Contact
INSIDE: Study Abroad Alumni News Commencements 2014
For Alumni & Friends oF Fitchburg stAte university / summer 2014 E W L IS WAI IN U and to be honest, the world needs all the new ideas, energy, and optimism that all of you possess. Deep inside of you is a special talent just waiting to be discovered and the only way you’ll find it is by challenging yourself.
—Excerpted from Christopher Maloney’s commencement address (see page 16) in this issue
EA U ES Study Abroad Fitchburg State University can be a passport to international travel for students and faculty. Passing the Torch The Fitchburg State alumni network—and the university’s tradition of meaningful internships—is alive and well. Just ask recent graduate Ben DeTour and Emmy-winning alumnus John Cosenze. Building a Global Network John Honeycutt ’91 has gone around the world and back again with Discovery Communications. Learn about his journey and its origins on the Fitchburg State campus.
E A MEN S ALUMNI NEWS From the President Class Notes Campus News Roundup Brig. Gen. Frederick Henry Commencement Tammi Chandler Faculty Notes Jennifer Kurtinitis Athletics Roundup James Abreau Scholarship Support Matters
Executive Editor Office of Alumni & Development Design Michael Shanley Christopher Hendry ’91, ’07 DS Graphics Vice President for Institutional Advancement Editor & Senior Writer Primary Photography Matthew J. Bruun Michael Kushmerek ’08, ’13 Matthew Bruun Director of Annual Giving Robert J. Carlin ’00 Dan Cutrona ’02 Emily Austin-Bruns Nico Moreno ’15 Director of Alumni Relations Nicole Rollo ’15
On the cover: Anna Latino ’13 took the photo Contact is published by the offices of the while studying abroad in 2012. More of her photos president and alumni & development and is can be seen in the study abroad package of mailed to supporters and other select alumni stories on pages 7–15. and friends of Fitchburg State University. Send correspondence to Contact Magazine, Office At left: The ceiling of the Divinity School of the of Alumni & Development, Fitchburg State Bodleian Library at Oxford University, during a Fitchburg State trip to England this spring led by University, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg, MA 01420, Professor Kisha Tracy (who also took the photo). or to [email protected]. Visit Contact online at fitchburgstate.edu/alumni. M E ESI EN
ears ago, when I was an undergraduate at this institution, students did not have theopportunitytopursuetheireducationinaforeignland.Travelabroadwasout E EN OF AN E A Yof reach for most of us. Today, however, those of us privileged to work in higher education know that our stu- dents must graduate equipped to participate in a global society. In this issue of Contact, welookatourgrowingstudyabroadprogram,whichgivesdozensofstudentsevery year the opportunity to broaden their horizons and experience new cultures. This foun- dation prepares them for lives and careers that may take them across the planet—as happened with alumnus John Honeycutt ’91, who has traveled the globe with Discovery Communications, and about whom you will read later in this issue.
In the pages that follow we also invite you to catch up with additional accomplishments of our illustrious alumni while learning more about the events of the past year on campus.
The transformation of the campus continues. The renovation of the Condike Science Building is complete, its interior now a seamless match with the state of the art science center that opened last fall. Our students and faculty now have more than 100,000 square feet of top-flight instructional, laboratory and office space. The completion of workhasalsorestoredthecampusquad,whichyoucanglimpseonthebackcoverof thismagazine.Wewillwelcomethecampuscommunitytoanopenhouselaterthisyear.
Hammond Hall, itself reconfigured in recent years to include the glass tower that now welcomes visitors to campus, is home to another phase of large-scale renovations. The focushasturnedtotheAmeliaV.Gallucci-CirioLibrary,wherethefirsttwofloorswill be completely remodeled by January. A new archive and research room is open now, and the collective project will mean more—and better—space for students to conduct research and study.
In Conlon Hall, the graphic arts suite will be renovated by the end of summer, and a new elevator is being built inside Percival Hall to create better access to one of our earliest buildings. A new and better entryway to Aubuchon Hall is being constructed, improving access from North and Pearl streets and further beautifying the entrance to the campus core.
In closing, as many of you are aware, the 2014-15 academic year will be my last as presi- dent of this great university. I have been moved by the outpouring of warm wishes since I made this announcement in late May, and it is certainly gratifying to reflect on the collective accomplishments of our administration, faculty, staff and students. However, our work is not done, and I look forward to the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Robert V. Antonucci
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E EN OF AN E A
aysaftertheundergraduate much more prominent. Most importantly, commencement ceremony this May, we have worked together as colleagues DPresident Antonucci announced and friends to improve the lives of our tothecampuscommunitythatthe students. I extend my sincere thanks to all comingacademicyearwouldbehislastat who have joined me in the pursuit of that Fitchburg State. fundamental goal.”
“It was a difficult decision for Jeanne and I, The announcement triggers a national given our devotion to the university from search for Fitchburg State University’s 11th which we both graduated and our deep president. A committee will be formed this and abiding ties to the regional community falltobegintheprocessofreviewingcan- we have known our entire lives,” President didates for the position with an eye toward Antonucci said in a letter to the campus. making a selection by January 2015.
Anothersearchwillalsobeginthisfallfor a new vice president for academic affairs, “More than anything, it inresponsetotherecentdepartureof RED SOX NATION isour connectiontoall Executive Vice President/Provost Robin E. Bowen.Thepositionisbeingheldonanin- COMES TO CAMPUS of you, and the countless terim basis by Paul I. Weizer, who had most HundredsofRedSoxfanspacked recently been associate vice president of otherswhohavecome the Athletics and Recreation Center academic affairs. and gone since I began for an afternoon in March to catch a glimpse of the 2013 World Series tro- my presidency, that makes The vice presidential search will begin after the presidential search, so that the next phy. The visit was part of an effort by this decision especially president may select this critical member of the Red Sox to share the 2013 World Series trophy with fans throughout personal.” the executive committee. The complement of administrative leaders is expected to be New England, the U.S., and the globe, th in place early in the spring semester of 2015. and was also part of the city’s 250 PresidentAntonucci’sremarkabletenure birthday celebration. includes the transformation of the campus, “Fitchburg State deserves the best in a The World Series trophy is the only from the construction of the first new leader, and I am making this announcement championship trophy of the four major academicbuildingtobeerectedindecades now to afford the trustees the opportunity sports in the United States that is tothereinventionofmuchofthecampus to conduct a thorough and comprehen- not named after a particular person core into state of the art quarters for sive search that will yield the strongest of (contrasting with the National Hockey teaching, learning and gathering. He has candidates,” President Antonucci told the League’sStanleyCup,theNational led the effort to forge stronger ties with campus. “All who are involved in higher FootballLeague’sVinceLombardi the city of Fitchburg and overseen the con- education are keenly aware that the com- Trophy,andtheNationalBasketball nection of the campus to the downtown ing years may well be marked by a level of Association’s Larry O’Brien Trophy). corridor. And he was a leader in the effort turbulence, and our next president must torenametheformerstatecollegesas be prepared to not just stay the course, state universities, successfully making the but to build on the strengths of this vital case that the new name better reflected university: innovative academic programs, the scope of offerings at the institution. superior instructional space and strong ties totheregion.” “Together we have accomplished much— more than I could have dreamed,” he “This is not the time for farewells,” he said.“Wehavefacedchallengesand continued. “I assure you that over the next overcome them. We have recognized year I will be as fully engaged as ever. There is opportunity and seized it. We have made muchtobedone,andIwillcontinuetowork a strong and vibrant university ever so with all of you until my last day as president.”
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Hail to the Chief — Introducing Karen J. Leary
President Antonucci announced the appoint- “I thought this would really be an amazing mentofKarenJ.Learyasthenewchiefofthe organization to work with,” Leary said university Campus Police force this spring. shortly after beginning her tenure here in April. She said she looks forward to serving Leary, who has served as deputy chief as a mentor to the next generation of law ofpoliceanddeputydirectorofpublic enforcement, from her own department safety at Simmons College since July 2011, aswellasforgingtieswithstudents.“You was selected after a lengthy search by a can do anything you want to do. You just committee that included representatives have to have the right mindset and go for fromtheuniversityandtheFitchburgPolice it. Don’t let anything stop you.” Department. Leary is the department’s first female chief. Prior to working at Simmons, Leary spent nine years at Massachusetts General “KarenLearybringsarichandvariedexpe- Hospital,duringwhichtimeshewasan rience in public safety and emergency pre- investigative supervisor and later senior parednesstothisroleandIamconfident manager of investigations. She worked for she will be a vital and productive contribu- nearly two years as an investigator with tion to the team at Fitchburg State,” Presi- thestateOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralin dent Antonucci said. “She understands the Boston. Her professional experience also evolving role of campus police in university includes teaching at the high school and lifeandisideallysuitedtobringourdepart- college level. ment to the next level.” Chief Leary Leary succeeds James Hamel, who retired been managed by Lt. Benjamin McDonald, Learysaidshesawalotofpotentialinthe in December after 40 years with the cam- who took over as acting chief following the collaborative environment fostered by pus police force. The department has since President Antonucci at the campus. death of Lt. Michael Marcil.
SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN VISITS
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren visited the Fitchburg State campus in March to discuss college affordability and the need to invest in education. The senator spoke at a panel discussion in Holmes Dining Commons featuring students, faculty and administrators as well as local elected leaders. Students also discussed the importance of investment in public higher education at the state level.
Safety Takes Center Stage at FAVE Conference
Creating safer communities was the goal Regina, founder and director of A Write FAVE represents an ongoing institutional of a day-long educational forum that to Heal, Inc. She told the packed house at commitment to creating a safer, healthier broughttogethernationalandcommu- Kent Recital Hall about the life-changing community. The forum included workshops nity experts to address issues of dating abuse she suffered at the hands of her on domestic violence in same-sex relation- violence, domestic violence and sexual as- then-fiancé, a celebrity actor. She talked ships, cultural definitions of masculinity, sault. The keynote speaker of the forum, about how she persevered and now tells and healthy relationships. So far, more than which was sponsored by the university’s her story to make a difference in people’s 2,700 Fitchburg State students, faculty Fitchburg Anti-Violence Education (FAVE) lives across the U.S. andstaffhavegonethroughtrainingto program, was actress and educator Lisa becomeproactivebystandersoncampus.
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Commuters Count
MassDOT Outreach Coordinator Melissa tionofcarpoolsandvanpools.Thisyear’s Santley, left, with Fitchburg State Coordi- ceremony was held at Fenway Park. nator of Commuter Affairs and Leadership Rebecca Lindley. Nearly half of Fitchburg State’s student population commutes to campus each day Pacesetter Award for Excellence in Commuter and its Commuter Affairs program helps Options (ECO), which was presented in rec- students identify carpooling opportunities, ognition of exemplary contributions toward provides peer mentoring and sponsors creating a more sustainable Massachusetts. daytime programming that contributes to commutingstudents’senseofconnection The DOT presents the ECO Awards to cele- with the campus community. The Massachusetts Department of Trans- brate employers and their efforts to reduce The office presents a “Commuter Appre- portation (DOT) this spring recognized congestion and greenhouse gas emissions ciation Week” each spring with additional Fitchburg State for its commitment to creat- by encouraging employees to use green programming. This year’s program, held in ing green options for commuting students. transportation options. Such employers makeadifferencebyencouragingem- late March, kicked off with a commuter-tar- Coordinator of Commuter Affairs and Lead- ployeestotraveltoworkbypublictransit, geted breakfast with President Antonucci, ership Rebecca Lindley accepted the 2014 bicycling, walking or through the promo- who was a commuter student during his undergraduate days at Fitchburg State. No More Funny Stuff at Fitchburg Art Museum
The absurdist artwork and off-kilter sensi- and absurdist humor of a beloved New The exhibition was made possible through bility of Fitchburg State Professor Jeffrey England contemporary artist. Whether a pilot collaboration between the Fitchburg “Jeffu”Warmouthwasondisplaythisspring riffing on fast-food courts, Spaghetti Art Museum and Fitchburg State University when the Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) pre- Western cinema, or concepts of monotony duringthe2013-14academicyear.Theexhi- sented the mid-career retrospective “Jeffu and ennui in our tech and media-savvy bition was organized by Associate Curator Warmouth: No More Funny Stuff.” society, Warmouth’s photographs, videos, Mary M. Tinti with major contributions by and installations wittily demonstrate the Professor Rob Carr’s document design stu- SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN VISITS Theexhibitalsomarkedtheculmination transformative nature of the mundane in dents at Fitchburg State. of a pilot collaboration between Fitchburg oureverydaylives. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren visited the Fitchburg State campus in March to discuss Stateandthemuseum,inwhichCommu- college affordability and the need to invest in education. The senator spoke at a panel nications Media students helped conceive, For Professor Jeffrey Warmouth, art is pun and parody. discussion in Holmes Dining Commons featuring students, faculty and administrators design and promote the show. as well as local elected leaders. Students also discussed the importance of investment in public higher education at the state level. “The Jeffu Warmouth exhibition is the first major step toward developing an integral relationship between the Fitchburg Art Museum and Fitchburg State University,” said FAM Director Nicholas Capasso. “Our mutualdesireistohaveFAMbecomethe de facto art museum for Fitchburg State, so that we can both better serve the audi- ence, the students, and the community.”
Warmouth has been a member of the Fitch- burgStatefacultysince1997.Heteaches interactive media in the Communications Media department and helped design the university’s new game design major.
“No More Funny Stuff” was a mid-career retrospective featuring the puns, parody, Photograph by Charles Sternaimolo ’10 Sternaimolo Charles by Photograph
Fitchburg State University 5 AM US NEWS UN U
Minton Shines in Boston
Sarah Minton ’14 represented Fitchburg of dating violence and sexual assault, and Statewithpridethisspringwhenthestate organized an ongoing campaign to make DepartmentofHigherEducationspot- FitchburgStateasmoke-freecampus. lighted top students from across Massa- Minton’s advocacy has gone beyond the chusetts at the fourth annual “29 Who classroom, as a leader on several Alterna- Shine” student-recognition ceremony held tiveSpringBreakjourneystobuildhouses at the Grand Staircase of the Massachu- for Habitat for Humanity and advocating setts Statehouse. for support of public higher education at the Statehouse. A future nurse, Minton Minton, a Quincy native, graduated this has been the student representative to the May with a B.S. in nursing. university’s Nursing Curriculum Commit- tee since the fall of 2013. Last fall, Minton Minton was an engaged and passionate expanded upon her clinical rotations as student leader since the earliest days of her a diabetic educator and school nurse to career at Fitchburg State. Since the spring create a day-long health fair for under- of her first year, Minton has been presi- served populations in the city of Gardner. dent of the class of 2014, and has used her This work, which incorporated the talents leadership position and authority to make of her fellow student nurses, demonstrates a difference on campus and in the wider Minton’s embodiment of Fitchburg State’s Sarah Minton, left, with President Antonucci community. She started the Fitchburg An- valuesofcommunityengagementand and Professor Allison Shields, at the 29 Who ti-ViolenceEducationClub,buildingonthe public service. Shine ceremony. university’s own efforts to combat issues Talking TEDx
the university held its first TEDx Talk. The TEDx events have been held, and selected theme was inspired by Fitchburg State’s talks from these events are also turned official motto, perseverantia. into TED Talks videos.
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted Presenters at the Fitchburg State talk to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Started as included faculty member Laura Garofoli, aconferenceinCalifornia30yearsago, who discussed the emergence of food TEDhasgrowntosupportthoseworld- allergies and their impact, as well as faculty changing ideas with many initiatives. At member Ben Lieberman, who talked about a TED conference, the world’s leading the banality of saying “never again” to thinkers and doers are asked to give the genocide, and what a real effort to prevent talk of their lives in 18 minutes or less. On such atrocity would look like. Students also TED.com, talks from TED conferences are took part, including history major Jonathan sharedwiththeworldforfreeasTEDTalks Hobbs, who talked about rebuilding his life videos. A new TED Talk is posted every in the aftermath of a spinal cord injury in a World ly education weekday. Through the Open Translation 1998. Student Nicole Lucia talked about the Project, TED Talks are subtitled by welfare and cultural visibility of same-sex volunteersworldwideintomorethan90 relationships in young people, and the languages. Through distribution networks, importanceofpositiveportrayalsinthe TED Talks are shared on TV, radio, Netflix media. Staff member Coelynn McIninch Professor Kate Jewell, left, introduced TEDx and many websites. talked about how the human mind creates speakerJonathanHobbs. formoutofnothingness. The TEDx initiative grants free licenses to peoplearoundtheworldtoorganizeTED- Videos of the entire TEDx talk can be found Variations on the theme of perseverance style events in their communities with TED on YouTube. were explored by a variety of speakers Talks and live speakers. More than 5,000 from on- and off-campus in March when
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Minton Shines in Boston
Sarah Minton, left, with President Antonucci and Professor Allison Shields, at the 29 Who Shine ceremony.
Talking TEDx
TEDx events have been held, and selected talks from these events are also turned into TED Talks videos.
Presenters at the Fitchburg State talk included faculty member Laura Garofoli, who discussed the emergence of food allergies and their impact, as well as faculty member Ben Lieberman, who talked about the banality of saying “never again” to genocide, and what a real effort to prevent such atrocity would look like. Students also took part, including history major Jonathan Hobbs, who talked about rebuilding his life intheaftermathofaspinalcordinjuryin a World ly education 1998. Student Nicole Lucia talked about the welfare and cultural visibility of same-sex BYCILLEAHOUGHTON’15 relationships in young people, and the importanceofpositiveportrayalsinthe It’snoteverydaythatoneisgiventheopportunitytotraveltothe media. Staff member Coelynn McIninch talked about how the human mind creates country of their choice at a relatively affordable price. For students at formoutofnothingness. Fitchburg State, that luxury can be found right on campus through the Videos of the entire TEDx talk can be found on YouTube. university’s International Education program.
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very year, Fitchburg State students havethechancetotraveltovarious E countries around the world such as Italy, Ireland, or Costa Rica by enrolling in a full-time semester or going on a faculty-led program. In each case, the classes offered fulfill either a general education course or degree requirement.
Over the past few years, study abroad at Fitchburg State has become increasingly popular. With 60 students going overseas in the last academic year, Director of International Education Papa Sarr is hoping that number will increase by creating more of these faculty-led programs. He also says that no matter what situation a student is in, the Office of International Education can adapt a program to meet their individual needs.
“Study abroad is easier than people think,” Sarr said. “My advice to anyone is to come and we’ll find a solution for you.”
Study Abroad Advisor Tracey Betts Sarefield said the office strives to create opportunities that accommodate the university’s academic requirements while facilitating the experience of living in another country.
“We’re satisfying general education classes that totally immerse them in the culture,” she said.
While Fitchburg State offers yearly trips to specific locations, it is also possible to travel to any location a student wishes to visit, as long as it is safe to travel there. The university can customize a program through different partners that are able to send students where they would like to go. The Office of International Education helps identify partner institutions where students may study, looking at such factors as faculty, curriculum and the individual student’s background. A Venetian gondola glides underneath one of “Everything we do is based on being friendly the many bridges. (Photo to the student’s budget,” Sarefield said. “We by Anna Latino ’13) trytocustomizeeverythingtoourstudents and utilize every resource we have.”
Tracey SarefieldPapa Sarr Tracey SarefieldPapa
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processed on-campus by a visiting team from the federal building downtown.
“Anystudentthat(wentabroad)said it was a transformative experience for them. You find yourself being challenged in ways you never thought you would be challenged,”Sarrsaid.Throughthese new and diverse experiences, students gain a host of valuable skills like strategic thinking, independence, and cross-cultural competency,amongothers,thatwillserve them well after they return home.
Itisthroughadaptationoftheseskillsthat students evolve their own perspectives and expand their horizons during their time abroad, an experience that Sarefield said leaves a lasting impact.
“Itshowsstudentsexactlywhatthey’re capable of,” Sarefield said. “You really are stronger and more confident. That confidence gives you the opportunity to gain leadership skills.”
While all travelers develop a specialized skillset,Sarrnotedthateachexperience is unique to the individual. “Every study abroad student will come back with a customized way of seeing things; we all take in information differently,” he said. “The experience is dictated by the country.”
In addition to growing as individuals, Sarefield and Sarr also believe that studying abroad provides students with an edgethatmakesthemmorecompetitivein thejobmarket.
“Studyabroadhasbecomeincreasingly importantaswehavebecomeaglobal society,” said Sarr. “It makes our students aware of the world around them and allows them to be able to work in it as well. Employers want someone who has a better understanding of the world market.” A Venetian gondola Students can use their financial aid and in Italy, as well as supporting faculty scholarshipstowardstudyabroad,and membersinseekingtoestablishpartner glides underneath one of “The world is a big place and we are there are supplemental programs designed programs overseas. The CIC also supports the many bridges. (Photo all connected no matter what we do,” toassistinternationalopportunities.The students in related on-campus projects. by Anna Latino ’13) added Sarefield. “Being abroad changes Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg And this spring, the university granted everything for students.” State, for example, awards scholarships passport scholarships to several students annually to students who seek to study whose photos and paperwork were
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My Country of Dreams
by Cillea Houghton ’15
When I entered college, I didn’t give so at what the culture is really like. While “I am sincere in saying that much as a passing thought to studying there are many aspects of the Italian abroad. I was far too frightened by the culture I admire, what I value the most is thisexperiencehaschanged idea of flying and living in a foreign country their passion for life. Walking down the me for the better.” for an extended period of time. When I street, I rarely saw people looking down at discovered that Fitchburg State offered a theirphone,suckedintotheirtechnology. myself in circumstances where I feel scared summer program in Italy, the one place in I witnessed first-hand how warm and or uncomfortable, for it is in times like that theworldIwantedtovisitthemost,Icame welcomingtheItalianpeopleareandhow wherewegrowthemost. up with a variety of fears and excuses in my theyunderstandthatlifeissomething head as to why I shouldn’t go. However, the tobevalued.Seeingshopscloseasearly I am so incredibly thankful for this only reason I needed to make my decision as 7 p.m. every night and watching the experience and have an entirely different was that I really wanted to take advantage city nearly go quiet on Sundays made me perspectiveonlifebecauseofit.From ofthisopportunity. realize that there is a significant difference hikingamountainforthefirsttime,to between working hard and working your makingmywaytothetopofachurch Spending a month in Italy was far and life away. overlooking the city of Florence, I was away the greatest experience of my life. exposed to so many new elements of life In a short amount of time, we did so much Before I studied abroad, I was a very shy through this trip. I learned that fear is a more than I ever thought imaginable. and quiet person. It takes a lot to pull me debilitating emotion in our lives and had Over the course of a month, we were outofmycomfortzone,andIknewthat I let my initial worries dictate my decision introduced to nearly every aspect of the anexperiencesuchasthiswouldopenmy tostudyabroad,Iwouldnotbethesame Italian culture from visiting different parts eyes to the vast world around me. I am person I am today. Thanks in large part of the country, to discovering how they sincere in saying that this experience has to Fitchburg State, I was able to travel to maketheirfood.Toliveinacityassmall changed me for the better. I am now more the country of my dreams, meet some as Verona, as opposed to a tourist-heavy confident and outgoing than I was before inspiringpeople,andhavetheexperience area, provided me with an authentic look and have made it my mission to push of a lifetime. Making Global Friends
Sarah Marshall ’14
For Sarah Marshall, a trip overseas as an undergraduate student was many milestones in one.
“I had been a commuter, and I really wanted that experience” of living on her own, she recalled. That wish was granted, along with countless other new experiences.
Marshall lived in a dormitory in London sharedbyAmericanandotherinternational students. That diversity enhanced her academic experience, she noted, describing the opportunity to study a course on the history of Islam with Muslim students.
“It has had the biggest impact on my life thus far,” she said. “It wasn’t just getting to know people from London, it was getting to know people from all over the world. Cillea Houghton in Verona, Italy. The conversations that I had with the
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My Country of Dreams Living History by Cillea Houghton ’15 Nick Wilson ’15
“I am sincere in saying that Nick Wilson has always entertained dreams “TravelissomethingIplantodobecause a teacher, so this is a small step for me. of being a history teacher, and figures a there’snobetterwaytolearnthantogo It’s like a little taste of the pie, but now I thisexperiencehaschanged good way to learn about it is to live it. So there, see it, and interpret it for yourself. knowIneedtogoeveryplaceIcanand me for the better.” he’s spending six months this year in the I hope that by the time I’m 30 I will have accomplish my goals.” Czech Republic, studying its language, lived on each continent.” Europe is the myself in circumstances where I feel scared history and environment. second continent he’s seen (after North Wilson, who will graduate in 2015, had a or uncomfortable, for it is in times like that America). “So, only five more.” romantic idea of what study abroad would wherewegrowthemost. look like, and made it happen. The Shirley native is majoring in middle I am so incredibly thankful for this school education and history. He is paying “I always wanted to get off the plane with experience and have an entirely different for his study abroad through part-time nothing but my bags and no idea what to perspectiveonlifebecauseofit.From teaching jobs and working as a mechanic do,” he said. “I had a job within a couple hiking a mountain for the first time, to while overseas. It’s been a life-changing weeks (of arriving in the Czech Republic) makingmywaytothetopofachurch experience. and had made great local friends, and it overlooking the city of Florence, I was was the best choice for me. I really wanted exposed to so many new elements of life “IalwaysknewIwantedtotravel,andnow toexperienceitfromtheperspectiveof through this trip. I learned that fear is a I’m addicted,” he said. “I’d never been on an immigrant, not only a student. I’m most debilitating emotion in our lives and had a plane, lived in a city or spoke another proud of that first month, because being I let my initial worries dictate my decision languagebefore,sogettingthosebigfirst able to establish myself as a self-sustaining tostudyabroad,Iwouldnotbethesame times out of the way was a great feeling. person in a city where I can’t speak the person I am today. Thanks in large part Mygoalsinlifearetolearnandbecome nativelanguagemademeproud.” to Fitchburg State, I was able to travel to the country of my dreams, meet some NickWilsoninPrague,CzechRepublic. inspiringpeople,andhavetheexperience of a lifetime. Making Global Friends
Sarah Marshall ’14
For Sarah Marshall, a trip overseas as people that I met, those experiences will an undergraduate student was many stay with me.” milestones in one. Marshall, who was raised in Lunenburg, “I had been a commuter, and I really wanted visited 13 international cities during her that experience” of living on her own, she time abroad, including Amsterdam, recalled. That wish was granted, along with Edinburgh, Rome, Barcelona and Paris. countless other new experiences. “I became completely fascinated with MarshalllivedinadormitoryinLondon communication and language,” she said. sharedbyAmericanandotherinternational students. That diversity enhanced her The semester abroad inspired her to academic experience, she noted, describing change majors from special education to the opportunity to study a course on the interdisciplinarystudies.Sheplanstopursue history of Islam with Muslim students. a master’s degree in speech pathology and will continue studying Arabic. “It has had the biggest impact on my life thus far,” she said. “It wasn’t just getting to “My whole family is educators,” Marshall know people from London, it was getting said, “but going away made me realize I to know people from all over the world. can do something different.” Cillea Houghton in Verona, Italy. The conversations that I had with the Sarah Marshall in Paris, France.
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Following Hemingway
TimothyMichalak’14 Timothy Michalak in Toledo, Spain.
“I see a world which is full of people whom I don’t know, and I actively choose to spend my life trying to meet them.”
Timothy Michalak attributes his interest myself. I also knew he loved bullfighting, breathing, human beings. By living and instudyingabroadinSpaintotwosimple the culture there, and that Spain was a traveling abroad, I began to understand factors: people and curiosity. major influence for a lot of his writing. I that I am part of a larger human figured something there was special. And experience. Also, it has sparked within me “My entire experience in Spain revolved finally, I chose Seville because I did not thedesiretotraveltootherplaces,both around people,” he said. “Not places, want a large city, but rather as authentic a nationally and internationally.” buildings, or language. I have always been city as possible. Seville, I would soon learn, fascinated by people, and always strive to is in many ways a hub of Spanish culture. Michalak also visited London, Paris and meet new people and understand them When I took all those things into account, Krakow during his three and a half months as wholly as I can. Because of this, the and then spoke with my wonderful study in Europe, but thinks too many students “THIS experience allowed me to see life from another perspective.” inspiration to study abroad came quite abroad advisor, Tracey Sarefield, I knew who travel abroad wrongly focus on naturally. I see a world which is full of people that Seville, Spain was where I’d be amassing a checklist of countries through whom I don’t know, and I actively choose to spending four months of my life.” which they’ve passed. To him, that misses spend my life trying to meet them.” the point of studying abroad. Michalak, a native of Feeding Hills, took four A history major with a concentration in courses while studying overseas, helping “This opportunity meant learning more secondary education, Michalak was also him hone his Spanish-speaking skills (which about other people, other societies, attracted to the author Ernest Hemingway were further burnished by conversing and other places,” he said. “It meant and his exploits in Spain. with his host family) while broadening his confronting challenges, and seeking the horizons as a citizen of the world. limits of my abilities and pushing them “I had been taking Spanish throughout further. It meant removing preconceived high school and college, so I knew that “Ilearnedmoreabouttheglobal notions about people and places, and whatever country I chose would have to be communityinwhichIlive,”hesaid.“Before choosing to understand from the a Spanish-speaking country,” he recalled. I went, I couldn’t conceptualize the fact perspective of others, rather than from “I also happen to love reading Hemingway, that other people lived so far from me. my own.” and I remember reading The Sun Also They existed in my mind as characters you Rises and reading about his experiences in read about in the news, rather than living, MichalakplanstograduateinDecember. Spainandwantingtoexperiencethatfor
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Global Citizen
Shahein Kiaresh ’13 Shahein Kiaresh in Istanbul, Turkey. Shahein Kiaresh’s semester in Verona, Italy, wasn’t his first trip overseas, but it cemented his love of learning new cultures and meeting new people. The history major, a native of Springfield, balanced a full course load of Asian history, economics, math and Italian language and history during his stay in Italy.
“I’ve always loved to travel the world,” he said. “Although I had been to Italy many times, the northern part of Italy was a new placeformetolearnabout.”
Kiareshsaidhewasfortunatetohave somescholarshipmoneytohelpmakethe and got to learn about their cultures and thisexperienceallowedmetoseelife trip affordable, and was glad he’d made the traditions. I feel that this is what really from another perspective. I feel that my investment. helpedmetodecidetobecomeanESL experience abroad has helped shape me “Itreallyallowedmetobecomemore (English as a second language) teacher, inamorepositivewayasIhavebecome aware of the different cultures that are and teach English abroad.” much more open minded. I will never present in the world,” he said. “Many forget all the things I have learned abroad Kiaresh said he will be forever grateful for people think that because we live in and I will always live through them with the opportunity to study abroad. America we see and learn about a lot of the wonderful memories I have of my experience. I recommend that all students the countries in the world, but in fact, “I have made many friends from around take the chance and study abroad as it will it’s the exact opposite. While living in the world with whom I still talk and only benefit them, not only for their future, Verona, I was able to meet students visit today,” he said. “Most importantly, fromcountriesthroughouttheworld, but for their entire lives as well.”
“THIS experience allowed me to see life from another perspective.”
The moonlit Adige River courses through the glowing city of Verona, Italy.
Fitchburg State University 13 A W L L E U A I N
Down Under
DavidFarland’14
The opportunity to study abroad inspired “It was an awesome mix,” he said. Australian friend invited him and several David Farland to look for someplace to other international students to his home explore some of his personal passions and His coursework included environmental sci- for a meal. theuniqueopportunitytosurfforcredit. ence and conservation, but it was an “out- door pursuits” class that really impressed “It felt like something that wouldn’t hap- “I’m very outdoorsy,” he recalled. “I like him. “Best class ever,” he said with a laugh, pen here,” he said, describing the hospital- the sun. I like nice weather. I just thought ity and the experience of seeing how other Australia was a nice fit.” “ItchangedhowIview countries view the U.S. and its culture. “It changed how I view our country.” And then some. The semester the electron- our country.” ics engineering student spent in Queens- It also changed how he saw himself. When land, Australia, was nothing less than a remembering his time spent surfing, Farland returned to the U.S., he found he life-changing experience. canoeing and kayaking while earning legiti- was a more engaged member of the cam- matecollegecredit.Healsowentskydiving pus community, and a more social person Farland, a native of Burlington, lived in an andbungee-jumpingwhileoverseas. in general. international dormitory in his time Down Under, sharing quarters with students As fun as those experiences were, how- “Now I love meeting people,” said Farland, from Switzerland, Sweden, Korea, Japan ever, it was finding a place in a global who graduated in May. “I didn’t realize and the U.S. community that meant the most to him. An how much I’d changed.”
David Farland and some new friends in Australia.
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Fitchburg State students visited Stonehenge Treading in Historical Footsteps during their English sojourn in March. The experience of traveling abroad is eye-opening and educational, and that was certainly the case when 10 Fitchburg State students spent their spring break in England.
Professor Kisha Tracy (English Studies) launched a new course this past spring on medieval England, and a centerpiece of the class was spending 10 days in the country they were studying.
The voyage took the students to London, thentoOxfordtovisitthefamous, 700-year-old Bodleian Library. They visited Warwick Castle, home of the world’s largest trebuchet, and Stratford-Upon- Students shared tales of their travels with honors program. The university students Avon, home of William Shakespeare. diverse audiences afterward, including a also took their show on the road, making a TheyvisitedCanterburyandsawkeysites groupofFitchburgHighSchoolstudents well-received presentation at the Fitchburg related to Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury who visited campus to learn about the Historical Society downtown. Tales, and made a visit to Stonehenge.
Beyond the Fringe
Fitchburg State’s storied theater program the university’s production of The Laramie “The students work hard promoting the has resounded on the global stage. Since Project was exported). show we bring, and attend performances 2000, the university has taken part every and befriend actors and directors from threeyearsintheEdinburghFringeFestival The week-long trip involves students everywhere,” said Professor Richard in Scotland. The trip typically involves more performing alongside theater companies McElvain, who has accompanied students than two dozen students (with the high from around the world. on each voyage. “Many maintain these point being more than 30 students when connections long after we return. Some of them lead to productions at Fitchburg State.”
One such production was an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis,” which was performed by the student-run Falcon Players with great success.
The voyage typically concludes with a decompressing on the west coast of Scotland including hiking in the highlands and visits to the Inner Hebrides.
Thetheaterprogramwillbecollecting donationsatitsupcomingproductionsfora return trip to Edinburgh scheduled for 2015.
Theater students at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Fitchburg State University 15 MMEN EMEN S
“THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU”
—Christopher Maloney ’89
or Christopher Maloney ’89, Fitch- summer Fitchburg State had launched a new ideas, energy, and optimism that all of burg State was the place he formed Division 3 football program. For the next you possess. Deep inside of you is a special F lifelong friendships and mounted a four years I had the unique opportunity of talent just waiting to be discovered and career in public safety that has exceeded beingthestartingrunningbackonateam the only way you’ll find it is by challenging his wildest dreams. that won one game in four years; so it’s no yourself. It’s through challenging ourselves surprise that I ended up in public service that we find out who we really are and I In a well-received and humor-filled and not the NFL.” know you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” commencementaddressinMay,Maloney told nearly 600 newly-minted graduates Still, Maloney found some of his closest Maloney’s advisor, Professor Augustine (and thousands of their family and friends) friendships among the football team. Aryee, suggested he visit people with about his path from undergraduate careers he found interesting as a means student to chief U.S. probation officer for “The legendary football coach Mike Ditka ofdevelopinghisownplan.Heended the District of Massachusetts. once said, ‘You’re never a loser until you quit up shadowing an uncle who was a state trying.’ That couldn’t have been more true of probation officer in Boston. “Foryearsyouhavereceivedadvicefrom those early teams, and as time has passed I your family, friends, teachers, and coaches havelearnedthatCoachDitka’swordsreally and now on your last official day of school, hold true for all that we do in life.” “I had never seen the the university has seen fit to bring in a criminal justice system federal probation officer to give you one By the time he was a junior, Maloney last word of advice,” he said. “Let’s hope realized he needed a plan to follow that close up, and I was graduation. that’s just a coincidence.” instantly attracted” Maloney grew up in Dedham and attended “I would like to take credit for having theinsighttorealizeIneededaplan,but Catholic Memorial High School. Upon “Fortunately for me, and my parents, I had credit goes to my parents who would arriving at Fitchburg State in 1984, he said, never seen the criminal justice system that continuously ask me, ‘Chris, just what his main goals were making the football closeup,andIwasinstantlyattracted,”he is your plan after college?’ Does that team and meeting girls. said. “Being a probation officer seemed to sound familiar?” he asked the graduates. balance the public safety responsibilities “NowyouhavetounderstandthatIhad “Your first challenge as you leave this of a law enforcement officer with the high justspentfouryearsatanall-boysCatholic universityistodevelopyourownplan. purpose of helping people turn their lives highschool,soyoucanseehowpast Don’t procrastinate and don’t put it off till around. I knew going forward this was a experiences certainly shaped my future tomorrow. The world is waiting for you, field of work I wanted to pursue; but then goals,” he said. “I was very excited that and to be honest, the world needs all the reality set in.”
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“Your first challenge as you leave this university is to develop your own plan. Don’t
procrastinate and don’t put it off till tomorrow. The world is waiting for you, and
tobehonest,theworldneedsallthenewideas,energy,andoptimismthatallofyou
possess.Deepinsideofyouisaspecialtalentjustwaitingtobediscoveredandtheonly
way you’ll find it is by challenging yourself. It’s through challenging ourselves that
we find out who we really are and I know you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
While he had solid educational credentials– That experience, along with contacts “Up until my appointment as chief, my life he was pursuing an undergraduate degree made through professional networks, for the most part was defined as being a in sociology–Maloney knew he needed to led to opportunities in the federal federal probation officer,” he said. “After amass some professional experience if he system. In May 1992, Maloney was back years of focusing on my career, coming was to proceed with this career track. As a in Massachusetts, working as a U.S. homehelpedmerealizelifewasonlyjust college senior he got a weekend job as an probation officer out of Boston. beginning for me. Sure, I enjoy the title of adolescent substance abuse counselor. chief and who wouldn’t; it sounds important “For the next five years I worked hard tomykids,andyougettobeinvolvedin “The pay was low and it was tough to conducting investigations and supervising turning people’s lives around. But nowhere leave Slattery’s every weekend, but I knew some of Boston’s most notorious felons, does it compare to the title of husband, dad, if I wanted to pursue my goal of being a allthewhilethinkingaboutthenextstep brother, or friend. After 25 years pursuing probation officer I needed to start gaining in my career,” he said. “And by the way, myprofessionaldreamsIhavelearnedthat experience,” he said. “That part-time job those old college roommates from Florida, strikingahealthybalancebetweenhome turned into a full-time job after graduation, they chased their dreams back to Boston andworkisthetruekeytosuccess.” and for the next year two years I worked and once again the guys from 174 Highland with drug-addicted teenagers.” Avenuewerelivingtogether.Itmustbea Maloney encouraged the graduates to Fitchburg State thing.” make time for their own friends and family. The experience was invaluable, and his journey had begun. Maloney looked for His relocation for work had given him the “No doubt you’ll make mistakes and jobs in Massachusetts but a statewide confidence to step outside his comfort occasionally fall down, as we all do, but hiring freeze limited his opportunities. zone, and soon Maloney was working in the people here today are the ones who Washington, D.C. That led to cross-country believeinyouandwillbetheretohelpget “I reached out to two of my college travel learning about the federal probation you back on track,” he said. “Your time at roommates who had moved to Palm Beach system, where he amassed the knowledge Fitchburg State University has prepared County, Florida, to pursue their dreams and and confidence to seek a chief’s slot. He you for much more than a career—it has asked for a little help,” he recalled. “Like was appointed chief probation officer for preparedyoutolivelifetoitsfullest.” onlycollegeroommateswoulddo,they theDistrictofNewJerseyin2004,and looked into probation officer positions, sent while in the Garden State he married and me the applications, and within months I began a family. was hired in Palm Beach County, Florida, and reunited with my college roommates. It In 2011, Maloney returned to was 174 Highland Avenue all over again.” Massachusetts to assume his current post.
Fitchburg State University 17 MMEN EMEN S
118th Commencement Exercises
A mercilessly damp spring may have Senior class President Sarah Minton, will be handed a gold key from the class forced the 118th Commencement Exercises whograduatedwithadegreeinnursing, of 2014,” Minton said. “We, as graduates, Undergraduate Spring Ceremony indoors presentedatop10listofthingstheclass are very similar to these keys. The key this May, but the weather could not had learned at Fitchburg State, including has no set destination and immeasurable diminish the pride and accomplishment of theimportanceofcallinghome.“Humans potential. It can be fit for any type of Fitchburg State’s latest class of graduates. aretheonlyspeciesthatallowtheir lock and has the ability to open a great offspringtocomehomeaftertheyhave number of doors. We have paths but no Christopher Maloney ’89, the chief U.S. left,” she said, before addressing the set destination, and although that may Probation Officer for the District of assembled parents in the crowd. “So thank be frightening, it is also one of the most Massachusetts, delivered a warm and you for that, we really appreciate it.” vibrant times in our lives. Lastly, the keys well-received commencement address are a reminder of our home. Let this (see sidebar). His selection continued She also presented the class members with keepsake remind you of all the friends that a recent tradition of welcoming back special souvenirs. became family, memories that you will accomplished alumni to serve as cherishforalifetimeandaschoolthatyou “As each of you walk across the stage to commencement speakers. can always call home.” receive your diploma and alumni pin, you
Distinguished Alumnus
The morning began with the Alumni school was then known, Roche said. “For someonewhohastheirdreamjob,”he Breakfast, where Fitchburg High School some reason, Fitchburg State was ‘less said. “We’re Falcons for life.” Principal Jeremy Roche ’95 was the than,’ or something not to be proud of. The featured speaker in observance of his being perception of Fitchburg State at that time He embellished one of President Antonucci’s presented the Distinguished Alumnus was that it was a backup school. That is signature catchphrases as he concluded his Award. Roche has been at Fitchburg High complete and utter nonsense.” remarks. since 2011, where he has transformed the “FitchburgStateisthenumberone school culture by embracing high standards Roche recalled professors who challenged university in Massachusetts,” he said. “I’m andbroadexpectationsforallstudents. himtodobetterworkintheclassroom, humbled to be a small part of it.” During his tenure the school has seen a and to broaden his horizons by studying reduction in dropout rates and improved abroad in Costa Rica. He graduated with academic performance. asolideducationalfoundationthathas translated into a rewarding career. President Antonucci introduced Roche at the breakfast, calling the principal’s arrival As for the idea that his degree was “less at Fitchburg High one of the best things than” his peers, Roche was clear. “My that’shappenedtothecity.“Youareastar in my eyes,” he said. “I really found my “I’m very honored, humbled and proud,” potential here,” Roche Roche told the alumni gathered at the Holmes Dining Commons. said. “It afforded me that opportunity to learn HerecalledarrivingatFitchburgState as a transfer student from Cape Cod about what I wanted to Fitchburg High School Principal Community College in 1992, and how Jeremy Roche ’95. do, and about myself.” people remarked that he was “just” going to Fitchburg State. FitchburgStatedegreehasneverbeen “For whatever reason, ‘just’ happened to anissue for me,andIstand before youas precede ‘Fitchburg State College,’” as the
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Faculty Awards
The undergraduate ceremony also included thepresentationoftwomajorfaculty honors: The Dr. Vincent J. Mara Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Faculty Award for Research and Scholarship.
Dr. Sean C. Goodlett, chairman of the Economics, History and Political Science Department and a member of the Fitchburg State faculty since 2001, was presented the Mara Award.
“Dr.Goodlettisdescribedbyformer students as an educator who clearly understands his students, and the teaching methodsneededtoengagethem,” President Antonucci said in presenting the award. “He holds students to high Professor Sean Goodlett, center, was given Professor Ben Railton, center, standards but is always approachable. the Mara Award from Alumni Association withVicePresidentRobinE.Bowen Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Goodlett’s efforts have had a positive President Gina Cuccovia-Simoneau, left, and and President Antonucci. impact on teaching across this campus by someonewhohastheirdreamjob,”he President Antonucci. taking a leadership role in promoting such said. “We’re Falcons for life.” “Critics have applauded his insightful, concepts as technology in the classroom. He fresh, and finely researched work, that has also been a champion of public higher He embellished one of President Antonucci’s allows us to look at our own history education,representinghiscolleagueswith signature catchphrases as he concluded his and consider how it reflects on our distinction as their staunch advocate.” remarks. present,” President Antonucci said. “Dr. Railton’s research and scholarship have “FitchburgStateisthenumberone Dr. Benjamin Railton, a member of the made valuable contributions to his field university in Massachusetts,” he said. “I’m English Studies faculty since 2005, was ofstudy,andithasbenefitedhisown humbled to be a small part of it.” given the research award. He has written several acclaimed books exploring students, who are inspired through his American Studies and American literature. teaching to find new ways to look at the American experience.”
Fitchburg State University 19 MMEN EMEN S
Student Award
The Undergraduate Commencement larger university community, as Hammond ceremony also included the presentation Hall is the living room of the campus, and of the Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci the place where thousands of visitors Leadership Award to graduating senior willformtheirenduringimpressionsof JosephP.Flanagan. thisinstitution.Itisbecauseoftalented, dedicated and responsible individuals “Joseph, you have given enough of your like you that this beautiful symbol of our timeandtalenttoimprovethelivesof campus is entirely managed by students.” your fellow students and, by extension, this campus,” President Antonucci said. Flanagan served as president of the largest “As an orientation leader and mentor, cluboncampus,thedanceclub. you have helped our new students adapt to the challenges and responsibilities of “You have led by example, university life.” performing with skill and Flanagan was also recognized for his boostingtheprofileof work with the university’s Leadership Society, where he helped his peers develop an already significant communication and teamwork skills that campus organization,” will help them in their careers and lives.
“You have also demonstrated your President Antonucci told the honoree. leadership skills in our campus center, “You graduate with honors today and with where you have worked as a building your degree, we are excited to see where manager,” President Antonucci said. your talent, intellect and hard work will Joseph Flanagan, center, received his award “Again,yourtalentsherereflectuponthe takeyounext.” from President and Mrs. Antonucci.
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Student Award Graduate Commencement
The Graduate Commencement ceremony on Howard was named chair of the Education takenhimtosummerprogramsinChina May 15 included the presentation of the Con- Department Undergraduate Curriculum and Mongolia, and he shares that drive tributions to the Graduate Program Award Committee in 2008 and served in that with his students, who have benefited to Dr. Anne M. Howard (pictured below), a position for two years. She is currently co- from his global perspective. As an advisor member of the Education faculty since 1992. director for the Behavior Analyst Certifi- and mentor, Nathan has helped students cate program, a post she assumed in 2010. raise money for worthy causes at home Howard has been a member of the depart- andabroad,empoweringthenextgenera- mental Graduate Curriculum Committee tionofleaderstoknowthattheycanmake throughout her tenure at Fitchburg State. a difference.”
In 2013, Howard was recognized for her The philosophy has resulted in greater civic outstanding contributions to the Education engagement among students, as well as Unit National Council for Accreditation improvedacademicperformancewhile of Teacher Education (NCATE) process fostering a renewed sense of volunteer- for compiling the NCATE reports for the ism in the broader community, President undergraduate program in severe special Antonucci said. education as well as its counterpart at the graduate level. “Wearehonoredtosalutethespiritand dedication that is making a difference Also recognized at the Graduate Com- across generations.” mencement ceremony was Weymouth High School teacher Nathan Rand, who “Hertenureherehasbeenmarkedbyan received the Graduate Student Leadership Award. In presenting the recognition, Joseph Flanagan, center, received his award unwavering commitment to helping indi- President Antonucci cited Rand’s embody- from President and Mrs. Antonucci. viduals with severe special needs thrive, bothinschool,andinlife,”PresidentAnto- ing the values of civic engagement, from nucci said. “As a member of our faculty and studying in Germany to serving in the later as a program chair and director, Dr. Peace Corps before embarking on a career Howard has played a major role in guiding in education. our special education programs. She has “His students at Weymouth High have ben- also taken on challenging assignments in efited from their teacher’s experience in our education program’s accreditation pro- the global classroom,” President Antonucci cess, leading to successful outcomes.” said. “Nathan’s passion for teaching has Nathan Rand, center, with Trustee Chairman Carol Vittorioso and President Antonucci. Winter Commencement
Chief DeMoura, second from left, with The university’s winter commencement looking organization, building bridges President Antonucci, Trustee Chairman Carol ceremony was held in December. The between community organizations and Vittorioso and Professor David Weiss. evening featured the awarding of neighborhoods. You have collaborated with undergraduateandgraduatedegrees,as outside police agencies in an effort to work well as the presentation of the President’s smarter, in spite of ongoing budgetary Medal to retiring Fitchburg Police Chief challenges. Your efforts have helped lead to Robert A. DeMoura. an overall decline in crime in this city.”
“Since your arrival in 2008, you have DeMoura was also recognized for his role distinguished yourself as a leader not only inworkingwithuniversityleadersonthe in public safety but in community service,” Next Generation Leadership Summit for President Antonucci told the honoree. Public Safety Professionals, which for four “You have transformed the Fitchburg years (and counting) has helped cultivate Police Department into a forward- communication and management skills.
Fitchburg State University 21 thE U OF THIS W L Hardwork,networkingpayoff John Cosenze ’82 wins an Emmy for space documentary BY JENNIFER LEFFERTS BY JENNIFER LEFFERTS
or Ben DeTour ’13, college was about editing, re-narration, coordinating license “It was a heck of an experience,” he said. hen veteran producer John takingfulladvantageofeachand agreements, obtaining rights to footage, “They taught me all about the industry Cosenze started working on F every opportunity. The Fitchburg confirming rates for vendors, and issuing and I got to put to use the skills I learned in W“Space Dive,” he thought he State senior was just wrapping up his final payment to vendors. school, finally. The most fascinating point had something special. As it turns out, the semester of an internship at the National was making the connections between 1982 graduate of Fitchburg State University Geographic Television Channel in Wash- “You could say there is some serious gray what I learned in school and what I was was right. ington, D.C. last spring when he had the areawithmyjobtitle,”DeToursaid.“Idoa doing in the real world.” chancetomeetanalumnuswhomhehad lot more than a typical production coordi- CosenzewonanEmmyAwardinthefallof been hoping to connect with for months. nator would do because our department is DeTour said he was able to take advantage 2013 from the National Academy of Television The two hit it off and a short time later, one of the busiest at NGC.” of the opportunity because he was fully Arts and Sciences as the supervising DeTour, originally from Belchertown, had a prepared after 3 ½ years at Fitchburg State. producer of “Space Dive,” for the National DeTour also said that Cosenze and his full-time job. Geographic Channel. The documentary is other boss have started giving him his own “IwassohappyIpaidattentionincollegebe- about Felix Baumgartner’s 2012 skydive from The two Fitchburg State grads are now shows to work on. Those shows, called, cause the education was just phenomenal,” the edge of space, which was the culmination working side by side at the National Geo- “repacks” are old shows that aired years DeTour said. “I felt like I was on top of it.” of more than five years of work on the graphic Channel. ago but are being revamped with new project.CosenzeacceptedtheawardinNew But college life didn’t start out very graphics, content and narration to appeal York City on behalf of his team, which won smoothly for DeTour. He said he wasn’t a “I shook hands with him on my last day to new audiences. in the category of Outstanding Science and greatstudentinhighschoolandbarely and thought this was my moment,” DeTour Technology Programming. said. “I’m not going to get it again. I told “I’ve already had about one dozen shows managed to get into Fitchburg State. The him that this was my dream job and I’d love hit the air with new graphics and loads of school only accepted him after he pleaded “At the time, we thought it was something to work for him. He took the chance.” edits that I’ve made so, you could say they his case with the admissions office on a special,” Cosenze said. “It has visuals that are supporting my dream and grooming weekly basis. He said school officials recog- no other show had. It had drama, it had The alumnus was John Cosenze, a 1982 metobecomeayoungproducerforNa- nized his passion for film, and for the uni- excitement, it had science and technology, graduate, who this past fall won an Emmy tional Geographic Channel,” DeTour said. versity, and agreed to give him a chance. and our frailty as humans. There were some Award from the National Academy of Tele- “They know what I want to do and have really great shows in the category but I “TherewassomethingaboutFitchburg vision Arts and Sciences as the supervising been nothing but supportive in helping thought “Space Dive’’ was unique enough when I first went on a tour,” he said. “I fell producerof“SpaceDive”fortheNational me reach those goals. There’s not a doubt toseparateitself.” Geographic Channel. in my mind that, under their help and inlovewiththecampus,theteachersand guidance,I’llbecomeaproducersomeday thewholeplace.” “SpaceDive”isatwo-hour,behind-the- Cosenze said the two worked two floors (hopefully soon).” scenes look into everything that made the After struggling his freshman year, he got from each other the entire semester De- jump possible. Cosenze said a big part of the his act together the next year. He excelled Tour was working at National Geographic DeTour credits his Fitchburg State connec- documentary is Baumgartner’s issues with with the small class sizes and personal Television but they didn’t meet until two tion with Cosenze, and the education he the pressure suit he had to wear in space. interaction with his professors, and got days before DeTour’s internship was over. received at the university, for the opportu- Baumgartner was used to jumping off involved in campus giving tours. He went nity to pursue his dream. buildings and structures with his parachute “We got to talking for an hour and I got a ontoworkintheresidencehallsandserve on, with the wind in his face. good feeling from him,” Cosenze said. “The As a student in the university’s communi- as president of the honor society. fact that he was from Fitchburg State gave cations program, DeTour was required to “Herehehadtolearnhowtoparachute And now he’s working at his dream job. him a whole lot of points. I could tell he got takeasemester-longinternshipinhisfield. all over again in a pressure suit that limited somevaluabletrainingandmostimpor- Not only did the experience lead to meet- “I’m over the moon and excited to work for his mobility and gave him anxiety as he tantly, he was just a good kid.” ing Cosenze, but DeTour said he learned National Geographic,” he said. “The fact went further and further into the testing,” real-world experience that can’t be found that I’m here right now is fantastic and I’m Cosenze said. About two months later, a production in a classroom. working my tail off to get to where I want coordinator left and Cosenze immediately There were several starts and stops in the to be ultimately. I have a lot of people who thought of DeTour. HechoosetheNationalGeographicTelevi- project, some associated with the weather puttheirnamesonthelineforme.” sioninternshipovertheDiscoveryChannel and others when Baumgartner actually left DeTour started in October 2013. In the en- and Animal Planet. the show because the suit was too difficult try level role, DeTour helps producers with towear,Cosenzesaid.
22 Contact Summer 2014 U OF THIS W L John Cosenze ’82 wins an Emmy for space documentary BY JENNIFER LEFFERTS
“It was a heck of an experience,” he said. hen veteran producer John In the end, it all came together for “They taught me all about the industry Cosenze started working on somethingspecial,hesaid. and I got to put to use the skills I learned in “Space Dive,” he thought he W “As we got closer and closer to the finish, school, finally. The most fascinating point hadsomethingspecial.Asitturnsout,the was making the connections between 1982 graduate of Fitchburg State University youcouldtelltherewassomethingspecial what I learned in school and what I was was right. about it, especially as we started putting in doing in the real world.” footage of the actual jump,” Cosenze said. CosenzewonanEmmyAwardinthefallof “I could tell it was definitely something DeTour said he was able to take advantage 2013 from the National Academy of Television that was more special than what I had of the opportunity because he was fully Arts and Sciences as the supervising worked on up until that point.” prepared after 3 ½ years at Fitchburg State. producer of “Space Dive,” for the National Geographic Channel. The documentary is Cosenze said no one else associated with “IwassohappyIpaidattentionincollegebe- about Felix Baumgartner’s 2012 skydive from the show was able to attend the awards cause the education was just phenomenal,” the edge of space, which was the culmination ceremony,sohewentonhisown.When DeTour said. “I felt like I was on top of it.” of more than five years of work on the the show’s name was called, it was a project. Cosenze accepted the award in New feeling he won’t forget. But college life didn’t start out very York City on behalf of his team, which won smoothly for DeTour. He said he wasn’t a “You see people walking up there, and in the category of Outstanding Science and great student in high school and barely Icantellyou,itwasprobablythemost Technology Programming. managed to get into Fitchburg State. The nerve-wracking50yardsIhadtowalk,”he school only accepted him after he pleaded “At the time, we thought it was something said. “What was even worse, was to give his case with the admissions office on a special,” Cosenze said. “It has visuals that anacceptancespeechinfrontofallthese weekly basis. He said school officials recog- no other show had. It had drama, it had people you admire. It was a blast and an nized his passion for film, and for the uni- excitement, it had science and technology, honor for me to accept for the channel.” versity, and agreed to give him a chance. and our frailty as humans. There were some Cosenze, a native of Shirley, now lives in reallygreatshowsinthecategorybutI “TherewassomethingaboutFitchburg Ijamsville, Md. thought “Space Dive’’ was unique enough when I first went on a tour,” he said. “I fell toseparateitself.” he organizes all the pieces of media that inlovewiththecampus,theteachersand After graduating from Fitchburg State in1982,CosenzelookedaroundtheNew have to go into a program. He arranges for thewholeplace.” “SpaceDive”isatwo-hour,behind-the- England area for work but couldn’t find a shoot, records the voice over for talent, scenes look into everything that made the After struggling his freshman year, he got much. On a whim, he called Vox-Cam, a and tweaks the script. jump possible. Cosenze said a big part of the his act together the next year. He excelled post-production and equipment rental documentary is Baumgartner’s issues with “It’s the nuts and bolts of any particular with the small class sizes and personal facility in the Washington, D.C. area where thepressuresuithehadtowearinspace. program you’re working on,” he said. “The interaction with his professors, and got he had interned during his junior year in Baumgartner was used to jumping off part I like the best is the creative part and involved in campus giving tours. He went college and asked if they needed any help. buildings and structures with his parachute interpreting what the executive producer ontoworkintheresidencehallsandserve on, with the wind in his face. wants or envisions.” as president of the honor society. “I’ve been down here ever since,” Cosenze said. “Herehehadtolearnhowtoparachute He’s worked at National Geographic And now he’s working at his dream job. all over again in a pressure suit that limited Cosenze said the semester intern Channel since 2009. He has previously “I’m over the moon and excited to work for his mobility and gave him anxiety as he experience, especially for television is worked at the Discovery Channel and a National Geographic,” he said. “The fact went further and further into the testing,” extremely important. “I learned a lot and small production company, all focused on that I’m here right now is fantastic and I’m Cosenze said. went back for my senior year and was able television projects. working my tail off to get to where I want to bring a perspective a lot of people didn’t There were several starts and stops in the to be ultimately. I have a lot of people who have,” he said. project, some associated with the weather puttheirnamesonthelineforme.” and others when Baumgartner actually left While the Emmy has been a highlight of his the show because the suit was too difficult career, Cosenze has many other projects towear,Cosenzesaid. under his belt. As a supervising producer,
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Samuel Tobin (Communications Media) and lives. Drawing on discourse analysis Simulation.” The poster highlighted the saw his book Portable Play in Everyday Life and ethnographic methods, Tobin looks at benefits of a yearlong collaboration published by Palgrave Pivot. Despite the the contexts, constraints and desires that between the Department of Nursing and fact that the Nintendo DS is one of the animates and complicates mobile play. This theDepartmentofCommunicationsMedia most popular game systems of all time, is a significant shift away from examining utilizing actors as patients in simulations theorists have largely ignored it. In the the fantastic spaces inside of games to ofcomplexhealth-relatedscenarioswith book, Tobin argues that the reason for this looking instead at the real world and lives nursing students providing care in the is the DS is literally and figuratively beneath inwhichplayhappensandwhysometimes nursing clinical skills laboratory. The use of notice, not just by game scholars but its the “good enough” is just right. actors was made possible through a Fitch- own players as well. Indeed, it is the very burg State Special Projects grant. “everydayness” of the Nintendo DS and of Tara Mariolis (Nursing), Carol McKew mobile gaming in general that is invisible (Nursing) and Kelly Morgan (Communi- María Mercedes Jaramillo (Humanities), as yet filled with critical potential. Portable cations Media) presented a poster at the thePresidentoftheColombianistAssoci- Play in Everyday Life explores how this St. Anselm Nursing Educator Conference ation, hosted the XVIII Conference of the device fits into players’ homes, commutes entitled, “Actors Redefine Mental Health Association at Regis College last summer.
Steven Edwards (English Studies) was Edwards will be writing a series of essays about the experience of awarded $10,000 from the Massa- raising his young son, who has speech and language delays believed to chusetts Cultural Council as one of be related to gastrointestinal issues. its2014creativewritingfellows. Edwards has been an assistant pro- “Writing about it has been so important to me,” Edwards said, fessor at Fitchburg State since 2011. describing the challenges created when his son went years without The award-winning author’s books sleeping through the night as various specialists sought to determine include the memoir Breaking into the the cause. “As a parent, this has been very difficult. For me as a writer, Backcountry (University of Nebraska this has been an opportunity to investigate the range of emotions this Press, 2010), which tells the story of puts you through. It changes the way you look at the world.” his time as the caretaker of a 92-acre homestead along the Rogue Na- Edwardsteachesfictionandnon-fictionwritingandwillteacha tional Wild and Scenic River in southwestern Oregon. His writing can course in environmental writing this fall. be found in recent issues of Orion, Electric Literature, AGNI Online, Terrain.org, and The Good Men Project. He said he was humbled by the fellowship from the Massachusetts Cul- tural Council, and noted the award will go toward “the babysitter fund” as he works on his writing project.
Susan Rosa ’93 (Education) was Rosa has worked in the field for 32 years, including 15 years spent recognized with the Joel D. Miller as an elementary and secondary education classroom teacher in Award in June at the annual retired Massachusetts, New Hampshire and, briefly, the United Kingdom. educators luncheon, held at Shehasbeenafull-timefacultymemberatFitchburgState— Hammond Hall. teaching in the early childhood, elementary and middle school programs—since 2006. The Miller Award was established in 1955 in honor of the state senator TheMillerAwardistraditionallygiventoteachersfocusingon and member of the Board of elementary and secondary education, but Rosa’s work with Education, who is considered one students at the McKay Arts Academy—located on the Fitchburg of the three founders of the State State campus—warranted recognition. She created a math Normal School in Fitchburg (which was later known, of course, as mentors’ program to support at-risk third and fourth graders Fitchburg State). Miller Hall is also named after him. The award is in 2009, a program that is still being implemented with Rosa’s giventoaneducatorwhohasdemonstratedoriginalityintheir support. She also developed an eight-hour, content-driven profession, given unselfish devotion to the profession and exerted workshop for early childhood teacher candidates preparing for an influence for good among their students. their Massachusetts licensure exam.
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The Association of Colombianists is the best-known actors and storytellers. Also, Teachers’Institute:NonviolentMovements largest interdisciplinary academic body Jaramillo presented: “Hotel de vagabun- in the Modern World,” a 10-part series held dedicated to the study of Colombia. A total dos: un mundo en descomposición” at the atClarkUniversityinWorcester. of 118 scholars attended the conference. 2013 Congress of Latin American Studies Two prominent scholars from Colombia –a Association (LASA), Washington, D.C.; and Robin Dinda (Humanities) had his Organ historian and a dramatist–were invited to “Diálogosobrelaexperienciaárabeen Concerto No. 1, for organ and string address the Conference on the subject of Colombia, comentarios sobre Meira Del- orchestra,broadcastnationallyon “Women in Colombia.” The Colombianists mar, Luis Fayad, Raúl Gómez Jattín, Jorge American Public Media’s Pipedreams came from universities in the United García Usta y Fernando Cruz Kronfly” at program. The broadcast may be heard States,Colombia,Canada,Mexico,Spain, the conference. at http://pipedreams.publicradio.org/list- Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. There were ings/2014/1401/. Also on that site are two 35 different sessions, including panels, John Paul (Economics, History & Political interviews with Dinda, about the evo- workshops, film series, and a play, “Dar Science) delivered a lecture entitled “M.K. lution of his organ concerto and his life a luz,” with the stellar performance of Gandhi (1869-1948): The Nonviolent Trail- as a composer, and about the future for Nicolas Buenaventura, one of Colombia’s blazer” last fall as part of “Mass Humanities organs and organists. Michael Greenwood (Business Administra- tion) presented his work on the sources of entrepreneurial burnout and how to restart Katherine Jewell (Economics, History and Political the start-up at the National Small Business Science) TheBostonMarathonbombinginApril2013 Week event at the Microsoft NERD Center in was a moment we will never forget, and for faculty Cambridge. He also made presentations on member Katherine Jewell (Economics, History and successful entrepreneurship to small busi- Political Science), it was personal. ness operators at the North Central Massa- chusetts Chamber of Commerce, including Jewell, pushing her 3-year-old son in a stroller, was leading a panel talk on what it takes to start closeenoughtothesecondexplosiontofeelthe andrunone’sownbusiness. blast and smell the smoke. In the tumultuous days that followed, Jewell turned to her training as a Eric Budd (Economics, History and Political historianinanattempttomakesenseoftheexperience,chroniclingthedetails, Science) served as the external reviewer locations and conversations that erupted from the chaos. for the Political Science Department at Sa- lem State’s program review. He also served That grew into a “crowd-sourced” oral history project, where Jewell collected as a panelist for the United Way of Central other experiences from that fateful day. Mapping the Boston Marathon 2013, visible Massachusetts Youth Ventures reviewing online at crowdsourcedhistory.wordpress.com, wasthefruitofthatinspiration.Inthe proposals from high school students. One months since its launch, the project is now part of the Our Marathon digital archive at of the proposals was to create a Model UN Northeastern University. team at Ayer-Shirley High School.
The map is a place where anyone who experienced the Boston marathon bombing Michael Hoberman (English Studies) on April 15, 2013 can record their story. The database and map that the project seeks was awarded a Tikvah Institute in Jewish to build is not limited to those who were injured, or were otherwise near the blast Thought Summer Fellowship for summer site. Rather, it seeks to establish a collective narrative and sense of how the events 2014 in New York City. He also had an article spiraled out from the blast sites. accepted for publication in the journal American Jewish History, which will appear “This project brings together multiple voices and experiences to create a inthepublication’sfall2014edition. crowdsourced collective history of the events of April 15, 2013,” said Jewell. The data recorded will be publicly available and searchable for present and future research. “Together, these stories will not only record the experiences of Bostonians and their friends and family across the country and the world, but will also serve as a place of connection and reflection.”
The project has also inspired a classroom activity in which Jewell’s students analyzed raw historical artifacts to create narratives and question the reliability of sources.
For more information, visit crowdsourcedhistory.wordpress.com.
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I I S I Kibler recalled. He visited Fitchburg State three or four more timesintheensuingmonths. E
hris Kibler’s first glimpse of Fitchburg Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic It takes a great deal of mental and physical State came on the track, and in a Conference(MACAC)recordinthe5,000 effort to succeed at that level, Kibler said. way he’s never looked back. He first meter and 10,000 meter events, and was C “One of the reasons I’ve been so successful competed at Elliot Field as a high school MASCACchampiontwiceeachinthe5,000 student from Bath, Maine. meter and 10,000 meter, as well as in the is I’ve been self-motivated,” noting runners 1,500 meter, 3,000 meter and mile. He was in particular need to cultivate that sense of “Thefacilitywasjustgorgeous,soIlooked named MASCAC’s runner of the week 24 dedication. into what programs the school had to times. He was the Eastern College Athletic He said Coach Jim Jellison has been an offer,” Kibler recalled. He visited Fitchburg Conference (ECAC) runner of the week important figure in his development. “He’ll State three or four more times in the twice and four times was named All-ECAC just believe in you more than anyone else, ensuing months. “Each time, it felt more and All New England. like home.” more than you’ll even believe in yourself,” This year alone, Kibler ran the seventh- Kibler said. “Without that mindset being Kibler certainly was at home on the track, fastestmileintheNCAADivision3 driven home, I’d never have run the times amassing several records, which continued competition, as well as being named the I did.” even after he graduated with a degree in ECAC Mile Champion, qualifying in the mile He also cites Exercise and Sports Science Exercise and Sports Science in 2012. He fortheNCAANationalChampionshipand Professor Tim Hilliard as a key contributor, returned to competition as a graduate being named as an All-American by placing helping Kibler develop his technical resources. student, finishing his athletic career this sixth at the NCAA’s. spring. Earlier this year Kibler was named Kibler’s finished his collegiate eligibility, thePaulK.Waring’38MaleAthleteofthe Kibler—who said he’s now in the best and needs just three more courses to Year at the annual athletics awards banquet. shape of his life—looks back on his complete to earn his Master’s of Business sophomore year (2010) as a turning point Administration. He’ll continue his work as Kibler now holds the school record in in his athletic career. “That was my first an assistant coach at Fitchburg State, and the mile (4:07.29), 5,000 meter (14:44.01), real breakout season,” he said, recalling dreams of one day working as a head coach 1,500 meter (3:56.30), 3,000 meter aMASCACchampionship.“Nobody at an NCAA institution. (8:28.97), distance medley relay (10:26.19) reallythoughtthatwouldhappen.That outdoor 4x800 meter (7:53.82) and indoor helped our team win our first outdoor “The bottom line is, I don’t think I’ll ever 4x800 meter (7:56.76). He also holds the championship in about 20 years.” leavecollegiatesports.”
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erry Alcott of Groton also completed in strikeouts (281). This past year alone she to tournaments, cooking late night dinners her distinguished Falcon career this ledtheteaminseveralcategories,fromERA after long practices, celebrating with me K spring, but not before setting a num- (1.62), innings pitched (104), appearances after huge wins, and comforting me after ber of records as a member of the women’s (20), strikeouts (147) and complete games. huge losses. I truly owe them the world for softball team. For her efforts, she was named (along with everything they’ve done. sophomore Marissa Gemma) to the MASCAC Alcott originally enrolled at Westfield State, All-Conference Second Team. “All of the coaches that I’ve had the pleasure but transferred to Fitchburg State two years of playing for have helped me develop as into her career. Alcott looks back fondly at her final year a softball player as well as an individual,” representing the Falcons. Alcott continued. “The coaches that I’ve “A lot of factors influenced my decision played for at Fitchburg will always hold a to transfer, among them was the school’s “The moment that sticks out most to me for special place in my heart. My two years on amazing special education program,” Alcott many reasons is Senior Day, which took place this team were two of the best years of my said. “I also played softball against Fitchburg on April 24 against Nichols College,” she said. softball career and the coaches were a huge State and witnessed an incredible team It was on that date she broke the school partofthat.Theirenthusiasmforthesport atmosphereandIverymuchwantedtobea record for strikeouts in a single game, with and desire to make their players better is part of that.” 15. “I could not have asked for a better way unmatched by most. Finally, I am so grateful to end my time at Donna Withington Field.” for my teammates, past and present. Athletics have been a major part of Alcott’s Softballhasgivenmetheopportunityto life since elementary school, and by the time Being named the Paul K. Waring ’38 Female meet hardworking and talented young she reached high school was conditioned to Athlete of the Year at this year’s athletics women who started out as teammates, but balanceacademicsandsports. banquet was also a notable achievement. ended up as family. Years from now, I’m sure “There are so many talented and dedicated I’ll forget scores, plays, and errors, but I will “For me, it was always a matter of strong studentathletesatFitchburgStatethatI always have irreplaceable friendships.” time management skills,” she said. “If I had lookupto,andwhoaredeservingofthis anextra20minutesbeforepracticeora award,” she said. “I am so honored to have Alcott is now applying for several jobs in game, I was doing homework. There were been recognized by the university for my area schools, armed with licenses in special many late nights and early mornings, but I commitment to athletics.” education and elementary education. don’t think I would have been as successful in academics if I didn’t have my other Alcott credits a wide support network of “There is a lot of unknown that comes with commitmentsthatforcedmetomanagemy family and coaches for playing instrumental graduating from college,” she said, “but it’s time so meticulously.” roles in her success. veryexcitingandIcan’twaittoseewhat doors open for me.” At Fitchburg State, Alcott ranks second “The support I received from my family is all-time with a career earned run average of a huge aspect of my athletic career,” she 1.97,andrankssixthinwins(19)andfourth said. “My parents spent hours driving me Fitchburg State University 27 A LE I S
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Baseball—The Falcons claimed Football—Head Coach Pat Haverty Hanratty was selected to the MASCAC thefifthseedintheMASCACbaseball was named both MASCAC and Worcester Men’s Soccer All-Conference Second Team, tournament and seventh seed in the ECAC All-Area Coach of the Year, leading the while freshman Steven Martinez joined tournament. The team concluded the Falcons to an overall record of 6-4 on HanrattyontheAll-ConferenceSecond season with an overall record of 22-18, theseason(going5-3inMASCACplay). Team. Senior Colin Shea earned MASCAC going 5-8 in MASCAC. Still, the team logged Freshman quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie All-Conference First Team honors. their second most wins—24—in a single tossedaFitchburgStatesingleseason Women’s Basketball—Senior season (after their 2004 performance). record 25 touchdown passes on 149 Amy Fahey concluded her career, ranking completions and 1,930 yards. For his first all-time with 1,644 points, field goals Freshman Steven Drury led the conference efforts, Dellechiaie claimed MASCAC made (613) and free throws made (417), in batting average (.438), slugging Offensive Rookie of the Years honors, whilerankingfourthinrebounds(757)and percentage (.742), on base percentage (.531) whilealsobeingtabbedECACDIIINorth blocks(86)andtenthinstealswith173. and triples (9), while also ranking second Offensive Rookie of the Year and Worcester She was named to the MASCAC Women’s in doubles (15) and runs (35, third in hits All-Area Co-Freshman of the Year. The Basketball All-Conference First Team, (56)andtiedforsixthinRBIs(27)en-route university dubbed him the male co-rookie while junior Laura Cote was selected to the tobeingnamedMASCACCo-Rookieofthe of the year. Year as well as earning a spot on the All- MASCAC All-Conference Second Team. The Conference First Team. He was named the Men’s Soccer—The team finished team wrapped up the season with a record university’s male co-rookie of the year for the season with an overall record of of 13-12, 6-6 MASCAC. hisstandoutperformance. 6-8-5 and a 1-2-4 clip in the MASCAC en Softball—The Falcons wrapped up the route to securing the sixth seed in the season with an overall record of 14-17 and Drury was also named to the New MASCAC post-season tournament. Junior a 6-8 mark within the conference, while England Intercollegiate Baseball goalkeeperAidanHanrattywascrowned earningthesixthseedintheMASCAC Association (NEIBA) First Team as well as theNCAADivisionIIIstatisticalchampionin Softball post-season tournament. to the Worcester All-Area First Team and savepercentage,leadingthenationamong Worcester Area Rookie of the Year, while allDivisionIIIschoolswitha.910save classmates Joe Lyons and Joe St. Hilaire percentage,whileguidingtheFalconstoa and junior Ryan Magni were selected to DIII record tying four 0-0 double overtime the Worcester All-Area second team. draws in a single season. For his efforts,
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Hanratty was selected to the MASCAC Danny J. Sabbagh ’07 and JessieKrause’08 Meaghan P. Kelly ’09 and Alexander M. Jessica L. (Outerson) Szivos ’10 and Kiel Men’s Soccer All-Conference Second Team, begandatingwhileattendingFitchburg Teixeira ’10 married July 20, 2013. Kelly Szivos ’09 married on October 26, 2013, in while freshman Steven Martinez joined StateUniversity.Sabbaghwasthecaptain teaches eighth grade special-needs a ceremony officiated by Fitchburg State HanrattyontheAll-ConferenceSecond of the basketball team and Krause was students in Lawrence. Teixeira teaches University President Robert Antonucci. Team. Senior Colin Shea earned MASCAC captain of the softball team. They are now high-level skill courses in outdoor adven- All-Conference First Team honors. engaged to be married. Sabbagh has been ture education and leadership for two New a deputy sheriff and corrections officer at Hampshire universities. The couple lives in Women’s Basketball—Senior theMiddlesexSheriff’sOfficesince2008. Portsmouth, N.H. Amy Fahey concluded her career, ranking first all-time with 1,644 points, field goals made (613) and free throws made (417), At the 20th Anniversary Sigma Pi reunion on December 7, 2013, whilerankingfourthinrebounds(757)and we learned of quite a few “met and married” couples. James blocks(86)andtenthinstealswith173. M. McCabe ’95 and PennyL.(Eaton)McCabe’96,PaulJ.Harris She was named to the MASCAC Women’s ’96, ’11 and Beverly M. (Horsch) Harris ’98 (not pictured), Basketball All-Conference First Team, Catherine J. (Cassidy) Hanssen ’98 and Eric P. Hanssen, Sigma Pi while junior Laura Cote was selected to the brother who attended Fitchburg State but later transferred (not MASCAC All-Conference Second Team. The pictured), Brett M. Collins ’00 and Christine E. (Johnson) Collins ’04,MateuszM.Bryszkowski’04 and Stephanie A. (DeHetre) team wrapped up the season with a record Bryszkowski ’07, Rusty A. Lescarbeau ’06 and Coreen (Vey) of 13-12, 6-6 MASCAC. Lescarbeau ’08, and Timothy Callahan ’08 and Kelly C. (Latina) Callahan ’07. Softball—The Falcons wrapped up the season with an overall record of 14-17 and a 6-8 mark within the conference, while earningthesixthseedintheMASCAC Softball post-season tournament.
Brett M. Collins ’00 and Rusty A. Lescarbeau ’06 and Mateusz M. Bryszkowski ’04 and Christine E. (Johnson) Collins ’04. Coreen (Vey) Lescarbeau ’08. Stephanie A. (DeHetre) Bryszkowski ’07.
S the Family Weekend Class of 1965 50th Reunion Friday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 19 The class will hold its reunion in the fall of 2015.KeepuptodatebyjoiningtheClass Gold Key Ceremony of 1965’s Facebook page at: Saturday, Oct. 18 http://tinyurl.com/npz32kn Featuring the induction of the Class of 1964 For more information, call the Alumni Office at 978-665-4555.
Fitchburg State University 29 ALUMNI NEWS
Pride &
Brigadier general A ’84
rigadier General Frederick A. Henry’s “When I came through here I said, ‘I think I After five years, Gen. Henry graduated from long and storied military career can make it here,’” he recalled. “Fitchburg Fitchburg State and was commissioned as Bhas taken him across the U.S. and did something for me. I was able to a2nd Lieutenant in the Chemical Corps. It Europe, but he’s never forgotten the demonstrate my potential.” was at this stage that Gen. Henry learned lessons he learned as an undergraduate at numerous valuable life lessons. A higher- Fitchburg State. While in college, Gen. Henry became ranking officer told him he would only involved with numerous student activities achieve a certain rank, along with giving him Hegrewupinaninnercityenvironmentin and was able to prove himself as a leader. a negative remark on his efficiency report. Cambridge, where by his own admission he wasn’t a strong student. ItwasalsoGen.Henry’spresencein “I’mgoingtogiveyouthisreporttomake Fitchburg that led to another life-changing you work harder,” Gen. Henry was told. It “I constantly went off the reservation,” event. One day as he was on his way to was this statement that resonated with the Gen. Henry recalled. “I would always go on the local grocery store to apply for a young captain and inspired him to work hard another path.” summer job, he saw a poster promoting and strive for more. “I had to learn if I was ROTC. Henry was faced with the option going to demonstrate my abilities. The only As a teen, Gen. Henry was a part of the of bagging groceries for the summer or way I had to overcome what he told me was Upward Bound program, where he was joining ROTC; he chose the latter, and the toworkhardandhaveagoodattitude.” encouraged to try attending Fitchburg experience instilled new and vital skills in State; if the experience didn’t work out, he the college student. “It began to foster With a positive mindset and rigorous was told, he could consider joining the Navy. leadershiptacticswithinmethatInever work ethic now in place, Gen. Henry knew existed,” he said. ultimately surpassed that officer’s rank. Fitchburg State would prove a He credits his time at Fitchburg State for transformative experience.
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In addition to sincere pride for his former university and emphasizing the
Pride & valueofastrongworkethic,Gen.Henryalsosharedsomewisewordswith the students. “It’s your attitude in life, not necessarily your aptitude, that will determine your altitude,” he said. “Attitudeshapesyourcharacterand
how people see you as a person.”
his ever-climbing experience in the military and serving as operations officer at bases in Healsoexpressedhowimportantitisfor and for setting him on the right path in Germany. After attending the Joint Forces young people to not let others suppress life. “Because of what I found here at Staff College in 2001, Gen. Henry served their abilities. “Don’t let anyone define who Fitchburg, it gave me purpose, it gave me as a mission commander in support of you are and what your potential is going to foundations, it gave me a work ethic,” said theChemicalWeaponsConventionTreaty be,” he advised. the General. on-site inspection verification program. On November 18, 2011, he was promoted to Gen. Henry was welcomed back to campus “WhatIlearned asa brigadier general. Following his assignment last fall where he was presented the Alumni as deputy commanding general at the Achievement Award. He also took time to general I learned as a U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology meetwithcurrentstudentstorecounthis captain; what I learned as Command, he was assigned to the Defense own journey and the lessons it taught him. Information Systems Agency, Fort Meade, a captain I can attribute Md., where he currently serves as the “I will always be able to to Fitchburg. I don’t think Agency Chief of Staff. cherish what I learned at I would’ve gotten there Inadditiontosincereprideforhisformer Fitchburg,”saidGen.Henry. had it not been for my university and emphasizing the value of a strong work ethic, Gen. Henry also shared “It was the best decision I experience at Fitchburg.” some wise words with the students. “It’s ever could have made.” your attitude in life, not necessarily your His military career has included working in aptitude, that will determine your altitude,” -CH the Joint Operations Center in support of he said. “Attitude shapes your character and NATOoperationsinBosnia-Herzegovnia how people see you as a person.”
Fitchburg State University 31 ALUMNI NEWS
1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
Leo Gittzus ’40,aWWII Leo Miller ’59,ofSaint Emile S. Johnson, Jr. ’61, Ronald F. Cormier ’71, ’74 was veteran, received six service James City, Fla., has coached retired Leominster High School elected for his ninth year as medals which were finally basketball for 54 years; 44 of baseballcoach,wasthefirst councilor at large in Gardner. delivered to him on April 17, thoseyearsatNausetRegional inductee into the Leominster He previously served as Ward 2013, by Congressman John High School on Cape Cod, Blue Devils Baseball Hall of Fame 3 councilor for 16 years. He is Tierney. The medals were seven years as an Assistant in September 2013 for his three a retired school administrator delivered to Gittzus at the Coach at Florida Gulf Coast statechampionshipteams(1986, who also serves as a trustee of Woodbriar Nursing home in Dunk City University, and the 1988 and 1996). Johnson, also a the Levi Heywood Memorial Wilmington, sixty-nine years lastthreeyearsasanAssistant member of the Massachusetts Library and as chairman of after his ship, the USS Lindsey, Coach at Bishop Verot High BaseballCoachesHallofFame the Gardner Redevelopment was hit by Kamikaze pilots on School in Fort Myers, Fla. and the Fitchburg State Athletic Authority. April12,1945. Hall of Fame, led the Blue Devils to725victoriesduringhis Philip P. Palmieri ’71, a real illustrious career. estate developer and former juvenile probation officer, was DennyR.Nolan’66,of elected to serve his seventh Northampton, has owned two-year term as District 2 city DennyNolanRealEstateInc. councilor in Worcester. for 30 years, but he is most proud of his 34-year career Robert P. Catalini ’71 was hired in teaching/administration. this year by Mashpee High Denny holds a Bachelor of School as the new varsity girls’ Science degree in secondary basketball coach. education from Fitchburg State Rev. Lucille Blood ’73 of University. Amesbury competed in the Robert L. Ringuette ’66 is a International Triathlon Union retired educator having served (ITU) World Championship in as director of guidance at London, U.K., in September CantonHighSchoolinCanton. 2013. Last year she competed in the U.S. Sprint Triathlon James D. Hunter ’69,relocated Championship and placed from the East Coast to 22nd in the 60-64 age group. California, from where he The top 18 qualifiers in the sends greetings to his Fenwick U.S. Championships in each brothers. age bracket get an invitation to be part of Team USA at the Robert A. Salvatelli ’69 is World Championships the serving in his seventh term as following year. Placing 22nd amemberoftheLeominster madehereligibletobecomean The Class of 1963 celebrated their 50th reunion on June City Council. He is the alternate. Two months before 22, 2013 and September 28, 2013. Pictured here are retired associate director of the event she was called to classmates on the steps of Thompson Hall. Class reunion Massachusetts Academy of join Team USA to compete chairs, Dalton ‘Bud’ and Jane Smart and Armen and Pau- Math and Science at WPI and in the World Championship. line ‘Polly’ Harootian, organized both events and led the formerprincipaloftheJohnny Blood competed in the Sprint charge to start a Class of 1963 scholarship for nursing and Appleseed School where he Distance World Championships education majors. Since the get-together in June, they served for 26 years. He served at Hyde Park in the 60-64 age have nearly reached their goal for an endowed scholar- in the National Guard for five bracket. The triathlon itself ship. For more information about class reunions, th years, 26 Aviation Division. consisted of a one-half-mile contact the Alumni Office at (978) 665-4555 or He is married to Linda Salvatelli swim followed by 12.4-mile [email protected]. and has four children and eight bikeraceanda5Krun.She grandchildren. is the former minister of the
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Union Congregational Church AndreaD.(Dodge)Ackerman of Amesbury and is currently ’75 currently serves as a full-time special education professor of nursing and chair teacher at Timberlane Regional of the School of Nursing at Middle School in Plaistow, N.H. Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. WhileatFitchburgState,Blood played field hockey, volleyball, Susan E. (Russell) Cogliano ’76 basketball and tennis, where has retired after having taught she became part of the first in Stoughton for 35 years. generation of women to benefit from Title IX. Joseph C. Frank ’77,of Tewksbury, welcomed his Wayne D. Andrews ’74, second grandson on January Mark J. Coughlan ’77 and fellow Mohawks reunited De- president of Morehead State 16, 2014. cember 2, 2013 at the Chateau restaurant in Norwood to University in Kentucky, was celebrate their annual Mohawk Alumni Christmas Pasta appointed in September Jeffrey A. Bean ’78 was elected Festival. The fraternity alumni, spanning from the 1960s 2013 to serve as the state councilor at-large in Fitchburg, through the 1980s, have held an annual holiday reunion representative for Kentucky after serving as ward councilor, for more than 25 years. Front row (kneeling, from left): for the American Association School Committee member Dave N. Proulx ’88, Sean R. McCann ’87, Steven P. Finer of State Colleges and and mayor from 1988-98. He ’73, Michael E. Kenney ’73, RobertP.Vecchione’77, Mark Universities (AASCU). He will is the managing director of the Rice, John S. Harrington ’74. Second row (kneeling L-R): serve through 2014. U.S. Conference of Mayors. Dave Coughlan, Dick Sharkey, Steven J. Bartell ’85, Ste- phen J. Keating ’73, Michael M. Flaherty ’74, Gregory N. Dr. Andrews was appointed by DiannaL.(Poole)Peterson Cross ’80, John D. Sodano ’75. Back row (standing, from Gov.ErnieFletcherandthen ’79 retired from teaching left): LawrenceJ.Capuano’83,Mark A. Ross ’80, Paul reappointed by Gov. Steve during the 2013-2014 school J. White ’79, Charles Cabral ’83, JeffreyH.Nutting’81, Beshear as one of Kentucky’s year.Duringherprofessional Henry‘Bud’McInerney’78,JamesM.Geary’78,John A. five representatives on the career she worked in a variety Churcher ’87, Stephen R. Dewar ’78, Gregg R. Malone ’78, Southern Regional Education of positions within the field of Steve Finneron ’69,RichardWolf,Joseph Kraemer ’75, Board. He has served as special education, including and Mark J. Coughlan ’77. president of the Ohio Valley special education teacher, Conference. secondary coordinator of special needs, assistant He is a graduate of Fitchburg director of special education Strazdas, who lives in Portage, State University where he and director of pupil services. Mich., has been involved earned a B.S. degree in 1974 In retirement, she is teaching with APPA for two decades. and of West Virginia University special education classes at He currently serves as the where he received a master’s in the graduate level as well as secretary-treasurer for the 1976andadoctoratein1977. supervising graduate students organization, and will succeed who are obtaining licensure tothepositionofAPPA KennethJ.Pearson’74 and/or other certifications. president in August 2015. was awarded the 2013 Massachusetts Audubon Peter J. Strazdas ’79,associate Susan (Lynch) Viccaro ’79 has Conservation Teacher of vice president of facilities becomesuperintendentofthe the Year for High School. management at Western Newburyport Public Schools. He is currently teaching Michigan University, was Prior to this appointment, she Biology, Aquatic Ecology and recently elected as president- served as superintendent in Environmental Science at elect of APPA—Leadership regional School District 13 in the Montachusett Regional in Educational Facilities, a Connecticut for nine years. Vocational Technical School leading industry association in Fitchburg. of facilities professionals at educational institutions.
Fitchburg State University 33 ALUMNI NEWS
1980s
Leslie J. (Perry) Brennan ’80 has All are available on Amazon Iowa, takes place on the book’s been promoted to the role of with the proceeds going to “birthday” in September and special programs supervisor at charity. Hall earned a M.Ed. has grown into a grassroots SeniorCare Inc., where she will from Fitchburg State attending international movement oversee programs that assist nights while serving in the inspiring the young and old to the clients of SeniorCare. This Massachusetts Senate. embracethepowerofpersonal regionalelderanddisability creativity to change the service agency has offices in David Clark ’82 was elected world. Last year over a million Hamilton, Ipswich, Topsfield, toanat-largeseatonthe children and adults around the Wenham, and Beverly. Fitchburg City Council after globe celebrated International serving four terms as a ward Dot Day including participants Dianne T. Shugrue ’81 Robert A. Hall ’80 retired representative to the council in all 50 U.S. states, on all seven was named president November 30, 2013, as and six years on the School continents, in 75 countries, and chief executive executive director of the Committee. He was born and and even on the International officer of Glens Falls American Association of raisedinFitchburgandlives Space Station. Hospital in New York Hip and Knee Surgeons with his wife Sherry and three in June 2013. inRosemont,Ill.,dueto daughters.HeworksasanAV Brian R. Tata ’83,ofLeominster, pulmonary fibrosis. He is on media support specialist at has been a library director the lung transplant waiting list. Fitchburg State University. since 2002. After earning Mark C. Kasperson ’88 has been Hall published three books in his B.S. degree in business hired as a new partner to the 2013, Eddie Grabowski’s Gift: Peter H. Reynolds ’83,Boston- administration, he continued Connecticut office of Classic A Marine Christmas Story, The area author/illustrator’s hisstudiesatFitchburg Metal Roofs, LLC, to focus on Old Jarhead’s Journal: Random “storybook for all ages” The StateUniversityearninga architects, contractors and Thoughts on Life, Liberty and Dot,hasinspiredInternational master’s degree in business homeowners in the residential Leadership and Advice for Dot Day. International Dot managementin1991.He roofing market. Boys: From an Old Marine. Day, started by a teacher in then earned an MLIS from James “Jay” P. Capers ’89 the University of Wisconsin recently won third place in the Milwaukee in 2002. He is Environmental Single category certified by the Massachusetts of the National Press Photog- Board of Library Commissioners rapher’sAssociation’sBestof asacertifiedpubliclibrarian, Photojournalism contest. Capers and also by the Massachusetts won for his photo of the North- DESEasaLibrarianand ern Lights dancing off a tepee Business teacher. in Yellowknife, the capital city ScottJ.Graves,Esq.’86 was and largest community of the re-elected councilor at large Northwest Territories in Canada. inGardner.Hehasbeenacity He has been a photojournalism councilor since 2005. Graves instructor at Randolph Commu- received his law degree from nity College in Asheboro, N.C., Suffolk University Law School, since March 2011. his B.S. degree from Fitchburg State University, and M.S. in Robert “Biff” Quinn ’81 and fellow Fenwicks reunited May pharmacology from the Massa- 31, 2014 to celebrate the fraternity’s Founder’s Day. The chusetts College of Pharmacy. Fenwicks, class years spanning from 1969 through 1993, haveheldanannualholidayreunioninFitchburgforthe Karen A. Sheldon ’87 was named last 5 years. This year was their first time back on campus. president of the Georgetown The Fenwicks are pictured in front of Thompson Hall, their Chamber of Commerce in old hang out. Georgetown, Texas, starting January 2014.
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1990s
Nancy Forsberg ’92 is the Cathleen (Sheehan) Daggett principal at the American ’94 was promoted to School for the Deaf in West comptroller at Fitchburg Hartford, Conn.; it’s the oldest State University where she school for deaf people in the workedfor14yearsinvarious U. S. and the birthplace of roles within the university’s American Sign Language. DepartmentofFinancial Services, most recently as Eileen H. (Haydock) Merullo ’92, director for financial reporting alifelongresidentofRevere, and analysis. was named the Revere Journal’s 2013 Woman of the Year for Gail P. (Millett) Feckley ’96 Dave Shilale ’91, Tim Blanchard ’94, Mark Buron ’92, herworktomemorializethe was elected to the Leominster Shawn Flaherty, Dave Hughes ’95 and Kirk Fitzsimmons numerous women from Revere City Council in November and have teamed up for the last 9 years to ride in the Pan Mass who served in non-combat sworninonJanuary6,2014. Challenge,a192-milebikeridetoraisemoneyforcancer supportrolesinWorldWar research. Their team, The Genesee Vols, has raised nearly II. Her fundraising efforts MariaA.LaVita’96 is a $500,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They ride secured a spot on the city’s sergeant on the Revere Police in memory of those loved ones lost and in hopes of beat- American Legion lawn for Department and is also a ing cancer once and for all. an official memorial. Merullo member of the Massachusetts served as a physical therapist Bar Association. at Walter Reed Medical Karen G. McCauliffe ’96 was protection certificate in 1996 Shannon (Sontag) Sylvia ’97 Center in Washington, D.C. awarded her PsyD (doctor of from Fitchburg State. She lives left her reality television career during the war. She received a psychology) from California inFt.Lauderdale,Fla. in2011tofoundShancakes, master’s degree in educational Southern University at the end a cake shop and bakery in technology from Fitchburg Richard N. Harding ’97,of of 2013. Since 1996, she has Leominster. On March 17, State University in 1992 and Cambridge, was re-elected to worked as a family counselor 2014 she re-opened a new, taught science and computer theCambridgePublicSchools intheBrowardCountySchool 1,200-square-foot facility that in the Revere school system for school committee this past District. Karen received her now offers cake decorating 26 years. October. master’s in counseling and child lessons, birthday parties, and AndreaC.Wallace’92 has been the artistic director of theAndersonRanchArts Ann Marie (Braga) Center’s photography and Collins ’92, Denise digital media program for (Elliott) Clemente thelastfiveyears.While ’92, Lauren Bralley, Wallace leads several weeks Maryellen (Gill) ofsummerworkshopsatthe Leach ’93,room- ranch, last fall she exhibited mates from their a series of images of her own days at Fitchburg called Toward Amnesia,which State University, comes from a 1996 novel of recently gathered at the same name by Sarah Van theTirrellRoomin Arsdale. The basis of Wallace’s Quincy for a croquet work is intensely personal; tournament that about loss and grief. Eight raised $19,000 for of the images were featured Childhood Epilepsy. in Documentation, a recent Collins made the hats three-artist exhibition at the for the team, aptly Galleries of Contemporary Art named “Team FSC.” in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Fitchburg State University 35 ALUMNI NEWS
expanded retail items, to name Heidi Voedisch ’99 a few. The operation employs has been employed at LawrenceE.Yard,Jr. four and ships all over the U.S. Disability Evaluations ’98,ofAcworth,Ga., (www.shancakes.com) Services Commonwealth represented Fitchburg Medicine at the University State University at the Carol A. Heidendrich ’99 of Massachusetts Medical inauguration of the 11th earned her doctorate in Center for 13 years. She president of Morehouse educational leadership from earned her master of public CollegeinAtlanta,Dr. Northeastern University administration degree from John Silvanus Wilson, in September 2013. Her Clark University in May. Jr., on Feb. 14. Yard is dissertation focus was pictured at the left of “Student Technology Use for Dr. Wilson and his wife, Powerful Learning.” Dr. Carol Wilson.
IfyouwouldliketoserveasarepresentativeofFitchburg State at installation ceremonies in your area, contact the Alumni Office at (978) 665-3025.
The new post is the latest in a career that Growing a Global has taken Honeycutt across the country Network and then the world, navigating a rapidly evolvingindustrythathasadvancedfrom John Honeycutt ’91 videotapetohigh-definitiondigitalfiles.
John Honeycutt always loved making As a recent college graduate, Honeycutt television. As a student at Medford High found his way to Houston, Texas, where School, he was active in the school’s cable he found a role working for a technical access TV studio, and figured he may be distribution outfit that later formed the abletotransfertheexperienceintoajob backbone of Fox Sports Net. The work someday. took him back and forth from Texas to Los Angeles, Calif. “That’s what led me to Fitchburg State,” he recalled.“Ididn’tknowitwasgoingtotake “That’s where things exploded, career- me down this road.” wise,” he said. “I was thrown in the deep endofthepoolandwasworkingwithsome ThatroadledtoDiscoveryCommunications, ofthegiantsoftelevision.” the world’s number one pay-TV programmer, where this summer he will Honeycutt was designing network systems begin his duties as the company’s chief with FOX, FX, National Geographic and technology officer. In the newly created the Speed Channel, on projects including position,HoneycuttwillleadDiscovery’s theSuperBowl,theWorldSeriesandthe consolidated IT, media technology, Daytona 500. In layman’s terms, Honeycutt production and operations functions describes himself as “a corporate go fix globally. He will be charged with developing things, go start things guy.” along-termtechnologyroadmapto By 2003, he was recruited by Discovery enable Discovery’s growing pay-TV, digital Communications, tasked with designing and terrestrial, free-to-air and online services. building a new transmission center.
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2000s
DerekJ.Swenson’02 was Jennifer L. Flanagan ’04, special education at Fitchburg Aaron Cadieux ’05 completed promoted to the position of Massachusetts State StateUniversityin2004and a feature-length documentary assistantsuperintendentofthe Senator, was honored at the a certificate of advanced on the Bridgewater Triangle, Bridgewater-Raynham School Leominster High School Alumni graduate studies in 2013. He a 200-square-mile region in District. Prior to this appointment RecognitionDinneronMarch1 became assistant principal Southeastern Massachusetts he served as the Director of in Leominster. at Wilmington’s Shawsheen with a long history of reported Curriculum and Grants. Swenson Elementary from 2009 through paranormal activity. After earned his B.S. degree from Jason N. Fredette ’04, ’13 was 2013 before returning to three years in production, Plymouth State College, N.H., hired as Byam Elementary Chelmsford. The Bridgewater Triangle and his master’s in educational School’s new principal in his documentary premiered at the leadership and management hometown of Chelmsford. Brian P. Gill ’04 completed University of Massachusetts from Fitchburg State. Fredette attended Stonehill his master’s degree in public Dartmouth on October 20, 2013. College, where he graduated in administration from Anna TaraD.(Piccini)Manzello, 1998 with a bachelor’s degree Maria College in May 2012. He Jill A. Peterson ’06 was ’03, ’07 came within 0.4 miles in early childhood education is a lieutenant with the Ayer appointed as principal of the of completing the Boston and a minor in psychology. From Police Department. Hardwick Elementary School in Marathon in April 2013. In the 2000 through 2006, Fredette Gilbertville. Peterson returned summer of 2013, Tara walked was a kindergarten teacher at James M. Bunnell ’05, ’11 was totheQuabbinSchoolDistrict 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen Wilmington Public Schools. He named the athletic director after a year serving as an 3-day walk. earned his master’s degree in at North Middlesex Regional administrator at the Hollis High School.
The new post is the latest in a career that “I had just started a family, and I was Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio He recalls faculty members like Lee DeNike has taken Honeycutt across the country thinking it would be good to get back to oftelevisionbrandsacrossDenmark, as a major influence. “The friendliness of and then the world, navigating a rapidly the east coast,” he said. “It was putting Norway, Sweden and Finland, and the theenvironmenttheschoolprovidedis evolvingindustrythathasadvancedfrom meinaplacewhereIwasabletooperate largest transaction in Discovery’s history. somethingI’vealwaysremembered,”hesaid. videotapetohigh-definitiondigitalfiles. in a fairly independent way, where I could He also played an integral role in the build and design something that would be company’s original investment—and Honeycutt said that while the business As a recent college graduate, Honeycutt transformative for the company.” recently expanded controlling interest—in and technology has changed dramatically found his way to Houston, Texas, where one of the world’s top sports platforms, during his career, the fundamental he found a role working for a technical The project was a success, and soon Eurosport International. principles he learned as an undergraduate distribution outfit that later formed the Honeycutt had gained global responsibility still apply. backbone of Fox Sports Net. The work for Discovery’s production and signal “It’s been an incredible journey,” took him back and forth from Texas to Los distribution.Thebigmovecamein2010 Honeycutt said. “I’ve learned an inordinate “You should have strong underpinnings,” Angeles, Calif. whenhewasofferedachancetorelocateto amount and I’ve been places that, as a kid, I hesaid.“Ifyoucanhavefoundational LondonandtotakeupapostasDiscovery never thought I’d see.” knowledge, it provides you with a whole “That’s where things exploded, career- Networks International’s Executive Vice seriesofpossibilities.Itopensdoors.” wise,” he said. “I was thrown in the deep President and Chief Operating Officer. His new role, starting this summer, will Honeycutt’s advice to new graduates is to endofthepoolandwasworkingwithsome Honeycutt led the operational structure of finally bring him back to the U.S. be open to those possibilities. ofthegiantsoftelevision.” Discovery’s growing international business Honeycutt said the foundation for his operations across more than 220 countries Honeycutt was designing network systems successful career was his education, even if “Takechances.Takeopportunitieswhen and territories. In this role, he served as with FOX, FX, National Geographic and his training was not from as well-known an they’re put in front of you,” he said, the key point person for corporate support the Speed Channel, on projects including institution as some of his colleagues. recallinghowhehadtoovercomesome services for the division, working closely with theSuperBowl,theWorldSeriesandthe nervousness of his own when he was the company’s international programming, Daytona 500. In layman’s terms, Honeycutt “Fitchburg State gave me the confidence gettinghiscareerstarted.“Itwasscary advertising and affiliate sales teams to help describes himself as “a corporate go fix toseizetheseopportunities,”hesaid.“I stuff, but I knew that opportunity was develop business strategy, share critical things, go start things guy.” found I was just as capable as anyone else. being put in front of me. People don’t ask information and develop best practices. The name on the piece of paper is one thing; twice in business. When it’s put there, grab By 2003, he was recruited by Discovery how you apply it is something else. The it. Grab it with both hands.” In 2013, he led the expansion of Discovery’s Communications, tasked with designing and capabilities are what you make of them.” international operations through the building a new transmission center. acquisition of SBS Nordics—now SBS Fitchburg State University 37 ALUMNI NEWS
Primary School in Hollis, N.H. Daryl shared his story with Whilethere,sheheldthe supportersattheKickoff responsibilities of assistant Breakfast for the UMass principal, special education Medicine Cancer Walk on July coordinator and preschool 24, 2013. He told them how coordinator. Previously, she UMass Medical was his number was the assistant principal at one choice because he wanted the Ruggles Lane Elementary togototheplacethathe School in Barre and was credits with saving his life. Quabbin’s Title I (grant) director. Prior to joining Patrick M. Gerry ’08 was the Quabbin faculty, she elected councilor at large in worked in a North Middlesex Brittany S. Durgin ’08 was named one of 2013’s 40 of Gardner. He is a small business Regional School District Under Forty by the Worcester Business Journal. Durgin owner and has served four elementary school, teaching is the editor in chief at Worcester Magazine. In just five years on City Council and four grades one, three and five. years, she has served as staff photographer, online years on the School Committee. She also was a Title 1 reading editor, and editor in chief. She received awards for both MatthewL.Jatkola’08 is the teacher for students in grades her photography and reporting. She completed her first lead vocalist and contributes kindergarten through three. marathon May 2013 in the Lake District, England. guitar sounds for The Bynars, Peterson earned her master’s abandheformedin2008 in education in administration with a former Fitchburg State and special education from post-graduate work through University of Massachusetts classmate. The Bynars make Fitchburg State University the Merrimack Educational Medical School, an affiliate both synth and pop rock. and her bachelor of science Collaborative. of the same hospital where Their sound influences include in early childhood education he was successfully treated Daft Punk and, Jatkola said, from Framingham State Daryl E. Blaney ’08 is a fourth- for childhood leukemia when lyrically they are influenced by University. She is continuing year medical student at he was just three years old. TheBeatles,CaroleKingand
“It was so much more fulfilling,” she said. Teaching the “I wanted to work with at-risk children.”
teachers After nine years as a math teacher—mostly Tammi Chandler ’03, ’06 working with seventh-graders—Chandler was approached about taking on duties Teaching middle school was a career as a math coach for the Longsjo Middle change for Tammi Chandler, who began School’steachingstaff.Sheresistedatfirst, her professional career in the private fearful that she would miss the rewarding sector, training adults in California. But the individual relationships she had fostered prospect of working with younger students with her students. Those fears proved also appealed to her. unfounded, however, as she now spends time with every student in the school. After visiting friends in Fitchburg she planted roots—including starting As a coach, Chandler works with individual a family—in the city and eventually teachers to support areas of practice, at Fitchburg State, where she was sometimes co-teaching in the classroom. impressed by the strong connection She helps analyze data that drives between the university and the professional development tactics as well. FitchburgPublicSchools.Soonshewas Chandler was recognized for her efforts teachingatthemiddleschoollevel. last fall, when Fitchburg State selected
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Jackson Browne. The band presented “Solving the recently played at the North by Iranian Riddle: Diplomatic Northeast festival in Toronto andSecurityChallengesfor and has toured in Louisville, American Foreign Policy” to Chicago, Toronto, Montreal an audience of students and and Richmond. The Bynars faculty on November 4, 2013, at also put out high-quality music Fitchburg State University. The videos,oneofwhichhaswon presentation was sponsored by them first prize for best short theFitchburgStateUniversity film at the Solid Sound Film Center for Conflict and Festival in New York. More International Studies. about the band’s music, videos, and performance schedule can Melissa Siciliano ’08 earned be found on TheBynars.com. her doctor of pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts Michael P. Kushmerek ’08, College of Pharmacy and ’13 has assumed the role of Fitchburg State alumni reunited the evening of July 20, Health Sciences in Boston. director of annual giving at 2013 to enjoy a Boston harbor cruise. Front row, from On April 15, she was invited Fitchburg State University. He left: Danielle Dombrowski ’08, Nicole Mercado ’07, Amie backtotheFitchburgState has worked at the university (Roemer) Levasseur ’07, Samantha Bridgman ’07, Jean Le- campus to speak with students since 2008, most recently as vasseur’07,WesleyBeattie’06,Leslie(Roemer)Boudreau about her transition from assistant director of alumni ’07, Ryan Boudreau ’07.Backrow,fromleft:Brian Bond, Fitchburg to the Pharm.D relations.InadditiontohisB.S. SidDatta,MeaganMacaro’07,TimothyVernon’06,Emily program at MCPHS and her degree in history and political Torres ’05, Will Samatis. journeytobecomingaclinical science, he earned a master’s research pharmacist at Boston degree in history from Children’s Hospital where she FitchburgStatein2013.Inthe torepresentWard4 onthe Michael D. Miner ’08, Harvard is currently on staff. fall, Kushmerek was elected Fitchburg City Council. University teaching fellow, Daniel C. Daly ’09 is designing scenery for Dark Sisters,an opera by Nico Muhly, which “These are the great teachers Chandler was saluted for her leadership skills is the “emerging artists” and commitment to the profession that have production of Pittsburgh who years, even decades later been instrumental in increasing student Opera’s 75th anniversary season students can recall as making achievement at Longsjo. She is known as in Penn. a teacher of resilience and a turnaround a difference in their lives.” teacher who embraces the teaching of Patrick S. Johnson ’09 was challenging students. For her, student success appointed vice principal of her among eight of the Commonwealth’s is her greatest reward. Cameron Middle School in outstanding K-12 educators who had Framingham. Prior to his graduated from the system’s teacher Chandler, while flattered by the recognition, promotion, Johnson served preparation programs. noted she works daily with many teachers fouryearsatWalshMiddle who are just as deserving of accolades. She School in Framingham, was a “Tammi Chandler is exemplary of the livesinFitchburgwithherhusband,Michael, technology teacher at Maynard extraordinary teachers that Fitchburg State and their sons, Austin and Ethan. High School for one year and the entire State University system are and a technology teacher at graduating each and every year,” President The Massachusetts State Universities Maynard Middle School for 13 Antonucci said. “These are the great teachers continue to educate more than one-third of years. He earned a bachelor’s who are adept at helping all students learn all public educators in Massachusetts. degree from Johnson and and who care deeply about the education and Wales, a master’s degree from wellbeing of their students. These are the Northeastern, and a certificate great teachers who years, even decades later ofadvancedgraduatestudies students can recall as making a difference in from Fitchburg State. their lives.” Fitchburg State University 39 ALUMNI NEWS
2010s
Thomas P. Chalifour ’09, Tiffany M. Begin ’10 is engaged coordinator;JessicaL.Killam Nicholas R. Puccio ’10 was of Beverly was director of to Dwight G. Stearns ’10 and ’13ofPlaistow,N.H.,whowas namedthenewheadcoachof photography on the horror/ they plan to be married in Octo- stage manager; and cast mem- the Bison baseball team at Nic- comedy short film called “The ber 2014. bers Jessie Notaro of Clinton, hols College in Dudley. Puccio Creed,” which premiered in Justin P. Nelson ’13 of Fitchburg, spent the prior three seasons at Salem last October. The short Daniel J. Marcum ’10,ofPel- Jordan R. McCormack ’11 of Wheaton College and was a key film (22 minutes) was a new ham, N.H., co-wrote “Outside Fitchburg, Benjamin B. Hassey member of the coaching staff venture for Chalifour, who lives the Wire,” a play about the ’11 of Falmouth and Tyler Welsh that guided the team to three in Brooklyn, N.Y. For the last life-changing impact of war ofWestWareham,andThomas NCAATournamentappearances five years, he has worked as a on returning soldiers and their E. Karner ’14 of Hopkinton. - including the College World camera operator on TV reality families. It was presented Series National Championship shows and documentaries, toanationalaudienceatthe Kim M. Pho ’10 was awarded, at game in 2012. Puccio began his including HGTV’s “What 2013 Capital Fringe Festival in the University of Connecticut collegiate coaching career in Not To Wear” and “Cousins Washington, D.C. Other alumni Higher Education & Student Af- 2008 at Dean College, where Undercover.” The film was involved were John W. Crory fairs program annual meeting, he was the top assistant coach shot in Fitchburg and other ’07,’11ofTownsendwhowas the Richard D. Blackburn New and recruiting coordinator for Massachusetts locations. producer and public relations ProfessionalAward,giventoan twoyears.Hereturnedtohis individual who demonstrates alma mater, Fitchburg State, the potential for excellence in in 2010 and spent one year as State in 2010. He is currently the field of college union and Christine S. Brigham ’08 has an assistant coach and camp workingtowardsamaster’s student activities. Pho was rec- joined the law firm of Gelinas coordinator with the Falcons degree in sports management ognized for making an imme- and Ward, LLP, in Leominster. before he moved on to work as at American Public University. BrighamearnedaB.S.in diate and profound impact on an assistant coach at Southeast- political science from Fitchburg students at her institution, en- ern Iowa Community College Jillian P. Burdick ’11 became State University, graduating hancing the services provided in 2011. Puccio is currently the Field Coordinator at summa cum laude. She holds by her department to help build the hitting coach and camp Health Care and Rehabilitation a juris doctorate from the community on campus. Pho director for the Hyannis Harbor Services in Springfield, Vt., Massachusetts School of Law, graduated from Fitchburg State Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball in October 2013, supervising graduating magna cum laude in May 2013. She was also in2010,earnedadegreefrom League. He received his asso- providers who have clients named a Sullivan Scholar, awarded to the Massachusetts the University of Connecticut in ciateofartsineducationfrom living in their homes. Prior to School of Law student with the highest grade point average. 2012 and has worked at Notre DeanCollegein2007andhis this, Burdick worked as a case Dame University since then. bachelor of science in interdis- manager for the organization. ciplinary studies from Fitchburg
20,000 disasters a year, the most common Helping Hands being single family fires.
Jennifer Kurtinitis ’04 “It’s our volunteers going out there to help Ifservingothersisregardedasarewarding people 24/7, 365 days a year,” Kurtinitis said career, then Jennifer Kurtinitis has the most when she returned to campus this spring fulfilling of all. Kurtinitis, a 2004 graduate, is as the International and Conflict Studies the manager of the Online Disaster Training keynote speaker. “We prevent and alleviate System for the American Red Cross National the pain of others.” Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 2011, Kurtinitis helped provide tornado Kurtinitis originally started as a volunteer disasterreliefintheSouth—theRed for the Red Cross and then began working Cross’s largest disaster operation since as a member of the staff responsible for Hurricane Katrina. “People live through organizing local disaster teams. In total, thatandwecomeinandhelpthemrecover disaster teams respond to more than from that and move on,” she said.
40 Contact Summer 2014 ALUMNI NEWS
Senior Airman Jean Marc AmyE.Bracket’13has recently Tchazou ’11 became a United had her capstone paper pub- States citizen July 4, 2013. Born lishedinNursingandHealth, in Douala, Cameroon, Tchazou is published by Horizon Research a finance specialist with the 439th Publishing. AirliftWing.HefledCameroon in 2007 due to political instabil- Joseph E. Caveney ’13 was hon- ity. Tchazou came to America ored on September 16, 2013, by with a bachelor’s degree in theFitchburgStateicehockey finance from Douala University team, with a personalized Christopher McKillop ’08, Lauren McDonald ’10 and andgraduatedfromFitchburg photo hanging in the lobby of Timothy Graham ’11,organizedthe5th annual Fitchburg State University with a master’s theWallaceCivicCenter. State University Alumni Pub Tour on June 7, 2014. The degree in accounting. Richard L. Greene ’13 is en- event was attended by more than 150 alumni and friends rolled in Bentley University’s of the university, raising more than $1,500 for student Alyssa A. Cali ’12 has been dual degree professional MBA scholarship support. accepted to the Doctor of Os- teopathic Medicine program at program. the University of New England EmmaF.(Svoboda)Liebowitz in Biddeford, Maine. State in 2010. He is currently Jordan R. Cannava ’11 will grad- ’13 was hired as principal of workingtowardsamaster’s uate from the police academy Decio D. Matos ’12 of Fall River Sanderson Academy in Ashfield, degree in sports management on August 5 and will begin married Stacey A. Tabicas on where she once taught. at American Public University. working for the Medford Police July 13, 2013. Decio graduated Department. from Bridgewater State Univer- JillianP.Burdick’11became sityin2007andreceivedamas- the Field Coordinator at Mark R. Riolo ’11 has been ter’s degree from Fitchburg Health Care and Rehabilitation appointed center director of State University in 2012. He is a Services in Springfield, Vt., Grafton Job Corps. He holds a mathematics teacher. in October 2013, supervising graduate degree in educational providers who have clients leadershipfromFitchburgState Samantha Glaze-Corcoran ’13 living in their homes. Prior to University and is a licensed pub- was appointed to the Fitchburg this, Burdick worked as a case lic school administrator within Conservation Commission on manager for the organization. the state of Massachusetts. December 3, 2013.
20,000 disasters a year, the most common The Red Cross works in conjunction with rounded,” Kurtinitis said of her college being single family fires. other local services and organizations to experience, which included involvement with ensure that every need of the disaster cycle the dance club, track team, and an internship “It’s our volunteers going out there to help is met. She also revealed that due to serious abroad. “I translated those skills into my work people 24/7, 365 days a year,” Kurtinitis said damages,manylocalbusinessesdon’treopen with the Red Cross.” when she returned to campus this spring after a disaster, another element of disaster as the International and Conflict Studies relief the Red Cross provides. “It makes them Though rebuilding communities after a keynote speaker. “We prevent and alleviate feelliketheycandosomethingtohelpmove natural disaster is a daunting task, Kurtinitis the pain of others.” themselvesforward,”saidKurtinitis. has gained a sense of pride from her work with the Red Cross. “Participating in disaster In 2011, Kurtinitis helped provide tornado While learning to prepare for a natural response is the supreme gratification,” she disasterreliefintheSouth—theRed disaster is not explicitly taught at Fitchburg said. “It’s very rewarding to be in the field Cross’s largest disaster operation since State, Kurtinitis feels that she gained skills and know that you’ve made a difference in Hurricane Katrina. “People live through here that are useful in her career. “I got to someone’s life.” thatandwecomeinandhelpthemrecover do a lot of different things. I did everything from that and move on,” she said. I could that helped me feel more well- —CH
Fitchburg State University 41 ALUMNI NEWS
The Thrill Ride is one of the alter egos Wrestling with for James Abreau, who graduated from viral fame Fitchburg State in 2008 with a degree in political science. As a student, Abreau—a James Abreau ’08 Mansfield native—was a standout on the university’sMootCourtteamandafierce It’sasimplevideo,justamediumclose-up competitor on the baseball field. shot from a camera mounted near the dash- board of a car. But this electrifyingly boast- The scholar-athlete–who played football, ful—“brief and ferocious,” in the words of hockey and basketball in his youth be- its creator— three-minute video from the fore graduating to weight training—also self-proclaimed “One Man Thrill Ride,” en nurtured an abiding and enduring love for route to the Fitchburg State alumni baseball professionalwrestling,withitsoversized gamelastfall,hadahugeimpact. characterizations and latent sense of humor.
A E
Alumni with the current Falcons team pose at Elliott Field at the Alumni Men’s Soccer Alumnae after the Alumnae Field Hockey Game on August 24, 2013. This year’s event will be held on August 23, 2014. Game on September 15, 2013.
Alumnae at the Alumnae Softball Alumnae with the current Falcons team Game on October 19, 2013. after the Alumnae Lacrosse Game on October 5, 2013.
42 Contact Summer 2014 ALUMNI NEWS
The wrestler adopted the simpler moniker life,” Abreau states, before warning the appearances that followed the video’s of Jimmy Preston, aka The One Man Thrill current starting pitcher that, “I hit .400 in explosion.He’sbeenworkingtoparlaythe Ride. And it was the Thrill Ride that capti- my sleep and I eat fastballs for breakfast!” online notoriety into greater visibility as a vated online audiences after one memora- pro wrestler, a field he entered at age 18 ble autumn morning. But a transcript does not do justice to the andreturnedtoafterfinishinghiscollege delivery. degree. He’s had matches with famous “I hit .400 in my sleep wrestlers like Jake “The Snake” Roberts, The video quickly went viral, generating Tito Santana, Matt Hardy, Vader and The and I eat fastballs for hits from Boston sports radio and websites Godfather and is currently working with and garnering much attention for Abreau. breakfast!” independent promoters Big Time Wrestling As of late spring the video had nearly and Northeast Wrestling, among others. “I am in the parking lot right now, hammer- 400,000 views on YouTube. ing a bacon, egg and chee – hold the chee Abreauspendshisdaysasamedicalsoft- Abreau insists the video was all in good – in preparation to go deep, with four hits, ware sales representative for an indus- fun and he was gracious in his praise for and put on a laser show the likes of which try-leading company in the Boston area. theteamonthenumerousTVandradio you have never witnessed in your entire
Alumnae after the Alumnae Field Hockey Alumni pose with the current Falcons team Alumni with the current Falcons pose at Riccards Field Game on September 15, 2013. before the Jimmy Sheehan Alumni Cross-Country at the Alumni Men’s Baseball Game on September 29, 2013. Invitational on September 6, 2013.
Visions 2014 included a panel discussion featuring Com- munications Media alumni, from left: Nicole Nunes ’10, project manager at Gate 3 Design; Jocelyn Willis ’10, of the MuseumofRussianIcons;MichaelBavaro’83,ownerand Alumnae with the current Falcons team filmmaker at Digital Freeway; and Dan Cutrona ’02, of Dan after the Alumnae Lacrosse Game on October 5, 2013. Cutrona Photography.
Fitchburg State University 43 ALUMNI NEWS IN MEM IAM
Marguerite (O’Gara) Cook, ’29, AldenH.J.Sector’52, Richard Kullman ’68, ofSomerset,onNovember14,2013. of Sewickley, Penn., on May 6, 2013. of Lunenburg, on May 31, 2013.
Minnie S. (Perlstein) Press ’35, Marion E. Hugo ’54, Marie (Forgue) Gavin ’71, of South Windsor, Conn., on July 22, 2013. of Fitchburg, on July 22, 2012. of Holyoke, on February 27, 2013.
Doris (Wiley) Fardy ’38, Richard J. Bishop ’56, ’62, Edith M. Griggs ’71, of Concord, on February 24, 2014. of Lunenburg, on June 14, 2013. Bishop of Westminster, on December 19, 2012. received the Joel D. Miller Outstanding Edu- Irene M. (Moskos) Passios ’45, ’56, cator Award from Fitchburg State in 1977. Cheryl A. (Gagne) Harvey ’71, of Hingham, on April 15, 2014. Irene gradu- of Leominster, on June 14, 2013. ated from Fitchburg State Teachers College James F. Fitzpatrick ’56, and first taught in Jamestown, R.I. During of Millbury, on September 21, 2013. He leaves AnneC.Lemmo’71, these war years she met fellow Fitchburg his wife, Judith A. (Spang) Fitzpatrick ’58. of Leominster, on December 20, 2013. Alumnus Thomas C. Passios, a Bronze Star Margaret (Hatstat) Mazierski ’71, ’80, veteran of World War II, and they raised Gail (Canegallo) McDowell ’57, of Leominster, on March 25, 2011. five children. Irene was a classroom teacher of Springfield, on August 26, 2013. in the training school of Fitchburg State Edna L. (Lavezzo) Rebello ’57, GaryW.Sherman’71, College. Later having received her master’s of Sharon, on August 15, 2013. of New Bedford, on July 21, 2013. degree, she became a professor in the school of education. She was part of a team Agnes M. (Beauvais) Shepard ’59, Mary M. (Moore) Creed ’72, who wrote an innovative program for the of Richland Center, Wis., on June 10, 2013. of Leominster, on March 2, 2014. training of early childhood teachers. She also taught courses at Boston College. Her Frank S. Lucente ’60, Cathy A. (Calvi) Robuccio ’73, passion in education was the arts and the of Tolland, Conn., on March 15, 2012. of East Templeton, on October 9, 2013. tenets of Maria Montessori; she inspired Glenda (Soule) Homoliski ’74, many a teacher to incorporate these ideas Roberta A. (Fraser) Belk ’62, of Townsend, on April 16, 2013. in their teaching. When Irene left the pro- ofAmherst,onOctober9,2013. fession as Professor Emeritus, she had been Barbara J. (Hannula) Landry ’62, William H. Hubbard ’76, teacher and mentor to hundreds of future of Westminster, on November 12, 2013. of Townsend, on July 26, 2013. teachers, some of whom kept in touch throughout her lifetime. David Barry O’Donnell ’62, Donnarae (Gragen) Stinglen ’78, ofShrewsbury,onNovember12,2013. of Fitchburg, on October 26, 2013. JohnW.Feeley’42, ofWorcester,onNovember2,2013. Thomas D. Stanley ’62, Joseph A. McDonald ’79, of The Villages, Fla., on June 11, 2013. Tom of Taunton, on October 23, 2013. RobertJ.Gaudet’48, Stanley is survived by his wife of 53 years, of Fitchburg, on May 12, 2013. Mary A. (Pappadopoulos) Daiopulos ’80, Gerry (Bolduc) Stanley ’59, ’72. of Reading, on December 18, 2013. Bettina M. Asselta ’50, CarolynC.(Cygan)Anuszczyk’63, of Leominster, on November 12, 2013. Thomas J. O’Connell ’80, of South Dartmouth, on August 15, 2013. of Las Vegas, Nev., on July 1, 2013. William Chase ’50, John P. Catalini ’63, of Leominster, on January 21, 2014. Cynthia L. (Ayer) LeBlanc ’81, of Ashby, on May 23, 2014. of Leominster, on February 17, 2013. ThomasE.Convery’50,’53, Elwin Swicker ’63, of Medford, on May 4, 2013. Michael A. Mountzuris ’81, of Slingerlands, N.Y., on April 23, 2014. ofLeominster,onApril26,2014. James R. MacInnes ’51, Charlotte C. (Berry) Kennan ’64, of Peterborough, N.H. on June 13, 2013. Sylvia I. Bockstein ’82, of Petersham, on April 7, 2013. of Holden, on September 2, 2013. Edward P. Regan ’52, Bernard DiNatale ’66, of Chico, Calif., on February 11, 2014. Cheryl A. (Crawley) Carchidi ’82, of Dunstable, on December 31, 2013. He leaves of Leominster, on February 23, 2013. his wife Carolyn E. (Gagne) DiNatale ’65.
44 Contact Summer 2014 ALUMNI NEWS IN MEM IAM
LindaA.(Besnia)Turcotte’82, Augusto B. Costa ’88, ’89, William A. Theriault ’95, ofLeominster,onApril20,2013. of Rochester, on September 26, 2013. of Fairhaven, on September 20, 2013.
Mark S. Baldani ’83, JamesE.Lane’89, Arnold A. Gugarty ’00, of Ballston Spa, N.Y., on January 25, 2014. of Lunenburg, on September 29, 2013. of Worcester, on December 24, 2013. Mark still holds the university record for the 440 Hurdles in track and field. Carol A. Swaine ’89, Christopher M. Guilfoil ’02, of Leominster, on September 28, 2013. of Lunenburg, on December 22, 2013. David M. Parmeter ’83, of Maynard, on September 29, 2013. Daniel R. Adiletto ’92, Jacqueline J. Contaxes ’11, of Franklin, on June 7, 2013. of Fitchburg, on December 4, 2013. Mark J. Wedge ’84, of Brockton, on October 27, 2013. ThomasCrank,Sr.’94, Christopher L. Asmar ’13, of Fitchburg, on March 12, 2013. ofLeominster,onJuly30,2013. Althea R. (Moore) Cynewski ’86, of Amesbury, on January 26, 2013. Roxanne(Jones)Zaharchuk’94, of Westminster, on October 11, 2013.
Friends of the University Sister Mary A. Dooley, of Chicopee, on Dr.EverettArthurGarvin,former professor November 14, 2013. She was awarded of psychology and chair of the department, of Honorary Doctorates from American Groton, on July 15, 2013. International College, Assumption College, Fitchburg State University and College ofOurLadyoftheElms.
fsu family weekend_half page.indd 1 Fitchburg State6/26/2014 University 8:22:50 AM 45 ALUMNI NEWS
Adam Hoeg, pictured at right, with President Antonucci, Karen and Don Irving.
cholarship support is making a dif- ference in the lives of thousands of SFitchburg State students every year. Here are two of their stories.
Donald R. Irving ’72, ’79 and Karen A. Irving ’90 “Pay It Forward” Scholarship
Adam Hoeg has overcome childhood trauma and a difficult academic journey on the way to his college degree, but he found his calling when he enrolled at Fitchburg State University and hopes to pass on that favor through a career in higher education.
His own journey was made possible through the Donald R. Irving ’72, ’79 and Karen A. Irving ’90 “Pay It Forward” scholarship, launched in 2012. The scholarshipfundawardsatleastfour $5,000 scholarships annually.
Hoeg was raised in Bridgewater and struggled in high school. Enrolling at another college, Hoeg was able to earn decent grades but wanted to earn a four- S LA S I year degree. “In Fitchburg, it just clicked,” he said. “It SU MA E S was perfect.” His fascination with the campus made him an expert on university trivia, and Scholarship recipients are encouraged to give friends suggested he put that knowledge to work as a tour guide. Hoeg followed back to Fitchburg State later in life, in order their advice, and soon was working for Admissions and even training other tohelpthenextgenerationofstudents.ADAM guides. He also worked at the Athletics Hoeg, who benefited from a wide and supportive and Recreation Center, balancing his studies and his employment needs. network of family and friends during his Hoeg proved ready for the challenge, ownlife,foundanextensionofthatonthe graduating with honors this May with adegreeininterdisciplinarystudies.To Fitchburg State campus. The Irving Scholarship get there, however, he needed financial assistance, so he applied for the “Pay it isjustanotherexample,hesaid,andonehe Forward” scholarship and was surprised by the generosity of the $5,000 award. looks forward to emulating.
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Adam Hoeg, pictured at right, with President “Iwasblownaway,”hesaid.“Itreally of students. Hoeg, who benefited from Irving, president of Data Guide Cable Antonucci, Karen and Don Irving. changed my whole outlook for the year. a wide and supportive network of family Corp. in Gardner, is also a member of I’m the first in my family to even attempt and friends during his own life, found an the university’s Board of Trustees. Hoeg a four-year school, to say nothing of extensionofthatontheFitchburgState contacted the Irvings after receiving his cholarship support is making a dif- graduate school. The scholarship helped campus.TheIrvingScholarshipisjust scholarship, and was delighted to get to ference in the lives of thousands of out dramatically.” anotherexample,hesaid,andonehelooks know them. Fitchburg State students every year. S forward to emulating. Here are two of their stories. Mapping his future course, Hoeg wanted “The family couldn’t be more genuine,” topursueamaster’sdegreeinhigher “I want to work with students like myself, Hoeg said. Donald R. Irving ’72, ’79 and education administration. who four years ago couldn’t have imagined Karen A. Irving ’90 “Pay It where I’d be,” Hoeg said. “If I can do it, Hoeg enrolls this fall at Kent State Scholarship recipients are encouraged anyone can. I’d like to be the one who helps UniversityinOhio,wherehewill Forward” Scholarship togive backtoFitchburgState later in them get there.” pursueamaster’sinhighereducation life, in order to help the next generation administration. Adam Hoeg has overcome childhood trauma and a difficult academic journey on the way to his college degree, but he found his calling when he enrolled at Fitchburg State University and hopes to pass on that favor through a career in higher education. W I His own journey was made possible through the Donald R. Irving ’72, ’79 N I and Karen A. Irving ’90 “Pay It Forward” scholarship, launched in 2012. The scholarshipfundawardsatleastfour I $5,000 scholarships annually.
Hoeg was raised in Bridgewater and struggled in high school. Enrolling at another college, Hoeg was able to earn decent grades but wanted to earn a four- year degree.
“In Fitchburg, it just clicked,” he said. “It Sterilite Scholars was perfect.” In 2011, a million-dollar gift from Sterilite “I was having a really bad day at work,” she Briggleisnowplanningtopursueamas- His fascination with the campus made allowed Fitchburg State to launch the said. “Nothing was going right. I called my ter’s degree in leadership with a concentra- him an expert on university trivia, and Sterilite Scholars Program. In order to be mom to tell her about it and she told me tion in human resources at Northeastern friends suggested he put that knowledge considered for this scholarship, selected that she had some great news—I had been University. to work as a tour guide. Hoeg followed recipients must have a 3.0 GPA and chosen as one of the Sterilite scholarship “Withoutthisscholarship,Iwouldn’thave their advice, and soon was working for demonstrate financial need. They must recipients. That meant the world to me.” been able to afford graduate school. Now, Admissions and even training other also submit an essay explaining why they The Sterilite Scholars program includes I can pursue my dream of being a leader guides. He also worked at the Athletics areagoodcandidateforthescholarship.If $5,000infinancialassistanceaswellas in the human resources industry and build and Recreation Center, balancing his accepted, they are provided personalized educational opportunities outside the programs that will really benefit the em- studies and his employment needs. support and a $5,000 scholarship, renew- able annually. classroom. ployees.I’llbeabletomakeadifference.” Hoeg proved ready for the challenge, “They brought in speakers to teach us For more information about the Sterilite graduating with honors this May with For the 2013-2014 academic year, there about interviewing techniques, network- Scholars Program, please contact Fitch- adegreeininterdisciplinarystudies.To were three graduating seniors who had ing, how to build our resume, budgeting, burg State Enrollment Management at get there, however, he needed financial been awarded the scholarship. Shannon credit cards, 401k plans and more,” Briggle 978-665-3145. assistance, so he applied for the “Pay it Briggle was among them, and recalls learn- said. “Basically, we learned how to prepare Forward” scholarship and was surprised by ing about her scholarship award. forthejobmarketandforlifeingeneral the generosity of the $5,000 award. after graduation. It was great.”
Fitchburg State University 47 Come home... FOR A QUALITY, AFFORDABLE GRADUATE EDUCATION
ComeFOR ACome QUALITY, home... AFFORDABLE home... GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR A QUALITY, AFFORDABLE GRADUATE EDUCATION
Offering graduate degree and certificate programs, including: Offering graduate AppliedOffering Communication graduatedegree and certificate Behaviordegree Analyst and certificateprograms, Certificate including: programs, including: BiologyApplied Communication Fall Semester Applied Communication Computer ScienceBehavior Analyst Certificate Behavior Analyst CertificateBiology SeptemberFall 4 – Semester December 17, 2014 Counseling Biology Computer Science Fall Semester SeptemberVisit www.fitchburgstate.edu/courses 4 – December 17, 2014 ComputerEducation ScienceCounseling September 4 – December 17, 2014 EducationalCounseling LeadershipEducation for a completeVisit www.fitchburgstate.edu/courses listing of our fall courses. and ManagementEducationEducational Leadership Visit www.fitchburgstate.edu/coursesfor a complete listing of our fall courses. and Management for a complete listing of our fall courses. EducationalEnglish Leadership For more information, contact Marylyn Gainan at 978-665-3660 and Management For more information, contact Marylyn Gainan at 978-665-3660 English or email [email protected]. Forensic NursingEnglishForensic (online) Nursing (online)For more information, contactor email Marylyn [email protected]. Gainan at 978-665-3660 ForensicHistory Nursing (online)History or emailOnline [email protected] courses courses available. available. Register Register today! today! Online courses available. Register today! MBA (alsoHistory online)MBA (also online) www.fitchburgstate.edu/gcewww.fitchburgstate.edu/gce Special EducationMBA (alsoSpecial (online/hybrid) online) Education (online/hybrid) www.fitchburgstate.edu/gce Special Education (online/hybrid) Come home... FOR A QUALITY, AFFORDABLE GRADUATE EDUCATION
Offering graduate degree and certificate programs, including: Applied Communication Behavior Analyst Certificate Biology Fall Semester Computer Science September 4 – December 17, 2014 Counseling Education Visit www.fitchburgstate.edu/courses Educational Leadership for a complete listing of our fall courses. and Management English For more information, contact Marylyn Gainan at 978-665-3660 Forensic Nursing (online) or email [email protected]. History Online courses available. Register today! MBA (also online) www.fitchburgstate.edu/gce Special Education (online/hybrid) Alumni Association 160 Pearl Street Fitchburg, MA 01420
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New views have been opened on the quad.