QUADANGLES
SPRING 2013
In Fashion Stacie Waleyko ’12 in an outfit by Stephanie Kolanko ’11
Also inside: More Fashionistas New Spaces Around Campus
Come Back to Your Alma Mater 50th Class Reunion
Golden Grad Weekend
May 17–19, 2013 Members of the Class of 1963 are gathering in Kingston to celebrate their 50th Reunion. To see the schedule of events, go to advance.uri.edu/alumni/50threunion May 31–June 1, 2013 Golden Grad Weekend is a special celebration for URI graduates who have already marked their 50th reunion. For further information, go to advance.uri.edu/alumni/goldengrad
advance.uri.edu/alumni
QUADANGLES
SPRING 2013 | VOLUME 20, NO. 3
Departments
Features
2 FEEDBACK
12 New Play on Hoop Dreams
5 PRESIDENT’SVIEW
6 NEWS&VIEWS
14 In Fashion
10 PRESSBOX
Marc Upshaw’s basketball camp gets kids to dream big about education.
URI’s fashionistas take multiple paths to careers in couture.
30 ALUMNICHAPTERS 32 CLASSACTS
News from your classmates
CLOSEUPS 35 Harsh Singh Lohit, M.B.A. ’87 37 Kimberly Kowal Arcand ’97
40 BACKPAGE
Matty Fund founders Richard ’83 and Debra Siravo ’85
More Online
uri.edu/quadangles
See the whole print issue and so much more! Follow the orange arrow icon to see exclusive online content.
Share stories with friends and family.
20 Start-Up to Success
Post your comments.
22 A Walking Tour of URI’s New Digs
Lives
Denard James Pinderhughes, 1913–2012
All in the Family Meet the Luca family—
Frank and Nancy, both class of ’83, and their three kids, all current students.
Rhody Postcard
Kindling hope in a Costa Rican family.
How intellectual property originating at URI launched a multimillion-dollar global company.
A virtual stroll around the Kingston campus shows off our latest construction.
26 Nursing Profs Deliver Baby News
Important research led by URI nursing professors yields big results for the smallest humans.
Class Pics New post! Enjoy, comment, and send your pics!
COVER: KB CREATIVE IMAGES. IFC: NORA LEWIS. CONTENTS: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; COURTESY VERRIER LLC; COURTESY NATALIE URBAN
FEEDBACK Send us your thoughts: quadangles@uri.edu To the Editor: Longing for Campus Views As someone who lives so far away from Kingston and has not been to Rhode Island in a very long time, I always check the magazine for photos taken around campus. Might I suggest a regular feature ... something like “Then and Now.” I know there has been development around Heathman Hall (my freshman year dorm), but hunger for photos, aerial and on-the-ground, of that quadrant of campus. What is going on with the housing (condos?) up near Fine Arts? Off the ground? Never took off? What does the new Hope dining hall look like, inside and out? What does a typical Barlow Hall (my sophomore and junior years dorm) room look like these days? What does a Butterfield Hall (senior year dorm) room (post “vertical suites”) look like? Perhaps I’m missing such a regular feature online. If so, please direct me to it. This is the kind of QuadAngles reading that I am most interested in. Catherine Becker Lanni ’75 Sewickley, Pa.
Hope Commons, exterior
The editor responds: What a great idea! We hope you enjoy the “New Digs Walking Tour” here in this issue. Recent past coverage includes “Green Design” (fall 2011) and “Working the Room” (fall 2010). You can view these stories and photos online at uri.edu/quadangles. Searching for “Move-In Day” will also yield slide shows of campus exteriors and interiors. We hope to show more campus developments in the future. Thanks again for your suggestion. Gigi Edwards QuadAngles Editor-in-Chief e: quadangles@uri.edu
Hope Commons, interior
2 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
QUADANGLES A quarterly publication of the University of Rhode Island Alumni Association, 73 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881. p: 401.874.2242. Executive Editor Michele A. Nota ’87, M.S. ’06, Executive Director, URI Alumni Relations; Secretary, Alumni Association
Editor-in-Chief
Art Director
Gigi Edwards Kim Robertson
Contributing Editors
Barbara Caron Shane Donaldson ’99 Kate O’Malley Cindy Sabato Nicki Toler
Contributing Designers
Johnson Ma Bo Pickard Verna Thurber
Photographer
Nora Lewis
Editorial Board Kerrie Bennett, M.B.A. ’06, Interim Executive Director, URI Communications and Community Relations Linda A. Acciardo ’77, Director, URI Communications & Marketing Russell Kolton, Director, URI Publications Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ‘87, Assistant Director, URI Communications and Marketing Tracey A. Manni, Director of Communications, URI Foundation URI Alumni Relations Staff Chris DiSano, Specialist Jericka Fernandez, Program Assistant Robert Ferrell ’07, Specialist Kathleen Gianquitti ’71, M.S. ’82, Assistant Director Shana Greene ’95, M.S.’97, Assistant Director Lisa Harrison ’89, Executive Assistant Sarah Lobdell ’96, Associate Director Mary Ann Mazzone, Office Assistant Kate Serafini ’08, Specialist Gina Simonelli ’01, M.S.’03, Assistant Director Alumni Association Executive Board
Joseph M. Confessore ’96, President Louise H. Thorson M.B.A.’85, President-elect Donald P. Sullivan ’71, Past President Susan R. Johnson ’82, Vice President Kathleen P. O’Donnell ’90, Vice President Benjamin W. Tuthill ’04, Treasurer
Alumni Association Councilors-at-Large
Laurel L. Bowerman ’77, M.B.A. ’84 William M. Dolan III ’81 John Finan ’80 Colleen Gouveia M.B.A.’98 Tyrene A. Jones ’10 Brina R. Masi ’01 Gregory S. Perry ’88 Edwin R. Pacheco ’05 Darran A. Simon ’98 Christos S. Xenophontos ’84, M.S.’85
Alumni Association Representatives Arts & Sciences Catherine Gagnon ’98, M.M.’03 Business Administration Jordan Kanter ’99, M.S.’00 Feinstein Continuing Education Edward Bozzi Jr. ’68 Engineering Daniel G. Lowney ’75 Environment and Life Sciences Catherine Weaver ’82, B.L.A.’96 Human Science & Services Christine S. Pelton ’84 Nursing Denise A. Coppa ’72, Ph.D.’02 Pharmacy Henrique “Henry” Pedro ’76 Faculty Senate Andrea L. Yates ’94, Ph.D.’06 Student Senate Stephanie Segal, Class of ’13 Student Alumni Association Merita Nezaj, Class of ’13 URI Foundation Thomas J. Silvia ’83 The URI Alumni Association informs and engages current and future alumni as committed partners of the University, its mission and traditions. PHOTOS BY NORA LEWIS; JOE GIBLIN; KIM ROBERTSON
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 3
WEBVIEW
Pick a yearbook, any yearbook Yearbooks 1897–2011 available for download and online viewing courtesy of the University Libraries.
Enjoy the memories! digitalcommons.uri.edu/yearbooks
4 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
PRESIDENT’SVIEW Cutting ribbons underscores the value of community The University of Rhode Island celebrated three major ribbon-cutting events this academic year. Each of the buildings not only reflects the University’s mission, but also tells an important story about our community.
In front of their newly built home, left to right: Elijah, Jason, Jason Jr., and Cora Stone, with the Rev. Lynn Baker-Dooley and President David M. Dooley.
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SALERNO; NORA LEWIS
The College of Pharmacy’s new, 144,000-square-foot structure provides an outstanding platform for preparing generations of students to contribute to their communities, the nation, and the world. Its state-of-the-art facilities will foster important cutting-edge research, improving the health and lives of countless people across the globe, and creating new knowledge, intellectual property, and products to stimulate sustained economic development. This building represents a major investment in the University by the government and people of Rhode Island who in 2006 approved $65 million in general obligation bonds to finance the construction. Generous alumni and corporate donors endowed special teaching and training facilities within the building. In every way, this building is about community— the support of the people of Rhode Island, the dedication of all those members of the University community who worked to make it become a reality, and the College of Pharmacy students, faculty, and staff dedicated to making a difference. The opening of Hillside Hall, the largest and most energy-efficient residence hall on campus, was also a major celebration. Now home to 429 students, many from outside the U.S., this striking facility is a model, providing 24/7 multidisciplinary and global learning opportunities in a comfortable, “green” setting. It exemplifies the kind of vibrant campus community life the University wants for all its students. The URI community and its partners gathered for another special celebration this fall at the dedication of the first Habitat for Humanity house on the Old North Road site close to campus. The completion of this house, the first in a four-unit complex, was the outcome of an inspirational partnership among South County Habitat for Humanity, the town of South Kingstown, the University,
President David M. Dooley, holding scissors, surrounded by URI students, administrators, and friends at the opening of the new pharmacy building.
its student Habitat chapter, energetic and committed URI alumni volunteers, and many of our student-athletes and sorority and fraternity members who devoted themselves to fundraising and construction. As a direct result of this extraordinary collaboration, the Stone family has their first home. The completion of each of these building projects is definitely worth celebrating. But what should make all of us at URI just as proud are the generous efforts of so many in our community who have worked, and continue to work together, to make them possible. Thank you to all. To learn more about URI’s newest buildings, see page 22. To learn more about the Habitat project, visit uri.edu/habitat.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 5
NEWS&VIEWS Springboard for Entrepreneurs The University of Rhode Island has joined Brown University, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and Betaspring to launch a new partnership called the Founders League. Designed to strengthen Rhode Island’s entrepreneurial environment, the Founders League offers start-ups, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs at all stages of development a place to connect, learn, and build their businesses. Betaspring, a start-up accelerator program for technology and design entrepreneurs who are ready to build a product and launch a company, will provide leadership and a mix of entrepreneur-
centric activities, educational programming, and networking events. The League’s workspace, programming, and support community will be based at the Betaspring headquarters in Providence. “Many positive things have happened in the start-up community over the last few years,” says Betaspring Managing Partner and Co-founder Allan Tear. “It’s great now to build on that momentum and apply what we have learned to help a broader community of founders and entrepreneurs in Rhode Island.” URI President David M. Dooley calls the initiative “an effective strategy to keep and
We’ve Changed the Way We Teach Business We at URI are known for reinventing the way we teach to meet the world’s changing needs. Our latest reinvention is our oneyear Master of Business Administration program. Mark Higgins, dean of the College of Business Administration, calls it “a breakthrough design,” one that’s fully located at our downtown Feinstein Providence Campus, closer to the businesses and executives who will play a key role in the program’s strategic innovation-focused curriculum. More than 20 College of Business faculty members have spent the past two years reviewing the curriculum, surveying national and regional employers, studying market trends, and talking to students and alumni in order to make the traditional M.B.A. more relevant in today’s marketplace. They developed a curriculum focused on managing, designing, and implementing strategic innovation, making the program one-of-a-kind, both academically and structurally. While a traditional M.B.A. learning model has students taking five or six concurrent courses in distinct functional areas taught by faculty specialists, URI’s new curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based decision making, and interpersonal communication across all
6 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
functional areas of a modern corporation. Using a continuous improvement framework and team teaching, each intensive two-week module is built upon the module that precedes it. “Our new approach demonstrates to students that strategic decision making is not sequential, but rather interdisciplinary across all areas of a business. Disruptive innovation in business is becoming the rule, not the exception, and this new program will ensure our students can thrive and compete,” Higgins said. M.B.A. students will also engage in a “live case” with Hasbro executives, giving them a real-life context in which to apply their coursework; and they’ll work as teams in a “business laboratory setting” with established Rhode Island organizations or start-ups, helping develop a new process, practice, or product. Al Verrechia ’67, M.B.A. ’72, chairman of the Hasbro Inc. board of directors, said, “Employers have high expectations for M.B.A. graduates, and URI’s new M.B.A. offers a competitive advantage. It will prepare them to use critical thinking and analytical skills on the job while applying practical, real world knowledge to confront the challenges businesses are facing on a global level.”
Al Verrechia
attract top talent to Rhode Island. When they find a welcoming community, strong support system and climate, they will say, ‘Rhode Island. Providence. That’s the place to be.’ This is exactly the kind of activity emphasized during my discussions at the White House” in September, he added—“strategies that are strongly supported by the federal government.” See “Start-up To Success” on page 20 for the story of a multimillion-dollar global company that began with major input from URI research and expertise.
URI Alumni Honored by RIPEC At its 69th annual meeting in the fall, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council honored two URI alumni for public service. Middletown Police Chief Anthony Pesare, M.P.A. ’83, received the 2012 Robert M. Goodrich Distinguished Public Service Award for his many years of service to Rhode Island’s law enforcement community. His career began in 1974 with the Rhode Island State Police, with whom he served for 24 years in five barracks throughout the state. Between 1998 and 2004, when he joined the Middletown Police Department, Pesare served as dean of the School of Justice Studies and associate professor of criminal justice at Roger Williams University. During his tenure in Middletown, he has instituted a community policing program, worked to realign the law enforcement duties in the residential areas of Naval Station Newport, and revamped the department’s communications with the public. He has also worked to reorganize training policies and procedures for the department, making it eligible to seek accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, “the gold standard in public safety.” House Fiscal Advisor Sharon Reynolds Ferland, M.P.A. ’95, received the Gary S. Sasse Distinguished Service Award. A native Rhode Islander, Ferland has worked for the Fiscal Advisory Staff to the Rhode Island House of Representatives since 1997, first as a budget analyst, then as deputy house fiscal advisor. In December 2009, she was appointed to her current post. During her tenure at the House Fiscal Office, she has worked extensively and become an expert on such complex issues as education funding, pension reform, and restructuring the state’s personal income tax system. In 2009, Ferland received a National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices Achievement Award from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
PHOTOS COURTESY RIPEC
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 7
World Class Soccer, meet Krista McCann When she’s not wearing blue scrubs in her classes at URI, senior nursing major Krista McCann wears a uniform of a different type. She’s been a referee on the soccer field since she was 12, with no intention of stopping any time soon. In fact, her big idea is to one day become a referee for FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), soccer’s world-governing body. You could say, in a way, that nursing is her backup plan. McCann recently cracked the Women’s Professional Soccer League-Elite, the top women’s league in the country, officiating a contest between the Boston Breakers and the Western New York Flash. “I was shocked to be selected as a referee for that match,” she said. In the match, she served as one of the two assistant referees who run the sidelines in support of the center (lead) referee. Her love of the game began with the Cumberland Youth Soccer Association, where her first coach noticed she was always at the fields and asked if she wanted to be a referee. She worked three kids’ games a day on weekends and made $7 for each contest. “Most people are afraid to be a referee because players and fans yell at them. But I liked being a leader, and I always had a thick skin. Plus, as a 12-year-old, I liked the money,” McCann said. In high school, she called games in the Massachusetts Premier League and the Rhode Island Super Liga, worked the Olympic Development Program’s Ryder Cup in New Jersey, and was assigned the U.S. Youth Soccer Under 17 championships in West Virginia. After high school she was the youngest attendee and one of only six girls to attend the Pro Clinic as part of the U.S. Soccer Training Seminar, which opened the door to her first men’s Premier Development League game. Last summer, she attended the U.S. Development Academy Showcase, the highest level of youth soccer in the country. While at URI, she’s officiating Rhode Island high school girls’ soccer and is assigned to the U.S.A. Men’s Amateur League in Rhode Island. Right now, McCann is a Grade 6 referee, and FIFA requires Grade 1 status. If she reaches the top level, she would be eligible to referee top pro and international matches. But that’s an achievement nowhere past McCann’s fighting spirit.
8 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
PHOTOS BY STEW MILNE; MICHAEL SALERNO
Can Muggles Play Quidditch? Upon hearing that URI has a Quidditch team, one might wonder how Muggles play a magical sport that, along with Harry Potter, sprang from the imagination of author J. K. Rowling. This full-contact sport combines rugby, dodgeball, and tag to create a sweat-inducing workout, with students running on brooms instead of flying on them. A player dressed in bright yellow, with a tennis ball in a sock tucked into his or her waistband, serves as the elusive golden Snitch. The human Snitch is free to run and hide on the open space of the URI quadrangle and surrounding buildings. Quidditch has truly leapt off the pages of the Harry Potter books, developing quite a following in the Muggle (non-magical) world since 2005, when it started at Middlebury College in Vermont. The International Quidditch Association lists hundreds of teams worldwide. In its third year, URI’s co-ed Quidditch team is the brainchild of student Zara Collier, of Narragansett, and several friends. Collier said the team has grown from seven members the first year to 20 last year to 35 this year. URI’s team was instrumental in bringing the 2012 Northeast Regional Quidditch Tournament to the Ocean State in November. During practices and games at URI, passersby on the quad spot the elevated ring-shaped goals, three on each side of the pitch, or field, and stop to watch. There are the brooms, of course, which each player is required to carry between his or her legs as if defying gravity. Brooms range from what look like Harry Potter’s own Nimbus 2000 to green plastic household models. With seven players on each team, the play is fast-paced as students try to avoid being hit by Bludgers (dodgeballs) while carrying the Quaffle (a deflated volleyball) and scoring. Collier, who is majoring in math, computer science, and anthropology, reports that even though the competition is fierce, players on opposing teams are nice to each other, helping each other up when they fall. She relishes the lighthearted moments, such as when a dance party breaks out or onlookers burst into applause when the Snitch is caught, ending the game. The players high-five and hug each other easily and often; laughter frequently rings out during practice. “We’re the generation that grew up with Harry Potter,” said Collier as she watched team members run through drills. “I’m really proud and honored to be part of Quidditch and the Quidditch community at URI.” Editor’s Note, delivered in a British accent: While it is not this magazine’s policy to capitalize names of sports, players’ positions, or sporting equipment, the foregoing article does so in deference to the style set by Rowling and her publisher, Scholastic Books. VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 9
PRESSBOX Roy Earns Preseason All-American Honor
URI junior center fielder Jeff Roy was selected as a Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in December. Roy is the first Ram ever to earn preseason All-America honors and is one of just 10 outfielders across the nation to earn the 2013 preseason distinction. The reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Roy also was picked as the 63rd best player in the country by College Baseball Daily in early January. Roy finished his sophomore season ranked either first or second on the team—and was among the conference leaders—in every offensive category. He recorded a team-best 84 hits and 59 runs while leading the league with a .421 average in A-10 games (40-95). He also reached base in a conference best 41 consecutive games, in addition to leading the Rams with a .487 slugging percentage and a .443 on-base percentage. The Cranston, R.I. native also was named to the NEIBA All-New England and ECAC Division I All-Star Teams and was an honorable mention on College Baseball Insider’s All-America Team. Roy carried his success into the summer, when he was a First Team All-Star and top prospect in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). Playing for the North Adams SteepleCats, he led his team in hits (48), runs (40), doubles (11), triples (3), and stolen bases (24), while becoming the first player in NECBL history to steal more than 20 bases and hit 10or-more doubles in a single season. VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES 10 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
Barrientos Selected to Train With Guatemalan National Team
Bailes Named to A-10 All-Rookie Team Freshman Ellie Bailes was named to the Atlantic 10 Women’s Soccer All-Rookie Team in October. The midfielder from Maidstone, England started all 18 games she played for the Rams. She ended the year with a total of 10 points (five goals), including two game winners. Bailes was named A-10 Co-Rookie of the Week for her two-goal performance against Temple in an overtime 2-1 victory on Oct. 12. She also had the game-winning goal against Stony Brook in a 3-2 win on Aug. 17.
Junior Jennifer Barrientos, a member of the URI women’s soccer team, was selected in November to participate in the Guatemalan National Team training camp. A native of Reseda, Calif., Barrientos was one of 28 women picked to train with the team in January. “This is an outstanding opportunity for Jenni, and we are excited for her,” URI head coach Michael Needham ’96 said of Barrientos, whose Guatemalan parentage gives her dual citizenship. “The chance to train and compete for a roster spot with your native country is not something that everyone gets, and we wish her the best of luck. She had an excellent season for us this year. This training camp, and the work we are doing in our own program, will ensure that she is ready for another great year as a senior next fall.” Barrientos finished the 2012 season as URI’s leader in points with 15 (4 goals, 7 assists). She played in all 20 games for the Rams, starting 19 times. For her career, she has played 57 games and has five goals and 10 assists. URI finished the season with an 11-8-1 record, 4-5-0 in the Atlantic 10. It was the team’s best finish since the 2007 season.
PHOTOS COURTESY URI ATHLETICS
Elliott Honored by Capital One and CoSIDA
Athletics Academic Advisor to Chair USA Track & Field/ Cross Country Council URI academic advisor/learning specialist Mike Scott (left) was unanimously re-elected as chair of the USA Track & Field (USATF) Cross Country Council in December. As chair of the USATF Cross Country Council, Scott will oversee all aspects of the U.S. national cross country program, including national teams, national coaching staff selections, national and regional championships, and development programs. He will also serve on USATF’s Long Distance Running Executive Committee. “I am deeply honored to have been recognized by my peers for my contributions to the sport of cross country running,” Scott said. “I feel both humbled and privileged to have been elected for a third time to lead our nation’s cross country program. I look forward to addressing several new challenges facing the sport.” Scott will also serve as the chair for the 2013-16 Olympiad. Additionally, he was presented with the Cross Country Council Award of Merit. Previously, he received the 2001 USATF President’s Award, as well as the1998 Doris Brown Heritage Award for contributions to women’s cross country.
PHOTO BY CHERYL TREWORGY FOR USATF
Senior football player Kyle Elliott was named to the Capital One/College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District First Team in November. Named to the team for the second year in a row, Elliott was one of 27 players on the Division I District I team, joining players from Albany, Brown, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, Fordham, Harvard, Holy Cross, Maine, Marist, New Hampshire, Syracuse, and the U.S. Military Academy. To be eligible for the team, student-athletes must carry a 3.3 or better grade point average, be a starter or key reserve, and be at least a sophomore in academic standing. The Cresskill, N.J., native finished his career making 32 consecutive starts as right guard for the Rams, dating back to his sophomore season. He came to URI as a quarterback, then played defensive end before making the switch from defense to offense early in 2010.
Elliott has excelled in the classroom since his arrival on campus. He finished his degree in finance in the spring of 2012, graduating as the University’s top senior finance student with a 3.63 grade point average, earning the University Excellence Award in Finance in the process. He returned for his final season as a communications student, and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.57. While at URI, Elliott has been inducted into the international honor society Beta Gamma Sigma as a junior. He also is a three-time CAA Football Academic All-Conference Team member. The Capital One Academic All-District program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. As a first-team selection, Elliott is eligible for the Academic AllAmerica Team ballot.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 11
NEW PLAY ON HOOP DREAMS
When Marc Upshaw ’84 and Sam Mitchell were teenage basketball players in Columbus, Ga., running the high school hardwood in winter and sweating on steamy playgrounds in summer, they dreamed big. And one day they made a pact. If each became successful, they’d return to Columbus someday and do something good for the community, to share their success. Consider that a promise fulfilled. For eight years, Upshaw and Mitchell, a former NBA player and coach, have run the SaMarc Dream and Achieve Foundation, offering basketball and education programs at an annual summer camp held at Columbus State University. Besides playing basketball, the young-
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sters who attend the camp also visit learning centers, apply for college scholarships, and take field trips to places like New York City, Washington, D.C., and the Bahamas. There is no tuition fee. “Basketball is the carrot,” Upshaw said by telephone. “Let’s face it. If we ran a science camp, we wouldn’t get many kids. But basketball is one component. It’s about a lot more than basketball.”
By any measure outside professional sports, Upshaw is a success. His day job is as founder and CEO of Global Diagnostic Services, Inc., which specializes in performing on-site diagnostic testing, X-rays, and medical staffing, primarily for correctional institutions. When he visits prisons, Upshaw meets inmates with third grade educations and dead-end futures outside the penitentiary walls. “The line between making it and not making it is so thin,” he said. “And the key to me is education. I was so fortunate to be able to earn a college degree, and it’s been a blessing. That is something we emphasize at the camp. I thought we’d see an impact after seven or eight years, but we saw an impact in the first two years. We’re giving kids opportunities.”
PHOTOS BY MARKEITH HORACE
He cites examples: A boy fulfilled a dream by getting to tour inside the White House. A trip to the NASA Space Center in Huntsville, Ala., inspired another boy to dream of life as an astronaut. And a foundation scholarship has funded the final classes toward a nursing degree at Columbus State for a young woman who left college early because of pregnancy. In addition to basketball and cultural experiences, the camp also focuses on comportment. Kids learn how to dress in a professional setting, how to prepare for interviews, and other life skills. “These are things they will have to know how to do,” Upshaw said. “These are skills that go beyond sports.”
“Now, 30 years later, they could do a lot more to fix the knee than they could then,” he says. “They didn’t have the same surgeries that they have now.” When he injured his right knee in an Atlanta Hawks summer camp shortly after graduation, he realized he needed to find another way to make a living.
Upshaw meets plenty of youngsters convinced they are the next LeBron or Kobe. He tries not to douse their dreams, but he also filters in some reality. “It’s the contrast with me and with Sam,” he says. “People thought I would be the one. But Sam ended up playing 13 years in the NBA and was Coach of the Year (2007 with the Toronto Raptors). I had to find success in another way.” Mitchell, now a sports talk show host and NBA network commentator, still attributes his own success to Upshaw. “Marc showed me the example of hard work and gave me a lot of encouragement,” he says. “Without Marc, I wouldn’t have made it to the NBA. All these years later, I am sure of that.” Upshaw and his wife Debra When SaMarc’s are the parents of daughters founders were young, Diamonn Nicole, 22, and Tyler, Upshaw was the basketball 20. Upshaw also has a son star. Mitchell, two years his from an earlier relationship, junior, was his tall buddy John Cruz ’03, who worked as Marc Upshaw, back row second from left, and Sam Mitchell, back who’d yet to fill out his lanky a coordinator in the URI Talent row far right, with winners of SaMarc Foundation trophies. frame. Upshaw took Mitchell Development program. “I have VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES under his wing as a de facto been given so many blessings little brother. “I was the star from God,” Upshaw says. at the time,” Upshaw said. “But Sam’s He bounced around, sold sporting He last visited URI about eight years the one who made it to the NBA. I didn’t. goods, and switched to insurance sales. ago, he says, and still has warm feelings Things can end up differently than you He built his own agency in North Carolina, for the University. His NBA dream that expect.” but moved it to Atlanta, where he and his began in Columbus had to fade when he Upshaw’s own life certainly defied wife, Debra, were comfortable. The late blew out his knee as a Ram star. But other expectations. While he was in high school, 1980s recession decimated the business, dreams took root in Kingston. He rememhis cousin, Claude English ’72, who was leading Upshaw to diagram a new play. bers arriving on campus and settling in to then assistant basketball coach for URI, “The medical services field seemed his dorm room, amazed at how far he had talked him into visiting the campus. recession-proof,” he said. “But I had never traveled, to a situation his parents never Upshaw bonded with fellow recruit taken a medical course in high school or could have paid for. Roland Houston ’82, still a good friend. in college.” “What Sam and I most have in common Turning down the University of Georgia, Undaunted, Upshaw knocked on doors. isn’t basketball,” Upshaw says now. Upshaw decided to spend his four college He knew sales and, more importantly, “It’s that we both earned college degrees. playing years at URI. knew how to sell himself. He talked his That’s a point we emphasize,” in the At the time, URI was a burgeoning way into a medical company that needed SaMarc camp. New England power coached by a salesman. He soaked up all the learning For his part, Mitchell still looks up to Jack Kraft, Hon. ’78, and later English. he could before becoming his own boss in his mentor. “When we first started the Upshaw was an athletic forward, standing 1994, when he founded Global Diagnostics foundation, Marc told me that we would six feet, six inches. But in a game at the with the mission to bring the medical get more out of it than many of the kids,” Providence Civic Center, he tore the antetesting equipment to prisoners rather Mitchell says. “I didn’t understand what rior cruciate ligament in his left knee. than the other way around. he meant at first. But after eight years, He returned for his senior year but never “And visiting the prisons was part of now I do. Now I certainly do.” quite regained the speed and cutting the incentive for us to start the founda—Jim Gillis ’81 ability that had driven his game. tion,” he says.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 13
in fashion S
pring is in the air, and that means it’s time to break out a flirty skirt or dapper tie. It’s also time to celebrate the fashion trend setters among URI graduates— those who share a passion for fancy duds and all the fun that goes with them.
Some found their calling later in life; others made a bold career switch. Many graduated from the University’s textiles, fashion merchandising, and design program (TMD). So take a seat at the catwalk and enjoy the show. The only price of admission is a round of applause.
Stephanie Kolanko ’11 (right) made a splash at “Style Week Northeast.”
PHOTO BY DANIEL GAGNON PHOTOGRAPHY
Stephanie Kolanko
Amanda Miller
Most of us bought our H alloween costumes at big box stores. Not Stephanie Kolanko ’11. Her mother whipped up disguises that were the envy of neighbors. In no time, a teenage Kolanko was making her own clothes, including a mini-skirt that convinced her to pursue a career in fashion design: “Something just clicked, and I knew.” At URI, she honed her design skills and went abroad twice to study high fashion in Paris. Not long after graduation, she made a splash with 19 outfits, or looks, at “Style Week Northeast,” a thriving regional f ashion event that showcases new talent. Home is North Smithfield, which suits her fine. The expansive dining-room table is where she sews clothes that she describes as breezy bohemian paired with rocker chic, already on sale in stores like Luniac Glamour in East Greenwich and Krazy Daisy in her hometown. “I’m off to a great start,” says Kolanko. “You really just have to go for it. You can’t be too scared. You have to dream big and make it happen.”
What is Amanda Miller ’08 writing in her journal on Celebrity Apprentice, the hit reality show hosted by real estate magnate Donald Trump? “Just jotting notes,” says Miller, with a chuckle. Do tell! Anyone who watches the program will know that Miller is Trump’s diligent and discreet receptionist. Off-air, she holds the prestigious job of vice president of marketing for the Trump Organization, handling real estate and golf interests. She also does marketing for daughter Ivanka Trump’s line of clothes, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, and perfume. As a TMD student, Miller concentrated in marketing. Plus, she realized in a sewing class that she could barely thread a needle. She met The Donald and his family while working as a 15-year-old waitress at his golf course in Westchester, N.Y., and was hired by the company a mere two weeks after graduation. Celebrity Apprentice isn’t her only gig. She garnered national attention as a tour guide on Trump’s lavish private jet. The video of an “inside look at traveling Trump-style” on the gold-plated 757 is a YouTube sensation. “I couldn’t be luckier than to work here,” Miller says. “We have such great people at the Trump Organization. I have terrific bosses who are an inspiration for a young businesswoman.”
VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
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VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
Gayla Bentley
Sharon Ruggieri
Take a woman with curves and put her in a Blue Boyfriend Blouse and what do you get? A knock-your-socks-off look created by alum Gayla Bentley, a Houston designer who specializes in clothes for “modern’’ women of all sizes. She made her national TV debut three years ago on the ABC reality show Shark Tank and also made headlines in O, the Oprah Magazine, People, and Glamour. Raised in Westerly, Bentley studied communications and theater at URI in the mid-1970s and moved to Texas, where she found work as a fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue. After a brief sojourn in Paris, she realized there was a dearth of clothes for women sizes 12 and up. What’s her secret to stylish clothes? “They have to feel good, fit well, and move freely,’’ she says. A nice sash helps too. With her eye on new opportunities, Bentley is in the process of selling her company, but will remain as head designer. One day, you might see her on the home-shopping network QVC or dishing out design tips on her own show. Hollywood producers have already come knocking.
What woman hasn’t had an “oops” moment at that time of month? The world’s really gone wrong when it happens on a white-pants day in the middle of a business meeting. Take heart, ladies. Now available: undies that are reinforced, but still sexy. Sharon Ruggieri ’07 (far right in photo) and her business partner, Julie Sygiel (center), a Brown University graduate, are the brains behind Dear Kate, underwear that uses a patent-pending lining to protect women from life’s little surprises. The intimates have also caught on with athletes, pregnant women, and one woman visiting the White House. (For details, see the company’s blog at d earkates.com.) How did Ruggieri, a mechanical engineering and Spanish major from Cranston, end up selling panties? After college, she received a Fulbright in Mexico to work in banking and then got her M.B.A. from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. At a networking event for start-ups in Providence, she hit it off with Sygiel, the original creator of the fashion-meetsfunction underwear. No one is more surprised than Ruggieri by her new venture. “It blows my mind where we’re going,” she says. “The response has been incredible. I went from physics, to engineering, to manufacturing, to finance, to nonprofits, and now to lingerie. I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity presented to me.” She hasn’t forgotten URI on her way to stardom. Alummi who order online get a $10 discount. Just use the code, urialum, at checkout.
VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
PHOTOS BY COREY GRAYHORSE PHOTOGRAPHY; DANIEL GAGNON PHOTOGRAPHY; DOUGLAS GORENSTEIN; ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; RUSSELL BENTLEY; JOE COGLIANDRO; BRISTER PHOTO
VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 17
Stephanie Taylor
Judith Verrier
Who’s the source of those couture pumps and jersey dresses worn by rising talk show star Wendy Williams? Usually, celebrity designers like Manolo Blahnik and Norma Kamali; but the wardrobe assistant who procures their creations for Williams is Stephanie Taylor ’07 (above right). Landing that coveted job took hard work, talent, and an underrated quality in today’s workforce: a positive attitude. Growing up in West Hartford, Taylor knew early on that she wanted to study fashion. Her first choice was URI and its “little known but wonderful” TMD department, she says. After excelling in college, she worked at Nordstrom and then left for the Big Apple, where she found a parttime job in a boutique while holding down two unpaid internships, one of them with the TV crime series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She joined Fox’s The Wendy Williams Show in 2010 after submitting her résumé “blindly,” she recalls. Now she shops for Williams and also gently persuades designers to send the host clothes to wear on the show. Her advice to new graduates trying to break into fashion? “Hard work pays off, in your education and professional life,” she says. “If you have a good attitude people will recognize that. Personality counts.” Buy wisely too. She’s BFF with her three-year-old black suede Nine West boots with no-nonsense two-inch heels. “Just a simple bootie.”
The mother-daughter relationship can be fraught with peril. Mother: Your skirt is too short. Daughter: My skirt is too long. It’s time to pop the cork when the relationship is solid—and toast when it thrives, in a business, no less. Judith (Delahunt) Verrier ’72 and her daughter, Ashleigh, are the happily paired creative force behind Verrier Boutique, a New York online fashion company that offers whimsical women’s clothing worn by singers Taylor Swift and Jessica Simpson and actors Zooey Deschanel and Jennifer Love Hewitt. “Jude” studied child development at URI, but also took textile classes and still has her TMDissued booklet on fabric content and stain removal. After college, she earned her master’s in special education at San Francisco State University and taught students with learning differences before enrolling in a doctoral program at the University of California, Berkeley. She switched paths in 2004 when Ashleigh graduated from Parsons School of Design, which honored her as Designer of the Year. The duo promptly created a fashion label. After a few years exclusively in Japan, they opened their online company, selling women’s clothes with a striking Eurocentric look. (Check out the stunning trompe l’oeil tops and Ashleigh’s handpainted note cards.) “A psychic once told us we were twins in a previous life,” says Jude. “Like twins, we deeply feel each other’s joy and pain. And it’s wonderful that we share a fair amount of mental telepathy with turbo-type thoughts. That helps us keep up with the fast pace of every NYC fashion minute.”
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Nick Kleiner
Jhih-Syuan “Cindy” Yang
He’s known on campus as the “kid in duck boots,” but a more accurate description would be Man from Maine as tall as a pine, with a glint in his eye and a passion for fashion. Oh, and he’s the guy who can sew a Russian military jacket in a day or turn a pile of trash into a work of art. Senior Nick Kleiner is going places. Behind all great minds lies an inspiration, and for Kleiner it was his mother, an art teacher who eliminated boredom with a sketchpad. She nurtured her son’s creativity; an empty yogurt cup could always become something. Kleiner, who soars to 6 feet 4 inches, is double majoring in TMD and French. Although wicked good at sewing, he prefers the marketing side of the biz. For a recent class assignment he boldly declared that J. Crew will go with a “tweedy, English prep” line in 2014. Look for fitted pants for the gents. With two internships completed, including one at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, Calif., Kleiner hopes to find a job overseeing interns at a big fashion company or work in marketing for Ralph Lauren or the retail giant whose products have a place in his heart— uh, closet: L.L. Bean, in Freeport, Maine, a few hours from his boyhood home. “I still have my Bean boots from high school,” he says. “I just got them resoled.”
Everything Jhih-Syuan Yang ’12 knows about designing, draping, cutting, sewing, fitting and, yes, even getting along with people, she learned in her four years at URI. No, the University is not in the heart of the fashion district, but that’s the point: the closeness of her department allowed her to focus, focus, focus. No question went unanswered. One class in TMD was especially memorable. She mastered a pattern-making software program that she uses today in her job as assistant technical designer at Sachin + Babi, a funky fashion house in New York. Home is Taiwan, but, for now, she is happily living in Brooklyn with friends. (Alas, no designers.) Some day, she’d like to start her own fashion company, with CEO Yang at the helm. —Elizabeth Rau
VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
SPRING SPLASHES in Kingston and NYC
Who: URI models in creations by URI’s up-and-coming fashion designers What: TMD’s two annual fashion shows When: Friday, April 26
When: Tuesday, May 21
Where: Edwards Auditorium Kingston Campus Kingston, RI
Where: The Jones Group 1411 Broadway New York, NY
uri.edu/hss/tmd
advance.uri.edu/springsplash
Why: Get a glimpse of what’s next from TMD’s Big Thinkers!
PHOTOS BY WILLIE M. SINCLAIR III; ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; COURTESY VERRIER LLC; COURTESY L.L. BEAN; JENNIFER CARRION
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 19
Office established in single room at 529 Main Street, Wakefield
1979
1980
First project: database development for Providence Comprehensive Employment and Training Act
ASA buys land in South Ferry Industrial Park, builds office
ASA moves into new building at 70 Dean Knauss Drive, Narragansett
Wins major Department of the Interior contract
1981
1984
First major project: develop and apply oil spill fishery interaction model to Georges Bank Gulf of Maine system
1985
ASA obtains contract to put together spill contingency plan and modeling system for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
First version of PC-based oil spill model delivered to Alyeska Pipeline
ASA hindcasts Gulf War spill, lots of publicity (interviews, press conferences, TV presentations)
1986
1991
ASA wins major contract for oil spill modeling for Alaskan coastal waters
1987
ASA organizes oil spill model consortium; first model called WOSM (Worldwide Oilspill Model) ASA develops and markets simplified version of OILMAP
1992 Major study for ARAMCO, the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, to assess impact of oil spill on seawater intakes
Start-up to Success
W
ithin days of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, Deborah French McCay, Ph.D. ’84, and dozens of other URI alumni who work for Applied Science Associates (ASA) in Wakefield were hard at work monitoring the spill and preparing to travel to the Gulf. They spent the next few months coordinating a rapid assessment of the marine and coastal environment for the federal government, determining pre-spill conditions and collecting data on the harm the spill caused. Nearly three years later, about 15 of the company’s staff are still working full time on the project, comparing the before and after data. The resulting documentation will be used by government attorneys to build a case against the responsible parties for payment of damages. ASA is one of only a handful of companies around the world to work closely with governments and the oil industry to monitor and predict the movement of spilled oil in the environment and to assess its damage. “In the last 20 years, we’ve responded to every major oil spill in the world on some-
20 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
body’s behalf,” said Malcolm Spaulding ’69, Ph.D. ’73, professor emeritus of ocean engineering and a co-founder of the company. “We have a contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide support for all spills in the U.S. that reach natural resource damage assessment level. So we are always on call.” In the 1970s, Spaulding and his graduate students were creating numerical models on early computers to study water pollution in Narragansett Bay. A grant from the Department of Energy led them to study the effects of oil and oil dispersants on fisheries and the marine environment. One result was a model that predicted where an oil spill would travel based on winds, currents, and other conditions. It was the first oil spill model of its kind, which led to contracts with the government to study the potential effects of an oil spill on the continental shelf. In 1979, Spaulding, along with Engineering Professor Emeritus Frank White, Oceanography Professor Peter Cornillon, and then-graduate student J. Craig Swanson, M.S. ’76, Ph.D. ’87, turned this research into ASA, which started with one employee, Swanson. The company grew quickly, and
by the end of 1980 it employed a half dozen people, mostly URI graduates. “The oil spill focus was the vehicle that got us going and was most critical to our ultimate success, but my focus was on water quality,” said Swanson, whose expertise at computer modeling was indispensible. “We had developed these tools that make predictions of where oil would move to, based on currents and tides, and we used the same kind of models to predict pollutant transport. We did a lot of work with the Narragansett Bay Commission as it was designing a system to control combined sewage overflows into the Bay, helping them evaluate the water quality benefits of various options.” That work continued through the 1990s, but it has shifted in recent years to focus on thermal pollution from power plants— the movement of warm water discharged by the facilities into waterways and its effect on the marine environment. In addition to his computer modeling work, Swanson has had a lead role in business development and establishing relationships with public agencies and engineering firms. But it’s the oil spill work that gets the most attention.
BACKGROUND IMAGE: WORLDWIDE RPS LOCATIONS.
SARMAP system introduced based on earlier work
COASTMAP introduced
1996
1997 WQMAP system first appears
2000
ASA wins major contract from Northrop Grumman and Metron
2003
2005
ASA and Applied Technology Management initiate joint venture; Newport office established
2006
Deepwater Horizon oil spill brings much new work
ASA is re-branded, adopts new look
2007
LNGMAP developed ASA and Hydro Qual form joint venture in Dubai to pursue work in Middle East
2008
2010
ASA offices move into South County Commons, Wakefield
2011 ASA bought by RPS Group Plc; new global opportunities
How a tiny business venture launched by URI-trained minds developed over three decades into a global leader “In the oil spill business, you need to know where it’s going to go and when it’s going to get there, with the goal of knowing what can be done to respond and protect resources,” explained Spaulding. “In the Middle East, for instance, goal number one is to keep the oil out of the desalination facilities or else they’ll have no drinking water. In most other places the goal is to protect the environment.” Around the time of the first Gulf War, the company ran oil spill simulations in the Arabian Gulf for the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to assess how vulnerable their desalination plants were, and it was heavily involved in a variety of projects following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989, the North Cape spill off Rhode Island in 1996, and the Prestige spill off the coast of Spain in 2002. “Ultimately, someone needs to know how much damage the spill has done to the natural resources,” said Swanson. “Deborah French McCay has been instrumental in developing that for us. She brought the skill of using computer models to predict what the biological impacts were going to be. How long does it take the fish and other organisms to recover? That opened up a lot of work for us.”
The oil transport model has also been adapted for use as a tool for search-andrescue operations to track the likely movement of people or vessels or cargo that have been lost at sea. It is used by the U.S. Coast Guard and similar agencies in six other countries, and in Rhode Island it helped find a fishing boat adrift off Block Island and a plane that disappeared after taking off from Westerly, among others. All this work has transformed ASA from a tiny start-up with initial capitalization of $3,200 into a global leader with 60 employees in Rhode Island (31 of whom graduated from URI, including company president Eoin Howlett, M.B.A. ’02) and annual revenues of $12 million, making it one of the largest companies to spin-off from research started at the University. In 2011, ASA was bought by a British company, RPS Group plc, which operates 80 offices around the world with a total of about 5,500 employees. The parent company provides broad oversight, and has provided ASA numerous growth opportunities. As a result, Spaulding said ASA has been growing by about one new employee every month since the acquisition, and it is outgrowing its fourth office location.
“We have a notice on our website all the time listing jobs that are available,” he said. “We’re up to our ears in stuff to do, and we’re looking for good people.” As it grows, the company is expanding its products and services. It is building a version of its oil spill model for landbased pipelines and considering another version to address the catastrophic failures of oil storage tanks. The company is also using its skills to support the emerging field of offshore wind and wave energy development. “We’ve been true to the vision that we originally had—it’s an engaging place to work, we work on interesting problems, we’re participating at the leading edge of our field, and we have a healthy and thriving organization,” concluded Spaulding. “And by hiring so many alumni and regularly contracting with faculty, we think we provide a real value to the University.” –Todd McLeish Read more about URI’s efforts to boost business ventures on campus and throughout the state: see “Springboard for Entrepreneurs” on page 6. VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 21
A WalkingTour of URI’s
N
ow that the weather is finally warming up, let’s stroll the Kingston campus to see how the past year’s $300 million in construction and renovation projects—the busiest building cycle in the University’s history—have helped URI do what it does even better. Where should we start? The north end of campus, where the September opening of the College of Pharmacy building marked a new chapter in teaching and learning for our internationally renowned programs? Or the southern residential core, where Hillside Hall, our newest, most energy-efficient residence, stands as a signal that URI is embracing 24/7 collaborative learning? North Science District Let’s save Hillside for last and start in the North District. “There is more community space where students can learn together,” says Lanh Dang, a fourth-year pharmacy student from Lawrence, Mass., of his college’s new home. “So much of what we do now is team-based learning, and this building has perfect common areas for such 22 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
New Digs
approaches. It’s easier to grasp complex concepts because of classroom technology that allows us to view videos and animations. Plus, we can interact online with our professors during class.” The $75 million College of Pharmacy building is the second of three key components of the North Science District, the first being the adjacent Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, a $54 million facility that opened in 2009. The third project is the Center for Chemistry and Forensic Sciences, slated for completion in fall 2015 at a cost of $70 million. It will be built in a portion of the Chafee parking lot between the Chafee Social Science Center and White Hall. Most of the funding for the three projects, $176 million, came from bond issues overwhelmingly supported by the voters of Rhode Island. They would be pleased to hear praise of the results of their decision to invest in higher education, particularly URI’s new pharmacy building. At five stories and 144,000 square feet, it is the largest academic building on the Kingston campus. Outside is a medicinal garden. Inside are an auditorium with 3D projection technology;
3,000-square-feet of research facilities comprising 18 labs; a professional practice lab including sterile preparation; patient assessment areas; three general assignment classrooms; a 1,000-square-foot dual Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facility; student study and informal gathering areas throughout the building; and nine conference and meeting rooms. “The office space is much improved, and now I can meet with students more privately,” says Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Brett Feret, Pharm.D. ’98. “I love how the teaching spaces allow for much better interaction and discussion with students.” “The labs are so much better,” says Victoria Venturini, a fourth-year pharmacy student from South Kingstown. “They are much like hospital emergency rooms.” Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows feel energized by their new and spacious lab environments, according to Bongsup Cho, professor of biomedical This page and opposite: new College of Pharmacy building, outside and in.
PHOTOS BY NORA LEWIS; JOE GIBLIN
sciences and associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Pharmacy. “All the research laboratories are on the third and fourth floors facing the beautiful North District quadrangle,” he adds. “The building is always busy, and it’s good to see smiles in the labs.” New Learning Commons and Taft Makeover On our way south toward Hillside Hall, you’ll notice on our right the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons. Step inside to visit the recently refurbished Learning Commons area on the first floor, offering students a full suite of resources: group study rooms, study pods and booths, a laptop bar, a video and presentation practice room, and flexible social spaces. “It’s impressively designed!” says Travis Roberts ’06, currently pursuing a master’s in European history. “The private study rooms with whiteboards are great for practicing presentations or working on
group projects, and the comfortable new seating areas create a very relaxed study atmosphere. I’ve also received outstanding help from librarians at the new reference desk in finding scholarly works for my thesis.” Just past the library you’ll see the new slate roof and gleaming new windows on Taft Hall, the oldest academic building on campus, originally opened in 1888. Its latest $2.7 million renovation project began as simple mold remediation but expanded as other issues came to light. The building interior was stripped to the original masonry and rebuilt with new fire protection, insulation, wiring, and finishes such as carpeting. When they moved back in last March, students and staff of URI’s signature Talent Development Program were thrilled with the transformation of their landmark home. Taft also now houses the Associates in Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.) English Language Institute, where international students take intensive English classes before beginning their URI study programs.
Coming Soon Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center: Further downhill, beyond Hope Commons, you might be able to hear the noise of ongoing construction at the site of the former Roger Williams Dining Hall. Michael Fascitelli ’78 and his wife, Beth, have donated $1 million to support the $11.1 million conversion of Roger Williams into the Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center, named in honor of Fascitelli’s mother. It will open in summer of 2013. Also on the horizon: Student-Athlete Development Center: This $3.6 million facility will be located in a renovated and expanded area of the east gym of the Tootell Physical Education Center. It will be a comprehensive athletic performance and studentathlete enhancement center with classrooms and meeting rooms. Included will be upgrades to the athletic therapy facilities, building utilities, and access to the pools for persons with disabilities. Private donations and University resources will fund the project. Completion is planned for fall 2013. Butterfield Dining Hall: With about 6,200 students living on campus, there is a need for additional dining space. Design is under way for the $8 million project, which has a tentative completion date of fall 2014. Student dining fees will finance the improvements. LGBTQ Center: Design has begun on the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center, which will be located at the present site of the Ruggles House, 19 Upper College Road. It’s a $1.5 million project to be completed in 2014.
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PHOTOS BY NORA LEWIS; JOE GIBLIN
Opposite page, above: three new workspaces in the Library’s new Learning Commons; below: Taft Hall’s makeover. This page: students have multiple spaces to work together in the new Hillside Residence Hall’s east and west wings, connected by a glass bridge.
Hillside Hall As we approach our destination just west of the Lower College Road traffic circle, darkness is descending on campus. It’s a perfect time to appreciate the illuminated fourstory glass bridge connecting Hillside’s two wings. Beautiful courtyards and functional rain gardens surround the building we’re about to enter. Inside, just about everywhere you look are lounges for studying (15 in the east wing, 12 in the west) and socializing (nine small gathering spaces in each hallway). The $42 million, five-story structure contains 120,000 square feet and houses 429 beds. “There are so many places for us to do work together,” says Joe Walter, a freshman pharmacy major from Bayonne, N.J. “There’s also the giant sky lounge on every floor, so that’s where everybody can come together.” Hillside is home to international undergraduates who all live on the first floor. Several of them were happy to comment on life at URI at the end of the fall semester, as they prepared for their last finals before heading back to their homes and their universities.
“We’ve made friends with American students, but our closest friends are the international students on the floor,” said Anwen Beaton, an environmental science major from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Minu Singh, a business student at the University of Buskerud in Norway, agreed. “It’s been great because we have traveled every weekend to D.C., Boston, New York,” said Alyssa Ficaccio, a communications and economics major from the University of Calgary in Canada.
All agreed that the facility and campus are beautiful and that they have made enduring friendships with each other. As we depart, take a last look at Hillside’s common areas filled with students, and recall all of the common spaces at the previous stops on our tour, filled with students, faculty, and staff members working together, doing research, studying, hanging out, and making plans. In short, by thinking big about its space, the URI community is constantly building and renewing itself. —Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 25
Nursing Profs Deliver
BIG BABY NEWS
Picture a neonatal intensive care unit. Premature babies, some as tiny as the palm of an adult hand, lie in incubators linked to monitors and life-saving equipment. The care is extraordinary, the devotion unceasing, but so is the worry about the next minute, the next month, the next ten years, especially for parents. What if research showed that for these little ones, a simple delivery room procedure, or an intervention in elementary school, could mean improved health and easier transitions to adult life? That kind of research has been under way for years, thanks to two University of Rhode Island nursing professors. Interim Dean of the College of Nursing Mary Sullivan, Ph.D. ’94, is spearheading the longest-running study in the U.S. of premature infants, to see what types of interventions mitigate the effects of early birth. Her colleague, Clinical Professor Emerita Judith Mercer, has already found that delaying the clamping of umbilical cords for pre-term babies produces dramatic health benefits. Now, together with Assistant Nursing Professor Debra Erickson-Owens, Ph.D.’09, she is in the midst of another study of whether that simple delay b enefits full-term babies. Top: Mary Sullivan, interim dean of URI’s College of Nursing, with U.S. Sen. Jack Reed as he announces $3.8 million in funding. Center: Clinical Professor Emerita Judith Mercer. Bottom: Assistant Professor Debra Erickson-Owens.
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VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SALERNO; JOE GIBLIN
In the Delivery Room As Mercer compiles her results from a $2 million, five-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the impacts of delayed cord clamping for pre-term infants, she and Erickson-Owens have teamed with Women & Infants Hospital, and Brown University’s Sean Deoni, director of the Advanced Baby Imaging Lab, to study delayed clamping in full-term babies. NIH has awarded the team a five-year, $2.4 million grant to study 128 infants from birth to 24 months to measure the effect of delaying cord clamping on the structure and functioning of the developing brain. Called the Infant Brain Study, it also received a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mothers are enrolled prenatally, and their babies are assigned to a study group when they are born at Women & Infants. At four, ten, and 24 months, they go to the Brown baby imaging lab for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and developmental testing. “Mom comes in with the baby, and goes to the quiet room, which is set up like a baby’s room, until the baby falls asleep,” Mercer explained. “Once the baby settles, he or she is put on a cart that slides right into the scanner. They put earmuffs on the baby…. One time, a baby woke up, but mom was able to get her child back to sleep and the study was completed. An MRI, unlike an X-ray, puts out less energy than one’s cell phone and is considered a safe procedure.
“Sean has this set up in a very special way,” Mercer added. “It’s not noisy, and he doesn’t use any sedation. It’s a little smaller than a regular MRI. They have done over 250 scans of infants and children, so he has it down to a science.” Mercer and her team want to find out if delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord, which allows the placenta to transfer ironrich blood to the newborn, reduces iron deficiency and anemia in the first year for full-term newborns. The MRI scan results can also determine whether delayed clamping enhances myelination in the brain. Iron is required for the process of forming myelin sheaths around nerves in the brain. Good myelin sheaths allow impulses to move more quickly and are critical to a healthy nervous system.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 27
“I am proud
to know that my University is doing this kind of work.” —Catherine Foster ’74, M.A. ’87, shown at right with her son Sean, reminiscing about his preemie days.
No Longer Babies For more than two decades, Mary Sullivan has overseen this country’s longest-running study of premature infants. Brown University launched the study a quarter century ago, but Margaret McGrath, URI nursing professor emerita, took it over in 1989, and Sullivan joined the research team in 1990. More than $7 million in federal funding later, Sullivan and her project manager of 17 years, Suzy Winchester, have watched their fragile subjects grow into healthy adults. Sullivan’s findings, which have been shared around the country and in Europe, show how supportive, loving parents, nurturing school environments, and stimulating factors work to offset the delays preterm infants experience in their physical, academic, and social development. Study subject Sean Foster, a 25-year-old employee at BJ’s in Coventry and a student at New England Technical Institute, is a great example of the effects of a nurturing parent. His mother, Catherine Foster ’74, M.A. ’87, recalls how she could hold him in one hand when he was born at 26 weeks weighing 1.5 pounds. Now, he stands 6 feet, 1 inch, and weighs 240 pounds. Why did she agree to enlist her son in the study when she faced so many demands?
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“The team gave me great reasons to be involved, and I knew that my son would get regular monitoring as he grew,” said the physical education teacher at Deering Middle School in West Warwick. “I had to keep daily logs for a while, and I remember he took his first steps at Women & Infants.” “My first memory of being in the study was when I was asked to bring my best friend Jerry to the hospital,” Sean said. “They videotaped me on how I worked with other people as we played Nintendo 64.” While the Fosters often went to the hospital for assessments, Sullivan, Winchester, and the other team members also visited Sean’s schools and home. Sean exhibited delays in his gross motor skills, but that didn’t stop Cathy from doing everything she could to give him an active childhood. “I faced two issues: single-parenthood when Sean was three months old, and I had to work,” she said. “It was tough, but we did stuff, especially all the free activities we could find. I made him write in a journal, and we redeemed aluminum cans for gas money so we could go on short trips. We played memory games all the time.” Both she and Sean express over whelmingly positive feelings about their participation in the study. “It’s been a good experience,” said Sean, who is now engaged to be married.
“I am a 1974 health and physical education major from URI, and I am proud to know that my University is doing this kind of work,” Cathy said. “I am also glad that our participation may help other babies and parents.” “Rhode Island Born, Rhode Island Bred” The words of the Rhody fight song resonate strongly with Jenna Richardson ’09, a nurse at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital who now interacts with Sullivan’s research team as a fellow professional. In 1986, she and her twin sister, Kelley, were born at 32 weeks, with Jenna weighing 1 pound, 2.3 ounces and Kelley weighing 1 pound, 2.5 ounces. They have a 23-year-old sister, Melanie, who was born full term. Their parents, Amy and Phil, needed plenty of help in those early years. “The people at Women & Infants were superb,” Amy said. “What they did for the babies was amazing. You could call anytime.” And the members of the study team, she said, “were just so nice from the beginning, you wanted to do it for them.” That support was important for parents who had to connect Jenna to a sleep apnea machine for the first year of her life, and who dealt with children who were sick frequently. At age two, both twins were plagued with asthma.
PHOTOS BY RANDY STEVENSON; JOE GIBLIN; © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Amy said her children benefited from a great pre-school where they got individual attention that detected any delays, outstanding education in parochial elementary and secondary schools, and the benefit of constant interaction as only twins can experience. As a URI nursing student, Jenna met Sullivan and completed one of her clinical rotations at Women & Infants. “One of the nurses mentioned the study, and I told the group that I was a participant,” Jenna said. “It has been great being a part of the study, especially since I am a nurse. Maybe our participation will make it a little easier for the babies of the future.” Her twin, Kelley, has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of the Holy Cross and works for Deloitte Consulting, Hartford, Conn. as a human capital financial services consultant. The project changed Kelley’s perceptions of nursing. “I thought it was mostly hospital-based. I have so much respect for nurses, not that I didn’t before, but this really opened my eyes to what they are doing.” So What’s Next? Sullivan and Winchester, whose last $2.4 million grant is ending this year, want to apply for another NIH grant to study the young adults further. “We want to focus on health and daily functioning,” S ullivan said. “We want to look at the really big picture, how they manage their affairs every day, hold a job, have social interactions, maintain a household.” Will the study subjects continue if Sullivan is awarded another grant? Sarah Medeiros, 25, of Portsmouth, like her fellow participants, says, “Of course.” She was born ten weeks early, weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces. Now an analyst at Newport Federal Savings Bank, she is completing her bachelor’s degree in business management at Roger Williams University. Extremely grateful for and inspired by the many sacrifices of her parents, Barbara and Jeff, she is also deeply impressed with Sullivan’s work. “She has done so many amazing things, and we have come so far in the research because of her,” Medeiros said. —Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87
FUTURE OF NURSING IN RHODE ISLAND The work of Mary Sullivan and Judith Mercer underscores the wisdom of a shared URI/RIC Life Sciences/Nursing Education Center in the Providence Knowledge District. Both URI nursing professors also hold appointments as research scientists at Women & Infants Hospital and as adjunct professors of pediatrics at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. During the heaviest demands on their research projects, they spend as much time in Providence as in Kingston—perhaps more. And they are not alone. URI nursing professors hold clinical and research appointments at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Butler Hospital, the Rhode Island Free Clinic, Crossroads Rhode Island, Bradley Hospital in nearby East Providence, and the state Department of Corrections in Cranston, among others. Meanwhile, faced with a potential statewide shortage of 6,500 nurses by the year 2020, a study of nursing education commissioned by the Rhode Island General Assembly recommends that a shared educational and research facility for URI and Rhode Island College be built in Providence. Such a facility would be equipped with the latest technology and would allow URI and RIC to increase combined undergraduate enrollment from 1,161 to 1,745, and graduate enrollment from 131 to 399. Governor Lincoln Chafee regularly speaks about the importance of investing in the state’s “Meds and Eds.” His current budget includes $500,000 for architectural and engineering work to move forward with the project. “Since the health care and education industries are two of Rhode Island’s strongest, support for such a project will have immediate results,” said President David. M. Dooley. “It will allow us to bolster enrollment in the state’s public nursing programs that prepare the greatest number of nurses with bachelor’s and advanced practice degrees in Rhode Island.”
ALUMNICHAPTERS Join the fun! Chapters are a great way to stay connected with URI, see old classmates, and meet new friends. Chapter events are open to all alumni, family, and friends of the University.
The Southeastern Florida Chapter gathered on February 2, 2013 to watch the URI-Butler men's basketball game.
The URI Alumni Association has more than 50 chapters, organized by location or affinity interest. To see a list of all the chapters, find out what they're planning, and get their contact information, visit advance.uri.edu/alumni/chapters.
LET US HEAR FROM YOU! If you are interested in starting a regional or affinity chapter, or if you have ideas for upcoming events, please contact Shana Greene at scgreene@uri.edu or 401.874.2218.
UPCOMING
The Theta Chi Affinity Chapter 2012 alumni holiday dinner. Represented were classes dating back to the 1950s and including three currently enrolled students from today's campus chapter.
April 6 – The Southwest Florida Gators Chapter invites all alumni to its annual Steak Out event being held at the Port Charlotte Beach Park, Port Charlotte. For more information, contact Sarah Lobdell at slobdell@advance.uri.edu. April 23 – The Villages Alumni Chapter is hosting a buffet dinner at The Sea Breeze Recreation Center at The Villages, Florida. For more information, contact Kate Serafini at kserafini@uri.edu. June 7 – Break out your clubs and your golfing shoes for the annual Theta Chi Affinity Chapter Rhode Island Golf Tournament. For more information, contact Sarah Lobdell at slobdell@advance.uri.edu.
30 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
The University of Rhode Island Alumni Association
Annual Scholarship
GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, June 3, 2013 Quidnessett Country Club 950 North Quidnessett Road North Kingstown, RI
YOUR SPONSORSHIP HELPS URI STUDENTS! Available Sponsorship Levels for 2013 • Gold Sponsor: $2,500 for one complimentary foursome, sponsorship signage at lunch and dinner, signage in tournament golf carts, custom sponsorship pin flag, and a full page ad in our program. • Silver Sponsor: $1,500 for one complimentary foursome, sponsorship signage at dinner, one premier sponsorship tee sign, custom sponsorship pin flag, and a half page ad in our program. • Bronze Sponsor: $1,000 for one complimentary foursome, sponsorship signage at the luncheon, custom sponsorship pin flag, and a quarter page ad in our program. • Beverage Sponsor: $500 for sponsorship signage at the beverage stops located at either the 6th or the 14th tee and a quarter page ad in our program. • Premier Tee Sign Sponsor: $250 for premier sponsorship signage at one hole and quarter page ad in our program. • Practice Facility Sign Sponsor: $100 for sponsorship signage at the putting green or driving range. • Ad Sponsor: $50 for a quarter page ad, $75 for a half page ad, and $125 for a full page ad in our golf program. • Raffle/Auction Item Donor: Opportunity to donate items that will be included in our raffle and/or silent auction.
11:30 a.m. Registration and Lunch Details available at advance.uri.edu/alumni/golftournament
Contact Kathy Gianquitti at 401.874.4853 or email kathyg@uri.edu
It’s all about scholarships!
CLASSACTS
Perry A. Raso ‘02, M.S.’07 with President David M. Dooley and Alumni Relations Executive Director Michele Nota at the December 1, 2012 URI–Vermont game.
`56 Eugene “Gus” Edwards, CELS, of New Fairfield, Conn., writes, “I have retired after 52 years of coaching and counseling in both public and private education in Danbury, Conn. I have continued to keep my nursery business active. I grow cut-your-own Christmas trees, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant for the retail market; and stem flowers for the floral market, mainly flowering quince, holly, winterberry, red twig, dogwood, and my own variety of giant pussy willows. I grow giant pumpkins for pleasure. I was able to serve 30 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel. I am also proud to say my daughter and daughter-in-law are URI grads.”
`57 Robert A. Newlander, ENG, of Georgetown, Texas, writes: “Still living the life of Riley here in Sun City, Texas. A lot of time taken up with Shriners Children’s Hospital in Houston and Galveston. Still involved in substitute teaching in the Georgetown school district. In the rest of my ‘free time’ I’m still playing tennis.”
`58 Donald B. Dinger, ENG, of Great Falls, Va., was inducted last October into the Engineering Hall of Fame at The George Washington University, where he previously received
32 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
The Alumni of the Game program, held during halftime at every A–10 men’s basketball home game, recognizes URI alumni who demonstrate the best of what our graduates are all about—successful careers combined with service to their communities and to the University.
In Memoriam: Matthew J. Koehler ‘01 was remembered at the November 28, 2012 URI–George Mason game. His wife Laura, parents, and brothers accepted the honor from President Dooley and Alumni Relations Executive Director Nota.
his master’s and Applied Scientist degrees. He spent his career in positions of increasing responsibility in the U.S. Army civilian service. His roommate and fellow Sigma Chi Dale G. Harrington, ENG, of North Kingstown, R.I., submitted this note on his behalf.
`61 Carole M. Olmsted, HS&S, of Camp Hill, Pa., writes: “Now living in Pennsylvania. Have five grandchildren. Taking drum and dance lessons. Recently appeared as Florence, in ‘Leading Ladies’ at Theatre Harrisburg.”
`63 Julien P. Ayotte, CBA, of Cumberland, R.I., who has been retired since 2002 from his successful corporate and legal careers, has published his first novel, Flower of Heaven, which he describes as “a thriller that doesn’t quit.” Learn more at flowerofheaven.com. Marjory Miller Brenner, HS&S, of Woonsocket, R.I., writes: “I retired from teaching grade 4 at Halliwell School, North Smithfield, on June 30, 2012, after teaching 26 years in that school district. Now my husband, Jerry ‘60 and I have more time to visit our four children and eight grandchildren who live in four different states. I am looking forward to the 50th reunion in May for the Class of ‘63!”
`66
`71
Stanley S. Scharf, CELS, of Ithaca, N.Y., writes, “I have an article posted on the website Taunton River Journal (so very close to URI; see glooskapandthefrog.org) with the title ‘About Beans,’ or the more auspicious and profound title under ‘The Farm at Stonehill’ of ‘What is the true worth of that hill of beans?’”
Kenneth B. Miner, CBA, of Norman, Okla., writes: “In September/October of ‘12, I was walking the 520 mile Camino Frances across France and Spain. On October 10th, I stopped at Algergue (Camino Hostel) about 22 kilometers southwest of Leon, Spain for the night. Ironically there happened to be another URI alumni who graduated a few years after me. His name is John Hardiman ‘75. We enjoyed the evening with sufficient quantities of Vino tinto and stories of our time at Kingston.” View map and photo in the Winter 2012-13 uri.edu/quadangles.
`67
Russell Albee Carlsten, HS&S, of Boca Raton, Fla., writes: “We’ve just sold our Cranston, Rhode Island home after 40 years! Boca Raton is our permanent home now and though we love Florida, we’ll always return `74 for Rhode Island summers!” Robert P. Berman, PHM, of Newton, `69 N.H., writes: “I became a grandfather Natalie Lero Urban, HS&S, of Bristol, for the first time on August 4, 2012. R.I., writes, “I retired in June of 2012 A second grandchild is due in Februafter 33 years of teaching Italian and ary 2013, from my other daughter. Spanish, the last 25 at Cranston H.S. In 2014, I will be on the pharmacy West. I am currently teaching two bench full time for 40 years. In 2014 classes of Elementary Italian as an my wife Barbara and I will be maradjunct instructor at Salve Regina ried 40 years. Retirement is growing University, where I continue to do nearer....” what I love. Now that I have some free time I am serving on the executive `75 board of the R.I. Teachers of Italian Elaine G. Caldwell, CBA, of Paland the AAUW (American Assoc. metto, Fla., has joined Raymond for University Women) as well as James Financial as the designated volunteering for several local orga- trust specialist. Elaine, formerly at nizations.” View the Rhody Postcard GenSpring and SunTrust, brings over in the online issue of this magazine 30 years of trust, banking, and wealth (uri.edu/quadangles) to learn more management expertise to Raymond about Natalie’s support of an organi- James. zation that helps children in poverty all over the world.
Congratulations to our 2012–2013
ALUMNI OF THE GAME HONOREES
John J. Campanario ‘93 with President Dooley and Alumni Association President Joseph M. Confessore ‘96 at the December 22, 2012 URI-Georgia State game.
Alice Odhiambo ’11 with President Dooley and Alumni Relations Executive Director Nota at the January 23, 2013 URI–George Washington game.
`77
`88
`97
Lynne Fraser, HS&S, of Providence, R.I., has been named assistant vice president for development in the Office of Institutional Advancement at Providence College. In her new role, she oversees annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and advancement services.
Richard E. Gamache, ENG, of Barrington, R.I., writes: “I am now a partner at Chapin Intellectual Property Law, LLC, in Southborough, Mass.”
Michael J. Daly, CELS, of Portsmouth, R.I., joined the firm of Pierce Atwood LLP as an associate in the litigation and admiralty and maritime practice groups in 2009. He practices in the firm’s Providence office, where he focuses on litigation and resolution of commercial, maritime, and insurance disputes.
George S. La Cross, A&S, of Barrington, R.I., a Providence Journal employee since 1980 and editor of the Laff In The Dark website (laffinthedark.com) since 1999, wrote a feature story chronicling the spooky rides and fun houses of the former Crescent Park (1886 to 1977) in East Providence.
`81 Don N. Hagist, ENG, of Providence, R.I., has just released his fourth book, British Soldiers, American War, through Westholme Publishing.
`87 Robert B. Hackey, A&S, of Wakefield, R.I., writes, “I’m now a faculty member at Providence College, where I teach courses on health care reform, health care in popular culture, and health policy. Over the past year, I’ve also returned to the classrooms at URI in Providence, where I’m teaching courses part time for the M.P.A. program.” His book Cries of Crisis: Rethinking the Health Care Debate was recently published by University of Nevada Press. PHOTOS COURTESY URI ATHLETICS; NORA LEWIS
`89 Dina Grills Petrosky, A&S, M.A. ‘11, of Pawcatuck, Conn., is a partner in a new agency, Smart Connections PR, LLC, a business-to-business communications agency specializing in public relations, media relations, corporate communications, and strategy development. Visit smartconnections.net.
`92 Stephanie Rivera, A&S, of West Kingston, R.I., writes: “I published a book titled In Pursuit of Enlightenment - on a shoestring budget (Friesen Press, 2012), an autobiographical account of my family’s spiritual quest throughout most of the 20th century and into the present.”
`94 Nancy J. Brant, CBA, joined the U.S. Department of State in January 2012 as a diplomat and currently holds the position of vice consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto, Canada. She was the recipient of a Meritorious Honor Award in December 2012 for her work in the consular section.
`99 Kenneth C. Jeremiah, A&S, of Narragansett, R.I., has written three new books: Christian Mummification (2012), If the Samurai Played Golf...Zen Strategies for a Winning Game (2012), and the forthcoming Aikido Ground Fighting (North Atlantic Books, 2013). He is currently working on a new book entitled Remnants from a Distant Past. More information is available at kenjeremiah.com.
`00 Lisa E. Gardner, NUR, of Narragansett, R.I., has been named resident care director of Tockwotton on the Waterfront, offering assisted living and memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing care in East Providence.
`01 Robert M. Cormier, CBA, of Hope, R.I., is a partner and director of finance and operations at G6 Capital Management, LLC in Needham, Mass. He is a founding employee, having created the foundation for the
Also receiving the Alumni of the Game award, at the January 4, 2013 URI-Brown game, were Peter J. and Sandra M. Miniati, both ‘85. The Miniatis served as honorary chairs of the Alumni Association’s 2013 Big Chill Weekend to raise money for scholarships.
investment management company and launched the first investment fund. Peter M. Kiley, A&S, of Richmond, R.I., writes: “I was honored this fall with being named the city of Warwick’s teacher of the year for the year 2012-2013. I have been employed as a music teacher by the city since graduating in 2000 and currently I am the director of bands at Winman Junior High School.” UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 33
`02
`07
Kirk P. Snow, A&S, of Jamaica Plain, Mass., was interviewed for the art journal Big Red & Shiny. A podcast can be found on the blog at bigredandshiny.com.
Matthew R. Godino, CBA, of Narragansett, R.I., CPA at Sullivan & Company in Providence, has been promoted to supervisor. He joined the firm in 2008 and works with clients in the manufacturing and distributing, `03 healthcare, and not-for-profit arenas. Rena Zito, A&S, of New Wilmington, He is part of the team that audits Pa., an assistant professor of sociol- employee benefit plans. ogy and criminal justice studies at Westminster College, co-authored `08 an article published in Sociological Akinyemi “Yemi” Akinsinde, ENG, Perspectives in March. “Maternal of West Warwick, R.I., an electrical Rose and Adolescent Depression: engineer at Naval Undersea Warfare Conditions and Processes of Influ- Center (NUWC) Division Newport, ence” uses nationally-representative has been named the winner of the data on mothers and adolescents to Modern Day Technology Leader explore how incongruity between Award, sponsored by U.S. Black mothers’ roles and their ideologies Engineer & Information Technology concerning maternal roles affects magazine. adolescent depression.
WEDDINGS
Alison M. Bufalo ‘00 to Sidney B. Wong, on October 21, 2012. Jessica E. Moran ‘02 to Michael Dunn ‘06, on August 18, 2012. Alexander H. Kalfayan ‘06 to Traci Tatroe ‘05, on November 3, 2012. Amanda R. Alferos ‘06 to Eric Izzi, on July 22, 2012. Jessica D. Gillman ‘06 to Martin J. Reape IV, on September 21, 2012. Janna D’Ambra ‘08 to Matthew Tyrrell ‘06, on December 15, 2012. Michael R. Cipriano ‘08 to Kristen Rossi, on September 1, 2012. Cassandra A. Nadeau ‘08 to Kyle Lapati, on July 21, 2012. Jennifer M. Fleury ‘09 to Robert Amaral, on June 16, 2012. Melissa L. Goosmann ‘11 to Kenneth Robidoux, on June 23, 2012. Sara A. Karalekas ‘12 to Daniel R. Mountain, on May 5, 2012.
BIRTHS
Anais and Damian K. Latimore ‘94, a son, Leon Elias, on August 27, 2012. Patricia M. and Alvin B. Buffington ‘96, a daughter, Louisa Claire, on September 21, 2012. Michael and Erin Tipple Cote ‘97, a son, Devin Michael, on June 4, 2012. Ema Rodrigues and Adam C. Russell ‘98, a son, Simon Andrew, on January 11, 2012.
Alumni of Color Network
Aidan ‘99 and Jennifer Langheld Byrne ‘99, a daughter, Kyra Teresa, on March 2, 2012.
THE ACN PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES!
Vanessa and Jarrett E. Cronan ‘03, a daughter, Teigan Ellen, on April 5, 2012.
• C areer networking, including annual forum about experiences and challenges as professionals of color
Nathan T. ‘03 and Elisa Grober Lewkowicz ‘03, a son, Dylan Asher, on January 8, 2013.
• Personal and professional mentoring • Social events such as receptions and theater evenings • Service and outreach to other communities of color
GET INVOLVED! FOR MORE INFORMATION:
advance.uri.edu/alumni/acn
Jericka Fernandez, Program Assistant URI Alumni Association p: 401.874.5573 e: jfernandez2@uri.edu
34 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
Allison Barovick Norwalk ‘04 and Scott Norwalk ‘04, a son, Brody Norwalk, on December 5, 2012.
IN MEMORIAM
Denard James Pinderhughes Jr. of Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2012. See Web Extras in the online magazine at uri.edu/quadangles.
Henry Abajian ‘38 of Port Charlotte, Fla., on December 15, 2012. Donald Macleod ‘38 of Lakeville, Mass., on April 27, 2012. Thelma Whipple Nolan ‘38 of Juno Beach, Fla., on December 1, 2012. Edgar Forest ‘39 of New London, Conn., on November 7, 2012. Edgar Forest ‘39 of New London, Conn., on November 21, 2012. Edward Johnson ‘40 of Westwood, Mass., on December 27, 2012. Beatrice Rubenstein, ‘41 of Boca Raton, Fla., on August 24, 2012. Leo Clark ‘42 of Little Compton, R.I., on November 28, 2012. Prentice Lamphere ‘43 of Westerly, R.I., on December 27, 2012. Anne Moriarity Magee ‘43 of Newport, R.I., on December 26, 2012. Eleanor Tracy Yeaw ‘43 of East Providence, R.I., on November 13, 2012. Elaine MacDonald Sigler ‘45 of Hackettstown, N.J., on March 23, 2012. Janet Datson Tourtellotte ‘46 of Beverly Hills, Calif., on December 5, 2012. Daniel Raiche ‘47 of Cranston, R.I., on January 6, 2013. Walter Bressette ‘48 of Hampton, Va., on January 2, 2013. John Marsden ‘48 of North Attleboro, Mass., on January 2, 2013. Leslie Wilbur ‘48 of Bangor, Maine, on January 2, 2013. David Cassick ‘49 of Bristol, R.I., on December 22, 2012. Pasco Iaciofano ‘49 of Cranston, R.I., on December 6, 2012. Edward Jurgelon ‘50 of Georgetown, Mass., on November 8, 2012. John Kuschke ‘50 of Morristown, N.J., on December 14, 2012. Rudolph Delpivo ‘51 of East Hartford, Conn., on December 9, 2012. Irene Turner Hedstrand ‘51 of Brooksville, Fla., on August 22, 2012. Charles Pyne ‘51 of East Sandwich, Mass., on October 18, 2012. Barbara Eighmy Wylie ‘51 of Wallingford, Conn., on April 12, 2012.
Ruth Silverman ‘35 of East Greenwich, R.I., on November 25, 2012.
Robert Boucher ‘52 of Owego, N.Y., on January 19, 2013.
Elizabeth Cashman Wagner ‘37 of Largo, Fla., on November 19, 2012.
Christie Brief Petrides ‘52 of Melbourne, Fla., on February 6, 2012.
Harsh Singh Lohit, M.B.A. ’87
Traveling to India? International Alumni Ambassador Harsh Lohit invites you to contact him at harshlohit@gmail.com.
In his photography, an avocation for more than two decades, Harsh seeks out sacred places in a quest to understand the boundaries and intersections of the world’s religions. Besides his native India, his photos examine the spiritual traditions of Nepal, Morocco, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Japan, Thailand, China, and Bhutan, among others. The powerful images revealed in his work answer the question he continues to ask: “With or without the labels, what is our common humanity?” Photo by Harsh Singh Lohit: Novice monks at
Galmaduwa Viharaya, a Buddhist temple in the Sri Lankan city of Kandy. December 2012.
VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
PHOTO OF HARSH LOHIT BY RAJIV KUMAR
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 35
Enjoy exclusive invitations to member-only events. Your alumni membership dues support many programs and provide much needed scholarships for deserving URI students. As a dues-paying member, you will receive an official membership card along with these benefits: EXCLUSIVE INVITATIONS to member-only
events, such as baseball games, sailing excursions, theater events, family events, and other networking opportunities. In addition, you can enroll in computerbased short courses to improve your skills. DISCOUNTS at Alumni Association-sponsored events,
such as Big Chill Weekend, Annual Golf Tournament, and nationwide chapter events. ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS:
• The University Club • Ryan Center and Boss Arena • URI Bookstore (20% discount) You can also take advantage of discounts on hotels, theme parks, theaters, museums, movies, and much more!
Arthur Panteleakos ‘53 of Woodstock Valley, Conn., on December 17, 2012.
Janice Wood-Thomas ‘70 of Cumberland, R.I., on April 11, 2012.
Chester Cekala ‘54 of North Attleboro, Mass., on January 12, 2013.
Greg Golden ‘71 of Cumming, Ga., on December 11, 2012.
Gordon Parker ‘54 of West Islip, N.Y., on January 20, 2013.
Norman Larsen ‘71 of Norfolk, Va., on January 15, 2013.
Robert Sullivan ‘54 of Middletown, R.I., on April 2, 2012.
Andrea Jordan Marshall ‘71 of Narragansett, R.I., on January 13, 2013.
Richard Beretta ‘57 of Jamestown, R.I., on January 6, 2013.
Jean Scales Mencer ‘71 of Mystic, Conn., on December 31, 2012.
George Fugere ‘57 of Aurora, Colo., on October 14, 2012.
John Reardon ‘72 of Narragansett, R.I., on January 4, 2013.
Robert Klang ‘58 of Riverview, Fla., on April 6, 2012.
Brian Blanchette ‘73 of West Kingston, R.I., on January 17, 2013.
Warren Jay Weil ‘58 of Scarsdale, N.Y., on December 22, 2012.
Eric Christofferson ‘73 of San Ramon, Calif., on November 10, 2012.
Raymond Lemaire ‘59 of Bolton, Conn., on February 1, 2012.
Margaret O’Keefe ‘73 of Providence, R.I., on November 23, 2012.
George Mongeau ‘59 of Victor, N.Y., on November 27, 2012.
Stanley Nakowicz ‘75 of East Providence, R.I., on December 3, 2012.
J. Barry Rigby ‘60 of South Burlington, Vt., on December 27, 2012.
Deborah Nash ‘76 of Exeter, R.I., on November 16, 2012.
Richard Barker ‘61 of North Kingstown, R.I., on December 19, 2012.
Roberta Pysz ‘76 of Ormond Beach, Fla., on January 12, 2013.
Richard Brown ‘62 of Punta Gorda, Fla., on November 18, 2012.
Janice Pizzo Alienello ‘79 of Riverside, R.I., on December 18, 2012.
Charles Goff ‘62 of Fairbanks, Alaska, on November 4, 2012.
Ronald Gularte ‘79 of Severna Park, Md., on January 15, 2013.
Harry Buker ‘63 of Bristol, R.I., on August 21, 2012.
Sharon Whiteman Koliscz ‘80 of West Warwick, R.I., on September 1, 2012.
Manuel Renasco ‘63 of Little Compton, R.I., on November 28, 2012.
Joel Stedford ‘80 of Beaver, Pa., on January 16, 2013.
Owen Mcnamara ‘64 of Herkimer, N.Y., on August 22, 2012.
Michael Giannattasio ‘84 of East Lyme, Conn., on October 31, 2012.
James Mooney ‘65 of Bainbridge Island, Wash., on December 21, 2012.
Susan Rosbottom Cox ‘85 of Wakefield, R.I., on December 25, 2012.
Tarek El Heneidy ‘67 of Rockport, Mass., on January 4, 2013.
Richard Ryan ‘85 of Narragansett, R.I., on December 22, 2012.
Ruth McGinn Rylander ‘67 of Greenville, R.I., on January 6, 2013.
Elene D’Orsi Catinazzo ‘89 of Glastonbury, Conn., on December 18, 2012.
Russell Anderson ‘68 of Warwick, R.I., on January 13, 2013. James Baker ‘68 of Rockaway Park, N.Y., on December 5, 2012. Robert McLay ‘68 of Issaquah, Wash., on January 5, 2013. Margaret Lincoln Bradner ‘69 of Foxboro, Mass., on December 7, 2012. Kenneth Levine ‘69 of Cranston, R.I., on January 13, 2013. Paul Flaherty ‘70 of Cranston, R.I., on November 21, 2012.
Join now and enjoy the many benefits of your personal membership card.
advance.uri.edu/alumni 36 QUADANGLES SPRING 2013
Arline Kerzner Weinberg ‘70 of Providence, R.I., on January 1, 2013.
Lynn Stepka Mitchell ‘91 of Exeter, R.I., on December 23, 2012. George Anikow ‘94 of Herndon, Va., on November 24, 2012. Scott Marino ‘98 of Suffolk, Mass., on April 14, 2012. George Schmeider ‘98 of Warwick, R.I., on December 3, 2012. Christine Pembrook ‘05 of Waipahu, Hawaii, on October 13, 2012.
Kimberly Kowal Arcand ’97 The sky belongs to everyone, says Kim. She should know. As media coordinator for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, she’s been working in science outreach for the last 15 years at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass. Now Kim and her colleague Megan Watzke have penned a guidebook that demystifies supernovas and black holes, makes the exploration of our solar system accessible, and dazzles us with photos of must-see stops along the way. Your Ticket to the Universe: A Guide to Exploring the Cosmos, published by Smithsonian Books, is just the ticket for the ride of your life. VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
PHOTO COURTESY ADELINE & GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 37
For the Seasoned Professional—What’s Next? “What’s next?” is a great question at any stage in our career. It can be especially challenging for those who’ve reached a significant career milestone or who may be looking at retirement not too far down the road. If you are a seasoned professional asking yourself this important question, you are not alone. Research indicates as many as nine million people are in “second act” careers, and as URI alumni career advisors, we counsel many alumni about how to approach the search for “encore” opportunities. So, take a deep breath and give yourself credit for all you’ve accomplished—the skills you’ve developed, the information you’ve mastered, all that you’ve learned from the challenges of your professional life. All of these position you to contribute in a variety of ways in the workplace. But without some guidance and a sensible approach, it’s easy to become overwhelmed during what can be an exciting journey of discovery. If “What’s next?” is a question that keeps you up at night, ask for guidance and try these steps as you begin your journey.
For more information about Career Services for URI alumni, please contact:
Our Alumni Career Advisors 401.874.9404 Karen Rubano e. krubano@uri.edu
Marie Geary e. mrgeary@uri.edu URI Career Services and Employer Relations 228 Roosevelt Hall, 90 Lower College Road Kingston, RI 02881
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Create a database of your career experiences. This exercise will remind you of the experiences you really enjoyed. Connect with people. Use linkedin.com and other networks to share your history and a hint of your vision. Let the conversation flow. Be open to feedback. Research a variety of industries, companies, and organizations. Be curious and challenge yourself to discover new areas or ones you’ve never considered. O*NET OnLine. Get the details on any job, role, or function! You’ll get the hang of O*Net very quickly. Place a job title or function in the search field, and enter into a world of occupational education. onetonline.org ENCORE.org. This nonprofit organization has done a lot of research on encore careers. You will love the information and opportunities you find at encore.org. Network. Once you begin considering desirable organizations and roles, it’s time to network. Create an elevator speech. Share some details. Ask a lot of questions. Enjoy the journey. Once you push through being overwhelmed, “What’s next?” can be the beginning of an exciting journey. You may be surprised at what you discover and how much you enjoy the process.
OBITUARIES z URI Professor Emeritus of Chemistry JAMES L. FASCHING, 70, of Wakefield, died on January 18, 2013. Born in Dickinson, N. Dak., he received his B.S. in chemistry and mathematics from North Dakota State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He began his career at URI in 1969, retiring in 2007 after having taught undergraduate and graduate analytical chemistry courses, directed 29 graduate students, and chaired URI’s Chemistry Department for a decade. His research resulted in 52 publications and numerous presentations worldwide. He received the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers Timm Award for the Furtherance of Chemistry Studies. He was an avid science fiction buff. In addition to his wife of 45 years, Diane (Bernier) Fasching, M.S. ’79, he is survived by his son Nathan of Narragansett, five grandchildren, a great-grandson, six siblings (one predeceased him), and numerous nieces and nephews.
z URI Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering DIMITRIOS KARAMANLIDIS died unexpectedly on November 19, 2012. Born in Salonika, Greece, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Karlsruhe and his doctorate at the Technical University of Berlin, and he joined URI in 1983. His research interests were computational mechanics, computer-aided analysis of engineering structures, and computer-aided steel detailing. He was the author of several books on finite element methods, including Advances in the Theory of Plates and Shells. As a runner and rower, he was very active in the athletic community of South County. He rowed the Narrow River daily up until the day of his death and competed in rowing races throughout the Northeast for many years. In the last eight years he developed into an enthusiastic hiker. Together with his wife of 30 years, Hilde Gesch (a senior technical programmer at URI), he hiked nearly all the 4,000 footers in the White Moun-
tains, nearly all national parks and monuments in the U.S., and many of the high mountains in Colorado and California. Besides his wife Hilde, he is survived by daughters Melina Lodge ’02, M.C.P. ’06, and Eleni Gesch-Karamanlidis ’06, M.A. ’10; a son-in-law, a granddaughter, and his brothers and their families in Greece. z Longtime URI employee HELEN R. PALMER, 63, of Charlestown, died on November 27, 2012. For nearly 40 years she worked at the Rhode Island State Crime Lab, which is part of the University’s College of Pharmacy. During her tenure she made many connections in the law enforcement community throughout the state and earned the nickname “Rocco” for her tenacious and thorough work ethic. She will also be remembered as a great lover of animals, especially cats. She leaves a dear friend, Patricia Latsko and family in Columbus, Ohio, as well as her family of colleagues at the crime lab and many in the law enforcement community.
z URI Professor Emeritus of English PAUL J. PETRIE, 84, of Peace Dale, died on November 9, 2012. Born in Detroit, Mich., he earned a B.A. and M.A. at Wayne State University. Following service in U.S. Army Intelligence during the Korean War, he earned his doctorate from the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the Iowa Writers Workshop; joined the URI faculty in 1960; and retired from the University in 1991 after inspiring generations of young writers. His ten published volumes of poetry include The Runners, winner of the Capricorn Award for 1984. His work has appeared in more than 100 literary journals and several anthologies. Two unpublished volumes of poetry can be found at www.paulpetrie.org. Other interests included classical music, nature (he fed the birds every morning), tennis, and the New England Patriots. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, printmaker Sylvia Spencer Petrie; their three children and spouses; and five grandchildren.
Reunite With Your FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES When was the last time you made plans to get together with your URI friends? NOW is the time to start planning for a 2013 class or affinity reunion… and there’s no better time to gather than Homecoming 2013! Get started by organizing a group of volunteers from your class or group to help plan, promote, and attend the reunion. Interested? Please visit the Alumni website at advance.uri.edu/alumni/reunions or call the Alumni Relations Office at 401.874.2242.
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Creating a Community of Support They’ve been profiled in Family Circle and honored as “Health Heroes” by WebMD. But for Richard ’83 and Debra Siravo ’85, it’s all about the work they began a decade ago to improve the quality of life for children and families touched by epilepsy. The Siravos, of Wakefield, R.I. created the Matthew Siravo Foundation to honor their youngest son, Matty, who was diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant and lost his life after a prolonged seizure at age five. “We wanted to take something horrific and turn it into something positive,” Debbie says. To date, The Matty Fund has raised $1.5 million for workshops, support groups, a therapeutic horseback riding camp,
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school epilepsy awareness programs, and epilepsy research. Community is important to these active URI alumni, who have deep Rhode Island roots. URI students volunteer regularly at Matty’s Place, a local special needs playground. Freshmen in URI 101 classes learn basic seizure first aid. Last fall, College of Pharmacy students and faculty presented a medication workshop for families living with epilepsy. Inspired by Matty’s special joy for life, the Siravos have built a community of support where there was none, changing lives and offering hope to the children and families they understand so well. —Nicki Toler
VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES
More than 3 million Americans have epilepsy 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year 1 in 100 people will have a seizure in their lifetime 65 million people have epilepsy worldwide —The Epilepsy Foundation
PHOTO BY COREY WELSH, CW VISUAL MEDIA
the university of rhode island and cox communications
partners in the future think broadband think fiber-optic network think 44 miles of high speed data think what we will do together think big we do
Internet connectivity at the University of Rhode Island will soon become faster thanks to more than $3 million in grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Energy. Cox Communications has installed 44 miles of fiber optic cable connecting the Kingston campus, Narragansett Bay Campus, and $30 million Ocean State Higher Education Economic Development and Administrative Network. This network will provide high-speed access to all members and include links to the W. Alton Jones and Feinstein Providence campuses. URI’s Tyler Hall data center will serve as the communications hub for the entire southern portion of the state network. With greater bandwidth, URI can offer high definition video, crystal clear telephone connections, and advanced videoconferencing.
Alumni Center 73 Upper College Road Kingston, RI 02881 USA
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an evening of grapes grain
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June 8, 2013
Benefitting URI Women’s Athletics DE S I GNE R
Carolyn Rafaelian, Honorary Chair Together with lead support from
Sakonnet Vineyards Alex and Ani and Teas and Javas President’s House Lawn URI Kingston Campus
Hosted by Lynn Baker-Dooley For more information visit GoRhody.com