Spring/Summer 2012
Fisher Celebrates 108th Commencement Exercises Story on page 3
Fisher College on the App Store The Office of Communications is pleased to announce the launch of the Fisher College mobile app, now available for free for your iPhone and Android. The Fisher app gives users access to athletic updates, information on majors, photos and videos of campus, and more.
Inside Commencement, pg 3 Psychology & Criminal Justice News, pg 4 First Degree Completion Graduate, pg 5 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, pg 5 Communications News, pg 6 Condita 1630: Here’s The Deal, pg 7 Living/Learning Communities, pg 7 Fisher Abroad, pg 8 Earth Week Initiatives, pg 9 Alumni Affairs News, pg 10
Fisher College is Now on Pinterest! Fisher is now on the popular social media platform Pinterest, a “virtual pinboard” that allows users to organize and share images. The Office of Communications is currently soliciting photography for the college pinboards, which include topics such as “Things to Do in Boston,” “College Culinary,” “Fisher Fashion,” etc. Read more about this article on page 6.
Sustainability on Campus On April 23, the Sustainability Committee hosted a Green Faculty/Staff luncheon for the community to discuss how to create a culture that values sustainbility on campus. Have some suggestions? Send an e-mail to green@fisher.edu. The meeting was part of a larger event focused on honoring EarthWeek 2012. Read more about this article on page 9.
Employee Spotlight, pg 11
Contributors Dr. Tünde Turi-Marković, Program Director, Psychology Kristen Sherman, Director of Alumni Relations Alan Adams, Adjunct Professor Jennifer Mandolese, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Sierra Flanigan, EcoMotion Isabelle Baggetta ‘12
Editor Jennie Moore Director of Communications communications@fisher.edu
pg. 2
Commencement Exercises On May 12, the graduating class of 2012 gathered at the John Hancock Hall to participate in the final chapter of college experience-graduation. Approximately 170 students earned a degree or certificate this past May, with 75 additional students expected to graduate in August. The Valedictorian addresses were provided by Taryn Manning for the Day Division and Andrew Adler for Continuing Education. Anthony Silva, co-host of WBZ Afternoon News and the station’s New England Business Editor, served as the honored commencement speaker. Mr. Silva originated and hosts the WBZ Business Breakfast Series, offering three programs per year as a free, public service for WBZ listeners. One held this past November regarding social media as a branding and communications tool was well attended by a group of Fisher students, faculty, and staff. In his speech, Mr. Silva spoke words of encouragement to young graduates: “You have spent four years here taking risks; signing up for new classes… meeting new people… mastering new talents and theories. Don’t stop now, you’ve only just begun. With a sense of urgency and passion, keep pushing yourself to take risks… because that will lead to real reward and real growth.”
Anthony Silva and President McGovern pose with the Administrative Council.
Dr. Scott A. Fisher leads the community in a rendition of “America The Beautiful.”
A few days later, the graduating class of 2012 from the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing received their diplomas in Nursing. Of the 95 graduates, 33 received their A.S. in General Studies from Fisher College.
Dr. Ann Clarke, Director of Spiritual Life and Outreach Programs.
Members of the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing graduating class of 2012.
Donna Brady, Assistant Professor, Accounting, poses with graduate Treva Holmes. pg. 3
Proudly Presenting a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology: New Degree To Be Rolled Out Fall 2012 for Day Division By Dr. Tünde Turi-Marković, Program Director, Psychology Fisher College is proud to announce our newly accredited Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. If you are someone who has a strong interest in human behavior, like listening and helping others, are sensitive to the feelings of others, enjoy working with people, find theories stimulating and challenging, or enjoy evaluating evidence, a career in psychology might be for you. The degree has been developed to give students a solid background in the scientific study of human behavior, both individually and within society. The psychology curriculum provides students with a broad background in psychology, helping students understand themselves and others. In addition, students acquire a wide range of interpersonal skills, as well as develop their expertise
in reading, writing, conducting research, and critical thinking. This gives students an advantage in a competitive job market as these versatile skills are highly valued by employers. Graduates of the Psychology program can obtain jobs in a wide range of settings, including research, child care, social service agencies, drug treatment centers, youth and adult residential care centers, crisis centers, senior citizen centers, state and local agencies serving families and children, or can pursue advanced degrees in Psychology or related fields. If you are interested in discussing your future personal goals and career options, contact Program Director Dr. Tünde Turi-Marković. Consider a major or a minor in Psychology today and open the door to endless possibilities.
Enhancing your education beyond the classroom By Dr. Tünde Turi-Marković, Program Director, Psychology Professor Meridith Spencer, Criminal Justice Program Director, and Dr. Tünde TuriMarković, Psychology Program Director, took over two dozen Fisher College students to a special presentation at Bridgewater State College. The event titled “Surviving Hate” focused on two phenomenal speakers who shared their stories; Inge Auerbacher, a survivor of Nazi’s Germany’s Holocaust and TJ Leydon a survivor of the American neo-Nazi Skinhead movement. Pictured right, students along with Professor Meridith Spencer and Dr. Tünde Turi-Marković attending this outstanding event.
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Senior Master Sergeant to Graduate as First Degree Completion Student Fisher College is proud to announce that Senior Master Sergeant Daniel Wilson of the U.S. Air Force, E8, graduated in May 2012 from Fisher College’s Degree Completion Program (DCP). Daniel Wilson is a career U.S. Air Force service member who has served for over 20 years. Wilson and his family have relocated several times over the course of his career. While stationed at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, MA, Wilson began taking courses in Fisher College’s Degree Completion Program (DCP) about a year ago. Wilson maintained a 3.9 GPA at Fisher College while taking care of his family and serving as an active duty Air Force service member. Wilson is currently stationed at Scott AFB in Illinois.
Fisher is dedicated to serving its veteran and active duty service members with the same honor and commitment they have shown while serving in the military. In addition to GI Bill benefits, Fisher College offers tuition discounts and in-state tuition to all veteran and active duty service members, as well as the Yellow Ribbon Program, MyCAA program, fee-waived applications, the ability to withdraw without penalty if called to active duty, and much more. Stated Wilson, “I would like to say how impressed I have been with the faculty I have worked with at Fisher as I have progressed through my degree. Fisher has a complete team of professionals! Thank you for taking the time over the last couple of years to work with me to ensure that my personal and professional goals are achieved.” “We are extremely proud of Dan’s academic accomplishments here at Fisher College,” stated Dr. Thomas
Senior Master Sergeant Daniel Wilson. McGovern, President. “He is an extraordinary student who has exemplified how hard work and dedication are a major factor in achieving your goals. His ability to maintain an outstanding GPA while focusing his attention on academic, professional, and personal matters is notable. We wish him the best of luck upon his graduation from Fisher College.”
College Celebrates Law Enforcement Appreciation Day The Department of Public Safety hosted its 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on April 25, 2012. Established to recognize the efforts of law enforcement officials at the college, local institutions, and the city of Boston, the day highlighted officers and civilians who have made a positive impact in the community within the last year. Dr. Thomas McGovern, President, served as the Guest Speaker. Officer James McNiff from the Department of Fisher College Public Safety received the John Fitzgerald Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement and honors the late John Fitzgerald, who served at Fisher College for 17 years.
President Thomas McGovern with Officer James McNiff.
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Office of Communications Unveils New Powerpoint Templates Fisher College’s PowerPoint templates have recently been redesigned. They are located on the R drive in the College Templates folder, in a sub-folder titled “PowerPoint Templates.” These are the only official and approved Fisher College PowerPoint templates and should be used every time an individual represents Fisher College. For assistance on transferring current presentations over to the new templates, please contact communications@fisher.edu.
Fisher College now on Pinterest
The College is actively seeking suggestions and content to use on the account. Current boards set up for Fisher include “Things to Do in In April, Fisher College launched its Boston,” “Spotted on Campus,” presence on the widely popular social “College Culinary,” “Things to Do media site Pinterest, a virtual Before You Graduate,” “Fisher “pinboard” that allows users to Fashion,” and “Fisher Flashbacks.” organize and share content. In With new pins and boards created comparison to Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest’s content is much more image-focused, with emphasis on graphics and pictures instead of text. Users can search for special interests by keywords, and pin items they like to their own personal boards.
each day, it is a growing tool that the College plans to use to engage students and alumni. Check us out http://pinterest.com/ fishercollege and let us know if you have any content you would like to share by e-mailing suggestions to communications@fisher.edu.
Pinterest has exploded in popularity in recent months. According to Tech Crunch, Pinterest has become a new leading referral traffic generator for retail brands and businesses, and is retaining and engaging users as much as 2-3 times as efficiently as Twitter was at a similar point in its history. pg. 6
CONDITA 1630: “HERE’S THE DEAL” By Alan Adams, Adjunct Professor
industry in our state. It’s the third such carving, the first being lost in a fire, the second having gone missing during the British occupation of Boston during the Revolution. Merchant John Rowe (after whom Rowe’s Wharf is named) moved that the House always have a codfish symbol hanging overhead, and the tradition was formally adopted.
Once while being relocated from Good morning, this is Alan over the Speaker’s chair to the rear hisownself, with another dose of of the chambers (so the Speaker Bostonian trivia. would face the Cod when addressing the House), it was wrapped In 2006 my wife Donna and I were in an American Flag, carried by 3 given a personal tour of the State Representatives, and ceremoniously House by Senator Bruce Tarr of escorted into the chamber. As it arGloucester/Essex County. He pointed rived, the Representatives stood and out a large carving of a CODFISH applauded. hanging in the House Chamber. Here’s the deal: The carving is known as the “Sacred Cod,” an old symbol representing the importance of the fishing
would suspend legislation until the Cod was returned. While it was considered a major crime and even involved the state police, Harvard mediated the Cod-Napping within its own walls, and pressured the guilty Lampoonists into surrendering the five-foot purloined piscine after a car chase by Harvard University Police in West Roxbury. The Massachusetts Senate similarly has a fish adorning its chambers, contained within its central chandelier, affectionately called the “Holy Mackerel” as a bit of a jab at the Sacred Cod. The cod is also the state fish of Massachusetts, and they were once so plentiful in the waters around Boston that British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold eponymously christened our own “Cape Cod” in the early 1600’s.
Then came the legendary “Cod-Napping” in 1933, during which Please have a wonderful summer! 3 members of Harvard’s Lampoon magazine staff stole the Cod. The House actually declared that they
-AA
Fisher to Introduce Living Learning Communities
they will participate in many learning and social activities as a part of the community. Students in By Jennifer Mandolese, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs the Honors and Communications This fall, Fisher College will be offering an exciting Learning Communities opportunity for new students—the ability to participate in will also have the a Learning Community on campus. Incoming students will opportunity to live with their classmates on a designated have the option to choose from three Learning floor of a Beacon Street Residence Hall. Communities based on their participation in various programs. Honors Program students, Communications Research has shown that a high level of engagement on majors, and commuting students will be eligible to join campus from the beginning of college is an excellent a designated Learning Community before they register predictor of college success. We hope that the end for classes this summer. Being in a Learning Community result of this shared experience among students will be affords many benefits for the students involved: They are greater engagement with the college—that new students able to take two classes with other students who share will make friends more quickly, receive a high degree of their interests and experiences, they will have the academic support and encouragement from the opportunity to form a close relationship with the instruc- beginning of their college career, and become more tor who teaches their classes, as well as the Fisher College involved on campus. Peer Mentor who will be assigned to their group, and pg. 7
Fisher Travels to Washington DC! By Isabelle Baggetta ‘12, Communications Intern As I entered my last semester at Fisher College this past spring, I was given the amazing opportunity to coordinate a trip to Washington D.C. and Virginia for the students of Fisher College. For four months I researched, scheduled, and booked hotel rooms, flights, and reservations for restaurants as well as tours for the students. While in DC/VA, our group of 31 students along with Heather Carpenter, Director of Career Services; Jessica Warner, Office Manager; and Kristen Sherman, Director of Alumni Relations, visited iconic spots in the city such as the White House, The Lincoln Memorial, The Smithsonian and Holocaust Museums, and The Arlington National Cemetery. Part of the trip included a visit to Boxwood Winery on April 14, owned by Fisher alum Rita Cooke ‘54. At Boxwood, we had the pleasure of sampling wine and took an extensive tour of the facilities. The students who attended the four day trip were thrilled with their experience and responded with a unanimous “Yes!” when asked if they would ever go again. Thank you to the staff who were kind enough to chaperone for the weekend, and to President McGovern for enabling the trip.
Alumni played a large role in the DC trip. Rita Cooke ‘54 hosted a winery tour and tasting. Alison Clarke ’74 welcomed the group for a reception at her home, Arjun Sinha ‘12 spoke to students about life post-graduation. Above, some pictures from the winery and siteseeing around the city. To view all the pictures from the trip, please visit the College’s Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/fishercollege
....And Paris, France!
On May 16, a group of 12 Fisher students, led by Professors Emily Banis Stoehrer and Katiti Kirounde and joined by Elaine McGovern, Dr. Alexandra Bartsch, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and her daughter Anastasia, boarded a plane headed for Paris, France. The group spent a week exploring the city and learning all about the arts and culture of the country. As part of the course, students blogged about their daily experiences. To read about their journey, please visit http://fisherinparis.blogspot.com
The Fisher group moments before boarding. pg. 8
Honoring Earth Week By Sierra Flanigan, Eco-Motion Earth Week 2012 (April 20 - April 28) was jam-packed with fun events, workshops, and activities. The week kicked off with a focus on food, featuring a “Meatless Monday” special in the Dining Hall, courtesy of ARAMARK. On Tuesday, EcoReps hosted a water-bottle awareness table at which they surveyed students about their awareness and use of the water fountain in the Alumni Hall. The student’s response was extremely positive, several of which requested increased availability across campus. Later in the afternoon, the College hosted its first Faculty/Staff vs. Student Kickball game in the Boston Common, organized by the MARCO club. Faculty/ Staff emerged as the winners of the game.
The Kickball Champions, represented by the Offices of Career Services, Communications, Admissions, Registrar, Athletics, the Library, Spiritual Life and Outreach Programs, and the Comm/Media Department. From left, Heather Carpenter, Julissa Jimenez, Jose Diaz, Jennie Moore, Jesse Avalos, Amanda Matarese, Tom Englehardt, Josh McKain, Bill Maddock, Bob Melaragni, Professor Michael Meadows, and Dr. Ann Clarke.
On Wednesday, the community took part in up-cycling old T-shirts into reusable shopping bags. Did you know you can sew the bottom of your old t-shirts, cut off the sleeves and the neck to create your own customized reusable shopping bag? Voila! Learn Participants took part in a thoughtful conversation about something new every day. sustainability engagement. The meeting was constructive, That afternoon, EcoReps joined community members for insightful, and brought people to the table who had never gotten a chance to engage in green initiatives on campus. the first annual Green Gala, where sustainability accomplishments from past and present were recognized. EcoReps posed for pictures as they received certificates for their commitment to the green movement on campus. President McGovern dropped by to show his support for the sustainability initiative, which meant a lot to the EcoReps. On Thursday, the Fisher Sustainability Committee hosted a Green Staff/Faculty Luncheon for the community to discuss how to create a culture that values sustainability on campus.
Finally, flower planting preceded Thursday afternoon’s second annual Greenstock event, where staff and students performed at an open mic in the Alumni Hall. Jennie Moore, Director of Communications, performed “Big Yellow Taxi,” while students read Earth-related poems and danced meringue. The “green your own” cupcake table – as always – was swarming! Suffice it to say, the week was a hit.
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From Vermont Brunches to Ogunquit Excursions: News and Events from Alumni Relations By Kristen Sherman, Director of Alumni Relations
a game program, as well as a camo-Spinners t-shirt.
Alumni Relations kept busy this semester hosting various events around the country for our alumni base and members of the Fisher Community. On January 19, thirty NYC-area alumni, spanning the class years from 1952 – 2011, met President McGovern at a reception at the Princeton Club. Attendees were updated on the efforts of the college, followed by an informal Q & A session.
On Thursday, August 9, Fisher College is going to AHA! New Bedford, exploring the recently renovated NB Art Museum.
On February 16, an intimate networking event was held at the Forum, a nightclub and restaurant on Boylston Street, with co-owners Jeff Gauches ‘06 and Brett Fodiman ‘06, who are enthused to do more Fisher events in the future. In April, a breakfast panel featured open adoption advocate and alumna Cindy McGuiggan ‘85. Thank you to the Psychology & Human Services faculty and the Office for Spiritual Life for rounding up their classes to attend.
Stay tuned! There will be a student-alumni Ogunquit Maine Excursion on Saturday, September 29, 2012. Expect lunch at a restuarant owned by Jackie Bevins ‘61 (Jackie’s Too) and a matinee of The Buddy Holly Story with Jackie Jones ‘6 at the Ogunquit Playhouse. October 12 – 14, 2012 is Alumni & Family Weekend. Lots of new and revamped elements this year, with an Alumni Awards as a part of the Saturday lunch, a Saturday evening on-campus show from ImprovBoston, a Sunday afternoon bridge event, and new Classroom Revisited classes.
Are you looking for speakers in a particular industry (hospitality, travel, airlines, small business owners, restaurants, etc.)? Please let the Office of Alumni Relations know. Coming up! Also, if you have suggested articles for the next Fisher Today, I welcome all suggesOn June 17, there will be a Vermont Brunch tions. Student submissions are wonderful Event with Innkeeper Chris Sprague ‘66, for their resumes. Fall/Winter articles are who will interpret maple syrup beyond due by June 1, 2012. Spring/Summer are your traditional pancake breakfast. Meet due December 7, 2012. Les and Susan Motschman ‘68, who are supplying syrup for the event from their Finally, thank you to everyone who have award-winning maple syrup farm. joined the employee and staff giving campaign this year or those who have On Sunday, July 1, Fisher College will be at upped their annual gift. I’m continually Lowell Spinners game again! Tickets are $10 humbled by all of the faculty and staff who and include a box seat, all you can eat BBQ, continually answer the call.
Ormsby Hill Inn, located in Manchester, VT and location of the Vermont Brunch.
Rene Scott ‘79 and Kristen Sherman, Director of Alumni Relations, at the NYC Reception in January.
Steve Rich, Vice President of Finance, Dr. Thomas McGovern, President, and Scott Dulin, Director of Athletics, pose with Canaligator at last summer’s Fisher College Night at the Lowell Spinners game.
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Please welcome our newest employees: Caroline Rende, Office Manager, Office of the President Hertencia Bowe, Faculty Jesse Avalos, Records Manager, Office of the Registrar Kristin Bianchi, Assistant Director of Admissions Congratulations to Scott Dulin, Director of Athletics, on the recent birth of his daughter, and Brian McNeice of Aramark Dining Services, on the recent birth of his son. Congratulations to Cara Parkoff, Assistant Librarian and an accomplished musician, who recently performed with the Brookline Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Danielle Herget presented a paper entitled Countdown to the Games: The Irony of Publicity and Marketing Surrounding The Hunger Games Film at the Popular Culture of America/American Culture National Conference in Albuquerque, NM in Februrary 2012. Larry Poe, Assistant Professor of English, was a reviewer of two anthologies for Bedford St. Martin’s this year, 250 Poems, A Portable Anthology, by Peter Schakel and Jack Ridl, Eds., for the new (third) edition, and Literature: A Portable Anthology, by Janet Gardner, et al, Eds., also for the new (third) edition. On April 4, he participated as a judge of an essay contest for Reflection in Action grant aimed at elevated the college expectations of children from socioeconomically depressed school districts. Jennifer Mandolese, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, and Nancy Pithis, Dean of International Academic Operations and Curriculum Development, presented a workshop entitled Ready, Set, College, at the Boston Public Schools Bridging the Gap conference for educators and guidance counselors in March. Their workshop was attended by a dozen counselors and generated interest in the College 101 program. In late April, the workshop was presented again to a group of guidance counselors from around the state at the Massachusetts School Counselors Association Spring Conference. H.B.Ussach, Fisher College adjunct instructor at the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing, kicked off 2012 with a public reading and a newspaper column. He participated in the 25-hour Moby Dick Marathon in New Bedford, reading four pages at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 8. His op-ed column on religious sectarian violence appeared in the New Bedford Standard Times on Tuesday, January 10 and was posted on SouthcoastToday.com.
Have news you would like to share? Send it to communications@fisher.edu. pg. 11