Worcester State Magazine 150th Anniversary Issue, Fall 2024

Worcester State is turning 150! In this commemorative Fall 2024 issue of Worcester State Magazin e, we celebrate Worcester State University’s 150th anniversary with stories of impact, belonging, learning, and community. Inside, you will also find a special fold-out section on our remarkable 150-year history and first-person profiles of outstanding alumni who are making a difference.

15 Belonging

As a proud first-gen school, our campus has long been a place students can call home and earn an excellent education.

4 Impact

Yesterday and today, Worcester State alumni are leading, innovating, and collaborating to build better communities, create opportunities, and strengthen the economy for the next generation.

41 Teaching

From the very start, Worcester Normal School was a place of innovation in teaching and learning, and that tradition continues today with the university’s faculty who are finding new ways to inspire and educate.

57 Community INSIDE

Students and faculty are passionate about giving back through volunteer work, community-based research, and clinical services.

ONLINE STORY: Worcester State strengthens the college pipeline and supports the transition to college for local K-12 students with programs offered by the Latino Education Institute, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Early College Worcester. Read the story at worcester.edu/magazine. Photo: Physics Professor Nabin Malakar leads a science demonstration during LEI’s Avanza STEM Expo for middle and high school students in April 2024. Read more online: worcester.edu/magazine

Matt Wright ’10

What Makes a Lancer a Lancer?

By President Barry M. Maloney

WHEN I LOOK BACK AT THE MANY remarkable individuals who have graduated from Worcester State during our 150-year history, some common themes emerge, and together, they tell the story of who we are as Lancer Nation. It was the Reconstruction Era when our founding institution, the Worcester Normal School, opened its doors in 1874. Jennie Cora Clough, whose grandfather had been born into slavery in Lancaster, Mass., according to Remembering Massachusetts State Normal Schools: Pioneers in Teacher Education, courageously became our first Black student, graduating in 1878. She went on to be the first Black teacher in Worcester’s Public Schools, initially at the newly integrated Thomas Street Primary school, where the nationalities were “58 percent Irish, 21 percent American, 12 percent Canadian, and 6 percent English.”

President Barry Maloney celebrates the dedication of the Imoigele P. Aisiku, M.D., ’92 STEM Center in 2017 with Dr. Aisiku, an alumnus who has given generously in support of STEM education at Worcester State.

Sarah Ella Wilson’s story builds upon Clough’s legacy. Another in that first wave of Black alumni, she graduated 20 years after we opened, then taught at the Belmont Street School for almost 50 years, impacting generations of students of all backgrounds. One of them, local CEO Saul Feingold, recognized Wilson’s life-changing impact on his six-year-old self by establishing the Sarah Ella Wilson scholarship at Worcester State when he turned 86.

And Wilson served many others, as well, through participation in groups such as the Worcester Women’s Progressive Club, Home for Aged Colored People, and the local NAACP. Her leadership as vice president of the Worcester InterRacial Council and as treasurer of the Northeastern Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs helped lay a foundation for the women’s and civil rights movements here in Worcester. Courage to forge a bold path of her own, before women had the right to vote and when segregation was a fact of life. Leadership, in her classroom and the community. Giving back abundantly in both arenas.

Those qualities emerge repeatedly over our 150-year history. Nearly half of that time, we offered solely education credentials. Most of those education graduates were women earning degrees at a time when very few had them. Some helped pave the way for women’s entrée into the field of higher education.

Two who graduated from our second iteration, the Worcester State Teachers College, were part of that vanguard: Helen Shaughnessy ’43 and Vera Dowden Baldwin ’34, M.Ed. ’53, both of whom have campus buildings named for them (see page 38). They became teachers: Shaughnessy, in Leicester and Auburn schools; Dowden Baldwin in Leicester, Rochdale, and Worcester. Then both became leaders, as faculty and administrators at their alma mater. Shaughnessy served as an associate professor, chair, and associate dean for a total of 29 years. One of her

Leadership.

protégées, Dr. Elaine Tateronis ’63 , M.Ed. ’74 once said: “She was a role model to us all.”

Chair of the Worcester State Foundation, retired Army Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell ’73, entered Worcester State College’s geography program during an era of social movements and campus protests at home, while Americans fought in the Vietnam War. Until January of 1973, young men had been subject to the draft.

Campbell chose a path of service. He joined ROTC at Worcester State and was commissioned into the Air Defense Artillery branch of the Army. His leadership abilities were immediately apparent as he ascended the ranks, becoming the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command. He went on to lead as a vice president and corporate lead executive for Northrop Grumman Corporation, following his retirement.

He now offers his considerable expertise to benefit Worcester State students in his role as Foundation Board chair, never forgetting where he came from.

Nearly 20 years later, another Worcester State graduate, Imoigele P. Aisiku ’92, went on to become a medical doctor and a visionary entrepreneur. He has paid it forward to benefit those pursuing STEM coursework at Worcester State. His commitment to higher education, no doubt, comes from his parents.

Imoigele’s father, Worcester State Professor Emeritus Joshua Unuigboje Aisiku, Ph.D., hailed from Nigeria and

taught for 24 years in the Education Department. His mother Brenda Aisiku is a retired special education teacher who taught in the Worcester school system and was named Worcester Teacher of the Year in 2005.

Imo has a deep commitment to helping those who are pursuing careers in science, health, and technology—especially students of color, especially first-generation students and those of modest means. He has seen first-hand how families with deep pockets provide advantages that benefit some other medical school students. He’s making sure that those mandatory internship and “volunteer” hours so critical for medical school acceptance are paid opportunities for our students, so that they can achieve their dreams of advanced degrees, including M.D.s.

Worcester State is fortunate to have many alumni who are combining their desire to give back with their professions. Foundation Board member Geovanna Diaz-Chavez ’12, M.A. ’14, shows how it’s done. She founded Style & Comfort with her husband, Johnny Chavez ’13. The company combines her human resources experience with her family’s background in construction to offer affordable design and build services for those with mental or physical challenges. As one who accessed our Alternatives for Individual Development/Upward Bound program while a student, Diaz-Chavez is committed to giving back and has established a scholarship for a Latina student.

Like Clough, Wilson, Shaughnessy, and Dowden Baldwin before her, Diaz-Chavez didn’t hesitate to take that often difficult first step of pursuing higher education, even though few from her circle had done so. Many Lancers like Campbell have personally challenged themselves to take a difficult path in a difficult time or, like Aisiku, set their sights on a goal, like medical school, despite barriers to their success. From these courageous pathways, leaders emerged, the kind who credit those before them and around them for their success and abundantly give back.

Graduates of the Class of 2024 are no exception; they have all persevered through tough times. Most of them entered Worcester State when we were mostly remote and much of the world was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have no doubt theirs will be the stories we tell on our 200th anniversary, as they make their marks in the tradition of the brave, yet humble, and giving Lancer leaders who came before them.

Giving Back. Service.

LEFT: A portrait of alumna Sarah Ella Wilson hangs at Belmont Community School where she taught for almost 50 years.

TOP: Geovanna Diaz-Chavez ’12, M.A. ’14; BOTTOM: Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell ’73

Matt Wright

Impact

Worcester State alumni are the heartbeat of the community, driving local growth and advancing opportunity.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVIDE

BONAZZI

Worcester State’s Impact at 150

For generations, alumni have built, strengthened, and led the Greater Worcester community.

By Nancy Sheehan

WORKING WITH ADDICTED YOUTH, CHERYL DONAHUE ’22 goes home every day knowing she is making a difference in the lives of struggling teenagers. The young people she works with at Motivating Youth Recovery often face enormous obstacles, yet, no matter what, Donahue believes in every one of them. She reminds them that they can recover—and they do. One client at a time, says Donahue. That’s how you make an impact in the community.

“I have a client that calls my office every couple of months just to check in and let me know that he’s doing well,” she said. “It makes me feel like I’m trusted. It makes me feel a little emotional, actually, and like I’m doing something productive and really meaningful.” Motivating Youth Recovery, a program of UMass Memorial, Community Healthlink,

is the only acute-care adolescent detox and stabilization program in Massachusetts offering treatment for youth with substance use and mental health disorders. She says her Worcester State University education prepared her well for taking on the challenges and responsibilities of being a counselor on the frontline of one of the state’s most pressing problems.

As Worcester State celebrates its 150th anniversary, Donahue is among thousands of Worcester State graduates, many of them born

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Cheryl Donahue ’22 (left), milieu manager at Motivating Youth Recovery, who oversees a team of residential counselors, and Emily Tuccillo ’21 at the MYR offices. Emily began working for MYR as a direct care residential counselor while completing her education in psychology and public health at Worcester State and has done two internships—one doing substance abuse prevention in a middle school in Spencer, Mass., and the other doing adult outpatient counseling in Worcester.

Nancy Sheehan

and raised in Central Massachusetts, who have used their college education to build, strengthen, and transform every sector of the community—the business community, K-12 public education system, health care, social services, community organizations, and the arts.

“Students who have the opportunity to go to Worcester State often stay here and continue to build this community and help it grow,” City Manager Eric Batista said. “They are choosing to make Worcester their home and raising their families here, which helps to strengthen our community as a whole.”

Improving quality of life

Studies show that colleges and universities are important engines of growth for their local areas. They not only raise the skill level of an area’s workforce, but, in the case of public higher education institutions like Worcester State, research also has found that people who live in the community benefit from increases in high school graduation rates and improvements in employment, household income, marriage rates, and geographic mobility.

Newly minted graduates of private colleges and universities are a highly mobile group, so the benefit is more fleeting. That is less likely to be the case with public higher education, researchers say, and at Worcester State a large majority of graduates stay in the area.

Batista said that Worcester State graduates who work in city government and other municipal positions bring valuable educational and lived experiences to their roles and that the university’s focus on supporting first-generation students is especially important in a diverse community like Worcester, as it gives young people and families the opportunity to pursue college, something they may not have had the chance to do before.

“Worcester State University is an incredible resource to our community, providing affordable quality education and supporting firstgeneration students,” he said. “It helps young people and families pursue college, leading to high-paying jobs and economic growth. We’re proud of the impact it has on individuals and our city.”

Educating the next generation

In no field has Worcester State had more of an impact than in public K-12 education. Founded as a teacher training school in 1874, Worcester State has granted degrees to generations of local teachers. This year, the Barbara (Hickey) O’Brien Department of Education, the first academic program at the university, is marking its 150th anniversary.

“Worcester State’s education graduates have had a significant impact on schools in Worcester and beyond since our earliest days as a normal school,” said Dean of Education Raynold Lewis. “Our graduates have always been highly regarded in the community and are consistently considered among the best prepared. Most of our teachers who go to Worcester Public Schools remain in the system, and they become administrators.”

The Education Department has long emphasized the importance of

Worcester State alumni hold a number of prominent positions within the city. With City Manager Eric Batista (center) at Worcester City Hall are, from left, Raquel CastroCorazzini ’10, director, Division of Youth Opportunities; Sarah Casey ’19, communications and content coordinator, Office of the City Manager; Evis Terpollari ’07, homeless projects manager, Health and Human Services; Eric Batista; Amy Peterson ’03, chief of staff for the Office of the City Manager; Jeury Abreu ’12, special project manager, Division of Youth Opportunities; and Crystal Fernandez Duval ’24, receptionist, Office of the City Manager.

collaboration, innovation, and practical experience in teacher education, Dr. Lewis said.

“One important innovation from the past was the establishment of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, which is now known as student teaching,” he said. Previously, most teachers gained experience in mock schools set up at their educational institutions, but at Worcester Normal School, they were placed in actual school classrooms. “It was a ground-breaking practice, which has since become foundational in teacher preparation programs worldwide,” he said.

Additionally, the university maintains a strong relationship with Worcester Public Schools, which has led to innovative programs such as the Clinical Professor Model, where teachers from Worcester Public Schools join the university as temporary full-time professors, providing valuable insights and professional development opportunities for both institutions, Dr. Lewis said.

At the May Street School, right next door to Worcester State, Principal Luke Robert ’86, M.Ed. ’07, says his school’s partnership with Worcester State is an important one. The children of May Street School come to campus regularly, recently to visit the Glow Show exhibit in the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery on campus.

Between student teachers, pre-practicum, and specific disciplines, Worcester State provides hundreds of hours a year of observation in May Street classrooms, he said. “I hired two teachers last year right off graduation because we had the opportunity to see them teach in our school setting as student teachers. They were so impressive and prepared by Worcester State that it made great sense to hire them to teach for us. Through our partnership, we want to help facilitate the teacher pipeline to the Worcester Public Schools so that the Worcester State graduates stay in our community.”

At May Street—and plenty of other schools across the city— many of the school’s faculty are alumni. Robert described a recent visit by Worester State President Barry Maloney.

Matt Wright ’10

“We invited President Maloney to address our students for the installation of our student government,” he said. “While introducing Barry, I asked teachers to raise their hands if they had received their degrees from Worcester State. Seventy-five percent of the teachers raised their hands,” Robert said. “We have a really nice partnership with Worcester State, which impacts what we’re doing here on many levels. Our elementary students get to see and work with college students all the time. We visit the campus, and we work closely with the Education Department and various professors, which enhances what we are able to do in our classrooms. Our goal moving forward is to continue to build the bridge we have with Worcester State through other avenues, such as the Latino Education Institute, the Multicultural Office, and sports teams.”

Worcester Public Schools is fortunate to have Worcester State University and other higher education institutions right in its own backyard, says Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez, Ph.D.

“Home-grown educator pipelines are so important as we recruit teachers who reflect our student body and set an example for academic rigor,” she said. “The long-term investment into our communities is impactful. We continue to look forward to our continued partnership with Worcester State.”

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“

Worcester State graduates and students have been a tremendous asset to the community, addressing health care needs, improving social determinants of health, and advocating for the underserved.”

Dr. Matilde Castiel, City of Worcester Commissioner for Health and Human Services

Our students are the people you want for your neighbors. They’re the people you want for your friends, and they’re the people you need as your employees.”

—Professor Elizabeth Wark

Leading in business and industry

Worcester State’s excellence in a wide range of fields beyond education—health care, business, the arts, and sciences—has made it a valuable partner to numerous local industries and contributes to the overall development and well-being of the Worcester area, according to economist Elizabeth Wark, professor of business administration and economics.

The university maintains strong ties to Worcester’s fast-growing biotechnology industry and has longstanding partnerships with hospitals, government and social service agencies, museums, and economic development organizations like the Greater Worcester Chamber of Commerce. The presidents of three local banks—Bay State Savings, Cornerstone, and bankHometown—are Worcester State graduates.

“The majority of our graduates stay in the area, so there have been thousands of alumni over the years who live and work in Worcester County and contribute as educators, as businesspeople, as people working in health fields, in criminal justice, in the sciences, etc,” Wark said. “In all the areas we support academically at Worcester State, we have students out there doing the jobs that provide great livelihoods for themselves and their families and that make our community a great place in which to live.”

Business Administration is the most popular major at Worcester State, and its graduates can be found in various occupations such as accounting, marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship. They start businesses, work in local businesses, and contribute to the overall business success of the region, Wark said.

“We prepare students for leadership roles and roles of support, both for their own businesses and to support businesses and other organizations throughout Worcester County and Massachusetts and all over the country,” she said.

Wark also noted the success of the Master of Science in Management program that offers students advanced education in four areas currently in high demand: accounting, finance, leadership, and marketing.

“When you think about it, Worcester State is a jewel,” Wark said. “Our students are the people you want for your neighbors. They’re the people you want for your friends, and they’re the people you need as your employees.”

Graduating workforce ready

Worcester State alumni also support each other, with many sponsoring internships and providing job opportunities for current students. One of those alumni paying it forward is Bill Murphy ’93, the branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. of Auburn, who has offered internships to Worcester State business students for more than 20 years. Murphy said the Business Department makes it easy for him to do so because Wark and other faculty members do a great job of screening and providing excellent candidates for internships.

“Our interns from Worcester State have been eager to learn, professional, polite, and team oriented,” he said. “They’re good kids, and they’re likable. It’s a testament to Worcester State and the great job they do in preparing their students.”

Murphy said he has been so impressed with Worcester State interns that over the years he has hired several of them full time in his business. He also gives solid recommendations for interns who want to move on. “Worcester State and its Business Department do a great job of ensuring students are ready to enter the workforce and make a positive impact on the local community,” he said.

Larry Sasso ’90, M.S. ’13, D.B.A., a financial services professional for more than 30 years, is the owner of Lawrence Sasso Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. He credits his time at Worcester State and his Business Department mentors, particularly Professor Emerita Maureen Stefanini (see page 56) and the late Felix Masterson, with providing him with the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship.

Sasso, who was appointed to the Worcester State Board of Trustees in 2021, likes to promote that same kind of confidence by offering internships giving students real-world experience in the financial sector. As a mentor, Sasso introduces interns to the company’s clients and highlights their accomplishments to show them that they are appreciated.

“We hire interns from Worcester State because they bring fresh perspectives, strong work ethic, and a dedication to the community,” Sasso said. “They are always a valuable asset to our team.”

Sasso emphasized the mutual benefit of this relationship, where both parties amplify each other’s talents and abilities. “The interns from Worcester State have been incredible,” he said. “They not only teach me the latest technical skills, but their energy and enthusiasm are truly inspiring.”

Addressing health care needs

Worcester State has been a major contributor to the state’s health care sector through its programs in biology, chemistry, nursing, biotechnology, speech-language-hearing sciences, occupational therapy, and public health. The university’s Imoigele P. Aisiku, M.D., ’92 STEM Center is a hub for undergraduates pursuing careers in scientific research, and a growing number of the university’s STEM graduates have gone on to top-tier medical schools.

As the university celebrates its 150th anniversary, the prestigious Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing is marking its 50-year anniversary. Consistently ranked as one of the best nursing programs in Massachusetts, it remains one of Worcester State’s elite programs. Most of its graduates practice in the area.

The program was founded as an R.N. to B.S.N. program by Lillian R. Goodman to prepare individuals to meet the needs of an emerging health care system that required nurses to be prepared at the baccalaureate level, recalled founding faculty member Dr. Mary K. Alexander and Professor Emerita Jean Campaniello ’77, who was a member of the second graduating nursing class.

Graduates, they said, demonstrated the knowledge base to effectively interact with acute care, public health agencies, and other practice partners to promote wellness, prevent disease, and ensure equitable health outcomes for all.

Today, said Catherine Thomas, associate dean of nursing, the Nursing Department focuses on preparing students for real-world challenges, updating the curriculum to keep pace with the changing landscape of health care. In recent times, nursing programs, including Worcester State’s, have begun to emphasize de-escalation techniques and skills in therapeutic communication, as the health care environment has become more dynamic and stressful. Additionally, annual feedback from clinical partners and alumni is incorporated to ensure graduates are well prepared.

“What we hear from our clinical partners is that they want to hire our students, that they know that a Worcester State grad has been highly trained, and they have every confidence that they will do well as a nurse,” Thomas said. “That’s been really consistent feedback that I’ve heard even since before I got here, and we’re going to really work hard to continue that in the future.”

Matilde Castiel, M.D., commissioner for public health and human services for the City of Worcester, said Worcester State students and graduate students from various health fields, including nursing and public health, have had a positive effect on the community through working in a range of allied health jobs, interning, or volunteering for different projects.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing students from Worcester State worked at the Worcester Senior Center, providing care to the elderly, administering medications, and checking blood pressures. This support was crucial during a time of increased demand for health care professionals, Dr. Castiel said. Students from the Health Ambassadors program at Worcester State’s Latino Education Institute also played

an important outreach role with underserved communities during the pandemic, and their work earned numerous accolades.

Nursing students and health ambassadors continue to be involved in community initiatives, working on addiction issues, teaching financial literacy, and supporting post-incarceration reentry initiatives.

The ability of nursing graduates to go out into the community and work with underserved populations, such as the elderly, has helped address health care inequities, Dr. Castiel pointed out. Their work has not only had a positive impact on individuals but also has influenced policy changes and decision making at the city level. “Worcester State graduates and students have been a tremendous asset to the community, addressing health care needs, improving social determinants of health, and advocating for the underserved,” Dr. Castiel said.

Strengthening social services

Like Cheryl Donahue, many Worcester State students and alumni who are interested in mental health have come to the Motivating Youth Recovery (MYR) program through connections the agency has developed with several departments at Worcester State, including Nursing and Psychology, and the Career Development Office.

Donahue majored in psychology with a minor in substance abuse counseling. After she began working for MYR, she was quickly promoted to a management position and now oversees the agency’s team of residential counselors doing direct care work with adolescents in treatment.

Other alumni at the agency provide direct care to clients, coordinate aftercare services, and help youth in crisis with substance use and mental health challenges. They also work closely with families, providing support, education, and hope to those facing the heartbreak of addiction.

At a time when opioid-related deaths in Worcester remain persistently high, the work has never been more important.

“Our Worcester State students and graduates are adaptable and ambitious,” Ashley Williams, MYR program director, said. “They’re willing to come in and learn the ropes and know that every day is going to bring different dynamic challenges. They’re willing to go with the flow and learn from other people and ask questions when they have them. They often start with us on a small scale, either shadowing, working in a flexible position, or doing a lower-level entry role, and they’ve all moved up pretty quickly, whether it be in hours or as a promotion.”

Worcester State alumni and students play meaningful roles on an individual level, which adds up to a major impact for the community as a whole. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said Worcester State University is an important partner to the City of Worcester through numerous projects that have contributed to the city’s momentum. “Worcester State has been a big, important part of the City of Worcester,” he said. “It has grown tremendously and has made a difference in the community. The graduates stay here, investing their lives, and adding to the economy to make the city more stable. Worcester State has always been there for the community over the past 150 years and likely will maintain that strong relationship for the next 150 years as well.”

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE

WORCESTER STATE GRADUATES ARE MAKING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT both locally and globally, excelling as educators, health care professionals, social justice advocates, business executives, and civic leaders. These 40 outstanding alumni embody the spirit of Worcester State’s more than 40,000 graduates, many of whom grew up in Central Massachusetts and have chosen to remain in the region after earning their degrees. Others have extended their influence nationwide or even internationally, contributing their talent, time, and passion far beyond Worcester. In their own words, we share their professional motivations, inspirations, and Worcester State experience.

Jennessa Burks ’15

MAJORS: Elementary Education, Math for Educators Teacher, Cambridge Public Schools Artist/Muralist, Self-Employed

» During my time at Worcester State I was fortunate enough to connect with a few faculty members who saw my potential before I fully recognized it myself. They helped me navigate my way through college as a first-generation student. One professor even allowed my four-yearold to attend class with me so I wouldn’t fall behind. Their guidance and motivation helped me start a career in education immediately upon graduation. They are rooting for my success, and I have been reminded of that each time I have received an email or crossed their paths.

I am inspired every single day by the young people I work with. They consistently show up with a curiosity for learning about the world and willingness to hear one another’s perspectives. They demonstrate a level of empathy and understanding that gives me hope for a better future. Young people are capable of incredible success when provided with guidance, resources, and compassion. They are also capable of being insightful educators when given the opportunity to share their voice, perspectives, and experiences. I hope each young person I work with walks away feeling heard, cared about, and more confident in themselves.

Danica A. Johnston, M.Ed. ’14

MAJOR: Secondary Education Director of Academics, Shawsheen Valley Technical School

» My time at Worcester State was transformative, shaping both my academic and personal growth. Through rigorous coursework, engaging professors, and phenomenal classmates, I honed my critical thinking skills, expanded my knowledge base, and developed strong leadership abilities. The supportive community at Worcester State provided me with invaluable opportunities for mentorship, self-discovery, and networking, which equipped me with confidence and expertise.

I am deeply committed to cultivating inclusive, equitable educational environments where every individual, irrespective of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. I aim to dismantle systemic barriers, foster diversity, and champion a culture of lifelong learning. Ultimately, I hope to inspire others to pursue their aspirations and make a lasting impact on the world. Whether it is witnessing the resilience of individuals overcoming obstacles or seeing collective efforts lead to tangible improvements in communities, I find inspiration in the pursuit of progress. Additionally, the belief that every person deserves equal opportunities and the conviction that education is a powerful tool for empowerment continually motivates me to work toward creating a more equitable and just society.

Tony Price ’97, M.S.L.D.

MAJOR:

Communication Director of Athletics, Bunker Hill Community College

» As a young man, I dreamt of being a professional athlete; however, the areas where I’ve made the greatest impact on the community are through coaching and administration. In my current profession as director of Athletics, I can positively influence the next generation through athletics. I get to share life lessons, inspire, and role model professionalism as a leader.

I am inspired by something I inherited from my parents, Betty and Ted Burch: to help others. My parents are two of the most generous people I have ever been around. They are willing to lend a helping hand despite not having much. I feel an obligation to open doors for others, especially people from marginalized communities, to enter rooms they may not feel welcomed in or knew existed. Coming from Boston and a predominantly Black educational experience, my first year at Worcester State was a cultural shock. For the first time in my life, I was a minority in the classroom and on the basketball team. At Worcester State, I learned how to persevere through adversity and work with people from different backgrounds as a team.

Renah Razzaq ’02, M.Ed. ’09, Ph.D.

MAJORS: Mathematics, Leadership and Administration Assistant Principal, Doherty Memorial High School

» My family has always believed in me and encouraged me to reach any goal I set for myself, and Worcester State College provided me with a warm and supportive environment, with professors and an advisor, Dr. Raynold Lewis, who helped me navigate my academic journey while balancing the demands of being a mother to two young children. Motivated by my experiences, I now strive to inspire young individuals interested in pursuing a career in education, just as I was inspired.

Tony Reno ’97, M.Ed. ’00

MAJORS: History, Health Education

Head Football Coach, Yale University

» My experience at Worcester State was amazing. I had an incredible mentor in Brien Cullen, who was our head football coach, and he also had a great staff around him. My teammates became my best friends, and we were able to share a wonderful time together on and off the field.

I am passionate about building teams with leadership as its foundation. In my sport, I am very fortunate to work with some amazing young people who we help build as men and leaders. The ability to build a selfless team each season that is composed of a group of young people who are truly invested in each other as a family inspires me to be the best version of myself for them each day. My family motivates me each day. I am blessed to have an amazing wife and three incredible children who inspire and challenge me every day to be the very best husband and father I can be.

A love for learning is key to success in an ever-evolving world. Through mentorship, guidance, and teaching them the importance of collaboration and working with others to achieve a common goal, I strive to empower young people to become lifelong learners equipped to thrive and make meaningful contributions to their communities and society. I find immense inspiration in witnessing young people stand up for basic human rights, recognizing that throughout history, it has often been our youth who have propelled us toward significant societal change. I am deeply motivated by the dedication of my colleagues in the Worcester Public School system who tirelessly strive to offer the best education to the students of Worcester.

Young people are capable of incredible success when provided with guidance, resources, and compassion.”

—Jennessa Burks ’15

Ann Ash Zelesky ’73

MAJOR: Natural Science

Retired Associate Athletic Director, College of the Holy Cross; Teacher, Softball and Basketball Coach

» My experience in athletics and life experiences have taught me many lessons. Challenges are sure to be in one’s path, but they are the things with which we build our character. I have learned as I navigated the ups and downs of life that passion, humility, and optimism can carry you a long way. I hope to continue to pass that same spirit and optimism to all those I come in contact with.

I am grateful for the incredible mentors I have had throughout my life, and I would like to continue to emulate their example of seeing the good in all while displaying respect, support, and positivity in order to inspire and empower others. Live every day to the fullest with humility, integrity, and perseverance.

I am so truly thankful to the Worcester State teachers, administration, and coaches who truly cared about my success and shaped me into who I am today. They challenged and supported me during my undergraduate years and beyond. At Worcester State, the combination of a strong academic program and great athletic program is a powerful one-two punch for producing the quality leaders we need in our society to meet the challenges in the world we live in.

Emily (Walker) Pearl ’17, M.Ed. ’21

MAJORS: Elementary Education, Psychology

First Grade Teacher, Walter J. Paton Elementary School, Shrewsbury, Mass.

» Being an elementary school teacher has always been a dream of mine. I am passionate about inspiring young learners to work hard and to be the best people they can be. I love seeing students persevere through hard things, staying motivated and engaged and having fun with learning! Many people have guided me to where I am today, including my amazing family and friends. My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Suire, is the reason I wanted to become a teacher. All of my students, past, present, and future, continue to motivate me and push me to never stop learning and growing. I strive to be the best teacher I can be every day, and I can thank my amazing students and families for that.

Worcester State University provided an exceptional education and powerful leadership opportunities. I acquired the skills and knowledge I needed to become a successful teacher.

Debbie Hall, M.S. ’17

MAJOR: Nonprofit Management

CEO, YWCA Central Massachusetts

» I am passionate about social justice. My work aligns with this passion. As the first Black woman CEO to lead YWCA CM in its 139-year history, I hope to serve as an example of possibilities. I recognize that the position I hold comes with power. I am obligated to use this power to help others achieve their goals, to make our community more equitable, and to use my voice to ensure others are heard. As founder of Worcester Black History Project, I hope to assist in filling in the gaps in the history of this wonderfully diverse city.

The Nonprofit Management program at Worcester State University formalized the knowledge I had accumulated over the years. It was a program that was schedule-friendly for me as a working professional. The professors were phenomenal and brought real-world experience to the classroom. It was one of the best investments I ever made. Professor Shiko Gathuo was a fabulous advisor who encouraged critical thinking and pushed us beyond any boundaries we may have set for ourselves. She really cares about students and our success.

I’m inspired by young people. I want to leave the world a better place for them. I love their curiosity and creativity. They inspire me and give me hope.

My passion in life is providing compassionate patient-centered care to all individuals in need, with an emphasis on populations that face greater health disparities associated with trauma and the social determinants of health.”

—Oscar de la Rosa ’16

Sarah Baldiga, M.S. ’09

MAJOR: Nonprofit Management

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Rise Above Foundation

» I’m passionate about ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community have equitable access to thrive. Fifteen years ago, I helped start Rise Above Foundation to support local youth in foster care. By providing youth with funds to participate in music lessons, team sports fees, dance lessons, school field trips, prom, camp, and more, Rise Above gives them opportunities that can boost their physical, mental, social, and academic well-being. Since the organization was started, we’ve served more than 14,000 youth in our state who are experiencing foster care and distributed more than $3 million so that youth can participate in the same activities as their peers.

The response we receive from youth, foster parents, social workers, and other advocates motivates me to strive to increase Rise Above’s impact. We hear almost daily that our help made a difference. The degree program at Worcester State gave me a well-rounded knowledge base that was especially critical in starting and running Rise Above, and I was able to build a network of other nonprofit professionals in my fellow students.

kate warren barnes ’06, M.S.W., M.B.A., Ph.D. student

MAJOR: Urban Studies

Head of Strategic Partnerships, Jumpstart for Young Children, Adjunct Faculty, BU School of Social Work

» My experience at Worcester State was transformative. I faced extreme adversity as an undergraduate student and attempted to drop out multiple times. However, the dedicated faculty in the Urban Studies Department saw me and refused to give up on me. It took seven years, but with the support of the faculty in the department, I completed my degree and have continued my education while serving my community.

As a community-centered educator, scholar, and advocate, I am inspired by the people and the world around me. The resiliency of children, families, and communities who have faced adversity inspires my social impact work. I am passionate about cultivating transformative relationships and utilizing healing-centered practices to co-curate a more equitable society. This sacred work is a generational calling that honors the legacy of my ancestors and was made possible by my formative experiences as an undergraduate student at Worcester State University.

Ken Bates ’87, M.S., Hon. Ph.D.

MAJOR: Urban Studies

President and CEO, Open Sky Community Services, Inc.

» My experience at Worcester State University was foundational in shaping my career and leadership approach. The diverse and challenging curriculum in urban studies provided me with a deep understanding of community dynamics and social issues. The supportive faculty and collaborative environment honed my skills in critical thinking and problem solving.

As a professional, I am passionate about opening doors for those considered underdogs and those facing complex life challenges. Leading Open Sky Community Services, I strive to create communities that are thriving and welcoming for everyone. My goal is to make a lasting impact by championing the abilities of all people to achieve their goals and dreams. I am inspired by the resilience and determination of individuals who overcome significant challenges to achieve their goals. Ultimately, the belief that everyone can grow and everyone deserves a chance to succeed and live a fulfilling life drives my commitment to this work.

Celia Johnston Blue ’00, M.B.A.

MAJOR: Health Studies, Concentration in Health Education President and CEO, Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition Inc. (MAWOCC)

» My lived experiences and my desire to create a more equitable, just, and inclusive world motivates me. I am passionate about addressing racial and gender inequities for women and girls of color and communities of color. Increasing women of color in leadership positions across all industries, sectors, boards, and commissions will positively impact the lives of women of color, our communities of color, and all communities. The wage gap is also an imperative issue for economic mobility and stability, particularly for women of color. MAWOCC’s mission is focused on addressing racial inequities created by structural, institutional, internalized, and interpersonal racism. Working on these issues every day, we will continue to positively influence our communities and the world.

Worcester State provided a high-quality educational foundation that helped me to be where I am today. Having access and the flexibility to complete my degree while working full time was critical to advancing my career. Additionally, the ongoing collaboration as an alum continues to be an enriching experience.

Anne D. Sadick, M.S. ’02

MAJOR:

Nonprofit Management Director of Development, Worcester Historical Museum

» I am a curious person, and I love to discover/study/experience new things, both professionally and personally. I continue to be inspired by the young women I met at Girls Inc., many who have overcome obstacles and move me with their sense of purpose as they pursue their dreams.

In 1999, when I started the Worcester State master’s program, I sat with my son and daughter (then 11 and 7 years old) at our dining room table to complete our homework. Over my four years of study, I gained practical experience and built essential skills that gave me a strong foundation to be successful.

As a professional fundraiser, I’m passionate about making a difference for local nonprofit organizations and the individuals they serve. My favorite project to date was as project manager of Worcester Historical Museum’s 2021-22 exhibit PRETTY-POWERFUL: 100 Years of Voting & Style—a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of U.S. women who fought for the right to vote. This exhibit acknowledged that it wasn’t until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 that women’s right to vote was protected, though voting rights and voter suppression remain an issue today.

Leah M. Bradley ’97, L.C.S.W.

MAJOR: Sociology

Chief Executive Officer, Central Massachusetts Housing

Increasing women of color in leadership positions across all industries, sectors, boards, and commissions will positively impact the lives of women of color, our communities of color, and all communities.”

–Celia Johnston Blue ’00

Alliance, Inc.

» At Worcester State, I was working to pay for college and helping to care for my younger brother. The sociology program helped me to find my calling. There is such a need for folks to go into behavioral sciences to understand the need for social justice in our community.

Having a home is a basic need and should be a right for everyone. When you are wondering where you will sleep tonight, you can’t focus on anything else. What I love about Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance is not only are we providing direct service to families, we are also working on long-term policy change to truly end homelessness.

The compassion and dedication I see in the team at CMHA to make sure everyone has a home inspires me. Those experiencing homelessness are some of the most resilient and resourceful folks I have ever met. The children in our shelters are also an inspiration as we need to be sure they have a home to grow and thrive. Homelessness has life-long physical and emotional impacts on children. Working to ensure they have a home that will provide them with the environment they deserve is most rewarding.

Seth A. Pitts ’10, M.S.

MAJOR: Accounting and Finance President and CEO, Bay State Savings Bank

» I find inspiration everywhere, from the simplest sunrise to challenges awaiting resolution. Driven by a profound purpose for positive change, my family and children stand as my unwavering motivation, propelling me towards making a significant difference in the lives of others.

With a focus on local banking and financial education, my dedication lies in empowering communities, nurturing future leaders, and fostering economic prosperity. Committed to advocating for the communities close to my heart, I strive to be a compelling force for change in Worcester and beyond. Engaging with diverse audiences, I passionately seek to amplify, impact, and connect local people to local financial solutions. My experience at Worcester State has forged enduring relationships and provided a sturdy foundation for a purposeful and rewarding career journey.

On our vibrant and welcoming campus, individuals of all backgrounds come together to pursue their dreams.

Belonging

A Proud First-Gen History

Since 1874, Worcester State has provided an economic stepping stone for those who are first in their families to attend college. By

THE IDEA OF “FIRST-GENERATION” OR “FIRST-GEN” COLLEGE students is a modern construct of higher education—but Worcester State’s history of inclusion and opportunity is a long and storied one that goes back to its founding.

From its early days as a teacher training school to its current status as an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, the university has always provided opportunities and support for students to achieve their dreams, regardless of their ethnic background or economic status, says university archivist and historian Ross Griffiths. As the city’s only public baccalaureate-granting institution, Worcester State has long recognized the importance of supporting students who were the first in their families to attend college.

Griffiths said information from the university archives, including a collection of handwritten tomes called the Statistical Registers, which contain information about students from 1874 to 1910, give a strong indication that many students were likely the first in their families to go to college. “The Register lists the types of occupations for parents, such as machinists, farmers, and housekeepers, indicating a working-class background for many students,” he said.

Nancy Sheehan

Over the decades, the ethnicity of firstgeneration students has become more diverse, as signified by the last names listed in campus directories such as the Register and in graduation lists. The shifts reflect successive waves of immigration to the area. In more recent years, the university has welcomed more students of Hispanic, Southeast Asian, and African ancestry.

“We don’t have demographic information other than names, but in the 1880s we see names like Collier, Clark, Cunningham, Grant, and Gates,” Griffiths said. “The names are very heavily Irish and English all the way through to the 19th century. In the 1890s, Italian names started to appear, and by the 1910s and 1920s, Armenian names became more common. A little later in the 20th century, there was an increase in Albanian, Greek, Syrian, and Lebanese names.”

Even as the ethnic make-up of the student body changed over time, the students’ workingclass economic roots have remained, Griffiths said. “Worcester State has long offered a place for first-generation students who perhaps cannot afford enrollment at an elite institution, and the school has always worked to accommodate these students,” he said.

Some of those accommodations include flexibility in terms of class schedules, night classes, extension courses, summer classes, and a commuter-friendly campus that allows students who work full time to pursue their education. “This makes it easier for first-generation students, who may have work or family responsibilities, to attend college while still meeting their other obligations,” Griffiths said.

Worcester was an industrial town for a long time, and many students at Worcester State have had parents involved in manufacturing or trade professions, said Dr. Thomas Conroy, a historian and chair of the Urban Studies Department.

Worcester State Normal School students in January 1894, when the college offered women an opportunity to earn teaching credentials, one of the few professional careers available to women at the time.

Photo from Worcester State University Archives

These parents often had high school degrees or vocational training but rarely four-year college degrees. Worcester State, as a normal school, or teacher training college, offered a pathway for these students to gain a certificate and teach in public schools, which, for women, was among the few viable professional career options at the time.

“We’ve always had a lot of space for firstgeneration students,” Conroy said. “Worcester State has been a place where young women and men from working class backgrounds could come to get a well-rounded education and learn how to teach.”

The scope of Worcester State’s educational offerings has changed over the years, Conroy said. Once focused primarily on providing a direct pathway to a teaching job, the university became more comprehensive as new departments and programs, such as nursing, urban studies, and the arts, were created. This expansion of offerings reflected a shift in the mission to provide education and training for a wider range of careers, he said.

Over time, Worcester State expanded and began to focus on providing a well-rounded education, which appealed to students who wanted to learn beyond vocational skills, Conroy said. “By striking that balance, Worcester State has occupied an interesting space between a liberal arts college and a professional training school, making it attractive to workingclass students seeking a practical education,” he said.

The university’s evolution continued after World War II, when there was an increase in first-generation students due to the GI Bill, and recently Worcester State was granted status as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, which indicates a commitment to serving and supporting the Latine community.

“Worcester State has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs and demographics of its student body and the community,” Conroy said.

Worcester State’s Central Massachusetts location and relatively low tuition also offers firstgeneration students an opportunity to move up the social and economic ladder, Conroy said.

“Over the years, the demographics of the student body at Worcester State may continue to change, but we are excited to support the legacy of inclusion and academic excellence for all.”

—Laxmi Bissoondial, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs

“We are centrally located, and that makes a difference for many of our students, so they’re not traveling two hours to get to their classes,” he said. “In many instances we’re right in their neighborhoods, which makes it easier for the many families who have dreams of coming to the United States and being able to get an education, where they couldn’t have gotten that back home at an affordable price.”

This pragmatism and understanding of the needs of non-traditional students is in the DNA of Worcester State, he said, and the university’s focus on accessibility and meeting the needs of students from diverse backgrounds has contributed to its enduring appeal, particularly for first-generation students.

The university’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) has been central to supporting first-generation student success.

“Since its inception, Worcester State has been a magnet for first-generation students from throughout the area,” says Laxmi Bissoondial, the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, who was herself a first-generation graduate of Worcester State. “In the more than 50 years since OMA was created, we have hosted several programs that have recruited, retained, and graduated first-generation, economically diverse students. Over the years, the demographics of the student body at Worcester State may continue to change, but we are excited to support the legacy of inclusion and academic excellence for all.”

By offering resources such as mentorship programs, academic support services,

and financial aid, the university helps to level the playing field for students who may face additional challenges in navigating the college experience, Bissoondial said. This support can empower first-generation students to succeed academically and graduate.

“Mentorship is critical for these students, with peer-to-peer, faculty, and alumni mentors playing important roles in their success,” Bissoondial said. The university also focuses on addressing challenges such as financial aid, food insecurity, and mental health with a deep commitment to the goal of helping first-generation students graduate and become active citizens in their communities, she said.

As the 150th anniversary dawns, much about Worcester State has changed to keep up with the times, but the university’s most important aspects remain unchanged, Griffiths said.

“I really do think that institutions have something like personalities,” he said. “They have a life story, a biography that kind of manifests through the years. Even as administrators change and the mission changes and expands, at its core Worcester State still retains many of the qualities of the original normal school that was here for first-generation students—that wellrounded education, offering an economic stepping stone, meeting the needs of non-traditional students, that’s all still here.”

Online: Read more about the work of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and LEI in supporting first-gen students. worcester.edu/magazine

A Family of High Expectations

With their parents’ unwavering commitment to education, the Karanja brothers are stacking up college degrees as a first-gen family.

By Deborah Alvarez O’Neil

PHOTOS BY MATT WRIGHT ’10

ACHORUS OF CHEERS ERUPTED FROM around the DCU Center as Ryan Karanja’s name was called during Commencement 2024. His fan club—parents Phil and Phylis, three brothers, and various relatives and friends—were spread throughout the audience. That day, Ryan became the second in his family to earn a Worcester State degree, following in his older brother Kevin’s footsteps as a

first-generation college graduate. It was an exciting moment for the whole family.

“I was hearing screams from all directions, and I wanted to look at everyone,” Ryan said. “It was a good day.”

Right behind Ryan will be Roy Karanja, a biology major who started his sophomore year at Worcester State in August 2024. The youngest, Alex Karanja, is at Doherty High and says he’s considering Worcester State among his options. The brothers credit their parents for their educational success.

L to R: Brothers Roy, Ryan, and Kevin Karanja

“We celebrate them for bringing us up so well and making sure we have a proper education so we can carry it on in the future,” says Ryan.

In the 1990s, both Phil and Phylis came to the U.S. from Kenya, but they met here in Worcester at a St. Peter’s Catholic Church prayer group. “It was the opportunities,” Mr. Karanja said. “That’s why we came here. We were looking for greener pastures.”

The American dream, Mrs. Karanja said, “is what you achieve yourself.”

The couple went to work creating opportunities for their four boys. Leaving behind factory work, Mr. Karanja became a certified nursing assistant and Mrs. Karanja earned her L.P.N. at Quinsigamond Community College. Today, they both work in a nursing home. As essential workers, they work long hours and regularly miss holidays like Christmas because they are working.

“We still have family in Africa that we support,” Mr. Karanja said. “We didn’t have time to get sick. We had to work, work, work.”

The parents have been unwavering with their sons about education. “They aren’t going to achieve anything without education,” said Mrs. Karanja. “A long time ago, if you worked someplace a long time, you could be promoted. Now they want education.”

The couple have insisted their children not hold jobs while they are in college so that they can focus on their studies. That, in turn, has meant the couple has had to put in more hours.

What they want for the children, said Mr. Karanja, is a good life, "where they don’t have to struggle. If my kids can do what I didn’t do, they should enjoy Christmas.”

Kevin was the first to enroll at Worcester State even though it wasn’t his first choice—he wanted to go to a football school like Alabama or West Virginia. However, Worcester State was

FRONT ROW:

Phil and Phylis Karanja, with their sons. BACK ROW, FROM LEFT: Alex, Roy, Ryan, and Kevin.

“

We celebrate them for bringing us up so well and making sure we have a proper education so we can carry it on in the future.”

—Ryan Karanja '24

close by, and he took part in the Alternatives for Individual Development program offered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). Eventually, Kevin got involved with the Student Government Association, and he remained active with OMA. After graduating in 2012, he served as an Upward Bound coordinator for three years and a chemistry teacher in Worcester Public Schools.

Kevin went on to earn a master’s degree at Salem State and now owns Autism Therapeutic Services, a Worcester company that works with autistic children. He says that graduating from Worcester State without debt has enabled him to pursue his ambitions. He and his wife, Patricia, have two daughters, ages 7 and 2.

“Now, the kids want to be like their brother,” Mrs. Karanja said of her other sons. “He went there and did well, and they want to go there, too.”

The brothers say expectations within the family have always been high. “Expectations are Ph.D.,” Ryan says, only half joking. “Very high expectations were set with my older brother. We live in a world where things can be taken away from you because of how you look, but education can never be taken from you.”

With his bachelor’s degree in hand, Ryan is applying for jobs in the computer science industry. He’s interested in programming for the Internet of Things and ultimately being his own boss.

Roy finished his first year at Worcester State with a 3.5 GPA, has recently been elected as a senator at large for the Student Government Association and has been working with high school students in Upward Bound. With plans to become an eye doctor, Roy is already thinking about graduate school.

“We are encouraging them to make sure they do their college education, and if they can go beyond that one day, the more education you have, the better chances you have,” said Mrs. Karanja. “For us, our legacy is for them to be educated. The legacy is they all went to college.”

And it shouldn’t stop there, says Mr. Karanja. “Even the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren should follow them.”

A Place to Call Home

Students find community, build friendships, and foster school spirit in the university’s residence halls. By Mallory Dupuis ’26 |

PHOTOS BY NANCY SHEEHAN AND MATT WRIGHT ’10

AS FAR BACK AS 1891, WORCESTER STATE University had a mission to make on-campus housing a reality for students. The first residence hall on the original St. Ann’s Hill campus was known as Stoddard Terrace and housed 20 young women and faculty until 1931. Today there are four residential areas occupied during the academic year and by visitors over the summer.

“I think the most important thing that our residential community now offers is a sense of community,” said Kristen Nelson, Worcester State director of Residence Life and Student Experience. “They have all been built with the intention that community space is available, lounges are comfortable, study space plentiful, and that our students have places that they feel comfortable and safe. Our main goal is to create spaces that bring a feeling of home.”

First opened in 1973, Chandler Village offers townhousestyle living for students. There are 26 townhouse-style buildings for a total of 63 apartments that can hold between four and 11 residents. It was built to be close to academic buildings but far enough away to maintain a sense of independence.

Junior nursing student and Chandler Village resident Michaela O’Brien says that living there gives her the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of being on campus while maintaining a feeling that she lives off campus in a neighborhoodstyle community.

“As a nursing major I spend the majority of my time in the library, and being able to wake up, walk three minutes, and be there is something I am very grateful for. It brings ease to studying in a way,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien also found a home in Dowden Hall during her first year at Worcester State. Built in 1990, it offers traditional corridor-style living specifically for first-year students— the type of hall you see in the movies. Dowden Hall offers an

RIGHT: Students in the residence halls celebrated the end of the academic year with games, food, prizes, and fun in May 2024 on Wasylean Patio.

immersive environment for students who are new to living on their own and/or with a roommate. It is a building that is built on community.

“I lived in Dowden my freshman year, and I wouldn’t change it for anything,” O’Brien said. “I met my best friends on the third floor of Dowden, simply by embracing it as a building full of people in the same spot as me—a first-year. On move-in day my roommate knocked on so many doors just to be able to meet people, and it was so cool to have the opportunity to do that.”

Current first-year student and Dowden resident, Jessica Forbes plays for the women’s soccer team at Worcester State. As a result, Forbes enjoyed the advantage of moving in two weeks earlier than the general student body and said that living in Dowden made the transition that much easier.

“Most of the freshmen live in this residence hall, so it was super easy meeting people at the beginning of the year that were in the same boat as you,” Forbes said. “Another thing I love is the Dowden Market that is just an elevator ride or staircase away from my room, when wanting a late-night snack. The rooms in Dowden are also pretty spacious and have nice big windows, when you’re wanting a bit of sunshine.”

In 2010, Dowden was expanded to include a convenience store, now known as Dowden Market, common rooms, private study spaces, and a fitness center. It’s an active place, with students utilizing its amenities and stopping to chat with each other. Resident assistants (RAs) also make sure to offer lots of programming opportunities as a way to encourage students to participate in activities while meeting new people and getting out of their comfort zone.

Dowden RA Annalease Marino likes to make sure there

—Student Jessica Forbes “

Living on campus is a way to make new friends, create many memories, and learn how to live in the real world and take responsibility for things in your life.”

Homework time

is something for everyone to enjoy. “It’s just reaching out to every different resident that you could,” Marino said. “Kids who like doing arts and crafts and kids who like doing sports.

Last year I did the Lancer Cup, and that included all sports activities, and that gave kids who don’t really like arts a chance to come outside and do things.”

Marino has taken pride in being an RA at Worcester State, especially as one for first-year students. Her main goals as an RA are to bring a sense of community and be there for her residents. She acknowledged how intimidating college can feel as a first-year student, so cultivating a safe space is most important to her.

“I see my role as someone who is a bigger sister to all of these residents who are freshmen who come from all different backgrounds. And some people have no idea what it is like to live alone. And I love being that person who can be someone they can talk to and just make sure that they’re all safe and they have a home to come home to,” Marino said.

Worcester State residence halls ease the transition not only for first-year students but for transfers as well. Sophomore Ava Speidel transferred from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont after one year and now finds home in Wasylean Hall, built in 2004. An apartment-style residence hall, it is six stories and houses 348 students. Wasylean offers the first opportunities for students to try apartment-style living which includes a kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and a bathroom.

“Wasylean Hall offers a logical next step towards independence. ‘I’m living in an apartment, I’m kind of on my own, but I’m still walking through a lobby through security, so that feels comfortable and safe,’” said Nelson.

Speidel says that even though the lounges and study rooms in Wasylean are nice, she most enjoys having her own kitchen and living room to hang out with friends. “I love cooking and baking, so having that option rather than having to go to the dining hall is amazing! Also, having our own living room. It’s somewhere everyone can hang out together rather than hanging in a study room on one of the floors or cramming into one room,” she said.

The newest residence hall, Sheehan Hall, was built in 2014 and is named after university benefactor USMC Lt. Col. James Sheehan, who graduated from Worcester State in 1955. It is a six-story building that houses 400 students—200 first-

(Continues next page)

LOGGING IN: Faith Boutin finishes end-of-year schoolwork in her room in Sheehan Hall.

(Continued)

year residents and 200 sophomores and juniors. Sheehan Hall includes the Residence Life offices, Health Services, multi-purpose spaces, a game room, fitness area, community kitchen area for residents, lounges, and the 575-seat Sheehan Dining Hall, a hub of campus life. Nelson said that the presence of the dining hall is a convenience for residents of Sheehan. “It’s a huge asset to our Sheehan Hall residents because they don’t ever have to go outside if they don’t want to,” she said.

Sophomore and Sheehan RA Kody Osborne has enjoyed residing in Sheehan Hall, saying it offers everything it can in terms of basic living. With several common spaces available, there is never a dull moment in Sheehan Hall as both campus-wide and resident-only events take place there.

“We just have a lot of people coming through for the events, like ‘The Price Is Right.’ And then recently we had an event inspired by Squid Game. The other ones we have are random photo ops such as the JCPenney photo shoot,” Osborne said. “There’s so many different things. I just really love when everybody’s together.”

Students say being an RA at Worcester State offers many benefits, from making new friends and building communities to training for real-life situations and learning to navigate college life. For Osborne, being an RA has been one of the best ways to be involved on campus.

“It’s probably the number one way you can feel integrated into the system around Residence Life and the halls themselves,” they said. “You learn everything about everybody, and you end up meeting everybody in some capacity. If you have trouble being social, then being an RA is one of the biggest ways to mitigate that.”

Even if you are not an RA, living on campus at Worcester State offers just as much, from lessons learned to memories made. Speidel says that learning independence is key, as is holding yourself accountable, while Forbes says she has learned that everyone has different lifestyles, and that is okay.

“Living on campus is a way to make new friends, create many memories, and learn how to live in the real world and take responsibility for things in your life,” Forbes said. “I have learned that not everyone has the same living condi-

Hanging out and having fun!

tions as yourself. Some people are tidy, some are very messy, some are loud, while others are very reserved and quiet. I have learned to just go about my business, and let others live how they want.”

When describing life in the residence halls at Worcester State, the most commonly used word used by students is “community.” Students say the memories created in each hall will last a lifetime, from movie nights in Wasylean to “Friendsgiving” celebrations in Chandler Village.

ABOVE LEFT:

Students Ava Favreau, Jadah Stokes, Alison Manley, and Jenna Niemczyk hang out in Sheehan Hall.

ABOVE RIGHT:

Students in the residence halls celebrated the end of the academic year with games, food, prizes, and fun in May 2024.

“The day before a snow day, me and all my roommates had a huge movie night. Then we found plastic bin covers and went outside to use them as sleds. Also birthdays are big in this suite. Everyone goes all out, and we decorate the rooms,” Speidel said as she reminisced on her fondest campus memories.

O’Brien went on to describe her favorite memory, which was a celebration she and her roommates put together right before Thanksgiving break. They described it as “Friendsgiving,” which entailed cooking their own Thanksgiving meal and dessert together. “This is still one of my favorite nights on campus because it was filled with just so much laughter,” she said.

As the director of Residence Life, Nelson aims to ensure that every student has resources available to them for any situation, whether they are struggling with classes or a difficult living situation. She wants students to be ready for the real world through intentional support.

“I really want them to learn and grow while they’re here and in that space, be allowed to make mistakes, but also be able to learn from them. And then, when they leave, to remember how awesome it was and how many friends they made and how comfortable they felt and how successful they were.”

Office of Communications writing intern and Lancer soccer player Mallory Dupuis ’26 lived in the residence halls during the 2023-24 academic school year.

Online: Visit worcester.edu/magazine for more great photos of Worcester State’s Residence Life community and activities through the years.

Great Moments in Athletics History

Worcester state has a rich and proud history of student athletics that took off when Al G. Fotiades ’50 and company formed Worcester State’s first varsity sports team. The university joined the NCAA’s Division III in 1973 and today has 20 Division III sports teams with 471 student-athletes. Here’s a look back at some of those great moments. By Paul Davey ’24

Late 1800searly 1900s

Students have been playing sports at Worcester State for more than 100 years. The university’s archives contain photos of women’s basketball from 1897 and women’s volleyball from around 1920. In the 1910s, women played in softball tournaments. These early athletics activities began as physical education before expanding into clubs such as the Men’s and Women’s Athletics Associations that hosted both weekly and intercollegiate competition.

1940s

A

team is born

In the 1940s, athletics grew thanks to the efforts of World War II veteran Al G. Fotiades ’50 and several of his fellow Lancers. As a freshman at Worcester State Teachers College, Fotiades along with nine other students formed the 1946-47 men’s basketball team. The team played their home games in a standing-roomonly gymnasium that was located on the first floor of the Shaughnessy Administration Building and went 8-1 in their inaugural season.

1950s

Baseball started in 1951, the second varsity team at the college, and has had an impressive record in its nearly 75 years. From 1966 to 2022, the team had 561 wins and, under the leadership of Coach Dirk Baker (1996-2022), went to the NCAAs six times.

By 1953, Worcester State Teachers College was in need of a better logo and identity for the players. At the time, uniforms simply read “State,” but most of the teams they played were also state colleges and had the same word on their uniforms. John Mockler, the first athletic director and catalyst for most of the men’s sports at Worcester State, studied the Massachusetts state seal for some inspiration and landed on “Lancers,” based on the arrow in the state seal. He commissioned an artist at the school newspaper to draw the first Lancer. Everyone loved the horse-mounted lancer, and the first athletics logo was born.

Worcester Normal School students played softball.

1960s

The 1960s were years of rapid expansion. Men’s ice hockey started in 1966, and women’s basketball followed in 1967. In the late 1960s, the university started indoor and outdoor men’s track, men’s cross country, and a men’s tennis team.

Football had been played at Worcester State College since 1969 as a club sport for the first decade and a half of its existence. It was a successful club sport, too; both the 1980 and 1984 club football teams took home the National Collegiate Football Association championship. After an 11-0 season in 1984 that culminated in a dramatic victory against the two-time national champion Bentley College, the team’s continued success could no longer be denied. A varsity football program was established the following year.

2000s

The 2001 men’s soccer team made history by capturing the program’s first-ever MASCAC title before stunning #3 Williams College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The squad tied a program record that season with 15 wins, finishing at 15-3-3.

The mid 2000s were a time of dominance for the women’s soccer team, which won four straight MASCAC championships from 2004 to 2007. The team’s 16 wins in both the 2006 and 2007 season are tied for most in program history, and several standout players from this era have since been enshrined in the Athletic Hall of Fame. In the final year of this stretch, the team made it to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament, the farthest postseason run of any Lancer women’s soccer team to date.

Another track and field star followed Elke Aun to became a national champion in 2013. Terrence Gibson ’16 was the first Worcester State male athlete to win a national championship when he won the 60-meter hurdle at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.

1970s-1990s

Field hockey at Worcester State first began as a varsity sport in 1970, and the program quickly established a winning culture. In only their second season, the team began a run of three straight Massachusetts State College Tournament titles from 1971 to 1973, the first ever 3-peat in the history of Worcester State athletics. Hall of Fame inductee Debra (DiPadua) Tambeau ’74 anchored the team as their goalie, with her 15 shutouts in 34 games helping them maintain dominance over that three-season span. The 2023 Worcester State field hockey team holds the honor of winning the sport’s first ever MASCAC postseason championship under the leadership of first-year coach Sophia Monopoli.

Led by legendary head coach John Coughlin Sr., men’s hockey went on a historic run in the 1970s that began with the 1971-72 season. While the team did not win a championship that year, they set numerous records that have yet to be broken by any Lancer men’s hockey team since. Their single-season record of 21-3 remains the best in program history, as does

Volleyball player Amari King ’19 was named 2017 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Year after she led the Lancers to a perfect 7-0 mark during conference play. King was a standout player, leading the team to back-to-back MASCAC Championships and NCAA appearances. In 2024, she returned to Worcester State as the assistant volleyball coach.

In the 2021-22 season, Worcester State established women’s ice hockey program. After Becker College closed in 2021, Worcester State recruited 13 members of its women’s ice hockey team, along with head coach Eliza Kelley, to play in the Lancers’ inaugural season.

Amari

King serves.

The team wasted no time making their presence known, winning their first ever game 5-0 and finishing the season as the 2022 ECHA champions. They have now won three straight ECHA crowns.

the team’s win percentage (.875) and total goals scored (252). To commemorate their performance that season, the entire 1971-72 men’s ice hockey team was inducted into the Worcester State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

The Lancer women’s basketball team earned national recognition for their dynamic victory of the 1980 AIAW National Championship. Led by longtime women’s basketball head coach Donna Devlin, the team finished with a record of 24-2 and won the first national championship in Worcester State history. The championship game was a closely contested matchup against Wisconsin-La Crosse that finished with a final score of 76-73. The women’s basketball team returned to the AIAW tournament the following season, falling short in the Final Four.

The 1983-84 men’s golf team tied for third place in the 1984 NCAA Division III tournament and enjoyed a successful year from start to finish. The went 21-3 in 1987, capturing the MASCAC Championship and making its first NCAA appearance.

Hall FamerofScott Fairbanks’84 tees off.

In the 1990s, men’s basketball star Al Pettway ’94 reached unprecedented scoring heights during his time as a Lancer, leading the Lancers to the NCAA Tournament in 1994. His 2,205 career points are still the most in program history by a wide margin, and he remains high on the list of scoring accolades such as points per game, field goals made, and threepoint shots made. In 2024, Worcester State Athletics welcomed Pettway back home as the new men’s basketball coach.

The 1990s closed out with a remarkable accomplishment for the Lancer history books. Track and field athlete Elke Aun ’97 was the first Worcester State College athlete to receive an NCAA $5,000 postgraduate scholarship. Considered the best female track and field athlete in Worcester State history, her achievements include the 1996 NCAA Division III National Championship in the heptathlon, four-time All-American, All-ECAC 13 times, All-New England 18 times, ECAC Champion in four events, and New England Champion in two events. She remains the Lancer record holder in the 50-yard hurdle and the 400-meter, 500-meter, 600-meter, 800-meter, and 1,000-meter in running.

In 2022, during her 28th season as head coach of the women’s basketball team, Karen Tessmer reached the milestone of 350 games won. Tessmer coached her first season of Lancer women’s basketball in the 1994-95 season, and she still leads the program today. Her 350th victory was an emphatic win against Fitchburg State University that the Lancers won by 36 points.

Worcester State saw two ice hockey athletes selected to represent Team USA in international games between 2022 and 2023. Max Roth ’22 was selected to represent Team USA at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, an event that runs every four years and is open to participants of Jewish faith from

around the world and Israelis of any faith. Israel hosted the 21st games with over 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, and it was one of the most widely attended sporting events of 2022. In January, Lancer graduate student Clare Conway ’22 represented Team USA in the 2023 International University Sports Federation World University Game in New York. In addition to playing ice hockey, Conway was an outstanding lacrosse player during her time at Worcester State

The men’s basketball team, led by Coach Tyler Hundley, finished the 2022-23 season with a conference-best 22-6 record, defeating Westfield State in a rematch to claim the MASCAC title and reach the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time since 1994. The Lancers went on to repeat as MASCAC champions the following year, earning their second straight NCAA tournament berth.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Bill Murphy ’93, M.A.

MAJOR: Counseling Psychology

Producing Branch Manager, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

» For more than 25 years, I have dedicated myself to assisting individuals in achieving homeownership and realizing the American dream through financial support. My journey into philanthropy began with coaching youth sports when my children were young. Since 2006, I have been active with charitable organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Shine Initiative, Abby’s House, Why Me and Sherry’s House, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Dana-Farber, Fairway Cares, and American Warrior Initiative.

My motivation has evolved. Previously fueled by competitiveness, particularly in sports and business, my focus has now transitioned towards making a positive impact on the community, contributing to others, and setting an example for my three children. Presently, I find inspiration in excelling in my profession, prioritizing fatherhood, engaging in physical pursuits, and giving back to society.

During my time at Worcester State, I prioritized studies and work obligations, dedicating minimal time to extracurricular pursuits. Upon graduation, a mentor inspired me to give back by engaging with students, which resulted in the establishment of a scholarship for graduates from North High School who commute to Worcester State and actively participate in school activities and an internship program for Worcester State students, many of whom smoothly transitioned into permanent roles within the mortgage lending industry.

Nana A. Darkwa, Esq. ’19, J.D.

MAJOR: Sociology

Attorney, Corporate and Securities Associate, ArentFox Schiff LLP

» As a young attorney and first-generation Ghanaian American, I am passionate about making the legal profession more diverse because a lack of diversity in law perpetuates inequality and limits perspectives. By empowering young people with knowledge and encouraging them to pursue their goals, I hope to create a future where achievements by people of color are celebrated as the norm, not exceptions.

I am inspired by the powerful legacy of civic movements led by Black and Brown communities and by young people today. I’m young, but the kids nowadays—they’re really something else. They hold the power to shape our future. Their determination to challenge the status quo and push for equity motivates me daily. They inspire me to make impactful changes in my work and to strive for a legal profession that truly represents the diversity of our society.

In law school, many of my peers seemed to fit right in with their background knowledge and family connections in law. I came into this profession with just a dream and had to learn the ropes from scratch. Worcester State gave me the confidence and support to navigate this path. Without that foundation, I might not have had the courage to pursue law school at all. The experience instilled in me the determination to break barriers and strive for excellence.

Committed to advocating for the communities close to my heart, I strive to be a compelling force for change in Worcester and beyond.”

—Seth Pitts ’10

Jerome Hewlett ’87

MAJOR: Mathematics Chief Commercial

Officer,

Mangata Networks

» Worcester State to me was more than just an education. Being active in school activities prepared me for life. Being mentored by Tom White gave me the passion to mentor others. It’s been over 40 years, and I still think about guidance I received from Tom. While the education was great, the environment that Worcester State created was equally important. My passion over the last 20 years has been building teams and mentoring people. I strongly believe in diversity in the workforce, and I focus my efforts in that area. I am also an advisor to multiple companies with diverse CEOs. Helping people succeed in life has been the most gratifying aspect in my career.

What motivates me is working on vision and delivering on the objective. Building new companies or products is also motivating. What inspires me are the people who paved the way for me to be in the position that I am in today. As a person of color, I know about the hurdles and sacrifices others have been through to have the doors open for me. Now it’s my turn to open the doors for the next generation.

Dr. Lawrence Sasso ’90, M.S.M. ’13, CLU, ChFC

MAJOR: Business Administration, Management

Founder, Lawrence Sasso Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.

Andrew Ngo ’17

MAJOR: Business Administration and Economics

M.B.A. Candidate, Cornell Johnson Incoming Investment Banking Associate, Citi

» My parents inspire me They immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam and worked incredibly hard for my sister and me to have a strong future. As a first-generation college graduate, I strive to challenge myself to pursue new things while making it easier for others behind me to pursue their passions.

During my time at Worcester State, both in the Upward Bound and undergraduate programs, I had a formative experience that prepared me well for my future. One of the most significant lessons I learned was during the leadership trip to Washington, D.C., where I realized the importance of always asking for what you want. “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.”

I have a strong passion for improving access to health care, education, and investing. Before attending graduate school, I worked as a product manager, developing digital health products to enhance access to health care and encourage better engagement. In the long term, I aim to offer advisory services to health care businesses, helping them grow strategically and position themselves to improve access to care.

Cristian Negron Rivera ’23, M.S. ’24

MAJOR: Business Administration Accountant, Tax Associate, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

» Larry Sasso has three passions in life: teaching, working with young adults, and helping clients become financially independent. Helping people inspires me most! I love to teach or coach young adults in hopes that they do not make the mistakes I made at their age. I was put on academic probation at Quinsigamond Community College a couple years prior to enrolling at Worcester State. If I can overcome many obstacles and earn a doctoral degree, I think anyone can, if they have the right leaders in their life. I want to be their leader; this motivates me more than anything. In the classroom, on the field, or in my office, I want to help people accomplish goals that no one else thinks they can!

I owe so much to Worcester State. Teachers like Professors Masterson and Stefanini shared valuable life lessons and mentored me in an internship that changed the direction of my career path. I would never have accomplished that without their leadership in teaching me how to be a lifelong learner, and an entrepreneur.

» I am passionate about empowering individuals to achieve financial stability, whether through home ownership or effective tax planning. I focus on helping people with complex financial decisions so they can build a secure future. My goal is to create lasting positive impacts within my community.

What inspires and motivates me is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them achieve home ownership. Seeing the joy and relief on someone’s face when they purchase their first home drives my commitment. I am particularly motivated by the chance to assist the Latino community, where language barriers often complicate financial transactions.

My experience at Worcester State provided me with support, networking opportunities, and career prospects that have been important in shaping my future. The faculty and staff were always available to guide and mentor me, ensuring I had the resources needed to succeed.

MORE OUTSTANDING ALUMNI ON PAGE 50 »

Worcester State’s Treasures

Dinosaur tracks,

Socrates,

PHOTOS BY MATT WRIGHT ’10

and a splendid old oak tree

By Paul Davey ’24

EVERY COLLEGE CAMPUS TELLS A STORY, IN PART, through its artwork, gifts, and unique features. Worcester State’s iconic Tiffany Gates (see page 35) along Chandler Street welcome everyone to campus. Here are the stories of some of the other treasures you will find in our buildings and on our grounds.

Lak Elli

» The picturesque “Lake Ellie” adjacent to Coughlin Memorial Field is less of a lake today and more of a retention pool that collects rainwater runoff. It is believed to be an old farm pond that survived from the old Willow Farm, which stood on the site before 1932. It appears in photos from at least the 1940s, before the campus was really developed. Today, with its fountain, vegetation, and footbridge, it is a popular spot to reflect. The lake is named for Eleanor Nordberg ’66, who worked at the library and fed the ducks in the pond. A 1965 Acorn newspaper article indicates that university custodian Tony Wolochowicz honored Eleanor’s kindness by naming the water body for her and posting Lake Ellie regulations: “No fishing, trapping, speed boats or water skiing.”

Dinosaur Tracks

» Sitting on the lawn outside the Student Center are genuine dinosaur footprints mounted on a concrete slab. The fossilized footprints were collected in East Holyoke, Mass., by the late geobiologist Dr. Allen P. Russell ’68, a Worcester State College alum, former faculty member, and lifelong science educator. Russell, born and raised in Worcester, had a lifelong interest in paleontology and collecting fossils and donated them in 1969. The dinosaur tracks were made by an anchisaurus, a small dinosaur averaging just over six feet and 60 pounds from the early Jurassic Period. Russell collected the sample in 1969 and later gifted it to Worcester State.

Joan of Arc

» Presented by the Class of 1902, this large plaster-cast Joan of Arc, a patron saint of France canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in 1920, sits on the second floor of the Helen Shaughnessy Administration building. As the 47th class gift in school history, the statue is a prized relic; many of the other gifts from that era, though well documented in the university archives, wore out from use or were damaged or lost. The plaster cast is a replica of Henri Chapu’s Jeanne d'Arc à Domrémy, a marble statue crafted in the late 1800s that is one of the most widely reproduced images of Joan of Arc.

Johnston

Terrestrial Globe

» Former professor Tim Hagopian discovered this treasure in 2006 on the fourth floor of the Shaughnessy Administration Building. When the building was the only one on campus, the fourth floor served as the library. It is believed that the 30-inch globe belonged to the Worcester Normal School and was moved to the library when the campus relocated in 1932. Hagopian arranged for its restoration with one of the nation’s few antique globe restorers, and today it sits within a glass case in the lobby of the Ghosh Science and Technology Building. The globe was made in England in 1903 by the British company W. & A.K. Johnston, one of the premier globe manufacturers of the time.

Socrates

» The six-foot-tall granite statue of Socrates, crafted by the late artist and local stonemason Aldo Gatti, was gifted to Worcester State College by members of the city’s Greek community. It was unveiled in front of the Sullivan building in September 1988, with the cover of the event program reading “Virtue is Knowledge.”

Lancer Oak

» Sitting right at the heart of campus, the Lancer Oak and its sprawling branches are difficult to miss. The name was given to this magnificent, sturdy oak in 1999 as part of Worcester State’s 125th anniversary celebration. An exact age of the tree has never been agreed upon, but the tree appears in photographs of the area dating back as early as 1938. The Lancer Oak was likely standing tall before the Worcester Normal School even relocated to Chandler Street.

Replicas of Ancient Assyrian Artworks

» The Helen Shaughnessy Administration Building houses two replicas of ancient gypsum wall reliefs showing hunting scenes with Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II, who ruled from 883 to 859 BCE. The originals, held by Harvard, are from the Palace at Kalhu in Nimrud, Iraq, and date from the late 9th century BCE. These replicas, cast from the originals, are gifts from the Worcester State Class of 1900.

Sundial

» Need to check the time on your way to class? The sundial, located in front of the Shaughnessy Administration Building, might be able to help, provided that the sky is not too cloudy. Set inside a stone pedestal, the rudimentary timekeeping device was gifted to the first principal of the Worcester Normal School, E. Harlow Russell, in 1900 by the Worcester State Graduates’ Association to mark his 25 years of service. First placed on the original Prospect Street campus, the sundial moved around quite a bit as the school expanded and even disappeared for a time to undergo some restoration. It was placed on the Chandler Street campus some time after 1932.

1796 Royal Standard English Dictionary

» The late Robert Mullin ’53, M.Ed. ’56, was a generous benefactor of his alma mater for his entire life. When he passed away in 2021 at the age of 91, he left one more gift: his Manhattan apartment and its contents, which included a collection of six rare books. One book in the collection was a 1796 Royal Standard English Dictionary—what university archivist Ross Griffiths called “our superstar.” The dictionary was published in Worcester, Mass., on the press of publisher Isaiah Thomas, who established Worcester’s first newspaper and founded the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester. On July 14, 1776, Thomas delivered the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts—memorialized with a star in front of Worcester City Hall. “Part of what makes this a great item is that Isaiah Thomas was a very significant person in the history of the Revolution and the history of printing,” said Griffiths. “It is a real piece of Worcester history.” It is kept in the Library’s Special Collections.

150 Years of Worcester State

When Worcester State was founded in 1874, the world was in the midst of rapid change. The United States was grappling with the aftermath of the Civil War, which had ended just nine years prior, and expanding into the “Wild West” via the first transcontinental railroad, completed only five years earlier. Industrialization, which had helped build cities like Worcester, reached its zenith in Massachusetts. Still, very few homes in the United States had a flush toilet, and none had electricity or telephones.

Since the university’s founding, women gained the right to vote, two world wars were fought, the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, and the Internet was invented. As we look to the future, we take a look at how far we have come, together.

By Rebecca Cross and Ross Griffiths

Archives

1874-1932

Worcester State Normal School

campus on St. Ann’s Hill. On Sept. 15, 1874, 69 students begin classes in English, history, geography, music, science, and teaching theory/practice taught by five faculty. Students intending to teach in Massachusetts attend for free; students intending to teach in other states pay $30 per year. All students pay $2 in fees for the year. Free tuition for in-state students continues into the mid 1930s.

1875

Enrollment is 122.

1880 Apprenticeship program that placed Worcester State students into city schools for training and observation is introduced.

1869-1877

Ulysses S. Grant is the 18th president of the United States.

1874

The Impressionists present their first public group exhibition, marking the beginning of modern art.

1876

The United States celebrates its centennial.

1879 Incandescent light bulb is first produced.

1886

Coca-Cola is invented.

Photos courtesy of Worcester State

1874-1932

Worcester State Normal School

1880

Graduates’ Association, the parent organization of all current alumni activities, is founded.

1891

First dormitory, Stoddard Terrace, housing 20 female students and faculty, is built on the St. Ann’s Hill campus.

1893

Worcester State is featured along with other state normal schools in the Massachusetts Public Schools exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair.

1894

Gymnasium built on the St. Ann’s Hill campus. Three more faculty members are added. Courses now include Latin, French, German, mathematics, physiology, drawing and art, and literature and grammar.

1900

Enrollment is 206.

1901

A year in the dorm costs $38.

1900

1895

The first public movie screening, of the Lumière brothers' short films in Paris, is regarded as the breakthrough of motion pictures.

1896

First modern-era Olympic Games are held in Athens.

1900

Stoddard Terrace dining room, c. 1910

1906

Telephones are installed at the Normal School.

1909-12

Francis Ransom Lane is second principal.

1912-1940

Dr. William B. Aspinwall is third principal; later, the position title is changed to president.

1903

Marie Curie wins the Nobel Prize for Physics.

The Wright brothers achieve first airplane flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C.

1905

Albert Einstein formulates E=mc2, the theory of relativity in spacetime.

1932-1960 Worcester State Teachers College

1932

School reopens at its new location on Chandler Street as Worcester State Teachers College.

The oak leaf is adopted as the emblem of the school.

1935-1942

The Quarterly Review, a student-run journal, is published.

1935

1915

Enrollment is limited to women. 63 men had attended prior to this year.

1921

A 4-year bachelor’s degree is introduced as an optional program. The 2-year and 3-year degrees are phased out by 1935.

1931

A year in the dorm costs $325.

1914-1918

World War I

1920

The first yearbook is published.

1938

The Great New England Hurricane causes significant damage to Worcester State’s campus.

1940

Male students are admitted for the first time since the 1910s.

1940-1941

Women’s Athletic Association is formed.

1940-1946

Clinton E. Carpenter is the fourth president.

Students pose with the college's

1941-1942

Men’s Athletic Association is formed.

1942

The Acorn, the school's newspaper, is first published. It is later published under the names The Student Voice and the New Student Voice from 1967 until 2012. The current student newspaper, The Wormtown Herald, launched in spring 2024.

1945

Enrollment is 100. The graduating class is 16.

billion.

1925

The 19th Amendment grants women the right to vote.

1925

Birth of El-Hajj Malik

El-Shabazz, Malcolm X. Nearly 100 years later, in 2023, his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz becomes the university’s first DEI Fellow.

1929-1939

The Great Depression

1939-1945

World War II

1947

Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager, U.S. Air Force pilot, becomes first to break the sound barrier.

1947

Jackie Robinson breaks the color line when he joins the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first Black player in professional baseball.

1947-1970

Eugene A. Sullivan is fifth president.

1949

First master’s degree is awarded.

Enrollment is 315.

1950

Men’s Basketball and Baseball become the first varsity sports at Worcester State.

1960-2010 Worcester State College

1960

Receives State College designation. The school is officially the State College at Worcester for a period before becoming Worcester State College.

1963

Enrollment is 1,100. college's sign, c. 1935

1946

Dr. Albert Farnsworth becomes acting president following Carpenter’s death.

1954

Tuition is $100 for in-state students and $400 for out-of-state students.

1965

Sullivan Academic Center is opened as the campus’s science building. Sullivan Auditorium, a 1,100-seat, raked theater opens.

1967

Women’s Basketball begins its first season. It is undefeated.

The new Gymnasium

The new Gymnasium is completed. The building also provides library services and has a cafeteria.

1970

Fleetwood Mac performs at Worcester State’s Winter Carnival.

1970-1975

Robert E. Leestamper is sixth president.

1971

The Learning Resource Center opens.

1973

O ce of Multicultural A airs is established.

Chandler Village student residence halls open.

Jane Fonda, actress and activist, speaks on campus.

1974

In-state tuition is $300 annually while out-of-state tuition is $600. Chandler Village residents pay $750-850 in housing costs annually, depending on accommodations.

1950

1950-1953

Korean War

1953

A tornado strikes Worcester, killing 94 and causing $52 million in damage.

1954

Brown v. Board of Education: the U.S. Supreme Court rules that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

1955-1956 13-month

Montgomery Bus Boycott leads to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation on busses is unconstitutional.

1955-1975

Vietnam War

1963

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

1969

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of the Apollo 11 mission become the first humans on the moon.

1971

First email is sent.

1973

Roe v. Wade is decided by the Supreme Court of the United States.

1974

Richard Nixon resigns following the Watergate scandal.

1975

1983 The Internet is invented.

1984

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is recognized as the cause of AIDS.

1989 Berlin Wall falls.

1975-1982

Joseph J. Orze is seventh president.

1978

Student Center opens.

Pop band Orleans performs.

1982

Enrollment is 4,000.

1982-1992

Philip D. Vairo is eighth president.

1990 Dowden Hall opens.

1992-2002

Kalyan K. Ghosh is ninth president.

1994

First Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast.

1994

Worcester State Foundation is established.

Students in the Student Center in 1978

2000

The Ghosh Science & Technology Center opens.

Actor Danny Glover is Commencement speaker and special guest at the 125th anniversary gala.

The Latino Education Institute (LEI) is founded.

Enrollment is 5,500.

2002

Janelle C. Ashley becomes first woman president of Worcester State.

2004

Wasylean Hall opens.

2005

Sullivan Academic Center gets a $14.6 million renovation.

2007

Campus Parking Garage opens.

2010-Now Worcester State University

2010

Renamed Worcester State University.

Dowden Hall expanded.

2014

Sheehan Hall opens.

2020-2021

Worcester State moves all classes

2023

Largest incoming first-year class.

2024

Most diverse incoming class in history, with 39% of students identifying as ALANA/BIPOC (African, Latine, Asian, Native American and/or Black, Indigenous, People of Color). opens.

1990-1991

The Gulf War

1994 Apartheid in South Africa ends.

MBTA commuter rail service expands to Worcester.

1998

Google is founded.

2000

International Space Station begins operations.

2001

The September 11 attacks by Al-Qaeda result in 2,996 deaths.

2004

The Boston Red Sox break the Curse of the Bambino when they win the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Facebook is launched.

2009

Barack Obama becomes the first Black U.S. president.

2010 Instagram is launched.

2015

Marriage equality is guaranteed in the U.S.

2020

COVID-19 is declared a pandemic by WHO, and shutdowns begin.

2020

Black Lives Matter protests break out in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

2023

World population reaches 8 billion.

Making a Grand Re-entry

Worcester State’s historic Tiffany Gates are restored to their full glory.

By Nancy Sheehan

AS WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES its 150th anniversary, a restoration project has turned back the hands of time to unveil the magnificence of a university landmark that stands as a testament to the loyalty of its alumni.

In early spring 2024, the university embarked on a project to bring back the glory of its historic Tiffany Gates, the towering 110-year-old wrought iron gates that mark the official entrance to Worcester State.

Installed in 1914 at the Worcester State Normal School on St. Ann’s Hill, the gates were moved to their current spot along Chandler Street when the school

The 1914 gates at the original campus on St. Ann’s Hill and the 2024 restoration on Chandler Street.

Matt Wright ’10 (top)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (Left) Workers remove the Tiffany Gates in February 2024. (Right and bottom) The gates were reinstalled in time for Commencement in April 2024.

relocated to the west side of Worcester in 1932. That year, the school changed its name to Worcester State Teachers College.

“They are a physical link to our origins, and that’s important,” Sandra Olson, assistant vice president for Facilities, Operations, and Planning, said. “There have been countless pictures that graduates in their caps and gowns have taken at those gates with their families. We wanted to preserve that continuity of year after year and class after class enjoying them.”

The graceful gates are a visual centerpiece on campus and a favorite symbol of the university. They have withstood the test of time and are the inspiration for the university’s 150th anniversary logo.

Over time, rust and decay threatened their timeless beauty. Restoration became imperative if the gates were to endure much longer, Olson said. The gates are unusual because not only were they designed by Tiffany, as other iron gates often were, but also they were made by the highly regarded craftsmen in the company’s studios in Corona, Queens, N.Y.

The studios were founded by renowned decorative artist Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), son of the founder of the famous New York jewelry store. Best known for stained glass, including beautiful art nouveau lamps, Tiffany Studios also produced metalwork including wrought iron, though only for a relatively brief time, which makes the gates even more distinctive.

Restoring them preserves their artistic and cultural value, Olson said, and also ensures their structural integrity and longevity.

After a lengthy search, the university last spring turned to Hammersmith Studios of Canton, Mass., a highly regarded metalworking firm, to breathe new life into these gatekeepers of history.

“This restoration project is a testament to Worcester State’s commitment to preserving its rich history and heritage.”

—Sandra Olson, assistant vice president for Facilities, Operations, and Planning

Olson chose Hammersmith because she wanted a restoration company that had experience working on similar projects, and Hammersmith had an outstanding reputation for their ironwork for prestigious institutions like Harvard and Yale. Their special expertise made them the right choice for the restoration project, she said.

“It was important to find a restoration company that understood the value and craftsmanship of the gates and would be able to restore them to their original condition,” she said.

At a cost of $1,100, the gates were a gift of the Worcester Normal School’s Graduates’ Association, an alumni organization that launched a fundraising effort in 1911, according to a history of the association in

the university’s archives. At a meeting of the class secretaries on March 25, 1911, it was decided that adding iron gates to the campus, as was the style at other institutions of higher education back then, would be a fitting way for the graduates to express their gratitude to their alma mater.

Once that decision was made, a fundraising letter was sent to association members, stating in part:

The northeast entrance to the grounds is the approach used by all comers by car, by carriage, or by automobile, and in the case of a stranger the first impression of the institution is gained at this place.

A handsome gateway there, to cost in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars, would add greatly to the dignity and attractiveness of the grounds; if it

Nancy Sheehan

grounds; if it should be placed there by the alumni and suitably inscribed it would stand as long as the school endures, a proof of the generous devotion of the graduate body.

We number almost fourteen hundred loyal souls, and the experience of the past indicates that they will rally to the support of their Alma Mater… A contribution of a dollar from every member would provide, and more, the necessary amount… Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel.

They finally reached the required sum and even went beyond it, with $1,120.78 raised. There were many delays before the order could be satisfactorily placed, however, and then there were unexpected difficulties setting up the gates, the Association history states.

So, although the tablet posted at the gates bears the date 1913, it was really the spring of 1914 before they were in place, and their presentation was made part of the exercises of the 40th anniversary celebration that September.

At the dedication, Miss Arabella Tucker, a founding faculty member who graduated from Worcester Normal School in 1876 and served as secretary of the Graduates’ Association, described the gates as the college’s “everlasting doors.” She urged then-principal William B. Aspinwall to guard well the gates in service to mankind, according to a 1975 newspaper article written by the late Professor Emeritus Robert F. McGraw ’63, who taught history at Worcester State until 1991. By 1974, the gates had been damaged by a snowplow and were in need of repair. The Alumni Association under the leadership of political science professor David Twiss led a fundraising effort as part of the school’s 100th anniversary, and the gates were repaired and reinstalled in 1975.

“Today a whole new Worcester State exists, growing, vigorous, and optimistic,” McGraw wrote. “Much has changed, yet as the gates symbolize, much remains. The gates once more stand proudly as the formal entrance to the college and

“

A handsome gateway there, to cost in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars, would add greatly to the dignity and attractiveness of the grounds.”

—Worcester Normal School Graduates’ Association 1911 fundraising letter

the world of learning.… More, they are visible proof that the alumni promise of old, that the gates shall stand evermore, has been fulfilled.”

As the university looked ahead to its 150th anniversary, the gates were again in need of restoration and preservation to maintain their intrinsic value to the university, and by last spring the project could no longer be delayed, Olson said. About 17 years ago, Olson invited the international auction and appraisal firm Skinner & Co. to inspect the gates. Skinner said it would cost somewhere between $26,000 or $56,000 to replace them. However, Olson said the value of the gates is not in their monetary worth, but in their historical and sentimental value as the first alumni gift to the institution.

The Hammersmith team working to restore the gates was led by master blacksmith Carl Close Jr., who said he appreciated their historical significance and the provenance of Tiffany Studios. “Tiffany started the iron part of their business around 1910, and these were completed in 1914, so it was fairly early in their career,” he said. “They stopped making ironwork in the 1930s during the Depression after Tiffany developed health problems and passed away, so they are fairly rare.”

Close said he approaches the restoration process by trying to understand a piece’s original craftsmanship. “First, I try to get inside the head of the person who made it, and from there, you can kind of reverse engineer it with the repairs to get it back to the way it was when they first made it. I’ve developed a good feeling for it just from doing this type of work for almost 40 years and seeing a lot of old ironwork and how it was made.”

The gates needed a lot of work to restore their structural integrity and ensure their longevity, Close said. The consequences of decades of water infiltration was one of the main challenges Hammersmith faced. The water had made its way inside the gates where extensive

rusting had created large holes in some areas. The rust was so severe in spots that only the many coats of paint that had been applied over the years were holding parts together.

“It’s like if you owned a 1972 Buick, and over the wheel wells, it looks okay, but you put your finger on it, and it actually goes through it. That’s kind of the way it was with these in places,” Close said.

The biggest surprise, perhaps, was damage from animals: birds and other critters had made nests inside the gates, and the acids and salts from their waste further damaged the metal.

“It’s almost like opening an onion,” Close said. “You start to see all the layers of paint and repairs and things that shouldn’t have been done, and finally when you get to the bottom of it, you see where the real problem was, and most of the time it’s because of water infiltration and delayed maintenance.”

Water and other environmental factors accelerate the natural tendency of metals to revert over time to the ores they originally were before being transformed in the forging process, he said. “Most of the time when you start repairing things, you notice that the problems are caused by the environment because metal naturally wants to turn back into dust,” he said.

That natural process of decomposition over time now has been set back a hundred years by the restoration project. The Tiffany gates have been restored and were reinstalled in April 2024 in time for spring Commencement.

“This restoration project is a testament to Worcester State’s commitment to preserving its rich history and heritage,” Olson said. “The gates have been restored to their former glory, ensuring their preservation for future generations.”

Online: See more photos of the removal, restoration, and re-installation of the gates. worcester.edu/magazine

Lasting Impact

The alumni and donors behind Worcester State’s campus namings

» TAKE A STROLL AROUND CAMPUS , and you will find the names of faculty, alumni, students, and friends of the institution on buildings, academic and student enrichment programs, and athletic facilities. In fact, much of the university’s tremendous growth over the last 150 years has been supported by benefactors, many of them devoted alumni whose gifts to the university have had lasting impact on students. Here are some of those stories. Go online at worcester.edu/magazine for more naming stories.

A SHAUGHNESSY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

Helen G. Shaughnessy Administration Building

Helen G. Shaughnessy ’43, a beloved alumna and esteemed professor and administrator, was an active member of the Worcester State community for more than 60 years. She enjoyed a notable career as an elementary school teacher, elementary supervisor, Worcester State associate professor, administrator, Foundation Board member, and volunteer. She established an endowed scholarship for education majors in 1999. Pledges and gifts of over $1.2 million from Shaughnessy’s classmates, students, friends, and colleagues—including her friend Albert J. Pilon Jr., who gave $1 million, and Phillip M. Wasylean II ’63, who gave $200,000—made the 2010 naming of this building possible.

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Theater

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation awarded

Worcester State College a $500,000 grant in 2006 to renovate the theater.

This gift was instrumental in the preparation of a new bachelor of arts degree in visual and performing arts. The Fullers have supported Worcester State in many other ways, helping to fund the construction of the Wellness Center, supporting the Latino Education Institute, numerous scholarships, and academic programming.

B SULLIVAN ACADEMIC CENTER

Sullivan Academic Building

The former Science Building was rechristened the Sullivan Academic Building in 1980 to honor fifth president Dr. Eugene A. Sullivan, who presided over a period of unprecedented growth.

Barbara

(Hickey) O’Brien

Department of Education

Alumni couple Robert K. O’Brien ’58 (1934-2023) and Barbara (Hickey) O’Brien ’57 (1936-2015) were devoted and active members of the Worcester State community their entire lives, and among the university’s first major donors. Barbara spent 34 years as a special education teacher in the Worcester Public Schools. After Barbara passed

away in 2015, Bob created a new endowment for the Department of Education to honor her years of service as a teacher. Over their lifetime, the couple contributed nearly $1 million dollars to Worcester State, supporting students with eight endowed scholarships and founding the Robert K. O'Brien Next Big Idea contest.

John F. Eager Auditorium

The Class of 1957 commemorated its 50th class reunion in 2007 by dedicating this education

classroom for late professor John F. Eager, their class advisor. Eager was the basketball and baseball coach from 1950 to 1957 and was instrumental in the development of both varsity sports. He also served as chairman of the Biology Department, associate director of Continuing Education, and an advisor to student veterans.

Dennis Brutus/Merrill Goldwyn Center for the Study of Human Rights

The center was co-founded in 1982 by late Professor of English Merrill Goldwyn (left) (1931-2012) and Worcester resident Rev. Paul Ferrin. Dennis Brutus (1924-2009) was a South African poet and anti-apartheid activist. In 1982, he delivered the inaugural address for the new center and later gifted to Worcester State an extensive collection of his papers and letters.

C GHOSH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BUILDING

Ghosh Science and Technology Center

This prominent 110,000 square foot science building built in 2000 with state support was named for President Dr. Kalyan K. Ghosh, who led the university from 1992 to 2002. He invested in technology to facilitate computer-based learning and create a campus-wide network. Dr. Ghosh also launched the non-profit Worcester State Foundation in 1994 to attract philanthropic support for the university.

Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery

Alumna Mary Cosgrove Dolphin, M.Ed. ’57 (1931-1992) taught art at Worcester State for more than 30 years, until her retirement in 1986. Many public school teachers took her

classes, and through them, she made an impact on students throughout the region. She is the artist who created the university’s centennial logo marking Worcester State’s first 100 years. Two of Dolphin’s closest childhood friends, Elizabeth “Betty” Mahan, M.Ed. ’56, Ed.D., and Marilyn Miller Pula, Ed.D., together with the Worcester State Class of 1953 Reunion Committee, donated the funds for the art gallery.

Dr. GB and Lexi Singh Simulation Center

The university dedicated the simulation center, which trains nursing students in the care of patients in a realistic environment, to Dr. GB Singh and Lexi Singh ’85 in recognition of their contributions to the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing. The Singhs have also endowed a Nursing Faculty Development Fund to assist faculty seeking advanced degrees. Lexi Singh is a 1985 graduate of the nursing program, and their daughter, Suzie (Singh)

Nebelung, received a master’s degree in education in 2000.

Imoigele P. Aisiku, M.D., ’92 STEM Center

Dr. Imoigele Aisiku, M.D., ’92, an emergency care physician, gave a $1 million gift in 2017 to establish the center and support Worcester State students competing for top STEM graduate schools and careers. The center advances research in science, technology, and health fields and hosts the Aisiku Interdisciplinary Research Team Program, which provides undergraduates the opportunity to engage in pre-graduate-school research.

Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing

As founder of the Nursing Department in 1973, Dr. Lillian R. Goodman (1923-2018) built a visionary program renowned for graduating outstanding baccalaureate nursing students, many of whom go on to be leaders in the field. Her talent for teaching and mentoring was unparalleled, and she inspired countless graduates to reach their full potential. Early nursing program graduates Ellen Gaucher M.S.N. ’76, Anne Bourgeois '77, Ed.D., and Jean Campaniello '77, Ph.D. initiated the efforts to name the department for Goodman.

D RESIDENCE LIFE HALLS

Wasylean Hall

The first of his family to attend

college, Phil Wasylean ’63 (1941- 2020) credited Worcester State Teachers College for giving him the foundation to succeed in his 42-year teaching career. In his lifetime, Wasylean donated more than $1 million to benefit students. The university commemorates his legacy each year in November with “Phil Day,” celebrated on National Philanthropy Day.

Dowden Hall

This residence life building is named for the late Vera Dowden Baldwin ’34, M.Ed. ’53 (1912-2009), who graduated from Worcester State Teachers College. She was an elementary school teacher and assistant principal before joining the Education Department faculty in 1957. In 1963, she was named Dean of Women and, in 1970, became the college’s first dean of students.

Sheehan Hall

After a successful career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 (1933-2016) used his math and business skills to embark on a second successful career as a venture capitalist. He was one of our most generous benefactors, sharing $4.5 million to benefit students and faculty. Sheehan’s support underwrites scholarships, the undergraduate Academic Excellence Awards, the Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 Honors Program, and international study.

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E WELLNESS CENTER

Gene J. and Julianne

DeFeudis

Wellness Center

With lifetime gifts of over $1 million, the DeFeudises have supported 17 different programs, including scholarships that have benefitted more than 250 students. They were instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the construction of the Wellness Center, raising $1.6 million to build it with their generous $250,000 matching gift during the capital campaign in 2016.

George and Lillian Albro Lancer Room & George H. Albro Memorial Golf Tournament

In honor of George Albro’s 70th birthday, his wife, Lillian Albro, ’65, M.Ed. '68, friends, and family raised money to dedicate the first-floor Lancer Room when the Wellness Center first opened its doors. The room serves as a favorite gathering place for everyone on campus and is home to the campus Starbucks. George Albro '65, M.Ed. '68 (1943-2021) was a beloved alumnus, local educator, and coach. A tireless Worcester State ambassador, he was a member of the Lancer Hall of Fame and served as a member of the Foundation Board for many years. He and Lillian were both graduates of the Class of 1965, and Lillian remains an active member of the Worcester State alumni community. The annual George H. Albro '65 Memorial Golf Tournament every August was founded in 2022 to raise money for Athletics.

Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund

Created by Gregg ’86 and Pamela ’87 Rosen, this fund supports a variety of cancer detection and prevention programming, health education, and wellness activities. Through the fund, the university launched a Wellness Expo in 2023 that drew more than 50 exhibitors and hundreds of students, faculty, and staff in 2024. In addition, the Rosen program underwrites the annual pink out games by Worcester State athletics teams to raise cancer awareness. As generous and active members of the Worcester State community, the Rosens have given multiple gifts over the years, including gifts to support scholarships, a new photo booth in the residence halls that enables students to create a professional headshot for career purposes, and the Distinguished Alumni Awards Wall, located on the ground floor of the Administration Building. They also purchased a building at 535 Chandler St. and gifted it to the university for use as the Latino Education Institute headquarters.

John Brissette Competition Court

When John Brissette ’88 joined the Board of Trustees in 2002, he made one of his goals to help Worcester State secure funding for a new first-class fitness center. This center now exists, in part, because of Brissette’s vision, effort, and effective leadership. The 1,500-seat competition court hosts student-athletes competing

on the university’s NCAA Division III teams or intramural teams and special events throughout the year.

F & G OUTDOOR ATHLETICS

John F. Coughlin

Memorial Field home to Lancer football, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and women’s lacrosse teams was dedicated at Homecoming 1986 to John F. Coughlin Sr. (1919-1986), the first and most successful hockey coach in Worcester State history. He was posthumously inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989.

The Kevin D. Lyons

Baseball Diamond at Rockwood Field was dedicated in 2012 in honor of the late Kevin D. Lyons, ’65, ’71 (1943- 2008), the first baseball player inducted into the Worcester State Hall of Fame in 1986 and a lifelong supporter of local youth and interscholastic athletic teams.

H STUDENT CENTER

Fallon Room

The Fallon Room in the Student Center was dedicated in 1983 to the late Walter Carroll Fallon, who served as the college’s alumni association director from 1970 to 1972. His wife Mary Fallon serves on the Foundation Board to support efforts Walter began during his tenure.

Foster Room

This conference room is named for Dr. Elizabeth V. Foster,

who taught at Worcester State College from 1937 to 1965. She was responsible for improving the pre-service and in-service training of teachers throughout the Commonwealth. Through her work, she impacted educators for decades. She was known for encouraging her education students remain “Firm, Friendly, Fearless, and Fair.”

Thea’s Pantry

The pantry provides food and other essentials to students, staff, and faculty in need. It is named after alumna Thea Aschkenase ’07 (1923-2019), a Holocaust survivor who was liberated from the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945 and was a life-long advocate against hunger. Aschkenase graduated from Worcester State with a degree in urban studies in her early 80s and was a beloved friend to many in the Worcester State community.

The Honorable John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement

Alumnus and longtime 17th Worcester District State Rep., the late John J. Binienda, ’70, D.P.A., h.c. ’14, donated $100,000 to Worcester State University to support and expand its Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. The center allows students to experience the rewards of giving back and civic responsibility—values that Binienda (19472014) exemplified. In 2016, the university honored the family with the naming of the Binienda Family Green at the Wellness Center.

Our hallmark is excellence in the classroom, where faculty shape minds with passion and purpose.

Teaching

Transformative Teaching

Faculty

recipients of the George I. Alden Excellence in Teaching Award, the university’s highest teaching prize, share their strategies, inspirations, and

Mathematics mindfulness

vision for success in the

By Nancy Sheehan and Deborah Alvarez O’Neil

2013 Alden Award winner

» Maria Fung, professor of mathematics, adds a new dimension to her classes by using meditation and breathing techniques to subtract anxiety and multiply student engagement. From equations to inner peace, she’s proving that finding the right mindset equals success in numbers.

Fung, who focuses on preparing K-12 teachers, believes teaching should go beyond transmission of information.

“Mathematics is one of those disciplines where a lot of students have anxiety and trauma when they come into the classroom,” she said. “So, I try to create an atmosphere where they can relax and feel that it’s safe to be themselves and to express not only their engagement with the material but how they actually feel about the whole learning enterprise.”

Fung uses various methods to calm students’ anxieties, including reflective writing assignments, one-minute meditations, breath work, body scans, and brain dump writing exercises where, at the beginning of class, students pour out on a page whatever is on their minds at the moment. She believes addressing students’ mental health issues is important to creating a better relationship with mathematics and promoting a conducive learning environment.

“If I really want students to learn more mathematics, I have to meet them where they’re at,” she said. Fung also believes that how students are taught, in turn, impacts how they will teach in their own classrooms.

“When I was in graduate school, I had this professor who was, for lack of a better word, very unengaging,” she said. “So, I would spend the entire class trying to understand what he was trying to convey. He was super monotone and super in his own world, not making any connection with students. In a way, he was one of my best teachers because I figured out at that moment that I would never do that to students. I would teach students first and mathematics second.”

Alex Briesacher Professor of sociology, 2018 Alden Award winner

» The course titles may stay the same from year to year, but Alex Briesacher never teaches the same class twice.

Briesacher, professor of sociology, uses an experiential, student-centered approach he developed as a graduate student

teaching courses at Kent State University. “It means every class is new and exciting and different,” he said. “I don’t even do a lot of prep anymore. I just show up and ask them what they want to do, and we go from there.”

Briesacher said he likes to create a supportive space for students and provide guidance on how to gather information for their research questions, but then he takes a step back.

“I tell them, ‘I’ll show you how to do it, but you’re going to be the one who does it because I don’t know the answers to the questions you’re asking,” he said.

Gives students freedom to find their own way

how to do it, and you can apply it however you want.’”

Among the more creative concepts he encountered was the student who wanted to study paranormal sociology. Briesacher has no experience with the paranormal, but his open class structure allowed the student to pursue her offbeat interests, which involved studying attitudes about houses where a murder had taken place. That led to a class discussion about how one might effectively interview people about their belief in ghosts.

With that much intellectual freedom, students often surprise him.

“They come up with very interesting things, and some pretty weird ones, too,” he said. “One semester I had a student doing research on the scholarship structure at Worcester State, one doing research on the high school debate community, a student doing research on Black African identities, and another student researching funeral ceremonies. I’m there saying, ‘Let me show you

Teaches students to read as writers

Heather Treseler

Professor of English, 2017 Alden Award winner

» Heather Treseler is a professor of English and a multi award-winning poet who has studied under preeminent authors, including the novelist Saul Bellow and literary critic Maud Ellmann. At Worcester State, she views her students as literary collaborators.

“I think of my students as fellow writers, capable of engaging with the major inquiries of literary scholarship and the rigors of sustained creative endeavor,” Treseler said. “I view our work

That discussion helped the student come up with an interviewing approach and turned the project toward a social psychology focus that led to surprising answers about the enduring allure of haunted places. Briesacher knew his unstructured teaching approach would be a good one several years ago when he tried it out and student response was overwhelmingly positive. “They showed up half an hour before the class began. Some of them stayed an hour after the class.” he said. “It was a great class, and I started it with, ‘We’re just going to do this, and we’ll see what happens.’”

together as a collaborative effort.”

She believes it is important to teach students to think deeply about what they read because it helps them develop their own strong habits of reading.

“My teaching philosophy is to help students read as writers and think as authors, developing their own habit of reading closely, contextually, and imaginatively that they can apply to any text or situation,” she said.

By thinking about the choices writers make in constructing a literary text, such as genre, mode, imagery, and aesthetics, students can gain a deeper understanding of the author’s intentions and the overall meaning of the work, she said.

Beyond the classroom, it also is important for teachers to help students find their way along their career paths, she said. One of her students who initially planned on becoming an elementary school teacher realized it wasn’t her calling after completing her first teaching observation. The student appeared at Treseler’s office door in tears, seeking guidance. Treseler helped her explore other professional options, which eventually led her to finding her passion in library science.

Treseler believes a successful English professor meets the students where they are and guides them in exploring literature and writing in ways that hone their concrete skills as readers and writers. “I hope that my students conclude my classes with new and sharper tools—of textual analysis and interpretation, of inquiry and discussion, and of writing analytically and creatively.”

Erika Briesacher

Gives space to exercise the “curiosity muscle”

‘Wait a second.’” Briesacher tells them, “The grade is actually kind of pointless. Look at the comments because that’s where I’m having a conversation with you.” It’s a conversation that Briesacher hopes will lead students beyond memorization of names of battles, dates, and other historical facts.

“If I had to boil my teaching philosophy down, it used to be organized around source material and letting the sources speak and balancing that through context and interpretation,” she said. “Now, my philosophy is giving students space to exercise the curiosity muscle that we don’t often get to do.”

The point, she said, is not to focus on facts long enough to pass a test and then move on, but to seek valuable insights into the past that allow us to more fully understand different time periods, events, and societies.

Professor of history, 2022 Alden Award winner

» When Erika Briesacher, professor of history, hands back corrected papers, she asks students to look beyond the grade. “I

“You can memorize a date; it’s a parlor trick. But, later, it’s more important to remember things like how it started in different places at different times and what do we think about that now?”

Focuses onusefulbeing

Briesacher said she hopes that, by the end of the semester, she has helped each student discover their authentic voice and acquire the courage to use it.

Associate Professor of English, 2020 Alden Award winner

» Midway through Christina Santana’s college education, she received a piece of advice from her first mentor, an architecture professor. She went to him after a frustrating experience giving a presentation to a different faculty member who had not understood her work. Her mentor told her: Teach, don't defend. “I still think about that all the time,” she said. “What does it

mean to help other people see your vision and to trust yourself in that fuller way?”

Santana eventually changed majors and now is an associate professor who teaches writing at Worcester State. She supports students to be public people by teaching professional skills in community writing, grant writing, and writing consultancy. “The way I think about myself as a professional, it's about being as useful as I can as a collaborator. And the fact that I get to design learning spaces and to help students through them is a real joy for me. I always come back to questions like: Is this practical? Is this useful? Is this going to help them in their life somehow? What can they monetize without it being an experience of getting monetized?”

In 2023, Santana was part of an academic team that edited Anti-racist Community Engagement: Principles and Practices, a book that examines how to exemplify anti-racist values in higher education’s community engagement efforts. In part because she was the lead editor and project manager, that work has also had a significant influence on how she approaches teaching.

“It’s influenced the way I think about who gets left out in the classroom and the ways that I used to show up in classrooms and was mostly ignored,” she said. “So inclusivity matters a lot to me. Anti-racism is often on my mind. How I show up as an empowered Afro-Latina professor is really important. And the more authentic I can be as a professional, the more I can continue to have difficult conversations and to make space for them and to validate them, the more students are able to dig deeper and take more risks.”

Emphasizes how science is relevant

how it really is relevant to them.”

She puts a lot of thought into how to make participation comfortable for everyone.

“Not everybody naturally is going to speak up and raise their hand,” she said. “In all of my classes, I incorporate various ways for students to participate, whether it’s in whole class discussions or digitally through responding to questionnaire polls or working in small groups first and then having groups share.”

Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier

Professor of biology, 2020 Alden Award winner

» When biology professor Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier was in college, she was taught in traditional ways—chalkboards, lectures, note taking. She knows those teaching approaches aren’t particularly effective for many students, so, over the years, Hood-DeGrenier has experimented with different strategies to engage students in the classroom.

“I want to get students excited about learning and excited

Centers

accessibility, identity,

And sometimes, she said, it’s important to focus not just on what they are learning, but on how to learn. With freshmen, she talks about study skills and how to engage with material rather than trying to memorize it. She positions science lessons within a larger framework so students can understand the bigger picture of what they are learning.

“Success is helping students progress and grow in many different ways,” Hood-DeGrenier said. “Everybody takes something different away from a class, but you can see that you’re having an impact on helping students to go places that they wouldn’t have gone before, to think about things that they wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. That is rewarding.”

In spring 2024, Hood-DeGrenier brought three undergraduate students she has mentored to an academic conference at UMass Amherst. The students presented their research, answered tough questions and got a tour of the science labs.

“We give them fundamental skills. If we can ignite the spark in some of them to go on to those larger places and continue their journeys, that’s great.”

Riley McGuire’s original plan was to become a high school teacher, but along the way, his professors encouraged him to consider teaching college. With the support of a loving mother and exceptional mentors, McGuire, a first-gen student who had rhotacism and lambdacism in school, earned a Ph.D. and discovered he loved teaching.

“That’s really where I found my field was the most meaningful,” said McGuire, an assistant professor of English. “In the humanities, a lot of our best work comes out of the classroom.”

McGuire’s teaching style reflects what he has learned from his mentors, from his peers at Worcester State, and from his field, which encompasses 19th-century British literature, queer theory, and disability studies.

“Disability studies encourages us to not just think of disability in medical terms, but as sociopolitical identities,” he said. “It’s not all about capitulating to norms around how bodies and brains should function. I like to take that into my teaching in terms of being really flexible in terms of the assignments that students complete, what participation can look like in a class.”

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(Riley McGuire continued)

Accessibility also means financial access. With the high cost of textbooks in mind, McGuire assigns free ebooks, audiobooks, and texts in the public domain whenever possible.

Alongside accessibility in McGuire’s classroom is flexibility. Students have different motivations and goals, so McGuire offers them options, while building fundamental skills like critical reading, good writing, and public speaking. A final assignment for a student who wants to be a school librarian might look different from one for a student who wants to be a poet. Everyone is challenged to engage with all that literature has to offer.

“I want them to leave feeling more confident in their ability to share their thoughts, ideas, opinions with other people,” he said. “And then there’s a moral or ethical benefit to literary studies. For me, teaching these classes, it’s all about issues of representation and power and identity and social hierarchies. What is our place in the world? How do we relate to other people? How can we use literature and theory to answer some of those questions?”

In 2022, the students in McGuire’s LGBTQ+ Narratives class took center stage at the Unity Day ceremony for an LGBTQ+ flag raising, a strong statement of support for the university’s LGBTQ+ community. Some students gave powerful and moving readings at the podium. Some students did interviews with local media. And everyone in the audience received a 36-page booklet of original writing by the class.

The event was the coalescence of a lesson McGuire has carried into his classroom from his doctoral advisors. “They were really able to show me that I had something worth saying, but also that I was the right person to say it, that my perspective, my experiences could be seen as an asset.”

Giving Worcester State students the opportunity to share their voices and see that their work is worthy of an audience was especially meaningful, he said. “It was really helpful to say that what you do here can exceed the confines of the classroom,” McGuire said. “You can help actively shape our campus into a more equitable one.”

Breaks math fears smallwithchallenges

Mary Fowler Professor of mathematics, 2010 and 2021 Alden Award winner

» In the world of education, the space between ignorance and knowledge can be a daunting and uncomfortable place. However, for Mary Fowler, professor of mathematics, that boundary is not a barrier, but a gateway to growth and learning. Fowler has made it her mission to guide students through the boundary, helping them overcome their math fears and discover the fun of learning.

“I think it’s important for students to be comfortable at the

boundary between what they know and what they don’t know and not to fear the struggle of learning something new,” Fowler said. To help students bridge that gap, Fowler breaks down complex concepts into small, flexible challenges.

“I try to develop a trusting relationship with students, many of whom arrive with a fear of mathematics,” she said. “Teaching success, for me, looks like helping them realize that I will only ask them to do what I am willing to teach them. By breaking down learning into smaller challenges, I try to create a supportive and anxiety-free environment where students can build their math muscles and find joy in their small successes.”

Fowler takes an inclusive approach to teaching, which, she says, was influenced by her involvement in racial and social equity issues and through her role as the faculty fellow for equity at the Center for Teaching and Learning at Worcester State.

Long before that, however, she found her initial inspiration through her mother, who taught bilingual and English-as-asecond-language classes in the New York City elementary school system.

“She would come home and tell me stories about how hard she would work to communicate with all these diverse students,” she said. “She would tell me how she had to use a lot of nonverbal stuff and how she would dig really deep inside herself to find ways to connect with the students to help them learn. And she always explained how understanding their cultural differences could be helpful in the classroom. So like most faculty, I haven’t taken any education courses, but it was my mother who taught me how to teach.”

Great Job Choosing Worcester State

Now let’s be great together. By

Hy Ginsberg, Ph.D.

OUT OF ALL THE PLACES YOU COULD HAVE gone, you chose Worcester State. Well done. Great choice!

Let me tell you why. First of all, when we hire new faculty here, our top priority is teaching excellence. You might think that’s the case everywhere; it’s not. Schools that are perhaps a little more prestigious than we are—places like UMass Amherst, for example—they prioritize research—they’re looking to hire faculty who publish lots of papers, and if they happen to be decent teachers as well, all the better, but it’s research first, and teaching second. At Worcester State, teaching comes first— we don’t hire anyone who isn’t a truly great teacher. There’s research here, too, and we have a lot to be proud of in terms of faculty research, but because we prioritize teaching, we really have nothing but truly excellent teachers here. I’m not going to pretend that every teacher you have at Worcester State will be the best teacher you’ve ever had, but some of them really will be, and not just one or two—you’re going to have lots of great teachers here. So you did a great job picking Worcester State— well done, good choice.

We also have a great administration here—they work hard and they really care. Nobody in the administration ever says, “Well, we’re good enough.” No—there’s a constant, ongoing struggle to improve, to keep getting better, and so we do—we keep getting better, every single year.

My point is this: Worcester State is a place where you can get a great education. It’s a place where you can get as fine an education as you could get anywhere else, and I don’t exclude the famous Ivy League schools like Harvard or the giant research universities like Amherst. But there’s an old joke about education: It’s the only business where the customer demands

less for their money. Maybe you’d like to do less homework, or take fewer classes, or cover less material. Look, if you really want, for the same price, you can get a worse education—you can try to get through your courses and your whole program here doing less, or even as little as possible—you can try to learn as little as possible. You might still graduate (you might not, but you might), and if you do you’ll get the same piece of paper in the end.

But here’s the thing: It really isn’t about the piece of paper—that’s just a piece of paper—what it’s really about is the actual education. And you can get a great, world-class education here, but you have to want to. And you have to work hard for it, and when I say you have to work hard, I mean you have to work very hard. You have to understand and appreciate that it’s there for you if you want it, and you have to try to get the most out of every course you take—get the most that you can out of every meeting of every class, out of every homework assignment, every reading assignment, every project, every essay. If you skip classes, miss homework, cut corners on projects, then you’re cheating yourself out of the education that you’re paying for—you’re getting less for your money.

And so today I’m urging you to prove the old joke wrong— demand the most for your money, get the best education you can while you’re here. Work hard, get everything you can out of this place, leave with more than just a piece of paper, leave with a world-class education—you really can.

I started by saying that we have a great faculty here, and a great administration as well. That’s part of what it takes to make a great school, but it’s only part of it. The rest is you—all of you—Worcester State is a great school if you make it a great school by getting a great education here. So, please do your best, and let’s be great together. Thank you and welcome to Worcester State—we’re very excited to have you.

Editor’s Note: Each year, Worcester State welcomes its incoming students to campus with a celebratory Convocation event that features student, alumni, and faculty speakers. For September 2023, Professor Hy Ginsberg was the faculty speaker. Ginsberg has been a mathematics professor for 13 years at Worcester State, and in 2023 he was recognized with the George I. Alden Excellence in Teaching Award. At Convocation, he delivered a talk to students that both inspired and perfectly captured what makes Worcester State such an outstanding educational opportunity. We share his remarks here for future generations.

Commuter to Community

At Worcester State, I became part of something greater. By

Paul Davey ’24

LOOKING BACK ON MY TIME AT WORCESTER State, I think of all of the fond memories that I made. My mind floods with images of the Student Center buzzing with activity on a typical autumn day or of the studious silence enjoyed on the third floor of the Learning Resource Center.

Though they may have been simple, I wish that I realized sooner how impactful those moments and countless others really were.

I transferred to Worcester State after a lukewarm experience studying at a small college near Syracuse, New York. The New York school itself was fine, and I had a strong network of friends in my freshman year, but my time there was largely soured by the social restrictions imposed due to the pandemic that raged on. Admittedly, I also missed being home.

When I moved home to Oxford and started classes on Chandler Street the next fall, I felt indifferent about college. As a commuter student, I usually just drove to campus, attended my classes, then drove home as quickly as possible, except for the occasional lunch at the dining hall. Apart from my coursework, I was a passive member of the community.

Paul

Davey ’24 takes in the wonder of The Burren in County Clare, Ireland, as part of a university trip during spring break 2024.

That was all I wanted from college for about a year and a half. Things started to change during my junior year. I struck up conversations with my classmates and professors and maintained those connections beyond the classroom. Oncampus events, initially an irrelevant part of student life to me, became something that I actually tried to attend. For the first time since becoming a Lancer, I came out of my shell and took risks, both academically and socially.

The more I opened up, the more I realized that I was not alone in my original sentiments about college. I found kindred spirits in other commuter students who shared the experiences that I had, yet managed to become a part of something greater on campus. This inspired me to make the most of my final few semesters at Worcester State.

I applied for a writing internship in the university’s Communications and Marketing Office and landed what turned out to be the most rewarding job I have ever had. As a correspondent for Worcester State news publications, I saw more of the campus than I had in my sophomore and junior years combined. My assignments took me to events that I otherwise never would have attended and introduced me to many of the brilliant minds that make up the Worcester State community. Through this work, I developed a new appreciation for a place that I had spent so much time at, yet knew so little about.

A class trip to Ireland during my final spring break was something that my sophomore-year self never would have envisioned, but when I saw that one of my favorite professors, Dan Hunt, was leading it, I placed my deposit as soon as possible. Seeing Ireland introduced me to an entirely new and exciting culture. I shared this journey with 18 classmates from our course, Ireland in Image and Text, and I now consider those classmates to be friends. It was the perfect ending to a year where I seized every opportunity that was presented to me.

I see how I’ve grown from an indifferent commuter student to an engaged member of the Worcester State community. From observing a historic total solar eclipse on a trip to Vermont led by Professor Andrew Burkhardt, to exploring centuries-old streets abroad with my classmates, to riding around campus in a Kubota with Facilities Assistant Vice President Sandra Olson, Worcester State has provided me with more memories and opportunities than I ever would have expected.

MY WOOSTATE STORY

MY WOOSTATE STORY

Welcome and Connected

Support and mentoring from my professors and fellow students have helped me become who I am. By Aspen Zheng ’24

MY FOUR YEARS OF STUDY AT Worcester State University were a journey toward becoming an independent adult, a scholar, and, most importantly, an optimistic person. I overcame many obstacles but could not have done so without the guidance, patience, and support of the Worcester State community.

I arrived alone in Worcester, not knowing anyone. My parents were living in China, a 12- to 13-hour time difference. Early in my first year at Worcester State as an English as a foreign language student, I did not do anything other than attend classes and study hard until a roommate talked about applying to be a Resident Assistant (RA). The idea appealed to me as a way to interact more with my peers, develop leadership and problem-solving skills, and serve others. I was not sure if I was capable of being a good RA, as I worried about my ability to communicate effectively. But I overcame my trepidation and gave it a shot.

Fortunately, I was assigned to a room with a returning RA who showed me how to be a good student leader. I learned to embrace the Worcester State community and seek not only knowledge, but support. I gained exposure to different leadership styles from other student leaders: fellow RAs, Presidential Student Ambassadors (PSAs), mentors, and tour guides.

This decision changed my entire Worcester State trajectory, as it opened one door and gave me the keys to many others. In time, I went on to serve as a PAL mentor, campus tour guide, PSA, and entrepreneur ambassador.

The moments I shared with other members of the Worcester State community helped me become who I am today. Dr. Nabin Malakar told me that it was okay to make mistakes and that each has value as a learning opportunity. Dr. Weichu Xu, recognizing that I was not with family, invited me to his home for Thanksgiving dinner. And I received a great deal of encouragement and support from Dr. Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier. I fondly remember conversations with chemistry, biology, and political science department secretaries; being greeted warmly by staff all over campus; and engaging with campus police and

With a grant from the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund, Aspen Zheng took part in a 2023 summer research program with biology professor Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier.

other authorities while fulfilling my RA duties.

My parents have tried their best to provide me with educational opportunities and offered the best support they could from afar. I am grateful to them, campus faculty and staff, and my fellow students. All cared for me and helped me to learn and grow.

Worcester State made me feel welcome and connected— not just on campus, but as a member of the greater Worcester community. My role as a health ambassador included door-to-door visits throughout Worcester to deliver hand sanitizer and provide COVID-19 information packets and helping interested Worcester residents register for COVID vaccine appointments.

Worcester State brought me failure, success, tears, disappointment, excitement, happinesses, and love. I am grateful for it all and feel that it has thoroughly prepared me for a confident and focused graduate school experience and an exciting future in service.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Melanie Bonsu ’05

MAJOR: English

Community Relations Manager, Saint-Gobain Abrasives

» Growing up in Worcester, I always thought one would have to leave this city in order to excel, so I went to another state university after graduating from Doherty. I came back and enrolled in Worcester State after welcoming my first son. Worcester State was accommodating, even to a commuter student with parental responsibilities. Being here opened my eyes to the opportunities here in the city and helped guide my desire to improve it.

My passion lies in my commitment to improving my community, and I am fortunate enough to be able to do so within both my professional and volunteer lives. My role at Saint-Gobain allows me to align with their purpose of “Making the World a Better Home” and oversee our community partnerships and charitable endeavors. I use my personal time to volunteer for causes that matter most to me—equitable and accessible opportunities for children and an inclusive city.

I draw my motivation from my two sons. I want them to live in a city in which they can thrive, and, selfishly, I want them to be proud of me.

Stephanie Ramey ’08

MAJOR: Communication

Lisa M. Colombo ’87, D.N.P., M.H.A., R.N.

MAJOR: Nursing

Executive Vice Chancellor, ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School

» I came to Worcester State as a practicing R.N. who wanted to further my education to achieve my career goals. I knew that I needed a more systemic understanding of the power of nursing influence in health care. At Worcester State, I gained a solid understanding of what it means to be a professional nurse, and I learned to appreciate the importance of the voice of nursing in shaping health care.

I was drawn to nursing because I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Caring for people when they are vulnerable is a privilege and requires advocating for care that is equitable, effective, and accessible. I am fortunate to lead a team that is making systemic and necessary changes to improve the health care experience for all.

I am inspired by the colleagues and partners that I have been fortunate to work with and learn from, individuals who remain committed to what is most important during difficult times and put patients and families first.

Vice President, Special Projects, Rucker Investments; Owner, The O Shop; Former President, Worcester Railers HC

» Everything inspires me: news articles, stories my children share, advertisements, and walks down the street. My brain is always in overdrive, making connections, trying to solve problems, or build something. I thrive on the energy and creativity of others and love to surround myself with intelligent, positive doers.

At Worcester State, I had knowledgeable instructors with industry experience, and many skills learned through lessons and projects have equipped me in my professional roles. Continuing

Worcester’s progress is important to me, and I have a particular love and appreciation for small businesses. I’ve enjoyed growing up in this community, and I am eager to contribute to the city’s downtown revitalization. While leading the tourism bureau and the Railers, I have been able to promote what makes the region special and have helped attract hundreds of thousands of people to the area. As the owner of The O Shop, a lingerie and intimates boutique in the Tatnuck area of Worcester, I am proud that I have been able to build a business that contributes to the health and well-being of women. My next endeavor at Rucker Investments will be focused on supporting startups, activating North Main Street, and further defining Worcester as a destination for entrepreneurs.

Bankole Samuel ’06

MAJOR: Chemistry

General Surgeon, Saint Vincent Hospital

» The human body, and all it takes to make it function, has always fascinated me. That is why I initially started as a biology major at Worcester State. I still find it amazing that a group of cells are driven by a DNA code and continue to grow and communicate with themselves through hormones, proteins, neurotransmitters, etc. to eventually develop into a person. That then continues to human interactions, decisions, experiences, and functions. As a surgeon, I feel like I can help play a part in helping this human body get back to its normal function and longevity.

I had a very good experience at Worcester State. The professors were very approachable and were genuinely interested in helping students succeed. They gave excellent advice and were instrumental in helping me plan my future goals. I am forever grateful to them, especially Dr. Margaret Kerr.

Being a role model for my children inspires and motivates me the most. I am lucky to have a wonderful woman as my wife. Without her our household would not function.

Oscar J. de la Rosa ’16, DNP, FNP-BC

MAJOR: Public Health

Shannen Curtin ’17

MAJOR: Nursing

Registered Nurse, Pediatric Nurse, Start Line Pediatrics

Formerly at Mayo Clinic and Boston Children’s Hospital

» I am passionate about providing health care to all and working as an advocate and educator for my patients. I hope to become a nurse educator one day and teach the next generation of undergraduate nursing students. I hope to inspire change, love, and compassion into the future of nursing and health care.

My patients, most of whom have been children, inspire me with their strength and resilience daily. I am motivated to help create a system with better, affordable care for all, and a better future for my patients. I am continually inspired by colleagues all over the world, especially those caring for patients in Gaza today.

My time at Worcester State prepared me to be a nurse, but also to be a good person. I found community and friendship like I had never experienced before. Nursing school at Worcester State was incredibly challenging, but I am grateful for the gift it gave me. I would not be the nurse I am today without Worcester State.

Urgent Care Registered Nurse Team Lead, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center

» Worcester State was the catalyst that propelled me to where I am today. The transformative four years I spent as a student opened doors to new ideas, and lifelong friendships. I was challenged academically, encouraged to think critically, and empowered to pursue my passions. Worcester State not only provided me with a solid education but also instilled in me the confidence and skills to make a meaningful impact.

I’m inspired by stories of human potential, of people doing great things against all odds. My passion in life is providing compassionate patient-centered care to all individuals in need, with an emphasis on populations that face greater health disparities associated with trauma and the social determinants of health. I hope to make a difference by referring patients to the services they need and by getting involved and taking leadership roles in local initiatives that support public health. It is my goal to ultimately take part in making the world a better place one patient, one family, and one community at a time.

Caring for people when they are vulnerable is a privilege and requires advocating for care that is equitable, effective, and accessible.” –Lisa Colombo '87

As someone who was hired as the first-ever female audio engineer at my company, it’s a big responsibility to show that other women can do these jobs that have been held primarily by men.”—Jordan Duffy ’13

Christopher McCormick ’18, M.S., CCC-SLP

MAJOR: Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathologist, Hasbro Children’s Hospital

Adjunct Professor, Stonehill College, University of Rhode Island, and Worcester State University

Part-time Clinical Instructor, Worcester State University

» I am passionate about serving and supporting the patients and families impacted by communication and swallowing disorders. My daily work revolves around treating and assessing pediatric patients in the acute care setting to improve their ability to eat/ drink safely and communicate their wants and needs. I hope to continue to improve access and quality of care in swallowing and communication disorders in my community by spreading awareness and advocating for this population.

I am inspired by the progress my patients make, such as having their first bite of food lovingly made by their family or communicating a meaningful message to loved ones after an acute medical event. The ability to eat, drink, and talk at times is taken for granted. The impact the individual and family encounters when unable to engage with the world can be isolating. I am motivated by working closely with individuals and their caregivers to improve communication and swallowing to positively increase their quality of life and happiness.

I am grateful for the opportunities and professional family gained during my time at Worcester State. The professors and clinical educators provided me with the opportunity to grow as a clinician providing exceptional education in the field of speechlanguage pathology paired with hands-on clinical experiences. I am grateful for the opportunities and professional family gained during my time at Worcester State.

Jordan Duffy ’13

MAJOR: Visual and Performing Arts

Senior Audio Engineer, Earwolf Podcast Network/SiriusXM Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Voice Actor

» I loved my time at Worcester State! I made lifelong friends from the Chorale and had amazing teachers who helped me realize that my singing/music dreams could be (and would be) a reality. My degree has helped me sing and write parody songs for work, record my solo albums, film music videos, and shock people when I can sing an Italian aria out of nowhere, ha ha.

My family has supported me and has always helped push me when things might have been hard or scary. I’m motivated by fans/listeners who reach out and share that because of the shows I work on (or my music), they were able to get through a difficult time in their life. Those messages mean so much and remind me that I am doing this job for a reason. My close friends I made at Worcester State are my biggest cheerleaders and remind me that all my effort and sacrifices are worth it and to keep going!

I am passionate about women having careers in the sound engineering world and the music industry. As someone who was hired as the first-ever female audio engineer at my company, it's a big responsibility to show that other women can do these jobs that have been held primarily by men. I am also a musician and producer, and still to this day there are only 4-6% of music producer roles held by females, and that has to change.

It brings me so much honor and joy to have women of all ages around the world contact me and ask, "How do I become an audio engineer like you?" and I always provide them with info to help start their journey. I will always be an advocate for women in the entertainment industry!

Ryan Porter Lindsay ’18, M.D.

MAJOR: Chemistry

Emergency Medicine Resident Physician, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

» I am passionate about the intersection of education and medicine. Education is an integral part of my job as a physician, as it is my duty to educate my patients on their medical illness. I have benefitted from excellent mentorship in my education to this point and care deeply about paying it forward to the current medical students.

I have been inspired and motivated by the mentorship of compassionate physicians who have come before me, who manage to make the best out of a bad situation. My patient may be having the worst day of their life, but it is my job, along with all the incredible staff around me, to try to make it the least bad for them. In addition, I am motivated by the idea of lifelong education and the importance of pushing myself to grow and learn more every day.

Worcester State provided an excellent mix of challenging course material, mentorship through engaged and enthusiastic professors, and a supportive culture. I was provided opportunities to grow through independent research and self discovery. I felt that my professors wanted me to succeed and pushed me to be the best version of myself.

Matt Wright ’10, M.S.

MAJOR:

Communication Photographer/Producer, Owner of Wright Photo Studios

» Someone once told me that there are many ways to help people. As a storyteller and content creator, I’m inspired by the generosity and dedication of the many partners I get to work with to help support and deliver their messages. When I entered Worcester State as a freshman, I had never considered photography as anything other than a hobby. During one of my spring semesters, I had the opportunity to travel abroad during spring break for a week-long intensive special topics photography course. On that trip, I saw a future full of unique and interesting experiences that I could unlock with my camera. Had I not taken advantage of the opportunities that Worcester State had to offer, I don’t know that I would have found such a satisfying and fulfilling career.

Early in my career, I was fortunate enough to work with experienced professionals who were willing to offer me advice and help guide me through the business. I’m happy to share my experiences with

Eugene S. Bah ’12, M.D., Ph.D.

Major: Chemistry Neurosurgery Resident, Mayo Clinic

» I was born in a poor village in Northwestern Cameroon, but was fortunate to live my dream through the tremendous sacrifice of my mother. Her selflessness not only provided me with an excellent education and the freedom to strive for even greater things, but also taught me that struggle is worthwhile when we do it on behalf of others.

I found a similar spirit at Worcester State with the faculty. They weren’t just interested in teaching courses; they took interest in knowing me personally. They went above and beyond to identify and nurture the untapped potential while calming and dispelling any sense of self-doubt in my abilities. I don’t think that I would be where I am today without that personal attention.

The patients that I take care of daily and their resilience inspire me. I am fortunate to be able to do what I do. It’s all about making a difference. Lots of people stepped up for me, and I’m paying it forward now.

newer photographers who are just getting started. I’ve already had the opportunity to mentor several talented young photographers and help them navigate different obstacles as they start down their own paths.

I’m inspired by the generosity and dedication of the many partners I work with.”

–Matt Wright ’10

Worcester State’s Urban Oasis

The WSU Teaching Garden cultivates skills, connection, and some lovely harvests.

By Paul Davey ’24

AMIDST THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF CHANDLER

Street sits a small patch of greenery that is a local hub for education and community engagement. Established in 2011, the WSU Teaching Garden is a beloved space used by members of the university and its surrounding neighborhoods.

The Teaching Garden is run by the Urban Action Institute, a division of Worcester State’s Urban Studies Department that focuses on outreach and community action. The Urban Action Institute provides students with various

opportunities for field-based learning, and the garden is one of their main programs.

“We aim to educate everybody and anybody about urban gardening,” said garden manager Isabel Bartlett, a graduate student studying biotechnology. Bartlett has been involved with the teaching garden since 2019 and is in her second year as manager.

The quarter-acre garden is located across the street from the Ghosh Science and Technology Center and DeFeudis Wellness Center parking lot. It is active almost all year long,

with the only slow season during the dead of winter. Even when there are no formal events going on, something is always growing, and there is always work to be done. “We always have something going on there. I would say the absolute busiest time is late summer into fall,” said Bartlett.

In the fall, the Urban Studies Department offers a practicum that lets Worcester State students earn credits by getting their hands dirty in the garden. As part of the curriculum, they work with students from the adjacent Chandler Magnet School to teach lessons on urban gardening, health and nutrition, sustainability, and more.

“The students from Chandler Magnet absolutely love it,” said Midaly Carrasquillo Delgado, assistant director of the Urban Action Institute. “They could spend all day out there just playing, planting, exploring.”

There is a wide range of fruits and vegetables grown within the garden, including bok choy, onions, tomatoes, and various herbs. “When the garden’s in full swing, there is so much weeding, watering, and harvesting to do,” said Bartlett, “and it’s really difficult to stay on top of everything.”

Many of the crops grown in the garden are shared among members of the community. In the past, particularly large harvests have

“

One year, we had a very, very big tomato harvest. I was able to donate a lot of tomatoes to a food pantry in my hometown.”

—Midaly Carrasquillo Delgado

allowed the Urban Action Institute to make sizable donations of fresh produce.

“One year, we had a very, very big tomato harvest,” said Carrasquillo Delgado. “I was able to donate a lot of tomatoes to a food pantry in my hometown. We brought some over to Bet Shalom last year, too.”

To celebrate Earth Day, the Urban Action Institute invites community members to visit the teaching garden and help prepare it for the busy planting season. At this year’s annual cleanup, students, staff, and faculty all chipped in to pull weeds and clear debris from the lawn and garden beds.

English major Crispin Mooney was one of the

students pitching in at the Earth Day cleanup this year. Mooney visited the teaching garden for a class he previously took at Worcester State and has enjoyed spending time there ever since. “It’s a nice place to hang out when it’s quiet.”

“We welcome students to come here, relax, study, or prepare for that presentation coming up,” said Danielle Morales, assistant professor of urban studies and acting director of the Urban Action Institute. “It’s a space for everybody.”

Communication major Paul Davey '24 completed a news writing internship in Worcester State's Office of Communications during his senior year.

EARTH DAY: Students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered at the WSU Teaching Garden on Earth Day in April for a garden clean-up and planting. From left, Midaly Carrasquillo Delgado, assistant director of the Urban Action Institute (UAI); Dr. Danielle Morales, UAI acting director; and Judy El Houssami UAI graduate assistant.

Pioneering Educator

Reflections from beloved professor Maureen C. Stefanini

Q+ A

DR. STEFANINI WAS HIRED AT Worcester State by Helen Shaughnessy in 1967 to train student teachers. She reinvented her career in the 1980s after serving as one of the first female Sloan Fellows at MIT and went on to teach accounting, entrepreneurship, and business leadership for women. At Worcester State, she gave back in countless ways, serving as the advisor to the Sigma Beta Delta business honor society and the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and serving on the Scholarship Committee.

This year, her longtime friend Karen Tessmer, associate athletics director, visited with Dr. Stefanini to reflect on her time at Worcester State.

Karen: Maureen, what was the class of 1958 like?

Maureen: The best class ever! It took us ’til now to recognize that we were top of the ladder. It’s a small enough group, so there’s very few people you didn’t know. One member of the class, Tom McGrain, initiated entrepreneurship opportunities, and that was the start of entrepreneurship at Worcester State. They had a dance every Friday night and organized bus trips to New York and D.C. Many of those alumni came back to my classes and talked to my students about internships and entrepreneurship.

Karen: Looking through the yearbook, I see most students were education majors because it was Worcester State Teachers College in the fifties, right?

Maureen: Absolutely. That’s why you see so many women there. The choices were limited. You could teach, and so there were a lot of elementary educators.

Karen: How big was the campus in 1958?

Maureen: It was the one building, the Administration

Building as we know it now. We used to sit on the curb side where the pillars are, waiting to be picked up. We had to go to assemblies every day and would sing “Faith of Our Fathers.” If you missed an assembly you had to write a letter of apology to the president. One time I missed it and had to write a letter to President Sullivan.

Karen: What drew you to be in the teaching profession?

Maureen: Since I was a little girl, I had a pink table and chair set, and I used to stand in front of it and be a teacher.

Karen: How did you cross paths with Helen Shaughnessy?

Maureen: She hired me for my teaching position there. When she looked at my record and she looked at the materials, she asked me to join the Quota Club that she was in and the Friday Afternoon Club and the Guild of Our Lady of Providence. We knew her at Worcester State because she had a presence. She was always well dressed, happy, and friendly. We didn’t have this list of bosses. We worked together. So she was an icon, a legend here at Worcester State. And you could walk to her house, and plenty of times we did when she had a small cape at the back end of the college. She organized class reunions for her class for 45 years.

Karen: Helen was an influence on you and then you influenced other people following in her footsteps. I have student-athletes who had you, and you were one of their favorite professors. They’ve gone on to do great things in the business world, and you were instrumental in helping them. What was important to you as a professor?

Maureen: I wanted them to get good jobs or get into good schools, be prepared, and have fun along the way.

Karen: What do you think is important to remember as Worcester State celebrates its 150th anniversary?

Maureen: We have good students. They’re hardworking. They have something to prove and they’re going to prove it. Believe me.

Leading by example, our students and faculty give back through service, research, and hands-on support.

Community

Protecting Worcester’s Lakes, Ponds, and Streams

Environmental science faculty and students partner with the City of Worcester and community organizations to monitor the health of Tatnuck Brook Watershed.

By Rebecca Cross | PHOTOS BY MATT WRIGHT ’10

ABUMPY DIRT ROAD OFF JUNE STREET IN WORCESTER winds past houses with yards and dogs before it eventually opens up to Patch Reservoir, a 31-acre lake just southwest of Worcester State University. In the early morning hours, while Worcester residents are heading to work, the reservoir comes alive as wildlife, from dragonflies to waterfowl, start their morning feedings. Out here, the sounds of traffic fade into the distance, overtaken by the croak of bullfrogs, the calls of songbirds, and the splash of water going over the spillway.

At the reservoir, it’s easy to forget you’re in a city. The water is encircled by densely growing pines and alders, clusters of bull lilies with bright yellow flowers, and patches of blue forget-me-nots and vivid purple irises. Worcester State professors Allison Dunn and Laura

Reynolds, both in the Department of Earth, Environment, and Physics, have logged many hours at Patch Reservoir with their students, collecting samples as part of a collaborative effort with the city to monitor and preserve its waterways. On this May morning, they are out on the water, pointing out the small changes that only scientists would notice in this tranquil oasis.

One of the big problems Worcester’s waterways experience is the proliferation of invasive species. From her canoe, Reynolds reaches into the water and pulls out a frail, bright green plant. “This is water chestnut,” she explains, holding out the plant. “It’s an invasive species with spiky seed pods that can last in the sediment for years.” The plant has been a problem for the reservoir, but concerned community members are fighting back. “People from the Friends of Patch

Reservoir organize pulling parties to remove as much as they can,” Reynolds says.

The data that Dunn, Reynolds, and their students are collecting will help the city maintain the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Patch Reservoir is part of the Tatnuck Brook Watershed, which begins in Holden and feeds Cook’s Pond, Patch Reservoir, Patch Pond, Coes Reservoir, and Coes Pond in Worcester, eventually flowing into Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.

Dunn points to a pair of swans that left their nest and are feeding in the middle of the reservoir. Between the mated pair is one downy, gray cygnet. “It’s unusual to see just one baby,” Dunn says. That’s what happens when raptors, which eat cygnets and ducklings, are active in the area.

“In one way, it’s sad,” Dunn says. “But it’s also a sign of a functioning ecosystem.”

Scientific collaboration

In a city with more than 20 lakes, Worcester’s Lakes and Ponds Program has a lot to monitor—a responsibility made challenging by budget and personnel constraints. Jacquelyn Burmeister, the city’s senior environmental analyst, says the solution was to form partnerships with area colleges and universities. “It really takes a village to get this work done,” she said.

Worcester State’s collaboration with the city started in 2018, when the university received a grant from Campus Compact to create a course that incorporated communitybased elements. With that seed money, Dunn and the city’s Department of Public Works and Parks developed a pilot program to look at some preliminary indicators of water quality in Tatnuck Brook.

The city has a strict monitoring program with quality control and quality assurance protocols that require a certain amount of training for all sample takers. Following that training, in fall 2019, students in Dunn’s Hydrology course went to two sites—an upstream site near Camp Kinneywood and a downstream site near the university’s campus—every week to measure water conductivity, which would reveal salt ion levels. The data collected over the course of a year showed that conductivity was significantly higher in the more urbanized area downstream, and the difference was more pronounced in the winter months, leading to the conclusion that road salt appears to be washing into the brook and affecting the water quality.

Tatnuck Brook Watershed

That research proved how vital the university’s contribution to the city could be. In 2022, Reynolds and other Worcester State faculty Diana Sharpe, Dunn, Bill Hansen, and Meghna Dilip spearheaded a project funded by an Aisiku Interdisciplinary Grant from the university’s Imoigele P. Aisiku, M.D., ’92 STEM Center to monitor water quality in

Cook’s Pond, Patch Reservoir, and Coes Reservoir. Every two weeks, from May to November of that year, students took water samples from all three sites to determine temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and levels of phosphorus, nitrates, ammonia, suspended solids, and E. coli

Worcester State was an ideal partner for the city, Burmeister says, partly because of its location in the headwa(Continues next page)

ters of the Tatnuck watershed. Burmeister says that the city knew there were nutrients and pollutants coming from upstream, but it was not able to devote the resources to measuring them. The university’s involvement in the project allowed the city to get data on two lakes—Patch Reservoir and Cook’s Pond—they did not have the resources to monitor themselves.

Urban waterways experience numerous threats, including an excess of nutrients and sediments, industrial contaminants, salt loading, increased temperatures, and invasive species, all of which threaten the native species in the ecosystem and can affect drinking water quality and recreational activities.

Cyanobacteria, a blue-green algae found in most aquatic ecosystems, can, in warm, nutrient-rich lakes and ponds, reproduce rapidly and create blooms that lower oxygen levels in the water, killing fish and other organisms. Extremely large blooms of certain species can release toxins that are harmful to humans and pets.

Another problem occurs when rainwater picks up pollutants, including oil, fertilizers, nitrogen, and phosphorus, from roads and walkways and flows them into waterways, supercharging the growth of harmful bacteria. Rainwater also forces sediment into waterways, making them shallower and creating an opportunity for invasive plants to grow, displacing the native aquatic life.

Dunn says the data they are collecting provides important insights to the scientific community about less studied urban aquatic systems. “These are some of the systems where we’re seeing a lot of changes.” Many lakes and waterways have a lifespan where they evolve slowly from pristine, clear lakes to eutrophic lakes—greener, shallower, and with more plants. This process happens naturally, but in urban areas, humans, cars, and buildings make the process go faster.

Burmeister says one of the city’s goals is to slow down that process. “It’s healthier for recreation, it’s healthier for our wildlife, and it’s ultimately going to allow our lakes to exist for a longer time.”

She says Worcester State has taken their scientific partnership with the city and run with it. “The university has provided an amazing amount to this partnership,” she said, praising the project’s “really excited students who have been a joy to work with.”

“I can’t stress enough how the success of this program is based on the fact that it’s a mutually beneficial project,” Burmeister said. “We’re not just trying to bring on students to do what we want them to do. We are shaping the program to meet both the needs of Worcester State University and the City of Worcester. We’ve gotten better at that through the addition of other projects piggybacking onto the Worcester State projects. There’s data being collected at the water bodies monitored by Worcester State that we’re not even doing as a city at the other water bodies.”

TESTING THE WATERS:

(above)

Professors Laura Reynolds and Allison Dunn demonstrate the use of a water sampler.

OUTDOOR LAB: (opposite page)

Caitlin Dellert ’22 and Zachary Trudell ’24 did research collecting macroinvertebrates in Patch Reservoir while they were students at Worcester State.

In addition to working with Worcester colleges and universities, Burmeister works with community organizations like the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association and the Indian Lake Watershed Association, composed of residents who are passionate about protecting the waterways.

Reynolds regularly attends association meetings, and now several Worcester State students have attended. At these meetings, students hear what residents are experiencing in their watershed and share data gathered at these sites so community members can feel comfortable about the way they interact with their waterways.

“The students get a chance to experience what these different groups in the community care about and what they’re interested in,” Dunn said. “And they also just get to meet a lot of people, which are all positive experiences.”

Community partnership

One of these community members is Elsie Uffelmann, a member of the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association who has been involved in water preservation for more than 40 years.

Growing up, she spent a lot of time on the water. After she graduated college, she wanted to move somewhere new. “I looked at a map and saw a bunch of lakes and colleges,” she said, and decided to move there. That place was Worcester. She has lived here since 1981.

She now lives with her husband in a house near Cook’s Pond. From her deck, she has a front-row view of the pond’s myriad wildlife, including great blue herons, muskrats, beavers, merganser ducks, eagles, geese, bace, wood frogs, and bullfrogs, though there was a period of about 10 years when the frogs disappeared.

“Frogs are like the canary in the coal mine,” she said, “because they’re the first to be affected by pollution.” She remembers when construction on a housing development built in the 1990s started, pouring pollution into the pond. “We didn’t hear frogs after that for 10 years,” she said. Fortunately, they’ve since

—Professor Laura Reynolds “

The fact that we have this natural laboratory right out our back door to do it is amazing. Not every university has that.”

made a comeback. “It’s so nice to hear them again,” she said.

Cook’s Pond is under threat again. Every time it rains, some of the fertilizers people use on their lawns flow into catch basins that drain into Cook’s Pond. The fertilizers nourish the weeds in the pond, and then chemical treatments are needed to kill the weeds, which can give an advantage to algae growth. All these activities can disrupt the chemical balance of a pond.

To combat this, the Tatnuck Watershed Association has organized a speaker series and other educational efforts. One of the things that helps the association educate people is the data that Worcester State is helping to gather.

“Our affiliation with Worcester State is huge,” Uffelmann said. “It’s exciting for us to collaborate with students and help them learn. We have this perfect setup here. We can see how water changes through an urban environment. We are happy to share our resources and happy that Worcester State is willing to share theirs. The data they are gathering help guide our management decisions. Now Worcester State will be sharing information with the Blackstone River Coalition and vice versa. We’re happy that Worcester State reaches out to the community. They are willing to exchange knowledge and not stay in an ivory tower.”

A natural laboratory

While the collaboration between Worcester State and the City of Worcester benefits the community, it has also benefited the university. There’s nothing like field-based learning, Reynolds says. “The fact that we have this natural laboratory right out our back door to do it is amazing,” Reynolds said. “Not every university has that.”

Since 2022, the university has had an agreement with the Greater Worcester Land Trust to use their Patch Reservoir Environmental Field Station on Breeze Drive. In addition to providing easy access to the reservoir, the agreement gives the program a place to store its gear—10 canoes, two kayaks, oars, life jackets, anchors, microscopes, sampling instruments, and a refrigerator for sediment samples. Before the agreement, students and faculty had to schlep their gear from the university to the reservoir.

The students who work on the project gain a deep knowledge of these systems. They get hands-on experience measuring parameters of water quality, working with waders and in foul weather, and applying textbook knowledge to their own landscape. They are trained in modern scientific methods, using real tools that they would be using in jobs. After this experience, many have gotten internships and jobs where they are using those same or similar tools.

While many of the students doing this field work are environmental science majors, some are not. The hands-on scientific experience gives all students, from psychology majors to communication majors, a great introduction to the scientific method and increased scientific literacy.

“Students see these different processes happening all around them,” Reynolds said, “but they might not notice. One of my personal goals is I want students to start being distracted by those things and start noticing them outside the classroom, too.”

Dunn and her students talk about what they expect the water to look like as it flows through an urban area. Then they collect the water samples, test them, and evaluate that against their initial thoughts.

“We can see if our results mesh with our prior thinking, and if they don’t, that’s interesting too,” says Dunn. “I think one of the most important things they can learn is how scientists evaluate conflicting or surprising evidence and then change their view of the system. If they understand that science is this process and not this magical arrival at a hypothesis, it helps them better assess whatever they are reading in the media. They understand it is a process of observing, questioning, measuring, and reassessing. Any major can benefit from that. It’s a process you can apply to life, not just scientific questions.”

worcester.edu/magazine for more photos.

Giving Back

WooServe students roll up their sleeves to help out wherever they are needed in the community. By

Rebecca Cross | PHOTOS BY NANCY SHEEHAN

OVER THE LAST YEAR, MEMBERS of the student club WooServe cheered on runners raising money for multiple sclerosis research, delivered sandwiches to a women’s shelter, and played bingo with residents in an assisted living facility—and that’s just the start. The club organized 20 service projects throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

WooServe’s mission is simple: to give back to the community. The club’s e-board, which for 202324 included Lizbeth Alcantara Ruiz ’24, president; Alexander Lucier ’24, vice president; Zoe Callahan, secretary; and Sophia Magdaleno ’27, next year’s social media manager, planned a variety of events to appeal to a breadth of students.

“At the beginning of the year we spend a lot of time figuring out what the kids this year are passionate about,” says Alcantara Ruiz. “And then we do everything we can to make sure that we offer those events for them.”

“Everybody has different backgrounds and different interests,” Callahan says. “Everybody’s in different clubs and people do sports, and everybody has different majors. So we have different connections.”

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when classes were online, the club’s leadership graduated without having the opportunity to recruit people to take over. In 2021, Alcantara Ruiz and Nicole Penny ’23 worked together to bring the charter back and recruit more members. Alcantara Ruiz is making sure that what happened during the pandemic doesn’t happen again by preparing other students to serve on the e-board.

The organization has been helped by Philip Feinzeig, a retired lawyer who takes classes at Worcester State. When WooServe assembled personal care bags for a shelter, Feinzeig went all over the city and got several different companies to donate. “He comes to everything he possibly can, and he just loves to see everything that we do,” says Lucier.

WooServe student members volunteered at the National MS Society’s 2024 Walk MS at Worcester Technical High School in April. The annual walk raises funds and makes a difference for everyone living with MS. BACK ROW FROM LEFT: Sophia Magdaleno, Alex Lucier and Ryan Gustafson. FRONT ROW FROM LEFT: are Hiba Nazzal, Lizbeth Alcantara, and Megi Kuruni.

It’s an example of what Alcantara Ruiz loves most about WooServe. “It’s the community WooServe brings us,” she says. “We got so many new connections this year just by going out there and helping the people out whenever and wherever they needed us.”

“I love to help others because if I were in that situation, I would want to be helped, too,” Magdaleno says. “The most rewarding part for me is giving back to the community because there’s so many groups and organizations out there that we still don’t know of or haven’t helped.”

Callahan says she loves knowing that she made an impact in at least one person’s life. “Even little things can change the whole aspect of someone’s day,” she says.

Lucier appreciates getting to work with others who are as passionate as he is. “We’re a special group on campus because everybody’s making an effort to be there,” he says.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Brian Skerry ’84, L.H.D. ’21

MAJOR: Communications Media

Photojournalist/Producer

» My time at Worcester State gave me the fundamentals of communications media and the foundations for storytelling. It was a place where I was challenged to think and create and collaborate and dream. My very first film was made at Lake Ellie on the Worcester State campus!

I find inspiration in many places. I am certainly inspired by nature and the almost mystical way everything works. But I am equally inspired by people who desire to learn and do good. We are, of course, part of nature, and human curiosity and creativity can be infectious and inspiring.

I am most passionate about sharing visual stories of the things I have learned through my work as a wildlife photojournalist and film producer. Through decades of exploration, working with scientists and spending time in nature, I have learned that everything is connected. I have also learned that animals and ecosystems are far more complex than most of us think. My passion is to find ways to give our planet a bit of a “reset” and create new lenses for people to see the world and our place within it.

CSM James L. Campbell Jr. ’14, M.Ed.

MAJOR: Business Administration

Gladys Rodriguez-Parker ’84, M.S. ’96

MAJORS: History/Political Science, Human Services Management Retired from Office of Congressman James P. McGovern after 28 years of service

» Worcester State University prepared the daughter of farmers and migrant workers with the skills and knowledge that would take me into powerful spaces. I used those spaces and opportunities to speak loudly, act and help others. I will continue to stay in the arena making “good trouble.”

I’m passionate about the power of education and truly believe that once you obtain it no one can take it away from you. I’m inspired by civic and community engagement as a means for individuals to work together for the betterment of the whole. I have also been inspired by my family and those who paved the way so that I could walk through! I was a single mother of two boys. Worcester State gave me space and a strong foundation and believed in my capacity to move forward. As long as I was willing to put in the work, Worcester State had my back.

State Command Sergeant Major, Senior Enlisted Leader, Massachusetts National Guard

» My passion, especially at this stage of my career, is developing the future leaders of our Army and our communities. Our nation and the world today face a myriad of challenges. We need people ready to respond to those challenges. I want to show the value and importance of service, not just in the armed forces but also in local, state, and federal government and in our communities.

What really motivates me is talking to young service members.

When I hear their stories about why they chose to serve, it drives me to continue to work hard for them. Often, they talk about wanting to give back to the nation, or serve their community, or even carry on a family legacy of service. That’s what keeps me putting the uniform on every day. To make sure they maximize that opportunity.

I actually started at Worcester State in 1982. I was on the 30-year plan! I think what probably helped the most was the way my professors and faculty advisor at Worcester State worked with me when I went back to finish my degree after almost 30 years. I feel that the interaction I had with them helped shape my teaching style when I served as a faculty member at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

Taneisha S. Mings ’13

MAJOR: Communication

NextGen Careers Counselor, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

» As a first-generation student from the island of Barbados, my time at Worcester State University not only marked a significant personal milestone but also served as a profound period of self-discovery and growth. Engaging in student leadership roles pushed me beyond my comfort zone, allowing me to better understand the importance of building relationships, cultural competency, and uncovering a passion for serving others. In the classroom, I acquired invaluable skills that have shaped me into an effective communicator and a holistic thinker.

As a young professional, advocacy is at the heart of my values. Throughout my journey, I have gained invaluable insights into identifying, strengthening, and valuing each person's unique experiences, perspectives, and abilities. My dedication to compassion and a strong work ethic have illuminated the triumphs and challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. I am committed to ensuring that my work promotes equity and leaves a positive impact on the lives of others, regardless of the scale of that impact. In every endeavor, I hope to contribute meaningfully to a world where everyone is empowered to thrive and where the support and care they need are readily accessible and delivered with respect. I am fueled by an unwavering desire to be of service to others.

Recognizing the immense value of human potential, I firmly believe that individuals can achieve their best when encouraged to show up authentically and unapologetically. This belief drives me as I aim to create spaces where those around me feel both empowered and inspired to embrace their full potential and pursue their aspirations with confidence.

Christopher J. Weagle ’07, M.S., Ph.D.

MAJORS: Criminal Justice/History

Captain, Special Operations Division, Massachusetts Department of Correction; Adjunct Faculty, Worcester State, Nichols College, Fisher College

» Our criminal justice system is far from perfect, but it is built on a foundation of fairness and the rule of law dating back to the founding of the U.S. It takes passionate practitioners, researchers, and advocates to work through some of the challenges we face and make improvement for anyone who comes into contact with the justice system. Having a seat at that table, being able to engage stakeholders in dialogue, and coming to mutual agreements on progressing change is always exciting, especially when we can see the fruits of our labors.

Students inspire me to continue my work as a practitioner, and my mentors have inspired me to continue to grow as a person. To know there are other hungry minds also interested in criminal justice and making improvements helps drive me to develop changes that I want the next generation to see through to completion.

I often find myself saying that, even with all of my other education and professional experience, Worcester State University gave me the foundation to think critically, respectfully challenge the process, and innovate ways to improve the criminal justice system. My education at Worcester State helped prepare me not only for my professional career, but my responsibilities as an adult. I was able to attend college and be the first in my family to graduate with a college degree, which inspired my siblings and other family members to do the same. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities Worcester State has provided me with, and I am always trying to give just a little back whenever I can.

It is the people that I have been able to lead that have continued to motivate me. I always find myself questioning if I am good enough or if I am giving enough to the Marines in my charge, because they deserve the best.”

–Kory Fitzpatrick ’16

Mary E. Foley, ’94 M.P.H.

MAJOR: Health Science and Health Education

Health Policy Analyst, Executive Director, Medicaid|Medicare|CHIP Services Dental Association

» When I was a young mother with five children, Worcester State provided the opportunity for me to further my education, maintain employment as a dental hygienist, and be attentive to my family. I met an array of students and faculty, young and old, who would ultimately change the trajectory of my professional pursuits. Because of a recommendation by one of my Worcester State professors, four years later I completed my graduate study, allowing me to shift my efforts from direct patient care to dental public health and health care policy. For over 50 years I have observed firsthand how inequities in access to health care, primarily oral health care, impact wellness and the success of individuals, groups, and communities. Working with the federal government, agencies across the fifty states, and private industry, I have witnessed progress in recent years, but we still have more work to do. I hope to broaden this public-private partnership so that more vulnerable Americans can achieve the health and wellness they are entitled to.

Making the world a better place is what I am most passionate about. That means bringing peace and joy into the lives of all people. In my professional world, this means giving voice to the underserved, the vulnerable, and the weak at heart. It also means identifying where progress may be needed, searching for solutions, holding myself and those in authority accountable, striving for equity, and demanding nothing short of excellence.

Kory Fitzpatrick ’16, M.S.

MAJORS: Sociology, Nonprofit Management Marine Officer Instructor, College of the Holy Cross Officer in Charge of Evacuation Control Center in Afghanistan

» Worcester State gave me the opportunity to learn about myself and the kind of person I wanted to be. I was able to meet people in all stages of their lives from all over the world. Having great classroom discussions and hearing all the different ways things can be interpreted based on everyone’s lives up to that point made me realize that everyone views things differently, and to effectively lead people you have to take all of that into account.

Amy Peterson (Wilfong) ’03

Chief of Staff, City of Worcester, City Manager's Office

» Worcester State changed the way I see the world. The professors challenged me academically and ideologically. I made lifelong friendships, and because of the practical and thoughtful guidance of my academic advisors, I landed a job right out of college that set the table for my career trajectory moving forward.

I aspire to lead with integrity and compassion and without judgment. Municipal government is a calling more than career, where the work you do is in service to others. It is my goal to help my team, my colleagues, and those we serve find smart and reasonable solutions to issues facing our community. What that looks like each day differs but the purpose never changes. I have learned that being an active listener who is adaptable to change is a superpower that, like playing an instrument, only gets better with practice.

It can be hard to not feel the weight and burden of the world’s problems all around us, divided by our differences and by the issues facing our society. However, we are also surrounded by an abundance of grace and generosity, and that is inspiring.

I find strength and hope in the younger generation, our emerging leaders, who are mobilizing efforts, creating art, influencing policy, challenging the status quo, and empowering change and progress, locally, nationally, and globally.

The most important thing in my line of work is the people. The more you foster connections with people and the more you get to know the individuals working for or with you, the better the outcome is. I have had the privilege of working with the finest people that this country has to offer and watching them return to their communities and become pillars after their military service. In the Marine Corps you get to serve the Marines that are subordinate to you. It is the people that I have been able to lead that have continued to motivate me. I always find myself questioning if I am good enough or if I am giving enough to the Marines in my charge, because they deserve the best.

Worcester State professor and clinical audiologist Dr. Keith N. Darrow (left) performs a hearing test with client James Wickes ’00 at the Speech-LanguageHearing Center.

Bridging Communication

Worcester State’s Speech-Language-Hearing Center serves the community with free, expert, compassionate services. By Taryn Plumb ’04

IMAGINE KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY but not being able to communicate it effectively. For those with speech and hearing disorders, it is a frustrating, daily ordeal.

For more than 35 years, the Speech-Language-Hearing Center (SLHC) at Worcester State has helped people across Central Massachusetts bridge communication barriers while also providing a rich training environment for future speech-language pathologists. In 2023, the SLHC provided 1,180 speech, language, or hearing visits to residents of the community.

Working in speech, language, and hearing “takes a compassionate heart, a person who wants to help other people,” said SLHC Director Andrea Quinn. “When you’re able to give someone back their ability

to communicate or help somebody connect with their family when communication is a barrier, that’s completely rewarding.”

An extension of Worcester State’s speech-language pathology program, SLHC offers free services for all ages around receptive and expressive language, augmentative and alternative communication, hearing, fluency, aural rehabilitation, speech sound production, voice and resonance, and cognitive and social aspects of communication. It also has a full-time audiologist who provides free hearing evaluations to anyone in the community.

“The field is very expansive,” said Quinn. “Nobody knows

what a speech-language pathologist does until they need us. We take communication for granted.”

Quinn explained that practitioners at the center may serve children with articulation disorders who can’t produce expected sounds. Or, someone may be on the autism spectrum and can’t communicate in traditional ways, so specialists help them develop verbal or non-verbal methods of interaction. “Sometimes we have to teach our families to not listen with their ears, but listen with their eyes,” said Quinn.

The SLHC also serves a large population experiencing aphasia (loss of ability to understand or express speech, usually caused by damage to the brain) as well as those with Alzheimer’s or people looking to improve their foreign accents or affirm their transgender voices.

Members of the community benefit from support groups, too, including one for aphasia, a disorder that can be a “devastating loss” for people who have communicated verbally their whole lives, Quinn pointed out.

“Our world moves fast,” she said. “A lot of times people feel left out, and so we provide a spot for them to not only work on their conversational skills but feel like they’re part of a group.”

The center benefits from—and also serves as a training ground for—students in Worcester State’s Speech-Language Pathology undergraduate and graduate programs. Students not only study hearing and speech science in the classroom, but provide direct care under the supervision of certified speech-language pathologists.

Graduate student Julienette Rivera ’22 said the clinical setting is the most enjoyable (and also challenging) element, as she can spend time with clients and focus on their unique needs. “It is the person sitting in front of you who trusts you to treat them with the utmost respect and compassion,” she said.

Rivera was inspired to go into speech-language pathology after witnessing her grandfather struggle to speak after emergency open-heart surgery. Her mother fought to get him the help he needed, and he eventually made a full recovery. “I realized I, too, want to fight for people’s rights to have a voice, communicate, and participate in daily functions,” she said.

Laura Lanoue ’21, M.S. ’24, agreed that clinical work allows students to gain a thorough understanding of the field and broad-ranging patient needs across the lifespan. Eventually, she said, she hopes to become a certified brain injury specialist and focus on person-centered care.

“As future SLPs, we are pushed to broaden our perspectives in a variety of areas,” she said. “This is challenging, in a good way, because we are always pushed to be mindful in increasing our perspective to further benefit clients and ourselves as future SLPs and as learners.”

Worcester State Magazine, which debuted in 1980 as The Worcester Statement, is published by University Advancement andtheOfficeofCommunicationsandMarketingtwiceayearfor alumni and friends of the university.

Vice President for University Advancement

Thomas McNamara ’94

Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing

Maureen O. Stokes

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE TEAM

Editor: Deborah Alvarez O’Neil

Consulting Editor: Ross Griffiths

Assistant Editor, Alumni Relations: Andrea Dever

Copy Editor: Rebecca Cross

Art Direction, Design, and Graphics: Complex Stories

Writers: Nancy Sheehan, Rebecca Cross, Paul Davey ’24, Mallory Dupuis ’26, Taryn Plumb ’04

Photographers: Matt Wright ’10, Nancy Sheehan

Cover and Section Illustrations: Davide Bonazzi

Alumni Illustrations: Matthew Cook

Printing: Hannaford and Dumas

Special thanks to the University Advancement team for their extensive editorial assistance,enthusiasm,and collaboration in creating this special edition: Louise Taylor; Suzanne Nebelung,M.Ed.’00;UrsulaArello;BrendaBlood;SusanVigeant ’23;CaitlynCostello’13;ElizabethDoyle;andFeliciaRiffelmacher.

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