FA L L 2 0 1 8
Home Building a safe and inclusive SJC community
Power of Cohort • Looking for a Cure • Flower Power
COLLEGE MAGA ZINE
COLLEGE MAGA ZINE
contributors E D I TO R
Patricia Erikson A S S I S TA N T E D I TO R
Emma Joyce D I G I TA L E D I T I O N A R C H I T E C T
Susan Johnson GRAPHIC DESIGN
Springtide Studio CO PY E D I TO R
Ann Rosenfield CO N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R S
Joanne Bean Elizabeth Schran Kelly Webster
A college community offers not only a cohort, but a family, a home.
P U B L I S H E D BY T H E O F F I C E O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L A D VA N C E M E N T Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer
Joanne Bean 2017–18 E D I TO R I A L B OA R D
Joanne Bean Reginald Bourn ‘21 Emma Joyce Patricia Pierce Erikson, Ph.D. Matthew Gregoire ‘18 Jennifer Higgins John Hufstader Corey McCarthy Raymond Mosca ‘19 Peter Nielsen Ashton Piers BSN ’10 MSN, FNP ’17 Kimberly Post Jeffrey Yaeger Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors, not necessarily of Saint Joseph’s College.
ON THE COVER Sharing a laugh on the way from class to lunch. L to R: Ben Gravel, Jared Gagne, Grayson Jennings. Photo: Matthew Congdon
29 TO CONTACT MAGAZINE Saint Joseph’s College Magazine welcomes your comments, story ideas, and photos. Patricia Erikson, Editor Office of Communications Saint Joseph’s College 278 Whites Bridge Road Standish, Maine 04084 207-893-7721 | magazine@sjcme.edu sjcme.edu/magazine
COLLEGE MAGAZINE VOLUME 15 FALL 2018
Academics When Words Find Their Home • 3 The Power of Cohort • 4
Faculty Spotlight • 6 Student Spotlight A Passion for Planning Events • 7 Ankle Deep Exploration in Flip-Flops • 8 #Suitelife • 9 Making Their Mark • 10
Staff Spotlight • 11 Core Values • 12 Features Moon Landing, Flower Power, and Women’s Rights • 14
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Divine Intervention • 16 Looking for a Cure • 20 NOH8 • 22 Sexual Violence is Not Inevitable • 24
12
Monks News Jon Roberts Named Head Volleyball Coach • 27 NCAA Division III Internship grant • 28 Dick Bailey Notches 600th Career Victory • 29 Will Sanborn Joins 700- Victory Club • 30 Jamie Smyth Registers 500th Career Victory • 31
Alumni News Welcome to the Family • 32 Alumni Gatherings • 33 Scene and Noted • 34 Alumni News • 40 Classnotes • 41
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FALL 2018 | 1
president’s letter
Radical Hospitality Working in service to others Photo: SJC students disperse nationwide to serve communities during Spring Break, as in this housing renovation project in Yonkers, NY. Photo: Austin Bear ‘20.
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O
ver the past year, I’ve introduced the term “radical hospitality” into my descriptions of what we’re trying to accomplish at Saint Joseph’s College. The concept of radical hospitality braids together Christ’s teachings about welcoming the stranger with the ancient Rule of St. Benedict and with the 20th c. writings of French philosopher Derrida. This body of thought collectively focuses on what it means to create a safe and inclusive place that meets our collective needs as a community. In their book, Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love (2002, Paraclete Press), Lonni Collins Pratt and Father Daniel Homan wrote, “The image of preparing a table, or preparing a place, is a good overall image for hospitality. In genuine hospitality we work to make our entire existence a welcoming table, a place prepared for others to be at ease, to receive from us comfort and strength. Hospitality teaches me to work at becoming someone who is easy to be with, as either guest or host.” Understood this way, radical hospitality has both an outward and an inward dynamic. It is about practicing a true openness to the person in front of me and, increasingly, to the person inside of me. A key element of radical hospitality is vulnerability.
Authentic learning cannot happen without vulnerability. For example, when our students serve communities nationwide on Spring Break Workfest trips—or on Service Trips internationally—they open themselves to new challenges, new people, and new ideas that will transform them. The meal table is, of course, a prime location for the practice of hospitality. But, as Pratt says, “It isn’t just food we pass out that nourishes or impoverishes the human heart. The table, for the teacher or social worker, is her or his desk. Whatever the specific physical structures of your work might be, you give something to others from them. You create a space for others because work is always for the service of others.” At its core, any liberal arts college community—but especially one working in the Mercy tradition—should be creating opportunities that encourage this kind of openness and transformation. In this issue of the magazine, you’ll read about faculty, staff, students, and other members of the College community who each, in their various ways, are creating hospitable spaces where community can grow and authentic learning can happen. Enjoy!
President Jim Dlugos, PhD
academics
When Words Find Their Home Dr. Lindsay Gail Gibson helps students identify markets for their writing | BY EMMA JOYCE
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hat do I really love about a small college? I get to teach and write for lots of different genres,” explains Dr. Lindsay Gail Gibson as she sips a cup of tea in her office. Framed prints of Virginia Woolf book covers line the wall above her desk—Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, A Room of One’s Own, and The Waves. Bright green plants neatly spaced on her window sill grow in various vessels—a ceramic brown pot, a clear plastic container, a glass jar. Dr. Gibson, who joined the College as an assistant professor of English in 2016, has assumed the role of director of the writing and publishing major, replacing retired long-time director Ed Rielly. While her specialty is the novel (English Classics and British Literature), she also teaches Nonfiction Prose. She writes poetry and pens reviews for contemporary fiction. “It’s important to be involved in different kinds of writing, different modes, for different audiences,” she says. She publishes for the scholarly community, for the general public, and for the tight-knit poetry press circuit. Dr. Gibson particularly enjoys narrative theory— examining how humans tell stories to make sense of their experiences and how the literary styles that authors employ to convey meaning to readers. For example, during the 19th century, lighting advanced from candles to gas to electricity, changing daily rhythms at workplaces and at homes. Dr. Gibson’s thesis at Columbia University explored how authors during this time period used obsolete forms of light to express character motivations, diving into the tension between daylight and artificial light. This erudite attention to literary devices can also be found in her reviews of contemporary fiction, which have garnered national exposure (such as “Helen DeWitt’s Philological Fictions,” in the Los Angeles Review of Books and “Inferred meaning: A clever campus novel filtered through linguistic bewilderment” in The Times Literary Supplement). “I encourage students to not only ask, ‘What does this piece express?’ but also, ‘Who is it for?’ That’s what sets our program apart from creative writing programs. We place an emphasis not just on writing, but on publishing that writing.”
Through researching outlets, students learn to recognize how individual pieces fit together as part of a larger body of work. Even if their future official job titles do not contain the word writer, Dr. Gibson explains that the skills gained from her classes will apply to students in whichever career they choose. “Writing is an essential professional skill. Many employees need to send memos or create PowerPoint presentations continued on p. 45 >
Dr. Gibson earned her doctorate from Columbia University where her thesis examined the role of light in the novel. Virginia Woolf is one of her favorite writers. Photo: Emma Joyce.
“ I encourage students to not only ask, ‘What does this piece express?’ but also, ‘Who is it for?’ That’s what sets our program apart from creative writing programs. We place an emphasis not just on writing, but on publishing that writing.”
academics
The Power of Cohort Supportive environments create lifelong connection BY DR. MARION YOUNG
First Year Experience (FYE) Seminar helps students transition to college life. This photo features members of the Class of 2022. Photo: courtesy of Dr. Marion Young.
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he psychological definition of a cohort is a group of individuals who enter an environment at the same time. The most common cohort is a birth cohort, but psychological research has begun to shift the focus of cohort to individuals in a group who are bonded by common experiences. A sound argument can be made that when freshmen Move-In Day occurs in August, that as soon as they drive onto Mercy Way those individuals become part of a cohort, a group that will be bonded by common experiences both inside and outside the classroom. This bonding will take place by creating connections with other students, faculty, and staff.
Through creating these cohorts we are empowering students by challenging them and supporting them, giving them a place to “start from” as they graduate and become members of the larger human community. These connections will provide the student with different forms of support and challenges as they are introduced to individuals who have had different experiences and inevitably offer differ4 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
ent perspectives than the student. Their cohort becomes what Dr. Robert Kegan, professor in Adult Learning at Harvard Graduate School of Education, describes as a “holding environment” (1982, 1994). A holding environment serves three functions. First, the environment must “hold well,” meeting a student’s needs by affirming who the student will become and providing them with the supports they need to be successful in that transition (Kegan, 1982, 1994). Next, a good holding environment will “let go,” by challenging students and providing the encouragement to grow beyond the walls of the classroom by potentially altering their perceptions of the world. Finally, a good holding environment does “stick around” providing constancy to the person throughout the growth process (Kegan, 1982, 1994). These concepts of “holding well,” “letting go,” and “sticking around” may sound very familiar as most individuals would claim that these three characteristics of a “good holding environment” are also qualities of a good family. And that is exactly what our cohort of students become here at Saint Joseph’s College—a community, a family. Their SJC family provides each student with the
academics
opportunity to grow and excel in their chosen academic and personal pursuits. This growth is enhanced by the support systems students find with each other and with other members of the college community, including faculty and staff. This network of connections creates a second family that “holds well” over their four years at SJC, “lets go” upon graduation, but continues to “stick around” as students stay connected to the friends and the college that have become not just a cohort, but a family, a home. This idea of creating a college community that feels like a home that “holds well” is never more evident than in the classes offered here at SJC. Pictured left are students from one of the 13 sections of First Year Experience (FYE). The FYE course is designed to support freshmen as they transition to college life. The incoming freshmen are supported not only by the faculty and staff members who teach the course, but also peer mentors. The peer mentors are upperclassmen whose job description includes aiding the instructors of the FYE class. In the photo, taken during the first week of the fall of 2018 semester, a group of 26 freshmen had just completed an activity called Step into the Circle with their peer mentor Mary Claire Attisano and it is evident from their faces how excited they are to become part of the SJC family. The second photo is of my own Child Development course after they had taken a tour of the Portland Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine in September 2018. Too often, students do well on tests, but fail to see any connections between their learning in the classroom and the larger world. Psychology does not occur in a vacuum, so I encourage my students during a semester-long course project to get out there and make connections, and see psychology in action! With that in mind, this project is designed to give students a chance to “let go” and put their psy-
FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE (FYE) SEMINAR is held once a week during the fall semester and is a requirement for freshmen. It assists new students with time management, self care, budgeting, and other practical skills of independent living. FYE also highlights resources for critical thinking and effective reading and writing. It is part of the College’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), which focuses its efforts on student retention through support services like tutoring, study skills, and learning accommodations.
First Year Experience (FYE) Seminar helps students transition to college life. This photo features members of the Class of 2022. Photo: courtesy of Dr. Manon Young.
chological knowledge and skills to work in our community by constructing an educational and interactive museum exhibit, and test its effectiveness via classroom presentations. The power of the cohort to create lasting connections is also to be further investigated in a grant from the National Science Foundation— Dr. Steve Jury (PI), Dr. Johan Erikson (Co-PI), and myself (Co-PI). The primary focus of the NSF grant is to fund the SJC Science Scholars Program, a program designed to encourage academically-talented students, who have demonstrated financial need, to enter into and succeed in a community of young scientists. Additionally, I am interested in examining how the new Science Scholars Program, with a combination of cohort bonding and progressive engagement, will impact how students learn and their academic self-efficacy in STEM majors. T.S. Eliot once wrote, “Home is where one starts from.” My hope for SJC is that through creating these cohorts we are empowering students by challenging them and supporting them, giving them a place to “start from” as they graduate and become members of the larger human community. REFERENCES
Kegan, R. (1982). The Evolving Self: Problems and Process in Human Development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Kegan, R. (1994). In Over Our Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. FALL 2018 | 5
faculty spotlight
Faculty Notes
News of faculty grants and academic awards
D
rs. Ryan Dorland (PI), Steve Jury (Co-PI), and Jason Goldstein (CoPI) were awarded a one-year research grant for $20,000 from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to introduce satellite science and build nanosatellite prototypes in introductory calculus-based physics labs. This funding led to the creation of a nanosatellite research team that involves SJC students and faculty, as well as high schools. Their goal is to design a data communications nanosatellite, and to help Maine launch its first Cube Satellite. Dr. Dorland said, “We are one of the first colleges in the state working on this; we’re on the ground floor with NASA.” Kevin McWilliams ’20 also participates in this program as a researcher. Community partners include: Maine Space Grant Consortium, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Yarmouth High School. When the Maine Technology Institute awarded Ready Seafood, Inc. (Portland, ME) this year with $2.25 million toward a $6 million Maine Lobster
Full Utilization Campus project, nearly $100,000 was set aside to support scientific research in the laboratories of Saint Joseph’s College and University of Maine. Consequently, Dr. Steve Jury received $47,000 from Ready Seafood to support research with the goal of creating a science-based process that will increase the viability of lobsters in shipping, thus increasing their value. Additional SJC personnel include researchers Katie Pelletier ’19 and Dr. Lucas Bernacki. Dr. Emily Lesher (PI) and Dr. Patricia Waters (Co-PI) received a $103,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program called “Growing Future Science Teachers in Maine” to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers. Dr. Janice Rey will be teaching a free online course to eligible high school and community college students. The overarching goal of the project team is to enable high-needs
schools in Maine to “grow their own” science teachers by recruiting and training students from these schools and having them potentially return to that school as a teacher. Community partners include: Southern Maine Community College, Central Maine Community College, Biddeford High School, Bonny Eagle High School, Caribou High School, Fort Kent High School, Gray-New Gloucester High School, Lewiston High School, Westbrook High School, and Windham High School. Additional SJC personnel are: Drs. Janice Rey, Katrina Hoop, Kassy Clements, Jim Paruk, Ryan Dorland, and Johan Erikson. Dr. Emily Lesher (PI) and Dr. Yi Jin Gorske (Co-PI) have received a $182,845 grant from the National Science Foundation called Collaborative Research: Development and Evaluation of a Service-Learning Focused Chemistry Curriculum” or “Chemistry for the Community.” Kimberly Post, Community-Based Learning Director and Center for Sustainable Communities Co-Director said, “The Chemistry for the Community program allows our students to be active participants both in their education and the community. The multi-semester experiential format represents progressive ServiceLearning pedagogy with great potential for increasing student engagement and retention. Our students will follow each step of their learning—from theory to practice—allowing them to evolve as community-engaged scientists. This is truly transformative learning.” Community partners include: Windham/Raymond school district (high school students) and University of New Hampshire. Additional SJC personnel include: Kimberly Post and Dr. Dale Brooker. Dr. Steve Jury leads the first cohort of NSF-funded SJC Science Scholars through a field assignment before the school year began (see story p. 4). Photo: Emma Joyce.
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student spotlight
Agritourism and Events Director Victoria Amaro (left) mentored Gabriella Latini ’19 during a summer internship at the Stone Barn that focused on wedding planning. The Stone Barn hosted eighteen weddings this year. Photo: Peter Nielsen.
A Passion for Planning Events Interning at the Stone Barn | BY GABRIELLA LATINI ’19
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s an Elementary Education major, I plan to pursue a career in teaching, but I have always had a passion for event planning. I’m a musician who has sung at many weddings over the past ten years. In high school, I had the pleasure of planning two proms, our graduation, project graduation and more fundraisers than I can count. I always say that planning a prom is just like planning a wedding. From decor and seating charts to food and budgets, it’s very similar. So, for my career, I’m hoping to combine the two–event planning during the summers and teaching during the rest of the year. This summer, I interned with the College’s Agritourism and Events Director Victoria Amaro
THE OFFICE OF MISSION-ALIGNED BUSINESS is an innovation hub within the College that develops new initiatives, provides educational opportunities for students, addresses critical areas of Maine’s emerging economy, and diversifies and sustains the College’s revenue streams. For the agritourism initiative, see www.stonebarnmaine.com.
and focused on wedding planning. I assisted with the preparation and set up for each wedding and provided some office assistance. We have found that it is much easier to manage the staff, bride, and family with both of us there! I think that the Stone Barn at Sebago Lake is a beautiful wedding venue. It’s so unique compared to other wedding barns in our area. It is rustic and elegant at the same time. Even though I had a lot of experience in event planning already, I have learned a lot about what it is like from the perspective of the venue and what roles come along with that. I have enjoyed every event at the barn that I participated in. Gabriella is originally from Westbrook, Maine, but currently lives in Windham. She is off-campus for the fall semester while completing her student teaching.
“ I have learned a lot about what it is like from the perspective of the venue and what roles come along with that.”
FALL 2018 | 7
student spotlight
Ankle Deep Exploration in Flip-Flops
Behind the scenes of a communications internship | BY DYLAN FRY ’19
I experienced a lot more than I had originally bargained for. Not only did we discover three different green frogs, but we also came across one of the biggest snakes I had ever seen face-to-face, a northern water snake. As I wallowed through marsh and swatted away mosquitos on the trek back, I had an absolute blast sitting down (or in this case standing ankle deep) with Garreth Logan and finding out more about him and his research.
The students needed boots to wade through the marsh. A northern water snake slithers by. Photos: Dylan Fry.
Here is an excerpt from Dylan’s article about Garreth:
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hen Garreth Logan ’19 told me he was researching near Sebago Lake, I imagined walking the shoreline, looking under rocks, or even going on a boating excursion. My flip-flops and shorts seemed appropriate for the day ahead, so I donned them and went on my way. But when I arrived at our meeting place, one look of disapproval from Garreth told me that I had made a wardrobe mistake. I looked down with regret at my flip-flops. Garreth informed me that we were headed for a more marsh-like area. It was almost a miracle that he had packed extra boots. Garreth loaned me his extra pair. Better equipped, I sloshed through the wet moss that kept us afloat. Sometimes, the squishy bog gave way and held onto my feet with immense power. With each step, my foot broke free of the muck and the sound of the suction releasing rang out.
“ This Communications internship gave me a lot of valuable work experience and a sizeable portfolio to take with me into the workforce.”
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Garreth Logan ’19 (Casco, ME) devoted time out of his summer for biology research. He said, “I’m mainly doing this to prepare for my senior Capstone Project, which is a project that culminates in a final product or presentation. I’m also seeing if herpetology—the zoological study of reptiles and amphibians—is what I want to pursue.” Garreth trudges and sloshes to the same bog near Sebago Lake every single day to conduct a herpetological survey and to set small traps to catch amphibians and reptiles. For him, it’s an easy process: place trap, plot the point on his GPS, and check back in 24 hours. On this day, he identifies three green frogs and one northern water snake, immediately pulling out his notebook and writing down definitive qualities about them. “To check back in on the traps every 24 hours is actually state law, and it makes sense. I’m not looking to hurt anything; I just want to study and track, you know?” You may read the whole story about Garreth Logan by Dylan Fry at www.sjcme.edu/highlights/garreth-logan-summer-research/
CONNECTIONS is a premier career development program that supports experiential learning and personal growth, while delivering hands-on experience to students during their junior or senior year. Students can receive up to $2,000 in financial support for a qualifying educational experience. See www.sjcme.edu/academics/careerdevelopment/connections/
student spotlight
#Suitelife
A Style of Communal Living | BY REGGIE BOURN ’21
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sk anyone about what they picture as a stereotypical college dorm room, and you’ll hear a number of similar responses. Cramped rooms, bathrooms down the hall, and one or two roommates. Feeney Hall, aka the Suites, differs from this picture by offering apartmentstyle housing for up to eight students. It’s located across from Alfond Hall in an area known as the “Fishbowl”—made up of five available residence halls that form a horseshoe shape. As one of the upperclassmen residence halls, it’s a popular destination on campus and one of two group housing options. Its layout reminded me more of a hotel than the residence halls I’m used to. I sat down with the residents of RA Suite M to try and get a clearer understanding of what it’s like to live there. Meet the guys of Suite M: Spencer Wilkinson ’19 (who serves as the RA or Resident Assistant), William Blagys ’21, Kristopher Mason ’21, Matthew Toth ’20, and Anthony Blatus ’21. Jokes, side comments, and chuckles ensued as I explained the specifics of the interview. Despite the difference in our class years, they made me feel welcome. The main common space is furnished with everything from standard chairs to a gray inflatable seat to a brown couch. The latter was contributed by Kristopher; he explained that it was compact enough to fit in the elevator when moving it to their third floor. Assorted flags, strings of multicolored Christmas lights, and a small calendar added a personal touch to the plain walls.
However, with the number of benefits comes some drawbacks. All of the Suite M residents cite the location of the residence hall and the limited availability of parking. From its spot on the end of the “Fishbowl,” Feeney Hall feels like a long walk from everything, except the turf field, which it overlooks. Suite M explained that they try to limit the number of trips to the other side of campus because of the time spent walking. The apartment-style living of the Suites makes it a popular housing choice. Dean of Campus Life, Matt Goodwin, explained part of the process regarding the selection of residence halls: “Housing selection favors those students who are in good standing with our community— both academically and behaviorally. We do this by identifying a housing “score” for each student who is interested in on-campus housing. The housing score is an algorithm tabulated in conjunction with the Registrar’s Office that takes into account a student’s academic standing (which class you’re in i.e., freshmen, sophomore, etc.), GPA, and status in regards to their personal conduct.” The Director of Residence Life, John Porter, further broke down the specifics of housing selection. “Students who are interested in living in the Suites must fill out and submit an eight-person suite application. The eight students on the application will take their housing scores and find the average. (The Residence Life Office) then takes all of the applications, reviews them continued on p. 45 >
Entrance to Feeney Hall, which faces the “Fishbowl.” Photo: Matt Congdon. The Residents of Suite M (L to R): Spencer Wilkinson ‘19, Anthony Blatus ‘21, Will Blagys ‘21, Kristopher Mason ‘21, and Matthew Toth ‘20. Photo: Reggie Bourn ‘21.
FALL 2018 | 9
student spotlight
Making Their Mark
Peer Mentors serve as a resource for first-year students | BY EMMA JOYCE LEFT Marisa Connors ’20 holds up her hand to reference the Peer Mentors’ logo—a handprint with the slogan, “Make Your Mark” to challenge students to think about their legacy. Photo: Sue Johnson. RIGHT Peer Mentor EmmaRose Mellon ’21, from Temple, New Hampshire, emphasizes that time management is an important skill that many students need to focus on. Photo: Sue Johnson.
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ou’re 18 years old and living on your own for the first time. You need to determine the proper amount of detergent to use for each load of laundry, where to cash checks from your job, and how to ensure enough fruits and vegetables make it onto your plate each day. There are lots of aspects of college that don’t involve philosophy books or chemistry beakers. You might find yourself asking questions and unsure of where to look for answers. What should I do if I feel sick? How much “spending money” should last me a whole semester? What if my car breaks down? Enter Saint Joseph’s College Peer Mentors—the older sisters and brothers you always wished could accompany you on this new life chapter. Peer Mentors are students who want to help first year students settle in at college. They assist new students in moving into their residence halls in August by initiating friendly conversations while lugging suitcases, televisions, and mini refrigerators up stairs. “It can be difficult to adjust to college, especially if you’re not from Maine,” explains Marisa Connors ’20, who is from Alton, New Hampshire. Marisa is serving her second year as a Peer Mentor and also serves as a Resident Advisor for
“ I love the community feel of Saint Joseph’s and becoming a Peer Mentor has allowed me to meet many other people across campus.” 10 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
upperclassmen who live in the suites. “I love the community feel of Saint Joseph’s and becoming a Peer Mentor has allowed me to meet many other people across campus.” The Peer Mentor Program is certified as a Level I and Level II/Advanced Mentoring Program by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), an international organization of learning-assistance professionals. Students receive leadership and professional development training before co-facilitating with a faculty member a onecredit course called First Year Experience (FYE) Seminar (see story p. 4). FYE assists students with critical thinking, reading, and writing skills in addition to areas like self care and budgeting. Peer Mentor Emma-Rose Mellon ’21 emphasizes that time management is an important skill that many students need to focus on. It’s especially critical for her as she balances nursing requirements with lacrosse practices and games. “I like being able to help other students and I love how friendly everyone is here; that was a big reason why I chose Saint Joseph’s.”
THE ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE focuses on student retention and enables the College to consolidate and more effectively utilize academic services. Learn more at sjcme.edu/ace
staff spotlight
Making Connections
Steve McFarland on “Networking, networking, networking” BY PATRICIA ERIKSON
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teve McFarland of Windham, Maine started riding motorcycles when he was seventeen years old. Some of the life lessons that came from those experiences inform his work at Saint Joseph’s. He said, “I love being outside and driving on curvy, open roads. Riding teaches me how to go with the flow. Riding the back roads of Maine, you see beautiful places—lakes and ponds—that you never knew existed. Ironically, motorcycles taught me at an early age that I couldn’t just go fast. I learned that the best way to enjoy it was to slow down and appreciate the beauty–stop and smell the roses kind of thing. When you slow down and find a quiet place, you listen. It allows you to think about what you want to do with your life.” This is good advice, coming from the College’s director of Career Development. “I started my career in chemical engineering in the paper making industry. It was good work, and well-paid work, but I came home one day and asked myself if I felt I was making the positive change in the world that I wanted to make. The answer was no. “I switched to adult education, to working with individuals who had hopes and dreams of achieving their goals and finding better opportunities for themselves and their families. I needed to be a good listener for them and I found much satisfaction in the joy of their successes. “This position at Saint Joseph’s is such a good fit with what I have done my whole professional life. I have devoted myself to helping people improve themselves for better opportunities. “When I stepped into this position, I heard that one of the challenges was to get students to attend Career Development programming. I’m focusing on how to increase student participation by creating incentives and by collaborating with faculty. I collaborate with faculty because they play a key role in reassuring students that this is an important part of their learning process. Many faculty, especially those who teach the First Year Experience classes, are supportive by hosting presentations specific to career development in their classes. “Rather than organize a lot of workshops, I’m trying new types of programming, such as
the ‘Talk with an Employer Tuesdays’ program. Every Tuesday, in front of Pearson’s Cafe at lunchtime, an employer will be present to talk with students, faculty, and staff about their internship and employment opportunities. We started the season with an amazing employer Maine International Trade Center (MITC). MITC is connected to hundreds of organizations in Maine that conduct business all over the world. Consider this: last year, 2,262 Maine companies exported $2.7 billion in goods and services to 176 countries. Wouldn’t you like to work as an intern for MITC? What an opportunity that would be! “I’m also encouraging students to attend offcampus events, such as continued on p. 46 >
OFFICE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT advises students on all aspects of career development and connects them with opportunities for networking, internships, and employment.
Director of Career Development Steve McFarland is an avid motorcyclist who loves adventure in both travel and career exploration. Photos: Patricia Erikson.
FALL 2018 | 11
core values
Following the Mercy Tradition Taking Compassionate Action | REGGIE BOURN ’21 Father Gabriel in Xavier Hall. Photo: Patricia Erikson.
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mbodying the core value of faith at Saint Joseph’s College, the new Campus Chaplain Father Gabriel provides several new opportunities to engage in the Mercy tradition. In his position, Fr. Gabriel serves as a staff member of the Mercy Center, a department centered around ministry, social justice, and community engagement. He plays an active role in a variety of service and social justice initiatives, liturgies, retreats, and provides an active pastoral presence on campus. Both in and out of mass, Father Gabriel loves telling stories about his life and ministry. He is often talking with students around campus and in the cafe. His masses bring a personal touch to them, drawing from stories and experiences to illustrate the gospel message. They also carry a touch of humor; Father Gabriel always manages to get churchgoers to chuckle at some point. He
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maintains an active and compassionate image on campus, and is well-recognized by students everywhere. Remarking on his impressions of the first few weeks at Saint Joseph’s College, Fr. Gabriel said, “I’m happy to be here at the College and in Maine. I love the Mercy tradition as it is so full of compassion. I see compassion everywhere here on campus. I like how the students are being made conscious of the needs of the poor and how they are encouraged to take compassionate action.” Fr. Gabriel holds a PhD in Philosophy from The New School of Social Research in New York City. A native of Kenya, he was ordained as a priest and served in the Archdiocese of Nyeri, Kenya. He also served as Vice Rector and Dean of Students at Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri until 1994 when he came to the United
“ I see compassion everywhere here on campus. I like how the students are being made conscious of the needs of the poor and how they are encouraged to take compassionate action.”
States. There, Fr. Gabriel celebrated mass in several parishes in the New York metropolitan area and worked as an adjunct faculty member at Dowling College and Saint John’s University, and as a chaplain at Molloy College. He is well versed in higher education, having studied at several institutes in Kenya, Spain, and the United States. Fr. Gabriel celebrates the Mass daily at 11:45 AM and on Sunday nights at 7:00 PM. Several smaller blessings and ceremonies are observed throughout the semester, such as the Blessing of the Animals on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. He also sends emails reflecting on the daily Gospel. “I love being a priest,” said Fr. Gabriel. “Most of all, I love celebrating Mass, but I also enjoy being connected with people. You become part of people’s lives.”
Lexi Frost ’20 reading at the Education Blessing Ceremony. Photo: Susan Johnson. Father Gabriel celebrating his first mass on campus with Deacon John McAuliffe. Photo: Emma Joyce.
THE MERCY CENTER is a gathering place for prayer, learning, and service, providing interdepartmental connections to create co-curricular models of the intellectual, spiritual, and socially responsible life that the College nurtures. The Center is a place of intellectual and spiritual inquiry and nourishment. It links faculty and students with community partners in mutually supportive relationships that enhance the distinctive Mercy character of a Saint Joseph’s education.
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Moon Landing, Flower Power, and Women’s Rights Margaret Morrissette LeTourneau ’70 describes life as a college student during the radical change of the late 1960s | BY EMMA JOYCE
SJC students hold signs saying “Stop the War” and “Peace” during a vigil in the 1969-70 school year. Photo: courtesy of Shield Yearbook. 14 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
Margaret says the entrance to Xavier Hall is “where we chatted, met our dates, and invited the world into the charm of Saint Joseph’s.” Photo: Emma Joyce. Xavier’s first floor lounge was and continues to be used as a gathering space for the College. In this photo from the 1969 yearbook, Margaret is seated in the third chair from the right. Photo: courtesy of Shield Yearbook.
“I
t was such an honor and privilege to be selected to live in Xavier Hall,” says Margaret Morrissette LeTourneau ’70 as she looks across Xavier’s first floor lounge. Forty years have passed since she has visited campus and on this sunny afternoon in August 2018 she feels transported back to the 1960s.
“You felt charm upon entering Xavier. It was used for entertaining purposes. Lovely wingedback chairs were arranged over here for private chats,” she explains while motioning to an area near the windows. “We held so many functions in this room—Parents’ Weekend, lectures with political guests, musical ensembles, and plays. We enjoyed listening to the excellent student singing group called The Miss Demeanors.” During Margaret’s years at Saint Joseph’s from 1966-1970, for special functions the well-mannered ladies wore white gloves, sipped tea, and exemplified gentility. They gathered in Xavier for social events, reveling in the esteem of such a well furnished building with its plush couches, thick carpets, and winding staircase. “Everything was done with great thought and detail. It was dignified and serene, but also had a sense of comfort,” she says. Xavier, the College’s iconic Tudor-style building, was part of the original Verrill estate. The Sisters of Mercy purchased the estate in order to move the College from Portland to Standish in 1956 (see story p. 16). Although the first floor lounge remains a gathering location for the campus community, the rest of the building has been repurposed for administrative offices. Margaret’s bedroom during her senior year was located on the second floor of Xavier, which
now serves as the President’s Office. “My room was elegant. It had a fireplace, a private bath, and it overlooked Sebago Lake and the White Mountains. Sister Mary Monica lived next door to me and she was a doll! She never complained about late hours, late night chats, or music. We were all very close with the Sisters. You could talk with them. If you missed class, it did not go unnoticed. Many times there would be a knock on your door to see if you were okay.” Margaret says that she and her classmates were not rabble-rousers—at least most of the time.
Margaret’s senior photo. Photo: courtesy of Shield Yearbook.
“I was in favor of the college going co-ed and I spoke at the debate... I was so nervous. Many people were not ready for the change, but I knew it was the right thing to do.” They respected the College, worked hard, and challenged themselves with demanding intellectual pursuits. Yet, by the late ’60s the world was changing. Activism related to women’s rights, the Vietnam War, and racial desegregation swept across the nation. Tie-dye-clad free spirits convened in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury District during Summer of Love in ’67 and at Woodstock in ’69. During Margaret’s continued on p. 46 > FALL 2018 | 15
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Stained glass windows depicting Saint John the Evangelist, formerly installed in the stone building that once served as the chapel for the Verrill family. Photo: Patricia Erikson.
Divine Intervention Two Sisters of Mercy, two stained glass windows, and a decision that changed everything. | PATRICIA ERIKSON
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or the Aztecs, it was the prophecy of an eagle, perched on a prickly pear cactus and devouring a snake. For Brigham Young and the Latter Day Saints, it was a dream about a barren valley skirted with timber. For two Sisters of Mercy, it was two stained glass windows whose names mirrored their own. Mexico City. Salt Lake City. The Saint Joseph’s College campus on Sebago Lake. All three locations are thought to have their location influenced by divine inspiration. When College Archivist Sister Mary George O’Toole tells the story of how Saint Joseph’s College moved from its original home in Portland, Maine to the shore of Sebago Lake, the audience settles into their seats to enjoy a raconteur at work. As the local expert on College history, Sister 16 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
Mary George makes sure her audience knows that Saint Joseph’s College, like many institutions, has varied its name over time. Originally established in Portland in 1912 as St. Joseph’s College & Academy–and known for a few years as College of Our Lady of Mercy–the College has remained “Saint Joseph’s” since 1956. Sister Mary George sets the stage for her listeners, “In the mid 1950s, the college faced a challenge: it was squeezed into a small building on the grounds of the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse, a location known for its striking, gold-domed brick building on Stevens Avenue in Portland. Looking far afield for ample real estate, Monsignor George Johnson suggested that he and two Sisters of Mercy–Mother Mary Evanglist and Mother Mary Edwina–travel to Standish to evaluate the gentle-
The real estate agent took the Sisters to see the small stone chapel. The rest is history.
man’s estate of Harry M. Verrill as a potential site for relocation.” Sister Mary George then lists off what the scouting trio would have discovered: two buildings–a manor home (now Xavier Hall) and a stone cottage (now St. George Hall)–the pond, orchards, and the lake. A lovely estate overall. Sister Mary George continues. “After seeing all of this, it was time to go home. They certainly didn’t acknowledge that they were interested in purchasing this estate in the first place. It didn’t seem right. And then, the real estate agent asked, ‘Would you like to see Mrs. Verrill’s chapel?’ No nun in her right mind is going to say, ‘No, we don’t want to see the chapel, we have to get home. It’s almost time for supper and prayers.’ Being good sisters they said, ‘of course.’ And the real estate agent took them to the small stone chapel tucked on the hillside sloping toward the lake.” “Sister Mary Evangelist and Sister Mary Edwina go through the front door of the chapel and, lo and behold, Mrs. Verrill’s chapel has two stained glass windows. Usually churches and chapels have stained glass windows which depict scenes
This stained glass window of Saint Edward the Confessor and its companion window played an apocryphal role in the decision to move the College to its Standish location. Photo: Patricia Erikson. Sister Mary Evangelist was photographed at her 50th Jubilee with Monsignors Leary, Boltz, Johnson, Feeney, McCunnen, Ward, and Clancy. Photo: courtesy of Mercy Heritage Center. Sister Edwina. Photo: courtesy of Mercy Heritage Center.
of figures important to the development of the church. They were used as teaching instruments in order to help people because literacy was not at a high rate in centuries past. The Catholic Church observes hundreds and hundreds of saints. ” Sister Mary George looks upward and encourages her audience to imagine the stained continued on p. 48 > glass windows that the FALL 2018 | 17
ca. 5000 B.C.
1789
ca. 1812
ca. 1850
Graphic of Wabanaki stone point represents the dozens of archeological sites that document indigenous life across millennia and around the lake (none discovered on SJC property)
George Washington Inaugural button in stamped brass
Whale oil lamp
“43” clay pipe
Sebago Lake Home over the Centuries
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ca. 1850s
ca. 1840-1860s
ca. 1920s
ca. 1940s
DM&Co. Padlock
Johnson’s American Anodyne Liniment bottle, hand blown
“ Charles of the Ritz” compact
“Save-A-Dime” personal bank
Before the Sisters of Mercy moved Saint Joseph’s College to Standish in 1956, the shore of Sebago Lake served for millenia as a desirable place for families to eke out a living. Who has lived here over time?
Artifacts pictured here (with exception of stone point graphic) are from Professor Steven Bridge’s “Unearthed: Storied Artifacts & Remarkable Predecessors of the Saint Joseph’s College Campus,” (Saint Joseph’s College Press, 2016). Available on Amazon, this historical account offers answers to “who lived here over time?” FALL 2018 | 19
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Avery Liotta-Henderson ’19, from inside of one of the fume hoods in Saint Joseph’s MacBride Advanced Chemistry Laboratory.
Looking for a Cure At home in the laboratory with Avery Liotta-Henderson ’19 BY PATRICIA ERIKSON
A
lthough the climate-controlled air in the MacBride Advanced Chemistry Laboratory runs cold, the smiles that welcome visitors are warm. Avery Liotta-Henderson ’19 (Waterbury, CT) puts down three vials of imines and steps away from the hoods for an interview. He and his mentor, Dr. Yi Jin Gorske, wear white lab coats, safety glasses, and gloves. Avery shares, “My passion for science started with an interest in space science because my stepgrandfather was part of the team that designed the Hubble Space Telescope. Then, another grandfather has rheumatoid arthritis. This led to my interest in medicine and genetics. Watching that suffering, I thought, there has to be a cure. The pain of seeing someone you love deteriorate slowly made me want to help. But, there is no cure for arthritis. There is just chemotherapy and a treatment to block pain receptors. So, I read medicinal chemistry literature a lot.
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“Here, at Saint Joseph’s, I am currently enrolled in Biology Seminar and Research, and for my senior project I thought, I’m interested in antibiotics and making drugs. Who can I work with? Dr. Yi Jin Gorske was my professor for Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry and so I asked her about her summer plans and if she was interested in having me work with her.” Avery posed the right question to the right professor. A synthetic organic chemist by training, Dr. Gorske worked for three years as a medicinal chemist at PTC Therapeutics in New Jersey in drug discovery after receiving her PhD from the University of Madison-Wisconsin. Dr. Gorske recalls Avery approaching her. “I told him how my research is about a synthetic method toward incorporating medium-sized rings into molecules. These medium-sized rings are hard to make efficiently and so it is rarely used in synthesizing drugs. We are using a
“ The pain of seeing someone you love deteriorate slowly made me want to help.”
structure known as the beta-lactam as a template from which we plan to build these medium-sized rings. Beta-lactams are primarily found in many commonly prescribed antibiotics, such as the penicillins.” Avery remembers. “At first, in the laboratory, I was very nervous and I thought, I can’t do this. I didn’t want to mess things up which, of course, makes you mess things up. I feel comfortable now. The laboratory is another home. The lab is homey for me. I know that I can do this, no problem.” Avery quickly sketches these “rings” and explains why different elements on it are important: “Adding other atoms around the betalactam can play an important role in what it does biologically. For example, the position of a sulfur atom around the beta-lactam can play an important role. When sulfur is on one side of the ring, it acts as an antibiotic; whereas, when the sulfur is relocated to another part of the beta-lactam, the ring may lose that activity or gain other biological functions.” Dr. Gorske nods. “Avery is passionate about the world of drug discovery. This is a good starting place for him to gain experience doing fundamental research. It’s important to gain these hands-on skills in learning how to synthesize, isolate, and purify compounds. He routinely sets up reactions, including those that are sensitive to moisture and air, so by gaining experience with these sensitive techniques, he will be well prepared for graduate school. This type of research opportunity is an extremely valuable experi-
ence for our science students, and particularly important to those students who want to pursue scientific research in the future. It’s great that this type of support is available to all students.” Avery adjusts his safety glasses. “I’m spending all of my time in the laboratory. I’m trying to decide between research and getting a job. The Connections Program has been tremendous for me. All of this wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”
Using Connections Program funding, Avery Liotta-Henderson ’19 spent the summer working for Dr. Yi Jin Gorske in the MacBride Advanced Chemistry Laboratory. Avery Liotta-Henderson holds three vials of imines, powdery crystals used in the research process. Photos: Patricia Erikson.
DR. ROBERT “BOB” MACBRIDE LABORATORY With a large gathering of family members present in April of 2017, the MacBride chemistry laboratory was dedicated in memory of Dr. Robert “Bob” MacBride, former member and Chair of the Board of Trustees from 1998-2008. The dedication of the newly-renovated laboratory honored MacBride’s commitment to strong science education and the health and well-being of Saint Joseph’s College. If your family is interested in dedicating new spaces at Saint Joseph’s College in the name of a loved one, please contact Joanne Bean in the Office of Advancement at jbean@sjcme.edu. FALL 2018 | 21
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NOH8
A campaign to reinforce Saint Joseph’s as a welcoming community | BY EMMA JOYCE
By extending their presence to athletic contests, the NOH8 campaign received greater visibility. Announcers even spread news about the campaign to fans watching online through the Monks’ live stream service. Photo: David Bates.
T
hree friendly canine assistants wag their tails and affably smile with their pink tongues lolling out. A hound mix named Olive and two terriers named Elsie and Francie welcome students who visit the Counseling Center in Saint Joseph’s Hall. With ambiance of muted light, throw rugs, and inspirational decorative signs, the offices for counselors Liz Wiesen, David Lischer, and Angie Moorman
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create a calm environment. The Counseling Center provides training, consultation, assessments, and therapy to students. In August of 2017 the center recognized an opportunity to extend their messaging about inclusiveness beyond their office walls. With support from fellow staff, faculty, and students, they launched a movement to emphasize the importance of respect and civility called Stand Up 2 H8, or NOH8 for short. While other organizations have used similar messaging, this campaign is specific to the College and not affiliated with any national groups. Students now live in a world of constant communication where Snaps and Insta Stories containing information about hate-filled national events remain just a finger swipe away. Online and offline, discourse has become increasingly volatile on a global level. NOH8’s mission is to emphasize civility, challenge disrespectful behaviors, and to uphold the College’s Core Values of Faith, Excellence, Integrity, Community, Respect, Compassion, and Justice. The most recent Campus Safety and Security Report (for Reporting Year 2016) shows that zero hate crimes were reported at Saint Joseph’s in 2014, 2015, and 2016. “The initiative was not formed in response to any incident on campus,” explained Counseling Center Director Liz Wiesen, but rather, “serves as a proactive approach to ensuring that the Saint Joseph’s community remains a place where all people are free to work and learn without fear of humiliation, intimidation, discrimination, or harm.” (See related story p. 24.) Through tabling events at lunch in Pearson’s Cafe, and at fairs for wellness and sustainability, members of the NOH8 working group have shared information about how to create welcoming environments. Katie Hunter ’20, who is majoring in psychology, volunteered at some of these events. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to have campaigns like this on college campuses everywhere. Not only does it promote friendly behaviors, but it also promotes safe
“The initiative was not formed in response to any incident on campus…It serves as a proactive approach to ensuring that the Saint Joseph’s community remains a place where all people are free to work and learn without fear of humiliation, intimidation, discrimination, or harm.” behaviors, which is just as important and is often overlooked,” she said. Students, faculty, and staff were given the opportunity to pledge to stand up to hate by filling out a piece of paper that was added to a decorative tree. So far, over 500 people have pledged. David Tuttle ’21, who is majoring in sports communications, has volunteered with the NOH8 campaign, dressing up as the College’s lake-inspired character “Blue” at athletic contests because, he said, “I have always been a firm believer in equality, no matter the circumstances.
COUNSELING CENTER The Saint Joseph’s Counseling Center provides services that promote the personal development and psychological well-being of students. Learn more: www.sjcme.edu/counseling-center
We are all people sharing the space given to us on this planet and each person has the freedom to make decisions despite what others say about them. By wearing the costume at select sports events on campus, I feel that in a way I am representing the school throughout the campaign, almost as an ambassador.” The NOH8 Committee provided the men’s basketball team with warm-up t-shirts and even brought an ice cream truck to a softball game. Swag, such as hats, stickers, beads, and signs are the first iteration of awareness, deployed to generate visibility and energy for the campaign. They hope to build on the momentum gained last year by focusing future events on how to respond as a bystander to mean-spirited words of intolerance. For students like David Tuttle, creating a “home away from home” is an integral part of the college experience. “Beliefs can bring us together, or divide us. But in the end, we have to accept that not everyone is going to think or act the same way as we do. That is what makes everyone unique in their own way,” he said.
David Tuttle ’21, who is majoring in sports communications, has volunteered with the NOH8 campaign, dressing up as the College’s character “Blue” at athletic contests. Photo: courtesy of NOH8 Campaign.
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“Writing about solutions, especially prevention strategies, can help shift perceptions of sexual violence as being the result of risky or random inevitabilities to a focus on rates, prevention, and causes of violence.” - National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Sexual Violence is Not Inevitable With funding from the Department of Justice, Saint Joseph’s College invests in preventative strategies | BY PATRICIA ERIKSON
N
ational statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrate that in the United States one in five women (19.1% or an estimated 23 million women) experienced completed or attempted rape at some point in their lives. One in three women (36.3%) experienced some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime. Men are not immune from this violence; although at a dramatically lower rate—1 in 17—men experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetime.1 Yet, nationally, rape is the most underreported crime; studies show that a whopping 63% of rapes go unreported to police.2 For many years, Saint Joseph’s College has incorporated sexual violence prevention programming into the onboarding of new students and new employees. The athletics program has followed NCAA’s prevention protocol. And yet, even a small, rural college with a tight-knit community and a strong social justice ethos like Saint Joseph’s experiences cases of sexual misconduct 3, albeit at lower rates than other campuses. Between 2014 and 2017, five cases of forcible rape were reported at Saint Joseph’s College.4 For Saint Joseph’s College–a Sisters of Mercy institution with a commitment to nonviolence– the imperative to address this national social epidemic proactively is clear, not only to benefit the safety of the community now, but also to prepare our graduates to make positive contributions to society at large as they disperse after graduation 24 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
(see story p. 22 and sidebar p. 25). “We’re not satisfied with the results of our current prevention efforts. Our mission calls for the creation of a safe and just place for all. We need to do more,” said President James Dlugos. Now, with the assistance of significant federal funding, the College is stepping up its preventative programming. This year, the United States Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women awarded Saint Joseph’s College a three-year $299,884 grant to fund programming that enhances prevention of, awareness of, and response to a range of sexual misconduct that can occur in the community, including: sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. “We have been given an extraordinary opportunity to address such an important issue,” said Dr. Matthew Goodwin, Dean of Campus Life and Title IX Officer. “Educating, training, and empowering students, faculty, and staff to ultimately end sexual violence and harassment is not only the intent of the grant, it’s also a moral responsibility connected to our College’s spiritual identity.” The grant-funded programming plans to provide all members of the College community–students, faculty, and staff alike–with skills to recognize, intervene, prevent, and report all forms of sexual violence. Against the backdrop of a long history where sexual assault is a taboo
A group of students chose to walk out of class this fall as a form of protest to call attention to the widespread nature of sexual violence. They shared some of their thoughts about the decision to walk out. Megan Lenihan ‘22 said, “Sexual violence is an issue that needs attention. I have grown up in a world where parents teach their daughters to never walk alone late at night, don’t accept drinks from strangers, and always tell someone when you go on a date and where you are going. I’ve seen boys taught that they are too strong to be victims. We can’t let this issue become normalized or for people to become desensitized to it.” Katerina Britton ‘21 said, “I think violence—whether it be gender, physical, mental, etc.—should be something to be aware of in our community. When I went to high school a lot of students didn’t feel comfortable reaching out for help; they thought it was stupid or immature. I want to be an advocate for the mental health.”
topic, the DOJ programming also educates community members on how to practice the effective measures for preventing sexual violence and how to become more skilled at discussing issues related to sexual assault. This latter goal–developing the skills to discuss the issue while remaining grounded in knowledge and civility–couldn’t be more timely. Over the past year, the #metoo movement nationwide has disrupted at least some of the silence surrounding this social epidemic of violence, particularly in the workplace. Allegations and convictions of sexual violence have rocked the high-profile worlds of sports, entertainment, religion, media, and government, to name a few, bringing unprecedented media attention to the issue. Regardless of how one feels about the nature of or the outcome of the recent Supreme Court hearings, what is clear is that the issue of sexual assault became entangled in partisan feuding on a national stage and threatened to divert the conversation away from the statistical realities that are only now garnering widespread attention. “With the Department of Justice funding, Saint Joseph’s College is positioned to make an important contribution,” said President Jim Dlugos. “Sexual misconduct is a public health issue and a social justice issue. The call to action is clear. As a higher education institution, we can help educate our students about the need for and nuances of consent, about warning signs and how to continued on p. 47 > intervene as a bystander,
All Sisters of Mercy trace their roots back 175 years to founder Catherine McAuley, an Irish Catholic laywoman. Spending her inheritance, Catherine McAuley opened the House of Mercy on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland on September 24, 1827, a place to shelter and educate people–especially “distressed” women and girls–who were poor, sick and uneducated. Recognizing the importance of her work, the Archbishop of Dublin advised McAuley to establish
a religious congregation; in 1831, Catherine and two companions became the first Sisters of Mercy. Their order spread quickly throughout Ireland and England. Then in 1843, invited by the Bishop of Pittsburgh, Mother Frances Xavier Warde and six other Sisters of Mercy from Ireland arrived in the United States. By 1854, sisters from Ireland had also settled in New York City, Chicago, Little Rock, and San Francisco, establishing schools and hospitals. Today, more than 2,900 Sisters of Mercy of the Americas devote their lives to serving those in need in North, South, and Central America, the Caribbean, Guam, and the Philippines.
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giving highlight
BUILDING A LEGACY AT SAINT JOSEPH’S COLLEGE Giving Highlight: Charitable Gift Annuity
“ Charitable gift annuity rates just increased. A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you and Saint Joseph’s College where you make an irrevocable transfer of cash, marketable securities, or other approved assets. In return, the College agrees to make fixed payments to you–varying from 5.1-8.3%, depending upon age—for the remainder of your life.” —Nate Kaunley BENEFITS • Receive fixed payments for life; • Tax deduction benefits; • Choose a one or two life annuity; • Build a legacy and fulfill the SJC mission; • Nurture intellectual, spiritual, and social growth of students.
Planned Giving and Major Gifts officer Nate Kaunley. Photo: Matthew Congdon.
Consider building a legacy at Saint Joseph’s College by adding Saint Joseph’s College to your will or trust. If you have any questions about giving, please call or email our Planned Giving and Major Gifts Officer, Nate Kaunley at 207-893-7899 or nkaunley@sjcme.edu
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monks news
Photo: Eric Tirrell
Jon Roberts Named Head Volleyball Coach
One of the most respected volleyball coaches in the region joins SJC | BY COREY MCCARTHY
S
enior Director of Athletics Brian Curtin announced in July the hiring of Jon Roberts as the Monks’ head women’s volleyball coach. One of the most respected high school and club volleyball coaches in the region, Roberts is the first full-time head coach in the 38-year history of the SJC women’s volleyball program. Roberts comes to Saint Joseph’s after serving as the head coach of the Scarborough High School girls volleyball program for the last eight years. Roberts also coached for the Maine Juniors Volleyball Club for eight years and took on the role of Volleyball Technical Director for the club in 2015. “Saint Joseph’s has made a significant commitment to the success of the volleyball program with the creation of this new position,” added Roberts. “There is a great history of successful sports teams on campus and I am excited to build the volleyball program up to that level.” At Scarborough, Roberts led the Red Storm to a pair of Class A Maine State Championships, five State Championship appearances, and trips to the postseason on eight occasions in as many
years. He was recognized as the Maine Volleyball Coaches Association Class A Coach of the Year twice with a pair of Portland Press Herald High School Volleyball Coach of the Year honors. “We are excited to have Jon join our staff,” adds Curtin. “He brings a thoughtful, professional approach to his coaching and has a genuine desire to help students grow and help the sport grow.”
Photo: David Bates. FALL 2018 | 27
monks news
Saint Joseph’s receives NCAA Division III Internship grant Dunlap named Assistant SID
| BY COREY MCCARTHY
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aint Joseph’s College was selected this year as a recipient of a two-year NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant, which provides funding for entry-level administrative positions to encourage the long-term success of ethnic minorities and women. Through the grant funding, Megan Dunlap ’18 was named as Assistant Sports Information Director and began her two-year stint in June. Dunlap, a graduate of the B.S. in Communications with a focus in New Media program, served as a Sports Information intern for three years under the watch of Corey McCarthy, Assistant Athletics Director for Communication & Game Management. “I am thrilled to have Megan join the Saint Joseph’s Athletics staff,” adds McCarthy. “Megan is a well-rounded individual who has considerable expertise in the areas of graphic design and vid-
“ The NCAA orientation and training in Indianapolis was extremely valuable.”—Megan Dunlap
Photos: David Bates.
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eography. She will undoubtedly be a tremendous addition to the athletics department.” Dunlap also worked as a Design Intern for Portland Magazine during the summer of 2017 and completed an internship at Hot 104.7 FM, a local radio station based out of Scarborough, during the summer months in 2016. She also double-minored in Video Production and Business Administration at Saint Joseph’s. In her new role, Dunlap serves as the coordinator of the SJC student event staff, manages the Monks’ social media efforts, works with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) to help promote events, and serves as a member of the Academic Athletic Working Group on campus. The NCAA grant requires the designation of a primary mentor; Patricia Erikson, the Director of Communications & Government Relations at Saint Joseph’s, will serve in this role, meeting with Dunlap on a regular basis and assisting with her professional development.
monks news
Photos: David Bates.
Dick Bailey Notches 600th Career Victory | BY COREY MCCARTHY
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oftball Co-Head Coach Dick Bailey notched the 600th win of his esteemed career when the Monks swept Albertus Magnus College with 9-1 and 6-2 triumphs in New Haven, Connecticut this spring. Bailey, who headed up the Monks for 11 seasons (1985-95), is now 600-380 (.612) during 29 years as a collegiate softball coach. Appointed as a co-head coach at Saint Joseph’s prior to the 2013 season, Bailey was 244-101 (.707) in his first stint at SJC, added two wins at Westbrook College in 1996, and posted a 197177 (.527) record in 13 seasons (1997-09) as the head coach at Colby College. In his current role, Bailey has accumulated a 157-84 (.651) record in nearly six full seasons while sharing
the coaching duties with fellow Co-Head Coach Jamie Smyth ’92. In 11 seasons (1985-95) as the SJC head coach, Bailey notched six conference championships, four NAIA New England Championships and one NAIA Northeast Championship, which resulted in the program’s first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 1994. Bailey’s Monks won 20 or more games nine times and broke the single-season wins mark six times while he was at the helm. Saint Joseph’s follows the NCAA guidelines on co-head coach won-loss records, guidelines that clarify when and how individuals designated with the “co” title earn credit for results (NCAA Statistics Policies and Guidelines: 5). FALL 2018 | 29
monks news
Photos: David Bates.
Will Sanborn Joins 700-Victory Club
Becomes sixth New England baseball coach to reach milestone BY COREY MCCARTHY
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ith a 4-3 walk-off win over Rivier University this spring, Saint Joseph’s College Baseball Head Coach Will Sanborn ’86 notched the 700th victory of his collegiate career. Sanborn, who recently completed his 26th season as the Monks’ skipper, is the winningest head coach in Saint Joseph’s College Athletics history and the first to reach the 700-victory mark. Now 715-377-5 (.655) over the course of his career, Sanborn is just the 37th individual to record 700 or more victories in the history of NCAA DIII Baseball. He is the sixth New England coach to hit the milestone and joins Ed Flaherty (Southern Maine)
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and John Casey (Tufts) as one of three active DIII Baseball coaches who have surpassed the 700-victory mark. Sanborn holds the third-highest winning percentage (.655) among the eight New England coaching legends and is the only skipper on the list to have coached fewer than 30 seasons. During his 25 years as the Monks’ skipper, Sanborn has won 20 championships, including 15 conference crowns and five NAIA New England titles, with 23 winning seasons. Saint Joseph’s has reached the 25-victory plateau in 19 of Sanborn’s 26 years and posted 30 or more wins on 12 occasions.
monks news
Jamie Smyth Registers 500th Career Victory Becomes winningest coach in Monks softball history BY COREY MCCARTHY
W
ith a 9-0 win at Lasell College this spring, Saint Joseph’s College Softball Head Coach Jamie Smyth ’92 registered the 500th victory of his collegiate career. Smyth, who just finished his 21st season at the helm for the Monks, is the winningest coach in Monks Softball history and the fourth skipper in the 48-year history of Saint Joseph’s College Athletics to record 500 career wins. Smyth joins baseball Head Coach Will Sanborn ’86 (715), women’s basketball Head Coach Mike McDevitt ’83 (603), and former men’s basketball Head Coach Rick Simonds (504) on the exclusive 500-victory list.
In 21 years as the SJC clipboard carrier, Smyth has won eight championships with 17 winning seasons and seventeen 20-win campaigns. His teams have reached the 30-win plateau in six different seasons and won four-consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships (2011-14) with NCAA Tournament berths following each title run. Smyth, who has also served as the head coach of the Monks’ golf program for the last 14 seasons, reached the 400-win plateau when his Monks defeated Suffolk University, 5-4, on March 29th, 2014.
Photos: David Bates. FALL 2018 | 31
alumni news
Welcome to the Family
Office of Institutional Advancement welcomes new team members the department. As a native New Englander, Caroline decided to move back east in 2016 and leave the cheese curds behind. She accepted a job at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire as their development associate, handling donor fundraising. Caroline is very excited to return to higher education and join the team at Saint Joseph’s!
Caroline Golja joined the Office of Institutional Advancement at Saint Joseph’s College in April as the new advancement officer. She graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and a minor in Museum Studies. During her time at school, she worked in the Development and Alumni Relations Office, first as a student caller and then later with the alumni team. After graduation, she stayed at the college and officially joined
Nate Kaunley is the new planned giving and major gifts officer at Saint Joseph’s College. Nate comes to the College after working twelve years in international development and sustainability. He spent the majority of his time working in East Africa and Central America. During his time in the international development
2018–2019 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Jeffrey Yaeger ’04, Chair Stephanie M. Briggs ’98, ’14, Vice Chair June A. Irvine ’09, Treasurer Matthew Cotreau ’10, Secretary Pamela Aliberti ‘65 Aubrey E. Baum ’08 Ellis P. Baum ’98 Mary C. Campbell ’85 Susan B. Dearborn ’86 Kaitlyn L. Morse ’09 Donna M. O’Brien ’87
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sector, Nate cultivated major donors, important partnerships, and led significant programmatic initiatives. He specialized in sustainability strategy and implantation of for-profit endeavors within the nonprofit sector. Nate and his wife Becky have three children (with one on the way) and are excited to return to Maine, closer to family. In his spare time, Nate enjoys running, climbing, and camping with his family. Nate is excited to be at Saint Joseph’s College and points to the innovation, sustainable initiatives, and strong history in the Mercy tradition that will allow him to serve the college well.
Stephanie Feyler joined the Office of Institutional Advancement at Saint Joseph’s College in July as the director of alumni services and development. She is a graduate of Wilmington University in Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. In her role at SJC, she will work closely with the Alumni Board and advancement team to strengthen alumni relationships and their experiences with SJC while building a strong giving program. Prior to joining SJC, she served 17 years with the American Cancer Society where as the senior manager of community development for the Delmarva Peninsula, focusing on fundraising, volunteer recruitment, constituent relationship management and event development. Stephanie and her husband, Craig (a Maine native), are thrilled to have relocated to the Gorham area with their children, Jillian and Nolan. Photos: (above, left and right) Emma Joyce; (left) Patricia Erikson
alumni gatherings
Mark Your Calendars SAINT JOSEPH’S COLLEGE NIGHT WITH THE MAINE RED CLAWS Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Maine Red Claws invite you to SJC Night at The Portland Expo on Thursday, November 15, 2018 as the Maine Red Claws take on the Raptors 905. Gates open at 6:00 p.m and the game starts at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to sport your favorite Monks gear! Tickets can be purchased at groupmatics.events/sjc BASEBALL HOT STOVE AUCTION Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. (Snow Date: January 13 at noon) Pearson’s Cafe, Mercy Hall The Saint Joseph’s College Baseball program will host the 15th Annual Hot Stove Auction. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Monks’ spring trip to Florida, as well as the major fundraising campaign to upgrade the baseball facilities at Larry Mahaney Diamond. The event is free for all to attend. Photos: (clockwise from top) Sara Beard Buckley; Ashlee Clements; Jeff Scher; Sara Beard Buckley
ICE BAR 2019 Saturday, February 2, 2019 Join us for the 8th Annual Ice Bar & Lounge Our annual Ice Bar tradition brings together fire, ice, and good friends with an ice bar, fire pits, and cozy indoor lounge. This is a 21+ event open to alumni, friends, and our local community. Fun winter attire is encouraged. All proceeds benefit the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Tickets will be available online starting December 15. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS Saturday, May 4, 2019 Stone Barn at Sebago Lake Saint Joseph’s College The College will celebrate one of its time honored traditions at the 4th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner. Please submit nominations for the 2019 Alumni Awards at www. sjcme.edu/alumni-nominations.
ALUMNI WEEKEND Friday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28, 2019 Saint Joseph’s College Campus and Casco Bay Cruise Mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend! Spend a great weekend on our beautiful campus catching up and making memories! Don’t forget this year’s reunion classes end in 4 and 9.
FALL 2018 | 33
scene and noted
RIGHT Members of the Class of ‘68 were inducted into the Walton Street Society. L to R: Rosemary Miller Conway ‘68, Concetta Porcielle Young ‘68, Camille Vollaro ‘68, Karen Daly ‘68, William Buzanoski, Martha Coury Patterson ‘68, Neal Patterson, Paulette St. Ours ‘68, Marybeth Yeagher McNamee ‘68, Sandra Kearns Bowen ‘68, Barbara Sullivan ‘68, Leslie Gallerani Hested ‘68, Jim Hested, Deborah Kelleher Hazlin ‘68, and John Hazlin. Photo: Jeff Scher. BELOW L to R: Courtney Dyer O’Reilly ‘08, Kim Wallace ‘08, President Jim Dlugos, and Lisa McIntyre ‘08. Photo: Jeff Scher.
Alumni Weekend 2018 ABOVE L to R: Roger Carroll, Joyce
Kapalko Carroll ‘63, Alexi Tonas ‘19, Pat Crowe Gould ‘63, and Alan Gould. Photo: Ashlee Clements. RIGHT L to R: Carol Ward ‘83, Jennifer Ward, and Caitlin Ward. Photo: Jeff Scher.
BY STEPHANIE FEYLER
Thank you to all Saint Joseph’s College alumni who joined us for a wonderful Alumni Weekend 2018! From dancing on the boat of the Portland Discovery during the Welcome Back Cruise to dining on lobster at a lakeside dinner, alumni enjoyed reminiscing about their memorable college years. Be sure to save the date for Alumni Weekend 2019 – July 26-28!
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scene and noted
Alumni enjoy a gorgeous sunset over Sebago Lake!
The family of Gloria Gallant ‘49 (who passed away in December 2017) pose with President Dlugos following a celebration that honored Gloria’s legacy to the College. Gloria’s beautiful smile, wit, love of dancing, and zest for life will forever be remembered at Saint Joseph’s. Photo: Ashlee Clements Helen Small ‘63. Photo: Jeff Scher
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scene and noted
A Swinging Success
Golfers bring their A game to the Annual Golf Classic BY STEPHANIE FEYLER
O
ne hundred and nineteen players teed off for the 2018 SJC Alumni and Friends Golf Classic at the Spring Meadows Golf Club in Gray, Maine, on September 14. Sunny weather and blue skies offered ideal conditions for a Friday round on the green. Players took advantage of on-course contests such as the ball cannon, corn hole, and putting. An awards ceremony and buffet lunch followed. This golf classic is one of the Athletics Department’s largest and longestrunning annual fundraisers. Proceeds from past golf classics have supported enhancements such as outdoor scoreboards, collapsible bleachers on the pool deck, and a graduate assistantship in the athletic training room. Photos: Ashlee Clements
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Thank you to everyone involved in this year’s event and congratulations to our award winners! WINNERS (photos top to bottom) 1st Place Gross Ryan Godin ’17, Jim Caron, Mike Caron, Dave Larose 2nd Place Gross Corey Greenleaf ’16, Zack Graham ’16, Corey McNamara ’16, Alex Hoyt 1st Place Net Ray Convery, Brad Pollard, Michael McDevitt, Mike McDevitt ’83 2nd Place Net Mike Coffin, Bob Baiguy, Eric Curtis ’98
scene and noted
Hall of Fame
| BY COREY MCCARTHY
The 2018 Saint Joseph’s College Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony was held on Saturday, September 15, 2018. This event honors past athletes, faculty, staff, and friends who have brought distinction through athletics to themselves and to the College. Consideration is also given to good sportsmanship, academic achievement, and citizenship. This year’s inductees included:
Charles Warren ’88 A two-time All-Conference basketball honoree, Warren enters the hall ranked third in team history in games (118), fifth in free throws made (387), eighth infield goal percentage (.552), 12th in rebounds (637), and 17th in points (1,287). Warren is best remembered for converting a three-point play with two seconds left to lift the Monks past Castleton, 75-74, in the 1987 District 5 Championship, a win that launched Saint Joseph’s into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes National Tournament for the first time. In a first-round national
Matthew Nelson ‘91, Thomas Ollman ‘88, and Charles Warren ‘88.
tournament matchup versus #3 Biola on March 12, 1987, Warren scored 14 points with seven rebounds in a huge upset victory, the College’s first on the national stage. During his four years, the Monks posted a 94-27 (.777) overall record with a 30-4 (.882) mark in Western Maine Athletic Conference (WMAC) play and four WMAC Championships. Derek McIntosh ’05 An outstanding catcher for the Monks’ baseball team for three seasons, McIntosh hit .368 (136-370) with 99 runs, 16 doubles, 17 home runs, 95 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 116 career
Derek McIntosh ’05, Father John Tokaz, Coach Will Sanborn.
games. At the time of his induction, he ranks fifth in career on-base percentage (.473) and eighth in batting average. As a senior, McIntosh enjoyed one of the finest offensive seasons in SJC baseball history when he hit .453 (58-128) with 47 runs, six doubles, 10 home runs, and 41 RBI in helping lead the Monks to the 2005 North Atlantic Conference Championship. In 2005, he ranked ninth in the country in batting average and earned Conference Co-Player of the Year, First Team New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-New England, and First Team All-Conference honors and started in the NEIBA Senior All-Star Game at Fenway Park. Father John Tokaz, OFM Cap. Father John came to Saint Joseph’s in September 1997 and quickly became entrenched in SJC Athletics, offering pre-game prayers and being present on the bench for all of the Monks’ teams. As an honorary member of the baseball team, Father John played a major role in changing the culture and image of the program and established a series of team retreats. Many of the tenets Father John helped implement within the athletic department remain to this date and have been important elements in the sustained success of the Monks Athletic programs.
1991-1992 Women’s Basketball Team Led by Head Coach Mike McDevitt ’83, the team went 23-8 (.742) overall, won the Western maine Athletic Conference Championship, and advanced to the NAIA national Tournament, where the Monks recorded the first NAIA tourney win in program history, a 94-78 victory over Concordia (NE). The victory was also the first on the national stage for any New England NAIA institution, in any sport. When the season commenced, the 1991-1992 team had established new program records for games, field goals attempted (2,340), three-pointers made (90) and attempted (316), and free throws attempted (744). The team featured six players — Jill Bourget ’94, Sharon Rines ’94, Sheri McCarthy ’93, Danielle Bouchard ’95, Neile Joler ’95, and Karen Rogers ’95 — who were previously inducted into the SJC Hall of Fame.
Sheri McCarthy Piers ’93, Melinda Stenberg Blumetti ’92, Cheryl Hartman, Neile Joler Nelson ’95, Sharon Rines Tracy ’94, Karen Rogers-Campbell ’95, Stephanie Minott Carter ’97, Danielle Bouchard Santucci ’95, Melissa Crowley Jipson ’95, Katherine Hartley Littleton ’92, Stephanie Clark Sullivan ’95, Karen Hartman ’92, Denise Treadwell Smith ’95 and Jill Bourget Kelly ’94. Photos: Megan Dunlap ’18.
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L to R: Alumni Softball Players Cassidee Couture ‘18, Mariah Harrison ‘17, Carla Tripp ‘17, Katherine Collette ‘18, and Jennifer Murphy ‘17.
RIGHT Alumni Softball players huddle up. ABOVE Father John Tokaz leads alumni baseball players in prayer.
Photos: Stephanie Feyler.
Home Field Advantage Alumni athletes return to campus for friendly competition | BY STEPHANIE FEYLER
S
JC alumni laced up cleats, filled water bottles, and jogged out onto grass and turf fields to rekindle their love of the game. Baseball alumni gathered on Saturday, September 15 for nine innings of pop flies and grounders, followed by a BBQ social prepared by
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this year’s senior players. On Sunday, September 23 the men’s lacrosse alumni enjoyed battling against this year’s team, and later that afternoon, almost 40 softball alumni formed two full teams for a game that was also followed by a delicious BBQ social.
scene and noted
Photos: (top and middle) Stephanie Feyler, (bottom) Corey McCarthy.
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alumni news
At Home Across The Globe
Barbara Plaugher ’84 brings the gift of sight to developing countries around the globe | BY EMMA JOYCE
“A
s we sat down to Thanksgiving dinner back home after that first trip, I thought about the people living with hardly anything— who had mud floors and no window panes, yet who remained so upbeat and cheerful,” explains Barbara Plaugher ’84, describing the contrast between houses in Honduras and her house in Ohio. “Serving others has been my passion for 25 years.”
Barbara recounts her missions to Central America, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe in this book. Photo: Emma Joyce. Barbara Plaugher ’84 has enjoyed sharing stories from service trips in her memoir Perseverance: Missions to the World. Photo: courtesy of Barbara Plaugher.
“ I do want to emphasize that there is always a need that can be met, whether locally, throughout our country or in third-world countries around the world.” Barbara earned her Bachelor of Science in Professional Arts (BSPA) from Saint Joseph’s as an online student and retired after fifty years of service with Blanchard Valley Health Systems in Ohio, progressing through many nursing roles in her career including nursing supervisor, x-ray tech, lab tech, director of nursing services, director of patient services, and registered nurse in utilization and review. Barbara has also worked at Blanchard Valley Hospital as the director of risk management and quality improvement. But one of the most rewarding aspects of her adult 40 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
life came outside of her workplace. It was found in the rolling mountains of Honduras, the dusty city streets of Haiti, and the crowded hillsides of Venezuela (under the protection of the National Guard). Barbara has embodied the Core Values of Saint Joseph’s College by providing humanitarian aid to some of the poorest families across the globe through twenty volunteer service trips. She recounted these experiences in a beautiful memoir published in 2016 called Perseverance: Missions to the World. Just glancing at a few of the chapter titles provides a glimpse into the extreme situations she has experienced over the years: “Mexico 2009 during the H1N1 Flu Season and Drug Cartel Activity;” “Air Evacuated From Haiti after the Earthquake 2010;” and “Mission aborted due to a Foreign Pathogen in my Blood put me into Shock!” These stories provide insight into the geographies, economies, and cultures of the aforementioned countries, as well as El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Perú, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and Tanzania. Barbara’s service began in 1994 with an inaugural trip to Honduras with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), which provides free vision care and glasses to underserved populations. VOSH has 33 organizations worldwide and Barbara has served with the Ohio division for all but one mission trip. Barbara’s husband, Arliss, has traveled with her on many of these occasions, alongside ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and trained laypersons. They’ve ridden in the back of pickup trucks to distribute medications and clothing at schools and churches. They’ve conducted medical examinations and delivered worm medicine to children. During the clinics, volunteers have evaluated and provided care to as many as 850 people per day. Barbara says that the organizational skills she acquired while enrolled at Saint Joseph’s College helped her with setting up mission trips. “I used my coordination skills when pulling teams together and tying together the loose ends to make a smooth, successful mission. I needed to work continued on p. 48 > with a host in a foreign
class notes
classnotes
the President’s Award for recognition for dedication and service. Charlotte Stepanian ’97 & ’03 of Merrimac, Massachusetts recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses MA Public Health Nursing Organization.
1970s Jane Patriquin’s ’77 career path has taken her to The Boston Globe, Foster’s Daily Democrat, and now presently 15 years at Maine Today Media a.k.a. The Portland Press Herald. She is entering her 40th year as an advertising strategist and plans to continue to learn and grow with the industry as it evolves and changes daily! Photo: Patricia Erikson.
1990s Kathleen Dennis ’97 of Windham, Maine and her husband Blaine Thompson are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary on June 25th! Mario V. DeSanctis MHSA ’99 writes: “I was presented with the opportunity to teach at SJC in support of the BSHA, BSHIM, and MHA programs, starting in July 2015. Now I’m teaching American Healthcare Systems as a part-time faculty member. This is my opportunity to give back after SJC helped me to progress and attain increased
responsibilities in the US Air Force Medical Service Corps and to help develop future healthcare leaders by passing on what I have learned after 30 years of healthcare operations experience. The (formerly known as) SJC Distance Education Program allowed me to complete my degree while serving in the US Air Force–both at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (during 1991-1994) and at Ramstein Air Base, Germany (19941997). Obtaining a master’s degree enabled my promotion to Major, US Air Force effective February 1, 1997, and helped to catapult my US Air Force career, culminating to the rank of Colonel effective November 1, 2006. Obtaining my MHSA degree also allowed me to advance in the American College of Healthcare Executives in becoming Board Certified in Healthcare Management (another requirement for promotion in the USAF Medical Service Corps). This would not have been possible without Saint Joseph’s College. Elizabeth Mulherin Durant ’92 was sworn in as the State of Maine Department President for the American Veteran’s Ladies Auxiliary. She was also honored to receive
Jennifer A. Sibley ’98 graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Florida. She passed the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner National Board Certification through the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board and has begun working as a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner in Ormond Beach, Florida. She also became a nationally certified lactation counselor through the Academy for Lactation Policy and Practice and will be offering those services in her practice as well. Jennifer and her husband, Michael Sibley ’98, have been living in Ormond Beach, Florida since 2001 and have two boys, Noah (14) and Jacob (11).
2000s Chris Hughes ’03 has been teaching physical education for 13 years in Auburn, Maine. Irene (Robillard) Hughes ‘03 has been a nurse for 14 years in Auburn, Maine. They have two beautiful children: Cameron (8) and Nolan (3). Kevin Melega ’09 has been promoted to director of Digital Marketing at Unum in Portland, Maine. Mary (Foltz) Pinheiro ’04 and husband Ryan Pinheiro just welcomed their fourth baby boy, Andrew, in April. Andrew’s brothers are: Greg, Chet, and Daniel.
2010s Jarod Champeaux ’17 of Duluth, New Hampshire was recently hired as a division director for Bayada Home Health Care. He will oversee operations for five branch offices with three in Philadelphia and two in Delaware. FALL 2018 | 41
class notes Hamdi Abdi BSN ’17 accompanied her husband, Abdullahi Mukhtar Yousaf MBA ’18, to the online student commencement reception this summer where he was celebrating the completion of his MBA Leadership program. Students graduating from the online programs totaled 389. Hamdi earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and now works at Spring Harbor Hospital in Portland. Abdullahi, a 2003 alumnus of Portland High School and a program manager for Choices Are For Everyone, Inc. (CAFE, Inc.) in Westbrook said, “With earning an MBA, I see my reputation and trustworthiness growing. The cross-cultural leadership class in the program especially opened my eyes. My wife and I were in Africa at the time that I was taking this class. It made me more appreciative of many cultures and their differences. I wanted to have the leadership skills so that I could help the community. By community, I don’t mean one culture nor one ethnicity. I mean everyone.” Photo: Patricia Erikson.
Stacy Burton Dennison ’10 graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a BS in Nursing in May 2017. In August 2017, she married Jason Dennison and they are expecting their first child.
of the great perspective and knowledge she gained from them while a student. Patricia received her master’s degree in education at Northeastern University in 2018. . Sean Caldwell ’11 of North Waterboro, Maine married his wife Sarah (Hussey) Caldwell ’12 & ’18 on April 14, 2018 at Saint Mary’s church in Wells, Maine. They are expecting their first child in August. Ashley Walukevich ’12 has been named as the New Hampshire state director for the Republican National Committee.
Patricia Brackett ’17 of Raymond, NH recently acquired a new job at Saint Mary’s Academy in Springfield, Massachusetts as a theology teacher. She simultaneously is employed part time at Blessed Sacrament School in Holyoke, MA balancing her day between both schools. While a student at Saint Joseph’s College, Patricia worked in the Alumni Office as a caller for the annual phonathon and at alumni events. Patricia valued her time working with alumni because 42 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
Kathryn Bois ’13 accepted the position of vice principal at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy (Lower Mills) in Dorchester, Massachusetts. She received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. Danielle Capozza ’18 recently earned her Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional designation (SHRM-CP). Danielle qualified to take the SHRM-CP exam in her last year of study under a new program offered by SHRM beginning in 2017. She holds the honor of being the first SJC HR major to pass this difficult exam.
STAY IN TOUCH! New job? New adventure? New baby? Share your news of marriages, births, condolences, and other milestones with us by sending an e-mail to alumni@sjcme.edu! Please also send us your most up-to-date contact information so that we can keep you informed about events and news at the College.
SaintJoseph’sCollegeofMaine @SaintJosephsME @saintjosephscollege
class classnotes notes
At left, David Kapelson ‘15 and Melanie Edson (now Kapelson) ‘15.
Left to Right: Desiree Parent ‘17, Victoria Ramos ‘15, Hailey Frisbee ‘15, David Kapelson ‘15, Melanie Edson (now Kapelson) ‘15, Lindsey Oldroyd (now Del Vecchio) ‘14, and Antonio Del Vecchio. Photos: Courtesy of David and Melanie Kapelson.
Wedding Bells David Kapelson ’15 and Melanie Edson Kapelson ’15 were married on March 31, 2018 at Latitude 41 in Mystic, Connecticut with several SJC graduates in attendance. Kevin Melega ’09 married Amanda Melega on August 11, 2018 at Boothby’s Orchard and Winery in Livermore, Maine. Left to right (Shannon Cavanaugh, Paul Robins ’11, Doug MacCallum ’10, Jacob Adams, Greg Cavanaugh ’10, Matt McGuire ’09, Danielle Robins ’10, Matt Loiselle ’10, Amanda Melega, Kevin Melega ’09, Cory Smith ’10, Joe Happnie ’11, Maria Mitropoulos ’11, Courtney Rague ’11, Samantha Smith ’10, Andrew Kosiarksi ’09, Casey Sanfilippo ’13, and Mike Sanfilippo ’12). PHOTO: Courtesy of Kevin Melega.
New Additions James Divine ‘99 has started a new position this fall teaching middle school band and orchestra in Colorado Springs. He and his wife welcomed their fourth grandchild (first grandson) on Father’s Day.
FALL 2018 | 43
class notes
Condolences The College offers its condolences to… The family of Patricia Clifford ‘70 of Old Orchard Beach, Maine who passed away on September 3, 2018. The family of Joseph R. Gallagher, Jr. ’78, of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey who passed away on August 9, 2018 at Monmouth Medical Center. The family of Elizabeth (Beth) Howells Murphy ‘70 of Summit, New Jersey who passed away on June 10, 2018. The family of Barbara McDonald ’84 of Jacksonville, Florida who passed away on February 24, 2017.
GIVING IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF Gifts to the College can be made in memory or in honor of someone special to you. Giving is a personal decision and we want you to be passionate about your choice. The College makes it easy to give meaningful gifts in recognition of a deceased loved one or an important person still in your life. Maybe you want to acknowledge someone’s love of sports by donating to The Royal Blue Club, or else honor their commitment to education by contributing to our scholarship fund. Whatever your preference, the Institutional Advancement staff can help ensure that your donation to the Annual Fund pays proper tribute. Visit www.sjcme.edu/donate.
Photo: Courtesy of Springtide Studio.
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Dr. Gibson Continued from p. 3 and so much of business is conducted over e-mail. It’s a really important part of how you present yourself to the world. Writing skills translate to any job.” One of Dr. Gibson’s greatest joys comes when a student connects with a book. She remembers that feeling because she fell in love with reading at a young age. “Being inside fictional spaces was transformative. I could enter a different world, a different time, and experience different ways that people think and feel.” Through formal education she was able to take that passion for reading and fine tune it into a true craft. She began to understand that authors have choices and make intentional decisions to shape their stories. These are skills she now
imparts to her students. “We try to move beyond first reactions such as, ‘I liked it or I didn’t like it’ and instead ask, ‘How is this put together?’ If you look at a novel under the microscope, for a close read, you can see that so much happens in every sentence.” Such detailed observation on a lineby-line basis requires thoughtful and measured attention. Before joining Saint Joseph’s, Dr. Gibson lived in New York City for seven years. While she admits that the Big Apple provided plentiful cultural and literary events to spark creativity, it also supplied distractions. Even a task as simple as walking down a street to purchase an item at a neighborhood store could derail her writing time, due to the city’s nonstop energy. In Maine, she enjoys the concentration
that a slower pace of life affords. She can focus more intently on her work and she also has formed close, meaningful relationships with her colleagues and neighbors. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Gibson serves as the faculty advisor for e.g., the College’s literary journal, and serves as an advisor for internships. When not grading papers or preparing for class discussions, you’ll find Dr. Gibson working on a book about Jonathan Franzen, who has been dubbed a “Great American Novelist.” Ironically, Franzen remains pessimistic about the novel’s role—viewing it as almost obsolete. Her manuscript is due next fall when it will, undoubtedly, make its way into the right hands.
#Suitelife Continued from p. 9 for accuracy, and comes up with the selection order. The group with the highest score selects first. The Suites are the most popular housing option that SJC offers students. If there are no more suite options available, the students may be able to select an 8 person pod, depending on availability. Our office will pre-determine how many suites/pods are available per gender; this is based on the number of returning students. Typically, the Suites will be filled with mostly senior and junior students based around their housing scores.” One of the first things that came up in our conversation was the benefit of the smaller number of people sharing a bathroom, as opposed to the larger first-year residence halls with thirty or more students per floor. They also love the ample floor plan, including a shared common space in the center of the rooms. “There’s always someone in here,” said Spencer. The others agreed that the suites encourage a style of communal living. Will said, “You trust each other more.” He added that the guys in the suite form a “closer friendship.” These five knew each other well beforehand–a common factor among
residents of Feeney Hall–and something they consider essential when choosing to room with more than one person. “You have to make sure you can live with them,” said Spencer. Anthony stressed the importance of having “a group with a variety of interests,” pointing out the different activities the five of them preferred. He and Matthew joked throughout the interview. When the group got off topic, Spencer brought things back to the current question. Will talked about how living with a group means that “you have to keep an open mind for other people’s styles. Kris might like the furniture arranged one way, and I prefer another,” he said, gesturing to the number of chairs that fill the common room. “We take turns so everyone gets a chance to set it up the way they like it.” The current layout has plenty of space to work, and Will took a moment to show me his work-in-progress drawing of Barack Obama. The overall sense I got from my visit was that of a strong friendship among the members of Suite M. The suites aren’t for everyone, but for a group of tight-knit friends looking to find housing together, it’s the perfect fit.
Spencer Wilkinson’s room in Suite M, Feeney Hall. Photo: Reggie Bourn ‘21.
FALL 2018 | 45
Steve McFarland Continued from p. 11 employer-led tours of their companies or attending networking events. That helps address the mystery of ‘what is the work really like in these professional workplaces’? Building a network of professionals is one of the best things a college student can do to get connected to a career they’ll really love. It’s the old joke, ‘What are the three best things you can do to find a job? Networking, networking, networking.’ “Another important part of my job is administering the Connections Program. There has been some confusion around
this program, so we updated the policies and guidelines this summer to hopefully remove any misconceptions that exist. “Connections is an opportunity, not a guarantee. When students come in and ask, ‘How do I get my Connections money?’, I tell them that they’re asking the wrong question. I tell them that I need to hear about the great idea for how they’ll use Connections money. We help them to articulate their idea to be persuasive about the outcomes and the benefits. “Connections is an amazing opportunity for students to create an experience
for themselves, often life changing, that helps them clarify who they really are and what they really want to do in life. I love hearing what they’re thinking about, and helping them plan the best possible experience.” “Thirty-five years removed from my short-lived chemical engineer career, do I feel I’m making the positive change in the world that I wanted to make? One hundred percent ‘yes!’” For examples of student experiences with the Connections Program, see stories on pages 8 and 20.
portraits of Saint Joseph’s students convey formality. Each woman wears an elegant v-cut top and boasts an impeccable hairstyle—a bob, a pixie cut, or shoulder-length locks neatly parted in the middle. The candid photos, however, tell a different story. Women link arms while laughing in the hallways, women play cards, shoot pool, smoke cigarettes. They wear bell bottoms and oversized sunglasses and bandanas. They light candles for vigils and march with signs declaring, “Stop the War” and “Peace.” And then came “The Great Debate.” It was the debate to end all debates. Should Saint Joseph’s admit male students? “It was controversial. I was in favor of the college going co-ed and I spoke at the debate. It was held right here on the first floor of Xavier during Parents’ Weekend in the fall of 1969. The chairs were arranged in rows, facing the podium. I was so nervous. Many people were not ready for the change, but I knew it was the right thing to do,” remembers Margaret. The decision was made: Saint Joseph’s would become co-ed the following school year, 1970-1971. Although Margaret would be an alum by then, she felt good about the decision as she prepared for her own next life chapter. “As seniors, we were planning on being career women even though some were already engaged to
be wed. Professors were excellent at setting up job placement interviews. I was hired and signed my contract to teach fourth grade in South Portland in March of my senior year.” Margaret served as an elementary teacher for 38 years, moving among several schools in South Portland for first through fourth grade. “I was constantly trying new things and expanding my skill set as an educator,” she says. This regard for personal growth has followed her to her new home in Clearwater, Florida, where she and her husband have retired. Margaret is very proactive about embracing a healthy lifestyle. She line dances at three different clubs, works out at a gym, and eats mindfully. The benefits of such discipline are evident immediately upon striking up a conversation with Margaret. She exudes energy. Her eyes twinkle. The charm and grace of which she spoke in referring to her College days still flows from her. Her outlook about retirement years is upbeat and radiant. She enjoys spending time with her two children and five grandchildren. Though she visits Maine every now and then, she values the opportunities available to her in Florida. “My best life is beginning because I have the freedom and time to learn new things. I have a wonderful community. I am so grateful.”
Women’s Rights Continued from p. 15 senior year, a man landed on the moon. Richard Nixon served as president, the first Earth Day was celebrated, and Congress lowered the voting age to 18. Even though Saint Joseph’s was tucked away in a rural corner of America, ripples from these social movements spread onto campus as students began to find their voices. “We needed to step up and speak out,” explains Margaret. She described areas of inequality that she experienced. For example, she held two jobs while attending College—at Valle’s Steakhouse Restaurant and at Jordan Marsh, a department store. “Even though I worked at Jordan Marsh they denied me a credit card because I was a woman,” she says. Flipping through the 1970 yearbook,
ARCHIVES Visiting campus? Consider setting up an appointment with Sister Mary George O’Toole to view photos, documents, yearbooks, and memorabilia in the Archives, located in Saint Joseph’s Hall. sjcme.edu/archives
46 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Residence Life Team invited students to pledge their support to stand up to domestic and dating violence on a poster, and— like Alex Gutierrez ‘19 shown here—to share their own interpretations of what a healthy relationship looks like to them. Photo: courtesy Christine LeMoult.
Sexual Violence Continued from p. 24 and about how to support our fellow community members in a time of need.” A number of College academic programs already address the social causes and impacts of violence, including: criminal justice, sociology, history, political science, and nursing. With the new funding, the entire community will experience training, in partnership with Through These Doors (formerly Family Crisis Services of Maine) and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Many students feel strongly about the need to increase public awareness of the national statistics on sexual violence, so much so that they participated in a class walkout. One of the students, Nora Laprise ’22, said, “Violence against women is a huge problem in today’s society and it needs to be recognized so that we can help prevent it. For some
people, it may come across as a sensitive subject, but the only way for us to change is to educate ourselves. We need to recognize that the person who inflicted this violence is wrong. If we all stand strong together as a community—as women, and as people in general—and educate everyone on the effects of the violence, then maybe we can completely prevent violence against women.” 1 S mith, S.G. et al. (2017). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 20102012 State Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ NISVS-StateReportBook.pdf 2 Rennison, C. M. (2002). Rape and sexual assault: Reporting to police and medical attention, 1992-2000 (NCJ 194530). Retrieved from the U.S. Department
of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/ rsarp00.pdf 3 S exual Misconduct is a broad term that encompasses Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, Non Consensual Sexual Intercourse, Forced Sexual Intercourse, Stalking, Intimate Relationship Violence, Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment. Sexual Misconduct may vary in its severity and consists of a range of behaviors or attempted behaviors. Sexual Misconduct violates federal and state civil rights laws and may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to action taken by the College. 4 T he Clery Act requires annual reporting of statistics for various criminal offenses, including forcible and non-forcible sex offenses and aggravated assault. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the College publishes an Annual Safety and Security Report containing statistics of specified crimes, arrests and disciplinary referrals.
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Barbara Plaugher Continued from p. 40 country, the customs regulations of the government, my team members from many areas throughout the United States and international countries, and airlines.” Each trip comes with its own challenges and setbacks. Proceeding through airport customs with 12,000 pairs of glasses requires a considerable amount of patience. Flight delays, cancellations, and postponements can occur for any number of reasons. In 1998 Barbara had to cancel her flight to Nicaragua due to Hurricane Mitch and she wasn’t able to make the trip until 2000. In 2010, she was evacuated from Haiti on the same plane as journalists Brian Williams, Ann Curry, and Katy Couric after the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed 250,000 people in Port-au-Prince. Along with pertinent information about trip logistics and events, Barbara weaves into her book lyrical observations about the places she has visited— like morning sounds of goats bleating, roosters crowing, and guard dogs barking. On a mission to Ecuador in January 2006, she shares: “Ecuador is a land of extremes. The lowlands which produce coffee, bananas, and rice near the sandy beaches and warm waters of the Pacific. The Highlands with their volcanoes and two mountain ranges cradle a high,
Children in Honduras playfully mimic eyeglasses with their hands while waiting at a clinic. Photo: courtesy of Barbara Plaugher.
fertile valley. The Amazon Rainforest occupies much of the country’s land area. The Galapagos Islands are an ecological niche all their own. Our clinces were held in the lowlands. This was an extremely poor area with mud roads and barren homes. Bakers in all the villages sent baked goods to the team as a thank you for their services. In Los Geranios, the school children sang to the team members their song of ‘Gracias Señor.’ ” On a commuter train to Gdańsk, Poland, in 2002, she recalls staring out the window to see red poppies growing wildly along the tracks. This trip stands out as her favorite. Gdańsk is the world capital for amber and she was awed by its abundance. She also viewed the famous Oliwa Cathedral organ, built in 1763, and strolled along the shore of the Baltic Sea.
In addition to the people she has helped, Barbara values the friendships that she’s formed with fellow volunteers. Facebook has provided a convenient way to stay in touch. She continues coordinating trips and she hopes her story will help inspire others to serve, including Saint Joseph’s students. She has donated a copy of her book to the College’s Wellehan Library. Barbara does recommend traveling as part of a group, especially when visiting certain countries experiencing political or social unrest. In the forward to Perseverance, she writes: “This book is written to share with those who have a desire to serve others in a most rewarding way...I do want to emphasize that there is always a need that can be met, whether locally, throughout our country or in third-world countries around the world.”
Divine Intervention Continued from p. 17
Stained glass windows depicting saints were once installed in the stone building that once served as a chapel for the Verrill family. Photo: courtesy of SJC Archives. 48 | SAINT JOSEPH’S MAGAZINE
Sisters encountered in Mrs. Verrill’s chapel. “The Sisters enter the chapel, look up, and the one over the front door is Saint John the Evangelist. The one over the back of the chapel is Saint Edward the Confessor. So we have Sister Mary Evangelist and Saint John the Evangelist. And we have Sister Mary Edwina (a form of Edward) looking up at Saint Edward the Confessor.” Sister Mary George pauses for effect and raises her eyebrows. “Since 1953, all of the Sisters in Maine had been praying that decision makers would figure out what to do–stay in Portland or move elsewhere? Answer to prayer? God’s providential care for us and our college that the sisters were sponsoring? No question.” Whether divine intervention was involved, or not, Saint Joseph’s College found its new home on the shore of Sebago Lake in October of 1956.
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his word cloud depicts the top answers given by student-athletes when asked, in a survey administered by the athletics department, “Why did you choose Saint Joseph’s College?” Saint Joseph’s is dedicated to the NCAA DIII philosophy of making athletics an integral part of the educational experience and creating an opportunity for student-athletes to become well-rounded individuals.
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“ You have an opportunity while here at SJC to find your inner calling. Reverend Matthew Fox said you can’t have music without silence so allow the ‘between the notes’ into yourself even though our culture is so busy-all notes and no silence. You are surrounded on this campus with places where you can unplug and observe: the lake, the trails, the chapel, the pasture across the street. Find your gladness, your inner tool box. Sharpen those tools. Find what the community needs and then connect it all together.” —Dr. Lenore DiFiore, Excerpt from Convocation Address, 2018 Recipient of Excellence in Teaching Award