summer2016
COLLEGE MAGA ZINE
Celebrating Success Saint Joseph’s graduates its largest class ever
Also: New Social Work Degree • Education Partners • Strategic Plan Update
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COLLEGE MAGAZINE
VOLUME 11 SUMMER 2016
Features Education at Work • 7 How education partnerships help build a stronger workforce.
Shaping Maine • 10 Maine’s movers and shapers gather at SJC’s Stone Barn.
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Change is in the Air • 12 The College embraces a bold strategic plan.
BSW Opens Many Doors • 15 A new major prepares students for a wide-open field.
Photo Feature: Commencement 2016 • 22 Mission accomplished for this year's graduating class.
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Departments Monks News • 4 Brian Curtin is Great Northeast Athletic Conference Executive of the Year.
Dispatches • 5
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2016 Day of Service and other news from SJC.
History: 40 Years of Distance Education • 18
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Milestones from 1976 to 2016.
Profile: “Stick to Your Core Values” • 19 Marcus Barresi ’76 talks college, career, and “the Mighty Three.”
New Faces on Campus • 20 Additions to SJC’s leadership team and board of trustees.
Mission: Sr. Fleurette’s Quiet Room • 36 Honoring 22 years of generosity and dedication.
Alumni Highlights Spotlight on Legacy • 27 Class Notes • 30
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Alumni Awards • 28 Alumni Weekend • 34
From the Chair • 29
On the cover: An internship at Unum turned into a full-time job for new graduate Samantha Sim '16. Story on page 9. Photo by Mody Botros, Art Director.
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contributors COLLEGE MAGA ZINE
Mary George O’Toole, RSM, ’51, HON ’90, maintains the College’s official archives, housed in Saint Joseph’s Hall. She is the former vice president for sponsorship and mission integration. With Sister Sylvia Comer, Sister Mary George co-chairs the College’s Mercy Task Force, which was formed in January 2016 to initiate the Holy Year of Mercy. She holds a BA from Saint Joseph’s College, a PhD from Catholic University of America, and received an honorary degree in 1990 from Saint Joseph’s College.
E D I TO R Ann Swardlick I N T E R I M D I R E C TO R O F M A R K E T I N G Brent Wooten A R T D I R E C TO R Mody Botros CO N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R S Robert Coppola Sue Johnson Jean Maginnis Peter Nielsen Elizabeth Schran CO N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R A P H E R S Sarah Beard Buckley
Kathryn Cody, coordinator of social justice
Todd Burgess Alanna Conn
and leadership, develops and promotes opportunities for student leadership in ministry. Previously, she served with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Mont. She coordinates service immersion and retreat programs, and implements initiatives that encourage students to truly live Mercy. She holds a BA in religious studies and visual arts from the College of the Holy Cross and is pursuing her MA in theology from Saint Joseph’s.
David Dostie Jeff Scher Vinnie Zullo PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Joanne M. Bean I N F O R M AT I O N U P DAT E Changes to name, address, phone & email: alumni@sjcme.edu 207-893-7890 or 877-SJC-ALUM TO CO N TAC T M AG A Z I N E
Dr. Patricia Ireland is dean of undergraduate studies and director of the College’s online theology programs. Experienced in both teaching and academic program design, she is the author of several articles and books on theology. Dean Ireland holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Boston College, and master’s degrees from Andover Newton Theological School and Drew University, where she earned her doctorate.
SJC College Magazine Editor Saint Joseph’s College 278 Whites Bridge Road Standish, Maine 04084 magazine@sjcme.edu 207-893-7845 Saint Joseph’s College Magazine welcomes your comments, story ideas, and photos. Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors, not necessarily of Saint Joseph’s College.
sjcme.edu/magazine
Michelle Howard, development officer, has over 15 years of professional sales and marketing experience, with a strong focus on higher ed admissions and international education. She recently joined the development team. Previously she served as institutional relations manager with CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), based in Portland. She holds a master’s degree in multicultural education from Universidad de Salamanca and a bachelor’s degree in marketing/management from Bentley University.
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A Catholic college in the Mercy tradition
president’s letter “We inspire many with our accomplishments as a value-centered education leader that is helping to move our region forward through innovation, academic excellence, and partnership.”
collaboration. And Saint Joseph’s newly renovated Stone Barn was just the place to do it. As co-hosts of the Shaping Maine event, along with Maine magazine, we had an ideal opportunity to debut our Stone Barn event venue, to share our values, and to present our vision of the future of Saint Joseph’s. I was honored to welcome more than 250 assembled guests, many of whom were experiencing our campus for the first time. What a way to make a first impression!
Forward Momentum
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ummer, as peaceful as it seems, is also high season for building and renovation projects at Saint Joseph’s. We transitioned from an energetic spring into an equally active summer, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing as we head into fall. Transformation is the new normal. We explore many promising changes, from new construction to new academic programs, in this issue of the magazine, which includes an update on the Saint Joseph’s strategic plan, Sustaining the Promise. Change is at the core of our strategic plan, and change can be both invigorating and disruptive! However, as we make progress this summer, and in the years ahead, the campus will continue to feel dynamic, engaged, and exciting.
I believe we inspire many with our accomplishments as a valuecentered education leader that is helping to move our region forward. We are doing this through innovation, academic excellence, and partnership in the development of an educated and ethical workforce. If you haven’t visited campus in a while, I think you’ll be inspired, too. I hope to see many of you here in the coming months. Whether you attended Saint Joseph’s on campus or online, this is an exciting time to connect with your alma mater. This is your community. There’s progress being made, and a lot to celebrate. Best wishes,
Jim Dlugos, President
This sense of forward momentum came into focus during the “Shaping Maine” celebration, a gathering held at our newly renovated Stone Barn on June 23. The evening honored those named to Maine magazine’s annual list of “50 Mainers who are boldly leading our state forward.” Guests included honorees from 2013 to the present, including three from the Saint Joseph’s community: Sr. Director of Development Jean Maginnis, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Peter Nielsen, and myself, all from the Class of 2015. With three of our own on “the list,” I thought the time was right to bring all of the “50 Mainers” together for conversation and
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Monksnews
Brian Curtin is 2016 GNAC Executive of the Year
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aint Joseph’s director of athletics was honored by his peers in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), who recently named him Executive of the Year. The leader of the Saint Joseph’s athletics department since May 2006, Curtin currently serves as chair of the GNAC Executive Committee and works closely with GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh. Success, On and Off the Field In the classroom, the Monks increased their number of GNAC Academic All-Conference honorees (89) for the fourth consecutive year. On the field of play, nine of SJC’s 10 record-bearing teams advanced to the GNAC Tournament, with the Monks women’s basketball program capturing its second conference championship in three years. The department’s baseball and field hockey programs made GNAC title game appearances last year, while its staff also hosted the 2015 GNAC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships in
Standish, Maine. Curtin has had extensive involvement on campus with the SJC Institutional Advancement Office in fundraising for the school’s turf field project. He was also instrumental in creating a graduate assistant (GA) position for the Monks’ athletic training staff, working with SJC Vice President & Chief Learning Officer Michael Pardales. The athletic department’s corporate sponsorships increased in 201516 as well. Saint Joseph’s also added the department’s first-ever full-time head coach for men’s and women’s cross country and track & field, and Curtin worked collaboratively to create two combined oncampus/head coach positions. Before coming to SJC, Curtin was the men’s basketball coach and an athletic administrator at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., for nine years. He then became an assistant coach at Dartmouth College, where his duties included player development, scouting and recruiting.
Following his stint at Dartmouth, Curtin joined the basketball staff at American University where he worked as an assistant for two years. Cross Country Hall-of-Famer Curtin earned his BA in journalism from Saint Michael’s College and his MA in education and human development from George Washington University. While at Saint Michael’s, he set several records in cross country that still stand and was inducted into the Saint Michael’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 studentathletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.
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dispatches
Saint Joseph’s Day of Service BY KATHRYN CODY, COORDINATOR OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LEADERSHIP
On May 20, staff and faculty at Saint Joseph’s College took some time to really explore the meaning of mercy, not just in theory, but also in practice. So often we hear and use the term “mercy,” both on campus and in our surrounding communities. But how often do we take the time to really consider what it means? To not just say or speak the word, but dissect it, understand it, and most importantly, live it. This year, faculty and staff from departments across campus volunteered both on campus and off, working with the SJC Facilities Department, Pearson’s Town Farm, My Place Teen Center, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Ronald McDonald
House, Pine Root Farm, Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA), and the Windham Recreation Department. The day was spent sharing our time and talents in support of the needs of others, and celebrating the good work and compassion demonstrated by our community partners. The Saint Joseph’s Day of Service tradition began in 2003, and while it has fallen off the calendar in recent years, there was much enthusiasm behind bringing back this tradition for faculty and staff, especially as part of a larger celebration of Mercy during the Jubilee Year. The
(Left) Janice Rey, Elaine Trumble, Chris Callaway, Linda Quigley, Emily Lesher. (Right) Liz Schran, Michael Pardales, and Lisa Pardi.
day was not just a chance to serve outside of our “regular” job descriptions, but an opportunity to meet colleagues from other departments and people working and serving in our greater community. Integral to this Year of Mercy is to give mercy and receive mercy. In its simplest explanation, mercy is simply, compassion. But compassion in itself is another deep word that warrants exploration. For many of us, the Day of Service was just that: a day of exploration.
President Jim Dlugos and Lisa Schiraldi at the MSSPA in Windham repairing and painting fences.
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dispatches
Online Students
Study Away
BY DR. PATRICIA IRELAND, DEAN OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Study away opportunities are not just for traditional on-campus students anymore—at least not at Saint Joseph’s College. In July 2015, Online Theology inaugurated a study away program that blended online learning with a week on location in Rome, Italy. The course, Ancient Roman Martyrs, brought students’ book learning alive through visits to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Catacombs, and the Colosseum, among many other sacred sites. Online students came from all over the US and even Africa, for in-person intellectual engagement and fellowship on the spot where the Christian martyrs lived and died. In 2016, a class traveled to Rome to study historical Christianity, and in 2017, Online Theology plans to offer two study away opportunities: one in Europe and another in New York City studying sacred art and architecture, with visits that include St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Ignatius, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Cloisters.
Online Theology students at the Colosseum in Rome.
Following the lead of Online Theology, other programs may soon offer study away experiences for their online students, too.
Lauren’s Journey BY MICHELLE HOWARD, DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Michelle Howard with Lauren Faeth ’16 and Garrett Hubner ’16, scholarship recipients.
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Recently, Lauren Faeth ’16 joined the board of the Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation––a cause with profound personal significance. At age 17, Lauren suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). For the next 12 months, instead of starting college, she had to relearn how to walk, write, and perform other basic tasks. Saint Joseph’s held her acceptance, giving her time to fight her way back––and she did. “I remember doctors telling me how I might not be able to walk or go to college,” she recalls, “and if I did, nursing school was certainly out of the question.” Despite all predictions, Lauren entered Saint Joseph’s nursing program and graduated this spring. While a student, she received the Michael T. Goulet Foundation Scholarship, named for an SJC student who died tragically in 2010. Lauren became close to Michael’s family, volunteered for the Foundation, and began giving speeches about TBI and its effects on one’s life. Today, Lauren works as a clinical nurse assistant at Saint Mary’s Hospital, where she will assume a full-time nursing position in the Joint Center upon passing her nursing boards, which she plans to take this summer. As a Foundation spokesperson and board member, she’s helping the organization that helped her.
EDUCATION AT WORK
How education partnerships help build a stronger workforce
BY ANN SWARDLICK
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hat role does Saint Joseph’s play to facilitate workforce development in Maine and beyond? It starts with our Education Partners program. Chief Enrollment Officer Lynne Robinson and Associate Director of Partnerships and Special Programming Stephanie Briggs ’98, ’14 explain.
Our Education Partners program offers a path to advancement, helping workers stay current in their fields.
What programs do we offer? Lynne R: We have more than 40 existing online programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certificate and continuing education programs. We work directly with our partners, whether it’s a larger employer like Unum or a small Maine school district, to achieve their education goals and deliver courses in ways that are convenient and flexible for working people.
How does the Education Partners program benefit employers? Lynne R: We’re helping employers develop the next level of leadership within their organizations. We know that employer-sponsored education enhances employee loyalty and retention. Our programs offer a path to advancement, helping workers stay current in their fields, improving both morale and productivity—all good for our partners and their employees.
Stephanie B: In the health care sector, for example, our online MS in nursing, RN to BSN, and Master in health administration are our most popular programs. And at Unum, employees tend to pursue programs like the MBA, Master of Accountancy, or MSEd in adult education and training.
Stephanie B: Saint Joseph’s Education Partners program includes tuition discounts in the range of 10-15%, as well as application fee waivers, so that employers are able to stretch their workforce development dollars and provide more affordable employee training and education options.
Can we provide customized programming? Stephanie B: Yes, we customize existing programs and even create new ones to meet specific needs. For example, at the request of the Gray-New Gloucester school system, we developed a program for gifted
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Saint Joseph’s Education Partners program helps employers develop the next level of leadership within their organizations.
and talented teachers–something they couldn’t find elsewhere in a format that worked for them. Our faculty collaborated with the district to create a new program and get state approval. It included an e-portfolio platform, which our CIDET (Course Instructional Design and Educational Technology) team developed for them. Lynne R: Another example of customization is our ongoing CPA Series. We recognized a need for continuing education programs tailored to accounting professionals in Maine. We offer full-day workshops in locations throughout the state, enabling participants to earn continuing professional education (CPE) hours to meet licensing requirements. What impact are we having in Maine and beyond? Stephanie B: We partner with state and national membership organizations like the American College of Health Care Administrators, Massachusetts Nurses Association, and Maine Development Foundation, as
well as individual employers like the Portland Police Department, Mid Coast Hospital, and Biddeford School Department. At any one time, 400 to 500 students are benefiting from Education Partner discounts. Lynne R: Here in Maine, we’re helping to promote educational advancement in the workplace through our participation in Maine Development Foundation’s Next Step Maine Employers’ Initiative. In collaboration with MDF, we make courses available to more than 70,000 employees in more than 285 Maine companies. Stephanie B: We’ve also been working with the Manufacturers Association of Maine (MAMe), a group that’s concerned about retaining the state’s young labor force. On September 20, MAMe is co-sponsoring a networking event at the College’s Stone Barn. The goal is twofold: to introduce employers to future employees and to impress upon students that their futures may begin here in Maine.
Meloney (Simpson) Santeusanio ’09, ’15, senior disability specialist at Unum, took advantage of Unum’s tuition reimbursement program to earn her MBA from Saint Joseph’s. Meloney (Simpson) Santeusanio ’09, ’15, with daughter, Lucy, earned her MBA through Unum's workforce education benefits program.
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“I knew I wanted to start my MBA as soon as possible, and Unum made it virtually free to get my degree from SJC online. It took me five years, but it was time well spent. I’m always encouraging other employees to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program–there’s no reason not to!”
Class of 2016 graduates Mario Lemieux, Samantha Sim, and Nate Fox interned as Unum Scholars, leading to full-time jobs with the company.
Unum: The Partnership Circle
“At Saint Joseph’s, we understand the critical need to support and facilitate workforce development. As a higher education institution, we play a vital role in helping companies and organizations invest in their most important asset–their people.” Jim Dlugos, President
At Unum, the Fortune 500 insurance company headquartered in Portland, partnership goes both ways. Below, current Unum employees offer their perspectives on internships, tuition reimbursement benefits, and the value of corporate education partnerships: Mario Lemieux ’16 was a Unum Scholar before assuming his new, full-time role as a market specialist associate at Unum. “As a Unum Scholar, I got great exposure to the corporate environment. I did multiple jobs during my internship, so I could really narrow down what I was looking for in a job. That’s something you don’t get in the classroom.” Samantha Sim ’16 interned as a Unum Scholar and was hired this spring as a new case billing specialist 1 at Unum. “When I became a business major, I never pictured myself working in insurance. My internship got me interested in the industry, and I learned more about the corporate world...It was a very smooth transition to go from being an intern into a full-time employee.” Nate Fox ’16, new case billing specialist 1 at Unum, interned as a Unum Scholar and was hired after graduation this spring. “The fact that I was able to be here for two years, and get a base of knowledge about what Unum does, benefited me both in getting into the position I’m in now, and also going forward.”
Take the first step toward partnership by contacting Stephanie Briggs at the Office of Partnerships and Special Programs: 207-893-7769 or sbriggs@sjcme.edu.
Five Ways to Partner with SJC 1. Participate in our Connections career development program. Our Alumni Career Panels offer students insights about specific fields and career paths. 2. Create internship opportunities. Our students seek career-building experience in a wide range of fields. Let us help you create opportunities for SJC students. 3. Connect with students. Mentor someone in your field, serve as a guest lecturer in class, offer a workshop, or collaborate with faculty on a business challenge. 4. Become a Saint Joseph’s ambassador. Alumni admissions representatives attend college fairs, interview prospective students, and help meet enrollment goals. 5. Partner with us on workforce development. Take advantage of our tuition discounts and extensive programs to build your company’s knowledge base.
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BY ANN SWARDLICK
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or the past four years, Maine magazine’s July issue has featured a list of “50 Mainers” who are boldly leading our state forward. The annual list includes entrepreneurs, artists, educators, philanthropists, innovators, and visionaries who have “changed our world, improved our lives, and broadened our horizons.”
Saint Joseph's College and Maine magazine co-host a celebration of bold leaders who are “Shaping Maine.” In 2015, three of our own, President Jim Dlugos, Senior Director of Development Jean Maginnis, and newly appointed Entrepreneur-in-Residence Peter Nielsen, were on the list of “50 Mainers.”
Don Gooding (50 Mainers ’16), Eric Hopkins (50 Mainers ’16), Kate Krukowski Gooding
President Dlugos thought the time was right to bring together all 200 past and present honorees for an evening of conversation and exploration. And what better venue than the renovated, century-old Stone Barn at Saint Joseph’s College? The result was Shaping Maine, a gathering on June 23, co-hosted with Maine magazine to celebrate those who are making a positive difference in our state. In his remarks to the more than 250 people assembled that evening, President Dlugos said, “When you gather like this, you discover all kinds of opportunities and synergies to truly multiply the good that can be done in the state of Maine.”
Lisa Stern, Amber Lambke (50 Mainers ’16), Meredith Tipton (SJC Board), Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (50 Mainers ’16)
Fred Williams, Dorothy Foote (50 Mainers ’14), Bruce Brown (50 Mainers ’13)
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Guests included past honorees Mike Dubyak (2013), Chairman of WEX; Theo Kalikow (2013) former President, UMaine Farmington; and Bill Nemitz (2015) Portland Press Herald journalist. Members of the 2016 list included Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, CEO of Goodwill Northern New England, Hon. ’13; Andrea Cianchette Maker, attorney and co-chair of FocusMaine; Shawn Moody, president of Moody’s Collision Center; Shana Aldrich Ready, founder of ROPES Maine; Mark Curdo, radio host and director of marketing at Shipyard Brewing Company; Ron Phillips, retired founder and CEO of Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; and Arlin Smith, Mike Wiley, and Andrew Taylor of Big Tree Hospitality.
The Shaping Maine event was an opportunity to unveil our vision for the future of Saint Joseph’s as an exemplary 21st-century learning destination. As the only higher education institution in the Lakes Region, we play a crucial role in the growth and development of Maine. That evening, we shared our intention to build a community that spans education, business, the arts, and government, as we prepare the next generation of leaders, grounded in our core Mercy values.
Andrea and Bill Nemitz (50 Mainers ‘15) , Charles and Eugenia O’Brien (50 Mainers ‘15).
The celebration was also an ideal way to debut the Stone Barn event space, which had its last finishing touches applied just in time for the party. We showcased Maine artists and musicians, as well as the local vendors who donated flowers, seafood, produce, beverages, and more––plus standout cuisine overseen by Senior Director of Sustainable Enterprises Stuart Leckie and his staff. That evening, President Dlugos told the gathered crowd: “When I got to Saint Joseph’s, four years ago, people would tell me with some perverse pride that we were one of the ‘best kept secrets’ in the state. This, of course, made me crazy. We’ve been working hard ever since to change that.” Events like Shaping Maine will help achieve that goal.
This was an opportunity to unveil our vision for the future of Saint Joseph’s.
SJC’s Peter Nielsen, Jim Dlugos, and Jean Maginnis (50 Mainers '15)
Shawn and Chris Moody (50 Mainers ‘16), Robin Zinchuk (50 Mainers ‘15)
Andrea Cianchette Maker (50 Mainers ’16), Bob Moore (50 Mainers ’16)
Kevin Thomas, publisher, Maine magazine, Dr. Lisa Belisle, host, Love Maine Radio
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feature
Strategic Plan Update
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR
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n 2014, two years after Saint Joseph’s celebrated its centennial, the trustees of the College adopted a new strategic plan, Sustaining the Promise: Toward Saint Joseph’s College’s Second Hundred Years.
The Saint Joseph’s strategic plan, Sustaining the Promise, positions the College to play a vital role in the future of Maine.
An “evergreen” plan, with 5-year detailed and 10-year aspirational windows, Sustaining the Promise envisions Saint Joseph’s future in an entrepreneurial manner. It calls upon the College to use its assets in new ways that align with its mission, promote financial stability, and better serve its students, community, and region. “Where we are headed in the next decade is, in many ways, a bold, new direction for the College, even as it continues to recognize and respect our traditions and values,” says President Jim Dlugos. “Through a series of innovative, strategic initiatives, we will create a healthy, sustainable ecosystem that will serve as a learning destination for individuals of all ages.” This vision of a 21st-century learning destination for a more diverse student body has been embraced not only by the College community but also by educators and thought leaders in Maine and beyond, who recognize its potential for positioning Saint Joseph’s to play a vital role in support of Maine’s future. Sustaining the Promise sets us on a path to becoming an exemplary, 21st-century, Catholic, liberal arts college
BY ANN SWARDLICK
in the Mercy tradition, acknowledged as leaders in educational program design and delivery, learnercentered education, and contextualized learning.
Mission-Aligned Businesses A key strategic initiative in our plan is the development of mission-aligned businesses on campus. Designed to provide new learning opportunities for a diverse student body, these businesses will address emerging needs in Maine, and operate as sustainable enterprises producing net revenue for the College. To guide their development, the College has formed the Mission-Aligned Businesses Advisory Council, an impressive team of thought leaders, business professionals, and officials. Co-chaired by former Maine Governor John Baldacci, and Ron Phillips, retired founding president of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., the Council has two of the state’s most seasoned economic development leaders at the helm. The Council includes individuals with expertise in each of the target development clusters, as well as members of the College's leadership team and faculty member Mark Green. Peter Nielsen, who recently joined the College as entrepreneur-in-residence, facilitates the work of the Council and manages the development of the businesses. Support for the development of mission-aligned businesses comes from across the College community.
Mission-Aligned Businesses Advisory Council Co-chairs Gov. Baldacci served two terms as Governor of Maine, from 2003-2011. Prior to that, he served four terms as Congressman in the US House of Representatives. He currently serves as vice chair of the board of the NortheastMidwest Institute, a Washington-based, private, nonprofit, and nonpartisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
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Ron Phillips retired in March as founding president and CEO of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., a mission-driven lender and investor specializing in rural economic development in Maine and throughout the region. Since its founding in 1977, CEI has leveraged a total of $2.74 billion in financing, along with its private and public partners, to become one of the most well-regarded Community Development Corporations and Community Development Financial Institutions in the country.
feature
MOVING FORWARD
"One of the goals of our strategic plan is to become a place of conversation, a place to bring together people of all ages... to really explore the ideas, knowledge, and values that will move our world forward.” President Jim Dlugos
One element of Sustaining the Promise calls for redeveloping the heart of campus to create a more vibrant and compelling learning environment for students of all ages. Here’s a look at some of the progress being made as we begin to implement the strategic plan.
Developing our Lakefront Advantage Much has been done to make the lakefront more accessible for recreation and events. With an attractive new access way, a permanent event venue in place, wireless Internet access, bathroom facilities, and more, the lakefront was primed and ready for Alumni Weekend activities and several weddings this summer. These improvements are part of a larger vision to more fully utilize Saint Joseph’s lakefront as a revenuegenerating venue. With breathtaking views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, across beautiful Sebago Lake, it’s an ideal spot for meetings and retreats, weddings, and events of all kinds.
In a nutshell, here’s what’s in store for next semester: • A new Advanced Science Lab for organic chemistry and upper-level biology and chemistry majors, with eight protective fume hoods • A new, dedicated Microbiology Lab, providing a controlled environment for use by nursing and biology students • A new Instrument Lab, enabling students to do quantitative analysis and develop critical lab skills • A relocated Anatomy & Physiology Lab and a partially renovated Chemistry Lab Construction of a fourth new lab, dedicated solely to faculty/student collaborative research, will be completed next year. The much-anticipated Research Lab will allow projects to be set up and left up, facilitating longer-term research.
New Labs in the Science Wing The addition of four new laboratories and several relocated and renovated labs in the Mercy Science Wing will dramatically increase capacity for teaching and research. According to Dr. Johan Erikson, chair of the science department, “These new facilities nearly double our laboratory space; I expect to see a significant increase in the number, quality, and diversity of student research projects.”
Construction is ongoing in the Science Wing, where new laboratories will increase capacity for teaching and research.
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Tables and comfortable cushions will complete the look of these booths under construction in the new Baggot Street Café.
Baggot Street Café One of the most exciting changes awaiting the College community is the new Baggot Street Café, named for the Dublin location where Catherine McAuley founded the first House of Mercy in 1827. The expansive café/ lounge/meeting space on the second floor of Heffernan Hall will be operated by Stuart Leckie, senior director of sustainable enterprises. It will be open from early morning until late in the evening, beginning sometime this fall. The Stone Barn Reborn With the Shaping Maine celebration on June 23, the Stone Barn entered a new era as an event venue. The century-old restored structure on the Pearson’s Town Farm property is the centerpiece of the College’s vision for developing educational offerings and businesses focused on sustainable agriculture. According to Peter Nielsen, “We are hoping to transform Pearson’s Town Farm into an integrated set of sustainable agricultural enterprises that will serve as both an educational resource and an innovation hub for the region’s farmers and food producers.”
Join the Conversation In his remarks during the Shaping Maine event this June, President Dlugos said, “One of the goals of our strategic plan is to become a place of conversation, a place to bring together people of all ages…to really explore the ideas, knowledge, and values that will move our world forward.” We hope to engage you, our alumni and friends, in this conversation, too. In future issues of the magazine, we will keep you up to date with the progress of our strategic plan.
The Shaping Maine event on June 23 showcased our newly renovated Stone Barn, which will serve as a unique venue for gatherings and special occasions of all kinds.
To read more about the vision, goals and initiatives articulated in Saint Joseph’s strategic plan, please visit our website: www.sjcme.edu/strategicplan 14 | saint joseph’s
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feature
Dr. Kelly Ward, director of the new social work program, discusses the accreditation process with Dr. Sherrie Winton, online program director for interdisciplinary studies.
BSW Opens Many Doors
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hen you first enter the house, you might miss the open pill bottle on the bureau, the burning cigarette left by the bed, and the cleaning products on the floor. The more you navigate this environment, however, the quicker you begin to spot the hazards––which is exactly the point. This is a “virtual house”––an online teaching tool for aspiring social workers that was created by Dr. Kelly Ward, director of Saint Joseph’s new social work program. “It’s designed to help students hone their skills of observation,” says Ward. “These are critical skills for the practicing clinical social worker.” The new Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program has been in the works at Saint Joseph’s for many years, according to Deacon John McAuliffe, assistant professor of sociology and director of field placements. He and Sr. Michele Aronica, chair of the sociology department, have been prime movers of the program. “It’s a natural fit,” says McAuliffe, who feels the College’s strong emphasis on student support and mentoring make it a great choice for social work majors.
A Strong Draw for Prospective Students Dr. Patricia Ireland, dean of undergraduate studies, agrees that the program aligns perfectly with Saint Joseph’s mission. “Our students gravitate toward the helping professions,” she says. “The BSW gives them a path to a job in their field right after graduation.”
BY ANN SWARDLICK
Launching this fall, the new Bachelor of Social Work program will prepare students for careers in a wide-open field.
Saint Joseph’s is currently working through an extensive, three-year accreditation process with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Once this process is complete,” explains Ireland, “our graduates will be able to be licensed as clinical social workers, qualified to hold entry-level positions in a wide range of organizations and service areas.” Ward, who has been focused on the accreditation process since joining the faculty in January, points to another advantage of the BSW degree. “Many students choose to pursue their master’s. With a BSW, they gain advanced standing, which shortens their path to the MSW by a full year. This is a big savings of time and tuition dollars.”
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Ireland expects the BSW to become a strong draw for prospective students, once the word is out. “Many smaller schools don’t offer the BSW,” she says. “This gives Saint Joseph’s a recruitment advantage.”
“The world is your oyster.” Both Ward and Ireland emphasize the wide range of opportunities open to social work majors. According to Ireland, “Social workers are needed by schools, hospitals, substance abuse clinics, hospice care providers, counseling centers, child welfare agencies, juvenile detention centers, immigration service providers, and so many other organizations.” “Our students will acquire highly transferrable skills,” says Ward, who describes the program as very hands-on, with a heavy emphasis on experiential learning. Deacon John McAuliffe works with agencies throughout Maine to develop field placements for SJC students.
Students will gain practical experience through two internships, including a full-year placement. The College already has deep relationships with agencies and organizations in the region, including Mercy Hospital, Catholic Charities, People’s Regional Opportunity Program (PROP), Long Creek Youth Development Center, Spring Harbor Hospital, and many school systems. “We will have no problem securing placements that will give our social work students wide exposure to the field,” says Ireland. The social work major and minor will be available to on-campus students this year; beginning in fall 2017, the program will be offered online. “We’re very excited about the program,” says Ireland. “The BSW is one of the most versatile degrees. In social work, the world is your oyster.”
“Many students choose to pursue their master's. With a BSW, they gain advanced standing, which shortens their path to the MSW by a full year.” - Dr. Kelly Ward
Dr. Ward co-authored Breaking Out of the Box: Adventure-Based Field Instruction, one of the new BSW program text books.
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feature Q & A with Dr. Kelly Ward, PhD, LCSW, LCADC Kelly Ward’s office is dominated by a large whiteboard, filled with a multicolored, three-year schedule outlining the BSW accreditation process. As director of the new social work program, she’s been eating and sleeping this process for months. Here is her take: What sets our new BSW program apart? Many CSWE-accredited BSW programs have just two practice classes: one focused on working with individuals and another on groups. Ours will have a third: working with communities. Why is the community focus so important? Social workers play a key role in helping communities deal with, and heal from, traumas of all kinds. Social workers are called on to help with restoring the peace, training police officers, community organizing, working with families in mourning, or helping traumatized children. These are critical skills for our students to learn. Using an online training tool developed by Kelly Ward, social work students can navigate through the rooms of a "virtual house," learning to recognize potential hazards in the home.
Your book, Breaking Out of the Box: Adventure-Based Field Instruction, is one of the program texts. What is “adventure-based field instruction”? If you’ve ever participated in a team-building exercise like the Great Egg Drop or the Blind Trust Walk, you’ll appreciate the benefits of active, inclusive methods. I ask students to evaluate these exercises with their social worker hats on: how can we develop trust with our clients? How can we support clients throughout the process? This helps students understand what it means to act in the best interest of their clients. What inspired the “virtual house”? I first got the idea from Second Life, a virtual world where people have developed hospitals, clinics, schools, and other simulated environments for teaching and research. I decided to create my own simpler and less costly approach to a virtual environment that will help students think and observe like social workers. How do you make it real for your students? They’ll have two required field placements in their areas of interest. Plus, I always use case examples in the classroom. As a practicing substance abuse counselor for 30 years, I have a lot of personal experience to draw from.
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@
ONLINE
SA INT
EDUCATION
Milestones in distance education
JOSEPH’S
SJC Established
2005
All distance ed programs offered online
1st Undergraduate program via correspondence
1986
1999
2014 Online students number 3,173
1976
1912
Graduate health care degree converts to online
2024 Nursing 34%
Health Admin. 24% Theology 13% Edu 13%
Strategic plan projects 3,000 graduate and 2,000 undergraduate students
1st Graduate program launches
Program
Breakdown
Other Business 8% 8%
Reasons for
Studying Online 62% *
Students and Alumni of
Online Education
“Advance my career” “Change my career” “Begin my career”
10% 6%
“Employer required” “Personal enrichment”
12%
West
9%
Midwest
13%
Northeast South
49%
29% Other
< 1%
10% *Source: 2015 Online Student Survey
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Alumni Profile:
the mid-seventies. The Sisters had to be creative to keep things going—and they figured it out.”
Stick to Your Core Values
After graduation, Barresi worked briefly in the food service industry and then decided on a career in financial services. A native of Fort Kent, he gravitated back to Aroostook County, where he founded Barresi Financial, Inc., in 1979. “I opened my firm in Presque Isle to be nearer to my family. People still remembered my late grandfather as the ‘Italian barber’ at the Northeastland Hotel.”
Marcus Barresi ’76, CLU, CHFC, RHU, REBC
It’s been 40 years, but Marcus Barresi ’76 still appreciates three “mighty” Sisters. In 1974, sophomores Marcus Barresi and Danny Bourbeau saw a problem and took it upon themselves to fix it. The problem: no snack bar on campus. The solution: Munchies, a short-order eatery located in the basement of Saint Joseph’s Hall. “We opened Munchies every night from 7 to 10,” recalls Barresi, “and served a typical snack bar menu: sandwiches, fries, etc. We employed four or five students and we just barely broke even…but it was a learning experience.” Munchies lasted just one year, but business major Marcus Barresi put that learning experience to good use. “When you want something to happen in a small community,” he said, “you have to make it happen.” Looking back, he considers his time at Saint Joseph’s the most important years of his life: “I learned about personal responsibility and how to make decisions in an ethical manner. All the values my parents taught me were validated.” “The presence of the Sisters on campus was huge!” he says. “I was so impressed by their dedication, intellect, and commitment to the mission. These were tough times in
It was not an easy time to start a business, but over three decades he grew his firm into one of Maine’s leading providers of employee benefits, insurance and financial products and services. His company’s motto is Expertise with Integrity. “I always knew that, in the long run, you have to stick to your core values,” says Barresi.
A Distinguished Alum
This spring, the College awarded its Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Excellence to Marcus Barresi. (See page 28 for more on the Alumni Awards.)
"I learned about personal responsibility and how to make decisions in an ethical manner. All the values my parents taught me were validated."
A generous donor, Barresi is a former trustee of the College, an Alumni Association Board member, and a past lecturer in the College’s Estate Planning Seminars. Recently, he was instrumental in bringing the College’s CPA Workshop Series to Bangor. His company has co-sponsored the continuing education series for the past several years. Accepting his award, Barresi gave a shout out to three exceptional people: Sister Mary George, Sister Mary Kneeland, and Sister Joyce Mahany. He praised the Sisters for their “constant dedication to their core values in their everyday ministry at the College.” He called them the Mighty Three.
Sister Joyce Mahany, Marcus Barresi, Sister Mary Kneeland, and Sister Mary George O’Toole.
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New Faces On Campus
Saint Joseph’s Adds to Leadership Team
Stuart Koop
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Stuart Koop, Interim Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Stuart brings over 20 years of finance and administration expertise to the leadership team. Most recently he was vice president for finance and administration at Holy Names University in Oakland, California, where he oversaw campus planning, facilities, budget and finance, and general administration. Stuart holds an MA in management information systems and a BA in chemistry.
Lynne Robinson, Associate Vice President/Chief Enrollment Officer While not a new face on campus, Lynne serves in a new leadership role. She has 20 years of experience at Saint Joseph’s, most recently as dean of admissions and enrollment operations. She oversees all recruitment efforts, both online and on campus, as well as education partnerships and special programming at the College. Lynne earned her BS from the University of Maine and her MBA from Husson University.
Lynne Robinson
magazine
Michael Sanderl
Michael Sanderl, Vice President, Chief Sponsorship and Mission Integration Officer Michael has a wide range of experience in higher education and health care, having served as dean of mission and ministry at Saint Mary’s College of California, and director of university ministry at Dominican University. Michael has a Master of Theological Studies from the Franciscan School of Theology, Graduate Theological Union, and an EdD in Catholic education leadership from the University of San Francisco.
Cortland “Chip” Stiles, Jr., Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer With more than two decades of information technology experience, Chip comes to Saint Joseph’s from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, where he served as chief information officer. He co-founded Serensoft, a technology services and consulting firm serving higher education institutions. Chip holds a BA in economics and philosophy from the University of Maine and is pursuing his MEd at Merrimack College.
Chip Stiles
Jeanne (Donlevy) Arnold '83
Steve Gorsun '09
Michael Mulhare '79
John Straub
New trustees come on board Jeanne (Donlevy) Arnold ’83 Jeanne Arnold retired as senior vice president at Good Samaritan Health Systems in Pennsylvania after a distinguished career in nursing and health care administration. A dedicated philanthropist, Jeanne is a longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and serves on their national executive board. Currently, she is spearheading a BSA task force on the prevention of childhood obesity. One of the College’s early distance education pioneers, Jeanne holds a BS in professional arts from Saint Joseph’s College. She received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. Jeanne and her husband Ed live in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
operational roles within multiple sites and business units over a period of four years. Steve assumed his current position as assistant vice president in 2014, and is based in Unum’s Worcester, Massachusetts, location. He and his wife Sheena (St. Hilaire) Gorsun ’07 live in Worcester and are expecting their first child in September.
Steve Gorsun ’09 Steve Gorsun is assistant vice president, national client group underwriting, at Unum. A former Monks baseball player and team captain during his senior year, Steve earned his degree in business administration and entered Unum’s professional development program shortly after graduation. The accelerated leadership program placed him in strategic and
Michael Mulhare ’79 Michael Mulhare, director of emergency management at Virginia Tech, has over 25 years of experience as an emergency manager, first responder, and scientist. From 1985 to 2008, he served the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in various capacities, rising to chief of the Office of Emergency Response. Michael is a frequent speaker at emergency management
“I feel fortunate to have had a unique college experience, thanks to professors and coaches who instilled the values and work ethic I needed to go out and be an adult. I would love to see Saint Joseph’s grow, and was thrilled when asked to serve on the Board.” Steve Gorsun ’09
conferences across the country. He holds a BA in biology from Saint Joseph’s and an MS in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Rhode Island. John Straub John Straub joined the Archdiocese of Boston in 2011, where he now serves as chief financial officer and chancellor. Previously, he was part of the senior management team at Kane is Able, a logistics firm based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He served in the White House as a special assistant to President George W. Bush, is a former associate dean of Harvard University, and held administrative roles in the US House of Representatives. John is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.
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Class of 2016
This year's graduating class includes over 650 students from 42 states and three countries outside the US.
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President Dlugos with honorary degree recipients Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian physician, human rights activist, and threetime Nobel Peace Prize nominee; Sr. Mary Kneeland ’73, who has devoted her life to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy; and Anna Gould, noted philanthropist and the co-founder of Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
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The 2016 Nursing Pinning Ceremony on May 13 recognized 95 graduates.
On April 29, students shared their year's work at the annual Research Fair, which was followed by the 2016 Academic Awards Ceremony.
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legacy
The John Waldron Scholarship Honoring Character, Service, and a Big Heart
O
n Saturday evening, March 12, Saint Joseph’s alumni gathered at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton, Massachusetts, for a special night of stories, drinks, and celebration to honor the memory of the late John Waldron ’79. The event coincided with the fourth Anniversary Mass for John, and served as a fundraiser for the John Waldron ’79 Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will help a student who exemplifies John’s character, his commitment to service, and his bigheartedness, to attend Saint Joseph’s College. This celebration was all about remembering John and raising funds for his legacy. It drew over 100 people from John’s SJC days and the Worcester/ Brockton areas of Massachusetts, and raised nearly $20,000 toward the goal of $25,000. This far exceeded the scheduled three-to-five years it normally takes to endow a scholarship––a testament to John Waldron’s impact on people and his community. Scholarship gifts can be made to the Waldron Memorial Scholarship through the Saint Joseph's website. For more information, please contact Senior Director of Development Jean Maginnis at jmaginnis@sjcme.edu or 207-893-7899.
John Waldron '79 with his daughter
Cathy Hevey Hagerman ’79, President Jim Dlugos, Mary Waldron (widow of John Waldron ’79) and Reis Hagerman ’79
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2016 Alumni Awards May 7, 2016, Falmouth, Maine
The Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner is a growing Saint Joseph’s tradition that allows the College to shine a light on noteworthy alumni. In May, the College community gathered to honor four deserving alumni for their contributions since graduation.
“We’ve touched the surface of what our honorees have done. We’re very thankful for them and everyone here for being part of the Saint Joseph’s College family.” -President Jim Dlugos, speaking at the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner
Catherine McAuley Award Sydney Mosher Menard ’10
Sydney lost her father to suicide at age 14. From that experience, she and her siblings founded Camp Kita, a nonprofit foundation in southern Maine that provides a therapeutic experience in a safe and supportive environment for children who have lost a loved one to suicide. Aubrey (Gray) Baum ’08, vice chair of the Alumni Board, presented Sydney with the award. Sydney Mosher Menard '10 and Aubrey (Gray) Baum '08
Emerging Leader Award Jennifer Taylor ’03, MS ’09, MBA ’17
Jen is a staff nurse within the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Boston Children’s Hospital. She also works on the Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator Team, where she brings the voice of the bedside clinician to innovative and digital health ideas. Ellis Baum ’98, chair of the Alumni Board, presented the award to Jen. Ellis Baum '98 and Jennifer Taylor '03, MS '09, MBA '17
Monk Spirit Award Pam Aliberti ’65
Pam has been a tireless champion of the College since she stepped on campus in the early 1960s. As the current Alumni Association Board Secretary and a highly engaged member of the Class of ’65, Pam’s advocacy of the College is unparalleled. Pam was presented with the award by June Irvine ’09, treasurer of the Alumni Board. June Irvine '09 and Pam Aliberti '65
Professional Excellence Award Marcus Barresi ’76
Former trustee, Alumni Association Board member, and small business owner of Barresi Financial, Inc., Marcus has displayed a dedication to excellence, integrity, and community through his work in Maine and with the College. Marcus received the award from trustee Mike Shea ’72.
Marcus Barresi '76 and Michael Shea '72
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alumninews
Why I Stay Connected Dear Fellow Alumni,
A
s I write this, I am three days away from my wedding and, as you can imagine, I’m a bit preoccupied. However, taking a little break from last minute planning to write this letter has given me the chance to reflect on a few things that I’d like to share. It never ceases to amaze me how the people you meet can end up having immense impacts on your life. There’s no better example of this than the person I’m about to marry on campus in a few days. Aubrey and I met at Alumni Weekend two years ago by chance, never imagining that we’d be building a life together. However, my SJC connections don’t stop there. There are five alums in our wedding party and a whole bunch more who will be guests. I recently spent a weekend with three very close friends, with whom I graduated, for some “pre-wedding rituals.” Even though we don’t see each other every day like we used to almost twenty years ago (sigh), it was just like old times. My point with all of this is: don’t underestimate the value of staying connected with the College. Clearly, I have met some amazing people this way. And, I am able to see and stay in touch with my friends from the “glory days” as well. One of the main reasons why I volunteer and work on the Alumni Board is to provide opportunities for alumni to stay connected after graduation and to create opportunities for alumni to meet and develop new relationships. Monktoberfest is coming!
Speaking of opportunities to stay connected, put this on your radar. This fall is the first annual Monktoberfest celebration on campus. Now, my guess is that some of you are chuckling over the “first” part of my comment. I’m well aware that Octoberfest parties are not a new concept at SJC, but (to my knowledge) there has never been anything like this. Beer, steins, bratwurst, music... lederhosen! Ok, maybe I was kidding about the lederhosen. But regardless, this will be a fantastic event! So be on the lookout for more information and mark your calendars for October 22, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
2016—2017 S J C A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N B OA R D OFFICERS CHAIR Ellis Baum ’98 VICE CHAIR Aubrey (Gray) Baum ’08 TREASURER June Irvine ’09 S E C R E TA RY Pam Aliberti ’65 AC T I N G S E C R E TA RY Matt Cotreau ’10 B OA R D M E M B E R S Stephanie (Tutlis) Briggs ’98, ’14 Lauren D’Urso ‘08 Haley Nason ’14 Donna O’Brien ’87 Ray Ruby ’05 Ryan Turner ’98
NJ/NY Metro/Eastern PA Regional Chapter Kick-Off On April 30, the newly formed NJ/NY Metro/ Eastern PA Regional Alumni Chapter held its first alumni event at the Silver Ball Museum in Asbury Park, N.J. Over two-dozen alumni and friends attended the event and enjoyed food, drink, and a lot of pinball! Special thanks to Chapter Co-Chairs Ginny Buckley-Kessler ’77 and Denise (Ryan) Lenihan ’75.
Janet Chaballa ’91, Ginny Buckley-Kessler ’77, Mary Zilg, Cara Pullen and Bob Zilg ’76
If you’re wondering what else you can do to stay connected, the Alumni Association Board is recruiting. Interested? To learn more about it, please contact Rob Coppola at (207) 893-7898 or rcoppola@sjcme.edu. In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic fall and I look forward to seeing you at Monktoberfest! Sincerely, Ellis P. Baum '98
Chair of the Alumni Association Board ebaum@sjcme.edu
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classnotes Alumni news & updates 1950s MARIE MASON McCANN ’58
of Cumberland Foreside, Maine, recently went to Switzerland with her grandson to visit her granddaughter who is working as an au pair before entering Middlebury College in February 2017. CLEO PARADIS OUELLETTE ’59
of Frenchville, Maine, welcomed her first great grandchild, Rory Andre Mercier, on April 10. Rory is the son of Elise Ouellette Mercier (Myles), who is the oldest daughter of Andre Ouellette and Lynn Nadeau Ouellette ’07.
1960s ELIZABETH HANKS LEONARD ’63
of Brunswick, Maine, is now serving as treasurer of the Maine Fulbright Association.
1980s JIM SULLIVAN ’87
of Westford, Mass., was recently honored by Community Teamworks, a nonprofit based in Jim’s hometown of Lowell, for his service to the community and his volunteer work. Jim received the Community & Volunteering Award from the organization.
1990s MARY KATHLEEN KELLY VINCENT ’90 of
Watertown, N.Y., retired three years ago after 51 years in nursing. She enjoyed volunteering at the local church, Our Lady of Sacred Heart, and loved working Bingo and senior functions. She is also a three-year survivor of breast cancer.
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KATHY HOUGHTON CRONE ’91
and her husband, Jim Crone, of Mabelvale, Ariz., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by traveling to the Canadian Rockies via Rocky Mountain Train. They took a bus from Vancouver to Toronto to see God’s beautiful earth, Canadian-style. MIKELL REED CARROLL ’99
of Portland, Maine, was recently crowned Mrs. Maine International 2016 and represented Maine in the Mrs. International Pageant on July 22 and 23 in Jacksonville, Fla. Her platform is the prevention of heart disease in women. She was recently chosen by the White House to attend the United States of Women Summit in Washington, D.C., for her work in combating heart disease and as an advocate for women’s health. While in D.C., she met with Senator Susan Collins to discuss her platform. She has been a volunteer and official ambassador with the American Heart Association since 2012.
2000s
JOSEPH ANDERSON ’06
of Portland, Maine, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Dr. Anderson will begin his residency in Pediatrics at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., in June. JENNIFER L. MICHEL ’06
of Auburn, Maine, received her Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) from Clarion University in December 2015. She is currently the library director at Turner Public Library in Turner, Maine. MICHAEL L. BLAIS ’09
of Portland, Maine, is now a subsidies data analyst at Shalom House, Inc.
2010s ANDREA (SCHICHILONE) CORRADO ’10
of Bethlehem, Pa., was recognized at a staff dinner at Northampton Community College on May 20, 2016. Andrea was recently promoted to associate professor of nursing and received the College’s highest honor, The Christensen Award for Excellence in Teaching. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from NCC in 2005. Her students praise her enthusiasm, her understanding that not all students learn in the same way, and for doing whatever it takes to see her students succeed.
NORMAN OLSEN ’00
of Demorest, Ga., had another article published in Reflections on Nursing Leadership on June 21, 2016, called You’re a Nurse and Wonder Why You’re Exhausted. He is an assistant professor of nursing at Piedmont College in Demorest, where he has also started the EdD program. NANCY SMITH CURTIN ’05
of Mount Airy, Md., is enjoying retirement after 20 years as a school nurse.
Andrea Corrado ‘10
alumninews JENNIFER BURGESS ’12
was awarded a $1,000 Carolyn F. Walker Auxiliary Scholarship for employee recognition for 2016. She is currently enrolled in the family nurse practitioner program at Saint Joseph’s College while working full time on the mental health unit of Southern Maine Health Care.
Weddings Bells JEFF FERGUSON ’08
of Augusta, Maine, married Kerrie Murtha on May 14, 2016, at State Street Church in Portland, Maine. The wedding party included NICK PETERSON ’05, ANDREW VAUGHAN ’07 AND RYAN SULLIVAN ’09 as
groomsmen. Other SJC alumni in attendance included LAUREN
BRUYETTE ’08, MEGHAN KING ’08 AND TONY MYATT ’09. KRISTEN (JEWETT) CRAWFORD ’05, ’11
of Dover, N.H., was married to Scott Crawford on January 6. They had an intimate ceremony on Bang Tao Beach on the island of Phuket in Thailand. Kristen was formerly the director of alumni relations at the College and is currently an adjunct faculty member.
Heather '13 and Justin Theriault CHIARA D. (FERRANTE) CYR ’10
of Portland, Maine, married Eric Cyr of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, on May 7, 2016. The ceremony was held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Portland, and the reception was held at the Portland Club. The bride is the manager of resource development at United Way of York County, and the groom is a cardiovascular cath lab technician at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. They currently reside in Dover, N.H., with their dog Archer. STACY BURTON ’10
STEPHEN COOPER ’10
of Chelsea, Maine, became engaged to Kristen Dube in March. Stephen is a financial analyst at Sappi Fine Paper in Skowhegan, Maine.
of New Gloucester, Maine, became engaged to Jason Dennison in August of 2015. They are set to be married in August 2017 in an
Kristen '05, '11 and Scott Crawford in Thailand
intimate ceremony on the water in Portland, Maine. Stacy is set to begin her final year of the BSN program at USM in September of this year with anticipation of graduating in May of 2017 with high honors. ASHLEY BURTON ’12
of Sanford, Maine, got engaged to Mark Thayer on February 13, 2016. HEATHER (ACETO) THERIAULT ’13
of Gray, Maine, was married to Justin Theriault on August 22, 2015. JENNIFER MUCHER ’14
of Los Lunas, N.M., is engaged to Matthew Shumway and they will wed on September 24, 2016.
Jeff '08 and Kerrie Ferguson
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alumninews Condolences & Prayers: The College offers its condolences to…
New Additions
The family of former student BRENDAN M. HORTON of South Portland, Maine. Brendan passed away on March 9, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.
JOSHUA HERRICK ’07 and JILL COTE HERRICK ’07 of Biddeford, Maine,
welcomed their son and third child, Milo Theodore Herrick, on November 23, 2015. Milo is well loved, especially by his two older sisters, Adele (4) and Winnie (3).
The family of MARIE KELLOGG PETERS ’53, who passed away on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016, with her children by her side.
CHRISTOPHER RENAUD ’02 and CHRISTINA (PATMAN) RENAUD ’02
welcomed their daughter, Suzette Denise, on March 6, 2016. Chris will be transitioning out of the army from active duty and returning to Maine. He will be joining the anesthesiology department at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington on July 11, 2016.
BARBARA PINDAR SMITH ’53, whose Baby Milo Herrick SHERINE GREEN ’12 of Cherry Hill, N.J.,
welcomed her little boy, Philip, to the world on Ash Wednesday. She waited patiently to send this picture because she wanted him to show off his proud mom’s school colors! Sherine is also celebrating her husband Jason Ragbir being recently accepted into an IT program.
husband, Donald (Don) Smith, passed away on May 4, 2016. The family of MARY ANNE O’CONNOR HENDERSON ’59, who died on Monday, May 2, 2016, after a brief illness. She was the sister of ELIZABETH O’CONNOR HACHEY ’62. KEVIN MURPHY ’78 whose wife, SIMONNE F. MURPHY '75 passed away
April 6, 2016, after battling cancer for two years. Simonne earned her associate’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College. Simonne was an active member of the Epping Community Church since 1989, was on the Ladies Aide at the church and taught Sunday school. Simonne was on the board of trustees of the library in Epping. She enjoyed making quilts, crafting and gardening. ESTHER MARTONE CADUTO ’80,
Baby Suzette Denise Renaud with brothers Teddy and Henry.
Baby Philip Vincent Ragbir
whose husband Ralph Caduto died peacefully on March 25, 2016, at their home in Palm Coast, Fla. ESTHER, his wife of 63 years, 4 children, 3 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild were by his side.
What’s New With You? We want to know. Send us news of your accomplishments and life changes. Contact the Office of Alumni Relations by emailing alumni@sjcme.edu, calling 207-893-7890, or mailing updates to the Office of Alumni Relations, Saint Joseph’s College, 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, Maine 04084.
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Mark Your Calendars
MONKTOBERFEST! Saturday, October 22, at 4 p.m. Saint Joseph’s Stone Barn Join us for a new alumni event that gives a Monks twist on Octoberfest. Enjoy the fall foliage on campus with music, delicious food, and a local beer tasting in the beautifully renovated Stone Barn at Pearson’s Town Farm. This is a don’tmiss event, sure to become an annual Monks favorite!
Beer, bratwurst, music, fun! Visit sjcme.edu/alumni to register.
START A REGIONAL ALUMNI CHAPTER.... and stay connected, wherever you are.
Events on the Saint Joseph’s Sebago Lake campus are always great. But if you can’t make it to Maine, regional chapters are a way to stay connected with your SJC friends–and make new ones. TO START A REGIONAL CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA, CONTACT ROB COPPOLA, OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS: RCOPPOLA@SJCME.EDU • 207-893-7898.
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alumniweekend 2016
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T
his summer’s Alumni Weekend was one of the best attended ever, with more than 230 alumni and their families signed up for a full schedule of events.
Friday night kicked off with a sold-out Welcome Back Cruise in Portland. Saturday’s many events included the Sisters of Mercy Tea, the Walton Street Society induction ceremony, the Lobster Bake, a dance party under the tent, and more. Alumni and friends enjoyed the new lakefront venue and the renovated Stone Barn, as the weekend was topped off with a resounding Jazz Brunch complete with mimosas and dancing!
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mission
SISTER FLEURETTE KENNON’S “QUIET ROOM” W Sister Fleurette served BY SISTER MARY GEORGE O'TOOLE, RSM, '51, HON '90
hen Sister took on her responsibilities in 1977, the library was simply the entire wing of Mercy Hall where the bookstore and several offices are now located.
Some few short years after her arrival, she was quickly immersed and challenged to design, detail and deliver all that would be entailed for the opening of a new, up-todate facility, later to be named the Kathleen and Daniel Wellehan Library in 1983 and which was located on the second floor of the Margaret H. Heffernan Center. All of this, Sister did generously, joyously and quietly! Over the 22 years that Sister Fleurette was director of the library, many faculty, staff, and students came to know and appreciate her and her giftedness, as well as her expectation that the library environment must be one of “QUIET” in order to facilitate learning and research. Her expectation would have us periodically hear her saying: “Please be quiet,” which would be followed by “the look.” This was sufficient to have offenders quickly resume proper study and research behavior. Though Sister “retired” in 1999, phone calls and notes continue to come in good number because of the role she played as listener, consoler and friend to so many. On April 22, 2016, we surprised Sister by celebrating and dedicating the Quiet Room in the Wellehan Library in her honor, as a testimony of appreciation for all that she gave of herself, while serving “quietly” here at Saint Joseph’s College. Many former and present faculty, staff, and students came to join in the festivities and to thank her for the meaning she has given to their lives.
As our forefathers in Faith were accustomed to pray: May the Lord bless you and keep you; May he let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; And may he look upon you kindly and give you peace. Amen.
36 | saint joseph’s
magazine
22 years as Saint Joseph’s Director of Library Services
WESTBROOK
STRONG O
LEAVING A LEGACY
n a beautiful Saturday in mid-July, 445 people gathered in downtown Westbrook to run, walk, or jog in memory of SJC alumnus Matthew Rairdon. Matthew’s life ended tragically in 2013, the year he graduated from the nursing program at Saint Joseph’s and began working in the ER at Mercy Hospital in Portland. To honor Matthew and his passion for nursing, his family established the Westbrook Strong 5K, a fundraiser for the Matthew Rairdon ’13 Memorial Scholarship. This year, the third annual 5K event raised about $17,000 to support the endowed scholarship, which recognizes an SJC nursing student from Maine. Among the registrants were more than 33 SJC participants. At the conclusion of the event, SJC staff member Liz Schran announced that a former faculty member had directed a bequest to the Rairdon Scholarship, and that an anonymous donor has promised to underwrite the cost of making the Westbrook Strong 5K an official race, which will draw even more running enthusiasts. To date, the endowment has grown to over $70,000, ensuring that Matt’s legacy will live on.
Gary and Laurie Rairdon prepare to start the 2016 Westbrook Strong 5K in memory of their son, Matthew Rairdon ’13.
Make a Special Gift for Future Generations. There are many ways to leave a legacy that honors someone special while supporting the next generation of SJC students. To start the conversation, please contact Senior Director of Development Jean Maginnis at jmaginnis@sjcme.edu or 207-893-7899. summer 2016 | 37
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