Rivier Today | Fall 2015

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RIVIER TODAY THE MAGAZINE OF RIVIER UNIVERSITY

FALL 2015

Gateways to Community and Faith Rivier’s Gateway Projects reflect the University’s Catholic heritage page 7

Bridging the Miles Fostering growth through academic and cultural exchange page 10

A Lasting Connection Alumni celebrated each other and their connection to Rivier at Reunion Weekend 2015 page 13


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IN THIS ISSUE 7 GATEWAYS TO COMMUNITY AND FAITH Rivierʼs Gateway Projects reflect the Universityʼs Catholic heritage 10 BRIDGING THE MILES Fostering growth through academic and cultural exchange 12 A TRIBUTE TO LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE Rivier University Presidentʼs Circle event honors Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau

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13 A LASTING CONNECTION Alumni celebrated each other and their connection to Rivier at Reunion Weekend 2015 18 RAIDERS MAKE HISTORY Rivier athletes recognized at fourth Hall of Fame Ceremony

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DEPARTMENTS 3 ALUMNI EVENTS 4 FOR THE RECORD 20 FACULTY PROFILE 22 MAKING NEWS 24 ALUMNI PROFILE 26 CLASS NOTES 28 STUDENT PROFILE

Front and back cover photos by Jodie Andruskevich ne nli ! o r o ou ide tch rial v a W ae

A campus transformed! The Gateway Projects have transformed the Rivier campus, highlighting our Catholic history and heritage in vibrant ways and enhancing our sacred spaces. Take a tour of the completed projects by viewing our aerial video online at www.rivier.edu/gateway. It all started with a vision and a video – you can view the original video of architectural renderings as well and see the completed projects that have come to life on our campus.


From the President Dear Friends of Rivier, In reading this issue of Rivier Today, you will witness the strong connections between Rivier’s past, present, and future. Built upon the vision of our namesake Blessed Anne Marie Rivier and the foundation provided by foundress Sister Madeleine of Jesus and the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, our mission, our community, and our service stand strong today. We were saddened by the passing of President Emeritus Dr. William J. Farrell. We commemorate his service to Rivier, recognizing that his influence continues to support our success today. Dr. Farrell’s contributions and those of others who have come before us, the University’s mission, and its collective history inform the decisions we make each day, the educational experience provided to students, and the plans for Rivier’s future. True to our roots, we are expanding on our mission with new academic programs, including the B.A. in Biotechnology, meaningful global engagement opportunities,

Rivier Today

and increased access to higher education with more inclusive admissions strategies and the growth of online offerings. In July, we welcomed faculty and students from Beijing City University. Ten Rivier students and ten Chinese students participated in a cross-cultural biotechnology course that was taught by faculty from both institutions on both continents. This intentional next step in our partnership with Beijing City University provided a groundbreaking academic and cultural experience for students and faculty. Over the past two years, the campus landscape has been transformed to celebrate Rivier’s Catholic heritage and to create spaces that foster students’ intellectual and spiritual growth. Hundreds of community members attended the Heritage Plaza Dedication and sculpture blessing in August, including members of the International Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. Alumni Reunion Weekend, the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction

Ceremony, and the 18th Annual Golf Classic gathered alumni, staff, faculty, friends, and families on campus to acknowledge their achievements and service to others, and to strengthen connections and bonds of friendship that have been created throughout the years. These traditions honor our past and add a richness to our lives today. Recognizing the service that alumni provide throughout the world is one of my greatest honors. Most recently, we celebrated the good works and goodwill of Sharon McOsker Tamposi ’91/’95G and Carol Kreick ’79/’84G; and are pleased to highlight them on the pages that follow. Rivier’s commitment to its core values and generosity of spirit are transforming factors in the world and are well represented in this issue of Rivier Today. With thanks for your continued support,

Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM President

President Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM

Graphic Designer Andrea Leary

Rivier Today is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications, Rivier University, 420 South Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060.

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Vice President for University Advancement Karen Cooper ʼ03G

Writer Michelle Marrone

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Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Mary Bollinger

Address Changes Update contact and employer information online at www.rivier.edu/alumniupdate. Contact University Advancement and Alumni Relations Phone: (603) 897-8665 • Fax: (603) 891-1799 • Email: alumni@rivier.edu Mail: U niversity Advancement & Alumni Relations, 420 South Main Street Nashua, NH 03060

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In Memoriam A Tribute to Dr. William Farrell, 11th President of Rivier

Rivier mourned the loss of former president, Dr. William Farrell with his passing on July 8, 2015 at the age of 78. President of Rivier University from 2001-2011, he was the first male and the first lay-person to serve in the chief leadership role when he joined the institution as interim President in 2001 and was appointed President in 2002. During his decade of leadership, Dr. Farrell provided

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dedicated financial oversight, securing the institution’s strong position in a competitive marketplace. “Dr. and Mrs. Farrell exemplified the Rivier spirit of community and service,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “Their legacy is one that has served the University well.” Under Dr. Farrell’s leadership, Rivier launched and completed

RIVIER TODAY THE MAGAZINE OF RIVIER UNIVERSITY

its first capital campaign, raising more than $10.5 million in gifts and contributions and significantly raising the endowment. He secured the largest gift in the institution’s history, a $2 million gift from the Conway family of Nashua to transform the academic center of the campus with the renovation and expansion of Regina Library in 2008. During his tenure, Rivier invested in student residence and athletic facilities—renovating Guild and Trinity Halls, expanding the Muldoon Fitness Center, and installing artificial turf on the athletic field. He guided the institution through the creation and launch of its first doctoral degree program in 2008—the Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Learning—positioning the institution for its future transition from a college to a university. During his career, Dr. Farrell worked to advance higher education throughout the state of New Hampshire. Prior to serving as President of Rivier, he served as the President of Plymouth State College (now

Plymouth State University) from 1984 to 1992 and as Chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire from 1992 to 2001. He also served the state in a voluntary capacity through his work as a trustee for Saint Anselm College and the University System of New Hampshire. He served as Commissioner of the Postsecondary Education Commission of New Hampshire and as a board member for the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC). Prior to his arrival in New Hampshire, Dr. Farrell served as Associate Vice President for Educational Development and Research at the University of Iowa and as Director of Foundation Support for Marquette University. He served on the faculty of the University of Chicago, the University of California-Berkeley, and Marquette University. A professor of English, Dr. Farrell earned his bachelorʼs degree and masterʼs of business administration at Marquette, and a masterʼs degree in English and doctor of philosophy degree in English at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.


ALUMNI EVENTS Alumni Reunion Weekend 2016

Save the Date! September 23-25, 2016 Make plans to return to New Hampshire next fall to celebrate Alumni Reunion Weekend! All alumni are invited back to campus for the fall weekend celebration. Special recognition will be given to alumni from the reunion classes of 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011. Plans for our 2016 weekend are underway. The schedule will be published online in the spring and invitations will be mailed to reunion classes. A room block at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua will be established during the summer of 2016.

Rivier community to celebrate the Christmas season with tree lighting ceremony in December Alumni and family members are invited to join the Rivier University community as we celebrate the Christmas season with a tree lighting ceremony on December 3 at 7 p.m. Displayed on the Chapel Quad, the tree will remain lit each night throughout the Christmas season and the New Year. Additional information and registration is available online at www.rivier.edu/ alumnievents.

Sister Madeleine of Jesus Award 2016 Nominations The Sister Madeleine of Jesus Award is presented each year at Alumni Reunion Weekend in honor of Rivier’s foundress. The award is presented to a Rivier alumna or alumnus who has distinguished herself or himself through exceptional dedication to Rivier, outstanding service to his or her community and profession, and significant civic, professional, or humanitarian efforts. For more information and a nomination form, please visit www.rivier.edu/ alumniawards.

Class Representatives Alumni Reunion Class Representatives assist the Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations to spread the word about Alumni Reunion Weekend and encourage classmates to attend. If you are interested in participating as a reunion class representative this year or in the future, contact Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Mary Bollinger at (603) 897-8521 or mbollinger@rivier.edu.

Check out the 2015 Alumni Reunion Weekend feature on page 13, and view photos online at www.rivier.edu/reunion.

Remember. Relive. Reunite.

Save the Date!

The 19th Annual Golf Classic will take place on Monday, September 26, 2016, at the Nashua Country Club.

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For the RECORD Sisters of the Presentation of Mary convene at Rivier for the 3rd International Congress of Education

Sisters of the Presentation of Mary gathered at Rivier to collaborate on Catholic education in the 21st century at the 3rd International Congress of Education. The Congress, titled Education: A Mission of Hope,

took place August 3–7, 2015. The event united representatives from 14 of the 20 countries where the Sisters serve and included lay collaborators who administer and teach in affiliated schools. “Blessed Anne Marie Rivier created a global network of educational institutions that continue to prepare young men and women to be a transformative presence in our world.” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “In fidelity to the spirit of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier, the University was a fitting location for the 3rd International Congress of Education.”

The event welcomed workshop presenters and attendees from Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, France, Gambia, Italy, Japan, Mozambique, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, Spain and the United States. Workshops and discussion sessions, meetings with global speakers, visits to regional educational venues, and prayer filled the weeklong program. Keynote speakers included: Mr. Paul Malartre, former Secretary General of Catholic Education in France; Father John Fortin, OSB, Superintendent of Schools in the Catholic Schools Office for the

Diocese of Manchester; Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ, President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation; and Father Marc Montminy, a Manchester diocesan priest who specializes in evangelization and retreat experiences. Workshop topics focused on creating a shared vision of future challenges in Catholic education and how to best meet those challenges; reenergizing educators with a focus on their health and well-being; and providing practical tools for personalizing education in the schools of tomorrow. Workshops were taught in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, with translations available. Timed in conjunction with the International Congress, Sisters and visitors celebrated the Heritage Plaza dedication and blessing of the bronze sculpture of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier with the Rivier University community on August 4. (See page 7 for more on the Plaza dedication.)

Sisters of the Presentation of Mary from around the globe walked in a processional carrying the flag of their country during the Heritage Plaza Dedication Ceremony. Photo by Jodie Andruskevich

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The latest news from around Rivier campus Board of Trustees welcomes new members Rivierʼs newly appointed Board members provide additional strength in leadership and expertise in theology, global communications, healthcare, real estate management, the law, and entrepreneurism. These trustees support a range of nonprofit organizations in addition to their professional roles and service to the University. “Rivier welcomes the expertise and spirit of community our newest members bring to the Board of Trustees,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “The Board’s vision and leadership are vital to the University’s success as we expand academic programs of distinction, global engagement, and Rivier Online.” Thomas Boucher is the owner and C.E.O. of Great NH Restaurants, which operates T-Bones, Cactus Jack’s and the Copper Door restaurants in Bedford, Derry, Salem, Laconia, and Manchester. Mr. Boucher’s strong leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have guided the success of the company’s three brands and expansion to eight restaurants over the past 28 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and is Chairman of the Board of FEEDNH.org. He is also on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation. In 2003 and 2009, Mr. Boucher received NH Business Review’s Excellence in Business Award, in addition to many other leadership and excellence awards. Sister Kelly Connors, pm, is a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, United States Province. She serves as a canonical consultant to various dioceses and religious institutes and speaks nationally and internationally on Canon Law and Religious Life. She also serves as Liaison for Women Religious in the Diocese of Manchester in addition to her consulting work. Sr. Kelly holds a B.A. from Providence College, an M.T.S. from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, a Ph.D. in Canon Law from the University of Ottawa, and J.C.D. from St. Paul University, Ottawa.

A leader in local healthcare, Dr. Heather Feltmate is a Nashua native and practices medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua. Prior to joining Dartmouth-Hitchcock, she was a resident physician at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Feltmate received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont and her M.D. from Dartmouth Medical School, specializing in gynecology and obstetrics. She is also Chair of the Maternal Health Care Executive Council at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and Ambassador for Excellence at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Published author and global communications consultant Ana Hebra Flaster is an advocate for education. Her short stories and essays have been featured in magazines, newspapers, and literary journals, including The New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Descant. A native of Cuba, she has written and recorded Cuba-themed commentaries for NPR’s national broadcasts of All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, and for WBUR in Boston. She is fluent in Spanish and holds a B.A. in Economics and Spanish Literature from Smith College. Flaster is a founding member of the first Massachusetts chapter of Stand for Children, a national lobbying group that champions policy and funding initiatives to benefit children.

Thanasi Liakos has more than 30 years of leadership experience in real estate management and development. He is the President and C.E.O. of The Liakos Companies, which consists of several subsidiary companies invested in commercial and residential real estate, new construction, sales, marketing, and property management. Mr. Liakos received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and attended Massachusetts School of Law, where he studied real estate and intellectual property law. In addition to being a member of the Rivier Board of Trustees, he is a past president and current Board member of both the Alpha Omega Council in Boston and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua. Talesha Caynon Saint-Marc, Esq., is an Associate Attorney at Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, P.A. in Manchester; she is licensed to practice law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Prior to joining the firm, Saint-Marc served as a New Hampshire Supreme Court Judicial Clerk. She received her B.A. in Political Science from Franklin Pierce University and Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. She is president of the Bishop Estee and Ida Newman Scholarship Fund Committee, a member of the NH Women’s Bar Association and Leadership Academy, and an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua.

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For the RECORD Test-optional policy expands educational access Undergraduate students applying to Rivier University for fall 2016 are no longer required to submit SAT/ACT scores for admission consideration to most programs. This admissions policy change will provide greater accessibility to a college education, streamline the application process, and encourage a more diverse applicant pool. “The shift to a test-optional policy allows us to apply a more holistic approach to the admissions process,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “This decision supports the University’s mission to acknowledge, respect, and educate the whole person and to increase opportunities for educational enrichment.” Research conducted by College Board, the nonprofit organization that administers the SAT and Advanced Placement exams, has found that SAT scores are highly correlated to socio-economic status. According to The National Center for Fair and Open Testing, test-optional policies “promote both equity and excellence” in * college admissions. The Center maintains that the emphasis placed on standardized test scores deters students from minority racial and ethnic groups, and students from first-generation-tocollege and lower-income families from applying to colleges and universities. The new policy also benefits good students whose low SAT/ACT test scores can prohibit college acceptance. “Removing the SAT/ACT application requirement makes our admissions policy more inclusive,” says Karen Schedin, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “We consider high school academic performance, the most reliable indicator of college preparedness, as well as the student’s extracurricular activities, volunteerism, and employment. Adopting the test-optional policy will offer admission to a more diverse population of qualified students.” The test-optional policy applies to all majors except nursing, a profession that demands standardized testing proficiency to meet professional licensing requirements. All students do have the option to submit test scores as part of their application. High school students can apply to Rivier University using the Common Application or Rivier’s online application form. There is no application fee for fall 2016 applicants.

We are

TEST OPTIONAL

* Test optional policy does not apply to nursing applicants.

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RIVIER TODAY THE MAGAZINE OF RIVIER UNIVERSITY

New Dean of Arts and Sciences joins the Rivier community Rivier University has appointed Dr. Susan Langlois as its new Dean of the Division of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Langlois brings more than 20 years of administrative experience in academic leadership, curricular innovation, experiential learning, and student academic services to the University. Prior to joining Rivier, Dr. Langlois served as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Marian Court College where she acted as the chief academic officer and primary author on the institution’s NEASC accreditation self-study, and instituted online peer-tutoring programs and a comprehensive evaluation instrument for student learning outcomes. Her distinguished career also includes key administrative and faculty appointments at Springfield College, Endicott College, and Elms College. Dr. Langlois holds a Doctor of Physical Education (D.P.E.) and M.S. in Teaching and Administration from Springfield College, and a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of New Hampshire.

Rivier University honored with COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION AWARD for fifth consecutive year www.collegesofdistinction.com/school/ rivier-university


Photos by Jodie Andruskevich

Gateways to Community and Faith Rivier’s Gateway Projects reflect the University’s Catholic heritage by Michelle Marrone

The Gateway Projects, a series of campus enhancements begun in 2013, have transformed the University’s landscape and sacred spaces in visible and vibrant ways. Dedication ceremonies for Heritage Plaza and the Sharon McOsker Tamposi Alumni Legacy Garden mark the culmination of these initiatives. In early August, Rivier University celebrated the completion of Heritage Plaza, a place of sacred beauty, with a formal dedication ceremony. The Plaza is located on South Main Street in the heart of campus. During the ceremony, Bishop Francis J. Christian blessed a bronze sculpture of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier— visionary leader, committed

educator, and the University’s namesake. “The dedication of Heritage Plaza marks a pivotal point in the University’s history and provides a visual statement of purpose,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “The Plaza’s design and construction reflect both our Catholic heritage and commitment to continuous

improvement and renewal. Blessed Anne Marie Rivier’s sculpture, now standing at the center of campus, will serve as an enduring symbol of faith, hope, and Rivier’s service to all seeking higher education.” Heritage Plaza is comprised of a main gathering space featuring the sculpture; a short walkway to a circular terrace of personalized brick pavers donated by alumni, friends, faculty, and staff; and steps leading down to the Campus Quad. The nearly 8-foot bronze statue was created by sculptress Silvia Nicolas of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. In its entirety, the plaza structure provides a clear path across

campus from Madeleine Hall (the Admissions Welcome Center) through to the Campus Quad and Dion Center. The ceremony was timed in conjunction with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary International Congress of Education, which took place on the Rivier campus during the first week of August. Sisters from 14 countries and their collaborators participated in the ceremony with members of the Rivier community. Sister Helene Cote, pm, Provincial Superior, gave an inspiring dedication speech on the spirit of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier as depicted by her sculpture (see next page).

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The Rivier University Community gathered for the Heritage Plaza dedication and blessing of the Blessed Anne Marie Rivier sculpture in August.

The Spirit of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier Remarks by Sister Helen Cote, pm, Provincial Superior, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, USA, at the August 4, 2015 Heritage Plaza Dedication Ceremony For those of you who have heard the story of Marie Rivier, you know that she was a very short woman, under 5 feet, but what the statue depicts really is her spirit. She was in one sense, larger than life. She was a woman of great strength and of tremendous faith. Her statue is looking out into the future for she was a woman of vision, one who could found a community in the midst of the French Revolution and dare to believe and say, “One day, my daughters will cross the ocean.” She is carrying a book, for Marie Rivier was “a woman of the Word,” a woman who studied scripture and sought to know Jesus Christ through its teachings. She was also a great believer in education and did all she could to educate the young people of her time. She would even have Sunday afternoon gatherings for women of all ages to teach them about Jesus Christ and the fundamentals of their faith. In many ways, Marie Rivier was, indeed, a woman of the Word. Marie Rivier is also walking, depicting a woman always “on the move,” who despite her fear of heights, traveled many miles crisscrossing the mountains of Ardeche, France. She was a woman

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RIVIER TODAY THE MAGAZINE OF RIVIER UNIVERSITY

ready to go wherever she was called. This element of her spirit is very evident, not only in the statue, but in the presence of our visiting Sisters who come from 14 different countries. She was not static or set in her ways, but open to whatever it would take to make Jesus Christ known and loved. If you look carefully, you will notice that the wind has opened the cape Marie Rivier is wearing. This for us symbolizes how she lived always open and attentive to the presence of the Spirit in her life. Marie River was indeed an incredible woman and her place in the center of the campus, is a wonderful reminder of where we come from as Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and of our mission to make Jesus Christ known and loved. It also serves to keep ever before us the mission of Rivier University: ‘transforming hearts and minds to serve the world.’

During the ceremony, Bishop Francis J. Christian blessed a bronze sculpture of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier—the University’s namesake.


Honoring Rivier’s alumni legacy The Sunken Garden located behind Madeleine Hall was transformed over the summer through the generous support of Sharon Tamposi, Classes of 1991 and 1995G, and was named the Sharon McOsker Tamposi Alumni Legacy Garden. The University hosted a dedication ceremony during Alumni Reunion Weekend in September, honoring the lasting impact that alumni, such as Sharon, have on the Rivier community. “Together, the Tamposi Garden, Resurrection Chapel, and the new green space of the Chapel Quad provide a trilogy of sacred and tranquil spaces on our campus,” says Sister Paula. “We are grateful for the generosity of Sharon Tamposi and honored that

she has chosen for the garden to bear her family name, while also recognizing the lasting legacy that alumni have on our community.” The statue of the Blessed Mother has been prominently displayed in the garden, and the entrance proudly bears the Rivier College arch, formerly located at the edge of campus on Daniel Webster highway. The granite pillars supporting the arch are original, moved piece by piece and reconstructed at its new garden location, maintaining this important architectural and historical element of Rivier’s campus. The garden walkway showcases engraved brick pavers sponsored by alumni and friends upon the occasion of Rivier’s 75th anniversary in 2008.

Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President, (right), is pictured with Sam and Sharon ’91/ ’95G Tamposi at the dedication of the Sharon McOsker Tamposi Alumni Legacy Garden in September.

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Bridging the Miles Fostering growth through academic and cultural exchange by Michelle Marrone Students and faculty from Beijing City University arrived at Rivier University in early July to take part in the first half of Integrative Biotechnology, an applied biotechnology course team-taught by faculty members from both institutions. The result of a partnership established in summer 2014, this course combined students from both universities and was taught on both continents. “Our alliance with Beijing City University, a leading university in Chinese biotechnology education and research, enables students and faculty from both institutions to experience our rich, vibrant cultures and to live and learn alongside their peers in the United States and China,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. The exchange partnered ten Rivier students with ten Beijing City students—teaming up in the lab, visiting biotech firms, rooming together in the dorms, and gaining insight into American culture and points of view on biotechnology. All the Chinese students spoke some English, but only one American student spoke Chinese.” The students used Webbased translation applications to help bridge communication gaps and quickly became friends. Rivier’s Integrative Biotechnology course components included several lab experiments involving DNA barcoding for several species of fish and GMO (genetically modified organisms) food testing. Students presented

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their lab results and discussed technological adaptations to understand how their research might be applied to global business ventures. Learning outside the classroom included visits to NE Biolabs in Massachusetts, the MIT Koch Institute for Cancer Research, and Boston cultural and tourist sites. At the end of the first week, the entire group traveled to Beijing for the second half of the course. The 15-hour flight from Newark to Beijing was a learning experience in itself; this was the first international trip for many of the Rivier students. In Beijing, Dr. Liu Yanli instructed the students, who spent another week working in cross-cultural lab teams, visiting Chinese biotech companies and exploring biotechnology from the Chinese perspective. While in China, the class visited an international business incubator, an organization that encourages and supports innovation. Entrepreneurs can pitch, research, and start new businesses with the organization’s resources and backing. “Chinese students are very focused and rulesoriented,” says Rivier Assistant Professor and Director of the Biotechnology Program Dr. Mary Stewart. “Our exchange exposes Chinese students to America’s very creative and entrepreneurial spirit—something China is working to more fully cultivate within their culture.” Rivier students returned from China with a new perspective and appreciation for their U.S. circumstances and educational experience. They cited greater freedoms in social and educational settings, greater time efficiencies through modern conveniences like washing machines and pre-kitted lab materials to maximize in-class learning. Each student gained new insight. Dora Deab ’19 shares, “The Chinese were so open

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and excited to learn about America.” “They were very hospitable to us,” adds Samantha Holmes ’17. “It was a great experience.” Jacqueline Deleon ’16 notes, “There was a lot of beauty in China—from the building architecture in Beijing to the plentiful roses on the university’s inner-city campus to the colorful and artful presentation of their food dishes.” Taking in the full experience, Marissa Droutman ’17 says, “I learned that the Chinese dream is to have the American dream.” “The exchanges and dialogue between Rivier University and Beijing City University communities focused on issues that greatly impact both of our societies,” says Dr. Stewart. “These experiences helped inform and develop students’ skill sets and cultural competency.” A shared outcome among students is the desire for more global engagement opportunities and to travel more so they can gain an understanding of other cultures. “It was just two-and-a-half weeks, but we all got so close,” says Deleon. These Rivier students are still in contact with their Beijing City University friends—relationships they hope will last their lifetimes.


New bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology announced at Rivier Rivier University is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology degree, enrolling the first class of students for fall 2016. The announcement was made during the welcome reception for Beijing City University’s visiting biotechnology faculty and students. “This exchange introduces Rivier’s new biotechnology degree, highlighting its focus on preparation for careers in the global economy,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. The vision and creation of the new biotechnology program was born from several years of research and teaching, exploratory and relationship-building trips to China, and collaboration with several New Hampshire and Massachusetts biotechnology firms. The degree features a unique combination of academics, hands-on lab work, practical application of learning through internships, and international exchanges. Taught from a global perspective, students will study a broad range of subjects including the biosciences and business applications, and entrepreneurship for scientific innovation. Rivier’s alliance with Beijing City University provides a strong foundation for the program’s focus on cross-cultural learning. “Our global partnership with Beijing City University builds community, expertise, and professionalism in the biotechnology field,” says Associate Vice President for Global Engagement Dr. Mark Meehan.

Careers in Biotechnology Program graduates can pursue roles as: • Biochemists, bioinformaticians, or biophysicists • Research scientists and laboratory technicians • Pharmaceutical company representatives • Crime lab technicians • Quality control analysts or engineers • Biomedical engineers

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A Tribute to Leadership and Service Rivier University President’s Circle event honors Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau In recognition of her dedicated leadership and service to Greater Nashua, the Rivier University President’s Circle hosted “A Tribute to Leadership and Service,” acknowledging The Honorable Donnalee Lozeau on October 27. The event gathered business and nonprofit organization leaders, along with local dignitaries, on the Rivier University campus to honor her many accomplishments during her two terms as Mayor of the City of Nashua and to announce the creation of a scholarship in her name. “The response we received is a testament to the tremendous goodwill the business

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community has for Mayor Lozeau, as well as the respect they have for Rivier University and its mission of transforming hearts and minds to serve the world,’ says Paul Clark, President and CEO of Clark & Lavey Benefits Solutions and Chair of the President’s Circle Leadership Committee. All proceeds of the event will be used to create the Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Leadership Scholarship, providing financial assistance to full-time undergraduate students who reflect Mayor Lozeau’s exemplary commitment to community leadership and service. “Mayor Lozeau’s initiatives in education, technology, and transportation will benefit our students for years to come,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President of Rivier University. “The University is tremendously grateful for her commitment to Nashua and her support of education at every level.”

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BAE Systems was recognized as the Premier Event Sponsor, along with lead sponsors Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Leon and Jan Brassard, and a host of other corporate and individual sponsors. The Honorable Donna Sytek, Former Speaker of the NH House of Representatives, pictured below at right, offered a tribute to Mayor Lozeau. In her message to attendees, the Mayor stated “Together, we have made history. Together we have kept the City of Nashua strong and vibrant through the most challenging of times; together we have been part of something so much bigger than ourselves. I am humbled, and appreciative, that my journey to the present day will forever be a part of Rivier University through the creation of this scholarship.” For more information about the Rivier University President’s Circle, visit www.rivier.edu/presidentscircle.


A Lasting Connection Alumni Reunion Weekend 2015 Alumni celebrated each other and their connection to Rivier at Reunion Weekend 2015

Alumni from Reunion Classes 1955 through 2005 gathered for the annual fall weekend at the Rivier campus. Celebrations began on Friday evening with the Reunion Class Dinner, and over the course of the weekend included an awards luncheon, the President’s Cocktail Reception and dedication of the Tamposi Alumni Legacy Garden, the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction, a Champagne Breakfast with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, and campus tours highlighting the completed Gateway Projects.

Alumni reconnected with friends at the Reunion Class Dinner on Friday evening. Though it might have been years since they’d seen each other, time seemed to slip away as alumni welcomed each other with joyful embraces and spirited conversation about their lives at Rivier and those since graduation. The Sisters of the Presentation of Mary met their long-ago students at breakfast on Saturday morning and attended alumni events throughout the weekend. Alumni enjoyed seeing the Sisters and reliving lessons learned

that have gained in value over the years. Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President welcomed alumni to campus in the morning sunshine at the University’s new Heritage Plaza. Sister Paula spoke of the Gateway Projects, in particular the bronze sculpture of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier. Over the past two years, the Gateway Projects initiatives have transformed the campus. In concept and design, the new campus landscape and sacred spaces reflect Rivier’s Catholic heritage and history within the City of Nashua, known as the Gate City.

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Remember. Relive. Reunite.

Following a cherished annual tradition, the Class of 1965 was inducted into the Golden Society in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their Rivier graduation. The seventeen members of the class present were recognized and received their Golden Society pins at the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon. Front Row - left to right: Patricia Burns Zumhagen, Ann Marie Bouvier, Judith D’Amico, Christine Ethier Brennan, Sr. Joan Joyal, pm, Nancy Lesieur Massaro, Florence Witkop McEwen

The Alumni Awards Luncheon followed Sister Paula’s welcome. Each year the luncheon honors the recipient of the Sister Madeleine of Jesus Award and inducts members of the 50th Reunion Class into the Golden Society. For her leadership, mentorship, and devotion to others, exemplifying Rivier’s mission of ‘transforming hearts and minds to serve the world,’ the Alumni Association presented the Sister Madeleine of Jesus Award to Carol Kreick, Class of 1979 and 1984G. A longtime Nashua resident and educator, Carol Kreick has dedicated her life to the well-being of others. She has focused her attention on the betterment of the family with a systems approach to education, looking beyond the individual student to the entire family. Her efforts have furthered education at

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Back Row - left to right: Helen Koenig Szuluk, Bonnie Vesely Hallowes, Marie Bourret Fournier, Jocelyn Mondoux Talbot, Jeannine Loranger Brayman, Paulette Lavoie Dubois, Eileen Prendergast Tofil, Kathleen Shea Gann, Kathleen Brady Whiting, Jane Comeau Granata

all levels, building and strengthening healthy communities. Kreick earned her bachelor’s degree from Rivier as an adult student and a young mother of three, returning fifteen years later to earn her master’s in psychology. During her career, she served as a clinical admissions director at an alcohol and drug treatment center for adolescents and adults and as a high school guidance counselor. In her roles as member and President of the Board, she supported the Adult Learning Center in Nashua, an educational agency that provides academic skills, job training, and support. “Life is a gift,” says Kreick, “and giving back is part of my life’s work.” Kreick credits the outstanding support she received from Rivier with motivating her to give back to those experiencing life situations

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Class of 1965

Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President, presents the Sister Madeleine of Jesus Award to Carol Kreick ’79/ ’84G.


| Alumni Reunion Weekend 2015 similar to hers. Understanding the challenges facing adult students, she and her family have created a lasting legacy at Rivier through the Kreick Family Scholars program, which aids adults returning to college to pursue their bachelor’s degree. Graduates of the Class of 1965 were inducted into the Golden Society in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their Rivier graduation. A lively and enthusiastic group, the 17 members of the class present at the luncheon were recognized and received their Golden Society pins. For nearly all 1965 class members, it was the first time they had seen each other since graduation, but “the bonds are never broken,” says Jeannie Brayman ’65. Each Golden Society member cheered

for the other as they were called forward to receive their pins from Sister Paula. The group spoke with great fondness and appreciation for the University and the education they received. “We were lucky to come here,” says Christine Brennan ’65. “This was our foundation, and it has sustained us,” shares Marie Fournier ’65. “We’ve all kept the values we learned here—kept them and still respect them today.” On Saturday afternoon, alumni, administration, and friends of the University gathered for the President’s Cocktail Reception and dedication of the Sharon McOsker Tamposi Alumni Legacy Garden. Located behind Madeleine Hall, the garden has been transformed through the generous support of Sharon Tamposi, Class of 1991

and 1995G. Guests enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, and a jazz trio in the tranquil beauty of the garden. The weekend events concluded on Sunday with the Reunion Mass in Resurrection Chapel and Champagne Breakfast with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in the newly dedicated Perreault Room in Madeleine Hall. Alumni recognized and honored Sister Jeanne Perreault’s 50 years of service at the breakfast celebration. During the weekend, Sister Paula thanked alumni for their loyalty, dedication, and affection for Rivier. “Being here and celebrating with such joy, you create a living connection to the Rivier community,” says Sister Paula. “You are forever ‘welcomed home’ at your alma mater, Rivier.”

Photos by Jodie Andruskevich FALL 2015

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| Alumni Reunion Weekend 2015

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A strong finish Left to right: Eddie Soucie ’16, Alex Armstrong ’17, Joey Romick ’16, and Nick Pica ’16

Rivier’s 18th Annual Golf Classic draws support of business community to benefit health and fitness programs With the generous support of alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and corporate sponsors, the 18th Annual Golf Classic contributed more than $42,000 to Rivier’s athletic programs. The tournament hosted players at the Nashua Country Club on September 28, with the support of more than 50 corporate and individual sponsors.

“The annual tournament is much more than a fundraiser,” says Karen Cooper, Vice President for University Advancement. “It’s a community builder—a day where business leaders and individuals come together in support of our students, the University, and higher education. We are grateful for their generosity and dedication to Rivier.”

2015 Tournament Highlights Winning Team: The Tamposi Company – Sam Tamposi, Jeff Knight, Gerald Prunier, and Jay Leonard Women’s Closest to the Pin: Barbara Mosier Men’s Closest to the Pin: Greg Mazeres, UniFirst Corporation Team Women’s Longest Drive: Dr. Sue Langlois, Golfing Artists Team Men’s Longest Drive: Mark Runde, RJ Finlay Team

Hole-in-One Contest: Sponsored by Tulley Automotive Group, the prize—a 2015 Mazda3—sadly went unclaimed. New this year: T-BONES Specialty Market sponsored a contest hole awarding participants a restaurant gift card when they hit tee to green in one shot.

Save the Date! The 19th Annual Golf Classic will take place on Monday, September 26, 2016, at the Nashua Country Club.

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Raiders Make History Rivier athletes recognized at fourth Hall of Fame Ceremony Rivier University formally inducted the fourth class into its Athletics Hall of Fame during Alumni Reunion Weekend. The University recognized four individuals and one team to join the previous three classes of inductees, bringing the total in the Hall of Fame to 13 individuals and two teams.

FOURTH INDUCTION CLASS MEMBERS: BOBBIE BAGLEY ’97/ ’14G, JEFF CARPENTER ’08, DEBORAH VANDER-HEYDEN MALONEY ’85, NICOLE SUMMERS WALTERS ’94/’02G, AND THE 2006 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

Inductee Bobbie Bagley and family (Bobbie is shown second from left.)

Inductee Jeff Carpenter and family (Jeff is shown fifth from left.)

Bobbie Bagley ’97/’14G is an innovator and woman of action as evidenced in both her athletic and nursing careers. This Raider athletic pioneer was a member of the women’s soccer team joining the program in its second season. It took a leap of faith and commitment to join a team at its very beginning and to be a building block in Rivier soccer history. Bagley’s impressive nursing career has been one of service and teaching. She received a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Rivier. She is Director of Rivier’s Public Health Program and a Nursing faculty member. Bagley also serves as the New Hampshire Nurses Association President for 2015-2016.

Jeff Carpenter ’08 made a big impact on Raider men’s basketball the minute he stepped on the Muldoon court. In his freshman year, he was named the GNAC Rookie of the Year. Sophomore year, the power forward was a key player in the Raiders’ first-ever GNAC Men’s Basketball Championship. Carpenter was chosen by his teammates three times to receive the Rivier Players Award and in his senior year, he was named the Rivier Athlete of the Year. A tough and tireless competitor, Carpenter became the first men’s player in GNAC history to have 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. In his final collegiate contest, the GNAC quarterfinals, he pulled down 11 boards, giving him a career total of 1,001 rebounds to go along with his 1,532 points. In 2008, Carpenter concluded his time as a Raider, as the GNAC all-time rebound leader, and as the sixth leading scorer in conference history. Since graduating from Rivier, he has served as a traveling critical care nurse throughout the country.

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Inductee Deborah Vander-Heyden Maloney and family (Deborah is shown fourth from left.)

Deborah Vander-Heyden Maloney ’85 was a two-sport athlete, competing in basketball and field hockey, and a double major in Chemistry and Dietetics. She finished her basketball career with 1,158 points, becoming the third 1,000-point scorer in Rivier history. This humble athlete was a force in the paint both offensively and defensively. Maloney was named the team’s Most Improved Player her first year and Most Valuable Player her senior year. She was also a goalie on the field hockey team. After graduating from Rivier, Maloney earned a Master of Science in Food Science and Nutrition. She has been a high school chemistry teacher for the past 13 years and a religious education teacher. She continues her involvement in athletics by coaching basketball and earning a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

The 2006 Men’s Volleyball Team finished the season with a record of 31-3 and won the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Tournament. Before the NCAA began sponsoring a Division III national men’s volleyball tournament, the NECVA Championship was the ultimate goal for 31 schools in the northeast. That NECVA Championship made the team one of the top four in the nation in Division III. The season was one of great team and individual accomplishments. Heading into the Molten Championship, the Raiders had won 22 consecutive matches—the longest winning streak in collegiate men’s volleyball in 2006. For individual honors, Andy Chace was named NECVA Player of the Year, NECVA Tournament MVP, and AllAmerica. Mike Buccarelli, Nhut Chau, and Greg Stanton were named to NECVA All-Conference teams. Head Coach Craig Kolek was named NECVA Coach of the Year, New England Coach of the Year, and National Coach of the Year in Division III.

Inductee Nicole Summers Walters and family (Nicole is shown fourth from left in back.)

Nicole Summers Walters ’94/’02G was a two-sport athlete at Rivier, competing in both volleyball and softball. “Give me the ball” describes her perfectly as a volleyball setter and softball pitcher. A charismatic leader, Walters was captain of both. She was president of the Rivier College Athletic Association and earned the Senior Award, the department’s highest honor in 1994. Walters went on to receive a Master of Education in Counseling from Rivier and is a guidance counselor in Nashua, New Hampshire, where she has served children and their families with care, insight, and humor. She has continued her participation in athletics coaching at both the high school and college levels.

MEMBERS OF THE 2006 MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM JUSTIN ANDREOZZI ’07

KURT MONACO ’06

MIKE BUCCARELLI ’06

GREG STANTON ’06

ALEX CARVEN ’06

ZACH STEDMAN ’07

ANDREW CHACE ’06

WILLIAM WERNER ’06

NHUT CHAU ’06

SCOTT WRIGHT ’09

JASON CONETTA ’06

CRAIG MARTIN – Assistant Coach

KEVIN HARRINGTON ’07 JAVIER LAUREANO ’06 EVAN MACHOS ’07

CRAIG KOLEK Head Coach

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FACULTY PROFILE Building healthier communities Judi O'Hara, CAGS, MS, RN, CNE Assistant Professor Director of Undergraduate Nursing Education Director, RN-BS Online Program by Patricia Garrity

A PASSIONATE EDUCATOR, LIFELONG

learner and health advocate, Assistant Professor Judi O’Hara has served as a mentor and role model to hundreds of nurses. A nurse educator at Rivier since 1991, O’Hara joined the faculty after being impressed with the quality of the education that her brother received as a nursing student. O’Hara brought to Rivier vast experience in a number of specialties. She served as an oncology/hematology nurse at New England Medical Center in Boston, a cardiac critical care nurse at Saint Louis University Hospital, a home hospice care nurse for the Visiting Nurse Association, and a clinical instructor at Jefferson Memorial Community College in Missouri, where she first experienced the rewards of being an educator. “The thing I enjoy most about teaching is inspiring

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students on their journey to become the best nurses they can be.” O’Hara’s expertise has been put to good use within the Division of Nursing and Health Professions at Rivier University. There is constant activity in an environment where learning is not passive but very active. “You can find students in the Sim Lab caring for the Sim Family, or at bedsides in hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts,” says O’Hara. Advocates for the poor and powerless within our society, O’Hara, Nursing Instructor Bobbie Bagley, and their students help build healthier communities by engaging with representatives, senators and other leaders within the State. In recognition of their outstanding advocacy for Senate Bill 286, the Prescription Monitoring bill,

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they were presented with the 2012 Group Advocacy in Action Award by New Futures, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates, educates and collaborates to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug problems in New Hampshire. O’Hara served for many years as co-chair of Rivier’s Task Force on Alcohol and Other Drugs and serves on the New Hampshire Higher Education Alcohol and Other Drug Committee. In addition, O’Hara and colleagues founded the Rivier Nursing Wellness Connection— serving the unmet needs of underserved and vulnerable populations within Greater Nashua. The Wellness Connection allows faculty to mentor students in clinical settings, provides handson opportunities for students to perfect


their skills, and offers preventative services to Rivier and local communities. “The most valuable lesson I can teach my students is to respect the human dignity of each individual,” says O’Hara. “This is the essence of the nursing profession and the mission of Rivier University.” Director of Rivier’s online RN to BS program, O’Hara says she is amazed at how much she enjoys teaching online. “I feel like I know students better because everyone responds to discussions—I may not know what they look like, but I know the students through their posts.” O’Hara makes sure the students get to know her, too. For the lab component of the Health Assessment course, O’Hara videotaped herself demonstrating some of the lab skills students need to learn. “In some ways, I’m doing the same things I would do teaching face-to-face,” she says. These faculty online interactions continue the Rivier tradition of providing personal attention—even over the Internet. For some nurses, it has been many years since they have been in school, and they may be anxious about returning to the classroom. The online RN to BS faculty are very attuned

to the needs of adults returning to school and provide valuable support. “One of the best feelings is when these same nurses, who were so anxious about starting the RN to BS program, meet with me just prior to graduating to announce they are applying to Rivier’s graduate nursing program,” proclaims O’Hara. O’Hara brings enthusiasm and new ideas into the classroom by constantly refreshing her own skills. She is currently enrolled in Rivier’s Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning, Nursing Track, and attends nurse educator conferences regularly. “Every day I am learning,” says O’Hara. “I love to learn and this program has encouraged me to grow professionally as a nurse educator.” For O’Hara, Rivier is like a second home—a place where she is surrounded by caring and supportive colleagues who are role models and inspirations to her. “When I look up at the new statue of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier, I just feel so blessed and so proud to be a part of the Rivier community,” says O’Hara. “I am so inspired by the Sisters who have moved the vision of Anne Marie Rivier forward.”

Bio: Judi O'Hara Assistant Professor of Nursing Director, Undergraduate Nursing Education Director, RN-BS Online Program C.A.G.S., Rivier College M.S., University of Massachusetts Lowell B.S., University of Massachusetts Lowell

Specialties • Multicultural Health • Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention in Higher Education • Health Assessment

Classes Taught • Families and Health in a Multicultural Society • Health Assessment • Nursing Leadership • Policy and Politics in the Nursing and Professional Nursing Capstone

Academic Philosophy “As a facilitator of learning, I foster a learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where “kindness matters” is role-modeled and expected. Each individual brings a unique perspective formed by beliefs, values, and past experiences to the learning community. Within the community an individual’s cognitive and emotional intelligence are appreciated and growth within the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of learning is facilitated. Learning is an active process that takes place both inside and outside the classroom. Confucius sums up the importance of experiential learning though the quote, “ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Active learning through simulation, clinical nursing experiences, and immersion allows students to interact with others. Students are given the opportunity to see, to do, and to understand through connections within the greater communities in which we exist. A guided reflection of the experience promotes deeper meaning of the learning for the student. My hope is to inspire students to be the best they can be, to make a difference in the world, and to respect and advocate the human dignity of each individual.”

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MAKINGNEWS Instructor and Director of Public Health Programs Bobbie D. Bagley ’97/’14G, MPH, right, and Assistant Professor of Public Health Dr. Jessica Santos, left, presented at NH Public Health Association’s “Celebrating a Quarter Century of Public Health in N.H.” event. Adjunct Instructor of English Charlie Bevis ’08G published his sixth book Tim Keefe: A Biography of the Hall of Fame Pitcher and Player-Rights Advocate. Senior Lecturer in Philosophy Dr. John Caiazza has a new book coming out this winter, Scientific Meditations: Creationism Rightly Understood. Professor of Special Education Dr. J. Diane Connell was a featured expert in the Parenting New Hampshire article “Bring Order to the Chaos: How to set up Your Child With ADD/ ADHD for Success This School Year.” Dr. Connell and Associate Professor of Education Dr. Naomi A. Schoenfeld, presented their research titled “Health in the Classroom: Special Educators’ Attitudes Towards Integrative Medicine” at the International Integrative Medicine for the Underserved 5th Annual Conference at Tufts Medical School. Adjunct Instructor of Public Health Ashley Conley, MS, CPH, CHEP co-chairs the Greater Nashua Healthcare Emergency Response Coalition for the City of Nashua, Division of Public Health and Community Services. This group received the Most Valuable Player Award at the 11th Annual New Hampshire Emergency Preparedness Conference in June 2015.

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Professor of Psychology Dr. Paul Cunningham published a peerreviewed “think piece,” “Empirical Rationalism and Transpersonal Experience: Bridging the Two Epistemic Cultures of Transpersonal Psychology,” in The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology (Vol. 47, No. 1). Adjunct Instructor of Public Health and State of N.H. Epidemiologist Elizabeth R. Daly, MPH co-authored four articles this year: “Workplace Safety Concerns Among Coworkers of Responder Returning from Ebolaaffected Country” in Emerging Infectious Diseases, “Taken to Court: Defending Public Health Authority to Access Medical Records During an Outbreak Investigation” in Public Health Reports, “Use of Digital Pens for Rapid Epidemiologic Data Collection During a Foodborne Outbreak Investigation” in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, and “Human Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Associated with Exposure to Locally Made Chicken Jerky Pet Treats, New Hampshire, 2013” in Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. Professor Emeritus Dr. Sharon L. Dean published a second novel, Death of the Keynote Speaker. Set in New England’s Isles of Shoals, this murder mystery incorporates the dark histories of Star, Appledore, and Smuttynose Islands. Chaplain Brother Paul R. Demers, s.c., D. Min., participated in the 2015 International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education: Human Rights & Conflict Resolution at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.

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The latest news from Rivier faculty and staff Assistant Professor of Nursing Deborah Ann Dodge, MS, RN, CNE and Nursing Instructor Janine T. Reale, MS, RN, CNE attended the International Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. They presented the poster “Unfolding Scenarios Build Nursing Competencies including Communication, Delegation, Priority Setting and Organization,” sharing the results of research involving sophomore nursing students’ experiences in simulation. Nursing Laboratory Coordinator Cheryl Bragdon, MS, RN, CNE was a co-researcher and helped create the poster. Professor of English Dr. Tim Doherty cofacilitated the three-day workshop “Making Assessment Work for Your Institution and Your Students.” Dr. Doherty and Associate Professor of Education Dr. Naomi A. Schoenfeld co-authored the article “Beyond the Usual Suspects: Encouraging Faculty Connections in Professional Development,” which appeared in To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development, Professor of Sociology Dr. Marcoux Faiia discussed integrating original research into an introductory sociology class at The Teaching Professor Conference in May. Dr. Faiia used a case study of exploratory research conducted by Rivier students in fall 2014 and presented to the Rivier community to demonstrate the pedagogical challenges and excitement of “doing sociology.” Assistant Professor of Modern Languages Dr. Christine Giacalone presented at the Historical Linguistics and Typology: Assessing a Partnership Conference at the University of Texas at Austin. The presentation was titled “A Sociohistorical


Study of Lexical Variation and Frequency of Siddur Tefillot: A Woman’s Ladino Prayer Book.“ Integrating research into her teaching, the pre-sixteenth-century, JudeoSpanish text has been a topic of study for her undergraduate and graduate students. After presenting her work at the National Institute of the Teaching of Psychology, Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Elizabeth Harwood was invited to write an Excellence in Teaching essay titled “Directed Note-taking: A Strategy for Active Engagement in the Classroom,” which will be published in an e-book this year. Dr. Harwood also presented “Cognitive and Interpersonal Predictors of Depression in Romantic Couples: The Mediating Role of Conflict Resolution Behaviors” at the American Psychological Association's Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada. Associate Professor of Education Dr. Gagan “Mia” Khera served on a panel and co-presented “Amplifying Leadership and Building Community: AAPA Leadership Fellows Share Their Stories” at the Asian American Psychological Association Conference in Canada. Adjunct Instructor of Business Rebecca S. MacLennan, MBA was recognized as one of “Greater Nashua’s 25 Extraordinary Women.” This distinction is awarded to women who excel in business, philanthropy, community service, and leadership. Assistant Professor of Computer Science Dr. Robert Marceau successfully defended his dissertation titled “Partitioning Data to Minimize Cluster Overlap using Multiple Visualizations” and was awarded his Ph.D. in Computer Science by the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Stay on top of all the news www.rivier.edu/news

Associate Professor of Business and Education and Associate Vice President for Global Engagement Dr. Mark W. Meehan published a new article, “An Islamic Response to Modernism: Muhammad Iqbal and his Poetry,” in the spring 2015 edition of Crosscurrents Theological Journal. Professor and Coordinator of the History, Political Science, and Criminal Justice Department Dr. Martin Menke presented a paper titled “Totalitarian Affinities: Ludwig Kaas as Leader of the German Center Party” at the German Studies Association Annual Conference in October. Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Clinical Psychology Program Dr. Karen Meteyer co-presented at the New England Psychological Association Annual Conference in October with three recent psychology master’s program graduates: Jessica Price, Megan Shevenell, and Justin Shepherd. Each presented research, based on their master's theses, focused on perceptions of veteran students, predictors of anxiety among female college students, and the use of protective behavioral strategies in the consumption of alcohol among college students. Assistant Professor of Public Health Dr. Jessica Santos successfully defended her dissertation, “Beyond Supply and Demand: Networks of Opportunity and Inequality in Health Careers” in August and received her Ph.D. in Social Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Dr. Santos coordinated and presented her research at the interactive research and policy forum Quality Workforce = Quality Health Care held in Manchester. Adjunct Instructor of Education Dr. Sara Stetson presented at the 20th Annual Consortium for the Study of Leadership and Ethics in Education in October. Her topic, “Crowdsourcing Ourselves: Disability, Identity, and Social Media,” explored

questions about disability, context, and whether social media influences how we see and present ourselves. Instructor of Early Childhood Education Dr. Lisa Strout received her Ph.D. in Postsecondary and Adult Education from Capella University. Dr. Strout also was appointed as Professional Development and Accreditation Chair for the New Hampshire Association for the Education of Young Children. She will serve a two-year term on the statewide affiliate Board of Directors. Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Dr. Herman Tavani presented a paper at the 2015 Northern New England Philosophical Association Conference. His paper, titled “Critical Reflections on “The Right to Be Forgotten,” evaluates arguments surrounding this relatively new and highly controversial “right” in the European Union Directive on Data Protection. Associate Professor and Director of the Doctorate of Psychology program Dr. Robert Walrath co-authored two book chapters: “Strengths and Weaknesses of the Woodcock Johnson IV Test of Cognitive Ability” in Essentials of WJ IV Tests of Cognitive Ability and “Clinical Interpretation of the Woodcock Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities, Academic Achievement, and Oral Language” in WJ IV Clinical Use and Interpretation: Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives. Associate Professor of Computer Science Dr. Charles T. (Tom) Wilkes was granted his third patent, U.S. Patent No. 9,009,309, “Token-Based Crediting of Network Usage,” along with three other inventors. Dr. Wilkes also was presented with an Outstanding Contributor Award by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) for his knowledge of the industry and contributions to the MEF Technical Committee.

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ALUMNI PROFILE

by Michelle Marrone

Am I my brothers’ keeper? AS A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training, Keeva Davis `00 has the responsibility and honor of improving people’s quality of life. “Most definitely,” says Davis, “I believe we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.” This belief, along with a kind and humble spirit, guide Davis’ work with organizations serving the un- and underemployed. Davis, daughter of James and Delores Davis ’94G, grew up in Nashua. She graduated from Rivier in 2000 with a B.A. in Human Development and credits this experience as providing her strong personal, academic, and career support; lifelong friendships; and the foundation for a rewarding career path. After graduation, she took on a series of roles in the human development field and earned her master’s in business management from Cambridge College in Massachusetts. She rose through Massachusetts State Department ranks before becoming a Workforce Development Specialist with the federal government. In this role, Davis oversees grant-recipient organizations in New England, New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These organizations design and implement grantfunded workforce development projects to train low-skilled and dislocated workers and transition them back into the workforce. “I love my job,” Davis shares. “I get to meet phenomenal people who want to change the world and the current systems in place.” Once an organization is awarded a federal grant,

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Davis becomes their advocate—reviewing the project’s progress with the organization’s leadership, interviewing participants to assess the project’s effectiveness, suggesting and arranging for additional resources, and providing counsel on grant compliance and progress toward goals. “You don’t meet a lot of people in this world who genuinely want to help others,” Davis says of the leaders with whom she works. “It takes a lot of heart and energy to do what they do. The people in these organizations aren’t in it for the money; they want to do good.” Davis travels at least one week a month to visit her client organizations. Recently, she spoke with a youth program participant in upstate New York. “I interviewed a young man who prior to entering the program had moved from the south to the north, his mother had passed away and his sister was raising him, he had dropped out of high school, and did not have a job,” she shares. “As a result of the youth program, he had earned his G.E.D. and secured a part-time job. He thanked me profusely for the program that had gotten him to this new place.” A life transformed—“In that moment I knew ‘this is why I do what I do,’” says Davis. Driven as she is to move others onto a positive path, Davis demands the same from herself: “There is something innate in me that always says, ‘Keep going.’” Davis was nominated and accepted into the Emerging Leaders Program for the Department of Labor. The program strengthens leadership skills through a combination of online and

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I love my job. I get to meet phenomenal people who want to change the world...

Empowering others to effect positive change Keeva Davis, B.A.,ʼ00

in-class learning and professional coaching by senior leadership. This experience will help prepare Davis for more challenging roles and greater success in expanding job opportunities. She is currently developing a coordinated Business Engagement Plan to build stronger relationships between her department and local businesses. Based on a successful implementation in her region, the Plan could serve as a model for lowering additional state and national unemployment rates. Being a witness to others’ life struggles, Davis offers this advice for personal and professional success—love yourself. “Loving who you are is mandatory in this life,” she asserts. “If you don’t love who you are and who you want to be,” says Davis, “you’ll have a hard time growing and making it to your goals. In life, you get thrown a few curve balls. If you have that love, you can either catch them, move out of the way, or get knocked down and get back up again.” Davis’ encouraging message, life-affirming work, and giving nature support a multitude of people she may never meet. Working collaboratively with community leaders, their actions have a butterfly effect—whereas, a small change in initial conditions can create a significantly different, positive outcome in the lives of the people they serve. In reaching out to establish paths to success, paths that help others reach their full potential, Davis articulates the honor we share in being our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.


Photo by Jodie Andruskevich

DAVIS FAMILY MINORITY MERIT SCHOLARSHIP Keeva’s parents Delores ’94G and Jim Davis have established the Davis Family Minority Merit Scholarship at Rivier University. “My mother, through her wisdom and generous spirit, envisioned a way to change lives on the Rivier campus with the creation of an endowed scholarship,” says Keeva.“When she discussed her vision with my Dad and me, I immediately said, ‘I want in.’ So a portion of my income goes to the scholarship fund.” The scholarship will benefit minority students majoring in math or science who attend Rivier and require financial assistance. The first award is expected to be made in 2016. “It’s exciting to think that the scholarship will support greater diversity on campus, as well as help provide a Rivier education to students in need,” says Davis.

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CLASS NOTES

1960ʼs Claire St. Laurent ʼ60, pictured centered above, visited campus during a trip to New Hampshire in July. She is pictured with Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Mary Bollinger, left, and Vice President for University Advancement Karen Cooper, right, at the University’s new Heritage Plaza and site of the sculpture of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier. 1970ʼs Martha Majors ʼ71

has been honored with the Anne Sullivan Macy Medal. This award recognizes dedication to the international deafblind community. Martha is the assistant education director of Perkins Deafblind Program and has spent the last 40 years as a dedicated teacher, lecturer, and mentor to educators. She has traveled extensively on behalf of Perkins International, training teachers in Africa, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, Latin America, and Asia. Jimmy Pappas ʼ78 published a poem titled “Backyard Metamorphosis” in the September 1st issue of Silver Birch Press’ New Voices in Fiction, Nonfiction, Plays, and Poetry. Jimmy taught high school English,

poetry, and philosophy for thirty years before his retirement. His poems have been published in a variety of journals. He is also a recent first-prize winner of the Poetry Society of New Hampshire’s National contest.

1980ʼs Regina Library Technical Services Librarian Elaine Bean ʼ87G has been honored with the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the Nasson College Alumni Association. The award honors a graduate who has demonstrated an outstanding record of achievements and community service. She and her husband Robert Bean ʼ77G met while earning their undergraduate degrees at Nasson College in Maine and regularly return for alumni gatherings.

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Richard H. Keilig Jr. ʼ84, above, has had a long career in the field of education, while also serving his country in the United States Army from 1972-2013. He earned his degree from Rivier in biology and has used his degree both through his military service as Lt. Colonel Medical Service Corps and Chief of Bacteriology/Microbiology at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. He has taught science at both the high school and college level and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. He shares that his instructors at Rivier were outstanding and helped him reach his goal of teaching at the high school and college levels, as well as in the Armed Forces of the United States. Richard and his wife Carol Jane are the proud parents of five children and one grandchild. He is pictured above with his family at his daughter’s graduation from New England College in Henniker last May.

Lisa Germaine ʼ89, above, began her modeling career in local fashion shows and is now represented by two agencies in Upstate New York. She models for Albany based couture designer, Daniel Mozzes, and recently appeared in a segment on The Today Show. As the mother of three teenage sons, she is proud to encourage others to never give up pursuing a dream.

1990ʼs Magnus Pardoe ʼ91 has been promoted to the head of the Information Technology Department at Nashua Community College, where he has worked for the past eight years. He encourages NCC students to continue their education at Rivier. Melissa Farrall ʼ94G has been hired as the Program Manager for Evaluations at The Stern Center for Language and Learning in their Williston, Vermont office.

Darlene Deptula-Hicks ʼ85 was recently named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Pieris Pharmaceuticals, a leading biotech company. She had been the acting Chief Financial Officer of Pieris since November 2014. Dr. Mary Beth Chabot Lufkin ʼ88 earned her Ed.D. in Learning, Leadership and Community from Plymouth State University in May 2015 and has been promoted to Vice President of Enrollment Management at Granite State College.

Natalie Curtiss ʼ98, freelance graphic designer and illustrator, designed and created the illustrations for recently published and shown above, Speed of the Dark, a children’s book about physics and friendship. Natalie’s artwork includes acrylic,


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watercolor, and digital paintings, and custom-painted furniture— all crafted in her New Hampshire studio.

D E AT H S

WEDDINGS

James Lenox ʼ70G December 3, 2014 Joyce Zikos Argyriadis ʼ72 May 15, 2015 Jena Diane Day ʼ83 May 19, 2015

2000ʼs Dr. Andra Hall

Rice ʼ04, above, was named principal of Crotched Mountain School in Greenfield, New Hampshire, having previously served as assistant principal. She earned her Ed. D. in K-12 administration and educational leadership from New England College, and also serves as an adjunct professor at New England College. Jane LaGoy ʼ07G, Technical Services Manager at Bodycote in Andover, Massachusetts, received the 2015 President’s Leadership Award from ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) acknowledging her work for ASTM’s Metal Powders Committee. This award recognizes individuals early in their ASTM career who have significantly advanced the Society’s mission through extraordinary accomplishment, example, and vision.

Christin Manfredo ʼ05 and Jeremy Mackling – June 13, 2015

Gertrude Marchand Rheault ʼ50 June 22, 2015 Howard Cole ʼ81G July 9, 2015 Norma B. Jambard Woods ʼ54 July 9, 2015 Meghan Reynolds ʼ09 and Erik Burke – June 28, 2015

Beatrice (Gagnon) Duval ʼ45 July 15, 2015 Doris Glaude Vadeboncoeur ʼ45 July 16, 2015 Tharsile (“Tess”) Lessard ʼ43 July 31, 2015

Brittany Capistran ʼ13 and Mark Borgatti – August 1, 2015

Larry Pottebaum ʼ94 August 8, 2015 David Michael Shea ʼ78G August 28, 2015

John W. MacArthur, Jr. ʼ08 was appointed Principal of Boynton Middle School in Greenville, New Hampshire. He formerly served as Assistant Principal of Weare Middle School. William McCarthy ʼ08G was appointed Assistant Principal of Matthew Thornton Elementary School in Londonderry. Prior to his appointment, William taught 7th grade mathematics at Londonderry Middle School. He completed his Principal Certification in 2014.

Carol Loring Pipinias ʼ71 May 23, 2015

William Carrigg ʼ71G September 12, 2015 Sister Estelle Lefebvre ʼ59G September 13, 2015 Steven James Spongberg ʼ04 September 15, 2015 Judith (Doherty) Waterhouse ʼ68 September 24, 2015 Amy Lawrence ʼ97/ʼ01G and Matthew Harris – September 6, 2015 FALL 2015

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STUDENT PROFILE A passion for service Bianca Ciuffredo Class of 2017 Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling by Michelle Marrone

Bianca Ciuffredo has always loved helping others. Already working in the mental health field, her Rivier education adds a richness to her professional and personal life. Favorite Quote “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump Favorite App: All Trails If you could do or be anything in life, what would it be? I think that I would stay right here, where I am at. I am grateful every day, for every experience that I have, and for every other person that I meet.

What drove you to pursue your graduate degree and to choose Rivier University? I started working for a community mental health agency after receiving my bachelor’s degree and fell in love with the work. I chose Rivier University both for its location and the fantastic reviews of the mental health counseling program that I heard from co-workers who had completed it. How has your degree program impacted you thus far, personally and professionally? What do you plan to do once you receive your degree? I started the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program in January 2014. It is truly tailored to those of us who work full-time. Although my schedule became significantly fuller, the topics we cover in class relate directly to my daily work experiences, enhancing my professional performance, and the program has helped me determine that this is truly my passion. After graduating and receiving state licensure, other goals of mine are to become a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and, hopefully, a certified group psychotherapist. What do you value or enjoy most about Rivier? Our professors truly value us as students and future colleagues, and they integrate their professional experiences into our classes. One of the most important elements of client-centered care is obtaining a whole picture of the individual in front of us; culture is usually a crucial part of this. I also appreciate that diversity is a topic that we touch upon frequently. Who have been your Rivier mentors, and how have they helped you? I have learned so much from my peers and professors. Rivier faculty members Drs. Royer, Khera, Moquin, Proctor, Langelier, and Instructor Cahill have become my academic and professional mentors. Rivier’s mission, ‘transforming hearts and minds to serve the world’, invites students to be the best they can be. How has this been evidenced in your experience? This description of Rivier is absolutely accurate. It is easy to “go through the motions” in our daily lives: get up … go to work … go home … repeat. However, thanks to my Rivier education, I have become better at challenging myself to think outside of the box and take a different path. I have been pushed to lead groups, to speak in public, and to offer my thoughts on political and other issues since beginning this program. I’m a runner, so I now ask myself “why take the road frequently travelled when there is so much to explore on the hidden paths in the woods?” This has a lot to do with great running partners—peers and professors—who, in the spirit of Robert Frost, encourage me to grow by taking the path less travelled. It truly has made all the difference.

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RIVIER TODAY THE MAGAZINE OF RIVIER UNIVERSITY


Rivier University 2015-2016 Annual Fund

Photo by Jodie Andruskevich

Your gift to the Rivier University Annual Fund will have a direct and lasting impact on the University and its students, continuing the tradition of alumni support that has benefited Rivier students for generations.

Ways for alumni and friends to stay in touch Visit our website

Check out alumni news at: www.rivier.edu/alumni

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Transformation begins with you As a graduate, you know that the Rivier experience is unique. You know that Rivier is a place where service and learning go hand in hand, a place where values and ethics matter, and where real-world learning takes place across all disciplines. While you know all of this about Rivier, did you know that the student experience is directly shaped by the generous support of alumni? Your experience as a Rivier student was shaped through the generosity of the alumni who came before you. This is a powerful statement and means that you have the power to transform the Rivier experience for the next generation. Your support of the Rivier University Annual Fund makes it possible for students to attend Rivier and to receive the unique educational experience that you received. In addition, your support makes it possible for the University to continue to offer competitive academic programs and resources, ensuring that a Rivier degree continues to be a valuable asset to employers. For additional information about the Rivier University Annual Fund and to make your gift, visit www.rivier.edu/makeagift.

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FALL 2015

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Rivier Today THE MAGAZINE OF RIVIER UNIVERSITY

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Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, from 14 countries around the globe, attended the 3rd International Congress of Education on the Rivier campus.


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