ALUMNI / CLASS NOTES
Catching up with Matthew Roach ’10
Matthew Roach ’10, has been working hard since graduating. While working in human resources at Northeastern University, he is pursuing his master’s degree in corporate and organizational communication. Simultaneously, Roach is pursuing another passion. In 2011, he started the Minutes for Memories Foundation in honor of his longtime friend, Addison Russell, who was injured in a tragic boating accident. The name of the charity, Roach explains, comes from the idea that it only takes a few minutes of one’s life to make an impact on a child who is facing a long recovery process. “Each moment proves itself to be a new chance to inspire others, to challenge them to appreciate what they do have, and a moment of reflection to see how they too can help,” he says. Roach is inspired by Russell, a talented athlete who is now adjusting to his new life in a wheelchair, limiting the amount of athletic involvement he can participate in. “He was the driving force [for creating Minutes for Memories],” Roach states. “Our foundation draws strength from Addison’s insistence on using the moment that changed his life as a catalyst to positively impact the lives of those around him.” The foundation helps those impacted by similar situations become acclimated to their new lives and not allow that one instance to define the rest of their lives. The mission states: “Memories have the potential to lift people up when they need it most. At Minutes for Memories we realize that it only takes a few minutes to create memories that will last a lifetime.” Roach stresses the importance of, while helping these kids get acclimated to their new lives, making them realize that they can still enjoy the hobbies that they once enjoyed prior to their injuries. “We are hoping to build not only a support system but an outlet for kids who need a way to see that their days do not have to necessarily be filled with just the present hardships that face them.”
Class Scribe: David Twiss 978-979-7658 (cell) david.twiss@comcast.net 10th REUNION
Candice Williamson and Patrick McQuillan were married Oct. 7, 2011, 10 years after they met at Nichols, at The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton, MA. Nichols classmates in attendance were Kellianne (Foley) Percevel MBA ’06, and groomsmen, John Sullivan MBA ’03 and Derek Durand. The couple honeymooned for three weeks in
Hawaii and California. Candice is a production manager at TJX Cos. in Framingham. Patrick is an automobile insurance underwriter at Safety Insurance in Boston. They currently reside in Abington.
Class Scribe: Jillian (Hayes) Smerage jnhayes80@gmail.com
Class Scribe: Erica Mello emello84@hotmail.com
In Matt Roach (right), Addison Russell has a friend he can lean on.
One of Roach’s new goals within the foundation is to help with the start-up costs for a power-wheel soccer team called the MA R.E.D. Steamrollers, based out of Central Massachusetts. Additionally, Roach hosted a kickoff dinner for the foundation in January, which included a silent auction and raffle. He says the dinner was a huge success, with a sold-out crowd and pleased winners from the silent auction. Some of the proceeds will go towards providing uniforms and an official referee certification from the U.S. Power Soccer Association. Roach hopes to hold other events in the summer and fall. One of his longterm goals is to build a facility for the organization as well as have a recreation center and handicap van. To learn more, visit www.minutesformemories.org. ~ Ed Baia ’12 & Ashley O’Keefe ’13
5th REUNION
Brent Stephenson MBA is the new CFO and director of finance for the city of Bullard, TX.
Peter Smyth and Nicole Loscoe are engaged. She is a paralegal for The Schreiber Law Firm in Salem, NH, and is in her final semester of earning her law degree. He is the operations manager for Home Grown Lacrosse in North Andover, MA. An August wedding is planned in Mystic, CT.
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NICHOLS COLLEGE M A G A Z I N E
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