We asked our Golden Bison Community which professor or staff were most memorable and impacted your time on the Hill. The response was overwhelming. Here are but a few.
Professor James Guimond Rick Sweet ’70
Who was my favorite professor? Without question, it was James Guimond, or as we called him, “Jimmy G.” Professor Guimond taught seniors in Social Psychology.
We studied great modern thinkers, and he also taught us to think about what was happening around us, and not just accept what was being sold to us by mainstream media. He wanted us to question everything searching for ulterior motives that could prove revealing to the argument. He asked us to think.
The class of 1970 loved Jimmy. We invited him to be our commencement speaker. No captains of industry, media moguls, sports heroes or Hollywood types of influencers – just Jimmy speaking the truth to us. He did a fantastic job. A standing ovation from the graduates and their families was enthusiastically given.
I have shared the entire speech with the alumni office. Yes, it is long, but I believe it is an important memory to all members of the class of 1970. It was written and typed by Jimmy on his manual typewriter 55 years ago. These are cherished words that still have meaning today, but the thought-provoking truth still applies. James Guimond taught students years prior to us, and for many years after. He touched hundreds of Nichols students who still recall his rants against mainstream media and their
authors. He did the research we were too lazy to do and forced us to recognize deceptive hidden agendas. He wanted us to think.
Professor Charles Grant
From Mike Runyon ’67
Reach out to alumni.office@nichols.edu or call 508-213-2218 to request a digital copy of Professor Guimond’s full speech. Professor James Guimond
As a marketing major, I have a special place in my memory for Professor Ernest Phelps. He was a down-to-earth person with a passion for marketing and his students. I took every course he taught and could not wait for class to begin.
I also enjoyed business law classes with Professor Robert Monahan. He brought the reality of business case law into the classroom for all to solve. We gained so much knowledge from that.
Professor Charles Grant was my finance class expert and my resident dorm proctor in Budleigh Hall. I had a great relationship with him. I recall the time he came down to the lounge area in his smoking jacket to warn us that a hurricane was coming. He instructed us to remain safe and stay in our rooms.
Professor Grant would always hitch a ride to and from Webster with any student going and coming. He did not have a car and always appreciated the lift, and we enjoyed the conversation in an informal setting.
Professor John Katori Jim Jackson ’69
As freshmen in the School of Forestry we were required to take a battery of business courses to supplement our forestry curriculum. At the time Nichols was 1 of 2 business schools I knew of in the county, offering a major in forestry as part of a Bachelor of Business Administration curriculum. The other was Duke University. So once again, Nichols was way ahead of its time. We “Lumber Bunnies” would saunter up the Hill for our business classes from our dorms in Merrill, Daniels, & Smith. I was in Daniels my freshman year, like most freshman foresters. The last time I was on campus Daniels had been replaced by a series of temporary units adjacent to the Athletic Center.
The business courses in our freshman year were limited to: Accounting 101, Managerial Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Political Science and Computer Science.
For some reason unknown to me at the time, I signed up for accounting with Professor John Katori. He was a younger man at the time, always seemed fired up and dedicated to the principles of accounting. On top of that he loved Forestry students. He would preach that “accounting was the language of business.” None of that made sense to me at the time, but something clicked with me and accounting. Eventually it was the guidance and patience of Professor Katori that led me to a career in public accounting and farming.
After graduating from the Forestry Program, I immediately joined the United States Navy. In 1969 all roads in the military led to Vietnam, and I was not exempted. That three-year hitch finished up in 1972, and I went on to graduate school in San Diego. You guessed it, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. I have Professor Katori to thank for that. He helped me become passionate about the accounting profession. I became a CPA, built a 3-partner professional practice, and served my clients in Washington State for over 35 years. Along the way I began farming fruit trees, using the science I learned from Nichols, in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington where today we are arguably the largest independent growers of organic apples in the country. We are Royal Bluff Orchards, and Cash Butte Distillery.
I guess I would have to say one of my most memorable professors in my time spent at Nicky U was Professor John Katori. While I did not major in accounting, all freshmen took Accounting 101. Professor Katori was entertaining and engaging, a remarkable feat for an 8am class. He told the story of how an accountant who worked for many years at an accounting firm started his day by unlocking his desk drawer took out a piece of paper read it and put it back in his desk drawer – said to have done this every morning. After the said accountant’s demise, his coworkers were in suspense and opened his drawer to find out what could possibly be so important on this piece of paper. On it was written, “Credits to the wall debits to the window.” I never forgot this.
Ten years or so longer after graduation, my wife and I traveled up to Dudley to attend a football game. In the stands, cheering on the Bison was Professor Katori. When I went over to introduce myself and say hello, his greeting shocked me. “Well hello Mr. Page how have you been.” Remarkable after all those years –told me he never forgot a face or name.
Thank you, Professor Katori. And thank you Nichols College for investing in a kid from Reading, Massachusetts. You changed my life, and I am forever grateful.
I also learned a lot from Raymond Bazinet
and Charles
Quinn Those more on the bottom of the list shall remain nameless but one always started the class with an uncalled-for dirty joke. Another very proper professor showed up drunk to class once, crushing his straight as an arrow image.
I attended Nichols for three semesters in 1969 and 1970, but Nichols gave me a much needed second chance largely through the teaching, coaching and mentoring of three professors.
By chance one, Mr. Ernie Phelps, professor of marketing, who was pictured in the email promoting these memories. The other two were both economists and I almost changed majors because of them. They were Dr. Kenneth Parzych, who I talked with several years ago after he had retired from UConn, and the other was Dr. H. John Choo. Both were very intense about their subjects and inspiring. Even now I can hear Dr. Parzych talking about the impact of the Smoot-Hawley tariffs on depression era Americans. And Dr. Choo discussing the kindness of American soldiers during the Korean War and their generosity in getting him to the United States to study.
After Nichols, I re-enrolled at Texas A&M University and graduated in May 1971 with a BBA in marketing. Many thanks to Nichols for giving me a second chance and for its inspiring professors.
From Stephen Page ’73
From Kelly Kincannon
Keith Corkum gets my vote as best professor from the 1960s. He was a good man who really cared.
(Bazzie)
(Chuck)
From Jack Hills ’69
Dr. H. John Choo
Professor Keith Corkum
Professor John Katori
Faculty Notes and Beyond….
Edwin Cohen ’68
1967 and 1968 were high-energy growth times for me as a Nichols student, achieving academically and having fun at the same time. Finally growing up — but of course, these things will mean different things for different people.
Seemingly, many things, once confusing to me, seemed to fall into place, especially during my time in classes led by the very-tuned-in Professor James Guimond, and, by the oneand-only Professor Ernie Phelps, a marketing guru. Also, I fondly remember the Bible class led by a cheerful professor whose name I cannot recall. (Could this be Reverand Prescott Grout?)
Personally, I had knowledge of several things about the Bible because of my heritage and years of religious education and the specific cultural holidays when I was much younger. Some family members had tried to interest me to get into serious education and learn specific practices which could lead to a leadership role. I did not warm up to that challenge. I enjoyed the Bible class and very much liked the professor. I remember the first or second day in that class he called on me to respond to a question and add a comment if I wanted. That scenario was not planned, and it all was OK.
Being in that class was educational for me and I experienced personal growth from being there.
Indeed, two classmates and I decided to form the Interfaith Council. Some meetings were held at a bar – it was the Nichols method!
Now about Professor Guimond and Professor Phelps. It was “heaven” for me.
I found myself totally understanding the mix — it was effortless for me. I was able to clearly see the connection about which public, or market segment responded to a message or way of thinking. Phelps frequently discussed marketing myopia — not thinking big, wide or deep enough about your product(s), what they do now and what other ways the products could or might be able to do.
Simply put — not clearly seeing the forest through the trees.
One Phelps concept that I still remember to this day involves the New York Central Railroad. It was well-established for years as a freight carrier and passenger carrier.
Apparently, the executives at the time did not consider or think they should or could think bigger about the future transportation industry or the land development industry, especially the land adjacent to the tracks on which their trains operated.
Further they did not explore development opportunities for train stations. Get the point? Of course you do, you went to Nichols!
From Charlie “Skip” Colton ’61
Forgettable instructors – “Joe B Pro” — nothing more needs to be said. On the positive side, the person who challenged us and would often take the opposite side of the argument, just for the sake of an argument, would be Julian Murphy. One was always allowed to express oneself in his classes.
This story goes back to 1959 when stereo had just come out and there were demonstration records that could be played. One student in Budleigh Hall had a new stereo player. He put one speaker at one end of the hall and the other at the opposite end, third floor. One end was the residence of Robert Rodman and his wife. He was the resident proctor for Budleigh Hall. The demonstration record sounded like a bowling ball going down the hall at his door. He was a bit upset!!
From David Weyant ’69
The most memorable professor for me, without a doubt is Professor James Guimond, who sometimes held classes outside in the spring along with his sheepdog named Laddie. Others high on my list are John Katori and William DeMalia who taught advanced accounting courses. Affectionately called “Wild Bill” who pointed his fingers and ‘shoot’ when you got a question wrong. Students who chose to select accounting as their major had to declare so at the end of their freshman year. Which explains why there were so few at the time. All other students declared at the end of their sophomore year. Additional areas of business concentration included management, marketing, and finance. Additional professors high on my list are Dr. James Conrad Jr., professor of history, and Dr. Bernard Graves, who taught business logic. I must add Colonel John Wilkins, professor of sociology, affectionally known as Colonel Verbatim: “Sociology is the study of .............”
Professors Keith Corkum (Guns & Butter) for economics and Dr. Choo for statistics.
From Steven Miller ’73
Professor John Kotori was one of my favorite accounting professors. I believe Professor Robert Monahan taught business law in the early 1970s. I found him to be a wonderful instructor and it’s likely he was my motivation for attending law school.
Professor Ernie Phelps
From Charles Howe ’62
Professor Robert Monahan
Professor William DeMalia
What’s in a Name?
50 years and going strong
Last February marked the 50th anniversary of naming the Bison’s Den. During Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025, Paul Lambert, professor of history and library archivist, curated a display for alumni to enjoy. Class of 1975 member John “Bullet” Maffeo was instrumental in the renovation, reopening and renaming of the popular on-campus bar.
The following is a previously published article from the Nichols College Magazine, summer 2016 with an updated conclusion.
The Bison’s Den
It was a place where the twenty-five-cent Pabst Blue Ribbon flowed and where everybody most definitely knew your name. But, more than a “beer joint” – as college administration had originally labeled it – the student-run Bison’s Den was as much a uniquely Nichols learning experience in establishing and operating a business, that started with two determined student leaders.
“We were up most of the night preparing for the presentation,” remembers Jack Hills ’69, then mayor of the Hill. He and Dick Patterson ’68, who was president of the Justinian Council, were granted an audience with the college’s Board of Trustees to request a “revision in the present social laws governing the Nichols College community.” In a letter to the board dated January 13, 1968, Hills and Patterson argued enthusiastically for the responsibility and maturity of the Nichols student body and the right of “those over twenty-one years of age to consume alcoholic beverages.” The letter assured the board that “rules and regulations governing the control of drinking would be strictly enforced” and that “any violation will be dealt with severely.”
“Going into the meeting, we were told that the board had no intention of approving this,” says Hills. “But we answered every question they had, and I guess they were satisfied.” Gordon Cross, then Nichols president, sent the good news of the board’s approval to Hills while he was vacationing in Bermuda during spring break.
One hurdle jumped, the students sprang into action. Nichols provided the space, a storage area beneath the auditorium, but the rest was up to them. “We had to raise 100 percent of the funds,” Hills recalls. At one of the campus’s weekly meetings, Hills made a plea for donations and passed the plate. “It was a real community builder,” he says. “Even the freshmen, who would not be old enough to attend the bar, gave.”
In-kind donations, such as bar stools, tables and a cooler, came from local bars; building materials and equipment were contributed by families, faculty, and alumni. Everything else was sweat equity from student labor, volunteers who worked untold hours in between classes fixing up the space.
“Administration left the bar up to the students,” says Peter Lunsford ’69. “The school just gave us a lovely space. But it was not so lovely at first.” With experience in refinishing floors, Lunsford spent weeks sanding the floor and applying several coats of polyurethane. “One of the students had a father who owned a carpet business. He showed up one day with an enormous roll of green and black carpet and covered up all of my handiwork,” he recounts with a good-natured chuckle.
The campus lounge, as it was then called, opened during the first week of November in 1968 to student satisfaction. “The administration and students co-operated and together they created the effort which resulted in a very acceptable student lounge,” wrote Tom Purple ’69 in the February 1969 Alumni Bulletin.
Later known as “The Watering Hole,” the establishment was run by students, under the supervision of Hills as manager. Early bartenders, including Lunsford, Jack Cheney, Cliff Dietrich, Jeff Pakradooni, and Rich Rice, served four brands of beer and wine each day from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Any fear on the college’s part of student misbehavior appeared unrealized. “I don’t remember any problems,” says Lunsford. “We knew and understood that this was a real privilege for a small conservative college. It was a big deal, and we didn’t want to ruin it.”
Enter the ’70s, a lowered minimum drinking age, and the introduction of women on the Nichols campus. The once quaint lounge needed an expansion. “It used to be half the size,” says John “Bullet” Maffeo ’75, a student bar manager. “We had been sharing the space with the Nichols College Fire Department. We were able to relocate them, knock down a wall, and add windows.” Again, the work was done by student volunteers. In February 1975, the new and improved lounge was reopened and christened the Bison’s Den, thanks to a student naming contest.
With the purchase of brand-new booths from a Worcester bar going out of business, and the addition of a TV to watch sports, a jukebox, and three pinball machines, the Bison’s Den became a “hot spot,” says Maffeo. “We got an entertainment license and had a live band for the grand reopening. Everyone wanted to play there. It was always packed.”
A particularly memorable event was Growler Night in 1975. For $5, patrons received a small silver pail with a handle from which they could drink all evening. The Bison’s Den drank in the profits, with beer donated by the father of bartender John Murphy ’75, who was president of Miller High Life.
An accounting major, Maffeo was drawn to the experience of working at the bar as an opportunity to take over the books. “Books? They only had one book – a check book,” he recalls. With assistance from Herbert Hunter, assistant professor of accounting, he overhauled accounting to a one-write system. He also managed all aspects of the business, from ordering inventory to supervising employees.
The Bison’s Den enjoyed a heyday during this period. “It was a good place because you could walk there and watch a game or chill out after an exam,” says Maffeo. But dryer times were ahead. Massachusetts raised the drinking age from 18 to 20 in 1979 and then to 21 in 1985. Still, students found a way to keep the Bison’s Den alive.
“When I was a freshman, I started talking about reopening the Bison’s Den,” says Stephen Buchalter ’90, student director of activities and junior mayor of the Hill. “Eventually everyone started to talk about it, and we got administration to pass it through.” With the Bison’s Den closed for more than a year, he says unsealing it was like an “old musty basement. But it was as if the walls could talk. There were initials on the beams and pictures of parties.” In the fall of 1989, Buchalter staged an impressive reopening, with a beach theme. “We worked with the maintenance department to get truckloads of sand from Webster Lake, and we flooded the floor with it.” The party was also the first DJ gig for Buchalter, which launched a 13-year career at stations such as Nichols’ own WNRC and WXLO and the Pike 100 FM.
Except for a few occasions, alcohol was not permitted at the Bison’s Den during this time. It served as a social activity center featuring pool and ping pong tables, pitch tournaments, and as a space for club meetings. An attempt to revive it as a “21 Club” in the early ’90s was unsuccessful, and, after that, the Bison’s Den intermittently served as a funky office space.
Ironically, the space is currently home for the campus public safety office. What is now the new Bison Den is located at 80 Airport Road on the site of the Dudley Hill Golf Course across from the main campus.
The existing clubhouse was renovated in 2022 to offer an enhanced bar and restaurant. This new hangout is popular with the campus community as well as golf members.
It currently serves as an experiential learning opportunity for Nichols students.
Though beers are no longer under a dollar, the original red canvas Bison’s Den sign, autographed by an enthusiastic herd of students in the ’90s hoping to be attached to a part of history, is intact and proudly displayed at its new location.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Boston Landing Alumni & Fan Event
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Men’s Ice Hockey Alumni Game
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Men’s Basketball Alumni Game
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Nichols in Naples
Annual Florida Gathering
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
St. Pete Beach Alumni Social
Thursday, May 14, 2026
46th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2026
September 18 & 19, 2026
Celebrating class years ending in 6 and 1.
The recognizable red canvas sign was part of the 50th anniversary display in Eaton Foyer.
Alumni Spotlight
Marc Emmi ’75
Marc Emmi ’75 came to Nichols College in September of 1971 following a quick pivot after originally starting at Maine Maritime Academy. Looking for more choices in his college experience and a strong interest in business, he found that Nichols was a great fit.
He arrived on campus sporting a buzz cut, immediately piquing the curiosity of his classmates. “Nobody in 1971 had haircuts like that. So, they were all wondering if I was either in prison or coming out of the military. It was the latter,” he says. From then on, his nickname was Popeye, after the Sailor Man cartoon character.
At Nichols, Emmi gained a solid business foundation for his career. After graduation, he worked at VIP, an automotive aftermarket company that eventually sold to the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts chain. “I wore a lot of hats, helping with purchasing, marketing, advertising, but after I had been there for about eight years, I realized that I was on the wrong side of the desk,” he shares. “The guys selling were making the money, versus the guys buying.”
He took a sales job covering North America for the Crow Rope Co., the second largest manufacturer of rope in the world. “I sunk my teeth in and got good at it,” he states. He was ultimately poached by their biggest competitor, Wellington Leisure Products, and made group vice president. The company was located just outside of Atlanta, so Emmi packed up his young family and moved to Georgia. “My wife and I said, ‘Well, it’s an adventure, let’s see what happens.’”
What happened was a 30-plus year stretch in the south. From Wellington, Emmi joined Starbrite, an ocean biochemical company, as senior vice president of sales. He has been with them for 18 years, currently serving as a senior consultant. He finds it ironic that, despite transferring from Maine Maritime Academy, he spent 40 years in the marine industry.
Sales allowed Emmi the opportunity for frequent travel. “I’ve been everywhere and nowhere,” he jokes, referring to the routine of a business traveler who doesn’t get to fully appreciate the experience. Still, through his work, he made friends throughout the country. Now, as he and his wife return to those places, “I can call upon a former customer or colleague, which is always kind of fun,” he shares.
Longing to retire in Maine, the Emmis live on Lake Cobbosseecontee in a cottage they converted to a year-round home and enjoy
time
The return to Maine also brought Emmi closer to Nichols. Encouraged by one of his daughters, a former alumni director at Bates College, he became more involved with his alma mater. “I really enjoy what the college is doing. I really love what’s going on. I think Bill [Pieczynski] is a wonderful president,” he says.
In 2022, Emmi created an endowed scholarship to demonstrate his commitment. The scholarship is awarded to a full-time Nichols student, with a special preference for students from Maine or those interested in the sales industry.
Over the past year, he served on the planning committee for the class’s 50th reunion celebration, held during homecoming weekend in September. “It was nice to get reconnected with people I haven’t seen in long time,” he says of the experience. “Everybody grows in a different direction, and it’s great to see how people have turned out.”
While disappointed with the overall turnout at the reunion, Emmi was encouraged by the response of the classmates who attended, who not only found the celebration meaningful but who were equally impressed by the evolution of the college and the quality of students.
Now he is on a mission to re-engage more alumni. “I put my money where my mouth is. I’ve endowed a scholarship, and I believe in it. I believe that strongly,” Emmi asserts. He also recently volunteered to be the class champion. “In my retirement, one of my bucket list items is to see how I can help the college,” he adds. “It’s all grassroots… There’s nothing better than that, to get people to get involved.”
The Real First Pugilist
Edward “Eddie” Grenke ’61 and ’66
The Golden Bison Bulletin, Vol 5, Issue 2: Winter 2025, reported that scholarship recipient Justin Laporte ’26 was believed to be one of the first Nichols pugilists. It was just days later that the alumni office received newspaper clippings from Edward “Eddie” Grenke ’61 and ’66 illustrating him training for a professional fight in Boston.
Grenke was a day student living in Southbridge, graduating with an associate’s degree in 1961. He started boxing in the Marines and continued while in school for extra money. He shares that none of his friends at Nichols knew he was a boxer. When he showed up at Bazzie’s with bruises on his face, they all assumed he was ‘hanging around with the wrong crowd.’ “That couldn’t be farther from the truth,” says Grenke, who says he had little time for bar hopping between schoolwork and training. Grenke was exposed when a couple of classmates attended a fight at a prison in Walpole, Massachusetts for which he was scheduled. Grenke fought in six professional fights and three unsanctioned bouts before hanging up his gloves. He moved to Wyoming after graduating college and coached boxing at the Boys Club of America* and in various high school programs. Grenke celebrated his 89th birthday this past summer in Sarasota, Florida.
*The national organization officially changed its name to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990 to fully recognize girls.
and activities with their three daughters and four grandchildren.
Class of 1965 Scholarship Recipient
by Rick Blankley ’65
One of the pleasures of being Class Champion is looking forward to my annual lunch with the current Class of ’65 scholarship recipient. This meeting is traditionally held on Friday afternoon of homecoming & reunion weekend in the Lombard Dining Hall. This year’s lunch with Ryan Leary of Southbridge, a second semester sophomore, was terrific! Joining us in Lombard was President Bill Pieczynski, Assistant Vice President for Advancement Brent Broszeit and my wife Mary Ellen. And believe it or not, our meal was wonderful too! The mystery meat that we once knew at the old dining hall is, thankfully, long gone. Without a doubt, Dave and Sue Lombard would never allow their good name to be associated with the offerings we as students tolerated sixty years ago.
Ryan is 24 years old, as he did a tour in the army primarily at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, prior to Nichols. He majors in psychology and maintains nearly a 3.0 GPA. His career interest may be in real estate, but
he hopes to look at a variety of endeavors. He is involved in the student-operated Dudley Hill Golf Club and is currently the bar manager at the Bison Den. Additionally, he is the presence of the campus Veterans Club, mostly involving military veterans who were in the service prior to matriculating to Nichols. Ryan states that the club has been an important influence with the rather difficult transition from the military to becoming a college student. He is particularly influenced by some members of the Nichols faculty who once were in the military and now guide the Veterans Club. Ryan shares the camaraderie within the club is strong and members lean on one another when new members arrive. It is surprising that Ryan wants to rejoin the army post-graduation and become an officer. He believes an officer commission could open future fields of interests after retirement.
Ryan is top-notch, expressing himself beautifully, and well on his way to future
Class of 1970 Scholarship Recipient
by Jim Mulcunry ’70
The scholarship committee is proud to present this year’s recipient, Destiny Gardner ’28 from Vermont. We met Destiny at homecoming & reunion weekend. She certainly represents the best that Nichols has to offer. Our scholarship has helped Destiny be part a great education, both track and cheerleading teams and other extracurricular activities including student government and orientation leader. She really has shined since arriving on the Hill last year. The next time you make a gift to Nichols, please consider contributing a portion to the Class of ’70 Scholarship Fund. We look forward to supporting Destiny through graduation!
success. As ’65ers, we should be very proud of Ryan and that we have contributed to his accomplishments now and in the future.
Scholarship recipient Ryan Leary seen here with President Bill Pieczynski, and Rick and Mary Ellen Blankley.
Fred Friendly ’36 was a graduate of Nichols Junior College. DID
His given name was Ferdinand F. Wachenheimer. He was president of CBS News and worked with Edward R. Murrow on the documentary See It Now. Friendly was said to have originated the concept of public-access television. He was born in New York City and later moved to Providence, Rhode Island, before obtaining his associate’s degree on the Hill. From Nichols, he returned to Providence and entered radio broadcasting. Good Night and Good Luck was a historical drama released in 2005, directed by George Clooney. Set in the year 1953, the film examines the media’s role in questioning government overreach during one of the most politically charged eras in United State history. Friendly, played by Clooney in the film, came back to speak at Nichols in 1967. He received an honorary degree in 1989.
Destiny Gardner ’28 is seen here with Class of 1970 reunion attendees. (L to R) Rod MacPhie, Jim Mulcunry, Bruce Brown, Rick Doughty, Bob Toth, Bob Smet and Jeff Innis. Missing from the picture were Bob Mclvain and Frank Petrillo.
Classmate Spotlight
by Rick Blankley ’65
Great to hear from Dave Rodgers ’65 last year. His sense of humor surely hasn’t changed. Our conversation included endless laughs ranging from our years on the Hill to Vietnam memories. While on campus, he lived in Daniels with roommate, Jim Robinson ’65 We recall Dave was elected as class president during his junior year.
Shortly after graduation, Dave married the love of his life, Karen, on September 4, 1965. After honeymooning in Bermuda, Dave found employment with Sarong Bra and Girdle Company, managing large department stores. Soon, he was off to start a new life in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Things were going well when in November, Dave received notice that he was to immediately be drafted into the Army. They packed a U-Haul and sadly returned home to Groton, Massachusetts. Dave underwent a freezing boot camp at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in January 1966.
Dave was posted to Qui Nhon, South Vietnam, II Corps in July 1966. He was fortunate to hold administrative duties. However, like most of us who served in Southeast Asia, he knew many GI’s that didn’t make it back. Completing his stint in Vietnam, Dave was ordered to Okinawa, near Kadena Air Force Base. Okinawa was not considered hostile and therefore Karen soon joined him. It was there in November 1967 that Karen gave birth to their daughter, Torri.
Dave was soon discharged from the Army and the family moved back to Massachusetts, settling in Townsend (Colonel Conrad’s hometown) with Karen’s parents. Dave became
assistant to the vice president of sales with Digital Equipment Corporation in nearby Maynard. The Rodgers then bought their first home back in Groton, and shortly after their second child, Jason, was born. Both Dave and Karen developed a keen interest in real estate, educating themselves through various courses.
Securing their licenses, both became active in the real estate business, and soon one of their ventures involved a ten-acre parcel of land including a restaurant in Lunenburg, where the Rodgers still reside. The restaurant business was successful and sold in 1978.
Continuing success in real estate, Dave took a job with Data General in Westboro, Massachusetts, as a senior real estate manager doing acquisitions and leases in commercial office space. Dave left Data General in 1991 and accepted an offer from Safety Fund Bank in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. With his new employer, his principal concentration was finance and related transactions involving mortgages. Fast forward, Dave was hired by Fitchburg Savings Bank, again the major focus was real estate, as their senior vice president.
In 2010, Dave was approached by a friend, and president of Workers Credit Union, just across the street from Fitchburg Savings to become senior vice president of commercial real estate. His business career concluded in 2014, retiring at 70 years of age.
Understandably, at our ages we have all experienced worrisome issues, but the Rodgers have experienced the worse of life’s
FOLLOW-UP FROM LAST ISSUE — CONCERTS
The Metronomes
by Roger Parker ’52
My story starts in the fall of 1950, when our class was just getting in as new freshmen. A couple of new seniors let it be known that during the past years, they had been part of an extra-curricular group of students who sang barber shop music and wanted to get a new group together. Barber shop music was quite popular at the time. Despite becoming involved with other school activities, including sports, we decided to allocate a couple of hours each week to singing. Since we were an a cappella group, one of us came up with a pitch pipe to give us our starting notes from our music. We began to learn new songs to add to the ones we already knew, and we developed a wide repertoire of songs. We acquired a metronome to help us learn different rhythms. It also provided the group with a name.
Eventually we were invited to perform at various school functions. A classmate volunteered to become our manager and we accepted his offer. This addition, however, created a major transformation within our group. Our focus changed from singing only for ourselves to singing
tragedies — the death of their son, Jason in 2010. Jason suffered an injury in a high school football game resulting in intense nerve pain. Despite numerous surgeries, he found little relief. After high school graduation, Jason matriculated to Nichols, graduating in 1993. After working in sales at Husky Manufacturing Co. in Colorado, he returned home in 2000 and was placed on disability. There was nothing that could have possibly prepared the Rodgers for Jason’s passing.
Unfortunately, Dave too has had his share or health problems because of Agent Orange. He has undergone three heart surgeries and is managing additional issues.
However, there have been joyous times too! Dave became a grandfather when Torri introduced their first grandson, Jack, in 2003. The Rodgers have traveled with friends to Aruba twenty plus times but now spend most of their retired status close to home.
Nichols has always been a special part of Dave’s life. He continues to support Nichols financially and remains in touch with classmates. Dave has been involved with locally elected political offices and is proud of his life’s accomplishments, particularly helping others. Assisting his fellow man for years has been a major contribution.
Dave sends his many regards to classmates and friends. He sends a resounding thank you to Nichols College.
to please others. It caused us to learn even more songs to widen our appeal to a broader audience. We became more widely known as we sang at various schools and functions in the Boston area, plus a local radio and television station. We even performed at a sales convention held at the Toots Shor’s Restaurant, the lounge in Manhattan known to many celebrities at the time. Just prior to graduation, Colonel Conrad wrote us a nice letter in which he noted the positive feedback he had received concerning our concerts and remarked on the excellent publicity Nichols had received because of our performances.
I have continued to sing throughout the years. Wherever I have lived, I could usually find a glee club or choir to join to satisfy my urge to sing, even though my voice is neither highly trained nor of operatic quality. I have spent my retired days in New Mexico. The music director at my church allows me to practice with the choir and “robe up” on Sundays and sing with them. A distinct pleasure and privilege for this person of elderly persuasion.
Golden Bison Notes & Updates
1952
Roger Parker shares that he worked for American Airlines for 31.5 years before retiring in New Mexico. He and his late wife of 58 years, Mary, have two children and three grandchildren. Roger turned 94 years old in August.
1956
Message from Art Fries: I loved the last issue of the Golden Bison Bulletin! Fascinating and informative – I never knew about all those concerts on campus. I still work six to twelve hours a week providing disability claim advice to approximately a dozen national clients per year from my residential office. I live in a Trilogy Resort on the central coast of California. I play in a bocce ball league and enjoy golf and ping-pong. I am also known for hosting whiskey and wine tastings in my community.
1957
Class Champion: Kent Tarrant (413) 566-5130 tarrantkent@gmail.com
1959
Message from Bob Gould: Jean and I are doing fine. We are in Florida from January through May and reside in New Jersey for the remaining months. Six grandchildren with the youngest just starting prep school this year. Hope to catch some Bison baseball in the spring when they swing through Florida.
1962
Class Champion: Charlie Howe (609) 494-5450 charleskatehowe@gmail.com
Message from Charlie Howe: I had a chance to hook up with PZ and Calvin Hills, and a lot of other old friends recently. Since moving back to New Jersey full-time, Kate and I have found ourselves happy with our surroundings and continue to engage in many local activities. I have been communicating with Rene Langevin’s daughter Jennifer and would ask anyone who has time to write a short note and let him know that you are thinking about him. Messages can be sent to jenniferfulone@gmail.com. Wishing all of you well. Your continued support for Nichols is always appreciated. BISON PRIDE. Keep in touch. Looking forward to a good turnout for our 65th class reunion in 2027!
1963
Message from Richard Zarzecki: My Nichols story is that I was one of the first students enrolled in the four-year program under the new Nichols College of Business Administration and graduated as valedictorian. The prologue is that I had the lowest academic average of anyone that graduated with me from Bartlett High School (Webster). I was most likely accepted by Nichols because I was from the town and would be a day student. The reason for my success? My father told me it was either A’s or the shoe shop. Richard is a business broker and currently resides in Palm Beach, Florida
Message from Bill Keats: I officially retired in April 2025. In addition to my tax practice, which I had since 1970, I also worked full-time for Nassau County Department of Social Services as an accounting supervisor, holding both responsibilities through October 2000. I loved every minute of my work. My years at Nichols gave me the confidence to pursue my career. Prior to my tax business I had worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Bronx, handling pension accounts for veterans returning from Vietnam. It was not easy seeing all their injuries. Shortly after, I volunteered for Vietnam but got a medical discharge due to my eyesight. I originally signed up for artillery.
1964
Class Champion: Dan Tomassetti (413) 567-0085 papa.wadur@gmail.com
1965
Class Champion: Rick Blankley 610-430-1483 tango12rick@aol.com
Tom Pearsall and Ben Wiley were neighbors in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They got together to celebrate their birthdays last winter. Tom and Ben are two of five Westfield High School (New Jersey), class of 1961, who attended Nichols College. After Tom retired, he and his wife, Sandi, bought a small horse farm and trained Paso Finos for competition. Tom continued to pursue his love of golf for many years.
A Lancaster County native, Ben moved back to the area in the 1980s. After retiring from Commercial Print Brokering in the early 2000s, he moved to a family cottage in Mount Gretna, known for its vibrant arts scene.
He married Sherry Schwager from Sun City, South Carolina, in 2016. They enjoy seasonal travel between their two homes – the best of both worlds!
Plans to travel north for their 60th reunion this past fall were interrupted by Tom’s failing health. Sadly, Tom passed away just weeks before the reunion events.
1966
Tom Pearsall ’65 (left) and Ben Wiley ’65 reading the Golden Bison Bulletin during their shared birthday week late February early March 2025.
Class Champion: Phil Collins (703) 627-9924 pecollins10@aol.com
1967
Roy Garizio celebrated Father’s Day with four of his grandchildren. Mason and Addison are 13, Caroline is 16 and Grace is 17. His oldest, Mathew, age 20 was in Spain for academic classes.
1968
Class Champion: Ed Cohen (619) 787-3100 publisher@globalbusiness.media
Golden Bison Notes & Updates
1969
Class Champion: Robert “Kuppy” Kuppenheimer 4627 Tremont Lane Corona del Mar, CA 92625-3130 rkuppy@gmail.com
Jay Sherwood embarked on his 68th cruise since 2004. Recently he traveled out of New York, across the Pacific to Vancouver. Then he was on to Hawaii, then to Sydney and Singapore!
Update from Jack Hills: I feel blessed and lucky in life, both personally and professionally. Many bumps but no walls that I could not maneuver around. Enjoy the moment! Only complaint is that things are going too fast. I split my time between Fort Lauderdale and Boston, traveling with my partner. Keep your legs and your mind moving!
1970
Class Champion: Jim Mulcunry mulcunryjl@charter.net
Another great round of 18 for this group at the 46th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament in July. Kuppy, Lee McNelly, Tom Hall and John Maffeo ’75.
Bob Keller (L) and Ray Wenzel enjoying some time together during their annual visit in East Marion, Long Island.
Michael Leslie turned 80 years old this past fall, seen here enjoying the US Open with his son.
Jim Jackson enjoying a catch while on a horse trip in Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, Montana.
Robert Savage, his sister Sunne Savage, and Jack Hills on June 6. Sunne is the founder of the Savage Godfrey Gallery in Norwell, MA, and the widow of Robert S. Neuman who is the painter of this picture, located in the Bistro du Midi in Boston.
Tom O’Brien with his brown trout catch.
Tom O’Brien, George Tucker and Tim Danahy went on a July fishing trip to The Flaming Gorge and Green River in Northern Utah. Pictured (L to R) George Tucker, Tim Danahy and Tom O’Brien.
Rick Sweet and wife Bobbie enjoying dinner on a cruise to South America and the Panama Canal on MS Rotterdam in late 2024.
Golden Bison Notes & Updates
1971
Class Champion: Don Allison donallison@comcast.net
1972
Class Champion: Mark Alexander mark1alex12@gmail.com
1973
Class Champion: Jay Reese wjay.reese@gmail.com
Fred Fogel and his wife Linda Dill are retired and currently reside at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. If anyone is in the area, please look us up!
1974
Class Champion: Robo Keating keating@ptd.net
1975
Class Champion: Marc Emmi marc.emmi@gmail.com
Joseph Kuras retired in 2015 and now lives in Grafton, Massachusetts, where he grew up. He enjoyed forty years of diverse IT professions working for insurance, investment, high-tech software / hardware companies and even as a federal government defense contractor. He has devoted decades of his time to managing the local Polish Club in town as a president or treasurer, coached baseball from little league to college level, volunteered in church ministries, and authored several books pertaining to his hometown’s history. These days he visits senior citizens and does his best to entertain them with his singing and banjo. His musical interest started while in college, performing folk music with the trio Jump-Leg Jubilee.
Planned Giving: Creating a Lasting Legacy at Nichols College
Most of us would rather do just about anything else than think about planned giving. In fact, according to a 2024 study by caring.com, only 32 percent of U.S. adults reported having a will, despite a significant portion (64 percent) believing it’s important to have one.
In the sage advice of financial planners, it’s never too early, but it may be too late to write a will.
In addition to providing for your loved ones, estate planning offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the organizations and causes that have been near and dear to your heart.
At Nichols College, the Colonel Conrad Society was created to recognize the generosity and loyalty of alumni and friends who have chosen to leave such a legacy to ensure the strength of Nichols’ education for the next generation. They are helping to sustain vital programs, fund scholarships for deserving students, and support the institution’s mission for years to come. Planned gifts can also offer financial and tax advantages.
There are several ways to make a planned gift to the College, all of which can be discussed with a trusted advisor.
The Colonel Conrad Society
The Colonel Conrad Society is named after James L. Conrad Sr., the founder and father of Nichols College, whose legacy of promoting an education rooted in business experience has endured for nearly a century.
Membership is extended to individuals who have notified Nichols of their estate plans and provided supporting documentation. Learn more about ways to make a planned gift at alumni.nichols.edu/ways-to-give/
Charitable Bequests
A bequest can be incorporated into your will or your living trust and provides clear instructions on how to distribute certain assets in accordance with your wishes.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) allows you to make an irrevocable transfer of cash or property that is invested to create an income stream for you or your beneficiaries. At the end of a specified lifetime or term of the income interest, the remaining trust assets are distributed to Nichols College.
Life Insurance
Creating an insurance policy and naming the College as owner and beneficiary offers you the opportunity to make a substantial gift and have a tangible impact with minimal investment.
If you would like more information on joining the Colonel Conrad Society, please reach out at 866-622-4766 or advancement@nichols.edu.
Unprecedented FY25 MARCH MATCH success unlocked an additional $100K in matching support $271,000
Over 1,050 Bison Club members and donors raised more than $305,000 for our 24 varsity teams
The Underhill Gang, together again. Jeff Berselli, Mark Alexander, Donn Bleau and Paul Gauvin are seen here playing in the 46th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament in July.
David Alvord retired last year as Fire Chief of his town of Plainfield, Massachusetts after 48 years of service.
Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025
On Friday, September 26, a celebration was held in Daniels Auditorium. What is now a tradition over homecoming and reunion weekend, members of the Golden Bison community welcomed newbies from the class of 1975 to commemorate their 50th reunion. Celebrations were also held by classmates from 1970 and 1965.
Over sixty alumni and guests collected in the Eaton Foyer and began to reminisce and catch up. The group was thrilled to see Dr. Les Brooks, emeritus professor of business law, and Dr. Louise Nordstrom, emeritus professor of economics in attendance. Reunion committee member Marc Emmi ’75 offered remarks to his classmates, highlighting his recent decision to prioritize his support of the college.
John “Bullet” Maffeo ’75 narrated a skit with men’s ice hockey senior Rocco Bianculli ’26. They shared how life differed from John’s time on the Hill and now. Bianculli expressed his appreciation for such a nice locker room facility at the home rink in Burrillville, RI – noting how the women’s ice hockey team has their own too! John recalled when he got a letter from President Coyle stating he and his dormmates had to leave Merrill Dorm to make room for the new incoming female students. John expected this, as Merrill was the only dorm that didn’t have urinals in every bathroom.
Carol Keating ’74 attended the celebration again this year, maintaining her streak of representing the first female Bison on the Hill.
The class of 1975 secured nearly $40,000 for the Class of 1975 Endowed Scholarship Fund thanks to a group of generous donors.
The room was also filled with members of the class of 1970, celebrating their 55th reunion thanks to recruiter Jim Mulcunry. Class of 1965 representatives Rick Blankley and Ron Schmitt also recalled memories from their time on campus. Classmate Bill Archer met up with everyone on Saturday.
Saturday on the Hill offered numerous events including breakfast in the young and impressive Lombard Dining Hall or attending the annual athletics hall of fame brunch. The Nichols College Equestrian Club shared a horse and pony on the Guest House lawn, and several athletic exhibitions kept alumni occupied before the 1pm football kickoff. Many Golden Bison chose to watch the game with old friends from the VIP Bison Suite, giving them an elevated view of Vendetti Field.
After a 41-21 Bison win over New England College, many classmates concluded the weekend making new memories with old friends during dinner at the Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge on Saturday evening.
The Goal: Emulate the Naples Reunion in Tampa Bay
by Jeff Gould ’68
I have been attending the Nichols in Naples alumni gathering for years. It has always been so graciously hosted by John McClutchy ’72 and his wife Janet. These gatherings began at their beautiful home with few attendees then followed by much greater participation causing them to relocate their event to the sensational Grey Oaks Country Club. Alumni now come from both Florida coasts as it has become a benchmark for the president and administration to share and update the college overview which we all looked forward to.
I am proud to announce a new opportunity for alumni to reunite and share their Bison Pride in the sunshine state. Bob Forcier ’53 and his wife Carol will host another Florida alumni social on May 14, 2026, at the Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club
on the island of Isla Del Sol in Saint Petersburg. The Forciers have had two daughters graduate from Nichols. Elizabeth (Sauvageau) in 1986 and Rebecca (Coutu) in 1985. The entire family holds great memories of the college; this is their way of giving back.
The format will mirror the Naples event and of utmost importance give alumni geographically more access to Nichols events. Florida has many Nichols alumni and the Forciers hope this will stimulate more activity and engagement. In addition, Nichols is also recruiting more students from the area and events like this will bode well for the college.
The Forciers are looking forward to hosting this
Nichols event and cordially invite fellow alumni to join them this coming spring. Keep an eye out in your inbox for email invitation.
If you live in Florida, or have a seasonal address in Florida, make sure the college knows! Reach out to alumni.office@nichols.edu with up-to-date information. The college uses both primary and seasonal addresses for invitation list.
(L to R) Larry Johnson, Marc Kaner, Marty Allen, Wick Dudley, Marc Emmi, John Maffeo, David Kaye, Dave Hale.
Bob and Carol Forcier to host new alumni social in St. Petersburg, Florida on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Nichols in Naples, 2025 (L to R) Cal Hills ’62, Sally Hills, Judy Jordan, Paul Zimmerman ’62, Pam Makin and Dick Makin ’62
Jeff Gould ’68 seen here accepting the Legacy Award at the annual Nichols in Naples event in February 2025. Jeff’s father, Phil graduated from Nichols in 1942 and his daughter, Sally (Riggio) in 1994. Jeff founded the Gould Generational Scholarship Fund in 2009.
