WINTER 2011-2012 UMassLowell M A G A Z I N E F O R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S Roots and Responsibility The Generosity of Rob and Donna Manning Page 28 Rob ’84 and Donna ’85, ’91 Manning Page 22 From Logan to LAX Page 34 Andre Dubus III: Haverhill to Hollywood Page 38 Killing Fields Survivors Tell Their Stories Page 40 Introducing the Circle of Distinction Page 57 Donor Report of Gifts 2011 Winter 2011-2012 The UMass Lowell Alumni Magazine is published by: A Message From Office of Public Affairs University of Massachusetts Lowell Chancellor Martin T. Meehan ’78 One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 The college experience can be daunting to a student who is often living away 978-934-3223 [email protected] from home for the first time, sometimes the first member of his or her family with a chance to pursue a degree. Chancellor Martin T. Meehan Financial assistance—which often represents a vote of confidence to a student, Vice Chancellor of along with a connection to an alumnus or a friend of the University—can University Relations prove to be life-altering for scholarship recipients. Patti McCafferty In this issue of the UMass Lowell Magazine, you’ll learn about some of the people who give so much Vice Chancellor for Advancement to our students, helping to provide the best education possible. We are deeply grateful to them— Edward Chiu whether the gift is large or small. It all makes a difference. Director of Publications and Publisher The generosity of our alumni and friends takes many forms: it may help fund a scholarship, purchase Mary Lou Hubbell equipment for a lab, support an academic, research or outreach program or endow a teaching chair. Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Advancement Every day at the University, we are keenly focused on our students, preparing them to be work ready, Diane Earl life ready and world ready. But we simply cannot do it alone. We need you—alumni and friends of the University. Executive Director of Alumni Relations The magazine also helps keep you up-to-date with the latest campus and alumni activities—and they Lily Mendez-Morgan are many. Browse these pages. Check out www.uml.edu. Or better yet, drop by the campus and Associate Director see all the activity for yourself. of Alumni Relations Heather Makrez Communications Manager Nichole Carter Marty Meehan ’78 Chancellor Editor Sarah McAdams CALENDAR OF EVENTS Staff Writers Edwin Aguirre Jan. 6: UMass Lowell Alumni Ice Skate @ Fenway Park Karen Angelo Geoffrey Douglas Jan. 28: Delta Kappa Phi Reunion @ River Hawks vs. UMass Amherst hockey game, Bob Ellis Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell Sheila Eppolito Jill Gambon Jan. 28: Sigma Phi Omicron Reunion @ River Hawks vs. UMass Amherst hockey game, Julia Gavin Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell Christine Gillette Elizabeth James Feb. 4-5: UMass Lowell in India Jack McDonough Feb. 10: Third Annual Residence Life, Orientation Leader and SGA Reunion @ River Hawks vs. Dave Perry Merrimack hockey game, Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell Sandra Seitz Feb. 19: 10th Annual Wine Dinner @ Ricardo’s in Lowell Please send address changes to: Feb. 25: Engineering Alumni night @ River Hawks vs. Merrimack College, University of Massachusetts Lowell Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell Office of University Advancement Southwick 250, One University Ave., Apr. 3: Plastics Engineering Alumni and Friends dinner @ ANTEC Conference, Florida Lowell, MA 01854-2882 [email protected] May 25: Commencement Eve Celebration, UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center 978-934-2223 May 26: 40th & 50th Reunions, UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center UMass Lowell is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action, Title IX, H/V, ADA 1990 Employer. Civil War Book Club Alumni are invited to participate in “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War” —a five-part discussion series led by History Prof. Michael Pierson on Jan. 24, Feb. 21, March 20, April 3 and April 24. Registration: http://libguides.uml.edu/LTAI. Materials: [email protected]. Learning with Purpose W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 UMassLowell M A G A Z I N E F O R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S V O L U M E 1 4 N U M B E R 3 C A M P U S L I F E A L U M N I L I F E 3 OUR WORLD 44 ALUMNI EVENTS F E AT U R E S 47 CLASS NOTES 11 STUDENT SCENE From Logan to LAX, From Safety to Security: 22 Reflections of Operations Chief Steve Martin ’78 ‘We Could Create Huge Changes’ 26 Brewing Coffee, Saving Forests, Bettering Lives Roots and Responsibility 28 55 IN MEMORIAM The Generosity of Rob and Donna Manning 14 LAB NOTES Killing Fields Survivors Tell Their Stories 38 17 SPORTS UPDATE University Teams up With Cambodian Students From Haverhill to Hollywood 34 ‘A Happy Accident’ for Author and Professor Andre Dubus III Face of Philanthropy 36 Bob ’71 and Gail Ward: Saving Lives and Growing Grapes Circle of Distinction 40 Editor’s Note The Few, Whose Generosity Lights the Way Please send comments to Editor Sarah McAdams at [email protected]. Donor Report of Gifts 2011 57 Submit class notes to: Class Notes Editor, Southwick 250, 1 University Ave., Lowell, MA 01854 or www.uml.edu/ad- vancement/classnotes. LOWELL TEXTILE SCHOOL • MASSACHUSETTS STATE NORMAL SCHOOL • STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE AT LOWELL • LOWELL TEXTILE INSTITUTE LOWELL TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE • MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGE AT LOWELL • LOWELL STATE COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY OF LOWELL W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 UMASS LOWELL MAGAZINE 1 Inside... 3 OUR WORLD 11 STUDENT SCENE CampusLife 14 LAB NOTES 17 SPORTS UPDATE Music studies major Miles Collins-Wooley lets loose during a master class featuring West African drumming and dance with Joh Camard. 2 UMASS LOWELL MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 Ourworld C A M P U S N E W S Students Help Shape U.S. Senate Debate UMass Lowell students partici- media outlets and thousands political science major who pated in democracy in action at of followers online. participated in the Herald’s an Oct. 4 U.S. Senate Demo- Participating candidates focus group of six UMass Low- cratic primary debate on cam- were Tom Conroy, Marisa ell students and three faculty pus. Dozens of students played DeFranco, Alan Khazei, Bob members. During the debate, a role in the event—helping Massie, Herb Robinson, Eliza- focus group members shared to shape the debate’s format, beth Warren and Setti Warren. their reactions with a Herald firing off questions as panelists, Four students served as pan- reporter and formulated a ques- serving as timekeepers and elists, asking questions of the tion, which was then posed to ushers, participating in a candidates who hope to chal- the candidates. Boston Herald focus group lenge U.S. Sen. Scott Brown “This is a perfect example and suggesting questions via next year. Their questions of how an activity like a Facebook and Twitter. probed both policy positions political debate can be a real The debate, the first among such as the withdrawal of U.S. learning experience for stu- Democratic Senate candidates, troops from Afghanistan and dents that they cannot get in attracted a capacity crowd of more personal topics like how a classroom. As a result, this UMass Lowell students participated in the Senate nearly 1,000. Co-sponsored by the candidates paid for college. enriches their education at the newly launched UMass UMass Lowell and engages debate in many ways — as panelists, focus group The level of student in- members and as timekeepers (above). Lowell Center for Public Opin- volvement and the heavy use them in the community,” said ion, the UMass Lowell Political of social media will set a new Prof. Frank Talty, director of Science Club and the Boston standard for political debates, the Center for Public Opinion. Herald, the event attracted predicted Ryan Bounsy, a senior scores of local and national W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 UMASS LOWELL MAGAZINE 3 Ourworld Ground has broken on South Campus for a new academic building that will be home to health and social sciences programs. Prof. Regina Panasuk REGINA PANASUK NAMED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR Prof. Regina M. Panasuk of the Graduate School of Education, acclaimed by fellow faculty members and students alike for her outstanding service to UMass Lowell for nearly two decades, has been awarded the distinguished title of University Professor. Major Projects Give Panasuk is “an exception- UMass Lowell Campus al professor … who works harder than could be reason- an Exciting New Look ably expected of any individ- ual because she loves her The hammers were swinging all summer as two major projects—the career and is dedicated to construction of the Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center improving the quality of (ETIC) on North Campus and the Health and Social Sciences mathematics education for Building (HSSB) on South—as well as myriad major renovations all,” says Anita Greenwood, took shape. interim dean of the Gradu- The ETIC will bring together world-renowned and next-generation ate School of Education. research leaders to develop solutions to complex scientific challenges The appointment carries facing society today—energy, health, environment, communications Robert ’71 and Gail Ward tour the future Robert with it a stipend of $10,000, and security.