Eastern Magazine Fall 2021

Issue 35

Fall 2021

BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD!

Remembering 9/11 This September marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that is forever etched in our memories. The University joined our nation in remembering the 3,000 people who died that day by holding a memorial service on Sept. 10. Our faculty, staff and students came together to reflect on this horrific moment in our history and to honor those who fell that day. We hope our entire Eastern community was able to find time to do the same. We will never forget.

Staff and Contributors Executive Editor Kenneth DeLisa Editor Edward Osborn Associate Editor Michael Rouleau Designers Leigh Balducci | Kevin Paquin Contributors Dwight Bachman | Joseph McGann Robert Molta | Michael Rouleau | Michael Stenko Photographer Tom Hurlbut

Editor’s Note We encourage alumni and other readers to share their stories with us. Send us a Class Note. Tell us what you like and want more of in EASTERN Magazine. Share stories of your time at Eastern, or what you are doing now by emailing us at editor@easternct.edu EASTERN Magazine is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement for the benefit of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University.

EASTERN Magazine is printed on coated paper that is certified by three environmental groups and manufactured with 30 percent post-consumer recycled fiber.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Brighter days ahead! The words on the cover of this issue of EASTERN Magazine are inspired by our students, excited by the prospects of being back on campus this fall. Their exuberance reflects our hopes for new beginnings as we begin our 133rd fall semester at Eastern.

Eastern starts the 2021-22 academic year with optimism and determination. Throughout the past year and a half, when the entire world struggled and reacted to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern found ways to manage and persevere. The hard work of our faculty and staff, and the resilience of our students, have made us stronger, ready for the next year and committed to finding new ways to grow.

During the pandemic, Eastern’s adherence to health and safety protocols allowed us to continue to offer a majority of classes on-ground, while also maintaining a safe, on-campus housing environment for our students. Eastern provided students the most on-ground classes of the four Connecticut state universities. We also had the most students living on campus among the four universities. Even so, we consistently had the lowest COVID positivity rates in the system. The hard work and personal responsibility shown by each member of our campus community was an inspiration to me and a sign of the enduring strength of Eastern’s people.

This commitment to an in-person, liberal arts education for our students is the foundation for our plans for this fall — with classes fully on-ground, housing at near capacity and athletics, student clubs and other campus

activities taking place within current COVID protocols. We enter the new school year with great plans. Our 2020-25 Strategic Plan is being implemented across the campus. Our Employability Initiative will better equip students for the highly competitive job market they will face on graduation. And the faculty continues to create new majors, minors and concentrations to prepare our students for emerging jobs in the Connecticut economy.

This issue of EASTERN includes stories of how our students, faculty and alumni adapted to the pandemic, as well as insights into how the University maintained a semblance of normalcy during these unprecedented times.

Our return to campus for two days of Commencement Exercises — for the first time in 13 years! — is also well documented. There are several articles that look back with fondness on past members of the campus community, reminding us of the continuity of achievement, comradery and common purpose that has marked Eastern since its beginnings.

As always, I want to thank each Eastern alumnus for staying engaged with their alma mater.

Just as your education has served you well, your support helps keep the University moving forward. I am truly grateful for your continued commitment to our students. Thank you!

Elsa M. Núñez

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 1

Eastern reaffirms commitment to climate After the Biden Administration formally rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement on Feb. 19, Eastern united with thousands of communities and organizations to sign the “America Is All In” promise, a national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

National Science Foundation awards $650,000 to Eastern for Success Scholars program Eastern has been awarded a $649,957 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to implement a scholarship program for lower-income students in pursuit of science-related careers. Titled “Beyond the Curriculum: A Learning Community for Success,” students accepted into the program — who are designated “Success Scholars” — will receive an annual scholarship and benefit from a supportive STEM education rooted in the liberal arts.

Each scholarship is valued at $9,750 per year for four years. Five students will be accepted for the initial fall 2021 cohort. The program is tailored for students who intend to pursue science-related careers, have a demonstrated financial need, have a high school GPA of 3.4 or higher, and plan to major in biology or mathematics.

“Many lower-income students are from underrepresented groups, and often are the first in their family to attend a university,” said Barbara Murdoch, biology professor and director of the Success Scholars program. “Navigating the university system to the final goal of degree completion can be tough, especially without guidance. A key feature of this program is to provide the NSF Eastern Success Scholars with close faculty and peer mentoring, to support them throughout every aspect of their time at Eastern.”

2 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Following its own track record of sustainability as well as the guidance laid out in the University’s Climate Action Plan — which was revised in late 2020 — Eastern has set a more ambitious goal than the one established by America Is All In. Eastern’s pledge is to achieve carbon neutrality on campus by 2030, rather than 2050.

As outlined in its Climate Action Plan, Eastern’s three-pronged approach aims to increase efficiency and lower the carbon footprint of campus operations, nurture a sustainability-minded campus culture, and support sustainability beyond Eastern’s borders in communities throughout Connecticut.

Building on the progress of Eastern’s first Climate Action Plan in 2009, the 2020 revised plan focuses on short-term, intermediate and long-term strategies to be implemented within the current decade.

3 Eastern faculty receive Board of Regents Awards The Board of Regents honored three Eastern faculty members in its annual Faculty Awards program this past April. The awards recognize distinguished faculty from the 17 institutions in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.

Eastern awardees include History Professor Thomas Balcerski, recipient of the statewide faculty research award; English Professor Susan DeRosa, recipient of Eastern’s campus-based teaching award for full-time faculty; and Sociology Lecturer Brenda Westberry, recipient of the campus-based teaching award for part-time faculty.

Balcerski is a scholar of early American history with a focus on the Antebellum period. His teaching interests include African American History, American popular culture, environmental history and U.S. presidential history. His knowledge of U.S.

Awards continued

presidents and the political history surrounding them has made Balcerski a popular contributor for CNN, the Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, Time, NBC News, C-Span, the BBC and other media outlets.

DeRosa is a rhetoric and writing studies specialist whose most recent research is on multi-modal writing theories, first-year college writers and writing center pedagogy. In addition to creating three new courses in Eastern’s English major, as well as helping to develop the Creative Writing concentration, DeRosa supports student writers on independent study projects, internships and honors theses.

Thomas Balcerski

Susan DeRosa

Brenda Westberry

While teaching part time at Eastern since 2001, Westberry also serves as an adult probation officer in Connecticut’s Court Support Services Division, an experience she shares with her students. Westberry brings her unique perspective to courses ranging from Criminal Justice and Society to Violence in Relationships, Victimology and others.

Gomez-Stafford and Beazoglou named 2020-21 Barnard Scholars Biology major Justin Gomez-Stafford ’21 and Business Administration major Hannah Beazoglou ’21 are this year’s recipients of the Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards. The award is the highest undergraduate distinction presented by the Connecticut State Universities system, which annually honors 12 students from the four state universities.

Gomez-Stafford is pursuing a master’s degree in human genetics and genetic counseling at Stanford University. His undergraduate career can be defined by academic and athletic excellence, leadership and a commitment to social justice. He aspires to diversify the healthcare field and improve the lives of marginalized people.

“I feel ready to take on this new journey thanks to Eastern’s rigorous curriculum and incredibly knowledgeable faculty, who molded me into a better scholar year after year.”

Beazoglou is working in the General Management Development Program at CVS Health. She was a member of the University’s competitive Honors Program and her research concerning hospitalization rates landed her presentations at regional and national conferences.

Deans Cid and Scott retire The Eastern community bid farewell to two longstanding administrators this past spring semester. Carmen Cid, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and Elizabeth Scott, dean of the School of Professional Studies, retired from their posts, with Scott returning to the faculty for the fall 2021 semester.

Carmen Cid

Cid’s Eastern career spans 34 years, first as an ecologist in the Biology Department and later as dean of Elizabeth Scott the School of Arts and Sciences, overseeing 14 departments, 21 majors and 45 minors.

A tireless advocate for undergraduate research and STEM advancement, Cid has also worked to advance women and minorities in the sciences over the past three decades. In her retirement she will serve as the Ecological Society of America’s vice president for education and human resources — a term that runs through 2024.

Scott came to Eastern in 2002 as an associate professor in the Business Administration Department. She served as coordinator of Eastern’s master’s degree in organizational management (MSOM) from 2002–18 before being named interim dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies.

Her research interests in organizational ethics and justice led to her participation in a FulbrightHays Seminar in China and being an invited visiting researcher at Melbourne University in Australia. She has also served as managing editor of “Business Ethics Quarterly,” a top journal in the field, for the past 14 years.

Scott will return to the faculty for the fall 2021 semester in the Management and Marketing Department and will retire on Jan. 1, 2022.

“I have countless memories of my time at Eastern. The most impactful are the strong relationships that I’ve been able to develop with so many professors who supported me and encouraged me to take risks.”

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 3

Eastern Commencement Returns to Campus

O

n May 15 and 16, Eastern Connecticut State University returned to its Willimantic, CT, campus for the first time in 13 years to hold graduation exercises.

Since 2009 the University has held Commencement at the XL Center in Hartford. Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the University’s 131st Commencement was held outdoors on the grounds of nearby Windham Technical High School. Two sessions for 2021 undergraduates were held on May 15 to allow for social distancing, as well as a separate session for graduate students. On Sunday, May 16, the Class of 2020 returned to campus for an in-person ceremony. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal was a special guest and speaker at the

4 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

afternoon ceremonies on May 15 and at Sunday’s graduation for the Class of 2020.

Eastern presented honorary degrees to Saturday’s three commencement speakers, including Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare; Mark Boxer, executive vice president and COO of the University of Hartford; and Maryam Elahi, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

Over the course of the two days, 700 undergraduates of the Class of 2021, 61 graduate students, and more than 200 members of the Class of 2020 attended the Commencement Exercises, along with more than 2,000 guests for the four events.

Class of 2021 Speaking at both undergraduate exercises on Saturday, Senior Class President Nour Kalbouneh ’21 told her classmates, “No matter what life adventure you take on next, learn to be comfortable — comfortable with failing, comfortable with taking risks, comfortable with having a plan and then having life completely ruin it, comfortable with being wrong, and comfortable with learning, growing and changing as a person. I hope you take your new wisdom and use it to fight for what’s right, let your voices be heard, and make the world a better place.”

Senior Class President Nour Kalbouneh '21

Jeffrey Flaks, who spoke at the morning exercises on Saturday, is an innovator and leader in the healthcare field as CEO of Hartford HealthCare, overseeing a $4.3 billion enterprise serving more than 1.7 million patients and customers. “You are about to embark on the next chapter of your lives,” said Flaks, “and I want to offer three pieces of advice that have served me well. First, ‘dream big.’”

Flaks shared that his grandfather, an immigrant from Turkey in the early 1900s, taught him to work hard and believe in himself. His grandfather became a CPA and saw his own son attend an Ivy League law school. “What will you do with your own big dream?” Flaks asked the graduates.

His second piece of advice was to be resilient. “Everything you went through this year is an essential part of your college education that will never appear on your transcript. I am certain it will be one of the most impactful lessons — truly once in a lifetime. “Finally, serve others. Be generous with your time and your talents …

I expect great things from you!”

Jeffrey Flaks

At the afternoon session, honorary degree recipient Mark Boxer, chief operating officer at the University of Hartford, described his family’s experiences during COVID-19: his oldest daughter got married, his younger daughter started graduate school and a good friend had his first child — “And you are all graduating! You all persevered through this pandemic and finished your education socially distanced, wearing masks, in a highly virtual manner, but you accomplished what you started.

The pandemic did not define you. Your accomplishment today does. Savor the moment.”

Eastern President Elsa Núñez reminded the Class of 2021 of the realities of COVID-19 — remote learning, social distancing and limited contact with faculty and friends. “Instead of complaining, instead of ‘mailing it in,’ or worse, giving up, you put your head down, kept your chin up, and forged ahead. You discovered an inner strength that will serve you well for the rest of your lives. You stretched yourself even more than you had before.

“You have a courage and a determination that will mark this Class of 2021 for years to come. You now share a resolve and a strength of heart that confirms that each of you — by yourselves or united together — can meet any challenge, stare it in the face, and stand tall in its wake.”

Mark Boxer

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 5

President Elsa Núñez

Graduate Division 2021 Maryam Elahi

At the Saturday afternoon ceremony for Master of Science graduates in Accounting, Education, and Organizational Management, honorary degree recipient Maryam Elahi shared a personal story from when she was growing up in Tehran, Iran. Her grandfather “would hand out portions of his wages to laborers on the street, telling them, ‘this is your share.’”

Now the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Elahi confronted South African apartheid while a senior in college studying biology and planning a career as a neurosurgeon, and it changed her life. “Follow your conscience and speak to power,” Elahi urged the graduates. “Do not allow apathy and cynicism into your soul.”

Class of 2020 U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal

In May of 2020, the Class of 2020 was limited to a virtual commencement on YouTube due to the national shutdown following the outbreak of COVID-19. On Sunday, May 16, more than 200 of those graduates returned to campus for an in-person ceremony.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who also spoke at Saturday afternoon’s event, applauded the Class of 2020 for returning to campus for the special in-person graduation ceremony. “You have been through a year unlike any other in the history of our nation, a year full of hardship and heartache, but also renewal and resilience.”

Interim President Jane Gates, CSCU

Senior Class representative Abigail DeMarkey reminded her classmates of all they had been through, saying, “The story of resiliency will forever be a part of us. Here together, we endured. And now we’ve emerged — better read, more passionate than when we had begun. We’ve emerged as the selves we were meant to be. Whole and complete. No postscripts, asterisks or footnotes. This is who we are, and what we should be remembered for. We have emerged from this resilient as ever and stronger for it.”

The Commencement address at Sunday’s Class of 2020 graduation exercises was given by Jane McBride Gates, interim president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System (CSCU).

“Since March 2020, you have experienced unimaginable, life-changing experiences during one of the hardest times in the history of our country,” Gates told the Class of 2020. “You endured testing, isolation, quarantine, Zoom fatigue and a sense of loss of identity. Eastern’s liberal arts education has challenged you to solve problems and helped you learn which ones to solve and why. You entered a world that needs your talents, insights and compassion.”

Senior Class Representative Abigail DeMarkey '20

6 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Fall 2021.indd 15

10/15/21 11:51 AM

Commencement volunteers

COMMENCEMENT '21

81 8 600 28 864 218 961 4,000 780 2,057

Golf carts

signs

meals

walkie-talkies

balloons

volunteers

graduates

water bottles

work hours

guests

(facilities)

smiles? countless!

Fall 2021 • 7

2021

Eastern Connecticut State University glowed on desktops, laptops and mobile devices across the country on May 14 and 15 as the Office of Alumni Affairs presented a virtual version of Eastern Celebrates!, connecting alumni with some of the very best that Eastern has to offer.

The Class of ’71 Takes Charge.

2021 ... virtually

The 50th Reunion class got an early start by happily taking over the Zoom 101 primer session on Friday morning. Whether by accident or design (something we’ll always ponder) they had a wonderful time getting a jump on reconnecting.

Friday Night Reunion.

Friday evening, May 14, featured the “official” 50th Reunion of the Class of ’71 as well as the 45th Reunion for the Class of ’76. President Elsa Núñez greeted both classes, and highlighted Eastern’s expanded campus, academic programs and accolades that the university has been receiving. She described 1971 as being a year of relative calm after some of the most turbulent years of the 20th century. Referring to the challenges that have made 2020 and 2021 so difficult, she hoped that the past two years will be remembered as a time when people came together. “I want you to remember this year as a time when, despite the challenges, you reunited with your friends and your Eastern family to celebrate our shared connections, values and common commitment to making this a better world.”

Prior to the reunion, Class of ’71 members in attendance received a gift package of Eastern items, courtesy of the ECSU Foundation, Inc., including a bottle

8 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

of sparkling wine with commemorative 50th Reunion glasses, and Eastern’s traditional “Golden Diploma.” In his remarks, Class Vice President Paul Drouin expressed his thanks to the University for recognizing the 50th Anniversary of their graduation, and thanked his classmates for joining him despite the limitations brought about by COVID-19. in giving the Class Toast, Gloria (Petruccelli) Drouin ’71 urged her classmates to “cherish the good times of your life with family and friends, and may life bless you with happy, healthy days ahead.”

The 1971 and 1976 classes came together for a presentation hosted live by Music Professor David Belles featuring choral selections pre-recorded by the Eastern Chamber Singers. The Class of ’71 spent the remainder of the evening sharing updates about their families and careers, and remembering the people and events that shaped their lives.

Story Time and “Welcome to Campus.”

Award-winning storyteller, best-selling author and Distinguished Professor of English and Storytelling Raouf Mama captivated his Saturday audience with stories and wisdom from his native Benin. “The Hunter and the Magic Antelope” focused on family values, harmony between man and nature, and creative problem-solving. “Goat’s Encounter with Tiger” illustrated the need to stay calm in the face of danger and keeping “need” from turning into “greed.” Later in the day, Alex Mitchell ’23 led a lively group of alumni on a virtual tour of campus. The most popular stop was Shafer Hall, with its Café across from the completely renovated Shafer Auditorium, a new gymnasium (where the original gym was located before it became the Harry Hope Theater), and loft-style apartments that had once been classrooms.

A Musical Montage.

Raouf Mama

Professor Belles returned Saturday evening to host a live program that was part concert and part webinar, featuring performances by the Chamber Singers, Concert Band, Opera Workshop and Percussion Ensemble. He showed how Eastern students and faculty continued making music throughout the pandemic, thanks to the wonders of recording technology.

Raouf Mama

Live from All Over – It’s Eastern Saturday Night!

The night ended with an enjoyable combination of trivia, cocktails and live music — almost like being at Blarney’s! Annie Lion-Lee ’18, one of Blarney’s most popular bartenders, served as the “drink coach” for the evening, sharing summer drink recipes such as “Long Island Iced Coffee” and the always popular “Astro Pop.” Singer-songwriter Jim Wolf ’03 shared some tunes from his recent albums (see Class Notes) along with some favorites from back in the day and Michael Stenko and Ryan Rose ’00 MS ’11 from the Alumni Office shared trivia questions to keep everyone on their toes.

Jim Wolf ’03

It’s too soon to predict how Eastern Celebrates 2022 will look, but we’ll all have our fingers crossed that we’ll be back on campus next year … in full form!

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 9

AN EXPERIMENT IN POLICE SOCIAL WORK Following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Connecticut General Assembly passed “An Act Concerning Police Accountability” in July 2020. In response to calls for police reform, Section 18 of the act mandates that police departments study the use of social workers in calls for assistance.

Left to their own creativity, the Willimantic Police Department and Eastern Connecticut State University’s Social Work Program embarked on an experimental partnership that may well serve as a model for the implementation of police social work. The groundbreaking internship embedded two students during the 2020–21 academic year to serve as “bridges to the community” and aid officers in crisis intervention.

Senior Social Work majors Emily Constantino and Ryan Kelly fulfilled 400 hours each in an on-ground internship that dispatched them on nonviolent police calls and follow-ups

on mental health, substance abuse, homelessness and other social issues. The interns worked closely with Lt. Matthew Solak, a 2005 Eastern graduate.

“It is common for police departments to receive calls that have nothing to do with criminal activity,” said Constantino.

“Embedding social workers into police departments so that they can introduce a higher level of understanding around these social issues is key in ensuring that communities remain safe, supported and united.”

Willimantic Police Chief Paul Hussey explained that many of the calls to the department are by “gravely disabled” individuals — a classification for people who are presently unable to provide for their basic needs due to mental health or substance abuse.

Lieutenant Matthew Solak

10 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Emily Constantino Eastern social work intern

Pilot internship embeds Eastern students in Willimantic Police Department

By Michael Rouleau ’11

“The system has failed a lot of these people,” said Hussey. “By the time we see them, they’re in crisis. We get a week of crisis intervention training, but there are people with degrees in dealing with these issues. It’s in this gravely disabled category — people who can’t care for themselves or need to be committed and evaluated — where I think social work comes in better.”

The pilot internship was overseen by Isabel Logan, assistant professor of social work and coordinator of field instruction at Eastern. Prior to joining the faculty, Logan worked for 20 years as a public defender social worker, interacting with the same communities as the police. “Police social workers have the

opportunity to prevent and neutralize cases from escalating to arrest,” said Logan, thereby lowering rates of entry and recidivism into the justice system. As she noted, “The police department is the first point of entry to the court system.”

Logan says this partnership is unique in Connecticut as it is the first internship to embed Social Work students in a municipal police department. “It’s important for social workers and officers to work as a team, as social workers have much more training in mental health issues,” said Kelly. “Having them work together will only make the community stronger.”

For the complete story, visit https://www.easternct.edu/ socialworkinterns

Ryan Kelly Eastern social work intern

Willimantic Police Chief Paul Hussey

Isabel Logan Assistant Professor of social work and coordinator of field instruction EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 11

Burr Hall A Treasure Chest of Mystery and Memories As Eastern Connecticut State University’s oldest building, Burr Hall will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. But it is not just its seniority that makes the longstanding residence hall such an iconic edifice on campus. It has many stories to tell!

Named after Henry Burr, the third principal of the Willimantic State NorHenry Burr mal School, the building was the only residence hall on campus for decades and was exclusively home to women students until going coed in 2006.

Like the Willimantic State Normal School, which came into being in 1889 only after spirited lobbying in front of the Connecticut General Assembly by Willimantic leaders, Burr Hall almost didn’t happen.

Funds were approved but construction was delayed

by World War I. In 1919 architectural plans were finally approved and the building opened two years later following a $270,000 construction project.

While Henry Burr wasn’t around to see the building open — he left in 1918 — he was a strong advocate of on-campus housing, arguing that it was safer for the students as the school could monitor and manage winter heating better than local landlords.

12 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

He also felt on-campus housing would increase enrollments, which ended up doubling from 1920-23.

Female residents of Burr Hall were under strict rules regarding visitors — male and otherwise — and it was known around campus as “The Bastille.” In an EASTERN Magazine story in fall 2004, Cecilia Allen ’32 recalled that even family members were not allowed up to the young women’s rooms.

“We weren’t allowed to leave Burr, not even to go to the library, which was next door in the old main building, without signing out with the proctor in the foyer, and then signing in at the library with another proctor.” When Cecile’s future husband, Donald, visited, “He had to greet Ms. Gerald, the dean, and she would escort him to the living room until I came down.”

Several decades later, Burr Hall’s rules Cecil Allen ‘32 weren’t that much more relaxed, yet alumni from that era still fondly recall their time at Burr. Elvira (McGovern) Flight ’52 recalls that “Sophia and I shared Room 304 for four years; when fraternity brothers gained entrance to search for stuff we always felt safe. One night we opened

our door to see Miss Holbrook, our housemother, standing at the foot of attic stairs. She was holding a machete and demanding that the ‘bros’ come down before the police arrived.”

David Babbitt ’61 offers a male student’s perspective: “I have many fond memories of visits there. I lived in Beckert Hall as a freshman and Knight House the next three years. Burr was all women in those days and was the only place where meals were served. In Burr Hall, social events were staged and dates were met. Up the stairs to the first floor you would be greeted by someone at the desk and your date was notified that you were there on the ‘squawk box.’ No males entered the domain of the ladies. A housemother was there to keep order and a few faculty also resided there. There were hours for visiting and during the week there was a curfew, perhaps 10 p.m. — we all survived it!”

And then there was a day that no one over the age of 60 will forget.

As Rev. Barbara (Hibbard) Schreier ’69 recalls: “My most vivid memory of Burr Hall was on Nov. 22, 1963. I was a freshman. Several of the girls were in the lounge watching soap operas, but suddenly the program was interrupted. John F. Kennedy had been shot and was taken to the hospital. Shortly afterward, he died. There was hysteria in the lounge, which caused all of us coming back to the dorm to check to see what was causing the commotion.”

The Ghost of Gertrude Beer Eighty years ago — on Jan. 25, 1940 — student Gertrude Beer was found near death on the ground outside Burr Hall, after apparently jumping from a third-floor window in the middle of the night. Her roommate, Mary Fisher, found her early that morning and “Trudy” passed away that afternoon at the local hospital. Her last words to Fisher were, “Don’t tell my mother.”

In the days prior to her death, Beer had been found sleepwalking, was having trouble getting to sleep and was experiencing depression.

For decades following Beer’s tragic passing, residents of Burr Hall have claimed seeing or hearing what has become known as “Gertrude’s Ghost.”

Ghost sightings have ranged from “apparition” sightings to footsteps, moving furniture, missing belongings, doors slamming mysteriously and light switches going on and off without explanation.

Whether the ghost stories are just rampant imaginations or the supernatural in action, the stories themselves keep the legend alive. In 1987, a popular story described an on-campus Ouija Board game that announced, “Gerty Lives!” And, as recently as 2013, Burr Hall residents used dowsing rods to see if they could detect paranormal activity in the hall. Not surprisingly, some of the 40 students present were convinced Trudy was back for a visit.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 13

T he Helena Miller Collection Dean of Women corresponded with WWII soldiers

By Dwight Bachman

During World War II, a number of students attending what was then the Willimantic State Teachers College (WSTC) left campus to join the Armed Forces. While the students were away at war, professor Helena Miller, who later served as WSTC’s dean of women, decided to do something to help bring smiles to the students who were now soldiers.

Touched by this news, the servicemen and women began responding to Miller, letting her know how much they appreciated the newsletter and sending her Christmas cards. One observer described “The Dean’s Den” as publishing “astonishing details of people’s lives.” remember my birthday? Mom sent me a cake and we had a party.” In a later letter Jones wrote, “It’s hard to take orders, but I was told, ‘It is not yours to reason why, but to do or die.’ Never a dull moment.”

Miller began writing to the students through a newsletter titled “The Dean’s Den.” Published from 1943-1945, the newsletter became a regular source of information about life back home.

For instance, in August 1943, Miller notified the soldiers that the campus administration building had burned down. “The flames rose 40 or 50 feet.

Nothing is left but the walls, which are licked almost perfectly clean.”

“The Dean’s Den” updated the soldiers on the fast-changing whereabouts of their fellow service men and women; published news of engagements, weddings and new-born babies; announced dinners and dances; noted where people were traveling; shared information on WSTC students, faculty and staff; and reported on the WSTC convocation and commencement, including the keynote speakers.

The newsletter offered much more — local election results; Town of Windham anniversaries; local hurricanes and concerts; awards and travels; who had a new dog; illnesses and deaths; what the Campus Lantern was publishing; alumni on the move; and even where people had lunch!

14 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Writing from Nashville, TN, George Bergeron ’43 said he had finished training in Wilkes Barre, PA, had moved to Newport, and was now training to be a pilot at Maxwell Field in Alabama. “The Dean’s Den proves to be very interesting, and I hope they keep coming.”

After being stationed in Chicago and Arkansas, Charles Backus ’43 wrote Miller from the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Corpus Christi, TX, that he had been to Mexico twice, had heard from Professor (“Mr. Science”) Robert Wickware, and was studying to be an aviation radio technician. “I want to thank you for your little paper. I look forward to it and enjoy it very much.”

Writing from her marine base in Cherry Point, NC, Ruth Jones ’42 asked, “How on earth did you

Richard Congdon ’43, known at WSTC as being “jive and half of Abbott and Costello,” wrote from Solomon’s Brand on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, where he was studying to be a landing ship officer. Later he wrote from England, “I have seen some of the bombing ruins of London, but the spirit of the people is wonderful. They continue with their daily routine as if nothing happened.”

Janette Wibberly ’43, writing from Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, said, “This is a wonderful place to live. So many adventures, meeting people. I drive anything and everything — staff cars and buses, taking busloads of patients to New York City. In New York, I got to see ‘Oklahoma!”’

Ernest Dickson ’43 wrote several letters that arrived from military post offices in Camp Park, CA, the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego and San Francisco. He said he was training to be a pharmacist mate “taking care of the wounded and sick.” He noted in one letter that he was “somewhere in the Pacific.” Another time he said he was “under constant bombardment... buried in my foxhole,” concluding, “I can hardly wait to see the Golden Gate Bridge again.”

Joseph Goodrich ’44 wrote from the U.S. Naval Air Station at Quonset Point in Rhode Island: “You cannot realize how much I look forward to reading that sheet of paper (“The Dean’s Den”) written in such a friendly, down-to-earth manner.”

Raymond Houle ’36 wrote to Miller, “So many people remember you!

When I see people from back in the day, the first person we mention is none other than Dr. Miller! We enjoy ‘The Dean’s Den’ immensely!”

Howard Schepart ’42 wrote to Miller about balding, while Jack Selavkla ’45 said he missed snowball fights on campus. John Patrus ’45 said it best.

Writing from Greeley, CO, he said, “Being so far away from the old school, it seems I am at the other end of the earth, but after receiving the

letters in ‘The Dean’s Den,’ it sort of brings me right back home.”

By any measure, Miller was an accomplished woman. She attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Later, while working full time for the Connecticut State Board of Education, she earned a doctorate at Yale University. In 1933, she began working at WSTC as a professor, later serving as dean of women.

“The Dean’s Den” continued as “The Ex-Dean’s Den” in her retired years; Miller passed away in 1959. For the WSTC students fighting in the global war, her uplifting letters made life easier and told them that someone from home cared about them.

Students, faculty and staff innovate during COVID

BIS students create website to help senior citizens schedule COVID vaccines As the COVID-19 vaccination effort earlier this year moved beyond healthcare workers and nursing home residents, senior citizens and others lacking computer experience struggled to register online for vaccination appointments. In response to this challenge, the Northeast District of the Connecticut Department of Public Health reached out to Eastern’s Business Information Systems (BIS) program.

Led by Professor Alex Citrus, five students created a website to make the vaccination scheduling process clear, concise and logical for people not comfortable with the Internet. Their website utilizes visual cues and offers Spanish language translation to schedule people via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

Gary Kozlowski ’21, the primary developer on the project, said, “I enjoyed working in a small team because this is how most of the developers work now. We operated in a very agile environment using communication platforms such as Zoom, email, text messaging and phone calls. It was interesting to work in an environment where we would plan, design, develop and test the product, release it and then get feedback from users to make it even better.”

Data analytics institute tracks COVID-19 data Throughout the pandemic, the Eastern Institute for Data Analytics (EIDA) has maintained an interactive website that monitors Connecticut’s COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths at the state and county levels.

The project utilizes primary data from state agencies and features interactive maps and graphs for data visualization and interpretation. The website features an up-to-date scorecard of the state’s COVID-19 situation; breaks out the data by county, age and sex; and more. The project also launches a weekly email to subscribers that provides week-to-week updates on the changes in COVID-19 numbers.

EIDA is led by six faculty researchers with expertise in public health, mathematical and statistical modeling, data science, computational biology and geographic information systems.

For more information, visit https://eida.easternct.edu/shiny/ app/covid-ct.

16 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Minority Health Conference looks at COVID-19 disparities in Connecticut In observance of National Minority Health Month, Eastern hosted a Minority Health Conference in April that examined COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on people of color and racial/ethnic health disparities in general across Connecticut. The virtual conference featured state and local health officials.

“The purpose of this conference is to engage students and the local community on issues that affect minority health based on social determinants of health,” said conference organizer Harley Webley ’21.

The keynote presentation was titled “Debunking Myths: COVID-19 Vaccine” and featured Keith Grant, senior system director of Infection Prevention at Hartford HealthCare, with

sponsorship by the Office of Governor Ned Lamont; Health Equity Solutions; and Premier Consultant Services (LLC).

Other speakers included Liany E. Arroyo, director of Hartford’s Department of Health and Human Services; Rosana Ferraro, policy and program officer for Universal Healthcare at the Foundation of Connecticut; Lacoy Brown ’20, COVID-19 contact tracing supervisor; and Erica Watson, biology lecturer at Eastern whose work concerns racial health disparities and anti-racist advocacy.

Students close spring 2021 with virtual show(s) of research

Jack Cerra '21

The springtime bloom of collegiate research conferences took a virtual appearance this spring 2021 semester, but that didn’t stop Eastern students from continuing to present their scholarly work at the local, regional and national levels.

For the second year in a row, Eastern’s annual CREATE conference was presented online. CREATE stands for “Celebrating Research and Creative Activity at Eastern” and is the University’s premier showcase of undergraduate research and creative activity. This year marked CREATE’s 20th anniversary and featured more than 75 students from all majors presenting projects spanning the arts, sciences and humanities. See the CREATE website at https://www.easternct.edu/create/create-2021/create-2021.html.

Environmental Earth Science major Jack Cerra ’21 presented at the virtual meeting of the New England Estuarine Research Society in April, where he was awarded the Rankin Award for best undergraduate oral presentation. His research looks at bluff erosion on Block Island, RI, using Airborne LiDAR technology.

Political Science major Olivia Anderson ’21 presented at the prestigious Posters on the Hill Conference in Washington, DC, in April. Out of hundreds of applicants nationwide, Anderson was one of 60 students selected to present before an audience of U.S. senators and other government officials. Her project looks at the impact of partisanship on climate change opinion.

Students also presented at the North East Decision Sciences Institute; the annual Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference; the National Conference on Undergraduate Research; the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society and more.

Olivia Anderson '21

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 17

After a fall 2020 semester spent reinventing itself due to the pandemic, the Theatre Program emerged in spring 2021 with a slate of three theatrical performances adapted for film and online streaming.

The season opened in February with “Hotel Universe,” a play from the 1930s written by Philip Barry.

The show was directed by Theatre Professor David Pellegrini and featured two separate casts. “(We) transformed a show that was originally intended to be played before a live audience into a film,” said Pellegrini. “What you see is a hybrid of film and live performance, yet another experiment for our program.”

The student-directed play “Blood at the Root” followed in March. Written by Domonique Morisseau and based on the 2006 Jena Six case in Louisiana, the show was directed by students Austin Washington ’22, Massiel Evans ’21 and Edwards Lorsin ’22, with supervision by Theatre Professor DeRon Williams.

The play grapples with issues of race and homophobia. “It was an honor to put on a show so relevant to our time,” said Washington. “It reflects generational struggles of racism, homophobia, systemic oppression and division that we see every day.”

The season closed with “Cultivating Dignity,” an Eastern original devised by professors Kristen Morgan and Alycia Bright-Holland that is based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s summer in Connecticut working on a tobacco farm.

Due to the warmer weather, filming took place outside, affording performers ample space to move and interact while maintaining COVID-19 precautions. As with all spring 2021 shows, the film adaptation was supported by film students and Professor Brian Day.

Theatre program bounces back with three adaptations

The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) had a busy season of service in spring 2021, deploying students for projects including COVID-19 testing, snow removal, gardening and more. The majority of the CCE’s efforts went toward a series of nine student-led community programs that flourished despite the pandemic.

“This was such a tough year,” said CCE Director Kim Silcox, speaking of the pandemic that caused Eastern to rethink how it engages with the community.

“We are incredibly proud of our students, who have truly stepped up to make this year the best it can be. Their hard work has provided a great benefit to the community members we work with.”

Students devoted hundreds of hours to weekly programs supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable populations: at-risk youth, incarcerated individuals, elderly people and those battling addiction.

Community service flourishes in spring

18 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

GIFTS AND GRANTS Eastern receives generous estate gift

Nellie Mae grant designated for scholarships Eastern received a $40,000 Nellie Mae Education Foundation Director’s Discretionary grant in June. Each director of the foundation is authorized to make a limited number of grants in the name of the foundation. Eastern President Elsa Núñez, a member of the board of directors of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, designated this award for the scholarship she started in 2007 at the time of her inauguration – the President’s Community Endowed scholarship.

Eastern receives National Endowment for the Arts grant Polly (Galla) Bogue’77

Eastern recently received a six-figure IRA disbursement from the Jeffrey and Polly ’77 (Galla) Bogue Estate. Polly Louise Bogue, 61, passed away on Sept. 8, 2016, at her home with her husband, Jeffrey, and family by her side. Jeffrey passed away four years later.

Polly graduated from Eastern in 1977 with a degree in education. She was one of the first members of the Spanish Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi. Her mentor was the late Lee Watts, former professor and chair of the Modern Languages Department.

Polly devoted her teaching career to the Stratford school system, where she taught, encouraged and befriended countless elementary students as they began their journey through life.

Polly retired in 2009 and moved to Charlottesville, VA, with her husband, where she continued to pursue her passions. Polly was a member of the First Tuesday Quilters Guild and co-president of the Ivy Creek Methodist Church women’s group, Sarah Circle.

Eastern Connecticut State University is one of 61 U.S. organizations selected for a 2021-22 Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The $20,000 grant will support a community reading program centered around “The Best We Could Do”

by Thi Bui. From October 2021 until January 2022, Eastern will host a series of events related to the book.

“The Best We Could Do” is a 2017 illustrated memoir that chronicles the author’s parents’ life before and during the Vietnam War, their escape from Vietnam and their migration to the United States.

For more information visit https:// www.easternct.edu/ big-read/.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 19

BETTY R. TIPTON: CHAMPION OF ALL

By Dwight Bachman

Over the decades, faculty members at Eastern Connecticut State University have impacted students’ lives well beyond their coursework, teaching self-esteem, motivation, life skills and service to others.

Few individuals have had more impact on students, faculty and staff than Betty R. Tipton.

Before her retirement in 1989, Betty Tipton’s 37 years of service saw her take on many roles as a teacher, administrator and student advocate. During that time, she was a professor of education, financial aid director and director of housing, as well as dean of women (1964–70); associate dean (1970–89); and as affirmative action compliance officer and coordinator from 1975–78. Tipton also served on the University Senate.

“The assistant director of financial aid was changed to a full director because of the many new federal loan and grant programs,” described retired Executive Vice President Michael Pernal, who served as resident administrator of Burr Hall when Tipton was financial aid director. “New residence halls created the need for more full-time residence directors, requiring more supervision, staff training and orientation programs, as Eastern changed from a commuter school to an increasingly residential college.”

For the last 10 years of her career, “BT,” as she was affectionately called on campus, served as union president for college administrators at Connecticut’s four state universities. “Betty became the president of Eastern’s SUOAF unit and later president of the SUOAF bargaining team for the four colleges that negotiated contracts with the Board of Trustees,” said Pernal. “She was known as a skilled and fair negotiator and leader.”

On Dec. 11, 1998, the Student Center’s Multipurpose Room was renamed the Betty R. Tipton Room, an apt honor for someone who spent her career in service of students; it remains one of the busiest spaces on campus. Tipton passed away on May 30, 1999, but is still remembered by many as a campus icon.

One student greatly impacted by Tipton was Faith Middleton ’71, who was active in student government and wrote for the Campus Lantern, eventually becoming a legend on WNPR. Of Tipton, Middleton said, “I remember that flaming reddish hair and her savvy, no-nonsense personality. She encouraged what we call ‘good trouble.’

It was she who allowed some of us to conduct a protest sit-in in the president’s office to make Eastern bring in more Black students, which it did. Betty was fierce and memorable.”

Faith Middleton

Pernal said Tipton “became a great influence on junior faculty and worked behind the scenes in mentoring them.

She also became a force on campus in faculty/shared governance. No discussions of issues involving faculty and staff relations took place without mention of Betty.”

A native of Georgia, Tipton moved to New York after her undergraduate program at West Georgia State College to attend Columbia Teachers College, the New York School of Social Work and the New School for Social Research.

Carla Goodwin ’69, was another Tipton disciple. “Betty Tipton was Carla Goodwin

20 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

the most influential woman in my life. She was instrumental in teaching me how to assume leadership. She encouraged me to take an active role in the Connecticut Governors Council for Colleges. She would drive with me to Hartford to attend as a representative to the Governor’s Office, talking all the way, one foot on the gas and one on the brake, with a cigarette punctuating her points of view.”

Ron Pires

Ron Pires ’76 was a Norwich Free Academy basketball star taken under Tipton’s wing. In 1980, he was named head basketball coach at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, where he still coaches. “As a young man, being the first one in a family of 11, I was apprehensive of going to college and being away from home. Betty Tipton was a big part of making it easier for me to adjust to college life. Whenever I had a problem, she would sit me down and tell me how to handle it. To this day, I can hear her caring voice and see her wonderful smile.”

“I have very fond memories of Dean Tipton,” said Andy Cote ’75. “During my four years at Eastern, I observed Betty being directly involved with underprivileged classmates, helping them out. One friend, a student from Ethiopia, had no family here. He was one of my best friends, had strong political opinions Andy Cote spawned from a Third World perspective, and never disclosed the cause of ‘exile.’ Betty became his mom. Whenever he had a serious problem that he did not have the resources to overcome, Betty was the discrete unseen hand helping him out.”

Luis Rivera ’72 also remembers Tipton fondly: “I had the great privilege of meeting Dean Betty Tipton as a senior at Hartford Public High School in 1968. As an inner-city teenager, I did not believe that I had the potential to succeed in college. However, this charming redhead with a heavy southern accent encouraged and

“As an inner-city teenager, I did not believe that I had the potential to succeed in college. However, this charming redhead with a heavy southern accent encouraged and provided the resources to help me and other disadvantaged young people to become the first college graduates in our families.”

- Luis Rivera

provided the resources to help me and other disadvantaged young people to become the first college graduates in our families. In 1972, I graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College and went on to receive a master’s degree in education.”

Kathleen Kennedy Kathleen Kennedy ’74 was another Tipton project. “Betty Tipton saved me from dropping out of college in sophomore year. I had lost focus and was bored with my classes, in spite of great grades. Over the weekend, I announced that I was quitting school. On Monday I was asked to make an appointment to see the dean. When we chatted, she was warm and understanding and inquisitive about what else was going on in my life. We came to the conclusion that I would register for the next semester and finish out sophomore year. In her wisdom, she encouraged me to take only courses that were fun and interesting . . . it worked!”

Edward Gaffney ’69 recalls, “I met Betty Tipton in the financial aid office on my first day of class in 1965. I told her I was working my way through college and informed her that I needed a student loan to make it through the school year. She wrote me a check for my financial shortfall right there on the spot. It was a government sponsored student loan, and I really needed the money. This gave me financial security — all I had to worry about was academics. I will never forget the kindness and welcoming attitude of Betty Tipton.”

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 21

ROBERT ’69 AND ANTOINETTE ’70 BRZOZOWSKI Eastern was known as Willimantic State College in 1966.

Antoinette (Toni) Alves was a first-year student from Windsor, CT, and on the cheerleading squad. Bob

Brzozowski was a second-year student from New Britain, CT, playing on the winning soccer team. The day of the tournament championship, their paths crossed for the first time. Cheerleader Toni was headed upstairs to her locker before catching the bus to the tournament at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Bob was headed downstairs to the bus.

Toni said, “Hi, Bob,” and so it began. The team lost the championship in double overtime, but Bob and Toni had just started! They married in August 1968.

Both Brzozowskis were back at Eastern that fall. Bob finished his credits and graduated in 1969 with a B.S. in Mathematics before being drafted into the Army. Toni continued her studies and graduated in 1970 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. While Bob fulfilled his military service at Fort Hood, TX, Toni began her teaching career with third graders in Killeen, TX. In 1971, with service complete and expecting their first child, the Brzozowskis returned to Connecticut where Windsor became home. Bob taught mathematics at Windsor High School while taking computer science classes at Rensselaer.

He earned his master’s degree in 1982 and left teaching to join the world of information technology. In 2007, the Brzozowskis established their own company, Birch Consulting Inc.

22 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Meanwhile, they were blessed with a daughter, Genevieve, and a son, Robert.

Toni juggled parenthood and professional life, teaching first and second grade in Windsor Public Schools for 17 years. She also earned her master’s degree in Reading at Central Connecticut State University, eventually earning her sixth-year degree at Central and becoming a language arts consultant in Windsor. Toni also worked at Central as an adjunct professor in the reading department.

In 1998, Toni became the language arts consultant for Region 13 Durham and Middlefield. After years of satisfying work in their fields, Toni and Bob have retired. It is a blessing for them to be able to have special time together for relaxing, family and travel.

Who knew that the serendipitous “Hi, Bob” meeting would result in 53 years of happily married family life?

It started in Willimantic at Eastern!

PAUL AND GLORIA (PETRUCCELLI) DROUIN ‘71 Paul Drouin graduated from Windham High School in Willimantic in 1967. That September, he met Gloria Petruccelli, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Middletown, CT, on the first day of orientation at the newly named Eastern Connecticut State College. Paul and Gloria were in the same group touring campus. As a Willimantic native, Paul was able to answer many of the questions being asked by first-year students — even before the student tour guides chimed in. Gloria thought he was an upperclassman until they started classes together. Love began to bloom!

Paul and Gloria dated through their junior year and were married during their senior year on Nov. 21, 1970, living in nearby Columbia until graduation. Paul played basketball at Eastern for two years under Coach Clyde Washburne and worked as an orderly at Windham Hospital throughout college.

Gloria worked two summers for Registrar Francis Geissler, who was “a great person and a good friend.”

Gloria and Paul have two sons, Scott and Shawn, and three beautiful grandchildren — Daniel, Emilia and Magnolia.

Paul continues to volunteer for the Boy Scouts, something he has done for more than 56 years. Gloria enjoys playing with, reading to and teaching her grandchildren.

Love started for Gloria and Paul at Eastern and continues today after nearly 51 years of marriage.

“Thank you, Eastern!”

After graduation, Paul enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL. Gloria started teaching elementary school in 1972 and retired in 2004. Paul went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at the University of South Florida.

He taught elementary school as a physical education teacher, also retiring in 2004. They have lived in St. Petersburg, FL, for the past 50 years.

GARRETT AND KRISTINA (RICCIO) DUKETTE ’07 Garrett and Kristina met at Hurley Hall in August 2004 when they both arrived for student orientation counselor (SOC) training. They struck up an immediate friendship when Garrett said, “You don’t look that weird; can I sit here?” After spending most of the fall orientation hanging out, the school year began and they went their separate ways.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 23

Dukettes continued

That December, Kristina ran into Garrett outside of Webb Hall after class one day and asked him to be her date to an office Christmas party. He accepted and the two went on a few dates over the rest of the school year, but it was not until fall 2005 SOC training that the two realized they were meant to be more than just friends.

Over the course of their junior and senior years, Kristina and Garrett were inseparable, working together in Burnap Hall, taking education courses together, and even traveling to different baseball parks around the country, including Wrigley Field in Chicago and Camden Yards in Baltimore. Although Kristina didn’t know it at the time, a few months into their relationship Garrett returned home for a weekend and told his mother, “I think she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

After graduating in 2007 with majors in English and Education, Garrett and Kristina went on to teach English at the middle school and high school levels. In 2009 they married, surrounded by family and friends from Eastern, including Kim Silcox (who ran the SOC program the year Garrett and Kristina met), Stephen Russell (usher), Pat Bushnell (usher), Carrie (Fleischer) Bushnell, Megan (Izbicki) Koniecko, Laura Trostel and others.

In summer 2010 Garrett and Kristina bought their home in Columbia, CT, a stone’s throw away from Eastern. Shortly after moving in, they brought home Tessie, a beautiful golden retriever. They welcomed their first son, Philip, in 2013, and their second son, Nicholas, in 2016.

Having recently celebrated 11 years of marriage, Kristina and Garrett still have fond memories of Eastern and all the friendships they made while on campus. Kristina now teaches seventh-grade language arts in Vernon, CT, and Garrett is in his second year as a middle school principal in Canterbury, CT.

24 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

ANDREW AND MELISSA (DWELLEY) MINIKOWSKI ’12 Melissa Dwelley and Andrew Minikowski attended Eastern from 2008-12. They were both English majors in the Honors Program and quickly became close friends. During college, they spent time working together as writing tutors, exploring local hiking trails, and reading Robert Jordan’s 14-book series, “The Wheel of Time.” The two started dating their sophomore year and have been together ever since.

After graduation, Melissa pursued her M.Ed. at Springfield College, studying student personnel administration. At the same time, Andrew continued his

studies at Vermont Law School, specializing in environmental law. Despite the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship while simultaneously pursuing advanced degrees, Andrew and Melissa’s relationship endured and they were reunited after returning to Connecticut following completion of their graduate studies. The couple enjoys hiking, gardening and traveling. Over the years, they have explored different cities including Charleston, Reykjavík, Bozeman and Edinburgh.

This past summer, Andrew and Melissa celebrated 10 years together by exchanging wedding vows at a small outdoor service at a local park. Despite being without power for a week following Tropical Storm Isaias and the difficulties imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple persisted and celebrated their wedding ceremony nonetheless.

Andrew is a staff attorney for the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel.

Melissa is the assistant director of marketing for Yale Young Global Scholars. They live in East Haddam with their cat, rabbit and 90,000 honeybees.

Team lifts the LEC title trophy

Little East Conference

Spring Champions SOFTBALL

MEN’S GOLF

Seeded second after finishing a game behind the University of Southern Maine in the Little East Conference regular season standings, the Warriors won four straight games to defend their 2019 title and capture their sixth Little East tournament title in the past 11 years. In a revised tournament format due to COVID-19, Eastern eliminated Plymouth State University, 3-1, and Keene State College, 4-2, to capture its half of the draw at Clyde Washburne Field, before sweeping top-seeded Southern Maine, 8-4 and 7-0, in mid-May on the Huskies’ home field. After missing the first half of the season while rehabilitating an ACL injury, sophomore Alyssa Vilchez ’24 of Brampton, Ontario, threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout in her first career start in the championship game. The LEC title qualified the Warriors for their 22nd NCAA tournament, where they split four games (the two losses each coming by a run) to finish 32-4.

First-year student Ashton Lewis ’25 of Fairfield, CT, earned medalist honors when the men’s golf team won the inaugural Little East Conference men’s golf championship in late April at Valley Country Club in Warwick, RI. In the two-day tournament played in winds exceeding 20 miles per hour, Lewis shot a two-over-par Ashton Lewis 74 on the second day and finished with a six-over-par score of 150, nine strokes better than runner-up Will Niles of Rhode Island College. With a team score of 654, Eastern won the team title by 15 strokes over the University of Southern Maine. In its first year back after a 38-year hiatus, Eastern is under the direction of Chris Wojick ’11.

Ashton Lewis

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 25

MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD Twenty-two individuals on the 24-person roster contributed points — 11 of them first-year students — as the Warriors won their first Little East Conference outdoor track and field title since 2007 by unseating five-time defending champion University of Southern Maine on May 2 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Maxwell Chace

Men’s Track LEC Champions, May 2021 The title at this meet was Eastern’s seventh since 2002.

Individual winners were junior Ryan Escoda ’23 of Newtown in the 3000 steeplechase, sophomore Cory Bill ’24 of Mansfield in the 400, freshman Aidan Hennessy ’25 of Granby in the triple jump, and the 800 relay team of senior Maxwell Chace ’22 of Brooklyn, CT, juniors Escoda and Tyler Wright ’23 of Westport and first-year student Thomas Stone ’25 of Glastonbury.

BASEBALL The Warriors set a Little East Conference regular-season baseball record of 15 wins (against one loss) in winning their 13th conference regular-season championship by three games. The outright LEC title was Eastern’s first since 2011 and made it the No. 1 seed in the LEC tournament. Reaching the championship game and qualifying as an at-large qualifier to its 35th NCAA tournament, the Warriors finished Luke Broadhurst with an overall record of 32-8.

On the basis of its LEC regular-season success, Eastern landed three of the four conference major awards: senior third baseman Luke Broadhurst of Stafford was voted Player-ofthe-Year; senior right-handed pitcher Josh Vincent of New London was named Pitcher-ofthe-Year; and head coach Brian Hamm was recognized as Coach-of-the-Year.

26 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Luke Broadhurst

John Mesagno

Josh Vincent

ALL-AMERICANS

Brooke Matyasovsky

Eastern featured a total of five All-American players, three in baseball and two each in softball.

In baseball, senior third baseman Luke Broadhurst ’22 (second team) of Stafford and senior leftfielder John Mesagno ’22 (third team) of Tappan, NY, were named All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), and senior right-handed

Cassie Woods

pitcher Josh Vincent ’22 was voted as a third-team All-American by D3Baseball.com.

Junior pitcher/first baseman Brooke Matyasovsky ’23 (first team) of Orange and graduate centerfielder Cassie Woods (second team) of Mystic were named to the All-America softball team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

ATHLETIC ALUMNI AS HEAD COLLEGE COACHES

Devyne Doran, women’s lacrosse, Mitchell College

Carrie Seymour, women’s basketball, Pace University

ACADEMIC HONORS Eastern earned the Little East Conference Presidents’ Cup for 2020-21 — signifying overall academic excellence in the LEC’s 20 championship sports — after garnering a 3.36 average cumulative GPA among its 18 programs that compete in the LEC. Eastern’s cumulative GPA of 3.36 is the highest in the award’s history.

The LEC Presidents’ Cup measures the highest average cumulative grade point average among the student-athletes from the conference’s nine primary member institutions that compete in championship sports. Eastern competes in all but two LEC championship sports – men’s and women’s tennis.

The Warriors claimed the LEC Presidents’ Cup for the second straight year, fifth time in the last seven years and for a conference-best sixth time in the award’s 12-year history. Eastern first won the Presidents’ Cup when the award debuted in 2009-10, and earned the Conference’s top academic honor for three consecutive years from 2014-17 before regaining the trophy in 2019-20 with a 3.20 GPA. In addition to winning the President’s Cup and featuring 127 LEC All-Academic qualifiers this past year (minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA and sophomore athletic status), seven Eastern programs — the most in the conference for the second straight year — won a Team Academic Award for having the highest GPA last year among the LEC’s 20 championship sports. This year’s total matched last year’s total of seven team winners.

The success of Eastern athletes in the playing arena has been well-documented for many years. Less well known is the success that many Eastern athletes have experienced as head coaches after graduating from the University, with a number of those alumni now in their second and third decades in charge of college programs.

Through 2021, no less than 21 alumni currently serve as head coaches at four-year institutions, with Carrie Seymour ’83, having

ALUMNUS, EASTERN SPORT Erin Calkins, women’s lacrosse Allison Coleman, women’s basketball Arielle Cooper*, softball Devyne Doran, women’s lacrosse Matt Esposito, men’s soccer Tyler Hundley, men’s basketball Brittany Hutchinson, women’s basketball Kevin Jaskiewicz, baseball (men’s basketball) Brian Leighton, baseball Erin Miller, softball John Natale, men’s soccer (women’s soccer) Dave Nicholson, men’s track & field Nick Noheimer, men’s cross country/track & field (cross country) Diana Pepin, softball Erika Profenno, field hockey Molly Rathbun, softball Jody Rogers, women’s volleyball Carrie Seymour, women’s basketball Ed Silva, men’s basketball Steve Trimper, baseball Chris Wojick, baseball (men’s golf)

served the past 28 seasons as head coach of the Pace University women’s basketball program. Seymour, a four-year player and the team’s lone captain as a senior under Eastern Athletics Alumni Hall of Fame coach Bob Miller, is zeroing in on her 500th victory at Pace, having compiled a 486-334 record after being named the fifth head coach in Setters’ history in 1992. She has led Pace to 10 NCAA Division II tournaments as a member of the Northeast 10 Conference.

INSTITUTION Farmingdale State The Sage Colleges U.S. Coast Guard Academy Mitchell College The Sage Colleges Worcester State University Endicott College U.S. Coast Guard Academy Albertus Magnus College Mitchell College University of Hartford Lindenwood University University of New Haven Eastern Connecticut State University Keuka College Trinity College Virginia Commonwealth University Pace University University of New England Stetson University Eastern Connecticut State University *Interim appointment

ALUMNI HALL OF FAME BANQUET Five individuals representing six sports who combined to lead their teams to 27 conference championships and 18 postseason tournament berths comprise the Eastern Athletics Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

The 27th Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the University’s Betty R. Tipton Room located in the Student Center. The 5 p.m. induction ceremony will take place after a 3:30 p.m. social and will be followed by a buffet meal.

The Class of 2021 includes Patrick J. Ammendolia ’03 (lacrosse) of Acton, MA; Marianna (Capomolla) Linnehan ’07 (volleyball) of Stamford; Lori A. Franchina ’95 (basketball/ softball) of Falconer, NY; David H. Nicholson ’06 (track & field) of Windsor; and Dwight Wildman ’13 (baseball) of Seymour, who played from 2001-04.

For more information, visit https://gowarriorathletics.com/sports/2020/5/21/hall-of-fame.aspx.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 27

CLASS NOTES

fering a variety of non-credit courses in many different fields taught by knowledgeable instructors.” While he and his wife Judi lost their beloved cats Oscar and Felix to illness last year, they have since adopted Tina, a five-year-old tuxedo.

’70

Anne (Pisarko) Mahalawich ʼ44

’44 Anne (Pisarko) Mahalawich enjoyed her 99th birthday with a virtual celebration that included guests from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, California and even Melbourne, Australia! Anne got to enjoy her favorite hors d’oeuvres, champagne and, of course, birthday cake!

’51

A long-time history teacher, Antone “Tony” Andrade still serves as Fairfield Region Coordinator for Connecticut History Day. His favorite memories of Eastern include traditions like Step Singing and watching the North Campus grow with the additions of the “new” science building (now Goddard Hall) and “new” library (now Wood Support Services Center). He also recalled student activism in response to national events like the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and the Kent State shootings, as well as on more locally focused issues.

’76 Jane Higgins Ph.D. sent the following

note upon learning of the death of former Eastern President Charles

Dorothy and Ralph Young shared a nice note with their annual gift to the Class of 1951 Scholarship. “We may not be ‘going strong,’ but we are ‘going!’ We hope to open our summer place on Rogers Lake come spring. In the summer we look forward to a swim each morning before breakfast — it’s a great way to ‘wake up.’”

Tim Tracy and his wife Penny (Stanley) ʼ76

Like so many Willimantic State Teachers College alumni, Hy Reiner ’36 joined the Armed Forces to defend the United States in World War II. In June 1945, only months before the war ended, Reiner wrote State Sen. Margaret Hurley from somewhere in the South Pacific to support Senate Bill 306. The bill committed $670,000, along with insurance proceeds, to build a classroom and administration building to replace the original Willimantic Normal School (WNS).

Through the efforts of Sen. Hurley — a WNS graduate — Shafer Hall was constructed and opened in 1948 to replace the WNS building, which was destroyed by a fire in August 1943.

’63 Bertram “Bert” Nussbaum serves as president of the Board of Advisors for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida Atlantic University. “We are proud that we are the largest institute in the country, of-

“Good luck to you, Mrs. Hurley, and I am as confident of your victory back home as I am of our ultimate victory out here,” wrote Reiner at the time.

Hy Reiner ʼ36

28 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Webb: “I was saddened to hear of President Webb’s passing, but what a life he must have lived! I remember seeing him walking around campus and ‘saving the day’ at our senior dance when the band we contracted with didn’t show up! He got up and entertained us on the piano! Our paths crossed several years later when I was taking courses at the University of Connecticut for my doctorate in higher education. He was teaching a few courses in the program, representing the best kind of teacher. His ‘day job’ gave him lots of material to share with us and my fellow students.”

Reimer returned to Willimantic after the war to become a member of the WSTC faculty in 1946, eventually becoming principal of Noble School, before retiring in the early 1970s.

Patrick ’70 and Gail ’68 Brown Patrick Brown ’70 recounts the days he and his wife Gail ’68 attended what was then Eastern Connecticut State College. “Fran Geissler acted as a part-time bursar in our time. One time we had no money to pay tuition for my wife. We had 4.0 GPAs and tuition was only $50. We brought in $50 worth of coins, mostly pennies. He gave us this incredible stare, pushed the change back toward us and said he would pay the tuition.

“Just thinking of the names of faculty and administrators reminds me how they were so indicative of the small, almost “family” experiences that we had at Eastern. We would go out after classes to the Italian Garden bar or out for beers with them. Gail and I were big bridge players in the old commuter lounge and Dr. (Joseph) Narotsky would often play a few hands with us. My favorite non-education teacher was John Dierst who taught history and political science — he made lessons come alive. I left school in 1967 and taught using a temporary emergency provisional, and finished coursework at night or by independent study. My son graduated from Eastern and still teaches in Stamford. My daughter directs before- and after-school programs for a non-profit.”

Fran Geissler

’77

past four years, and was recognized as CJSA Coach of the Year in 2019.

Tim Tracy and his wife Penny (Stanley) ’76 met at what was then

’86

Eastern Connecticut State College and were married a week after his graduation. Tim went on to earn an M.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern in ’90. The pandemic forced him into retirement a year early, after a 43-year teaching career; 33 of those years were at Wildwood Christian School in Norwich, CT. Tim is now blogging at www.livingthetransformedlife.com where he posts articles on mental and emotional wellness and spiritual growth.

’80 Randle Wiggins writes “I am enjoying my 17th year of retirement from the Connecticut Department of Corrections.” Randle was a correctional counselor for 20 years and currently works part time for a school in Windsor, CT.

’84 John Parisella has been named the new head coach for the North Haven High School boys varsity soccer team. He has more than 35 years of experience coaching at the high school and youth levels. John has been the North Haven Soccer Club director of coaching for the past 15 years, assistant varsity coach for North Haven High School the

John Plofkin is the new deputy fire

chief of the Wilton Fire Department.

He previously served as assistant chief in the Westport Fire Department from 1995-2017; prior to that he was chief of the Nichols Fire Department in Trumbull. Plofkin holds numerous state and fire certifications and is a lead instructor with the Fairfield Regional Fire School in its vehicle extrication programs. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration at Eastern and resides in Trumbull with his wife Cheryl.

’87 Wendy (Giglio) Fiore is district

intervention support specialist for the School District of Lee County in Fort Myers, FL. She had been serving in a similar role at the middle school where she was a reading teacher. “The intervention specialist works with students, parents and classroom teachers, attending to the social, personal and academic needs of students who have been identified as at risk of failing using the Response to Intervention framework. The needs can be academic or behavioral.” In her role, Wendy will be training teachers to hold similar positions in their own schools.

’89 Rob Katko, longtime director of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, had much to celebrate on March 2.

“Maddow” finished February as the highest-rated regularly scheduled program across all of cable television for the second straight month. The strong performance of “Maddow” helped MSNBC to finish February as the #1 network in all of cable television, according to Nielsen.

Over the summer it was announced that The Rachel Maddow Show was nominated for two Emmy Awards (including one for “Outstanding Newscast”) and a Televisions Critics Association Award.

’90 Mark Bradley gave a virtual presenta-

tion about the benefits of belonging to the Greater Hartford Chapter of the National African American Insurance Association to a group of students from the M.A.L.E.S. organization. Mark is a program executive in Claims Sales and Services for The Hartford, and a past president of the ECSU Alumni Association.

The New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports has named Christia Mohan-Besko to the New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame.

As a pitcher for Arlington High School (Poughkeepsie, NY), Christia threw 10 no-hitters, including a perfect game. At Eastern, she was selected for NCAA Division III EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 29

All-America honors three times and was named the 1990 national Playerof-the-Year, leading the Warriors to their fifth national championship.

She was inducted into Eastern’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007. Christia teaches math in Mount Vernon, NY, coaches the Arlington varsity B softball team, and competes in a local women’s league.

Kathleen (Janas) Rokavec is medical director for physician advisory services for Hilton Head Hospital in Hilton Head, SC. She had been a physician consultant for several years before taking the new position.

’91 Steve Boskus, a member of Eastern’s

Athletic Hall of Fame, is completing his 17th year as a guidance counselor at Nauset Regional High School in Massachusetts. He has fond memories of pitching on the 1990 national championship team. His academic mentor was Dan Switchenko. “I still have the dried sweat from sitting in the first row of his exercise physiology class,” said Steve. He and his wife, Christie, are the proud parents of Josi, a 10th grader, and Jacob, an 8th grader.

Lauren Perrotti-Verboven is the new senior director of operations at Connecticut Lottery Corporation in Rocky Hill. She also provides human resources business consulting services to CCI, Ltd., a record retrieval, court reporting and process service, where she works collaboratively with the CEO on high risk/ exposure human resources challenges. Her son, Jake Verboven, is a 2021 Eastern graduate.

’92 Dawn (Walmsley) Brolin, CPA, CFE

is the author of “The Designated Motivator: Unlock Your Superpower to Change Your Life, The World and Everyone In It.” She defines

30 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

herself as a Designated Motivator, an individual who has the passion and ability to give others the gifts of realizing and mobilizing their true potential. “The Designated Motivator” is a detailed roadmap to move yourself and others toward positive actions to make real differences in all areas of your life.

’95 Joshua Bernegger, a 23-year veteran of law enforcement, was sworn in as chief of police in Watertown in January. Chief Bernegger began his career with the Naugatuck Police Department in 1997, earned the rank of sergeant in 2003, was promoted to lieutenant in 2006, and was named deputy chief in 2010.

As deputy chief, he promoted police transparency through the early adoption of interview room recording systems and body worn cameras.

Joshua moved to the Watertown Police Department in 2019 to serve as deputy chief there prior to his most recent promotion.

’98 Aggregate Industries in Saugus, MA, hired Andrew Seaha as environmental and land manager. Andy oversees all environmental permit requirements for air, water, hazardous waste and land at more than 20 greater Boston plants. He interacts with plant staff, regulatory agencies and contractors with the goal of achieving 100 percent compliance 100 percent of the time. Before joining Aggregate, Andrew spent nearly 20 years with Montrose Engineering Group, starting as a field technician performing air quality testing and eventually becoming manager of several Montrose offices.

’99 Kathy (Fluckinger) Fischer is associate director of the Women’s Center at the University of Connecticut, and president of the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association.

’96 Stephen Tavares was recently named

Chief of Police at Eastern Connecticut State University after a 26-year career at the Bristol (CT) Police Department.

’97 Duane Mitchell, MBA, DBA has

been named manager, investment accounting at SE2, LLC in Topeka, KS. SE2 currently administers nearly two million active policies on behalf of its 25+ clients and has more than $100 billion in assets under administration.

Yolanda “Yolly” Negrón ʼ99

Yolanda “Yolly” Negrón wore an Eastern t-shirt on her way to get her COVID-19 vaccine, never thinking that she’d wind up in the Washington Post. “My friend tagged me on Facebook, and when I saw it, I almost fell off my wheelchair!”

’00 Mitch Mitchell has a new executive management position at AgeWell New York, a family of health plans offering Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and managed long-term care plan options.

John Rubano is the new director of sales at Lucid Dx at Lucid Diagnostics. Lucid Dx is a clinical lab consulting organization providing lab management and compliance services to more than 100 high-complexity hospital labs and independent reference labs throughout the United States.

Jessica Zolciak, adjunct professor of biology at Manchester Community College, received the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award. She was selected from among nominees representing all 12 Connecticut community colleges, all of whom have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers, in addition to promoting instructional improvements for their departments, and conducting exceptional research, scholarly and/ or creative work.

’01 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest work, “Notes on Grief,” is described as “an exquisite work of meditation, remembrance and hope, written in the wake of her beloved father’s death in the summer of 2020.”

The Times writes, “For fans of the famously private Adichie this is fascinatingly intimate. It is also delivered in the most readable, tender bites for any of the many of us whose attention has been shot by the harrowing of this past year.”

Corey Holmes is the new provost marshal ASG-J at 1st Theater Sustainment Command, based in Fort Knox, KY. In addition to earning his B.A. in Sociology at Eastern, Corey studied at the Defense Acquisition

University and at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

’02 Jamie Furness was named Paraeducator of the Year by the Stafford Board of Education. Jamie is at Stafford Elementary School, where she works one-on-one with students who need extra assistance with academic or behavioral issues.

After graduating from Eastern with bachelor’s degrees in History and English, Jamie worked in museums, but began volunteering for Stafford Elementary School when her son was in preschool. She is also treasurer of the Stafford PTO and runs the elementary school’s spirit store.

Michael Schaefer is a senior pharmaceutical sales specialist with AstraZenica.

‘03 Preferred Property Program (PPP), a subsidiary of Jacobson, Goldfarb & Scott, Inc. (JGS Insurance), and a leading national managing general agency, has named Dritan Curri as its executive vice president of information technology. Curri will oversee the development of an IT department that has experienced exciting growth over the past few years. Dritan comes to PPP with 20 years of experience as a multi-skilled insurance professional providing technology solutions to the healthcare and business insurance industries. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Eastern, he holds an M.B.A. from Albertus Magnus College.

Brent Fournier was promoted to the position of director of procurement at OMG, Inc., where he will develop and implement procurement strategies that meet OMG’s customer demands. OMG is a leading U.S. manufacturer of specialty fasteners, adhesives, tools and related products

used in commercial and residential construction.

Michael Grabski has been promoted to operations manager at Cintas, where he has worked since 2013.

Michael earned his B.A. in Business Economics at Eastern, and he received his M.B.A. from Southern New Hampshire University in 2015.

Jim Wolf ʼ03

Jim Wolf released a new album titled

“Strange, Weird and Romantic (Part III)” in May. It is available on all major music streaming services.

Jim was the special musical guest performing during “Live from All Over, It’s Eastern Saturday Night!”

(See story on page 8-9 for the 2021 edition of Eastern Celebrates)

’04 In addition to her role as associate director of learning and development and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) liaison for Workplace Culture at Yale University, Dannika Kemp Avent is a consultant leader at I Follow the Leader LLC, a leadership consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion. This past May, Dannika completed a master’s degree in Instructional Design at Quinnipiac University. In 2011, she earned an M.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology-Human Resources Management from the University of New Haven.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 31

’05 Adam Levine lives in Bristol and

works as a respiratory therapist at Hartford Hospital. This fall he will run the Virtual Boston Marathon to raise money for the hospital’s COVID-19 Fund. “I can choose to run the marathon anywhere I want, so I’ve decided to run from my house in Bristol to Hartford Hospital, a distance of 26.2 miles.” Adam has run marathons in Hartford and Newport, but the Boston Marathon has been a “lifelong dream.” Before he ends his marathon at the main entrance to Hartford Hospital, Adam will honor those who have died and his fellow healthcare heroes by passing Bristol Health, John Dempsey Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Officers Joshua Clark ʼ06, left, and Michael Haggerty, right

mantic. The new flag was purchased by the Willimantic Police Benevolent Association, of which Sergeant Clark serves as president.

Pedro Pozo earned his Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in 2018. Since then he has been a postdoctoral research associate at UNC, and a postdoctoral associate and postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

’07 Liz Gorgoglione began a new position

Adam Levine ʼ05

’06 Willimantic Police Sergeant Joshua Clark was part of a group of police

and firefighters who replaced a damaged American flag flying at the Windham Regional Community Council Early Childhood Program building on Valley Street in Willi-

32 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

in Risk Solutions at Conning, an insurance asset management company based in Hartford.

Tim Hippe was promoted to senior recruiter at Quest Global Engineering in Gainesville, FL. His role provides permanent support to original equipment manufacturers in the aerospace industry.

Rachelle (Parenteau) Kaman, MBA is the new director of finance and administration at Jaroop, the leading end-to-end provider of business and technology solutions to stand up, operate, optimize and scale insurance distribution. She is also owner of RK3 Consulting, LLC, which supports startups and non-profit organizations through innovative and efficient business and accounting services, specializing in strategic planning, accounting and marketing

solutions to enhance operations and increase clients’ revenues.

’08 Carrie Robinson is the new head of the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of New Haven. Robinson earned a B.S. in Health and Physical Education, and a M.S. in Counseling in Student Development and Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University. She worked at Eastern as a residence hall director and in the Pride Center, before moving on to positions at Fairfield University, and most recently at Trinity College, where she served as director of LGBTQ+ Life in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “I want to make sure that the Myatt Center is still a place where students feel safe, like it’s their home,” Carrie said.

’09 Jeremy Maheu is a pharmacy account

executive with Cigna. He serves as a consultative partner and subject matter expert regarding Cigna Pharmacy benefits and affordability-based solutions. He has been with Cigna since 2014.

Andrew Powaleny has been promoted to senior director of public affairs

at PhRMA in Washington, DC, where he leads the organization’s scientific communications. PhRMA represents the country’s leading biopharmaceutical research companies and supports the search for new treatments and cures. His article “Report: More than 1,300 medicines and vaccines in development to help fight cancer” recently appeared in the PhRMA blog The Catalyst.

Anthony Rosati is the assistant athletic director for facilities at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He recently gave a virtual presentation to Eastern Professor Charlie Chatterton’s class in design, construction and management of sports facilities. Anthony shared his personal insights from the field and discussed the challenges he has faced during the pandemic.

technical instruments and measuring devices, many with medical assessment applications. Brian earned an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2018.

Jeremiah Elliott Jr. is an employee relations specialist with Indianapolis Public Schools, as well as a self-employed yoga instructor. Jeremiah earned an M.B.A. in Corporate Innovation at Post University in 2015 after majoring in Spanish at Eastern.

Brajin Vazquez was promoted to global packaging development manager for Unilever in Trumbull. He has been with Unilever for more than a decade.

’10

The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) has named Rebecca Allen, MPH as director of recovery advocacy. Rebecca has worked in behavioral health and addiction services for more than 20 years, most recently as CCAR’s director of recovery support services.

After graduating from Eastern, Rebecca received her M.P.H. from the University of Connecticut in 2015.

As Rebecca explains, “The values of equity and fairness are close to my heart, but they are also extremely important when we’re talking about supporting people in recovery.”

Curtis Darragh IV completed his sixth year with Danbury Schools, and his second year as an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University. He is collaborating with EF Education First to travel abroad with students to conduct educational research.

Gregory Phillips is a project engineer in the Shelton office of Belcan, a global engineering, technical and consulting services company.

Jim Schult started a new position as senior associate at RSM US LLP, the fifth largest accounting firm in the United States. Jim recently became engaged to his girlfriend Jade, and

Andrew Bass started a new position as a licensed realtor at eXp Realty.

Dave Ciccalone and a partner launched Yankee Construction LLC, a general residential and commercial contracting company in North Hampton, NH. He was previously principal hydrogeologist for Roux Associates in Woburn, MA. Dave is a licensed environmental professional in Connecticut and a licensed professional geologist in New Hampshire and Maine.

Brian Clark is the director of operations for the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex in North Carolina. He recently gave a virtual presentation to Eastern Professor Charlie Chatterton’s class in design, construction and management of sports facilities. He provided students with his personal insights into the field and talked about the challenges of managing a facility during the pandemic. Brian graduated from Eastern with a B.S. in Sport and Leisure Management.

Brian Duffy is a senior business consultant with Agilent Technologies, which manufactures an array of

he still plays in the Greater Hartford Twilight baseball league.

’12 Angela Fournier M’12 was appointed to serve as human services director for the Town of Windham by the Windham Town Council. Angela had been serving as Windham’s school readiness liaison.

’11 Kira Holmes ʼ12

The Windham Textile and History Museum — “The Mill Museum” — has named Kira Holmes as executive director. She volunteered at the museum for a decade after taking a class at Eastern on public history (taught

by James Eves, her predecessor at the Mill Museum). As a volunteer, Kira has curated exhibits, archived, coordinated fundraisers and served on the museum’s board of directors.

Kira earned an M.A. in Public History from Central Connecticut State University, and has worked with several nonprofits, including the Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society where she is vice president, Mystic Seaport Museum and the Springfield Preservation Trust.

Sean Keefe is an environmental consultant with HRP Associates in Derby. An Environmental Earth Science major, Sean earned a master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of New Haven in 2017.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 33

’13 Tom Balestracci and Melissa (Groccia) Balestracci ’13 married in

Chase Anthony Balestracci

Ashley Pereira has been included in Marquis Who’s Who for her work in STEM education and career readiness as a teacher turned entrepreneur. She earned an M.S. in Secondary Education, with teaching certifications in biology and agricultural education from Eastern and has since pursued science education as a career. She taught high school science at Connecticut River Academy in East Hartford, was an educational research associate and a STEM curriculum developer.

In 2012 Ashley founded a small business to address the acute and ongoing shortage of skilled STEM workers.

Molly Rathbun completed her second year as Trinity College’s head softball coach, although her first spring season ended prior to the first game due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining Trinity, Molly served as head coach for three seasons at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Molly was a four-time All-American pitcher at Eastern, leading the Warriors to three Little East Conference championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and two national top-five finishes. Molly also holds a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology from Springfield College. She was inducted into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame in October 2019.

Ariana White was promoted to senior director of publicity at Atlantic Records. She recently celebrated her first anniversary as a homeowner, and is living in Elizabeth, NJ.

34 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

June 2018, and their son Chase Anthony was born on March 5, 2021.

Tom and Melissa met as first-year students on the same floor of Mead, and they’re looking forward to sharing their story in “Matches Made at Eastern.” Tom manages new student orientation at Fordham University.

He writes that it’s been a challenge to manage orientation during the COVID-19 pandemic, “but we keep plugging along and helping out our students the best we can.” Melissa is marketing operations manager at Strategic Insight in Stamford.

David Carney completed his master’s degree in geosciences with a concentration in paleontology at East Tennessee State University.

His thesis focused on combining geographic information systems (GIS) and vertebrate taphonomy — the study of what happens to animals after death and burial.

After graduating from Eastern, David joined the National Civilian Community Corps, worked as a naturalist with the Forestry Service in Bozeman, MT, and volunteered with the Museum of the Rockies. David won three awards for his work from the annual Tennessee Geographic Information Council: Best Student Map Submission, Best Interactive Map and Viewer’s Choice.

Rob Kavaler has been promoted to senior graphic designer at RCN Capital, a nationwide, private direct lender providing short-term fix and flip financing and long-term rental financing for real estate investors.

Rob continues to own and operate his own freelance business, RDK Design and Photography, designing logos, advertisements, collateral materials, apparel and websites, and photographing events, performances and engagements.

Burhan Kaya recently began a new position as scrum master at Eze Software (SS&C Eze, a unit of SS&C

Technologies). Burhan explained that “scrum master is like a project manager in Agile Framework.” He earned a B.A. in Political Science at Eastern.

Jennings Mansfield is a business analyst with 121 Ventures LLC in Brooklyn, NY. Kelsey Oleyneck works for Kite Pharma as a senior research associate.

Dagmarie Rosario is a preschool teacher at Pequenin Children Multicultural Readiness Academy in Hartford. She was a double major in Spanish and Sociology at Eastern.

Brittany Roy is project coordinator for Guardian Energy Management Solutions in Marlborough, MA. Lauren Sposato raised $3,000 for the Animal Rescue Clinic at Mystic Aquarium through their “Arctic Splash 2021: Freezin’ for a Reason” campaign. Lauren submitted an online video and was among the top three fundraisers for the event.

She is a lifelong resident of Westerly, RI, and is a corporate officer and associate director of marketing at Dime Bank. She has served as president of the Ocean Community Young Professionals Network for several years and as an Incorporator of Westerly Library and Wilcox Park since 2019.

’14 Elizabeth Allen is a postdoctoral

research associate at Brown University. She earned her Ph.D. in Cell/ Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Massachusetts.

Alex Bieniek is an air traffic controller at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Rachel (Junga) Bieniek is senior associate at Heidrick & Struggles, a Chicago-based provider of senior-level executive search, culture shaping and leadership consulting services.

Judy Bloom is a medical and scientific associate with Chameleon Communications International, a New York

City medical communications firm working in partnership with health care organizations. Judy earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience at the University of Connecticut Health Center in 2020.

Pearson Davis, assistant general manager of the XL Center in Hartford, recently spoke to Eastern Professor Charlie Chatterton’s Introduction to Sport Management and Sport Science class. He discussed his career path and his responsibilities at the XL Center.

Andrew “Drew” Deane virtually visited Eastern Professor Charlie Chatterton’s Introduction to Sport and Leisure Management class from Bates College in Lewiston, ME. Drew discussed his career path from Eastern where he earned his degree in Health and Physical Education with SLM and Health minors. He also earned his M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Western New England University. After graduating from Eastern, Drew traveled to England from 2014-15 and was the university development officer at Leeds Beckett University (Premier 1). In 2018, he became assistant men’s lacrosse coach at Bates College.

Cortnie Fleury is a health coach with Noom, a program for achieving weight loss through lifestyle and eating habit changes. She is also a counselor at the Center for Discovery in Fairfield, an organization that treats eating disorders in women.

Courtney earned an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2018.

Jennifer Green has been a communications specialist with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture in Las Cruces since December 2019.

She earned her M.B.A. from New Mexico State University in 2019.

Rebecca King joined Tolmar Inc. as a QC analyst III at the company’s facility in Windsor, CT. Tolmar specializes in developing products to address urology, oncology and dermatology ailments. Rebecca was previously a scientist with Alcami Corporation.

Jacqueline Lagasse joined Tolmar Inc., as technical services scientist II. Lauren Lamourine joined MassBiologics in Fall River, MA, as a VMC associate II in January. Lauren had previously worked at Ashland Specialty Ingredients in Freetown, MA. Krysta Valerio recently spoke virtually to Eastern Professor Charlie Chatterton’s Introduction to Sport Management and Sport Science class. She discussed her current position at the University of Connecticut in the Department of Athletics as an academic counselor for the men’s basketball team. Receiving her M.S. in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville in 2015, Krysta has also held professional positions at the University of West Virginia, University of Massachusetts and now currently at UConn.

Derek Werner was promoted to production supervisor for ImmunoReagents in Raleigh, NC. He has been with the company since 2018.

’15 Alyssa Anderson joined Hartford

Hospital as a registered nurse after having worked for two years at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Eastern and went on to earn a B.S. in Nursing and her registered nurse certification from Quinnipiac University in 2018.

Richard Bergman is a data associate at Joyn Bio in Boston.

Alexandra Cafferty is a human resource specialist at Alliant, a provider of audience-based marketing services in Brewster, NY. She was recently recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management as an “Emerging Professional Champion” in the next generation of human resource leaders. She earned her SHRM-CP and her M.S. in SHRM from Sacred Heart University.

The New Haven Museum and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas recently hosted “Dawnland

Voices,” a panel discussion featuring indigenous writers of Connecticut.

Representing the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, Natasha Gambrell served on the panel. Natasha has traveled to schools and colleges in the Northeast speaking on behalf of the tribe and has participated with the Archaeology Field School Collaborative with the University of Massachusetts Boston, beginning in 2008. In 2017, Natasha was elected tribal councilor and is currently serving a second term.

Rachel (Russi) Karrar is a senior scientist with Pharmaceutical Product Development and has been with the company since 2018. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Eastern and her M.A. in Biomolecular Science from Central Connecticut State University in 2017.

Amanda Lamoreaux has joined Editas Medicine in Cambridge, MA, as a senior research associate.

Laura Markley is a waste and plastics researcher and Ph.D. candidate in civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University. She studies plastics, water pollution and perceptions of the general public on environmental and sustainability issues. In addition to her B.S. in Environmental Earth Science from Eastern, she earned a master’s degree in earth and environmental science at Lehigh University. When she’s not in the lab, Laura writes about the science of sustainability — including her own research — and shares insights on practical ways the common consumer can reduce waste.

Ian Morander is a mortgage advisor in the East Providence, RI, corporate headquarters of Province Mortgage Associates. Prior to his current position, Ian worked for five years at Solidifi Title and Closing as a closing specialist.

Robert Scheim has a new position as sales account manager at Topgolf, a technology-enabled global sports and entertainment community. He is also planning to be married in

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 35

October 2021. As an Eastern undergraduate, Rob served an internship in the Office of Alumni Affairs.

Richard Squires is an optometrist at the VA Medical Center in Perry Point, MD. It is part of his fourth year of clinical rotations for the OD program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Since March 2020 Victoria Szamocki has been an environmental scientist with CDC Consultants in Natick, MA. She previously held a similar position with Northeast Water Solutions in Rhode Island.

’16 Lee Cattanach has been promoted to

senior manager II, merchandising operations at Walmart.

Michael Freilich is the assistant men’s basketball coach at SUNY Oneonta.

While at Eastern, he majored in Sport and Leisure Management and minored in Coaching and Sport Performance. “Eastern opened so many doors for me. I was a member of the men’s basketball team for four years as a manager. This led to my current career.” Mike also met his fiancé, Megan Harris ’16 at Eastern.

Megan graduated with a degree in

Michael Freilich ʼ16 and Megan Harris ʼ16

36 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

Psychology and Early Childhood Education. “We are both extremely proud alumni.”

Walter Leo is an ecological data scientist with the National Ecological Observatory Network in Boulder, CO. His job involves developing cellphone apps used in the field for ecological data collection to increase efficiency of fieldwork and improve the quality of data. In addition to his Biology degree, he earned a master’s degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology at the University of Glasgow in 2018.

Leopoldo Navarro is a Spanish teacher in the Miami-Dade County Florida Public Schools. He taught in the New London public school system from 2016 to 2019. Leopoldo earned a master’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching at Sacred Heart University in 2017.

Jesusa Nicholson is a district leader for Primerica Financial Services and a tax analyst for H&R Block. She earned undergraduate degrees at Eastern in Accounting and Finance.

Brianna “Brie” Passero has been promoted to auditor II by the Office of the State Comptroller, Connecticut Auditors of Public Accounts.

She joined the Auditors of Public Accounts as an auditor trainee in 2017.

Tiffany (Pfeiffer) Sabia is in her third year teaching a diverse fifth-grade class at Seven Oaks Elementary School in Odenton, MD, and serves as the chair of the fifth-grade leadership team. Earlier this year, Tiffany’s students worked on a college research project that aligned with the fifth-grade writing curriculum.

The students researched universities of their interest and composed informative essays and projects that were presented to other classes. Tiffany used Eastern and Eastern’s website as a modeling and guided practice for the unit.

’17 Jacob Castillo is the media coordinator for Strong Foundations, a Vernon organization that provides special services for children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome and other learning challenges.

Jessica Dastous is CEO and founder at Wildflower Creative LLC. She offers business to consumer marketing and branding for the ski/snowboard industry, outdoor industry, consumer packaged goods, luxury resorts, entertainment, dining, retail and gaming industries. Jessica resides in Vail, CO. Dajoun Jones is a relationship banker at Bank of America.

Jessica Mason joined the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, MA, as a medical technologist II in October 2020. A Biochemistry major at Eastern, Jessica previously held a similar position with ReproSource in Marlborough, MA. Daniel Mueller has a new position as human resources assistant at Sheffield, which specializes in executive search, executive selection, interim management, and leadership and organizational development. Some of Daniel’s responsibilities include recruiting, Hubzone data keeping and benefits administration. “Never stop learning, never stop asking questions, and use your resources. I am constantly researching new ways to do my job better.”

’18 Kassandrah Banks is a customer experience specialist with Brooks Brothers.

Tiffany Gooddall started a new position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a student success advisor. While pursuing her M.S. in Counseling/Student Development in Higher Education at Central Connecticut State University,

Tiffany served in Eastern’s Division of Student Affairs as a graduate intern for student orientation and leadership programs.

Cooper Goslin has a new position as senior auditor at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), an accounting firm providing industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax and consulting services through more than 120 U.S. locations.

Stefanie Dominguez is teaching preschool special education and working on her master’s degree in special education. She writes that she never would be where she is today without her Eastern education.

Stefanie Dominguez ʼ18

“Eastern helped me to form connections not only within the University, but beyond. Having studied the social and emotional development of dual language learners as part of my thesis has been really helpful as a preschool teacher where so many of my students speak different languages at home!”

Daniel Klune is a water treatment operator with Connecticut Water in Clinton. He has been with the company since July 2018.

Relja Nedeljkovic is a process development associate at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a biomedical and genomic research center in Cambridge, MA. Katherine O’Rourke earned her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University, and recently began a new

Katherine O'Rourke ʼ18

position as coordinator of off-campus student life at Old Dominion University. “Eastern helped me by offering me countless opportunities to get involved in student affairs by joining committees so that I was well equipped to go to graduate school for student affairs.” Katie is looking forward to gaining additional experience and hopes to return to Eastern someday to work in the Student Activities Office.

Melody Slater is a pharma research operations specialist with Caris Life Sciences in Maricopa, AZ.

’19 Eumir Abela is the coordinator of promotion, planning and scheduling for HBO in New York City.

Devin Belenski has been named the new manager of the Norwich Sea Unicorns. Since graduating from Eastern, Devin spent two seasons working with the University of Connecticut baseball program, most recently as director of player development and analytics. The Sea Unicorns will play in the eight-team Futures League, a summer collegiate wooden bat league, for the first time this summer.

Jennifer Croteau joined INSPIRE Environmental in Newport, RI, as a staff scientist in June 2020.

INSPIRE is a consulting company that specializes in sediment profile imaging technology to study the

recent history of the ocean floor for applications to environmental issues.

During summers while at Eastern, Jennifer worked as a naturalist for the Watch Hill Conservancy in Rhode Island, patrolling a globally recognized nesting area for migratory shorebirds.

Taylor Danielczuk is a sciences and healthcare recruiter at Actalent.

Chanler Florian is an environmental scientist with TRC Companies in Windsor. He was previously with Eagle Environmental in Terryville.

Nicholas Hanley is a registered representative at Equitable Advisors.

Jen Porpora is a financial services consultant at TIAA and has relocated to Charlotte, NC. Anayancy Ramos is a medical laboratory technician with Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory in Alpharetta, GA. Jonathan Rappi is a research associate at Halda Therapeutics in Branford, where he has worked since July 2019.

Thanousone Sourignamath is an account representative and automotive photographer at Xcite Automotive.

Prior to graduating, he was a social media intern in Eastern’s Office of Alumni Affairs.

’20 Natnael Belay is program manager,

R&D, for PTC, a computer software company based in Boston. Natnael interned with PTC in 2019, in addition to spending two years as a web development assistant in the Office of University Relations at Eastern.

Allison Noel Brown is a legislative intern at Episcopal Church Public Policy Network, where her work centers on policy research and writing news briefs and letters concerning policies that align with the Episcopal Church’s mission to help communities. While at Eastern, Allison served internships with the Institute for Sustainable Energy and with the Connecticut State Senate Democratic Caucus and Senate Environmental Committee.

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 37

Madeline Colegrove is a digital

marketing coordinator in the Shelton, CT, office of Really Good Stuff, LLC, a retail company that provides educational products to teachers. Madeline served a social media internship in Eastern’s Office of Alumni Affairs.

Isabel Orbe is a research assistant at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington.

Nicole Reinschmidt has been promoted to the position of advocate at Safe Futures in New London.

Safe Futures’ mission is to save lives, restore hope and change the future for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and trafficking. Nicole earned a B.S. in psychology and minored in mental health counseling.

Crystal Vicente was promoted to assistant laboratory supervisor with Wren Laboratories, a medical testing service company in

Branford. Crystal joined Wren as a laboratory technician in June 2020, shortly after receiving her degree in biochemistry.

’21 New Britain Bees third baseman Luke Broadhurst was named the Futures League Player of The Month for May and June. At the time of his nomination, Luke had posted a .524 slugging percentage with a .341 average, with 18 RBIs and six stolen bases.

James Callaghan is a recreation specialist at the Westover Job Corps Center in Chicopee, MA. Jackson Delaney is a public relations assistant at Susan Oliver Consulting, an independent consultant specializing in strategic communications and helping clients define powerful messages for top-tier media placements.

A Business Administration graduate, John Ferrara has been named media consultant at the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, MA. In his role, John will implement print and digital media plans, including social media marketing, website management, and various digital strategies. At Eastern, John interned with the Windham Chamber of Commerce.

Tyler Madden is a multimedia journalist at WTOV News 9 in Steubenville, OH. Josh Vincent is a pitcher for the Alpine (TX) Cowboys, one of 14 independent teams in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs. In his senior year at Eastern, he was voted Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year and posted a 6-2 record with a 1.72 earned run average. He also was an All-New England selection and D3baseball. com third team All-American.

Bryan Guetens ’21 was the organizer and leader of a group of Eastern alumni and students who completed a 600-mile bicycle trip from Greenwich, CT, to Duck, NC, to bring attention to mental health awareness, and to raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Connecticut. Joining Bryan’s team as riders were roommates Matt Mocker ’22, Jake Sullivan ’22, and Brendan Tew ’23, while Eddie Melton ’21 and Russell Kwakye ’22 served as support drivers.

Find out more on Instagram @thevalleyboysride. (left to right) Matt Mocker, Brendan Tew, Bryan Guetens, Jake Sullivan, Eddie Melton and Russell Kwatkye

38 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

IN MEMORIAM

Carolyn (Piecyk) Tanajes ’44 Killingly, CT Jan. 15, 2021

John Distasio ’76 Mystic, CT July 9, 2021

Christina Dibala ’02 Willimantic, CT April 28, 2021

Teresa (Lemieux) James ’49 Mystic, CT Dec. 11, 2020

Prudence (Wood) Schifley ’78 Vernon Rockville, CT May 12, 2021

Angela Skelley ’05 Pomfret, CT Feb. 11, 2021

Elizabeth (Ashton) Levey ’52 Greenville, NC Feb. 15, 2021

Kathleen (Nault-Rowley) Socha ’79 Bolton, CT Dec. 27, 2020

Audrey Mae (Hale) Goodhue ’53 Old Saybrook, CT July 19, 2021

Stephen Rorick ’79 Canton, CT April 4, 2021

Kristopher Johnson ’09 Former Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Colora, MD March 20, 2021

Carol (Cerina) Hunsinger ’53 East Calais, VT June 25, 2021

Paul Person ’81 North Windham, CT June 7, 2021

John Ferguson ’58 Rocky Hill, CT May 23, 2020

Jean (Vetrano) Myers ’86 Waterford, CT June 23, 2021

James Zito ’59 Waterford, CT Dec. 10, 2020

James Tucker ’88 Newington, CT Jan 12, 2021

Karen (Pierson) Gaucher ’59 Columbia, CT Feb. 24, 2021

Julia (Vetrano) Jenkins ’90 Chaplin, CT March 18, 2021

Beverly (Bellavance) Anthony ’62 Willimantic, CT Oct. 29, 2020

Thaddeus Weaver ’90 Wethersfield, CT April 5, 2021

Ann (Garrison) Bailey ’62 Storrs Mansfield, CT Oct. 16, 2018

Lisa (Michaud) Sullivan ’91 Cromwell, CT Jan. 6, 2021

Norma (Balcom) Hawkins ’64 Brooklyn, CT July 9, 2020

Donna Pitts ’93 Portland, ME Jan. 12, 2021

Richard Griffin ’66 Garden City, NY April 1, 2021

Edward Savino ’94 Malvern, PA Feb. 16, 2021

Ilene Frank ’70 Glastonbury, CT June 25, 2021

William Clayton ’95 Manchester, CT Dec. 2, 2020

Kathleen Munday ’71 Old Lyme, CT Feb. 7, 2021

Patricia Guy ’97 Scotland, CT Feb. 28, 2021

Celeste (Dessureault) Jakubowski ’72 Scotland, CT March 28, 2021

Deborah McIntosh ’00 Ashford, CT April 27, 2021

Alex Moshier ’13 Hampton, CT Dec. 7, 2020 Joel Blain Friend and donor Riverside, CA Aug. 3, 2020 Jeffrey Bogue Friend and donor Charlottesville, VA Nov. 24, 2020 Lura Dillow Friend and donor Kensington, MD Jan. 6, 2020 Ruth Haddad Former food services staff Willimantic, CT Nov. 30, 2020 Eileen Heinonen Women’s swimming volunteer and donor North Windham, CT Dec. 26, 2020 Nicholas Messina Director of Media Services Mansfield Center, CT March 14, 2021 Ramon Pantoja Landscape Technician Norwich, CT April 22, 2021 Kathleen Waitte Former adult education counselor Griswold, CT Jan. 13, 2021

EASTERN • Fall 2021 • 39

Final Thoughts When you read this, several months will have gone by since Eastern celebrated its 131st Commencement Exercises this past May. In 2020, graduation was limited to a virtual event on YouTube, and while we worked hard to offer the best experience we could for last year’s graduating class, it just wasn’t the same. This May, we returned to campus for the first time in 13 years for a safe outdoor celebration — it was a sight to see! Joy and hope brightened the faces of our graduates and their families alike, even behind their facemasks. Four events spread over two days allowed every member of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 who wanted to join us to experience the culminating day of their college careers.

I share these memories to make the point that going to college is not a given: most Americans do not hold a college degree. Nor is a degree “given” to a graduate — each student works hard to earn their college diploma. It represents not only their hard work, but the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the process.

Regardless of one’s major, an Eastern liberal arts education has the added benefit of providing graduates with the broad intellectual competencies in demand by U.S. employers — critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, ethnics, teamwork.

Whether you graduated from Eastern this past May or decades ago, I trust that you can cite many instances of how you have put your Eastern education to work — in your career, in your home life and in your community.

The world today strains from economic uncertainty, social unrest and technological change. It is a world that demands leadership from thoughtful people who are committed to working together for the good of future generations. The degree you earned at Eastern and the liberal arts foundation you experienced have never been more important.

Our democracy, our freedoms and our way of life all depend on Eastern’s ability to continue to offer a college education to students from all walks of life. As we emerge from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am encouraged by the continued commitment of Eastern alumni and other donors to provide financial support to our students, especially those with the greatest unmet need. For too many students, paying for a college education is a burden their families cannot shoulder alone. With your generous assistance, we can continue to ensure access to an Eastern degree.

When a student walks across the stage at Commencement, as upwards of 1,000 graduates did this past May, they are not only celebrating the past four years or their special graduation day. They are reaffirming the bright future that lies ahead. Thank you for helping them to shine.

Kenneth J. DeLisa Vice President for Institutional Advancement Chief Human Resources Officer

40 • Fall 2021 • EASTERN

EasternConnecticut State Univerisity b Awards & Recognition k 2020 & 2021

2022

#1 PUBLIC REGIONAL

BEST COLLEGES

University in New England U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Colleges of Distinction

v

2021

c ONE OF FOUR

2022 Northeast Region Princeton Review

Connecticut Universities (Eastern, Yale, Wesleyan, UConn) Coalition for Colleges

d

k

2010-2021

2018

BEST COLLEGES

TOP GREEN COLLEGES Princeton Review

#4 IN NATION Best Campus Police Departments Safe Campus Advisory Board

p 2021-22

MILITARY FRIENDLY Campuses Supporting Veterans Viqtory, Inc.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Willimantic, CT Permit No. 12

Time for a Search Party!

THE OFFICIAL EASTERN ONLINE ALUMNI DIRECTORY! • Missing your friends? Search for “lost” classmates by class year, city or state • Looking to network? Search for alumni by occupation or job title • Need an Eastern crew in your new city? Search for alumni across the street and around the corner

Create your alumni profile and you are on your way!

• Go to EasternCT.edu/Alumni • Click “Alumni Directory” from the main menu • Select “First Time Log In” to create a username and password • Once the Alumni Office verifies your identity, you’re all set

But wait ... there’s more!

• Update your profile to show information you want to share with other alumni • Register for alumni events and submit Class Notes to Eastern Magazine • Review your gift history with the ECSU Foundation, Inc.