Eastern Magazine Fall 2023

Issue 39

Fall 2023

Eastern Pride P. 8

Realizing A Dream P. 12

Where Are They Now? P. 14

6

Comeback Cameron 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.

Executive Editor Kenneth DeLisa Editor Michael Rouleau Designers Leigh Balducci | Kevin Paquin Photographer Tom Hurlbut Contributors Meghan Carden | Katherine Escalante | Nicholas Khan | Joseph McGann Bob Molta | Ashley Orcutt | Edward Osborn Michael Stenko | Lucinda Weiss

Call to Readers We welcome the feedback and input of our readers. Pitch us a story. Send us an Alumni Note. Tell us what you like and want to see more of in Eastern Magazine. Contact us at editor@easternct.edu.

See previous Eastern Magazine issues at www.easternct.edu/magazine

Support the Annual Fund Making an online donation to the Annual Fund is easy and helps Eastern students in so many ways. Just scan this QR code and follow the prompts. Thank you!

A devastating crash and a resilient spirit

8

A Space Where Everyone is Safe A look at the Pride Center during LGBT History Month

6

12

Realizing a Dream My journey of hope and sacrifice

14

Where Are They Now? Eastern’s Barnard Scholars

8

18

A Career Driven by Curiosity Eastern alumnus leads iconic Wadsworth Atheneum

20

Revolutionary Tools for Humankind www.ecsufoundation.com/annual-fund Cover:

Eastern ponders the arrival of artificial intelligence

Made by Nicholas Khan ’17, this issue’s AI-inspired cover depicts neural pathways of a human brain flowing into the circuitry of a computer.

Facebook.com/EasternCTStateUniversity

Instagram.com/EasternCTStateUniv

Twitter.com/EasternCTStateU

2 4 25

20

CAMPUS BRIEFS P H I L A N T H RO P Y AT H L E T I C S

28 30 40

M ATC H E S M A D E A LU M N I N OT E S FINAL THOUGHTS

A Message from the President

Generation Z Gives Me Hope he day following Eastern’s 133rd Commencement, I announced my plan to retire as president on July 1, 2024. I fell in love with Eastern the first time I visited campus, for it was then that I knew that Eastern was more than where I wanted to be. Eastern was where I was destined to be.

I was honored and humbled to be selected as Eastern’s sixth president, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve this vibrant university community for 18 years. I wish to thank everyone who has taken the time to send a note, email or text. Your kindness only reminds me of how difficult it will be to leave.

Throughout my presidency, Eastern has continued to build upon a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship that has been decades in the making.

It features three fundamental, interrelated elements, including an academic arm (the Center for Sustainability Studies), a public outreach operation (the Institute for Sustainability) and a commitment to sustainability on campus (the Green Campus Committee and its programs). Through this multi-pronged approach, Eastern has established itself as a national Green Campus and a leader in sustainability in Connecticut.

This role is more important than ever, as the pace of climate change accelerates

and the disparities between the wealthy and poor continue to grow, leaving the most vulnerable in ever-challenging situations.

Earlier this year I participated as a panelist for a program on the climate crisis, and I was asked what initiative, action or discovery gives me the most hope for a sustainable future. I imagine the audience thought that I would say the annual global climate summits, or perhaps the climaterelated provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. It was neither, however, for you see, it is Generation Z that gives me hope!

While members of Generation Z share many characteristics with the generation that preceded them (the Millennials), the Gen Z cohort has its own unique markers, and their lives have been shaped by a unique set of events. This generation has grown up experiencing climate change, not in some theoretical, hypothetical way, but in the here and now. The threat is very real to them; they know the language of climate change and they see its impacts on our global environment. They also see the results of years of inaction, created in part by those who continue to deny what science has been telling us for years.

Eastern’s Gen Z students are passionate about issues they care about, and they have made it clear to me that action on climate

change is one of the most important. They also view the climate crisis in terms of social and economic justice, recognizing the disproportionate burden placed on neighborhoods, communities and even entire nations. They view this lack of equity as fundamentally wrong and intolerable.

I think back to the late 1960s and the way young people coalesced around messages of peace and equality. In the decades that followed, my generation has not worked effectively with generations of young people to rekindle the flames of hope and prosperity for all Americans.

Generation Z gives me hope. If they can harness their passion for climate action and if they can finally bring equity to those already suffering from our ailing environment, they may one day be known as the next “Greatest Generation.” And in the process, they might just save our planet.

Elsa M. Núñez

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 1

CAMPUS BRIEFS

Students travel the globe via summer field courses

D

ozens of adventurous Eastern students traveled the globe this summer on four field courses that immersed them in the cultures and landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, the Caribbean and Europe.

Environmental earth science (EES) students explored the geology of Colorado and Utah, theatre students participated in an international performing arts festival in the Czech Republic, biology students studied the tropical flora and fauna of The Bahamas, and English students wrote fiction in Italy.

Students “learned a tremendous amount of geology in a manner that will stick with them for their lifetime,” said EES Professor Peter Drzewiecki of the EES two-week trip in the American West. “The field is a natural laboratory for geology, and much more can be witnessed in places where vegetation covers less of the landscape than in New England.”

Besides geology, students studied paleontology, the history of settlement and mining in the area, and Native American petroglyphs. The trip also took students to seven national parks and monuments and exposed them to wildlife not seen in the Northeast.

Meanwhile, biology students spent two weeks in May conducting oceanic research at the Gerace Research Centre on San Salvador Island, where they visited a barrier reef, a mangrove estuary, dunes, a fossil reef and other island features of The Bahamas.

“This trip was the most life-changing experience,” said junior Natalie Lorenti. “I made friendships that will last forever and

memories that will never fade. The professors made the trip amazing, and it was worth every penny. I wish I could do it over again!”

In June, 13 theatre students spent two weeks exploring theatre traditions and practices from around the world at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, a major theatre showcase with nearly 11,000 visitors.

“I had the opportunity to witness cutting-edge stage designs, innovative approaches to storytelling and diverse theatrical traditions from around the world,” said senior Kyle Tinker-Palaia. “Interacting with artists, attending workshops and exploring exhibitions broadened my perspective on theatrical

Daniel Donaghy named Distinguished Professor the Year

E

nglish Professor Daniel Donaghy was named Eastern’s 2023 Distinguished Professor of the Year at the conclusion of the spring semester. An award-winning poet himself, the award affirms his own belief that, “Yes, you can teach poetry writing.”

2 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Donaghy’s 18-year career teaching creative writing at Eastern has taught him that “there’s a moment when you go all in” and teaching becomes a personal investment. “It’s a great honor to try to be present for students,” he said.

In presenting Donaghy with the Distinguished Professor of the Year award, Eastern President Elsa Núñez said that “since Dr. Donaghy began in the English Department in 2005, his inspiring poetry and expert teaching have defined his tenure.”

On the first day of his poetry writing class, Donaghy pushes students to get beyond the commonly held belief that

their life is uninteresting or that they have nothing to write about. They need to acknowledge that, “I have something I need to say to myself,” he said, and to see poetry as giving them a voice.

On the last day of class, he asks students to bring a photograph from an event in their life and write about it. All the poems are read aloud. One recent student brought in a photo of her family at a lake, but she was not in it. She wrote a poem about being afraid of her family’s reaction to learning that she, or he, as they knew her, was transgender.

“I wept in class, and I wasn’t the only one,” said Donaghy.

CAMPUS BRIEFS

aesthetics, pushing me to think creatively and expand my own artistic boundaries.”

Another group of students spent the month of July in Florence, Italy, writing fiction with English Professor Christopher Torockio.

The students lived in apartments across the city and toured the region, drawing inspiration from the country’s rich culture and history.

“My experience in Italy really forced me out of my shell,” said senior Marcus Grant. “It was my first time out of the country and the first time I’d been away from my family for more than two weeks.

Academically, it was really nice to devote my time to reading and writing and to find inspiration in the culture I was surrounded by. It seemed that everything — from the buildings to the cities to the people — had stories to tell me and I’m still amazed by how much I was able to absorb in such a short period of time.”

“The professors made the trip amazing, and it was worth every penny. I wish I could do it over again!”

- Natalie Lorenti

Biology

English

Theatre

Megan Stanton to lead HIV/AIDS research funded

by Elton John foundation

I

mproving the HIV epidemic response in the South is the aim of a new grantfunded project that social work Professor Megan Stanton will lead as the co-principal investigator. Funded by a $650,000 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the three-year project starts this fall and will involve refining trauma-based interventions at five medical clinics in Texas that treat HIV/AIDS patients.

Stanton will direct the evaluation of how well the interventions work in her position as director of research and evaluation at the SUSTAIN Center at the University

of Houston’s Graduate School of Social Work, where the grant is based.

The grant targets the HIV epidemic in the South, which has the majority of new HIV diagnoses in the United States and many of the priority jurisdictions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention for ending the epidemic.

HIV/AIDS patients may face trauma in their lives that affects their ability to find and accept treatment, Stanton noted. Traumas experienced could be sexual or domestic violence, a natural disaster or the effects of racism and sexism, she said. Trauma also could stem from the diagnosis itself, if it is delivered in an unsupportive way that causes stress.

It’s important that HIV/AIDS patients who have experienced trauma feel that they have a choice in their treatment and that they do not feel trapped or coerced, Stanton said. The project focuses on ways that organizations can make patients feel safe and welcome, and involves intense training at clinics and follow-up coaching of staff.

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 3

PHILANTHROPY

Major estate gift establishes music scholarship

T

he ECSU Foundation, Inc. has received one of the largest estate gifts in Eastern’s history with a donation upwards of $500,000 from the Everett W. Yaps estate. Yaps, who passed away in 2020, joined his wife Wendy (Taylor) Yaps ’85, ’87 in wanting to support music students at Eastern.

Wendy Yaps graduated from Eastern at the age of 57 with a degree in business administration, later earning a second bachelor’s degree in music in 1987. She taught accounting for many years at Manchester Community College and passed away in 2012.

The Yaps estate gift is being used to fund the Wendy (Taylor) and Everett W. Yaps Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which will be awarded to Eastern students majoring in music who have demonstrated a commitProvost Bill Salka, Dean of Arts and Sciences Emily Todd, ment to pursuing the study and perforAidan Reiss ’26, Professor Anthony Cornicello mance of classical music.

“This award will have a tremendous “I am absolutely honored to impact on Eastern’s music program,” have been recognized and chosen said Anthony Cornicello, chair of the as the first recipient of the Yaps Department of Music. “Personally, I was endowed scholarship,” said music astounded when news of this came to major Aidan Reiss ’26. “To have me. It is wonderful to have a merit-based my accomplishments, dreams, award for our students in the performance progress and practice pay off in concentration. Our plan for the future is to such a manner, and to be recogoffer this award to outstanding incomnized not only by my inspiring ing students to draw them to EastWendy and Everett Yaps professors, but by Eastern as well, ern, with the knowledge that is an honor I had truly not this scholarship will help anticipated.” them throughout their Wendy Yaps had a beautiful piano that she played frequently. four years at the She loved Chopin and apparently tried to teach her husband University.” how to play. A breast cancer survivor, she was very involved in a support group and her art interests extended to drawing and writing poetry.

The Yaps lived on a 26-acre property in the woods of Hebron, CT, which they named Windsong. Everett used to talk about their love of wildlife and nature. They loved to travel, whether it was a cruise or just a ride to the mountains. Their love story spanned more than 60 years and began in their late teens. Now, future generations of Eastern students will be able to study music due to their generosity.

4 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

PHILANTHROPY

Golf tournament draws continued support for scholarships

T

he annual ECSU Foundation Golf Tournament on June 26 drew nearly 80 golfers to the Wethersfield Country Club for a day of golf that will support student scholarships, the Eastern Annual Fund and athletics.

This was the fourth year the event was held at the Wethersfield course, following 14 years at the Lake of Isles course in North Stonington. First place went to the Walmart team and second place to Presidio.

“Wethersfield Country Club was a perfect venue, the course was in great shape and the rain held off, giving way to sun most of the day," said BJ Kito, chief strategy officer at Rebel Interactive Group, which had a foursome in the tournament.

Chartwells, which provides food service on the Eastern campus, was the dinner sponsor. Other longtime corporate sponsors of the tournament were TRC Companies, CliftonLarsonAllen and Granite City Electric.

Over the past 18 years, the tournament has generated $1.3 million, said Ken DeLisa, Eastern vice president for institutional advancement.

“Thanks to this event as well as the many alumni and friends who have started endowed scholarships, the ECSU Foundation granted a record $1.5 million (in scholarships) in the last two fiscal years combined, the highest two-year total ever awarded,” he said.

“The growth in scholarship giving doesn’t happen without the support of the individuals and businesses represented in this tournament,” he said.

Corporate Sponsors Barnes & Noble College Booksellers BVH Integrated Services Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Chartwells CliftonLarsonAllen LLP CohnReznick LLP DATTCO Emerald Consulting Granite City Electric Supply Company Kell-Strom Tools KeyBank Kirby Vet Mohegan Tribe Potters Oil Presidio Rebel Interactive Group Ryan Business Systems TRC Companies Walmart Windham Pepsi Bottlers

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 5

A devastating crash and a resilient spirit

COMEBACK

By Michael Rouleau ’11

C

ameron Senna was riding his motorcycle on the evening of Oct. 11, 2021, when his life changed forever. At the time he was a junior at Eastern studying computer science, out for an autumn ride on Route 6 in Andover. He’d driven this road many times during his commutes to and from campus, but on this evening around 6 p.m., a car in the oncoming lane suddenly veered in front of him.

In an instant, Cameron was ejected from the motorcycle at 50 miles per hour.

Paramedics rushed to the scene as he lay barely conscious on the pavement. A helicopter swiftly airlifted him to the hospital, where he would spend the next three and a half months. First at Hartford Hospital, then at Gaylord Hospital, his days were an agonizing whirlwind of surgeries and intensive rehabilitation.

“That first week was touch-and-go; they didn’t know if I was going to survive,” said Cameron. “It was a really bad accident. I don’t remember anything from that day, which is fortunate — I’d rather not.”

His injuries were grave and extensive, despite wearing a helmet and other protective gear. Cameron suffered a broken pelvis, back, right arm and left tibia. His left foot was paralyzed and his sacrum was displaced. He also experienced nerve damage, a brain bleed, a concussion and life-threatening internal bleeding and blood loss.

6 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Despite making great progress during his months at Gaylord Hospital, Cameron had to be able to walk independently before being discharged, he spent much of the following year intermittently using a wheelchair.

The specter of hospitals would remain familiar as well, with him returning many times with infection and sepsis due to numerous surgeries. Even now, two years after the accident, he still deals with chronic pain and uses walking sticks to help with his gait.

Another devastating setback struck Cameron four months after leaving Gaylord. The insurance company dropped his physical therapy coverage, deeming his recovery finished. At this time, Cameron could walk only short distances and needed double crutches to keep weight off his left leg.

Daily physical therapy — in-home and outpatient — had become his primary occupation and the key to regaining his life. “I stopped believing in myself when I found out about the insurance,” he said. “Why would I not believe them?”

Cameron’s family, unwavering throughout the ordeal, did not accept this verdict. Already on a reduced income due to his mother, Donna, cutting back her hours to become his caregiver, the Sennas paid for physical therapy out-of-pocket. Finally, a glimmer of hope emerged when Donna found a program at the University of Connecticut that gives uninsured people free care in exchange for serving as patients for physical therapy graduate students.

“I’m so thankful every day that I get to have my best friend still in my life. Cam’s resilience is amazing … I’m so grateful that he’s here and that we can still enjoy life together.”

Evelyn Senna ’21, Cameron’s sister hospital’s adaptive sports program. The arduous course — not designed for athletes with disabilities — featured two dozen rock walls, rope bridges, mud crawls and other obstacles. To make things more challenging, it rained heavily all day.

Cameron’s steadfast family, best friends and even his former nurses were with him every step, assisting him through the muddy course and cheering along the sidelines as the deluge continued.

“That day felt like the culmination of my entire experience,” he said. “It was emotional. I felt super happy, elated, that I’d done it. With all my friends and family by my side … I don’t know how I could have done it without them.

The course was symbolic of the journey I’ve had.”

After all he’s been through, Cameron now sees the world in a different light.

He has less anxiety, he can better relate with people, and he’s grateful for every day.

“My perspective’s changed a lot since the accident,” he said. “I’ve become a nicer person. Having an experience like this, I feel like I can empathize with people who are struggling.”

Perhaps his greatest takeaway, however, is the poignant realization of the significance of loved ones and the fragility of life.

“Sometimes we’re stuck in a rut, or we forget to lift our heads up and think about those around us … You never know when your last day is going to be, so make the most of it and let people know they’re important to you.”

Cameron looks forward to completing his computer science degree at Eastern when his recovery permits and aspires to become a software developer. E

Below: Running the Gauntlet alongside Cameron were friends Ben Combs, Daz Pagdiwala, Sam Guiguere and Andrew Doucette, as well as mother Donna Senna and sister Evelyn Senna ’21.

“I’ve made so much progress since then,” said Cameron. “If my mom didn’t push for me to be in that program … if I had taken what (the insurance company) said, I would not be where I am today. This highlights how important it is to have people around you who believe in you.”

While his physical injuries were debilitating, Cameron says the mental obstacles were just as difficult.

“A lot of recovery is mental; it’s the mindset you have,” he said. “You can recover. You have to keep working at it and maintain a positive attitude. There are going to be times when you’re frustrated, not making a lot of progress. You have to keep going.”

Cameron’s incredible recovery was typified this summer when he participated in the Gaylord Gauntlet, a 5K trail run/obstacle course and fundraiser for the

After a remarkable recovery, Cameron Senna participated in the Gaylord Gauntlet this June, assisted by Gaylord Hospital therapists.

Photos courtesy of Gaylord Hospital

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 7

A look at the Pride Center during LGBT History Month

A SPACE WHERE

EVERYONE IS SAFE

By Cindy Weiss

F

Nicole Potestivo

8 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

irst it was a tiny room by the freight elevator on the bottom floor of the Student Center — almost a closet, ironically.

Eastern’s Pride Room, as it was then called, started in that small space in 2010 and grew to become the Pride Center in 2016, a hub of activity, education and support for LGBTQ+-identifying students and their allies. As it has grown, attitudes on campus have evolved, policies to protect students have been adopted, and gender-neutral accommodations are now an expectation, not a novelty.

In observation of LGBT History Month this October, Eastern community members reflected on the campus climate for LGBTQ+ students and the role of the Pride Center.

“I’ve seen a difference in the acceptance of LGBTQ folks over the years and of gender identity,” said Kimberly Dugan, professor of sociology, whose research and teaching encompasses the LGBTQ+ movement.

In the current generation of students, “no one raises an eyebrow” about asking people for their preferred pronouns, for example.

“They get it — they have friends — they know people,” she said.

Dugan was on the committee that helped to start the Pride Room in 2010. Students had lobbied for it before then, and they worked to get more space and staffing once it opened. On March 2, 2015, the Student Government Association passed a resolution declaring that LGBTQ+ students “deserve a larger space for educational events and social gatherings.” The resolution noted that the Pride Room received only $4,500 in funding that fiscal year, compared with $22,500 each for the nearby Women’s and Intercultural Centers, and it was staffed with only one part-time worker.

On Nov. 11, 2016, the Pride Center opened in an expanded space and was dedicated to “providing a welcoming, affirming place for people to explore and increase their understanding of aspects related to

sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in an open and nonjudgmental environment.” Graduate interns were hired to assist the part-time professional staff.

In 2017, Nicole Potestivo was hired as its part-time staffer, and in December 2021 she became the first full-time Pride Center coordinator.

“It’s really intimate, what we’re talking about — gender identity, sexuality.”

That’s what this space is for.”

Nicole Potestivo STUDENT LEADERSHIP The impetus for growth has always come from the students. The Pride Alliance, a student club, “really directed the activity” at the original Pride Room, recalled Michelle Delaney, vice president of student affairs, who was formerly director of the Student Center. Faculty served as advisors, and her office responded to logistical needs. But the students were the “grassroots,” she said.

Students “were very strategic in their approach — they knew what they wanted,” said Starsheemar Byrum ’07, director of the Women’s Center. The Women’s Center, the Intercultural Center and the Pride Center are all part of the Arthur L. Johnson Unity Wing on the first floor of the Student Center. All three are now funded equally, Delaney said.

Raven Trinci ’26, an anthropology major and current president and treasurer of the Pride Alliance club, said the Pride Center is a safe place for people to explore their

identity. In addition to having a supportive community, students can use the center’s wardrobe to experiment with clothing that meets their identity.

“It’s a nice family to turn to,” said Trinci.

The Pride Center ribbon-cutting in 2016 came just after the presidential election, recalled Carolyn Taggart, then the center’s part-time staffer, who remembered some fear on campus that undocumented students would be sent home and that the campus climate would change. But that wasn’t the case, and the Pride Center thrived.

“Students at Eastern were always a bit of a catalyst for good, progressive change,” said Taggart, who now directs the GLBTA Pride Center at Bridgewater State University.

Isaiah Roby ’13, now living in Topeka, KS, was president of the Pride Alliance for three years as a student at Eastern. He was the first student to graduate with a women’s and gender studies major, and he wrote a senior research paper on the feasibility of creating a Pride Center.

When he graduated, the Pride Center did not yet exist; there was only a Pride Room.

When he visited campus five or six years ago, “the difference was amazing,” he said.

He recalled that during his student years, when he transitioned, one professor would not accept his chosen name because it was not the name that appeared on the class roster, so he was marked absent for the entire semester that he attended the class.

Now, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system has a policy that individuals may be identified by a preferred first name and that institutions facilitate students’ requests for a formal, legal change of name if they choose.

A Another policy says that individuals may be

identified by their actual gender identity and self-identified pronouns.

ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT During his student years, Roby advocated for gender-inclusive housing, which was first offered in fall 2014. This fall semester, seven students in first-year residence halls and 91 students in upper-level halls are living in gender-inclusive housing.

“It is our intent to work more closely with Nicole (Potestivo) to ensure first-year students have resources and connections to help them successfully acclimate to living on campus," said Angela Bazin, director of housing and residential life. "Being a part of this housing theme is meant to help students realize what this community means to them, as they are all at different levels of their identity process.”

Stephen Taylor ’14, now a residence hall director at the University of Connecticut, was hired as the first part-time coordinator at the Pride Room the summer after he graduated. “When I think about all my different student affairs roles, it was the most impactful role I’ve ever had,” he said.

Students would go to him with their stories about coming out and communicating with their families.

Some were terrified, and he saw his role as counteracting fear and trauma and helping them work through those feelings.

“I was often the first person to hear these stories,” he said.

“I felt as though once I began the process of opening up and sharing more about myself … that the

Starsheemar Byrum ’07

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 9

Brooks Scavone environment became more accepting,” he said. As coordinator of the Pride Room, Taylor wanted to make sure that everyone who visited was welcome and that it was a place for community.

The support from faculty and staff in advocating for the room and getting resources was significant, he said. “While I was the person who had their office in the space, I definitely did not do the work of running it alone. It was a team effort, and I am grateful.”

“When I step on this campus, I feel celebrated and I feel safe.”

Brooks Scavone Potestivo, the current Pride Center coordinator, agrees that “there have been a lot of faculty who’ve been vocal about us having this space.” She sees the center as a safe place for students and a home for resources and support. It is needed, she said, because there is “so much diversity” on campus, including transgender and asexual students, and queer people of color.

10 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

“It’s really intimate, what we’re talking about — gender identity, sexuality,” she said. “That’s what this space is for.”

“We’re heavy programmers on campus,” she noted. The Pride Center schedules social and educational events and attracts students who come to study or hang out. Faculty ask Potestivo for advice on best practices, and she does in-house “safe zone” trainings on appropriate language and inclusive practices. She provides workshops for parents and families and reaches out to incoming students during orientation tours. “We’re becoming not just a stop at the bottom of the stairs (of the Student Center),” she said.

Allyship is also encouraged for all who support gender inclusivity and rights.

“Eastern has a lot of allies,” said Celeste Petrowsky, a sophomore theatre major who advocates for LGBTQ+ students. “I feel like they (allies) really support by being present in helping queer students find resources or find help if they need it. I always see friends of friends in the Pride Center who don’t necessarily identify with the LGBTQ community but are there to support it and use the space.”

The Pride Center is open to the whole community — staff as well as students, said Brooks Scavone, director of the Office of AccessAbility Services. Scavone, who identifies as queer and nonbinary, attends a lot of Pride Center events, and the events make them feel “rejuvenated.”

“Eastern really demonstrated to me that I needed to come out as myself,” said Scavone. “When I step on this campus, I feel celebrated and I feel safe.”

Scavone has seen a growing awareness on campus of the need to make people of all backgrounds comfortable. “I’ve seen allyship increase on campus.”

A spring 2022 campus climate survey of students, faculty and staff showed “not very much tension or hostility when it comes to people of different backgrounds,” said LaMar Coleman, vice president for equity and diversity. Nearly 70% of students responding said Eastern’s programs addressed the needs of “students whose sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression may differ from mine,” but a negative theme was found in reports of faculty not respecting students’ pronouns. A key finding was that Eastern might consider better communication around discrimination, harassment and sexual assault, and training and education about gender and gender expression.

Sara Madera

Stephen Taylor ’14

Isaiah Roby ’13

Sara Madera, Title IX coordinator in the Office of Equity and Diversity, said the survey results showed that LGBTQ+ students faced more stalking and gender-based violence than other students. She is working with the Pride Center and residence halls to educate students about their rights to report.

Sometimes, students do not come forward with a formal complaint, preferring to tell a friend or not wanting to escalate a situation, she said.

Reporting can trigger a full investigation, but it can also result in an educational conversation, Madera said, or a no-contact order or an academic accommodation. She collaborates with Potestivo to set up mediation conversations if students are willing. She works with the IT department to make sure students’ preferred names are on faculty rosters, and she educates faculty on preferred pronouns. “A lot of faculty are learning as well,” she said.

“I don’t only investigate — I teach students how to have healthy, respectful relationships,” she said.

“They’re deliberate about building on things that previous cohorts have done,” she said of the students.

Sociololgy Professor Cara Bergstrom-Lynch, whose research and teaching focuses on gender and sexuality, said she sees less resistance on campus now to gender inclusivity.

Years ago, in her senior seminar class, a student said he couldn’t read a book she had assigned about coming out.

He eventually did read it and wrote an essay, but he wouldn’t discuss it. Lately, “I haven’t run across students who are openly anti-gay,” she said.

EXPANDING ENGAGEMENT

While LGBTQ+ students and allies generally feel supported on campus and by the laws of Connecticut, the climate and restrictions of other states leaves them worried. The national scene is “scary,” said Taylor, referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling and certain state laws that infringe on LGBTQ+ rights.

“It can be kind of jarring to leave the Eastern bubble,” admitted Scavone. “I have to be more careful when I travel places.” But here, “we have such a socially conscious student body.”

“We don’t want our students to lose hope,” said Byrum. Eastern creates

While the growing use of the Pride Center is celebrated, many still see more to be done. “We’ve done a lot for the students of the (LGBTQ+) community but we need to go further,” said student Petrowsky.

She has advocated for a transgender day of visibility and has facilitated an affinity group called Eastern Trans Community Connection.

Vice President Coleman said he thinks the Pride Center will probably expand and have more resources devoted to it. “It’s becoming more and more important,” he said. So much has come about with issues facing transgender students, gender accommodations and the whole concept of preferred pronouns, he said.

“In this day and age, parents and students come to college expecting resources,” he said.

Students are more vocal than ever and comfortable in talking about their needs on a range of issues, including mental health and disability issues, said Maureen McDonnell, English professor and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program.

“Imagine being in a space where everyone is safe.”

Isaiah Roby ’13

a path for students — a connection and a plan that will help them with any national pushback, she said. “We meet them where they are and equip them with the tools they need.”

She saw a change in student attitudes after the COVID pandemic eased. Students from all backgrounds are more likely to bring their issues to the table now, she said. They are showing empathy for each other and asking, “How did that make you feel?” when issues arise.

Pride Center Coordinator Potestivo would like to expand support for the center and build relationships with affinity groups. College-age students are exploring and want information about sexual health and wellness, and they want to be safe and know they have choices, she said.

She’d also like to be proactive and engaged with what’s happening outside of the campus. She led nine supporters this past June to the West Hartford Pride festival, for example.

Alumnus Roby, who now works as the office manager in the Shawnee County Public Defender’s office in Kansas, a state that is restricting LGBTQ+ rights, said his co-workers, nevertheless, are supportive. He lives in Topeka, three blocks away from Equality House, which raises awareness and provides outreach for queer people.

While he faced obstacles in transitioning during college, he also remembers the support as he lobbied for a Pride Center at Eastern.

“Imagine being in a space where everyone is safe,” he said. E

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 11

Realizing A Dream My journey of hope and sacrifice

By Katherine Escalante ’25

T

wenty years ago, my parents bid farewell to their home country of El Salvador. Driven to create a better life for my siblings and me, they left their entire previous lives behind. I remember when they sat me down and tried to explain that we would soon be going far from home. At just four years old, I couldn’t fully grasp what that meant.

All I knew was that I was going to America, a land of dreams and endless possibilities. The next thing I remember was my father loading our suitcases into a taxi. I remember gazing out the window, seeing my cousins on the other side. I had no idea that would be the last time I would see them.

12 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Fast forward five years. It was 2012. I was nine years old, living in South Dakota, when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was established. The program provides temporary protected status to undocumented youth who were brought to the United States as children. Although I was still six years away from becoming eligible, DACA opened my eyes to a world of new possibilities, as I witnessed my brother begin chasing his dreams after DACA allowed him to receive work authorization and a driver’s license.

When I was just two weeks from becoming eligible on my 15th birthday, the program was abruptly terminated, and I was heartbroken to see my hopes and dreams slipping away. While DACA was not a perfect solution, it provided hope and relief for hundreds of thousands of young undocumented individuals, acting as a bandage over the wounds of the broken immigration system.

Growing up undocumented, I faced constant anxiety and fear, and those feelings now loomed larger than before. I felt like my potential had nowhere to go.

“I am humbled by my parents' sacrifice and the courage, selflessness and love it represents.”

Katherine Escalante at the Hart Senate Office Building during the Capitol Hill Ocean Week Reception In an incredible turn of events, the Supreme Court reinstated DACA four years later. It was my senior year of high school, and I applied as soon as possible.

Amidst the uncertainty of whether I’d be accepted into the program, I discovered TheDream.US, an organization offering scholarships to support “under-documented” students like me. This was a true beacon of hope, reminding me that my dreams were valid and that I deserved the opportunity to pursue my aspirations just like any other student.

Going to college had been on my mind ever since middle school, but nothing prepared me for the pressure and fear of my senior year.

The college admissions process is not designed for undocumented students. With no prior family experience in the U.S. college system, no access to federal aid or most scholarships, and little guidance from my school counselor, I felt isolated and overwhelmed.

But TheDream.US connected me to thousands of students in my position, helping me to recognize that my journey was one among many. I discovered strength and resilience through the people and stories I was exposed to. And I found solace in knowing we were all interconnected, bound by passion, resilience and a shared pursuit of a life free from fear.

Receiving the TheDream.US scholarship and enrolling at Eastern Connecticut State University marked a turning point in my journey.

Opportunities Abound The transition from South Dakota to Eastern was exciting, and I embraced every opportunity that came my way. Eastern provided numerous avenues for growth, learning and connection.

During my first year, I became president of the Philosophy Club, a group that gathers to discuss social, political and cultural aspects of our world. This experience motivated me to seek my first internship as a teaching fellow for the organization Breakthrough Collaborative, where I delved into my newfound passions of teaching and engaging people in meaningful conversations.

In my sophomore year, I was hired as a social media assistant for the Office of University Relations, where I had the chance to create content and share stories with Eastern’s campus community. A couple of months later, I was recruited by FWD.us, an immigration advocacy firm, to lobby congressional representatives and senators for DACA reform. This transformative experience empowered me to speak truth to power and advocate for my community.

Fueled by my passion for sustainability, I pursued an independent research project analyzing high-speed rail policy in the United States using an AI language model. I even presented my research at local and national academic conferences. This past summer, I became a Yale Conservation Scholar and interned at an ocean conservation NGO. This gave me the unforgettable opportunity to be a climate innovation panelist and participate in a White House roundtable, where I spoke to the State Department and Council of Environmental Quality about ocean and climate issues.

From leaving my home country to navigating the uncertainties of DACA that still loom, my journey has undoubtedly been like a roller coaster. The challenges I have faced have shaped me into who I am today.

The path ahead will surely present more challenges, but I will face them with strength, hope and community.

I am so thankful to TheDream.US for connecting me to Eastern. It is because of this school that so many wonderful opportunities and experiences have followed. Eastern has truly given my potential a place to go, and I am forever grateful for that. E EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 13

Where Are They Now? EASTERN’S BARNARD SCHOLARS

By Meghan Carden

E

very spring, Eastern Connecticut State University selects two graduating seniors to receive the Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award, the premier undergraduate honor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). These students are among the most gifted in the entire CSCU system, excelling academically and committing themselves to impactful community service.

Eastern’s Barnard Award recipients have persued many impressive careers, from medical doctors to executives at major companies. In this feature, we catch up with five awardees whose love of learning and drive to succeed have led them down remarkable career paths that continue to challenge and inspire.

14 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

CHIP BECKWITH ’95 didn’t plan to go to college. Coming from a blue-collar background, he enrolled in a one-year EMT program, where he discovered an interest in science that led to an associate’s degree. Soon after, he transferred to Eastern.

The first in his family to attend college, Beckwith’s apprehension quickly eased after getting to know his professors.

“Classes like organic chemistry, physics and calculus were intimidating,” he said, “but visiting the professors during their office hours helped.”

Undergraduate research experiences at Eastern led to graduate school at Wesleyan University, where he ultimately earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry. From there, he worked with the Connecticut Department of Health, monitoring the spread of West Nile virus, investigating anthrax in the Connecticut postal servicesystem and probing other biothreats.

Beckwith’s next stop was the Virgin Islands, where he worked for the government writing public health grants. He continued government work, taking a position with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), moving first to Seattle and then San Francisco. With the CDC, Beckwith engaged with sales representatives. They often

asked him for advice, while he in turn found himself asking more and more about their jobs.

Beckwith realized he was an asset to the private sector and decided to pursue the business side of science.

“I had to remarket myself for these new roles,” said Beckwith.

“I wasn’t itemizing my most marketable skills.” The effort paid off and Beckwith found work with start-ups, providing technical support before moving to outside sales positions.

Now he works for Metabolon, an established research company that enables scientific discoveries in biopharma, public health, consumer products, agriculture and academic/ government research sectors. As the strategic account manager, Beckwith is still learning about the latest and greatest scientific work being done. “Science,” he says, “is powerful, dynamic and always changing.”

Looking back at his senior year at Eastern, Beckwith recalls being shocked when he received the Barnard Award.

The first in his family to attend college, Beckwithʼs apprehension quickly eased after getting to know his professors.

“I kept my nose to the grindstone. I assumed that others were more qualified,” he said.

Beckwith credits the biology faculty for his success as an undergraduate. “Adams, Gable, Wright — they were visionaries ahead of their time.”

As a command historian for the Department of Defense, ROBYN RODRIGUEZ ’05 is charged with documenting the work of the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. This includes its role in NATO and support of Ukraine, as well as countries throughout Africa. In the future, when someone wants to know how the United States supported its allies and partners during this time, they will pull files that she and her team collected.

“It’s a dynamic time to work in Europe,” said Rodriguez, who lives in Germany, a country she grew to love during her time at Eastern. After taking a few courses on Germany and World Wars I and II, the study abroad office connected her with an exchange program in Germany, where she spent two summers and one full semester abroad. She fell in love with the culture and was fascinated by how Germans navigate their own turbulent history.

Following Eastern, she enrolled at The Ohio State University and studied military history, returned to Germany to perform archival research and earned her doctorate.

From there, Rodriguez received a post-doctoral position in Hawaii, which turned into a full-time job with the Department of Defense POW/MIA

BARNARD ALUMNI f

Accounting Agency. In this position, she supervises historical research on missing U.S. service members from World War II and the Korean War. “The Department of Defense maintains a list of missing U.S. service personnel,” said Rodriguez. For those who have not been recovered and repatriated, her team conducts archival research to find more information. “How did they go missing?

What has been done in the past to recover the remains? Why weren’t they found?”

“All of my education was in the public school system, (partially) funded by taxpayers.

Serving in the federal government is a way to return the favor.”

Rodriguez works with geographers, anthropologists, archaeologists and linguists on recovery efforts and travels across the globe to locate the remains of missing service members. Her team also works with DNA technology to help identify soldiers in unmarked graves. The agency has a high rate of recovery, bringing closure to approximately 200 families a year.

“I see this as a way to serve my country,” said Rodriguez, who works as a civilian. “All of my education was in the public school system, (partially) funded by taxpayers.” Rodriguez also benefited from scholarships and acknowledges the support she received along the way. “Serving in the federal government is a way to return the favor.”

70 AWARDEES EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 15

KEVIN DOUGLAS ’08 came to Eastern with an interest in social justice, and quickly discovered the social work program. An eye-opening course with Professor Andrew Nilsson explored the root causes of certain societal issues and the importance of advocacy and organizing.

Douglas applied what he learned in the classroom to his advocacy against the death penalty and to bring attention to the crisis in Darfur. He was also active with Amnesty International and Habitat for Humanity.

Speaking to his efforts in and out of the classroom, Douglas said, “The Barnard Award affirmed my belief that it is important to do good in the world.” It also contributed to his acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to focus on social work at the macro level, studying social policy and practice. “I focused

57%

ADVANCED DEGREE

on bigger picture issues like the role of race in society.”

After earning his Master of Social Work degree, Douglas spent seven and a half years working for United Neighborhood Houses of New York, a policy and social change organization in New York City.

There he managed a large portfolio of policy issues, with a focus on youth and immigrants.

He led advocacy campaigns, wrote reports and worked on adult literacy, voting rights and the Dream Act. In 2019 he moved to California and began work with Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), where he is now the senior director of national programs.

Meanwhile, Douglas continues to look at the root causes of those needs and plans for long-term change. This includes advocating for immigrant access to drivers’ licenses and participation in local elections as well as opposing anti-sanctuary city bills.

“The country has long grappled with immigration; it transcends any one administration,” said Douglas. Despite the uphill battle, he remains optimistic, noting that GCIR’s California programs have served as a model for other states.

“Big social justice movements take time. We are building a base of power and looking at positive changes on the city and state levels.”

“The Barnard Award affirmed my belief that it is important to do good in the world.”

GCIR’s mission is to advance immigrant justice and belonging. Many of the foundations they work with are focused on immediate humanitarian needs like legal services, while, according to Douglas, GCIR concentrates on more macro approaches, such as advocacy, organizing, policy, litigation, narrative change and power building.

24%

Throughout her career, BRITTNEY (CAVA) FOLLETT ’12 has found ways to combine her love of data analysis with her passion for helping people — two interests

she developed as a student at Eastern. Now, she works at Fidelity Investments, as the senior manager of digital product strategy and enablement.

“I started working on analytics at the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) to help the office grow more data-savvy,” said Follett, who created a database to track and streamline volunteers and to quantify the impact of volunteering.

“Itʼs rewarding when you can help someone.”

Following graduation — and receiving the Barnard Award — Follett took a data-related job with the health insurance company Cigna, enabling her to apply what she practiced at the CCE in a business setting.

She honed her analytical skills, producing public data visualizations for social issues close to her heart to help people understand and act.

Her next stop was Facebook, where she worked as a data analyst on its social-good team, which analyzes how nonprofits are leveraging the Facebook platform. “Part of my job was to communicate data in a way that everyone can understand,” said Follett.

TERMINAL DEGREE Biology

Economics

TOP Psychology

6

English

MAJORS Mathematics

16 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

History

As her career advanced, more and more data became available. “The amount of data at Facebook was a challenge,” said Follett. She developed more skills as an analyst and learned how to optimize the data collected.

After the pandemic, she decided to move back to the East Coast to be closer to her family, taking the position with Fidelity.

“I wanted a position where I could go into the office, meet people, network and learn about the financial space … Fidelity is an exciting place to work,” she said of the company’s initiatives to work with new markets and audiences, such as younger and more diverse customers.

“It’s a new team,” said Follett of her position using data analytics to support Fidelity’s operation. “Everyone is brand new. We had to establish the team mission, learn everyone’s strengths, learn what tools are available.”

Still, the work has been fulfilling. Follett feels she is giving back and enjoys being a mentor to others. “It’s rewarding when you can help someone.”

JEFFREY HOLT ’97 started at Eastern with an interest in marine biology and ecology before gravitating to molecular and cellular biology. As a biology major, he took advantage of independent research opportunities in Professor Mike Adams’s lab and fondly recalls helping in the university's greenhouse with Professor Ross Koning and taking the tropical biology course with Professors Koning, Charles Booth and Mike Gable.

He also participated in a summer research fellowship at the University of Michigan, performed research at Yale University and volunteered at Hartford Hospital. All these efforts led to Holt being named a Barnard awardee.

“It was a surprise and an honor,” he said. “It was the culmination of a lot of hard work studying and late nights in the lab. It meant a lot to represent the university.”

Holt attended graduate school at Yale University and earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology in 2004.

“Eastern prepared me for the rigors of graduate school. I had the experience to pursue new knowledge and solve problems.”

Following Yale, Holt began a career with the pharmaceutical company Merck, serving in a variety of roles in the commercial and medical affairs spaces.

He is now the corporation’s director of global scientific training-immunology.

“In this role I’m able to teach and mentor,” he said. Part of Holt’s job is to prepare colleagues for scientific discussions with leaders in medicine and research.

“One big challenge is the amount of data being generated and the fast pace of discovery,” said Holt. “That information needs to be organized and communicated in an accurate and effective manner.” The

work is rewarding and keeps Holt up to date on the most current research. “The pace, technology, equipment — it’s really exciting.”

Moving forward, Holt wants to continue to grow and learn while staying in his training leadership role. His drive for lifelong learning was fostered in Eastern’s biology program and has continued throughout his career.

“It was the culmination of a lot of hard work studying and late nights in the lab.

It meant a lot to represent the university.”

“I’m thankful that I was a part of the department,” he said, reflecting on his experiences. “The sciences are challenging but there are a lot of opportunities in the field.” E

INDUSTRIES 8%

9%

18%

37%

15%

13%

40 35 30 25

MINIMUM GPA

3.7

20 15 10

42% CONNECTICUT WORK IN

0 Business/ Health/ Govt/ Finance Wellness Nonprofit Biotechnology Education Other EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 17

A Career Driven by Curiosity

Eastern alumnus leads iconic Wadsworth Atheneum

By Cindy Weiss

J

effrey Brown ’79 never expected to work at a bank. And he never expected to work at Newman’s Own, the nonprofit food company, or at an art museum.

But his career has taken all those turns, and its latest twist has placed him at the head of one of Hartford’s premier cultural institutions, as chief executive officer of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. “I’ve always been thrown into situations that are new and different, and I’ve found it invigorating,” he said. “We can’t be afraid of the doors that are open.”

As CEO of the Wadsworth, he’s in a particularly unusual role. Traditionally, art museum directors come from curatorial backgrounds. Thomas Loughman, the Wadsworth’s director from 2016 to 2021, for example, was a European art historian who had been a curator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Phoenix Art Museum, among others. But when Loughman left, the Wadsworth turned to an unusual hybrid leadership structure.

Brown, a member of the Wadsworth Board of Trustees since 2012, was named interim director and CEO and later permanent chief executive officer to oversee leadership, vision and the strategic direction of the museum.

Matthew Hargraves, a specialist in British art who had been an interim chief curator at the Wadsworth, was then made director, overseeing the museum’s artistic direction and reporting to Brown.

This “distributed leadership model,” as the museum describes it, was pioneered in 2017 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Wadsworth consulted with “The Met” about it before adopting the 18 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

model. The Met recombined the two roles with an art historian this past summer, however, when the chief executive officer left.

“I’m possibly the only CEO of a major art museum in the United States who is not an art historian,” said Brown.

The dual leadership model allows the Wadsworth to retain artistic integrity and take advantage of needed management skills, he noted. “We are in discussion with other museums who are considering this structure,” he added. Art museums have often had autocratic structures, he said. “The culture of art museums is very resistant.” But the dual structure is “an opportunity for a big dialogue.”

At the Wadsworth, a series of setbacks over governance, staff turnover and failed expansion plans over the past 20 years, followed by closures during COVID, have gradually been turned around. The past two directors had tenures of five and eight years, not short by today’s art museum standards, Brown pointed out.

“Things are much calmer here now,” he said.

Brown joined the museum’s Board of Trustees in 2012 when he was an executive of Webster Financial Corp. He had been on the board of The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts and is still an honorary trustee there. These cultural institutions are “anchors to the Greater Hartford community,” he said. He envisions a future for the museum that “helps people see themselves in the art as they go through.” It is important for cultural institutions to reflect the population they serve, he added.

European and American art dominate the collections of the Wadsworth, the oldest continuously operating public art institution in the United States.

Among its collections are works by Caravaggio, Joan Miró, Joseph Cornell, Jackson Pollock, the Morgan collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, the Wallace Nutting collection of American colonial furniture, the Samuel Colt firearms collection, and European and American Impressionist paintings.

But the collections are much broader than just European and American art, Brown said. With much of the artwork in storage, “we’re constantly discovering new works” and putting them on display, he added.

Museums today need to evolve in their presentations, he said. Part of that is showing digital works.

A recent exhibit, “I Am Seen, Therefore, I Am: Isaac Julien and Frederick Douglass,” curated by Harvard professors Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Sarah Lewis, was an immersive audio-visual presentation on five screens of Douglass’s reflections on race and citizenship, juxtaposed with contemporary work from Julien, a British filmmaker and installation artist. It commemorated Douglass’s first visit to Hartford in 1843 and was presented in collaboration with The Amistad Center for Art & Culture, which is housed at the museum.

The museum also has the most diverse staff that it has ever had, Brown said. “But you can’t just diversify the staff,” he said. Engaging with the public in new ways but remaining true to the museum’s intent is part of his vision.

Integrating displays with artworks that have traditionally been shown separately is a new direction for the Wadsworth. The costumes and textiles collection, decorative arts and other works are increasingly being shown alongside paintings from the same eras, providing cultural context.

The museum has also ventured into areas it had spurned in the past, such as a contemporary glass exhibit last year during the International Year of Glass.

None of this was in Brown’s imagined future when he was a public policy major at Eastern in the early 1980s. He was in one of the last classes to be housed in the Nathan Hale on Main Street, where he roomed with Bob Molta, now Eastern’s sports information director. Eastern had a much smaller campus then, Brown recalled.

“It was a great experience — I still have a core group of friends who went there.”

Brown is now a director on the ECSU Foundation board, and President Elsa Núñez is a trustee for the Wadsworth.

Brown earned an M.B.A. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Hartford, then became a trainee at Hartford National Bank.

He spent the next 35 years in banking and was a senior executive at Webster Financial Corp., but after the 2008 financial crisis in banking, he decided it was a good time to leave.

“I knew I had one more chapter to write, and I wanted to give back,” he said. He joined Newman’s Own, where he was an executive for about nine years and was about to retire when he was asked to take over as interim CEO and director at the Wadsworth in 2021. His leadership in the interim role was described by another trustee as “a master class in thoughtful and effective management,” and he was then made the permanent CEO. The connecting tissue in his career has been curiosity. In his commencement speech to Eastern graduate students this past spring he urged graduates to “approach each responsibility with a sense of curiosity.” A management class he took at Eastern as a business minor stimulated his own curiosity about what made management tick, Brown said.

He also urged graduates to always be ready to challenge the status quo by asking, “Why not?”

At Newman’s Own, he recalled, Paul Newman would not give up on making the company’s salad dressing with all-natural ingredients, even when he was told that was not possible.

“The company was successful because he was curious,” Brown said, and willing to explore how to make the product he envisioned.

In banking, he once had to move from marketing to assume a chief information officer position on short notice, when the previous CIO left. “I did a lot of fast learning,” he said.

At the Wadsworth, where the collections cover 55,000 items spanning 5,000 years of human history, his curiosity has full reign, Brown said.

“Can you imagine a better environment in which to be curious and question the status quo?” E

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 19

REVOLUTIONARY TOOLS

HUMANKI Eastern ponders the arrival of artificial intelligence

By Ed Osborn

20 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

n “The Terminator” movie franchise, humanity faces a recurring battle against an army of artificially intelligent, self-aware killing machines. In the initial 1984 movie, a cyborg travels back in time from 2029 to kill the mother of the human resistance leader.

It is now 2023 — only six short years from the apocalyptic war of director James Cameron’s vision — and the reality of artificial intelligence (AI) appears to be much more hopeful.

While the concept of self-aware artificial intelligence is still unrealized, today’s rapid AI advancements pose great benefits for humankind, as revolutionary as the Internet itself. It is no surprise that AI has the interest of Eastern faculty,

FOR

ND

students and alumni, who are embracing — and bracing for — the burgeoning opportunities of artificial intelligence in today’s world.

Artificial intelligence in broad terms refers to the capability of computers to process enormous amounts of data at incredible computing speed to make highly accurate predictions or generate human-like output. Whereas “reactive” AI responds to data provided and has limited learning capacity — the spam filter on your email, for example — “limited memory” AI such as floor vacuum robots and self-driving cars are able to predict outcomes and be trained to operate in particular ways.

AI and machine learning are complex computer concepts, and many aspects of today’s modern life fall within their sphere: search engine prompts, targeted digital advertising, social media algorithms, customer service chatbots, virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, navigation apps and others. Surveys suggest upward of 80% of all people now use AI-powered devices and applications.

ChatGPT, which stands for “generative pre-trained transformer,” is the newest trending AI platform. It is a “large language model” created by OpenAI, a nonprofit research organization with a for-profit subsidiary. The application is inspired by the neural networks of the human brain to process queries against a huge database of words (300 billion), generating responses that appear human-like, logical and accurate. The “bot” has been “trained,” using complex algorithms, to recognize human language patterns and structures. It improves its performance by rapidly adjusting output to represent the best match for the user’s query — the more precise the query, the more detailed the output.

Eastern and Eastern AI and AI Professor Garrett Professor Dancik, chair Garrett of Eastern’s Dancik, chair Computer ScienceofDepartment, Eastern’s Computer says generative Science AI is in its early stages Department, but has the says potential generative to create AI ismany in itsnew earlycareer stagesopportunities but has the pofor Eastern graduates.tential to create many new career opportunities for Eastern graduates.

No stranger to theNo reality stranger of AI, to Eastern the reality hasofbeen AI, Eastern teachinghas thebeen Artificial teaching Intelligence the course for more than Artificial 20 years.

Intelligence Additionally, (CSCIntroduction 375) course for to Programming more than 20 and years.

Machine Intelligence Additionally, has been Introduction taught since 2019. to Programming Students inand bothMachine courses Intelare introduced to the concepts ligence of has largebeen language taughtmodels, since 2019. deep Students learning,in neural both networks courses are and other technical aspects introduced of GPTs. to the concepts of large language models, deep learning, Dancik also teaches neuralcourses networks in and Eastern’s otherbioinformatics technical aspects minor of ofand GPTs. uses a basic form of AI for genomic data Dancik analysis alsototeaches predictcourses certaininconditions, Eastern’s bioinformatics such as breast cancer, minor and and whether they’re useslikely a basic to spread form ofover AI for time. genomic He stresses data analysis that “in to thepredict real world, certain AI cannot be used byconditions, itself to render such diagnoses. as breast cancer, A doctor andmust whether makethey’re the final likely call. to AI spread is not a replacementover for humans; time. He itstresses is a tool that for“in humans the realtoworld, use.” AI cannot be used by In the businessitself information to rendersystems diagnoses.

(BIS) A doctor program, must courses makeinthe Business final call.

IntelAI is not ligence and Emerging a replacement Technologies for humans; and Business it is aApplications tool for humans focustoonuse.”

AI-related business solutions and ethics in business settings.

“AI has the ability to look for non-obvious relationships in huge amounts of data,” said Professor Alex Citurs, BIS program coordinator. “AI is now being used by alumni to make better and faster decisions to support businesses in a fast-changing global world,” he said, adding that alumni are using AI at Pfizer to find secondary drug uses and at Cigna to find health insurance anomalies, among other applications.

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 21

One area of concern sparked by the introduction of ChatGPT is the potential for misuse on college campuses. Computer science Professor Sarah Tasneem notes that some universities have banned the use of ChatGPT due to concerns over plagiarism. She believes AI should be embraced as a tool that can assist in teaching/learning and argues that faculty need to use innovative strategies to ensure students are personally engaged in their learning. First and foremost, she says faculty at Eastern can reaffirm the importance of integrity at the start of each semester. Students in Tasneem’s Programming and Machine Intelligence class also spend time talking about the ethics of computer technology.

Tasneem also sees AI as a means to aid educators. “AI tools can be used to generate personalized and adaptive quiz questions that dynamically adjust difficulty based on students’ responses.” She also sees the potential for platforms like ChatGPT to be used like research and study aids, so long as the outputs are fact-checked and not taken verbatim.

Professor Joel Rosiene has taught the Artificial Intelligence course since 2005. In the course, students learn how to create a chatbot as well as AI-generated images. “It’s important at a liberal arts college for students to experience things and worlds outside their major; it opens them up to new perspectives,” said Rosiene, making the point that non-computer science majors can also benefit from AI-focused courses.

Rosiene is not without skepticism, however, explaining that while generative AI can make mistakes, there is no way the user can ask ChatGPT why it has come to a particular decision. Additionally, there are the “deep fakes” — photos, videos and quotations of celebrities that are complete fabrications. To those who are concerned that AI can become self-aware and put humans at existential risk, Rosiene says the ability of AI to take actions on its own is still conceptual.

Eastern students appreciate the University’s coursework in this emerging field. Senior computer science major Anish Ivaturi has taken both courses in AI and machine intelligence. “The faculty have provided a great introduction.

These courses are valuable guidance on how to develop AI applications,” said Ivaturi, who wants to use AI in the medical field by building datasets of patient records to help generate correct diagnoses and “help doctors make better decisions.” Current online applications like WebMD and the Mayo Clinic are already using AI to serve doctors and their patients.

In their AI class, Ivaturi and other students were given pieces of code to create a game in which a dog looked for an apple in a maze. Different filters — for example, the dog was blind in one iteration — allowed students to manipulate the model. Ivaturi sees a growing job market for AI practitioners ranging from health care to banking to customer service. “People should not be scared of AI. It is better to be intrigued by it and learn how to use it as a tool; it will not replace humans.”

Senior Christian Deras-Rodriguez took the Introduction to Programming and Machine Intelligence course and enjoyed learning about Python programming. He is a math and economics double major with concentrations in actuarial science and business economics. An aspiring actuary, he interned this past summer at The Hartford, where he used generative AI for marketing purposes. “AI is the hot new technology spawning a wave of innovation and investment,” said Deras-Rodriguez. He and a fellow student used OpenAI to generate documentation on high-speed rail policy. “You need to know how to ask the right queries,” he explained, with their prompt yielding results on everything from congressional hearings to academic journals and news articles.

Alumni use AI in the field While ChatGPT may have brought AI into the mainstream over the past year, several Eastern graduates have been using AI in their jobs for some time.

Business administration major Chris Coutu ’01 is currently in a two-year deployment with the Connecticut Army National Guard, serving as an innovation officer. Coutu previously worked as director of Artificial Intelligence, Data and Analytics (AIDA) Transformation at Stanley Black & Decker, managing and incorporating data for the company’s automated manufacturing process. In the National Guard, Major 22 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Coutu works with the Coast Guard Research and Development Center, other government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector companies to leverage new technologies in such fields as avionics and robotics.

“AI allows us to process lots of data quickly to solve a variety of problems,” said Coutu. For instance, AI is used in search-and-rescue missions at sea and is able to distinguish between white caps in the waves and humans needing rescue. “My Eastern education helped me a great deal, especially in the areas of management information systems and continuous improvement.” Coutu believes AI can enhance humans’ ability to process data efficiently and

accurately. “AI has the potential to transform the way the military operates.”

Frank Cogliano ’12 works in sales for PEAK, a company that makes AI solutions for supply chain and inventory professionals in companies ranging in size from small building supply contractors to Pepsi. The company creates predictive AI tools so that its clients can deliver the right product at the right time and place to their customers. PEAK clients use historical and live data to make better decisions in managing their inventory and supply distribution.

“While most customers can benefit from the out-of-the-box features of our programs, our unique value proposition is that we can customize the software so that each customer has their own AI,” explained Cogliano, who majored in communication at Eastern. “I see AI as relieving people of mundane work so that they can be more strategic in their jobs.”

“The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet and the mobile phone.”

– Bill Gates

AI as a force of positive change and social equity Microsoft founder Bill Gates has an optimistic view of the future of AI. As a leader in the philanthropic arena, Gates believes AI has the ability to reduce some of the global inequities we face.

He predicts AI-driven innovations in areas ranging from global climate change to education and health care. AI can be used to take over tasks ranging from filing medical claims to doctor’s notes, freeing people to provide better patient care, Gates wrote in his blog this past March.

Other innovations in the near future include AI-powered ultrasound machines and the development of life-saving medicines, said Gates.

Developing better seeds, improving soil analysis and developing vaccines for livestock will help to feed the hungry.

In the office, Gates sees a host of innovations in the future, including the automation of document handling, customer service and sales; AI-enhancements to the Microsoft Office suite to help manage email and meeting schedules; and “personal agents” that work across all devices to assist people with meetings, communication and financial transactions.

Professor Tasneem has the same positive view. “AI has the ability to augment human capabilities, simplifying and accelerating various processes, expanding our problemsolving capabilities and enabling us to focus on higher-level tasks.”

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 23

The future of artificial intelligence Earlier this year, director James Cameron (“The Terminator”) commented, “I think the weaponization of AI is the biggest danger ... you could imagine an AI in a combat theatre, the whole thing just being fought by the computers at a speed humans can no longer intercede, and you have no ability to deescalate.”

What Cameron is referring to is still theoretical — the idea that computers can become self-aware and capable of harming human beings. Even short of catastrophe, Professor Dancik comments: “The current concerns about lost jobs, data security and accuracy are all valid.

We need to address them with economic policy and government regulations.”

The people at the heart of the development of AI — OpenAI, Microsoft,

Facebook, Google, Amazon and others — as well as government officials, are working hard to support the advances and benefits of artificial intelligence, while also mitigating the dangers and legitimate concerns.

With concerns over such issues as privacy, data security, copyright protection and others, in July 2023, seven major AI players committed to work with the federal government on a host of protections, including security testing by third-party experts, digital watermarking to distinguish AI- versus human-generated creative content, public reporting, licensing and safeguards to eliminate discrimination against minorities.

A week after the Biden administration announced the agreement, Microsoft,

Anthropic, OpenAI and Google announced the creation of the Frontier Model Forum, an industry group tasked with researching safe AI development, independent evaluation of AI applications and collaboration with public policymakers. Climate change, cancer prevention and cybersecurity were of special note in the group’s plans.

The European Union is considering similar rules, and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appointed a board to develop recommendations by the end of this year, creating global strategies similar to what was done with the International Atomic Energy Agency. E

“AI has the ability to augment human capabilities, simplifying and accelerating various processes, expanding our problem-solving capabilities and enabling us to focus on higher-level tasks.”

– Sarah Tasneem, computer science professor

300 Billion Words stored in ChatGPT

$700,000 Daily expense of running ChatGPT

$13 Billion Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI

882% Growth in ChatGPT (from 6.2 million to 62 million users)

24 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

BASEBALL has two All-America selections Eastern senior catcher Matt Malcom of East Lyme was a fourth-team selection to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III All-America Team for 2023, with sophomore left-handed pitcher Dan Driscoll of Waterford also earning fourth-team All-America recognition by D3baseball. com.

Malcom becomes the program’s 61st ABCA All-American but the first selected at the catcher position. Driscoll becomes the program’s ninth D3baseball.com All-American since 2013 and the first left-handed pitcher honored.

In addition to repeating as a first-team All-Region 2 pick by the ABCA in 2023, Malcom was named second-team AllRegion 2 this year by D3baseball.com following his first-team selection in 2022.

A first-year transfer, Driscoll was named first-team AllRegion 2 as a starting pitcher by D3baseball.com and secondteam All-Region 2 as a pitcher by the ABCA. Only three of the other 19 All-America starting pitchers had a better strikeout-to-walk ratio than Driscoll’s 1-to-5.44, and only nine of the starting pitchers had more average strikeouts per nine innings than Driscoll’s 10.4.

Eastern wins Commissioner’s Cup for sixth year in a row For the sixth consecutive season, Eastern has claimed the Little East Conference (LEC) Commissioner’s Cup, the league’s top honor for overall institutional athletic performance.

Eastern captured the cup by accumulating a point average of 7.11 among its 19 varsity programs in 2022-23. Eastern claimed the top spot in the conference in women’s basketball, softball and men’s golf, and scored second-place points in baseball, women’s cross country, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s indoor track and field, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field.

“I continue to be amazed by the athletic abilities of our studentathletes,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “For them to win the Commissioner’s Cup six years in a

row is enduring testimony of their dedication and commitment to sport. I’d also like to give praise to our coaching staff, who year after year instill the ethics of hard work, team play and sportsmanship.

Together, our student-athletes and supporting staff are creating a legacy of excellence on and off the field.”

Director of Athletics Lori Runksmeier added, “The competition in the LEC sees more parity every year, which makes earning this achievement more special every time.

I’m proud that our student-athletes and the Athletics Department staff worked so hard to keep the Commissioner’s Cup at Eastern.”

LEC Commissioner Pamela S. Samuelson (left) presents Lori Runksmeier with the winning cup.

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 25

goes undefeated in

Eastern’s softball team, which became the first in Little East Conference history to win every game in a 16-game regular season, received 13 of the conference’s year-end awards.

Picked to finish third by the coaches in the LEC pre-season poll after losing four All-Americans from the 44-7 (15-1 LEC) team in 2022, the 2023 team won all of its conference games this year for the second time (the only program to go undefeated in the LEC’s 27-year history).

For the third straight season and eighth time overall, Eastern landed the LEC Player-of-the-Year and Pitcher-of-

the-Year awards, with 22-year head coach Diana Pepin earning Coach-of-the-Year honors for the second straight year and for the seventh time in her career.

Senior pitcher/second baseman Alyssa Vilchez of Brampton, Ontario, was named Player-of-theYear despite having never previously been voted to the all-conference team, while senior Carley Stoker of Sandy Creek, NY, was voted Pitcher-of-the-Year for the second time in three seasons.

Every Eastern starting position player and both key pitchers were recognized with at least one award.

Coach Pepin

Doran named women’s lacrosse head coach Devyne Doran ’17 is the seventh permanent head coach in the 29-year history of Eastern’s women’s lacrosse program. A native of South Kingstown, RI, Doran returns to Eastern after playing four seasons (2014-17) and serving as an assistant for two years (2018-19) under former Head Coach Christine Hutchison.

She is the first alumna to serve as the program’s permanent head coach.

Doran in action during her playing days at Eastern 26 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

“I’m so happy to welcome Devyne back to the Warrior family,” said Lori Runksmeier, athletics director. “Her commitment to our student-athletes’ experiences was palpable during the interview process. I look forward to her engagement with our women’s lacrosse alumni and appreciate her passion for Eastern athletics.”

Doran was a four-year starter on defense under Hutchison and remained as an assistant coach at Eastern before being named to her first collegiate head coaching position at Mitchell College prior to the 2020 season. After two seasons at Mitchell, Doran was named head women’s lacrosse coach at Framingham State University prior to the 2022 season, compiling a two-year record of 23-16 and 11-3 in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference regular season.

“I am proud to be named the next head women’s lacrosse coach at Eastern,” said Doran. “I couldn’t be more excited to return home to my alma mater and build upon the foundation of Eastern’s success, which I am so grateful to have been a part of. I am committed to Eastern’s tradition of excellence by fostering a positive and competitive culture within the program. I can’t wait to get to work on the 2024 season!”

Lewis claims All-America golf honors Eastern junior Ashton Lewis of Fairfield became the first member of the men’s golf program to earn All-America recognition when he was among 49 selections named to the 2022-23 Golf Coaches Association of America Division III PING All-America Team.

A two-time Little East Conference Player-of-the-Year and LEC tournament medalist, Lewis was among only two players from New England institutions and one of only three players from the PING All-Region 1 team to earn this national recognition.

“I am very happy that Ashton is being recognized for his golf game — he has definitely put in the work,” said Head Coach Marc Senia. “He has worked extremely hard and is very dedicated to not only improving his golf game but also as a person and teammate.”

Lewis concluded the spring regular season by winning the Eastern Spring Invitational before leading all New England players when he shared 47th place in an original field of 221 golfers at the NCAA Division III National Championships at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, KY. “It’s a great honor to be mentioned along with such great golfers across the country,” said Lewis of the All-America recognition. “Especially being able to get the Eastern name out there is always cool to do for the program. I’m looking forward to hopefully helping our team head back to nationals next year.”

Outstanding feats for track-and-field athletes Wendie Stewart ’23 concluded her Eastern track-and-field career with a record-breaking shot-put throw of 42 feet and 11 ¾ inches at the New England Open Championships in May, beating former Eastern All-America and Olympian Bonnie Edmondson’s 39-year-old record of 42 feet and 9 inches.

On the men’s side, Aidan Hennessy ’24 became the first Eastern athlete to win the New England Division III outdoor triple jump championship in 23 years in May at the New England Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, with a jump of 46 feet and 9 ½ inches — the third longest jump in program history.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully helping our team head back to nationals next year.”

Gibson to lead men’s lacrosse Craig Gibson, an 18-year veteran as a Division I lacrosse coach, has been named the seventh head coach in the 28-year history of Eastern’s men’s lacrosse program.

Having served the past four years as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Fairfield University, the South Salem, NY, native replaces Marc Graham.

“I’m so excited coach Gibson will be joining the Eastern community,” said Eastern Director of Athletics Lori Runksmeier. “Craig’s proven expertise in developing explosive offenses emerged as a strength, and his ability to communicate with the athletes really made him stand out.”

“I would like to thank Lori Runksmeier and the members of the search committee for this opportunity to lead Eastern’s men’s lacrosse program,” said Gibson. “I was impressed by the tradition of excellence that exists within the University, the family-like atmosphere and beautiful campus. I am extremely excited to join the campus community and begin preparing for the 2024 season.”

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 27

Stephanie Laudone-Jones ’04 and David Jones ’04

Stephanie Laudone-Jones ’04 and David Jones ’04 met in fall 2000 when Stephanie entered Eastern as a first-year psychology student residing in Winthrop Hall. There she met David, a sophomore and residence assistant (RA) studying communication.

While their relationship grew from friendship, Stephanie and David also grew into leadership roles on campus. In addition to being an RA, David was active in MALES (Men Achieving Leadership, Excellence and Success), was a senator in the Student Government Association and worked in the career services office with Walter Diaz.

Stephanie was a founding member of the women’s group, AYLA, and actively involved with the Women’s Center, helping to lead Eastern’s Take Back the Night program. She interned under Constance Green in the Office of Equity and Diversity, an experience that she credits as shaping her approach to justice and liberation work. Stephanie was further mentored in her pursuit of a career as a sociologist by former Eastern Professor Erica Childs.

“The opportunities Stephanie and I had to be engaged in campus life as students transformed our lives,” said David, “and prepared us personally and professionally.”

e d a M s e Match

n er st a E t a

A proud first-generation college student, Stephanie earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. in sociology from Fordham University and is currently an associate professor of sociology at the Borough of Manhattan Community College-City University of New York.

“The opportunities Stephanie and I had to be engaged in campus life as students transformed our lives.”

- David Jones

28 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

After graduating from Eastern, David went on to earn his master’s degree in college student affairs at the University of South Florida before earning his Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Northeastern University in 2017. David is currently the chief diversity officer at the New Jersey Institute of Technology as well as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant.

Stephanie and David were married in Rhode Island on June 6, 2009, accompanied by many of the friends they met while attending Eastern.

Today they live in West Orange, NJ, staying busy with their professional lives and raising their three children, Sophia (11 years old), Jacob (11 years old) and Natalia (4 years old).

John and Angela Bazin

John and Angela (Cunningham) Bazin met at Eastern, but not as students. Their story started in fall 2000 when John began working as the hall director of Crandall Hall.

Angela was already at Eastern in her second year as the hall director of Burr Hall. Angela and John knew right away that there was a connection. But John had to make the first move; if he had left it to Angela, they might still just be friends.

Angela said, “From the beginning, when we would hang out, play tennis with other hall directors or racquetball — sometimes I would beat him! — or just watch TV, it seemed like I had known him forever. It just felt right.”

She was right.

They married on June 21, 2003, and welcomed their son, Keith, in 2005 and their daughter, Abby, in 2010.

Eastern truly is their home; they live in Willimantic, where Keith just graduated from high school and Abby is going into eighth grade. John and Angela enjoy watching Keith and Abby’s soccer games, vacationing at the beach and going on cruises, having just recently returned from a cruise to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

“Life is perfect,” says Angela. “We work hard and we enjoy the work we do. We have great kids, and we laugh a lot. We really cannot imagine a life without Eastern at the core. Everything we have together is because of Eastern.”

Angela and John are still serving Eastern and its students. John has moved on from his hall director days, later working in student activities and the registrar’s office, and is now associate vice president of employee and labor relations.

Angela works in housing to this day, moving on from hall director to area coordinator to associate director of housing. She was then the acting director of housing for three years from 2009 to 2012 and recently finished her second year as the permanent director of housing.

Without fate bringing them to Connecticut — after Angela finished graduate school in Pennsylvania and John in Massachusetts — this is one match that never would have been made.

“Everything we have together is because of Eastern.”

- Angela Bazin

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 29

ALUMNI NOTES 60s Laura Hines-Jurgens ’64 writes that she taught fifth grade, married, had two children, earned a second degree in general arts and attained an M.F.A. from California State University Long Beach.

Laura’s artwork appeared in numerous Los Angeles art galleries for more than 20 years, and she also designed clothing for daytime and evening wear. Laura has traveled to 31 countries with her husband, Henry, an international banker.

Author of several books, Laura recently published “Dating: Shaping Your Marriage Before it Begins.” Laura and Henry reside in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

70s Carol Kammer ’73, M ’78 wrote that she loved her Eastern experience. Prior to moving to Florida, Carol spent 25 years at Ledyard Middle School where she was a developmental reading/interdisciplinary study skills/literature writing teacher.

Peter ’73 and Lydia (Bombaci) Myers ’73 write, “We are happily retired from our careers in education, counseling and

hospice. We enjoy visiting family and friends in the Burlington, VT, area and spending time at the beach in Annisqual, MA.” Mark Schuster ’73 shared memories of Professor Leo Schneiderman: “He was one of the three most influential mentors in my life. He willingly and graciously shared his knowledge and wisdom. He was a scholar as well as a good man who made you want to be a better student and human. He brought enhanced meaning and purpose to my life.” Now retired, Mark was the founder and executive director of Bridge House, Inc., a unique clean and sober living environment in Kona, HI. The Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) announced E.O. Smith boys basketball coaching legend Ron Pires ’76 is among its 2023 Hall of Fame inductees. In his 43 years coaching at E.O. Smith High School, Ron compiled a record of 591-378 (.608 winning percentage), two state runner-up finishes, 12 league championships in the NCCC and six conference tournament championships. He was also named CHSCA Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 2015 and was inducted into the E.O. Smith Foundation Hall of Fame and the Eastern Connecticut State University Hall of Fame, where he is still a top-10 all-time scorer.

Julie (Jaiven) Zander ’79 wrote, “I loved my time at Eastern! My degree helped me get my job and established me in a career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor.” Julie retired as lead counselor for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and she resides in Seattle.

80s Tom Connors ’80 has been elected to serve a two-year term as vice president of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). Tom is a 14-year member of the Piscataway Township (NJ) Board of Education. He received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Connecticut and is retired from the Technology Division of the Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Michael Wierzbinski ’78 wrote that he and his wife, Suzanne, are both retired educators. Suzanne has also retired from art and Michael is retired from real estate. “Our daughter lives in Europe

ALUMNI DIRECTORY The search party starts here!

30 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

along with her husband. Between our cruises, we visit them in Germany, Italy and England. Our two grandsons have been staying with us in the United States for their college experiences. One has just graduated from the Air Force Academy with honors. The other attends college in Boston.”

Update your alumni profile, search for classmates and friends, find alumni in your area and check your giving history (login required).

Go to easternct.edu/alumnidirectory to create your account.

Tom Connors ’80 Patti Ann Schulein ’81 is retired and living in Lake Forest, CA. She taught Spanish at both the high school and middle school levels and even taught elementary students when language programs were expanded. “Eastern was where I fell in love with Spanish, thanks to Dr. Lee Watts.” Patti Ann still speaks Spanish every day and will soon begin volunteering as an ESL instructor.

RONALD WELCH ’92, M ’07 LEADS FIGHT FOR VETERANS’ SERVICES After 45 years of either serving in uniform or working to support veterans and their families, retired Brig. Gen. Ronald Welch ’92, M ’07 has a new mission. The U.S. Army and Connecticut Army National Guard veteran was nominated by Gov. Ned Lamont in May to serve as the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I will fight to ensure we have the proper programs, services and outreach to educate our members (on) how to apply for benefits and services they and their families have earned for their service and sacrifice,” he said. Welch said his goal is “to serve those that have served our great state and nation.”

Welch enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1978 in his senior year at East Lyme High School. He served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, WA, for four years. In 1981, he was seriously injured in a line-of-duty parachute accident and returned to Connecticut. After significant physical therapy and surgeries, Welch enrolled in a community college and then the Officer Candidate School of the Connecticut Army National Guard. When education requirements changed, he needed a bachelor’s degree to be promoted to captain and beyond.

“Eastern had an exceptional reputation of working with service members in degree completion programs,” Welch said. He enrolled and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1992. As time went on, he completed several military school/specialty skills courses, earned promotions and was encouraged to enroll in a master’s degree program.

“After researching other universities and programs, I once again found Eastern to be the best fit,” he

Gregory Hennen ’85 is a landscape painter living and working in Virginia.

His work was featured in a solo exhibition titled “Where I Wander” at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ, and displayed work inspired by his extensive time spent in nature, which included 15 years as the property manager for Manitou Point Nature Preserve in Garrison, NY. Gregory’s work has been featured in group exhibitions at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Huntsville Museum of Art, University of Southern Mississippi and the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences.

Steve Berube ’88 recently became chief operating officer of FIGS, an apparel and lifestyle brand for health care professionals. “Together we are driving meaningful change while empowering and serving health care professionals every day. This is near and dear to my heart as both my wife and daughter are pediatric nurses.” Steve had previously served as senior vice president of distribution and logistics at Levi Strauss & Co., and had also held positions at Lululemon Athletica Inc., Cole Haan and Nike.

Carla (Harvey) Cooper ’87 was honored by the Cape and Islands Democratic Council as the Democrat of the Year “in recognition of her leadership and commitment to advancing the ideals of the Democratic Party, and her tireless campaign and fundraising work for Democratic candidates locally, statewide and across the country.”

Carla (Harvey) Cooper ’87

said. Professor Emerita Elizabeth Scott, then dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies, “patiently explained the flow of the program and was always available as a mentor to assist if needed,” he said. “This was critical for me as I had to step away from the program for a year while I was deployed to Afghanistan.”

Like many others who served, Welch faced reintegration challenges when returning to the United States.

Despite these hurdles, he found that “the master’s program was a tremendous learning experience …The interaction with the staff, faculty and fellow students was extraordinary,” he said. He earned his master’s degree from Eastern in 2007 and a master’s degree in strategic studies in 2011 from the U.S. Army War College.

He was appointed chief of staff of the Connecticut National Guard in 2008 and in 2012 became commander of the 85th Troop Command. In 2014, he was selected as the director of the joint staff and in 2015 was promoted to brigadier general of the line. He retired from the military in 2017 and then worked with nonprofits serving veterans and those with disabilities.

As commissioner, Welch is drawing on his years of experience to support veterans and their families. “The service member thinks problems will get better with time, so they don’t seek help, primarily out of pride or embarrassment of being judged by others,” he said.

The challenges veterrans face include PTSD, depression, anxiety, employment issues, substance abuse, relationship issues “or just struggling to blend back into what others may consider normal society,” he said.

Margaret (Wheeler) Tuttle ’88, M ’92 writes that she had her “sailing adventure” for several years and then moved to Floral City, FL. “I live in a small country town with lots of animals around.

Life is good.”

Joseph Danao ’89 was promoted to deputy commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. He has served in a number of positions since joining the department in 2015 as director of operations. In addition to his work in the department, he also serves as adjunct faculty instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy, deputy team leader for the Connecticut Region IV Incident Management Team, and vice president of the Eastern Connecticut Emergency Medical Services Council Inc.

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 31

90s

Mark Bradley ’90

The Noah Webster House in West Hartford named Jeffrey Mainville ’91 as its new executive director. His previous positions included managing director of Ball & Socket Arts in Cheshire, director of operations at the New Britain Museum of American Art, and cultural affairs/public programming manager at Hartford Public Library. Area music fans know Jeff from his self-titled Jeff Mainville Band, which plays a mix of pop, rock, classic, southern rock and country.

Patricia Tedford ’91, M’ 01 is the new director of online learning and regional on-site support, East Coast at New Perspectives on Learning, an inquiry-based math curriculum that uses math workshops “to transform classrooms into communities of mathematicians.”

The Hartford has promoted Mark Bradley ’90 to director of MLC operations. Mark will lead the Northeast, Southeast and North Central account manager teams for general industries, technology and life science. He has been at The Hartford for 28 years.

Angeline (Rai) Chand ’90 returned to campus for the first time in more than 30 years last summer. Born in Fiji, Angeline came to the United States under the sponsorship of her aunt and uncle who lived in Mystic. “They did some research on American schools and encouraged me to apply to Eastern. It felt very homey to me, and it was affordable.”

Angeline resides in California where she works as a medical researcher.

Laura Evangelista ’92 is a new residential clinician at Gilead Farrell, a treatment center in New Britain focused on addiction, treatment and recovery.

Diane Ellsworth ’96 was selected by the Hartford Business Journal as one of 2023's Top 25 Women in Business. She is the chief of staff for Nassau Financial Group and has been with the company since 1996.

Melanie Shadish Dugas ’98 is a senior scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Recalling her experience at Eastern, Melanie noted, “The Tropical Ecosystems course and associated fieldwork was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I am extremely thankful to Dr. (Phillip) Elliott and Dr. (Charles) Booth for their support.”

Jeff Brown ’99 has been selected as the boys basketball coach at Norwich Free Academy. He is a physical education teacher at NFA and a former student-athlete at the school.

Angeline (Rai) Chand ’90

The Meriden Board of Education named Bob McKee ’99 as the athletic director for a new position that combines AD responsibilities for Maloney High School and Platt High School. He was originally hired as a health and physical education teacher at Maloney in 2000 and became Maloney’s AD in 2016. Bob was part of Eastern’s 1998 Division III national championship baseball team. He

LIZA GINONI-GAMBINO ’96 CROWNED MRS. CONNECTICUT AMERICAN Liza Ginoni-Gambino ’96 won the Mrs. Connecticut American crown on June 4, more than 20 years after a life-threatening surgery led her to switch career paths from advertising to fitness.

“I hung up my high heels for a pair of Nikes,” she said of her journey rehabilitating herself and changing careers.

Ginoni-Gambino traveled to Las Vegas in August to represent Connecticut in the national Mrs. American competition, which included an interview, evening gown/swimsuit contests and a statethemed costume parade.

Ginoni-Gambino majored in business administration at Eastern, which prepared her for a career in fitness. “Anytime I work at a gym, I end up being the manager,” said Ginoni-Gambino, who teaches at four locations of Club Pilates and at her home studio in Shelton.

She began her career in advertising sales with newspapers in Connecticut. After surgery for endometriosis went awry — leaving her with a damaged nerve and artery — she switched to a sales job for a fitness club. When the club’s spin instructor was absent one day, Ginoni-Gambino taught the class and took on a new career path.

The corporate philanthropy for the Mrs. American pageants goes to the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, established by David and Jackie Siegel after their daughter died of a drug overdose. GinoniGambino plans to coordinate a local charity event in Connecticut to benefit the foundation.

32 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

received a merit award from the CIAC in March and was named the Athletic Director of the Year for Connecticut Unified Sports in 2022.

Jara (Messere) Rijs ’99 was honored

by Soroptimist International Greater Hartford with a profile in its Exceptional Woman Series. Jara is a licensed clinical social worker, working in Windham Public Schools for the past 15 years. She

volunteers as a member of the Windham Task Force Against Child Abuse, the annual Lock in for Literacy high school event, and the Take Time to Play experience promoting the protection of Windham’s children. She is an adjunct professor in the social work program at Eastern, a faculty advisor for the UConn M.S.W. program and is a field instructor overseeing interns from multiple clinical disciplines.

Hector Pena M ’05 was named chief financial officer at GRID Alternatives.

Hector brings 22 years of financial management experience to his new position, including 14 years of renewable energy experience in development, financing, construction and operation in wind and solar power for utility, community, commercial and residential projects.

GRID Alternatives is a leader in helping economic and environmental justice communities get clean, affordable renewable energy, transportation and jobs.

Aileen Charland ’06 is an executive assistant to the CEO and CFO of TRUMPF North America. When she is not working, Aileen loves to travel and visit warm places and also enjoys running, weightlifting, yoga and spending time with friends and family.

Jara (Messere) Rijs ’99

00s ROC ROCHON ’09 PUBLISHES ON FITNESS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX Sport and leisure management major Roc Rochon ’09 is the co-editor and co-author of the recently released anthology “Deconstructing the Fitness Industrial Complex: How to Resist, Disrupt, and Reclaim What It Means to Be Fit in American Culture.”

This book brings together broad intersectional insights and life experiences within fitness, bodywork, health and wellness spaces in the United States and Canada, reminding readers that the fitness culture operates “within oppressive systems like racism, sexism, transphobia and capitalism.”

Rochon successfully defended their dissertation, titled “Reimagining ‘Bodywork’ in the Wake: A Collection of Black Queer, Transgender and Nonbinary Oral Testimonies” on June 20 at Florida State University in the Department of Sport Management. They recently accepted a postdoctoral research associate position at the University of Connecticut in the Department of Educational Leadership within the Sport Management Program.

Rochon’s research in critical sport studies is interdisciplinary with concentrations in cultural studies and sport media with an emphasis on the intersections of race, gender, sexuality and place.

In 2016, Roc founded Rooted Resistance, a grassroots bodywork space committed to reimagining bodywork for queer, transgender, nonbinary and intersex people in the southern United States. Rochon is interested in narrative stories and the ways in which Black, queer, trans and nonbinary people create bodywork counter spaces that tend to collective Black life.

Angela (Dacunha) Garofalo ’00 has three daughters and resides in Southbury. She recently launched Minx Boutique, an online shopping platform featuring apparel, accessories and shoes for women, teens and girls.

Luis Borges ’02 has been promoted to manufacturing engineering manager at Putnam Plastics Corporation.

Heidi Davis ’02 has been selected as the new principal for Coventry Grammar School after having previously served as the K-5 district literacy coordinator for Plainfield Public Schools.

Gene Labonte M ’07 is the new chief of the University of Connecticut Police Department. He most recently served as associate vice president and chief of police at Salem State University in Massachusetts.

Philip Lohman ’07 is a correctional officer at the Washington State Department of Corrections, Coyote Ridge Corrections Center.

Adam Brzozowski ’08 has recently started a new position as head of data insights at Health Outlook Corp., a startup health care company that is in the business of providing better predictions of future health events.

Kelly Franklin ’08 was elected to the Cromwell Board of Education in 2021.

She is also director of local and digital sales at NBC Universal Media, LLC in West Hartford.

Michael Grabski ’03 has been promoted to branch manager at Cintas where he previously worked as operations manager.

Benjamin MacNeil ’03 has been promoted to lead engineer at Travelers.

Andrew Bessette ’05 is a new territory business manager at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Michael Grabski ’03 EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 33

MELISSA LAMBERT ’07 IS MLB’S FIRST DUGOUT PSYCHOLOGIST Melissa Lambert ’07 joined the dugout of the Kansas City Royals baseball team this season as Major League Baseball’s first dugout psychologist and the first female to join the Royals’ on-field staff.

As director of behavioral science for the Royals, she coaches players on their mental performance and helps them deal with the stresses of being a professional athlete in the world’s premier baseball league.

“The dugout is also a place to have conversations in the moment and talk about the game as it’s happening,” said Lambert. “I would say the two most common issues that come up are around stress tolerance and perfectionism. When I’m in the dugout and on the field, players feel like I can better relate to some of the challenges that they are going through.” She added, “I’m often seen as another coach and can decrease the stigma of talking about psych-related issues.”

Lambert, a native of Montville, earned her psychology degree at Eastern, where she played soccer for four years. She made first-team All-Little East twice and played on two teams that won the Little East Conference regular-season championship and two that won the Little East tournament. She earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Springfield College in 2009 and is a licensed professional counselor. Before joining the Royals in 2020 as the assistant director of behavioral science, she was a mental-skills coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Andrew Lavigne ’08 left his job as manager of business development and special projects at the Connecticut Port Authority to become manager of Connecticut’s Clean Economy Program.

In this role, he will coordinate the state’s efforts to develop a green economy and a renewable energy industry.

Prior to his move to Greystone, he was vice president of originations at Amherst Capital Management and earlier served as vice president for Cantor Fitzgerald’s CMBS platform. Ryan earned a B.S. in business administration from Eastern.

10s Greystone Commercial Capital, a national commercial real estate finance firm, has hired Ryan Carlin ’10 as a director of capital markets and syndications.

34 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Besides coaching in the dugout, Lambert makes sure that players have mental health resources and support on and off the field, and she oversees the return-to-play psychological protocol for players who have been in rehabilitation. Her work also extends to Royals-affiliated minor league teams and to community programs on mental health and substance abuse in the Kansas City area.

MLB data show that the most common mental health problems for players are anxiety, depression and substance abuse. The MLB requires that players have access to mental health counseling at all times.

But she is the first mental health professional in the dugout.

“I always felt like I was part of a team and community at Eastern, which has been one of my favorite parts of working in professional sport,” she said. “I love working with an interdisciplinary team and collaborating on the needs of our players.”

Michael Prentiss ’10 has been promoted to vice president at Starkweather and Shepley Insurance Brokerage, Inc. He joined the firm as an account executive in 2015.

Joseph Turner ’10 was promoted to vice chancellor at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy, which has a vision to create an innovative academic environment that strengthens the knowledge, skills and abilities of the workforce. Joseph has served in a number of roles in his 12 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

David Mariasi ’08 was named associate director of student employment at Eastern. Dave was first hired at Eastern as a unit supervisor in the Registrar’s Office in 2002 and became assistant director of Financial Aid two years later.

After more than five years at Cigna, Cecilia Hughes ’09 has a new position as communications director at Cisco, where she leads environmental and sustainability communications. She specializes in strategic counsel for senior executives, including communications planning and operations, stakeholder engagement, thought leadership and reputation management.

“A smaller school allowed for more time to build relationships with the psychology department,” she said of her Eastern experience. “The professors all played a significant role in my development and prepared me for furthering my education in clinical psychology. When my career shifted into working as a therapist in sport, my athletic background and experiences in soccer have helped in my ability to relate to players.”

Ibrahim Isik ’10 Ibrahim Isik ’10 dropped by the Alumni Office with Professor Emeritus Branko Cavarkapa after they had lunch together this summer. Following his graduation from Eastern, Ibrahim returned to his native Türkiye, where he is on the board of directors of the Tilya Resort Hotel on the Black Sea in Akçaabat/Trabzon, Türkiye. He also serves on the board of directors of Omer Isik Insaat Construction Company in Istanbul.

Mike Whelan ’10 is the operations director of Unilever in Jefferson City, MO. He recently represented Unilever on a panel of Jefferson City and Cole County leaders of nonprofit organizations, businesses and community groups to discuss the childcare crisis and its impact on working parents. He said Unilever would be initiating a subsidy program to help offset childcare costs for employees.

Shawn Gilblair ’11 has been named head baseball coach at Mitchell College.

He most recently served as pitching coach at Eastern for the 2023 season, and pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Mitchell from 2019-22.

Andrew W. Minikowski ’12 recently accepted a new position as the director of the Office of Adjudications at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. He is married to Melissa (Dwelley) Minikowski ’12 who is the assistant director of marketing for the Yale Young Global Scholars program at Yale University.

Andrew and Melissa live in East Haddam.

Michael Glennon ’11 Michael Glennon ’11 has a new position as senior manager, global talent acquisition at Quest Global, a worldwide engineering firm.

Michelle Thakur ’11 was promoted to senior learning partner operations associate at Guild Education, a public benefit corporation that bridges the education needs of workers and the employment needs of businesses.

Stony Brook University Career Center presented its Administrative Partner of the Year Award-Undergraduate Colleges to Mariana Torres ’11, director of academic learning communities at Stony Brook.

Andrew W. Minikowski ’12

Samantha (Bieleski) Sciandra ’12 is assistant director of advising at Western Connecticut State University.

Melissa (Dwelley) Minikowski ’12

Henry Graffeo ’13 is general manager of Cumberland Run Harness Track in Corbin, KY, and The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland in Williamsburg, KY. Both venues were recently profiled on KentuckyLiving.com.

Amy (Smallwood) Kacerik M ’13 was recently promoted from dean of enrollment management to associate vice president for student affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island.

She helps to serve 15,000 students across four statewide campuses. Prior to joining CCRI, Amy was the director of student services at Quinebaug Valley Community College.

Sydney Hanlon ’13 is an operations executive for SXSW in Sydney, Australia. SXSW Sydney is a week-long event where technology and innovation, games, music and screen industries converge.

Rob Kavaler ’13 has been promoted to graphic design manager at RCN Capital, a nationwide direct lender providing short-term fix and flip financing and long-term rental financing for real estate investors. Rob and his team scored

Wiley Dawson ’12 will be among those honored at the 2023 100 Men of Color Gala in Hartford in October.

Kristen Fitzsimons ’12 is the new principal at Hazardville Memorial School.

Kristen previously served as assistant principal at Eli Whitney Elementary and as a STEM and mathematics teacher at John F. Kennedy Middle School, both in Enfield. She holds an M.S. and sixthyear certificate in educational leadership from Central Connecticut State University and is pursuing doctoral studies in leadership from American College of Education.

Eastern was well represented at the wedding of Judith (Frankel) Halpern ’12 and Andrew Halpern, who were joined

by Amy Gorman ’11 (bridesmaid), Ben Foran ’12 (man of honor), Mita (Lad) McAuliff ’10 (bridesmaid), Sarah Potrikus ’11 (bridesmaid), Chelsea (Zimmitti) de Oliveria ’12, Cody Hall ’13, Jackie (Giuntini) Schoeman ’12, Jaime O’Connor ’12 and Stephanie (Perez) Hall ’12.

Judith (Frankel) Halpern ’12

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 35

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The

Each year, Eastern proudly honors alumni and friends for distinguished professional achievement and outstanding community service through the President’s Leadership Awards.

President’s are now being accepted: Leadership Nominations • Distinguished Alumni Award • Distinguished Service Award Awards • Hermann Beckert “Friend of the University” Award Honoring Eastern Alumni & Donors & Supporting Academic Excellence

The awards are presented at the President’s Leadership recognition event, held on campus at a date to be determined.

For information about the awards and to submit a nomination online, scan the QR code with your smart phone. X

two winning submissions in the 59th Anniversary American Graphic Design Awards Competition. Only 10 percent of the more than 12,000 entries are selected for recognition in this best-ofyear program.

Scott Petit ’13 has been named chief operating officer at Don Petit’s Store of Floors in Plantsville, which has been named a top flooring store 13 years in a row.

Laura (Wooley) Pasqua ’13 and her husband, Michael Pasqua ’12, welcomed their daughter Ava on February 27. Laura is a supervisor at General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Mike is an elementary health and physical education teacher in East Granby.

Pearson Davis ’14 is assistant general manager of the XL Center in Hartford. In addition to ensuring the smooth operation of hundreds of entertainment and sporting events each year, Pearson and his team ensure that Eastern’s annual commencement ceremonies go off without a hitch. “We love hosting Eastern’s commencement each year, and we’re glad that we help make it memorable for all the new alumni and their families.”

Mauricio Cubillos ’15 has been included in Marquis Who’s Who, the first publication of Who’s Who in America.

He entered the manufacturing industry at age 19 and most recently joined Tecomet, Inc. as SIOP (Sales, Inventory, Operations, Planning) business transformation leader, as well as manager of the largest of Tecomet’s 16 facilities worldwide. Tecomet manufactures high-precision products and services for the medical device, aerospace and defense markets.

Erin Miller ’15 completed her fourth season as head softball coach at Mitchell College. The Mariners had their most wins as a Division III program, and celebrated their first winning season in eight years, finishing 24-19. Erin was named Coach of the Year for the second year in a row by the New England Collegiate Conference, and eight of her players were named to the NECC All-Conference Team.

Robert Scheim ’15 has a new position as director of sales at RPM Raceway.

Robert and his wife, Danni, bought a house in East Setauket, NY, where they live with their adopted puppy, Bodie.

Taylor Shannon ’15 has been named the varsity girls lacrosse coach at Waterford High School. She spent the past six seasons at Norwich Free Academy, five as head coach.

Betsy Ramos Soto ’15, executive director of the Vernon Housing Authority, was recently selected as the Top Executive Director of the Year 2023 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the industry.

Beau McDowell ’16 is starting a new position as sponsorship manager at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

Quanece Williams ’16 graduated from Cornell Law School in 2022 and is currently a first-year associate at a large firm in New York City. “I am eternally grateful to Eastern for all the opportunities the university provided me, and for preparing me, both professionally and personally.”

Jessica Dastous ’17 recently began a new position as communications coordinator for the town of Frisco, CO.

36 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Devyne Doran ’17 has been named head coach of Eastern women’s lacrosse team, the first Eastern alumnus to assume the role. Devyne played four seasons and served as an assistant coach for two additional seasons, all under former head coach Christine Hutchison.

She then served as head coach at Mitchell College for two seasons, followed by two seasons at the helm at Framingham State University, where she compiled a two-year record of 23-16, 11-3 in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference regular season.

Alexandra Steward ’17 Alexandra Steward ’17 has been promoted to manager, human resources business partner at PAR Technology, a leading global provider of software and service solutions for the restaurant and retail industries.

Nadia Balassone ’18 is human resources officer for the Town of Hamden, and earned her master’s degree in English and diversity, equity and inclusion from Trinity College. Nadia was a virtual panelist for April’s “English@Work” series, which featured English alumni who are pursuing different career paths.

MORGAN CUNNINGHAM ’18 ANCHORS CONNECTICUT’S LARGEST RADIO STATION Morgan Cunningham ’18 has wanted a career in radio broadcasting since childhood. Thanks to Eastern, Cunningham is fulfilling his dreams as the morning news anchor for WTIC-AM, Connecticut’s largest radio station.

Even while in high school, Cunningham was encouraged to have his own weekly show on WECS-FM, Eastern’s student-run radio station.

“I am so thankful for people like station manager John Zatowski and others at Eastern for encouraging and supporting me.”

Cunningham enrolled at Eastern as a communication major and continued his radio show, recalling how faculty members like the late Edmond Chibeau critiqued his work and gave him story ideas for his radio program. “I wouldn’t be doing the morning news on Connecticut’s biggest radio station without all the people at Eastern who gave me an opportunity. At Eastern I learned about the craft of broadcasting, journalism and professional writing.”

Casey Collins ’18 has a new position as manager of advertising and search at Rebel Interactive Group. Prior to joining Rebel, he was a search analyst for Converge, a marketing and advertising firm based in the New York City area.

Ara Daglian ’18

Emma Avery ’19

Ara Daglian ’18 is a master’s student in the Middle East Studies program at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. He received his B.A. in history from Eastern and is a Robinovich Family Fellow and a Stroum Center Graduate Fellow at UW. Ara presented a draft of part of his master’s thesis, tentatively titled “Anglo-Saxons of the East: Armenian Self-Definition in Early 20th Century America.”

Emma Avery ’19 was the featured speaker at the annual reception for seniors graduating from Eastern’s Honors Program. Emma majored in environmental earth science at Eastern and earned her J.D. and a certificate in energy and environmental law from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is currently an associate attorney in family law and general litigation at Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLP in Stamford.

Even before graduation he had lined up a full-time job at WTIC-AM as the overnight news anchor, working the night shift from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., six days a week. After two years of this grueling schedule, Cunningham moved to the afternoon and evening shift. Highlights included covering COVID-19, Tropical Storm Isaias and a live phone interview with Sen. Richard Blumenthal during the middle of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Since March 2022, Cunningham has anchored WTIC’s morning news, radio’s prime time slot. “I need to know a little bit about a lot,” he explained. Cunningham’s reporting emphasizes local news: “We want to focus on stories that impact our Connecticut listeners.”

On the weekend, Cunningham stays busy with his Saturday afternoon talk show, “Spotlight Connecticut.” The show stays clear of politics, law, finance and other hard news angles. “Listeners on the weekend don’t want to think about work or taxes,” he said with a smile.

John Burchard ’19 received a special certificate of appreciation by Professor Alex Citurs at the annual BIS Banquet in May. John is one of the top BIS alumni donors, earmarking his gifts for the BIS Fund, and has returned to campus to speak at career fairs on a number of occasions. He is a data science advisor at Cigna.

20s Natnael Belay ’20 gave a presentation on technical project management for students in the Business Information Systems Department. At Eastern, Belay was an Honors Program graduate, where he earned degrees in computer science and business information systems. He is a technical program manager in the android engineering department at Google.

Peter Ereshena ’20 was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Professor Alex Citurs at the annual BIS Banquet in May for his work as the BIS-ITSA Club Event Partner. Peter is a business intelligence consultant, personal insurance research and development, data engineering at Travelers.

Vania Galicia ’20 works for Grow Windham as a community farmer and uses her writing and communication skills as an immigrant rights activist. Vania was a virtual panelist for April’s “English@ Work” series, which featured English alumni who are pursuing different career paths.

Amanda Heffernan ’20 Amanda Heffernan ’20 has been promoted to senior university relations consultant at Travelers after having worked as a project administrator. Prior to her graduation from Eastern, Amanda also served as an intern with Travelers.

Nicole Reinschmidt ’20 has a new position as a clinician at Sound Community Services, Inc., an organization providing support and services to persons with behavioral health and substance abuse disorders. Nicole recently passed her social work licensure exam to earn the L.M.S.W. designation.

Emily St. Lawrence ’20 is a new marketing associate at CareCentrix, a home care services company responding to the needs of more than 19 million members through a national network of approximately 7,400 provider locations.

Emily had most recently been with Golden Horizons Elder Care Services.

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 37

Kayleigh Shettleworth ’20 began working as development manager at the Connecticut Humane Society. “In this role, I will be working on the Together Forever Capital Campaign which centers around building the new CHS Animal Resource Center in Wilton, with a lowfee veterinary clinic, pet food pantry and adoption center.”

Kayleigh Shettleworth ’20 Kaylee Blackwood ’21 is editor at Biolumina, a full-service, omnichannel global health care agency that uses the power of science to translate customer insights into brand messaging that is both captivating and motivational.

Kaylee was a virtual panelist for April’s “English@Work” series, which featured English alumni who are pursuing different career paths.

Jackson DeLaney ’21 is a press aide for Connecticut House Democrats. He previously worked as a research editor at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, and as a public relations assistant at Susan Oliver Consulting.

Keira Integlia ’21 has a new position as head field hockey coach and athletic administration coordinator at Albertus Magnus College. Keira graduated from Eastern with a degree in sport and leisure management.

Tyler Madden ’21 has joined the WKRC Cincinnati Local 12 news team as a reporter. Prior to joining WKRC, he was a reporter and weekend anchor at WTOV in Steubenville, OH.

P.J. Jimenez ’22 is entering their second year in the Art Therapy master’s program at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. P.J. was recently named a recipient of a Meriden Puerto Rican Festival Scholarship.

John Mesagno ’21 is a scouting intern for the Oakland Athletics, covering the Cape Cod Collegiate League and its 10 teams.

Ian Keroack ’22 is a business intelligence consultant at The Hartford. He earned a B.S. in business information systems.

Connor Chute ’22 was the keynote speaker at the annual BIS Banquet in May. He is a member of the business insights and analytics leadership development program at Travelers, working on a large agile data product team.

Sierra Nastasi ’22 is pursuing her master’s degree in psychology at Southern Connecticut State University and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology.

She will present a collaborative autoethnography at the annual conference of the National Women’s Studies Association in Baltimore in October. Sierra currently teaches history at Westerly (RI) High School.

Zachary Gagnon ’22 was hired as marketing lead at Mohegan Sun. He earned a B.S. in business administration.

Jack Wallace M ’23 excelled in both baseball and golf during his athletic career at Winthrop High School, and now has been named the new head coach of the Winthrop golf team. Jack was a key pitcher on Eastern’s 2022 national championship baseball team.

Andrew Zaino ’22 started a new position as content marketing associate at Candlewood East Marina in Brookfield.

He earned a B.S. in communication at Eastern.

Zachary Gagnon ’22

ALUMNI WEBINAR SERIES At your fingertips. On your time.

Just because you graduated doesn’t mean you stopped learning.

As an alum, you have exclusive access to a range of online learning tools.

Past webinar topics have ranged from career developmentto exploring your ancestry to bitcoin to public speaking.

New webinars each week!

Learn more at alumlc.org/easternct 38• Fall 2023 • EASTERN

Emma Hopkins ’22 is a case manager at Perception Programs in Willimantic. Emma completed an internship at Perception Programs as she earned her B.S. in health sciences.

I N M E M O R I A M

Lewis O. Lamb ’54 Saint Petersburg, FL May 17, 2019

Linda (Adams) Graham ’72 Windsor Locks, CT July 14, 2023

Kevin Scott Myjak ’92 Hamden, CT May 22, 2023

Victoria Concetta (Gagliardi) LaCava ’56 Wethersfield, CT Aug. 13, 2022

John M. Herringer ’73 Oak Park, IL April 8, 2021

Kimberly Ann Ammons ’93 Espanola, NM Feb. 12, 2023

Lynne A. Keleher M ’77 Willimantic, CT March 31, 2023

Matthew Robert McGuinness ’93 Willington, CT Dec. 26, 2022

Norma F. Chick ’78 Bolton, CT Oct. 5, 2022

David Ross Brown ’94 Vernon Rockville, CT July 2, 2023

Chester G. Cwilichowski ’78 Ansonia, CT Dec. 10, 2021

Roland C. Dunham ’00 New London, CT Nov. 5, 2020

Simone (Gothberg) Gauthier ’80 Waterford, CT June 28, 2023

Peter J. McDevitt Jr. Friend Willimantic, CT July 31, 2021

Louis P. Leta ’57 Norwich, CT May 8, 2023 Phyllis (Fogil) Aaron ’58 Woodstock, IL May 20, 2023 Roberta K. Harris ’58 Grafton, WI March 19, 2023 Catherine (Newman) Potter ’58 Wethersfield, CT April 22, 2023 Joan Lorraine (Milek) Kastner ’59 Glastonbury, CT Jan. 22, 2020 Anne (Blanchette) Boulaine ’63 Dayville, CT April 24, 2022 Carolyn Beers (Anderson) Shea ’64 Belchertown, MA Aug. 11, 2020 Neil L. Mesick ’65 Willimantic, CT June 30, 2023 Merlejean “MJ” (Levery) Terry ’65, M ’73 Venice, FL June 15, 2019 Sylvia (Schneider) Hellstrom ’70 Manchester, CT May 23, 2023 Elaine (Anderson) Berk ’71 Suffield, CT April 13, 2023 Pamela (Burdick) Bramlett ’72 Brooklyn, CT March 12, 2023

Chris Heidkamp ’80 Wolcott, CT June 11, 2023 Arlene M. Edmonston ’83 Woodstock Valley, CT Oct. 30, 2021 Oscar Meimers ’83 Farmington, CT June 29, 2023 John F. Blowey ’85 Winter Garden, FL July 3, 2023 Henry Frederick Dieter M ’86 Mount Pleasant, SC March 21, 2023 Donna (Hayn) Costanzo M ’88 Somers, CT March 10, 2023 Kathleen (Royroll) Marcoux ’88 Boiling Springs, SC April 8, 2022 Edward Page ’88 Norwich, CT July 2, 2021

Eldon Rudolf Downing Professor Emeritus Friendship, ME April 3, 2023 James P. Shores Former Professor New London, CT April 2, 2023 Catherine L. Tannahill Professor Emeritus Burleson, TX July 7, 2023 Craig D. Teschner Former Professor Ware, MA July 7, 2023 Elena Y. Varshavskaya Former Professor Voluntown, CT March 2, 2023 Camaury Norman-Clark Current Student Norwich, CT May 10, 2023

Joseph P. Brady ’91, M ’96 Charlestown, RI May 21, 2023

EASTERN • Fall 2023 • 39

T

he past two decades seem to have flown by.

With my retirement from Eastern this October, I have many feelings to share with you in my final letter to our alumni and friends.

I love what I do. I have had the privilege to work with exceptional colleagues. I have worked with so many committed faculty and staff. With the appointment of Dr. David G. Carter to the CSU system office in 2006, a 17-year period of exciting growth under the leadership of President Elsa Núñez began.

Her laser focus on access to all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, became our mantra.

With Dr. Núñez’s implementation of the first of several five-year strategic plans and with the energy this required from so many of us, the process united the senior team and developed relationships that exist today across all sectors of the university community.

President Núñez knew from the start the value of the strategic planning process. The strategic plan launched us on an upward trajectory, and we never looked back. Eastern enjoyed a heightened public image — both in Connecticut and beyond — and has achieved top rankings as a public liberal arts institution.

I will leave behind an exceptional institution committed to a quality public liberal arts education. Perhaps my proudest moments were the evenings each May when I watched our students walk across the stage and become graduates with the knowledge that they were well-prepared to be successful in life and as contributors in the workplace, in their communities and beyond.

Of course, the progress that Eastern and our students have enjoyed is in large part due to the excellent faculty, dedicated staff and hundreds of donors and friends of the University that have shared their time, talent and treasure because of their belief in Eastern’s mission. It is impossible to express how very important this support has been and will continue to be, as it has made it possible for thousands of students with unmet needs to remain in school and receive a four-year degree.

I leave with confidence that my fellow colleagues will continue to make Eastern the wonderful and welcoming place that it is for students, faculty and staff. I’ll surely be cheering from the sidelines and wishing everyone continued success in the years ahead. I take this time to thank you for your commitment to Eastern and for making the past 20 years a truly rewarding part of my life.

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

40 • Fall 2023 • EASTERN

FINAL

O Eastern Graduates

700

in spring commencement ceremonies

ptimism and jubilation filled Hartford’s XL Center and Eastern’s Concert Hall this May as 700 undergraduate and graduate students received their degrees at two different graduation ceremonies.

The class of 2023 brings the number of living Eastern alumni to approximately 40,000. Among those alumni were commencement speakers Thomas Gibson ’96 and Jeffrey Brown ’79.

Speaking to undergraduates, Gibson, who is now the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, told students his varied experiences at Eastern helped him to realize his career dreams. Growing up in New Haven and the first in his family to go to college, he said, “I learned firsthand the transformational impact of higher education.”

Gibson reassured students, “Some of you might have come to Eastern with your purpose in mind. Some of you found your purpose while you were here.

Many, like me, won't discover their purpose until later in life. Discovering your purpose doesn't follow a straight path or timeline. There are twists and turns.”

Speaking to graduate students on Eastern’s campus, Brown, chief executive officer of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, explained that his diverse career has been driven by a sense of curiosity. Brown held leadership roles at Webster Financial and Newman’s Own before his current role at the helm of the nation’s longest continuously running public art museum.

He encouraged students to embark on their own quest. “You have a proven desire to have a life by design versus a life by default,” he said, lauding their commitment to pursue higher education. “Learn from every experience, and through it all, bring a great sense of curiosity.” E

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Eastern Connecticut State University