Nichols magazine spring/summer 2018

MAGAZINE Volume 12, Issue 2 | Spring/Summer 2018

Producing at the highest level

Fox News producer Debra Cote ’92

From the President M A G A Z I N E Vo l u m e 1 2 , I s s u e 2 Spring/Summer 2018

State of the College Nichols College is preparing for the future, thoroughly and thoughtfully. With a new five-year strategic plan and a campus-wide initiative to increase retention, we are looking forward to our next milestone. Like the students we educate, Nichols has yet to fulfill its potential, but the strides we make each day bring us closer to our vision as a college of choice for business and leadership education. This update will highlight a few of the initiatives intended to get us there.

Record Enrollment and Retention Spring enrollment is 1,141 students, and fall to spring retention was 96.3 percent for all students and 89.3 percent for new students — all records for Nichols. The numbers are highly encouraging in our drive to reach a target retention rate (as measured by the number of students who return in their third semester) of 80 percent by 2022. Our fall admissions numbers also look promising, particularly in this exceedingly competitive higher education landscape.

Scholarships News of the looming student debt crisis is certainly prevalent. We face the impact of this complex issue on a personal level nearly every day. Our commitment at Nichols to helping students minimize debt — which at Nichols is around the national average of $30,000 — remains fervent. Thanks to a concentrated effort, we have been able to increase endowed scholarships from 30 to 66 in the past two years.

EDITOR Susan Veshi VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT Bill Pieczynski CONTRIBUTORS Brent Broszeit, Pete DiVito, Jim Douglas, Rae Glispin,

Physical Plant Over the winter break, we began a multi-phase project to renovate the Lombard Dining Hall, which will enhance the dining experience at Nichols. I welcome you to read more about the project on page 3. We have also formed a task force to study the feasibility of building an ice rink for the burgeoning men’s and women’s hockey programs at Nichols. The group, comprising trustees, alumni, administrators, and a student-athlete, will determine the scope of the project, research existing data, examine the potential impact on student enrollment and retention, and develop a financial plan.

They are expected to present findings to the Board of Trustees next fall.

Lorraine Martinelle, Jillian Riches, Ron Schachter, Len Suprise, Molly Thienel, DESIGN Steve Belleville PRINTING Puritan Capital, Hollis, NH

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

New Strategic Plan Following a two-year collaborative process, the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan was approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2017. The plan outlines four goals that are focused on securing the long-term financial health of the college; deepening our commitment to creating career-ready professionals; building partnerships with the business and educational communities; and striving to create an inclusive and diverse learning environment.

Bicentennial Campaign Extension The bicentennial campaign raised more than $46.1 million to fund essential scholarships, new and renovated facilities, and innovative business and leadership programs. Board Chair John Davis ’72 and his brother, trustee Steve Davis, ’80, have proposed to extend the campaign by committing $5 million, provided they can find partners to match them. If successful, the college will commit to raising another $10 million. An extension will focus on endowment support; strategic objectives, such as experiential learning and leadership opportunities; and capital projects.

www.nichols.edu

Partnerships Strategic partnerships are an effective and dynamic way to realize our mission and vision.

On the undergraduate and graduate levels, students perform consulting projects with area businesses. Graduate and Professional Studies connects its degree and non-degree offerings with companies on site (see related story on page 7), and has formed degree partnerships with the Maastricht School of Management (Netherlands), Worcester State University, and Springfield College. The new master’s degree in counterterrorism has generated interest and outreach from government officials and state representatives. Our ABLE initiative (Affordable Business and Leadership Education) provides a pathway to a four-year degree for students at four community colleges in three states. Articulation agreements with area high schools enable us to serve the community and promote the Nichols brand.

Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. President

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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Office of Advancement Nichols College PO Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571-5000

CONTENTS

FA C I L I T Y U P DAT E Lombard Dining Hall undergoes renovation

3 3

4 Media graduates make their mark A T H L E T I C S Bison make a Team Impact

10

From the Archives

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C L A S S N O T E S

14–22

Catching Up With Frans Keesing ’63

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Catching Up With Caitlin Nugent ’09

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Catching Up With Wick Dudley ’75

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NICHOLS REMEMBERS Veteran Donor Spotlight: Charles Jones ’48

Following in the footsteps of Fred Friendly ’36, the celebrated president of CBS News, Nichols alumni are found behind the scenes at major media and entertainment outlets.

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23–24

7 Fidelity Bank makes a

wise investment in its future

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Employees at Fidelity Bank in Leominster are benefitting from a course that has been designed specifically to meet their needs by Nichols Graduate and Professional Studies division.

25 Service members find a home at Nichols Nichols College strengthens its commitment to the success of members of the armed forces through the Office of Veteran and Military Services.

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FA C I L I T Y U P DAT E

Lombard Dining Hall undergoes renovation In December, Nichols launched a multi-phase project to renovate the 43-year-old Lombard Dining Hall. Construction is expected to be complete by 2021.

Plans for the dining hall project include a reconfigured dining area; a Neapolitan-style brick oven for gourmet pizza, a larger deli sandwich station and an expanded, dual-sided self-serve soup-and-salad bar; a new cathedral ceiling and roof; new, energy-efficient windows for lots of additional natural light; new flooring, furniture, and décor; relocated and easily accessible entrance and exit doors and bathrooms; and new, independent serving stations to include “on-demand” hoods and variable-speed vents to manage energy consumption.

The facility serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner — approximately 2,000 meals per day — every day during the academic year to 940 residential students and 37 commuters who have meal plans, 40 to 60 faculty and staff, and to guests. Its operating hours are limited during student breaks.

“The new Lombard will completely change the dining experience for our students,” said Director of Nichols Dining

by Sodexo David Hebert. “It will be modern, inviting, and keep with today’s dining trends. We’re responding to what students want.

“We had three goals to meet with the dining hall project: to modernize the dining experience for our students; eliminate all deferred maintenance; and, if at all possible, increase the capacity of the facility,” said Robert LaVigne, associate vice president for facilities management at Nichols College.

“This design addresses all three goals.”

“We’re excited for the Nichols campus community to experience the new Lombard Dining Hall,” added Hebert.

“The renovation will support the college’s mission, community, and Bison Pride — all deeply important to Nichols.”

Built in 1974, the 24,860-square-foot dining hall last saw minor renovations in 2005, when it was dedicated as Lombard Dining Hall in honor of David Lombard ’65, trustee emeritus, and his wife, Susan. The lower level houses the Office of Facilities Management. This new project will add 1,500 square feet to the building. Its current capacity is 350 diners; the renovation project will increase it to approximately 450.

The new interior will provide a bright and expansive environment for the Nichols community to enjoy meals and fellowship.

The project will build on the successful design and construction of the academic building and Fels Student Center, which opened in 2015 and 2012, respectively.

The $9 million project was approved in October by the Nichols College Board of Trustees. The Northampton, Mass.-based architectural firm Juster Pope Frazier LLC, which designed the academic building, has designed the Lombard renovation. Worcester, Mass.-based Lauring Construction is the contractor, and Crabtree & McGrath, a food service consulting firm from Georgetown, Mass., worked with the project committee on food trends. The project will be primarily funded through contributions from several donors.

The renovated exterior presents a handsome addition to the campus landscape.

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Media graduates make their mark

by Ron Schachter The spirit of Fred Friendly lives.

Friendly became famous in the late 1940s and ’50s as the president of CBS News, where he developed a staff of broadcasting legends from Edward R. Murrow to Walter Cronkite.

She took her cue from what she learned at Nichols. “I had [Professors] Len Harmon and Larry Downs in marketing,” she remembers. “Both had programs where alumni talked about their jobs without sugar coating it.”

In case you didn’t know, Friendly graduated from Nichols in 1936, when it was still a two-year college.

The primary lesson she learned in those classes: be prepared to make sacrifices and focus on just getting into a company regardless of the job description.

Nichols graduates have continued to make their mark on the media — from news to entertainment, marketing to producing, and radio to television. And while some are relatively new to the field, Nichols can claim several alumni in high places who were present at the creation of cable networks ESPN and HBO decades ago.

Emily Yourie Sands ’12 works as the director of live events & experiences for the media company Entercom Hartford in a career that she chose over the chance to work in the insurance industry. Sands, whose hometown is just miles away from the Connecticut capital, cast a wide net in her first full-time job search. “Most of the responses to my applications came from insurance companies,” she says.

“That’s not surprising. It’s Hartford.”

“It was a foot in the door,” she says of her first radio job. “I paid attention and got my hands into anything going on around the station. I love radio, the energy, and the people.”

Sands began her career ascent just months later, becoming the assistant to the director of sales, where she worked with larger clients such as Lowes and Walmart and helped account representatives sell advertising. Her biggest transition occurred about four years ago when she became involved in organizing concerts and promotional events for Entercom’s four Hartford radio stations.

“I had [Professors] Len Harmon and Larry Downs in marketing. Both had programs where alumni talked about their jobs without sugar coating it.”

Instead, Sands took a job selling commercials for a local CBS radio station now owned by Entercom.

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– Emily Yourie Sands ’12

“There are a lot of concerts, including the All Star Christmas concert [of leading pop performers at Connecticut casino resort Mohegan Sun], and a lot of charity events,” among them fundraisers for breast cancer and holiday food and toy drives, says Sands.

She adds that there’s a lot more to her field than meets the ear. “There’s so much more behind radio than everyone knows,” she says. “The consumer just clicks the dial, but there’s a lot going on that makes it all happen.”

One of those less visible but critical jobs is managing traffic. No, not reporting on the roads every 10 minutes, but fulfilling the complicated task of making sure that all commercials land where and when they are supposed to.

Nicole McEachern ’07 just returned as a senior traffic coordinator to New England Sports Network (NESN), where she interned as a Nichols sport management major before working up to a full-time job.

“The sales team does their pitches and gets their buys from advertisers like Dunkin Donuts and Chevrolet for a Red Sox game,” McEachern explains. “Chevy needs to run three ads during the game, and I figure out the best placement for them. It’s like solving a puzzle.” Along those lines, McEachern deals with 100 to 200 clients a month and as many as 200 advertising spots a day.

“Every day you have a deadline,” she continues. “So you feel as if you’ve accomplished something.”

Fox News producer Debra Cote ’92, meanwhile, focuses on the content that goes out over the television airwaves. She has successfully followed an itinerary winding through the often-wild world of media that has included reality TV, talk TV, a news magazine, and several network news shows at CBS, CNN, and Fox. Cote notes that she didn’t start in that direction. With her business degree in management information systems, she took a more predictable job as a software consultant at Massachusettsbased medical software company Meditech. It was in that career that she began to hear the siren song of television.

“I’ve always had an interest in behindthe-scenes television production and the entertainment industry as a whole,” Cote explains. She took screenwriting and acting courses — and then she moved to Los Angeles.

“I didn’t know what road I’d be taking into the entertainment industry, but I knew the place where all roads went through,” she says. “I found a job as a production assistant on a reality TV show. That was a hard transition. After being paid a decent salary and benefits [in the information management job], starting over was difficult financially.”

Cote also found that getting work in her new career field had its own criteria.

“It’s who you know and if they like your work ethic,” she says. “That’s how I was offered all my jobs in Los Angeles and how I got to ‘CBS This Morning.’”

Since then, Cote’s resumé has expanded to a Who’s Who of network news and other prominent cable addresses, including Court TV, CNN’s

“Erin Burnett Out Front,” and her current employer Fox News, where she stresses that all is not as it appears.

in marketing, but it didn’t take long to become involved in the school’s new speech and broadcasting program.

“Not everyone is a hard core conservative,” she says. “There are lots of liberals walking the halls.” And when it comes to the issue of “fake news,” she adds that all of the major networks are above suspicion. “I know that the people I work with are trying to get the story right.”

After graduating Syracuse in 1957, he found his first job at NBC, where he became the head studio guide and managed studio ticket distribution for shows like “Concentration,” “Price Is Right” and “The Jack Paar Show.”

While Read moved up to bigger things at that network, his career took off when he began a 15-year run at TelePrompTer, putting words in the mouths of many stars, including Arthur Godfrey, Steve Allen, Hugh Downs, and Dave Garroway. He recalls his “best gig” with Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon on the afternoon quiz show,“Who Do You Trust?”

More than 15 years into her media career, Cote says that she still draws on her studies at Nichols, particularly the emphasis on effective speaking.

“To this day, I have to present my pitches to the executive producers,” not to mention “being around high-profile guests and on-air talent requires you to be professional, articulate, and businesslike,” she says. “I use these skills every day.”

“It’s who you know and if they like your work ethic.

That’s how I was offered all my jobs in Los Angeles and how I got to ‘CBS This Morning.’”

– Deb Cote ’92 If Sands, McEachern, and Cote have all risen in their field through the time-tested method of starting at any available job, Nichols alums Leslie “Les” Read ’55 and Neil Holt ’76 started in a really old-fashioned way — as pages for NBC, eventually moving on to the creation of iconic cable companies.

As television reception continued to pose problems in rural areas, TelePrompTer, with Read in the lead, began setting up cable systems in small towns across the country from Elmira, New York, and Farmington, New Mexico, to Great Falls, Montana. The job was to get those towns to adopt cable reception and convince residents to watch the shows. “Once you got to go into a market,” he explains, “You had to get eyeballs to subscribe to the service.” Eventually the company reached 123 cable systems.

In 1973 Read moved to a brand new reception service called Home Box Office where his job was to get cable systems to carry the new service that no one had heard of. Read spread the word about HBO from coast to coast, once again appearing on local cable channels to attract viewers.

Because of his own prodigious exposure, he became known as “Mister HBO,” television’s version of Johnny Appleseed, Read notes.

Like Fred Friendly, Read attended Nichols when it was a two-year school.

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do,” he admits. “My dad had a few gas stations in the Great Neck [New York] area, and he was ready for me to take over.”

Read headed to Syracuse University to complete his bachelor’s degree

alumni.nichols.edu

Mr. HBO then and now, Les Read ’55 and wife Anne

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His pitches included those for the first major live event broadcast on the new network — the legendary “Thrilla in Manila,” where boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier duked it out for the world heavyweight championship, as broadcasting legend Howard Cosell called the fight.

“At HBO, content was king. At first we could only get D films — dog movies — so we had to turn around and develop some of our own programming, which became award winning content,” he says.

After almost three decades at HBO, Read retired as a vice president of special marketing. He is still active in the development of cable communications as “The Ambassador” to The Cable Center at Denver University, a long way, he concludes, from his days as the chair of the Nichols Social Committee 1954-55.

One of Neil Holt’s responsibilities as an NBC page, meanwhile, included seating people for a new comedy show called “Saturday Night Live.” “I understand that nowadays it’s harder to get a job as an NBC page than to get into Harvard,” he quips.

It apparently wasn’t that hard for Holt to wangle a meeting with the president of NBC sports. “I kind of bumped my fist on the desk and said I would do anything to get into sports,” he recalls.

In ensuing years, Holt worked his way up to affiliate sales in the sports division, dealing with 206 stations. In 1980, he migrated to new cable network ESPN, where he worked as the manager of program acquisition, which involved buying programing from boxing to NASCAR. Holt has spent the last 29 years with media conglomerate Viacom, where he serves as executive vice president for marketing and partner solutions.

He oversees the advertising sales and marketing efforts for almost a dozen well-known cable networks including MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount, VH1, and Comedy Central.

Holt is happy to share the creed he has lived by, and what he’s imparted to the groups of Nichols students he has frequently hosted. “For me what it boils down to is that you bring two things to your desk — your relationships and your reputation. I think that’s overarching in any business,” he says.

He recalls what lit the spark for him while at Nichols. “After sophomore year, it was palpable and tangible: I learned to apply myself. I challenged myself to put in the effort and rise to the occasion.”

One remarkable accomplishment is Holt’s tenure with the same company for decades in a field notoriously fickle in its employment practices. “I’ve been through a lot of corporate upheavals and change,” he says, adding that of the nearly 1,800 CBS cable employees when Viacom took control in 1999, he is one of four survivors.

“Almost everybody who’s been in this field for an extended period of time is going to be out looking for a job at some point… and that’s where your relationships and reputation come into play.”

After living through the birth and growth of cable television, Holt feels media companies are now facing an even more daunting revolution. “The social and digital platforms — Google, Facebook and Snapchat — artificial intelligence and big data have turned this business on its head,” he observes.

“Marketing and advertising executives on the network and client side are challenged as never before to show ROI.” And Holt sees the current state of Internet apps, online advertising, and streaming video as the beginning of something much bigger facing those in the cable industry. “There’s a new dawn coming. If individuals and organizations don’t challenge old norms, innovate and lean in, they will fail,” he predicts.

“The challenge is to stay on that cutting edge. Every new technology that comes along I try to embrace.”

“For me what it boils down to is that you bring two things to your desk — your relationships and your reputation. I think that’s overarching in any business.”

– Neil Holt ’76

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Fidelity Bank makes a wise investment in its future

by Ron Schachter

On one Thursday morning every month, 13 rising stars at Fidelity Bank headquarters in Leominster, Mass., spend 90 minutes in a professional development program that gives a new meaning to banker’s hours — and to continuing corporate education.

They represent the first Fidelity Bankbased class developed by the Nichols Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) division. The class has been customized to the particular needs of Fidelity Bank employees and to its unique corporate culture.

“This is us as a company taking the time and money to invest in our people,” says Fidelity Bank President and COO Christopher McCarthy ’92, MBA ’97.

The bank counts about 160 employees in 10 branches throughout central Massachusetts.

The dynamic approach of the program and a vigorous class participation really bring the program alive, insists Danielle Clark, GPS professor and director of the Master of Organizational Leadership Program, who serves as the lead facilitator. “We cover innovative material, we get candid with our thoughts and ideas, and we always seem to hit on a range of emotions be it passion, curiosity, or healthy conflict,” she explains.

While those at Fidelity Bank involved with the initiative note that skillsbuilding workshops and conferences are easy to find, they agree that the Nichols program stands out because of its comprehensiveness, its inclusion of employees from almost every department, and its close connection to the work they do.

The mix of fellow Fidelity Bank employees in the course has impressed systems analyst Tracey Collins. “It’s more encompassing and I get to partake with peers who work here,” she says. “We can do things to assist each other and in turn to assist customers as we improve our process internally.”

“Because of their added knowledge and experience, this group can offer valuable insights in running the bank.”

– Christopher McCarthy ’92, MBA ’97 President and COO

The 20-session course, which began in May 2017 and ends this October, covers a range of essential corporate skills — from time management and effective communication to budgeting and situational management. Graduates will receive a dual certificate from Nichols and Fidelity Bank.

The employees learn through a variety of modes, such as debates, hands-on activities, guest speakers, and a variety of curated content delivered by GPS staff and professors inside and outside of the classroom.

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On this Thursday, Collins steps forward to assist her classmates with a presentation on “The Power of Positivity on Productivity,” a motivational subject. To set the tone, she holds up a plaque proclaiming, “My goal in life is to be the person my dog already thinks I am,” before turning to the projection screen for a statistical look at a recent study on worker productivity.

“There was a 10 to 12 percent increase in productivity in happy workers,” Collins points out. “With unhappy workers, there was 37 percent more absenteeism, 60 percent more errors, and 16 percent less profitability.

“Knowing that, why wouldn’t everyone choose to be happy?” she asks. In response, and throughout this session, there’s plenty of interaction, comment, and laughter.

“I was basically bringing to light how we can cultivate our own positive state of mind, and how much easier it is to get things done,” Collins explains. “It’s something I feel passionate about.”

GPS’s Clark notes that the company saw promise in the participants — most of whom are mid-level managers identified as “high potential, high trajectory employees” — and followed through on that promise.

“They were hand selected for the program,” Clark observes.

“The Fidelity Bank team really created a diverse group in its demographics, departments, and educational experience.”

The GPS staff also did its homework in developing the program. “It was really helpful that our Nichols partners spent a lot of time to immerse themselves in our culture and the way we operate, both of which are huge differentiators from other banks in the area,” says Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director Dee Sendrowski. “This program really fits hand in glove.”

Dee Sendrowski, SVP, Human Resources Director

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Susan Bachman, Marketing Manager, 2 Years of Service

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Kate Blanchette, Senior Loan Coordinator, 11 Years of Service (left) and Danielle Clark from Nichols College (standing)

That fit has been tailored by a careful collaboration between Fidelity Bank management and GPS, explains GPS Executive Director Kerry Calnan. “They shared their goals upfront, and we were able to customize content and the delivery schedule to meet their objectives,” she says. “More importantly, senior leadership welcomed us to learn their culture so we could ensure that the content embraced the culture and the direction the bank is moving in.”

That oft-cited culture ranges from pursuing excellence and making sound and ethical professional decisions to maintaining a positive and fun work environment.

“I love the class,” says Amanda Guzman, the bank’s deposit operations supervisor. “I expect to implement the tools and modules we’re learning to help the people who work for me.”

Vice President and Mortgage Sales Manager Brian Cormier has come to appreciate the viewpoints of his diverse classmates, noting that the professional development webinars and seminars he’s taken previously have largely focused on just the mortgage side of banking.

Nicole Leone, Cash Management Sales/ Analyst, 5 Years of Service

Natasha Winslow, Portfolio Manager, Banking Officer, 3 Years of Service

Brian Cormier, VP and Mortgage Sales Manager, 4 Years of Service

“That really puts you in a silo,” he says.

“In dealing with peers, customers, and business partners, I’m opening my mind to where these people are coming from.”

“One of the biggest things that struck me from the outset was the leadership from the bank in providing this opportunity. They create the mindset that in our culture, our employees are our greatest asset.”

Heidi Vargas, Cash Management Operations Specialist, 2 Years of Service

By all accounts, Fidelity Bank is getting its money’s worth from the new program.

“It’s met and exceeded our expectations.

We’ve already seen growth in the participants’ skills and competence and Those insights, in turn, have helped him in their engagement level, all of which coach the bank’s mortgage officers. “In are key to retaining them,” affirms the mortgage business, you have to find – Brian Cormier Sendrowski, who is looking ahead out a lot about the customer,” he insists. to future collaborations with GPS. “It’s all about building a relationship.”

“It really has set the stage for a long-term partnership. We have a number of avenues It’s also about time management, says Marketing Manager to pursue with Nichols.”

Susan Bachman. After charting how she spent time on tasks over a week, she is starting to turn down certain Bank President Christopher McCarthy says that the members requests. “It’s a fine line, but I’m learning to say no to of the course are already contributing ideas and feedback requests that I can’t do at the last minute,” she says. to Fidelity Bank’s senior leadership team. “Because of their added knowledge and experience, this group can offer Cormier notes that not just the course, but his employer’s valuable insights in running the bank,” he notes. willingness to allow space for it in the daily schedule are rare.

“Time is a precious commodity in banking,” he points out.

Bachman sees a powerful future benefit. “We have an “This is a very competitive industry. amazing camaraderie, openness, and teamwork within the class that is setting us up to be future leaders,” she observes.

“One of the biggest things that struck me from the outset was the leadership from the bank in providing this opportunity,” “This organization has been so good to me,” concludes Cormier continues. “They create the mindset that in our Guzman. “I’d like to give back.” culture, our employees are our greatest asset.”

Amanda Guzman, Operations Supervisor, 7 Years of Service (front); Tracey Collins, Systems Analyst, 13 Years of Service

Michelle Ramos, Compliance & Risk Analyst, 13 Years of Service

Ashley Wiljanen, Mortgage Set-Up/Closing Coordinator, 10 Years of Service

Lindsey Trotto, Assistant Branch Manager, 1 Year of Service

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Matt Borseth, Commercial Services Coordinator, 4 Years of Service

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AT H L E T I C S

Bison make a Team Impact

by Pete DiVito

The men’s and women’s lacrosse programs, along with the men’s ice hockey team, have recently partnered with Team IMPACT, an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.

“I first found out about Team IMPACT and their missions a few years back from some colleagues at other institutions,” says Eric Gobiel, Nichols College associate director of athletics and head men’s lacrosse coach. “At the time, it was a brand new, nonprofit organization that was looking to get its name out there. I immediately knew that it was something I wanted our athletic department to be involved in.”

Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,300 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 47 states, reaching over 35,000 participating student-athletes.

The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child’s support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can’t learn in a classroom.

Upon learning about the program, Gobiel paired up with then-women’s lacrosse head coach Kathryn Beall to bring a pair of Team IMPACT children to Dudley. Cassidy Burke

was paired off with the women’s lacrosse program while CJ Gibbons joined the men’s squad.

After she officially signed a contract to join the Bison in September 2016, Webster native Burke had dinner with members of the team at Lombard Dining Hall. She then watched the school’s first football game of the season with the team from the bleachers before being honored at halftime on the football field.

For Coach Gobiel, it’s no coincidence that the men’s lacrosse program posted the second-highest win total in program history (10) last spring following the addition of Gibbons to the program. “I’m not even sure I can put into words what CJ has meant to our program. Anytime he is with us, whether it be at a practice, game or just hanging out with the guys, he changes us all for the better. I can mostly say that our program has gotten so much more out of this relationship than I think we can ever give back to CJ.” Gibbons joined the Bison on the bench for select home games last year and will remain with the team for as long as he wishes. Off the field, he has dinner with the team whenever possible and participates in team-building activities throughout the year. He even attended the team’s Halloween scrimmage.

“He’s a tremendous little boy who is filled with such positivity and passion for life,” explains Gobiel. “CJ epitomizes what it means to be a fighter.

He has had such a positive impact on our program and to see how the team has really taken to him and he to the team is amazing. He has truly shown us what it means to have a positive outlook on life and to continue to persevere through any challenges we may face.”

CJ Gibbons, honorary member of the men’s lacrosse team, and his mother, Alyssa, are welcomed by, from left, MacKenzie Martin, Head Coach Eric Gobiel, and Sean Gannon.

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In January, Luke Palmer of North Grosvenordale, Conn., became a member of the men’s ice hockey program. He and his brother both began ice skating after Christmas and have joined the Bison on the ice for several practices.

Cassidy Burke is cheered on by members of the women’s lacrosse team and the Bison cheerleading squad.

The Palmers have also attended several home and road games this season, including a 4-2 win over Johnson & Wales at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Several members of the Bison have spent time at the Palmer residence playing games and eating meals.

“Luke, along with his brother John, have become members of our Nichols family,” says senior captain Scott Cuthrell.

“Whether it be a pizza party at their home or post game locker room visits, the boys are always around enjoying the team. I don’t think anyone could’ve truly anticipated the powerful connection we would build with these kids and their family. Team IMPACT is supposed to be focused on bettering the lives of the children; however, the effect these kids have on the teams they join is something special in its own right.

Luke and John are now lifetime members of the Nichols men’s ice hockey family, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Classmate D.J. Goldstein adds, “Our relationship with Luke and his family has meant a great deal to all of us on the team. They are an inspiration to all of us as they attack every day with enthusiasm, grit, and a smile. That is something we all have appreciated, as the grind of going to the rink and playing hockey everyday pales in comparison to what they go through daily.”’

Team IMPACT has more than 1,000 teams waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness and who could benefit from becoming a member of the team. If you know a child who may be interested, visit www.goteamimpact.org for more information.

“I cannot speak highly enough of Team IMPACT and what are they are doing for the children participating in their programming,” adds Gobiel. Nichols College is so proud to have become involved with this organization. The impact these children have had both on the coaches as well as the student-athletes, has been truly inspirational.

I can only hope we have half the impact on these children and their families as they have had on ours.”

Photo by Erin Stanton ’18

“When you look at what a Nichols men’s ice hockeyplayer is, there are a few different characteristics you need to have: courage, loyalty, and the willingness to show up every day even when times are tough, and Luke embodies them,” said head coach Parker Burgess at Palmer’s official press conference. “It’s a privilege to welcome Luke and his family to our team. We’re excited to have them not just for this season, but forever.”

Luke Palmer (second from left), honorary member of the men’s ice hockey team, presides at his press conference, supported by, from left, his mom Darcy, his brother John, Head Coach Parker Burgess, and senior D.J. Goldstein.

alumni.nichols.edu

l Nichols College Magazine

11

From the Archives a

Contributed by Jim Douglas

Radio Days at Nichols

The story of campus radio on the Hill began a short time after the founding of the Nichols Junior College in 1931. During the 1930s and on into the ’50s, the campus (or, to be more precise, Budleigh Hall) enjoyed a number of unofficial, unlicensed, dorm-based radio stations, including WNJC, WEFA, WDBC, WVOW, and MUCK — essentially Dictaphone hookups with a range of two floors in Budleigh. A March 25, 1939 article in the student newspaper, “The Budget,” described operations as “the latest popular recordings as requested, campus news, time flashes, interviews with coaches and other selected personalities, and cooking recipes and other household hints….”

The first mention of a highly anticipated official college station appeared in an April 1950 issue of “The Budget” under the heading “Nichols College to Have Radio Station: Studio Nearing Completion.” The first broadcast, however, was reported to have occurred two years later, on November 3, 1952, and could be heard at 640 on the AM dial. Radio Club members agreed on WNRC as the call letters, for Nichols Radio Club. Members were responsible for scheduling, announcing, script writing, bookkeeping, and technical support.

Additional technical services and advice were provided by Penn Brown, a well-known radio personality affiliated with WTAG in Worcester.

Situated on the second floor of Academy Hall, WNRC, like many campus stations, was a low power, closed circuit or carrier AM system sent over a wire to each dorm. The station’s transmitter was located in the gym, with the telephone lines connecting the studio in Academy with the transmitter.

WNRC’s original broadcast radius was approximately three miles. Students were on air Monday through Thursday in the afternoons and evenings, offering a wide variety of programming, including classical music, Latin American music, sports, news, interviews, and dramatic selections. By 1956, the broadcasting of basketball and baseball games direct from the gym or athletic field was added.

From radio silence to “Polka Bob” Running a radio station requires dedication, time, technical expertise, and money. WNRC often struggled to stay on the air. Between 1961 and 1975, there were long periods of radio silence due to technical difficulties and lack of funding.

The 1966 yearbook noted that “The [radio] club has eliminated all methods of broadcasting except the one of having a small but adequate transmitter in each dormitory connected by wire to the station, and rented from the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company.” The next year, and for a number of years thereafter, WNRC was inoperative.

Passionate radio enthusiasts, however, persevered. As early as 1965 the Radio Club had begun planning to move from AM to FM, which would eliminate the need for wires all over campus, extend the range, and improve the sound quality.

Finally, in fall 1974, the FCC had approved the college’s application to move to FM. By spring 1975, the station was reborn as WNRC-FM 91.1. A 30-foot tower with a two bay antenna was mounted on the Academy roof giving the station a 15-mile signal.

By spring 1978, for the first time in its history, WNRC had women DJs. Programming now ran Sunday to Friday, from 3:30 PM to midnight (compared to big Boston 10 watt college stations that were on air four or five hours daily).

Top left, the early days of radio at Nichols Junior College. Top right, the 1958 studio boasted a “control room with a 50-watt transmitter, two three-speed turn tables, a two-speed tape recorder, record recorder, two dynamic microphones, one Cardyne microphone, Slim Trim microphone, floor stands, boom, and two monitors.”

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Nichols College Magazine

l Spring/Summer 2018

In the 1980s, although there were a large number of students interested in disc jockeying, aging equipment was a major problem. However, by 1987, with the purchase of a new transmitter, WNRC was back on the air, now broadcasting at 95.1.

There were now 50 active members and, with the addition of morning hours, 7-11, airtime expanded from 24 to 60 hours.

Some of that time was filled with community hosts. In 1989, WNRC partnered with the Communication Explorers from Webster. Their members hosted their own shows on Friday and Saturdays, playing music and broadcasting sporting events at Nichols and local high schools. “Polka Bob” Guyette started his polka show, co-hosting with his son who was a freshman at the time, and he is still going strong. (It was not the first time polka music was aired on WNRC; in 1956 J. Hamill and M. Stiles hosted “Polka Party” on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.)

Oxford native Barry Wilson, a talented musician, successful music promoter and radio DJ, has also been a fixture at the station for more than a decade.

A new station for a new millennium By 1998, WNRC was once again off the air, but returned to the airwaves by spring 1999, thanks in large part to the efforts of community engineer Peter George and new club advisor, Andrea Becker ’96 MOL ’10. By 2000, a new automated

computer system allowed continuous programming. In 2003, after broadcasting from Academy Hall for more than 50 years, WNRC moved to the newly renovated Alumni Hall. On February 11, 2004, the station was dedicated to James (Jimmy) Gahan IV, a popular student DJ who had died in the tragic Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I. a year earlier, on assignment from WNRC to interview the lead singer of Great White.

In 2005, WNRC received a long-awaited nod from the FCC to inch up the FM dial to 97.5. The new call letters were WNRC-LP. The station also increased its wattage from 14 to 100 watts, allowing an increase in service area to local communities throughout southern Worcester County, particularly the towns of Dudley, Charlton and Webster. As for the old station in Academy, the college sold the original equipment and license to Peter George. WXRB FM, one of the first non-commercial all-oldies stations in the country, is still operating from Academy at 95.1 FM. In 2006, WNRC-LP added Internet streaming and in 2013, with the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, relocated to the ground floor of the Fels Student Center, where it was re-dedicated to Gahan. There are currently about 25 active student members and six community member shows.

In the 1975 studio, disc jockeys had access to two turntables, two mikes, two tape decks, and a mixer.

In 1975, a 30-foot tower with a two bay antenna mounted on the Academy roof gave birth to WNRC-FM.

For some years now, there has been a troubling rise in colleges and universities selling their radio licenses and frequencies for revenue. Commercial-free college radio has an important function providing variety and a platform to hear what otherwise might not be heard on radio, such as indie rock or underground hip-hop, but also specialty shows featuring genres from jazz to bluegrass to a surprisingly large number of metal and punk subgenres. In addition, students working at the station learn a range of skills — leadership, speaking, entrepreneurial, sales, technical, and business management.

Happily, Nichols intends to keep WNRC-LP on the air. In fact, the station’s advisor, Justin Dolan ’09 MBA 14, is currently looking for ways to transition from the analog to a digital format, which offers a cleaner signal and less signal degradation.

Stay tuned! You can find a program schedule at wnrc.nichols.edu/schedule.

In 2003, WNRC moved from Academy Hall to the newly renovated Alumni Hall.

alumni.nichols.edu

l Nichols College Magazine

13

CLASS NOTES

1956

My wife, Sandie, and I spent a

Jim Conrad Jr. once pointed

Class Scribe: Arthur Fries

couple of weeks down in Central

out how important the Class of

Florida in October/November,

1962 was to Nichols’ decision to

visiting Savanah, Georgia, on

become a four-year program.

the way down. Enjoyed warm

You were part of that process!

days and cool nights, just about

It’s time to step up to the plate! I

perfect. We managed to step into

encourage all of you to not only

the Atlantic Ocean, toured places

visit the college (it’s a gem), but

917 Jordan Ct. Nipomo, CA 93444-6625 805-343-6400 friesart@hotmail.com

1957

throughout Central Florida,

Class Scribe: Kent Tarrant

including a flamingo farm,

45 Valley View Dr.

(we don’t have them in Ohio).

P.O. Box 496

One of my highlights was the

Hampden, MA 01036-0496

Space Center, Cape Kennedy.

413-566-5130

Disappointing but informative

kent100@charter.net

was the visit to the Florida Keys.

They suffered badly during the

From the Class Scribe…

fall hurricanes — beaches were

In December, Dave Fleming, Art

closed, piles of trash everywhere,

Rizy and Kent Tarrant met with

businesses were torn apart, but

Class of ’57 scholarship recipient

the people were very optimistic

Stigerik McElhinney ’18. We

and determined to rebuild. That’s

were very impressed with Stig as

the American way!

fitting our “profile” — achieving beyond expectations, thanks to

Send pictures, remember your

Nichols. We heard about his

Bison friends. If you haven’t

time at Nichols, his plans after

seen our campus recently, you

graduating, his gratitude for

will be overwhelmed how Nichols

our scholarship, and a whole

has grown. Even if we don’t

lot more.

remember each other, it will be a great time to renew some of

Afterwards, the three of us

those friendships that we had

reflected on the past hour. “That

60 years ago. I’m hoping that my

is what it is all about,” was our

health will be strong enough to

consensus. How often we give

see many of you at the reunion.

and never see the fruits of our

1962 Class Scribe: Charlie Howe charleskatehowe@gmail.com 609-494-5450 From the Class Scribe…

To my classmates and friends at Nichols, I hope things are well with you and yours. We missed you at homecoming for our 55th reunion but had a wonderful time! Rene Langevin, John and Adele Turro, Bill and Suzanne Lafond, Kate and I took part in the Golden Bison reception Friday evening and later a dinner honoring the Class of ’67. On Saturday, watching the football game from the new VIP suite was a real treat, as was spending time with Danny Tomassetti ’64, Dave Lombard ’65 and alumni who live close by us in Punta Gorda.

For those of you who have dis-

1961

tanced yourself from the college

Dick Marsden and his wife, Nan-

you once again to take notice of

cy, traveled to Ecuador and the

what is happening on the Hill.

Class Scribe:

Galapagos islands this fall, enjoy-

I couldn’t be prouder of the

Reverend Paul Price

ing the Andean Mountains, hiking

college’s accomplishments.

3214 Sudbury St

and catamarans in the Galapagos,

Springfield, OH 45503

a trip on Ecuador’s trans-Andean

pprice@woh.rr.com

railroad and a sunset cruise on

gift. There it was in Stig.

1958 > 60th Reunion

From the Class Scribe…

the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon River.

Hey ’58 grads, it’s time to show up! We need to have a great turnout for our 60th reunion.

Wow, 60 years, can you believe it? September 28th is the day.

You’ll hear more about this, I’m sure.

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Nichols College Magazine

l Spring/Summer 2018

or are at a distance, I encourage

to get involved, and above all, to continue to support the college.

Rich Knoener described his winter so far as “21 below, wind 30-40 mph. In good health, waiting for spring.” Bart Henkle writes that he is still living in The Villages, FL, what he describes as the largest and most entertaining community on the planet. If you’re interested in a rental, he has two properties available, contact bnhenkle@aol.com.

From my roommate Pete Whitney: “…I have completely stopped working and that does feel good. Everything is going well and we are enjoying life, as we should. The kids and grandkids are all doing well.

As we are experiencing this cold snap, it makes me think about what it would have been like if I had stayed up north. One thing that I will never regret is moving down here when I did. One thing that the USMC did for me in southern California for a couple of years or so. And better than Adack, Alaska, where I almost got ordered to.”

Please send your news directly to your class scribe. If you do not have a class scribe, 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.

1963 > 55th Reunion Class Scribe: Art Tozzi 3710 Marion Ct. N Wilson, NC 27896 toz1369@earthlink.net 252-292-6592 From the Class Scribe…

As the class scribe, my first and ongoing mission is to contact each classmate by phone, email or postcard, update their John Turro reported that his grandson, an All-Conference soccer player, was accepted to Nichols. He also mentioned that his roommate Charles “Chuck” Montante is living in Port St.

information and find out what they have been doing for the past 54 years. A postcard to John T. Burns was returned.

If anyone has info on John, please contact me.

Pete Judd wrote about a snowy to Dataw Island, SC, on January 3: “We have never seen snow in the 19 plus years we have lived here. Arrived home safe.”

George Bartlett thanked me for being class scribe for all these

gbartlett@northstate.net.

From Bill Brown: “…I live in Grafton, VT, 100 percent off the grid, heat with wood. After a great career in construction, I repair antique furniture in my shop, and am involved in the stewardship of 900 acres of woodland and teach skiing part time in the winter. In the summer, I’m involved in my community and ride my motorcycle when I can find the time. I have been married and divorced more times than I care to mention, and my current lady friend also teaches skiing and tends a huge organic garden in the summer. I have my health and feel like the luckiest man alive….”

– Charlie

George Pagnotta, sadly passed away earlier in the year and there

Peter Chamberlin is residing in

was going to be a memorial

the rarified air of Beech Mountain,

ceremony out on the Cape.

NC. Pete says he finally gave

George had been in touch with

up downhill skiing this year but

Kathy Streczala, who he and Paul

knowing him and his intensity,

had babysat when they were at

he’s probably practicing moguls

Nichols and had remained life-

or giant slalom. We hope to bring

long friends. George was picking

east and west NC together in

up Kathy in Webster and driving

2018 and toast Nichols College.

her out to the Cape for the ceremony. He loaded Kathy’s

Bob Donovan promised to

luggage in the trunk of the car,

contact me with all his updated

failed to lock the trunk and as

information. It was great talking

they sped to the Cape, Kathy’s

to him because Bob could make

personal belongings were

you smile on your darkest days.

dispersed along the highway.

Send me that info, Bob.

Atta go, George! Frantic trips to

Donald Kraft said all is well west

Cape resolved the problem. Our

of the Mississippi. That’s easier

prayers are with Paul, a great guy.

than spelling Lake Chug. He re-

return home from Charlotte, NC,

Bill Lafond, to write soon at

Paul Opacki, roommate of

designated driver.

numerous clothing stores on the

Lucie, FL.

years, and asked for his roommate,

Yours truly joined him as the

Peter “Buddha” Brusman and Bill Cleary were together recently in Texas to celebrate Bill and Helen June’s 50th wedding anniversary. It looks like they are plotting another caper. Those are the same expressions they used on numerous occasions when standing in front of Col. Conrad’s desk after a failed caper.

I connected Norman Arshan with his long-time buddy, Louie Stroller, and they are catching up with each other. Norman says that he and Judy and the “grand dogs” are enjoying their retirement in Kendall Park, NJ. Gene “Batman” Cenci and his lovely wife, Ann, were vacationing in Naples, FL, for the month of February and

cently spent some time with that

George Euler is retired in

smooth-talking Bill “Pie in the

Patchogue, NY. He promised to

Sky” Pieczynski, and that’s harder

send me some detailed history.

to spell than Lake Chug. He said

George spent his career working

that as he walked away his wallet

for Grumman Aircraft in

felt two pounds lighter, but he

Bethpage, LI. I was involved in

had a spring in his step knowing

the F-14 Tomcat program for the

Nichols would be better off as a

Marine Corps in the early ’70s

result of their meeting.

and ran into George during an ILSMT meeting at Grumman.

When I called Bry Beeson, Susie

Great talking to you, George, and

answered, “Paul Bunyan Beeson

looking forward to your update.

residence.” She said Bry was out on the North 40 in his “Gator”

John Anderson said he was

checking the reservation. The

retired, but Cathy is still working

geese were flying through on

part time. John is very active,

their way to Lake Mattamuskeet

working out two hours a day and

in NC; Mud Turtle Pond was

playing tennis three times a week

frozen. The knitting and purl

yearlong and competitively May

group is still meeting on

to July with prestigious tennis

Saturdays at the Orford library.

clubs in the Philadelphia area.

So much for Orford news. For you

He volunteers with the YMCA

readers who don’t know small

in consulting, especially with

towns, Orford is a small town. The

business suggestions. He lauds

Post Office uses the letters of the

Nichols for helping him be a

alphabet on their P.O. Boxes. Bry

successful business owner for

is P.O. Box H. The last thirteen

17 years. John said he started

boxes are empty.

working on the family farm when he was nine and finally retired

attended the Nichols event at

when he was 69. He said he

Grey Oaks on February 6.

could write a book about his time spent in the U.S. Navy.

alumni.nichols.edu

l Nichols College Magazine

15

CLASS NOTES

After Nichols, Robert Ashley

hotel in Newport, RI. His last

visit one son in Anchorage, AK.

went to Coast Guard Officer

business venture was a 64-unit

They were gone July and August

Candidate School and served

self-storage property in Westerly,

and had a great time. Pete even

in the Coast Guard Reserve

RI. He sold that business and

got in some bike riding on the

for seven years. At that time,

retired to Florida where he plays

trip and as he and Millie both

he was offered a great deal

softball three times a week and

agree, it’s always fun to spend

with a bank in his hometown of

works out at Total Fitness.

some time with the grandkids.

Pete Smith took some time off

Bruce Siegal sent me a picture

from shoveling snow and gave

of he and Connie preparing for

Dennis Kuvalanka owned and

me a call. When I went through

their motorcycle trip to Sturgis,

operated Olympic Sporting

Littleton, NH, last summer, I

SD, and one of the largest

Goods Co. Inc. for 32 years in

stopped to see Pete and Millie.

motorcycle meets in the U.S.

New London, CT. After that, he

They were preparing to get on

They estimated over a million

owned and operated a 77-room

the road with their travel trailer to

people attended the rally this

Watertown, CT, and remained there for his entire career.

year. Come springtime, Bruce and I plan to get together in Myrtle Beach and hopefully Warren Bender ’64 and Duke McNair ’66 will join us.

Catching Up With

Frans Keesing ’63 Born in the Netherlands, Frans Keesing ’63 and his family immigrated to Washington, D.C., in 1951, when his father became director of the International Monetary Fund Institute. Educated in U.S. schools since the fourth grade, he sought a small college to study business and landed at Nichols.

Keesing majored in finance. “I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps,” he says. Industrious and accomplished, he worked as a dorm proctor in Daniels Hall all four years, a dishwasher in the dining hall, and proudly notes that his senior thesis, “The influence of the Netherlands Bank policies on the domestic capital market for short-term working capital requirements 1951-1963” earned an A as well as a spot in the library reserves.

Following graduation, Keesing returned to D.C. and worked from 1963 to 1965 as a sales clerk in sporting goods at Sears Roebuck — selling everything from “athletic socks to boats.” He served a stint in the U.S. Army, first as a finance clerk in Frankfurt, Germany, then, from 1966 to 1967, at the massive Long Bihn

16

Nichols College Magazine

installation in Vietnam, rising to the rank of sergeant. From 1968 to 1970, he worked in the auditing department at Sears and then as senior manager in the US Life Credit Corporation.

A tip from a relative led him back to his Holland homeland and to a 28-year career in financial markets as head of the Foreign Exchange Investigations Department at the Rabo Bank, checking the accuracy of the bank’s foreign transactions — a job that earned him the nickname “the dollar expert.” “In those days, we had to deal with all sorts of currency… the French franc, Italian lire, Dutch gilder, German mark…,” he says, noting the rather bumpy transition to the euro in 2001 that required him to put in 12-hour days, six days a week for a year. Keesing retired in 2005 and has volunteered in the bank’s archives for the past 16 years, preserving materials that date back to 1889.

Working in the Netherlands has its rewards, Keesing points out.

“Thirteenth month pay, daily commuting expenses were covered, as well as all of our pensions and most of our health insurance. I was spoiled,” he says of his decision to stay. Living

l Spring/Summer 2018

there also offered easy passage to European travel and ignited a passion for Holland America cruises.

Calling himself “cruise addicted” — a vice that he says is preferable to others — Keesing estimates that he has been on more than 40 cruises since the 1970s, to ports throughout Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Next on the itenery is a 20-day cruise from Rotterdam via Norway, Shetland Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Canada to Boston.

Keesing has also traveled extensively in the U.S., including visits to his two brothers in Baltimore and Orlando.

And about every two years, Keesing’s travels bring him to homecoming at Nichols, proving that no matter how far this Bison roams, he will always find a way back.

I’ll wrap this up with a plea to

Rick and Mary Ellen Blankley

Phil Fuller writes he has finally

on the land and get a lot of

send in pictures and write-ups of

planned to spend January to early

retired as an independent sales

enjoyment mowing between

significant or insignificant events

April in Amelia Island, FL, and to

rep since 1973. Prior to that, he

the rows of pines with a bush

that may be of interest to your

meet up with the Dave and Sue

was on active duty with the U.S.

hog pulled by a 1954 Ford tractor.

classmates.

Lombard and possibly Geoff

Navy. He retired after 23 years,

Who would have thought!”

Meyer and his wife, Lynn, full-time

active duty for eight, and the rest

he says.

residents of Amelia Island.

in the reserves. He and Sue are

1964 Class Scribe: Warren Bender 3604 Kingsley Dr. Myrtle Beach, SC 29588-7714 843-492-6727 wbender@sc.rr.com

living between The Villages, FL,

Art Assad says he is still looking

and Intervale, NH. Their oldest

for a “sharp and ambitious

daughter has two girls and

Nichols College business

a boy, aged 13, 11 and 4. Their

graduate” to work with him for

youngest daughter is in a group

the next five to seven years and

home and doing very well, which

be prepared to take over the

they say is “a big relief for us.”

business. “At 80 to 82 years old,

God bless you, Sue and Phil,

I will want to reduce my travels

and blessings to that youngest

and 10-hour workdays. Presently

daughter of yours.

in good health and good spirits and still enjoying the thrill of developing new business and customers and ‘Helping the

Warren Bender submitted a photo from lunch with the “four horsemen….from left, Bob Hood ’66, Bruce Siegal ’63, our first ‘mayor’ Duke MacNair ’66, and yours truly.

Good food and Duke was the entertainment.”

1965 Class Scribe: John (Jack) MacPhail 2726 SW English Ln. Portland, OR 97201-1624 jackmacphail1@gmail.com

Bob and Nancy Kime, who are

World Grow Better.’” (That’s the

celebrating 51 plus years of

tagline for Agrisel, the company

marriage, report: “Three children,

started by Art after his career

now grown adults, with seven

with Chevron.) “Nichols played a

grandchildren. One married, two

very important role in helping me develop those needed business

out of college, one in college, one graduating high school and

Lew Gelman sent a photo of

skills that have made my business

the others still working at it. We

himself, his son, Peter, and a

careers very successful and I am

have done 35 cruises so far and

New York Knicks City Dancer.

very grateful for this.”

booked our next two. Have been

Lew-baby, how do we get to

to 54 countries so far and look-

meet your friend?

ing forward to more. Love living in Pennsylvania and wintering

John Canetta moved from

down here in Ormond Beach,

Long Island to Florida in 1972

FL, right on the oceanfront. Life

and worked for the Florida

has been good to us and it has

Department of Labor in West

been full, and thanks to Nichols

Palm Beach. Within two years, he

(the leadership college), my

was transferred to the state office

Phil Collins ’66 and I have talked

career was outstanding and very

in Tallahassee where he spent

about combining the submissions

successful. I owe a lot to Julian

most of his career working in the

for the classes of ’65 and ’66,

Murphy (Management) and

Office of the Inspector General,

and are going to try it for the

Mr. Graves (Logic).”

retiring in 2003. He and Patsy

From the Class Scribe…

next issue of Nichols College

have been married for 41 years

Magazine. Our joint experience is

Bob also noted that the intact

and still live in Tallahassee.

that we had/still have all sorts of

estate of his ninth great grand-

He writes that he stays busy

overlap between our classes. So,

father, Johannes Keim (later

volunteering, including a local

classes of ’65 and ’66, get your

changed to Kime in Ohio), in

hospital, a local state park, two

submissions to me for the fall/

Oley, PA, was named a national

historical societies that operate

winter issue.

landmark, recognized at a gala

house museums, and with a

dinner on Nov. 4, 2017. The

group that has restored an 1895

In the meanwhile, here is the

Keim Homestead was built in

lighthouse on the north Florida

latest from ’65. Note the very

the middle of 18th century,

Gulf coast. “We own some land

strong Florida connection, with

serving as an example of

in the adjoining county that had

some 75 plus folks showing up

German-American domestic

been a part of my wife’s family

for the February reception in

architecture. Still no running

since the 1850s. I have a tree

Naples.

water or electric, Bob adds.

farm and a small weekend house

alumni.nichols.edu

1966 Henry St. Cyr received the 2017 Andrew J. Blau Volunteer of the Year Award by the Massachusetts Golf Association. He officiated nearly a dozen events during the 2017 season, including being the official-in-charge for the 21st annual Mass. Senior Amateur Four-Ball as well as local qualifiers for the Mass. Amateur Public Links Championship and the Mass. Junior Amateur Championship. A member of Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg, he is the reigning senior net and Super Senior club champion.

l Nichols College Magazine

17

CLASS NOTES

1967

1968 > 50th Reunion

at the Lane Guest Ranch right

students are definitely pampered!

Jay Ramsdell (left) commented

next door to the Rocky Mountain

I left campus so proud of what

1969

National Park in Colorado.

Nichols has become. It is indeed

Class Scribe: Robert Kuppenheimer 4627 Tremont Ln. Corona del Mar, CA 92625-3130 rkuppy@gmail.com

1972

on how much he and his classmates enjoyed their 50th reunion at homecoming, including Peter Johnson (right) and Dick Szlyk (center). “It was great to actually revisit the Black Tavern Annex, even though their dorm

From the Class Scribe…

is now a barn….It actually wasn’t much more fancy than that when they lived there!”

Jay Robinson sent a holiday card.

James Maguire, Jr. writes from Williamsville, NY, that he’s looking

a beautiful campus. My visit brought back so many positive

Class Scribe: Mark Alexander mark1alex12@gmail.com

memories of spending four years

1973

I would very much enjoy hearing

> 45th Reunion

Class Scribe: Jay Reese 508-359-7862 jay.reese@verizon.net

forward to the next reunion and

From the Class Scribe…

seeing everyone.

I am introducing myself as your new class scribe and enclosing a

Tom Lowe and his wife of

picture taken in September 2011

48 wonderful years, Arlene,

(the latest mini-reunion of this

write: “…retired to Millsboro,

group). This reunion was in

Delaware. Tom sold business

Philadelphia to support our

jets for 35 years….Two children,

inspirational classmate, John

one beautiful 9-year-old

Prenguber, who became a

granddaughter.....Both Tom and

marathoner after graduating

Arlene doing very well.”

from Nichols. He was running

on the Hill.

from and seeing as many 1973 classmates as possible. I am planning to get more involved with this fine institution and hope many of you will join me to engage with our classmates.

Be assured that the Alumni Relations office makes it easy and rewarding. Best regards for a safe, happy, and healthy 2018.

a half-marathon in the annual Philadelphia run, as a double amputee. This event was hosted At Homecoming 2017, Mike

by Peter and Kim Monico, who

Runyon received the Ken

live just outside Philadelphia. The

Thompson Service Award,

rest of us travelled from various

and spent some quality time

eastern and southern states; it

with the Mike and Chris

was a great time with the usual

Runyon Scholarship recipient,

stories and laughs. John was

Hebron Abadi ’18.

inspirational indeed! Sadly, he passed away from medical

Bison friends support John Prenguber (seated) in 2011, from left, Peter Monico, Dave Hoffert, Jay Reese, Tim Craig, and John Hachmann.

complications in August 2013.

1978 > 40th Reunion

toured the Canadian Rockies

This past summer, I visited the

this fall.

Hill to see what was in store for

1980

Rick and Barbara Bauzenberger

me in my new role as class scribe.

Alumni Relations rolled out the red carpet for my visit. Besides meeting with graduate assistant Jillian Riches to discuss my role, I was treated to an amazing tour of the campus. The student guide was a great ambassador for what has become such an impressive Mike Jones and his family

college. I was treated to lunch

took a vacation this past July.

and visited my old dorm, Olsen,

He reports: “It included three

to see all of the improvements,

generations of us and was seven

toured the amazing new

days of such enjoyment. We did

state-of-the-art academic

horseback riding, river rafting,

building and the updated,

mountain hiking, fly fishing, and

world-class athletic facility. The

photo hiking. This all took place

18

Nichols College Magazine

l Spring/Summer 2018

Mark Phillips MBA was appointed to first vice president of internal audit at Country Bank, where he has worked for more than 23 years. A certified internal auditor and certified bank auditor, he has over 40 years in the financial services industry in various positions, most recently, the director of internal audit. He is a graduate of the National School of Banking. He resides in Worcester with his wife, Lisa.

A few 1980 classmates gathered in Tampa, FL, to catch a Patriots/ Bucs game this fall. “We had a great three days and shared many Nichols stories,” says Gene Kerrigan.

1988 > 30th Reunion Class Scribe: Diane Bellerose Golas 90 Lebanon St. Southbridge, MA 01550-1332 508-764-6077 spongedicat@aol.com

1990 Joe Casper MBA has joined Modera Wealth Management in Boston as director of strategic development.

Previously, he was vice president From left, Bill Douglas,

of business

Paul Brunell, Gene Kerrigan,

development at

and Drew Looney

Visual Clinic, a healthcare IT startup, and a senior business

1983 > 35th Reunion

advisor at Allergan Inc.

Class Scribe: Michael Donehey 508-376-5469 (phone) mdonehey@live.com

1991

Kevin Higginbottom was promoted to senior vice president and commercial loan officer at Millbury Savings Bank, where he has worked since 2004. He is a board member of

Class Scribe: Donna Small 5783 Misty Meadows Ct. Clemmons, NC 27012 336-712-1053 (home) 336-692-5157 (cell) Dsmall924000@yahoo.com

1992

the Millbury Council on Aging, and before that coached youth soccer and basketball for 10 years. He and his family live in Millbury.

1985 Class Scribe: John P. Donahue 10 Corsham Drive Medford, NJ 08055-8434 609-257-8191 johndonahue1234@gmail.com

1986 Class Scribe: Susan Zimonis 18930 Misty Lake Dr. Jupiter, FL 33458 561-707-8781 susanzimonis@bellsouth.net

Keith Hofbeck ’92 is pictured with his wife Chrissy, who is a competitor on season 35 of CBS’s hit show “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers!”

1993 > 25th Reunion 1994 Class Scribe: Danielle (Troiano) Sprague thedwoman@yahoo.com

Catching Up With

Caitlin Nugent ’09 Caitlin Nugent ’09 has had an interesting transition since her days on the Hill, first returning to her hometown in New Hampshire after graduation to work for her family’s firm. A marketing major at Nichols, she eventually took a temporary job in marketing in Stamford, Conn. Nugent’s favorite course, a marketing seminar with Professor Larry Downs, featured a market research project for a real company, the alumnus-owned Sweet Meadow Farm, an experience she still talks about to this day.

The marketing career lasted a couple weeks, until she landed full-time employment with a private equity firm, staying on for six years. This drove her to further her education in accounting, completing the courses that were required, care of the funding by her firm.

Still residing in Stamford, Nugent is a senior accountant working with the asset management team at Terra Capital Partners in New York City. She appreciates her work and life balance, enjoying her career in the city and life in the suburbs, near the beach and trails that she enjoys with “the best dog in America,” her 12-year-old black lab, Spencer. Her college friends are also a large part of her life, with some she speaks to daily and enjoys celebrating milestones with larger groups of classmates on various getaways. Travel is a passion for Nugent, with destinations including Belize, Italy, Spain, Australia, and recently, Iceland. On any travel he can join her on, Spencer is a faithful companion.

Nugent’s advice to current students? “Take advantage of what is available at Nichols; it truly offers a unique and welcoming culture.” She claims the small school community equates to tremendous opportunity to get involved in clubs and activities you may not have tried elsewhere, while making meaningful connections with faculty and staff.

These experiences and connections added value to Nugent’s future beyond Nichols, as she continues to pursue goals of being a controller for a private equity firm with aspirations to be a CFO. “I enjoy what I do and would love to keep moving along the career path that has been laid out for me,” she says.

– Molly Thienel

alumni.nichols.edu

l Nichols College Magazine

19

CLASS NOTES

1998 > 20th Reunion

2002

2003 > 15th Reunion

Class Scribe: Emily (Seiferman) Alves Millie.176@hotmail.com

Nathan Keegan created

Class Scribe: Jillian (Hayes) Smerage Jnhayes80@gmail.com

Wanderless: The Career Change Podcast, which is designed to help professionals who are

2000

struggling with their

Class Scribe: Andrea Sacco Andrea.j.Sacco@gmail.com

job satisfaction find

2005 Class Scribe: Melissa Jackson msmeljackson@gmail.com

2006

Heriberto Rodriguez and his wife,

their best

Nicole Monique Rodriguez ’02,

career path.

both received honorary

He spent the

doctorates in theology and

first decade

divinity from Heart Bible Institute

of his career

on February 3, 2018. He works

working in

From the Class Scribe…

day traditional Indian wedding

as an educator for Hartford, CT,

sales and sales management

celebration. Classmates Ryan

before making a drastic and

Erica (Mello) Boulay was married

public schools, and she is the director of volunteer services for

difficult career transition into

the Boys & Girls Club of Asylum

healthcare leadership. He has

Hill in Hartford.

since received his master’s in health informatics and

2001

management and currently

Class Scribe: David Twiss 978-979-7658 (cell) David.twiss14@gmail.com

General Hospital. To listen,

works at Massachusetts visit wander-less.com.

Class Scribe: Erica (Mello) Boulay Erica.boulay@hotmail.com

to Daniel on November 12, 2011.

They have a 3-year-old daughter, Ava, and currently reside in South Windsor, CT. Kristen (Hill) Pelepzuck MBA ’15 and her husband Travis welcomed their first child, Sophia Jean, on May 23, 2017.

Aashish Patel was married to Shivani on August 12, 2017, in Foxborough, MA, in a three-

Sears and James Ferola served as groomsmen. The two reside in Dedham.

Brad Weichold was married to Melissa on November 5, 2016. The two were expecting their first

2005

child, a boy,

Kerry Barnes MBA ’07 and Steven Cole were married on

2018. They currently reside in

December 9, 2017, in Sturbridge, MA. She serves as the dean

Boynton Beach, FL.

in January

of graduate admissions at American International College in Springfield, and he is a principal systems engineer for Dell

Andrew MacKay, Joanne MacKay,

Technologies in Southborough. The couple resides in Shrewsbury.

and big brother Drew welcomed Bryce Fraden to their Brennan Campbell and his wife Kate welcomed their third child, Julianna, this summer. She joins

family on July 15, 2017.

older brother and sister, Ethan and Brooke.

Jonathan Allia MBA ’09, Vanessa (Drake), and big

Bison grads and others at the Barnes-Cole wedding are, from left, Nicholas Galbiso ’05, Marc Whitney ’08, Rebecca Galbiso, Graham Ermer, Michelle Lariviere ’05, William O’Brien ’13, Megan (Woodruff) O’Brien ’13 MBA ’15, Amy Oman ’04, Steven Cole, Kerry (Barnes) Cole ’05, MBA ’07, Alex Tibbott, Sara (Fuller) Tibbot ’04, MBA ’08, Jillian (Hayes) Smerage ’03, Roger Smerage, Daniel Stimson, Tamar Lawrence ’03, Amy (Champagne) Johnson ’03, Paul Johnson. Not pictured is Meena Niranjan ’05.

20 Nichols College Magazine

l Spring/Summer 2018

James Ferola was engaged to

sister Hayley

Amber Shonts on August 6, 2017.

(born April 9,

A wedding is

2015) welcomed

planned for

baby Jacob to

August 2018.

their family on

They

August 18, 2017.

currently reside in Billerica, MA.

2007

Ashley (Stockbridge) DeMonte,

Rob MacCallum, and his fiancé

Jason and Hollie

Class Scribe: Meaghan Larkin meaglark@gmail.com

and her husband

Colleen Callahan welcomed their

(Higgins)

Joe welcomed

first child, Liam, on November

Arrighie

their first baby,

25, 2017. Rob’s company, The

welcomed their

Joseph, on

MacCallum Group (Norwell, MA),

first baby,

Halloween 2017.

is expanding and

Ariana Rae, on

is in the process

August 19, 2017.

From the Class Scribe…

Charlotte, Kellyn, and

of opening offices

Sullivan Buckley, children of Mark Buckley and enjoyed the

Stephanie (Jacques) Riendeau accepted a position as a senior employee relations consultant at

Doug Patterson, and his wife

clients with their

Debra (married

auto, home,

on May 14, 2011)

business and life insurance.

welcomed their first child, Ryan

Erin Kelly, Hill at Homecoming 2017.

in Florida to help

Kate (Mahoney)

Giselle, on July 14,

and Michael

2017.

Jeff and Kristen (Colasuonno)

Carven welcomed

Bates welcomed another baby

son Michael

boy, Oliver Jeffrey, to their family

Anthony

on October 13, 2017.

Carven, Jr.

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

Catching Up With

Wick Dudley ’75 Not many Nichols graduates go back to the farm after graduation — mainly because few of them came from an agricultural background in the first place. Since graduating in 1975, F. Wick Dudley has proved a successful exception.

“We have a farm that’s been in the family since 1880, and I’m still farming,” Dudley notes. He began working the land — over 600 acres on Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula — in the mid-1980s. Until then, Dudley explains, he had run the family grain elevator for six years before acquiring a farm equipment dealership.

Although he inherited an operation that produced corn, wheat, and soybeans, in 1996 Dudley made a sharp turn to raising wine grapes, which now occupy 23 acres.

(He rents out the remaining land — with the exception of a one-acre greenhouse growing flowering annuals, most of which are sold to landscapers.) In doing so, he entered a brave new world of agriculture.

“Not only do you have to come up

with a variety of grapes, you have to train them,” Dudley says, adding that it takes three years for any usable fruit to grow, largely merlot, pinot grigio, and chardonnay in his case.

The soil and climate put the grape farm in distinguished company, he adds. “It’s a lot like growing grapes in southern Italy.”

Dudley credits his studies at Nichols — where he also captained the lacrosse team and established a stellar reputation as a sailor and skier — for helping him navigate the business side of his work. “Farming leans more towards common sense,” he points out. “But you’ve got to learn bookkeeping, managing inventories, and marketing.”

Business has been good, Dudley reports, as anyone doing the math can see. “This year, we finally Wick Dudley crossed 100 (pictured in the tons,” he says, 1975 yearbook) has noting that traded lacrosse for each acre farming. produces three to eight tons of fruit, with each ton getting 165 gallons of juice, which translates to 850 bottles of wine.

Not that Dudley is tapping into the inventory. “I’m more of a bourbon and a rum drinker,” he admits.

– Ron Schachter

alumni.nichols.edu

l Nichols College Magazine

21

CLASS NOTES

Shane West and his fiancé

Dan O’Brien will be running the

Charles Walker MBA, football

Emily Maki

2018 Boston Marathon for Boston

recruiting coordinator and

welcomed

Children’s Hospital.

linebackers coach at the University of Massachusetts

their son, Julian

Bill Pietras (center) welcomed

Amherst, received the FBS/

Andrew, on

Pete Rugg ’10 and his wife

FCS Assistant Coach of the Year

August 23,

to brunch at Rogue Island in

Award from the Gridiron Club of

2016.

Providence, a business he

Greater Boston.

manages with Ryan Bessette.

2013 > 5th Reunion

Matt Francis, his wife Mel, and big brother Jace

2014

welcomed Wesley John

Matt Harris and Lori Alderman

to their

Paul James MSOL was appointed

were planning to marry on

family on

president and CEO of Insurance

March 10, 2018.

Recovery Group Inc. He has more

November

2011

18, 2017.

2009 Kiel Becker is a founding member of Lake Shore Legal, LLC, a general law firm in Webster, MA. Following his time at Nichols, Becker received his JD from the University of Maine School of Law. In 2014, he moved to Columbus, OH, and Chicago, IL, where he

Class Scribe: Alexandria M. Hallam aliemchal@gmail.com

than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, most recently, as assistant vice president at Hanover Insurance Group.

2012

For many

Joshua Roza is engaged to

was an

Sarah Burlingame ’14. A Cape

owner of

Cod wedding is planned for

Steffon,

August 2018.

James and Finnegan Insurance

years, he

Agency, Inc. in Worcester.

worked at one of the nation’s top managed care recruiting

Meaghan (Holland) Borkowski,

firms. In 2017, he returned to

her husband Kris, and son Ben (3 1/2) welcomed Viviann James to their family on May 15, 2017.

Massachusetts. His practice specializes in business law, tax

2011

planning and controversies, real

Jon Snediker ’09 and Carly Kelly were married July 22, 2017

estate, estate planning,

at Wychmere Beach Club, Harwich Port, MA. The wedding

Inc. at Converse in Boston, as

and probate.

party included Michael W. Kelly ’81 (father of the bride),

part of the talent acquisition/HR

2010

They live in North Reading, MA, and Meg currently works for Nike,

team.

Kylee Sears, Brittney (Ross) Pickering, Kaitlyn Foley,

Class Scribe: Katelyn Vella

2008 > 10th Reunion

katelyn.vella@yahoo.com

Class Scribe:

Anthony Freni was engaged

Nicole (Silvio) Curley

to Brittany Nelson on

nsc3129@gmail.com

December 25, 2017.

Matthew Marshall made his debut as varsity head football coach for St. John Paul II High School located in Cape Cod. He had previously coached at Nichols, Scituate and Sacred Heart, plus a stint with the semi-pro South Shore Chiefs of the New England Football League.

22 Nichols College Magazine

l Spring/Summer 2018

Anthony Pillari ’10, and Terrence Mayrose ’09.

NICHOLS REMEMBERS

Stephen V. Lewis II ’41, of Queensbury, NY, Jan. 19, 2018.

He served for three years in the Army Air Force during World War II, and was president of the Ready Jell Manufacturing Co. in Troy, a gifts and novelties business founded by his grandfather in 1909. In 1950, he and his father founded Lewis and Co., which is currently rosaryparts.com. Predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Doris, he is survived by two sons; two daughters; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Donald A. Baker Sr. ’48, of Dudley, MA, Jan. 13, 2018. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, who then served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of first sergeant. He spent a total of 33 years in the U.S. Army National Guard and served as the Webster and then Dudley veterans’ agent. He also worked for the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home for 30 plus years.

Predeceased by his wife, Barbara, he is survived by two sons; two daughters; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Robert H. Bloch ’48, of Pittsfield, MA, Jan. 19, 2018. He started his own tax preparation service in 1974, retiring in 2005, and was president of Last Word Toastmasters in Pittsfield, leading to a career as a professional speaker and member of the National Speakers Association. His wife, Ann; a son; and two grandchildren survive him.

Nicholas S. Constantine ’48, of Oxford, MA, Oct. 16, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His most recent job was as finance director for Worcester Academy, where he worked for 18 years before retiring in 1986. Predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Bertha, he is survived by a sister-in-law; and nieces and nephews.

Marvin L. Solomon ’48, of Johnson, NY, Oct. 24, 2017.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was president of Power Resources Computer Inc. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; three sons; and three grandchildren.

G. Arnold Haynes ’50, of Wellesley, MA, Oct., 15, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948 and, in 1953, he formed G. Arnold Haynes Inc., which later became Haynes Management Inc., a real estate development and management company based in Wellesley Hills. Before his passing, Haynes established an endowed scholarship at Nichols. Predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Carol, he is survived by three children; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Martin S. Schwat ’52, of Great Neck, NY, Dec. 17, 2017.

He was an institutional sales executive for over 40 years with Baldwin Paper Co. in New York City. Survivors include his wife, Lynn; a daughter; a son; six grandchildren; and a sister.

Grayson Brown ’57, of Boynton Beach, FL, Nov. 21, 2016. A U.S. Army veteran, he served as a senior purchasing agent for EDO Corp. in Queens, NY, before retirement. His wife, Shirley; two stepchildren; and two grandchildren survive him.

George K. Fox ’58, of San Francisco, CA, Oct. 29, 2017.

He worked in Lake Tahoe, as a tree-topper in the summer and an alpine ski racer in the winter.

He served as head of the book department at Butterfield & Butterfield Auctioneers before joining PBA Galleries as vice president of acquisitions and auctioneer emeritus. He is survived by two children; four grandchildren; and his partner, Dorothea Preus.

Allen D. Hunter ’63, of Folsom, CA, Nov. 13, 2017. He was a commercial insurance executive for several companies, including Transamerica. He is survived

by his wife of 30 years, Debbie; a son; a daughter; and three grandchildren.

Robert Abrams ’63, of Oakdale, NY, July 24, 2017. He was the retired president of Office Coffee Service Corp. in Lake Ronkonkoma. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; and three children.

James K. Wrightson ’63, of Trappe, MD, July 7, 2017.

The owner of Wrightson Landscaping, he is survived by a sister; and several nieces and nephews.

Paul G. “Gus” Lagerstrom ’65, of Boulder City, NV, Oct. 26, 2017.

He was a federal police officer and ranger for the National Park Service for 30 years, serving at the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod National Seashore, Blue Ridge Mountains, Everglades National Park, Delaware Water Gap, Washington, DC, and Lake Mead, retiring in Boulder City in 1998.

He later joined the Las Vegas coroner’s office and worked for Mine Labs Inc. selling metal detectors. He is survived by three children; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister; and a brother.

Richard “Dick” Scheffler ’63, who served Nichols College for more than five decades as a volunteer leader, donor, employee, and #1 Bison athletics fan, died October 16, 2017.

Scheffler was a member and past president of the former Nichols College Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as a former trustee.

He began working at Nichols in 2000 as the director of alumni relations and, in 2003, he became contest management coordinator in athletics, retiring in 2015. Previously, he worked at Adamation in Newton and Radio Frequency Co. in Millis, and served in the Army National Guard during the 1960s.

A lifelong supporter of the college and a fixture at athletic events, Scheffler was known by generations of students-athletes for the stuffed baby bison he handed out at graduation.

In 2014, the athletics department introduced the Richard Scheffler Sixth Man Award, which is given annually to the student worker in the department whose behind-the-scenes efforts make the athletic department run. This includes setting up and breaking down the fields, compiling statistics, web casting, and serving as the Thunder mascot, as well as a liaison between the visiting teams and the NC staff.

Born in Portland, ME, Scheffler grew up in Needham, MA, and lived in Holliston from 1978 until last year. He is survived by his brother, David; sister-in-law, Carol; two nieces; and a nephew.

To continue his legacy of generous and loyal devotion to Nichols, family, friends and classmates are raising funds to establish an endowed scholarship in Scheffler’s memory.

To contribute, please contact the Advancement Office at 866-622-4766, advancement@nichols.edu or make a gift online at alumni.nichols.edu/donate.

alumni.nichols.edu

l Nichols College Magazine

23

Douglas B. Castle ’65, in Buffalo, NY, Jan. 17, 2018. He was the vice president of Corson Manufacturing Co. in Buffalo, retiring to Williamsburg, VA, where he maintained a real estate license, ran a Perkins Yogurt shop, and ran a bed and breakfast. He leaves two sons; and a sister.

Barry Clapp ’73, of Shrewsbury, MA, Nov. 16, 2017. His career spanned 40 years, starting with IBM after college, to traveling all over the world, to serving as president and CEO of Centage Corp. in Natick. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Paula; a son; a daughter; two grandchildren; and a sister.

John L. Macdonald IV ’65, of Waterford, CT, Sept. 17, 2017.

He was in sales and real estate most of his life, recently driving for Joshua’s Limousine Service.

Survivors include his wife, Donita; a daughter; three stepdaughters; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

David R. O’Coin ’73, of Spencer, MA, Dec. 18, 2017. He served as an auditor and supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for almost 40 years, retiring in 2012, and as a water commissioner for the Spencer Water Department for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sonia; two sons; a daughter; four grandchildren; and a sister.

Thomas J. O’Neil IV ’65, of Lake Worth, FL, Jan. 23, 2018.

He worked for various car dealerships in New Jersey before opening Tim O’Neil’s Auto Sales.

Semi-retired, he owned and ran Surfside Café in Palm Beach. He is survived by a son; and three sisters.

James L. Conwell ’68, of Coronado, CA, April 30, 2016.

He joined the U.S. Navy, served three years, and later pursued a career as a civilian with the Navy, primarily working in contract negotiation and management.

After his retirement, he started a handy man business. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Arlene; a son; and a daughter.

Ronald J. Zmetra ’68, of Dudley, MA, Aug. 31, 2017.

A Vietnam War veteran, he was owner of Zmetra Memorials Inc., and owner/founder of Tents for Rent. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia; a son; two daughters; and six grandchildren.

Jonathan Harraden ’72, of Adams, MA, Nov. 4, 2017. He served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army and was a supervisor at Specialty Minerals in Adams. Survivors include his partner, Belinda Schutz; three sons; two daughters; eight grandchildren; two greatgrandchildren; a brother; and a sister.

24 Nichols College Magazine

Richard A. Harrington ’75, of Wakefield, MA, Aug. 22, 2017.

The owner of the Harrington Construction Co., he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; two sons; a grandson; and a brother.

Lee D. Robbins ’75, of Greenwich, CT, Sept. 2, 2017.

He was affiliated with several banks, including State National Bank, Wachovia Bank and Meridan Savings Bank where he served as a certified fraud examiner. He recently retired from the Milford Police Department, after 20 years of service. He is survived by his mother, Frances.

Kevin T. Casey ’77, of Milford, MA, Aug. 17, 2017. He worked for the family business, John J. Casey Insurance Agency, until 1980 when he began a career as an IT systems consultant and business virtual network specialist with the establishment of The Systems House. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cynthia; a son; a brother; and a sister.

Kevin F. Dolan ’78, of Worcester, MA, Jan. 21, 2018. He was a computer programmer for Digital, UMass Memorial Medical Center, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Survivors

l Spring/Summer 2018

include his wife, Martha; two sons; two daughters; two grandchildren; two brothers; and a sister.

Michael R. Hickey ’78, of Milford, MA, Dec. 23, 2017. He recently retired from the Quinsigamond Village Community Center where he was director of the food pantry. Survivors include two sons; two grandsons; and a brother.

Michael D. Palmer ’82 MBA ’90, of Worcester, MA, Dec. 9, 2017.

He served as an accountant at UMass Memorial Healthcare, later becoming a partner of Palmer-Hammond Tax Services in Auburn. He is survived by his parents, Clayton and Carol; his former wife, Michelle; three children; a brother; and four sisters.

John Pajzer ’84, of Shrewsbury, MA, Oct. 17, 2017. He was an accountant for Waters Corp. in Milford. He is survived by his mother, Bronislawa Hoelle; his wife of 27 years, Tracey; a daughter; a brother; and four sisters.

Douglas F. Heifner MBA ’89, of Berlin, MA, Jan. 19, 2018.

He served as director of administration and finance, and assistant treasurer at UMass Lowell. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Eileen; a daughter; a son; three grandsons; a brother; and three sisters.

Stephen R. Laplante ’91, of Holden, MA, Nov. 18, 2017.

He worked in information technology for various companies, including Fidelity and Wellington Corp., before recently retiring. He is survived by his mother, Nancy; his wife of 40 years, Kathleen; three daughters; a grandson; two brothers; and two sisters.

Lorna E. (Hebert) Boucher ’00 MBA ’10, of North Grosvenordale, CT, Oct. 19, 2017. She was employed with Cerrone, Graham & Shepherd, PC, as a CPA for ten years. She is survived by her parents, Roland and Lucille; her husband of 37 years, Phillip; a daughter; a son; and a sister.

FACULTY/STAFF William R. Tittle MBA ’84, of Dudley, MA, Aug. 30, 2017. He taught history at Shepherd Hill Regional High School, retiring in June 2016 after 20 years. He is survived by his father, Billy; his wife of 43 years, Jane; three sons; four grandchildren; three sisters; and two brothers.

Pamela J. (Flagg) Paddock, of Tomball, TX, Feb. 20, 2018.

She began her career as a management trainee with JC Penney Co., spent 13 years as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines, and then served as a special needs paraprofessional at Oaks Middle School in Shrewsbury, where she and her family lived for 17 years. She leaves her parents, Robert and Virginia; husband, Michael; four children; and six siblings.

Eleanor Read, of Sun City Center, FL, Aug. 9, 2017, former registrar. She is survived by a daughter; and a sister.

Irene D. Antos, of Webster, MA, July 26, 2017, a member of the maintenance staff for 10 years, retiring in 1998. Predeceased by her husband of 50 years, she is survived by two sons; three daughters; ten grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren Robert G. Holland, of Woodstock, CT, Dec. 24, 2017, former professor of journalism.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie; a daughter; a son; four grandchildren; and a brother.

Service members find a home at Nichols Nichols College is reconnecting with its proud tradition of providing a welcoming home to military service members — a tradition that dates back to World War II when the influx of veterans enhanced the culture of the campus community.

For the past three years, the college has been nationally recognized as a Military Friendly® School by publisher Victory Media. The school is also a longtime participant in the national Yellow Ribbon Program, through which it supplements veterans’ tuition beyond the annual cap under the post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

Within the past year, Nichols established the Office of Veteran and Military Services (OVMS) to act as a resource to our veterans, military members, and families of those who have served. Its goal is to aid this population by coordinating a variety of programs and services that work to ensure their success in transition to the Nichols community, during their time as students and beyond as graduates.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Corporal Mario A. Turner ’16 is coordinator of the OVMS, which he helped found as a one-stop shop to better serve the college’s militaryconnected population.

“I chose to attend Nichols College, because here, military personnel and veterans are able to take the leadership skills they gained while in the service and apply them to a variety of courses and through experiential learning opportunities offered by the college,” says Turner, a student in the Nichols Master of Science in Counterterrorism Studies program.

“Being a student and a service member, I understand the need for colleges and universities to have programs in place

Nichols faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests gathered at an annual Veterans Day event. Representing the U.S. Marine Corps are, from left, reservist Corporal Mario Turner ’16; active duty service member Brian McKeon; Tyler Lestage ’21; retired First Sergeant Peter B. Haines; and Nichols Professor and retired Gunnery Sergeant Boyd Brown.

to support this population,” he adds. “At Nichols, we want to take care of our military-connected students because they have already sacrificed so much for our country — whether they served in the military or are family members of military personnel. It’s our duty and responsibility to give back to them. It’s also keeping with our mission of providing leadership training, which complements their military training.”

Through Turner’s efforts, which include recruitment, the college aims to double the enrollment of military-connected students from 30 to 60 over the next two years.

Students like senior Heather Carriere, who spent 15 years in the Air Force. “There were so many things that drew me to Nichols,” she says. “There are so many resources — the Academic Resource Center, the individual attention from professors, and the other students in my classes.

“I was nervous at first,” she adds. “Most of the students here are fresh out of high school, and I was concerned about being the ‘old lady’ on campus. But whenever I engaged with my classmates, they treated me like any other student, and I fell right in with them. It’s a tight-knit community here, one in which everyone helps out. It feels familiar.”

Veteran Donor Spotlight: Charles Jones ’48 Charlie Jones ’48 is a graduate of Nichols Junior College, where, along with his business courses, he was involved in activities and sports, including JV basketball and track. He enlisted in the Army Air Guard (former Air Force) alongside classmates Bob Dwyer, Dick Avery, and Dexter Gould. Then Nichols President Colonel James Conrad helped them finish their program two months early and deploy, assisting with their first appointments with the Army.

After the war, Jones furthered his education at the University of Rhode Island. He spent most of his career with a mutual insurance company in Rhode Island, where he retired as president. He and his wife of 67 years, Janet, still reside in Rhode Island, where they have raised three children and currently enjoy five grandchildren.

In retirement, Jones has taken up woodworking, among other activities. He supports the college annually through the Nichols Fund because he is grateful for his education, connections with faculty, and memories from the Hill.

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