MAGAZINE Volume 14, Issue 1 | Fall/Winter 2019
Building our brand in Worcester Leadership event features PIMCO’s investment chief
From the President M A G A Z I N E Vo l u m e 1 4 , I s s u e 1
Worcester’s business college
Fall/Winter 2019
EDITOR
Whenever I have the
other colleges, and work one-on-one with
opportunity to address
the region’s youth to affect positive and
the Worcester business
impactful change.
community, I am not shy about reminding them that Nichols is the only college in the region that specializes in business education. In contrast to the colleges and universities that have business schools, Nichols is a business school — about 80 percent of our undergraduate students and 90 percent of our graduate students receive a business degree — and has been, without deviation, since our founding as a junior college in 1931. As such, Nichols has forged unique connections in Central Massachusetts. Our graduates who seek employment in the region are well known and highly regarded for their career preparation and professionalism. Our alumni are business leaders whose impact on the region go well beyond economic. Our educational focus on experiential learning opens avenues of opportunity, not just for our students but for the businesses and non-profit organizations that benefit from Nichols interns and student consultation projects.
From my tenure at Nichols College and through my work with several organizations, such as the Worcester Regional Research
Pete DiVito, Jim Douglas, Rae Glispin, Jillian Riches,
and the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts, I have come to see Worcester grow into a vibrant city with a bold and innovative vision for the future. The college’s apt partnership with the Worcester Business Journal over the past 10
For instance, our sponsorship of events such
elevator pitch.
Shrewsbury, MA
as WBJ’s 40 under 40 — for which many Nichols alumni and students have been recognized — has introduced us to residents at the early or mid stages of their careers who make a profound contribution to the community, many of whom have defied severe professional and personal odds. Similarly, our involvement with the annual Outstanding
Nichols College PO Box 5000 123 Center Road Dudley, MA 01571-5000 508-213-1560 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., M–F www.nichols.edu
Women in Business awards — to which we
their achievements.
assertive communication, and a personal
COVER/FEATURE PHOTOS
an inside look at the heart and soul of the city.
which college they plan to attend — and invite
visioning their future, networking skills,
PRINTING Puritan Capital, Hollis, NH
Dan Vaillancourt
Massachusetts women who elevate us all with
on various activities and workshops, such as
DESIGN Studio K Design, Dudley, MA
Patrick O’Connor Photography
Nichols Honors Academy — regardless of
students who work with Nichols’ peer mentors
Molly Thienel
years has added to these insights and given us
of inspiration and awe for the Central
Leadership hosts local female high school
CONTRIBUTORS Brent Broszeit, Eileen Deary,
Foundation, the Worcester Economic Club,
invite several current students — is a source
College Connection, our Institute for Women’s
Bill Pieczynski
Bureau, the Greater Worcester Community
help prepare them for college through our
education can offer. Through a program called
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT
We engage area high school students and
others to explore the possibilities a college
Susan Veshi
As the region’s only business-specialized college, Nichols has much to offer Worcester.
Periodicals postage paid at Webster, MA, and additional mailing offices.
Nichols College MAGAZINE (UPSP 390480) is published twice a year by Nichols College, Dudley, MA.
Worcester, in turn, is a resource that is rich in opportunity for our aspiring business leaders.
POSTMASTER:
Working together, we can move closer to our
Send address changes to:
respective visions and a shared goal of a bustling and burgeoning Central Massachusetts.
Nichols students spend countless hours volunteering in Central Massachusetts
Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D.
communities, a responsibility we share with
President
Office of Advancement Nichols College PO Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571-5000
CONTENTS
ON CAMPUS
2–3
Davis brothers’ $5 million challenge met, historic campaign enters final phase
2
Nichols launches a student-managed investment fund 3
AT H L E T I C S
10–11 10
Kicking in the United Kingdom
From a small hilltop in Dudley, Massachusetts, Nichols College is pushing the boundaries of its dynamic, career-focused business education to add vigor and value to Worcester and beyond.
11
Gobiel elevated to AD
CLASS NOTES
4-7 The eighth hill of Worcester
13–18
The passion principal: Alicia Sweet Dawe ’93
15
Glass half full: Stephen Jackson ’99
18
NICHOLS REMEMBERS
19
Winning Coach: Alan Malkasian ’69
19
Class Scholarship Champion: Charlie Petrillo ’68
19
Educational Leader: Bob Miller
19
Donor Spotlight: Bob Beckwith ’64: True Grit
20
8-9 Bison set a course for Barcelona Nichols College has a new base of international internships, in the entrepreneurial mecca of Barcelona, Spain, where students help build startup companies and their careers.
12 Student self-government through
the years Cover photo: In July, Nichols College hosted the Worcester Business Breakfast, featuring, from left, Dan Ivascyn, group chief investment officer at PIMCO, with President Susan West Engelkemeyer, and Dave Bedard ’86, pictured in front of the renowned organ at
From the blazer-clad Justinian Council to today’s SGA, archivist Jim Douglas takes a look at the changing roles and responsibilities of student government.
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ON CAMPUS
Davis brothers’ $5 million challenge met, historic campaign enters final phase In 2015, Nichols College launched the public phase of a $45 million comprehensive campaign, the largest in Nichols’ history, in honor of the institution’s bicentennial. Intended to wrap up in 2017 when the effort surpassed its goal with $46.1 million, Board Chair John Davis ’72 and his brother, Trustee Steve Davis ’80, were inspired to keep it going… to $66 million. They pledged $5 million on the condition that their commitment be matched, and proposed that the college then raise an additional $10 million. Nichols College President Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. recently announced that seven donors have generously responded to the match: Keith Anderson ’81, Bob Kuppenheimer ’69, Peter Lynch ’74, John McClutchy Jr. ’72, Tom Niles ’63, Al Rock ’63, and Robert Stansky ’78. With the Davis brothers’ match met, Nichols will undertake the final phase of a fundraising effort that has already been a considerable force of transformation on the campus. Funding from the Bicentennial Campaign, officially titled “Securing a Legacy of Leadership,” supported the construction of the Fels Student Center and a state-of-the-art academic building and major renovations to our athletic facilities, including new locker rooms, a fitness center, a weight room, an addition to Chalmers Field House, and significant upgrades to the tennis courts. The number of endowed scholarships rose from 21 to its current 78. The college added academic specializations and created co-curricular initiatives such as the Institute for Women’s Leadership and the Emerging Leaders Program. The campaign prompted an unprecedented level of giving among alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and students, drawing some 15 gifts over $1 million, including two gifts of $5 million, and more than $10 million in deferred gift commitments to help secure the college’s future. “The Bicentennial Campaign has shown what we can achieve with visionary leadership, an engaged community, and a compelling case for support. We are not done yet. Like the future leaders we educate, Nichols is still discovering its full potential and getting ready for its next milestone,” said John Davis, who co-chaired the campaign with Gerald Fels ’66. The campaign extension, which will run through the summer of 2020, will focus on growing the endowment, enhancing campus facilities, and investing in educational initiatives such as greater experiential opportunities for students and advanced technology. “The Bicentennial Campaign began a new chapter in Nichols’ unique history and provided an opportunity to both honor the past and shape the future,” said Dr. Engelkemeyer. “The campaign extension allows us to renew and strengthen our commitment to offering students a dynamic and distinctive education that fully prepares them for their careers.”
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Nichols launches a student-managed investment fund Nichols students have been given the opportunity to invest real money in the market, thanks to recent contributions from three alumni with notably successful careers in the world of finance. The donors, Keith Anderson ’81, founder, chair and chief investment officer for Anderson Global Macro, Wayne Archambo ’81, CEO of Monarch Partners Asset Management, and Robert Stansky ’78, group leader and portfolio manager at Fidelity Management and Research Co., have committed a total of $150,000 to launch a student-managed investment fund that will increase the competencies and marketability of Nichols’ students for highly competitive finance and investment jobs. “With their generous support of a student-managed investment fund, Keith, Wayne and Robert have taken experiential learning to a new and exciting level at Nichols College,” said Nichols President Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. “The professional skills our students will gain from this experience will enable us to create career-ready graduates who are prepared to one day follow in the footsteps of these distinguished alumni.” The student-managed investment fund is a course-related, two-semester experience that began this fall in Portfolio Analysis and Management. Under the guidance of Christine Beaudin Durkin ’95 MBA ’00, associate professor and chair of finance at Nichols, students are developing the investment policy that will formalize management of the fund when it is initiated in the spring semester. Students monitor industry sectors, research companies detailing an investment thesis, and ultimately make buy/sell recommendations in accordance with the policy in a research report that is presented to a panel.
“The students have been very excited about taking part in this new venture,” said Beaudin Durkin. “This is an incredible opportunity for our students to manage a portfolio of assets and gain real-world experience. I am honored and thrilled by the generosity of these three alumni.” Student-managed investment funds continue to grow in popularity across the country. In 2008, 298 U.S. colleges had student funds, managing a total of $360 million, according to the Association of Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium. A survey conducted between August and October 2018 found 571 U.S. colleges managing more than $719 million. The experience pays academic dividends. A study published in the Journal of Financial Education in 2016, based on a survey of alumni of a student fund that had been operational for more than 20 years, found that student managed funds help the long-term development of students and achieve learning goals such as discipline-specific knowledge, communication skills,
leadership skills, presentation skills and interpersonal skills. According to Beaudin Durkin, the student-managed fund at Nichols is equity only and students serve various roles: lead financial analyst, junior financial analyst, and research associate. Its investment philosophy focuses on macro trends, fundamental analysis, equity evaluation, corporate strategy and risk management. The fund provides students access to industry-leading software in the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which opened at Nichols last fall with 12 Bloomberg terminals. The lab and the fund are integral to the college’s new degree concentration in corporate finance and investments. “There is no substitution for this type of experience in a finance and investments education,” said Keith Anderson, whose initial donation laid the foundation for the fund. “The knowledge, skills, and level of responsibility students will gain will continue to set Nichols’ graduates apart.”
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The eighth hill of Worcester
by Susan Veshi
Like Rome, Worcester is a city defined by seven hills. And some 20 miles away, on a hilltop in Dudley, Massachusetts, Nichols College is bridging that distance to become the eighth. Since its start as a junior college in 1931, Nichols has long produced graduates who have committed their livelihoods to advancing Worcester’s economy by building, operating, and leading companies at the highest levels. Over decades, the connections have broadened and deepened, as both Nichols and Worcester recognized the valuable resource in their own backyards. In the past decade, for instance, Nichols has paired up with the Worcester Business Journal to sponsor events that spotlight the best of Worcester, such as 40 under 40 and Outstanding Women in Business. (The college is also a perennial favorite of WBJ readers for best college for business education in its annual Best of Business poll.) Nichols also hosts the Empowering Women in Business conference, which provides a dynamic opportunity for women throughout the region to advance their careers or grow their businesses. “As the only college in the region focused on business education, Nichols lends a distinctive aspect to its interactions with the Worcester community,” says Worcester mayor, Joe Petty ’82. “The strong leadership and outreach of President Engelkemeyer, the partnerships with educational
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institutions and businesses, and the graduates who build their careers and lives here — all contribute to the vitality of the city and surrounding area. As a graduate of the college myself, I am especially proud of the NicholsWorcester connection.”
Effective educational partnerships
On these pages are just a handful of examples of how Nichols people and partnerships are helping to keep the heart of the Commonwealth beating strong.
The Affordable Business and Leadership Education (ABLE) initiative creates an affordable and smoother pathway for students who earn associate’s degrees from four community colleges in three states, including Quinsagmond Community College and Mount Wachusett Community College, to pursue a four-year degree at Nichols College at a rate that is lower than other private, four-year colleges.
Workforce development
Fidelity Bank, with headquarters in Leominster and 10 branches throughout Central Massachusetts, made a wise investment in its future when it partnered with the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) division at Nichols College in 2017. Through a customized 20-session course in a dynamic and engaging format, bank employees strengthened skills in everything from time management and effective communication to budgeting and situational management.
Nichols joins forces with educational institutions to expand academic and career opportunities for students in Worcester and Worcester County.
Former QCC president and current Nichols trustee, Gail E. Carberry, Ed.D., said, “Programs like these offer affordable pathways for students to begin their careers with less debt and enter the next phase of their lives as business leaders and cornerstones of our community.” Last year, Nichols entered into a 4+1 agreement with Worcester State University that enables full-time undergraduate students pursuing a criminal justice degree at Worcester State to complete coursework for the undergraduate degree and a Master of Science in Counterterrorism at Nichols College in five rather than six years.
The college has also effectively paired up with area high schools to offer accounting, hospitality management, and accelerated courses, align with DECA chapters, host honors academies, and engage with at-risk students. In Worcester County, these include high schools in Worcester, Millbury, Northborough, Charlton, Webster, and Dudley.
Investment ‘rock star’ comes (back) to town In the world of asset management, Oxford native Dan Ivascyn is a household name. He is the group chief investment officer for PIMCO, one of the largest and premier money managers in the world with assets under management of $1.8 trillion, and manager of the PIMCO Income Fund, which has over $128 billion in assets and consistently beats its mutual fund peers in overall performance. So, when Nichols College invited him to Mechanics Hall to share industry insights and perspectives, more than 200 members of the Worcester business community gathered to listen. Ivascyn was the featured speaker of the college’s Worcester Business Breakfast, a periodic opportunity for Nichols to engage alumni and non-alumni in relevant business topics with foremost authorities in the field.
Throughout the region, business leaders are recognizing the benefits of on-site training that meets the special needs of their workforce and the value that Nichols provides. Corporate partnerships can be customized to offer skills and professional development as well as certificate and degree programs. The leadership of Charlton-based fused fiber optics company Incom worked with GPS to tailor Nichols’ Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree for a group of motivated employees. GPS is currently collaborating with accounting firms on custom degree programs in accounting and preparation for the CPA exam, including AAFCPAs in Westborough. In a discussion moderated by Dave Bedard ’86 (left), PIMCO’s Dan Ivascyn shared insights on a range of topics with the Worcester business community.
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In his introduction of Ivascyn, Shrewsbury native and Nichols Trustee Dave Bedard ’86, senior vice president of the Finance Services Organization at New York Life, highlighted the accomplishments which make his career so notable, including Ivascyn’s induction earlier this year into the Fixed Income Analysts Society Hall of Fame. “For those of you, like me, who spend a considerable amount of time in the asset management space, you know that Dan, quite simply, is an industry rock star,” he said. “I’ve traveled a bit in the last few years, but Worcester is still the city I know the best,” said Ivascyn. “I am really excited about all that is going on in the area, the tremendous new businesses forming. It’s great to be home and with such a great group today and part of an event with such a strong college as Nichols.” In the audience was Ivascyn’s father, Daniel W. Ivascyn ’69, former director of Nichols’ Educator Preparation Program. Following a brief presentation, during which Ivascyn discussed PIMCO’s outlook on economies and markets and its longer term framework for portfolio construction, he and Bedard conversed on a range of topics, including interest rates, the housing market, inflation, the prospect of a recession, and the trade war with China.
Central Mass. leader, influencer Under the leadership of President Susan Engelkemeyer, Nichols College makes a collective contribution to the Worcester region. This year, Engelkemeyer was named by the Worcester Business Journal to its 2019 Power 50 List of the most influential leaders in the Central Massachusetts economy. Recognized in the “education and advocacy” category, Engelkemeyer was among CEOs, small business owners, college presidents, nonprofit leaders, volunteer heads of community projects and others who “not only hold a significant amount of power,” according to the WBJ, but they also
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“wield it in a way to have an outsized influence on the community.” Each of the Power 50 were profiled on WBJ’s website, where Nichols was described as a small college in a rural town that “punches far above its weight.” “As the pool of traditional college applicants has dwindled,” the writer continued, “the business-focused college has held its own under the leadership of Engelkemeyer. … Last year, the college created a finance lab to give students access to real-time market information. Nichols isn’t done making sure its graduates are in demand. This fall, the college begins new majors in digital and social media marketing, marketing analytics, and corporate finance and investments.”
Immigrant studies Believing that the portrayal of immigration in the media just scratches the surface, Karol Gil-Vasquez, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics and finance, and Kaylin Goncalves ’19, decided to dig a little deeper. In a meaningful collaboration between a professor and a student, the team, working in conjunction with African Community Education (ACE) in Worcester, are asking African refugees and immigrants to tell their own stories, in the hopes of literally changing the narrative. “The projects we are working on came from an idea to humanize immigrants rather than victimize them,” says Goncalves. “It was through work with ACE that I got the chance to witness
some of the difficulties immigrant children face when they come to the United States.” ACE, which identifies Worcester as one of the largest hubs in the country for African-born immigrants, assists African refugee and immigrant youth and families in achieving educational and social stability by providing academic support, leadership development, cultural expression, and community outreach. “Karol reached out to me and I connected her with [ACE founder] Kaska Yawo,” says Kwame Yeboah, ACE program director. “She wanted to get a comprehensive picture of the refugee experience, Kwame Yeboah all the way through their experiences with ACE and the problems we are trying to address in the community.” Interviews with ACE staff and clients are ongoing. “We want to construct a narrative research project that allows African immigrants to tell their story rather than ask focused questions that skews the research in one direction or another,” explains Goncalves, who is currently earning an MBA at Babson College. “This type of research allows us to extract data and patterns, which leads us to ask more questions, creating a different picture than the one that is depicted in the media.” The other key component of the project will be a photo gallery showcasing the everyday lives of some of the African immigrant volunteers in the Worcester community. Each volunteer will create a portfolio of five to ten photographs accompanied by a short sentence reflecting the significance of each photograph to the immigrant’s life. With help from ArtsWorcester, the gallery will be presented to the Worcester community this coming spring.
Karol Gil-Vasquez, Ph.D., left, assistant professor of economics and finance, and Kaylin Goncalves
Taking a long view of Canal District revitalization Over the past two decades, Worcester’s Canal District — so named for the canal that ran through the area in the 19th century — has undergone a substantial rebirth. With events, bars, restaurants, clubs, retail and major construction projects, including a highly anticipated stadium for the relocated AAA affiliate of the Red Sox, the Canal District is widely acknowledged as the city’s most actively developing neighborhood. To assess the long-term impact of its development on local businesses, Nichols College faculty and students are collaborating with the Canal District Alliance, a nonprofit volunteer board committed to the continual revitalization of the district, to gather the data. A collective of faculty comprising such disciplines as economics, hospitality and sport management, environmental science, communications, law and accounting, have proposed an in-situ detailed decade-long annual local business outlook survey and report on the economic revitalization across businesses in the Canal District. The study will provide a set of metrics that identify the level to which the city goal of developing a strong and sustainable economic vitality is being realized. The survey will examine how businesses and their customer base have changed, synergies with events and other businesses, and the collective economic impact. In addition, the research team will take a closer look at the potential spillover economic effects of sports franchises to the neighborhoods around the facility by examining other New England locations where this has occurred, including Hartford, Manchester, and Portland.
Business and community leadership Across Central Massachusetts, Nichols College alumni are using their business degrees to boost their local economies and communities. Some whose family
roots go back more than 130 years, such as Jim Coghlin Sr. ’67, chairman of Coghlin Companies, Inc. Coghlin Companies is a fourth generation, privately held time to market services company providing world-class product development, manufacturing, global fulfillment, and aftermarket services to a diversified group of capital equipment innovators. Coghlin is also founder and chief volunteer of 15-40 Connection, an organization that educates people on how to detect cancer early. A Nichols trustee, Coghlin has been widely recognized in the region for his philanthropic efforts and professional achievements as well as the legacy of community service and support that he and his company embrace. Atlas Distributing, a beer and beverage distributor founded in 1933, is led by Joe Salois ’98, who began his career as a sales representative in 1982, rose up the ranks, and became owner/president in 1994. Salois plans to maintain Atlas as a family business, with two of his sons currently serving as vice presidents. As a successful business and a good neighbor, Atlas maintains a longstanding philosophy of giving back to the community and has supported dozens of local, regional, and national causes. Roughly one third of Nichols graduates currently resides or works in Worcester county. They are represented in virtually every industry that makes up the region’s economy, most notably accounting, finance, banking, and insurance, but also law, education, hospitality, advertising, retail and healthcare. They are owners, presidents, C-suite executives and young alumni who have chosen to start or continue their career in Worcester, ensuring that the second most populous city in New England continues to grow.
Student engagement Nichols College, which promotes experiential learning as a vital component to professional education, has enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with the Worcester business community. In the classroom, undergraduate and
Bison serve as Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
graduate students partner with local companies to provide consulting services, such as marketing, planning, and product and business launches. Recent beneficiaries of their insight include South County businesses, Swissturn/USA, SJC Drums, Paw Plaza, and Sturbridge Coffee Roasters. In and around the city, students have completed internships at large and small companies as well as nonprofit organizations, where both pupil and professional gain skills, knowledge and perspectives from each other. In recent years, these include the Hanover Group, AAFCPAs, ERA Key Realty, Vision Advertising, the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, Becker College, Assumption College Graduate Studies, the Telegram & Gazette, ArtsWorcester, and the Worcester County House of Corrections. For 20 years, the college’s Sport Management Program has provided interns for Worcester’s pro sports teams, including hockey’s Ice Cats, Sharks and Railers, baseball’s Tornadoes and Bravehearts, and football’s Massachusetts Pirates. In addition, students have supported the hockey and baseball teams with research projects, events, and volunteering. And speaking of volunteering, Nichols students donate hundreds of hours every year to a range of causes. Striving to be a positive force beyond the campus, students have contributed time as mentors, fundraisers, and laborers for organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Team IMPACT, regional elementary schools and food banks, animal shelters, Worcester’s Earth Day, and the Boys and Girls Club.
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Bison set a course for Barcelona Second international internship program is ‘resounding success’ by Susan Veshi When Michael McCann entered Nichols College as a freshman, he never gave a thought to studying abroad. Then one day he spotted a poster advertising the opportunity to get 12 credits, with an internship and three courses, in Barcelona. “I wanted to step outside my comfort zone to see everything the world has to offer,” he says. “These past years at Nichols have prepared me for that big step.” Now a senior, McCann and two of his classmates — Anthony Giannini and Bill Rauscher — were pioneers this past spring of a new program that pairs Nichols students with newly established or startup companies in a city that is internationally known for its entrepreneurial ecosystem. “Barcelona is the incubator city of startups,” says Susan Wayman, director of the Office for International Engagement who spearheaded the pilot program. On a recent site visit, she learned that Activa Barcelona, an agency of the Barcelona City Council, created 22,300 companies and has hosted 1,021 business projects within the network of incubators over the last 30 years. In 2000, the city launched 22@, an ambitious urban and economic renewal project designed to turn the historic but rundown industrial Poble Nou neighborhood into a technology and knowledge-driven district of innovation. “The commitment to business development by the city council has turned Barcelona into an entrepreneurship mecca.” To help navigate the city’s myriad opportunities and tailor a program that best meets Nichols’ needs, the college contracted with Barcelona Study Abroad Experience (SAE), which uses a thorough matching system to pair students with one of its 500 company connections. “[SAE] spends a lot of time and energy in the actual matching,” Wayman offers.
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“What makes them so successful is that they are giving the employers what they want.”
Michael McCann ’20 Major: Sport Management, Minor: Marketing Placement: Naru Sports Naru Sports is a sports management company that provides clubs, academies, and universities with the chance to compete in either sports tours or camps, in a range of different sports, anywhere in the world as well as in professional elite training facilities with professional coaches. In the beginning of my internship, I worked with my supervisor on redesigning the website, specifically the services Naru Sports offers. He wanted to market his products better to American teams, and it was my job to create catchy slogans, and professionally market the products. I then began to manage the sports tours, communicating with universities, clubs, and academies all over the world to get them to participate. We were able to capture the interest of Division I and Division II colleges as well as various clubs and academies. The five months that I spent with Naru Sports came and went, but the lessons, the people, and the knowledge it provided me will be something that I will never forget.
That was certainly true of the Nichols placements. Giannini, Rauscher, and McCann each attest to an internship experience that aligned with — and elevated — their academic and aspirational interests. (See sidebars.) “Ever since I was a kid, I have dreamed of pursuing a career in the sports industry,” says McCann, a sport management major and marketing minor. Working alongside a CEO “gave me the ability to think like a CEO and provided me with a lot of knowledge in the sports industry.” Giannini, also a sport management major, thought an international internship “would allow me to view sport in a whole new way. I wanted to be a well-rounded sport management student. I felt like there was no better way for me to strengthen my knowledge of sport than to be submerged in a new culture where sport is very prominent.” Their assimilation to Spain and its culture was nearly seamless. Nearly. “At first everything is really new and exciting, but very different,” recalls Rauscher, a marketing major. “It was a bit overwhelming when I landed and realized that I would be in a completely new environment for the following four months. However, after a few weeks, and especially towards the end of my experience, you come to not only understand, but also really appreciate the differences in culture.” A big benefit of SAE, according to Wayman, is its comprehensive transition process. “In the first two weeks, [the students] were given a culture orientation, academic orientation and work orientation,” says Wayman. That included showing them how to get to and from work on the subway, taking them to the
were required to take a course but at times found it challenging to keep up with the native speakers. When McCann felt left out of coworker exchanges, he turned to Google Translate. “I started recording the conversation and here and there I would pitch in with a sentence,” he says. “The coworkers thought it was hilarious, so it became a daily office routine.”
Anthony Giannini ’20 Major: Sport Management Placement: CeleBreak CeleBreak is a pick-up soccer startup company that originated in Barcelona and has spread to four German cities and Los Angeles. My role was to write English language blog articles on various topics and to include information about CeleBreak before and after each blog. The blogs were only based on things located in the cities where we had locations. The point of this was for when people searched Google for some kind of information on the topics we covered, our blogs would pop up, giving you the information you were looking for as well as telling you what we offer. The blogs generate more awareness of what we do and bring in more traffic throughout the website. The best part of my internship was the fact that some of the blogs I wrote popped up number one on Google which is very satisfying to see. Also, since we were a pick-up soccer company, we had many games scheduled throughout the day and I was able to play in some of them which was unbelievable because soccer is so huge in Spain.
understand how big the world really is,” he says. “Every day, you are thrown into uncomfortable situations, and you have to figure out what to do. There is always something new that you will encounter, and although it can be a bit overwhelming at times, you will be more grateful for it than you think.”
Language aside, McCann sought to become “fully invested” in the experience, such as spending an evening in a Spanish cooking class offered by CIS Abroad and visiting the Castellers de Barcelona, a traditional performance of human towers. “Spain’s culture is one of a kind,” he declares, “and was an absolute pleasure to immerse myself in.” Wayman, who calls the pilot a “resounding success,” says international internships are an effective way to streamline two goals: provide the required experiential learning component of a Nichols education and satisfy the desire of students who come to Nichols determined to study abroad. In addition to Barcelona, Nichols also offers an internship program in Dublin, through a company called API, which was piloted in spring 2018 and successfully formalized with two students this past spring. The plan is to solidify and expand these two programs before adding more. The prospect of placing more Nichols students is good news for both providers. “They like the business mindedness of our students,” says Wayman of the college’s relationships with API and SAE. “Our students in both programs have made a name for us. I was told by each group, ‘Your students make us look good.’”
must-see spots and restaurants, even teaching them about “coffee culture.”
Studying abroad, particularly with the added responsibilities of an internship, can be a transformative experience for students, Wayman contends. “In many cases these students are truly alone, and they make their way by learning how to use resources — this is an undersold competency of travel,” she says.
The language barrier was another story. The interns, who each came with varying degrees of competency with Spanish,
Rauscher agrees. “Before you actually do travel abroad, whether you have an internship or not, you do not actually
Bill Rauscher ’20 Major: Marketing Placement: Sant Jordi Hostels Working in the communications and marketing department, I played a large role in content creation for their social media as well as their blog. The first half of my internship was focused on showing off the city and using the destination of Barcelona as a way of attracting our target market to stay in our hostels. The second half of my internship was spent on a project called The Local Way, which is focused on interviewing the influencers of Barcelona and getting insider insight into the best places to go while in Barcelona. My favorite part of the internship was being a part of the team at Sant Jordi. From the first day I got there until the last day when I was leaving, I was treated the same as everyone else regardless of the fact that I was an intern and wasn’t fluent in Spanish. I was treated with the same amount of respect as not only a coworker, but also a friend. I think that I was incredibly lucky to have been placed in such a workplace.
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AT H L E T I C S
Kicking in the United Kingdom by Pete DiVito The men’s soccer program is one of nine programs at Nichols to win multiple conference championships, and one of only five to win an NCAA Tournament contest. Longtime head coach Chris Traina’s squad is occasionally overshadowed by the success of the men’s basketball and tennis programs; however, the Bison have qualified for the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) tournament in each of the past 11 seasons, winning the crown in both 2010 and 2014. Prior to the start of training camp this fall, the Bison traveled to England for an eight-day excursion which saw them play a pair of matches while visiting cities such as Dublin and Liverpool. “The planning for this trip started over a year ago, and with the help of our fantastic alumni and parents, we were able to make it happen,” says senior Jon Ingram. “The Bison Blitz was a tremendous help in making this trip a reality. We also fundraised a lot of money at the concession stands at Gillette Stadium.”
paced game. “You could tell they are a top club, and without enough team training, we were outmatched. We led early but trailed 2–1 at the half and ended with a 4–2 loss.” The highlight of the trip for the studentathletes was attending a pair of professional soccer matches. First up was a contest between Burnley and Southampton, both of whom compete in the English Premier League. “We sat three rows back from the field and near the players’ tunnel,” explains Ingram. “The atmosphere for a smaller stadium and club was out-of-this-world. Words can’t describe how passionate their fans are for their clubs and English futbol.” St. Kevin’s U21 FC in Dublin. Goals from sophomores James Chasco-DiMauro and Vinny Gattuso earned the Bison a 2–1 win in a very physical match. Later, they traveled to Liverpool to face the Tranmere Rovers FC, a well-seasoned U21 team. Chasco-Dio Mauro and senior Matt Baker scored for the Bison in a 4–2 defeat.
Traina — who had taken the Bison to Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany in 2008, and Ireland, England and Italy in 2011 — took 17 student-athletes into Dublin on August 5 to compete against
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Nichols College Magazine
“It took us a little while to get acclimated with the European style of soccer,” says Ingram. “The second half was an entirely new story for us. We played with better pace and scored in the final 10 minutes to take the lead. Tranmere played a very physical, fast-
l Fall/Winter 2019
Next on the trip agenda was the muchpublicized match between Manchester United and Chelsea, a contest witnessed by a sold-out crowd of more than 76,000 at Old Trafford. “The game was truly indescribable,” says Ingram. “My body was shaking the entire game from
the crowd yelling and chanting. We started the game in a suite, where we ordered food and watched other matches. Then, we witnessed some truly unbelievable goals as Manchester United won 4–0. Nothing will ever compare to the experiences at either of the matches we saw.” Traina adds, “The crowd at the BurnleySouthampton game was only about one-third the size at Old Trafford, but the passion was just as loud and strong. The pace of play was tentative at first but picked up as the game went on. A win on the home opener can sometimes set the pace for the season, so in both games, the home teams were tactically conservative until a goal opened up the game.” Between matches, the Bison visited Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which is one of the premier football and rugby stadiums in all of Ireland, and toured the region, including a visit to Conway castle in Wales. The team also learned about Gaelic games, sports sponsored by Ireland’s Gaelic Athletic Association: football, hurling, handball, and rounders. “The Gaelic games were an outstanding opportunity to learn more about the Irish sports culture,” says assistant coach Alex Suprise. “Everyone was eager to learn and play Gaelic football and hurling. Playing Gaelic football was one of the more memorable stops on our trip.”
Gobiel elevated to AD Eric Gobiel was named athletic director at Nichols College, after serving briefly in the position as interim. He joined the department as assistant athletic director in 2012 and rose to associate athletic director in 2015. Gobiel spent eight seasons at the helm of the Nichols men’s lacrosse program (2012-19) and stands No. 2 all-time in program history in wins. During that span, Gobiel produced a total of 36 Commonwealth Coast Conference Academic All-Conference picks, 10 CCC All-Conference selections, nine New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Academic nods, and two NEILA AllStar Game selections. The 2007 Middlesex League Coach of the Year, Gobiel ran the Wakefield
The winningest coach in program history and the longest tenured coach in the CCC, Traina was quick to mention the support of both the parents and alumni for helping make this trip a reality. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my guys to travel abroad as an NCAA student-athlete,”
Warriors varsity and junior varsity squads, and also served as an assistant coach at Chelmsford High School and the men’s club team at Northeastern University. Prior to his full-time appointment at Nichols, Gobiel taught at the Campus Academy High School, where he worked with students with learning disabilities in math, science and life skills. A native of Chelmsford, Mass., he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication at Plymouth State, and master’s degree in special education from Fitchburg State.
he says, adding special thanks to John McClutchy Jr. ’72, sponsor of the annual Bison Blitz fundraiser, as well as Don Bean ’91, Alex Kirk ’91, Rob Saunders ’72, Ryan Johnston ’08, and Brian Roche ’07, whom he credits as “driving forces behind our fundraising efforts.” Now back on American soil, Ingram and the Bison are looking forward to the start of the 2019 campaign and chasing down a third conference championship in 10 years. “This trip was amazing for so many reasons and I couldn’t be more thankful,” he sums up. “Once we slept off the jet lag and started touring and competing, all you saw on our faces were smiles. We all hoped for an amazing trip and that’s what we got. It helped build team chemistry and showed how much talent and potential we have. We were able to strengthen our brotherhood and will work hard for each other because of that. We’re all excited to get after it this season and accomplish big things.”
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
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From the Archives a
Student self-government through the years Contributed by Jim Douglas
The first student government at Nichols was the Justinian Society, named for a Byzantine emperor from 525 to 565 AD, whose rewriting of Roman law is still the basis of civil law in many modern states. The group was formed in 1935 by Stanley Todd ’36, and its purpose was to “motivate all extracurricular activities and to promote the general welfare of the college.” Its members wore green blazers. The Justinian Council was a voice of the student body to the faculty and administration whose members were chosen for their extracurricular record, scholastic standing, and a class election. At regularly scheduled meetings, students could voice their opinions, ideas or anything pertaining to the Hill. Within a very short time, the Council’s duties included overseeing student fees, supervising student organizations, running campus programming, handling all non-academic disciplinary actions, and hosting freshman orientation, including the publication of a college handbook. In 1969 a new student government constitution dramatically increased the size of the Council to include the Council’s
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Nichols College Magazine
permanent members and “annual members,” the presidents of each residence hall and class, several day students, and current and past Mayors on the Hill. Four standing committees were established — social, judiciary, traffic and finance. In 1972, a Student Government Association (SGA) became the primary student-run government organization on campus, but the Justinian Council remained until 1987 when the SGA voted to eliminate it. The SGA funded student organizations and sponsored club trips, speakers, novelty events, and leadership programs. Led by a tenmember student Executive Advisory Board (EAB), the SGA addressed concerns, issues, and desires of not only the student body but the greater college community. On most campuses across the country, the tumultuous ’60s and early ’70s put a strain on relations between student governments and the administrations due to more student activism and pushes for more autonomy. Perhaps the most public example of conflict at Nichols occurred in May 1970 when the SGA issued a list of “demands” to then-president Dr. Gordon B. Cross, which included “parietal hours in all dormitories during weekends,” “a student recruitment program with provisions for increasing the black student enrollment at the college,” and “improvements in dormitory living conditions.” When students felt their demands were being ignored, they carried out a threeday boycott of classes, which was reported by
l Fall/Winter 2019
the Worcester Telegram. After a weekend coolingoff period and a threat that seniors who missed classes would not graduate, students returned to classes. The list of demands was subsequently forwarded to the Board of Trustees for consideration, some of which were granted. Today’s SGA includes a five-member EAB and a Senate composed of a president, vice presidents for student advocacy, academic affairs, marketing and communications, business affairs, and social programming, and Class Council members. The Senate meets with representatives of all the student organizations in a monthly town hall format open to all students and the college community, and the SGA president reports to the Board of Trustees at its meetings. The SGA supports an entire department, Campus Recreation, 40 plus student organizations and about 250 events a year, with a budget close to $400,000. Commuters are represented by a Commuter Council, whose president is an active member of the EAB. Over the years, the student governing organization at Nichols has had different names, composition, relationships with the administration, and various levels of support from students. But its mission has remained the same, to represent a model government, to serve the students of Nichols, and to provide leadership positions and experience.
CLASS NOTES
Coming this winter. . . A newsletter for our Golden Bison!
A Nichols Centenarian
The newsletter will comprise classes that have already celebrated
At publication time, H. Austin Mitscher
their 50th reunions. This new publication will feature all class updates
was planning on celebrating his
and much more!
100th birthday on October 7. Molly Thienel, director of alumni and parent
Please reach out to your class champion (listed below) soon to be included in the first issue.
centenarian in June and reports Mitscher
1956
1964
Tom Keith
Daniel Tomassetti
April-June & September-October
413-567-0085
PO Box 1513
papa.wadur@gmail.com
Pocasset, MA 02559-1513 508-563-6811 November-March 1732 SE 11th Street Fort Lauderdale, 33316-1446
was spry and ecstatic that someone from Nichols “was actually visiting” him. For decades, he traveled between the U.S. and the U.K., where his wife’s family lived. After Mitscher’s retirement from a career in sales, the couple lived in England for most of many years. Now back in New Jersey
1965
following the death of his wife of 68 years, Anne, two years ago,
Jack MacPhail
Mitscher shared fond memories of his time on the Hill with
503-227-2761
Thienel, including his 25th class reunion when he was thrilled that
jackmacphail1@gmail.com
Colonel Conrad remembered him. He was also eager to review the list of classmates from 1939 to 1941 to “see who was still
954-463-1732
1966
1957
Phil Collins
Kent Tarrant
703-627-9924
413-566-5130
pecollins10@aol.com
kent100@charter.net
engagement, visited the almost
1969
1962
Robert “Kuppy” Kuppenheimer
Charlie Howe
4627 Tremont Ln.
609-494-5450
Corona del Mar, CA 92625-3130
charleskatehowe@gmail.com
rkuppy@gmail.com
1963
alive.” Happy Birthday, Austin!
what is now an absolutely
1965
immaculate campus. Included is Class Champion: Jack MacPhail
a picture proving we are all still
503-227-2761
above ground.
jackmacphail1@gmail.com George Quinlan retired to North Robbie and the Daves and I
Carolina 10 years ago, a little
(that’s Jim Robinson, Dave
town an hour north of Charlotte.
Don’t see anyone listed for your
Lombard, and Dave Rodgers,
He reports: “This year will be my
Art Tozzi
class? Be a volunteer! Contact
and Jack MacPhail) recently
12th year as an AARP tax-aide
3710 Marion Court N
Jillian at jillian.riches@nichols.edu,
reunited at this annual ex-
volunteer. I also volunteer for an
Wilson, NC 27896
866-622-4766, or submit your class
Justinian June night on campus
NC Senior Health Insurance
252-291-7020
note to classnotes@nichols.edu.
we created a few years back.
Information Program, helping
I think I can speak for each of us
people through the maze of
saying that each time we get
Medicare. Life has been good.
back to campus, all sorts of good
I have not seen or heard from
To ensure you get your copy, please contact the Alumni Relations
memories come up. Plus, each
any Nichols alumni in quite
Office with your updated mailing information. Winter and summer
time we go back, it seems
some time.”
addresses needed!
something new has sprouted on
toz1369@earthlink.net
1967
Mail: Nichols College Attn. Jillian Riches PO Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01517
Dave Jones and wife Mary Elizabeth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Email: jillian.riches@nichols.edu Call:
Their celebration included a
866-622-4766
trip to Alaska and the West
Online Form: https://alumni.nichols.edu/update-my-info
Coast, including a visit with Chuck Foster and family.
Please send your Class Notes news directly to your class champion. If you do not have a class champion, news may be forwarded to classnotes@nichols.edu. Digital images are preferred, but please do not crop them! The higher the resolution the better — 300 dpi (dots per inch)
is best. Digital images may be sent directly to the Alumni Relations Office classnotes@nichols.edu. Prints may be sent to: Nichols College, Alumni Relations Office, P.O. Box 5000, Dudley, MA 01571.
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
13
CLASS NOTES
Ray and wife Caroline came out
1973
1985 > 35th Reunion
mini reunion, along with Fred
Class Champion: Jay Reese
Class Champion: John Donahue
Magnus ’68 and wife Amy.
(508) 359-7862
609-257-8717
Jay.reese@verizon.net
johndonahue1234@gmail.com
In January, Jeff Buonforte retired
I took a different approach to
from Lakeland Bank. He and his
class notes for this magazine and
wife Jen also celebrated the
asked classmates three questions
birth of their third granddaughter.
about their experience at Nichols.
Mike Runyon was in charge of
They have retired to the beach
Join in! Email me your answers for
blowing up balloons for the kids
in Manasquan, NJ, and Jeff is
a chance to be featured. — John
at the local Cancer Center Family
starting a new career as a steel
Fun Day in North Carolina.
drummer.
for the weekend for their annual
1969
John Hachmann and his wife
Who was the first person you met at Nichols and when was the last time you saw them?
Gerry continue to enjoy
Lia Metaxis: I was a local girl, so
Kuppy, Jim Kerley and Tom Hall
retirement, travel the world, and
I had arrived armed with at least
4627 Tremont Ln.
are seen drooling over a delicious
expect to see classmates Jay
a half dozen friends from high
Corona del Mar, CA 92625-3130
meal made by Denise Hall.
Reese, Dave Hoffert, and Tim
school (the nearby Shepherd Hill
Craig — along with their LOVELY
Regional), which eased the
1970 > 50th Reunion
wives in Key West in January
transition considerably. I remain
Class Champion: Jim Mulcunry
2020.
close to Jenni Reardon Speed
Class Champion: Robert “Kuppy” Kuppenheimer
rkuppy@gmail.com
mulcunryjl@charter.net
and Charlene Murdock Bolduc
1975
> 45th Reunion
Hi, my name is Jim Mulcunry, and
Dave Hale hosted Tom Hall ’69,
I have volunteered as your new
John Maffeo, and Molly Thienel,
Lee McNelly participated in the
class scribe and champion. I look
director of alumni and parent
Ipswich town parade with the
forward to collecting your class
engagement, on his boat this
Rotary.
notes and hearing what you have
summer.
been up to since Nichols College!
known her, and that is a direct
communications, please update
result of our shared Nichols
your contact information by
and Bill Wood.
/update-my-info. I look forward to celebrating with you at our 50th reunion!
touch when I moved to
it, but I am better for having
of the reunion details and
online at https://alumni.nichols.edu
often happens in life, we lost
a little less bright without her in
To be sure that you receive all
after graduation: Dave Weyant
and we became friends. As so
died in 2008. I think the world is
September 25 and 26, 2020.
alumnioffice@nichols.edu or
presence, Claire Rothschild ’86,
saddened to learn that Claire had
reunion. Please save the dates of
still getting together 50 years
tiny girl with the bigger-than-life
next thing I know, I was deeply
stages of planning a 50th
calling 866-622-4766, emailing
I can remember meeting was the
Washington, DC, in 1998, and the
The class of 1970 is in the early
A couple of Merrill Hall guys are
to this day. The first new person
1980 > 40th Reunion
experience.
1983
Jim Mullins: I believe one of the
Class Champion: Michael Donehey
Animal" Golab in Goodell dorm.
mdonehey@live.com
He was in the room next to mine
first people I met was Al "The
and I remember he
1972
played Journey
Class Champion: Mark Alexander
over again. He
mark1alex12@gmail.com
graduated a year
albums over and
ahead of me and Paul Gauvin, at Newfound Lake,
I don't think I ever
NH, with his wife Patti and their
saw him again after
Bob Keller and his college
six grandchildren, (pictured at
that. However, we
roommate Ray Wenzel are
right), says: “Life is great!”
are Facebook
pictured on a golf course in East Marion, NY, close to Bob’s house.
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Nichols College Magazine
l Fall/Winter 2019
friends.
Roy Grafton: First person I saw
What is one significant event or
different perspectives… and it
the background. I believe it was
was Don Chalmers ’86, my
person at Nichols that helped
made me realize how much more
the tiny kernel that kept niggling
roommate in Goodell pit. Have
shape your life after (or during)
of that kind of exposure I wanted.
at my subconscious, finally
not seen Don in quite some time,
Nichols?
If you insist on narrowing it down
driving me to apply to law school
to one single thing, however, I will
a full 10 years after we had
admit that the Business Law class
graduated from Nichols, and
I took in our senior year with the
thereby putting my life into a
wonderful Professor Bill Steglitz
completely new trajectory. (If you
stayed with me long after
are reading this, THANK YOU
everything else had faded into
Professor Steglitz!)
though we correspond via mutual Facebook acquaintances, as well as fellow alum and sister Laura (Chalmers) Bray ’87.
Lia Metaxis: My time at Nichols as a whole was the first (and therefore the most critical) of all the formative experiences I have had. I met people from different places and was exposed to
The passion principal Alicia Sweet Dawe ’93
Alicia Sweet Dawe, principal of the West Vine Street School in Stonington, Conn., was recently recognized as the Elementary Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. How did she get there? Passion. Dawe was a psychology major at Nichols College; her first job out of school was working for a residential drug rehabilitation center for adolescents. As a counselor, she served as the liaison with the teen’s school, but, after about six months, she started to feel burnt out. The experience working with school systems, however, led her to a new career in teaching. She earned a master’s degree in education and has never turned back. As an elementary school teacher for 14 years, Dawe discovered a passion for education, which she has brought to her role as assistant principal and now principal. She has served the Stonington school system for 23 years, and reports, “I am so lucky. I love my job; I have a fantastic staff and amazing students.” As a teacher, Dawe was hyper focused on the academic, social and emotional needs of her students, encouraging them to reach their highest potential.
Today, as a principal, she takes more of a global approach, leading her school to reach its highest potential. From her own experience as a teacher, she has learned that she performed at her lowest potential when principals were micro managers and exceeded under leadership that believed in her. She works hard to empower her staff and to develop an environment of collaboration, teamwork and collegiality. “When people believe in you, that is when you succeed,” says Dawe. She points to Nichols’ Professor Mary Trottier for being one of the first to do just that. “She was empathetic, supportive, encouraging, and a mentor. Everyone needs someone like that, and I try to be that for my team.” Dawe believes that when her teachers are empowered, they are passionate about the work and reach their highest potential, which, in turn, helps students reach theirs. In fact, she largely credits her team for the principal of the year award. “It is such an honor and completely humbling to represent the state of Connecticut,” she relates. “It is really a reflection of my staff, the students, the community and all of the hard work that we do together.” As a leader, Dawe is also a learner. She had the opportunity to attend a week-
long Women’s Leadership Program at Yale University, where about 30 women from all over the world heard from accomplished author and Yale management professor, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, as well as Patricia Russo, chair of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., and Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of Patriarch Partners LLC. “This was one of the best experiences I had ever had in my life!” she says. The common theme in their presentations was passion, she notes; their passion for the work was the key to their success. She praises Nichols College for teaching her about passion. “The professors at Nichols were far and above the cream of the crop,” she says. “They all had a passion for what they do and you felt that every day in their classes… For example, I wasn’t much of a science person, but I loved going to Professor [Mauri] Pelto’s classes. His passion for science was so contagious and inspirational. To this day, with various graduate-level degrees, I still feel that Nichols College was the best education I ever received. The icing on the cake — I met my ten best friends, who I still am very close with today.”
alumni.nichols.edu
– Jillian Riches
l Nichols College Magazine
15
CLASS NOTES
Jim Mullins: I remember one of
pretty good ride! Still keeping in
the accounting professors told
touch with fellow Bison, reliving
Buddy Pagliccia ’86 that I
(expanding!) the stories, and
Class Champion: Keith Hofbeck
understood the concept of
watching their lives and families
khofbeck@comcast.net
accounting pretty well for
grow, change, and support has
someone who had never taken a
been, and continues to be,
1994
class before. He told me what the
awesome!
Class Champion:
professor said to him and I was
1992
selectman on May 13, 2019 in his
1986
professor had said that. I received high grades in all my accounting courses and enjoyed the subject. I was a management major, so it didn't really sink in as to what my
Class Champion: Susan Zimonis 18930 Misty Lake Dr. Jupiter, FL 33458
seven years later that I went back to school and received my
2003 Jillian (Hayes) Smerage Jnhayes80@gmail.com
thedwoman@yahoo.com
1995 > 25th Reunion
2005 > 15th Reunion Class Champion: Melissa Jackson
561-707-8781
1998
susanzimonis@bellsouth.net
Class Champion:
1987
Millie.176@hotmail.com
true calling was. It wasn't until
hometown of Georgetown, MA.
Class Champion: Danielle Troiano Sprague
surprised and happy that the
David Twiss was elected town
msmeljackson@gmail.com
Emily (Seiferman) Alves
master’s degree in accounting
Cynthia Begin recently was
from Bentley. I became a CPA,
named first deputy commissioner
Alf Anderson, who has served as
which eventually led to my
of the Massachusetts Division of
the director of membership sales
current CFO position at a
Banks. She is responsible for the
and marketing for the Bar Harbor
national telecommunications
oversight of regulated banks,
Chamber of Commerce since
services company.
credit unions, and over 9,000
2015, was named the chamber's
non-depository licensees as well
new executive director.
Sam Dubois and Ryan Briggs welcomed Harper Ley Briggs on
Roy Grafton: Fellow alum Paul
as the agency’s Enforcement and
Cutler ’84 for convincing me to
Investigation Unit. Since joining
play football after freshman year,
the Division of Banks in 1994,
Kerry (Barnes) Cole MBA ’07
and for being a good friend since,
Begin has served as assistant
has been promoted to vice
though we don’t get together as
general counsel, senior deputy
president of admissions at
much as we should!
commissioner, and chief risk
American International College.
1999
February 12, 2019.
officer. She earned a law degree from Suffolk University.
If you could change just one thing (if anything) about your
1988
Nichols memory, what would it
Christopher Demers has three Charlene (Henshaw) Shaffer and
children, all girls, Loralei (8),
her husband David welcomed
Evelyn (4), and Scarlett (8 months).
be and why?
Class Champion: Diane Golas
their daughter Elle on December
Lia Metaxis: I wouldn’t change a
spongedicat@aol.com
15, 2018.
1990 > 30th Reunion
Greg Stott MBA was appointed
thing! (Ok, maybe that awful layered hairstyle I wore, but that’s
Lucia Ester Ramirez has four children, ages 7, 5 (twins), and 2.
chief financial officer at
only in retrospect, and I was definitely not alone.) Sending
1991
warmest regards to all my
Class Champion: Donna Small
classmates in the Class of 1985.
336-692-5157 dsmall9242000@yahoo.com
Jim Mullins: I really enjoyed my four years at Nichols and some of
Karen Yancik has been promoted
my fondest memories are from
to senior vice president, senior
those times. There is not much
compliance and risk management
I would change. Thanks for
officer, at Hometown Financial
thinking of me for the class notes.
Group. She joined the company in
iPROMOTEu in Wayland, MA. Previously, he served in several financial leadership roles at major nationwide organizations, including Erecruit, Trimble, SpaceClaim and others. Stott started his career as a CPA at Ernst & Young.
2000 > 20th Reunion
1987 and has held significant
Class Champion: Andrea Sacco
Roy Grafton: I don’t think I would
positions in the areas of internal
Andrea.j.Sacco@gmail.com
change anything in regard to “the
audit, compliance and risk
Nichols memory,” as everything
management, and most recently,
2001
L’Heureux was planning
that I did, participated in, learned,
vice president of compliance and
Class Champion: David Twiss
people I met, has shaped my life
Kim Fuller, pictured with their
risk management.
978-979-7658
dog Jack Muffin L’Heureux.
to this point, which has been a
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Nichols College Magazine
David.twiss14@gmail.com
l Fall/Winter 2019
At publication time, Bobby a September 2019 wedding with
2006
of the Nichols College Board
specialist with the Office of the
Lauderdale, FL. She most
of Advisors.
Public Defender, City of Richmond.
recently was a supervising senior
John is a contract specialist with
accountant in auditing at Bollus
the Department of Veterans
Lynch in Worcester, MA.
Class Champion: Erica Boulay erica.boulay@hotmail.com Christine Scarafoni MBA/MOL ’16 was named chief human resources officer at
2007 Class Champion: Meaghan Larkin
Affairs. He says that he enjoys
meaglark@gmail.com
being able to help veterans every day and is a veteran himself. The
2008
KLR, an accounting
Class Champion: Nicole Curley
and business
nsc3129@gmail.com
advisory firm. She oversees
2013
wedding is planned for spring
Class Champion: Ryan Flavin
2020 in Virginia.
rtflavin@gmail.com
2009
Caitlin Peloquin became an independent financial advisor
recruiting, talent management,
John Easley is
Domenic
organizational development and
engaged to
Cornacchioli
training to support KLR’s
Molly O’Rourke.
MSOL ’16
operations and growth. Prior to
Molly graduated
and his wife,
joining KLR, she held varying
from George
Sara, welcomed Hannah Claire to
roles in HR senior management
Mason
their family on April 1, 2019.
for Century Bank and Trust,
University and
with Ameriprise in January 2018. Taylor Ross and Brianne Ross MOL ’11 welcomed son, Bryce, on April 8, 2018. He joins his older brother, Bodie, who turned 3 in February. Taylor is currently
Donnie Wynia MBA ’10 and his
UniBank for Savings, Millbury
earned a master’s degree from
Federal Credit Union, and Bank
Virginia Commonwealth
wife, Bev,
of Boston. Scarafoni is a member
University. She is a mitigation
welcomed their second child, David Alan, on May
Marriages
associate director of capital management at SunLife Financial, and Brianne is associate director of alumni relations and annual giving at WPI. They are now residing in Holden, MA.
16, 2019.
2010 > 10th Reunion Class Champion: Katelyn Vella katelyn.vella@yahoo.com
2010: Lauren Burke married James Hutchinson on July 13,
2013: Thomas Miller and Allison
Monica Bassi had a son Elijah in
Deban, both teachers, got married
April 2018 and a daughter Zoey in
July 13, 2019 in Duxbury MA.
June 2019 and got engaged in
2018, at The Villa at Ridder Country Club. Many Bison were in attendance.
February. She is currently stationed
2015 > 5th Reunion
in Oahu with the U.S. Army.
Class Champions:
2011
andrewhaas3@gmail.com
Class Champion:
michaeljamesricci@gmail.com
Andrew Haas & Mike Ricci
Alexandria Hallam aliemchal@gmail.com
John T. Latino Jr. MBA was promoted to chief operating
2014: Danny Smith married
Matthew Nash was promoted
officer at Millbury National Bank.
Melissa Gill on October 6, 2018,
from senior associate to audit
He joined the bank in 2004 and
surrounded by Nichols
manager at Meyers Brothers
has held numerous roles in
graduates: Scott Gray ’12, Sean
Kalicka PC. Nash began as an
various departments.
Dorgan ’10, Matt Soderberg
intern at MBK in 2011 and was
’10, and Steve Hutchinson ’10.
hired as an accounting associate
2017
Danny transitioned from his term
later that year.
Class Champions:
at Balyasny Asset Management
Nicole LaBrack & Gina Petruzzi
2013: Stefany Mendez MBA ’16
to Centerview Partners LLC.
2012
Njlabrack13@verizon.net
got married on November 24,
Melissa continues her work as a
Hannah E. Tardif MBA ’17 was
gmp0626@aol.com
2018 and purchased a multi-
physical therapist. They currently
named supervisor of audit and
family home in February 2019.
reside in Hoboken, NJ.
assurance at Fiske & Co. in Fort
alumni.nichols.edu
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17
CLASS NOTES
Nicole
Bison at the Beach
LaBrack
A small but distinguished crowd popped up at Cape
recently
Cod’s Ocean Edge Resort on August 12. They are, from
visited the Barberstown Castle in
left, Jon Blake ’69, Bill Austin, Micki Austin ’77, Molly Thienel and Jillian Riches from the Alumni Relations Office, Rebecca Khachikian ’20, and Richard “Mick”
Ireland.
Mikolajczak ’84.
Devin Stallings and Amanda Pipkins ’18 welcomed daughter Kayden Rasheed on July 9, 2019.
Glass half full Stephen Jackson ’99 Stephen Jackson was a partner at a Big Four accounting firm when he began to audit his own career. After graduating from Nichols College in 1990, Jackson was on a steady and rewarding path as a public accountant, working in the audit department of then Coopers & Lybrand, first in Springfield, Mass., followed by a nineyear stint helping to grow a new office in Greensboro, N.C., and, finally, a transfer to Washington D.C., which led to partnership at PricewaterhouseCoopers. But years of managing clients in a range of industries — from healthcare, nonprofit, manufacturing, real estate, and retail — left him wanting to do more with business. Reaching that impressive pinnacle of partnership caused Jackson to rethink the view. “In public accounting, essentially, you’re a consultant or provider of a specific service…. But what I really wanted was to get deeper into company operations,” he says, adding, “When you’re an auditor, you are asked to do many services from a consulting standpoint, but you’re not driving it day-to-day in the business.” So, Jackson decided to switch gears, and embarked on a career as CFO for the Remington Outdoor Company, Driven Brands, and currently Anchor
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l Fall/Winter 2019
Glass, which he joined in April 2018. Going from financial “scorekeeper” to operating privately owned businesses was a refreshing change. “It’s afforded me a slightly different path to become a different type of person in a company environment,” he says. “Reporting to a board or an ownership group is rewarding, and it was the right time in my life to do that.” Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Anchor Glass designs and manufactures glass containers for the beer, liquor and food markets. The leadership team is working on a strategy to improve its competitiveness in the industry and is currently the #3 manufacturer in the U.S. glass marketplace. With Anchor’s manufacturing plants in six states, Jackson occasionally finds himself on the road, meeting with clients or supervising financial operations. The travel isn’t always glamorous, but one of the reasons he enjoys the job is the opportunity to get out of the office: “As my boss says, ‘We don’t make bottles in our headquarters.’ It’s important to go out and understand the process.” The manufacturing field appeals to Jackson. “I am a visual learner, and I like watching people make things,” he explains. “Probably because I’m jealous. I’ll never be the guy who
will design the next bottle, but I appreciate the craftsmanship, the process, the quality and attention to detail. It’s really cool to me.” He doesn’t lose sight, however, of the value he brings to the process — the sustainability of the company. When not at work, Jackson can typically be found at one of his three children’s sporting events. “That is the A #1 priority for me,” he says. He also enjoys running and biking and is slowly getting used to the Florida heat: “Treadmills when it’s really hot, or my bike outside, for balance.” Balance is a lesson Jackson learned early on at Nichols — and not just on a spreadsheet. After playing baseball for two years, he made a conscious effort to “broaden his experience,” serving as treasurer then president of the Student Government Association, and as a resident assistant to earn money. He urges today’s students to do the same, particularly when it comes to the softer skills: “You can be a whiz bang at a computer and can play a game, but, at some point, you will have to talk to somebody to be effective. Having that well rounded balance is pretty important for students today.” – Susan Veshi
NICHOLS REMEMBERS
Dennis M. Fitzgerald MBA ’90, of Boston, MA, June 21, 2019.
Winning Coach: Alan Malkasian ’69 Former Nichols College baseball coach and Hall of Famer Alan Malkasian '69 died
Gary L. Renick MBA ’91, of Woburn, MA, July 3, 2019. James A. Ranicar III MBA ’96, of North Granby, CT, June 22, 2019. Karen A. Courville ’98, of Millbury, MA, March 7, 2019.
August 10, 2019. He coached the Bison for
Faculty/Staff
10 seasons, and his 139 wins is second all-
Allen P. Kubicki, former golf coach, of Webster, MA, July 16, 2019.
time behind only Hal Chalmers' 212. Before
E George A. Riley, former professor, of Worcester, MA, April 3, 2019.
enrolling at Nichols, Malkasian signed with the New York Yankees in 1961 and pitched for the
E Denotes service in the United States military
St. Petersburg Saints of the Florida State League as a
k Nichols College volunteer
21-year-old. He was then purchased by the LA Dodgers and spent three seasons in their system. Malkasian spent 33 years as a math teacher, retiring from Bay Path Regional
Class Scholarship Champion: Charlie Petrillo ’68
Vocational Tech H.S. in 1999, and continued to play in the Boston Parks League and later umpired at high school, college and league games. Survivors include his wife,
Charles A. Petrillo ’68, whose $25,000
Barbara; three daughters; and eight grandchildren.
challenge to his classmates helped raise more than $50,000 for a 50th reunion endowed scholarship, died
E Robert A. Mattia ’48, of Sudbury, MA, January 20, 2019.
August 18, 2019. Petrillo was president of Petrillo
E Bainbridge Eager ’48, of Bethesda, MD, June 16, 2019.
Contracting Inc. in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., a general construction
E Michael F. Debitetto ’49, of Venice, FL, January 24, 2019.
and contracting company that is now in its fourth
E William T. Lawson ’50, of Danielson, CT, March 22, 2019.
generation with son, Paul C. Petrillo ’92, at the helm. Petrillo
E John C. Targgart ’51, of Mashpee, MA, July 15, 2019.
was an avid skier — an activity he picked up as a Nichols
E Robert J. Weiner ’51, of Bethel, CT, May 17, 2019.
student — and was a frequent weekend traveler to Mt. Snow
E Hugh F. Underhill ’52, of Newburyport, MA, February 21, 2019.
in Vermont. In addition to the scholarship challenge, Petrillo
Bradford A. Dennler ’54, of West Hartford, CT, February 16, 2019.
also left his mark on Nichols with a generous gift to the Fels
John L. Kramer ’55, of Old Saybrook, CT, March 26, 2019.
Student Center, where a popular terrace bears his name. He
E Robert H. Kemp ’55, of Syracuse, NY, December 6, 2018.
is survived by his wife, Rinda; two sons; and six
E Averell D. Litt ’55, of Sarasota, FL, June 12, 2019.
grandchildren.
E Irving G. Eastland ’56, of Madison, CT, September 29, 2018. E Donald F. Rock ’56, of Dunstable, MA, May 16, 2019. k Paul D. Price ’58, of Springfield, OH, April 27, 2019.
Educational Leader: Bob Miller
Elwood G. Johnson ’58, of Nashua, NH, March 20, 2019. E Bruce M. Burner ’61, of Edison, NJ, April 4, 2019.
Robert E. Miller, Ph.D., a member of the
John S. Ross ’64, of Shrewsbury, MA, February, 17, 2019.
Nichols College Board of Trustees for over
E Roger P. Holden ’66, of Springfield, MA, February 22, 2019.
20 years, where he served as an advisor to
Robert R. "Kirk" Coykendall ’67, of Marion, MA, July 28, 2019.
four Nichols presidents, died April 1, 2019.
Peter D. Korper ’67, of Salado, TX, May 12, 2019.
A resident of Brooklyn, Conn., Miller was
Robert B. McClelland ’69, of Rochester, NY, April 27, 2019.
the founding president of Quinebaug Valley Community
Craig A. Fleming ’71, of Farmington, CT, June 25, 2019.
College for 21 years, during which time the college
Stephen J. Wrenn ’74, of North Grafton, MA, June 11, 2019.
expanded to a 68-acre campus in Danielson, opened a
Richard A. Weiss ’75, of Becker, MN, April 30, 2019. John P. Crimmin ’76, of Venice, FL, February 18, 2019. Laurence P. Broderick Jr. ’81, of Scituate, MA, July 6, 2019. Steven V. Canty ’82, of Worcester, MA, March 24, 2019. Roland E. Gaudette MBA ’82, of Worcester, MA, March 14, 2019. Loretta M. Young ’89, of Oxford, MA, July 3, 2019.
satellite center in Willimantic, and continued to grow in its service and educational offerings to students in Northeast Connecticut. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Educational Leadership Administration (posthumously) at Nichols’ May Commencement. Miller leaves his wife, Sylvia; five children; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Lawrence Burke MBA ’90, of Northborough, MA, June 2, 2019.
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Bob Beckwith ’64: True Grit
Bob Beckwith’s story is one of true (Nichols) grit. Born with a rare eye disorder that made reading quickly and for long periods of time difficult, he knew college would be challenging. But after a shaky first semester at Nichols College, when Dean Robert Eaton suggested to his parents that he may not be asked to return, Beckwith questioned whether his goal of getting a business education would become a reality. After some “real deep soul searching,” Beckwith met with Eaton, informed him that he “wanted a business education more than anything in the world and would do whatever it took to get it,” and that he planned to graduate from Nichols College. He then promised the dean that they would meet again someday on more pleasant terms.
“I decided to become a member of the Conrad Society because Nichols College has been impressing the heck out of me!” With his sights set, Beckwith managed to be elected as a charter member of a new four-year Zeta Alpha Phi honor society in his junior year and “to top it all off,” he says, “at graduation, Dean Eaton presented me with the Faculty Trophy, along with his customary warm smile and the most meaningful words, ‘And so we meet again, Bob.’” Beckwith is speaking from experience when he says, “I think of Nichols College
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Nichols College Magazine
“I decided to become a member of the Conrad Society because Nichols College has been impressing the heck out of me!” he says. “I am so inspired to read the stories in the Nichols College Magazine and on Facebook on what our students are doing and accomplishing. Every time I read about Nichols College I think, this is something I want to invest in. as a friendly form of business boot camp. If a student is willing to listen and believe that this college will get them where they want to go, I say, ‘Jump on board because you are in for the ride that’s going to change your life.’ When you graduate from Nichols, you will know who you are, how you want to contribute in the world and the first steps you need to take towards obtaining your dream.” Following his graduation in 1964, Beckwith joined forces with his father to start their own insurance firm. With grit and determination, Beckwith built their reputation and a successful business, serving primarily banks in all of New England. These days, the Bedford, Mass. resident is reconnecting with the institution that he says was “a major contributor in molding my life.” In the past two years, he has strengthened his decades-long support of Nichols by creating an endowed scholarship and joining the Colonel Conrad Society for individuals who have included Nichols in their estate plans.
l Fall/Winter 2019
“It goes back to the idea that Nichols College is a little gem, as my friend David Lombard ’65 would call it. I want to make sure this gem lives on. It doesn’t mean it lives on exactly the way it is but lives on being a builder of people who are prepared to have fulfilling careers, and to be good people and solid citizens.” Through his participation in the Conrad Society, Beckwith feels he is doing his part in “ensuring that our little gem, Nichols College, has a lasting legacy. I urge you to consider what part you can play.”
For more information on planned giving opportunities, such as charitable bequests, charitable remainder trusts or gifts of life insurance, please contact Jillian Riches at 508-213-2211 or at plannedgiving@nichols.edu. Additional resources on planned giving and helpful information on the tax advantages offered by planned giving can be found at www.nicholsgiving.org.
S TAY C O N N E C T E D
Homecoming on the Hill 2019 September 27 and 28
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