Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the peopleUNIVERSITY peaceably to OF assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of griev- ances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit- ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress RHODESPRING 2020 ISLANDMAGAZINE of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of reli- gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Govern- ment for a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establish- ment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redressSPEAKING of grievances. • CongressTRUTH. shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,EXPRESSING or prohibiting the free exercise IDEAS. thereof; or abridging the free- dom of speech, or of theEMBODYING press; or the right of the CIVILITY. people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respect- ing an establishment ofStories religion, or of prohibiting the the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the GovernmentFirst for Amendment a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridg- ing the freedom of speech,in Action. or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assem- ble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Con- gress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of griev- ances. • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit Aperture

BUILDING ON CREATIVITY Ben Anderson is an associate professor of three-dimensional art and sculpture in URI’s Department of Art and Art History. An award-winning artist, he has taught at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Initially reluctant to teach, Anderson ultimately found it uniquely satisfying. “What I find stimulating,” he says, “is the constant experimentation that can occur—where one student tries something and then another builds upon that, it’s an infectious state of creativity.” In his own work, Anderson is interested in materials and object-making. He draws inspiration from the natural world and is building his library of ceramic molds representing local sea life, developing new glaze formulas, and exploring alternate firing techniques through an NSF EPSCoR grant. This piece, Baptismal, was not a planned project; rather, says Anderson, “It grew spontaneously from a mound of freshly processed clay.” He was showing some of his molds to his students to explain how they worked. Together, they ended up building this piece from those molds, working collaboratively on what became the finished piece. • —Barbara Caron

Detail from Baptismal, By Ben Anderson, hand-built and press-molded stoneware, 23" x 14" x 17", 2009.

PHOTO: COURTESY BEN ANDERSON UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 11 Inside UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE • VOL. 2, NO. 2 • SPRING 2020

CURRENTS FEATURES NETWORK 8 12 18 44 49 In Brief Syllabus The First Class Notes Looking Back URI news to keep you How to improve your Amendment URI alumni are amazing! Journalism Professor in the know. science literacy—tips Stories that illustrate why Catch up with your Emerita Linda Levin from Nancy Karraker of freedom of expression is classmates and get to taught and was loved by 9 URI’s SciWrite program. worth protecting, and know the newest and countless URI students. Go Rhody why we all have a longest-standing members Years later, she remains a 13 responsibility to speak of the Rhody family. mentor, example, and How Rams centerfielder You Can Quote Me our truths. inspiration. Tyler Brosius ’20 found 48 success on the pitcher’s URI experts are quoted 50 mound. in the media frequently. 28 Close Up Here are a few that bear Let Go of What’s Neighborhood Your Stories 10 repeating. Weighing You pharmacist Eugenio The Class of 1970 Bay and Beyond Down Fernandez ’13, M.B.A. celebrates its 50th 17 ’13, Pharm.D. ’13, Reunion this year. Sea urchin ranching? Laurie Lindemann, focuses on people and Members of the class Saddle up! Sea urchins Why I Teach M.A. ’02 experienced dispenses health recall the transformative could be the next big the emotional power of History professor Rae education and resources, years that led up to thing in Rhode Island cleaning out the “stuff” Ferguson teaches her along with prescriptions. their graduation. seafood. students to listen and to that weighed her down. 14 Now, she helps others Annotations follow their curiosity. 56 11 do the same. A visual guide to the Inner Space Center's Caption This Ask Our Big Production Control Room and the team Thinkers 32 Stroll down Memory that keeps the show going, no matter what. An Extraordinary Lane, check out last Here, team member Jessica Kaelblein URI Cooperative Family issue's winners, and shoots video on location in the Canadian Extension helps you get send your best caption Arctic Archipelago. Marc McGiveney ’92 your garden ready for for this issue! Ka Ki "Kay" Tse '19 at Ijen spring. and Deb Harbin ’92 are Volcano in East Java, 38 special parents. Five of Indonesia last summer. Rediscovering URI’s Agricultural Roots Fast Break their eight children have Tse visited Indonesia Personal finance tips special needs. But they during a solo backpacking Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are leading the you can use now. say the hard parts of trip to Southeast Asia. way for a new generation of farmers and food caring for their family Tse loves solo backpacking. producers. Saffron, pictured here, is just one of can’t compare to what “It gives me a chance to URI's many agriculture research areas. Most saffron they get back. meet people, experience is grown in Iran, but URI research is showing that it different cultures, and can be grown sustainably in local soil. learn about myself,” she says. Read about Tse on page 16.

2PHOTOS: SPRING COURTESY 2020 KAY TSE; ALEX DECICCIO; TODD MCLEISH UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT

Signs of Spring President Dooley on next-generation food producers, a new governing board, freedom of expression, and the Class of 2024.

SPRING IN NEW ENGLAND FREQUENTLY enrollment, administrative, and staffing showcase the URI community’s views on arrives late and then fades into summer needs. More opportunities for our com- the First Amendment, I could not help too soon. Even so, it is invariably a time of munity of scholars. And many more ben- but reflect on the amendment’s centrality growth and transformation, when the efits. I ask those of you who live in Rhode to our own mission. A prominent mem- dull, drab landscapes of winter explode Island to thank your state representatives, ber of our extended community who per- with color and new life, the robins really senators, and the governor for their sup- fectly exemplifies the amendment’s spirit do return, the Quad is once again full of port, which will, in turn, strengthen our is Laurie White ’81, who established the students, and Commencement concludes position as a leading economic engine for Taricani Lecture Series on First Amend- another special academic year. Rhode Island. ment Rights in honor of her late husband, At URI, we have become very familiar The Board of Trustees will also sup- Jim Taricani, Hon. ’18, a renowned inves- with growth and transformation. From port our drive to create academic pro- tigative journalist, who was, in her words, our founding in the 19th century as an grams that address societal issues and “a champion of the news media’s First agricultural institution, to the 21st-century meet market demands today and into the Amendment rights. He knew that protect- interdisciplinary sustainable agriculture future—like URI Online. Offering the ing those rights is critically important— and food systems programs featured in academic rigor students have come to not only for a journalist, but for all of us.” this issue of the magazine, URI has always expect from URI and taught by URI Students are drawn to places where been among the leaders in agricultural faculty, URI Online represents a pivotal these sentiments are not only expressed, research and practice. Today, our students development in our evolution. We but brought to life in and out of the class- are preparing to lead a new generation of launched with undergraduate programs room. So I am delighted, but not at all growers and producers in areas such as in communications and nursing, as well surprised, to report that this year URI has organic foods, aquaculture, animal man- as master’s programs in cybersecurity, broken records, receiving 23,500 applica- agement, and agricultural technology. The dietetics, teaching English to speakers of tions for 3,250 spots in the Class of 2024. recent agreement with private sector part- other languages (TESOL), and health- That’s a testament to the university we are, ners to create an agricultural innovation care management, along with several cer- and to the university we are becoming. campus is the most recent manifestation tificate programs—and this is just the Onward and upward, of URI’s leadership. beginning. The rapid increase in URI’s partner- Like other 21st-century universities, ships with companies and organizations we embrace online learning and other throughout Rhode Island, our growing technology-based educational innova- David M. Dooley impact on economic development in the tions. At the same time, we must rein- President, University of Rhode Island state, dramatically increased enrollment force our time-tested role as a safe place and student success, and the surge of for civil discourse, disagreement, and the innovative, interdisciplinary research and exchange of ideas and perspectives; a scholarship at URI are among the reasons place where the freedoms of expression the Rhode Island General Assembly cre- protected by the First Amendment— ated, as part of the current state budget, a religion, speech, press, and peaceful new governing board of trustees for the assembly—are honored and advanced. In University. What does this mean? Greater fact, the First Amendment is foundational A non-traditional student, Henning is finishing the art degree she started more than 20 years ago. agility. More flexibility. Faster decisions to the values of all American universities. WaterView Her husband’s Army career and raising three children put degree completion on hold. This painting, for on funding and financial aid to meet Perusing the stories in this issue that MICHELLE HENNING ’22 Professor Bob Dilworth’s Painting II class, depicts the view from Bonnet Shores Beach in Narragansett, “Bonnet Shores” Rhode Island. Henning is an ocean lover, but says her favorite subject to draw or paint is the human figure. Oil on canvas, 16” x 20”, 2019 Says Henning, “I’ve always been an artist and known it was what I wanted to be since I was very young.”

PHOTO: JOE GIBLIN 4 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 5 Feedback Write to us: [email protected] Recognition for William C. O’Neill ’57 Visit us and comment at uri.edu/magazine ON PAGE 5 OF THE FALL 2019 the bike path, especially since Peace Dale Elementary School, issue of URI Magazine, there it is named after a URI alum- South Kingstown High School, From the Editor was a photo of the newly com- nus, William C. O’Neill. and URI. Shortly before Bill pleted addition to the William Bill was a member of the died in 2003 at the age of 72, a Last week, I read a 2015 piece from The And even if you don’t buy into that C. O’Neill Bike Path, a spur Rhode Island House of Repre- small group I was involved in New Yorker called, “Can Reading Make research, the author continues, other connecting the main path to sentatives and later a member suggested naming the South You Happier?” Maybe I was drawn to it studies have shown that reading is simply the URI Kingston Campus. I of the Rhode Island Senate. In County Bike Path for Bill. Ted because I knew it would validate my own good for readers—putting them into a was disappointed and surprised addition to his URI degree, he Wright of Narragansett pur- answer to that question, which is a meditation-like state and leading to better that the photo and the brief held a master’s degree from sued the matter and the path resounding, “Yes!” sleep, lower stress and depression levels, description did not include Harvard University. I was a was officially named for Bill. The author puts forth the theory that and higher self-esteem. anything about the name of classmate and friend of Bill’s in —Charles Sweet ’51 “reading fiction is one of the few remain- Besides validating my own lifelong ing paths to transcendence, that elusive bookworm habits, the piece shores up state in which the distance between the my feelings about what we do in the self and the universe shrinks.” She goes on University of Rhode Island Magazine: We Consider Goldenseal to discuss the history of a kind of therapy tell stories that connect readers to fellow In response to a story in our but buy the planting stock “Wild goldenseal populations members of the URI community. While I’d never heard of, but, in fact, have used spring 2019 issue, we received from a cultivated source, not are vulnerable to overharvest- the stories you read here are rarely fiction, all my life: bibliotherapy, or reading books this message: wild harvested. It is easy to ing, so don’t harvest wild we aim to tell them in a way that invites Plastics are a problem for the Earth, as a treatment for life’s troubles and chal- grow but requires shade. There goldenseal! Plant it!” Same lenges. Until I read this piece, I had no you to understand and empathize with its oceans and waterways, and GOLDENSEAL HAS MEDICINAL are a few other plants that also goes for American ginseng, the characters. idea that bibliotherapist was an actual job. ultimately for all of us. But we've properties similar to barberry, contain berberine. she says. Liebovitz adds, So, in the interest of happiness, empa- English majors, take note. become dependent on plastic. Do and its native range includes —Dan Lawton ’88 “Harvesting plants for medicine thy, a better world, and a better night’s The author cites research about read- you have an idea—big or small—for Rhode Island, although there is a big factor in threatening sleep—read on! ing’s effects on the brain. In a nutshell, tackling the problem? Are you are no known native popula- Elizabeth Liebovitz, coordinator wild plant popluations with —Barbara Caron, Editor-in-Chief people who read fiction develop empathy. making a difference in your daily tions. So you can tell people to of URI’s College of Pharmacy overharvesting,” and offers When we read about characters in books, life or in your business or research? harvest wild barberry, but if Medicinal Garden, emphasizes unitedplantsavers.org as a we learn about and develop an under- Do you know fellow Rhody alumni they want to grow their own our reader’s point about plant- resource for information about standing for them. This translates into our who are taking on the plastics medicine, plant goldenseal, ing and not wild harvesting: conserving medicinal plants. real lives in the form of empathy. problem? Please let us know: [email protected]. Titles Matter The University of Rhode Island Magazine is I ENJOY READING ABOUT MY ALMA and we all work for our advancements. SOCIAL SNAPS | INSTAGRAM published by the University of Rhode Island. mater and keeping current with exciting Proper recognition of these titles is Copyright pending, all rights reserved. news from campus. In the fall 2019 issue therefore important. Email: [email protected] the headline story about the engineering —Dr. Laura Schifman, Ph.D. ’14 and Online: uri.edu/magazine building was especially exciting to me. Brandon Spirito ’13 Phone: 401.874.5895 My husband was an electrical engineer- Executive Editor: Michele A. Nota ’87, M.S. ’06, ing major and for my Ph.D., I closely Thank you for your message and for Vice President, URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement worked with Dr. Vinka Oyanedel-Craver pointing out the error in Professor Oyandel- Editor-in-Chief: Barbara Caron of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Craver's title. We absolutely recognize the Art Director: Kim Robertson I noticed that in the front-cover fold- years of hard work involved in being pro- Contributing Editors: Annie Babineau, out her title was noted as “assistant pro- moted through faculty ranks, and strive Dina M. Dionizio ’91, Shane Donaldson ’99, Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87, fessor.” Dr. Oyanedel-Craver was actually to recognize that and accurately reflect Jazz Show Archived at URI Welcome to Brookside Hall! Determination Leslie Lowenstein, Kate O’Malley, promoted to full professor this summer, faculty titles in this publication. In spite Show archives from late iconic URI opened its newest residence URI’s Michael Scott captured a Marybeth Reilly-McGreen an achievement that marks her success of our best efforts to verify all names and Pittsburgh jazz DJ Ronald “Butch” hall in February, featuring 500 great shot at this track event at Contributing Designer: Cynthia McMillen in the field and as a faculty member. I titles through multiple sources, we clearly Perkins were donated to URI, beds, a café, and apartment units Boston University in January. Photographer: Nora Lewis strongly encourage you to correct this missed this one. We corrected it immedi- thanks to music professor Emmett Rhody Rainbow with full kitchens. URI’s Kristina MacLure (second Illustrations: Anthony Russo ’74 mistake ASAP, as the promotion to full ately in the online version of the story, Goods (right) and Calvin Stemley, @kristinamoyet found a pot of @brooksidehalluri from left) finished fourth in the Digital Design: Laurel McLaughlin ’92 (left) a close friend of Perkins. gold on Upper College Road in 60-meter hurdles. professor occurs after a promotion to and offer our apologies and this correction @uri_artsandsciences February! @urimscott Editorial Board: Kelly Mahoney ’03, Executive associate professor (from assistant) and here, in print. We also acknowledge the @universityofri Director, External Relations and Communications; therefore acknowledges a minimum of point you make about women faculty in a Linda A. Acciardo ’77, Director, Communications and Marketing; Austen Farrell, Chief Marketing Officer, 10 years of service. This is no small feat, male-dominated field. It is an important URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement particularly for a woman in a male- point and we thank you for raising it. dominated field. Titles are important

6 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: ISHAN SEEFROMTHESKY; NORA LEWIS; CREATIVE COMMONS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 7

Currents = NEWS TICKER = A Decade Green Get more Get more news at at news today.uri.edu For the 10th year running, = IN BRIEF = URI made The Princeton Review’s Guide to 375 Green Former Hasbro CEO Invests in URI College of Business Colleges, for its commitment to sustainability, academic With a recent $15 million gift, ogy fund for the college. The gift offerings and career prep, Alfred J. Verrecchia ’67, M.B.A. will also enable the University to policies, and initiatives. ’72, Hon. ’04, and his wife, establish its first faculty chair and Geraldine, aim to elevate the a professorship in artificial intelli- Neuroscience Degree prominence of the College of gence and business analytics. Business and the University, which, In honor of the Verrecchias’ URI has a new undergraduate they say, “will continue to push transformative gift and their academic program in neuro- the boundaries of learning and years of dedication to URI, the science. Students can choose technology, practical experience, University will establish the from three areas of focus and interdisciplinary thinking.” Alfred J. Verrecchia Center for within the major, distinguish- The generous gift will create Business Excellence, a hub for ing it among neuroscience scholarships for high-achieving teaching, learning, and research programs in New England. students, a fund for students to inspire the exchange of ideas pursuing competitive intern- and an entrepreneurial mindset. What Your Spit Says ships, and an emerging technol- Matthew Ramsey, assistant professor of cell and molecu- lar biology, received a $2.2 million grant from the = GO RHODY = Kudos for Improved Student Outcomes National Institutes of Health to identify which organisms A decade ago, over a three-year • 9% enrollment promote healthy bacteria in A New Home—on the Mound period, URI lost $26 million in increase the mouth. Ciancola Scholarship recipient Tyler Brosius ’20 knew there wasn’t state support. Recent stories in • 14% improvement in two national publications praised on-time graduation rate room for him in centerfield, so he found a new home—on the mound— URI's turnaround. In his story for Childhood Nutrition • 50% cut in racial and became one of the Atlantic 10’s top relief pitchers. Forbes, contributor Michael T. Health sciences professor achievement gap Nietzel said, "Although [URI] has Allison Tovar will serve on a yet to recover all its lost funding, These improvements, Robert Wood Johnson Foun- CENTERFIELDER TYLER BROSIUS ’20 10 walks and allowing 18 hits through and character, takes pride in representing it has achieved results that are said Field, "have trans- dation panel creating arrived at URI one year after All-Conference 11.2 innings—and finished the year with URI, displays a strong work ethic and nothing short of remarkable." lated into millions of national guidelines for and All-Region centerfielder Jordan Powell. a whopping 12.34 ERA. commitment to his teammates, represents In the Chronicle of Higher dollars in tuition revenue healthy eating behaviors After seeing no playing time as a redshirt Unwilling to believe that was his best, himself well in the community, and is a Education, Kelly Field praised that the university has among children in the U.S. freshman, Brosius was honest with himself Brosius worked tirelessly in the offseason. leader on and off the field. URI's student outcome successes used to hire dozens of about how the next few years would likely In 2019, his effort paid off. He turned in a It had to be Brosius. It was a no-brainer. Minority Research over the last decade, including: new faculty members." play out. team-best 2.27 ERA with a 6-2 record, six “Tyler has come such a long way,” Scholarships “I was playing behind a really talented saves, 32 strikeouts, and only six walks. Cerrato says. “He's gone from a non- Bryan Dewsbury, assistant veteran player and I knew I wasn't going to professor of biological sci- Opponents hit just .195 off of him. scholarship outfielder to one of the best Eye Test Could Detect Alzheimer’s ences, and Niall Howlett, take his spot,” Brosius says. “If I was going Call it a breakout season. Call it a relievers in the country, with a realistic to contribute to the team, it would have to reward for hard work. The one thing chance to pitch professionally.” URI researchers are leading a buildup of amyloid plaque in the associate professor of cell be in some other way. So I asked the Cerrato won't call it is a surprise. It’s not just his performance on the $5 million study that could lead brain—a known biomarker for and molecular biology, received a $1.25 million grant coaches to give me a chance on the mound.” “He was filthy last fall, almost unhitta- mound that demands respect, though. to using an eye exam to help the neurodegenerative disease from the National Institutes Brosius had made just one pitching ble,” Cerrato says. “Right from the begin- “He’s an excellent student, a guy you detect Alzheimer’s disease years affecting 5.8 million Americans. of Health for scholarships appearance in high school, but Rams base- before symptoms develop. Led “The cells in the neuronal layers ning, he was coachable and willing to want representing your program, and some- and stipends for minority by Peter Snyder, URI’s vice presi- of the retina are the same types as ball head coach Raphael Cerrato agreed to work. He kept at it, kept making adjust- one the Ciancola family can be proud to students in the biomedical give him a shot. ments. Once he figured it out, the confi- have carrying on Joey's legacy,” says Cerrato. dent for research and economic cells in the brain that are attacked sciences. development and professor of by the disease, so cell changes in “Tyler’s a great kid, and I respected his dence came. From that point on, he was The gravity of that responsibility is willingness to take on a new role,” Cerrato our go-to arm out of the bullpen.” not lost on Brosius. biomedical and pharmaceutical the retina might reflect the same Rhodes Finalists says. “Coming to us with this idea showed When Cerrato had to choose a 2020 “It’s an incredible honor,” Brosius says. sciences, the retinal screening changes that are happening in Two recent URI grads, Madison a lot of maturity, and a strong desire to be tests may be able to detect the the brain,” Snyder said. Cook-Hines ’19 (theater) and Ciancola Scholarship recipient, he took “You play every day for your team, and Autumn Guillotte ’18, (history, part of the team, so I said, ‘Let's do it.’” a moment to reflect. your teammates, and your university. But The five-year, Atlas of Retinal Imaging in Alzheimer’s Study (ARIAS) is philosphy) were finalists for Brosius made four appearances during The scholarship honors the memory to play for someone else, who didn't have sponsored by BayCare Health System and funded largely by Morton Plant the prestigious Rhodes that 2017 season, giving up six runs on six of Rams pitcher Joey Ciancola, who the chance to fulfill his own dreams? Mease Health Care Foundation and St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation in Scholarship. Of 14 regional hits over 3.1 innings of work. Statistically passed away in 2011 during his redshirt That's something that will be in the back Pinellas County, Florida. Stephen Salloway, M.D., director of Neurology and finalists, they were the only speaking, the following season wasn't any freshman season. It is awarded to the of my mind every time I step out on the the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital in Rhode Island, and two from a public institution. better. He lacked command—issuing player who best embodies Ciancola’s spirit field this season.” • others, are also part of the ARIAS team. —Jodi Pontbriand

8 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: DMITRY RATUSHNY; NORA LEWIS; HAL GATEWOOD PHOTO: BRETT MUNSON UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 9 CURRENTS

= ASK OUR BIG THINKERS = Is Your Garden Ready for Spring?

= BAY AND BEYOND = Does spring fever have you itching to get out in your garden? If so, Kate Venturini ’06, M.A. ’10, collected some great tips from URI Master Git Along, Li’l Urchins Gardener volunteers to help you get ready for gardening season. Venturini is URI scientist Coleen Suckling and her students are studying the viability an outreach programs administrator with Cooperative Extension, and works of sea urchin ranching in Rhode Island. Their work could predict whether with faculty, staff, students, and volunteers to extend science-based sea urchins could be Rhode Island’s next climate-resilient crop. information to communities to help protect the environment. It may not be time to put tomato plants in the ground yet, but here’s what you can do SEA URCHIN RANCHING? ocean acidification,” said Campus, URI seniors Max Even if the formulated diet right now to help your garden grow this season: Yes. You read that right. Suckling, URI assistant profes- Zavell, Anna Byczynski, and works as expected, many addi- Atlantic purple sea urchins sor of sustainable aquaculture. Alli McKenna are conducting tional questions remain before Do a light version of Have your soil tested Look around your yard Make gardening easier Come to the URI are common in coastal waters “So they’re a good species to a three-month trial on purple urchins could be raised com- what the pros call "site for pH and texture to for plants that didn't by giving your garden Spring Festival! along the East Coast, and URI turn to for commercial har- urchins caught in Rhode mercially in the state. assessment.” How much determine its drainage make it through the tools some love. Pump Saturday, May 2, from scientist Coleen Suckling vest. And you can get a good Island waters. The urchins are “It’s a local species, so we sunlight, wind, and capacity. This will help winter, and replace up those wheelbarrow 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in the URI thinks the Ocean State could return on your investment being fed a variety of foods to can potentially grow them water, and how many you choose plants that them with natives that tires, bring your lawn- Botanical Gardens. Buy become the home of a new from them.” see how well they grow and if here, but is it something the existing desirable plants can thrive in your soil, attract pollinators and mower in for service, your veggies, herbs, industry to raise the spiny The global sea urchin mar- they become marketable. The Coastal Resources Manage- do you have? Site or amend your soil so other beneficial insects. remove rust from tools, perennials, and annuals, marine creatures for consump- ket is valued at about $175 students monitor water quality ment Council and the Depart- assessment will help you can grow the plants If nothing died over and sharpen and oil all and grab free seeds! tion in Japan and elsewhere million per year, with about 65 and regularly weigh and mea- ment of Environmental Man- you identify where to you want. the winter, add native blades! Proceeds support the around the world. to 70 percent of the harvest sure the urchins. They expect agement would be interested plant a vegetable, herb, plants to your gardens URI Master Gardener She has teamed with a being sold to Japan. Urchins to have preliminary results in?” Suckling asked. “Are there flower, and/or rain gar- anyway! Program. company called Urchinomics, are primarily used for sushi, this spring. aquaculture farmers interested den—or even a lawn or privacy screen. For more on these and other topics which is pioneering urchin though they are also used in a “If they become market- in growing them? Can we Visit uri.edu/mastergarden/gardeningresources or uri.edu/coopext. ranching around the world. variety of other recipes. able, then it opens up a whole ranch them reliably? We’re just Call or email the URI Gardening and Environmental Hotline at 401.874.4836 or [email protected]. Suckling is testing a sea urchin The edible part of the sea interesting range of potential taking the first step to see if it’s Video at uri.edu/magazine feed the company developed urchin is its gonad tissue— options,” Suckling said. “Under worth the effort to answer in Norway to see if Rhode which chefs refer to as roe or future climate conditions, there these other questions. Island’s urchins will eat the uni. Suckling says it tastes may be a need to diversify “Part of my role is to try to = FAST BREAK = product and, in turn, become “like what you imagine a clean what we produce in the sea- understand what seafood we commercially appealing. ocean smells like”—but the tis- food sector. And since urchins may need to turn to in a sus- What’s In Your Wallet? “Sea urchins are generally sue must be firm and bright are good at coping with acidi- tainable manner so we can good at coping with climate yellow or orange to get the fication, this could be a good maintain food security and Simple basics for personal money management change; they appear to be best prices. opportunity here in Rhode economic security in the resilient to warming and At the Narragansett Bay Island to exploit sea urchins.” future,” she added. • BALANCING A CHECKBOOK The tips to the right are — Todd McLeish (yes, that’s still an important just a few of the basics Xiao Let’s face it, many of us, even if we think we know skill), filing personal income and Porto teach their students. this stuff, could use some tips and reminders. taxes, examining the costs and The last tip on the list is Here are the basics, according to Xiao and Porto: benefits of student loans, or particularly important for o Put 10 percent of your o Use the Rule of 72 to calculating retirement needs college students to consider, salary into savings every determine how long it are topics often overlooked at given the ongoing student month. will take an investment the collegiate level. But many loan crisis in the United to double: Divide 72 by college students—and even o Have an emergency States. The average student the expected growth savings of at least three graduates—lack these simple, leaves college with about rate of your investment months of your income. yet critical, skills. $30,000 in loans to repay, to get the number of Professor Jing Jian Xiao according to the Pew Research o Housing and all other years it will take to and Assistant Professor Nilton Center, and roughly 10 per- obligations should be no double. For example, Porto of URI’s Department of cent are late or delinquent on more than 50 percent of if the growth rate is Human Development and their loans. “It’s OK to get a your disposable income. 8 percent, it will take Family Studies in the College loan if you need one,” says nine years (72/8) to of Health Sciences, teach Porto, “Just make sure you are o Establish and maintain double the investment. courses that help students taking the right amount and good credit. “Having enough savings is o Limit student learn the basics they’ll need that there is a plan in place to number 1, but good borrowing to your now and for the rest of their pay it back.” • credit helps in an first year’s expected financial lives—"Money Skills —Patrick Luce ’99 emergency,” Porto says. annual salary. for Life” and “Personal Finance.”

10 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; DIDIER WEEMAELS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 11 CURRENTS

= MEDIA SPOTLIGHT = You Can Quote Me

On detecting and stopping explosives used by terrorists: On his team’s discovery of microplastics in the = SYLLABUS = “We think about how to detect and mitigate the threats for today, while Canadian Arctic: we’re still realizing that if we get really good about today’s threats, there’s Science You Can Understand going to be a different threat tomorrow.” The plastic Science literacy is critical—if people don’t understand —Jimmie Oxley, URI professor of chemistry and co-director of URI’s Center of Excellence for Explosives what causes global warming and why it’s a problem, Detection, Mitigation and Response just jumped out CBS This Morning they won’t care about or participate in curbing it. But in both its for science to be understood, it has to be abundance and communicated clearly. That’s the goal of SciWrite, a On URI’s improving On declining fertility and birthrates in the U.S.: its scale. enrollment, retention, “It’s hard to have children because of a lack of program that trains students to translate complex and graduation rates: science so that even non-scientist audiences—the affordable child care and not-very-generous public and policymakers, for example—can understand policies for parental leave, especially in “The hardest part —Brice Loose, URI professor of it. How can you up your science literacy? Read on. comparison to many European countries.” oceanography and chief scientist of student success of the Northwest Passage Project —Melanie Brasher, URI professor of sociology and demographer Reuters SCIENTISTS DON'T GET POLITICAL. is having the Nancy Karraker in Sulawesi, Indonesia, where, in 2017–18, The Washington Post Nancy Karraker heard this often as a student she traveled on a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research discipline to stick studying wildlife and conservation biology. on the Southeast Asian box turtle. to it. These things “I was told, ‘You are not to be an advocate. take time. Progress On his $15 million gift to URI’s College of Business: Be impartial,’” she says. “But science literacy is incremental; you in America is on the decline. It’s our obligation One of the challenges the University has had—the College of You Can Build Your Science Literacy Too—Here’s How: have to stay the to be advocates.” “Business included—is we are trying to train students for jobs that An associate professor in the College of the Use trusted sources of Become an Read! Dive into these course.” Environment and Life Sciences, Karraker also information. Karraker environmental books about science don’t exist today. We want to make sure they have an education that has a master's in teaching writing. She is one recommends: activist: and writing: —David M. Dooley, president, will allow them to transition and be flexible and adaptable to new of the professors behind SciWrite, a program University of Rhode Island • theconversation.com/us • Attend a protest march. • Bird by Bird: Some jobs that are going to come on the scene. offering a two-year graduate certificate in The Chronicle of Higher Fact-based journalism Instructions on Education ” science writing and rhetoric, as well as work- • Write to your state from experts Writing and Life, by —Al Verrecchia ’67, M.B.A. ’72, Hon. ’04, former chairman and CEO of Hasbro, Inc. shops, courses, and internships to URI’s aca- representatives. Anne LaMott demic community. • envirobites.org The Boston Globe • Join a land trust—an In the two-year program, students take Expert summaries of • At the Water's Edge: organization dedicated courses in writing in the natural sciences, public recent environmental Fish with Fingers, to purchasing and On whether primates have an easier time engagement with science, ethics, and multi- science research. Sister Whales with Legs, and On what a Broadway actor feels like at the end of a day protecting open space. giving birth than humans: media. They also complete a four- to six-week sites: oceanbites.org How Life Came Ashore when he’s done two seven-hour shows: internship in which they translate an organiza- and astrobites.org • Join a community but Then Went Back to It always comes back to a profound sense science organization Sea, by Carl Zimmer “ It’s not like a baby just falls tion's science into accessible writing: blogs, • kids.frontiersin.org such as URI’s Watershed of gratitude because you do it and you press releases, grant proposals, podcasts, etc. Frontiers for Young • Classic Krakauer: out like some Monty Python sketch Watch, which enlists the "We would like to become known as the Minds, an open-access Essays on Wilderness listen to the people who’ve come to see it for nonhuman primates. They do struggle public in testing local place to go to get training in science writing," scientific journal written and Risk, by Jon and the effect that it had on them, and you bodies of water: and still they have a seemingly Karraker says. by scientists, reviewed Krakauer uri.edu/watershedwatch. say, ‘Well, screw any feelings that I had of At a moment in time when misinformation by kids much more easy childbirth • On Writing: A Memoir exhaustion, I’m doing this for these people.’ is rampant and scientific fact is challenged, • Monitor wetlands and ” than we have. • nationalgeographic.org of the Craft, by programs like SciWrite are of vital importance. frog communities with —Andrew Burnap ’13 Familiar, trusted, Stephen King People Increasing the public’s capacity and confidence Roger Williams Park —Holly Dunsworth, URI associate professor of anthropology 130-year-old global Andrew Burnap made his Broadway debut last fall as Toby Darling in Zoo’s FrogWatch: • Cod: A Biography of Netflix series Sex, Explained, season 1, episode 5 in their knowledge of science, Karraker says, nonprofit focused on Matthew Lopez’s two-part, seven-hour-long production, The Inheritance. rwpzoo.org/frogwatch. the Fish that Changed “will make them more likely to understand, for science and exploration the World, by example, what a changing climate means for our • Join a global community Mark Kurlansky On running new models that help researchers predict tsunamis more accurately: coastal communities, how choices we make at of naturalists contributing the grocery store affect how much plastic ends to a database serving • The Everglades: River up in our oceans, and how the purchase of a frog conservation biology of Grass, by Marjorie [The success of our work has] helped us confirm that our modelling methodology or turtle from the local pet store may contribute efforts through Stoneman Douglas is quite realistic. ... This is very important for hazard assessment from volcanic sources. to the species' extinction from the wild.” • inaturalist.org. —Stefan Grilli, URI professor of oceanography and global tsunami expert —Marybeth Reilly-McGreen BBC News

12 SPRING 2020 PHOTO: DANA DRAKE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 13 CURRENTS

The ISC Production Control Room Crew, left to right: Andrea Gingras ’01, producer; = ANNOTATIONS = Ben Woods ’22, intern/editor; Alex DeCiccio ’10, director; Jessica Kaelblein ’18, switcher; Command Central Derek Sutcliffe ’11, engineer; The Inner Space Center's Production Ryan Campos, audio engineer. Control Room translates science  from the field into real-time, relatable stories Ž URI’S ONE-OF-A-KIND, INTERNATIONALLY  known Inner Space Center delivers science, in real time, to the public and to other scientists. Using telepresence—the ability to interact with what’s going on in one “ place while you’re somewhere else—the center links scientists on research vessels at sea with other scientists, the media, and ’ schools. The production control room is the heart of the operation, turning all the Œ incoming and outgoing feeds into seamless ‘ broadcasts. Producer Andrea Gingras '01  says, “Live production is like a puzzle. I try to put the pieces together before we even start so that when we say, ‘That’s a wrap,’ the audience sees the full picture.” In October 2019, for example, the center used ship-to-shore telepresence in a pilot project funded by the National Science Foundation. The production con- trol room crew put its telepresence chops to the test, connecting scientists on the R/V Laurence M. Gould in the Western Antarctic with classrooms around the country, giving students an incredible opportunity to interact in real time with “ Asset Library. scientists conducting critical research. Ten years’ worth of Sound as easy as turning on a livestream?  Remote Science ‘ Creativity Required. video and growing. It’s not. It takes a lot of equipment and a Within Reach. In July, The book, Creativity, Inc.: The production control multitasking crew with technical know- 2019, an international  Audio. “Audio is Overcoming the Unseen room library includes how, science background, creative leanings, team of scientists stud- critical,” says production Forces that Stand in the ’ Lighting. You won’t ocean content, both and communication skills—real communi- ied the rapidly changing Ž Headset. Produc- director Alex DeCiccio Way of True Inspiration, find standard-issue deep-sea and topside cation skills—knowing how people listen Arctic Ocean aboard the tion control room staff ’10. “And it is the most by Ed Catmull, president office lighting here. The in the field. The crew and learn, and knowing how to effectively Œ Core Crew. The Swedish icebreaker, direct broadcasts, complex thing we deal of Pixar and Disney crew favors softer task uses these video assets and authentically translate science into brainchild of URI profes- Oden. The ISC shared quickly shifting from with in our work. If Animation, is a model lighting that helps their on every project. And stories people can relate to. • sor of Oceanography the expedition in real one site to another,  Switcher. The audio fails, it creates the team uses to inspire creativity thrive. “I figure with each new project, —Barbara Caron and legendary ocean time, moving deftly injecting expert com- switcher is one of the the worst kind of awk- their workplace culture. if we model our creative the library grows. explorer Robert Ballard, between researchers, mentary, ancillary video, most important pieces ward silence.” Audio They strive to cultivate environment after the Engineer Derek Sutcliffe the Inner Space Center audiences, and pre-pro- and more. They’re a of equipment in the ISC. engineer Ryan Campos a creative vibe and root best out there,” says ’11 says, “During the live is directed by marine duced video segments. little like the crew that Jess Kaelblein ’18 says, adds, “Most people out hidden forces that DeCiccio, “We may broadcasts, I watch and Video at uri.edu/magazine research scientist The crew had to be broadcasts a football “Technical directing is don't listen with the can cramp their creativity stumble on a few inter- troubleshoot the com- Dwight Coleman. ready to keep the game or any other live, like editing in real time. intent to understand. and problem-solving. esting ideas.” And, he puters handling the live Coleman and his team broadcast going, even multi-camera event It's my job to switch It's my responsibility to "DeCiccio says, "Our adds, “It doesn’t hurt stream and broadcast. are the multitalented, if the extreme Arctic staffed by dozens. between available vid- articulate and translate success is tied to how that we work with the I also maintain the pro- multitasking core crew environment disrupted But they do it with a eos and live cameras to using sound, making well we can creatively smartest people in duction equipment, and of the center’s produc- their satellite signal with small, rotating crew create a dynamic and the information more think of solutions to ocean science. Big ideas later, I archive the show tion control room. the research team. of five to eight people. engaging show.” digestible.” problems." for the big blue!” recordings.”

14 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLANDPHOTO: MAGAZINE KEEGANPHOTO: NORAHOUSER LEWIS15 CURRENTS

= RHODE TAKEN = = WHY I TEACH = Make Self-Discovery Your Major—No Matter RHODE TO A The Art of Teaching Active History DEGREE What Your Degree Says Rae Ferguson, Associate Professor of African-American History Ka Ki “Kay” Tse ’19 Current Life Goals AS A CHILD, RAE FERGUSON WOULD materials to provide a holistic view of the life and the lives of people I know in Complete a master’s degree spy on spies. people at the center of historic events. She particular historical moments. Personal at Wake Forest, work Really, she would. Ferguson grew up rarely lectures, preferring to involve her stories make students sit up and listen. Last summer, Kay Tse solo as a clinical exercise on a farm in Wildflecken, Germany, dur- students in projects that require intro- “I want them to really look at stuff, to backpacked in Southeast Asia. A physiologist, travel, then ing the Cold War era. She watched East spection. "When we reach the civil rights be open to noticing something. Be more four-day motorbike loop in Ha decide what’s next… German soldiers building barbed wire movement in my intro-level class, I ask self-aware,” Ferguson says. “Be always Giang, Vietnam's northernmost fences, and she surreptitiously listened to them to do some research on different reading or looking.” province, (at left) was a highlight Surprising Superpower CIA agents. In her home. “My parents’ civil rights organizations and choose And, she adds, “Follow a curiosity of her trip. She had never ridden a At 5’1”, 120 lbs., Kay can best friends worked for the CIA; my par- one that they would have wanted to be about things that are different.” • motorbike before, and says it was squat 210, bench 135, and the experience of a lifetime. ents’ best friends were spies. I remember I —Marybeth Reilly-McGreen deadlift 315 pounds. involved with then,” Ferguson says. “Then would be seeing people testify on TV, and they tell me about it in a short essay and psychology to her academic Internships they were the same people who would sit make something creative.” program as a second major. Weight Control and around our dinner table on the weekends.” Students have written letters and Tse was on URI’s powerlift- Diabetes Research Center Listening, really intently paying atten- newsletters, made videos, and created ing team her sophomore and at Miriam Hospital, Primal tion, is a skill Ferguson works to cultivate Twitter threads. “And, whether they know junior years. “The training Athletes Training Center in her students. “I've always been aware it or not, they've really captured the way taught me a lot about persis- in Cranston, R.I. that people don't see each other,” she says. these people spoke and thought about tence. Even if you aren’t the “I'm not cynical, but I question what it will whatever it was they were involved in,” Undergrad Research strongest person on the start- take to see each other as human beings.” Ferguson says. Assistantship This extends to the closely examined What Ferguson is asking of her stu- ing line, if you work hard for URI Kinesiology and lives of historical figures. History has a way dents is what she is demanding of herself. what you want, you can achieve Psychology Departments it—you just have to put the of myth-making. Historical figures become She is working on a memoir of growing work in,” she says. “It made me Scholarships enshrined, apart from and above the rest of up in Cold War Europe. mentally stronger and helped Rhode Island Academic us. “My students come to class thinking of Viewing oneself as an actor in history me to feel confident.” Promise, Francis H. Horn, these people as anomalies,” she says. rather than an observer of it is citizenship, Her relationships with pro- and Centreville Bank Not true. Historical figures are, gener- Ferguson says. “I want my students to fessors like Christie Ward- Charitable Foundation ally, ordinary people who felt called to act, see themselves as part of a historical Ritacco and Deborah Riebe Ferguson argues. “But that wasn't the only thread that’s always moving, always were transformational. Best Outside-Her- thing that defined their lives,” she says. changing. In class, I talk a lot about my WHEN KA KI “KAY” TSE ’19 She found friends—in her “They took the time to Comfort-Zone Experience “These people weren’t that different from Being a volunteer TA for my students’ parents. We’re all struggling moved from Hong Kong to the classes, through her job at the know me,” says Tse. “They Ferguson, who is also a prolific painter, KIN 300 (exercise physiology). United States with her family Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness encouraged and supported to figure out how we fit in. In what ways says in her painting she follows her own in 2012, her parents wanted Center, and through involve- me—and opened my eyes to “I had to lead review are we American?” curiosity, which is advice she gives her sessions in English, my her to have a better life. ment in campus groups like new opportunities. I want to And so Ferguson steeps her students students. Ferguson is often accompanied second language. I gained As a first-year URI student the URI Service Corps, where be that person for someone in videos, poetry, and primary source on campus by her dog, Rakhi. public speaking skills in 2015, Tse had only been she was as an alternative else. I want to be the person and confidence.” speaking English for a few years spring break leader. Her love who listens and helps them and wasn’t entirely comfort- of travel led to summer adven- find their way.” Pearl of Wisdom able making friends. “For a tures in Ghana and Togo with Tse is attending Wake “Listen to people when while I felt lost,” she says. “I Operation Groundswell, and Forest University in North they’re talking. There’s thought I needed to have every- to a backpacking trip through Carolina, working on her always something you can thing all figured out and I wasn’t Europe after her junior year, master’s degree in health and learn from their life stories.” sure what I wanted to do.” which gave her time and space exercise science. What she knew about herself for some much-needed soul “I’m thankful for my expe- Advice to Undergrads was that she’d always enjoyed searching. rience at URI, for the teachers “Seek opportunities. Get out physical activity, so she chose An internship at the I’ve had, the friendships I’ve of your comfort zone. New a kinesiology major, thinking Weight Control and Diabetes made, and the opportunities experiences always teach you physical therapy might be her Research Center at Miriam I’ve been offered. I thought something about yourself.” career path. She dove into her Hospital broadened Tse’s per- I would come to school and URI Degree studies and soon discovered spective—she became inter- mainly focus on academics, B.S. 2019, kinesiology that living on campus offered ested in behavior change and but I’ve learned so much about and psychology her newfound freedom and what motivates people to want myself.” • surprising opportunities. to be healthier. So she added — Dawn Bergantino ’94

16 SPRING 2020 PHOTO: COURTESY KA KI TSE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND PHOTO:MAGAZINE NORA LEWIS 17 "I do believe it's my mission to share the voices of people who do not otherwise have a voice." —Vladimir Duthiers ’91, Hon. ’17

Why Are We Talking About the

FIRSTAMENDMENT? By Marybeth Reilly-McGreen

This year, URI kicks off the Taricani Lecture Series on First Amendment Rights, in honor of the late Jim Taricani, Hon. ’18. Taricani was a champion of First Amend- ment rights, and his wife, Laurie White ’81, has made it her mission to keep his legacy alive. We asked other members of the URI community to share their stories about why the First Amendment matters. The result is a powerful collection of testaments to the importance of the freedoms protected by the amendment— religion, speech, press, and peaceful assembly.

Vladimir Duthiers ’91, Hon. ’ 17, reported for CBS News from Brussels, Belgium, after three coordinated suicide bombings on March 22, 2016, killed over 30 people and left hundreds injured.

18 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: COURTESY VLADIMIR DUTHIERS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 19 he freedoms protected by the First Amendment are essential to democracy and to the mission and values of higher education—without the freedom to express T and explore new, different, and sometimes controversial ideas, how would society evolve? Colleges and universities have a responsibility to teach and embody the tolerance that allows for civil discourse. Controversy can arise when one person’s expression offends another. How do we manage that? How does the First Amendment work to advance scholarship and research across the disciplines? World leaders did nothing, Amanpour The stories that follow are profiles in courage, integrity, and citizenship. They said. illustrate the importance of our freedom—and responsibility—to exercise our First “Not the president of the United States, Amendment rights. not the prime minister of Great Britain, nor the president of France. None of our Because Truth Matters fairness, and that their reporting should democratic leaders wanted to follow their reflect all viewpoints. But, in the case of international duty under the Geneva Bosnia was a different war. the Bosnian genocide, practicing objectiv- Convention, which says when you see “It was a different animal,” CNN chief ity wasn’t necessarily getting to the truth, ethnic cleansing, genocide, deep viola- international anchor and host of PBS's Amanpour discovered. “Be truthful, not tions of the most important international Amanpour & Company Christiane neutral: I learned that in Sarajevo,” she laws, you actually have to respond,” “It made me examine what I Amanpour ’83, Hon. ’95, told a packed said. It’s become her tagline. Amanpour said. was doing and what we Edwards Auditorium last September at “And it came about because we were But because the war happened in the the annual lecture series bearing her name. telling the truth: stories of civilians—men, era of 24/7 news, the world watched. “We had to do as journalists. An animal hell-bent on annihilation. women, and children being brutalized, didn’t just do one story. We did all the What I had done was tell Six months after the first Gulf War, besieged by the Bosnian Serbs, and their important stories for years,” Amanpour the truth. When you get all Amanpour was covering the dissolution patrons, the Serbs, who had the armor, the said. “Bosnia was the leading story I could not sides of the story, you’re of the former Yugoslavia. “This was a personnel, the agenda—and who wanted around the world—in the United States, civil war that was building to a genocide,” being objective. But when to ethnically cleanse parts of Bosnia to in Europe, and in Muslim countries— Amanpour said. “This was something that create a white, nationalist, Serb entity to because it was Muslim civilians, European you then mistakenly believe affected me personally.” carve off and attach as a greater Serbia. Muslims, who were being slaughtered like be quiet that objectivity is neutrality, Journalists are taught that objectivity is They thought this was their opportunity.” animals.” you create a false factual CNN and Amanpour were accused of and false moral equivalence. bias. “I was upset and I had to re-examine Omar Bah '10 outside the Refugee Dream Center in Providence, which he opened in 2015 to help our golden rule, objectivity,” Amanpour refugees get information and resources about health care, employment, English language In these situations, if you told the audience. “It made me examine classes, tutoring, mentoring, and trauma counseling. do that, you are an what I was doing and what we had to do accomplice.” as journalists. What I had done was tell Because Despots Must look in and see if I was still alive, start the truth. When you get all sides of the kicking and hitting me, then leave and —Christiane story, you’re being objective. But when be Exposed lock the door. Amanpour ’83, Hon. ’95 you then mistakenly believe that objectiv- The Gambia. 2001. Beaten, bloody, and “I thought I was going to die.” ity is neutrality, you create a false factual drifting in and out of consciousness, But people had witnessed the torture. and false moral equivalence. 21-year-old journalist Omar Bah ’10 lay “The soldiers did not care to hide what “In these situations, if you do that, you curled in the fetal position, awaiting death they were doing, because it was are an accomplice.” in a cell so small he couldn’t stretch his condoned,” Bah says. Such situations underscore the value of legs. He had been writing articles criticiz- After being held for the day, Bah was the fourth estate, and, by association, the ing the country’s dictator, Yahya Jammeh, released because of public outcry—but First Amendment, Amanpour said. when he was taken into custody by sol- that’s where the support ended in “We like to call ourselves the fourth diers. Over the course of a day, Bah had Jammeh’s Gambia. “You couldn't say estate. That’s not just a throwaway title. been stabbed in the back with bayonets anything; you couldn't do anything. No That means we are fundamental pillars of and his head bludgeoned with the butt of hospital would treat me; I was on my own.” what creates and maintains a strong and an AK-47. “They made a game of lifting “I get very angry when I speak about it.” robust democracy,” Amanpour said. “In me and throwing me in the air, and as I Still, Bah returned to reporting. “I Be truthful, could not be quiet,” he says. In 2006, countries where there is a strong journal- came down they kicked me and hit me istic profession, the countries are with their gun butts,” Bah recalls. though, he received a tip that Jammeh’s healthier. The cell was dark, fetid, and so hot men were coming for him again. Within not neutral “And in this world where information that Bah couldn’t tell if he was soaked in hours Bah had fled his homeland for is one of the most important and valuable sweat or blood. Rats, geckos, and other Senegal but was detained at the border by commodities, those who are the lizards skittered across his body while a soldier. Arms raised in surrender, Bah purveyors of the information, i.e., the mosquitoes fed on him. was horrified to see that the soldier was a Christiane Amanpour ’83, Hon. ’95, at URI's journalists, have to continue to do that in “My bayonet wounds were deep and childhood friend. His friend’s face regis- Edwards Auditorium in September 2019. an environment that is safe and free.” swelling,” Bah recalls. “Soldiers would tered a similar surprise and horror. Then,

20 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 21 a moment of grace. The friend let him go Bah now lives in South Providence son makes me stop when he sees a and likely saved Bah’s life. Bah arrived in with his wife and two young sons. He will homeless person. He gives all of his Rhode Island a year later and became a earn his Ph.D. in June. Having grown up money to the homeless,” Bah says. “Those United States citizen in 2012. in a mud hut in a village where women actions make me cherish freedom even “Now I can say whatever I want carried water in jars on their heads and more. It is a gift and an opportunity to without having to look over my shoulder,” the village ambulance was a donkey cart, make a difference.” says Bah. “I think about it every day.” Bah is intent on teaching his children that Bah is quiet for a moment. It’s not easy In 2010, Bah earned his bachelor’s in opportunity is possible in his adopted to put into words such a turnabout of communication studies from URI and in country. “They know they are lucky to fortune. “That first day I set foot in the 2015 opened the Refugee Dream Center. live in a country where they are not afraid United States, I could look forward to Duthiers says. “People with no access to It serves about 300 people a year and is to speak up and enjoy freedoms of every what I would do in my life,” Bah says. lawyers. It was very clear to the American “meant to empower and lift them to have kind,” he says. “America permitted me freedom, oppor- journalists that this was not America. a voice,” Bah says. Refugees are offered “I want to live a life of example to tunity, and a chance for a second life. “The First Amendment was something them­—one in which education is highly help finding housing, jobs, trauma coun- “People should use their rights as a we dealt with every single day,” Duthiers valued.” seling, and health care. “The second part catalyst for upward movement. They says. “You had to be very careful with Bah’s younger boy is interested in of the mission is advocacy. It’s a lot of should exercise those rights in a civil what you wrote and what you said on social justice. “When we’re in the car, my work but very rewarding,” Bah says. society,” he says. “And agree to disagree. the air. Governments monitor CNN and It’s OK. It’s good.” BBC. They were watching what we said and did.” Duthiers’ reminiscing called to mind another anecdote: When covering former president of Liberia and convicted war “We leave ourselves uneducable if we “As a journalist, you’re there to tell “One thing about the First watching criminal Charles Taylor’s trial, a government dismiss people based on viewpoint; we people the truth, to be a monitor Amendment as the baseline for official said to Duthiers and his producer, leave the world uneducable if we strip of power and a voice for the journalistic freedom is that it can “Journalists: Your AK-47 is your pen.” someone of the right to speak on that voiceless.” be interpreted in many ways—but It underscored the responsibility what we said Duthiers carries and the risk he bears. basis. We can't have freedom from —Theresa Brown ’21, editor, it’s the journalist’s job to interpret “Your life could be in danger whether The Good Five Cent Cigar speech. If we don't protect everyone’s it in a responsible way.” you’re in the United States or abroad,” right to speak their mind, the First —Ian Weiner ’20, past editor, Duthiers says. “I tell young people that Vladimir Duthiers ’91, Hon. ’17, who was a reporter for The Good Five Cent Cigar at URI, got his big break The Good Five Cent Cigar Amendment is null and void.” in broadcast journalism when he accompanied CNN's Anderson Cooper to Haiti after the January the role journalism plays in society places —Sam Foer ’20, philosophy major 2010 earthquake. Duthiers, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Haiti, speaks you under constant threat. You need to Haitian Creole. He was part of the CNN team that won two Emmys for their coverage of the earthquake. be aware that your life is at risk. “The crowd could turn against you Because People Should realized that wadded paper lobbed in and the next thing you know, you’re your direction can be a threat. running for your life. You need to take be Remembered It wasn’t the first time Duthiers risked responsibility and strive mightily.” The walls of Duthiers’ office are On a spring evening in Nigeria in April retribution for his reporting. It wasn’t even the first time that year. In January covered with photos of people he’s 2014, 276 Chibok schoolgirls were reported on. The photos bear witness to tell kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko of 2014, CNN reported on the first gay the subjects’ suffering and tragedy—and Haram. The world wanted the girls Nigerian to come out on television. That year Nigeria signed the Same-Sex joy. “I am honored that they allowed me returned; the Nigerian government felt to share their stories with others,” right to people the the pressure. At a Nigerian Ministry of Marriage Prohibition Act into law. Duthiers says. In some cases, speaking Defence press briefing on the kidnap- Duthiers’ job put him at great risk. “I could be thrown in jail for 10 years their truth is a thing his subjects can’t do pings, a government official threw a for themselves. crumpled piece of paper at then-CNN under this new law,” Duthiers said in a television interview with Christiane In 2016, in Haiti, in the aftermath of speak truth can be correspondent Vladimir Duthiers ’91, Amanpour. The law made it illegal Hurricane Matthew, Duthiers was in a Hon. ’17. In Nigeria, reporting the village totally flattened. He and his crew government unfavorably was tantamount for anyone to associate with a person perceived to be homosexual. had finished filming and were packing up. to sedition. A woman approached asking if Duthiers interpreted “The official said, ‘Vlad, stop being But Duthiers was of the Amanpour would write her name in his notebook. school of journalism. “Nigeria has disrespectful. Stop propagandizing Others followed suit. “In writing their “Part of the goal for any student in our department is that they understand freedom of the press. Its journalists can Nigeria,’” Duthiers recalls. “They believed names down, I think they knew I would what it is to be a good citizen in a democracy. And without First Amendment the reporting we were doing was making be outspoken and critical, but they face take their stories with me. They would rights, there would be no democracy.” them out to be bad guys. It was the first time harassment and violence. As an American not be forgotten,” Duthiers says. “I still journalist, what was horrific to see in —John Pantalone, associate professor and chair, URI Department I heard charges of unreal or fake news.” take that notebook out from time to time of Journalism In that moment, Duthiers, now a CBS Nigeria was people being rounded up and read their names. News correspondent and CBSN anchor, on the suspicion of LGBTQ activity,” “It’s a small thing I can do.”

22 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; COURTESY VLADIMIR DUTHIERS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 23 “The role of the “The First Amendment is journalist is to speak the backbone of what we the truth and perform do. There are public officials a watchdog function who are very careful about for the public.” what they do, because they —Laurie White ’81 know there are people out there, like Spotlight, looking.” —Thomas Farragher ’77, Hon. ’17 ethics win for wouldn’t freedom of Because Sometimes You Because People Have the Have to Take a Stand Right to Know It was 1984 on a hot July afternoon in allow it “I grew up in the stereotypical Catholic the press Providence, when, at the wake of family: nine kids, all altar boys, in a house legendary New England mafia crime boss Channel 10 reporter Jim Taricani, Hon. ’18, and his wife, Laurie White ’81, leaving federal Thomas Farragher ’77, Hon. ’17, a journalism major at URI who was a reporter for The Good Five Raymond Loreda Salvatore Patriarca Sr., with a crucifix on the wall. A lightning court in December 2004 after Taricani was sentenced to home confinement for refusing storm would find my mother sprinkling Cent Cigar, says that even as a student reporter, he took every assignment seriously. A reporter two men exchanged a greeting and a rose. to reveal the source of an undercover tape showing a Providence city official taking a bribe and former editor for The Boston Globe Spotlight Team, Farragher's belief in the power and The gesture conveyed a profound respect during the FBI's Plunder Dome corruption investigation. the house with holy water,” Tom impact of journalism is unwavering. that stunned the law enforcement officers Farragher ’77, Hon. ’17, says. So to be part of The Boston Globe observing. It’s not every day that you see mob was game, set, and match. And those records not how it works,’ I would say, ‘The First Taricani declined. His ethics wouldn’t Amendment issues and in sustaining Spotlight Team, which successfully sued bosses treating journalists with deference. were complete, lengthy, and damning.” Amendment is on my side.’” allow it. Twenty years later, Taricani would Taricani's legacy. the Catholic Church for sealed court What witnesses saw was an exchange It was a win for freedom of the press In the 17 years since that Pulitzer deny law enforcement a second time, “After Jim’s passing, this concept of records and broke the story about the between new New England crime boss and for the victims—and a sea change for Prize-winning Spotlight series, American refusing to reveal a source who leaked how to keep his work as a professional protracted and systemic sexual abuse of Raymond Patriarca Jr. and investigative Boston. Cardinal Bernard Law resigned in newspapers have seen a precipitous drop him an FBI surveillance tape. For this, journalist alive revolved around the children by serial pedophile priests in the broadcast journalist Jim Taricani, December 2002. Two-hundred-and-forty- in readership concurrent with exponential Taricani was held in civil contempt of notion of how do we, during this particu- Archdiocese of Boston, placed Farragher Hon. ’18. “Junior,” as Patriarca Jr. was nine archdiocesan priests and brothers growth in internet media outlets. Compe- court by a federal judge and sentenced to larly troubling time in our history, under- at odds with his spiritual teachers. known, had invited Taricani to his father’s were publicly accused of sexual abuse. tition for readers is fierce. six months’ home confinement. The case stand and appreciate the importance of “January 1, 2002, a Sunday, the story was wake and presented him with the rose. In the wake of The Globe's revelations, “Obviously it’s a splintered journalistic turned Taricani, already a legend among the First Amendment and the freedoms on page one of The Globe. I’m walking It was a mark of his father’s respect, the Catholic Church reported that more world now, but you look at the journalism journalists, into the face of the free press. afforded under it, particularly the rights into 7 a.m. Mass and Monsignor Eugene Patriarca Jr. said. than 4,000 priests across the country had The Globe is doing and there’s no question He traveled the country lecturing on the of the press,” White says. “We want to keep McNamara says, ‘What are you doing “People understood Jim had a job to been accused of sexual abuse in the last hard, vigorous journalism is being First Amendment, the federal shield law, that alive and inspire the next generation to us?’” do, and they knew if he was covering the 50 years. committed all the time,” Farragher says. and the Free Flow of Information Act, even of ethical and responsible journalists—to The fourth estate, freedom of the story, they would be treated fairly,” says The Spotlight Team won the 2003 “We have protected the nuclear core of testifying for the bill before Congress in continue to do that in a way that reflects press, had done battle with the Catholic his widow Laurie White ’81, who is Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. The what we do, and it is resonating. More 2007. The Edward R. Murrow Award-win- our belief in our institutions and our Church in one of the most Catholic cities president of the Greater Providence real winner in a story like this, though, people are reading The Globe online than ner for investigative journalism, Taricani democracy and our belief that journalists in the country. And won. Chamber of Commerce. “But to have the is the public. ever in my 42 years of doing this. received the prestigious Yankee Quill serve an essential role in our society. “Judge Constance M. Sweeney, who mob boss’s son actually invite him to the “The First Amendment is the I am hopeful about what we do, but Award from the New England Newspaper “We are facing a real existential ruled that the records should come out, is wake! The FBI and the State Police and backbone of what we do,” Farragher says. the journalism world I walked into just and Press Association in 2007. threat—the threat of powerful institutions the hero of this story. You saw two worlds other law enforcement were watching the “There are public officials who are very doesn’t exist anymore. There’s great jour- This year, URI will launch the Taricani to suppress the news,” White says. “The role clashing in that moment,” Farragher says. careful about what they do, because they nalism being produced every day,” funeral home to see who went in, and Lecture Series on First Amendment Rights, of the journalist is to speak the truth and “Rome answers to nobody. I covered the know there are people out there, like Farragher continues. “People have to be when they saw him go in there, they said, a series established by Laurie White, perform a watchdog function for the public. court hearings where the church was Spotlight, looking. When a mayor or more discerning about who they go to ‘How the hell did you get in? Tell us who which has received support from alumni “There is a need for the professional arguing against the release. That ruling was in there.’” and friends who are interested in First journalist to be protected.” police chief would tell me, ‘No, no, that’s and who they trust.”

24 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: PROVIDENCE JOURNAL STAFF PHOTO BY RUBEN W. PEREZ; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 25 Because Inequity Persists Lorén Spears ’89, Hon ’17, executive director of the Tomaqaug Museum and member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, possesses a graciousness and patience 400 years in the cultivation when explaining that authors of the First Amendment ignored indigenous people. First, she must dispel misconceptions about indige- nous people. Second, augment American history to include indigenous people. Third, explain what it is to be indigenous in modern society. speak express The country’s formation depended upon the appropriation of indigenous land, a.k.a. theft, which required the vilifi- truth all of their cation, dehumanization, and victimiza- tion of indigenous people, Spears says. “This notion of believing you have the right to do such a thing, to subjugate and rights to power opinions dehumanize and victimize other human beings for your own goals.” Spears shakes Dean of the Graduate School Nasser Zawia spoke to the press at a As vice president for student affairs, Kathy Collins oversees the lion's her head. “The First Amendment was not November 2015 URI vigil condemning the terrorist attacks in Paris that share of URI students' co-curricular experiences, navigating complex written for those being displaced, dispos- under the U.S. month, which killed 130 people and injured over 400. issues and the often delicate balance between freedom of speech and sessed, or violently (attacked) through respectful dialogue on campus. genocide, war, and enslavement.” Resistance took many forms. Wars he adds. “Even about scientific beliefs.” secondary schools’ anti-bullying policies Christiane Amanpour agrees with were waged—on battlefields, in class- Constitution The university community, Zawia says, and curriculums, argue Erwin Chemerinsky Collins. Battlefront or classroom: Each rooms, churches, and courtrooms. The should be able to converse, debate, and and Howard Gillman in their book, Free setting offers the opportunity to take federal government sought to deracinate Lorén Spears ’89, Hon ’17, at the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island, where she is the learn from one another. “It’s a unique Speech on Campus. “Many students a stand. indigenous people through conversion executive director. Spears is also an educator, author, activist, and indigenous artist. opportunity for students to come to a associate free speech with bullying and “The idea that you have to be safe to Christianity, a European model of university and interact with so many shaming. Another difference is that some from ideas that conflict with yours is education, even detribalization. “There is no Rhode Island history the U.S. Constitution. different and diverse people,” Zawia students extend the language of ‘harm’ wildly wrong. If not at university, where “Education was used against us as an act without Narragansett, Niantic, and other • Only 25% could name all three continues. “This is the time for them to and ‘threat’ to apply not only to tradi- are you going to have the freedom to of war,” Spears says. “To strip us of every- indigenous people’s history,” Spears says. branches of government. learn how to work with the world. Our tional examples of so-called hate speech, explore ideas that you don’t like, even thing we knew, to take away our language, “And there is no such thing as United Scientist and dean of the Graduate School role as teachers is to steer this ship and but also to the expression of any idea they people that you might not naturally our religion, our cultures, to disrupt our States history without indigenous people’s Nasser Zawia is troubled. That people don’t make sure everybody gets a chance to see contrary to their strongly held views gravitate toward?” Amanpour says. “It’s families and communities, and to break h i s t or y.” know their rights is distressing enough. But speak their mind.” of social justice,” Chemerinsky and here in this safe space that you can apart our political structures in order to “We’re still reclaiming our rights,” that people who do know their rights don’t “Everybody deserves a chance.” Gillman write. actually operate in areas that you are in force us to adopt or assimilate into Euro- Spears adds. “We still don’t often feel we’re exercise them is equally unsettling. “So how do we look at issues that conflict with or don’t understand or that centric concepts of community.” heard. We’re not always at the table with “The First Amendment is very special Because Discomfort is Part could range from DACA to trans rights to you think are offensive—that’s how you Full access to the Bill of Rights for the people that have the wealth, the power, to an academician because of tenure. of Learning the upcoming election and everything in grow and that’s how you grow resilience. indigenous people is relatively new. The and the control. So we’re still pursuing Tenure was not designed to assure between?” Collins says. “I want to create And that’s how you grow intellectually Indian Civil Rights Act was passed just 52 these rights and these freedoms that are permanent job security but to protect Imagine a knock-down-drag-out fight the opportunity for students to express all and find your way in the world.” • years ago. Religious freedom came 10 guaranteed under the Constitution.” academic freedom for faculty who want to between college roommates conducted of their opinions. years later with the passage of the speak truth to power and not fear for via text. While in the same room. “The most important thing to me Video at uri.edu/magazine American Indian Religious Freedom Act Because Academic their jobs,” Zawia explains. “We have Consider a student sending an emergency when I consider the First Amendment in 1978. Freedom Matters faculty here who are tenured and secure alert through Wildfire that sets off a and students’ rights is that students “When you think about historical but will not speak truth to power. People campus-wide panic. Picture a controver- understand there is a difference between trauma, this is ongoing,” Spears says. A 2017 survey conducted by the rely on academics to be unbiased, neutral sial speaker invited to campus by one their safety and their level of comfort. I “There are still attacks on our sovereignty.” Annenberg Public Policy Center of the judges who do the due diligence and student group whose presence causes hope students hear things that make them Spears and the Tomaquag Museum University of Pennsylvania highlights scholarly work. members of another to fear for their uncomfortable,” Collins says. “I hope they continue the fight through educational the need for a nationwide civics lesson: “We should be the ones the public trusts.” safety. Such are the situations college have discomfort for life. I have worked all programming, activism, strategic partner- • 37% of American adults surveyed We are being tested as a country, administrators face today, says URI’s vice over the world, and I believe students ships with the Indigenous Empowerment could not name one right guaranteed to Zawia says. Faculty should engage their president for student affairs, Kathy Collins. should go and experience different places Network, and other efforts to “create them under the First Amendment. students, openly discuss with them what’s Complicating things further: the wild and different points of view. That’s part of opportunity, uplift native voices, and honor • 53% surveyed thought immigrants going on. “We’re being tested about our west that is social media and the legacy of learning.” native cultural knowledge,” Spears says. here illegally have no rights under tolerance, our diversity, our core values,” well-intentioned elementary and

26 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 27 THE EMOTIONAL POWER O F “It’s really about discovery. In this process you learn, or relearn, what is important to you.” TIDYING UP –Laurie Lindemann By Nicki Toler

ost of us spend our waking hours home—and she saw something different, feeling overwhelmed. We have too something that worked for her. When she much to do, too much to think learned Kondo would be appearing at New about,M and too much stuff—our actual York City’s 92nd Street Y, she hightailed it physical possessions—weighing us down. from her East Greenwich, Rhode Island, home Have you ever noticed how many items on to Manhattan for the event. our to-do lists are related to managing our By the time the presentation was over, stuff? Where did it all come from, and do Lindemann was sold—and was the first to put we really need it? her name on the Kondo mailing list. “That night, on the drive home, I was already LET GO AND BREATHE thinking about how I could do what Marie Enter Marie Kondo, the decluttering guru Kondo was talking about,” she says. Before who started a movement with her first book, Kondo had even mentioned training consul- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, tants, Lindemann imagined she was one. She Her clients call her published in the United States in 2014. knew she could do it. A natural entrepreneur, Kondo’s novel approach did not focus on she had started a graphic design business a wonder, a coach, finding the perfect container, storage unit, or when she was still in her 20s, earned a master’s custom-designed closet. She wanted us to let degree in communications at URI, and go, to release things that were not serving us completed a web design certificate—also at guide, partner, teacher, well—even if they were “still good” and we URI. She had worked for years in communica- “might want them someday.” She wanted us tions, design, and operations and was running motivator,HER CLIENTS and aCALL force HER to be able to breathe. her own web design business. But her interest It actually was a life-changing message for in Marie Kondo’s approach was based on Laurie Lindemann, M.A. ’02, who lost her something deeper and more basic than her ofA WONDER,nature. But A Laurie COACH, husband, John P. Caito ’81, to cancer in 2010 entrepreneurial spirit. when their daughter was only 7. When “After doing the process myself, I finally felt Lindemann,GUIDE, PARTNER, M.A. ’02, Lindemann read Kondo’s book, she realized hopeful again. I felt a renewed sense of energy, that in addition to raising her daughter, of myself,” she says. “I wanted to help other TEACHER, MOTIVATOR, working, taking classes, and dealing with people feel like I did.” Just wants to help grief, she was struggling under the burden of Today there are 353 certified KonMari™ AND A FORCE OF NATURE. all the things her husband left behind. That consultants in 43 countries worldwide. people simplify included “a house and two enormous barns Lindemann was in the first class of consultants, BUT LAURIE LINDEMANN, full of old cars without engines, useless farm and formed her business, Declutter Pronto, their lives. machinery, soup cans full of nails, and more. in 2016. So much more. Too mind-boggling to even Now, five years after that trip to New York M.A. ’02, JUST WANTS TO describe,” she says. “To add to my grief, I had to see Marie Kondo, Lindemann is a certified to admit that all these things weighed me master consultant, the highest level of HELP PEOPLE SIMPLIFY down both mentally and physically. I under- KonMari™ certification, which requires 1,500 stood that although they made John happy, hours of client work. Her company’s tagline is THEIR LIVES. they had the opposite effect on me.” “organizing without judgment,” and she works Lindemann was inspired by Kondo’s book with people throughout New England, and and followed its guidelines to declutter her beyond.

28 SPRING 2020 PHOTO: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 29 includes kitchen items, electronics, etc.), process. She’s like a coach who can tell FINDING THE MAGIC and sentimental items. Clients start with what people need and take them through Lindemann says there are plenty of clothing, the easiest category, and work the changes.” misconceptions about her work. The their way toward the most challenging: We know letting go of well-established Kondo promise of the “life-changing sentimental items. Lindemann says behaviors is difficult. So is letting go of magic of tidying up” is a pretty tall order. completing the earlier, easier categories— the things that surround us. “People don’t “People don't And it’s not easy. “This is hard work, both and experiencing that success—can create realize why they are holding onto things,” physically and emotionally,” says Linde- a powerful momentum. realize why they mann, who adds that like all work, it can says Evers. “That is why so much emotion “What’s important to understand is comes with letting go.” be tedious. that I don’t tell my clients what to do, are holding onto The goal is not to eliminate your pos- what to keep. They choose. It’s really IT’S ALL ABOUT Leonard says her children have sessions and live a minimalist life—and at about discovery. In this process you learn, ORGANIZING 101 things. That is its core, it’s not really about organizing. enjoyed working with Lindemann—and or relearn, what is important to you.” RELATIONSHIPS have learned from her. “They see the “When people ask me what I do, I tell Ready to take the first steps According to Lindemann, the magic is Lindemann says her ideal client is anyone improvement in their lives. I feel a why so much them I help people simplify their lives,” the outcome of the process. “Decluttering who calls her and asks for her help. toward finding the magic? she says. “Isn’t that what most of us want? lightness in them when there is order in is the critical first step,” she says. “Once A lot of people fit into that category. the house,” says Leonard. “It has a Once the decluttering is emotion comes “I think we all want to live and work in we declutter, we can actually see the things Many have read Kondo’s book. Some have done, try these quick tips. a space that supports us, that makes our calming, freeing effect on them.” that have meaning for us. That’s when the stacks of books about organizing. They As a business person, Leonard says the s with letting go.” lives easier, better, without spending so magic happens. We can be reacquainted are retired, recent grads, couples, singles, Hang tough paper category was most difficult for her. Matching hangers in your much time and energy managing our with something we love, something that’s families with children. With families, “I had paper from the 1980s. It felt like a closet (above, left) showcase —Kerry Evers, co-president possessions,” she says. “How much of our been buried under clutter and life’s Lindemann works with each person indi- hill I was never going to be able to climb. your clothes, provide a cohesive time, and our lives, do we want to spend responsibilities. We can, in some ways, vidually—including the children. and CEO, Pro-Change Now that I’m on the other side, I feel less look, and allow you to easily find managing our things? rediscover ourselves. And that can feel “This work is about relationships. It’s Behavior Systems, Inc. burdened,” she says. “I didn’t realize how what your're looking for. “In the KonMari™ method, we touch like magic.” so personal. Trust—and the absence of everything and we work by category much pain and grief it was causing me to judgment—are essential,” says be buried in so much paper. That’s where s instead of location,” says Lindemann. The Lindemann. “People are trusting me to be Think vertically READY FOR CHANGE I really learned to let go.” No more piles! Organize your five categories are: clothing, books, paper, in their homes. I take that very seriously. People call on Lindemann for many drawers vertically—the Kondo miscellaneous (a huge category that It’s a privilege to help remove clutter so reasons. They are downsizing, moving LIFE LESSONS method encourages folding so that they can live more meaningful lives. out, moving in, or moving on after a The learning goes both ways. “I learn items stand vertically (above, I’ve experienced this myself and I’ve seen significant loss—of a loved one, a job, a something from every one of my clients. right), making them easier to it repeatedly with my clients.” way of life. What they have in common It’s all about listening,” Lindemann says. see and retrieve. Also great Kerri Leonard is one of them. She lives is a need to change something that is “People will tell you what you need to when packing a travel bag! burdening them—and to be successful, with her family outside Boston, runs three know. There are so many stories, so much they have to be ready to change. businesses, and is a mom of two. Leonard, emotion attached to our things. Working s who discovered she had attention deficit Divide and conquer “Change is hard, and change without together, we cry, we laugh. It’s all real.” Boxes are the quintessential disorder when she was in her late 30s, assistance is harder,” says Kerry Evers, Lindemann admires her clients, the organizer. They divide drawers, says her home and family life were M.A. ’96, Ph.D. ’98, co-president and hard work they do, their commitment to or other spaces, into sections. defined by chaos. Concern for her CEO of Pro-Change Behavior Systems, change, to letting go. “I understand them. Use what you have—shoeboxes, children is what brought her to Inc., a leading behavior-change consulting I’ve walked the walk of loss, of feeling so gift boxes, bamboo cutlery Lindemann. How was growing up in such firm, founded 23 years ago by URI psy- overwhelmed. I realize this is hard and it holders—as long as they are a disordered household affecting them? chology professor emeritus James Pro- takes time,” she says. rectangular or square. chaska, director of the Cancer Preven- She had read the Kondo books, but “It’s very powerful for me to watch tion Research Center at URI, and devel- knew she needed help. “Somehow Laurie people let things go that have been s knew exactly what I needed. She’s No hide-and-seek oper of the transtheoretical method of weighing them down. I love what I do. I’m Make everything you use intuitive. There’s a depth there. She behavior change, which integrates stages, proud of it,” she says. visible. Don’t tuck things away understood the emotional impact of the processes, and levels of change. “I work alongside my clients. I’m with in hidden spots—you’ll forget work we were doing,” says Leonard, who “What Laurie is doing is helping people them every step of the way, and when where they are. Take ownership stresses Lindemann’s empathy, endless see the benefit to changing their environ- we’re done, it feels so good to stand back of your things and eliminate energy, humor, and her ability to know ment,” says Evers, who is familiar with with them, look around, and say ‘Look at plastic bins and storing items Lindemann helps people bring order to their lives by letting go of things that when it’s time to take a break, which is Lindemann’s work. “When people reach what we’ve done.’” • off-site. weigh them down. When it's time to organize, tools like these boxes are out to her, she can help them through the important because, says Leonard, “this is essential, says Lindemann. exhausting work.”

30 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 31 McGiveney and Harbin enjoy a rare quiet moment together at their home in West Kingston, Rhode Island.

When Marc McGiveney ’92 and Deb Harbin ’92 met as nursing students at Lov e URI in 1988, they were adults with children of their own. When they married four years later, they blended their families, including their four children, and proceeded to adopt four more. Five of their eight children had special needs. Makes a Family But they were special parents. And they knew they had plenty of the one thing By Paul Kandarian all children need—love.

32 SPRING 2020 PHOTO: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 33 o the uninitiated, chaos seems and working outside the home: Jonathan, to reign at a big house deep in 27, adopted at the age of 4, who had the West Kingston, Rhode serious adjustment issues after a dozen Island,T woods. Marc McGiveney ’92 and previous foster placements; and Will, Deb Harbin ’92 built the house for their adopted at 16, who had significant learn- family, which includes eight children— ing and social disabilities, likely exacer- five with special needs, and four of those bated by the fact that he had also been Above, Norman helps the grandkids in adopted—and five grandchildren. But for shuttled around foster care. Marc with son, Luke. Marc and Deb adopted Luke, who has Down syndrome, when he was an infant. the kitchen, which is always a busy them, it’s not chaos. It’s just life. Rounding out the household are two place. Right, Deb's work scrubs are Squatting on the floor, playing with a special-needs adults, a couple, who live often her at-home attire, too. toy, and staring at the noisy scene around under Marc and Deb’s care in a supportive him is their son, Luke, 21, who has Down living arrangement. ponytail and matching beard, just shrugs. Marc and Deb were both older students altruistic reasons. syndrome. Luke, whom they adopted as Stopping in to lend a hand are Deb’s Amid the chaos, Haley, a small, furry with families, and they met in a study “He said only three percent of nurses an infant, is gently tapping one of his daughters, Emily Flynn, 36, and Nathalie rescue dog, runs from human to human group. are men, so nursing would be a great many stuffed animals to his lips, “It’s Morrissey, 31. Emily and Nathalie’s little seeking head pats and belly rubs. Hiding Marc, outspoken and opinionated, place to meet chicks,” Marc laughs. “But sensory stimulation,” explains Marc. Luke ones scamper about, adding excitement to from the noise somewhere is Louis the cat. rubbed Deb the wrong way. He had what he also said nursing is recession-proof. occasionally flings the stuffed animal the busy scene. In the living room, Deb’s This is a typical day in this household. she describes as an “annoying conservative That stuck with me.” across the room. other daughter, Vanesa, 38, born with Rett Chaotic? streak,” which, she concedes, time has Family circumstances forced both Standing quietly and gently smiling syndrome, a crippling neurological disorder, “Nah, this is quiet,” Nathalie laughs, tempered. Marc and Deb to leave URI for a short amid the noise is another son, Norman, lays curled and smiling in her small chair, as the din grows and dinner is prepared. “I didn’t have much use for him when time, and when they returned, they 27. They adopted Norman when he was 5. doted over by the grandchildren, her face “Now, Christmas—that’s insane.” we first met. He had this kind of noncha- gravitated toward one another once again, He had a litany of physical, medical, and locked into a smile as she silently takes it lance,” she says. “He used to argue that the rekindling their friendship. Their emotional problems—“A perfect fit for all in. “Vanesa,” says Deb, “is small in arc and Deb met at URI in 1988 as people who had Medicaid had the same respective marriages had ended in the this family,” says Marc. He was born to a stature but huge in presence!” Marc’s Mnursing students. They married care as people with private insurance. interim, and they began dating. mother with substance abuse issues and daughter, Ellen, 37, also lives nearby and July 3, 1992, not long after graduation. With me being a single parent of a spe- Marc jokes that they would “steal kisses in often stops in to visit or help out. But they almost never met. Marc had cial-needs child I had to take to a clinic all the elevator.” Deb, 63, just home from work as to battle to get into URI, having earned a the time, I knew that wasn’t the case. So at They both had small children, loved senior director of nursing at Perspectives C in high school chemistry back in 1968. first I thought he was a jerk.” nursing—and each other. They moved in It's not chaos. Corporation, stands at the counter, still in He had to convince the University to take “I wasn’t aware then,” Marc says. together in November 1991, graduated a nursing attire, chopping potatoes. Her a chance on him. And Deb adds, “He’s come around.” month later, and married the following July. It's just life. only notable lament, it seems, is that the “I said, ‘Hey, I’m footing the bill He learned a bit about health care early “It went faster than we expected,” Deb main course has not been attended to here, and it’s on me. So if I don’t make on out of necessity. His first wife had says dryly. “We were poor, in debt, with he suffered numerous strokes as an infant. prior to her arrival. it, I don’t make it, that’s on me,’” Hodgkin’s disease, and he had to learn families to raise, and we both got jobs as RNs.” Norman now works part-time in a silk “You’d think someone would have put Marc says. “I could see their point. URI how to care for her. At the time, Marc screen shop and is a volunteer with the the ham in the oven,” she sighs with a has a great nursing program and they owned Island Records in Newport, and eb worked her way up at local fire department. laugh, looking pointedly at husband weren’t letting just anyone slide in.” But one of his customers told him being a DPerspectives Corporation—an Marc and Deb have two other adopted Marc, 67, a retired nurse. Marc, a calm he got his chance—and graduated with a male nurse might be a better career agency that provides services and support children who are now grown and living and good-natured man with a long white 3.15 GPA. option for him—albeit for less-than- for children and adults with disabilities in

34 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 35 Above, the grandkids play with family dog, Haley, as Vanesa looks on. The family relaxes together at the end of a typically busy day. Deb is surrounded by Norman, Vanesa, Emily, Nathalie, and other extended family members. Inset, Norman gets a hug from his brother, Luke.

Rhode Island— for 24 years thinking,” Deb says. “It’s more selfish than that,” Deb adds. “It before becoming senior And Marc adds, “Everything we have makes us feel good. That’s why we do it.” director of nursing. But it almost didn’t sort of goes back to URI; it really made us “My life’s philosophy is simple: If you happen at all. able to think of others.” can do it, do it,” Marc says. “You see “I almost didn’t hire her. She was very, Which comes in handy in very outspoken,” says Judy Niedbala ’78, a home like theirs. chief operating officer at Perspectives. novel of suspense, revenge, and coming of “It seems crazy, but that “Turns out, she became a loud, outspoken age.” He’s also home a lot more to take was our normal,” says Emily, a “Every child deserves a advocate because she needed to for her care of his family, something longtime 2007 URI doctor of pharmacy daughter. Her strength is representing friend Phil Hoffman ’73 calls “remarkable.” grad, now operations manager herself as a parent of a disabled child at “They’re amazing, both of them,” says for Westerly Hospital’s phar- family and to be loved.” meetings with other parents. That’s pow- Hoffman, who met Marc in 1972 when he macy. She credits her upbring- —Marc McGiveney ’92 and Deb Harbin ’92 erful. And she’s constantly challenging us and his wife, Sue, took Marc in as a ing with sparking her career in as a provider to make sure we’re doing the boarder. “They make a great couple. Deb’s health care: “As I was growing up, I’d someone who needs help, help. Some- right thing.” more realistic and grounded, and Marc’s sometimes ask my parents why they kept times it’s easy, sometimes it’s hard. “She’s very direct, but you can be direct got this incredible imagination. They adding to the family, and they’d say, ‘Every But we’ve never bitten off more than we with her,” Niedbala says. “You can say if mesh well. And taking care of those kids child deserves a family and to be loved.’” c an c h e w.” she’s out of line and she’ll accept it.” … nothing fazes them.” For their part, Marc and Deb don’t see “Through all the challenges, by believ- Marc spent 27 years in nursing, includ- anything at all unusual about having a ing and having faith, it always comes back ing 12 in the emergency room at Rhode n that seemingly chaotic seven-bedroom house full of people; they’ve often opened to you in spades,” Deb says. “What we Island Hospital, where he organized the Ihome, with its adaptable architecture of their doors to friends in need, taking give out is miniscule compared to the full- first nurse’s union; for the last of his ER wide open spaces and wide door frames— them in, giving them what they need to ness it gives to our lives.” • years, he also worked full time as the specially designed by Deb to accommo- get back on their feet. school nurse at Chariho Regional High date wheelchairs—things run smoothly, “You can’t leave helping people to oth- School, where the kids called him the thanks in no small part, they say, to URI. ers,” Marc says. “Jon, Norman, Luke, school “murse.” He stayed at Chariho for “We learned so much there—profes- Will—they would’ve had different—and 20 years, retired in June, and is writing “a sionalism, global leadership, critical worse—lives if not for our adopting them.”

36 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 37 Our Roots are Showing By Todd McLeish

An awakening of sorts is underway— In late October, a section “It’s an attractive crop at URI and across the globe. There’s of the University’s agronomy because you don’t need growing recognition that the 20th field is blooming with gorgeous sophisticated farm century’s industrial approach to purple saffron flowers. Although equipment or technology to grow it,” she says. “It’s a lot less farming and food production is 90 percent of the global harvest of work to grow than vegetables, unhealthy for people, animals, saffron—the world’s most expensive spice—comes from Iran, plant sciences though it’s more labor intensive to har- soil, and the environment, and is professor Rebecca Brown has demon- vest, which is why saffron is so expensive. environmentally and economically strated that the Ocean State has the It also doesn’t have insect or disease prob- unsustainable. So what’s to be potential to claim a share of the market lems here, and you don’t have to water it. done? At URI, where agriculture is as demand grows in the United States. All of that is attractive to farmers.” central to our history and mission “It’s tolerant of arid conditions, which The saffron experiment is just one of as a land grant university, our is why it’s mostly grown in the poor, dry URI’s many sustainable agriculture initia- soils of southeastern Iran,” she says. “But tives, which include numerous research faculty, students, and alumni are projects, new faculty members, an aca- rediscovering our agricultural until now, no one had tried to grow it in Southern New England’s moist, rich soils.” roots, taking a new, interdisciplinary With the help of postdoctoral fellow Below, saffron flowers bring spring to URI's agronomy fields in October. Above, approach to practical agriculture, Rahmatallah Gheshm, who grew the spice and leading the way for a new inset, the stigma of the saffron flower is in Iran for 27 years, last year’s campus harvested and dried to produce saffron, the generation of farmers and food saffron yield per acre was about triple world's most expensive spice, which sells producers. that of Iran’s. for about $5,000 per pound, wholesale. Demand for saffron in the U.S. is growing as more people from the Middle East and South Asia move here, and as appreciation grows for cuisines from those regions.

Plant sciences and entomology assistant professor John Taylor studies strategies used by ethnic communities to grow native vegetables in urban settings. One such strategy is polyculture—growing multiple species together to increase the yield of all. Here, amaranth, bitter melon, and sweet potato grow symbiotically at the URI agronomy fields.

38 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: CREATIVE COMMONS; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 39 An experienced farmer with who have a broad education about food the challenges of sustainability and getting she is an agribusiness advisor, training degrees in horticulture and security, sustainability, and climate change big companies to buy into it,” she adds. farmers in record-keeping, financial man- entomology, URI Cooperative and have diverse skills,” says Gomez-Chi- Students in the program choose one of agement, and related topics. She credits Extension researcher Andrew Radin does outreach and arri, professor of aquaculture and coordi- three focus areas: food production, food the major with providing her with the consultation with the local nator of the sustainable agriculture major. and society, or nutrition and food. They opportunity to explore what she described farming community. Here, he “We had a lot of faculty doing sustainabil- are required to complete a capstone proj- as “a budding interest” in sustainable shows local farmers a trellis ity in many departments, so we just had ect and an internship, many of which are agriculture. system for growing tomatoes. to package it in a way to provide the right conducted at commercial farms or the “I’m passionate about supporting guidance to students. The interdisciplin- Rhode Island Department of Environ- small-holder, regional farmers, both ary nature of the program—requiring mental Management. Graduates might domestically and internationally, and broad knowledge in the social sciences end up working in small- or large-scale helping them to stay ahead of trends in ways to improve production of toma- and the natural sciences—also means it’s a food production on land or sea, finding the food system and stay competitive in toes—the number one crop in high tun- program that can easily be done as a dou- innovative and safe ways to distribute and the market,” she says. “Through my Peace nels—by evaluating container mixes, cali- ble major with another discipline. market food, or developing and enforcing Corps service, I have seen the need for the brating nutrient requirements, and moni- “More than anything, this major is policies that ensure food security and safety. development of supply chains that enable toring the occurrence of plant diseases about training students to have a vision of The first student to enroll in the pro- small farmers to easily meet the demand and insect pests. the future for what they want food systems gram was Shayna Krasnoff ’17, who is from buyers and receive fair market price to become and to make them understand now in the Peace Corps in Uganda, where for their produce.” Envisioning the Future of Food Production demic major, and several campus mea- evaluate the use of urban-adapted high Sustainable agriculture research at URI sures designed to develop agricultural tunnel systems, temporary greenhouses doesn’t focus just on crops in the soil. practices, products, and policies that that help extend the growing season. By Department of Fisheries, Animal and Vet- John Taylor's initial polyculture studies erinary Sciences faculty members Marta focused on amaranth, a leafy green vegetable reduce the environmental impact of food pairing raised beds in the tunnel with popular among African, Asian, and Caribbean production while also considering eco- native flower beds that capture rain drip- Gomez-Chiarri, Austin Humphries, and cultures, and bitter melon, a warty, nomic sustainability and social justice for ping off the tunnel, he is helping urban Coleen Suckling are conducting studies of cucumber-shaped fruit with medicinal farming communities. The efforts attest residents intensify production in small sustainability in the aquaculture and fish- values favored in India and Southeast to URI’s long history in agricultural spaces. ing industries, and Katherine Petersson, Asia. He is growing the two, along research and education, and its commit- “If we’re going to meet the goal of also in Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary with a sweet potato variety grown for its leaves. ment to leading a new generation of producing 50 percent of the Sciences, is studying sustain- growers in an effort to create a sustainable region’s food needs by able methods for control- system of food production. 2060,” as proposed in a ling parasites in sheep. report prepared in And that’s just the food production How Can We Grow More Food 2014 by Food Solu- tions New Eng- side of the issue. in Less Space? land, “then a lot of Still other faculty Plant sciences and entomology assistant our food is going are examining the professor John Taylor is looking for ways to have to come topic from the to produce more food in smaller plots by from small-scale perspective of using different nutrient inputs and tillage production in economic sustain- strategies and by cultivating several crops urban backyards ability, health, in the same space in a practice called and vacant lots,” says nutrition, culture, polyculture. Taylor, the first of sev- and communication. “In polyculture, you’re growing multi- eral new professors hired Such diverse ways of ple species together to get more produc- as part of the sustainable agri- thinking about sustainable tion from a unit of area compared to culture program. He is finding that agriculture made it ripe for the growing those crops in monoculture,” he the yield from his urban farming experi- establishment of a new interdisciplinary says. “It’s a way to maximize the use of ments is much higher than production major. Launched in 2016, the major in space. In Chinese-origin household gar- from conventional farms in Rhode Island. sustainable agriculture and food systems dens, they sometimes double production Cooperative Extension researcher emerged as a result of requests from stu- because they have a vine crop growing Andrew Radin is also working to make dents for a course of study that combined vertically on a trellis with a leafy ground the best use of high tunnels. “It’s like we food production with classes in business, layer below. It helps the household be brought a patch of North Carolina coastal health sciences, nutrition, policy, eco- more food secure.” growing conditions to Rhode Island,” he nomics, hunger studies, and more. He is also teaming with the Southside says. “It enhances productivity and makes “It also came about because employers Community Land Trust in Providence to things grow and ripen faster.” He is testing and alumni said they want to hire people

40 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: HEATHER FAUBERT; BEN STERN; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 41 EXTENDING OUR ROOTS: Where Theory Meets Practice Jayne Merner Senecal '02, with her father, URI’S AGRICULTURAL LEGACY LOOKS OUTWARD Michael Senecal, who started Earth Care URI alumni were employed in the sus- Farm in 1977. Jayne now manages the farm, From the turf fields to the dining access URI’s agricultural washed to meet food safety and VoloAgri Inc.; with startup tainable agriculture field long before which produces Merner's Gold, a compost halls, URI is reaching out to resources, food expertise, standards. funding allocated from a state the academic major was established. prized by local farmers and gardeners for showcase its agricultural exper- researchers, and business The University’s newest bond approved by voters in 2016. Jayne Merner Senecal ’02 grew up in boosting soil health. tise in a variety of ways, beyond support programs. It will also agricultural initiative is the URI Dining Services is also the industry. In 1977, her father started our academic programs and provide students with unique creation of an Agricultural doing its part to contribute to the faculty research. opportunities to network with Innovation Campus on 50 acres University’s sustainable agricul- Earth Care Farm in Charlestown, Rhode In January, URI‘s Business the sustainable agriculture at Peckham Farm, to include ture efforts. It’s partnering with Island, to produce farm compost, and Engagement Center hosted the industry and gain practical more than 25 acres of green- local farms, fishers, and vendors now Senecal manages the farm, which tems, connectivity between farmers and fourth annual Food System experience in the food sector. houses and a 15,000-square- to make “eat local” more than just uses sustainable practices so the land consumers, ecologically balanced farm- Summit, a gathering of hundreds The Food Center will be foot Agriculture Innovation a catchphrase, and its food waste remains healthy for future generations. ing, and all that is necessary to keep agri- of government, academic, and housed in the former turfgrass Center, which will be URI’s hub is converted to compost through The compost she produces—known culture viable within Rhode Island and business leaders for discussions research building on Plains for agricultural innovation, a partnership with the Compost around Rhode Island as Merner’s Gold— Most of the efforts to make agriculture New England,” he says, noting that the about how to better support the Road beyond the athletic entrepreneurism, internships, Plant, a Providence business growing interest in sustainable agriculture state’s increasingly important fields and will contain confer- and education. The campus focused on diverting organic increases the biological activity, drought more sustainable in Rhode Island are food economy. This year’s event ence rooms, office space, the will be developed in partner- waste from landfills to high-qual- tolerance, and nutrient density of the soil guided by Ken Ayars ’83, M.S. ’86, chief emerged from the region’s reliance on featured conversations about Cooperative Extension’s Plant ship with Rhode Island Mush- ity compost. URI’s Dining Services to which it is added. of the state Division of Agriculture, who imported food, the increasing awareness how climate change is affecting Protection Clinic (which helps room Co.; American Ag Energy is even growing herbs, salad “Lots and lots of carbon can be cap- works with partners to develop policies of the ecological benefits provided by the regional food supply. community members identify Inc.; Verinomics, Inc.; greens, and tomatoes in the tured and stored in the soil through the and programs to perpetuate local farming. healthy farmland, and a growing desire to According to BEC executive pest insects and diseases on dining halls to reduce procure- simple process of building soil health by “That means, among many things, know where our food comes from. director Katharine Flynn, the first their plants), and a vegetable ment time and product costs. adding compost,” she says. focusing on local sustainable food sys- Many alumni are joining the effort. Food System Summit generated washing station where food the idea of establishing a Food grown on campus can be Center on campus, a resource center where farmers, growers, producers, distributors, servers, retailers, and others can easily

Matty Gregg '09 owns Forty North Oyster Farms on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey, where he is helping to bring oysters back to the Mid-Atlantic coastal ecosystem. An Enlightened Food System “Economic sustainability is equally In Cranston, Rhode Island, Corey Confreda important to any viable business,” says ’14 is helping to make his family’s farm— Gregg, who was named a Small one of the largest in the state—more sus- Business Innovator of the Year in 2017 tainable by installing swales—shallow by The Asbury Park Press. “Our strategic table philosophy, but also pond-to-plate, channels around growing areas to capture geographical location between Philadel- as he supplies his oysters to his restaurant, water and reduce fertilizer runoff—and by phia and New York allows us to sell in Matunuck Oyster Bar, and grows much planting a cover crop between the rows to those markets with a smaller carbon of the produce served there. capture even more water, among other footprint. Most of that carbon [produced “As farmers, it’s no longer our job just strategies. “We take farming sustainability by transporting our oysters to market] to come up with innovative ways to grow seriously,” he said. “We try to implement is negated through carbon sequestration, our product,” he said in a recent speech a product of growing oysters en masse.” at Providence’s Business Innovation new methods each year to reduce our Oysters, which use carbon to make their Factory. “We also must engage in dia- impact on the environment.” shells, permanently remove carbon from logue, education, and even conflict in Matty Gregg ’09 owns Forty North the ocean and the atmosphere. Adds order to meet our goals and in order to Oyster Farms in New Jersey, where his Gregg, “Every dollar we make is rein- create a more resilient and self-reliant shellfish operation filters the water in vested in growing more oysters and food production system.” Barnegat Bay, provides nursery habitat removing more carbon.” URI’s sustainable agriculture program for fish and crabs, and offers places for In Rhode Island, Perry Raso ’02, is doing just that. By reflecting on the marine life to hide from predators. Along M.S. ’06, owner of Matunuck Oyster University’s founding as an agricultural with his URI roommate Scott Lennox ’06, Farm, was a finalist last year for the first college and recognizing the growing he also established the Barnegat Oyster New England Leopold Conservation importance of creating a more enlight- Collective, a multi-farm organization that Award for business owners who inspire ened food system for the future, it is edu- accounts for half of all farmed oysters in others with their dedication to ethical cating a new breed of agriculturist and New Jersey and was featured in the award- land, water, and wildlife habitat manage- developing improved methods of food winning documentary The Oyster Farmers. ment. Raso preaches not only a farm-to- production to ensure food security for all. •

42 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: COURTESY JAYNE MERCER-SENECAL; COURTESY MATTY GREGG ; GETTY IMAGES UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 43 1988 Network Duval (Masta Ace) Clear gathered with friends and fam- ily for Alumni and Family week- end on the Kingston Campus = CLASS NOTES = in October 2019. He was pre- Let your classmates know what you’re up to. Reunions, gatherings, career or sented with a framed copy of academic updates, weddings and birth announcements, retirements, exhibition the fall 2018 University of Rhode Island Magazine, which fea- openings, travel, or your favorite URI memories. Submit notes and photos: tured Ace as the cover story. email: [email protected], online: alumni.uri.edu. Left to right: Corrinne LePore (parent of URI sophomore Kelly Lockwood-Primus ’84 1960 rageous battle with cancer. She evening lobster boil with music illustrator of a series of books Angelina LePore ’22), Mark Claude Trottier writes, “I just was inducted into the Smith Col- and dancing (optional), to the about a dog named Flash. House, Duval (Masta Ace) Clear published my second book on lege Athletic Hall of Fame on a honor of leading the graduation Details at charliealexanderandhis ’88, Ray Doll ’89, Schea Clear Ciba-Geigy: Ciba-Geigy to Novar- Saturday and died the following procession for the Class of 2020. palflash.com. (Ace’s wife), Milan Clear (Ace’s tis to Ciba Specialty Chemicals Tuesday. She was an outstanding Hope to see you then!” Judy Niedbala, see page 36 daughter), and Scott Santos, based on acquisitions, joint ven- field hockey coach at Smith...and 1973 aka DJ Finesse, who attended tures, mergers and divestitures.” a 3-sport athlete at URI...before 1979 Phil Hoffman, see page 36 URI from 1987–91. Title IX!!! She was an inspiration Catherine Hanrahan became 1964 to students and colleagues! Joe Light, M.L.S. ’73 writes: “I was the proud grandmother of Emer- Rich Barron has been in Lions among the first residents at the son Robert Hanrahan on Decem- consumer products industry, has many HR and benefits profes- Club International for 48+ years, 1970 1982 Graduate Village apartments ber 14, 2019 (see Births and sional organizations and speaks currently serving as secretary to See pages 50–53 for a story on Wendy M. Weber-Lockner, been with Leading Women since when they opened in September Adoptions, page 46). at conferences. If you see him, the Binghamton, N.Y., club. He the Class of 1970. North Atlantic-Appalachian 2013 and has positioned the Thomas Fuchs ’90 1972. A number of grad students regional director for the U.S. Fish company for future growth with please stop and say hello! He enjoys volunteering on projects, 1980 Al Divoll writes: “In the years had a regular Sunday morning and Wildlife Service, was among the recent launch of Leading keeps in touch with several URI including children's vision screen- Donna Russo Morin is thrilled since graduating and a stint in touch football game on the ath- 15 winners of the inaugural Women’s Conference Services friends and reminds current URI ing and community improve- to announce that her ninth book, the Army, I’ve worked in retail letic field across route 138. I Theodore Roosevelt Government Division and the expansion of students to enjoy their time at ments. The Lions’ causes include Gilded Summers, a novel of operations big and small. Today I remember New Year’s Day 1973 Leadership Awards who were the organization’s programming URI and the friendships they are the environment, hunger, child- Newport’s Gilded Age, is offi- own two small shops including when the temperature was in recognized September 19, 2019, for diversity and inclusion making. The best is yet to come. hood cancer, diabetes, and cially an international bestseller. Toys Ahoy! in Essex, Conn. I the mid-60s and we played in at the Washington National beyond gender. vision. Rich received his B.D. from She is currently working on its Lorén Spears ’89, Hon. ’17, see recently joined fellow classmates shorts and T-shirts. The game Cathedral by the Government Andover Newton Theological sequel—Gilded Dreams, to be page 26 to plan our 50th reunion (May continued for several years, and Executive Media Group. Wendy 1989 School (now Andover Newton released in June 2020—an hom- Robert (Bob) Kelley was 15–17, 2020). It’s been great on a few occasions we were was lauded for making signifi- 1990 Seminary at Yale Divinity School) age to the Rhode Island women appointed to the Board of the reconnecting with fellow alumni, joined by then-URI President cant investments in people at all Thomas Fuchs was named a and his D.Min. from the Theolog- who brought American women State and Local Government many of whom I haven’t seen in Frank Newman.” organizational levels and creat- partner in BDO USA, LLP’s Indus- ical School of Drew University. suffrage...a celebration of the Benefits Association (SALGBA). James Kinney ’92 50 years. It only takes a few min- ing a program to strengthen try Specialty Services practice. He was a pastor at many churches 1977 100th anniversary of women’s He works for the North Carolina utes and the stories come back supervisory excellence. Her 2018 Thomas leads the Commercial & throughout the Northeast. Thomas Farragher ’77, Hon. suffrage coming up on August Office of State Human Resources. to life! Those were the days! I Federal Employee Viewpoint Life Science Solutions practice ’17, see page 25 18, 2020. Donna will be teach- In addition to his URI degree in 1973 encourage my classmates to Survey engagement scores were and supports clients with busi- ing and mentoring at Ireland consumer affairs, Bob holds an Sidonia Dalby wrote to share attend one or all of the events 1978 among the highest in the federal ness-to-business contracts that 1991 Writers’ Tours in July 2020. associate’s degree with honors in the sad news that fellow ’73 scheduled. They range from Charles Roland (Remillard) government. are a critical element of their cus- Vladimir Duthiers, ’91, Hon. ’17, She can be reached at computer information systems classmate Jackie Schmidt Blei campus tours to the Saturday Alexander is the author and tomer relationships and sales/ see page 23 donnarussomorin.com. 1983 from Wake Technical Community died in October 2019 after a cou- revenue-generating activity. He Christiane Amanpour, ’83, College in NC, as well several 1992 assists clients in managing their Hon. ’95, see page 20 human resources professional James Kinney of Warwick, R.I., contractual obligations and reg- designations. He belongs to was named vice president, sales Ken Ayers ’83, M.S. ’86, see ulatory requirements. = HAPPENINGS = and business relations of Delta page 42 50TH REUNION • MAY 15-17, 2020 GOLDEN GRAD REUNION • JUNE 5-6, 2020 Dental of Rhode Island. He will 1984 1990 oversee new business develop- Kelly Lockwood-Primus Ann Martini and ment efforts, existing client rela- became CEO and president of Brett Davey tionships, and dental community Leading Women on December get together insurance producers for Delta 31, 2019. She was formerly presi- regularly with Dental of Rhode Island and its dent and COO. The company is Professor Emerita subsidiary companies. Previ- shaping the future of workplace Linda Levin. Read ously, Kinney held leadership dynamics by advocating wom- Ann’s story about positions at OneDigital Health en’s advancement and engaging Levin on page 49. and Benefits and at DMS Dental. male allies to bring gender bal- Deb Harbin, see pages 32–37 ance to leadership. Kelly, a senior-level executive from the Marc McGiveney, see pages 32–37

44 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 45 NETWORK

Kendall Smith wrote Vault 2001 Giselle came to RDW in 2017 as 21-12, a thriller published in Andrea Gingras, see page 14 senior account executive. In her 2015, and The Father Apprentice, new role, she builds client rela- to be published by Familius Pub- 2002 tionships, supports strategy lishing in spring 2021. Laurie Lindemann, M.A. ’02, development, and leads day-to- see pages 28–31 BIRTHS day execution of tactics. Giselle ENGAGEMENTS AND 1996 AND ADOPTIONS Perry Raso ’02, M.S. ’06, see has 12+ years of marketing, PR, Glenn Basser (see Emily Fried WEDDINGS page 43 and communications experience Basser ’98). with nonprofit , government, Jayne Mercer Senecal, see Kerry Evers, M.A. ’96, Ph.D. ’98, and private organizations page 42 see page 30 focused on public service, healthcare, work force develop- Andrew Burnap ’13 stars on Broadway Casey Stockman ’09 Joseph Galindo ’14 2005 1998 in The Inheritance. Rachael Goldberg of Morris- ment, and B2C. A member of the On October 5, 2019, Emily Fried town, N.J. was recently named Public Relations Society of Amer- Basser and her husband Glenn also a core contributor for the pany, having served as associate ian firm Tervi, and the Iraqi Min- executive director of Liberty Hall ica (PRSA,) she has been a board Basser ’96 realized their dream parenting blog GeekDad, an director of internal communica- istry of Water Resources to Museum in Union, N.J. She has member of the Southeastern of opening a fine wine and craft award-winning screenwriter, tions for McCann Worldgroup in ensure the stability and safety of served the museum in various New England Chapter PRSA beer store in Coral Springs, Flor- and a past entertainment writer New York and in various commu- the Mosul Dam. He also trained capacities for more than 10 since 2013, serving as president ida. Emily, a former teacher, and for film publications including nications positions at IBM. the Iraqi MoWR personnel who years. In her new role, she will in 2014; she is currently treasurer Glenn, a wine industry veteran, Fangoria and Starlog magazines. took over after AECOM left. He provide direction as the museum and president-elect. moved to Florida eight years ago Born and raised in Westerly, 2010 met people from different cul- strengthens its unique school Emily (Beckwith) McGrath ’10 from New York. They missed the 2008 Tony lives in nearby Hopkinton Omar Bah, see page 21 tures and backgrounds and program and encourages repeat and Andrew McGrath ’10 fine wine shops they had been Tony Nunes was named artistic with his wife Marybeth and learned about Iraqi culture and visitors. In addition to her URI Alex DeCiccio, see page 14 Matthew Grimes ’08 and were married in Narragansett used to. Now they give custom- director of the United Theatre in their three children. history. He is honored to have degree in history, Rachel holds a Jesse Watson ’09 married in 2016 and welcomed baby ers an international selection of Westerly, Rhode Island. He has 2011 been part of this important master’s degree in American his- on December 6, 2019, in Dylan Rhodes McGrath in interesting, small production, been with the United Theatre 2009 Derek Sutcliffe, see page 14 and successful mission! tory from Monmouth University, Morristown, N.J. July 2019. Emily writes, “We estate-grown wines. Their motto project since 2013, first as a vol- Matty Gregg, see page 42 now live out in San Francisco and a certificate in historic pres- unteer and later as an event and 2013 2014 is, “come in...drink better.” They Casey Stockman, Pharm.D. ’09 but named him after our ervation from Drew University. marketing consultant. Prior to Andrew Burnap is playing Toby Corey Confreda, see page 43 Jeff Karnes ’80 and want to give wine and beer was named vice president of special little state where our becoming artistic director in Darling on Broadway in The Martha Santini ’80 enthusiasts a world-class experi- 2006 pharmacy at Neighborhood Mea Duke, see back cover relationship started.” October 2019, he was assistant Inheritance, Matthew Lopez’s married on June 2, 2019. ence and educate novices in a Kate Venturini ’06, M.A. ’10, Health Plan of Rhode Island. She vice president of public relations two-part, six-hour epic play. Joseph Galindo accepted an non-intimidating environment. see page 11 works closely with Neighbor- for Washington Trust, and before associate position in the litiga- They invite URI alumni to visit hood’s chief medical officer and Eugenio Fernandez ’13, M.B.A that served as a member of the tion department at the law firm and let them know you’re a fel- 2007 senior management staff to ’13, Pharm.D. ’13, see page 48 Duffey & Sweeney. Previously, he low Ram! Tastings every Satur- Giselle Mahoney was elected a PR team at Mohegan Sun. Tony oversee and coordinate Phar- John Shannon, M.E.S.M. ’13 of was a law clerk for Justice Francis day. bassersfinewine.com. partner at RDW Group, Inc., an was one of the first graduates of macy Department activities. Mansfield, Mass., recently com- Flaherty at the Rhode Island integrated communications firm. URI’s film media program. He is Casey began working for Neigh- pleted a nearly three-year proj- Supreme Court. His experience borhood in February 2019, and ect to stabilize the Mosul Dam in includes a year-long clerkship previously served as a specialty Iraq as part of a task force with for the Rhode Island Supreme drug consultant and vice presi- 1998 his employer, AECOM, a U.S.-based Court Trial Court Law Clerk dent of specialty pharmacy. Jennifer Silva is a singer-songwriter and multinational engineering firm. Department, doing research and Before that, she held several recording artist who performs with her The dam, once called “the most drafting decisions for Justices leadership positions at Magellan Kevin Hanrahan ’10, five-piece band throughout New York dangerous dam in the world,” Brian Stern and Richard Licht. He Rx Management. Casey lives in M.B.A. ’17, and Kirsten City. She is a dynamic vocalist and story- provides critical water supply, serves as a member of the Rhode Tiverton, Rhode Island. (Shaw-Munderback) teller, with emotional, evocative lyrics. hydropower, and flood protec- Island Supreme Court Rules of Hanrahan ’10 welcomed Bluest Sky, Darkest Earth is her most Kellene Young of Kailua, Hawaii, tion for northern Iraq and had Evidence Committee, and previ- Amanda Stikeman ’17, their son Emerson recent album of original music (2018), has joined Anthology’s Public exhibited significant foundation ously volunteered for the city of M.S.A. ’18, and Tony Robert Hanrahan on produced and engineered by Reed Black Relations Group as a senior issues since its inception in 1985. Central Falls Law Department. Messina ’17, M.S. ’18, December 14, 2019. Vinegar Hill Sound. Her next record will account executive. Her responsi- John worked 12-hour shifts, six are excited to share the be released in 2020. Find her at sheissilva. bilities include strategic commu- days a week providing quality 2017 news of their engagement. Shayna Krasnoff, see page 41 com and on Instagram: @sheissilva. nications planning, client assurance oversight to founda- The couple is currently Jennifer lives in Brooklyn with her tion drilling and grouting, as well account service, media relations, 2018 living in the Boston area, husband, Joseph Lipari ’99, and her as geologic logging of the foun- and writing for travel and corpo- Jessica Kaelblein, see page 15 and a May 2021 wedding two daughters, Penelope and Vivienne. rate accounts. She brings more dation through rock coring. He is planned. than eight years of communica- worked closely with the U.S. 2019 tions experience to the com- Army Corp of Engineers, the Ital- Kay Tse, see pages 2 and 16

46 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 47 NETWORK

= CLOSE UP = = LOOKING BACK = Meet an Innovative Pharmacist Linda Levin Didn’t Want to Be a Teacher. Focused on People She Became a Really Good One. Eugenio Fernandez Jr. ’13, M.B.A. ’13, Pharm.D. ’13, grew up in Providence, If you were lucky enough to take a class with journalism professor Linda Levin the son of Cuban refugees. After amassing an impressive list of degrees, he in the 1980s and ’90s, you surely remember her. Maybe you’re even still in went back to the neighborhood he grew up in with a big idea: touch with her. Her no-nonsense teaching style, her devotion to her students, a pharmacy focused on people, in all their complexity. and her pure enjoyment of teaching are her unforgettable legacies.

EUGENIO FERNANDEZ RADIATES AN tion outside the doctor’s office.” That’s LINDA LOTRIDGE LEVIN and wanted students to be infectious enthusiasm. The founder of when the idea for Asthenis was born. never wanted to be a their best.” Asthenis, a unique community pharmacy He gave up a job opportunity at the teacher. Steve Greenlee ’91 was grounded in providing reliable health infor- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “ ‘Don’t be a teacher!’ I a journalism major in his mation, his goal is to help as many people returned to the Providence neighborhood heard this 10,000 times a sophomore year and had as possible, holistically. His URI degrees— he grew up in, and poured heart, soul, day from my mother,” Levin not yet met Levin. He biology, psychology, pharmacy, and busi- and savings into launching Asthenis. recalls. No matter. Levin knocked on her door to ness—and his graduate degree in public “I didn’t want to focus on just the clini- wanted to go to medical inquire about an intern- health from Harvard give him the broad cal health side—people are more complex school. But her mother— ship and found a lifelong perspective he needs to meet that goal. than that,” he explains. “People have trouble a driving force in her life— mentor. “She had no rea- “My colleagues complained that a eating, sleeping, don’t know where to live.” would not send her. It was son to help me,” says 15-minute doctor’s visit wasn’t So Asthenis dispenses not just prescrip- the 1950s and Levin’s Greenlee. When he landed enough to diagnose and treat. tions, but also health education and mother thought the expen- a job as assignment editor What if someone forgot to ask resources. “We don’t turn anyone away. We sive degree would be a at The Boston Globe nine a question, or didn’t under- point them in the right direction. Even if waste of money since she years after graduating, stand? I saw a need for they don’t need a prescription, people can believed her daughter Levin was the first person reliable health educa- come in and ask questions. It’s an initial would probably get married, he called. Now managing triage. We help patients decide whether to have babies, and never editor at the Portland go to the ER, or if they can help them- work as a doctor. “So I Press Herald in Maine, selves, or wait for a doctor’s visit. We help had to choose another Greenlee credits his career them make informed decisions.” major,” Levin says. “I had to Levin. “She takes a life- He credits his URI professors in shaping a typewriter and I didn’t Professor Emerita Linda Levin in her Providence home. Shane Donaldson ’99 long responsibility for her his thinking. “My professors at URI chal- mind writing.” says, “Linda Levin kicked my butt on a regular basis, and I could not be more students,” he says. lenged me to think big. This is my As a student at Michigan thankful for it. She had an incredible impact on so many students.” Levin thrived as a pro- interpretation.” • State and later Boston fessor and in 2001 became —Diane Sterrett University, Levin was inspired by two married Providence Journal reporter Len the chair of the journalism department. professors who “knew so much” and also Levin and together they raised two girls. She developed expertise in First Amend- gave life to the material, and she emulated One day, Levin recalls, she was approached ment issues, media law, and the history of them. Years later at URI, Levin taught by an administrator at her daughter’s ele- journalism. The recipient of many indus- about Joseph Pulitzer by donning a full mentary school. Would she be willing to try awards, she has been a fellow of the beard and suit to depict the iconic jour- teach an after-school news writing class Poynter Institute for Media Studies, the nalist and publisher. “I wanted it to be to fourth-graders? She accepted the chal- American Press Institute, and the Annen- fun,” she says. “If you can’t have fun, lenge. “I hated it! They wouldn’t settle berg Washington Program. Levin is the why go?” down,” she says. “I was always yelling at author of The Making of FDR: The Story “She was always highly engaged,” the little pissers.” of Stephen T. Early, America’s First Modern recalls Brett Davey ’90, currently the In 1983, Levin was offered a position Press Secretary. She retired from teaching director of marketing at South County teaching journalism at the University of in the classroom in 2012. But those of us Health. “She never mailed it in, not even Rhode Island. This time, she was smitten. who were fortunate enough to study with once. It’s clear how much she loved teach- She’d found her niche with college-age her continue to consider her lessons on a ing and her students,” he says. “There’s a students. “I had great students,” she daily basis. • reason so many of us have stayed close recalls. “I loved them and wanted them —Ann Martini ’90 with her decades after graduating. She’s to be successful.” fun to be around. Always has been.” “She was a one-of-a-kind professor,” Opened in July 2018, Asthenis means But a professorial career was not ini- remembers Gregg Perry ’88, president at patient in Greek, which serves as Fernandez’s constant reminder to focus on people, not tially on her radar. After graduating, Levin the public relations firm the Perry Group. administration. became a successful health and medicine “She’s sarcastic, funny, no bull. At the same reporter and enjoyed it immensely. She time, she was caring and compassionate

48 SPRING 2020 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 49 NETWORK

= YOUR STORIES= Four Years That Changed a Generation

This year, URI’s Class of 1970 DENNIS LYNCH ’70 GAVE THE Members of the Class of 1970 point FROM ORDER TO TUMULT ing jeans or Army surplus clothes student Commencement address in every day. celebrates its 50th reunion. In out that it wasn’t always all about pro- In 1966, we lived in a world defined by 1970. His address was insightful and It was also the worst of times. Rallies early May 1970, just a month tests and resistance; there were still boundaries—parental and societal. We powerful. He summarized the changes against the war were regular occur- before URI’s graduation exercises, friendships, exams, football games, grew up watching TV shows like Donna that defined the years from September walks at the beach, romances, books, rences on the Quad. Friendships were student strikes on college Reed and Father Knows Best that 1966—when most of the Class of 1970 strained, young men left for Canada; and all the other things URI alumni reflected fam- campuses across the United arrived at URI as first-year students— some left for war. Names of those killed typically point to as hallmarks of their ily life and the States, including at URI, were to June 7, 1970, when their graduation were relayed in hushed tones. No one time here. But it was, by all accounts, morals and organized to protest the ceremonies took place. was without an opinion. Finally, the a time of shockingly fast-paced social values of the “In these four years,” Lynch said, University was shut down just prior to expansion of the Vietnam War into and cultural transformation. time. When I “things have changed. Our music has graduation. Sadness, black armbands, Cambodia. At Kent State Lynch’s characterization rings true entered URI changed, our style of dress has changed, and anger permeated among the smiles University, the National Guard shot today for members of the Class of that year, we our lifestyle has changed, but more of our parents. We were ambivalent and killed four students during a 1970, who recall those years in the didn’t ques- importantly, our minds have changed. about our futures. stories that follow. tion authority protest. What was it like to be a These four years past have been the — Janice DiLorenzo ’70 and we com- college student during that most blinding array of rapid evolution plied with complicated and uniquely since this tiny sphere in the universe rules. Week- VOICE OF CHANGE first began forming.” transformative era? Class of 1970 night curfew Marilyn Conti Zartarian They called us “Baby Boomers” because alumni share their stories. was 10 p.m. No men were allowed in of the uptick in births following World the female dorms—but if your dad was War II. Most of us had relatives who helping you carry in luggage, you had fought in the war. For many, the yelled, “Man on the floor!” war formed But life began to change. As seniors, the basis of we had no curfew; men frequented our our beliefs dorms. The scent of marijuana escaped about our from closed doors. Vietnam and Kent government. State changed us. We weren’t followers During the anymore. We went on strike. 1960s, stu- “Our music has changed, In 1966, the campus was our orderly dents gener- world. In 1970, the tumultuous world ally went with our style of dress has was our campus. the flow. It changed, our lifestyle — Marilyn Conti Zartarian ’70 was a period of perceived has changed, but more L. Allen Divoll Jr. BEST/WORST OF TIMES “student importantly, our minds It was the best of times. Finally free apathy.” Gradually, students began to ques- from the cultural restraints of first- and tion some of the nation’s policies. There have changed.” second-generation parents, we were was a developing concern about social — Dennis Lynch ’70 able to explore academic, social, and responsibility. The “silent majority” was in multicultural contrast to vocal activists. The voice of opportunities. reason became clouded by the voice of When we change. Not everybody understood every- began at URI, thing. The correctness of our role in we had to wear Vietnam was still a point for discussion. skirts to the URI could never be confused dining halls with Berkeley, but Kent State and the and even Cambodian invasion changed many classes. By the minds and yielded a focus. URI's time we left, participation in the student strike we were wear- (unthinkable just a few years earlier) was a result of that focus. Janice E. DiLorenzo — Allen Divoll ’70

PHOTOS: COURTESY URI GRIST, 1970 50 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 51 NETWORK

THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND our skirts were so short, our fingertips It was a bright, clear, chilly Novem- BECOMING ACTIVISTS had never exactly been known as a Art Stein speaking at Those days between 1966 and 1970 could touch the hems. Pants would have ber morning. The bus parked and we hotbed of radical politics. But on the URI during the student held many changes. As college students, been more conservative. But we com- joined the crowds in front of the Wash- morning of Friday, May 1, 1970, readers strike of 1970. we seemed destined to participate. In plied without question. ington Monument. I was overwhelmed. opened the campus newspaper, The the beginning of my sophomore year as There was a curfew, after which the I’d never experienced such a mass of Beacon, to find clear evidence that Bob part in the strike—or not. Students were a member of dorm doors were locked. There was one humanity. But I was also exhilarated— Dylan’s 1964 anthem, “The Times They permitted to complete the spring term Are a-Changin,” still rang true. in the way they believed would be most the Student pay phone per floor, and anyone walk- here we were, thousands of us, young “49,024 Have Died in Vietnam,” the beneficial personally and to the broader Senate, I was ing by was responsible for answering and old, peacefully united in a common top headline reported. community. The principles of equality asked to rep- calls and finding the person needed. cause. It’s estimated that a quarter of a The only other headline on the page and freedom of choice prevailed. resent URI at There was one TV in the downstairs million people attended. Peter, Paul and rec room for the entire dorm, and boys Mary and Pete Seeger sang. Senators read, “Student Senate Supports Strike.” —Art Stein, Professor Emeritus the Associated That day, students and of Political Science Student were allowed to visit only in that space. George McGovern and Charles By our graduation in 1970, we were Goodell, and Coretta Scott King spoke. faculty held an emer- Governments’ gency rally on the URI CLOSING IT DOWN TO OPEN IT UP Conference in no longer the same students. We became Later in the afternoon, a couple of us protesters, and defied authority on many were resting near the National Archives Quad to call for a stop- San Francisco. Professor Stein started teaching at URI levels. The repercussions of the Vietnam when all hell broke loose. A small fac- page of classes the following Monday. endorsed the strike. We adopted the The confer- The immediate purpose was to protest slogan, “Close it down to open it up,” in 1965. His former political science War and Kent State had transformed us tion of protestors got violent and the ence was held President Nixon sending troops into referring to our aspirations for the URI colleague, Professor Emeritus Al Killilea, forever. And beanies were never part of police lobbed Dianne “Dede” Davis Berg during Cambodia and the death of four students strike: opening our minds and hearts says, “Art is a gentle and thoughtful man,” freshman orientation again. tear gas into Thanksgiving break and the planners on the pastoral grounds of the Kent State and broadening our perspectives who, in the turbulent late 1960s and thought Thanksgiving dinner for stu- —Victoria Salcone Cataldo ’70 the crowd. A campus. URI joined a group of 175 uni- through workshops and discussions on beyond, earned the respect of colleagues dents from across the country should wall of versities and colleges from across the a variety of topics, such as how biologi- and students alike. be held at the Playboy Club. During RALLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. humanity U.S., becoming one of the first schools in cal warfare affects civilian populations In 1999, Stein was one of the co-founders the next two years, conversations and November 15, 1969—the Moratorium surged toward New England to join the strike. and the health of our planetary home. of URI’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace awareness changed. Activism nation- to End the War in Vietnam. Five or six us and we ran On Tuesday, May 5, an overflow The faculty senate concluded, after Studies, and his committed approach wide concerning civil rights, women’s of us piled into a car and took off to in any direc- crowd, primarily students, packed some heated discussion, that no stu- to active social justice has continued rights, and the Vietnam War became attend this massive rally in Washington, tion we could Edwards Auditorium and almost all dent would be penalized for taking unabated over the past half-century. part of campus life and many of the old D.C. We made a stop at my home in to get out of rules were questioned. We would not New Jersey where parents graciously the fray. That be going back to the Playboy Club in fed us and allowed us to crash for a few finished us, and we made Frederick Strickhart the years to come. hours before we caught the bus to D.C. our way back to the bus. Luckily, we WAR CHANGED EVERYTHING U.S. campuses like a virus. When the were all there. Eyes and lungs burning, —Dianne “Dede” Davis Berg ’70 Like a tsunami, the anti-war movement strike occurred in the spring of 1970, we boarded the bus, then got back in engulfed American campuses. In the the protests effectively ended the last the car and trucked on back to URI. We TRANSFORMED FOREVER spring of 1966, I visited URI to inspect couple weeks of school. I was co-cap- got back in the early hours of the morn- tain of the track team and was prepar- As a URI freshman in September 1966, my future campus. It was graduation ing, exhausted and happy. ing for the Penn Relays. I remember I recall Labor Day weekend being filled weekend, and Did we make a difference? No. Not Coach Tom Russell telling me that with excitement. My parents moved me President at all. President Nixon vowed that the “none of the other athletes reported for into Peck Hall with just two suitcases, Lyndon protests would not sway his decisions practice.” I explained to Coach Russell which held my clothing, sheets, towels, Johnson was about the war. Later that month, he gave the reasoning for the strike and told and toiletries. receiving an his famous (infamous?) speech praising him I couldn’t let the anger I felt politi- Freshmen honorary the “silent majority” who, he claimed, cally interfere with my relationships or were required degree. Pro- supported the war. But for me it was, responsibilities. My beliefs over the to wear bean- fessor Elton and will remain, a high point. For the years have not changed. ies to distin- Rayack, pro- first time in my young life, I stood up to We were the Baby Boomers, born guish us from testing the my parents and the establishment and to parents of the “Greatest Generation.” upperclass- Vietnam War, fought for what I believed in. Our URI experience taught us to ques- men. This was escorted —Frederick “Rick” Strickhart ’70 Robert V. Bolderson tion the misuse of authority and power. rule, like off the podium Today’s political turmoil reflects past many others, by two University officials. Professor times. Protest, alienation, upheaval— was just Rayack later became my advisor. perhaps there is nothing new. I often accepted. We Until 1968, I believed in the inherent Victoria T. Salcone Cataldo reflect on what Yogi Berra so eloquently could wear good will of government. The war stated: “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” • what we wanted to classes and daytime For more photos from the 1970 changed everything and the govern- —Bob Bolderson ’70 meals, but girls had to wear skirts or Grist, go to uri.edu/magazine ment mistrust we felt engulfed most dresses for evening meals. Interestingly,

PHOTOS: COURTESY URI GRIST, 1970; ART STEIN 52 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 53 NETWORK

= IN MEMORIAM =

Lloyd Howard ’41 Wallace MacDonald ’57 Lawsanna Binks, M.A. ’70 Paul Martel ’83 Marguerite (Kent) Repass ’41 John O’Leary ’57 Richard Bradlee ’70 Anne-Louise Attar, M.L.I.S. ’84 Isadore Fine ’42 Eugene Zagarella ’57 Jean Edwards, M.L.I.S. ’70 Michael Chmielewski ’84 Robert Aldrich ’46 Paul Boorujy ’58 Nancy (Nuttall) Finlayson ’70, James Monaghan ’86 William Cowen ’48 Patricia Lund ’58 M.L.I.S. ’75 Kenneth Walsh, M.S. ’86 Nancy Bosworth Crutchfield ’48 Harrout Melikian ’58 David Hann ’70 Stephen Gardella ’87 William Benesch ’49 Cecilia (Pereira) Mull ’58 Meredith (Greene) Katzman ’70 William Dober ’89 Manuel Caetano ’49 William Racca ’58 A. Lorraine Racine ’70 Michael Soares, M.S. ’89 Bernice (Anderson) Durfee ’49 John Donnelly ’59 Norman Richards, Ph.D. ’70 Christopher Cote ’91 William Ferrigno ’49 Peter Taudvin ’59 Janina (Kiluk) Babiec ’71 Margaret Ferry, M.S. ’92 Milton Kilberg ’49 Arthur Weddell ’59 Edythe Menke ’71 Edward McDowell, M.S. ’93 Rick Collins ’78 Peter Colt ’96 Neil Desmond ’92 J.C. Glick ’95 and Dorothy (Nolan) Lux ’49 Martin Grossman ’60 Carolyn Winn, M.L.I.S. ’71 Michael Risser ’93 The Providence of The Off-Islander (2019) Angels of Stockholm Dr. Alice Atalanta = BOOKSHELF = Richard Volk ’49 Charles King ’60 Anthony Connors ’72, M.A. ’76 Jane Nelson ’94 Basketball (2019) (2018) Meditations of an George Currier ’50 Conrad Supski ’60 Joseph Plante ’72 Shawn Flanagan ’96 Army Ranger: A Check out the latest Warrior Philosophy Anthony Iadicola ’50 Lynn (Nevins) Thornwall ’60 Jerome Roderick ’72 David Lincoln ’97 books by alumni for Everyone (2019) Charles Johnson ’50 Roland Bettez ’61 Janice (Boston) Sieburth, M.L.I.S. ’72 Christine Johnston ’99 authors—and share Charles Richardson ’50 Robert Ciolfi ’61 Christopher Swistak ’72, M.A. ’73 Steven Gears ’11 your recently David Rosenfield ’50 Edward Cunningham ’61 Jacqueline (Schmidt) Blei ’73 Erica Hopkins ’21 published book at David Burr ’73 Richard Whaley ’50 Robert Jellison ’61 uri.edu/magazine. Barbara Naughton ’73 Faculty and Staff Banice Bazar ’51 Ronald Mack ’61 Or send a cover Umberto Capuano ’51 Austin O’Toole ’61, M.A. ’67 John Newbury ’73 Henry Biller, professor emeritus of psychology image, along with John Hunnewell ’51 Louis Placella ’61, M.S. ’66 Robert Tuthill ’73 Joan (Beattie) Klaserner ’51 Milton Steen ’61 Eileen (Lammers) Butterfield, Kathleen D’Aguanno, former author, URI grad Ardashes Nahabedian ’51 Thomas Stones ’61 M.L.I.S. ’74 telecommunications staff year, book title, and Albert Russo ’51 Richard Bender ’62 Jon Choiniere, M.A. ’74 Dilip Datta, professor emeritus year published, to John Saillant ’51 Albert Cote ’62 Gordon Cleary ’74 of mathematics [email protected]. Jean (Goday) Vaas ’51 David Dence ’62, M.S. ’66, Ph.D. ’71 George Muller, M.A. ’74 Janet Deignan, former Michael George Mannix Donna Russo Morin ’80 R. Scott Decker ’76 Warren Chernick ’52 Francis Kaczynski ’62 Charles Pietras ’74 administrative assistant William Riley, M.B.A. ’74 ’01 and Lila McLaughlin Gilded Summers (2018) Recounting the Anthrax Edward Coulter ’52 Carol Ray ’62, M.A. ’75, M.L.I.S. ’80 Thomas Drennan, M.A. ‘80, G.I. Hollywood: Some of Attacks: Terror, the Amer- Kathryn (Hickey) Testa ’74 Everett McPhillips ’52 Richard Risio ’62, M.A. ’71 former head golf coach My (Mis)Adventures in ithrax Task Force, and the Robert Evans ’75 Aaron Wishnevsky ’52 Betty (Hodgkinson) Wedderburn ’62 Richard Fraenkel, professor Show Business and the Evolution of Forensics in Herbert Michel ’53 Thomas Cronin ’63 Ellen Geltzer, M.L.I.S. ’75 emeritus of art Military (2018) the FBI (2018) Brian Gilgun ’75 Robert Pinault ’53 Susan (White) Jung ’63 Walter Gross, former professor Angelo Macera ’75 Edwin Quigley ’53 John Silva ’63 of education Michael Sarkesian ’53 Donald Colavecchio ’64 Amelia Revkin, M.A. ’75 Christopher Shartel ’75 Peter Merenda, Hon. ‘03, professor J. Paul Wilson ’53 Edward Fitzpatrick ’64 emeritus of psychology Miriam (Leino) Eldridge ’54 Anthony Cipolla ’65 Alfred Inman ’77 Mary (Peduzzi) Lenzen ’77 John Norris, professor emeritus Gloria (Siegel) Ladow ’54 James Finglas, M.S. ’65 of kinesiology = PLAYLIST = Barbara (Quinn) Peterson, M.L.I.S. ’77 Donald Ornstein ’54 Mary (Guertin) Guthrie ’65 Jennifer Silva ’98 Janet Shea ’77 John O’Leary ‘57, former co-chair Listen to the latest records by alumni artists— Raymond Taylorson ’54 Frank Votolato ’65 Bluest Sky, Darkest Carol Tufts ’77 of the Department of Physical and share your recently recorded music. Send Herbert Waltzman ’54 Marcia Reback ’66 Education (now Kinesiology) and Earth (2018) Louise Healy ’78 an album cover image, along with your name Pauline (Hogan) Behrens ’55 John Robillard ’66 football offensive line coach Available on Spotify Barbara Lightman ’78 (and band/group/artist name, if different), John Przybyla ’55 Howard Matthews ’67 Janice (Boston) Sieburth. M.L.I.S. ‘72, and all other music Lucy Brill ’79 URI grad year, album title, year released, and Elmer Armstrong ’56 William McCaffrey, M.A. ’67 professor emeritus of education platforms Joseph DeChristofaro ’56 Charles Moffitt, M.A. ’67 June (Keenan) Capece ’80 where/how listeners can find your record (in Paul Daigneau ’80 Raymond Taylorson ‘54, professor Earle Messere ’56 Janet Boucher ’68 emeritus of plant science and stores, on Spotify, etc.), to uri.edu/magazine. Edgar Vatcher ’56 Marcia (Fuller) Dillenbeck ’68 Thomas Drennan, M.A. ’80 entomology Stephen Sujecki, M.A. ’81 Paul Benoit ’57 Joseph Mercier, M.A. ’68 Roy Twaddle, former lecturer, Alice (Trask) Fossett, M.L.I.S. ’82 Harvey Chernov ’57 Hadassah Stein, M.L.I.S. ’68 business Robert Downs ’57 Muray Friedman ’69 Jessie (Lowell) Schoepfer ’82 Mark Brickell, M.S. ’83 Harold “Chris” Waters, professor Charles Hirsch ’57 Robert Helton, M.S. ’69 emeritus of French

54 SPRING 2020 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 55 NETWORK

URI Day of Giving is April 23. = CAPTION THIS = That means 24 hours to Photo Caption give and double your impact Contest Do you have a funny idea for a with the day’s matching caption for this photo from the URI Archives? Email your challenges. caption to [email protected] or respond at uri.edu/magazine. Be a part of the action and show the Rhody Submit entries by community what matters to you. May 15, 2020 Areas to give include: • Scholarships • Immediate priorities • Your academic college FALL WINNERS: LAB WORK • Varsity and club athletics ...and much more

IN THIS CIRCA 1976 PHOTO FROM THE URI Last year, Rams around the world rallied to Archives, Professor Harold Bibb (far right) helps contribute $879,000 from 3,155 individuals in senior zoology major Wayne Mollohan ’76. In back, just one day. Let’s set a new record! Professor Clarence Goertemiller (in lab coat) helps other students in the lab. We were thrilled to hear from Wayne’s daughter, Meghan Mollohan Ferguson ’06, who said, “That’s URIFAE.ORG/URIGIVES my dad, Dr. Wayne Mollohan, and Professor Harold Bibb. My dad says this was likely the chordate anatomy and morphogenesis five-credit course he took as a sophomore. He went on to Tufts Dental School. Back in 2005, I told my dad about this professor that I had, Harold Bibb. When he heard his name, he instantly remembered that he also had him as a professor.” We also heard from Bill Walton ’78, who said, Winning Caption “The picture brings back memories of my days as “A skeleton crew hard at work.” a zoology major.” —Bill Rosenberg ’77 Harold Bibb became a member of URI's faculty in 1972. He was appointed dean of the Graduate School Runner-Up in 1995, and retired in 2010. He was the speaker at “Steve and his cat were last in the add/drop line URI's first Black Scholar Awards Program in 1998. for comparative vertebrate anatomy.” Clarence Goertemiller was hired to URI's faculty in —Bill Walton ’78 1965 and retired in 1993. • Honorable Mention “Where are they now? Timmy and Lassie donate their bodies to science.” —Don Yost ’83

PHOTOS: COURTESY URI DIGITAL ARCHIVES THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND uri.edu/give | 401.874.7900 56 SPRING 2020 foundation & alumni engagement UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 57 Nonprofit Org. Alumni Center U.S. Postage 73 Upper College Road PAID Kingston, RI 02881 USA Permit No. 1214 Providence, RI

Award-winning artist Mea Duke has a unique perspective. Her paintings, prints, and To stay above the sculptures often depict marine-related subjects, such as container ships or life jackets. pull and run For many of her paintings, like this one, she references open-source press photos documenting modern maritime disasters to call attention to the operational reality of MEA DUKE ‘14 the global shipping industry. Here, she depicts a sinking barge in the Mississippi River. 22” x 26”, oil on canvas, 2017 “Taking to the water,” says Duke, “is a deeply substantial part of our collective meaduke.com histories and modern existence. It embodies all of the challenges, dangers, triumphs, and absurdities that come with the territory.” •