Eastern Magazine Winter 2010

Winter 2010

Volume 8 Issue 2

Connecticut’s Public Liberal Arts University

120 Years of

Educating Teachers

On the cover: We thank Education Department Chair Leslie Ricklin for recruiting faculty and student volunteers to “pose” with members of the faculty from 1924. Representing a cross-section of the current generation of Eastern faculty and students are Education Professors David Stoloff, Ann Gruenberg, Leslie Ricklin, Delar Singh, Hari Koirala, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Xing Liu, Richard Reynolds and Sudha Swaminathan; current seniors Jenna Bachman, Brent Ramsay, Paul Murphy, Cynthia DeJesus, Carly Herchuk, Conor Reardon and Erika Barber; and recent graduates Brittany Johnson ’09 and Katie Dudzinski ‘09.

EASTERN Volume 8, Issue 2 | Winter 2010

In This Issue 1 From the President’s Desk 2 Eastern Alumni 4 Back in the Day 5 “I Was Born to Be a Teacher” 8 Early Childhood Education at Eastern 12 Teaching Here, There and Everywhere 15 Life on Campus: Then and Now

Features i-xii Annual Report of Donors 17 Campus News 22 Philanthropy 24 Athletics 28 Class Notes 32 Final Thoughts Inside back cover Alumni Reunion Weekend Events

Staff & Contributors Editor Edward Osborn Associate Editor Amy Brenner-Fricke Designers Kevin Paquin | Leigh Balducci Contributors Dwight Bachman | Emily Bonoyer

Meghan Carden | Peter Dane | Kate Harner Joseph McGann | Jack Meltzer | Robert Molta Anne Pappalardo | Ryan Rose | Michael Stenko Sarah Swann | Kyle Verona Photographers Nick Lacy | Jennifer Smith

Chris Gemske | University Archives and Special Collections Executive Editor Kenneth J. DeLisa

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

Please send story ideas to: Edward Osborn, Director of University Relations osborne@easternct.edu EASTERN Magazine is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement for the benefit of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University.

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Reflections from the President’s Desk

Eastern Connecticut State University is very proud of its history — dating back to 1889 — of preparing teachers for the classrooms of Connecticut. As a tribute to our continued commitment to teacher education, the cover of this issue of EASTERN Magazine uses modern technology to blend pictures of today’s Education Department faculty and students with a photograph of Willimantic Normal School faculty in 1924.

While the people in the photo are “together” in spirit only, this computer-enhanced image is our way of saying that teacher education always has been a hallmark program on the Eastern campus. Regardless of the era, regardless of the fashion of the time, teaching and learning have thrived at Eastern as faculty and students have engaged in improving pedagogy and teaching styles. With so many of our students coming from towns across Connecticut and most of our graduates staying to live and work in our state, generations of schoolchildren in Connecticut have benefited from Eastern’s outstanding Education Department and programs. For instance, Eastern graduates more early childhood educators than any other university or college in Connecticut. We are among the state leaders in graduating math majors, and half of our math majors go on to teach mathematics in Connecticut schools. And a federal $3.9 million grant received by Education Department faculty is allowing them and their students to provide vital reading literacy training to preschool teachers in our local Willimantic community.

Even though we now have 33 majors and 56 minors ranging from accounting to visual arts, preparing tomorrow’s teachers is still very much a part of Eastern’s public liberal

arts mission. Our student teachers, like all our majors, benefit from the liberal education that has become our calling. In addition to enjoying the advantages of an interdisciplinary liberal arts core curriculum, our education students also must major in an academic discipline. The result is teacher candidates who consistently receive high marks for their preparation, helping Eastern to achieve recognition throughout the state of Connecticut for the quality of our graduates and the significant number of teachers who got their start on our campus.

As proud as I am of Eastern’s history, I am equally confident that we can continue to excel as we make a difference in Connecticut’s schools and in other important economic sectors of our state and nation. However, none of our accomplishments would be possible without the generous support we receive from alumni and friends of the University. This past year, more than 2,600 donors made financial contributions to support student scholarships, academic programs, faculty research and other important University activities. These faithful supporters are listed in the annual list of donors found in this issue of EASTERN Magazine. To them and to all who are committed to our University, to the students we instruct, and to the communities we serve, we pledge our renewed commitment to serving the citizens of Connecticut.

Elsa Núñez President

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EASTERN ALUMNI ALUMNI ATHLETES MEET ON THE COURTS ONCE AGAIN Volleyball players reunite to cheer on Hall of Fame inductee A number of current and former women’s volleyball players gathered on campus on Oct. 24 for a luncheon and competition, and in celebration of the E-Club Hall of Fame induction of former player Sue Mullaney ’90.

More than 40 current and former players gathered for the event, including E-Club Hall of Fame coach Floretta “Pinky” Crabtree, who directed the program to more than 600 wins in its first 22 seasons on the intercollegiate level. Mullaney was inducted into the E-Club Hall of Fame during the ceremony held on Oct. 25 in the Student Center. Also attending the reunion were Anne DiFranco ’99, Karen Ann Sweet ’98, Iris Molina ’81, Beth Hackett ’96, Tawnia Pacheco ’95, Jackie (Cascella) Abelli ’85, Jennifer Butts-Hounshell ’01, Ann Wieloch ’92, Jackie (LeClaire) Chalifoux ’79,

Posing with former women’s volleyball coach Floretta “Pinky” Crabtree (left) at the Volleyball Reunion last fall were, from left: Wendy (Giglio) Fiore ‘87, Sue Mullaney ‘90, Ann Wieloch ‘92 and Ginny Berry ’92.

Courtney (Davidson) Murphy ’98, Wendy (Giglio) Fiore ’87, Eleanor (Greer) Belcher ’01, Diane (Traversa)

Nielsen ’82, Chastity Pimental ’97 and Virginia Berry ‘92, as well as other former players.

Men’s and women’s basketball players gather for Alumni Day

The annual Alumni Day for the men’s and women’s basketball games on Jan. 30 was well attended by both current and former athletes and students.

Participating in the men’s basketball game were, standing in back from left: Kevin Barboza ’90; Kris Johnson ’09; Michael Brady ’09; Kevin Zalucki ’08; Dan Trudeau ’07; Tim

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Callahan, a freshman from Portland; Mike Bartunek ’05; Michael Kipphut; Steve Bartunek; Jeroy Smith; Gordon Shepard ’05; and Coach Bill Geitner. Kneeling, from left: Steve Kirsch ’01, Christopher Morgan ’03, Daryl James ’09, Matt Albon and Bryan Moretti ’03.

In attendance for the women’s alumni basketball game were, standing in back from left: Stephanie Smith ’08, Bridget Durette ’08, Sara Paradis ’08, Coach Denise Bierly, Morgan Perry ’04, Katie Kline ’06 and Allison Coleman. Kneeling, from left: Ali Bergeron ’08, Kelli Mahder ’08 and Kathleen Burdelski ’04.

Join the fun at alumni events!

2010 President’s Leadership Awards Luncheon Join President Elsa Núñez for the annual President’s Leadership Awards Luncheon, honoring distinguished alumni and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University for their professional achievement and service to the University.

Alumni and friends will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Distinguished Service Award and the Hermann Beckert “Friends of the University” Award. The luncheon will be held at noon on Friday, May 7, in the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library.

For more information or to make reservations, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (860) 465-5302 or at alumni@easternct.edu. Reservations close May 4.

We Want Your Input!

Your opinion matters! Here’s your chance to let us know what you think of EASTERN Magazine and help plan future issues. To access the readership survey, go to www.easternct.edu/university relations/magazine/survey.

Get Connected With Eastern

Top: Jessica Ciparelli ’00, Mark Zurzola ’88, Umesh Vig ’01 and Maribel Sanchez ’04 catch up on Eastern news at the President’s Alumni Reception in Wethersfield. More than 30 alumni attended the event, which was held on Jan. 27. Middle left: Elizabeth (Saretzki) Archer ’46 chats with President Elsa Núñez at the Wethersfield Alumni Reception. Middle right: Anthony J. Brandenburg ’75, chief judge of the Intertribal Court of Southern California, addresses Eastern alumni at the San Diego reception. Brandenburg spoke about the impact Eastern has had on his career. Bottom: Enjoying the company and the conversation at the West Hartford Alumni Reception on Dec. 8 were Tiffany Blake, Evan Parker ’08, Noah Adams ’07 and Derrick Gibbs ’08.

Eastern alumni are gathering together at locations across the state and the country to build their professional networks and share memories.

Is there a reception or networking event near you? If you’re looking to network, or just want to stop by for a break after a long day, all Eastern alumni are welcome.

Want to receive event invitations and alumni news via e-mail? Have you moved or gotten married?

Have you taken a new job or had an addition to your family? Have you had a “mini-reunion” with your former classmates? Please contact: Michael Stenko, Director Office of Alumni Affairs Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT 06226 alumni@easternct.edu

Information about upcoming gatherings can be found on the Alumni Affairs website at www.easternct.edu/ alumni/alumni_friends/ or through Facebook by joining the group “ECSU Alumni Association.”

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Back in t he Day Dr. Carla A. (Banelli) Goodwin ’69 has fond memories of Betty R. Tipton, who served as the dean of women when Goodwin was an Eastern student. (Tipton later became the associate dean of student affairs, a position she held until her retirement in 1989.)

According to Goodwin, “Betty Tipton was a chain-smoking, enthusiastic feminist who embraced young women who were outspoken. She enjoyed meeting Dr. Carla Goodwin is a forensic psychologist with a private practice in South Easton, MA, and serves as a commissioner for the Massachusetts Disabled Protection Commission.

Peter Colonis retired in 2008 after 40 years as an elementary school teacher in Norwich and Ledyard.

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Peter W. Colonis ’68 says he has never forgotten Betty Tipton because she made such a difference in his life: “In 1966, I managed to get placed on the ‘probation list’ and I was about to be dismissed from school at the end of that semester. I did not expect anyone to speak up for me in order to change that decision. However, one faculty member did. Dean Tipton went to the board meeting and somehow convinced the members to give me a chance to prove myself. I never knew that she went to that meeting on my behalf until I was informed by the board that I would be allowed to return the following semester. (They didn’t tell me that Mrs. Tipton kept me in.) Mrs. Tipton’s encouragement, inspiration and faith in me helped get me through college. I graduated the following year and then went on to teach elementary school for 40 wonderful, successful and happy years. I do not believe I could have done this without Betty Tipton’s help. She was an outstanding educator and a great role model whom I will never forget.”

mind-to-mind with her protégés on all topics, especially on how women can move along and embrace challenges. Back in the day, Betty would take me along to attend state college meetings with her in Hartford.

She drove with two feet, one on the brake pedal and one on the gas, with a cigarette going all the time. The drive was stopand-go, stop-and-go, with her talking and driving just as fast.

And in the meantime, she would be discussing her views on teaching!”

Betty Tipton served as a faculty member and administrator at Eastern from 1951 to 1989. She died on May 30, 1999. The Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center is named in her honor.

Bert Nussbaum ’63 still smiles when he thinks about the friends he made at Eastern: “I lived at Knight House for four years.

During my junior year, I was the dorm proctor. I had Greg Sullivan, Jimmy Goldstein, Jim Logan ’63, Charlie Kramer ’63 and Bob Suerken ’65 as roommates.

I must have been difficult to room with! Five roommates in four years! But if I had to pick a single moment with Eastern friends that sticks in my mind, it would be the earning of my varsity letter jacket at the awards dinner at the Nathan Hale Hotel on Main Street during my senior year. Never much of an athlete, I had the opportunity to play soccer at Eastern and assist in various capacities in other sports. I remember that it was 90 degrees outside but my fellow winners, Tony Romano ’64 and Tony Falcetta ’64, along with Jim Logan, ‘forced’ me to put the jacket on and walk back to the campus wearing it!”

Bert Nussbaum retired in 2000 after 27 years as a middle school principal in New Jersey and has since done educational consulting work for various institutions and associations.

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“I Was Born to be a Teacher”

By Meghan Carden

Teacher education in Willimantic began on the morning of Sept. 3, 1889, with the opening of the Willimantic State Normal School. The school’s two-year program, training teachers to instruct and govern in the public schools, has grown over the 120 years since into a rigorous four-year program. While the curriculum, location and facilities have changed, the commitment to preparing outstanding teachers has remained steady.

Those efforts paid off and Willimantic was selected. The people of Willimantic couldn’t wait for a building to be constructed, so the school’s first students met that fall on the third floor of the Willimantic Savings Institute on the corner of Main and Bank Streets. Classes continued to be held there until 1895, when the new Willimantic State Normal School opened on six acres of land deeded to the state by the Town of Windham.

The normal school movement in Connecticut began with the opening of a school in New Britain in 1850. By the 1880s it was apparent that another teacher training school was needed to serve the state’s public schools. A public act in 1889 decreed that a normal school be built “east of the Connecticut River,” and Willimantic, Norwich and New London all lobbied for the location. Willimantic wined and dined the legislators who came to visit and followed that up by packing the room when the General Assembly met to determine where the new school would be located.

To be admitted to the normal school, candidates had to be at least 16 years old and were given entrance exams in spelling, English grammar, arithmetic, geography and U.S. history. A high school diploma, state teachers’ certificate or three years experience in teaching was also accepted in place of the testing. Once admitted, courses of study focused on classroom curriculum and learning the practice of teaching. For the first six years, students’ practical experience was limited to observing other teachers, but when a new building opened in 1895 students began a formal program of student teaching. Over the years the school grew in enrollment and size and new courses were offered as the curriculum shifted to fit the needs of the state’s public schools. It became obvious over time

Top: Jennifer Nadeau ’97, who teaches English at Killingly High School and was named 2009 Teacher of the Year for Killingly Public Schools, credits Eastern with providing her with a “sturdy background” that allows her to excel in the classroom.

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At left: Philip Marvin ’97 teaches first grade at the Hebron Avenue School in Glastonbury. Near right: Education Professor Sudha Swaminathan utilizes video technology to investigate how preschoolers can improve basic math skills. Far right: Amanda Barney, a freshman from Wallingford with a double major in education and Spanish, helped teach civics to third-graders in Willimantic as part of a political science course.

He was also drawn to Eastern because of its small size and the ability to make personal connections with professors.

Marvin was inspired to become a teacher through the care of his own third-grade teacher, who was there for students when they needed help with life outside of school.

that two years was not enough to properly train a teacher.

The state legislature responded in 1937 by turning the Willimantic Normal School into the Willimantic State Teachers College, granting four-year degrees.

Although the University has evolved a great deal since its inception, the ability to attract students who are passionate about teaching has never changed. “I wanted to be a teacher since I was very young,” said Marilyn (McShane) Levine ’68. “It’s something I was born with.” Levine, who spent 36 years in the classroom and now works as an independent literacy consultant, chose Eastern for the focus on education and the small size and personal attention she would receive. Between her time spent teaching at the YMCA during college and her courses at Eastern, Levine says she felt prepared for her career.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about Eastern and my education,” said Philip Marvin ’97 during a break from teaching his first graders. Marvin, who is in his sixth year of teaching first grade at the Hebron Avenue School, was named Glastonbury’s 2009–10 Teacher of the Year.

Education Professor Hari Koirala teaches courses such as “Current Issues and Trends in Mathematics Education” and “Issues and Applications in Secondary Mathematics.”

His research focuses on teacher education and students’ conceptions of mathematics.

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For Jennifer Nadeau ’97, inspiration came not only from her teachers and parents, but also from those who did not have the chance to be successful in school. “In watching those who wished they had the opportunity to learn more, I could not help but desire to be a person who plants the seed of ‘knowledge for the sake of knowledge’ in others.”

Nadeau, who teaches English at Killingly High School and was named Killingly Public Schools’ 2009 Teacher of the Year, said, “Eastern and its professors did a fantastic job giving me a sturdy background, ready to compete in the fascinating realm of education.”

Between Eastern’s own high standards and those set by the Connecticut Department of Education, it is not surprising that graduates of the University’s teacher education program continue to excel in front of the classroom. When the normal school opened, potential students had to submit a testimonial of character and their intention to teach. The value on character is still high, as students must submit references from faculty members and complete a personal interview. From the beginning the University had an obligation to children in the schools of Connecticut and has

always found it essential to select teacher candidates who exhibit the academic and personal qualities essential in teaching. Today students must also pass the state entrance exam, PRAXIS I, and maintain a grade point average of 2.7. “The bar for quality students has been raised,” said Professor Leslie Ricklin, chair of the Education Department.

Perhaps one reason that Eastern’s teacher education program has such quality students is the additional challenge of balancing two majors. In 1993, the state began to require that students receiving a teaching certificate also have a subject-matter major outside of education. “The state Department of Education felt that teachers did not have depth,” explained Ricklin.

With the quality of alumni, the reputation of the education program and the improvements to facilities over the years, attracting quality students to Eastern has never been a challenge. The opening of the state-of-the-art Child and Family Development Resource Center in 2006 was the latest campus improvement to attract new education students. Although teacher education has always been a priority at Eastern, it wasn’t until 1970 that a child care center was established on campus. The Windham/Willimantic Child Care Center opened at Keelor Hall, named after Katherine Keelor, supervisor of the training school in 1938 and an associate professor in the Education Department.

It became a resource for students, faculty and the community, with children enrolled in the program coming from local Spanish-speaking families, families on welfare and one-parent families. Margaret Wilson, Eastern’s executive dean at the time, wrote the education program for the center. Early childhood education would become Wilson’s legacy. On June 12, 2006, she was honored at the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Margaret S. Wilson Child and Family Development Complex. The

center, much like Keelor Hall before it, serves children from the local community and their families. It is also an innovative approach to teacher preparation that has become a model for the entire state.

The improvement in facilities and a strong reputation have also had a hand in attracting excellent faculty members who are passionate about teaching and continue to learn themselves. They research, attend workshops, present at national conferences and are frequent authors. “There is a high level of scholarship and respect,” said Ricklin, who began her career at Eastern in 1980, working in Shafer Hall. “When I first came to Eastern it was more laid back, tenure was automatic and scholarship was not as stressed.”

Teacher education at Eastern has changed a great deal since 13 students met in a classroom above the Savings Institute in September 1889. No doubt there are more changes to come as Eastern’s Education Department continues to align with institutional, state and national standards to produce the best teacher education program available.

Changing demographics, the growing popularity of magnet schools, and such new learning modalities as online learning will influence how Eastern’s education students are taught. What will remain the same is the desire to mold education students into the high quality teachers that Connecticut schools have come to expect from Eastern.

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Early Childhood Education at Eastern: Where Fun is Serious Business

By Dwight Bachman

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On a recent December day, several groups of excited children gathered around nearly a dozen, themed “play stations” — artificial indoor/outdoor settings — in Eastern’s state-of-the art Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC).

The stations included a camping site with roasted marshmallows,

bedtime stories and flashlights; a fishing boat with toy fishing gear and paper trout; a library; a pet shop; a weather station; a room to hold multicultural fiestas; and more.

The children were thrilled, yet there was a serious side to their activities.

In their play, they were learning what it was like to be a grown-up — to be a librarian, a fisherman, a weather forecaster. In other words, it was a glimpse into adulthood. The stations were created by students enrolled in Eastern’s Early Childhood Education program who are learning how to plan play experiences that enhance

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children’s development by advancing literacy and other foundational skills.

Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Eastern’s Phyllis Waite Endowed Chair of Early Childhood Education and one of the nation’s leading scholars on the role of play in learning, says that the ability to pretend is one of the very best predictors of later academic success in elementary school. “Pretend is not just ‘child’s play,’ but a critically important activity for development,” he said. “Not only do children acquire social skills when they play, they gain a terrific amount intellectually. They learn to control their own thinking and action.”

Trawick-Smith says that pretend play also is related to later reading (and math) ability, especially when children can use literacy props in their play — writing pads for pretend grocery lists, materials to make signs for a pretend grocery, etc.

“Pretend time” is just one of the many activities occurring in Above: Saybl Hardin, a junior from Griswold, and Joseph Ramonas, a senior from Wolcott, hold story time for several youngsters inside a tent at the campingthemed play station at the CFDRC. At right, a preschool student “catches” a toy fish at another station.

Eastern’s Early Childhood Education program as teachers, often in partnerships with community agencies, create environments that stimulate children to think, explore, experience and confidently express themselves. Each year, nearly 300 Eastern students conduct observations, engage in research, carry out projects with young children, develop teaching skills and gain critical pre-professional work experience through a unique partnership between the CFDRC and the Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE), a research and training institute at Eastern.

The two centers are part of the Margaret S. Wilson Child and Family Development Complex,

At left: Education Professor Sudha Swaminathan displays digital photos to preschoolers engaged in a counting activity.

Middle: Eliza Welling, a senior from Marlborough, supervises while children take their turns at the weather-station table.

Bottom: Education Professor Jeffrey Trawick-Smith consults with early education teacher Delicia Garcia.

named after the late Eastern administrator and faculty member who was instrumental in securing funding for the facility.

The CFDRC, which opened in February 2006 as a comprehensive early learning center for children and families, was designed to be a state and national model of high-quality care and early childhood education.

According to CFDRC Director Jamie Klein, “Training future teachers is a critical part of our mission. We work closely with the early childhood education faculty to ensure that teacher preparation is integrated into everything we do.”

The nationally accredited CFDRC operates four preschool classrooms and one toddler room and serves an economically and ethnically diverse population, including families receiving subsidized child care and families for whom English is a second language. The diversity provides a rich environment for observing children from different backgrounds and for studying which teaching practices are effective with diverse populations.

The CECE opened in July 2007 as a multidisciplinary research and training institute. CECE

Program Coordinator Julia DeLapp says, “Our main role is to build knowledge in the field of early childhood, and we do that by conducting new research and training teachers in the field. But we can also achieve that goal by building the knowledge and skills of future teachers. So we try to use students whenever possible to carry out our work.”

The two centers, housed in adjoining buildings, share a $2 million technology infrastructure. The technology enables faculty and CECE researchers to observe and videotape children and teachers in the CFDRC without entering the children’s space by remotely operating cameras and microphones from CECE offices.

Enhancing Student Learning Eastern’s early childhood education program produces the largest number of certified early childhood teachers in Connecticut. Interest in the program has grown dramatically, with the program recently admitting its largest cohort of students in memory. These students benefit tremendously from the collaboration and the technology

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At left: Peter Northrop, a senior from Clinton, helps a child document an animal’s natural habitat during the CFDRC Science Fair as part of a course taught by Professor Sudha Swaminathan.

Below, senior Ericka Velez of East Hartford administers an early literacy assessment to a child at the CFDRC.

in the two centers. Faculty who are teaching early childhood education courses frequently use videos shot at the CFDRC to illustrate concepts in class, or turn on the observation cameras to watch children and teachers live for demonstration purposes. Almost every early childhood education course includes a practical component that is carried out in the CFDRC, giving students the opportunity to design learning activities for children, see how children respond and redesign the activities for a “re-teach” the following week.

In addition, faculty videotape students interacting with young children and give students feedback on how to improve their teaching strategies. Cynthia DeJesus, a senior from East Hampton who just completed a semester-long practicum at the CFDRC, explains: “Everything you learn in your education classes you are able to implement in the classroom, and you get to work with a teacher who is open to letting you try something new.”

At right: Michele Monnerat, a junior from Wolcott who is majoring in early child education and psychology, helps a preschooler “celebrate” at the birthday-party play station in the CFDRC.

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Under the direction of Health and Physical Education Professors Nanette Tummers and Darren Robert, HPE majors gain experience leading yoga and physical education classes with children. In addition, students enrolled in psychology classes conduct more than 75 observations a year in the CFDRC. The

CECE recruits interns majoring in Communication to help produce training videos and trains students who are studying Spanish to use their budding language skills to conduct early literacy assessments on bilingual preschoolers.

Faculty Research and Creative Projects Education faculty members are also using technology to conduct important research.

In one recent study, Professor Sudha Swaminathan utilized video technology to investigate how preschoolers can improve basic math skills. The study found that children were able to make significant gains in their math abilities when the teacher provided comments and prompts as they watched the videos.

Trawick-Smith welcomes student participation in various projects.

Traci Dziurgot ’05/’07 M.S. worked with him on a study of the effect of a teacher’s level of education on his/her ability to assess the level of support

At left: A preschool student pretends to take notes at one of the play stations. Below: Education Professor Theresa Bouley works with CECE Production Specialist Ken Measimer and communication student Kristin Chemerka of Andover on an early literacy training video in the CECE editing room.

children need when engaged in different play activities.

This past fall, senior Scott Johnson of Groton used video technology to study the implementation of the CFDRC’s new Investigations curriculum. “Being able to evaluate reallife classroom experiences using an evaluative tool has shown me specific areas of my own teaching that I can improve,” said Johnson. “Since I am student teaching two days a week in preschool right now, I’m actually able to directly apply some of this knowledge into the classroom.”

for preschool teachers and paraprofessionals at the CFDRC and in Windham public schools. The CECE hired four literacy coaches to work closely with teachers to improve their literacy instruction and to provide workshops to Willimantic parents on supporting their children’s language and literacy development. In addition, 16 Eastern students have been trained to administer language and literacy assessments to preschoolers, and 20 students have gained experience serving as substitutes for teachers and paraprofessionals attending training.

This past fall, the CECE launched “E-clips,” a series of brief professional development videos designed to provide teachers with ideas they can implement in their own classrooms.

The videos, which can be viewed on the CECE website or downloaded from iTunes, were produced by Communication Professor Denise Matthews with the assistance of Eastern Communication students and CECE staff. “Research has shown that video can be extremely effective in certain situations, particularly when someone is watching how an expert does something,” explained Matthews. “Then they can go back, look at it, and model that in their own work.”

“We have an amazing resource at Eastern,” says DeLapp. “The facility with its technology, the collaboration of faculty and CFDRC staff, and the involvement of students enable us to do some truly remarkable work for the early childhood field.”

(For more information about the Center for Early Childhood Education, visit www.easternct.edu/cece. For more information about the Child and Family Development Resource Center, visit www.easternct.edu/cfdrc.)

Professional Development The two centers are currently collaborating on two exciting professional development projects. In August 2008, the CECE received a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the Community Partners for Early Literacy project.

Under the direction of Professors Ann Anderberg and Maureen Ruby, the three-year project provides training in language and literacy development

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Eastern Connecticut State University has been sending schoolteachers out into the world since June 1891, when the first class of 22 women graduated from Willimantic State Normal School’s two-year teacher-training program. In the past 120 years, Eastern graduates have held a variety of teaching positions in educational settings around the world — from China to the Panama Canal, from one-room schoolhouses to high-security correctional facilities, and everywhere in between.

Eastern Graduates Teach Here, There and Everywhere

By Amy Brenner-Fricke

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When Thomas Gavigan ’49 graduated from Willimantic State Teachers College, the rural one-room schoolhouse was becoming a thing of the past, with modern facilities being built across the state. Only 60 schoolhouses were still operating in 1950, including Willington Hill School in West Willington. The school, which had 20 pupils in grades one through four, is where Gavigan signed on for his first teaching job. “I started off making $2,500 per year, which was a top-level teaching salary in those days,” he said. In addition to his teaching duties, Gavigan served as janitor, nurse, cook and general handyman at the school, which boasted an iron-pot stove and outside toilet facilities without running water. A year later, the one-room schoolhouse was replaced by a “modern four-roomer,” and Gavigan moved on to a teaching position in Greenwich.

Eastern graduates with a passion to teach and travel have also found numerous opportunities in other countries. For Barbara (Fitts) Cairns ’59 and Sally (Taylor) Hohenthal ’70 M.S., employment with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) provided

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a chance to live and work overseas. The program serves the children of active-duty military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees as part of the Department of Defense Education Activity, which operates 191 schools in 14 districts located in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Cairns, who applied to DoDDS in 1967 because “it was a good time to see the world,” was assigned as a first-grade teacher at an Air Force base in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, and said the experience provided unusual challenges. “We couldn’t let the children out at recess at certain times of the year for fear they might get frostbitten. At times, because the Quonset huts where we had our classes were quite close to the runways, we had to stop teaching momentarily until after the airplanes took off due to the excessive noise!”

After a year in Labrador, Cairns headed off to a DoDDS school in Bamberg, Germany, where she met her husband, Ian, at a beer fest.

In 1971, the Cairns transferred to a school in the former Panama Canal Zone, where

Thomas Gavigan Winter 2010

At left: Jillian Robbins is in her second year of teaching conversational English, reading and writing to students in Seoul, Korea. At right: Dustin Yakoubian is working as an elementary physical education teacher at Shekou International School in Shekou, China. Below: Barbara (Fitts) Cairns served as principal of Curundu Elementary School in the former Panama Canal Zone, one of several jobs she held during a long career with the DoDDS.

they spent the next 26 years and where Cairns eventually became an elementary school principal. She still recalls the night in December 1989 when she and her husband witnessed “Operation Just Cause,” the American military invasion of Panama. She remembers crawling around on hands and knees to keep away from windows while hearing gunfire on their street. “Sometimes living and working overseas is not for the light-hearted!” said Cairns.

For Hohenthal, working overseas was a family affair.

When her husband, Eric, applied for a job as a principal with DoDDS in 1970, the entire family relocated to Okinawa, where Hohenthal worked as an elementary school teacher. “We were fortunate because we both enjoyed teaching, and to be able to travel on top of that was wonderful,” she said. During their 25 years working for the Department of Defense, the Hohenthals were also assigned to schools in Heilbronn, Germany; Atsugi, Japan; and again in Okinawa before retiring in 1995.

“The biggest differences between DoDDS and schools in the United States are the cultural ones,” said Hohenthal.

“We had culture classrooms set up for each grade, with the goal to expose the children to the local culture. We brought in events like kite flying and drums, and took field trips to shrines, temples, local villages and homes.”

Several more recent Eastern graduates have also looked overseas in search of teaching jobs. Jillian Robbins ’08 is currently in her second year of teaching English in Seoul, Korea. Shortly after graduating last May, Dustin Yakoubian ’09 was hired as a physical education teacher at Shekou International School in China.

For Robbins, who teaches conversational English, reading and writing to Korean pupils ranging in age from 4 to 16, the move abroad was the first time she had ever traveled outside the United States. “I had an irrational fear of getting lost in a country where I don’t speak the language!” she said. “But I was looking on the Internet for jobs when I graduated, and I found information about teaching abroad.

I thought about how interesting the experience would be for me. Now that I’m here, I’ve learned that I am a lot more independent than I thought myself capable of being.”

Yakoubian, on the other hand, actively pursued teaching positions in other countries. After participating in a study-abroad program in Italy, he was hooked on traveling.

He conducted his job search on websites that focus exclusively on teaching posts at English-speaking international schools. International schools, located throughout the world, cater mainly to the children of the staff of international businesses, international organizations, foreign embassies, missions or missionary programs. “My job search was similar to what in what have been in America, but I was just applying for jobs in different countries rather than in different states,” said Yakoubian, who teaches physical education to students in kindergarten through fifth grade and says that the best part of his job is the opportunity to “entrench myself in a new place and new culture for a year or two.”

Other Eastern graduates have made their mark in nontraditional educational settings closer to home. Jason Barnett, a current student who will receive an M.S. in Reading and Language Arts this May, has taught at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS) in Middletown since EASTERN

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1999. The school is the only secure residential treatment facility in the state for adjudicated male juvenile offenders. Barnett, who has synthesized the instruction he learned in his graduate education courses at Eastern to create and implement a successful reading initiative and literacy program at CJTS, said he “teaches a little bit of everything for grades eight through 12” to youths ranging in age from 11 to 16. The students, each of whom has been convicted of a crime, might remain at the facility for six months to a year or more. According to Barnett, the job is one that keeps a teacher on his toes.

Above at left: Jason Barnett, who will graduate in May with a master’s degree in reading and language arts, has been teaching at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School for more than 10 years. Above: Kevin Conover teaches Adult Basic Education and General Education Development classes to inmates at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Institute in Montville.

able to give them the extra support they need to graduate.”

Kevin Conover ’88/’96 M.S. has been teaching in Unified School District #1 since 1989. The school district, which is operated by the Connecticut Department of Correction, services approximately 3,629 inmates in 20 educational facilities associated with the department.

The facility confines both pretrial and sentenced offenders, and turnover in the classes is a perpetual source of frustration for the teachers, according to Conover. “The majority of the guys get transferred to other facilities after sentencing. When you have somebody you’ve invested your time in, somebody who seems to have found his niche and is working in a groove, who is coming to school and is motivated to succeed and is on the right track — well, it would be nice to finish what you started. But that’s not always in the cards,” he said. “You just do the best you can with the ones you have and you celebrate the successes. You try not to get too caught up with the ones you lose or the ones who give up and don’t make it.”

Conover first taught electronics and technical mathematics at Niantic Prison for Women (now York Correctional Institute) in East Lyme. In 1995 he moved to the CorriganRadgowski Correctional Institute in Montville, where he teaches in the Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Educational Development (GED) programs. “I’ve always been the guy who roots for the underdog,” he said. “I find it rewarding to work with guys who couldn’t make it on their own out on the street. It makes me feel good to be

Despite the fact that they teach in what many would consider “nontraditional” educational settings, these Eastern graduates say that in the end, it is all about the students.

All agreed that they became teachers because they wanted to make a difference — no matter where the classrooms were located. “Being a teacher provides challenges every single day,” said Barnett. “Teaching is never a boring job — you never know what you are going to get. And that is why I love it!”

“Kids arrive here at all different ability levels; we don’t get kids from September to June like you would in a traditional classroom,” he said. “I am constantly tweaking the curriculum to meet the needs of individual kids. It’s very labor intensive — as a teacher, you have to be able to adapt quickly.”

14 EASTERN

Winter 2010

Life on Campus: Now and Then

By Anne M. Pappalardo

Eastern’s alumni have always held fond memories of their years spent living on campus. However, on- campus residence halls were not always the norm at Eastern. Prior to 1921, student housing at Eastern Connecticut State University — known as Willimantic State Normal School at the time — was limited to boarding houses, typically located in Willimantic’s Hill section. In September of that year, the school’s first dormitory opened. Burr Hall remained an all-female residence hall until going coed after a renovation in 2006.

Because teaching had been primarily a profession dominated by women for much of the past century, male students continued to commute or rent locally until Beckert Hall on Valley Street was opened as the first men’s residence hall in 1959. Another option, Knight House, was available to men during the 1950s. The Knight property, which included a house and 20 acres, was purchased in the late 1940s. The house switched back and forth as a men’s and women’s residence hall over the next 10 years.

of living situations ranging from twoperson rooms to four-person suites and apartments. Amenities vary by hall but include computer and study rooms, game rooms and exercise rooms, air conditioning, kitchen facilities and laundry facilities.

High-speed Internet access and cable television are the norm.

While these modern conveniences attract today’s students, older alumni still wax nostalgic about their oncampus experiences during times that mandated restrictions that would surprise today’s students.

In a 2004 interview, Cecile Lafreniere Allen ’32 remembered, “We were not allowed to leave Burr Hall, not even to go to the library across the patio in the normal school, without signing out with the proctor in the foyer and then signing in at the library with another proctor.” For years family members were required to wait in hall lobbies or living rooms instead of going to a female student’s room to collect her or her belongings.

Curfews were strict and even trips to shops on Main Street were few in number and required an escort.

Above, at left: One of the boarding houses in the Hill section of Willimantic that served as a residence for students prior to 1921. Above, at right: Niejadlik Hall, which opened in 1998. It was named in honor of Bernice (Clark) Niejadlik, a 1930 graduate of Willimantic State Normal School. Right: During the 1950s, Burr Hall was the main dining spot on campus.

In keeping with its undergraduate liberal arts focus, Eastern now boasts 12 residence halls housing more than 2,700 students. Halls feature a range EASTERN

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Luva Mead Hoar ’42, recalled, “We were not allowed to sit down for dinner and start eating until the dean had done so. I also remember that even during those days of penny loafers, we were not allowed to wear ankle socks while we were teaching children. They told us that the children would not respect us if we did. Needless to say, we were all very pleased that we were allowed to wear them on weekends when we were permitted to go for hikes on Hosmer Mountain.”

Mead Hoar and her friend, Bernice (Bunny) Niejadlik ’30, were each honored by having residence halls named for them. Both women had been staunch supporters of higher education and were extremely active at Eastern. “I was, and still am, extremely humbled to have had Mead Hall named after me. I only wish that Bunny had lived to attend the ceremony when Niejadlik Hall was named after her,” said Mead Hoar.

Niejadlik died in 1998.

Goodwin ’69 said, “I still remember the walk from our residence, Nathan Hale, to the dining room at Burr Hall every night for dinner. We were required to dress up in skirts or dresses for dinner every night — it was such a delight to walk all the way from Main Street in full dress attire.”

Today’s students are equally effusive about their residences. “I think Eastern’s residence halls are some of the best in the CSU System if not all of Connecticut,” said Mita Lad, a senior from South Windsor who serves as the president of the Student Government Association. “I definitely recommend living on campus, because living conditions have a great impact on your academics. Living in Laurel Hall, where I have my own kitchen, cook my own meals and have my own room, helps me focus on my studying.”

So while the days of curfews and dressing for dinner are long gone, replaced by iPods and a more open campus environment, current students agree that time spent living at Eastern counts among their most cherished memories.

Even as things livened up on campus during the 1960s and some of the rules were relaxed, others were still somewhat strict. Carla (Banelli) Descending order, from top right: The Archery Club practices on the lawn of Burr Hall in 1928; students participate in the Dean’s Cup, an annual competition involving all students residing in Eastern’s 12 residence halls; Luva Mead Hoar ’42 (on left) and Bernice “Bunny” Niejadlik ’30 pose with former President David G. Carter; Constitution Hall Director Kemesha Wilmot and student office assistants Calia Cross, William Gonzalez and Caitlin Riley welcome new arrivals during Move-In Day in September 2009.

16 EASTERN

Winter 2010

Investing in Connecticut’s Future

2008-2009 DONOR REPORT

A Message from the Foundation President Dear Friends of Eastern: We have been very pleased to see the annual Honor Roll of Donors grow in number over the past several years. Once again we are humbled that our alumni, parents, friends, foundations and businesses have made Eastern students a priority through their generous philanthropy in fiscal year 2009.

An important measure of the vitality of a university is the engagement and commitment of its donor constituents. The active participation of our alumni and other donors in financially supporting the University is an indication that our graduates place a high value on their Eastern experience. The number of donors is also critically important because it is a primary measure recognized by organizations that annually rate the quality of colleges and universities. When the university receives high ratings, the value of an Eastern education is elevated for all those who hold an Eastern diploma.

Another important measure of Eastern’s value to the state of Connecticut is the fact that more than 90 percent of our graduates remain here to work and bring up their families. Most importantly, the generous contributions we receive bolster our financial standing and allow the ECSU Foundation, Inc. to help more students who have unmet financial need after they have exhausted other sources of financial aid.

Accordingly, our primary focus continues to be to increase endowed scholarships, so that we can ensure the long-term availability of funds to support students with unmet need. During the past fiscal year, as a result of the collapse of financial markets, our endowment portfolio lost value. Despite this sobering reality, thanks to the stalwart support of our dedicated donors we were able to award nearly as many scholarships to current students as we did the year before.

This was possible because a number of donors who had given generously and funded their own endowed scholarships stepped up with additional giving to make the awards possible.

The ECSU Foundation is stronger, thanks to your belief in Eastern and your heartfelt generosity. Eastern remains committed to its mission of providing access to all students with the promise of a first-rate liberal arts education. We are proud of all those who are listed in this year’s Honor Roll of Donors and equally humbled by your belief in Eastern’s mission and your ongoing support. Please know that your generosity is important and needed. We are grateful that we can count you as a friend of the University.

Sincerely,

Timothy H. Coppage, President ECSU Foundation, Inc.

Cover: Luva Mead Hoar ’42 (center) approaches the J. Eugene Smith Library along with family and friends for the start of the ECSU Foundation Donor Recognition Luncheon in October 2009.

Luva received the ECSU Foundation 2009 Donor of the Year Award. † Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

ii

Businesses, Foundations & Organizations Tower Society - Platinum Connecticut Light and Power SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. * The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Inc. United Illuminating Company * Tower Society - Diamond Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company * The Williams Family Fund Tower Society - Gold Chartwells The Cheryl Chase and Stuart Bear Family Foundation, Inc. Tower Society - Silver Barnes & Noble Coll. Bookstores, Inc. * Chester Kitchings Family Foundation * Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Inc.

Tower Society - Bronze AT&T Foundation * Bouchard Coastwise Management Corp.

Incentra NewAlliance Bank * People’s United Bank The Good News Theater Company The Sandra and Arnold Chase Family Foundation, Inc. F.R. Noble Associates Aetna Foundation Aetna Foundation Matching Gift Altrusa International, Inc. AT&T Babson Capital Management LLC Beaudoin Construction, Inc. BKM Enterprises, Inc. * Blum Shapiro Foundation, Inc. Carlson Therapy Network, PC CFM Construction Corp.

Charter Communications * Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. Commencement Flowers Connecticut Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Center Constitution Coach, Inc. * Dell Inc. Dominion Foundation Dunkin Donuts ECSU Student Government Association ExxonMobil Foundation, Inc. Fastenal Company Purchasing Hans Weiss Gallery & Studio IBM International Foundation Jain Center of Greater Hartford, Inc. KAMATICS Corporation Laz Parking Ltd. Liberty Bank Foundation M.A.L.E.S. Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Orthopaedic Sports Specialists People For Prague Progressive Sheetmetal, LLC Rizzo Corporation Sallie Mae Fund * Savings Institute Bank & Trust * Shaboo Productions SimplexGrinnell Ten Companies, Inc./The Hartford Steam Co. The Hartford The Lester & Phyllis Foster Foundation The Lyle Group, LLC Wal-Mart Foundation Windham Community Memorial Hospital Wyeth Matching Grants Plan The 1889 Society B-G Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Becker Professional Review Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts Don Morrison Inc. Fairfield County Community Foundation, Inc. Falck Eye Center, LLC. First Investors Corporation Forensic Accounting Services, LLC ING Foundation J.H. Cohn LLP

Kahan, Kerensky & Capossela, LLP Kaplan Kids World Childcare, LLC Legacy Sourcing, LLC Liberty Mutual Matthew Raynor DMD/James Raynor DDS/Louis Cano DDS New England Design, Inc. Nicola, Yester & Company PC Northeast Utilities Foundation, Inc. Northeastern University Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program * Potter’s Oil Service * RTT Development Ryan Business Systems, Inc. S/L/A/M Collaborative * Sandler & Mara, P.C. The New England Center for Children The Travelers Foundation United Technologies Corporation Verizon Wireless Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C. The President’s Circle Blarney’s Cafe Charles Pasteryak, Jr., Inc. Asphalt Paving Diamond Glass Elm Discount Package Store Entrepreneurs Pursuing Business Excellence Integrated Financial Systems, Inc. Karl Storz Endovision, Inc. Mackey’s Inc. Mountain High Resort My Sports Dreams, LLC The Metropolitan District The Signature Salon & Day Spa, LLC The Sports Bar The Walton Group Triple J. Construction, Inc. Willimantic Brewing Company * The Century Club AAA Appliance Repair, Inc. Adpap, Inc. d/b/a Friendly Pizza Apollo Restaurant and Pizza

Bentley Management Group, Inc. Berniker Decorators, Inc. Bey Sell Construction Co. of CT., LLC C. Wright Contracting Corp.

Commercial Moving Services, LLC CSU American Association of University Professors Davidson Company, Inc. Department of Commerce-Census Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP Dime Bank Eastern Connecticut State University Eastern Federal Bank ECSU Public Safety Edwards-Hunt Group LLC Emerson College Enterprise Rent-A-Car Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut Fabrizio & Fabrizio Fairfield Dairy Queen Fairfield University Farmington Valley Orthopedic Associates, PC Funaro Insurance Agency Gates GMC Grant Brothers, Inc. Graphic Group Studio Hebron Ace Hardware Hot Shots Cafe Jet Refrigeration & HVAC, LLC Killingly Intermediate School Liberty Bank Lincoln Financial Group Foundation Massachusetts School of Law Maureen Sullivan Associates Meyburd Associates Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center Nickerson Campground Northeast Utilities Old Mill Inn Para-Pharm Inc Phoenix Realty Management PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ProDirect LLC Production Equipment Company R.L. DePanfilis & Company, LLC Sartron Company Savings Bank of Rockville

Lorraine McDevitt visits with Sandra Roth ’71 during the Donor Recognition Luncheon held on campus last fall. They are the founders of the Mariaelana McDevitt Memorial Scholarship and the David M. Roth Memorial Endowed Scholarship, respectively.

Scoreboard Enterprises Shell Oil Company Shuvarna Enterprise, LLC Sumner & Sumner, Inc. Swansons Professional Baseball Instruction LLC The Berry Group The Hartford Matching Gift Center The Harvey Hubbell Foundation The PNC Foundation TJS Woodworks Underwater Construction Corporation USA Today Wachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Webster Financial Corporation Willimantic Car Wash Willington Pizza House Windham Wine and Spirits Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, Inc. Wolf ColorPrint Yankee Remodeler of New London, Inc.

Gift Levels The Tower Society

Platinum

$50,000 +

Diamond

$25,000 to 49,999

Gold

$15,000 to 24,999

Silver

$10,000 to 14,999

Bronze

$5,000 to 9,999

F. R. Noble Associates

$1,000 to 4,999

The 1889 Society

$500 to 999

The President’s Circle

$300 to 499

The Century Club

$100 to 299

Friends of Eastern

$50 to 99

Donors

$1 to 49

Friends of Eastern Advanced Prep-Coat, Inc. Air & Liquid Systems, Inc. Argonaut Management Services, Inc. Black Duck Cafe Chrisobi Soccer Academy Colgate-Palmolive Company Dell Direct Giving Campaign Henderson Global Investors J Dempsey Associates, LLC Kenneth Przybysz, LLC LMW, LLC Lockheed Martin Matching Gift Program M & R Construction and Landscaping, LLC Mullaney & Associates LLC Pocasset Machine Corporation Roberts Physical & Aquatic Therapy, LLC Skyview Realty LLC Ted’s Inc. Thames Valley Council for Community The Garden Shoppe, Inc. The Home Depot Foundation True Value Cash Home Center Walt Disney Company Foundation * Windham IGA Eastern Donor AGF Incorporated Bank of America Matching Gifts ECSU Education Club Gina Marie’s Family Restaurant K & D Enterprises MassMutual The Matching Gift Center Mercy Center Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong, LLC Technical Associates Group, Inc. The Package Store

The Shoe Smith The United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Inc. Transactions Solutions LLC Wellpoint Foundation Zorn Family Chiropractic LLC

Individual Donors TOWER SOCIETY - PLATINUM John Hicks † Joseph & Dorothy Zaring TOWER SOCIETY - GOLD Barbara Candales ‘74 TOWER SOCIETY - SILVER Teresa James ‘49 William Wilson Jr. TOWER SOCIETY - BRONZE Morton Bouchard III Frederic & Mary Lou Gahagan Luva Mead Hoar ‘42 * Daniel & Susan M’80 Leach Keith & Cynthia McFetridge Richard Smith ‘74 * Thomas Sweeney ‘83 F.R. NOBLE ASSOCIATES Jacqueline Abbott Katherine Ballis Jeffrey Baylock & Georgina Benoit ‘89 Myra Berghane Madeline Bernstein * Thomas Buckley Cameron & Dorothy ‘56 Carlyle David Carter Sr. & Sandra Holley Sheila & William Church Hope Marie Cook William Cousineau Lewis & Kimberly Crone * Kenneth DeLisa * Philomene Ducas * Ingrid Feddersen David Foster Edward Gaffney Jr. ‘69

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Francis Geissler * † David Gilbert Dennis Hannon & Joanna St. Pierre Hannon * Richard Horrigan Barry Huber & Barbara Cignotti-Huber Brian & Catherine Hull Marie Love Johnson * William ‘82 & Elizabeth ‘82 Kelly Michael Kingsley Karl Krapek Michael Lamb ‘82 Kathleen Lynch ‘78 Eugene & Georgia Mittelman Craig Musson Elsa Núñez Ann Marie Orza * Michele Orza John & Lindsay Parke Mary Rogers Ruth Rosebrooks ‘54 * Deborah Roth Sandra Roth ‘71 Daniel Sabia * Sarah Sardo Michael Scanlon Jr. ‘75 * Steven ‘86 & Dawn ‘07 Shane * William Sisco * Paul Snider ‘77 John Sweeney * Patricia Veber James Watson & Ellen Lang ‘81 * Claudia Widdiss Joyce Wong * THE 1889 SOCIETY Roger Abell ‘70 Michael Adams Craig & Lourdes Ardel * Robert Asher & Carol Williams * Adam ‘88 & Sandra ‘88 Baldinger Patricia Banach * Kenneth ‘78 & Beverly ‘79 Bedini Guy Blackburn ‘08 Tracey Boyden ‘89 Evelyn Brown ‘77 M’80 Davis ‘64 & Christine ‘65 Burton Paul Cammuso Daniel Canavan ‘97 Hunter Caron Peter ‘80 & Margaret ‘87 Caton Carmen Cid Timothy Coppage Ann Curran Peter Dane Susan Darby Walter Diaz * Mark Dressler ‘79 & Sandra Jaros ‘78 * Grace Enggas Rhona Free * Tina Fu * Jeffrey Garewski Rochelle Gimenez * Gregory Goblirsch ‘89 & Shirley Lasch-Goblirsch ‘88 Diane Holmes MJ Holowaty-Hobbes Kristin Jacobi * † Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

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Michael ‘97 & Amy ‘98 Johnson Steven Kalmin Danielle Kaminski * Patricia Kleine * Robert Kuchinsky Paul Lariviere William Leahy * Linda Lennox ‘80 Fred Loxsom * Barbara Magliola Frederick Mahoney ‘49 Steven Matthess * Denise Matthews * Mary Mattke Joseph McGann * Roger Muchnick Sr. Robert Palo Stephen Pedneault ‘89 David Perkins ‘74 Maureen & Michael Pernal * Francis Perrotti ‘51 * Rosemary Perry Russell Petrucci Raymond Jr. ‘96 & Marlene ‘95 M’99 Piche Sonia Rivera Kathleen Roan Ryan ‘00 & Carrie ‘01 Rose Anthony Ross Jr. ‘80 Walter Sabroski James Schult Dean Scinto ‘87 * Marjorie Skidmore ‘97 Scott ‘92 & Dianne M’99 Smith John & Donna Snell Michael Stenko Elizabeth Thomas ‘94 Joseph Tolisano Charles Webb * Craig Yarde Kathleen York Ralph Jr. & Ruth ‘83 M’86 Yulo * THE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Jane Arisco Neil Axel David Belles * Jennifer Bothwell ‘83 Jeffrey Bukowski Barbara Castagnaro ‘54 Richard Clarke Mary Lou DeVivo ‘60 * Christopher Dorsey ‘96 * Glenn Eigabroadt ‘82 John Fechtmann Jeannine Frink Richard Ganoe Edward Giard M’00 * Carla Goodwin ‘69 Robert Griffin * Jose Manuel Guerra Garcia Saras Jain * Donna Keys Nancy Labonne ‘02 Paul Lankarge ‘69 Barbara Liu * Margaret Martin Robert McDonald * Stanley Morytko Jr. ‘74 * Justin Murphy ‘99 Ronald ‘79 & Nancy ‘88 Ouellette Dimitrios & Sterie M’96 Pachis * Annette Papillo ‘99 Kathleen Regan-Pyne ‘79 Stanley Rybarz ‘92

Laurence Rubinow, chairman, SBM Charitable Foundation Board (center), shares a story with ECSU Foundation Board members and Eastern administrators at the Donor Recognition Luncheon in October. From left are Mary Mattke, Sandra Roth, Kenneth DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement, President Elsa Núñez, Luva Mead Hoar and Michael Scanlon.

Sharon Schmiemann Patricia Thomson K. Umesh Vig ‘01 * Saul Wendroff Brenda Whalen * John & Lucille M’72 Wisted Robert & Sandra ‘70 M’74 Wojick Charles Wynn * THE CENTURY CLUB Deborah Abate ‘75 Roger Adams Ruffo Alessandro Megan Ambrose ‘08 Jay Anderson ‘92 * Heather Andreana ‘94 Raymond Aramini Elizabeth Archer ‘46 * Marguerite Armstrong Philip Arnold Pamela Aubin M’96 Ernest Jr. & Debra ‘91 Avery * Kathleen Avery ‘77 Justin Axel Joan Ballestrini ‘57 Diane Bancroft ‘84 Diane Bardsley ‘69 Barbara Barnes Glynn Baron ‘90 Linda Barrett Daniel Barrows Michael Bartuner Kenneth Bean Rhonda Beaulieu ‘74 Jared Beazley ‘98 Stanley ‘73 & Karen ‘72 Bebyn Robert Beckius ‘92 Melissa Beers Donald Beerworth ‘61 Deborah Bellody ‘90 Wayne Benjamin ‘89 Scott Berniker ‘00 David Berube ‘84 * Scott Besade Laurel Best ‘75 William Betterini Christian Beukman

Lydia Bicocchi Russell Bilodeau Denise Bitel Cary Blocker ‘95 Lula Blocton * Glenn Blonshine ‘81 Barbara Boehme Nancy Boutot Patrick Bowman ‘88 Mark Bradley ‘91 Charlotte Braziel ‘80 Kenneth Breault Kenneth Briggs ‘03 M’06 Gary ‘74 & Paula ‘73 Brine Jeffrey Brown ‘79 Gail Bruce ‘77 Gayle Bruce ‘77 M’82 Susan Brunell Paul Bryant Robert ‘69 & Antoinette ‘70 Brzozowski Concetta Bucko ‘98 Olive Buddington ‘47 Matthew Burbine ‘02 Jacqueline Burgess ‘62 Irene Burke M’90 Nancy Burnett Marilyn Cannata Andrew Carey III ‘80 & Del Anne Carey ‘65 * Fern Carlson ‘43 * † Josef Carlson M’89 John Carney Jr. Daniel Carter ‘05 David Caruso ‘95 Jessica Cass ‘98 Gerard Cassagne Paul Ceplenski Domenic Cessario Stephen Chapman Thomas Chapman ‘72 Robert Charron Jason Cichowicz ‘03 Alex Citurs Betsy Cogliano Karen Collins * Robert ‘86 & Lisa ‘87 Constantine

Jennifer Contino ‘91 Wayne Cormier ‘92 * David Corsini Arthur Cote III ‘74 Bruce ‘72 & Judy ‘71 Cox Kenneth Crosby Walter Crosby ‘80 * George Crowley ‘73 Richard ‘52 & Lucille ‘54 Curland Carol Cyr ‘95 Donald Cyr Christopher D’Amato ‘99 Antonio D’Ambrosio Gregory D’Auria Richard D’Orsogna ‘74 Stephen Dagle ‘83 George ‘61 & Elizabeth ‘59 Dargati Sandra Davis M’92 Linda de Groot Donna Deabay Nancy DeCrescenzo Kathleen DeFranco ‘96 Philip Dei Dolori ‘81 Nicholas Delisle ‘06 Jean Derby ‘53 Robert DeRose ‘78 Alan ‘79 & Charlene ‘80 Desbonnet Christopher Desimone ‘83 Gregory Deveau ‘87 Anthony Dias William ‘62 & Rosemarie ‘67 Diffley Christopher Dodd Christian Doheny Nancy Dorchester ‘90 Lynne Dowden M’03 Sonia Dudas ‘82 Michael Dufraine Francesca Dussault ‘52 Leo Duval ‘79 Joseph Eaton Jr. ‘67 * Robert & Donna Edwards Timothy Egan ‘82 Jeffrey Eilenberger Marguerite Eliason ‘08 Andrew ‘93 & Nichola ‘92 Elston Kevin & Eileen ‘78 Emmons Wendy Ernst ‘93 Katherine Escobar Robert & Barbara Eshoo Kathleen Fabian ‘72 * Eugene Fantl June Farnsworth ‘77 * Doreen Fazo James Fedigan John Ferreira ‘86 Beth Ferri ‘88 Calvin ‘54 & Carole ‘55 Fish Shirley Fishbein ‘54 Morris ‘57 & Jean ‘57 Fishbone * Carrie Fitts ‘81 Abigail Flynn ‘55 Maureen Flynn Ann Folan M’92 Eva Folsom ‘50 Mildred Frances ‘70 Maureen Frank Evelyn Franson ‘53 * William Freeman ‘51 Heather Fried ‘01 Lauren Friedman Penny Fryer Gary Funaro Charles III M’69 & Frances Funk Michael Gable *

Gary Gamache ‘82 William & Sandra Gamzon * Brenda Garrison-Gonzalez Brian Gauthier ‘81 * David Gauthier David Gay ‘82 David Geissler * Donald Geissler * Thomas Geissler * E. William Geitner Ford Gerritt ‘73 * Cynthia Gianfrancesco ‘88 * Barbara Gilblair Kevin Gill Robert Gingerella Birgit Girshick ‘00 William Goba M’71 & Joan Russoniello Goba M’69 * John Golas Jr. Jaime Gomez Dale Goodwin ‘76 Richard Gority John ‘97 & Linda M’99 Gorman Laureen Gosselin ‘86 * Lorraine Gosselin ‘69 M’73 Louis & Wendy ‘98 Griffith Russell Gross Jr. Ann Gruenberg M’80 * Elizabeth Haarke ‘87 * Robert ‘86 & Ann ‘86 Hacker John Hale Sandra Hale Robert Handfield Jr. ‘86 Jeffrey Handler ‘91 Roslyn Haney ‘61 * Stanley Harris M’98 Henry Haynes III Paul & Ruth M’77 Heller Laura Hesterberg Susan Heyward * Richard Hill ‘73 * Kimberly Hoag Conor Hobbes Cale Holman Timothy Hoppey Joan Hutchinson ‘83 * Charles Iadaresta ‘74 M’87 * Dennis Insogna ‘98 * Barbara Jacobsen ‘70 * Khosrow Jahandarie Fatou Sallah Jallow Jane Joesten ‘85 Eric Johnson Frederick ‘78 & Cynthia ‘78 Johnson Raymond Johnson Ronald Jones George ‘82 & Susan ‘83 Jordhamo Lorna Joseph ‘74 William Juzwic ‘62 Steven Kegler Ken Kezer Mizan Khan Sandra Kiger ‘71 * Gary ‘73 & Pamela ‘89 Kinel Matthew Kingsley Lisa Kirk ‘84 Karin Kline ‘83 * Katherine Knapik ‘72 Charleen Knapp ‘77 M’85 * Thomas Koch ‘06 William Koch Jr. Laurel Kohl ‘01 Jack M’79 & Ellen Kornacki * Michael Kornfeld ‘90 Mary Kovacs

John Kuchinsky Sr. Wayne Kukucka Alice Kuzel ‘03 Jean Lacey Myles Laffey Guy LaHaie Claire Lakner Gregory Lane Kathleen Lanzalotta ‘75 Maureen LaPorte Richard Larson ‘85 Brian Lashley William Lawler ‘87 Shawn Lawton Eric Lazo-Wasem ‘79 Karen Leemon Murphy ‘76 Ernest LeFebvre David ‘92 & Mira ‘92 Leibstein Terry Lennox John ‘71 & Paulann ‘64 Lescoe Chris Lester ‘79 Louis ‘57 & Frances ‘58 Leta Betty Levey ‘52 Martin Levin Susan Linden ‘70 Kristin Link ‘89 Mary Liu ‘78 J. Thomas Lombardo ‘51 James LoMonaco * Glenn Lungarini ‘98 Albert Lussier Martin Lynch ‘98 * Kathryn Macary ‘90 Mary & Russel MacDonald Patricia Maciejewski ‘76 Jennie Macione ‘69 Pauline Magliocco ‘49

Mark Massaro ‘96 Marianthi Matsikas Kevin ‘74 & Katherine ‘74 Matsil Derrick & La Shawn ‘94 McBride William McCloskey ‘83 Roger ‘86 & Deborah ‘78 McCrackan * Doris McDuff Edward McGrath Kathleen McGrory Susan McKee ‘73 Lucy Mclaughlin John ‘88 & Susan ‘88 McNally Thomas McNally ‘80 M’85 Michael McTygue Richard Memmott Jr. ‘93 Sharon Mendes ‘04 Roy & Hilda ‘80 Merolli Nicholas Messina James Meyer ‘87 Thomas Meyer Jr. ‘06 Joan Meznar Kathleen Mills ‘88 Dorothy Mishley Duane Mitchell ‘97 Thomas & Clarice ‘92 Mitchell Spencer Montgomery Jr. Brendan Moriarty ‘75 * Jennifer Morrison ‘84 * Patricia Morrissey ‘60 David Morse Peter Mott Edwin Muenzner ‘95 * Nancy Muller M’97 Joanne Munson ‘93 Mari Muri ‘79 M’82 James Murphy Jr. Anthony Muscente

Trust Company of CT, a Division of NewAlliance Bank, was a leadership level sponsor at the annual Golf Tournament held in June at beautiful Lake of Isles Golf Course. The Trust Company of CT foursome (above) was comprised of Dave Frese, VP - new business development, Rick Davis, district manager for Kelly Services, Steve Bright, CFA and first VP, and Dr. Fred Bogin, pediatrician with St. Francis Hospital.

Anne Mahalawich ‘44 Coleman Mansfield Harry Mantzaris ‘65 * Karen Martinelli Martin Marx ‘87 Anthony Mascolo Mark & Shari Masinda

Tara Nalencz Joseph Narotsky ‘54 Lynn Nauss ‘87 * Christopher Nickerson ‘84 Ashan Nilaweera ‘92 Yaw Nsiah Kenneth Nyser ‘85

v

Rheo Brouillard, president of Savings Institute Bank and Trust and Ryan Rose, Eastern’s associate director of alumni affairs, look on as Ed Palomba, Savings Institute branch manager, prepares to hit his drive at the annual golf tournament at Lake of Isles.

Luke & Betty ‘87 O’Connor Elizabeth Obernesser ‘78 Karen Ogorzalek ‘88 Leigh Olinski ‘79 Inaki Ormaechea ‘06 James Orosz ‘91 Edward Osborn * Gayl Osuba * Paul Otto ‘73 William ‘82 & Laurie ‘80 Paetzold Frank Palermino Sr. Michael Pallein Diane Panciera ‘54 Marion Papapietro Kevin Paquin ‘98 * Thomas Parker ‘94 Joseph Parks ‘90 Judith Parmelee ‘77 Bruce Paro Edwin Parry ‘78 Margaret Pavia Charles Peacock Jean Pisciotta ‘68 Barbara Pittman ‘94 Thomas Poirier ‘76 Robert Jr. ‘86 & Lori ‘85 Polito Matthew & Lana ‘93 Pontbriant * Mary Ann Pontrelli Raymond Prifty David & Laurie ‘86 Pudlo * Lynn Pulito ‘84 Robert Rametta ‘92 Christopher Randall Barbara Rau James Raynor Theresa Reardon Elizabeth Regan ‘79 M’89 Carol Reichardt Pamela Riccio ‘87 Tamara Rich ‘69 Beverly Richards Edith Ritz M’91 Joann Robertson ‘69 † Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

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Laura Robinson ‘08 Amanda Rockwood ‘99 Roger Rodrigue ‘84 Laraine Rodriquez ‘73 M’81 * Richard Rollason-Reese John Rotchford Jr. * Robert & Karen ‘83 Roveto * Arthur Rovozzo ‘85 Norman Russell Raymond Russell Timothy Samelak ‘95 Michael ‘79 & Jane ‘79 Sangeloty Rexford Santerre ‘78 Leon Sarin & Dorothy Phillips * Richard Savage Stephen Savino ‘78 Stephen Scarangella Joanne Schirone Robert Schmidt ‘00 Diane Schneeloch Tammy Schondelmayer ‘90 Nancy Schwanda ‘69 Aaron ‘85 & Michelle ‘84 Schwartz Jeanette Seeman Ezequiel Seguro Janet Selavka ‘54 Paul Serignese David Setchim David Shaffer ‘92 Joshua Shaffer Susan Shea ‘06 Omar Jr. & Shirley ‘57 M’89 Shepard Joseph Siciliano ‘78 Marc Siciliano Kimberly Silcox Jack Sirotnik ‘77 * Barry Smith Charlotte Smith ‘87 Geoffrey ‘79 & Patricia ‘80 Smith Janet Smith * Laurens Smith ‘77 Brendan Sobolewski ‘96 Matthew Solak ‘05 Lois Southwick ‘54 Linda Soychak Patricia St. Pierre John & Marilynn ‘92 St. Onge Kenneth Stachurski

Frank Stahlinski ‘76 Kathleen Stango ‘75 Barbara Staples * Pamela J. Starr * Lorraine Stec Lisa Steubing ‘80 John Stevens Barbara Stockton ‘39 David Stoloff * Virginia Stone ‘87 M’89 Sally Storms Robert ‘63 & Judith ‘65 Strouse * Ronna Stuller ‘90 G. Elizabeth Surprenant M’54 Nathan Suver ‘97 Timothy & Virginia ‘94 Swanson * Anna Sweeney Ronald ‘09 & Lorraine ‘03 Swierbitowicz Leah Tanger Catherine Tannahill Nicholas Tempesta ‘03 Arthur Thibodeau ‘84 Susan Thibodeau Katharina Thody ‘76 Gregory Thomas ‘85 * John Thomas Arthur ‘56 & Dorothy ‘54 Thompson Mary Thompson Nancy Tinker M’05 * Margaret Toner ‘42 John Torrey Jr. ‘70 * David Trainor * Andy Tran ‘08 Kenneth M’75 & Joyce ‘76 Tremblay * Stephen ‘93 & Lisa ‘92 Trimper Peggy Turner ‘88 Frances Vaida ‘39 † Daniel Verboven ‘96 & Lauren Perrotti-Verboven ‘91 Kyle Verona * Richard Walker Genie Wallingford Richard Ward ‘85 Eleanor Waring ‘51 Norman Warrender ‘54 Matthew Watson ‘81 Lee Watts † Jay Wederstrom ‘78 Russell White ‘81 * George Whiting Carly-Gene Wickson Dwight Wildman Neil Williams Susan Wilson ‘73 Jeffrey & Mary ‘86 Withey Albert Wojtcuk ‘54 Jason Wolfradt ‘03 Norman ‘90 & Raylene ‘93 Worthington Alan & Olga Wright Rosalie Wyman Michael Yasevac M’87 David & Suzanne M’91 Yeo * Bruce ‘74 & Donna ‘69 Young * Ralph ‘51 & Dorothy ‘51 Young * David Yutzey * Thomas Zakowicz ‘06 Joseph & Emerald Zimmerman FRIENDS OF EASTERN David Abel ‘08 Chelsea Adams ‘07 Laura Alessio Trent Alexopoulos ‘70 Peter Alfieri

President’s Legacy Society The President’s Legacy Society was established to recognize and show appreciation to those individuals who have informed Eastern of their plans to provide for the University by means of a bequest, gift of life insurance, or a life income fund. Requests for anonymity are honored. The current members are as follows: Anonymous (2) Dr. Jacqueline Abbott Milton Anderson Madeline Bernstein Estate of Dorothy E. Brown Dorothy ’56 and Cameron Carlyle Mary Carnwath Dr. Fred Cazel Dr. Carmen Cid Gary Dazy Estate of Olof Erlandson Estate of Dr. Elizabeth Chappell Hansen Estate of John Church Hicks Luva Mead Hoar ’42 Jacqueline Holbrook Estate of Paul Kaplitz Deborah Kleckowski ’84 Ellen Lang ’81and James Watson, MD Elena D. Lupinacci ’42 Kathleen McLaughlin ’88 Dr. Bertram Nussbaum ’63 Lori A. Polito ’85 & Robert F. Polito, Jr. ’86 Senator Edith G. Prague ’65 Dr. Charles Prewitt Patricia Reardon, MD Mr. Aaron Rutherford Leland Stoppleworth Dr. Margaret C. Toner ’42 Estate of Elizabeth M. Wright’30 Dorothy and Joseph Zaring Estate of Captain Karl O. Zittel

For more information on how to make a gift in your will or trust and/or a life income gift, contact Kenneth J. DeLisa, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at (860) 465-5267.

Debra Amato Sharon Ambrose ‘74 David Anderson ‘81 Gale Anderson ‘73 Anita Annunziato Doreen Antonaccio Joseph Antonelli ‘03 * Mary Archambault M’99 Betsy Armitage Georgia Asselin

Marie Baer ‘86 James Baldwin ‘80 Edward Baniak Patricia Banning ‘54 † Arlene Baril ‘69 * R. Bradley Barron II Lena Barry Louis Battipaglia John Beck ‘06 Barbara Belknap M’94 Jean Bell M’86 Patricia Bennane Margaret Berthiaume ‘42 * Roseanne Bilodeau ‘70 Lore Blanchard ‘84 Luis ‘02 & Hillary ‘99 Borges Maureen Bortolot ‘67 Mary Bott Joseph Bourassa ‘95 John Bova Theresa Broadbin Benjamin Broderick Karen Broderick Patricia Brown ‘87 Raymond Brown ‘57 Edith Buck ‘55 Jason Budahazy ‘09 L. Russell ‘53 & Gertrude ‘80 † Burgess Jeffery Burks ‘83 David Burr ‘08 Sandra Byrne Raphaele Cacio ‘04 Marian Call Anita Calvo Marcia Campbell Charles & Beverly Canfield Cheryl Caouette ‘94 Matthew Carden Meghan Carden Lynn Carey Charles Carroll M’81 * Jamey ‘02 & Courtney ‘02 Carroll Marcella Carroll Jenna Castle ‘07 Howard Charbonneau ‘89 Joy Chartier Charles Chatterton Sue-Ellen Chieffalo Krystyna Chmielewski Keith Christoffers ‘96 Gladys Chudy ‘71 Clifford Clauson Julie Clement ‘85 Carolyn Coates * Robert Coldwell Kimberly Coleman James Colford Jacqueline Colgan ‘80 Cathryn Collins ‘70 Gloria Colurso Eileen Colwell ‘98 Thomas Connors ‘80 Denise Cooke Shawn Corey ‘94 M’08 Anne Costa ‘79 * Andrew Cote ‘75 Anthony Cristi ‘97 David Cummings * Debra Curran Richard Curran Roberta Czarsty ‘50 Camilla Dahl Mark ‘79 & June ‘79 Dalidowitz Wendy Daly ‘75 * Carolyn Dawkins ‘63

Lauren DeLisa ‘08 Carolynne DeLoreto Jaclyn DeMaio Cabrera ‘92 Jerome Dempsey ‘94 Janice Deskus ‘88 Marie-Pierre Diana M’88 Richard & Karen M’90 Dibala Theodore Diebolt ‘83 James Doheny Elizabeth Dominguez Lauren Doninger John Donnelly ‘85 Vicki Dougherty Diane Dowd James Doyle Jr. ‘81 * James Dufraine Elaine Dugas Shea ‘66 * Anita Dugatto-Coscia ‘79 John Dunnack * Marie Duquette ‘81 Margaret Durham ‘28 Marvin Edelman ‘52 James Elsner Mildred Engberg David Engelson ‘70 Linda Ericson Carole Erlandson Mary Evans Randy Ewart Hendrick ‘99 & Melissa ‘98 Facas Maureen Fargo Mary Fatsi ‘56 Joseph Ferron III ‘85 Gary ‘79 & Beth ‘79 Fetzer Joan Fidler ‘78 Helen Fink Barbara Fischetti Valerie Fitzpatrick William Flannery Stephen & Cynthia Fleischer Silvia Flynn Beverly Follis ‘70 Francis ‘51 & Patricia ‘51 Franz Bonnie Freeman ‘68 Marc Freeman ‘93 & Amy Sheehan ‘94 Kathy Freidenfelds Eugene Gaddis Doris Gagnon ‘70 Richard Galipeau M’01 Maria Gallo Ronald Gambrell ‘94 Nancy Garry Melissa Geissler Kathleen Gerardi Shirley Gillis M’75 Rebecca Giulietti Sean Glasgow ‘85 Shirley Glenney ‘93 Jean-Pierre Godbout Edward Goldberg Richard Greeley Suzanne Grella Wendell Grigely Jr. Doris Griscom Joanne Gyure ‘94 Loretta Haeger ‘95 David Haines Gretchen Hall James Halliday Natalie Harbeson ‘77 Nancy Harding M’90 Patricia Harkins Rex & Sue ‘87 Harkness * Diana Harlow Christine Havens ‘79

Robert ‘64 & Elizabeth ‘64 Henseler Frederick Herbert Noreen Hershelman ‘89 Elaine Hess M’89 * Tyler Hewes ‘02 Catherine Hiller ‘55 * Jeffrey Holt ‘97 James Homiski ‘72 Robert Horrocks * Delores Houle Frederick Jr. ‘87 & Virginia ‘87 Hughes Susan Hutchens ‘69 * John Insalaco Pamela Irvine Harriett Ivey ‘73 Aaron Izaryk Charles Izzo ‘92 Joan Jackson Brian Jacobson ‘07 Lorie Jakubowski ‘88 Patricia James ‘93 Mariann Jensen Angela Jimenez

Thomas Laboy ‘79 Kelly LaForest Joseph LaFrance ‘77 Lewis ‘54 & Jane ‘53 Lamb Carl ‘04 & Jill M’04 Langlais John LaPorte Beth Larkins-Strathy ‘74 * Leonard Lavallee ‘52 Richard ‘66 & Mary ‘66 Lavatori Ronald ‘76 & Julie ‘78 LaVigne Doris Lee Kevin Lemieux ‘98 Teri Lemieux Marilyn Levine ‘68 Michael Lillpopp Anthony Littizzio Sandra Long ‘73 Pamela Lothrop Arthur Lovelace Elizabeth Lowell ‘51 Stephen Lowrey ‘80 William Lugo Michael & Elizabeth Lunny

The SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. is represented by, from left, Doreen Downham, associate executive director and corporate secretary; Sheila Flanagan, executive director; and board member, Thomas Toomey at the ECSU Foundation Donor Recognition Luncheon. The SBM Foundation received the ECSU Foundation Board of Directors Donor of the Year Award for its generous support of Eastern’s early childhood education programs.

Julia Joffe Roland ‘60 & Nancy ‘69 Johndrow Constance Johnson ‘87 Hazel Johnson ‘51 Margaret Johnson Cheryl Kaake ‘80 Gregory Kane Stephen Kania ‘78 Nathan & Sarah ‘03 Kannas Karen Kilby ‘80 Barbara Kinahan Linda Kinsley Hari & Sita ‘02 M’08 Koirala * Bertram Koppisch Laurie Kosich Monique Kouassi Harold & Claire ‘67 Krause Angela Krok ‘05 Peter Krol Patricia Kucharski ‘04 Evelyn Kuck ‘39

Elena Lupinacci ‘42 Joanne Luppi ‘53 Gregory Lyon ‘81 Aileen Lyons ‘92 Mildred MacDonald Michael ‘89 & Heidi ‘89 Madow William Mahoney Jr. Rita Malenczyk Jerry ‘75 & Alice ‘75 Marchon Beth Markiewicz Clifford Marrett ‘03 Loris Masterton Torey Matthess Mabel McCarthy Mary McCarthy ‘63 Judith McChesney M’84 Laurel McCollam ‘08 Marita McComiskey ‘89 Patricia McGill ‘68 John McIsaac Alice Meisinger

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Gene Phaneuf ’59 poses with President Núñez as she presents his “Golden Diploma” as part of his 50th Class Reunion celebration in May. Gene, along with his wife Carol ’59, are leadership donors for the newly established Class of ’59 Scholarship.

Richard Menard Cynthia Merrill ‘90 Neil Mesick ‘65 Andrea Messier ‘69 Alane Messina Joel Meyers M’06 & Gail Gelburd Michael Miarecki ‘91 Phyllis Michaud ‘50 Eleanor Miller Peter Miller ‘89 Philip ‘90 & Renee ‘88 Miller Sherri Miller ‘84 Lucille Mirante Ellen Moilanen ‘43 Timothy ‘88 & Melissa ‘04 Moore Julio Morales Jr. Andree Morin ‘86 John ‘70 & Dorothy ‘73 Morrill Clare Morrison Cathy Morrow Dorothy Mrowka ‘88 David Munson ‘69 Eileen Murphy ‘73 Patricia Murphy Kathleen Murray William Nagy ‘75 M’78 Jean Newbury ‘77 Jo Ann Newmyer * † Jadwiga Newton Arlene Norman ‘44 Gerald Novick M’06 Frances Nugent Bertram Nussbaum ‘63 † Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

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Timothy O’Brien ‘94 Kenneth Otzel ‘79 Michael Pagano Arlene Pappas Liliana Parico ‘95 Diane Parker ‘63 * Christine Parks Carol Parmelee-Blancato ‘68 * Jennifer Pasieka ‘06 Karen Patterson Jacqueline Pentalow Yolanda Pereira Michael Perone Diane Petersen Ruth Phelps ‘41 Donald ‘82 & Joanne ‘76 Philips Glenn Pianka ‘86 John Piccochi Raymond Plassmann ‘50 Frank Pokorny ‘03 Norma Posocco ‘73 Karen Price ‘66 James Provera John ‘87 & Allison M’87 Prusak Kenneth Przybysz Nancy Purvis * Nelson Quinby III ‘63 Timothy Quinn ‘77 Patricia Radocy ‘71 * Sebastian & Mary M’96 Ragno Elaine Ransom Doreen Ann Rao David Rappe Philip Rapuano Michael Ratway ‘80 Scott Redman Christine Regan M’93 Scott Rhoades ‘73

Margaret Richardson ‘64 Donald Richmond ‘74 * Sandra Rijs M’89 Michael Ringbloom ‘94 Jessica Ringsted ‘88 John & Rita ‘88 Risley Diane Rizzuto William Robbins ‘86 Noreen Robinson Molly Roehl ‘05 Lyn Romano Michael Romanski ‘75 * L. Michael Romeo Jr. ‘86 Mirian Rook ‘73 M’77 * Marc ‘88 & Joy ‘87 Rosenberg Barbara Rosenthal ‘51 Marvin Ross ‘63 Ada Roth ‘54 * Marjorie Rousseau ‘51 Lisa & Henry Rubio Ruth Russian ‘42 Anita Russo Teresa Russo Jacques Saint-Phard William & Alison Salka Kenneth Sayers ‘08 Matthew Schardt M’01 Carol Schimmelpfennig Laurie Schiro Frederick Schram Jeremy Schwartz Lisa Scott ‘88 * Lois Scranton ‘80 John Shaw Jr. Nancy Shay ‘99 Susan Shumard Paul ‘73 & Deborah Simpson Kathleen Sims Gussie Sitkin ‘43 Lori Skelton ‘04 Catherine Skiba ‘79 Jean Slaney ‘68 Joyce Solomon ‘49 Gail Stafford ‘65 Megan Staples Kenneth Straus Anthony ‘53 & Marie ‘54 Strazzo Ian Sullivan ‘07 Mary Sweeney ‘54 * Janet Sweeten Andrew Taddei Jr. ‘87 Ellen Tambornini ‘62 M’89 Linda Tipping ‘90 Roland Trailor Sr. ‘61 & Colette Trailor ‘61 * Mary-Jane Traska ‘72 * Joan Tremberth Kathryn True ‘79 Jeannine Upson ‘86 Karen Van Riper Sandra Vann Sharon Vece ‘78 Steven Vendetta ‘86 Margaret Vested Nancy Vignone Michael Vollono Robert Wade ‘62 Cristine Waldron M’91 * John Walker ‘82 Mary Walker Stephen Walker Ivan Walrath M’03 Denise Walsh ‘94 Richard ‘81 & Carol ‘81 Walsh Richard ‘51 & Margaret ‘50 Waterman

Beverly Webb ‘51 Robert Jr. & Wendy Whitmore Gregory ‘79 & Cynthia ‘79 Wilby Terri Wilson ‘82 Felix Winters ‘52 Laura Wirtz Karen Wojnarowski ‘06 Barbara Yohe ‘74 Anthony Zaccaro ‘79 Mark Zurzola ‘88 EASTERN DONORS Carol Abatelli * Joan Abbey ‘80 Julie Abbiati ‘81 Erin Abrahamson ‘09 Peter Adams Gerelyn Adcock ‘04 Elaine Agard ‘09 Eileen Ahern ‘82 Stephen ‘81 & Claudia ‘81 Ahern Dorothy Aiksnoras-Vallee ‘71 Dana Albee Mark Aldo ‘09 Gabrielle Aldrich ‘83 Julie Alexander ‘90 Jean Allbee ‘74 Lorraine Allen ‘73 Scott Allshouse ‘87 Scott Almeida Mark Altier ‘78 Cynthia Altieri Kristen Altieri Linda Altieri Gary Ambukewicz ‘73 * Ann Anderberg Delia Anderson Linda Andrews Denette Anthony ‘87 Susan Antonaros Susan Antonucci Linda Appel Virgilio Arcega Jr. ‘91 Naida Arcenas ‘88 Lynn Archambault Douglas Sr. & Karen Archer Stacey Arena ‘09 Alice Armstrong ‘75 Tracey Arnold ‘89 Janet Arnone ‘73 Deborah Arvai Timothy Ashburner Elizabeth Ashe † Paul Aube ‘09 David Autencio ‘08 David Avenia Raymond Axelrod William Ayer ‘61 John Babbitt James Babiarz ‘98 Lisa Bacchiocchi Peter Bachiochi Beverly Backstrom ‘68 James Baker ‘09 Kathryn Baker ‘09 Raymond Baker Jr. Leigh Balducci Daniel Ballek ‘08 Meagan Bannell ‘09 Kathleen Bannon ‘90 Nicholas Bard ‘09 Kevin Barnett Edith Baron ‘76 Kimberly Barravecchia ‘09 Amy Barrett ‘09

Eastern Pride Society The Eastern Pride Society recognizes Eastern’s most loyal donors: those who have given for the last ten fiscal years or more. We thank you.

Roger Abell ‘70 Roger Adams Elizabeth Archer ‘46 Debra Avery ‘91 Madeline Bernstein Lula Blocton Charles Butremovic III ‘95 Charles & Beverly Canfield Keith Carlough ‘79 Fern Carlson ‘43 † Charles Carroll M’81 David Carter Sr. Chester Kitchings Family Foundation Karen Collins Anne Costa ‘79 Kimberly Crone Walter Crosby ‘80 David Cummings Annabelle Curran ‘67 Jane Denault ‘74 Jean Derby ‘53 Walter Diaz Philomene Ducas Elaine Dugas Shea ‘66 John Dunnack Kathleen Fabian ‘72 Ingrid Feddersen Evelyn Franson ‘53 Rhona Free Tina Fu Michael Gable William Gamzon Brian Gauthier ‘81 Donald Geissler David Geissler Francis Geissler † Ford Gerritt ‘73 Ann Gruenberg M’80 Elizabeth Haarke ‘87 Elsie Hale ‘44 Dennis Hannon Rex & Sue ‘87 Harkness Susan Heyward Richard Hill ‘73 Luva Mead Hoar ‘42 Robert Horrocks Kristin Jacobi Barbara Jacobsen ‘70 Saras Jain Marie Love Johnson Danielle Kaminski

Stephen & Faith Kenton Patricia Kleine Charleen Knapp ‘77 M’85 Hari & Sita ‘02 M’08 Koirala Kannangath Kutty Ellen Lang ‘81 & James Watson Beth Larkins-Strathy ‘74 Regina LaRose ‘65 John ‘71 & Paulann ‘64 Lescoe James LoMonaco Martin Lynch ‘97 Anne Mahalawich ‘44 William Marsh ‘89 James Jr. ‘75 & Janine ‘73 Masso Martin Mlyniec ‘95 Jennifer Morrison ‘84 Stanley Morytko Jr. ‘74 Mari Muri ‘79 M’82 Lynn Nauss ‘87 Dimitrios & Sterie M’96 Pachis Maureen & Michael Pernal Jeannie Pogmore M’90 Lana Pontbriant ‘93 Laurie Pudlo ‘86 Hermine Purvis ‘55 Nancy Purvis Patricia Radocy ‘71 Christine Regan M’93 Mirian Rook ‘73 M’77 Ruth Rosebrooks ‘54 Ada Roth ‘54 Leon Sarin & Dorothy Phillips Karen Scotti ‘91 Jack Sirotnik ‘77 David Stoloff Robert ‘63 & Judith ‘65 Strouse Mary Sweeney ‘54 John Sweeney Nancy Tinker M’05 John Torrey Jr. ‘70 David Trainor Kenneth M’75 & Joyce ‘76 Tremblay Charles Webb Carol Williams Margaret Wilson 45 † Lucille Wisted M’72 Joyce Wong Charles Wynn David & Suzanne M’91 Yeo Ralph Jr. & Ruth ‘83 M’86 Yulo David Yutzey

Joanne Bartmess Elizabeth Bartol ‘77 Kristine Bastura ‘09 Nicole Bates ‘09 Terri Bauman ‘74 Susan Beaudoin ‘87 Thomas Beaulieu Carrie Becker M’04 Brenda Bedford Kyle Bedini ‘09 Brian Beechinor Lori Beechinor ‘08 Jo Ann Begley Ann Behfar ‘87 Esther Beierle ‘60

Vincentia Belbruno ‘57 M’71 * John Bell Sr. ‘08 Maureen Bell Megan Benard ‘09 Marybeth Bender John Bennett Jr. ‘77 Helen Benzinger Winona Berdine ‘07 Alison Bergeron ‘09 Dolores Bergeron Joshua Bernegger ‘95 Harold Bernstein ‘80 Kristopher Bertelli ‘09 Amy Berthiaume ‘09 Natalie Bessios ‘09

Crystal Bidwell ‘09 Irmina Bieda Leo ‘78 & Ellen ‘78 Bienvenue Denise Bierly * Gloria Bigenski M’68 Richard ‘62 & Margaret ‘62 Bilda Donna Bilodeau Sarah Bilodeau ‘09 Rachel Bissonette ‘09 Thomas Blake ‘75 John Blanchette ‘93 * Andria Blanton ‘90 Steven Blethen ‘09 Margaret Blevins ‘95 Lisa Blume ‘09 Judith Boligan ‘65 Sarah Bombria ‘55 Amber Bonchuk ‘09 Charles Booth Patricia Boothroyd ‘76 Robert Borello ‘71 Dean ‘86 & Kimberly M’91 Bosse Karen Bouchard ‘79 Kathleen Bouchey Hopkins M’68 Sarah Bourbeau ‘09 Timothy Bowen M’99 Kevnesha Boyd ‘09 Teresa Brastow ‘68 Steven ‘80 & JoAnn ‘81 Breaux Meghan Breen ‘09 Amy Brenner-Fricke Natasha Brielmann ‘09 Cathy Brierley Daniel Brierley ‘09 Shelly Briscoe Terry Britner ‘09 Lora Brodeur ‘81 * Melody Brohinsky Cynthia Brokaw Sharon Bromfield ‘80 Amy Brosnan ‘09 Nancy Brouillard Beverly Brown ‘50 Dawn Brown M’92 Justin Brown ‘09 Linda Brown ‘70 Patrick ‘70 & Gail ‘68 Brown Raymond Brown ‘09 Richard Brown ‘68 Elise Browne John Bruce Maureen Bruce Andrew Bruhn ‘09 Laurie Brunsdon M’91 Carol Brusseau ‘69 Marian Bundock Diane Burke ‘83 Patricia Burns Carol Bush ‘57 Evelyn Bushkoff Kelsey Bushkoff ‘09 Brian Butler Holly Butler ‘08 Charles Butremovic III ‘95 * Lura Butt ‘80 Beverly Byron Janice Caleshu-Roth ‘97 Robert Caless Kelsey Caliento ‘09 Christopher Calvo ‘09 Donna Campanello Faith Campbell Powers ‘92 Dora Campoli Florence Capiga ‘65 Ronald Capozzi ‘73

Lynsey Card ‘09 Hector Cardona ‘99 Judith Cardona Mary Anne Carlin Keith Carlough ‘79 * Christopher Carmean ‘08 Brendan Carney ‘01 Christine Carpenter Jennifer Carpenter ‘09 Elizabeth Carter Julie Caruso Robert Casey Jr. ‘79 Donald Cashman M’67 James Cavaliere Margaret Cavaliere Paul Cavaliere Michael Cavallaro ‘09 Amy Cave Gail Ceccarelli ‘94 Grace Cedrone Jameson Chace ‘89 Leanne Chace Mary Chalupsky Colin Chamberlain ‘09 Graham Chamberlain ‘09 Roseanne Chandler Scott Chandler ‘94 Beverly Chapman ‘03 M’06 Christine Chapman ‘06 Mary Chapman Mark Chappell ‘73 Patrica Charamut Bertice Chepyha ‘83 Stuart Cherney Diane Cheslick Sarah Cheslick ‘09 Kim Chiarella Miriam Chirico Henryka Chmielewski Jerzy Chmielewski Joseph Chmielewski Cherie Chobot Lois Choquette Nooram Choudhury ‘09 Erik Christensen ‘08 Phillip Christopher ‘09 Cecilia Chrosny ‘09 Sharon Ciarlo Kathleen Claprood M’05 Amanda Clark ‘09 James ‘79 & Mary Beth ‘79 Clark Julie Clark Robin Clark Denise Cloutier Jayne Coale ‘58 Beth Coccia ‘00 Elizabeth Cocola Jennifer Cody C. William Coldwell Willie Coleman III Robert & Jill ‘06 Collins Robert Collins Edward Colon Harry Colonis ‘93 Peter Colonis M’68 Christine Comeau ‘73 Isabel Compasso ‘76 Stephanie Conforti ‘08 Louis Congemi Patricia Connor ‘84 Jennifer Conover ‘00 Anthony Conte Suzanne Conte ‘69 Allison Cook ‘08 Denise Cooley M’80

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Moira Cooney ‘09 Theresa Cooper M’96 Teresa Coperine Stephen Coppa ‘87 Daniel Coppinger ‘90 Donald Corcoran Jr. Nancy Cordes M’90 Luis & Joanne Cordon Diana Cormier ‘86 Aqualina Corn ‘93 Hector Cortes Carol Cory ‘79 Alison Costa Marianne Cote ‘71 M’78 Elizabeth Cowles Alan ‘85 & Maureen ‘94 Cox * Phyllis Craig ‘75 Constance Crawford M’84 Debra Crookston Lucy Crosbie Donna Cunningham ‘00 Dustin Curotto ‘09 Annabelle Curran ‘67 * Barbara Curran Dawn Curran Linda Curran Eileen Curtin ‘91 Courtney Cuttler ‘09 Anna Czercowy ‘08 Christian D’Ambrosio Bonnie Daigle Jordan Daigneault ‘08 Carl Dal Bon ‘75 Crystal Dame ‘09 Shelton Daniels Salem David ‘47 Arnold ‘73 & Barbara ‘74 Davis Patricia Davis ‘69 David Dawson ‘75 Renee De Pastino ‘96 Jackie DeBois Janet DeCarolis ‘63 Lisa DeFanti ‘85 M’90 Anthony Del Grego Marlene DelGallo Danielle DelGrego ‘09 Christopher DelMastro ‘93 Lori Delsole Vincent DeLuca ‘09 Sarah DeLucco ‘09 Jane Denault ‘74 * Krystle Denny ‘09 Anne Dente M’02 Susan Denz ‘75 Melissa DePaola M’06 David DeSanti ‘09 Eleanore Deschene ‘70 Cynthia Deshefy Kayla Desjardins ‘09 Molly Desjarlais ‘09 Lori Deslandes-Paz ‘88 Andrea Desrosiers ‘09 Nancy Desrosiers Dan & Linda Devlin Lucilyn Diaz Carol DiRienzo ‘09 Cristina DiSorbo ‘09 Madeline DiStasio Jody Diulio Kevin Doheny † Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

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Michael Doheny Alexandra Dominguez ‘09 Bianca Donihee Kevin ‘98 & Allison ‘98 Donnelly * Barbara Dorman M’94 Nancy Dotterer Zachary Doty ‘09 Joan Dower ‘88 Julie Dowling ‘95 Christopher Doyle ‘09 Clarissa Dozier ‘09 Dawn DuBaldo Jessica Dubois Joan Duell ‘81 Lindsey Duerr M’06 Karen Dufraine Kathryn Dufraine Sarah Dugas ‘08 Susan DuGrenier ‘73 Ann Duhamel Victoria Dundics M’82 William & Lorraine Dunn Lois Dupointe ‘85 Joann Dupre Lisa Durham-Maurer Janice Dutram ‘73 Jonathan Duvall ‘08 Christa Eadie Macpherson Eghianruwa ‘08 Richard Ehrhardt III Linda Ehrler Patricia Elliott Raymond Elliott Ellen Embardo Rachael Epstein ‘09 Laurie Ereshena ‘79 Sharon Eschrich ‘88 Carlos Escoto Jerri Eubank ‘05 Gregory Evans Melanie Evans Wendi Everton Sally-Ann Exley ‘95 Michael Eza ‘08 Brent Faherty ‘08 Gail Faherty ‘03 M’05 Kelsey Famosi Joan Fargo ‘57 David Farrell ‘09 Marie Farrell ‘09 Donald Farrington Veronica Faugno Joan Fazo Joyce Feen ‘58 Lori Ferranti ‘09 Candida Ferreira Brian Festa Irene Ficara ‘96 Gail Filippetti ‘86 Donna Fink Kelly Finlay ‘09 Nancy Fischer ‘55 * Alexander Fisher Janet Fisher Kathaleen Fisher ‘09 Melissa Fitzgerald Michael ‘70 & Tuula ‘91 Fitzgerald Frederick & Andrea Fitzner Kerri Fitzsimons ‘09 Michael Fleming ‘92 Michael Fleming II ‘09 Judith Flynn ‘72 Spencer Flynn ‘09 Mary Lou Folan Caitlin Foley ‘09

The Millstone Chemistry Department led by Lew Crone (standing 3rd from left) joins his wife Kim Crone, director of admissions (far left) and President Núñez (standing 3rd from right) at the annual Bowlathon held in March. The Millstone teams were again the top fundraisers for the event which supports scholarships for local Eastern students.

Lauren Forbes ‘09 Catherine Forgine James ‘63 & Elizabeth ‘66 Forrest Carol Foss ‘68 John Fournier ‘09 Richard Fournier ‘63 Dana Fraioli ‘09 Janice Franklin ‘09 Courtney Fraser ‘09 Scott Fraser ‘93 Jennifer Frechette ‘06 Roland Jr. ‘85 & Susan ‘98 Frechette Kelly Freitag ‘09 John Freudenstein ‘62 Peggy Fricks ‘76 Susan Fritch Patricia Fritz ‘79 Danielle Frost ‘09 James Frost Jr. ‘52 Karen Frugale Joseph Frutuoso Ronald Fuller ‘86 Michael Gadoury ‘02 Susan Gagliardi Lyn Gagne M’07 Alicia Galanto ‘09 Michael Gale ‘09 Dennis Galipeau Jr. Carly Garrett ‘95 Melissa Garrett ‘93 John Gasper Jr. ‘79 * David Gauthier ‘99 Diane Geer Paul & Marlene ‘91 Genereux Novagrami George ‘09 Stephanie George ‘08 Donna Georgescu Linda Geraghty Matthew Gerardi Michael Gerich Eric Germain Elaine Gernux Marcel Gervais ‘09 Stephanie Gilbert ‘09 Jessica Giordano ‘08 Patricia Gizinski ‘09 Elizabeth Glaude ‘72

Bonnie Godin ‘73 Gretchen Golnik ‘09 Celia Golub ‘93 Jessica Goodrich ‘81 Karen Goodwin Rosalynn Gordon ‘71 Joan Gorlach ‘76 Dorothy Grady ‘89 Meghan Grady ‘09 Chelsea Graham ‘09 Cathy Gramling M’99 Louis Grasso Rachel Gratton ‘09 Ryan Greco Eric Greenier ‘09 Tom Greenless Martha Greenwood ‘58 Heather Greiser ‘09 Stephen Grenier Elizabeth Grieder ‘09 Ann Griffin Beth Griffin Paul Griffin ‘81 Lauren Griffith Lacey Gross ‘09 Amy Grover ‘09 Beth Gruessner Stephanie Gruessner ‘09 Linda Guerard Karen Guerri Tracy Gulick ‘88 Ergys Guni ‘09 Chris Gustavel ‘09 Edward Guyer ‘87 Amanda Gyenizs ‘08 Jeanne Haas Jenna Hagist ‘09 Martina Haiderer Royal Jr. ‘70 & Kathleen ‘69 Hale June Haley ‘67 Elsie Hall ‘63 Tina Hall ‘09 Kathryn Hamilton ‘76 Kelsey Hamilton ‘09 Nikki Hammon Kathryn Hammond M’87 Sara Hanrahan ‘09

Richard Hanson ‘82 Judith Hany ‘62 Jeffrey ‘73 & Marcia ‘83 Hardell Paula Harold ‘89 Nancy Harrington ‘61 Cindy Harrison Janelle Harrison ‘09 Juliann Harrison ‘09 Carolee Hart ‘68 Irene Hartley ‘53 Timothy Hartley ‘80 Lorraine Hastings ‘07 Lawrence & Marlene Hayes Paula Hebb M’88 Barbara Heckendorf ‘46 Audrey Heidel ‘76 Sylvia Hellstrom ‘70 Donna Hendrickson Yolanda Hennigan Richard Hernandez ‘09 Emily Hernberg ‘09 Susan Herrick ‘00 Michael Hershman Meghan Hickelton ‘09 Ann Hickey Margaret Hickson ‘55 * Ann Higginbotham Daniel Higgins ‘09 Sarah Hills ‘09 Fatima Hinds ‘09 June Hnath ‘80 Tristan Hobbes ‘09 Cynthia Hodis ‘82 David Hoffman ‘70 Barbara Hogan Susan Holmes ‘07 Wayne Hoover ‘83 D. Amy Hopkins M’92 Marcia Horan ‘90 Therese Horvath ‘09 Kristie Howard ‘09 Laurie Howe Donald Hoyle Addie Hoyt ‘85 Lori Hubeny Lynn Hudak ‘09 Katherine Hughes ‘09 Kathy Hurd

Tara Hurt * Susan Husta Claire Jackson Megan Jagaczewski ‘09 Elizabeth Jalkanen ‘69 Betty James ‘57 Jean Jamieson ‘55 M’82 * Peter Janetatos James Jarboe Kerin Jaros-Dressler ‘09 Carole Jeffries ‘91 James Jennings Eileen Jensen ‘69 * Brittany Johnson ‘09 Linda Johnson Reid Johnson ‘93 Tammy Johnson Christina Jordan Katherine Jordison ‘09 Ashley Jose ‘09 Rose Joyner Christina Juber Richard & Loresa Julius Clara Juncadella ‘09 Katrina Kadyszewski ‘01 Stephen Kalos Rena Kameros ‘47 Jacqueline Kane ‘09 Philip Kane Carmelina Kanzler M’73 * Karen Karas Ruth Katten ‘57 Lewis & Shirley ‘72 Katz * Salvatrice Keating Sean Keaveny ‘09 Sean Kegler ‘09 Michael Keleher ‘80 Edward Kelley ‘95 Christopher Kellner ‘09 Joyce Kelly ‘90 Kimberly Kelly ‘09 Lee Kelly ‘95 Roxanne Kelly Debra Kendall ‘93 Kelsey Kendall ‘09 Susan Kennedy William Kennedy James Kent Jr. ‘93

Visual Arts Professor Claudia Widdiss, pictured here with her students, established the Alexander “Sandy” Taylor Scholarship this year. A highly-regarded poet, professor and publisher, Taylor’s life mission was to publish creative literature that promoted human rights and intercultural understanding.

Alicia Kern ‘09 Catherine Kerr M’00 Jennifer Keyes ‘09 Susan ‘09 & Trevor Kiddy Kris Kimbro ‘06 Carolyn King Carl Kirchner ‘08 Bridget Klebaur ‘09 Ruth Kneier M’71 * Linda Knight M’00 Ann Knipe M’65 Laura Kolar ‘09 Kimberly Kolpak ‘05 Estelle Konesni ‘34 Sara Kopacz Eleanor Koss ‘64 John Kostecki ‘08 Nicole Krassas * Judith Krochmalny Michael Kubelle ‘09 Jeanine Kuchta Jacqueline Kulhowvick Gene Kupec-Iovine ‘72 Samantha Labansky ‘09 Mark Labas ‘91 Cathleen LaBombard ‘80 Marlene Lacz Linda Lafontaine Maria LaForge ‘09 Doris Lake ‘84 Katie LaMarr ‘09 Richard Lamb Scott Lambeck ‘03 Hille Lamothe Robert Lamphere ‘09 Loren Lane Matthew Langlais Lani Langlois ‘72 Kathleen LaPlante Andrea Lapointe ‘83 Samantha Larkin ‘09 Regina LaRose ‘65 * Dayle Larson Gregory Lasota Jodi Lavoie ‘09 Lydia Lavoie ‘77 Michelle Lawlor Christine Lawrence Talia Lazaro ‘09 Amanda LeClerc ‘09 Anita Lee David Lee ‘09 LaRonya Lee ‘92 Gregory Leeser ‘09 Robert Leighton ‘96 Amanda Leonard ‘09 Karen Lepak ‘86 Danielle Letourneau ‘09 David Levanto Timothy Leveille ‘69 Paul Levesque Nicole Lewis ‘09 Sabrina Lewis ‘09 Linda Lindsay Elyse Littizzio ‘09 Weiping Liu Joseph Lobe ‘03 Nancy Lombardo M’04 Anthony Lonardelli Jr. Marie Long ‘57 Randall Loomis ‘08 Robert Loomis II ‘09 Felicia Lorenzo James Loughran ‘82 Ashley Lowe ‘09

Gift Levels The Tower Society

Platinum

$50,000 +

Diamond

$25,000 to 49,999

Gold

$15,000 to 24,999

Silver

$10,000 to 14,999

Bronze

$5,000 to 9,999

F. R. Noble Associates

$1,000 to 4,999

The 1889 Society

$500 to 999

The President’s Circle

$300 to 499

The Century Club

$100 to 299

Friends of Eastern

$50 to 99

Donors

$1 to 49

Walter Lowell Jennifer Lubszewicz ‘08 Christine Luc Paul Lupinacci Peter Lupinacci Cynthia Luty M’95 Maribel Luzunaris ‘95 Jennifer Lynch ‘93 Jennifer Lynch ‘09 Kara Lynch Sarah Lynch ‘09 Margaret Macaluso Erin MacDonnell ‘88 Donald Machado Stanley Machnik ‘84 Charles MacKenzie M’00 Darlene Mackey Brian Maglione ‘09 Nancy Mahoney ‘74 Andreina Mailhot Lindsey Malchow ‘09 Andrea Maletta ‘08 Christina Malizia ‘09 Kimberly Mancinelli Katherine Mann M’76 Abbey Manzone ‘09 Donna Maramo ‘02 Mary Maranell M’88 Natalia Marcantonio ‘09 Ronald Marciano Patrick Marcoux ‘91 Thomas Mariconda ‘76 Patricia Marino ‘78 Antonio Marrero Jose Marrero Briant Marsh M’80 William Marsh ‘89 * Jennifer Marshall ‘86 Ann Martell Daniel & Mary ‘82 Martin Eric Martin Pamela Martin ‘75 Mark Maruscsak ‘78 Michael Masterson Donna Matthews ‘75 Candace Maynard Malachi Maynard ‘09 Elizabeth Mazzola ‘49 Kimberly McAdam M’99

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Turquoise McBride ‘09 Heather McCaslin ‘92 E. Rochelle McCauley Kathleen McCrossan Kimberly McDermott ‘90 Suehellen McDougal ‘09 Lori McDougall ‘88 Mary Ann McDuff Ashley McFarland ‘09 Marcia McGee Kate McIntyre Amanda McJunkins ‘09 Robert McKay ‘79 Darlene McKinstry Brian McLaughlin ‘76 Kelly McLaughlin ‘08 Sean McLaughlin ‘09 Alice McMahon ‘58 Kelly McMenamey ‘09 Pietra McNamara ‘94 Jennifer McPhee ‘06 M’08 Shauna McSherry Marianne Meaney ‘67 Claire Meikle ‘94 Joyce Melaragno Lisa Melaragno Patricia Mellen ‘72 Laura Mello ‘95 Karen Menard Anthony Mendes ‘09 Nancy Mendonca Donna Mendyka Katrina Mercer ‘08 Jodi Merusi ‘77 Cecelia Messore ‘63 Dorothy Metz ‘49 Lewis Middleton ‘71 Maioleen Mihkel Maureen Miles ‘87 Meghan Milewski ‘95 Adrian Miller ‘09 Jillian Millette Jennifer Miner ‘09 Kayleen Misale ‘09 Kelly Misterka ‘09 Arthur Mitchell ‘62 Beth Mitchell ‘08 Erik Mitchell Martin Mlyniec ‘95 * Patricia Monnerat Tracy Monopoli Geoffrey Monsonis ‘09 Lisa Montanaro Ashley Moore Erin Moore ‘08 Lynn Moore ‘65 Judy Moran Ashley Morgan ‘09 Donna Moriarty Nancy Moriarty ‘81 M’85 Bruce Morin ‘90 Rachel Morosky ‘82 Patrick Morrell ‘87 Gloria Morrison M’93 Margaret Morrison ‘93 Marie Motes ‘89 Julie Moulin ‘09 Jean Mudgett ‘71 Alysyn Mullen ‘95 Brian Murphy ‘79 † Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

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Matthew Murphy ‘09 Shannon Murphy William ‘70 & Nancy ‘69 Muszynski Jean Myers ‘86 Judith Nachilo John ‘73 & Michele ‘71 Nahas Steven Nasso ‘09 Thomas Nasso Elizabeth Nave Rachel Neagus ‘09 Susan Neff ‘85 Christopher Nelson ‘74 Jane Nelson ‘09 Jeffrey Nelson Jonathan Nemergut ‘07 Kayla Nickerson ‘09 Rachel Ninteau ‘09 Michael Noel ‘83 Catherine Nolan Patricia Nolan ‘90 Michael Nucci Sandra Nuccio ‘63 Asa O’Brien ‘02 Samantha O’Brien ‘09 Margaret O’Connell ‘86 Heather O’Day ‘09 Heather O’Neil Deborah O’Sullivan Joseph O’Sullivan Mary Oakes ‘48 Dorita Oakley William Odackal ‘09 Rachel Opito ‘09 Maureen Opperman ‘73 * Rose Otten-Paggioli M’90 J. Roger Ouellet Holly Ouellette ‘09 Daniel Ouimet ‘66 Whitney Packer ‘09 James Pagano Jr. ‘09 Monica Page ‘09 Marta Pallein Dorothy Palmer ‘69 Richard Palmer ‘03 Valerie Palmer Michele Palulis ‘94 Michael Palumbo M. Jean Panciera Joseph Pardee Therese Parent Amy Parker ‘09 Nancy Parker ‘55 Erin Pascale Helen Pastore Padna Patel Neal Pearson ‘09 Karen Peck ‘81 Paul Pelletier ‘93 Robert Pelletier Sara Pelletier ‘09 Theresa Pelletier Marianne Pemberton ‘94 Katie Pensiero Ryan Pentsak ‘09 Kathleen Pepin ‘70 Jeremy Perron ‘09 Ronald & Sharlene Peter James Peters ‘90 Jeffrey Peters ‘09 Gregory Peterson Theresa Peterson ‘06 Janice Petit Sandy Petkus ‘71 Sandra Petrella ‘91 Rosann Petriello

Elizabeth Petruzzi Sharon Petsa M’92 Dennis Pettway Joyce Phagan ‘94 Nancy Phan ‘09 Ed Phinney Jennie Pica Felix Piersa ‘86 Ryan Pierson ‘09 Samantha Pina ‘09 Ivan Pinder ‘09 Christine Piro Mahaik Pirzada ‘09 Sandra Plaza ‘09 Jeannie Pogmore M’90 Glenice Poletti Edward Polnik

Valerie Redman Jerome Reed ‘75 Thomas ‘83 & Mary ‘83 Reynolds Pat Riccitelli ‘80 Kimberly Rich ‘09 Joann Riddell ‘54 Tammy Riley ‘85 Kenneth ‘90 & Kathleen ‘51 Ring Samuel Rios ‘09 Katherine Riotte ‘09 Janet Riquier ‘93 Ivonne Rivas ‘08 Kathy Rivera ‘09 Joyce Rivers Judy Rivers Marianna Rivers Roger Rivers

Frank Perrotti ’51, Foundation Board member and recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Service Award sits with Bill Hargreaves, president of the class of ’59, at the honoree table during the President’s Jubilee Luncheon. Frank, a long-time educator and administrator and valued Eastern volunteer joins a select group of alumni who have served on both the Alumni and the ECSU Foundation Boards. Bill worked with his class this past year to establish the new Class of ’59 Scholarship in honor of its 50th reunion.

Jo-Ann Pomo Barbara Porebska ‘08 Erika Potter Randy Poulter Andrew Powaleny ‘09 Denise Powers ‘08 Thomas Powers Richard ‘79 & Joanne ‘79 Presto Cynthia Preston Kathryn Priebe ‘91 Arnold Prince Cheryl Proctor ‘97 M’04 Nicole Proffitt ‘09 Hermine Purvis ‘55 * Meagan Puzacke ‘09 Matthew Pyne ‘09 Dacia Quandt Tracy Quinn Margaret Rackliffe M’84 Christina Radcliffe ‘09 Linda Rallo M’01 Shari Ramponi Richard Ranzinger David Raszka ‘09 Pearl Rathbun ‘99 Bernadine Rawling Mary Alice Raymond James Redman

David Robakiewicz ‘84 Emily Robakiewicz ‘88 John Robbins ‘81 Scott Roberge Darren Robert ‘92 Heidi Roberto James Roberts ‘07 M’09 Scott ‘83 & Margaret ‘82 Roberts Anne Robinson Gregory Robinson Scott Robinson ‘79 Jaclyn Rocco ‘09 Lawrence ‘76 & Deborah ‘76 Rodriguez Paulina Rodriguez ‘09 Heather Rohan Denise Roman ‘93 Judith Romano ‘63 Wendy Rondeau ‘79 Raymond Roode ‘06 Margaret Rosa ‘84 Sandra Rosado Steven Rosato ‘88 Ruth Rosiene ‘55 Barbara Ross M’00 Steven Ross ‘93 Joseph Rossi ‘91 Ina Rothenbuecher

Daniel Routhier ‘09 Kim Roy Stella Ruddley ‘30 Marcia Ruggiero Natalie Ruggiero ‘09 Andreas Ruiz-Diaz ‘99 Heather Russell ‘09 Melissa Russell ‘09 Patricia Rust ‘60 Matthew Ryan ‘09 Candice Rzeznikiewicz ‘09 Alyssa Sadowski ‘09 Alexis Safo-Agyeman ‘09 Mik Saksith Priscilla Salvatore ‘66 Robert Sampson Catherine Sampson Marshall ‘85 Doris Samson Rosita Sanabria Kimberly Sanchez ‘09 Maribel Sanchez ‘05 Amanda Sandberg ‘09 Ruth Sangree M’91 Douglas Sanna Sarah Sansom Michael Sansone Kathleen Santoro William Saunders Doreen Sauve Elizabeth Savoie Stephanie Savoie ‘09 Stephen Sawtelle ‘91 Broderick Sawyer Kevin Scanlon ‘09 Dylan Schlender ‘09 Katherine Schmitt ‘45 Steven Schneider Jason Schulte ‘92 & Brenda Mozdzierz Schulte ‘92 Scott Schultz Janet Schwabenbauer ‘09 Louis & Karen ‘91 Scotti * Robert Scutt ‘85 Scott Seaman Catherine Seaver M’07 Scott Seder ‘91 Marianne Sedgwick ‘80 Gail Seiferman ‘85 Edmond Seney ‘53 Kristie Serra Joshua Sgandurra Ashley Shattuck ‘09 Katherine Shaw ‘09 David Shepard Jennifer Sheridan ‘09 Michelle Shevin Rose Shewchak ‘42 Marilyn Shirley ‘85 Dana Shoenthal ‘09 Janet Sicilia ‘82 Carol Sielaff Sandra Sievers ‘69 Joseph ‘79 & Ellen ‘79 Silva Debra Simpson Linda Sinko Amy Sipuleski ‘91 Kenneth ‘82 & Elizabeth ‘82 Skov Faye Sleeman M’07 Carol Slicer ‘84 Jill Smachetti ‘77 Alyssa Smith ‘09 Arline Smith M’86 Ashley Smith ‘09 Doreen Smith Garth Smith ‘80

Holly Smith Jessica Smith ‘09 Nancy Smith ‘57 Sharon Smith ‘80 Bernice Smith-Hewes ‘70 Jonathan Snedeker ‘08 Amanda Snow Christine Soares ‘82 Patricia Sobieski Daniel Soda ‘09 Laurie Sorder John Sorrentino ‘09 Samantha Sosnowitz ‘09 Harrilyn Sottile ‘52 Lea Soucy ‘06 Mary Spellman ‘55 Clifford Spelman Judith Spencer M’91 Kate Spodobalski ‘06 Courtney St. Jacques ‘08 Jean Stafford-Hohler M’07 Deborah Stanizzi Mark Stanwich Darrell Stark Janet Starr Michael Stauckas Sondra Stave Karen Stearns Jeffrey Stevens Kerry Stoecker ‘09 Mary Stone ‘73 Paul Stone ‘08 Kara Stuart ‘09 Thomas Succi Richard Sulinski ‘74 Barbara Sullivan Eugene Sullivan John Sullivan ‘77 Lisa Sullivan ‘91 Mark Sullivan ‘72 Mark Sullivan MaryAlice Sullivan ‘86 Susan Sullo Michael Surber ‘94 Sharon Swaney Verna Swann M’01 Dorothy Swanson ‘57 Ruth Swift ‘64 Daniel & Kimberly M’87 Switchenko Ann Szafranski John Szymanski Shannon Tamosaitis ‘09 Jess Tanguay-Colucci ‘09 Kathleen Tanner M’90 Andrea Tardif Mary Tauro ‘74 David Tavernier ‘73 Patricia Tedford ‘91 Cathy Terrall Mary Terrance ‘82 Melinda Testori ‘07 Peter Testori ‘03 Patrice Thomas ‘02 Shirica Thomas ‘09 Brendan Tiani Erik Tilton ‘09 Nancy Tingle Wanda Tolliver ‘95 Nancy Tomasch ‘84 David Touger ‘09 Anita Towhill ‘77 Charles Trahan Ann Tremblay ‘79 Laura Trostel ‘07 Rachel Tucker ‘09

Nanette Tummers * Kailey Tuthill ‘09 Faith Twining ‘86 Elizabeth Tyrrell Nicholas Ugolik ‘06 Maureen Ulsamer ‘82 Michael Urban Thomas Urcinas Chadwick Vale ‘09 Anthony Vallombroso ‘90 M’99 Louise Varanelli Susan Varano Nelson Vasquez ‘09 Sandra Vasquez ‘09 Bruce Vaughan Jane Veit ‘82 Kathryn Veneziano Vita Veronesi Kathryn Verrastro Jonathan ‘97 & Lucia ‘97 Vervoort Anne Victorin ‘09 Ricardo Vilfranche ‘09 Virginia Viteri M’04 Cynthia Vivolo Susan Volovski ‘09 Debra Wagner ‘76 Linda Waitkus ‘95 Lorraine Waldron ‘46 Pamela Waller Maryann Wallington ‘09 Carol Walters Kimberly Walters Katarzyna Wandas Michael & Joan Warford Daniel Warren IV Pamela Warrick Robert Watson Katherine Weaver ‘88 Ryan Webber ‘09 Viola Weber ‘75 Mary Webster * Anita Weeks ‘85 Judith Welling Katharina Welti ‘78 Joan Weltner William Welz Jr. Sean Werkhoven ‘09 Mary Wescott Karl Westberg ‘93 Harold Weymouth ‘69 Nicole Wheeler ‘09 Diane Wicks ‘75 * Edward Wiezbicki ‘63 Danielle Wilby ‘09 Nicole Wilkins ‘08 Nancy Willcox Ethan Willett ‘09 Patricia Williams ‘72 Margaret Wilson ‘88 Randal Winfield Steven Wise Dawn Witham ‘09 Vickie Witham Ashley Witkoski Rosemary Witkoski Katherine Witkowski ‘79 Karen Wnek Jennifer Wolf ‘09 Jacky Woo ‘09 George Woods Tasha Woodworth ‘09 Stanley Woronik ‘76 Andrea Wright ‘84

Clayton ‘72 & Shirley M’91 Wright Trenton Wright Jr. ‘76 Norma Wu ‘65 Christian Yankov Este Yarmosh ‘09 Gail Yother ‘55 Polly Zagorski Barbara Zamagni ‘70 Julie Zander ‘79 Joanne Zarnoch ‘87 Althea Zesk Mariann Ziembroski Roger M’91 & Maryann ‘77 Zotti Paul Zukowski ‘92 Andrea Zullo ‘09 Elizabeth Zupka ‘09 Elizabeth Zurmuhlen

Scholarships Dr. Jacqueline A. Abbott Academic Achievement Cecile I. Allen Alston Memorial Altrusa International, Inc. Barnes and Noble Endowed Dr. Stanley F. Battle and Judith Rozie-Battle Hermann Beckert Music Charlotte Biederman French Studies Award Dr. Juliette P. Burstermann The Paul Burton Memorial Doris K. Brown Endowed Connie Campo Memorial Arturo and Elba Candales Memorial Endowed Dorothy N. Carlyle Endowed Chartwells Marlin S. Clark Endowed Class of 1994 Achievement Class of 2008 Endowed Class of 2009 Endowed Continuing Education The Curran Family Jarrell Cuyler and Angelica Padilla Memorial Bruno Czech Memorial John J. Delmonte, Jr. Dr. Robert W. Dolph Alf E. Dyrland Memorial Eastern Chapter SUOAF Endowed ECSU Alumni Association ECSU Foundation ECSU Foundation Community Youth ECSU Foundation Faculty/Staff ECSU Foundation Fine Arts Program Award ECSU New London High School Endowed Grace F. Enggas Neil R. Esposito Memorial Endowed Founders of Accounting Michael F. Gable Biology Student Assistantships Thomas W. Gavigan Endowed Francis E. and Dorothy M. Geissler Memorial Endowed Todd Greenberg Memorial John D. Heredia Endowed Edith, John & Chandler Hicks Family Luva Mead Hoar Endowed Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation

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Class of 2010 Gives a High5 to Eastern On February 25, the Class of 2010 launched its High5 senior gift campaign in style with a cappuccino party in the Betty Tipton Room in the Student Center. “This year, the senior committee has worked hard to plan senior events that not only celebrate the countdown to graduation, but also highlight the importance of giving back to Eastern,” said Casey Bandarra, assistant to the director of student activities and the committee’s advisor.

The High5 initiative, an affordable five-year pledge program, starts with a $5 donation. The senior gift increases each year by $5, ending with a $25 gift in year five. The Class of 2010’s High5 donations will establish an endowed scholarship for Eastern students. “The tradition of funding a scholarship as a senior gift started with the Class of 2008 and fits well within the mission of the university,” said Kenneth DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement. “As the graduating seniors from the Class of 2010 establish this scholarship in perpetuity, they not only help build their class legacy, they carry on the proud tradition of their fellow Eastern alumni — giving on an annual basis to their alma mater.”

Above: Nicole Letourneau ’10 autographs her High5 handprint after donating to the Class of 2010 Scholarship during the senior gift launch event. Her High5 will be added to the donor wall with those of her classmates, Brett Lukaszek ’10 and Rebecca Quinn Samson ’10 (pictured below).

The first-ever High5 donor wall was introduced at the launch event. As graduating seniors from the Class of 2010 make their first gift and commit to the five-year pledge program, they autograph a High5 hand print and place it on the donor wall. Seniors will have the opportunity to add their High5 hand print to the wall by pledging at senior events throughout the semester and by contributing on-line via emarketplace or at the information desk at the Student Center. “Our goal is to fill the donor wall and ultimately endow our class scholarship,” said Senior Class President Amanda Winters. “We’re going to proudly display it at Commencement exercises on May 23.”

Carleton P. and Teresa H. James Endowed Sophie L. Jenkins Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Unity Fund Paul E. Johnson, Sr. Andy Jones Visual Arts Mae K. Kaplitz Memorial Music Stephen A. Kenton Endowed Megan L. Kleczka Memorial Endowed Albert James Kline Howard S. Kniffin Endowed The Konover Endowed Dr. K. Narayan Kutty Endowed The Earle M. Lacey Ellen L. Lang Endowed Lauter-Greer-Flanzer Liberty Bank Foundation John Lombard MassMutual Mead Citizenship Award

† Deceased Donor * Donor for five or more consecutive years

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The Meehan & Daughters Real Estate and Development Endowed Bernice Clark Niejadlik Endowed Juan & Carmen Núñez Endowed NRY Dr. Ann Marie Orza Endowed Kenneth Parzych Peace Through Education Daniel Pearl Memorial David and Janet Philips Endowed The Edith and Franklin Prague Centennial The Virginia and Charles Prewitt Peace and Human Rights Studies Endowment Kathleen W. Roan Endowed Rogers Endowed Teaching David M. Roth Memorial SBM Charitable Foundation Early Childhood Education Endowed Richard A. Savage Tammy E. Schaeffer Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Entrepreneurial Creativity

The George Shafer- Frederick Noble Endowed Miriam E. Silcox Smith-Snider-Clebnik Founders of Environmental Earth Science Student Government Association Nancy K. Sulinski Elizabeth A. Thomas Endowed Betty R. Tipton Memorial Traveler’s Endowment Ann and Kenneth Tucker United Technologies Endowed Rosalie Vernon Memorial Sidney Vernon, M.D. Endowed Veterans Randy D. Walmsley, Jr. Lee B. Watts Endowed Andrée & C.R. Webb Endowed Hans Weiss Visual Arts Award Priscilla Saunders Wilcox Memorial The Windham Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Margaret S. Wilson Endowed Henry N. and Frances Z. Winiarski WTIC/Perry Ury

Yankee Gas Endowed Frances Karlyn Zittel Endowed Award

Faculty, Staff & Emeriti Donors Carol Abatelli * Jacqueline Abbott Michael Adams Claudia Ahern ‘81 Trent Alexopoulos ‘70 Ann Anderberg Susan Antonaros Craig Ardel * Lourdes Ardel * Justin Axel Peter Bachiochi Leigh Balducci Patricia Banach * Daniel Barrows John Beck ‘06 Kenneth Bedini ‘78 David Belles * Dolores Bergeron Denise Bierly * Lula Blocton *

Team members from Charter Communications, a lead sponsor of the Bowlathon each year at WilliBowl, pose with President Núñez.

Charles Booth Amy Brenner-Fricke Kenneth Briggs ‘03 M’06 Cynthia Brokaw Elise Browne Paul Bryant Lura Butt ‘80 Beverly Canfield Charles Canfield Meghan Carden David Carter Sr. Mary Chalupsky Charles Chatterton Miriam Chirico Carmen Cid Alex Citurs Carolyn Coates * Karen Collins * Gloria Colurso Hope Marie Cook Joanne Cordon Luis Cordon Elizabeth Cowles Kimberly Crone * David Cummings * Richard Curland ‘52 Ann Curran Christian D’Ambrosio Peter Dane Nancy DeCrescenzo Kathleen DeFranco ‘96 Kenneth DeLisa * Nicholas Delisle ‘06 Alan Desbonnet ‘79 Walter Diaz * Christopher Dorsey ‘96 * Philomene Ducas * John Dunnack * Lisa Durham-Maurer Jeffrey Eilenberger Ellen Embardo Grace Enggas Katherine Escobar Carlos Escoto Barbara Eshoo Jerri Eubank ‘05 Melanie Evans Wendi Everton Kathleen Fabian ‘72 * Rhona Free * Kathy Freidenfelds Lauren Friedman

Tina Fu * Michael Gable * Michael Gadoury ‘02 William Gamzon * Richard Ganoe Jeffrey Garewski Francis Geissler * † E. William Geitner Gail Gelburd Michael Gerich Eric Germain Kevin Gill Rochelle Gimenez * Jean-Pierre Godbout Jaime Gomez Dale Goodwin ‘76 Doris Griscom Ann Gruenberg M’80 * Martina Haiderer David Haines John Hale Dennis Hannon * Rex Harkness * Sue Harkness ‘87 * Ruth Heller M’77 Frederick Herbert Susan Herrick ‘00 Susan Heyward * Ann Higginbotham Cynthia Hodis ‘82 Robert Horrocks * Tara Hurt * John Insalaco Kristin Jacobi * Khosrow Jahandarie Saras Jain * Sandra Jaros ‘78 * Danielle Kaminski * Gregory Kane Karen Karas Salvatrice Keating Susan Kennedy Mizan Khan Matthew Kingsley Patricia Kleine * Laurel Kohl ‘01 Hari Koirala * Nicole Krassas * Angela Krok ‘05 Patricia Kucharski ‘04 Nancy Labonne ‘93 Guy LaHaie

Brian Lashley William Leahy * Anita Lee Terry Lennox David Levanto Martin Levin Barbara Liu * Weiping Liu James LoMonaco * Fred Loxsom * William Lugo Rita Malenczyk Antonio Marrero Eric Martin Margaret Martin Mark Masinda Shari Masinda Denise Matthews * Derrick McBride La Shawn McBride ‘94 Joseph McGann * Pietra McNamara ‘94 Roy Merolli Nicholas Messina Joan Meznar Eleanor Miller Donna Moriarty Edwin Muenzner ‘95 * Joseph Narotsky ‘54 Jo Ann Newmyer * Yaw Nsiah Elsa Núñez Heather O’Neil Inaki Ormaechea ‘06 Ann Marie Orza * Edward Osborn * Gayl Osuba * Dimitrios Pachis * Michael Palumbo Kevin Paquin ‘98 * Yolanda Pereira Michael Pernal * Lauren Perrotti-Verboven ‘91 Sharlene Peter Janice Petit Dorothy Phillips * Jo-Ann Pomo Lana Pontbriant ‘93 * Laurie Pudlo ‘86 * Nancy Purvis * Mary Ragno M’96 Carol Reichardt John Risley Darren Robert ‘92 Heidi Roberto Gregory Robinson Mary Rogers Heather Rohan Richard Rollason-Reese Sandra Rosado Ryan Rose ‘00 Kim Roy Alison Salka William Salka Rosita Sanabria Leon Sarin * Richard Savage Carol Schimmelpfennig Steven Schneider Tammy Schondelmayer ‘90 Paul Serignese Kimberly Silcox Deborah Simpson Linda Sinko William Sisco *

Scott Smith ‘92 Sharon Smith ‘80 Donna Snell * John St.Onge Pamela J. Starr * Michael Stenko David Stoloff * Mark Sullivan Timothy Swanson * Anna Sweeney John Sweeney * Daniel Switchenko Leah Tanger Catherine Tannahill Nancy Tinker M’05 * Joseph Tolisano Colette Trailor ‘61 * David Trainor * Nanette Tummers * Kathryn Veneziano Kyle Verona * K. Umesh Vig ‘01 * Daniel Warren IV Lee B. Watts † Charles Webb * Brenda Whalen * George Whiting Claudia Widdiss Carol Williams * Neil Williams Robert Wojick Joyce Wong * Alan Wright Olga Wright Charles Wynn * Christian Yankov David Yeo * Ralph Yulo Jr. *

Please note: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of donor listings. We regret any errors in the spelling of names or omissions, and we request that you notify us with corrections. Because we operate on a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30, it is possible for donors to give in consecutive calendar years and still miss a fiscal year. For example, a donor’s gift in May 2009 would be credited to FY 2008-2009. If that donor’s next gift were made in September 2010, it would be attributed to FY 2010-2011. Hence, no gift was made in FY 2009-2010, so this donor would not appear in the 2009-2010 Report of Donors.

Please contact us with any questions, concerns or corrections: Office of Institutional Advancement Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham Street Gelsi-Young Hall Willimantic, CT 06226 TEL (860) 465-5531 FAX (860) 465-4518 Thank you!

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Alumni Association Officers and Board of Directors as of December 9, 2009 PRESIDENT Daniel Canavan ‘97 Counsel Northeast Utilities Service Company Berlin, CT

Chelsea Adams ‘07 Internal Communications Specialist Hartford Public Schools Hartford, CT Kenneth Briggs ‘02 M’05 Assistant to the Director of Financial Aid Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT

VICE PRESIDENT Mark Bradley ‘90 Director, Claim Business & Account Management The Hartford Hartford, CT

Mary Lou DeVivo ‘60 Owner/President Willimantic Waste Paper Co. Willimantic, CT

SECRETARY Ellen Lang ‘81 Health and Fitness Coach Better Than Ever Mansfield Center, CT

Christopher Dorsey ‘96 Assistant Director, Admissions Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT

TREASURER Wayne Benjamin ‘89 Senior Project Manager City of Hartford Economic Development Hartford, CT

Keri Ellis ‘03 Channel Marketing Manager Honeywell Consumer Products Group Rogers, AR

DIRECTORS David Abel ‘08 Financial Services Representative Barnum Financial Group Wethersfield, CT

Kelvin Harris ‘05 Community Director, Office of Residential Life University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore, MD William Murphy ‘98 Applications Engineer MKS Instruments Andover, MA Bert Nussbaum ‘63 Student Teaching Intern Supervisor Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ Lauren Perrotti-Verboven ‘91 Operations/HR/Project Management Innovative Computer Solutions Farmington, CT Jennifer Roberts ‘97 Director of Development Care Net Pregnancy Center of NECT Storrs, CT

Maribel Sanchez ‘04 Program Advisor UConn – Educational Talent Search Program Storrs, CT Amanda Winters ‘10 Senior Class President Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT MEMBERS AT LARGE Holly Butler ‘08 Mental Health Worker CarePlus Groton, CT Kate Fortier ‘03 Writer/Virtual Assistant Lebanon, CT Paulette Haines ‘94 CEO – Consultant Creative Non-Profit Solutions, LLC Marietta, GA

The ECSU Foundation, Inc. Officers and Directors as of December 9, 2009 PRESIDENT Timothy Coppage Vice President of Housing Development Connecticut Housing Finance Authority Rocky Hill, CT

Pedro Johnson North Windham, CT

VICE PRESIDENT Michael Scanlon ‘75 Newtown, CT

Joseph Lobe ‘03 Senior Financial Analyst-Mergers & Acquisitions Mohegan Sun Uncasville, CT

SECRETARY Sandra Roth ‘71 Mansfield Center, CT TREASURER Brian Hull Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Savings Institute Bank & Trust Willimantic, CT DIRECTORS Kenneth DeLisa, Ex Officio Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Staff Liaison to the Foundation Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT Luva Mead Hoar ‘42 Brimfield, MA

Mita Lad Student Representative Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT

Mary Mattke Advisor Representative Sagemark Consulting Windsor, CT Eugene Mittelman Palm Beach, FL Justin Murphy ‘98 Attorney at Law Kahan, Kerensky & Capossela, LLP Vernon, CT Dr. Elsa Núñez, Ex Officio President Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT

Carol Pandiscia ‘89 Senior Vice President, Strategy & Technology Operations ESPN Bristol, CT Francis Perrotti ‘51 Mansfield, CT Christian Renstrom ‘93 Director of Development & Marketing The Worx Group Prospect, CT Pamela Riccio ‘87 VP, Worldwide Events Gartner, Inc. Stamford, CT Kay Roan Willimantic, CT Magdalena Rodriguez President and Chief Executive Officer Community Renewal Team, Inc. Hartford, CT Michael Romanski ‘75 Senior Vice President/ Commercial Lending Farmington Bank Farmington, CT

Dr. William Salka Faculty Representative Associate Professor of Political Science Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT Dr. Robert Spillane ‘56 Regional Education Officer for Europe U.S. Department of State Washington, DC Hans Weiss Fine Art Studio & Gallery Manchester, CT MEMBERS Roger Abell ‘70 Vice President Potter’s Oil Service North Windham, CT Roger Adams Executive Director Windham Region Chamber of Commerce Willimantic, CT Andrew Carey ‘80 South Windham, CT Walter Pawelkiewicz Windham, CT Dr. Colette Trailor ‘61 Norwich, CT

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campus news

Eastern’s Student Activities staff honored

By Emily Bonoyer ’10

Casey Bandarra, assistant to the director of the student center and student activities; junior Sarah Potrikus, a communication major from Somers; and the University’s Campus Activity Board received awards at the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) regional conference, held Nov. 12–15 at the Hartford Convention Center.

Each year, NACA recognizes staff and students in the Northeast region who have demonstrated commitment to the field of student activities on their campuses and to the NACA organization on the regional and national level.

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) was recognized for its outstanding programming efforts for the past year. Eastern’s CAB programs were voted to be among the most creative, the most diverse among institutions similar in size and the best marketed and promoted.

Bandarra received the David A. Ross New Professional Award for her contri-

butions to Eastern’s campus and for her efforts as CAB supervisor and senior class advisor. This award is given each year to someone whose efforts have greatly impacted students.

Dr.

Núñez joins the Presidents’ Trust

Potrikus received one of only five student leadership awards. This award brings with it a scholarship as well as money from the Annual Ross/Fahey Golf Tournament. Potrikus has been on CAB for two years, serves on the Senior Class Committee and the People Helping People student club, and is a member of the advanced tier of the Pathways to Leadership program, a three-tiered personal student leadership program developed as part of Eastern’s Strategic Plan. She plans to pursue a career in student affairs.

Ken Bedini, vice president of student affairs, presented the Kenneth M. Bedini Student Leadership Award, named in his honor, to Potrikus. This award is given every year to outstanding students for programming and leadership efforts on their campuses.

Members of Eastern’s Campus Activity Board, which won a National Association of Campus Activities award include, front row, from left: Brett Lukaszek,Tunde Olatinwo, Shelley Ericson, Marlana Carroll, Jessica Ruddy, Stephanie Boccanfuso, Sarah Potrikus and Meghan Mizak. Back row, from left: Joe Saad, Chris Loveland, Ben Foran, Eliza Poulos, Kevin Porter, Brian Ratte, Casey Bandarra and Jessica Lupinacci.

On November 20, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) announced that Eastern President Elsa Núñez has joined the Presidents’ Trust, a new group formed by AAC&U. Núñez and an esteemed group of 81 other college and university leaders from around the country have formed the trust to make the case for liberal education and its value in today’s world. Núñez is the only public university president in Connecticut to join the Presidents’ Trust.

“The Presidents’ Trust represents a significant body of work that my distinguished colleagues have developed over time,” said Núñez. “It reflects a new reality in our country — that a liberal education is no longer just for the elite and privileged. Today’s liberal arts colleges, both public and private, are providing access to a new generation of students that reflects the breadth of our modern society. The economic and social transformation occurring in our nation requires a citizenry that is able to adapt to change. I believe a liberal education can best provide today’s college students with those adaptive skills.”

E ASTERN

Winter 2010

17

campus news

Pride Room opens in Student Center

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Awards Eastern honored three individuals at its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards reception on Feb. 24.

For 31 years, Windham schoolteacher B. Lynn Frazier ’78 has provided instruction at the elementary, middle and high school levels while simultaneously creating and coordinating programs to assist, empower and educate at-risk students. Kim Y. Ward serves as the coordinator of Eastern’s Developmental Math Program; as director of the University’s Mathematics Achievement Center (MAC); and as an instructor and mentor in Eastern’s STEP/CAP Program. Jordan Lorrius, a senior communication major from Haiti, has taken part in student government; participated in Eastern’s “Day of Giving” and the People Helping People student club; and served as a group leader with Habitat for Humanity.

Eastern Connecticut State University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 18 for the opening of the Pride Room, a new resource room for Eastern’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Michelle Delaney, student activities and Student Center director; Kenneth Bedini, vice president for student affairs; and the student-run group AlEastern President Elsa Núñez and Jennifer lies worked with Eastern Paradis ’09 cut the ribbon to open the faculty, staff and students Pride Room. Paradis began the process of organizing the opening of the room while to create the Pride Room. she was still a student.

Committees have also created a mission statement and advisory board for the room as a first step toward developing a center for Eastern’s LGBT community.

“Help for Haiti” a night of tears, inspiration The evening of Feb. 5 was filled with emotion as students, faculty and staff, and residents from the Willimantic community and surrounding towns showed their support for the Haitian people in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that shook the island on Jan. 22. “Help for Haiti: A Night of Reflection, Inspiration and Action!” brought with it speeches, stories, tears, musical and dance performances and a silent auction. The event raised $1,000 for Haitian relief.

“This night was an example of the true essence of higher education,” said Monica Rochon ’09, event organizer and one of Eastern’s AmeriCorps VISTA Community Service Coordinators. “Collaboration, participation, engagement, reflection and action shined brightly during the event.”

Eastern’s Performing Arts Department also hosted a concert in Shafer Hall on Feb. 28 to support relief efforts in Haiti.

Maiyah Gamble-Rivers, a sophomore from Providence, RI, performed at the “Help for Haiti” event.

18 E ASTERN Winter 2010

campus news

E

At left: Jeff Benedict ’91 lectures about property rights and eminent domain. At right: Marc Freeman ’93 provides insight into cutting-edge research being done on glial cells and nerve development.

University Hour offers lectures by prominent alumni

By Jack Meltzer ’10

Jeff Benedict ’91, best-selling author and professor of advanced writing at Southern Virginia University, lectured on Nov. 4 as part of Eastern’s University Hour series. Benedict’s lecture, “The Story Behind Kelo vs. New London,” provided an account of the New London court case regarding eminent domain laws of transferring land from one private owner to another to further economic development. The case has been ongoing since 2005. Benedict’s most recent publication, “Little Pink Houses: A True Story of Defiance and Courage,” is the story behind the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in this case.

Benedict is the author of nine books, some of which have been the basis for features on “60 Minutes,” ABC News’ “20/20,” “Dateline,” HBO’s “Real Sports” and the Discovery Channel.

Marc Freeman ’93, assistant professor of neurobiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA, gave a presentation on

astern named a “Great College to Work For”

Eastern Connecticut State University has made the list of “Great Colleges to Work For,” according to a survey done for The Chronicle of Higher Education. ModernThink LLC, an independent research company, surveyed 247 colleges and universities and more than 41,000 employees at those institutions to develop its findings. The program is the second largest workplace recognition program in the country, after Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” program.

“The Fruit Fly” at Eastern on Nov. 19.

Freeman recently won a five-year Howard Hughes Early Career Award as one of the nation’s leading young scientists.

He is studying fruit fly genes to understand how the glial cells that support and protect neurons are involved in the way injured neurons behave, which could help develop potential therapies for spinal and nerve injury and neurodegenerative disease.

Freeman also receives grant funding for his research from the Christopher Reeves Spinal Cord Foundation. He said that 90 percent of the cells in the human brain are glia cells, but that less than one percent of research has been done on glia cells. According to Freeman, he uses flies for his research because “we can do in one year with a fly what would take 5-10 years with mice.” He said the greatest thing about going into work every day is that “I get to play with things.”

Freeman has been widely published in scientific journals. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern and his doctorate from Yale University.

In addition to being recognized as a “Great College to Work For,” Eastern ranked high in two of the 26 subcategories in the survey, placing in the top 10 among medium-sized colleges for “Collaborative Governance” and “Post-Retirement Benefits.”

“It is an honor to be included in ‘Great Colleges to Work For,’” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “Being recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a quality workplace in the world of higher education is very gratifying. We believe in operating as a team on our campus, and this report tells me that our faculty and staff believe the process is working.”

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campus news

E

astern community spends “An Evening with Martin and Langston”

More than a thousand people packed Geissler Gymnasium on Feb. 9 to hear movie actor Danny Glover and his friend and fellow actor Felix Justice stage “An Evening with Martin and Langston.”

Lauren Armistead

NASA awards fellowships to two Eastern students

By Emily Bonoyer ’10

The evening began with Justice’s moving portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which focused on King’s last speech in Memphis, TN, on April 3, 1968.

Justice was in full character as King, reciting sections of the famous “I Have Been to the Mountaintop” speech delivered the day before the civil rights leader was assassinated.

“There’s a little bit of Dr. King in all of us,” he said.

Glover then entered the stage to bring life to some of the legendary poet Langston Hughes’ more memorable poems, including Hughes’ first poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” as well as “The Weary Blues” and “Let America be America Again.” During the question-and-answer session, Glover expressed his support for arts education by recalling a conversation with his friend and fellow actor Ossie Davis, who said that “art will save us from the machines.”

The performance concluded Eastern’s 2009–10 Arts and Lecture Series, which also included presentations by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney and Cromwell Crawford, author and professor of religion.

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Eastern students Lauren Armistead, a sophomore from Lisbon majoring in business administration, and Connor Morrison, a junior from Coventry with an individualized major, have been awarded undergraduate fellowships from the Connecticut Space Grant College Consortium (CSGCC), a member of the NASA-funded national Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. CSGCC promotes and supports aeronautic- and space-related research in Connecticut.

capacitors have the potential to replace batteries as the main storage device used in renewable energy applications.

Armistead and Morrison, working under the supervision of Smirnova, are conducting their research in the new environmental earth science research facilities in Eastern’s Science Building.

The results of both projects will be presented at the School of Arts and Science’s Research and Exhibition Conference in March 2010 and at the Materials Research Society national meeting in Boston later this spring.

The two students are conducting their research under the guidance of Professor Alevtina Smirnova, who teaches sustainable energy science in the Environmental Earth Sciences Department.

Smirnova is a leading research scientist in a rapidly developing field that uses nanotechnology to develop fuel cells, solar cells and high-density storage devices.

Armistead is using her fellowship to develop miniature fuel cell components from ceramic materials. Fuel cells convert fuels such as hydrogen, methane hydrates and natural gas directly to electricity with high efficiency. Morrison will synthesize new aerogels that will be used to make super-capacitors. Capacitors store electric energy, and super-

Connor Morrison

campus news

Freshmen teach civics at Sweeney Elementary School First-year students enrolled in Political Science Professor Nicole Krassas’ “Introduction to American Government and Politics” course last fall got the chance to make a little history. The students taught civics lessons to third- and fourth-grade pupils at W.B. Sweeney Elementary School in Willimantic as part of a service learning project arranged through Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement.

The Eastern students prepared the curriculum and taught the lessons, incorporating movies, PowerPoint presentations, worksheets and reading assignments into the classwork. The Sweeney pupils learned the basic functions of the United States government, including the branches of government and the processes by which laws are created.

Professor Nicole Krassas (left) with Eastern freshmen Justin Mazzucco, Ashley Frank and Amanda Barney.

Economic professors conduct impact study for CL&P

that CL&P has more multidimensional economic impacts on the state’s citizens and businesses than any other Connecticut-based company.

Economics Professor Dimitrios Pachis and Assistant Professor Jennifer Brown recently collaborated on a report that studied Connecticut Light & Power Co.’s impact on the state’s economy.

The 28-page study employed an analytical approach to estimate benefits such as economic output, income, jobs and other short- and long-term effects.

“We collected data and information on investments, revenue, economic data and reports and examined the impacts of on-going investments that CL&P makes in the state,” said Pachis.

Added Brown, “We wanted to find out the value of what was produced in

Brown, who joined the faculty in 2006, has an expertise in energy and the environment; Pachis, a member of the Economics Department for 32 years, has also conducted economic impact studies in conjunction with Eastern’s Institute for Sustainable Energy.

Connecticut — do those investments provide well-paying jobs and how much of that spending stays in the state?”

According to the study, CL&P makes annual investments that generate thousands of jobs statewide. It concluded

CL&P, a unit of Northeast Utilities, funded the study. The study received wide circulation among news media across the country, appearing in publications from New England to California and Washington, DC. The full report is available at www.cl-p.com.

“As You Like It” staged in Harry Hope Theatre Eastern’s Theatre Department performed Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” from Nov. 3-8 in the Harry Hope Theatre. Directed by Jerry Winters, part-time professor of theatre, the popular play shows the collision between the worlds of the medieval court and countryside as it explores the themes of love, betrayal and human follies. Eastern’s production gave Shakespeare’s plot a modern twist by replacing the original Elizabethan aristocracy with the media empire of Duke Frederick, and provided court entertainment in the form of recorded and live video, which senior Kara Williams produced with the help of Communication Professor Denise Matthews.

Laura Cuffe ’12 and Nick Perry ’11

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philanthropy

It was a full crowd for dinner in Hurley Hall on Nov. 25 as Eastern hosted the third annual Day of Giving event.

Eastern sets the table for third annual Day of Giving Approximately 400 local Willimantic residents enjoyed a special meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and various desserts at Eastern’s third annual Day of Giving on Nov. 25.

Students, faculty and staff volunteers served the meal in Eastern’s Hurley Hall, with food donated by Chartwells Food Services, local grocery stores and the ECSU Foundation, Inc. In addition to a Thanksgiving repast for community residents who might otherwise not have had a holiday meal, Eastern students led a month-long canned good drive for local food pantries.

“The Day of Giving is such a dynamic project because it brings so many people together for one common goal. The Eastern campus community comes together to put on the actual event, to collect food in the residence halls and to go out to the stores on the weekends and collect food,” said Amy Gorman.

Gorman, a junior from Cromwell, is chair of the Day of Giving Planning Committee and president of the student

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club People Helping People (PHP).

“The community makes this event possible by generously donating food at the stores for the local food pantries.”

“Our Day of Giving is one of the most important community events at Eastern,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez.

“Part of our students’ educational experience is for them to work on initiatives that focus on giving back to the community, and this event is a special opportunity for them to do that.”

The Day of Giving was created in 2007

by Jason Budahazy ’09, who hoped to see the project become an annual event.

With the counsel and support of the Office of Institutional Advancement, Budahazy’s original idea of hosting a meal for Willimantic’s less fortunate has become an annual community-wide food drive for local pantries and soup kitchens and a Thanksgiving feast enjoyed by hundreds of grateful local residents. Gorman led this year’s event with volunteers from PHP and other student clubs and organizations, including

the Student Government Association, Habitat for Humanity, the Competitive Cheerleading Squad and others.

For five weekends before Thanksgiving, the Day of Giving Committee worked with local stores, Eastern’s Offices of Community Service and Institutional Advancement, the Center for Community Engagement, and the Office of Housing and Residential Life in collecting more than 12,000 nonperishable food items. The food was donated to the Northeast Food Collaborative, which includes the Covenant Soup Kitchen, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and Access Agency.

Local businesses and Eastern offices that donated food or offered assistance included Wal-Mart, Shaw’s Supermarket, Bob’s Windham IGA, the Willimantic Food Co-Op, Willimantic Housing Authority, Fowler Produce, New England Linen, WILI Radio, Chartwell’s Dining Services, Eastern’s Office of Institutional Advancement and the Office of Housing and Residential Life.

philanthropy

“Body Armor” challenge benefits scholarship for veterans As a part of the University’s observation of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Eastern’s Veterans Center hosted the first-ever “Veterans Day Challenge.”

The challenge was a team event composed of two dominant workouts involving nothing more than each competitor’s own body weight. It was run in honor of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, United States Navy (SEAL), of Patchogue, NY, who was killed in Afghanistan by enemy forces in 2005. Murphy trained using a similar exercise, which he called his “body armor challenge” because he wore body armor weighing approximately 20 pounds during the entire workout.

veterans have served our country, and how we can continue to give back to the community at large,” said Diebolt. “It is also very encouraging to see the community contribute to our veterans’ scholarship.”

All proceeds raised from the event were used to benefit the newly established Eastern Veterans Scholarship Fund, which will assist current students who have served in the military when it is fully endowed.

The challenge was also part of the University’s Dean’s Cup competition among residence halls, an academic-and servicerelated event that promotes spirit and collaboration among students living in the residence halls on campus.

The scholarship and the event were spearheaded by senior sociology major Caleb Diebolt, a U.S. Navy veteran who completed deployments in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. “The event was a positive reminder about how our

Persons interested in contributing to Eastern’s Veterans Scholarship should contact Joseph McGann, director of institutional advancement, at (860) 465-4514 or mcgannj@easternct.edu. she was a mentor, a role model and a very special friend who I will miss greatly. She was the consummate chair: professional, efficient and astute, yet with personal warmth that made it a pleasure to work in our department.”

A significant endowed scholarship has been established by Watts’ husband, Steve, an emeritus professor of political science at UConn, to recognize her love for Eastern and her tremendous admiration for the many colleagues in the department.

New scholarship named for Professor Lee Watts LeClaire (Lee) B. Watts of Storrs, one of the most respected and beloved professors in Eastern’s history, died on Dec. 25, 2009, in Mansfield. Watts taught Spanish and Spanish Literature at Eastern after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut in 1968. She eventually created Eastern’s Modern Language Department and chaired it for many years.

“Lee was a visionary with the discipline and spirit to captivate and motivate students to aspire to their potential,” said Professor Emerita Sonia Cintron-Marrero, Watts’ long-time colleague. “She instilled a love for Spanish and encouraged her students to belong to professional organizations. To me,

“Lee truly had a passion for teaching, and for interacting with young people,” he said. “This was an easy gift for me to make knowing how much Eastern meant to her. Her goal in life was to inspire young people to pursue the study of language and this endowed scholarship not only recognizes and honors her but also provides financial support for deserving students who have a keen interest in Spanish. It is certainly a legacy that would make Lee very happy.”

Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship in memory of Professor Watts should contact Kyle Verona in Eastern’s Development Office at (860) 465-0003 or veronak@easternct.edu.

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athletics

Eastern coaches and alumni achieve wins, honors and awards Jody Rogers Butera ’93…

Named AVCA Division II National Coach-of-theYear in women’s volleyball.

Now in her 13th season as head volleyball coach at Indianapolis University, the former Eastern volleyball standout led the Greyhounds to an overall record of 38-2 this past fall and into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II tournament. Butera has compiled a record of 324-155 for a .675 winning percentage at Indianapolis, which is her first head college coaching position. While at Eastern, Butera helped the Warriors to two ECAC tournament berths and an overall record of 68-21.

Denise Bierly…

Won her 300th game as Eastern’s head women’s basketball coach.

On Dec. 5, Bierly won her 300th game as a collegiate head coach — all at Eastern — when the Warriors defeated Rhode Island College, 59-55, in a Little East Conference game at Geissler Gymnasium. Bierly became the 12th active Division III coach in New England to

achieve 300 victories. At the time of her 300th victory, the Ohio native had lost only 121 games for a winning percentage of .713.

Bierly’s first, 100th, 200th and 300th victories all came at Geissler Gym. “The players are the ones who win games, the coaches just kind of guide them along,” said Bierly. “I think my relationship with my players has been the key to our success, because I think that they know it’s not just about basketball. I’ve always tried to make clear to my players that we’re all in this together.”

In 21 years as head coach at the college and high school levels, D’Ambrosio has compiled a record of 227-124-41 for a .631 winning percentage.

Rick McCarthy…

Inducted into the Connecticut Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame.

A 2008 Eastern E-Club Hall of Fame inductee, McCarthy was enshrined in the Connecticut Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame during Jan. 10 ceremonies on the campus of Yale University. McCarthy, who has played and coached at the high school, college and club levels for 50 years, was one of seven individuals inducted.

A 1968 graduate of Yale, McCarthy is a Marblehead, MA, native and Stonington resident who served as head Helping Chris D’Ambrosio celebrate his induction men’s lacrosse coach at Babson College, into the CGSCA Hall of Fame were Joe Erardi Eastern and Western Connecticut State (left) and Beth Regan (right) -- two of the three University for 13 years. He is now in previous coaches in Eastern’s women’s soccer program. Regan, the program founder who coached his fifth year as an assistant coach at through the first six years, serves as chairman of Wesleyan University. the NSCAA Region I All-America Committee, while Erardi was a founding member of the CGSCA and past president.

Chris D’Ambrosio…

Inducted into the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association (CGSCA) Hall of Fame.

A winner of more than 100 matches as a head women’s soccer coach on both the high school and collegiate levels, D’Ambrosio was honored during CGSCA Hall of Fame ceremonies on Jan. 10. D’Ambrosio is the winningest Pictured with head women’s basketball coach Denise head coach in the 24-year history of the Bierly on the occasion of her 300th career win were Eastern program, having compiled a (from left) assistant coach Tiffany Kelver, co-captain Jessica Moriarty, Bierly, co-captain Brittany Whiteley 119-60-16 record (.651) over the last 10 years. In an 11-year span as head coach and associate head coach Stan Harris.

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at Coventry High School between 1987 and 1997, D’Ambrosio was 108-64-25 (.612).

McCarthy led the Eastern program to a 91-19 record and 11 conference regularseason and playoff championships.

Joining Rick McCarthy (center) at his induction into the Connecticut Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame were four of his former players. From left: Christopher Strycharz ’04, Ryan Cavanaugh ’02, Thierry Francois ’00 and Ryan Rose ’00.

athletics Maureen Fahey…

Won her 100th dual meet as the only coach in the 14-year history of Eastern’s women’s swimming program.

Maureen Fahey receives congratulations from well-wishers after recording her 100th dual meet victory.

Five different Eastern swimmers captured one event to help lift the Warriors to a victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Dec. 2 at the Sports Center pool and provide Fahey with her 100th dual meet win in her 14-year coaching career.

S

occer players net academic honors

Two members of the Eastern Connecticut State University men’s soccer program were recognized recently for their academic accomplishments by the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA).

The only head coach in program history, Fahey had led the Warriors to 10 consecutive winning seasons heading into the current season. She had lost 65 and tied two for a winning percentage of .605. Fahey reached the milestone with the program’s largest senior class. Twenty-seven of the 100 victories came in the last four years with her seniors, five of whom are four-year members of the program.

Fantl

Bourdeau

Senior forward Maxim Fantl of West Hartford has been selected first-team All-America and senior midfielder Chris Bourdeau of Thompson garnered honors as honorable mention all-region as part of the 2009 NSCAA/adidas Men’s College Scholar All-America program.

Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award Stephanie Norell, a junior from Stratford, and Brittany Whiteley, a junior from Windsor Locks, were honored with the Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award during a ceremony held immediately following the women’s basketball game on Feb. 13. The Zimmerman Award is presented annually in memory of Holly Zimmerman, an Eastern athlete and physical education major who died in 1993.

The award recognizes significant academic, athletic and community achievements and outstanding personal attributes. Celebrating at the award ceremony are, from left: Kathleen and Richard Norell, Stephanie’s parents; Stephanie Norell; Brittany Whiteley; committee chairman David Yeo; and Charles Whiteley and Debbie Gifford, Brittany’s parents.

Vasil named to pre-season men’s lacrosse All-America team Eastern junior faceoff specialist Eric Vasil of Southington was named to the 2010 Face-Off Yearbook pre-season Division III All-America honorable mention men’s lacrosse team.

Vasil was one of eight faceoff specialists named to the 90-man pre-season All-America team. He was one of three faceoff specialists from New England institutions and the only pre-season All-America selection at any position from a Little East Conference institution.

A physical education major with an overall 3.62 GPA, Fantl was one of only 22 players chosen to the College Division All-America team and was one of 11 first-team All-East Region selections. A physical education major with an overall 3.69 GPA, Bourdeau was among 106 College Division selections from the East Region, which was composed of Division II and III institutions located from Maine to Virginia and as far west as Ohio.

Candidates needed to have attained junior academic status, to have at least a cumulative 3.30 GPA, be a starter in more than half of their games and be a significant contributor.

First-year transfers were not eligible.

Fantl was also recognized for his academic accomplishments as a second-team selection to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine College Division All-District I Team.

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athletics

Eastern’s student-athletes: Champions on the field and in the classroom Student-athletes at Eastern Connecticut State University have a reputation as champions. They have won nine national championships: five in softball and four in baseball. Over the past five years, nine teams have qualified for national championship tournaments: four in baseball, women’s basketball and women’s lacrosse; three in women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse and men’s track and field; two in women’s soccer; and one in men’s soccer. In the past five years, 13 student-athletes have earned All-American Player of the Year honors.

Student-athletes succeed academically as well. “One of our goals is to make sure our student-athletes succeed academically as well as athletically, which is part of our University mission,” said Joyce Wong, Eastern’s director of athletics.

“We develop an understanding of what it is going to take to succeed by stating our priorities. We attract good students to begin with, and we encourage them to become good citizens.”

Many of the 360 athletes who participate in Eastern’s 17 intercollegiate teams do well in the classroom. More than 35 percent of Eastern’s student-athletes are on the Little East Conference honor roll — the largest percentage in the conference. Just this past fall, 25 Eastern student-athletes in fall competition earned spots on the 2009 Little East Conference All-Academic Team, which recognizes student-athletes who have attained sophomore academic status or higher and who have compiled an overall grade-point average of at least 3.30 through last spring.

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By Kate Harner ’12

Earning spots on the team were seniors Sam Buczek of Milford, David Tignonsini of Vernon, Kim Church of Farmington, Sarah Swann of Oxford, Maxim Fantl of West Hartford, Alexis Cavanaugh of Cheshire, Chris Bourdeau of Thompson and Ashley Tuggle of South Windsor; juniors Ken Landry of East Hampton, Amanda Ericson of Bolton, Ashlee James of Franklin, Becky Knapp of Naugatuck, Rachel Cocola of South Windsor, Stephanie Norell of Stratford, Lauren Hickey of Southwick, MA, and Christina Schirone of Pelham, NY; and sophomores Ryan Hughes of Cheshire, Bryan Jorge of Bristol, Taylor Abelli of Cheshire, Kristianna Ibsen of Shelton, Lauren Greeney of Bethel, Sam Konopka of Hebron, Jo-Ann Merheb of Bethel, Katelyn Vaughan of Hamden and Carl Appel of West Windsor, NJ. For the coaches, academic success starts before the school year begins. “I stress academics starting in the recruiting process.

I tell them that they are here for a quality education first and foremost,” said Diana Pepin, head softball coach and aquatics director. “If someone is struggling, I will devise a contract for her to succeed, which may include tutoring, having study hall hours and setting goals to achieve a certain GPA. I also guide them to the resources available on campus.”

Men’s lacrosse coach Justin Axel agrees. Axel holds weekly meetings with freshmen, transfer students and at-risk students during their first year on the team. He also meets biweekly with any players who seek extra help. During these meetings, Axel and his student-athletes review their syllabi and tests,

athletics

prepare for upcoming papers and visit the Academic Services Center. Axel encourages the players to manage their time efficiently so that they can balance schoolwork and playing time. “I want them to be proactive instead of reactive,” said Axel. “My rule of thumb is that each student-athlete should spend three hours for every credit hour. If they are taking five courses, then they should spend 45 hours on their schoolwork each week.”

The athletic department also offers programs that encourage academic success among Eastern’s student-athletes. Janice Patry, assistant athletic director for student development, has created the program “Letting Each Athlete Reach NewHeights” (LEARN), based on the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program.

“LEARN emphasizes the five areas of academics, athletics, career growth, personal development and service,” said Patry.

“It utilizes resources on campus, such as the Office of AccessAbility, the Academic Services Center, the Office of Wellness and Promotion and more. We constantly tell our studentathletes about these resources so that they can take advantage of them.”

The program provides workshops at the introductory level, such as “How to Succeed in Math and Science Classes,” presented by Sonia Mihok, learning specialist at tutoring services; “Balance is the Key to Success,” presented by Pepin; and “Syllabi Savvy,” presented by Patry. Workshops are also offered at an advanced level, such as Judicial Officer Angelo Simoni’s “What is Academic Misconduct?” and Director

of Career Services Nancy DeCrescenzo’s “Graduate School Prep.” Each workshop consists of no more than 40 students so that it can be interactive and informative.

Student-athletes agree that individual responsibility and the support of their community contribute to a successful academic career. “One thing Eastern does more than any other school I’ve been to is create a family-like atmosphere,” said Little East Conference All-Academic Fall and Winter team member and Miriam Silcox Scholarship recipient Lauren Hickey, who plays on the women’s soccer and basketball teams. “Everyone is supportive and it’s an institution where you are not only allowed to, but encouraged to involve yourself in different activities. I’ve found that as long as you love what you’re doing and you can prioritize your time in order to do it, then it all works out really well.”

“My success in the classroom comes from taking my academics just as seriously as I take my athletics,” said senior Maxim Fantl, co-captain of the men’s soccer team and midfielder on the men’s lacrosse team, who was selected to the first team of the 2009 National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America/ adidas Men’s College Scholar All-America program. “Playing two sports here at Eastern forces me to manage my time appropriately to make my sure my work is done — and done well.”

Top from left to right: Jo-Ann Merheb of Bethel; Bryan Jorge of Bristol; David Tignonsini of Vernon; Chris Bourdeau of Thompson;Taylor Abelli of Cheshire; and Rachel Cocola of South Windsor.

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class notes

’48

Ernest Dickson was featured on the Westerly Sun’s website on Nov. 30, 2009. The article told of his time as principal of West Broad Street School in Pawcatuck and the 30 years he spent leading Stonington schools.

Ernest and Kay, his wife of 65 years, live part of the year in Westerly, RI, and the rest of the year in Punta Gorda, FL. They have two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

’54

Ruth Rosebrooks was recently honored by the Red Cross for her 55 years of volunteer service. Ruth started her volunteer work with a group of friends while attending Eastern in 1954. When asked about why she was so involved Ruth said, “I felt that it was a very worthy cause. Blood supplies are always needed.”

’58

Geraldine Joyce Murphy writes that she is “still in awe” of her 50th Class Reunion: “It was a class act and we were treated like royalty!”

ballroom dance competitions throughout New England and also in Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Missouri. She has won numerous first-place ribbons in her years of competition.

’67

Gerald Taylor taught math and science in Wallingford; with the U.S. Department of Defense in West Germany; and finally in Greece, NY, where he retired in 2006.

Gerald now operates his own business called SeniorTech where he offers private computer lessons to senior citizens.

’72

Carl Shillo and his band “Silverado” have been playing at various locations throughout the state. The band formed after Shillo graduated college, but took a hiatus in 1982. In 2007 they regrouped to play a benefit at the Hungry Tiger in Manchester and have been playing ever since.

’59

Frank Badstuebner retired in 1990 from the Manchester school system.

He has spent the winter months in Florida since 1996. Frank has three sons who live nearby in Connecticut and a fourth son in Seattle. Barbara (Fitts) Cairns wrote the book “Cracker Cow: A Narrative of Florida History,” which is now in its second printing. For more information, visit www.crackercow.com. Martha (Scott) Bauduccio is a member of the New London School Building and Maintenance Committee and the Winthrop Science Elementary Magnet School Committee.

Muriel Miller had her large-scale, acrylic landscape paintings on display at the ArtSpace Gallery in Willimantic. Harvey P. Regan retired from teaching for the Chesapeake public schools in Virginia in June 2009.

’77

Stephen Krajewski recently celebrated 20 years of marriage to his wife, Danielle. They have two daughters, Meagan and Taylor. Donna Rand participated in a NASA program which allowed her to experience weightlessness in a plane used to train astronauts. She also visited NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia where astronauts discussed the possibilities of living on Mars and the moon in the future. With information from these experiences, Donna has been writing a blog for her students at East Hartford-Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School that she hopes to turn into a children’s book.

Peg Campanelli was recently named interim president of the Smilers Sprague Senior Center. Since she retired from her job as a Department of Corrections nurse, Peg finds that the senior center has renewed her energy. She is also a volunteer at Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut and the treasurer of Norwich AARP. She also serves on Sprague’s Inland Wetlands Commission.

Bert Nussbaum reports that Mickey Herman retired after 39 years of teaching and is still waiting for Bert to pay him the 45 cents owed him from their last game of pitch on campus!

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’76

’78

’63

Maria (Richards) Favale has seven children (four by birth and three adopted) and 14 grandchildren. She recently retired as a disability coordinator for Headstart preschoolers and is now tutoring. Eleanor Koss retired from teaching in Bloomfield in 1999 and has been working at Mohegan Sun Casino for the past seven years. John Poeton is spending his retirement working as a librarian at the East Barre branch of the Aldrich Public Library in Vermont. He sends his thanks for the inspiration he received from Professor Helen Sill many years ago. Dorothy (Brehant) Taggart retired from Horace W. Porter School in Columbia where she taught elementary school for 20 years. Dorothy writes for The Hebronian (a local publication) and recently published a book of poetry titled “Flowers in the Grass.” She is also active with her church, working as the historian and singing in the alto section of the choir. Ruth (Standish) Swift has been taking ballroom dancing lessons for more than 20 years. She began dancing when her husband underwent a long hospitalization, and she needed an outlet for her time and energy. Ruth has been in many dance showcases and has attended

on the Wethersfield Board of Education for 20 years. Kathleen is a math teacher and cheerleading coach at Wethersfield High School. Their daughter Kyleen is also a teacher. Francis Falck is serving as the delegate from Connecticut on the Physicians Advisory Board for Responsible Health Care Reform, which is chaired

by Congressman Thomas Price of Georgia.

Susan (Hidler) Wilson ’73

’73

Susan (Hidler) Wilson will release her sixth novel in March. “One Good Dog” will be published by St. Martin’s Press. She resides on Martha’s Vineyard, where she has been weathering the recent winter storms fairly well. “The boats still ran, and The New York Times was delivered on time!”

’75

Robert Austin was recently named interim principal of Lisbon Central School after spending 20 years teaching.

Anthony Brandenburg has joined JAMS, The Resolution Experts, the nation’s largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services.

As chief judge of the Intertribal Court in Southern California and a member of the National American Indian Court Judges Association, Anthony brings more than 25 years of experience in the field of Native American Law to JAMS. John Cascio and Kathleen (Mulhall) Cascio have been married for 33 years. John is the executive director of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association and has served

Robert Cressotti was named to the Class of 2009 Windsor Locks Athletic Club Hall of Fame. He was a two-sport athlete at Windsor Locks High, and was named all-conference in baseball for three years and All-State his senior year. He went on to play baseball at Eastern for four years and was senior captain for 17 years in the Greater Hartford Twilight League. Harold Gagnon has been married for 30 years and has seven children. In his career with the United States Marine Corps he is responsible for sustaining and developing training for the USMC command and control digital systems. Mari Muri (’79/’82 M.S.) retired from her position as a State of Connecticut mathematics consultant in 2003 and has kept busy consulting with elementary schools around the state. Mari does her consulting through her association with PIMMS (Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science) at Wesleyan University. This keeps Mari active in her profession while still giving her time to travel around the country and outside the United States with her husband, Dan Dolan.

Eleven grandchildren (none in Connecticut) also help to keep the couple busy. Lorraine (Murphy) Weil has been named Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. She is the first female chief judge in Connecticut district history.

class notes

’80

Peter Caton is a retired U.S. Department of State Foreign Service officer, where he served in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and traveled to over 50 countries. He is currently living in Belgium and working part time as a contractor.

’81

David Bass was named the 2010 District Teacher of the Year by Region 15 colleagues, administrators, students and parents. David teaches social studies at Pomperaug High School in Southbury. Larry Bumpus recently earned a fourth-degree black belt in judo at the age of 54. Michael Cotela has assumed the role of executive director at the Stamford Boys & Girls Club. Michael, who previously worked with the Shelton Boys & Girls Club, was selected from a national and regional search. Bruce Eber has worked as the water quality inspector/water treatment plant operator for the town of Wallingford for the last 16 years. He has been married for 25 years and has a daughter who is a junior at Roanoke College. Craig Mackay is a quality control manager-engineering manager for adhesives and other polymer products at Emerson & Cuming.

He has been with the company for 28 years.

James Motyka (’81/’87 M.S.) has worked as a teacher at Lyman Memorial High School for 28 years. He teaches geology, oceanography, physical science, meteorology and video production.

He also coaches high school sports and is an adjunct professor at Eastern, teaching meteorology. Russell White is the assistant director for collections at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. He has worked at the museum for the past 26 years, which has allowed him to travel all over North America and Europe collecting Cambrian, Devonian and Cretaceous fossils.

’82

Antonio Delgado is looking to reconnect with the Class of ’82 and welcomes e-mails at tonydel18@hotmail.com.

Christopher Penta is a licensed clinical psychologist serving people in Connecticut.

’84

David Adam is a senior project geologist for HRP Associates, Inc.

Joel Coombs is the manager of engineered wood products for Sun State Components in Las Vegas, NV.

’85

Tom Guerra is a member of the band The Mambo Sons, which played at the last Third Thursday festival this summer.

The band now has four CDs out, with critics saying things like “Here is music that Keith Richards and Johnny Depp would put on if they were having a party.” Philip Toohey and Deanna (Guglielmo) Toohey are married with three children. Philip is an attorney with Lampert Williams & Toohey, and Deanna is a teacher in Shelton. Together with a partner they own Stanziale’s Restaurant in Stratford, which opened in August 2009.

’86

Theodore Coogan has worked as a project manager for ICF International since 2002. Holly Amon-Cox is a special education teacher for the State of Connecticut.

’87 ’89

Margaret Caton is living in Belgium and serving as an economics officer with the U.S. Department of State.

Stephen Pedneault released his second book, “Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation: From Detection through Prosecution.” The book walks readers through one complete fraud investigation, from the original tip to conviction in court.

’90

Ronald D. Adams has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Yvette Soto brought her Kerygma Theater Company to the Capitol Theater on Main Street in Willimantic on March 12 and 13 to present “Caras de Vida” (Faces of Life), a musical that she wrote, produced, and directed.

’91

Peter Blume (’91/ ’03 M.S.) is celebrating 14 years of coaching seventh- and eighth-grade boys basketball and baseball. He recently held his first annual can drive to support the Ashford community. Eric Singer recently got to experience the glamour of Hollywood for about a week in Atlanta while

he was a paid extra on an episode of the TBS show “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.” He played a male nurse in an episode titled “Meet the Loot.” Two days later he had a paid audition for a Warner Brothers movie called “Life as We Know It.” Eric reports that he did not get the part “but I was paid $25 to try out, have fun and meet the director, Greg Berlanti.” Eric was recently in Connecticut to attend several tributes to his mother, Isabelle Singer, in honor of her 25th year as executive director of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in New London.

’92

Amy (Rich) Benigni married Mark Benigni in July 2005. They have two children, Bria and Blake, and reside in Meriden.

Dawn (Walmsley) Brolin (’92/’05 M.S.) was recently named to The CPA Technology Advisor’s “40 Under 40” list. Dawn is a partner at Premiere Business Services PC, where the majority of her time is spent teaching, training and consulting with regards to QuickBooks software and technology solutions for small businesses. Michael Lavery recently became a FCC-certified Amateur Radio Operator, General Class.

’93

Stephen Federocko is working for Sysco Foods of Denver. He and his wife Jennifer have three sons, Kirby, age seven, Connor, age four, and newborn Gavin. Marc Freeman visited the campus in November to present a University Hour lecture about “The Fruit Fly.” Marc is assistant professor of neurobiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.

’95

Juan Morales has been a business broker in Puerto Rico for the past 10 years, helping individuals start, expand, buy and sell businesses. In addition, he has published a book titled “How to Franchise Your Business,” which can be found on www.lulu.com.

’96

Pamela (Welz) Aubin (M.S.) is the new superintendent of schools in Montville. She began on Jan. 4 after working in the Norwich school system since 1999. Mary

greetings from the alumni association Eastern has a long, proud history of training educators and developing the education field in Connecticut. Our teachertraining programs have adapted and grown over the years, from the men and women who taught multiple grades in the traditional one-room schoolhouse, to today’s educators who specialize in mathematics, biology, psychology and other fields of study. Our alumni proudly serve as team leaders, department chairs, principals, superintendents and professors, touching the lives of thousands, including those with special needs.

While most of us are not formally trained educators, all of us can emulate their dedication and commitment to the future. Many of us can touch the lives of our current Eastern students by sharing our knowledge and experience. Opportunities exist for alumni to speak to Eastern classes or create internship opportunities with their employers. Now more than ever, access to experiential learning will give Eastern students the ability to put academic theory into “real-world” practice, while making our graduates more attractive in an increasingly competitive job market. To our alumni who already serve as supervising teachers, internship coordinators and mentors, please accept our collective thanks for your time and dedication. The entire Eastern community is grateful for your example and leadership. We are especially grateful to all the alumni donors who contribute financially in support of Eastern’s students and programs.

Anyone wishing to explore opportunities for creating internships for Eastern students should contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (860) 4655302 or at alumni@easternct.edu for more information.

Daniel R. Canavan ’97, president of the ECSU Alumni Association

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class notes Ragno (M.S.) received her Doctor of Education Degree from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York. She retired in 2005 following a 25-year career as an administrative consultant in the Connecticut State Department of Education. Mary has been a part-time lecturer at Eastern since 1999, teaching courses in the Organizational Management program and now in the Health and Physical Education Department.

’97

Daniel Canavan recently resigned from his position at a prominent Hartford law firm to serve as counsel to the Northeast Utilities Service Company, where he will provide legal counsel to the parent company and its family of regulated and unregulated subsidiaries. Paul Provost was recently promoted to publisher at the Norwich Bulletin, where he had served as advertising director since 2005.

Paul lives in Colchester with his wife and three sons.

’98 ’99

Nancy (Wengertsman) Grasso is married to Brett Grasso. They have three children: Anthony, 9; Kayla, 7; and Grace, 3.

in Windham Center and the First Congregational Church in Andover.

’02

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was included on the shortlist for the 2009 John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, which celebrates the best works of literature (fiction, non-fiction, poetry or drama) by a United Kingdom or Commonwealth writer aged 35 or under and is the second oldest literary award in the UK. Theresa Eckstein received her M.B.A. from Wesley College in 2009. Kimberly HatcherWhite was the guest speaker at the Friends of the Woodbridge Library annual Purves Lecture. Kimberly is the executive director of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Marcie Burch is a faculty member at Three Rivers Community College. She recently earned her certification as a development education specialist through the Kellogg Institute for the Training and Certification of Developmental Educators at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Tianne (Phoenix) Curtis is the new zoning enforcement officer for Norwich.

Colleen Lugauskas was named the 2010 Killingly Teacher of the Year.

She is a reading specialist at Killingly Central School where she works with an average of 45 children a day on comprehension, fluency and strategy skills. “It’s humbling to be recognized for something you consider your job. But teaching doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The support of colleagues helps me become a better teacher.

You hear about how it takes a village to raise a child, but here we have an army,” she said.

’00

Donald A. Courtemanche has been named the Springfield Business Improvement District’s new executive director.

He was previously the executive director of the New Britain downtown district for nine years.

Robert Gnida has worked at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford for 27 years. He has also been an Inland Wetlands commissioner for more than three years and has three beautiful grandchildren.

’01

Nicole Freidenfelds has been working at the Langkilde Lab at Pennsylvania State University since 2008. Her research interests include the conservation ecology of amphibians and reptiles. Before joining the lab she worked as a biological technician at Cape Cod National Seashore surveying for a variety of herpetofauna species. Nicole earned her master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2006. Brendan Carney was named sports director for the New Canaan YMCA. He will be responsible for providing leadership to the youth and adult sports programming. Gary Goeschel is the director of planning for the Town of East Lyme, where he lives with his wife and their three beautiful children. Thayer Kitchen is a member of the a cappella chorus group Take Note!, which recently performed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

30 E ASTERN Winter 2010

Yovan Reyes ’04 and Danielle (Strout) Reyes ’04 and their child, Kian Ramesh

’03

Carrie Dorfman is a licensed clinical social worker with Morris Heights Health Center in the Bronx. Troy Schinkel received his master’s in education at the University of New Haven. He is now in his fifth year of teaching ninth-grade earth science at Southington High School. Troy is working on a master’s in earth science from Central and is planning to marry his fiancé, Holly, this summer. Robin (Goldstein) Tinnel married William Tinnel Jr. and reports that she “became stepmother to two amazing girls: Tabitha, 12, and Elizabeth, 11.” After graduation she received her master’s from Rutgers University School of Social Work and is now a licensed social worker in New Jersey.

’04

Lona Baker recently purchased the All Friends Animal Hospital in Norwich. Lona has worked at the hospital ever since high school. She said, “I never want to see the clients feel like they are just a number.

Our core values will stay the same, and we’re going to build off that. It’s a family atmosphere.”

Danielle (Strout) Reyes and Yovan Reyes welcomed a new addition to their family, Kian Ramesh Reyes, on Sept. 24, 2009. Amber (Drake) Tucker and Bradford Tucker welcomed their first child, Isabella Alice, on May 31, 2009. Melissa (Spence) Bezanson is an assistant geoscientist at Weston Solutions, a private environmental engineering firm. She has been there for almost five years and finds her career enjoyable and rewarding. Melissa does everything from soil and water sampling to acting as a site manager on environmental remediation projects. She travels all over New England and is occasionally sent out to help other offices in emergency response projects like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ike. Heath Carlson teaches environmental earth science at South Windsor High School. He is also an adjunct instructor for the Frontiers and Explorations programs offered through the Greater Hartford Academy of Math and Science. Heath recently accepted a position as the math and science G.E.D. instructor for the adult education program in Stafford. Megan Parr worked for two years as a hydro-geologist at Fuss & O’Neil in Manchester before returning to school and getting her certification and master’s in teaching.

She now teaches sixth-grade science. Rebecca Stearns joined the Columbia Republican Town Committee and now serves on the Columbia Economic Development Commission and on the Board of Selectman as deputy selectman to the first selectman. She recently opened The Book Bar, a bookstore in Columbia with a small cafe offering a wide reading selection and hosting local and national authors, artists and entertainers.

’05

Kelly Barrett received her physician assistant certificate from Quinnipiac University. Andrew Bessette is the Northeast Division Manager for Stamen Medical Systems.

He is working on opening New England and New York regions for the company. Heidi (Stearns) Goeger returned to campus in October for the Phoenix New Play Series, where a staged reading of her play “Evolution to Dust” was performed. After graduating from Eastern, Heidi attended Chapman University in California and earned her Master of Fine Arts in Scriptwriting. She wrote “Evolution to Dust” as her MFA thesis play.

’06

Tara Parkinson was recently hired as a fourth-grade teacher at Griswold Elementary. Carl Segura was selected with 18 others for the prestigious NCAA Internship Program, out of more than 400 applicants. Through the internship he is working for the year at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis, primarily with the Division I and

class notes II governance structures. Heather Capalbo has fulfilled the requirements to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The requirements include passing all parts of the rigorous CPA and ethics exams, five years of college education and two years of experience. Heather is a senior accountant with Marien and Company in Norwich.

’07

Lauren Curcio and Tim Kramar ’08 will be married on May 7, 2011.

Lauren is a reading assistant with the Naugatuck Public Schools and Tim is a customer service representative with Verizon Wireless in Old Saybrook. Victoria (Gorham) Ywarsky is an employee at The New England Center for Children and was married to John Ywarsky on Oct. 11, 2008.

’08

In January, Kristopher Dziewaltowski was deployed to Iraq with the Army National Guard 250th Army Corp of Engineers. Alyssa Goodin moved to Philadelphia for graduate school and got her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania last spring. She is now working as the Children’s Systems Advocate at the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP). At MHASP, Alyssa works on advancing children’s mental health policy, as well as policies in the school system, juvenile justice system and children’s mental health system. Tiffany Jablonski is coaching basketball and cross country at Horace W. Porter School in Columbia. She will be finishing her master’s degree in Educational Leadership in fall 2010. Tim Kramar and Lauren Curcio ’07 will be married on May 7, 2011.

’09

Niece Hanna is attending Columbia University School of Social Work for her Master’s of Social Work in Policy Planning.

She will be applying for a position at the FBI upon graduation. Sara Hanrahan will have her mathematics honors thesis published in “Involve,” a journal that promotes mathematical research by students. This is the second journal that has accepted Sara’s thesis for publication.

France-Lyz Honore is working in quality control at a research lab at Yale University. She plans on entering medical school in 2011. Jaclyn Kregling is working as a marketing consultant executive for B. United International. The job is close to her major in visual arts and incorporates her love of multicultural experiences, keeping her in daily contact with a multitude of people from locations both national and international. Jaclyn can’t wait to see what travel experiences the job will give her. Andrew Powaleny is living in Washington, D.C., and was recently hired by the lobbying firm Haake and Associates as their executive assistant.

Devon Thornton was featured as a newsmaker of the day on the Norwich Bulletin website on Dec. 2, 2009. A part-time worker at the Uncas Health District, Devon is coordinating a new program overseeing a three-year heart disease and stroke prevention grant that targets black residents. Devon lives in Norwich with his wife and two children, ages 9 and 3. Julie Ward was recently hired as the client services associate at Indeed.com in Stamford. Esté Yarmosh is in her first year at Simmons College studying for her M.A. in English.

e

in memoriam

Marriages Kristen Dibble ’03 to Jonathan Klaus ’02 on Sept. 4, 2009 Amy Rossel ’04 to Justin A. Ross on July 5, 2009 Joshua Esposito ’04 to Karen Taber ’07 in October 2009 Kristina Riccio ’07 to Garrett Dukette ’07 on Nov. 28, 2009

In Memoriam Florence (Martin) Zuill ’27 Thelma (Carr) Woodbridge ’32 Ann (Postemsky) Rafferty ’39 Frances (Morrow) Vaida ’39 Pauline (Moskowitz) Pevner ’40 Fern (Fuller) Carlson ’43 Bertha (Wallace) Whitehead ’60 Benedict Minikowski ’80 Eileen (Wardwell) Wilson ’82 Elizabeth (Cook) Putman ’83 Jessica Wills ’01 Fernando Luis Olmo ’03 Courtney Hei-Ra Smith ’09

g

LeClaire (Lee) B. Watts

Jan. 10, 1928 – Dec. 25, 2009 Professor Emerita LeClaire (Lee) B. Watts died Dec. 25, 2009, at Mansfield Center for Nursing in Storrs.

Watts arrived at Eastern in 1968 and soon became one of the most respected and beloved professors on campus. She taught Spanish and Spanish Literature and headed the Modern Language Department for many years. During that time, she developed the Spanish major and internship program and founded the Nu Chi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honors society.

Very interested in the teaching of foreign languages in elementary and high schools, as well as at the university level, Watts organized and headed the Alliance of Foreign Language Teachers of Eastern Connecticut. She also served on and chaired the State Language Advisory Committee. Among the many honors she received were the Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award for 1987, Eastern’s Hermann Beckert “Friends of the University” Award in 2001, and the Council of Language Teachers award recognizing 36 years of service to the profession. Even after her retirement in 1995, she attended conferences and maintained her expertise in the field.

Former students remember her fondly. “She was a wonderful Spanish professor, an ambassador for Latino culture and a friend to Latino college students. She often invited us (students from the 1970s) to her home for good discussion and a great meal when we were only a few attending Eastern,” said Barbara Candales ’74. “Dr. Watts was the most helpful and personable advisor I ever had the benefit of knowing,” added Bill McKee ’73. “When I was a student she invited us every Christmas to her house for her homemade goodies and ‘pou de crème,’ which is the richest dark hot chocolate ever. She was a character who loved to wear funny wigs to class and acted like a kid when she read ‘Don Quixote’ out loud to give us a sense of what Cervantes was thinking since he had a vivid imagination – like she did!” said Terri (Knoblauch) Wilson ’82.

Watts is survived by Steve, her loving husband of 57 years. A scholarship in her name has been established at Eastern. For details, see p. 23.

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final thoughts

T

he spotlight of this issue of EASTERN Magazine has been on our longstanding commitment to training teachers, largely to serve in the school systems of Connecticut. Since 1889, Eastern faculty and their predecessors at Willimantic State Normal School, Willimantic State Teachers College and Eastern Connecticut State College have developed outstanding teaching practices for their students and the communities of Connecticut.

Some of the stories in this issue recall people who made their mark on Eastern over the past 120 years, while other articles provide you with a contemporary view of what is happening in today’s classrooms. A look at the residential experience at Eastern helps round out the picture of life on our campus.

Reading these stories has reminded me of the scope of Eastern’s role in the state of Connecticut. Certainly graduates in majors ranging from accounting to biology are making a difference in their workplace and home towns. But the impact of Eastern graduates who end up teaching reaches across the entire state. Over time, our education alumni have had a positive effect on families and communities in ways that cannot be overstated. Just as Eastern’s faculty members glow with pride when former students return to campus to tell their success stories, the army of Connecticut teachers who experienced their professional beginnings at Eastern can look across our state with a sense of accomplishment in having prepared so many young people for productive lives and careers.

Eastern is the state leader in preparing early childhood educators, and one of the leaders in preparing math teachers. Graduates of our health and physical education program are widely recognized for their talents and contributions. Other education graduates frequently win local, regional and national awards for their accomplishments in the classroom, including Philip Marvin ’97, a first-grade teacher recently named as Glastonbury’s 2009–10 Teacher of the Year. Taken together, the time, expertise and devotion to their students evidenced by thousands of Eastern education graduates over the years constitutes a powerful investment in the people of Connecticut.

It is truly heartwarming to see so many of these graduates show up in the list of donors that is included in this issue of EASTERN Magazine. Other donors have also provided important financial support to Eastern’s educational programs and budding student teachers. This generosity and investment in Eastern gets multiplied immeasurably when our alumni graduate to teach in Connecticut’s 169 towns, villages and cities. Our state is stronger for it. Thank you to all our donors and supporters for being part of this enduring story.

Kenneth J. DeLisa Vice President Division of Institutional Advancement

32 E ASTERN Winter 2010

Alumni Reunion Weekend Promises a Full Slate of Fun The Office of Alumni Affairs and the ECSU Alumni Association invite alumni to return to campus for a very special weekend of activities surrounding the 2010 Commencement Weekend.

Friday, May 21 • 8 to 11 p.m.

“Young Alumni Bash” Classes of 2000-09 Student Center Parking Lot

Saturday, May 22 • 4 to 5 p.m.

Optional tours of campus (walking tour) or the Child and Family Development Resource Center (shuttle transportation provided)

Come back to campus and reconnect with your friends for a great evening “under the big tent!”

DJ Flip (Jay Crisante ’06) will spin the music you remember. Free admission and bar snacks.

Cash bar available, with the first two drinks (beer or wine) compliments of the Alumni Association.

Saturday, May 22 • 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Reunion Luncheon & Tours Class of 1950 - 60th Reunion Class of 1955 - 55th Reunion Class of 1960 Jubilee Reunion Class of 1970 - 40th Reunion Campus Lantern - 1980-86

Saturday, May 22 • 5 p.m.

“Alumni March”

Saturday, May 22 • 5 to 8 p.m.

“Big Tent Barbeque and Concert” Watch your mail for details and registration materials.

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (860) 465-5302 or at alumni@easternct.edu.

Saturday, May 22 • 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Alumni Reunion Reception hosted

by President Elsa Núñez Student Center Classes of ’30, ’35, ’40, ’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80 and ’85 and Campus Lantern 1980-86 Everett Watson ’54 and Lucille (Caisse) Curland ’54 led a grand march of more than 150 Eastern alumni from the Reunion Reception in the Student Center to the “Big Tent Barbeque” where they joined the Class of 2009 and their families at last year’s reunion festivities.

Eastern Newsflash: Your Monthly Link to Campus Keep up with all the latest news from campus through Eastern’s e-newsletter, “Newsflash.” To make sure you don’t miss anything, send your e-mail address to the Office of Alumni Affairs at alumni@easternct.edu.

Connect with Eastern alumni on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter More than 1,100 alumni have joined Eastern’s Facebook group. Stay connected with other alumni and share your thoughts and ideas with Eastern’s Alumni Affairs staff. Visit Facebook and register today! Search “ECSU Alumni Association.” You can also stay connected with other Eastern alumni on LinkedIn by searching “Eastern Connecticut State University Alumni – ECSU”) and on Twitter by searching “ECSU Alumni Assn.”

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

“The scholarships I received from the ECSU Foundation enabled me to make my mark on campus as a resident assistant and as president of the Student Government Association. The ability to receive additional financial aid and support from Eastern was also a strong incentive to excel academically.”

Sulthana Sayed ’09 Staff Consultant RMI Corporation, Avon, CT

A Tradition of Giving Alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations support the public liberal arts mission of Eastern Connecticut State University in many different ways. The gifts received from private donors help ensure that Eastern students receive an outstanding liberal education. Each year, gifts to the Eastern Annual Fund support student scholarships, academic programs, technology enhancements, student life, intercollegiate athletics and many other programs. No gift is too small! Every gift, no matter the size, has a positive impact on the lives of Eastern students.

To make a gift, contact us at: Development Office Gelsi-Young Hall Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT 06226 (860) 465-5267