SPRING | 2009

MAGAZINE

TechKNOWLEDGEy as an Agent of Change in Learning

A Campus Connected: Technology at Thomas

Thomas Admissions in the Palm of Your Hand SPRING | 2009

THOMAS GIVES BACK FEATURES 6 Volume 7 | Issue 1 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT MAKING A DIFFERENCE Thomas Thomas students volunteer in the MAGAZINE greater Waterville community WE AT THOMAS COLLEGE are sensitive to the current EDITOR-IN-CHIEF economic climate and its impact on our students, alumni, their 7 Katie Greenlaw THOMAS FOCUSES families and our community-at-large. Those of us who teach and ON SUSTAINABILITY MANAGING EDITOR work at Thomas College place the highest priority on the welfare College increases efforts in the Lee Allen area of environmental stewardship of our students. We strive to do what is in our power to help them CONTRIBUTING develop a skill base that will serve them well in their lives and careers. 9 pg. 7 WRITERS LENDING A HELPING HAND We are proud of what we do and we are intensely committed to Lee Allen Thomas Peer Mentors volunteer their Deb Biche its success. services for the Evening Sandwich Program

Jay Brock DEPARTMENTS Thomas is taking responsible measures to trim down our costs, and yet continue to Diana Dority CAMPUS NEWS Cathy Dumont offer the high quality education for which we are known. We will continue our Guaranteed Tom Edwards 38 Juliet Graves ’09 Job Placement program regardless of the state of the economy. We will continue to meet 11 THOMAS ATHLETE FINDS TechKNOWLEDGEy Katie Greenlaw student financial aid needs, as we have in the past. We will continue to exhibit the same NEW CHALLENGE Sherry Pineau pg. 38 AS AN AGENT OF Julia Nyitray ’10 skates in Crashed Ice Krista Specht ’10 high level of care for—and attention to—the students who attend Thomas College. We will Competition CHANGE IN LEARNING Megan Tapley continue to request the support of our generous donors to help us to fulfill our mission. Just as technology is changing the way we communicate, it is also affecting the CONTRIBUTING As an institution, we continually assess ways that we can be more efficient, in terms of 40 way we teach. FREDA STAPLES SMITH PHOTOGRAPHER expenditures, as well as the environment and energy efficiency. The theme of this issue Katie Greenlaw RECEIVES DEGREE AT AGE 85 21 of the Thomas Magazine is technology. We hope that you will enjoy reading about the Smith gives new meaning to the words A CAMPUS CONNECTED: DESIGN “senior class” many ways that the College and our faculty are using technology to enhance our students’ TECHNOLOGY AT THOMAS Mahan Graphics In the technology-rich environment at Bath, Maine academic experience. 42 Thomas, the role of the faculty member MY SEMESTER ABROAD pg. 40 One of the many advantages to being on the leading edge of technology, aside from the is no longer the primary source for sub- PRINTING Krista Specht ’10 reflects on her ject matter information, but instead, the J.S. McCarthy additional learning opportunities it offers, is the impact on spending. By holding classes in semester abroad in Heidelberg, Germany guide for students on how to approach Augusta, Maine problems systematically and how to use virtual classrooms or submitting homework assignments online, printing and paper costs ATHLETICS the information they have critically LETTERS AND NEWS are reduced. This also helps accomplish our goal of being environmentally conscious. and analytically. ITEMS WELCOME 51 The Thomas Magazine is A new section of the Thomas Magazine, headed Thomas Gives Back, includes a report WINTER SEASON REVIEW 27 published two times per year, on the College’s increased focus on sustainability and the new Energy Conservation Men’s basketball clinches #1 position THOMAS ADMISSIONS IN spring and fall, by Thomas in North Atlantic Conference THE PALM OF YOUR HAND College. Signed letters Guidelines. These efforts will help the College to protect the environment, and be even pg. 42 With the technology boom gaining momentum as today’s high school stu- may be sent to the editor, more fiscally responsible. ALUMNI Katie Greenlaw at the dents are nearing college age, a new Thomas Magazine, 180 While the College is well-positioned to thrive in these difficult economic times, we will 58 generation has formed. Colleges that West River Road, Waterville, want to recruit successfully are finding continue to use these methods of assessment to make sure that we maintain our high THOMAS ALUM’S new and creative ways to market to Maine 04901, or e-mailed to these students. [email protected]. Letters quality educational experience for our students. ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT SPELLS SUCCESS and news items may be There are remarkable things happening at Thomas College, as profiled in this magazine. edited for length and style. Todd Smith ’92, M.B.A. ’99 shares the We hope you will read it and take pride in our success. secrets to his successful business record www.thomas.edu 5 THOMAS GIVES BACK PERSPECTIVES This publication is printed on 33 COURSE OVERVIEW 50 percent recycled content. 62 CAMPUS NEWS TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL 36 Greg Savard ’89 shares his perspective 45 FACULTY/STAFF NEWS GEORGE R. SPANN on the impact of technology President 48 ATHLETICS pg. 51 55 CLASS NOTES [email protected] Cover and inset: Christopher Rhoda ’88, M.B.A. ’89: Man of Mystery Cover Illustration by David Perry, Mahan Graphics 58 ALUMNI PROFILE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

editing Thomas Gives Back THE MISSION KATIE IS…WRITING AND EDITING, and writing.” So went my status update on Facebook one day AND VISION FOR ITH HUNDREDS OF THOMAS ALUMNI of our mission: “Thomas College’s mission is to THOMAS COLLEGE as the Thomas Magazine writing deadline loomed near. With in the Waterville area, nearly one thousand students prepare students for success in their personal and posting status updates on social networking sites such as Face- W professional lives, and for leadership and service book and Twitter becoming as essential to the daily routine on campus and more than 150 faculty and staff employed in their communities.” “Those we serve are as say, brushing your teeth, it is no surprise that colleges have by the College it is evident that Thomas College, and the foundation of harnessed this technology to enhance students’ learning its supporters, have a tremendous impact on the local Throughout the years, the Thomas Magazine has included numerous stories of how our students are our future” experiences. community and the State of Maine. According to Thomas College is no exception. There is evidence of President George R. Spann, “The impact of thousands excelling in the classrooms, shining on the sports field this fact throughout this issue of the Thomas Magazine. of Thomas graduates on the regional economy has been, and thriving as graduates in the world of work. With It begins with the recruitment methods used by the Admissions staff (pg. 26) and continues to be, substantial. Our students graduate this issue, we continue to tell these stories of student Thomas College prepares and continues to students creating avatars to hold online meetings with faculty to become business leaders, community volunteers and achievement in an exciting new section called “Thomas students for success in their when meeting in person is not convenient. It even transcends to Thomas alumni mentors of youth.” Gives Back.” personal and professional becoming fans of Thomas College on Facebook to continue their relationship The impact on our community begins long before Community service means giving back to our society with the College after graduation. lives, and for leadership and graduation. Thomas students are genuinely concerned and the people that surround us. This new section high- When I received a friend request from my 84-year-old grandmother, one thing with being advocates for others, doing their part to lights the important volunteer work that Thomas students, service in their communities. became particularly clear to me: people of all ages have hopped on board—or online— improve the lives of the people in their communities faculty, staff and the College as an institution are under- Thomas provides a supportive and embraced technology as an essential part of their lives. And a large part of suc- taking in our local and regional communities. cessfully using technology is just keeping up with the pace. New technology—or and learning about the personal rewards that come learning environment that Because environmental concerns are also TechKNOWLEDGEy, as we have dubbed it in this issue—is infiltrated throughout from lifelong community service. They believe that values the needs and goals the Thomas campus, thanks in large part to Chris Rhoda, Thomas’ vice president their volunteer efforts for various community groups very important to Thomas students and to of individual students. At for Information Services. and charitable organizations can really make a difference. our community-at-large, this section will also highlight environmental efforts on Thomas, students discover I’m confident that you’ll find this “TechKNOWLEDGEy-obsessed” issue enrich- The College administration strongly supports students’ ing. Thomas faculty are blending technology and traditional teaching in surprising participation in community service activities. It’s part campus and in the community. and fulfill their unique ways. For those who are not as well-versed in the world of technology, we’ve potential. Each program at included a glossary of terms (pg. 30) to help you hold your own when a millennial the College promotes profes- co-worker references their latest “tweet” at the water cooler. We’ve also expanded our content with this issue by placing links on the Thomas Magazine Web site sional excellence, informed (www.thomas.edu\alumni\magazine) to let you, our readers, dig a little further by ethics and integrity. into our stories. Thomas aspires to be a As you know, technology is not the only area in which Thomas is at the top of its game. As you’ll read in our expanded Athletics section (pg. 48), head men’s basketball regional leader in business coach T.J. Maines and his roster of stellar athletes have reinvigorated the meaning of and liberal arts education. school spirit at Thomas. We want all Terrier fans to be able to share in the excitement The College is committed felt here on campus, so we’ve included the spring sports schedules. We hope to see to quality teaching and to you at some of our spring contests. Come out and show your Terrier pride! After all, whether you are a graduate, a current or prospective student, a parent, or the application of technology a member of the local community, your affiliation with Thomas is something to be at both the graduate and proud of. undergraduate levels. Thomas We hope that you see the evidence of that throughout the Thomas Magazine. Additionally, if there are topics you would like to know more about, whether Thomas- offers broad opportunities related or in the world of higher education in general, please let us know. We welcome for professional development, letters to the editor as well as guest editorials. We are interested in your opinions and promotes economic and encourage you to share, just as Greg Savard ’89 has in our Perspectives section (pg 62). Your opinion matters to us. prosperity through long-term With that said, “Katie is… hoping you enjoy this issue of the Thomas Magazine.” community partnerships.

KATIE GREENLAW Editor-in-Chief

4 THOMAS MAGAZINE [email protected] SPRING 2009 5 THOMAS GIVES BACK THOMAS GIVES BACK Making a Difference Co-Written by Sherry Pineau and Katie Greenlaw Thomas Focuses on Sustainability

ERVICE IS NOT NEW to the various clubs and organi- schools. First-year student Margo Mackenzie worked with a HOMAS COLLEGE, LIKE MANY INSTITUTIONS, S zations on the Thomas campus. Although a service project local special education class to clean up that school’s grounds. T recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship. Thomas College is not required, most of Thomas’ students who are members The athletic fields are another place where Thomas students The College is increasingly active in various areas of sustainability Energy Conservation Policy: of clubs and organizations volunteer for community service pro- and staff find a way to give back. Cory Worcester ’09 has found efforts. Improvements include increasing insulation throughout jects throughout the year and many participate individually. his role as the seventh grade girls’ basketball and soccer coach campus buildings, employing more efficient heating and cooling It is the policy of Thomas College Last fall, the Criminal Justice Club took part in the area’s at Waterville Junior High School to be a rewarding one. He systems, and using new lower-watt lighting. Across campus, to reduce energy consumption in “Coats for Kids” program and collected 40 coats for children shares this passion for coaching with assistant director of efforts are underway to increase sustainability and monitor our an economical and environmentally in need. The Environmental Awareness Group and T.H.E.S. Admissions, CJ McKenna, who coaches the Waterville Senior impact on the environment. All departments are recycling, the (Thomas’ Drama Group) teamed up to work on High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team along with College is sponsoring annual Earth Day events and students are sound manner. The College is com- Halloween for Hunger where members went trick- Jill Lathan, director of recreation and intramurals, who is getting involved in activities hosted by the student Environmental mitted to developing appropriate or-treating for the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. the Lawrence High School girls’ soccer coach. Awareness Group. guidelines for staff, faculty and The Thomas bookstore also participated in sup- The focus on athletics is also apparent, and rightfully During the summer of 2008, President George Spann porting the homeless shelter by offering a dis- so, with a project of the Student Athletic Advisory formed an ad-hoc Energy Conservation Committee to create students in promoting an count to students, faculty and staff who donated Board (SAAB). The members are sponsoring a free and execute a plan to continually reduce costs associated with institutional goal of com- personal items for those in need. The Education athletic clinic for students in local schools grades 6-8. energy use on the Thomas campus. Committee membership bining increased energy Club hosted a series of Read-A-Thons at the At press time, they are still in the planning stages and consists of representatives from staff, faculty and students. conservation and cost Waterville Public Library to raise funds for are looking forward to the opportunity to work The committee worked together to create the first Thomas the library. with youth athletes. “It’s important to be involved Energy Conservation Policy (see right), Energy Conservation savings with a positive Instructor Dennis Harrington, working with the community and to get the Thomas Guidelines for students, faculty and staff, and is now creating environmental impact. off the theme of this year’s Common Read name out there,” says Matt Peck ’09, SAAB and executing a short- and long-term action plan to educate “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson co-president. “It’s also great for these kids to the community, measure energy use and lower costs. and David Oliver Relin, added a service- be made aware of what Thomas has to offer.” The Energy Conservation Guidelines recommend a variety learning component to his first year semi- Whatever the cause, Thomas students know of energy-saving measures. They include shutting off equipment nar in the fall. At December’s First Year that their community service is important. when not in use, turning off unnecessary lights, keeping windows and outside doors closed during the heating and cooling seasons, Celebration, Harrington recognized his Whether they are involved in fundraising, using energy efficient appliances, recycling and even eliminating students for the effort they put into com- volunteering at the youth center or coaching the use of trays in the dining hall. munity work. Among his six groups, local sports, they know that it is within The Committee, in coordination with the student Environ- Harrington had a group that collected school their power to make a difference. mental Awareness Group, will continue to explore ways that supplies for a local elementary school and three the College can increase sustainability. For more information groups that worked as mentors at other local about the sustainability efforts at Thomas, please visit www.thomas.edu/sustainability. Thomas Turns Grease into “Dough” By Juliet Graves ’09 The most common definition of HOMAS COLLEGE IS MAKING RECYCLING dog and cat food, and the rest is then processed and used as T work for the environment, as well as the budget. The bio diesel fuel. “It’s a clean, trouble-free system,” says Jody sustainability...meeting the needs College’s Dining Services contractor, Sodexo, regularly recycles Pelotte, Thomas’ general manager of Sodexo Dining Services. its used cooking grease, rather than paying for its removal and “And we’re getting paid to do it!” “ of the present generation without disposal. The new arrangement began when Baker Commodities This new system complements the other eco-friendly initia- contacted Sodexo several months ago to propose a unique idea. tives undertaken in the Dining Hall. They include the recycling compromising the ability of future They suggested that Sodexo be paid for their used fryer grease, of paper and cardboard products, and switching the dish room instead of being charged for it. Recognizing this as a win-win sit- chemicals to products that are environmentally safe. generations to meet their own needs. uation for the environment, and a great way to earn some extra Pelotte feels that it is only right to give back what we get “dough” for Thomas, a partnership began. from the earth’s resources, rather than it sitting in a land-fill ” The soy bean-based grease is used in the College kitchen for a unused. “Globally, one-out-of-four arable acres of land are dedi- ~ United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987 week at a time. The grease is filtered between uses, and at the cated to food production,” he explains. “Food production uses end of the week it is placed into a storage bin, which holds about about one-third of all water and 10 to 15 percent of all energy. 200 gallons of grease. Baker Commodities empties the bin four With that in mind, it’s only right that Thomas does our part to times a year. The higher quality grease is used as an additive to make sure our environmental future is as bright as our past.”

6 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 7 THOMAS GIVES BACK THOMAS GIVES BACK

Lending a Helping Hand Student Works with Family Out of the Darkness Thomas Peer Mentors Volunteer Their Services to Give Back to Community for the Evening Sandwich Program By Juliet Graves ’09 Community Walk Fundraiser Held By Sherry Pineau By Juliet Graves ’09 ACHEL LARRABEE The ESP served over 27,000 meals last year, according to R ’13 RECENTLY Poissonnier, and Thomas College students are volunteering to participated in a service pro- help deliver similar numbers this year. Poissonnier said that the ject to help the community ESP is not the only place where he has seen Thomas students of Waterville. Long a passion volunteer. He chuckled as he retold a story about a group of in her family, Rachel joined Thomas students who worked at last year’s central Maine Family with “The Bryant Girls,” Christmas Dinner. One student could not stop talking about a family group who work how excited he was at the chance to help those who needed it. together to make quilts for “You have great students at Thomas,” Poissonnier said. various charitable groups This was the first time Nickie and Amber volunteered for the throughout the area. ESP, and Nickie has already committed to work again this year. Individually, the ladies have

She shared a story about her experiences. While visiting with a Courtesy of Jim Chapman Courtesy of Rachel Larrabee made hundreds of quilts gentleman at the church, she learned that “He had lost his job over the years and collabora- ACH YEAR APPROXIMATELY 32,000 people lose and his house, and his wife had also left him.” She continued, tively they have made dozens of quilts, which they donate Courtesy of Sherry Pineau E their lives to suicide and over 1 million people attempt “He is living in a camper and all he kept talking about was to charity. One of the most recent quilts was donated to the suicides. To combat these alarming statistics, The American “ LOUDY AND COOL” IS WRITTEN in blue ink at that ESP is the only thing he has now. I really feel like I made Waterville Area Hospice in memory of Larrabee’s grand- Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) sponsors an annual the top of the small log book used by volunteers as a C a difference.” mother, Lila Raven Bryant, who passed away in February Out of the Darkness community walk. record of each day’s activities. Perhaps, the weather is there to 2008. As part of Thomas’ ongoing commitment to give back to predict the day’s turnout: 86 meals served to 24 people of all “The Bryant Girls,” made up of Bryant’s daughters, con- the community, several students participated in the local walk ages, including one under the age of 17. Six volunteer names Blood Drives held at Thomas tinue the tradition of quilting in their mother’s honor and in Waterville on October 18. Students from Jim Chapman’s take up the next quarter of the page, followed by the menu Larrabee assists with the efforts on occasion. Bryant started Computer Science classes, along with Psychology Club members, for the day: her quilting hobby to give something back to community joined club sponsor Dale Dickson for the two-hour walk. They • Vegetable/Turkey Soup groups that were helpful to her family. Larrabee and her participated with thousands of others nationwide to raise money • Bologna & Cheese Sandwich family are carrying on that legacy. for AFSP’s vital research and education programs to prevent • Bologna & Lettuce Sandwich According to Larrabee, “My grandmother made quilts for suicide and save lives. • Cream Cheese & Olive Sandwich local charities and organizations throughout her life.” She The students gathered at North Street Park in Waterville • PB & J continued, “The family group consists of my mom, her five that morning, some assisting with the arrangements and others • Assorted Desserts sisters, as well as other grandchildren and my grandmother’s participating in the walk. Teresa (Groth) Rael ’92 was the coor- friends.” One sister is Juanita Reynolds (Thomas class of dinator of the event. Like many others across the nation who The Evening Sandwich Program (ESP) was started by the 1984) of Unity. pledge to support local efforts, Rael has felt first-hand the effects Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville and it provides The Waterville Area Hospice was chosen by the family to that suicide can have on a family. She tragically lost her son to take-out meals for those suffering from hunger in the greater receive this special memorial quilt because of the care they suicide at age 13. Thus, this is an especially important event and Waterville area. The church sponsors the event four evenings provided to Bryant in her last weeks. In December 2008, cause for her. The walk attracted approximately 60 walkers, with each week. Teams of volunteers from other area churches, HE THOMAS COLLEGE PEER ADVISORS Larrabee and “The Bryant Girls” worked with the hospice Thomas students accounting for 20 percent of participants. colleges and the community come to prepare, package and sponsored a blood drive that was held on campus in staff to raffle off the quilt to the public in order to raise The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides serve the food to those in need. T September. It was one of two annual blood drives at the money for the hospice. The raffle was promoted by the opportunities for survivors of suicide loss to get involved Butch Poissonnier, a member of the Waterville Elks Club is College. Each fall, Thomas holds a drive for the Maine Thorndike Press in Waterville. through a wide variety of outreach, advocacy and fundraising in charge of ESP for the day. He flips the log book page to begin Blood Center and in the spring, a second one is held for “My grandmother never solicited recognition for doing programs. “Suicide and mental illness take an enormous toll on a new record and writes “Sunny and Cold” at the top of the the American Red Cross. this, nor do the ladies in the group,” Larrabee said. “I think families, friends and neighbors, leaving communities across the page, hoping for a chance to help many in need. The fall drive was a great day for the Maine Blood ‘The Bryant Girls’ use the quilting as an opportunity to share country devastated by this national health problem,” said AFSP Tonight, the menu includes tuna noodle casserole. “You have Center, located in Bangor. More than 50 students partici- something together and it represents what their Mom was Executive Director, Robert Gebbia. Their research is aimed at to add a little cream of mushroom soup to give it that ‘BAM’!” pated and 35 units of blood were collected. “Today was all about.” improving public understanding of suicide and prevention strate- Poissonnier laughs out loud as he explains to Thomas College a great day for us,” says Melissa Borden, blood donor gies. The organization also provides educational activities to Peer Mentors Nickie DeMerritt and Amber Cochran how they recruiter from the Blood Center. She was extremely increase awareness and to identify the warning signs and psy- will make the dish that will be placed in bags. They will be pleased with the turnout. chiatric illnesses that can lead to suicide. assisting the serving crew that evening.

8 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 9 TechKNOWTechKNOW LEDGEy LEDGEy as an Agent of Change in Learning

BY LEE R. ALLEN

HUMANS HAVE BEEN LEARNING by technology since the days of Plato. Even though Plato believed that new technologies in his day (such as writing) would impede literacy, reading and writing have become central to our culture. We now live in a media-saturated environment Hwhere traditional forms of literacy are being blended, redefined and replaced by dynamically evolving communications technologies that seem to emerge in new forms daily. In 1962, Canadian author and English professor Marshal McLuhan wrote, “Any technology tends to create a new human environment... technologi- cal environments are not merely passive containers of people, but are active processes that reshape people and other technologies alike.”

10 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 11 process and synthesize that knowledge into actionable projects Shirley Blanton, vice president for technology at Mojo Technology has become and tangible results will be far better prepared for the world Interactive, an Internet marketing firm in central Florida, they will enter.” manages a team of nine program developers who are all an integral tool for Emerging technology never seems to stand still and all of “millennials.” In fact, in a company of 30, the average age teaching. Computers in us can easily grow weary of yet another new entry. At the same span at Mojo is 25 to 30. time, student expectations are important, and successful learn- Blanton says that her team is a group who are empowered present day classrooms ing-focused organizations have long known they cannot ignore by technology. They have been technical since their high school these expectations. days. “They love the latest in technology sites, tools, video are as common as According to Christopher Rhoda, vice president for Infor- games like Guitar Hero and any Web 2.0 applications. They the chalkboard of mation Services at Thomas College, there are three important prefer Apple computers over PCs and use chat as their primary areas to focus on for access to technology in higher education. communications tool at work. They do not even start-up classrooms past. They are academic excellence, the business of the institution, Outlook when they get to the office,” she says. and the student living-and-learning experience. According As Blanton works with faculty at the University of Central to Rhoda, “colleges need a vision and a strategic plan for Florida (UCF) in Orlando for job recruitment and intern place- academic technology.” ment, she says many potential employees’ understanding of In higher education, the use of technology can be a major technology is theoretical rather than applied. “Instructors advantage for instructors if they can conquer their fears just expect students to get actual technology experience once by using technology that they (and students) are familiar with they get a job, not in school.” in their everyday lives, such as cell phones, e-mail, Instant According to Blanton, she is working with instructors to McLuhan, whose philosophies about media are well known, EDUCATORS AS AGENTS OF CHANGE Messaging and the Web. describe the company’s workplace needs and pushing them to saw electronic media as a return to older, collective ways of per- Each year the Horizon Advisory Board researches, identifies show technology leadership. She is also encouraging instructors ceiving the world. His “global village” theory posited the ability “The most shocking part of going back to school at this point and ranks key trends affecting the areas of teaching, learning to emphasize e-portfolios so that potential employers can see of electronic media to unify the human race. McLuhan, who in my life (in her 30s) is looking around and realizing that and creative expression. Trends are ranked according to how examples of students’ experiential education. She hopes that died in 1980, did not live to see it, but it would have come as nobody is in the room. The professor is just another open significant an impact they are likely to have on education during instructors will begin to design meaningful learning experiences no surprise to him to witness the merging of text and electronic browser window.” the next five years. In this report, the two technologies placed for students that will integrate technology into their studies. mass media to form the Internet. on the first adoption horizon are student-produced video and Recently, the use of e-portfolios has experienced growth ~ Sharyl Grant Often parents and educators ask the basic questions: Is tech- Graduate student, University of North Carolina, collaboration Web sites (Wikis). They are already in use on in higher education to demonstrate students’ mastery of nology really important in schools and libraries? Does it really CNet News. February, 2008 many college campuses. competency-based curricula. Colleges and universities use make a difference in learning? These questions have been posed e-portfolios to assess academic effectiveness and student since teachers first began using chalkboards, books and tele- While this quote may seem surprising, it is nothing new. It is a TRANSITION TO WORKPLACE learning and to showcase student work. These portfolios are vision in the classroom. Using technology in education is as reminder, however, that just as technology is changing the way The integration of technology into learning during college excellent marketing tools for graduating seniors and are used important today as when the question about it was first asked; we communicate; it is also affecting the way we teach. should ease a student’s path into the workplace. This is true by recruiters, such as Blanton, when looking for graduates as however, it is not technology “itself” that facilitates learning. According to John Martin, writing for the “Edventures in not only in technology-related professions, but in other dis- they enter the job market. Technology” blog, “The 21st century treats knowledge and ciplines as well. However, the higher education community information as currency and those who can effectively acquire, still faces challenges in providing this needed experience.

1976 1979 1982 1983 1985 Thomas College Institutional Conrad Ayotte ’77, Purchased first Original computer CIS/M.B.A. Purchased six H’98 (Chair, video terminal. center built. major started. IBM portable Technology Timeline Thomas College PCs for PC lab. Board of Trustees) Computer Inform- Purchased two was one of the first ation Services (CIS) Macintosh computing students. major started. computers.

Purchased first PC (a Compaq 20 Years portable). of Advancement SPRING 2009 13 Service, Analytical Reasoning, and Community and Interpersonal discoveries with other users. This process is referred to as a Relations. This provides students a unique opportunity to share mashup—using multiple technologies and resources to create their educational experiences at Thomas and to demonstrate to a single integrated project. educators, parents and future employers what was learned. How are colleges and universities capitalizing on students’ experiences and readiness with technology into learning and HOW ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY the curriculum? Many college instructors are using a variety IN EDUCATION IMPACTS of pedagogical methods to reach students “where they’re at”. STUDENT LEARNING From Thomas, to Penn State University, to Harvard, instruc- While sometimes controversial, we are all aware that today’s tors use podcasts in various academic areas including science, students have embraced social networking Web sites like English literature and media classes. Many libraries, including Facebook and MySpace for their personal communications and Thomas, are not just a place for students and faculty to perform sometimes for educational use. After all, today’s students are research and check out materials, but are becoming “interactive part of the “Millennial Generation.” Born between 1980 and portals” with designated learning centers for technology use. 2000, their most influential years have been the mid-90s and Library staff are producing blogs to keep students, faculty and 2000s. Many of them are just entering the workforce today. parents abreast of their activities and how they are meeting For years, students have created popular Web content, from students’ academic needs. personal home pages to online movie and book reviews for For example, the Penn State library created a Web site for their creative expression. This has led to millions of pages a user-tagged system for library content. Termed PennTags, created by students and instructors. The decades-long successes a search might turn up publications as diverse as “Citizen Kane: of discussion groups and e-mail have been incorporated into One of the Greatest Films of all Time?” to “Chicago’s New classroom lessons. African-Americans: Modernity and Black Urban Life.” Harvard’s

Courtesy Andergassen/Himps According to Neil Howe and William Strauss in “Millennials H20 Playlist allows students to create, maintain and share Rising” (Vintage Books, 2000), millenials are “the first gener- playlists of classroom assigned readings for others on various Featured materials in e-portfolios come from class projects, ation to grow up surrounded by digital media.” topics of intellectual interest. They create profiles on a blog and campus activities and work experiences. Because they come These students have embraced and mastered new technologies are able to exchange useful links to readings and information in an electronic format, a variety of digital files can be stored in their everyday lives that many adults hardly know how both online and offline for others. in student portfolios. From essays, spreadsheets and What students to manipulate, much less understand. Text messaging, gaming, How do instructors cut through the Web noise to bring PowerPoint® documents to video, photo and music files— wireless Internet and phones, and touch screens are a few real technology into the classroom? What are the new trends the portfolio accommodates them all. Students also create do in a classroom examples. These technologies have a natural place in communi- in technology for use in higher education? Web-styled versions. cation between instructors and students, and for classroom One problem with the Web is that it is too darned big! One At Thomas, a national leader in the use of e-portfolios, is what they learn. applications the examples are never-ending. Let’s explore a few. can spend all day online researching, surfing for fresh headlines, student portfolios that are well organized and professionally Blending of technologies has allowed students to produce or reviewing content on favorite sites. Today, we can gather new presented are featured on the College Web site (go to the vast numbers of lessons that include multimedia presentations content on Web sites, blogs, or podcasts through Real Simple Thomas Magazine Web site for a link to view some examples). using PowerPoint®, photos from Web 2.0 social image sites Syndication (RSS). These “feeds” are indicated by an orange The requisite is that students meet proficiency in the four ~ John“ Dewey, American philosopher, such as Flickr, and tagging from sites like Delicious (formerly radar-looking symbol that you can click to subscribe to your Core Competencies of Communication, Leadership and psychologist and educational reformer. del.icio.us), which allows users to share their Web bookmark favorite sites and be automatically notified electronically when

1987 1988 1990 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Purchased 16 PCs First local area Purchased seven ”Wired all dormitory Added network capability to Added video conferencing All faculty offices, student New phone system pur- and printers network (LAN) terminal servers. rooms with voice, GPH dormitory room. capabilities over Internet. labs and the majority chased to handle student for PC lab. is created. data and video lines of staff offices became dorm calls and for Y2K First building-wide connected to the Purchased 20 PCs for first PC-based. compliance. LAN created. Internet. PC and homework labs. Started implementing Two new computer- Windows terminals related majors are instead of desktop. created: Computer Management and Software Development.

14 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 15 Incoporating technology, such as Second Life® into the curriculum allows instructors to teach students of the millenial generation in a way that is interesting to them.

new content is available. Thus, we have taken content from Launched in 2003, SL has won public attention through its a “pull technology” (request from receiver) to a “push innovative combination of user-generated content and its ease technology” (originates from publisher). of use. This includes the creation of avatars, or graphically- According to Bryan Alexander, from the National Institute represented alter personalities (see glossary for more), who are for Technology and Liberal Education, on the status of Web residents of a 3D world and who live, work and interact with 2.0, “Now that we are into the second decade of the Web and others through chats and online meetings in communities that the Internet’s second generation, we have seen a wide range of students have created themselves. Alexander continues, “Networked computing has proven… practices emerge for teaching and learning with technology.” GAMING IN EDUCATION Alexander writes, “Web 2.0 technologies have enabled to be a social enabler. In education, this social nature has been Consider Plato’s observation. “You can discover more about Video games traditionally have been different discussion forms [to take place], such as distributed one of the major virtues of digital technologies…e-mail, Instant a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” viewed as enemies rather than allies conversations (blogs), collaborative conversations embedded Messenger, groupware, and learning management systems According to Chris Rhoda, “Video games are regarded by some within documents (Wikis), and threads attached to ‘social (Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai) have supported conversations as time-wasters, requiring little intellectual capacity. However, in the educational process. Many objects’ (Flickr).” among students both geographically, co-present and dispersed.” “ research reveals that educational gaming not only offers mean- educators have questioned: What “These conversations have sometimes been distinguished So, the Web has linked people from the beginning and ingful and challenging learning environments, but also quite good can come from students sitting by…asynchronous (discussion boards, blogs) versus synchro- restored some of the Internet’s original intention. Even more effectively aids in the development of cognitive skills and engag- ® nous (chat, Second Life , Instant Messenger). Discussions in recently, the rise of online gaming has returned the social nature ing experimental learning opportunities.” and banging away at gaming consoles both forms have connected members of a class to each other, of computing to popular heights. Gaming in education; now Some of the research has been conducted by the University for hours? One barrier is that often- students to instructors and students with learners elsewhere.” there is a topic for discussion! of Central Florida, where Blanton recruits students, and they Virtual environments inhabited by multiple users are increas- concluded that immersive educational video games can improve times, instructors do not understand ingly of educational interest. Among the most popular, and in students’ math skills and comprehension and raise scores on ® gaming themselves. use on many campuses including Thomas, is Second Life (SL). district-wide benchmark exams. ”~Paul Korzeniowski, TechNewsWorld 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Administrative information Streaming audio/video Wireless network added to Internet access upgraded Blackboard added as learning All 15-inch monitors replaced with Phone and voice mail systems system converted to Web- capabilities added. academic, administrative and to a much faster connection. management system (LMS). 17-inch monitors across campus. upgraded to support links to based system from VAX general student areas. e-mail/web/IP phones. COBOL system. Campus card system New door access card system Admissions began using IM Computer workstations were integrated added to bring picture Portable wireless computer added for GPH halls. and individual marketing into the library and IT services. Added data/voice/video systems All dorm rooms provided IDs in-house. cart added. plans (IMAPs). to new Harold Alfond Athletic phone numbers, voice-mail, Laptop, digital music and cell phone Center. computer connections and Wireless network added Increased IT focus by Software upgrades included discount purchase plans were created cable TV for one low fee. to classrooms. adding LCD projectors, Windows XP, Windows 2003 for students. TV/DVD/VCRs and and Office 2003. Added data/voice/video laptops to all classrooms. systems to new Auditorium.

16 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 17 According to the 2008 study, which was conducted in the them for their career or advanced studies. It is important that Orange County, Fla. school district over an 18-week period, college faculties test new technologies in their courses in order students playing the educational video games demonstrated to help prepare students for their futures. Technology is con- higher gains on district benchmark algebra exams than students You can discover more stantly changing and providing new ways to learn, teach, not playing the games. On average, students in the experimental communicate and interact. group made gains of 8.07 points (out of 25), while students in about a person According to Rhoda, “Technology costs money and faculty the control group made gains of 3.74 points. members can receive grants for using technology in the class- “These research results are remarkable and support previous in an hour of play than in room and developing new learning technologies. This is fine on studies which have concluded that interactive games are more the department level, but for a university to implement learning effective on learner’s cognitive gains than traditional classroom a year of conversation. technology on a massive scale is much more difficult.” instruction alone,” said Ntiedo Etuk, co-founder of an educa- ~ Plato In 2008, Hewlett Packard invested more than $12 million in tional video game series used in the study. “We are teaching a “ higher education institutions for technology development as part new generation of students, which requires unconventional of the HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative. The com- teaching strategies be put into practice in the classroom. And pany made this investment to support its belief that teaching when schools use our games, the student benefits speak for Courtesy of Gus Ruelas excellence, combined with the right technologies, has a positive Nicholas DePalmer celebrates after a win. themselves—a greater desire to learn and higher test scores.” impact on student achievement. This initiative encompasses a Robert Krakoff, president of Razer, the leading manufacturer According to DePalmer, many professional gamers are in total investment of nearly $60 million since 2004, impacting of high-end precision gaming peripherals, can also attest to this school or have jobs and cannot afford to dedicate themselves over one thousand educational institutions in 41 countries. fact. “There are four areas in which computer gaming helps to to professional gaming full time. Besides providing adequate funding, perhaps the greatest expand minds: (1) abstract reasoning, (2) problem solving, (3) ” DePalmer says that there is money to be made for the dedi- strategy that institutions of higher education can undertake pattern recognition, and (4) spatial logic.” cated and more emotionally mature and business-oriented player. is to develop a visionary long-range academic plan to manage Krakoff explains that games engage the full range of sensory He should know; he has earned over $250,000 as a gamer. the effective use of technology in the curriculum. Having buy- and motor cortices of the brain. No other pop culture form He said, “I initially approached my gaming career as a business in from faculty, staff and students is necessary for this success. directly engages the brain’s decision-making apparatus in the venture and was focused on my goals much the same as a busi- Thomas College has begun this process. same way. He says, “Almost all other forms of entertainment ness person or small business owner is focused.” He continued, Today, with digital networks in place, numerous social media are passive in direct comparison to games. While other cultures “Setting objectives, practicing, traveling, self-promotion and sites at their disposal, and pervasive mobile technology available, can be immersive, they do not require the decision-making and competition are the goals. Not being afraid to lose and seeking students are already engaged in participatory, hyper-linked, problem-solving interactions of games.” the highest level of competition has had a lot to do with my collaborative, open-ended (and, yes, unpredictable) communica- Krakoff believes that it is important to carry this positive success.” DePalmer is proof that gaming is more than the often tion in their daily lives. Can it be that harnessing this technology message to non-gamers (parents and educators). “Most of them perceived time-waster. for education will accelerate the pace of their learning? Can are unaware or are either cautiously concerned or hoping that So, what relevance does this have for higher education? educators provide new directions for relevant and creative nar- gamers will outgrow this phase,” he says. Through the previous examples of research studies and work- ratives to flow? Will re-thinking university teaching practices to Fortunately, some do not outgrow it. Such is the case with place experiences, it is incumbent on instructors to assist better integrate technology assist student achievement? Some Thomas alumnus Nicholas DePalmer ’07, who works with students in acquiring strong information fluency skills and examples presented here may assist in taking learning further Krakoff. DePalmer, who received his B.S. degree in Computer discipline-specific technology competencies that will prepare in that direction. Information Systems started at Razer as an intern, and is now Courtesy of Nicholas DePalmer employed full-time as a professional gamer. Nicholas DePalmer ’07

2006 2007 2008 2009

VoIP phones installed to replace digital phones. Analog phone lines removed from resident hall rooms Energy saved by replacing Video-over-IP service called Moodle replaces due to student preference for cell phones. traditional servers with blade ThomasTV introduced with Blackboard as Learning Windows-based smart phones added to sync servers and network storage. three “channels.” Management System. e-mail, calendar and contacts. Office Communications Server used campus wide. Power over Ethernet (PoE) Internet-based phone system Added Windows Live@EDU for alumni e-mail. Live Meeting Server introduced for technology introduced to starts to replace traditional online/blended classes. entire campus. switchboard system.

Software upgrades included Windows Vista, Windows 2008, IPv6 and CRT monitors replaced OS X 10.4, and Office 2007. new technology-based science with flat panels to reduce lab added to campus. energy use. Added cart of 18 MacBooks for education classes.

18 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 19 A Campus TECHNOLOGY AT THOMAS Connected

BY TOM EDWARDS

A FIRST-YEAR ACCOUNTING STUDENT in Stephen Turner’s quantitative literacy course plots data points on a graph and identifies a break-even point related to gas prices and commuting distances. He downloads his information from the Web, graphs it in

Excel and prepares his PowerPoint® for a presentation to the class. Next door, a student bends over Aher dissection project in Dr. Dale Dickson’s Physiological Psychology class, peering carefully into the sheep’s brain as she attempts to identify the optical nerve. When she looks up, the microscope from her lab partner is projected on the classroom screen. On one open window of her laptop she jots down her notes. On the other, she looks at the same dissection project outlined on a Web site.

20 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 21 Down the hall, Dr. John Joseph explains “return on invest- work together. Creating robots out of the kits requires students ment” while his students go online to research delivery prices to think about what they want their robots to do, and then and calculate BTUs for various energy sources. Their analysis to design it using the resources at hand in the most effective of electrical consumption gets factored into formulas that drive manner. their recommendations for new lighting on the Thomas campus And down in North Carolina, Professor Kjrsten Keane finish- that will increase the quality of the light in classrooms and the es up her online office hours for her graduate class in education. gym, and drive down the cost of energy. Everyone in class, from Benton to Waterville to Winslow to In their upstairs classroom, far away from the paper-based Augusta, has had a chance to answer her questions, chat with Faculty member card catalogs that once were the center of any academic library, the others in class, and get their essays returned, all without Nancy Henry’s students in Greg King’s Research Methods course scroll leaving home. through hundreds of online databases. They find a full-text Welcome to the college of the 21st century. avatar is a article for their essay, download it into their research files, and The pace of change brought by technology in education is representation of quote from it as they complete their project. When they submit fast, and the impact pervasive. When you talk about technology their work to the professor online, Professor King runs their and education, it’s important to recognize that the fundamental her “inner self”, essay through a national database of similar writing, and uses nature of teaching and learning hasn’t changed—but how we a child of the 70s. the color coded results to highlight where they are using go about it has. their research most effectively. One important difference lies in access to information for A few yards away in a classroom across the hall, students in learning. Information used to be fixed in a physical form and Professor Tom Easton’s Introduction to Systems Engineering in a physical location. Books (and, hence, large college libraries) class are building robots using Lego NXT kits purchased by the were key because that’s where the information was. Faculty College as a way to demonstrate how software and hardware used the resources for research, and hopefully, to create new knowledge; and students needed access to this information to Courtesy of Nancy Henry Courtesy of Nancy help inform them about the world beyond their classroom, and their professors. So, if books were the window to the world, then the more expansive your library collection, the larger the around the room, giving encouragement, pointing out next picture window! But now the Web, and other new technologies, steps, his students are engaged and eager. “The emphasis is on have changed all that—the question now is no longer “How do learning. They need to be able to work with all this world has I get the information I need?” but rather, “What do I do with to offer,” he says. the information I have?” The technology doesn’t replace teaching, however. The This kind of access to information has profound effects on relationship between a faculty member and the students is still how we teach. In this technology-rich environment, the role of the fundamental piece of the equation. The technology makes the faculty member is no longer the primary source for subject it easier to communicate and gives us more to work with. The question now is matter information; but instead, the guide for students on how For Greg King, this means students in his Sports to approach problems systematically; how to use the information Management class e-mail their assignments to him and he no longer “How do I get they have critically and analytically. responds to them online. For Dickson, the tools for his labs “I wanted a course for students that challenged them to take make the face-to-face encounters in the lab richer and more the information I need?” all the data that surrounds them on a daily basis, and to make it engaging. work for them,” observes Dr. Stephen Turner, as he explains a For Nancy Henry’s classes in popular culture and communi- but rather, “What do I do with new course that is now required of most students at Thomas. cations, students review video clips she has embedded in ® the information I have?” “I want to make our students informed citizens of our com- PowerPoint presentations. Henry uses YouTube to post “ munity. We need good answers for the problems that affect videos of topics in popular culture and of her students’ work us—environmental, economic and social problems. Technology in her classes. She uses Delicious.com to store and manage is the tool we can use, and I want our students to be able to links to articles that her students might be interested in reading use it.” or may be part of her assigned reading. She and her students’ Enter Dr. Turner’s classroom computer lab. You’ll see stu- avatars occasionally meet in an “office” in Second Life® (an dents working in pairs, or in groups, finding the data, drawing online virtual world) to discuss questions about a course. up the formulas and producing the results. There is no textbook Wordpress.com (a free blog site) enables her to set up a in this class: “All my materials are stored online. Students can different blog for each of her classes and organize the infor- Thomas students in Dr. Joseph Scozzafava’s class use technology to guide them access them anytime, anywhere,” he notes. And as he walks mation she wants to share with her students. through a dissection project. ”

22 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 23 As a Matter OF FACT 90 Percent of college students in the United States who say WiFi access is as essential to education as classrooms Technology doesn’t and computers (1) replace critical thinking, 100 if anything, it makes it Percent of Thomas campus that has more challenging. WiFi access “ 63 Percent of American college students who own a laptop computer (2)

74 Percent of Thomas resident population who own a laptop computer (3) The teaching continues in collaborative form between stu- “The library is still one of the central learning places on any dents and faculty on Learning Management Systems like college campus, but its” role now is more what we’d call social 93 Blackboard (above) and Moodle (see glossary), which are in and interactive learning,” says Rhoda. Where there once were Percent of American college students wide use on the campus. These tools allow faculty and students stacks, you’ll now find rows of computer terminals. Online who own a cell/mobile phone (2) to form group discussions boards, share documents and links, databases now provide students with access to thousands of hold live chats, send group e-mails and more. resources that once were inaccessible to all but a few select This software is particularly essential in the Maine winter and libraries. “Students come here to work on projects and to be 90 especially with the graduate program, which includes students engaged with others while they learn,” says Rhoda. “But the Percent of Thomas resident population traveling from all over the region. “Hi all. I am moving our class information isn’t physically located here the way it once was. who own a cell/mobile phone online tonight. I will post all of my notes on Blackboard and We’re still the central access point, so in that sense, we still pro- set up discussion boards for you to ponder,” writes graduate vide a very traditional function for students and faculty alike.” program instructor John Kenneally in an e-mail to his class after The mission of Thomas is to prepare students for success in 150 million Number of active Facebook one particularly large winter storm. Moving the class online their personal and professional lives. Technology is the key to users worldwide (4) enables them to break down physical barriers and add enriched that success. Thomas students who return from their internships content to the class discussion. often relate how technology impacts their placements. The technology brings more into the classroom environ- Accounting students have software to master. Marketing stu- 550+ ment than ever before, and the challenge for students is how dents need to produce high-quality publications. Our elemen- Number of fans of Thomas College to organize and assess the information they have available. tary education students head into the classroom and students on Facebook. Become a fan! “Technology doesn’t replace critical thinking,” are working on smartboards. Our academic program has to points out King. “If anything, it makes adequately prepare students for the workplace. it more challenging. Students have So what does all this mean for teaching and learning? Today’s more information and more material college students are highly connected and rely more on tech- than ever to consider.” nology than any other college generation before them. But, (1) WiFi Alliance and Wakefield Research Survey Nowhere is this difference more pro- even with technology readily at their disposal, for students at conducted September 2008 found than in the transformation of the Thomas, education still revolves around key relationships that (2) Harris Interactive Study conducted August 2007. college library. “Libraries used to be where are built between faculty and students. (3) Information Services Student Survey Fall 2008. you stored the information you needed,” (4) http://blog.facebook.com points out Chris Rhoda, vice president for Thomas Edwards is the vice president for Academic Affairs at Thomas College. Information Services, who oversees library and Visit www.thomas.edu\alumni\magazine for links to these and other surveys. technology resources at Thomas.

24 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 25 Thomas Admissions in the Palm of Your Hand

BY MEGAN TAPLEY

“WITH AND FOR, NOT AT OR TO.” Seth Godin, bestselling author and creator of the popular marketing blog, creatively titled Seth Godin’s Blog, has redefined the rules of recruitment. With the technology boom gaining momentum as today’s high school students are nearing college age, a new generation—known as “the millennials”— Whas formed. These students grew up in a rapidly advancing technological environment; to put it lightly, they are tech savvy.

26 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 27 Channeling Technology The main lobby of The Admissions staff members are continually refining marketing tools College Week Live to reach potential students in order to better communicate with them is where students and understand their needs. They have created individualized market- launch their virtual ing enrollment plans that facilitate personal relationships and are college tours and using online communications as a major tool in this strategy.

begin the process • Because prospective students are “always connected,” of interacting with Instant Messaging (IM) is an important source of direct communication. Admissions counselors can now reach students and staff out to students in various ways while they are online. from colleges • The College Intranet provides a better way to track around the world. information requests. For example, Admissions staff can follow if a student has visited campus, if they have an interest in a particular sport or if they are a first genera- tion student and may need extra advice about the admissions process. They can also learn how a student According to a survey conducted by the Wireless Trade The Admissions staff has created a presence on popular web- found out about Thomas, so that they can better target Association and Harris Interactive, four out of every five sites such as Facebook.com and Blogger.com in an attempt to those sources in the future. teenagers carry a cell phone, a statistic that is up from 40 reach more prospective students (see facing page). percent of teens owning one in 2004. Almost one in three These are very effective tools, but the Admissions staff is not • Using the Thomas 24-hour Extranet Web-based service, teenagers is browsing the Web using their phone. Nine out of leaving any stone—virtual, or otherwise—unturned in their prospective students can track their applications process, every ten college-bound students visit social networking sites, efforts to reach as many prospective students as possible. learn more about academic programs and even accept such as Facebook. In fact, teens spend, on average, nine hours Recently, Thomas participated in a virtual college fair in an their financial aid award online. per week on these sites, compared to 10 hours watching tele- effort to reach out to students across the country and inter- • The Admissions staff has created a blog for prospective vision. Many are also using the Web and their cell phones to nationally. Admissions worked with CollegeWeekLive, hosted by students. It allows them to learn more about the admis- explore college options. Technology is making it easier and a Boston company, to build a virtual booth that showcased video sions process, get advice on writing a college essay, cheaper for high school students to learn more about the about the campus, allowed for live chats with students, offered read about the importance of a college visit, and view schools they are interested in. links to various areas of the Thomas Web site and presented pictures of various fun campus activities. Originally, the Internet (Web 1.0) was an exciting way to opportunities for staff members to work the booth virtually. Student blogs have also been launched and linked enhance a college’s major recruitment activities of traditional (Continued on pg. 30) to the Admissions page so that prospective students college fairs, high school visits and direct mail. But with tech- have the opportunity to hear directly from a student nology now in the hands of students, these traditional methods experiencing Thomas first-hand. Visit www.thomas.edu are not as exciting for the millennials. Web 1.0 was a monologue /alumni/magazine for links to these blogs. at its users. Web 2.0 provides an instant dialogue that creates authentic, vibrant conversations with and for its users. Technology has drastically • Current students are encouraged to use Twitter, a free There certainly has been a paradigm shift. The Internet has altered the college social networking and micro-blogging site that allows now become the most effective way for colleges to market to users to stay connected through short updates on their this generation. And in understanding Seth Godin’s message, search process. activities or whereabouts on campus. The goal is for the Admissions Office at Thomas College has modified its prospective students to follow Twitter accounts to get a recruitment efforts to attract this new generation of millennials. Colleges that want to recruit better understanding of what it’s like to be on campus. Vice President for Enrollment Management, Rob Callahan The Admissions Office work-study students “tweet” encourages Thomas’ expanded efforts in using technology. successfully are quickly finding with updates of their daily lives at Thomas. For exam- “Technology has drastically altered the college search process,” “ ple, a tweet might go like this: “John Michael here: he says. “Colleges that want to recruit successfully are quickly new and creative ways to market the egg chef on campus is epic :-) Every morning he finding new and creative ways to market to the millennial gen- knows my breakfast order (2 eggs over hard), but I eration. The development of personalized customer relationship to the millennial generation. only ordered one today... tricky!” strategies and strong one-to-one marketing will be paramount • Prospective students can also become a friend of ~ Rob Callahan to our continued success.” Thomas on MySpace, a fan of Thomas on Facebook and follow the Thomas College Admissions YouTube 28 THOMAS MAGAZINE ” channel. Live chat hours were set up and the staff interacted with Collaboration Webs: virtual collaborations between Hulu.com, TV.com: Web sites that offer commercial- students from as close as Windham, Maine and as far away as A Glossary of online users using the Internet. This can include social supported streaming video of TV shows and movies India. The Thomas booth was featured in an ABC News report networking tools, web applications and collaborative from many networks and studios. on CollegeWeekLive (go to www.thomas.edu and click on “TechKNOWlogical” workspaces. Thomas in the News to see the segment). The feedback Terms and Web sites Internet: a global network of interconnected com- received from booth visitors was positive and the Admissions Data Mashup: a Web application that combines data puters, enabling users to share information along staff was pleased to note that an application has already been from more than one source into a single integrated tool. multiple channels. received from a CollegeWeekLive visitor. DISCLAIMER: this list is by no means a compre- hensive list. In fact, in the time it takes for you to While the social networking additions to the recruiting plan Delicious.com (formerly del.icio.us): a social bookmark- Intranet: a private computer network that uses Internet read it, millions of new Web pages, mobile applica- are vital to helping create relationships with prospective stu- ing Web service for storing, sharing and discovering Web technologies to securely share any part of an organiza- tions and new technologies will be created! For dents, it is also important that the Thomas Web site has all the sites tagged and bookmarked by others. tion’s information or operational systems with its internal more information on the terms below visit relevant information students need. Over time, the College users, such as employees, students or others. thomas.edu/alumni/magazine. has found “ghost applicants” who do not request information Digg.com: a social news Web site for people to discover directly from Thomas or engage in any recruitment activities and share content from anywhere on the Internet by Instant Messaging (IM): a form of real-time com- a 3D Avatar chat has all the same fea- prior to applying. They have received no admissions informa- 3D Chats: submitting links and stories. Users can vote stories up munication, based on typed text, between two people tures as traditional chat rooms, but in a virtual tion and have not had an opportunity to form any kind of or down, called “digging” and “burying”. connected over a network such as the Internet. Familiar world such as Second Life®. (See Avatars) relationship with a college representative. One can only guess services include Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant that they heard about Thomas through the Web site or by Extranet: a private network that uses Internet tech- Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows any software tool that functions and is word of mouth. Apps: nologies and an organization’s network to securely share Communicator. As a result, Admissions has redesigned the home page on operated by a computer or mobile phone device parts of its information or operations with suppliers, ven- to support and improve the user’s work. For a the Thomas site to be more easily navigated and student- dors, partners, customers or other businesses. Learning Management Systems (LMS): software list of the top 100 Web apps in 2008 go to the friendly. They have added a “CheckMeOut” video series for delivering, tracking and managing training. Thomas Magazine Web site (see above) and click featuring current students. These short clips show various Facebook.com: a social networking site that was creat- Frequently used in educational settings, applications for on the link “Top Web Apps.” campus landscapes and contain information about academic ed in February 2004. People of all ages—grandparents, students include discussion boards, assignment dropbox- majors and student club opportunities. The videos are non- parents and children—use Facebook in more than 35 es (file uploaders), e-mail and assessment tools. a computer user’s representation of scripted and are a great way for students to start a virtual Avatars: different languages and 170 countries and territories.(2) Common examples are Blackboard and Moodle. relationship with a member of the Thomas community. himself/herself or alter ego (See cover). Used in computer games or online forums, the To better feature the campus to online visitors, the virtual Flickr.com: an image and video hosting Web site. LinkedIn.com: a business-oriented social networking representation can be a picture (two dimensional) tour also shows all aspects that factor into a high school stu- Users share personal photos and videos and it is used site launched in May 2003, mainly used for professional or a three-dimensional image. dent’s decision making process. Academics, athletics, campus by many bloggers as a photo repository. networking. As of October 2008, it had more than 30 life, and the surrounding Waterville and Maine area are now million registered users spanning 150 industries. a fee-based educational platform showcased in a narrated slideshow. Blackboard: Folksonomy: (also known as collaborative tagging, that enables schools and universities to host their The Admissions Office plans to continue the use of tech- social classification, social indexing and social tagging) Loopt.com: a mobile application that gives users the classes on the Web. It is designed to enable educa- nology to create relationships with students and to showcase is the practice and method of creating and managing ability to detect locations of other mobile users through tional innovations by connecting people and tech- the campus community. Numerous video projects will launch tags to annotate and categorize content. maps and global positioning. Through a query system, nology. soon and personalized interactive Web pages are currently Loopt detects businesses and makes suggestions based being constructed. The need to stay up with the technological Gaming: is the activity of playing games (any of a on your interests or specific queries (food, movies and a Web site, usually maintained by an individ- times is one that is always at the forefront of recruitment Blog: number of structured activities, including board games, bowling for example) and can additionally provide user ual with regular entries of commentary, descrip- planning. role-playing games and video games). reviews. Perhaps one of the greatest future obstacles will be predict- tions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. A popular blogging Web site is ing what is next. The next generation of students is the first Glogster.com (Glog): an online poster Web site. Its Metadata: is used to facilitate the understanding, blogger.com. to have grown up in a mobile world. The tools of recruitment tag line is “poster yourself.” Users can combine text, characteristics and management usage of data on the are rapidly changing and entire mobility will be the next hurdle pictures, graphics, video and audio to create an inter- Internet. Examples of metadata regarding a book would a Web site that gathers video from all over college admissions offices will have to face. Web 3.0 will be just Boxee: active online poster that can be embedded into a wiki, be the author, publisher, ISBN number or other data. as challenging as Web 2.0 for the Thomas Admissions Office, the Web (Hulu, YouTube, CNN.com and many blog or Web site. others) and puts it in an easy-to-use interface that but it will be even more engaging in helping the College build Millennial: a person of the millenial generation was can be accessed via computer or TV. It creates a relationships with the next generation of Thomas alumni. Google Reader: a Web-based aggregator that constant- born between 1980 and 2000. They are the first gener- programming-like guide for Internet video rather ly checks for a user’s favorite news sites and blogs for ation to grow up surrounded by digital media. than having to search individual sites. It can also Megan Tapley is the former assistant director for undergraduate admissions. new, updated content. It can read RSS feeds online or organize video, images and music stored on a hard offline (See Real Simple Syndication). For links to the studies cited in this article, please visit: www.thomas.edu/ drive. alumni/magazine.

30 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 31 Mobile Learning (or mLearning): related to e- Social Networking: a social structure where individuals COURSE SPOTLIGHT learning and distance education, it focuses on learning or organizations share information in an online across contexts and learning with mobile devices. One environment. The most popular social networking sites definition of mobile learning is: learning that happens are Facebook and MySpace. across locations, or that takes advantage of learning Trends in Curriculum Development opportunities offered by portable technologies. Streaming Media: is audio or video that is constantly with Gayla LaBreck BY DIANA DORITY received by an end user while it is being delivered by a Moodle: a free Learning Management System Web provider, such as television or radio. The name refers to software that allows educators to create online learning the delivery method of the medium rather than to the for students. medium itself. Users can receive it via cable, the Internet, Mp3 players, such as iPods, or cell phones. MySpace.com: a very popular international social networking Web site that offers users e-mail, forums, Tagging: a keyword or term assigned to a piece of communities, videos and a blog space. Currently there information, such as an Internet bookmark, digital image are 76 million users on MySpace U.S. or computer file. This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or Podcast: a series of audio or video digital media files, searching. which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players Twitter.com: a free social messaging utility for staying and personal computers. connected in real time. A post or status update on Twitter is known as a “tweet.” Twitter’s popularity is expanding Power over Ethernet (PoE): an innovative tech- rapidly; user totals grew 752% in 2008.(3) nology that is being used to power Internet phones, wireless Internet, network cameras, etc. in areas where Vlogs (Video Log): a form of blogging for which the AC power is either expensive or not readily available. medium is video. It saves time and money by avoiding the expense of Thomas College Course Overview Why use technology in the classroom? his is a required course for the Master of Science in laying separate power and data cables. Web 2.0: describes the changing trends in the use of • To enhance student learning by providing access to faster Education program where students acquire concepts and World Wide Web technology and Web design that aim to T online search capability. Qik.com: a membership Web site that allows users to enhance creativity, communications, secure information skills that can be applied to their own curriculum development stream and share live video from a cell phone camera. sharing, collaboration and functionality of the Web. process. It examines the issues of curriculum development • Online videos offer students real examples of the type of Qik members from around the world stream videos that (design, instruction and assessment) common to all subject work they would be doing—similar to looking over the are automatically archived and can be programmed to Widget: applications that can be easily downloaded from areas and educational levels. shoulder of a teacher, watching them create a lesson send them to YouTube, Facebook or a user’s own blog. Web providers and installed on computer desktops, or plan—it augments their field experiences. Teaching approach embedded into personal Web pages and blogs. They often This course includes short lectures, PowerPoint® presentations, • Allows for more multimedia and hands-on activities Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feed: an RSS take the form of on-screen tools such as clocks, event individual research and reporting, personal reflection, and group which keeps students engaged. reader checks the user’s subscribed feeds regularly for countdowns, auction tickers, stock market tickers, flight collaboration (both in class and on Blackboard). In a weekly new work, downloads and updates from Web sites, blog arrival information or daily weather. • To level the playing field for all types of learners: auditory, journal, students write about how to apply what they learn and entries, news headlines, and audio and video from the visual and kinesthetic. analyze how their own beliefs, values and assumptions affect publisher of these works. An RSS document includes full Wiki: collaborative Web sites which can be edited by their curriculum development. They research curriculum stan- LaBreck shares her knowledge of Internet resources (many of or summarized text, which benefits publishers by letting anyone with access. The most widely recognized wiki dards of different states and post summaries for their classmates them free) available to students such as: Portaportal.com, a them distribute content automatically. project is Wikipedia.com, a publicly editable encyclopedia. on Blackboard. Web site that allows teachers to store links to other sites that Many colleges, universities and classes have developed are useful in their curriculum, and Lexile.com, a Web-based ® Second Life .com: a virtual world used in many col- their own wikis. The Instructor educational tool that explains how reading comprehension lege classes where “residents” can interact with each Gayla LaBreck has served as an adjunct instructor at Thomas levels of books are scored and helps match readers to text. other through the use of self-created avatars. They can Yelp, Inc.: a Web 2.0 company that operates a social since 1996. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary explore, meet other residents, socialize and participate networking, user review and local search Web site Education and her Master of Science in Education from the in individual and group activities. (Yelp.com). Over 10.6 million users access the site University of Maine as a literacy specialist. LaBreck returned The Students’ Take each month, putting it in the top 100 of U.S. Internet to UMO to attain her CAS in Educational Leadership and is “This class confirms what we are doing right, while showing Skype.com: a text, voice and video-chatting platform Web sites. certified as a Superintendent of Schools finishing her intern- us how to be better at our craft.” that works using your Internet connection. ship in 2005. In addition to this course, LaBreck also teaches “I appreciate the balance throughout the class between YouTube.com: a video sharing Web site where users Educational Assessment, and electives in Leadership and instruction and group discussion.” Social Bookmarking: a method for Internet users to can upload, view and share video clips. Literacy. When not teaching, she provides national consulting store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of Web services for Pearson, an international media company. pages on the Internet with the help of metadata. Sources: 1. www.wikipedia.org • 2. http://blog.facebook.com • 3. www.mashable.com

32 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 33 I had a chance to sit down with Rhoda and ask him to reflect on and provide insight about his time spent at Man of Mystery? Thomas and his wishes for the future. Here is what he TV/local video origination services, creating a campus-wide shared with me: wireless network, providing help desk services, developing instructional technology for both traditional classroom and Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement online courses, and keeping the campus network secure. in your position while at Thomas? He is a busy man. A. I would have to say the ability to help several A staff member since 1988, Rhoda is also an alumnus having thousand people with their IT needs while they work received a B.S. in 1988 in Information Services and an M.B.A. to accomplish their educational and career goals. in 1989. Rhoda was Thomas’ first full-time computer services employee. He was hired as a programmer/analyst, after creating technology in education, he is also in high demand as a speaker Q. What advantages have you had working at administrative systems part-time for the College for three years at various industry venues, such as NERCOMP (Northeast Thomas from having also been a student here? as an undergraduate. His first full-time charge was to create an Regional Computing Program), and is quoted in many trade admissions information system to help increase enrollment. publications from organizations like Educause, the national A. Initially, a unique perspective, but throughout the 20 Rhoda’s tenure explains his passion for the students and organization for information technology in higher education. years I think it has helped connect me to the institution his colleagues across campus. “Because Chris has been both a His work at Thomas has garnered recognition from other col- more so than an employee who is not an alum. student and staff member, he combines a unique perspective leges and universities, tech organizations and peers for bringing on campus life at Thomas,” says President George Spann. the College to the leading edge of IT. Through his work, Q. What has kept you at Thomas for so long? Chris Rhoda ’88, M.B.A. ’89 As part of his responsibilities, Rhoda works with the Thomas has received several awards, grants and recognitions, A. Several factors: the constant challenge, the ability President’s Council in strategic and annual planning and enables including two from Microsoft® for progressive use of technology. to implement new projects most years; and especially the Information Services team to provide the best service to stu- Thomas was recently featured as a case study on the Microsoft® working with the institutional leadership. dents, faculty and staff to meet the goals of academic excellence. Web site as a stellar example of customer solutions for the new BY LEE R. ALLEN Rhoda has also taught many programming and management Vista® Operating System and it is currently the subject of a case Q. What is your philosophy of providing IT services information systems courses over the years. As an associate pro- study being conducted by Dell. to the campus community? fessor, Rhoda says, “my teaching goal is to engage students With Rhoda’s busy schedule on campus, one of his biggest using various methods and tools to encourage active learning regrets is the lack of time he can spend with students day-to-day A. Do what we can with what we have. This requires HEN YOU FIRST MEET Chris Rhoda, it’s for those with various learning styles.” as he troubleshoots campus technology issues. However, for constant prioritization and re-prioritization. The mission all about the business of information technology According to Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas three years Rhoda has participated in the Resident Assistants of the IT Services department is to help all areas of the and services. What else? Rhoda takes his role of W Edwards, “Chris understands teaching technology as a tool to (RA) events program as a facilitator. According to Rhoda, an College by providing adequate resources and support for providing the technology tools and services that an entire engage, to inform and to empower students. It allows academics RA asked him to attend a Bingo activity with his floor at Grant the tools required by students, faculty, and administrative campus needs to run very seriously. With a three-person to go beyond the traditional confines of the classroom. He dorm in 2006. “After the first year, I thought there was a great staff in their day-to-day activities. department, supplemented by student work-study support, understands that technology doesn’t replace teaching—but it opportunity to invite the students to my house the following Rhoda manages and troubleshoots campus-wide information does make a different kind and scope of teaching possible.” year,” he said. “We had more space, pinball machines, a pool Q. Look into your crystal ball and describe how you services for faculty, students and staff on a daily basis, and Rhoda also makes an impact on the industry he works in. table and other games, and it gave me a chance for some think professors and students will be using technolo- yes, that includes weekends. Google him (and not the other Chris Rhoda) again, and you’ll extra grilling!” gy for teaching and learning in ten years. When you Google Rhoda, don’t confuse his listings with find that because of his deep knowledge of issues surrounding According to RA Bill Oxford, an Accounting/M.B.A. major A. The biggest trend appears to be the constant immer- those of cowboy Chris Rhoda whom you will also discover at Thomas, “I found out that Rhoda was interested in the RA sion people have with technology. I suspect products there. However, Rhoda does enjoy being outside, perhaps program. Because of his involvement, the program has contin- like Smart Phones and applications like Twitter are just because he grew up on a potato farm in Hogdon, Maine ued to grow over the past three years. We held it again this past the beginning, allowing us to be “connected” anytime, rather than as a cowboy! October and we had an awesome turnout.” Oxford attributes anywhere. The biggest challenge appears to be the ability Behind the IT façade lies a man whose personal life is quite the success of his events to Rhoda. “There is no awkwardness to determine appropriate use for technology and how the opposite of his on-campus persona. “Colleagues at work when he is participating. I feel that he is basically a big kid at to critically analyze the vast amounts of information we may not recognize me off-campus,” he says. “At home I am in heart and wants to interact with the residents on a less formal each receive daily. my jeans, grilling out, working around the house or traveling level than from being the ‘IT guy’. He is very easy-going and with my wife [Andrea, M.S. ’07] and my daughter.” shows that in the way he interacts with the residents.” Q. What is your one wish for IT services at Thomas? By day, Christopher Rhoda is vice president for Information Oxford says, “Chris Rhoda’s participation has greatly affected Services at Thomas where he oversees the Library and A. To continue to be a strategic resource for the institu- the way that my residents see the faculty.” He continues, “I may Information Technology Services departments. tion by providing information for decisions, increasing not have had this opportunity if it wasn’t for being an RA, but it For the last 20 years, Rhoda has been responsible for a multi- our academic excellence, keeping our business processes has been beneficial. It is just like having another person to go to tude of advancements of campus IT services. A few include cre- efficient, and providing a good experience for our when there may be a problem.” ating local area networks, adding telephone, Internet and cable Courtesy of Chris Rhoda students.

34 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 35 CAMPUS NEWS CAMPUS NEWS Thomas Hosts Teachers Art Gallery Moves from Kotlas, Russia (B)log Jam Ahead HE THOMAS HOMAS COLLEGE HAS SEEN the launch of many T COLLEGE ART T new blogs in recent months. The blogs have provided a GALLERY has found a new great way for students, faculty, staff and parents to feel better home. The Gallery was recent- connected to the campus community. And the great thing is ly relocated from the lobby that all the blogs connect to each other and back to the area outside of the President’s Thomas Web site to provide for more interaction. Below are office on the second floor of some of the sites in this (b)log jam. the Administration Building to thomascollegeadmissions.blogspot.com the Library on the first floor. The most recent and exciting blog to launch is targeted In addition to increased traffic, at prospective Thomas students. Started by the Admissions and ease of access, this new Office, it provides potential students with useful information space allows for 30 additional Courtesy of Diana Dority (2) about academic and campus life, the application process, dates feet of display space for visiting of upcoming events, such as open houses and college fairs, artists. HOMAS COLLEGE and a better way to connect with Admissions staff. The blog The new location is just T HOSTED A GROUP also links to blogs of Student Ambassadors to help future one news item regarding the of teachers from Waterville’s students get a feel for life as a Thomas student coming Art Gallery. Additionally, sister city of Kotlas, Russia in straight from the mouths—or keyboards—of those beginning this year, opening December. The teachers met experiencing it daily. receptions are being held for with Thomas’ Elementary each artist. The first reception Education faculty and attended thomascollegelibrary.blogspot.com several demonstrations at the was held on January 16 for The Thomas Library staff has also recently launched a blog College. Dixmont artist, Brenda that provides faculty and students another forum to get more The visit, coordinated by Ferguson. Dozens of attendees involved with the numerous activities at the Library. The goal the Kotlas Connection including Thomas faculty, staff, is to provide better access and information about the valuable (www.kotlas.org), provided an students and members of the Courtesy of Brenda Ferguson resources available. Did you know they have more than books opportunity for a group of community, as well as friends Dyed in the Wool by Brenda Ferguson. there? The blog’s headline reads, “We plan to use this space to teachers from Kotlas to learn and family of Ferguson, were Dr. Dale Dickson demonstrates equipment keep the Thomas community updated on exciting new items about the way that America’s in the Davis Hybrid Science Lab for a treated to an open bar and refreshments as they enjoyed the and services available at the library.” And they are doing just future teachers are prepared in Kotlas teacher. many pastel works by Ferguson that were on display. that. The blog is updated regularly with news about new ser- 2009–2010 Art Gallery the college setting. The delegates enjoyed lunch with senior Receptions will be held for each new artist during the first vices available (many of them being online resources) and tips administration, faculty and students, a campus tour and then week of their exhibit. They are open to the public and there Exhibit Calendar on how to use them most effectively. It also includes links to a meeting with Elementary Education faculty and students in is no cost to attend. For more information, please visit other helpful Web sites. www.thomas.edu. January 16–February 27 which they discussed teacher preparation and student portfolios, Faculty Blogs: In addition, Thomas is pleased to announce the kick-off of Brenda Ferguson, Dixmont (pastels) among other topics. Following the discussion, the group saw the first (soon to be annual) Thomas College Student, Faculty demonstrations from faculty and students in Thomas’ new Jim Libby’s Blog and Staff Art Show. All Thomas students (Day, CED and March 6–April 30 Davis Hybrid Science Lab, as well as a presentation on courses jimlibbysblog.blogspot.com offered such as Foundations of Quantitative Analysis. Graduate), faculty and staff are eligible to submit art. Original Student, Faculty and Staff Art Show Nancy Henry’s Blog The teachers were in the Waterville area for about a week, works in any medium (painting, photography, sculpture, (various mediums) tuxedokatjunction.blogspot.com pottery, etc.) are eligible. during which time they visited Waterville public schools and Tom Easton’s Blog Please visit the Thomas Art Gallery to view the works of May 1–June 26 spent time shadowing local teachers. The visit was supported by technoprobe.blogspot.com talented local artists. The gallery is open to the public Monday Patrick Brancaccio, Harpswell (photography) a grant from the Open World Program (www.openworld.gov), through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. which is funded by the Library of Congress. Open World Several Thomas faculty members have entered the world If you are interested in showing your work at the Thomas August 28–October 30 is designed to enhance understanding between the United of blogging. Among them are Professor Jim Libby with his College Art Gallery, please call 207-859-1211 or e-mail To Be Announced States and the countries of Eurasia and the Baltic republics. Economic Policy blog, adjunct faculty member Nancy Henry [email protected]. Shows are booked at least one year The Kotlas Connection began the grant competition a year with her philosophy and communications (and more!) blog in advance. Please have samples of your work to share. November 6–December 30 ago. This is the Kotlas Connection’s second Open World grant. and Professor Tom Easton with his Technoprobing blog, Irene Rothe, Auburn (watercolors) with a headline that reads “Emerging technologies; issues in science, technology, and society; and even a bit of science fiction—it’s all grist for the mill.” Check them out!

36 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 37 CAMPUS NEWS CAMPUS NEWS INSPIRATIONAL STUDENT Petrocelli Adds Pep to Putting at Annual Lunder Invitational MERICO PETER “RICO” PETROCELLI, Red A Sox Hall of Famer, was the guest of honor at Thomas Thomas Athlete Julia Nyitray College’s fifth annual Lunder Scholars Golf Invitational on Friday, September 12, at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club. Petrocelli joined Thomas College President George Spann Finds New Challenge and two members of the Thomas men’s golf team as they competed against 20 other teams for the tournament win. Despite the rainy weather, the tournament was a great HOMAS JUNIOR “I had to make the top 16 to qualify,” Nyitray explains. “My success and raised significant funds for the Lunder Scholars JULIA NYITRAY has first run was clean, I came in fifth. After my second run I was Endowment, which provides financial assistance to Maine Michael DeFilippo ’12 and Matthew Dumais ’09 join Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer, played soccer, and hockey seventh overall and made it to the quarterfinals.” She did well T students attending Thomas. Rico Petrocelli, and President George Spann for a round of golf in the Annual Lunder and been a member of the ROTC, enough in the quarterfinals to make it onto the semi-finals Petrocelli played for the Boston Red Sox for 13 seasons Scholars Golf Invitational. so she is no stranger to the rush of where she finished seventh. from 1963-1976 as shortstop and third baseman, and played adrenaline one feels in competition. Nyitray continues, “I was completely pumped about it. I was in two World Series. In 1967, Petrocelli was a strong performer managed and coached in the White Sox and Red Sox organ- But none of it compared to the talking to my dad on my cell phone and he was freaking out. during the Carl Yastrzemski-led Red Sox “Impossible Dream” izations and currently acts as a company spokesperson for thrill Nyitray felt during her latest There were so many people watching. This event is really big in year. In the 1975 Fall Classic, Petrocelli hit .308 with four TD Banknorth, participating in charity events on behalf of adventure participating in the Canada. Once you get to the bottom of the track reporters are RBI and three runs, and played errorless defense. the company. Crashed Ice IV competition, spon- right in your face. It was amazing.” Voted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997, Petrocelli was Plans are already in place for the sixth annual Lunder sored by Red Bull Energy Drink Nyitray’s father, Louis, taught her how to skate when she was the first American League shortstop to hit 40 homeruns in a Scholars Golf Invitational. Check out www.thomas.edu for in Quebec City in January. Courtesy of Yorick Carroux young. He was ready with tips and pointers for his daughter season. He played in the 1967 and 1969 All-Star games and more information. A combination of hockey, boardercross and downhill skiing, once he found out she was going to compete. “He got on ended his career with 210 homeruns and 778 RBI. Petrocelli Red Bull Crashed Ice is arguably the fastest sport on skates. YouTube and was watching videos from previous years. He sug- Over the course of the weekend, 120,000 fans watched as racers gested how I should approach it,” she explained. Now that she hurdled down an ice track coiling around Old Quebec. It began has one competition under her belt, her father is ready to coach at the Château Frontenac with racers battling to the bottom her onto the next level. “He’s already talking about building a through a series of massive vertical drops, razor-sharp turns, ice track in our backyard for me to practice,” she laughs. Townhouse Residences Open at Thomas steps and gap jumps before ending at the Saint Lawrence River. It will be important for Nyitray to start practicing now, as A couple of weeks before the event, Nyitray, a business man- there have been talks of the competition coming to Maine next agement major from Farmingdale, Maine, hadn’t even heard of year. “They said they’d like to have one in Portland and if they Crashed Ice. She was approached by a friend of the family, a do, I may be asked to host, which means I would get a bye in local hockey coach, who had been contacted by a representative the first round.” of Red Bull looking for a U.S. female to participate in the event. Regardless of where it happens, Nyitray is looking forward to “I figure-skated for 17 years and played hockey in high school, doing it again. “I’ll continue to do it every year if they’ll have but I hadn’t really skated in four years. I figured it would be me,” she says. fun,” Nyitray said. Nyitray jumped at the opportunity to try something new and says she wasn’t scared when she saw the track. “It was un- HE THOMAS COLLEGE CAMPUS has expanded Kaym Eells ’11 (center) chats with Katie St. George ’09 (left) and Jen Higgins ’09 (right) who are happy to be among the first residents of the new Townhouses. believable. You start by looking down at this 30 foot drop. T once again with the completion of the townhouse residen- It was bumpy—you can’t get a zamboni down there, of tial buildings. The three new units are located on the northeast Currently, the townhouses are home to mostly seniors, which course—with jumps and drops. It was nerve-wracking, but corner of the campus to the rear of the Harold Alfond Athletic many of them say is a nice perk. “It’s nice to be somewhat once I got through training, it was a lot better.” Center and Laurette Ayotte Auditorium. The Townhouses separated from the rest of the campus,” says senior Katie St. Qualifying events were held in November and December accommodate 88 students in two-floor, suite-style living areas. George. “It helps to give us a feeling like we are living on 2008, and more than 100 men and 20 women competed in Students enjoy a private entrance to their townhouse, a small our own. It’s a good way to transition from dorm-life to a final qualifying round in January. Consecutive heats of four common area on the first floor of each unit, and double and life-after-Thomas.” St. George’s townhouse-mate, Jennifer skaters raced head-to-head in a double elimination bracket single living quarters. Townhouse residents also have access to Higgins ’09, agrees and adds that being away from the center narrowing the field down from the top 64 qualifiers to a final a community living area on the first floor of each unit, which of campus is attractive. “It’s nice and quiet. The rooms are big four in the men’s division, and from the top 16 qualifiers to a has laundry facilities, mailboxes, and a fully-equipped kitchen. and it is especially nice to be able to spend this last year with final four in the women’s division. our friends in our own space.”

Courtesy of Jean-Marie Villeneuve for Le Soleil

38 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 39 CAMPUS NEWS CAMPUS NEWS Freda Staples Smith Receives Orientation 2008 Brings Class of 2012 to Campus and Together Degree from Thomas at Age 85 HE CLASS OF 2012 ARRIVED on the Thomas REDA STAPLES SMITH IS undoubtedly the most sen- T campus at the end of August 2008. Among the vehicles F ior member of Thomas College’s senior class. Smith, 85, a loaded with bedding, bulk packages of Ramen® noodles and resident of Sunset Home in Waterville received her Associate of dorm fridges, the students who make up Thomas’ first-year Arts degree cum laude at a special ceremony at the residential class anxiously made their way around campus in preparation care facility in December. for the next chapter in their lives. Smith, a 1940 graduate of Waterville High School, earned Of the 252 new students at Thomas this year, more than 20 credits from two other colleges before attending Thomas. “Her percent have crossed state lines to pursue their degree. Some mother made her promise to attend Colby for at least two years come from other New England states, some from New York so she enrolled and studied French,” explained Smith’s daughter and Pennsylvania, while others made a longer trek from places Sherry Darby. But Colby was not for her, so she transferred to like Texas and even Russia. Nasson College, formerly in Springvale, Maine, and enrolled in The activities of move-in and orientation day included visit- year. After unpacking, many students took the opportunity, the dietician program. ing the registration center to pick up a welcome packet, getting while their parents (and accompanying checkbooks) were near, President George Spann holds the hand of Freda Smith, Thomas’ most senior Senior. As Freda Staples, she attended Nasson; her then boyfriend, photo IDs and registering vehicles. Next, resident students— to hit the Thomas College bookstore and stock up on the essen- W. Leigh Smith, was enrolled at Gorham Normal School, now most with parents in tow—headed off to settle into the space tials for classes—maybe a few notebooks or Thomas sweatshirts, It wasn’t until after her husband passed away that Smith’s the University of Southern Maine at Gorham. Though he was a they will call home for the next year. Nearly 80 percent of the but most importantly, their text books for the semester. attention turned again to her own education. She enrolled college student exempt from the draft, he was called to military class of 2012 (200 of 253 students) are living on campus this All new students and their families were treated to a barbecue part-time at Thomas from 1979–1983 to pursue a bachelor’s service during World War II. He was sent to basic training at lunch, which was followed by an official welcome from Thomas degree, but never completed all the required courses for the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland. While in President George Spann. President Spann urged the students bachelor program and, thus, never received a diploma. training, he contracted meningitis and was told he would never to get to know at least one faculty member their first semester Smith’s daughter initiated the degree presentation. “I started walk again. Staples dropped out of school to be with him and and to have that faculty member know them well. Before the going through my mother’s folders and kept coming across the said “I will not marry a cripple,” which gave him the determina- final farewells, families were invited to attend a presentation transcripts. I looked at them and decided something had to be tion to get better and walk again. by motivational speaker Ed Gerety, while students attended done.” Darby then contacted Thomas College. They married and both started working at Keyes Fiber in a getting-to-know-your-classmates session titled Playfair. The After a review of her transcripts, Tom Edwards, Thomas’ vice Fairfield. Smith was the secretary to the engineering depart- first-year students enjoyed various high-energy activities in this president for Academic Affairs, contacted Sherry with the news ment. She stopped working at Keyes for several years to raise session including a Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament, dancing, that Smith had acquired the needed coursework to earn her her two children, Sherry and Scott, but eventually went back and more. to work so that she could afford to send them to college. Associate of Arts degree. And with a cumulative grade point Smith placed a high value on education. Perhaps it was her average of 3.24, she would graduate cum laude (with honors). upbringing—her mother, Margaret Staples, had been the chair Darby was thrilled to receive the news and worked with Thomas of the English department at Lawrence High School for many and Sunset Home to put the event together. years. Smith insisted that her children pursue higher education. Thomas President George Spann, along with Edwards, “Our parents were always very supportive. They told me that I attended the graduation event and surrounded by Smith’s would never be compared to my older sister—I could do what I family, friends, and Sunset Home residents and staff, presented wanted, but I should strive to be the best at whatever that was,” Smith, dressed in cap, gown and honor cord, with her long- says her son. Smith expected a lot of her children; she valued awaited diploma. education and wanted to instill those values in her children— The family kept the presentation a secret until the night and she did a good job of it. before. Smith was thrilled when she learned about it and cried tears of joy, which started up again when the ceremony began. “I never dreamed I would be handed anything like this,” Smith said through her tears. “My mother would be awfully proud of me.” I never dreamed I would be “This is huge for her,” Darby said. “I’ve only seen my mother cry twice.” handed anything like this. Smith’s son led a celebratory toast and Darby thanked the Sunset Home staff for planning the celebration. On her chil- My mother would be awfully dren’s appreciation, Smith said, “See, I brought them up right!” proud of me. Edwards joked that perhaps Smith would be awarded with a new car as a graduation gift. He also teased “now we just need “ to settle those unpaid library fines...with compounded interest!” 40 THOMAS MAGAZINE” SPRING 2009 41 CAMPUS NEWS

INSPIRATIONAL STUDENT

once a week for a three-hour period. At Thomas, the classes run three hours per week, but are spread out over several days. I was also expected to read and study outside of class time. My Semester Abroad My final exams were worth 50 percent of my final grade and mid-terms were worth 25–30 percent. Luckily, I was able to travel while I was there. I participated in Heidelberg, Germany in two school-organized trips: a canoe/bike weekend trip to Strasbourg, France, and a week long trip to Mallorca, Spain. On my own, I visited Freiberg, Wiesbaden, Speyer, Frankfurt, Krista Specht Munich, Fulda, Mannheim, Marburg, and Berlin, Germany. Though I was without a vehicle, I was able to travel by high Junior Krista Specht, a Finance major from Fairfield who is the speed trains, local city trams and buses. founder and president of the student Environmental Awareness The social atmosphere was alive and vibrant. One of the Group, as well as a member of the Dance Club, spent the Fall 2008 parks along the Neckar River was a favorite social spot. Between When I stepped onto the plane to return to the U.S., I felt semester abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. Here Specht reflects on volleyball and soccer games, there was always something hap- like I had just arrived there: four-and-a-half months seemed to her experience. pening. Townspeople brought blankets, food and drink, and have gone by as fast as four-and-a-half days. During the return would meet at the river banks to celebrate. flight I experienced nine hours of mixed emotions. I was leaving CHOSE HEIDELBERG FOR MY semester abroad The city also offered a variety of nightlife entertainment a temporary home I had loved, but was excited to see friends because of its location, size and rich culture. Heidelberg including a live jazz club, salsa club and Indian music as well back in the States. I am already looking forward to returning can be described in two words: “fairytale city.” It is a small as dance nights at a local restaurant. I was also able to attend to Germany in the future, and I certainly left part of my heart I in Heidelberg. city tucked between two mountains and divided by the Neckar theater and musical productions, which varied every weekend. River, which connects to the Rhine. A beautiful castle overlooks In November, Heidelberg hosted an international film festival Taking time to spend a semester abroad was an enriching the city which holds a dome cathedral, many old-style buildings which lasts for two weeks. There was never a lack of activities experience for me. I will carry what I learned, the memories, sitting along-side very modern-styled buildings, a famous to get involved in while I was there. and the friendships I made with me for the rest of my life. ‘Altstadt’ Old city, and a brick/cobblestone pedestrian bridge. One of my favorite places in Heidelberg was a walking trail (Philosophy Way) which went up the mountain and led to a

garden overlooking the entire city. Courtesy of Krista Specht (4)

The German culture is very celebratory. Some of the festivals held in Heidelberg included: wine festivals, Oktoberfest (Heidelberg style), Herbst Fest (a celebration of the fall season), and the ever-popular Christmas market, which is held every November and December. During these festivals, the streets in the old city fill with stands of wurst, beer and candy. Tables are set up close to the stands and it is common for people to meet and greet one another there. The atmosphere is cheerful with performances from musical bands, parades and dance groups. During the Christmas market, the streets are filled with the scent of Gluehwein (a warm, spiced Christmas wine) and roasted nuts. I chose to study abroad for the opportunity to network with students from around the world. I attended an international school and while being immersed in the German culture, I was able to learn about other cultures and people. My coursework included European History, Middle Eastern Studies, German Language and International Business. The courses were different from Thomas in the way they were structured. I had a class,

42 THOMAS MAGAZINE CAMPUS NEWS FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Tom Easton, professor of sci- “The poem was about the Nelson to the governor’s office and Davis Hybrid Science Lab Opens ence, has an upcoming book dedicated direct-care providers Madore, required confirmation by the titled, “The 3D Printing who worked with these kids,” professor of Joint Standing Committee on HE DAVIS HYBRID SCIENCE LAB is now open Revolution.” In September, says Henry. Henry’s poem was history and Agriculture and Forestry, T and in wide use by excited students. With the support Easton gave us a sneak preview selected for the Garrison Keillor government followed by legislative approval. of a generous grant from the Davis Educational Foundation, of what was to come in a review radio program. continues to The Board is responsible for Thomas has renovated a former classroom space to create a he wrote for TechRevu titled, Pearson Longman then con- receive kudos policy and regulations regarding unified hybrid lab facility on campus. “In Crimes to Come.” This year tacted her to include the poem for his book, “Voyages: A Maine pesticides in the state of Maine. Easton has also collaborated with in its textbook. Several Midwest Franco-American Reader.” Eric Ravis says that he is looking for- The move to create the lab was spearheaded by three a former colleague on a piece, colleges invited her to do a Waddell, geographer at Laval ward to providing input over the Thomas professors: Dr. Dale Dickson, Dr. Joseph Scozzafava The Promise of E-Portfolios for “reading tour” last year. “That University, recently said about next four years to this important and Charles Ravis. With enormous growth in the Psychology, Institutional Assessment. It will was an unforgettable experi- the book, “Let me tell you what environmental area. Elementary Education and Criminal Justice programs, the need be included in the soon-to-be ence,” she said. I’ve just read online at the for a permanent lab space dramatically increased. The Davis Lab published book, “Electronic ‘University Affairs/Affaires uni- is used for exploring science methods of research for Education Portfolios 2.0: Emergent John Joseph, professor of versitaires’ Web site: a whole- NEW FACES Research on Implementation finance and economics, attended page review on ‘Voyages: A majors, forensic science courses for Criminal Justice majors, and Impact.” the 32nd Conference of the New Maine Franco-American Reader.’ Laura Betit cellular biology and research courses in psychology, and in England Governors and Eastern The author for the review (and joined the anatomy and physiology for Sports Management majors. Helene Farrar, adjunct faculty Canadian Premiers last fall. Six reviews are rare in this publi- Thomas member, has been full of activity governors and the five Canadian cation) concludes by writing, Graduate and painting images inspired by her Premiers were also in attendance. ‘To my mind, this was the most Continuing Honoring Faculty and Staff at recent trip to Italy. For almost 10 It was held in Bar Harbor, Maine important book published in Education Annual Thanksgiving Celebration years she has followed her jour- in September 2008. The confer- American Studies in 2007.’” Division on ney of being an artist. To see her ence was hosted by the State of October 27 as the administrative artwork and upcoming events Maine and was chaired by Wendy Martin assistant. She received her B.A. in you can go to her site: Governor Baldacci. It closed with was promoted English Language and Literature www.helenefarrar.com. attendees voting on resolutions to associate in 2006 from Southern New to move energy and transporta- dean for Hampshire University. Most Nancy Henry, tion policies forward for the Undergraduate recently, she worked as the lead adjunct faculty coming year. Joseph was pleased Admissions in customer service representative member, was to be invited to take part in such August 2008. and trainer for Hertz Corpor- “very excited an event. During her time at Thomas, she ation at the Portland Inter- and flattered” has developed an Admissions national Jetport. ACH YEAR THOMAS STUDENTS, faculty and of us. Students have honored him with numerous dedications when a major Jim Libby, team that delivers outstanding textbook com- associate levels of service to prospective staff look forward to one of the most exciting celebra- and testimonials. It is my privilege and honor to ask Nelson Deb Biche E pany, Pearson Longman, solicited professor students and their families. joined the tions during the academic calendar—the annual Thanksgiving Madore to come forward and be recognized for his 39 years one of the poems she had writ- of business Thomas celebration. It is one of the few opportunities for the entire of devoted service to Thomas College.” ten, “People Who Take Care,” administration, David Pease, Athletic campus community to gather in honor of the individuals who Dr. Madore graciously accepted the 2008 yearbook, for an upcoming textbook titled, has published a adjunct faculty Department truly make a significant contribution to the institution. signed by faculty and staff, presented to him by President “College-Level Literature and new book titled member, was on October 6 President George Spann welcomed the community to this Spann, amidst a well-deserved standing ovation from his Writing Instruction: Literature “Buxton”. The book contains recently as the interim year’s celebration, held on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. students and colleagues. and the Writing Process,” 9th over 200 historical post card appointed athletic director Edition, by McMahan, Day, images along with written history as the vice He began the recognition program by noting, “We mark Faculty and staff members, because of their close contact and was hired for the position Funk and Coleman. of their origins. “It is my hope president and their contributions by their years of service. ...we acknowl- with students, are in a unique position to make a tremendous permanently in February. Henry explained what that this book, which tracks human resources director at the Biche earned a B.S. in impact on their success. For students, college can be exciting, edge the energy, expertise and enthusiasm they share with inspired her to write the poem: Buxton’s postcard history, will Androscoggin Bank of Lewiston. Psychology with a minor in all of us.” overwhelming, challenging and stressful. All those factors can “In 2001, I decided to transition serve as both a repository for its Pease has been in the human coaching from Plymouth State Seven employees were recognized for their service to be balanced with the right support from faculty in the forms from my legal work as a child fine photographs and as a spring- resources field for more than 20 College and an M.S. in Sports the College and given gifts of appreciation. They included, of teaching, advising, mentorship and friendship. The length advocate with the Attorney board for more literary and elec- years, most recently working as Psychology from Ithaca College. with five years, Michelle Joler-Labbe, director of Human of service of this year’s honorees illustrates their commitment General’s office to a career I had tronic efforts that capture the the senior human resource leader Prior to Thomas, she worked at always longed for—teaching. I town’s images,” Libby says. Dr. at a Maine hospital. Pease was Resources and Hannah Gladstone, assistant dean of students; to students at Thomas. We congratulate them all. St. Lawrence University for 10 then found a position in a private Libby has written several books, also named as Maine’s state with 15 years, faculty member Mark “Dog” Wallace; for 20 years in the position of women’s school that was part of a residen- including “Took Three Lives” council director for the Society of soccer head coach as well as years, Christopher Rhoda, vice president for Information Celebrating Dr. Madore After nearly 40 years of service to Thomas College, beloved faculty tial head injury center. I found and“Super U: The History and Human Resource Management. event manager, building super- Services and faculty members Pat Karush and Phil McPhee- member Dr. Nelson Madore is retiring. A celebration will be held on that the young people I got to Politics of the University of Maine visor, and athletic schedule Brown; for 25 years, Professor Tom Easton; and for 30 years, the Thomas campus Saturday, April 25 at 3:30 p.m. A Web page has know during that year, both as a System”. He is currently working Chuck Ravis, assistant professor coordinator. Professor Doug Lepley. been created on the Thomas Web site (see Thomas Magazine site teacher and house mother, were to expand a supplemental college of sports management, has been She also taught courses in The final honoree of the day was introduced by President for link) with information on the celebration and how to R.S.V.P., an profoundly courageous. It moved casebook entitled, “The Politics of appointed as one of the “envi- Human Growth and Motor Spann: “This man has been teaching at Thomas for a very opportunity to contribute to the scholarship fund, as well as a chance me so, that I wrote a collection Economic Development.” ronmental expertise” representa- Development and Wellness. to leave comments or send photos for a scrapbook that will be of poems about them and in tives on the Maine Board of long time, since the Civil War, I think,” he joked. “He has Biche was also the women’s presented to Madore at the ceremony. their honor. Pesticides Control. His name soccer head coach at St. Joseph’s earned the respect, friendship, admiration and affection of all was submitted through the College before transitioning Deptartment of Agriculture to St. Lawrence.

44 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 45 FACULTY/STAFF NEWS FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Amy Black Joy Charles Donald Cindy Eastman Patricia Jill Lathan Charity Short THOMAS COLLEGE joined the joined the Cragen joined joined Thomas Hubel, Ph.D. joined the joined the BOARD OF TRUSTEES Thomas College Thomas the Thomas College on joined the Thomas Thomas administration Athletic College faculty January 5 as the Thomas College admin- Institutional Conrad L. Ayotte ’77, H’98 on January 28, Department this fall as a administrative College faculty istration on Advancement Chair 2009 as Con- on October 1 full-time assis- assistant for on July 21 as July 14 as the Department George R. Spann troller. Black as the new tant professor Student Affairs. the full time director of on October President brings several years of not-for- women’s basketball head coach. of sport management. Cragen She brings over 10 years of expe- athletic trainer and strength recreation and intramural pro- 8 as the database coordinator. profit accounting experience. She She graduated from the “Up holds his B.S. in Business Admin- rience to Thomas as an adminis- and conditioning coach. Hubel grams. Lathan brings over 18 Prior to Thomas she worked Douglas L. Cutchin has a B.S. degree in Child with People” world study abroad istration from Salem State trative assistant and office man- earned her Ph.D. with an empha- years of experience to Thomas at Bangor Savings Bank in the First Vice Chair Development/Family Relations program and attended New College and his M.S. in Athletic ager. Cindy has a B.A. degree in sis in leadership for higher edu- after working in athletic and Trust Department as the Trust from the University England College where she was a Training from Illinois State Communications from Western cation from Capella University recreational program develop- Operations Specialist. She has H. Allen Ryan H’08 of Maine at Orono, a B.S. in member of the women’s basket- University. He is completing his Illinois University. Most recent- in Minneapolis, Minn. ment, curriculum development, also worked at Sweetser in Second Vice Chair Business Administration/ ball team. She has coached bas- doctorate in Sports Management ly, she held the position of team She earned her M.S. in sport camps, adventure-based Plymouth as the Family Focus Kenneth P. Viens Accounting from the University ketball, softball and field hockey at the United States Sports leader at True Textiles in Physical Education from The programs, and clinical super- Supervisor. While working full Secretary/Clerk of Maine at Augusta, and an at Messalonskee Middle School. Academy. Cragen comes to Guilford, Maine. University of Wyoming and an vision and administration. time as a supervisor she went M.S. in Accounting from the She was the assistant women’s Thomas from Triton College M.S. in Education with an Lathan has a B.S. degree in to KVCC part-time and com- Brian Bernatchez ’88 University of Southern Maine. varsity basketball coach and the in River Grove, Ill., where he Joseph Frechette joined the emphasis in online teaching and Theater and Film and an M.S.W. pleted all of her pre-requisites Edwin P. Carboni She worked for Penquis CAP women’s junior varsity coach at held positions as athletic trainer, Thomas College Public Safety learning from California State from the University of Kansas. for an A.S. in accounting. In William Dubay ’72 in Bangor as a family planning Messalonskee High School from athletics director, and faculty Department in December as the University. She also has a B.S. in She has served as a program addition, she went to NTI to David M. MacMahon counselor before moving to the 2000 until 2008. member since 1994. sergeant of public safety. Joe Physical Education/Athletic director at Kids Across America get her Class A license and has Gregory Piper Augusta area. She also worked recently retired from the U.S. Training from Ball State & Kanakuk Inc. Sports Camps driven part-time for the past two William Purington for the Family Planning Associ- Kristen Chasse Cheryl Army after serving 22 years. Joe University. Hubel comes to in Branson, Mo. and at The years, (not as a career choice, Susan Roche ation of Maine in Augusta for 10 joined the Daggett joined successfully completed the 100 Thomas from A.S.K. Fitness and Children’s Place in Kansas City. just for fun). William J. Ryan years in the finance department. Thomas the Thomas hour pre-Law Enforcement Performance Inc. in Minot, N.D. She served as the clinical coordi- Paul J. Schupf H’05 Most recently, Black was the Admissions staff College staff on course at the Maine Criminal where she designed, developed, nator at the Community Health Andrea Charles Shuman finance director for the Waterville on August 1 August 25 as Justice Academy in October and implemented activity-cen- & Counseling Center in Bangor, Thebarge Todd Smith, ’92, M.B.A. ’99 Area Boys and Girls Club and as an under- the new nurse of 2008. tered health care plans for the Maine. Most recently, Lathan joined the Jay T. Snider H’04 YMCA at the Alfond Youth graduate admis- practitioner. general public as well as for was employed at Eastern Maine Thomas Lawrence J. Sterrs Center. sions counselor. She received She brings with her over 30 years Heidi Holst competitive athletes. Healthcare System in Brewer, College her B.A. in Anthropology and of community health experience. joined the Maine. Athletic Orlina Boteva Archaeology from Washington Daggett has worked for the past Thomas admin- Harriet Department on OFFICERS OF THE COLLEGE joined the and Lee University and studied several years as the project coor- istration on Huntley Terry Parlin August 4. Thebarge is the head George R. Spann Thomas abroad with the School for dinator for the Family Planning September joined the joined the field hockey coach, women’s President College staff International Training (SIT). Association of Maine, a women’s 29 as the co- Thomas Thomas lacrosse coach, and assistant ath- on July 21 as Most recently she worked at health care nurse for Planned ordinator of Athletic College faculty letic director. Thebarge has Robert Callahan ’88, M.B.A. ’96 the assistant Washington and Lee in the Parenthood of Northern New tutoring services. She received a Department on July 21 as served as an interim head coach Vice President for Enrollment director of Archaeology department as the England, a nurse practitioner B.A. in English with a creative on August 18 the head soft- and assistant coach in field hock- Management writing emphasis and an M.A. in residential life. She comes to assistant field director for the for the Male Clinical Services as the head volleyball coach. ball coach and ey at the University of Maine at Deborah Cunningham Technical and Expository Writing Thomas having worked as a resi- Archaeology field school. Project in Augusta, and in a Huntley brings over eight assistant women’s soccer coach. Orono. She also coached field Dean of Retention Services dent director at the University private practice. with a concentration in composi- years of experience to Thomas Parlin is not new to Thomas hockey, basketball, and softball at of Southern Maine from 2005– Sarah Colby Her professional experiences tion, both from the University after working in athletic and College—he served as the head Buckingham, Browne, and Fran Day 2008. Boteva has a thorough joined the also include: nurse practitioner of Arkansas at Little Rock. recreational program develop- baseball coach in 1978 and the Nichols School in Cambridge, Vice President for knowledge of an educational Thomas with Three Rivers Family Holst has been a private ment, sport camps, and adven- assistant women’s soccer coach Mass. Thebarge played Division Institutional Advancement experience in Maine having com- Information Practice, private duty nurse, and school teacher in Edina, Minn., ture-based programs. Huntley in 2002. I field hockey at Northeastern Lisa Desautels-Poliquin pleted most of her degree work Services supervisory experience as an a legislative proofreader for the has a B.S. degree in Outdoor He is a graduate of the University where she received Vice President for Student Affairs here. She received a M.Ed. in Department on R.N. with Inland Hospital. Office of the Revisor of Statutes Recreation Leisure/Tourism with University of Maine at Farming- her B.S. in Math. She was also Student Development in Higher January 2 as Daggett holds an A.D.N. from in Augusta, a supervisor of dev- a minor in Coaching & minor in ton. Parlin most recently coached the assistant to the Director of Thomas Edwards Education from the University of the information technology sup- the Community College of elopmental writing at the Management from the University softball at Winslow High School Math for the Boston Public Vice President for Maine in 2005, and an M.A. in port technician. She is originally Philadelphia, a B.S.N. from the University of New England in of Maine at Presque Isle. She and prior to that, he coached Schools system. Academic Affairs History in 2004. Boteva received from Massachusetts and moved University of Pennsylvania, a Biddeford as well as the creator served as head volleyball coach softball for 10 years at Messa- Beth Gibbs, M.B.A. ’93 a B.A. in Political Science and to Maine to attend Saint Joseph’s B.S.N. from the University and director of the Writing at the University of Maine at lonskee High School. Parlin also Vice President for Financial History from the American College in Standish where she of Southern Maine, and she Assistance Center at Unity Presque Isle for two years, and served as the athletic director Affairs and Treasurer University in Bulgaria (where she worked towards a B.S. in English attended the Harbor General’s College in Unity. assistant coach for one. She also at Messalonskee for one year. was born and raised) and spent with a minor in Fine Arts. After Women’s Health Care Nurse conducted her own volleyball Parlin is currently a self- Christopher H. Rhoda ’88, her junior year studying at the four years of college, she started Practitioner Program. clinics. employed home builder. M.B.A. ’89 University of Maine, Orono. work at a southern Maine temp Huntley operates her own Vice President for agency and was then permanently business as a director/associate Information Services placed at ComputerWorks, a with Pre-Paid Legal Services. small repair shop in Scarborough, which she eventually co-owned.

46 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 47 ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

LETTER FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Fall Season Review

GREETINGS! AS I WRITE THIS LETTER, I hear the faint sound of squeaking HE FALL SEASON AT THOMAS ended successfully sneakers on the basketball gym floor and the gentle prodding, and sometimes pleading, T with four out of five teams achieving post-season playoff berths. Thomas continues to grow its athletic program with NAC Fall of men’s coach T.J. Maines as he implores his athletes to finish a play, get to a spot and the addition of men’s and women’s cross country and women’s All-Academic Honorees to box out. The teams are closing in on the end of the basketball regular season and the tennis as club teams. The teams are scheduled to move into HOMAS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE that men’s team is completing one of the most successful campaigns since Thomas College varsity status in the fall of 2009. Look for more information four fall athletes were named as North Atlantic entered the NCAA. on Thomas’ newest teams in a future edition of the Thomas T Conference (NAC) 2008-09 Fall All-Academic hon- Magazine. They are holding on to the first winning record since 1992, the first win over rival orees. Sixty-five student-athletes across the conference Men’s soccer finished the season at 7-12, with notable wins who participated in a fall sport received the recognition. Husson University since 1991, and the number one position in the North Atlantic Confer- over Maine Maritime Academy and Unity College. The Terrier To be honored, a student-athlete must have reached ence. The excitement surrounding this successful season has left the team, the Thomas men lost in a first round North Atlantic Conference (NAC) junior academic standing, have competed a minimum community and fans wondering: Could this be the year that the Terriers break into the tournament game 1-0 in a rainy, muddy contest against the of two years in their sport with a cumulative grade point Beavers of the University of Maine Farmington. Thomas had NCAA tournament for the first time? average of at least 3.50. four players recognized with all-conference honors: Tom Thoughts like these could only mean one thing . . . tournament time for winter sports The Thomas honorees were: Nicole Grant ’10, an Desjardins ’10, Jim Grant ’10 and Cory Underwood ’11 were accounting major from Lewiston who plays on the and the start of spring seasons has arrived. What could be more exciting? all named to the second team and Captain Tim Costa ’10 was field hockey team; Amy Miles ’09, a criminal justice Besides taking this opportunity to share this exciting news, I also want to introduce named as a first team all-conference player. major from Waldo who also plays field hockey; Cory Women’s soccer ended the season at 7-10-1. They were pre- myself as the new athletic director at Thomas College and to communicate the enthusiasm Daigneault ’10, an accounting/M.B.A. student from vented from obtaining a post-season appearance in the NAC and energy surrounding our athletics program. Biddeford who is on the men’s soccer team; and Tim quarterfinals during their last regular game of the season against Hartin ’09, of Island Falls who is a Sports Management Having been at Thomas for less than a year, I learned quickly that one thing is apparent, Maine Maritime Academy (MMA). The women lost to the Lady major and member of the men’s golf team. Terriers are excited about athletics. Pride in the program is the very first thing that I experi- Mariners 2-1 in a double overtime match when MMA scored enced—from students, faculty and administration, all the way to the President who, by the with just three minutes left in the match. The women’s team way, may hold the attendance record for home intercollegiate contests. looks strong for next year though, with only one senior leaving the squad and junior Jamie Lockett earning Honorable Mention The community support is contagious and we are trying to continue the momentum and All-Conference Honors. positive experience that athletics brings to the College. Thomas’ mission is to prepare stu- Field hockey, ending with a 3-12 record, also looks strong dents for success in their personal and professional lives, and athletics is a powerful vehicle for next year with only one senior leaving the team. Three to empower our students in this mission. athletes were honored by the conference with Amy Miles ’09 being named to the second team, Kellie Martel ’11 receiving As a department, we embrace the mission and our coaches are on the forefront of this honorable mention and Kristin Masessa being named Rookie important work. Words like academic integrity, personal responsibility, leadership, mentor- of the Year. The team did achieve a post-season position in ship, commitment, community involvement and service are not just catch phrases, but the NAC quarterfinals where they were defeated by Saint words that are put into action and reinforced with our athletic teams on a daily basis. I am Joseph’s College, 3-1. Amy Miles Cory Daigneault Volleyball finished the season with a 4-20 record, being very fortunate to be able to watch it unfold. I couldn’t be at a better place at a better time. eliminated in the NAC Quarterfinals by the University of I hope that you will find time this year to make it to one of our contests (see the teams’ Maine Farmington. First-year Sarah Marckoon received honor- schedules on page 52) and support our student athletes in all that they do. If you come, able mention in the North Athletic Conference. The team will please make a point of introducing yourself and telling me your connection to the Thomas bring a great deal of experience back next year with only one community. I look forward to it. member graduating this year. Men’s golf finished a respectable fifth overall in the confer- ence championship this fall. The team had one member, Yours in Red and Black, freshman Tim Costain, named to the NAC Second Team All- Conference. A highlight of the past season was Thomas’ hosting of the Maine Intercollegiate Golf Championship at Natanis Golf Nicole Grant Tim Hartin Course in Vassalboro. The contest was a two-day tournament DEB BICHE that featured 12 teams from across the state of Maine. Director of Athletics

48 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 49 ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

Winter Season Review Terrier Men Clinch Number One Position in North Atlantic Conference Kristin Masessa ’12 and Tim Costa ’10 HE TERRIER MEN’S BASKETBALL the afternoon, while the Eagles themselves would T team created quite the surge of excitement shoot 44.3 percent in the game. Though the on campus this winter—and for good reason. Terriers put up a good fight, they fell to Husson Coach T.J. Maines led the team to an impressive (73-60). 11-3 record within the North Atlantic Conference, The outstanding record was not the only thing clinching the number one position in the confer- that the Terriers had to show for this season. ence over Husson University (#2). Overall, the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) honors inlcud- team went 14-10, which is especially impressive ed Terrier Andrew Duncanson being named considering this season was the first since 1986 Player of the Year while teammate Shawn that the team has achieved ten wins. Rodgers was named conference Rookie of the Thomas hosted the conference championships Year. Head Coach T. J. Maines rounded out during the last weekend of February. Thomas was the awards for the Terriers being named Coach able to overcome the Eagles of Green Mountain of the Year. College (number four seed) in the first round of As the winter season came to a close, both the championships with a final score of 90-84. The next day, the men’s and women’s basketball teams were able to look Thomas played Husson for the title of NAC champions. The back on a series of successes and challenges. The women’s first half of action was back and forth, featuring five ties and team went 2-12 in the North Atlantic Conference. Coach Joy ALL ATHLETIC TEAMS AT THOMAS had Pelham, New Hampshire native Tim Costa continues eleven different lead changes. However, the Husson Eagles Charles and her team lost a handful of close games that were a total of 10 players receiving first or second team to strive for excellence both on and off the soccer field at F would outscore the Terriers 41-27 behind a 15-3 scoring run decided in the final minutes. With eight out of twelve players mention on North Athletic Conference All-Conference Thomas. He is studying Management as a senior in the that would come very late in the second half. The Eagles’ being either freshmen or sophomores, the women will bring squads. Among these players, Kristin Masessa and Tim five-year M.B.A. program on campus. defense would hold the Terriers to just 29 percent shooting on a very experienced team back next year. Costa stood out as student athletes and leaders for their Costa was named to the NAC second team in 2007 respective sports. Luckily for Thomas, both will be and this season was honored as a first team all-conference returning next year for another season of play. player. He led the men’s team in scoring and assists with Kristin Masessa, a first-year student, began her field a total of ten goals and six assists. hockey career at Mount View High School in Thorndike, Costa looks forward to returning for a final season of Thomas Wall of Heroes Maine. Upon being accepted to Thomas, Masessa was play next year: “We had success as a team this year, but HONOR A LIFE, HONOR A MEMORY, LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY unsure if she would play field hockey. She intended to were disappointed to lose in the opening round of the STUDENT ATHLETE PROFILE ATHLETE STUDENT play basketball and softball, and decided late that she NAC playoffs. We plan to set the standard to work hard HOMAS COLLEGE HAS TEAMED UP with would be a three-sport athlete. in the offseason in order to get to the top of the NAC T Get Etched, a leader in world-class laser etching, to Masessa has made the transition from high school to next season.” bring you the Wall of Heroes. Division III Athletics well. In her first year at Thomas, she He will play again with his younger brother, Richard, The Wall of Heroes will be a powerful way to create a was named NAC Rookie of the Year and all-conference who will return as a sophomore. Outside of soccer and lasting tribute to the people who have made a significant honorable mention. Though Masessa was surprised by the academics, Costa works in the Athletic Department as a difference in your life. These distinctive and timeless keep- awards, head field hockey coach Andrea Thebarge was not. work-study student and assists with game management sake granite plaques will be mounted on the outside wall “I am very excited for Kristin being named Rookie of the and scheduling for a number of Thomas teams. of the Laurette Ayotte Auditorium. Year. This honor is one of the top two honors that our Whether you want to honor a student athlete and their conference gives out.” Thebarge added, “Kristin played team, celebrate a professor whose teaching is carved into center midfield for us, which is a huge position for a first- your memories, memorialize a loved one who has passed, year player. She was the playmaker of our team and her Kristin Masessa and or commemorate the accomplishments of a future graduate, defensive and offensive threat is definitely evident with her the Wall of Heroes will be an excellent way to honor those being selected by other conference coaches. Kristin scored Tim Costa stood out who have made an important impact on your life. For four goals this season and had a major role in both our generations to come, these plaques will create a history of offensive and defensive corner units.” as student athletes and leaders Thomas College bringing past and future students together. The Sports Management major continues to balance This is a gift that will last a lifetime . . . and then another. academics and athletics as she plays her first college basket- for their respective sports. Anyone can purchase a plaque. For more information ball season at Thomas this winter and moves into softball on purchasing or pricing, please contact Cathy Dumont season this spring. “ at 207-859-1167 or [email protected]. 50 THOMAS MAGAZINE ” SPRING 2009 51 ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

BASEBALL SPRING 2009 VARSITY ATHLETICS SCHEDULES Date Time Opponent 3/25 TBD vs. Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vt) SOFTBALL MEN’S TENNIS WOMEN’S LACROSSE 3/25 TBD vs. Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, Ill) Date Time Opponent Date Time Opponent Date Time Opponent 3/26 TBD vs. Oberlin College (Oberlin, Oh) 3/11 8:00 AM vs. Farmingdale State College (Double Header) 3/21 2:00 PM vs. Lyndon St. College (Lyndonville, Vt)* 3/21 12:00 PM @ Worcester State College (Farmingdale, N.Y.) (Worcester, Ma) 3/26 TBD vs. Oberlin College (Oberlin, Oh) (JV) 3/22 11:00 AM vs. Green Mountain College (Poultney, Vt)* 3/11 10:30 AM vs. Post University (Waterbury, CT) 3/22 12:00 PM @ Pine Manor College (Chestnut Hill, Ma) 3/27 TBD vs. Buena Vista University 3/28 1:30 PM vs. Johnson State College (Johnson, Vt)* 3/11 12:30 PM vs. Post University (Waterbury, CT) (Storm Lake, IA) (Double Header) 3/25 6:15 PM @ Saint Joseph's College (Standish, Me) 3/29 1:00 PM vs. Castleton State College (Castleton, Vt)* 3/12 8:00 AM vs. Penn State Hazleton Campus 3/28 TBD vs. Colby College 3/28 1:00 PM vs. Westfield State College (Hazleton, Pa) 4/3 2:00 PM @ Johnson State College (Johnson, Vt)* (Waterville, Me) (Double Header) (Westfield, Ma) 3/12 10:00 AM vs. Penn State Hazleton Campus 4/4 12:00 PM @ Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, Vt)* 3/30 TBD vs. Williams College (Williamstown, Ma) 3/29 1:00 PM @ Daniel Webster College (Nashua, N.H.) (Hazleton, Pa) 4/16 3:30 PM vs. University of Southern Maine 3/31 TBD vs. Williams College (Williamstown, Ma) 4/4 1:00 PM @ Castleton State College (Castleton, Vt)* 3/12 2:00 PM vs. Post University (Waterbury, CT) (Gorham, Me) 4/1 TBD vs. Williams College (Williamstown, Ma) 4/5 11:00 AM @ Green Mountain College 3/13 4:00 PM vs. Guilford College (Greensboro, N.C.) 4/18 2:00 PM @ Castleton State College (Castleton, Vt)* (Poultney, Vt)* 4/5 12:00 PM vs. Bowdoin College (Brunswick, Me) 3/13 6:00 PM vs. Guilford College (Greensboro, N.C.) 4/19 1:00 PM @ Green Mountain College (Poultney, Vt)* (Double Header) 4/7 4:30 PM @ Becker College (Worcester, Ma) 3/14 9:00 AM vs. Mitchell College (New London, CT) 4/25 TBA NAC Championship 4/7 4:00 PM @ Colby College (Waterville, Me) 4/9 3:30 PM vs. Elms College (Chicopee, Ma) 3/14 11:00 AM vs. Mitchell College (New London, CT) 4/26 TBA NAC Championship 4/8 3:30 PM vs. Bates College (Lewiston, Me) 4/14 4:00 PM @ Husson University (Bangor, Me)* 4/8 2:00 PM @ Maine Maritime Academy 4/10 11:00 AM vs. Husson University (Bangor, Me) 4/16 4:00 PM vs. University of Maine Farmington (Castine, Me)* (Double Header)* MEN’S LACROSSE (Farmington, Me)* 4/9 3:00 PM @ Lesley University (Cambridge, Ma) 4/11 12:00 PM vs. Husson University (Bangor, Me) Date Time Opponent 4/18 1:00 PM vs. Bridgewater State College (Double Header) (Double Header)* (Bridgewater, Ma) 4/11 1:00 PM @ Husson University (Bangor, Me) 3/14 2:00 PM @ Becker College (Worcester, Ma) 4/14 4:00 PM @ St. Joseph's College (Standish, Me) 4/21 4:00 PM vs. Husson University (Bangor, ME)* (Double Header)* 3/16 5:45 PM @ Saint Joseph's College (Standish, Me) (Double Header) 4/23 4:00 PM @ University of Maine Farmington 4/14 3:30 PM @ Bowdoin College (Brunswick, Me) 4/15 TBD @ U. Maine Farmington (Farmington, Me) 3/18 4:00 PM @ Daniel Webster College (Nashua, N.H.) (Farmington, Me)* (Double Header) (Double Header)* 3/21 1:00 PM vs. University of Southern Maine 4/25 11:00 AM vs. Fitchburg State College (Fitchburg, Ma) 4/16 3:30 PM vs. University of New England (Gorham, Me) 4/18 2:00 PM @ Castleton State College (Biddeford, Me) (Double Header) 4/26 TBA NAC Finals (Castleton, Vt) (Double Header)* 3/23 3:30 PM @ Husson University (Bangor, Me)* 4/18 1:00 PM @ Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, Vt) 4/29 TBA NEWLA 1st round 4/19 12:00 PM @ Castleton State College (Double Header)* 3/25 4:00 PM @ Maine Maritime Academy (Castine, Me)* (Castleton, Vt) (Double Header)* 5/2 TBA NEWLA Finals 4/19 12:00 PM @ Johnson State College (Johnson, Vt) 3/28 12:00 PM @ Green Mountain College (Poultney, Vt)* 4/22 TBD @ U. Maine Farmington (Farmington, Me)* (Double Header)* 4/4 1:00 PM vs. Johnson State College (Johnson, Vt)* 4/23 3:30 PM vs. University of Southern Maine 4/21 3:30 PM vs. Bates College (Lewiston, Me) 4/11 1:00 PM @ Castleton St. College (Castleton, Vt)* (Gorham, Me) (Double Header) 4/15 4:00 PM vs. Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, Vt)* 4/25 1:30 PM vs. Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, Vt) 4/22 3:00 PM vs. University of Maine Farmington indicates home game (Double Header)* 4/18 3:00 PM vs. Mount Ida College (Newton, Ma) (Farmington, Me) (Double Header)* 4/26 12:00 PM vs. Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, Vt) 4/25 3:00 PM vs. Castleton State College 4/20 3:00 PM vs. Emerson College (Boston, Ma) * indicates North Atlantic Conference game (Double Header)* (Castleton, Vt)* 4/22 4:00 PM vs. Husson University (Bangor, Me)* 4/28 5:00 PM @ University of Maine (Orono, Me) indicates spring training games 4/26 12:00 PM vs. Green Mountain College 4/25 TBA NAC Quarterfinals (baseball in Arizona and softball in Florida) 4/29 4:00 PM vs. Colby College (Waterville, Me) (Poultney, Vt) (Double Header)* 4/29 TBA NAC Semifinals 5/1–3 TBD NAC TOURNAMENT 4/28 NAC Quarterfinals 5/2 TBA NAC Finals 5/1–3 NAC Final Four

52 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 53 CLASS NOTES

1970—Thomas Nale’s son, Pauline (Harding) Gorham is 1982— Development at Mercy Health Thomas J. Nale, has recently the proud grandmother of Bella Scott System of Maine in Portland. joined the family law firm. Nale’s who was born June 13, 2007, Danner is Mike was most recently chief son graduated cum laude from and Dagen, born August 28, the chief financial officer at Mercy. Colby College in 2005 and from 2008. Both are children of her operating the Maine Law School in 2008. daughter Kim who lives in San officer of a Allen Sterling ’80, ’86 is the Nale’s daughter, Tracy, also grad- Angelo, Texas. Another daugh- produce President and CEO of Auburn uated from Colby in 2007 and is ter, Katie, is a teacher at company, Savings Bank and has been elect- in her second year at Maine Law. Messalonskee High School and Liberty Fruit Co, Inc. and living ed to the Board of Directors of lives in Waterville, Maine. Her in Olathe, Kan. with his wife of Auburn Savings Bank, FSB and 1972—Stephen Reid, M.B.A. third daughter, Kelly, died unex- 25 years, Karen (Burpee) its parent company, Auburn ’76 is the managing director, pectedly in August of 2007. Danner ’81, Bancorp, Inc. He is active in North America for Delta Currently, Pauline is teaching ’83, and their many area organizations and International RTM Limited eighth grade mathematics at two boys Nate, resides with his family in since leaving IBM in 2006. He Massabesic Junior High School 21, and Lewiston. is managing the North American in Waterboro, Maine. Michael, 18. operations and development of a Karen (seen 1987—Tony Sicurella was specialist consulting firm helping 1977—Glenda (Grover) zip-lining in recently promoted to store man- computer industry clients opti- Crosby continues to work in the photo ager at JCPenney in Salem, N.H. mize their business partner Education as a Title I educational above) teaches after four-and-a-half years as the routes-to-market channels technician at Enfield Station fitness classes, Nate is a junior store manager in Manchester, through research, strategy/ School. She is currently teaching and Michael is a freshman at N.H. He also just celebrated his partner development, personnel Math, Reading and Writing in Kansas State University. 24th anniversary with JCPenney. recruitment, enablement and 4th grade. She and her husband, Tony and his wife Leslie live in ecosystem teaming. Kenton have two granddaugh- Kenneth Fogg is working for Nashua, N.H. with their 13-year- ters: JayLyn Emma Crosby and the U.S. Customs Service, now old daughter, Danielle, and 11- 1974—Dave Acks retired Shay Belle Ireland. She is also an called Customs and Border year-old son, Shane. Sicurella from 30-plus years of service as advisor with the direct sale com- Protection after 9/11. He has enjoyed reading the article about a Civilian Auditor with the pany lia sophia jewelry, and has been working there since 1984. Kathy (Veilleux) Chassie ’93 Department of the Army. He been doing this for more than He currently lives in the Atlanta and John Ranney ’88 in the will be splitting his time between four years and has met many area and has a 17-year-old son. summer 2008 issue of the his two homes in Georgia and wonderful women. Thomas Magazine and shared Alabama. 1986—Mike Hachey, M.B.A. this note: “I just received my 1979—Diane (Beaulieu) ’97 was recently promoted to magazine and thought I should Alan “Ollie” Bolman gave Chiarantona was named new senior vice president of send in information on my recent an update of what he’s been operations officer at Depositors Ambulatory Services & Network promotion with JCPenney. doing since graduating. From Trust Co., where she has been 1976–1980 he re-enlisted in the employed since 1979. She will U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster 1st be responsible for overseeing Class. From 1980 until 2002 he the installment loan processing Alumni, are you connected? worked as an able-bodied seaman department, and coordinating for Exxon Shipping Company, and implementing special proj- The Thomas Alumni office is increasingly using online retiring after 22 years of service. ects in the retail lending area. communication as a primary means of reaching our graduates. In 1986 he married Eileen on In order to make sure you receive our e-newsletter and not 1981— Monhegan Island, Maine. Since miss out on exciting news, events and more, please make sure 2002 he has been a USCG Cynthia licensed captain with Harbor Dubois-Cote that your contact information is up-to-date. Log on now to Tours in Gloucester, Mass. He has been a check that we have your current e-mail address. Also, while summers in Gloucester and heads Realtor for you are online, add us as a friend on MySpace and become a to Venice, Fla. during the cold the past four fan on Facebook. Stay connected! years. She winter months. You can update your information anytime by visiting the and her alumni Web site (www.thomas.edu\alumni). Click on the Marjorie “Midge” (Waynen) husband, Don, have been mar- Concannon has a home party ried for 20 years and have a “Services” option and then select “Update Your Information” business selling lia sophia daughter, Christine, who is a to make changes. jewelry. Her Web site is: senior in high school. Please liasophia.com/midgec. She look up Cindy at Prudential Become a fan of Thomas College on Facebook! invites all Thomas alumni to Prime in Saco if you or someone check it out. you know needs assistance with Add us as a friend on MySpace: Thomas College Alumni real estate and are moving into the southern Maine area.

54 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 55 CLASS NOTES CLASS NOTES

I noticed a great article about Kathy Chassie ’93 and John Alumni Events Held Kenneth R. Dorr ’26 Ranney ’88. I’m not sure if Kenneth R. Dorr, 101, of Cumberland passed away on September 3, 2008. He was you’re aware of this, but two The Thomas Alumni office has sponsored many successful born in Ellsworth, the son of James and Bertha Dorr. After working his way through other Thomas graduates that I events for graduates and their guests in recent months. The know of are JCPenney Store college he married Esther Donovan, on Dec. 31, 1929. They settled in Cumberland in end of summer 2008 brought a large group of alumni, and Managers; Steve White ’90 is 1931 in a home built by Dorr’s father, where they raised their 11 children and lived out their family and friends together to cheer on the Boston Red their life together. Dorr practiced good health through the use of vitamins, nutrition, store manager in Portland, Maine and Wendy Jacques- Sox. The group had a wonderful time despite the Red Sox’s exercise, Tai Chi and yoga. He cared for Esther, his wife of 72 years, in the final years Morrissette ’85 is store manager loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Other recent events included of her life until her death at age 96. Dorr is predeceased by his wife and one son Charles in Waterville, Maine. Like Kathy a Portland Sea Dogs game and an alumni social at Sky in Dorr. He is survived by 10 children: daughters, Esther Safford, Joan and spouse William and John, my Thomas education Boston, as well as the annual alumni athletic games. has been very instrumental in my Brown, Donor Dorr, and Mary and spouse Sonny Chipman; sons, Kenneth Jr., James The weather was perfect for those who attended the and spouse Prisilla, Robert and spouse Barbara, John, Michael and spouse Rose and professional growth with the JCPenney Co.” annual men’s alumni soccer game on October 4. The game William and spouse Sue; 30 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren and six great-great proved to be very exciting, as both sides battled to the very grandchildren. 1988—Stacy (Welch) end. Although the alumni put up an incredible fight, they Whitten ’03 Courtesy of Erica (Gallant) Thomas alumni/Boston Red Sox fans take in a game at Fenway Park. IN MEMORIUM IN Dickinson just celebrated 20 fell to the current Terrier team in a sudden death playoff years of marriage and changed with a score of 4-2. Alumni events are a great way to enjoy some fun activities careers from an insurance agent David J. Mahan ’70 The annual men’s and women’s basketball games were while reconnecting with old friends…and perhaps making David J. Mahan, 61, alumnus and gener- to a receptionist at Coastal Veterinary Care in Wiscasset, held on November 1. Both games were enjoyed by both new ones! We hope that you will join us for one of our next ous supporter of Thomas College, passed Maine. Her oldest son, Alex, participants and spectators as the current Terrier teams events. Once again, we will be hosting an alumni day at the away on January 14, 2009 of cancer. will be graduating from high took two wins. Boston Red Sox. This year’s game will be played on July 25, Mahan, a Naugatuck, Conn. native and school this year. 2009. Details to come! Watertown, Conn. resident, had earned local recognition through his catering Richard “Rick” Nelson was elected by his peers on the Board businesses, first with Mahan’s Crystal 1991—Guy Reynolds was University of Maine and Caroline Derek and Lori (Calley) of Governors of the Society of is a professor of Environmental Gervais celebrated the birth of Room in Naugatuck, and later with Financial Examiners (SOFE) named the new head coach of Women’s Soccer at MassBay Economics at the University. their second child, Madison Mahan’s Lakeview Fine Catering in at their annual meeting in Taylor, on November 3, 2007. Wolcott. His fame went international Nashville, Tenn. in August of Community College in Wellesley, Mass. 1997—Sharon (Emery) She was welcomed home by big when, in 2003, his horse, Funny Cide, 2008. He obtained his profes- Corson is close to completing sister Olivia. won the first two legs of horseracing’s sional designation of Certified her bachelor’s degree after Financial Examiners in 1995 by 1993—Rachel Davis will be Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and obtaining her M.S.W. from the receiving her A.S. at Thomas. Dean Newell has worked for meeting educational and experi- In November 2005 she retired Sirius Computer Solutions for the Preakness. Funny Cide came within University of New England in 1995—Rachel (Pomerleau) ence requirements and passing from Central Maine Power and the last nine years as the help May of 2009. Frost works for the University of one second of winning the elusive Triple a series of examinations. Rick headed southwest with her hus- desk manager. Dean and his wife, Southern Maine as a senior tech- Crown by finishing third at the Belmont started his career with the State band, Gordon. This past summer Melissa, have two kids: Connor, Jeffrey Gosselin, M.B.A. ’99 nology trainer. She has two sons, Stakes. Mahan was a 20 percent owner of of Maine Bureau of Insurance in they sold their home in Maine 6, and Ariana, 2. The Newell 1988 as an insurance company is now a vice president at Mason, 1, and Tanner, 4. Funny Cide, and part of the boisterous Mechanics Private Bank. and are permanently living in family resides in San Antonio, examiner. Nelson currently is a Baja California, Mexico. They Texas. racing partnership known as Sackatoga Kim (Duncan) Glowa and her principal in charge of the plan on visiting New England in Stable. Considered a working-man’s sta- 1994—Lindsay (Shepard) family welcomed a new son, Insurance Regulatory Consulting the spring of 2010. Christopher Parsons was named Harris purchased a new home in Calder, on May 10, 2008. His ble, the Sackatoga crew became almost as famous as their horse, especially after the Practice of Eide Bailly LLP, a the head men’s soccer and Scarborough in September 2008. older brother, Hunter, 7, and owners and their families pulled up to Churchill Downs on Derby Day in a bright, national accounting firm with its Michelle (Cobb) Steward began lacrosse coach at the University Lindsay returned to commercial older sister, Brook, 4, are loving home office in Fargo, N.D. and working at Central Maine Power of Maine Farmington. He was yellow school bus. That stroke of marketing genius was “all Mahan.” As he explained lending last October with North- the new addition to the family. works out of his home in Maine. a few months after graduation the assistant coach of the Uni- later, this wasn’t a publicity east Bank, after spending several Kim is in her 10th year as a sen- He and his wife Jo-Ellen reside and has enjoyed her work with versity of Maine men’s soccer gimmick; it was simply the cheapest way to get the Funny Cide people from the hotel years at home with her two sons, ior accountant at Medical Care at their home in Wilton, Maine. CMP for the past twelve years. team last season and he also Wyatt, 5, and Blake, 2, while also Development. Kim’s husband, to the track. By his side when he passed, was his favorite photo. The picture, snapped She married Chad Steward in spent two seasons as an assistant running a part-time business. John, is in his first year of teach- by Mahan’s wife Nadine, shows Mahan on his beloved horse. Phone calls and e-mails 1989—Wendy Bonsant, 2000. Michelle’s daughter, coach at Bowdoin College. Harris had previously been a ing Chemistry at Gardiner High flooded the Alumni Office when Mahan passed. Several classmates commented on the M.B.A ’95 was promoted to Brittney, is interested in possibly commercial loan officer at Bank- School. The family resides in a investment officer at Maine attending Thomas in the fall of —Meredith (Pray) character of Mahan—his zest for life, his humbleness and his sense of humor were north in Portland for eight years. log home in the woods of Mount 2000 Housing in February 2008 2009. Bastian and her husband, Jon, among the many qualities his friends will recall of him. He had the ability to brighten Vernon. where she has been working welcomed their first child, Avery any room. Mahan will always be remembered for the joy he brought to others. for 19 years. She currently —Dena-Lee (Michaud) Louise, on October 7, 2007. 1996—Michael Noblet and 1998 resides in Windsor, Maine Darveau began a new position Meredith is currently working his wife, Caroline, are expecting with Tracy, her husband of 19 within the past year as a financial for Citigroup in Portland. The their first child in April. He is the years, and their two children, manager for the DHHS WIC couple resides in Scarborough. purchasing manager at the Courtney, 12, and Noah, 9. Program. (continued on pg. 60)

56 THOMAS MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 57 CLASS NOTES CLASS NOTES

Thomas Alum’s Todd D. Smith ’92, M.B.A.’99

F YOU ASK TODD D. SMITH ’92, M.B.A.’99 what storage to a dry storage environment. Smith says, “Because With time still left on Smith’s busy schedule, he also Entrepreneurial his motivation is for his success, he answers, “You cannot TSSD got its start with decommissioning, you might say we serves on the Thomas College Board of Trustees. He says I foster change by sitting on the sidelines…get involved.” started from the end of the nuclear life cycle and worked our that his personal and professional career was motivated by Smith is a leader in the commercial nuclear decommissioning way backwards. I have never been the traditional type.” two leaders at Thomas; former athletic director Jim Evans Spirit Leads to field having run the business operations for the recovery and According to Smith, The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Professor Nelson Madore. completion of the decommissioning of three New England (NRC) is present at all operating and decommissioning nuclear Because of his love of sports, Smith began serving on the power plants. He currently owns and operates TSSD Services, facilities as the regulatory body. “Although we do not work board to provide input on the sports program. “Evans and Highly Successful Inc. of Oakland, Maine, specializing in the supply of project directly for the NRC, we certainly abide by their guidance at Madore both inspired me to not sit on the sidelines when management and engineering personnel to the nuclear power each nuclear plant we do business in,” says Smith. “We also you feel strongly about something,” Smith explains. “The industry nationwide. With 2008 revenues projected to be in have worked for the Department of Energy (DOE) in the past principle that they taught me is ‘don’t complain about it Business Record excess of $27 million, TSSD has grown to a workforce of over on the Rocky Flats Environmental Clean Up project. This from the sidelines, but get involved to understand the issues 130 professional employees providing services in all stages of the was an old DOE facility in Colo. which was an eight-year and try and help.’ ” nuclear plant lifecycle. $4 billion project.” Smith values his time spent on the board and as to

ALUMNI PROFILE ALUMNI Ask Smith why his company is so successful and he will tell Smith spent over six years in the positions of Executive Thomas’ future he says, “I want Thomas College to be you, “We develop a relationship with our employees and from Director of Business Operations, Business Manager, Project known as a place that gives the average high school student there we gain mutual loyalty and longevity from them. We try Controls Manager, and Decommissioning Waste Manager at with a great work ethic a chance to be great in the profes- very hard to have a place for them to go after they finish a big Connecticut Yankee, Yankee Rowe, and Maine Yankee. He sional world.” He continues, “Thomas has a history of job, where other shops tend to say ‘goodbye and we’ll call you also has over 15 years of professional experience in the heavy doing this and I would like to see this theme become the if we find something else.’ ” construction industry including construction management, niche that separates Thomas from other colleges we com- Smith grew up in Howland, and has lived in Maine most of contract management, corporate management, and project pete against.” Smith coined this theme: “Thomas College… his life. He currently resides in Oakland with his wife, Kelly, controls. And besides his duties as President of TSSD, he we turn good students into great professionals.” and two sons, Cole, 9, and Hunter, 7. Smith attended Thomas currently owns five different companies in differing capacities. No doubt that Smith sets an excellent example for College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a “Effective time management allows me to move each company Thomas students, and with his success in business and his Masters in Business Administration. forward,” says Smith. entrepreneurial track record, he is helping Thomas achieve Smith feels that he owes much of his success to Thomas. Smith’s effective time management skills also allow him to this goal. “It’s a college where you don’t get lost in the student body spend time with his family and to pursue hobbies and interests. because of the small campus community,” Smith explains. You might call Smith’s family, a “soccer family.” Smith played “While at Thomas I was involved in numerous activi- for Thomas’ nationally-ranked soccer team while he was attend- ties, which forced me to become very effective in ing, and Kelly was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame at time management. I participated in academics, St. Joseph’s College for her soccer accomplishments. Kelly also athletics, and a job both on and off campus. This coached soccer and softball at Thomas College for eight years skill becomes invaluable when you carry it over from 1994 until 2002. Smith’s sons Cole and Hunter both I want Thomas College into the professional world,” he says. play soccer year-round at a facility close to the College. That skill mastery can definitely be demon- Smith plays golf and is an avid snowmobile driver. At 14, to be known as a place strated by a quick review of Smith’s resume. true to his entrepreneurial spirit, Smith saved his own money that gives the average high TSSD Services, Inc. was founded in 1999 with and purchased his first snowmobile. He’s also spent a good a mission to provide top quality management amount of time snowmobiling in Canada and knows his way school student with a great and technical staff resources to the nuclear around both Southern Quebec and north of the St. Lawrence industry. The company’s focus is on the overall River. Smith has spent many miles on the trails with Team work ethic a chance to be great Maine Racing and has ventured out West numerous times “ lifecycle of nuclear power plants. This includes: construction, operations, capital improvements, for back country riding. in the professional world. and transferring spent nuclear fuel from a wet

Courtesy of Todd Smith 58 THOMAS MAGAZINE ” SPRING 2009 59 CLASS NOTES

(continued from pg. 57) Traci Willette is working as a 2007—Kari Grant is currently 1996—Andrew Grover, Your small change bookkeeper for Capital Area working for Martin's Point M.B.A has been hired as vice pres- 2002—Melissa (Ramsey) Technical Center. She is also Health Care in Portland as a ident and risk manager at Calkins and her husband, Travis, working as a distributor for market researcher. She will be Androscoggin Bank. He is also can make a difference. welcomed a daughter, Kaci PartyGals and received an award finishing her M.B.A. from currently an adjunct faculty Morgan, on January 27, 2008. at the national convention in Thomas College in the spring member at Thomas College Older brother Cooper is 3. March 2008 for being the num- of 2009. In addition, she was and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Melissa works as the student ber one distributor in Maine and recently engaged to RJ Gagnon. University-Worldwide, teaching advisor and office manager at ranked 41st nationally. They are planning a September graduate and undergraduate Community College of Vermont. 2009 wedding. RJ is working as courses in accounting and The family resides in West 2004—Marisa (Ellsworth) a staff accountant at Robustelli, business. Danville, Vt. Alcaraz was married to Joel Rotz, & Soucy, CPA in Lewiston. Alcaraz on March 22, 2008. He is currently attending Thomas 2003—Timothy Thompson, Ian Moriarty married Elizabeth College for his M.B.A. and plans M.B.A. has been promoted to Kent on July 19, 2008 in South Jonathan Brown is a cardiovas- to be finished in the winter of senior vice president at the Freeport. Ian works as a con- cular specialty representative with 2009. Kari and RJ are living in Farmington Community Bank. troller and Elizabeth is employed a molecular cardiology biotech Lewiston in a lovely colonial He also has been promoted by the Social Security Admin- company, CV Therapeutics. He purchased in 2008. to treasurer and will serve as istration. The couple resides in spends most of his time in Cardio the bank’s clerk. Timothy has Standish, Maine. Cath Labs and CCU’s speaking 2008—Jared Downing works worked in the banking industry with doctors about their drug, for Worldwide Acquisitions, a for 15 years. Betsy (Pratt) Sibley and hus- and various cardiac disease states. direct marketing and sales com- band, Scott Sibley, welcomed pany, in Woburn, Mass. 2004— their second child, Trent Jackson 2005—Ryan O’Connor Katrina Sibley, on November 24, 2008. married Anna (Callahan) Nick Hills started teaching at (Merrifield) Trent joins older brother, Reid, O’Connor on September 30, Nickerson Elementary School Shaw, M.B.A. 2. The family resides in Turner, 2005 in Harpswell, Maine. On in Belfast in September 2008. was promoted Maine. Betsy is a certified insur- October 7, 2007 the couple to senior ance counselor at the Northeast welcomed their first child, Corey Munsey is a third grade revenue agent Bank Insurance Group. Jackson Clark O’Connor. Ryan teacher as well as a technology with the Maine Revenue Services. is attending graduate school at coordinator at Hebron Station She and her husband also wel- Andrew Gonzaga University in Spokane, School. comed a baby girl, Isabella Rose, Whitten Washington and is studying on November 10, 2008. and Erica Organizational Leadership. (Gallant) GRADUATE 2007—Bridget Madden, Whitten ’03 2006—Ron Dexter passed his PROGRAM M.B.A is the executive director became the exam and was granted the desig- of the Community Health Center proud parents nation of Certified Information 1994—Tom Sorel, M.B.A was of Franklin County. She is respon- of a baby girl, Systems Auditor (CISA) by the appointed commissioner of the sible for the overall operations Alyssa Lynn, Information Systems Audit and Department of Transportation. of the health center and charged on September Control Association in September He is the first engineer to head with providing primary care 8, 2008. 2008. He and his family have MnDOT in 22 years. He current- services in undeserved urban Andrew is a systems consultant added laying hens and a llama to ly resides with his wife, Laura, and rural communities. with S.J. Rollins Technologies in their small farm in Leeds, Maine. and son in Woodbury, Minn. Bangor. Erica is the director of sales of the Holiday Inn in Lisa (Cook) Madore earned her Bangor. The family resides in Professional in Human Resources Corinna, Maine. (PHR) Certification in May. Attention Alumni! 2003—Bert Audette, M.B.A. Jonathan Roberston was pro- ’05 and Janet (Pennington) moted in October 2008 to oper- Thomas College is bringing back the Alumni Audette ’06, M.B.A. ’08 wel- ations manager for CSC at Bath comed their first child, Isaac Iron Works in Bath. He is living Association. Benefits of being a member of the Alumni Joseph Audette, on February in Harpswell, Maine. Association include receiving the Thomas Magazine as Thomas 13, 2009. well as getting the opportunity for special discounts, COLLEGE Matthew Rogers received his promotions, incentives and much, much more. Kathleen (Grant) Dykhuis and Security+ certification as he By becoming a member of the Alumni Association you her husband, David, welcomed continues to work as a program- Financial aid makes a college education accessible to students who will automatically be entered into a drawing for a pair of their first child, a baby girl, mer analyst for Hannaford Bros. otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity. At Thomas, over 94% of Roslynn Alexandria Dykhuis, He and Marissa (Radcliffe) Boston Red Sox tickets. Look for more information to students receive financial aid and a large part of the funds come from on August 7, 2008. Rogers ’07 own a house in come soon about benefits and membership! Beverly Hills, Fla. donors like you. Your spare change can make a difference.

60 THOMAS MAGAZINE Give now at www.thomas.edu/secure/alumnigift.asp SPRING 2009 61 PERSPECTIVE

Mash-ups allow developers Technology as a Tool to combine applications Greg Savard ’89 while empowering users to make better and “faster decisions.

o say that technology has changed dramatically since I From a software development perspective, the changes in was a student at Thomas College might be the under- technology are a double-edged sword. Millions of people use T statement of this decade. The explosion of tools and MySpace and Xbox Live” everyday without any formal training. information has dramatically changed the learning process. At Developers can leverage the user experience of these sites to the same time, business has changed at least as dramatically. assist them in improving the designs of their own sites. Mash- Billion-dollar companies dominate markets that weren’t even ups (see Glossary) allow developers to combine applications imagined 15–20 years ago. Technology allows people to work while empowering users to make better and faster decisions. from home as efficiently as those in the office, while helping On the other side of the equation, it can be difficult to confirm the environment by reducing the commuter footprint. The one the accuracy of the information one finds on the Internet.

Courtesy of Greg Savard constant is change. The anonymity allows dishonest people to misrepresent facts. Greg Savard graduated from Thomas College in 1989 with a In many ways, the technology used to facilitate learning Developers must also give careful consideration to the B.S. in Computer Information Systems. Savard is currently vice incorporates the same tools that have transformed business. devices their applications will be viewed on. A Web page that president of Technology Research at Tyler Technologies in Social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and might display perfectly on a PC or laptop could be a disaster Falmouth, Maine. He has been at Tyler since 1995. LinkedIn allow people to build out their network and com- on a SmartPhone. Tyler Technologies is the largest local government solution municate with that network in real time. Online classrooms The article in this issue of the Thomas Magazine about the provider in the United States. Tyler solutions include appraisal are, conceptually, the same as working from remote offices. benefits of educational gaming is interesting. I believe the and tax, citizen services, courts and justice, document manage- Tools like Webex and Go2Assist allow help desks to see the potential for practical learning and skill development from ment, education, financial solutions, land and vital records, computer issues first-hand, rather than relying on the user to gaming extends beyond the classroom. Online gaming provides pension management and public safety. Tyler has customers in accurately describe the problem. Information about competi- the opportunity to identify problem-solvers and potential lead- all 50 states and offices across the country. tors is immediately available online 24/7. The Internet enables ers. It also affords collaboration opportunities for people that Savard works on the financial solutions team based in businesses to remain “open” even when all their employees are have never met in person before. The phenomenon is large I believe that Thomas is appropriately positioning tech- Falmouth, Maine. Financial solutions includes traditional out of the office. enough that IBM commissioned a study to see how massively nology not as a magic bullet, but instead as a powerful tool enterprise resource planning (ERP) software as well as tax, multiplayer online role playing games might impact the way that changes the way all of us think and operate. Effective education, pension and citizen services. Their customers are enterprises do business. The study yielded some interesting communication and problem-solving skills are at least as primarily cities, counties and school districts. Savard’s primary correlations between these games and business practices. The important as the latest technological tool. The one thing responsibility is ensuring Tyler has a competitive product that potential exists for companies, especially smaller and younger we can all be certain of is that technology will continue to takes advantage of emerging technology. Savard also manages ones, to forgo traditional organizational hierarchy and, instead, change, probably at an ever-increasing rate. To be success- the user experience team, oversees the development of products The Internet enables determine leadership by those who are best-suited to address ful one has to be comfortable in changing along with tech- that can be leveraged across all Tyler solutions and facilitates businesses to remain ‘open’ the task at hand. Beyond leadership potential, competitive nology, communicating verbally and in writing, making collaboration across the development teams for the different even when all their employees games can teach people about appropriate risk taking, team- thoughtful decisions, and solving problems, in addition to solution families. work, innovation and problem solving. knowing when and how to apply technology to the process. Savard is married to Gale (St. Onge) Savard ’91. They and are out of the office. their two daughters live in Windham, Maine. “

62 THOMAS MAGAZINE ” SPRING 2009 63 Non-Profit Org. Thomas U.S. Postage COLLEGE PAID Augusta, ME 180 West River Road Permit No. 121 Waterville, ME 04901

Alumni, this could be your last issue!

Starting with our Fall 2009 issue, the Thomas Magazine will only be mailed to those alumni who are members of the Alumni Association (see inside for details). Non-members will have access to the content of the magazine on the Thomas Web site, www.thomas.edu/alumni/magazine. If you look forward to receiving your printed issue in the mail and reading the stories about the happenings at Thomas, please be sure to sign up and renew your Alumni Association membership each year. We appreciate your understanding and hope to see your name on the mailing list for the next issue!