. Frino ’65 and Alice Frino
John J. Hasset ’80
Matthew J. McDonnell ’80 and Kathleen M. May ’81
Chester A. Pettite ’65 and Janice M. Pettite
Claude and Laurie Pupkin ’14
Karen W. Smith ’74
Kenneth B. Wagner ’84
Bruce Raymond Weckworth ’82
Matthew and Linda Wiernusz, P’23
Mark your calendars for the 5TH ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING APRIL 9, 2025
Now a tradition, the 2025 CURRY COUNTS DAY OF GIVING will feature fun challenges and unique Curry gear. By supporting PAL, Athletics, Academics, the Student Experience and more, YOU make a difference in showing our students that Curry Counts!
Thank you for giving back by paying it forward and making Curry Count.
Class Notes
1963
Jeff Helzel ’63 and wife, Judy, of 56 years relocated to Port St. Lucie after 27 years in Tucson. This decision came as they wished to reunite with their kids and grandkids on this side of the Country.
1978
Frank Wheeler ’78 retired from the state of Nevada in June of 2013 after 34 years as a social worker.
1981
Dr. Bob Diotalevi ’81 was awarded the Excellence in Scholarship Award from JFK School of Law in San Diego, California where he has served as an adjunct and developer of ten courses for the past several years. For the past 23
years, Dr. Diotalevi has been an Associate Professor and Founding Program Coordinator of Legal Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University.
1982
Bill Robertson ’82 recently wrote and produced a feature film, “Paradise: A Town of Sinners & Saints” which is presently on TUBI & XUMO, and is on Amazon Prime & GoogleTV since June 15th through distributor Artist View Entertainment. The film, which is a sinfully funny bluegrass musical is based on a stage production that had two long runs in LA and Austin, TX to sold out houses and rave reviews.
1985
Edward Gault ’85 published his first book, “Airhead & Other Poems,” a collection of poems ranging in psychological, political, and satiric themes. Edward is currently an author, poet, and photographer, and lives in Boston.
1987
Paul Clerici ’87 published his seventh book, entitled “Boston Marathon Traditions and Lore” (The History Press). As a public speaker, lecturer, and TV/radio guest, he has appeared
on National Public Radio Broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), The History Channel’s “Sports History This Week,” New England Cable News (NECN), Boston25 TV newscast, and the ABC Boston affiliate WCVB-TV5 newsmagazine program “Chronicle.”
1995
David LaRovere ’95 graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Brown University IE Business School in May, 2022. David is currently enrolled in the Master’s in Real Estate Finance degree program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He is CFO and Partner of Messinger Insurance in Everett, MA, and is a past president of the Everett Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Everett, MA. David resides in Topsfield, MA with his wife, Maria, and their daughters, Alexandra, and Cecilia.
1998
Caleb Wyse ’98 is part owner of a medical equipment company and works with the Maine Nordiques of the North American Hockey League.
1999
John DiMaso ’99 and wife, Tracy DiMaso ’03, became first-time parents to a beautiful baby girl, Gabriella Michelle DiMaso, born on February 26, 2024.
2005
Christopher Roberson ’05 lives in Methuen with his wife, Lisa, and son Nicholas. Christopher has been in journalism for 20 years and is currently a reporter for The Nashua Telegraph in New Hampshire.
2007
Amanda Crowley ’07 met her husband, Brandon Crowley ’07, on their second day of orientation in August 2003, and have been together ever since. They graduated together in 2007, got engaged in 2011, married June 1, 2014, and this year (2024) are celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary.
Sara Letourneau ’07 published her debut poetry collection, Wild Gardens, in August 2024 by Kelsay Books. Sara also cofounded the Pour Me a Poem open mic in Mansfield, MA in 2022. Her book-editing and writing coaching business, Heart of the Story Editorial &
Coaching Services, is now in its fifth year of business.
2008
Lauren Mayer ’08 is graduating from Full Sail University with a Master of Fine Arts in Media and Graphic Design.
Jennifer Sacchetti ’08 completed the 128th Boston Marathon! She’s been a registered nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center since her graduation from Curry College. She proudly represented BIDMC’s Team Strong to support medical research and innovation.
2009
Lynne Kohanim ’09 recently celebrated nine years of working at Hofstra University. She married David Kohanim in 2021, and their son Ethan Thomas was born later that year.
2010/2011
Ryan Smith ’10 and Lauren Galvin ’11 tied the knot and welcomed their first child in 2023
2013
Tuzde Nazaire ’13 is currently a Project Manager at Isolved HR. Tuzde has been in the HR and Payroll software industry since 2015.
Garrick Vermeal ’13 and Tuzde Nazaire ’13 welcomed a new baby girl, Xena Geniece, on August 3, 2022. Garrick has recently been promoted to Senior Club Manager of Blink Fitness Jersey City. They reside in North New Jersey, with their two children.
2014
Hollie Duggan ’14 is getting board certified in emergency, critical care, and trauma nursing. She is currently working in the emergency room of a high-volume level 1 trauma center.
Kyler Buccano ’15 is helping to build The Hip Hop Museum in New York with his father. The museum is expected to open in the summer of 2025.
Jacob Shapiro ’15 got married to Adiva Berkowitz on July 14, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. He additionally started a new job in Baltimore, Maryland at Kennedy Krieger educating four-year-old children who come from low income families and also struggle with emotional regulation or have various other special needs.
Kaylee Silveira ’15, M.Ed. ’17, is a First Grade Special Educator for Taunton Public Schools.
2017
Haley Blasser ’17 recently accepted a position as a school adjustment counselor for Manomet Elementary School in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She is the first-ever school adjustment counselor in the school’s 71-year-old history.
Claudia Sentiger ’17
married Aaron Necessary. She is currently working in Multifamily Property Management in Orlando, Florida.
2019
Matthew Coakley ’19 has been a patrolman with the Bourne Police Department for the past four and a half years. He also just got engaged to his fiancé McKayla Couite ’19, whom he met at and graduated with from Curry.
2020
Angela Gonzalez ’20 graduated from the RN-BS program at Curry College in August 2020. In July 2023, Angela became the Chief Nursing Officer at Arbour Hospital in Boston, MA.
2023
Erin Cullinane ’23 is currently enrolled in Boston University’s Biomedical Science Ph.D. program.
Hailey Gonsalves ’23 has been working as a Medical Examiner Assistant at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
We want to hear from you! Whether it's about family, friends, career, or life in general, we want to hear about your successes after Curry. Send us your class note at Curry.edu/Update
One with the force: Val Geter ’25 channels their inner Jedi as a Nerd Empire Club member.
