Communicator: Summer 2015 by Western New England University

Celebrating our

Women who Excel

Grace Kucharski â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15

COMMENCEMENT 2015

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Western New England University COVER STORY

THE COMMUNICATOR

Women Who Excel

SUMMER 2015

A new Admissions program designed to celebrate the accomplishments of women in our learning community will showcase our “Women Who Excel” and provide opportunities for prospective students to learn how they can follow in the footsteps of these inspirational Golden Bears.

In this Issue CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY 2

President’s Message

Student Spotlight: Civil Engineering’s Justin Parlapiano

Athletic Affinity Reunions

Sport Management Program Proves It’s Got Game

MFA Program Helps Students Tell Their Stories

Scholarships: The Gift of Opportunity

Campus Update

Alumni Receptions

Alumni News

Sports Update

Class Notes

Remember When

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FACULTY FOCUS Harlan Spotts Beyond the clever ad, Professor of Marketing Harlan Spotts discusses the multifaceted business of marketing.

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ALUMNI FOCUS Rob Guiry’10/G’14 After a strong run on The Biggest Loser, Rob Guiry’10/G’14 returns to campus to inspire students.

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Commencement 2015 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Alumni Association of Western New England University is to communicate with and bring value to the alumni body and to support actively and financially the goals of the University as detailed in its Mission Statement.

Commencement celebrations began a new tradition this year with two weekend events uniting the campus community.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I INVITE THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY— especially our alumni—to the ribbon-cutting for the Golden Bear Pavilion on September 29. Funded entirely by donations, the building gives our players and fans the resources they need to take Golden Bear sports to the next level. It includes a much-needed training room, locker rooms, an equipment room, a concession stand, and public restrooms. This latest addition to our beautiful athletics complex is consistent with our commitment to provide top-notch facilities to enhance the student experience across the entire campus. If you have not been back to the University recently, please pay us a visit and also see the recently renovated and expanded Sleith Hall, the magniﬁcent Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy, the superbly renovated Herman Hall, and the new Frances and Norman Cohen Trading Room and Financial Center in Churchill Hall. Of course, a great University is not just about the buildings. We have also recruited outstanding faculty to teach in them. The vast majority of our full-time faculty have earned the Ph.D. or other doctoral/terminal degree. Indeed, one of our hallmarks is individualized instruction and small classes taught by professors, rather than by teaching assistants. These talented and committed professionals are the cornerstone of Western New England University excellence, and they are well suited to prepare students for success in the classroom and in their careers. If you will not be able to join us for the Golden Bear Pavilion ribbon-cutting, I hope to see you at Homecoming Weekend October 2-4. Without a doubt, autumn is

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SUMMER 2015

a wonderful time to visit. The students and faculty are full of renewed energy, the bond between the University and its graduates is apparent at Homecoming, and our school spirit comes alive at athletics contests. It is an occasion to revel in the moment—to reconnect with the place where your future began. With new facilities and programs, much has evolved and changed at this institution. But there is one constant: keeping true to our core values that have come to deﬁne Western New England University. Our personal attention to students, highquality teaching and research, and the informal collegial atmosphere on campus are what make this place so special—and make me so proud to serve as President. Come witness ﬁrsthand the excitement at Western New England University this fall! I and all of us here at the University look forward to seeing you soon. (Please view details on these and other events in the coming months on our website— www.wne.edu.) Sincerely,

Anthony S. Caprio President

The Communicator is published for the alumni, parents, and friends of Western New England University. PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY

Anthony S. Caprio VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT

Beverly J. Dwight VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Barbara A. Moffat DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Katherine M. Pappas G’98 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS

Brian Fitzgerald EDITOR

Mary McLean Orszulak G’10 SPORTS UPDATE EDITOR

Ken Cerino CAMPUS UPDATE EDITOR

Judy Curran WRITERS

Make a gift every year. Make a difference every day. The Fund for Western New England University

Judy Curran Brian Fitzgerald Pat Gagnon Alex Lyman ’12 Mary McLean Orszulak G’10 CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Deborah Chappell DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

MacKenzie Design PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paul Schnaittacher Brian Zelasko PRINTER

Gifts to The Fund for Western New England University help students by providing scholarships, enhanced technology, upgraded facilities, and new programs—all crucial in today’s competitive and rapidly changing higher education environment. The multipurpose fund is the cornerstone of the University’s fundraising efforts and enables us to meet a diverse array of needs.

To make a gift, visit www.wne.edu/giving, call 800-325-1122, ext. 1335, or send a check, payable to: Western New England University Advancement Division 1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119

AM Lithography EDITORIAL OFFICES:

The Communicator, Office of Marketing and External Affairs, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119-2684 Telephone: 800-962-6592 Fax: 413-782-1779 Address and email changes should be sent to the Office of Alumni Relations at alumwne@wne.edu. Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders of any material reprinted in this magazine. Any omissions will be corrected in subsequent issues if notice is given to the Office of Marketing and External Affairs, Western New England University. The University reserves the right to make editorial changes prior to publication.

Western New England University is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetics or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Assistant Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119-2684. Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, J.W. McCormack P.O.C.H., Room 222, Boston, MA 02109-4557.

Women who Excel BY MARY McLEAN ORSZULAK G’10

The women of Western New England University do amazing things every day. Western New England University is proud to introduce our “Women Who Excel.” They are our distinguished alumnae, deans, faculty, mentors, staff, star athletes, and outstanding students who inspire us all to do more, be more, and achieve more than we ever imagined. Join us as we celebrate our “Women Who Excel” and read their stories to learn what makes them such a valued part of our great learning community. Beginning this fall, the Office of Enrollment Management will host special events for prospective female students to introduce them to these and other inspiring role models. The goal is to help them to understand how women can “Experience Even More at a Great University,” the theme of this year’s admissions campaign. Beyond Admissions efforts, the campus-wide effort will share with the entire community the insightful personal journeys these women have taken through their experiences here and the lasting impact they have had on the story of Western New England University.

Visit www.wne.edu/admissions to learn about upcoming events.

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Rose M. Colon L’15 Juris Doctorate With career interests ranging from Entertainment Law to Child Advocacy, recent Western New England University School of Law graduate Rose Colon L’15 has a bright future ahead of her. Rose was president of the Multi Cultural Law Students Association (MCLSA), and a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, National Lawyers Guild Student Association, and Women Law Students Association (WLSA). Outside of class, she has applied her legal knowledge as a law clerk in the Law Office of Joe A. Smith, III. She holds a B.A. in Legal Studies from Bay Path University and earned her J.D. from Western New England University in spring 2015.

Jordyn Peck ’10

You were a volunteer for Discovering Justice, a nonprofit with a program at Duggan Magnet School across the street from the School of Law. What is its mission?

Discovering Justice offers a new approach to students learning about the justice system and the role of attorneys within that system. The program originated in the Boston area. Retired Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, a native of Springfield, really pushed to have a program right here in western Mass.

I attended Duggan. I walked those same halls. I grew up in the same neighborhoods and saw the same things these kids are seeing: poverty, crime, poor choices, and limited opportunities. All of these things relate to and impact the law as a whole and more specifically the criminal justice system.

With Duggan now designated as a Social Justice Magnet School, how can this program impact its students and their community?

I’ve seen how easy it is to crush a child’s spirit and dissuade them from pursuing their dreams when all these factors are working together against them. It almost happened to me and it happens too many times in this community. If some of these students can see some of themselves in me and if I can then convince them that if I did it they can do it, then it was worthwhile.

The law is a time-honored tool of social engineering. The students need to be empowered with this tool so that they can create a better future here in Springfield for themselves, their families, and the city-at-large. I want to be a part of that.

As a Duggan alum why do you feel it was important for you to help current students bridge the knowledge gap when it comes to the legal system?

Where do you see your greatest interest and passion in the field of law?

I’m uncertain of where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing now that I’ve graduated. The law is so grand that there isn’t just one field of interest or passion for me. However, I do know that whatever my post-graduation pursuits may be, one thing I am passionate about is giving back. I want to give back to my law school, to my community, and to my family for all they have done to help me get to this point in life.

Mathematical Sciences Stress Testing Lead Analyst, GE Capital Jordyn Peck is applying her degree in Mathematical Sciences in the field of Financial Services, yet she has also continued her commitment to serving others that was a part of what made her a recipient of the Western New England University Skookum Award for Excellence. During the North East Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (NEACURH) Regional Conference hosted by Western New England, Jordyn was the community service chair. She was also president of the Math Club, a tutor at the Math Center and Glickman Elementary School, and worked for the Admissions Office. She also found time to study abroad in Italy, intern at MassMutual Financial Group, and play varsity soccer, being named to the Academic All Conference Team.

What are your primary responsibilities as a stress testing lead analyst at GE Capital? Why would you recommend that career path to other young women?

As a stress testing lead analyst at GE Capital, I am responsible for reporting forward-looking financial statement proformas under various adverse macroeconomic and event-driven scenarios, which go to the Federal Reserve. I began my career at GE Capital through the Financial Management Program (FMP), which is a two-year program that focuses on developing strong analytical and leadership skills through challenging rotations, high exposure, and course work. For any young woman who is looking to explore career possibilities in finance as well as accelerate their career quickly, I would absolutely recommend this career path. In addition, GE has a strong Women’s Network affinity group as well as plenty of female leaders who are willing to promote and mentor young women.

(Continued on next page) www.wne.edu/alumni

Dr. Julie Drzymalski Interim Chair and Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (Continued from previous page)

Statistics show that more young girls are showing an interest in STEM subjects. What made you want to be a Mathematical Sciences major at Western New England University?

Dr. Julie Drzymalski has a wealth of expertise in project management, intelligent systems, engineering supply chain, and network modeling. She is a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education, American Society for Quality, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. She holds a B.S. from Polytechnic University, an M.Eng. from Widener University, and an M.S. in Engineering Management and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University.

I remember sitting in a Calculus III class with Professor Dave Mazur in Herman Hall and having that “Aha” moment. In that moment, I realized I loved the challenge that the mathematics discipline embodied as well as the clarity and satisfaction in getting to the right answer. Plus, after interning with MassMutual Financial Group and speaking with professors, I realized how valuable a mathematics degree would be, almost regardless of whichever industry I decided to pursue.

You’re a person who enjoys volunteering. How did your experience and involvement on campus here help to nurture that interest for giving back?

Western New England hosted the NEACURH Regional Conference and I was given the chance to serve as the community service chair. The opportunity and support to run such a cross-functional initiative was an amazing experience. As a team, we raised money for over 7,000 books for Children’s Study Home of Springfield. The chance to make an impact on a community, right in our backyard, was beyond rewarding and cemented service work as an integral part of my life.

Q. A.

You’ve worked in the construction industry and are currently the interim chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management. How do you think your experience in industry makes you a better educator and administrator?

My industrial experience helps me to bring to life the theory taught in class by providing students with applications of the theory that I have personally performed or witnessed. This allows for a richer experience for the students as well as myself, and lends a more personal flavor to the course. My experience as a manager has equipped me well to help students hone their interviewing skills and prepare them to face their first real job. It has also given me the much-needed time management and personnel experience to be able to balance the teaching and administrative duties.

What is the buildOn program and what has been the most rewarding part of your participation in it?

buildOn is an international nonprofit organization that runs youth service after school programs in the U.S. and builds schools in developing countries to “break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations.” In August of 2012, along with 30 colleagues, I traveled to rural Nicaragua to construct one of the two primary schools that our Ambassador Trek fully funded.

The most rewarding part of the experience was seeing an entire community come together in order to provide the extraordinary gift of education. All men and women of the village must sign a covenant to pledge labor to aid in construction as well as send boys and girls to school in equal numbers. The host family I lived with had one small girl and it was evident how much the schoolhouse and covenant would change her life by securing her a chance at education.

Grace Kucharski ’15 Management and Leadership

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identify new challenges and opportunities, whether or not you are an entrepreneur. This mindset will enhance all facets of your career and the company by teaching you to think globally, which is applicable whether you are starting your own business, trying to succeed in industry, or trying to lead a team.

You have received grant funding from the Kern Foundation for developing curriculum that helps our engineering students cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. Why is that so important in the study of engineering even for students who may not become entrepreneurs?

Developing an entrepreneurial mindset means that you develop broad thinking outside just technical material so that you can

Considered one of the top studentathletes in school history, Grace Kucharski was a standout member of the volleyball team, a softball player, and Skookum Award recipient. She graduated this May with a B.S.B.A. in Management and Leadership and a minor in Enterprise Resource Planning with a Certificate in SAP. Grace interned at Disney World® and was active on campus—from service as an admissions associate to a Champs/Life Skills mentor. She has been recognized by the University, including the Board of Trustees, with awards for leadership and high academics while compiling a school volleyball record of 2,118 digs—ninth all-time in New England and first in her conference. She was a four-time AllCCC honoree and twice a First-Team pick her last two seasons. Grace is continuing her education at the University of Central Florida in the M.S. in Hospitality Management program.

Q. A.

What career accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of having two very successful careers and being able to make the switch between very distinct professions. After having been involved in construction project/program management for 12 years, I pursued my Ph.D. in a slightly different area and have used that to get to where I am today. Being successful in the classroom and academia in general has been very rewarding and makes me proud that I could accomplish it. The students

inspire me each day to perform my best both in the classroom and out and are a true motivational tool to stay on top of my performance.

What are the misconceptions about the term “Industrial” Engineering, and why is it an exciting time for women in particular to be involved in this field?

Probably the most common misinterpretation of Industrial Engineering is that we work strictly on manufacturing floors, when in fact, the tools we teach IEs are applicable and utilized in every type of industry. For example, virtually every hospital today has at least one IE on staff, which opens up new avenues and opportunities for all IEs. In particular, for women, it opens up more nontraditional avenues of practicing the profession and generates broader job opportunities.

As a two-sport standout at Western New England, what was the most memorable moment of your collegiate athletic career?

I didn’t know it at the time, but being put into a different position my freshmen year for volleyball was a defining moment. Being challenged and forced to really work at it set me up for all the success I have had on the court. It is so rewarding to look back on all of the growing pains and struggles I had to overcome to get where I am today.

You excelled on the playing field/court and in the classroom, what drives you to be a high achiever?

Looking towards the next step has always driven me. My dad’s favorite line to tell me every day is, “Think of your future!” While he says it to be funny, I truly do love to plan ahead and dream big. I know that putting in the hard work on the playing field and in the classroom is always worth it in the long run and keeping the end in mind serves as my motivation.

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What was the best part of being a woman student-athlete at Western New England University?

The best part is being able to leave my mark on the athletics family just as my predecessors have. In my four years, I have been inspired by the other strong and successful female athletes around me. I can only hope that I’ve left a positive impact on the athletics community and served as a role model for other young athletes. How have your experiences as an athlete prepared you to be a leader as you enter the business world? Being an athlete carries over into everything that I do, and it has shaped me into the person I am today. Leadership, hard work, and determination are skills that I have developed during my career that have prepared me for success after college. As an athlete you deal with failure on an everyday basis, but how you respond to failure on the court and in life will set you apart from the rest. n

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

BY ALEX LYMAN ’12

A Golden Representative “I have great attention to detail,” Justin Parlapiano explained. “I want to design sustainable infrastructure that meets the demands of today, while preserving the needs of the future.” His artistic eye and practical mindset are what brought Justin to Western New England University to study Civil Engineering after completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Ithaca College. Justin hopes to take his foundation in business and combine it with his engineering knowledge to create environmentally conscious spaces that people can enjoy and use efﬁciently. Justin came at the perfect time to take advantage of an important leadership opportunity: the highly selective U.S Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015. Justin has been a major part of the Western New England team, which includes over 100 students from across the Colleges. The team, which received Alumni Association grants, is tasked with constructing a full-size, net-zero solar-powered house with help from additional teammates from the Universidad Tecnólogica de Panamá and Universidad Tecnólogica Centroamericana. Justin started as team secretary taking meeting minutes, and was recently invited to become backup construction manager, which meant he had to complete the OSHA-30 requirement over spring break.

“The Solar Decathlon is an extremely demanding competition, which has required students of various majors, and even different countries, to work together,” said Justin. “The team has just submitted the 90% review to the Department of Energy, which means the construction phase is just around the corner.” The team is working with a modular home company to keep the house at an affordable $80,000– $100,000 price range. The home design is customizable for different climates and is designed to work for both new families and emptynesters. Initial construction is slated for this summer, and Justin plans to go to California in October for part of the month-long Decathlon. His two-week trip includes assembly

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“I chose Western New England for engineering over other schools because I would get the personal attention I needed inside and outside the classroom. I also wanted to be a part of something very special, the first graduating class of Civil Engineering. I knew the College of Engineering would provide plenty of leadership opportunities.”

From the Solar Decathlon to the New MGM Casino, Justin Parlapiano Tackles Big Projects with Sustainable and Economic Impact

of the house, which needs to be shipped in pieces to the venue, as well as the competition itself. The Decathlon has not only given Justin global relations and collaboration experience, but also the opportunity to travel. He was a student ambassador for Western New England in Costa Rica and Panama during the summer of 2013, and returned to Costa Rica again in September 2014. The goal during these trips was to set up relationships with foreign universities to collaborate on a large National Science Foundation grant. The trip was a success, as the Universidad Tecnólogica de Panamá decided to team up with Western New England on the Solar Decathlon during this visit, and other universities began working with our students on a new grant, focused on renewable energy collaboration between U.S. and Central America. Justin won’t have a chance to

slow down this summer. In fact he has big plans involving the highprofile MGM Casino coming to Springfield. He will be working for Boston-based Tishman Construction, an AECOM Company, which has been contracted to work on the casino. “On the MGM project, I will be responsible primarily for the review of submittals, plans, specifications, as well as being paired with a project engineer who will guide me on the worksite,” he noted. “I was told anything is possible in terms of what I might be asked to accomplish. As far as local impact, I believe it is good for Springfield. Not only is there the casino, but entertainment will bring a lot of business to the area, too.” Justin’s goal is to continue to work part-time for Tishman Construction while he completes his senior year part-time, and remain with the company after graduation. “I feel so blessed to have been

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admitted to Western New England because the career support and preparation is unlike anything I have experienced,” Justin said. “Our professors in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have consistently invited industry professionals to speak to us and have posted a proliﬁc amount of new internship opportunities. The program has ﬂourished under the guidance of Dr. Ken Lee. He is fully invested in our success.” Outside of his academic and professional endeavors, Justin also has a love of soccer. He played for Ithaca while studying there, and now coaches freshman boys’ soccer at Minnechaug Regional High School. His ultimate dream is the perfect blend of sport, leadership, and engineering. “If I could design the next World Cup soccer stadium, and then coach in it, my life would be complete.” n

BY PATRICIA GAGNON

CLEVER AD Beyond the

Marketing Professor Harlan Spotts looks beneath the surface at the multifaceted business of marketing

one of Professor Harlan Spotts’ favorite textbooks is a quote by Roger Best: “Market-based management is intuitively easy, yet deceptively difﬁcult. Without application one can be seduced into believing one knows more than they do.” Dr. Spotts explains why this point hits home. “Marketing suffers from a perception that it’s all about sitting around and coming up with a clever advertisement. Everyone thinks they can do that. The reality is marketing is much broader in scope, and much more complicated when you begin to get down to application.” Professor Spotts says marketing is the core function of business that deﬁnes what a company does. “The driving mantra for business comes from management guru Peter Drucker, who stated that ‘the purpose of a business is to create a customer.’ That is marketing, and that concept is what focuses my approach in the classroom,” he says. “One aspect of marketing that I really like is that it spans all areas of business in terms of the quantitative and qualitative aspects. There is market research,

marketing analytics, and performance assessment, which is very quantitatively oriented; then, you have the whole creative aspect of marketing—which often is the only aspect that many people think about. As marketers, we get to play in both areas.” Professor Spotts says students at Western New England University have a dynamic environment in which to study marketing that goes beyond simple coursework. Faculty in the Department of Marketing look for opportunities that allow students to work on real life and/or application-oriented projects that provide tangible experiences they can talk about in the job interview. “Last fall, in my Campaign Planning and Management course, students worked on a project related to heroin addiction. The idea for this project came from the heightened publicity of heroin addiction and overdoses in the region during the spring of 2014,” he says. Students worked in teams developing campaigns targeted to parents, adults aged 18 to 29, and teens aged 12 to 17. Guest speakers were brought in to talk with the students about addiction and treatment, criminal justice and law

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enforcement, sociological aspects of addiction, neurological effects of heroin and addiction, and media. Other student projects include working on a marketing plan for a Montessori School in the area and creating a crowdfunding campaign for a robotics security system developed by a Russian entrepreneur. “The other opportunity that we strive to capitalize on is collaboration,” he says. “Faculty connect across the Colleges and provide courses and project opportunities that combine disciplines. For example, we have a course taught in the senior year that integrates business and engineering students in product innovation and development. My colleague in engineering, Dr. Robert Gettens, and I are also working together with two other faculty members—Mary Schoonmaker, in the College of Business, and Jessica Carlson Outhouse, in the College of Arts and Sciences, on a project to bring a national program titled ‘3 Day Start-up’ to campus in the fall. Over the course of a weekend, students will create, develop and pitch a product/project idea, kind of like a mini-shark tank.”

FACULTY PROFILE

“Marketing suffers from a perception that it’s all about sitting around and coming up with a clever advertisement. Everyone thinks they can do that. The reality is marketing is much broader in scope, and much more complicated when you begin to get down to application.” Professor Spotts says with the exceptional faculty and preparation of a Marketing degree from Western New England University, students have graduated and gone on to successful careers in brand management, sales, advertising, event marketing, account management, and as project coordinators in a variety of different industries. He has authored and published 24 refereed journal publications, 15 conference paper publications, six conference abstracts; and delivered 21 conference presentations. He has also been awarded six instructional and faculty development grants and two externally funded grants—one by Proctor & Gamble in the area of creativity and the other by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network in the area of design thinking. Two of his most recent publications appeared in the Journal of Advertising Research. The ﬁrst was focused on the interaction between social media behav-

Diane, Peter, and Harlan Spotts celebrate Peter’s accomplishments.

ior and Super Bowl advertising. The second was written with his long-time coauthor and mentor Marc Weinberger a professor emeritus at the UMass Isenberg School of Management. “One of the reasons that I have liked being at Western New England is that there is much ﬂexibility in how you conduct your research. I have a diverse set of interests in marketing, advertising, entrepre-

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neurship, creativity— so collaborating with others allows me to pursue these various interests,” says Professor Spotts. His interests outside of the University include biking, hiking, photography, movies, and collecting iconic advertising and marketing items. Dr. Spotts’ wife, Diane, is a special education teacher in South Hadley, MA, and they have two sons. His older son, Derrick, has a ﬁne arts degree in printmaking from the Hartford Art School and is building his own music label business. His younger son, Peter, who graduated from Western New England with a degree in Communication in May, was the recipient of the Nancy Hoar Excellence in Communication Award. “I am very proud of all Peter has accomplished during his four years at Western New England,” he said. n

ALUMNI FOCUS

BY SENIOR JOSHUA AYERS

Inspiring

Rob Guiry ’10/G’14 Returns to Campus after a strong run on The Biggest Loser

ubtitled Glory Days, the 2015 season of The Biggest Loser featured former professional, Olympic, and NCAA athletes seeking to lose the greatest percentage of body weight and win the $250,000 prize. Rob Guiry ’10/G’14 started the season as the heaviest contestant at 483 pounds, and by the final weigh-in he had shed 238 pounds. Rob finished third, but he made a huge difference in his own life and he’s motivating other people in theirs. Last fall, Rob put his life on hold, giving up his positions as residence manager and head rugby coach at the University to compete in the 16th season of popular program. Facing strong competition from the start he knew he’d have to buckle down in a whole new way. “When I first got to the ranch, I was definitely intimidated at the caliber of athletes I was surrounded by,” he said. “As much as I might have the mindset of a competitive athlete, I never really had the body and ability to go with it.” But Rob didn’t let the pressure stop him. “I knew I wouldn’t have much luck in challenges, but I knew I could win on the scale and tried to focus on that,” he said. Rob did incredibly well on The Biggest Loser, but he knows he could have done more. “I wish I did a better job controlling my emotions. There is no hiding the fact that I am an emotional and sensitive person,” he reflected. However, he doesn’t regret who he is. “In a lot of cases those traits help me out in life. They allow me to be empathetic and perceptive of others,” he said.

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“While I was on The Biggest Loser show, I learned that I have to stop putting limitations on myself.”

Students Returning Home After returning from the show, one of the ﬁrst things Rob did was to give three inspirational talks at Western New England University, including the keynote address for the Freshmen and Sophomore Honors Reception. In his speeches, Rob wanted to help people help themselves. “It’s natural to put limitations on yourself and to tell yourself, ‘I could never do that,’ but while I was on The Biggest Loser show, I learned that I have to stop putting limitations on myself,” he explained. He expressed his overall takeaway as a simple change in mentality. “We have to get up every day and tell ourselves that we can accomplish far more than we realize, if we’re ready to work hard for it,” he said. On the stage, Rob expressed a great deal of gratitude to his fellow Golden Bears for helping him to get where he is today. “I don’t think I would have gotten on the show if not for my friends here at Western New England,” he said. “They pushed me and helped me get through the application and interview process.” Rob was also appreciative of his alma mater’s role in his life: “I attended school here for four years and then worked here for four years, and this place really molded me into the man I am today.” Rob was particularly thankful for his Golden Bear supporters. “There is no doubt that the University community helped me through my Biggest Loser journey,” he said. “One of the hardest parts about the journey was being cut

off from all my friends, students, coworkers, and players on campus. Their constant letters really helped me get through tough times. I loved hearing about the viewing parties, Homecoming Weekend, and successes of the rugby team,” he said. One message has stuck with Rob more than any other, and that is “Winning Today,” a concept introduced to him by Department of Athletics Business Manager Jody Lemoi ’02/G’04, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. “Jody wrote me a really meaningful letter describing how we were both tackling the biggest battles of our lives and encouraged me to stay focused and ‘win today,’” he said.

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To the Future Rob was truly appreciative of the positive impact The Biggest Loser had on his life. “I deﬁnitely want to give back the gift I have been given, and I plan on becoming a certiﬁed personal trainer and spin instructor,” he said. He also hopes to return to rugby: “I’d like to continue to grow as a rugby coach and join a Division I college team soon.” At present, he’s using everything he’s learned from his fellow Golden Bears and his TV experience. “Now that I am home I am trying to focus on the small victories, including making sure I get a good workout daily and saying no to temptations,” he said. “If I can go to bed at night knowing I’ve accomplished those two things, I know I’ve won.” n

Golden Bears Return to the Cave for Reunions BY ALEX LYMAN ’12

MEMBERS OF THE GOLDEN BEAR athletics family returned to campus for the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Ice Hockey reunions. Runners relived their glory days by participating in the traditional 8K and hockey players took part in the seniors vs. alumni game. The Men’s and Women’s Cross Country reunion on October 18, 2014 brought 30 alumni to campus, 22 of whom ran in the WNE Invitational 8K. Attendees included Gary Crowley ‘84, who was inducted into the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on September 12. The Ice Hockey reunion was held at the MassMutual Center in Springﬁeld on January 10, 2015. Sixteen ice hockey alumni played against the varsity Golden Bear seniors. After the game, the alumni cheered the Patriots onto a playoff victory at Theodore’s tavern in Springﬁeld. n

Women’s Cross Country alumni Alyssa Chamberlain ’14, Erin Skeffington ’04, Amanda Gemme ’14, and students Alana Regan and Julia Bernas enjoying the reunion.

The Men’s Cross Country alumni start off strong in the traditional 8K race at their reunion on October 18.

View more photos of these and other reunions at www.wne.edu/alumni.

Western New England Ice Hockey seniors and alumni went head-to-head for the annual scrimmage during their reunion.

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Steve Hennessey ’08, Stephanie Bellizi ’08, and Kevin Miculcy ’08 at Nationals Park

WITH PRESTIGIOUS COSMA ACCREDITATION SPORT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVES IT’S

GOT GAME BY MARY McLEAN ORSZULAK G’10 IT’S BEEN A BIG YEAR FOR the Sport Management program. Celebrating its eighteenth anniversary, the program was recently accredited by COSMA, the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (2014-2021). It is distinguished as one of only two sport management programs in the U.S. accredited by both COSMA and AACSB International, the leading accrediting body for business programs worldwide. “The accreditation is a conﬁrmation of what past students have always known,” says Jason Leclerc ’11, customer operations supervisor for New Balance. “The program’s professors and everyone with whom we’ve worked are just so professional and knowledgeable about the business.”

The largest program at the College of Business, Sport Management has sent its graduates far and wide into the multi-billion dollar worldwide sport industry thanks to a strong curriculum and emphasis on internships. “What distinguishes our program from others is that students get a B.S.B.A. in Business, so they are well-versed in accounting, finance, marketing, and analytics, all the foundational business skills,” says Dr. Sharianne Walker, chair of the Department. “Paired with their sport business-specific coursework and experiences, our program gives them the skill set that allows them to excel in all aspects of the sport industry.” Today, you will find our alumni working for the Red Sox, Celtics, Miami Dolphins,

New Jersey Devils, Reebok, Yankees, Nets, Ohio State, and the PGA, among many other big-time sport organizations. As the program continues to evolve, College of Business Dean Julie Siciliano and Dr. Walker encourage more women to join its ranks, following in the footsteps of successful alumnae such as Bridget McCabe ’10, director of marketing at Frederick Keys; Megan Skidmore Street ’99, director for Partnership Marketing at World Wrestling Entertainment; Katharina Boes ’11, senior account services coordinator, St. Louis Rams; and Jess Covino ’10, events operations coordinator for the U.S. Soccer Federation. Sophomore Frederickie “Rickie” Rizos hopes to follow their example.

www.wne.edu/alumni

Frederickie “Rickie” Rizos

“The opportunities here are endless,” she says. “There have been so many great speakers through the Center for International Sport Business, who share there experiences with us students and even keep in touch afterward; it’s truly amazing. We’ve had speakers from NFL teams, ESPN, NBC, and tons more. The best opportunity, in my opinion, however, is the summer travel course the University offers to the World Cup/Olympics. This is something I’ve been dreaming about and hope to get the chance to do next summer in Rio de Janeiro.” n

GRADUATE STUDIES

BY BRIAN FITZGERALD

FINDING THEIR VOICES, TELLING THEIR STORIES

MFA Creative Writing in

This Program provides students with award-winning faculty, a convenient low-residency format, a student/teacher ratio of just 5:1, and a close-knit writing community that stokes a passion for the craft of creating compelling fiction. “Somehow, I had made it through a lot of years thinking that I could both read and write,” said Mike Oberly, a student in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program. “In one week of MFA work, I realized that I was finally on my way to varsity.” Indeed, Mike had no idea what to expect when he drove onto campus to begin a six-day MFA residency in July of 2014. There was no precedent to go on: he and four other students officially kicked off the program. Mike knew the week would be intense—and it sure was—filled with craft classes, workshop sessions, and lectures, readings, and panel discussions by noted visiting writers. It was a complete immersion into a writers’ community, and he left exhausted, but truly inspired. Mike said the value of the residency was “immeasurable.” He and fellow students plunged into the depths of writerly craft and style, and also developed friendships during a week that changed their lives. Then, the next four months of long-distance mentored study enabled them to focus entirely on their own

“From the moment I pulled in to the Berkshires residency, all I could picture was F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway scribbling furiously by the fireplace or trekking up to the nearby waterfall in the snow to clear their heads, to alleviate writer’s block, and to think.” —SABLE JOHNSON ’11

“His feedback,” ( Andrew’s mentor, award-winning novelist Richard McCann), “pinpointed exactly what was working in my prose and what I needed to work on. He constantly and successfully challenged me to bring my writing up to a whole new level.” —ANDREW MONDRY ’14

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writing. The two residencies that take place each year are the heart of the program, but the one-on-one experiences with their mentors that follow each residency make up the soul of the MFA experience. With email exchanges and the occasional Skype call with their mentors, students enjoy the guidance of accomplished authors who thoroughly analyze their drafts. Student Andrew Mondry ’14 worked with his mentor Richard McCann, an award-winning novelist who led the writing workshops in the ﬁrst residency. “His insight was brilliant,” said

“The Moth Project’s Storyslam was a great experience for our students. It required a certain vulnerability— getting up and telling a story without notes, then in the next days, working on the delivery, reshaping the story, and delivering it on performance night to an audience.”

Andrew. “His feedback pinpointed exactly what was working in my prose and what I needed to work on. He constantly and successfully challenged me to bring my writing up to a whole new level.” The second residency, at Race Brook Lodge in Shefﬁeld, MA, January 5-10, brought students and faculty to the beautiful Berkshire Mountains—a perfect setting to hone their skills and get to know their peers and mentors. This residency included a collaborative effort with The Moth Project, a national organization that works with writers to achieve an understanding of the structure of a story, and prepares them for an oral storytelling performance. Andrew Mondry said that the winter residency was one of the most inspirational activities he has ever taken part in. “Not only did I get to know my fellow MFA candidates better, but I also got to spend full days with

my mentors and visiting writers who shared their work and experiences to help me grow,” he said. As a result of his talent and hard work—not to mention what he has learned at the program—one of Andrew’s short pieces, Fire, will be published in the August issue of Apocrypha and Abstractions, an online literary journal. Other students have been published since they enrolled, including Tyler McQuillan ’13, whose poem Wednesday, in a Fogged Mirror, was included in Garbanzo #5 by Seraphemera Books. Alan Sincic’s short story Sand will be published this October in The Greensboro Review. “The low residency model has worked out perfectly for me,” said Andrew. “I can work full-time, and still write and learn in a more convenient way than a traditional MFA would have allowed me.” Therein lies the strength of the MFA at Western New England University—in addition to its top-notch instruction. The residencies offer the hands-on, in-depth study that one simply can’t find in an exclusively online program, and the mentorships provide an individualized curriculum without the demands of a full-time program. The work is rigorous, but the students find the time in their busy lives to get it done, because for them it is a labor of love. “The only surefire way to improve as a writer is to surround yourself with writers, and this MFA has some really, really strong writers,” said student Ryan Crowell ’13. “If you care about honing your craft, that’s all you need to know.” n

For more information, visit www.wne.edu/mfa.

www.wne.edu/alumni

— MFA DIRECTOR PEARL ABRAHAM

Residencies: From Campus to the Berkshires to the Emerald Isle In six-day residencies, held twice a year, “we do what writers do best: read, write, teach, talk, debate, and always and above all, experiment and play,” said MFA Director Pearl Abraham. The winter 2016 residency will take place this January in Dublin, Ireland. The visiting writers will be announced soon at www.wne.edu/mfa. Author Justin Taylor led the fiction workshop in the summer 2015 residency on the Western New England University campus, while the craft class was taught by Porter Shreve. At present, both are serving as mentors to students. This residency also included master classes with agent Henry Dunow (Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency) and editor Jill Bialosky (W.W. Norton & Company). The MFA’s past visiting writers have included Emer Martin, Bill Roorbach, Courtney Maum, Richard McCann, and Hanna Pylväinen. The program has also hosted readings on campus by such noted authors as Stuart Dybek, Arda Collins, Aryeh Stollman, Daniel Jones, Maria Luisa Arroyo, Ryan MacDonald, and Emma Straub.

BY MARY McLEAN ORSZULAK G’10 AND JUDITH CURRAN

COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND 2015 USHERS IN NEW ERA

The graduation of the first-ever students from the College of Pharmacy and a new combined ceremony for graduate and professional programs made Commencement 2015 a historic celebration for Western New England University. Beginning with College Honors Ceremonies for Arts and Sciences, Business, and Engineering on Friday, May 15, Commencement Weekend included an Undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 16, a Hooding Ceremony for Pharmacy candidates that evening, and for the first time, a combined Doctoral, Law, Pharmacy, and Master’s ceremony on Sunday, May 17. Both Commencements were held on campus at the Alumni Healthful Living Center and streamed live for those who could not attend.

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UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONY At the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, graduates were encouraged to maintain bonds forged with members of the University community throughout their lives and to remember that success is most fulfilling when it is shared with those lacking their opportunities. Commencement speaker Anthony Katagas ’92 expressed these themes in his address. Katagas is one of the most prolific producers working in American independent film, and winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture for his role in producing 12 Years a Slave. He delivered an inspirational commencement address and was awarded the Western New England University President’s Medallion. As a student, Katagas majored in Government and was captain of the men’s lacrosse team during the foundational years that set the bar high for the team’s continued success. Katagas took time to acknowledge his family and group of college friends who had come to

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Professor of History John J. Anzalotti was awarded the President’s Medallion for 50 years of service as a faculty member and former chair of the Department of History, Government, and Economics. He was a key member of the committee that drafted the bylaws for the first Faculty Senate.

Thomas Cowin ’15 preps for his speech.

President Anthony S. Caprio and Commencement speaker Anthony Katagas ‘92

support him at the event along with his ﬁrst year lacrosse coach, Joel Castleman L’87, and Castleman’s daughter, Emily, a member of the 2015 graduating class. He described Castleman as a lifelong “coach,” friend, and advisor. He expressed his gratitude for the bonds of friendship he developed as a student and athlete here and encouraged the Class of 2015 to do the same. “In my business and in life, the more people you can have around you, who you can really be honest with, who appreciate your strengths and understand your weaknesses, the more successful you will be,” he said. He went on to speak about the importance of not just being successful in one’s career and winning accolades, but that true fulﬁllment comes from using one’s success to help others. “Awards are just things,” he said, “They’re great, but I hope you learn, as

I have, nothing compares to helping someone else have a chance…give them a shot.” Graduating Senior Thomas Cowin ’15 delivered the student address. He reminded the audience that the Class of 2015 arrived shortly after Western New England became a university in July 2011, and that their theme for Summer Orientation and Registration was “There’s nothing like being ﬁrst.” “We have witnessed many changes to our campus since we arrived here as freshmen,” said Cowin. “Buildings have been renovated or built, class sizes have grown, administrative personnel has changed, accreditations have been granted or renewed; all the while, the Golden Bear pride has remained the heartbeat of this campus.” President Anthony S. Caprio spoke to the audience about the University’s more distant past, when in 1956 a modest sign on Wilbraham Road advertised it as the “Future Home of Western New England College.” Locals came to refer to the institution as “The Miracle on Wilbraham Road,” and the president acknowledged that even its most ardent supporters could not have imagined the great university it has become. “You students have been a vital part of this evolving miracle. Our frontier keeps expanding as a university and you are the pioneers who move with us to new and exciting boarders,” he said. “You have helped make this University what it is today.”

Videos of the events can be viewed at www.wne.edu/commencement. www.wne.edu/alumni

Professor of Education Robert Klein was awarded Professor Emeritus status. He helped design the Elementary Education major, master’s program, and an assessment tool for group behavior, the internationally renowned Klein Group Instrument for Effective Leadership and Participation in Teams.

After more than 32 years of service, Dr. David Russell was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. In addition to teaching Business Information Systems, he previously served as Department Chair and was instrumental in developing the Weekend MBA and SAP programs.

In memory of class member George Papadoliopoulos, who passed away in 2013, the Class of 2015 held a tree dedication in his honor.

COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND 2015 DOCTORAL, LAW, PHARMACY, AND MASTER’S CEREMONY 2015 BLUE AND GOLD POINTS OF PRIDE TOTAL DEGREES CONFERRED: 924 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES: 581 MASTER’S DEGREES: 158 PH.D. DEGREES: 7 J.D. AND LL.M. FROM SCHOOL OF LAW: 110 PHARM.D. FROM COLLEGE OF PHARMACY: 68

On Sunday, May 17, the University conferred Doctoral, Law, Pharmacy, and Master’s degrees to 343 students during a ceremony in the Alumni Healthful Living Center. Master’s and doctoral degree candidates received their diplomas and were draped in their traditional degree hoods. Pharmacy students were hooded at a special ceremony on Saturday evening. Gale Candaras L’83 delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Senator Candaras, a Democrat, served in the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives for nearly two decades. Senator Candaras told the graduates, “You have entered the helping professions, law, pharmacy, psychology, business or sciences. Be a leader as well as a practitioner. Fight for the people you serve. Fight for higher standards and more resources. Don’t just complain about problems you ﬁnd in your profession; ﬁght for the solutions.”

TOP 5 FIELDS OF STUDY FOR UNDERGRADUATES: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PSYCHOLOGY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, ACCOUNTING, AND SPORT MANAGEMENT 23 STATES REPRESENTED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, ILLINOIS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, VIRGINIA, AND VERMONT. 24 STATES REPRESENTED BY GRADUATE STUDENTS: ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MISSOURI, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, TEXAS, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.

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Dean Saeed Ghahramani of the College of Arts and Sciences conferred masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis; Communication; Curriculum and Instruction; Elementary Education, English and Mathematics for Teachers; and the Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis.

Dean Julie Siciliano awarded degrees to the College of Business graduates of the MBA, MSA and combined degree programs.

College of Engineering Dean S. Hossein Cheraghi presented degrees to candidates receiving degrees in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, the popular Engineering Management program and combined degrees.

Dean Eric Gouvin awarded J.D. and LL.M. degrees to candidates from the School of Law.

www.wne.edu/alumni

The Founding Class of the College of Pharmacy: Where are they headed? Pharmacy graduates have a wide range of opportunities in their profession. Graduates will sit for the Pharmacy Exam to gain licensure. Here is a sampling of where some of the class members are headed: George Abdallah valedictorian, residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Andrea Bastiaanse salutatorian, residency at St. Francis Hospital Robert Ferrante CVS Pharmacy

FIRST CLASS! COLLEGE OF PHARMACY CONFERS FIRST DEGREES After many years in the making, and as many milestones— from the arrival of Dean Evan Robinson in 2008 to build a faculty and staff, the opening of the Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy in 2011, to the arrival of the Founding Class that August, the College of Pharmacy celebrated the graduation of its ﬁrst class on May 17. Robinson remarked to the students, “Over the past four years, you’ve shared your hearts with us, your inner compass. You’ve allowed us to experience your passion, drive, and professionalism. You’ve allowed us to be a part of its development, and for that you have our heartfelt thanks. “As you go forward, remember who you are, why you chose this profession, and how you will matter to the patients you touch and to the people in your lives. They will look to and be guided by that compass. It has done you proud to this point and it has Dean Evan Robinson done us very proud as well.”

THE INAUGURAL HOODING CEREMONY FOR THE CLASS OF 2015 The College of Pharmacy inaugural Hooding Ceremony was held on Saturday evening when the members of the Class of 2015 celebrated their achievements with their peers, family, faculty, and staff. The evening was a fun event with awards presented to members of the Class of 2015, faculty awards, and learner addresses. George Abdallah PharmD’15, valedictorian, addressed the class and thanked the faculty and staff of the College of Pharmacy. “Their spirited efforts have enriched our learning experiences and allowed us learners to fulﬁll many of our personal and professional goals.”

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Christine Galinski Genoa Healthcare (behavioral health) Amanda Hubeny Rite Aid Pharmacy

Jennie Marshall (PharmD/MBA) During the ceremony the residency at UConn Health Center students took the Pharmacist Pledge of Professionalism. Briana Santaniello (PharmD/MBA) The evening was highresidency at UMass Medical School lighted by early supporter of Managed Care the College of Pharmacy and keynote speaker Mark A. Wagner G’93, president of Business Operations for Walgreens. The College of Pharmacy has established a practice residency program with Walgreens. “When Dean Robinson first came to me, he had this vision, strategy, passion, and energy,” said Wagner. “I thought ‘this guy is really going to take this idea somewhere.’ It’s been a wonderful ride ever since.” Wagner spoke about the great opportunities in the changing industry and the greater role pharmacists are playing in preventative medicine through such now common practices as administering flu shots. He encouraged them to play an active role in shaping the future of the field. Keynote speaker Erica Wegrzyn PharmD’15 spoke Mark A. Wagner G’93 of the opportunities the pharmacy students had to develop a sense of community, from feeling alone when she first arrived to developing a “Wolf Pack” of shared bonds of camaraderie. She thanked Dean Robinson for his attention to each class member. “He has taken the time to invest in us personally and professionally, and worked tirelessly to make sure that our program is at the forefront of pharmacy academia. Thank you Dean Robinson for being our ‘leader of the pack.’” n

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Scholarships: The Gift of Opportunity Scholarships provide invaluable financial assistance to students so that they can attain their educational and career goals without taking on high levels of debt. Indeed, for some, scholarships make the difference in whether or not they can attend Western New England University—that is certainly the case for Nicole Powers, Alexandria Dean, and Mark Martinez ’15.

BY BRIAN FITZGERALD Nicole, a senior Mechanical Engineering major, was impressed with the University as soon as she stepped onto campus because of the friendliness of the students and the personal attention provided by the faculty. Being offered the Provost’s Scholarship and the Trustee Scholarship her freshman year allowed her to pursue her dreams. “If it weren’t for the scholarships, I would not have been able to go to school here,” she says. “I would be at a school where I wouldn’t be doing as well, because the class sizes would be overwhelming.” Alexandria, a senior majoring in Arts and Entertainment Management in the College of Business, calls the University her “second home.” She chose to enroll at Western New England not only because she saw it as “a place that cares about its students.” She also selected this institution because of scholarship assistance. Receiving several scholarships, including the Theodore R. Zern First Year Student Endowed Scholarship, was the deciding factor in her choice, “because I needed a school that would provide me with an education and skills that I could use effectively in the

workforce. But even with all those tools, if I were unable to afford the school, then I would be setting myself up to struggle paying off loans for years.”

Nicole Powers

Alexandria Dean

Financial aid “means everything to my education, and I wouldn’t be here without it,” says Mark, a recent Political Science graduate. The ﬁrst person in his family to attend college, Mark was the recipient of the Provost’s Scholarship, William and Iona Sleith Endowed Scholarship, the Nicholas V. Vanech Endowed Memorial Scholarship, and the Thomas Jefferson Endowed Scholarship. Mark, who worked in the Admissions Ofﬁce, points out that the economy has been particularly challenging for students and their families since the recession of 20072009. “To potential donors to scholarships, I would say that every little bit helps when it comes to funding a college education, especially for families with multiple children that are close in age,” he says. “Thanks to scholarships, Western New England University has set me up for a lifetime of success, and I am grateful for that.” n

Mark Martinez ’15

fact:

More than 98% of Western New England University students require some form of financial aid, including scholarships. If you would like to contribute toward an existing scholarship or start one of your own, contact Elizabeth Simpson ’02/L’07/LLM’09, assistant director of gift planning and stewardship, at 413-796-2108 or elizabeth.simpson@wne.edu.

CAMPUS UPDATE

BY JUDY CURRAN

The Huffington Post Names Bobby Caruso Campus Editor-at-Large Junior Communication major Bobby Caruso is excited and grateful to be chosen as a Campus-Editor-at-Large with The Huffington Post. “I’ve been an avid reader of the site for years.” he said. “Since signing on as an EAL, I’ve already on-boarded several bloggers, including Aubrie Przybysz ’15, who majored in Communication, and Alex Lyman ’12 who has a B.A. in Communication and is pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.” Other Communication students/alums participating were Christina Speroni ’15, Maryann Gubala, Elizabeth Gross, Normari Lopez, and Danielle Chylinski .

The opportunity is not limited to Communication majors. Political Science major Mark Martinez ’15, Marketing Communication/Advertising major Jennifer Damouras ’15, Psychology major Caitlin Haendiges, and Secondary Education major Evelyn Fisk have also contributed content to this project as well as Western New England University staff and alumni. “I’ve also pitched a segment to air on HuffPostLive,” says Caruso. “I’m writing blogs and started ‘evergreen’ pieces. I was thrilled to attend the April summit, where I met Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington (pictured at left).”

Mini-Law School Course for Non-Lawyers a Resounding Success The Western New England University School of Law opened its doors to the community with a five-week program focused on demystifying the law. The Mini-Law School was held Tuesdays from February 10 – March 10 at the Blake Law Center. Mini-Law School offers nonlawyers an understanding of legal topics that impact their everyday lives. Each class is taught by School of Law faculty and moderated by the Honorable Kenneth Neiman, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts (pictured at right). Blending theory and practice, the classes focused on Family Law, Health Law, Constitutional Law, and Environmental Law.

Learn more about the fall program at www.law.wne.edu/minilaw.

University Engineering Students Complete Two-Year Baja Journey With Outstanding Finish The Golden Bear Baja Team placed 30th overall from a field of 98 international teams competing in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Baja Endurance Race. They placed 18th in the endurance race and 10th in the sales presentation.

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The competition includes “static” events such as sales and design presentations, “dynamic” events such as acceleration and maneuverability, and a four-hour endurance obstacle race. The team was a recipient of several Alumni Association grants.

University Board Of Trustees Welcomes New Members Western New England University named five new members to its Board of Trustees. Incoming trustees include the following appointees: Thomas M. Cowin ’15 (One-year Alumni Trustee) TEKsystems Farmington, CT Gary Cromack ’80/G’02 President/CFO, Cromack Industries, Inc.

Thomas M. Cowin ’15

Gary Cromack ’80/G’02

Kathleen A. Shea L’97 Vice President of Transmission Project Development Eversource

The University also expresses its thanks to Brian P. Trelease ’67/G ’71, John M. O’Brien III ’74, and Kim A. Mac Leod ’73 for their service to the Board. They have been named Trustees Emeriti.

Kathleen White ’78 Vice President/COO, ExThera Medical Corporation Gary F. Thomas L'76 (Two-year Law Alumni Trustee) President, Wealth Technology Group

Kathleen A. Shea L’97

Kathleen White ’78

Gary F. Thomas L'76

New Intensive Language and Cultural Program Partnership Announced for International Students Western New England University is expanding opportunities for international students to enroll in undergraduate and graduate degree programs through a new language instruction partnership with Denver-based Bridge Education Group®. The arrangement will facilitate establishment of a BridgePathways Intensive English Center on the University campus in Springfield, MA, in the fall of 2015. The first cohort of students will be enrolled in January 2016.

FOR MORE UNIVERSITY NEWS, VISIT WWW.WNE.EDU/NEWS

www.wne.edu/alumni

ALUMNI RECEPTIONS

BY BRIAN FITZGERALD

Golden Bear Spirit Shines from Boston to Boca

In February, University pride shone in the Sunshine State at President’s Alumni Receptions that brought together alumni, friends, faculty, and other members of the University community in Florida. On February 10, Trustee Peter Steingraber L’84 hosted a reception at The Addison in Boca Raton, FL. John J. Iwanicki ’84 hosted the Tampa, FL reception on February 11 at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. The February 12 event in Naples, FL, a dinner, was hosted by John Breck L’83 at The Club Pelican Bay. In Boston on February 26 and in Hartford on March 5, warmth, excitement, and enthusiasm ﬁlled the air as President Caprio briefed guests on the latest news at the University. The host for the Boston reception, which took place at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common, was Roger Wade L’82. Trustee Amy B. Lewis ’88/G’00 hosted the Hartford Event at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Autorino Great Hall. President Caprio invited guests to take a tour of the campus and see all the changes that have taken place in the last few years. “Come and visit us—the snow will be melting soon,” he said in Hartford. He also urged alumni to get involved in the Alumni-in-Admissions Program, in which alumni recruit potential Western New England University students at local college fairs. n

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Boston Clockwise from Top: Raquel Lorenzetti ’12, Admissions Counselor Kaitlyn O’Konis ’12, and Matthew LaBombard ’11 William O’Brien ’01, President Caprio, Sean Boucher ’99, and Matthew Pantera ’99 Dianna Willms ’14 and Marimar Escoto ’13 Yvonne Medina, Matthew Amann ’13, and President Caprio

Naples Robert Adamski L’78, Cynthia Safford ’94, Sandra E. Delbridge, Trustee Chairman Kevin S. Delbridge ’77, host John Breck L’83, Trustee Donald G. Campbell ’73 /G’79, and Barbara Burke L’99

Boca Raton View more photos of these and other receptions at www.wne.edu/alumni.

Ronald Mosca ’78, Linda Mosca, and William Smith ’67

Hartford Clockwise from Top: Thomas Skypek ’05, President Caprio, and Edward Zemba ’80 Trustee Amy Lewis ’88/G’00, Alison Castellano ’03, and Brett Castellano ’04/G’08 Maureen Gorman and Paul Gorman ’89/G’96 Admissions Counselor Olivia Mazzarella ’10, Anthony Bortolussi ’12, and Chelsea Cassidy

www.wne.edu/alumni

ALUMNI NEWS

BY BRIAN FITZGERALD

Sport Management Alumni Return to Campus to Discuss Their Careers

Alumni Association Awards More Than $18,000 in Grants to Student Organizations and Programs The Office of Residence Life’s BEAR Olympics, a competition between firstyear students representing their residence halls, was the recipient of an Alumni Association grant—one of 11 such grants totaling more than $18,000 this spring. In the past eight years, the Alumni Association has awarded more than $300,000 in grants to student programs and organizations. The grants are funded by income from the Alumni Association’s Liberty Mutual Western New England University Group Savings Program, as well as the Amazon Associates Program, both of which have custom links on the right side of the Alumni Website at www.wne.edu. Students, alumni, and friends can help support students by enjoying savings on auto and home insurance, or by making their Amazon.com purchases using the Alumni Website’s link.

A group of Sport Management graduates gathered on campus February 21 for the Department of Sport Management’s annual Careers in Sport Symposium, held in conjunction with the University’s Open House for admitted and prospective students. The symposium also featured the Department of Sport Management presenting its traditional Distinguished Young Alumnus Award to Tim Arduino ’10 for his selfless contributions to the Sport Management program, both as a student and alumnus.

(L-R) Careers in Sport Symposium panelists include Nick Starr ’13, account representative for New Balance; Tim Conrod ’11, ESPN manager for multimedia sponsorship integration; Laura Madaio ’13, account executive for CBS Sports Radio; Kyle Lindsay ’06, account executive for the New England Revolution; 2015 Distinguished Young Alumnus Award recipient Tim Arduino ’10, an account executive with the NBC Sports Group; Brad Medeiros ’11, director of sponsorship/partnerships for Providence Sports and Entertainment; Lydia Lefevre ’14, social media intern for 451 Marketing; and Jason Leclerc ’11, customer operations supervisor for New Balance, all of whom discussed their Western New England education at the event.

Look for The Communicator’s “Web Extras” on the Alumni Website: www.wne.edu/alumni. View photo albums/slide shows and videos of many of these events.

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SUMMER 2015

47th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament Raises More than $16,000 for Scholarship Alumni golfers at the 47th Annual

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Alumni Golf Tournament on May 22

Berkshire Bank

started their Memorial Day weekend

Cantor Colburn

early and took advantage of the

FloDesign Sonics

sunny skies and the opportunity to get together with fellow alumni and family at the Ludlow Country Club

The Gaudreau Group Liberty Mutual

in Ludlow, MA. The event raised

People’s United Bank

more than $16,000 for the Alumni

United Bank

Association Golf Tournament

Westfield Bank

Endowed Scholarship. Highlights included breakfast, a post-

GOLD SPONSORS

tournament reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a prize

Alumni Association Board of Directors

ceremony, a silent auction, and

East Coast Tile

Hole-in-One, Closest to the Pin, and The winning group of golfers with a score of 59 (L-R) Joe Stevens ’81, Jim Dowd ’84, John Kelly, and Christian Marques ’82.

Longest Drive competitions.

College of Business Alumni Mentor and Coach Students at Annual RealTest Event Senior Management and Leadership majors in the College of Business had the opportunity to network with alumni and receive guidance as they participated in managerial situation simulations during the College’s annual RealTest on March 6. Activities included a mock interview and a problem-solving scenario based on a real case study, with alumni serving as their coaches and mentors. Students also delivered PowerPoint presentations and received feedback from alumni. The event was organized by the Department of Management with support from the Office of Alumni Relations.

www.wne.edu/alumni

Starburst Printing and Graphics

The Career Development Center and the Office of Alumni Relations sponsored an evening of networking for young alumni and students on April 9 at the Career Development Center. Pictured are Deanna Laffan ’07 and Joe Borges ’14. Attending alumni came back to the University and shared their Golden Bear stories with current students, helping them feel comfortable in a networking setting.

SPORTS UPDATE

Family Donates Memor of Basketball Standout

BY KEN CERINO

Veteran Aimee Klepacki Reaches Lacrosse Coaching Milestone Like many in her profession, Women’s Lacrosse Coach Aimee Klepacki doesn’t coach for personal glory. So, you can imagine how surprised she was when senior goalie Emily Castleman picked up the microphone in the bus when the Western New England women’s lacrosse team was heading home following a 19-12 victory over Nichols (March 25) and announced to everyone that their coach had just won her 200th game. “I was really surprised because I didn’t have any idea,” said Klepacki, who has coached the team for 16 of its 17 years as a varsity program. (The victory improved her career record to 200-91 (68.7%) that ranks among the best in NCAA history.) Klepacki is only the 11th NCAA Division III women’s lacrosse coach to reach 200 victories. “I’ve never really cared or thought about receiving awards. I’m happy when my players receive recognition,” she said. Klepacki had plenty to be proud of at the close of the season when the team took home the CCC Championship. The team advanced to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Champi-

onship where it was defeated by No. 10-ranked Catholic University. Despite the loss, the Golden Bears finish with the third-best record in school history at 16-3 for an .842 winning percentage and advanced further into the NCAA Tournament than any other Western New England squad. Only last year’s team (17-1, .944) and the 2002 team (16-2, .889) have posted better records.

Coach Bill Downes poses with Keisha, Carolyn ’73, and Shawn Butler during their visit to Western New England on February 14, 2015.

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SUMMER 2015

abilia in Honor Rodney Butler Rodney Butler ’71 ranks among the best basketball players in school history. A member of the Downes Hall of Fame, he passed away last January at the age of 68. Two of Rodney’s children, Keisha and Shawn, along with their stepmother, Carolyn Wallace Butler ’73, donated some of Rodney’s favorite basketball memorabilia to the University. They included an autographed basketball he received from his teammates and coaches after scoring his 1,000 point in 1968, his team ring and Hall of Fame watch, a plaque, and one of his many trophies. Downes served as an assistant coach when Rodney played here from 1967-70. The Golden Bears thank Carolyn and her family for presenting these treasured items to us for display in our trophy cases.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS GOLDEN BEAR GREAT IN WEB EXTRAS AT WWW.EDU/ALUMNI.

Director of Athletics Mike Theulen, Men’s Soccer Coach Devin O’Neill, and President Anthony S. Caprio

A New Era: Devin O’Neill Named Men’s Soccer Coach Western New England University didn’t have to look far for someone to lead its highly-regarded men’s soccer program following the departure of long-time coach Erin Sullivan last December. West Springfield native Devin O’Neill was named the seventh head coach in team history this spring. O’Neill was a member of the UMass staff the past three seasons, two seasons as an assistant and last year as interim head coach. Prior to joining the Minutemen staff, O’Neill was the head coach at Gettysburg (PA) where he compiled a 68-46-18 record (58.3%) in seven seasons (2003-10) and at Division I East Carolina for four years (1999-03). While at Gettysburg, O’Neill’s teams went 38-25-8 and had two runner-up finishes in the highly-competitive Centennial Conference. He coached 27 All-Conference and nine All-East Region players during his Bullets tenure. “I feel very fortunate for this opportunity and want to thank Dr. Theulen and the entire search committee for selecting me,” he said. “During the search process, I was so impressed with the positive energy in the department and I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues.”

www.wne.edu/alumni

O’Neill graduated from Middlebury College in 1991 and received his master’s degree from Springfield College in 1993. A three-sport athlete at Middlebury, he captained both the soccer and ski teams, and played golf. O’Neill earned All-New England honors in soccer as a senior in 1990 and was a two-time All-American skier.

“We are extremely pleased to have Devin joining our Athletics Family,” stated University Athletics Director Mike Theulen. “His coaching resume speaks for itself. We were all very impressed by his background, his knowledge, and, in particular, his energy. Devin will be a great fit as we transition into a new era of Western New England University Men’s Soccer.” n

CLASS NOTES

Summer 2015

A GOLDEN BEAR GET-TOGETHER at Cafe Carlyle in New York City on February 27 (L-R) Josh Rosenthal ’87, Michelle Taglione ’88, Kathleen (Eichhorn) Bickmore, Olga (Mubarak) Jaramillo ’88, Vanessa (Rivera) Beaulieu ’89, and Carlos Sosa ’86/G’88.

Have you reunited with fellow alumni lately? Send your photos to alumwne@wne.edu. 1977

1981

1984

1989

BRAD BUCHHOLZ (finance) was appointed vice president of finance at Artel Video Systems in Westford, MA. Prior to that, he was controller at Progression, Inc. and director of finance at Polychromix, Inc.

DIANE M. LACOSSE (accounting) was promoted to senior vice president, commercial banking, at United Bank in West Springﬁeld, MA. Prior to that she was vice president. She was previously vice president of commercial banking at Fleet Bank and BayBank.

KEVIN E. LYNN (economics) was promoted to executive director at FutureWorks Career Center. He previously served as manager of business services, IT, and youth services.

THOMAS WOLCOTT (ﬁnance) was promoted to head of business banking, Western Massachusetts, at People’s United Bank in Springﬁeld. He was most recently a senior relationship manager at the bank.

1978 MICHAEL PANDOLFI (accounting/ G’84 MBA) was promoted to ﬁrst vice president of asset based lending in the commercial lending division of Rockland Trust. He joined Rockland Trust’s asset based lending team in 2011. Michael previously worked at Webster Business Credit, GE Capital, and Bank of America Business Capital in commercial lending roles.

1980 STEVEN L. MONETTE (accounting) was named chief financial officer at The Brattleboro Retreat in Brattleboro, VT. He was most recently chief financial officer and treasurer at Valley Regional Healthcare, Inc. in Claremont, NH.

GLEN CURLEY (marketing) was appointed senior vice president of healthcare at CNA Financial Corporation in Chicago. He was previously senior vice president, national healthcare liability practice group leader, for Zurich Financial Services in New York City.

1982 BRIAN GRAGNOLATI (MBA) was selected president of Atlantic Health System in New Jersey. Prior to that, he was senior vice president, community division, at John Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, MD.

MICHAEL DIGIAIMO (management) was hired as vice president of development at the Center for Human Reproduction in New York City. Prior to that he served as vice president of operations at Quality Repro Centers in New Jersey.

1985 CARL BOYER (computer science/’03 MSIS) was appointed manager of IT security & assurance services at The Technology Group, LLC in Hartford, CT. He was previously the information security director at Farm Credit Financial Partners in Agawam, MA.

1988

1983 DONALD L. GAUDETTE (MBA) was named chief executive ofﬁcer of Synovus Bank in Orlando, FL. He most recently served as the Orlando market president for Hancock Bank.

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AMY B. LEWIS (marketing/G’00 MBA), a trustee of Western New England University, was hired as director of marketing at Simply Thick LLC.

SUMMER 2015

1990 ERIK D. GOSULE (general business) was named senior vice president and head of marketing and product development for the U.S. division of Pioneer Investments. He was previously the head of client and product solutions at PanAgora Asset Management in Boston, MA.

1991 BRIAN C. DALY (marketing) was named the detective bureau supervisor at the Amherst (MA) Police Department. He previously served as a patrol supervisor and supervisor for the department’s motorcycle and bicycle patrol units. DAVID HOBERT (general business) joined People’s United Bank in Springﬁeld as regional president. He was most recently executive director at Santander Global Banking & Markets.

BUCHHOLZ ’77

RAMIN KOUZEHKANANI (MBA) was named as chief information and innovation ofﬁcer of Hillsborough County, FL. He was previously the chief deputy clerk for strategic planning and technology for Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit.

1992 CARL CAMERON (business administration/’02 MSIS) was promoted to chief operating ofﬁcer at Holyoke Medical Center. Prior to that, he served as vice president of operations and chief information ofﬁcer.

1993 MAURA MALO (quantitative methods) was elected a trustee of the Oliver Wolcott Library in Litchﬁeld, CT. She is the chief risk ofﬁcer and chief internal auditor for Connecticut Mutual Holding Company.

DALY ’91

CAMERON ’92

PRENTICE ‘94

1994

1996

CHRISTOPHER PRENTICE (MBA) was promoted to chief executive ofﬁcer of Mazor Robotics, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Israel-based Mazor Robotics, Ltd. He most recently served as the company’s senior vice president of America & Global Marketing.

DIANE HOLMAN (MBA) was appointed senior vice president, head of group talent management with Capgemini in New York City. She most recently served as chief talent ofﬁcer at Wolters Kluwer.

1995 WILLIAM MONAHAN (law enforcement/G’99 criminal justice administration) retired from the Dennis, MA Police Department after 40 years of service. JOHN NATHAN (marketing) joined Aerodyne Alloys in South Windsor, CT, as a material sourcing specialist. He previously worked in sales at Service Steel Aerospace in Windsor, CT.

1997 MARK MURRAY (criminal justice administration) was named interim city marshal in Newburyport, MA. Prior to that, he served as a lieutenant in the Newburyport Police Department.

1999 MATTHEW PANTERA (accounting) was promoted to partner at Corporate Finance Group, Inc. (CFGI) in Boston. He was previously a senior manager, serving in a variety of senior client service positions. Prior to joining CFGI, Matthew worked as an audit manager at Deloitte & Touche in Hartford, CT.

2000 JESSICA MALOY (accounting) became ﬁnance director for the town of Freeport, ME. She was most recently ﬁnance director for the town of Lisbon, ME.

A group of graduates gathered together for Mike Laroche’s October 4 wedding. Pictured are (L-R) Mark Kyer ’05, Mike Kramer ’05, Mike Laroche ’05, Randy Economidy ’79, and Brett Hanson ’05.

LUIS R. SANTAMARIA (criminal justice/G’02 criminal justice administration) was chosen as Greenﬁeld (MA) Community College’s new director of public safety. He was

www.wne.edu/alumni

SANTAMARIA ’00/G’02

previously associate director of public safety at Curry College in Milton, MA. THOMAS A. TURCO III (criminal justice administration) was named undersecretary of criminal justice in the Massachusetts Executive Ofﬁce of Public Safety and Security. Prior to that he served as chief probation ofﬁcer in the Worcester (MA) Superior Court.

2001 DAVE MCKENNA (sociology/G’02 criminal justice) was selected as head hockey coach at Bayonne (NJ) High School, where he also teaches history. Dave was assistant coach for the previous nine seasons.

2003 GEORGE BATTLE (law enforcement) was promoted to the rank of major in the Connecticut State Police, where he serves as commanding ofﬁcer of the agency’s Bureau of Field Technology). He previously held the rank of captain and served as acting commanding ofﬁcer at the bureau. ANDREW LAVOIE (criminal justice administration) was chosen by the Nashua (NH) Police Commission as police chief for that city. He was previously deputy chief. Andrew has served in the department since 1987.

Laura Dennison ’06 PSYCHOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION RYAN ’07

Special Education Teacher Melrose Public Schools Melrose, MA

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? important for the general public to understand the Paralympic movement and to understand that the Paralympics is just as competitive as the Olympics.

“I entered my first Paralympic-sponsored meet two years ago, and I have been training pretty intensely since then. My original goal was to try to earn a spot on the 2016 team, but I have since adjusted my “big goal” to 2020 to give myself more time to train. To try to put this journey into words is nearly impossible for me. I usually get up at 4:30 a.m. to train before school. I train with an able-bodied masters team and then have private sessions with a coach where we work on technique specific to my disability. I also do dry land training. It is an extremely expensive venture, so I depend on donations and grants. It’s 100% worth it. I’ve had the identity of an athlete in me for so long, but this is the first chance I’ve had to truly live it on a level playing field. I am finally getting to be the person I always knew I was on the inside. If you’re interested in following my journey, visit lauramdennison.com.”

As a special education teacher, how has your experience helped you inspire your students on their own personal journey?

“I didn’t know the Paralympics existed until my early twenties, and I grew up in a family that was involved with resources for people with disabilities. I think it is so important for a child growing up with a disability to be able to turn on the television and see people like themselves using all of their abilities to live the best life they can. I also think it is extremely

“I absolutely love my job. This year, I’m working in a fifth grade classroom. I openly share my struggles with my students when I am teaching. My proudest moments are when I have taught my students something that they will carry with them outside the classroom. A parent told me that her first grade son, after getting hit in the head with a baseball, wanted to get back in the game so he could be like Ms. Dennison. These are the moments I live for. Do I want my students to be successful academically? Absolutely. But more importantly, I want them to be proud of themselves and who they are, differences and all.” How did Western New England prepare you to take on these endeavors and be successful? “When I came to Western New England, I was one of the first students on campus with a visible physical disability. It taught me right off the bat that environments aren’t always going to be accessible for you and that you need to advocate for yourself. I’m proud to see some of the changes that have been made to the campus. I was also really involved in campus activities, which helped develop my interests and passions.”

THE COMMUNICATOR

RICHARD MacLEAN (criminal justice administration) was promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Amherst (MA) Police Department. He previously served as a detective in the department.

2004

You are currently working to earn a spot on the US Paralympics swim team. What has the process been like with working full-time and having cerebral palsy?

Why is promoting the Paralympics equally as important to you as making the team?

JOSLYN ’12

SUMMER 2015

RONALD J. MOCCIO JR. (accounting/G’06 MSA) was welcomed as senior vice president and CFO of the First National Bank of Sufﬁeld (CT). Prior to that he served as senior vice president and auditor at United Bank. STEPHEN P. NASIATKA (accounting) was named director, accounting advisory services at KPMG. He was most recently manager, ﬁnancial audit at Siemens Corporation, Controlling and Finance Audit.

2006 ERIN SULLIVAN (MBA) was hired as men’s soccer coach at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. He previously spent 15 seasons as the men’s soccer coach at Western New England University.

2007 THEODORA (WOEPPEL) RYAN (communication) was appointed director of marketing at Wilbraham & Monson Academy. She most recently served as marketing coordinator at Carlin Combustion in Longmeadow, MA. CHRISTOPHER E. WILK (sport management) was promoted to assistant vice president, store manager at the Sedgwick Plaza branch of TD Bank in West Hartford, CT.

Beth Curran ’08 GENERAL BUSINESS Talent Data and Support Analyst Brooks Brothers Coowner InspireWorks Enrichment Westfield, MA SPAZIANI ’12

AMANN ’13

FRASER ’13

2009

2011

AMANDA KRAL (history) accepted a management position at Isle au Haut Boat Services, which provides trips between Stonington, ME, and Isle au Haut in Penobscot Bay.

TRAVIS ORSZULAK has been hired as an energy consultant for Vivint Solar, focusing on residential solar panel installations as a means for consumers to lower their electric bills. Travis handles the western Massachusetts territory.

ROSS BENNETT-BONN (mechanical engineering) is a manufacturing service engineer at Karl Storz Endoskope in the Providence, RI area. Prior to that he was a process engineer at Judd Wire Inc. in Turner Falls, MA. KYLE FREDETTE (general business/G’11 MBA) was hired as a business analyst at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Dover, NH. He was most recently a ﬁnancial analyst at Graphic Packaging International in Concord, NH.

2010 KATIE GROGAN (psychology) was named regional sales director at Ziff Davis, LLC in Sarasota, FL. She was previously an account executive at Twitter in San Francisco. KELLY RICH (marketing communication/advertising) was hired as a management assistant at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Santa Maria, CA. Prior to that she was a management assistant at the company’s Lompoc, CA branch. DANIEL J. WELCH (criminal justice) was hired as an ofﬁcer by the Amherst (MA) Police Department.

2012 KEVIN JOSLYN (communication public relations) was hired as an adjustment counselor for the Springfield Public Schools. TERESA SPAZIANI (marketing communication/advertising) was named to a three-year term on the board of directors of the nonprofit organization The Gray House in Springfield. She is also an account coordinator at Market Mentors LLC.

2013 MATT AMANN (forensic chemistry) was promoted to forensic scientist for the Massachusetts State Police. After completing his training, he will work at the new Springﬁeld Drug Lab. PATRICK FRASER (sport management) was hired as a business systems analyst at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, MA.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What is your current role at Brooks Brothers, and what drew you to work there? “I work in the Human Resources department on the newly created Talent Data and Development team. They recently launched a new human capital management system for North America, which provides a consistent associate experience across more than 250 stores, manufacturing facilities, and corporate locations, while increasing the availability of HR data analytics. My team and I have provided support to the design, launch, and company-wide adoption of this tool. Brooks Brothers is an excellent company to work for not only for its rich history and quality products, but because the culture is committed to its values of Relationships, Innovation, History, Fairness and Celebration.” What was the transition like from your former job at the nonprofit CityStage to a for-profit job at Brooks Brothers? “Brooks Brothers is known as a big company with the feel of a small company. However, coming from CityStage that had a very small staff, it was a bit of a culture shock. CityStage is a local nonprofit in the arts industry while Brooks Brothers is a fashion industry global retailer. At CityStage, my customers were the public, while at Brooks Brothers my customers are my fellow associates. The access to resources to solve problems are vastly different and require a new way of thinking.” You started your own company, InspireWorks Enrichment. What is the mission of the organization? “Inspired by my own experiences as a teenager attending and working in after school programs, we started InspireWorks Enrichment (inspireworksenrichment.com) in 2007. Our mission is to provide curriculum-based after school and summer camp enrichment programming to students in grades K-8. With over 80 unique and interactive classes, instructors teach topics ranging from the fine arts and engineering, to science and cooking. InspireWorks Enrichment is a completely mobile platform that partners with towns, school districts, and nonprofit organizations and annually reaches over 2,500 students. How did Western New England set you up for success? “The College of Business was instrumental in preparing me for the future. The business plan and feasibility analysis for InspireWorks Enrichment started as projects in my Entrepreneurship classes. I am consistently applying lessons learned in marketing, management, and accounting. InspireWorks Enrichment became incorporated with guidance from the Western New England University Small Business Clinic at the School of Law.”

Matt LaBombard ’11 MARKETING COMMUNICATION/ADVERTISING Event Coordinator Trident Booksellers and Café Freelance Food Writer Edible Communities

SALVA ’13

SILVIS ’13

CARVALHO ’14

IVES ’14

Blogger Cookeryandtaste.com Boston, MA

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What are you up to? “My full-time job is at Trident Booksellers and Café in Boston. One of the great parts of the job is that we do a lot of cooking demonstrations, so I’ve been able to work with local chefs and cookbooks authors. “I’m also a freelance writer for the Edible Communities, which are food magazines based around speciﬁc regions. I’ve mostly been writing for Edible Berkshires. I also just wrote my ﬁrst article for Edible Vineyard, and will be doing some work for Edible South Shore in the fall. “I’ve written about local restaurants and chefs, and anecdotal stories about cooking for my friends and family. But I’ve also done politically charged stories about the meat industry and the decline of honeybees.” How did you get into food writing? “I interned at Country Music Television in Nashville as a sophomore. I was only 20, so when my friends were going to the bar I couldn’t go with them. I watched a lot of Food Network, and started inviting my friends over for dinner before they went out. That was my way of making friends. But the food was really not good—I was totally winging it. That’s when I realized I wanted to pursue food in some way. The following year I studied abroad in Italy and took cooking and wine tasting classes there. “After graduation, I started working at Storey Publishing as a publicity assistant. We got a request from Edible Berkshires, which was just launching, looking for writers. I had never written professionally or documented what I was eating, but I wanted to pursue it. So I reached out to the publisher and asked him to let me try one story to see if he liked it, which he did, so I started freelancing. “I was later promoted to publicist at Storey, and worked on a lot of cookbooks. It was nice to go to work and look at cookbooks all day, and then go home and try my hand at new recipes and write stories for the magazines.” Who’s your favorite Food Network personality? “Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, hands down. I literally have every single one of her cookbooks by my bed and have read them all cover to cover. I can’t watch or read her enough. She doesn’t look for food trends. She’s making delicious food people are used to eating, and making it really well. That’s what I’m trying to do, so I really admire Ina.”

JULIANNE GREEN (social work) was appointed as a transitional case manager at Veterans Empowerment Organization in Atlanta, GA. Prior to that she served for a year as a volunteer employment services coordinator at the Atlanta Union Mission of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. KARTHIK MURALI (MSEM) is a Technical SME/Business Implementations Lead for ITSM (Information Technology Service Management) Tech, a leading Business Unit within Cisco Systems, Inc., in Austin, TX. He was named the Outstanding Graduate Student in the Master of Science in Engineering Management program in 2013. MIKE SALVA (management) was named a U.S HR associate at Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank in New York, NY. LAUREN SILVIS (marketing communication/advertising) was appointed as a senior analyst at United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, CT. She was most recently a marketing strategist at Horizon Marketing Group in Cromwell, CT.

2014 ROBERT CARVALHO (communication) was appointed as a production assistant at WWLP TV–22 News in Springﬁeld, where he most recently worked as a production intern. Prior to that he was a digital editing lab assistant at Western New England University’s TV studio. RYAN CRITELLI (criminal justice) joined Indium Corporation in Clinton, NY as a sales coordinator. SHAWN FITZPATRICK (sport management) was hired as a special events and game operations coordinator for the Omaha (NB) Storm Chasers minor league baseball team. He most recently managed stadium operations and events at Global Spectrum, venue managements, in East Hartford, CT. SPENCER IVES (English) was named associate editor at Security Systems News in Yarmouth, ME.

SMITH ’10 AND RUSCIGNO ’10

Marriages

VIETS ’11 AND MERCIER ’11 (LR) Jenny Catuogno ’10, Jessica Swetcky, Amanda Kroczewski, Amanda Viets ’11, Timothy Mercier ’11, Christopher Mercier, John Mercier ’10, and Gregory Pappas ’11

JESSICA SMITH ’10 and DANIEL RUSCIGNO ’10 May 3, 2014, in LaGrangeville, NY ROBIN SALOMON ’01/G’04 and RICHARD FORZIATI ’07, July 27, 2014 in Portland, CT

SALOMON ’01/G’04 AND FORZIATI ’07

AMANDA VIETS ’11 and TIMOTHY MERCIER ’11, September 12, 2014 in Puerto Morelos, Mexico STEPHANIE BIBBO ’08 and ERIC KUCHOVA ’08/G’12, September 13, 2014 in Boston, MA Alicia Shelvay and JUSTIN KLAUBERT ’13, September 27, 2014 in Bermuda KRISTEN GARROW ’04 and MATTHEW LEVANGIE ’04, September 28, 2014 in Ludlow, VT

BIBBO ’08 AND KUCHOVA ’08/G’12

MADISON ’07

GARROW ’04 AND LeVANGIE ’04 (L-R) John LeVangie ’05, Joshua Budnik ’04, Wendy Conway ’04, Shawn Biebel ’04, Matthew LeVangie ’04, Ryan Shepherd ’04, Lindsay Body ’04, Kristin Garrow ’04, Craig Burden ’03, Mike Lang, Kat Stewart-Disilvio ’04, Jim Foley ’04, Jen Venezio ’04, Rose Foley ’04, Marc Davis ’04, Alison Davis ’04, Holly Goggin ’04, and John Goggin ’04

Alyssa Jean Ciofﬁ and JOSHUA ROBERT JACOBS ’07, October 11, 2014, in Essex Junction, VT JESSI MADISON ’07 and Alex Martin, October 12, 2014 in Tilton, NH LEIGH-ANN MALKE ’10 and MARCO GOMES ’10, October 25, 2014 in Ludlow, MA

(Continued on next page)

www.wne.edu/alumni

(Continued from previous page)

MALKE ’10 AND GOMES ’10 (L-R) Kneeling: Joseph LaBounty ’10, Ashley Quiterio ’11, Justin Martins ’11 (front row) Kerri Tymeson, Peter Irzyk G ’96, Marie Irzyk, Theodore Zern, Kristin Hensinger, Robert Hensinger ’07, Leigh-Ann Malke ’10, Marco Gomes ’10, Olivia Mazzarella ’10, Lauren Sullivan ’10, Krista Goulet ’10, Jessica Bickford ’10, Megan McNatt ’10 (back row) Eric Lusignan, Kevin Zimbal ’09, Michael Stewart ’08, Beth Fatse, Amanda Dooling ’03, Jon Scully ’10, Jennifer Watkins ’10, Erin Sullivan G’06, Noelle Sullivan G’03, James Maples ’10, Justin Piquette, Branden Piquette, and Robert Bielsky ’09

Baby Golden Bears

Alaina Elizabeth Eaton, September 11, 2014, to JEN EATON ’99 and James Eaton Mallory Renee Belden, February 2, 2014, to CHRISTOPHER BELDEN ’04 and Erin Belden

Abigail Avery Knowles, September 26, 2014, to KYLE KNOWLES ’06 and Christy Knowles

Harper Shea Canﬁeld, November 2, 2014, to PAUL CANFIELD ’00

Niles Karsten, November 14, 2014, to AMANDA KARSTEN ’14 and Matt Karsten

Mckenna Grace Lemoi, March 8, 2015, to JODY LEMOI ’02/G’04 and Kristen Lemoi

MacKenzie Patricia McCabe, October 6, 2014, to MATTHEW MCCABE ’05 and MIRANDA (MORETTO) MCCABE ’05

THE COMMUNICATOR

SUMMER 2015

Leah Ellen Niethammer, pictured with big sister Hayden, March 4, 2015, to TAPLEIGH (FALLON) NIETHAMMER ’00 and Jason Niethammer

In Memoriam

EDWARD K. HOLLY JR. ’56 (accounting) South Hadley, MA; October 27, 2014. The World War II and Korean War Army veteran, awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, was a longtime public accountant working in various Springﬁeld area accounting ﬁrms. He was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie, and a son. He is survived by a daughter and a son.

ERNEST A. KUBICZ ’61 (mechanical engineering) Easthampton, MA; November 25, 2014. The World War II Veteran served in the Navy Reserve, Merchant Marines, Army, and Army Reserve from 1948 to 1952. He worked as an engineer for IBM as well as Pratt & Whitney. He is survived by his wife, Natalie, two sons and a daughter.

NELSON E. LABRIE ’56 (management) Chicopee, MA; February 11, 2015. He worked for 35 years as an Operational Coordinator for the Monsanto Chemical Corporation in Springﬁeld. He is survived by his wife, Theresa, three daughters and two sons.

WILLIAM A. POWELL ’61 (management) East Longmeadow, MA; February 26, 2015. A staff sergeant in the Air Force during the Korean War, he was a senior auditor for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. William was predeceased by his wife, Anita. He is survived by a daughter.

FRANCIS J. BORYS ’59 (management) Chicopee, MA; January 31, 2015. He worked in business for approximately 40 years as owner of the Francis J. Borys Insurance, Real Estate and Appraising ﬁrm, and then as part of the Laporte, Shea and Borys Agency. Francis is survived by his wife, Helen, a son and a daughter. CHESTER J. KOS ’60 (management) Chicopee, MA; November 21, 2014. The Korean War Army veteran worked at Westover and Hanscom Air Force Bases. He was predeceased by his wife, Loretta. Chester leaves two sons.

STANLEY W. BODUCH ’62 (mechanical engineering) Chapel Hill, NC; January 24, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, a daughter and two sons. ROBERT E. RANDALL ’64 (mechanical engineering) Springﬁeld, MA; November 2, 2014. The World War II Navy veteran worked at Chapman Valve in Springﬁeld, and later Crane Company. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and two sons. He leaves three daughters.

ALAN L. SUHER ’68 (accounting) Enﬁeld, CT; March 7, 2015. He worked in management positions at Sweet Life Foods and later at Bozzuto’s. Alan had been a senator in the Senior Congress for the state of CT. He is survived by his wife, Judith, and two daughters.

RODNEY P. BUTLER SR. ’71 (management) Leesburg, FL; January 10, 2015. He served 35 years in the Connecticut Community College system, where he taught, coached, mentored and provided support for hundreds of students. Rodney is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two daughters and three sons.

KENNETH E. NUBILE ’69 (mechanical engineering) Red Lion, PA; December 31, 2014. He was a mechanical engineer for General Electric Power Generation Co. for 33 years, until his retirement in 2002. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Delores, a daughter and two sons.

RALPH DRINKWATER ’71 (accounting) Jupiter, FL; January 20, 2015. He worked at Hamilton Standard as an accountant in the Finance Department. Ralph is survived by his wife, Susan, a son and a daughter.

GREGORY W. GIBSON ’70 (marketing) Townsend, MA; March 5, 2015. He was owner and CEO of a manufacturer’s agency that did business throughout New England. He leaves his wife, Joan, a daughter and a son. STEPHEN N. KAPLAN ’70 (marketing) Murrels Inlet, SC; November 8, 2014. He was the former owner of Bailey’s Garage and NY Auto Radiator Body Shop.

www.wne.edu/alumni

PETER J. O’MALLEY ’71 (accounting) Waltham, MA; February 3, 2015. He served in the Air Force Reserve. Peter was the proprietor of College Formals, a formalwear rental company. He later worked for several years as a sales associate at Mercedes Benz of Westwood. He is survived by a son and a daughter. ALFRED E. DRAPEAU ’72 (management) East Hampton, MA; January 21, 2015. The Army veteran retired as vice president of Florence Savings Bank’s Consumer and Home Equity Loan Department. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, a son and a daughter.

In Memoriam

ELLEN T. PERS ’72 (marketing) Wilbraham, MA; December 30, 2014. She was most recently employed as a systems analyst at Kaman Aerospace. Ellen previously worked at Moore Drop Forge and Digital. She is survived by her husband, Philip, a son and a daughter. DAVID B. GMYREK G’74 (MBA) Hinsdale, NH; November 24, 2014. The Navy veteran was a computer programmer for insurance companies and later was owner operator of Liberty Liquors in Greenﬁeld, MA, and after that the Art Express frame store in South Deerﬁeld, MA. He is survived by his wife, Alice, a daughter and a son. MARY JANE MAYUSKI ’75 (English) Roswell, GA; January 1, 2015. She was a commercial underwriter in Roswell, GA for 30 years, and was employed by the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. Mary Jane is survived by her husband, Chuck, a daughter and a son.

STEVEN I. RACICOT ’77 (management) Longmeadow, MA; November 29, 2014. He served in the Army, Army Reserves, and National Guard for over 20 years, achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was a Federal Aviation Inspector for 18 years at Bradley International Airport. Steven is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, a son and two daughters. CLIFFORD W. TURCOTTE ’81 (general business) Agawam, MA; November 6, 2014. The Vietnam War Navy veteran also served in the Air Force Reserve, and had a 42-year-long career as a Clinical Nursing Supervisor at Baystate Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Norma, a daughter and a son. CARRIE F. (LEONARD) DOBEK ’83/G’89 (accounting/MBA) Westfield, MA; November 17, 2014. She was a financial analyst at Alstrom in Granby, CT. Carrie is survived by her husband, David, and two sons. MICHAEL J. OUIMETTE ’83 (electrical engineering) Southampton, MA; January 23, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, a son and a daughter.

THE COMMUNICATOR

THOMAS C. CAIRNS ’84 (accounting) Lake Placid, FL; December 20, 2014. He was an accountant at the Holyoke Soldiers Home for many years. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley. Thomas is survived by three daughters and a son.

HOWARD C. HANNING ’90 (public administration) Portland, ME; December 13, 2014. The Army veteran served for most of his career in and out of active duty. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Anne; three sons; a daughter; two stepsons; and a step daughter.

LINDA M. (CZELUSNIAK) ST. MARIE ’85 (ﬁnance) Springﬁeld, MA; November 26, 2014. She worked for Ace Fire and Water Restoration. Linda is survived by a son and a daughter.

NICHOLAS PAYSON ’91 (liberal studies) Brunswick, ME; November 8, 2014. He served in the Army in Korea from 1966 to 1968. Nicholas worked in his family business, Yarmouth Hardware Company and was a supply clerk at Hanscom Air Force Base.

RUTH E. RYBAK ’86 (accounting) Chicopee, MA; December 20, 2014. She retired from Spalding in 1987. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Matthew. She is survived by two sons and two daughters. THOMAS M. LACROIX ’89 (law enforcement) Waltham, MA; August 5, 2014. He began his career in law enforcement as a Bentley College police ofﬁcer. He was later appointed to the Waltham (MA) Police Department, where he rose to the rank of police chief. Thomas is survived by his wife, Andrea, and two sons.

SUMMER 2015

CATHY M. TAYLOR ’94 (ﬁnance) Dudley, MA; January 31, 2015. She was a real estate appraiser and owned Mass Conn Real Estate Appraisal in Dudley, MA. Cathy is survived by her parents, Conrad and Paula Allen. MITCHELL J. GLEICH ’13 (criminal justice) East Greenbush, NY; October 8, 2014. He was a sales manager for Enterprise in East Greenbush, NY.

REMEMBER WHEN

BY BRIAN FITZGERALD

THE BLIZZARD OF ’78

George Lynch ’79 takes a shoveling break as the campus digs out from the Blizzard of ’78. Springfield was “spared” with 14.5 inches of snowfall on February 5-7 of that year, compared to Boston’s 28 inches.

“OLD SCHOOL” COMMENCEMENT: THE CLASS OF ’25 The Class of 1925 was one of the first groups of graduates from Western New England University, which was founded in 1919 as the Springfield Division of Northeastern College. (Northeastern became a university in 1922.) The Alumni Association was founded the following year with Donald M. Macaulay ’24 as its first president.

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS IN 2003 To support new students, Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR) was created in 1984. Since that time, these two-day, overnight sessions, which also include a component for parents, have become an integral part of the First Year Program, helping freshmen with the transition to University life. Can anyone identify these students? Email us at www.alum.wne.edu.

THE COMMUNICATOR

SUMMER 2015

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAI D 1215 Wilbraham Road

Springfield, MA Permit No. 896

Springﬁeld, MA 01119-2684

www.wne.edu

Upcoming Events

NOVEMBER

29 Golden Bear Pavilion Ribbon Cutting

OCTOBER

21 Alumni Bus Trip to New York City

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT HOMECOMING— the perfect opportunity to come back to our beautiful campus and enjoy fun, food, and plenty of events. It’s time to relive great memories and make some new ones.

President’s Alumni Reception in New York City

Golden Graduates Luncheon Downes Hall of Fame Dinner

JANUARY 2016

Homecoming Festivities

23 Alumni and Friends Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Getaway

Athletics Reunions: Softball, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Basketball, and Swimming

APRIL

Athletics Reunions: Men’s Lacrosse and Men’s Soccer

28 Mark Coffey Memorial Golf Outing

Engineering Mentoring Dinner

MAY

15 President’s Alumni Reception in Washington, DC

27 48th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS A SINGLE MINUTE OF HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES, including reunions, children’s activities, and plenty of chances to reconnect with your old friends and professors. Cheer on Golden Bear football and other teams.

Visit: www.wne.edu/alumni

SEPTEMBER

HOMECOMING 2015 OCTOBER 2-4

For details on alumni events, contact Kristina Oleksak at kristina.oleksak@wne.edu or 413-782-1557.