Westfield state University Focus Magazine Design

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FOCUS
T H E 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 O F W E S T F I E L D S TAT E
Spotlighting Technology
and Services
FA L L 2 0 1 0
FOCUS
FALL 2010
Editor
Janice Beetle Godleski ’85
Beetle Press
Design Editor
Janet Garcia ’83 M Ed ’04
Director of Marketing
Designer
G. John Devanski
Guy With Glasses Design
Photographer
David Harris-Fried
Enrollment Management
Editorial Board
Glen Brewster, Professor
English Department
Mickey Curtis
Athletics
Michael Filas, Professor
English Department
Janet Garcia ’83 M Ed ’04
Enrollment Management
George Layng, Professor
English Department
Marsha Marotta
Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Craig Phelon
Advancement and College Relations
Class Notes
Kelly Galanis
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE
Chrysta Wheeler ’11
Contributing Writers:
Suzanne Boniface ’92, Kathi Bradford,
Mickey Curtis, Dr. Evan S. Dobelle, Kelly
A. Galanis, Janice Beetle Godleski ’85,
Jessica Gray ’10, Jenn Krok ’09, Claudia
Moore-O’Brien, M.Ed ’00, Craig Phelon,
Robert Plasse, Brooke Wilson ’10 ,
Chrysta Wheeler ’11
Printing
Mansir Printing
ISSN 1520-7641
F r o m t h e E d it o r
Westfield State—A Click Away
Table of Contents
By Janice Beetle Godleski
On Campus Pages 3-5
in the pursuit of technology.
Tracey Innella Pinto. She was a classmate of
mine in 1985. Everybody knew Tracey. She was
For starters, prospective students can find the
University online. They can learn about athletic
active and involved in all aspects of campus life,
and she was friendly. She always had a smile and
and academic offerings, take a virtual tour of the
campus and reach out to staff for more informaa wave for you.
tion. They can watch Westfield State athletic
I can’t say I’ve thought of Tracey on a daily
basis in these past 25 years—that is, until Tracey
events streaming, live. There are telephones in
dorm rooms, and most students have their own
created a Facebook page for the 25th Reunion for
cell phones, which get good
the Class of 1985, and then, I
service on the campus. Students
thought of her often since I had
also have personal computers or
email and Facebook messages
from her at least weekly.
laptops, and they can use their
laptops anywhere on cam Tracey used Facebook and
pus, thanks to the University’s
other means of social media to
wireless updates. They can use
organize the reunion in June.
their laptops to check in with
Again, she was a presence and
a face for the University.
their friends on Facebook or to
research a school project.
Like Tracey, Westfield State
Musical theater students, art
University has a major presence
students—students in all majors,
on the Internet and on social
really—have state-of-the-art
media sites such as Twitter and
technology available to them.
LinkedIn. Prospective students
Students are learning so much
and parents can find informaabout technology at Westfield,
tion about the University in
that alumni are now starting to report how they
moments.
have used technology to become successful
Back when I was looking for a college, I needed
business owners. And many students are taking
a map and the telephone to get what I needed.
advantage of the opportunity to earn a Westfield
When I became a student, the dozens of girls
State degree on line.
on my dorm floor shared a
Westfield State has made
pay phone—one per floor.
Westfield has done an
getting an education easier
I was a minor in computer
extraordinary amount of
than ever before with its
science, and the computer
work to stay on the cutting online learning programs.
we had to work with was a
Westfield has done an
giant main frame in one of
edge and to continue to be
extraordinary
amount of
the academic buildings. It
a competitive college for
work
to
stay
on
the cutting
took up an entire room, and
students and alumni. As you
it allowed us computer sciedge and to continue to be
read this edition you will
ence majors to write software
a competitive college for
learn some of the changes
students and alumni. As you
programs, not using html
that the University has done read this edition you will learn
code but using punch cards
that ran through this giant
to enhance its technology and some of the changes that
main frame. (I think Bill Gates to make it more user friendly. the University has done to
was diligently working on the
enhance its technology and to
make it more user friendly.
PC at this time.)
Students, and alumni, like Tracey, have
As a member of the Musical Theater Guild,
kept pace and been impressed with all the
we struggled to be heard on the stage. The
improvements.
acoustics were bad, and the technology was,
well, the best that was available at the time,
Tracey, I will continue to look for you on
Facebook... and Westfield State. I will keep in
which isn’t saying much.
touch and remain active and know you are right
Now, as you will read in this fall issue of FOCUS
magazine, Westfield State has come a long way
there in cyberspace at a finger click. n
FO C U S M A G A ZI NE • FA L L 2010
Alumni on the Go Pages 6-11
Faculty Center Pages 12-15
Athletics Pages 16-19
Alumni News and Notes Pages 24-25
Class Notes Pages 26-31
Homecoming 2010 Page 33
On Our Cover
Inside this issue of FOCUS
magazine, learn how
the campus is improving
technology and services.
We’d love to hear from you!
Want to get involved?
Join the Westfield State Alumni Fan page or group on
Facebook and LinkedIn; follow us on Twitter@WestfieldState
and @WestfieldAlumni; call 413-572-5404, 413-572-5228; or
email kbradford@wsc.ma.edu or kgalanis@wsc.ma.edu
FOCUS magazine is published for Westfield State University two times a year. The mission of the magazine is to highlight the work
of the administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni at the University and to share with the wider community the stories of
excellence on campus. FOCUS magazine welcomes story ideas and story submissions. Ideas and stories can be offered to Editor
Janice Beetle Godleski ’85 at (413) 374-6239 or via e-mail at beetlepress@charter.net. Stories must be of interest to the general
readership and should be no longer than 600 words. Class Notes, highlighting alums’ personal or vocational views, are also welcome and can be sent to kgalanis@wsc.ma.edu. Deadline for the Spring 2011 issue is Dec. 15, 2010.
FOC US MA G A ZI NE • FA L L 2010
1
Fr o m t h e P r e s id e n t
On Cam p u s
Ahead of the Tech Curve at Westfield State
As President of an institution of higher
learning that has long prided itself on its
founding principles of quality, innovation and accessibility, I am proud to say
that Westfield State is on the cutting edge
of all things technological. In this Age of
Information, when advances are regularly
changing the way we learn, do business,
communicate and relate to each other,
we continue to reflect the times in which
we live.
It is interesting to note that in 1838 when
educator and social reformer Horace Mann
was changing the face of education with his
founding of Westfield as the first public coeducational college without barriers to race,
gender or economic class, the world of communication was also being revolutionized.
“...I am proud to say that
Westfield State is on the cutting
edge of all things technological.
In this Age of Information, when
advances are regularly changing
the way we learn, do business,
communicate and relate to each
other, we continue to reflect the
times in which we live.”
In January of that historic year, Samuel
F.B. Morse, a well-known portrait artist and
arts professor, introduced his new invention- the telegraph, to an amazed public.
America marveled at how his machine
could transmit ten words per minute
across the electromagnetic airwaves,
using Morse’s dot-dash code. Nearly two
centuries later, technology continues to
astound. Imagine what Morse would say if
he spent time with our students, when at
the push of a button or touch of a screen,
they are instantly connected, using technology to help them achieve academic
success.
The majority of these “digital natives,”
as John Palfrey and Urs Gasser, co-authors
of the groundbreaking book, Born Digital
(New York: Basic Books, 2008) call them,
were born after 1981, when IBM first introduced the personal computer. Unafraid to
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use Facebook, blog or skype and enter the
lands of virtual reality, they are adept at
social networking and negotiating the iPad
and the iPod. However, they may be less
skilled at using technology to further their
academic goals, according to Lynn Zayac,
our Director of the Center for Instructional
Technology (CIT).
accessed anywhere on campus—from the
Ely Library to the football field. Computer
labs provide access to the internet for those
who do not have their own PCs and for students taking online courses there is a 24-7
help desk.
While faculty members are also developing course websites using the Plato Course
Management System to post syllabi, assignments and video mini-lectures, their students are creating course content, employing digital storytelling, podcasts, blogs and
collaborative documents called “wikis” as
“Westfield has fast
become a leader in the
field of online learning.
We are now offering
more than 300 online
courses yearly.”
They are not alone. Older individuals may
need help to navigate the changing digital
landscape. Palfrey and Gasser call us “digital
immigrants,” eager and willing to learn, but
often overwhelmed by the buttons, icons
and language of the 21st century.
With the help of CIT, our IT department
and savvy communications gurus, Westfield
is diving deep, “accessing rivers, as well
as oceans of information,” as Palfrey and
“With the help of CIT, our
IT department and savvy
communications gurus, Westfield
is diving deep, “accessing
rivers, as well as oceans of
information,”...to take advantage
of technology and to prepare our
students for their professional
lives in the 21st century.”
Gasser suggest, to take advantage of technology and to prepare our students for their
professional lives in the 21st century. Smart
classrooms are outfitted with computers,
screens and projectors. The web can be
part of their learning experience. Some
professors are conducting virtual office
hours in addition to their traditional face to
face hours and there’s a virtual island called
“Westfield State University” with two conference centers that will house workshops and
classes, using “Second Life” technology.
As you see, Westfield has fast become a
leader in the field of online learning. We are
now offering more than 300 online courses
yearly. Our new Business Management
Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program—
the first of its kind at a Massachusetts state
college—boasts articulation agreements
with 14 Massachusetts community colleges.
Technology is helping us all to stay connected. Just click on our new interactive
website at www.wsc.ma.edu to discover
everything that you need to know. Just
access www.westfieldalumni.org to keep
informed about all the new trails that are
being blazed.
My thanks to everyone who is moving
us forward—from the “digital pioneers”
who create and manipulate our software to
the “digital natives” and “immigrants” who
dare to venture forward and explore “the
next new idea” in this challenging Age of
Information. Hope you will join us online! n
‘Just A Few Clicks’
Westfield State launches new Web site
By Claudia Moore-O’Brien, M.Ed ’00
a busy day. With such a
Westfield State
large and varied group
launched a new Web
of people seeking inforsite in June. Just as the
mation about Westfield
campus is abuzz with
State, the Web site is an
activity, so is its Web site.
essential guide to the
The University evaluated
University. Moreover,
its former Web site and
we want people to find
decided to ramp it up,
what they’re looking for
make it easier to navigate,
in the minimum number
provide more information
of “clicks” on their
and reflect the spirit and
computers.
feel of the campus.
Designing and
The University has a
launching the new Web
variety of audiences that
site took over a year.
visit the Web site on a
Starting with a comdaily basis, ranging from
mittee of three and a
prospective students,
subcommittee of five,
to high school guidance
Westfield State staff
counselors, to current
outlined the goals of
Westfield State students,
the project. Put sucfaculty and staff. In addiAlyssa Goodreau
cinctly, they determined
tion, Westfield alumni and
that there were three areas of concentration: the Web site’s content,
surrounding neighborhood community members like to know what
design and organization. As web administrator, Alyssa Goodreau says,
is going on at Westfield State. The number of people accessing the
“The site consisted of thousands of pages of content that had to be
University’s Web site ranges from about 6,000 a day to over 24,000 on
Continued on page 23
Westfield State Launches New Alumni Website Offering simplified ways to stay connected
The Office of Alumni Relations launched their new alumni website
in May 2010. The sleek new site offers easy navigation, a classic layout
and a smorgasbord of features. After careful consideration of a new
website vendor, the office chose FinalSite as the vendor for this site, a
company specializing in modern, simplistically designed sites for secondary schools, colleges and universities.
Visitors to http://www.westfieldalumni.org will be welcomed to an
easy-to-navigate site. Users can explore and will find the following
features on the site:
• Event Registration – Find out about upcoming events, register and
pay online using most major credit cards through our secure server!
• Alumni Store – Purchase Alumni sweatshirts and camp chairs or visit
our online Barnes and Noble bookstore where each purchase results
in a donation from you to our scholarship fund.
• Online Giving – Make your tax-deductible donation to
Westfield State!
• FOCUS online – Read an electronic version of our alumni magazine.
• Update your information – provide corrections and updates to your
record to keep in touch with your alma mater.
• New programs – Come back and visit the site often to learn about
new programs and happenings on the campus and in our Life Long
Learning section, including our newest program. . . Alumni Travel!
(Mark your calendars TODAY for our first trip to Italy in 2011!)
• Getting Involved – Write something for your class page, join a chapter or affinity group or volunteer at an upcoming event.
• Who’s who? – Find out information about your Alumni Association,
the WSC Foundation board and who is working for YOU in the
Division of Alumni and University Relations.
Alumni can also login to the website to search the alumni directory, find
classmates, and maintain their personal profile. If you are a first time
user your login information is your first initial, last name and four-digit
year of graduation (ex. Joe Smith, class of 1998 would be jsmith1998).
This login also doubles as your first time password. Please take a few
minutes, today to update your information. So be sure to take a look
at all the exciting offerings on our brand new site! Should you need
assistance with the site, please contact Dave LaRocque in the Office
of Alumni Relations at 413-572-8356 or email Associate Director, Kelly
Galanis at kgalanis@wsc.ma.edu!
3
On Ca m p us
Byron Pitts of CBS News Inspires Graduates
Urges that students focus on the world and people around them
By Craig Phelon, Advancement and College Relation
Byron Pitts, chief national correspondent
for The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric
and contributor to 60 Minutes, urged graduates of Westfield State to focus on the world
around them, and use their education to
help others in need at the University’s 171st
Commencement.
President Evan S. Dobelle presented
diplomas to 1,200 graduates on the campus green, as well as to 179 graduates with
advanced degrees in a separate Graduate
Commencement.
Pitts, an Emmy Award-winning journalist,
described his experiences covering natural
disasters and war zones throughout the world
and noted that he marveled at the people
who came to help in places like Haiti after the
earthquake, Indonesia after the tsunami and
New York City after 9/11.
“I’ve seen what happens when good people
give their best,” he said.
Pitts also told how the encouragement of an
English professor kept him from dropping out
of Ohio Wesleyan University, where he earned
4
his degree in journalism and speech communication not with honors, but with “Thank you
Lord, I graduated on time.”
“Never underestimate the power of a kind
word,” Pitts said. “There are angels in this
world. And don’t just thank them by being a
high achiever. Thank them by helping somebody else—paying it forward.”
Pitts is also the author of his memoir Step
Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped
Me Conquer Life’s Challenges, which highlights
his journey from his childhood in Baltimore,
where he was raised by a single mother and
considered illiterate until he was 12 years old,
to his career in journalism.
Pitts said he was incorrectly diagnosed as
developmentally delayed in middle school, but
his mother’s support and insistence on getting
extra help kept him in school. However, he
added, all the challenges he faced in his early
years made him what he is today.
“Every obstacle is an opportunity,” Pitts said.
“Obstacles are not stumbling blocks in life,
only stepping stones.”
His other recommendations included working hard, believing in the power of optimism
and having faith in something greater than
yourself.
During the ceremony, marked by encouraging words from many other speakers, President
Dobelle told the assembly that the University
had been designated by the research firm,
MassInc., as having the best education value
per cost in the state.
“Number six was MIT. Number five was
Amherst. Number four was Williams. Number
three was UMass-Amherst. Number two was
Harvard. And number one was Westfield
State,” Dobelle said. n
5
Al um ni o n th e G o
Getting Fused
Alum draws on College experience in shaping high-tech business
A professor and computer technology helped lay the foundation for this alum’s future
Jason Gates ’01
Todd LeMieux ’89
By Jessica Gray ’10
Lessons learned
at Westfield State
University helped alum
Jason Gates ’01 succeed
in the ever-expanding
field of information
technology.
Working on the
frontier of mobile
applications to bring
the latest information
to the public, Gates
credits Westfield State
for helping him succeed
in the business. “The
thing that you get when
you’re at college is the
understanding and the
capability to take what
you’ve learned and
apply it to the different
facets of what you’re
doing,” says Gates.
Gates graduated nine
years ago with a bachelor’s degree in math
and economics and is
now Vice President & Co-Founder of Getfused,
Inc. He considers his special niche to be sports
entities and their Web sites and mobile applications, which allow users to access Web sites
on certain cellular phones.
Gates and his company worked with the
New England Patriots through Patriots.com
to create a mobile application for the Patriots
on the iPhone. His company also works with
the Ultimate Fighting Championships over at
UFC.com, Revolution Soccer and Major League
Lacrosse.
With all the different sports teams, Web
sites, fans and information on the Internet,
Gates works hard to analyze the demographics
to find out what the customer base is and how
to get them the information they want. “All
right,” says Gates, “These guys actually need
X, Y and Z. Here’s how we’re going to pose
it. Here’s how we’re going to package it up.
Here’s the plan.”
6
Designing a Career
Jason Gates
Getfused focuses on Smartphone applications that will take content from their clients’
Web sites and package it so that it can be easily accessed in one centralized area. The company can then upload content, such as new
“When you’re trying to build
something, you just need to know
what’s possible, you don’t need to
know exactly how to do it.”
stories, and have them appear on a Blackberry,
Droid or iPhone, as well as on browsers on
other mobile devices like laptop computers.
Proving that ingenuity can go a long way,
Gates began his business during his sophomore year at Westfield State. “I had a couple of
folks I knew from high school who were in the
process of doing the same thing, starting their
own business, and we basically started a series
of Web companies that
all serviced different
areas,” Gates says.
The same hardworking attitude has
helped Getfused not
only survive but flourish even during the
recession. “We’ve been
through two major
recessions,” Gates
explains. “The first was
the dot-com bubble
bursting in the year
2000… There were big
companies in Boston
that failed, and we
were the main contacts
for a lot of the entities
like the New England
Patriots, which was our
first big break.”
While Gates admits
he has been lucky, he
also says life lessons he
has learned from his
time in college helped
him to excel in a fairly new area of business.
“Understanding how to think. Understanding
how you take what is given to you and apply it
to the real world is what’s important,” he says.
“A lot of it you’re not going to directly use but
the fact that you learned it and you understood the thinking process, how you came to
that conclusion or how you solved a certain
problem—that process is the valuable part.”
The advice he has for other aspiring
entrepreneurs is to be flexible. Since most of
what Gates works with is constantly changing
technology, he knows the obstacles he faces in
approaching new situations and being able to
apply what he already knows when planning
or troubleshooting. Gates says, “When you’re
trying to build something, you just need to
know what’s possible, you don’t need to know
exactly how to do it. If you know what’s possible you can fill in the blanks later.” n
Todd LeMieux ’89
entered Westfield
State as a psychology
major but exited with
a degree in art. This,
in part, is because
of the release of the
MacIntosh computer in
the mid-80s.
LeMieux decided
to change his major
to art after a professor
from one of his core art
classes encouraged him
to do so after viewing
his work. “I was always
interested in art, but
when I was in high
school, I didn’t have
any art classes, surprisingly,” says LeMieux. “I
was in all the advanced
placement classes, and
my counselor kind of
steered me to all the
college stuff, and art
was not in there.”
As an art major, LeMieux decided to go into
the graphic design concentration. Then, the
MacIntosh entered the scene.
New to the art scene in 1984 was the
MacIntosh computer. “Computers changed
everything in my industry,” says LeMieux. The
computer would become a symbol of a new
genre of art, graphic design and the endless
possibilities it provides.
Electronic publication design, typography,
Web page design, illustration and computer
graphics were—and still are—included in
Westfield State’s graphic design program. “It
was hands-on, and it was great,” says LeMieux.
“I knew immediately what I wanted to do.”
Because of new advances in technology,
LeMieux and his classmates had to work to
apply traditional graphic design methods to
newly acquired computer programs.
Though the addition of computers to the
field of graphic design opened many doors,
Todd LeMieux ’89
it also presented unique problems. “It was all
new back then… It was exciting. It was frustrating,” says LeMieux. “We were learning new
stuff. It did some amazing things. It also didn’t
do some stuff you wanted it to do.” He adds
The computer would become a
symbol of a new genre of art,
graphic design and the endless
possibilities it provides.
that because of the lack of experience with
computers then as compared with today it was
a steep learning curve.
Illustrating the importance of computer
experience, LeMieux was hired as a graphic
designer for Business West magazine shortly
after graduating. Also illustrating the importance of networking, LeMieux, who had kept
in touch with members of Westfield State’s
faculty, was invited to
speak to a class as a
guest lecturer because
of his success in the
field of graphic design.
“I loved that
particular class,” says
LeMieux. The professor
who had asked him
to speak said the class
enjoyed it as well and
asked him to come
back to speak again.
A semester later, the
same professor asked
him if he would like to
teach a class. “And I
said, ‘Are you serious?’
” says LeMieux, who
accepted the teaching
opportunity.
LeMieux taught
classes for about a
decade. “And I miss it,”
he says, “It was a great
experience.” LeMieux
considers that one his
greatest assets as a professor was the fact that
he had been a student of the University and
had knowledge of its history and philosophies.
“I knew how things worked, and I knew the
challenges and the opportunities and the benefits the students had, so I think I was better
able to help with certain things,” says LeMieux.
“I liked the academic environment. I liked the
energy. I liked the students,” he adds.
Last year, LeMieux was hired as the graphic
designer for Westfield State’s Marketing
Department. His job involves working on print
materials by designing posters, fliers, advertisements and brochures as well as working
on the University’s Web site design. “It’s a
lot of stuff,” says LeMieux. “The Marketing
Department here is relatively new. It’s only
a few years old, so we’re sort of finding our
place, and we’re refining our process as we
do things. We’re growing.” n
7
Social Media Lingo
Alums Use Social Media to make it BIG
Social Media is widely used today, but the buzzwords can often be confusing. Below are a few basic
definitions to help get you started on the Social Media
bandwagon.
By Claudia Moore-O’Brien, M.Ed ’00
Dana Goldstein Schaeffer knows social
media. Schaeffer, a student at Westfield State
in the mid-80s, majored in English with a
minor in psychology. Now, Schaeffer is the
director of business development for her
family-owned business, Chop-Shop Customs,
a high-end automobile restoration business.
That business began as an email address in
2004; today, there is an eight-month waiting
list for service. The growth is totally aligned
with her effective use of social media.
As social media developed with Web sites
such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter,
Schaeffer started to branch out. Critical to
the success of her business is the marketing
strategy she’s employed. “It is just common
sense,” she says. “I think about myself and
what I would want to know about a product or
service. I answer my own questions with the
information I post on our Web site.” Further,
Schaeffer says, “Think big. Though you may be
a small business, you can have a big presence
on the Internet. And, it is free advertising that
you can track.” Rarely using print media to
promote the company, Shaeffer’s business has
grown from an email address to a very busy
automobile restoration business. Visit the site
at: www.chop-shopcustoms.com
Lesley Lambert
Dana Goldstein Schaeffer
Auto enthusiasts, Schaeffer and her husband launched the business with one means
of advertising: their email address. In order
to create that address, they needed to name
the business. Schaeffer believed that all the
business-related promotional material had to
be consistent. With that in mind, she labored
over what to name the business. Chop Shop
Customs. She liked it, but it was already in
use. Her quick easy fix was to add a hyphen
between “Chop” and “Shop,” and she had the
name: Chop-Shop Customs. Next, she created
a Web site for business. “I am totally selftaught,” she points out, “and if I can do it, so
can anybody.”
Lesley Lambert put herself through college
by selling real estate. Her 1992 B.A. in English,
with a mass communication
concentration, coupled with
effective use of social media,
has made her a successful realtor with 21 years of
experience. Lambert, who’s
been using social media since
her college days, relies on the
latest Internet technology to
grow her business.
At the suggestion of a fellow realtor, Lambert created a
blog (short-hand for Web log)
to reach out to the real estate
community around her. Blogs
offer the author the opportunity to interact and communicate electronically with other
realtors, business associates
and clients. It was her opportunity to “get people to know
me. It answered the question,
‘Who am I?’ to the visitors to
the site,” she says. Also, using
tracking software, Lambert
can monitor who subscribes
to her blog, as well as how
many people are one-time or
occasional visitors. Her demo-
(From Wikipedia): Social Media/Social Networking
is focused on the building and reflecting of social
relationships among people who share interests and/
or activities. A social network service essentially consists
of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/
her social links, and a variety of additional services. Most
social network services are web-based and provide
means for users to interact over the Internet, such as
e-mail and instant messaging.
graphic becomes defined; she knows where to
concentrate her efforts. Lambert says, “Eighty
percent of my business comes from social
media.”
As a result of reaching out through social
media, Lambert has landed many opportunities. Real estate trainers have used her blog,
and she hosted “ERA Home Today,” a local
television program that showcased homes that
were currently on the market.
“Using social media has totally impacted
my business,” says Lambert. “It has allowed
me to use my Westfield degree in a unique
way. An English degree doesn’t seem to have
relevance to real estate. However, my writing
abilities and communication knowledge from
Westfield State, paired with social media,
have been tremendously useful in expanding
my business.” View Lambert’s Web site at:
www.lesleylambert.com
Online Communities are group-centered social
network services. Social networking sites allow users to
share ideas, activities, events and interests within their
individual networks.
Westfield State on Facebook
Social Media at Westfield State—
Reconnecting…One Alumnus at a Time
By Kelly A. Galanis, Associate Director, Alumni Services
For the past 20-30 years, companies and organizations have looked to mainstream advertising to get their messages out. Television commercials, billboards
and newspaper advertisements have been the solution for marketing success. Social
media and Web 2.0, though, is changing the way we do business in the region and
across the world. Today, social media has brought word of mouth referrals and
consumer reviews to a whole new level. Businesses and organizations can now—at
less expense—offer the audience they are seeking to reach more information, more
interaction and more access.
Westfield State has not just jumped onto the social media bandwagon, it has
embraced it. With much of social media’s roots stemming from higher education,
colleges and universities must have a presence in order to find success today. Web
sites, blogs and tweets are where prospective students look first now when researching schools to attend, and it is toward those medias that alumni look to find old
classmates and reconnect with their alma mater. Faculty are using social media
more and more in the classroom, creating interactive methods to tune students into
the importance of being proficient with these tools as they prepare to enter the
workforce.
Westfield State’s Office of Alumni Relations has found great success in reconnecting with alumni through social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter,
and alumni have found a place to stay up-to-date, reconnect with their University
and reunite with former classmates through this modern form of technology. Some
classes celebrating reunions have spend a good amount of time advertising through
(From Twitter.com) Twitter is a real-time information
network powered by people all around the world that
lets users share and discover what’s happening now.
Twitter asks “what’s happening” and makes the answer
spread across the globe to millions, immediately. The
timely bits of information that spread through Twitter
can help you make better choices and decisions and creates a platform for you to influence what’s being talked
about around the world. Search results spread across
Twitter and in other ways across the Web so users can
discover what’s happening. Twitter can be used online,
through a Smart phone or through a third-party application on your desktop. It’s great for businesses, individuals, colleges, groups, organizations and more.
(From LinkedIn.com) LinkedIn has over 70 million users in over 200 countries. A new member joins
LinkedIn approximately every second. Executives from
all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members. With
LinkedIn, relationships matter. LinkedIn exists to help
users make better use of their professional network and
help the people they trust in return. LinkedIn’s mission
is to connect the world’s professionals to make them
more productive and successful. LinkedIn believes that
in a global connected economy, success as a professional and competitiveness as a company depends upon
faster access to insight and resources users can trust. n
Lesley Lambert ’12
8
(From Facebook.com) Facebook is the world’s most
popular Social Media Web site. Over 500 million people
use Facebook every day to keep up with friends, upload
an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos,
and learn more about the people they meet. Facebook’s
mission is to give people the power to share and make
the world more open and connected. Facebook is a
great place to reconnect with old friends, classmates
and colleagues. Users are constantly kept in the loop
of their friends lives. They can also stay up to date on
popular culture, sports, music, movies and more!
9
Reunion Weekend 2010
Letter from Association President Suzanne Boniface ’92
The tradition of building friendships continues for me at Westfield State. While a student here, I built many
friendships that have been everlasting. During this past year as president of the
Alumni Association that feeling of tradition returned. I am so pleased with the new
friendships I have found through the Executive Council of the Alumni Association
and the fun that we have had meeting, planning and attending the long list of
events the Association has held.
I am also pleased with the dedication of this first-year alumni association council.
I can honestly reflect back and say that anyone who was elected really had no idea
what was coming at them this past year, including me. But each member stepped up
and met the challenges we faced. Each of the nine committees met goals that were
established at the Summer of 2009 Alumni Association retreat. Each met success.
This past summer we gathered again at the retreat of 2010, and we were able
to use this past year of learning and exploring to guide us into our second year of
existence. It is an exciting time for all alumni. There are only good things ahead
for us including volunteering with the association, attending our events, reconnecting with those we have lost touch with, or connecting with new people. And
of course, acknowledging our alma mater, Westfield State.
Westfield State welcomed back over 140 guests to campus June
25-27 for its annual Reunion Weekend. Alumni returned from the
class of 1970 to celebrate their 40th reunion and the class of 1985,
their 25th. In addition, many friends from the classes of 1986, 1987,
1988, and 1971 also attended. The Social Work department was the
first affinity group to join in and participate in Reunion Weekend
activities. Between 1985 and 1970 the classes managed to raise
over $115,000 in pledges and gifts that will be used towards scholarships through the Westfield State University Foundation.
“Your Father’s No No”, a band comprised of members from their
graduating class, delighted the class of 1970 with their special performance. These gents spent many hours tuning up and dusting off
the instruments to delight their classmates. They did not disappoint
as they rocked the Savignano Auditorium on Saturday evening to a
roaring group of their biggest fans!
The Class of 1985 held a wonderful luncheon remembering those
who have served the country since they graduated, those they have
lost and to honor three classmates for giving back to the University.
Tracey Innella Pinto, Jim Duffy and Janice Ripley Beetle were honored for service to the community.
The Social Work Group enjoyed lunch at the Tavern, hosted by
Dr. Bob Kersting and members of the department’s faculty and staff.
On behalf of everyone at Westfield State, we were thrilled to
welcome you back to campus and hope to see you again soon!
Mark your calendars for Reunion Weekend 2011 –> June 24-26!
If you and your alumni friends would like to return for Reunion
Weekend, contact Kathi Bradford in Alumni Relations at
kbradford@wsc.ma.edu. n
Letter from Association President-Elect Ryan O’Connell ’07
After the excitement of our second annual Alumni Summer Retreat Weekend and our elections for
the 2010-2011 Executive Council, I am now looking forward to taking over the reins of the organization
at Homecoming 2010 in October. We will again begin to focus on achieving the strategic
priorities set by the association and the University. One of the most important parts of this
plan includes you and the commitment to reconnect with the University or our Association.
Please take a moment to think about how you can “give back” to Westfield State. This
is not about your donation and the dollars you have committed (to the tune of over
$500,000 last year alone) but, a way you can give of your time to reconnect.
We are seeking committee members, near or far! Technology allows us to include you
in our meetings, even from a distance. We are seeking alums who want to host events,
come to events, travel to great places, help with Homecoming and so much more. Please
check out the new Web site, and reconnect!
I look forward to serving as your president and plan to share my experience with you
on the new Web site through podcasts or blogs. Please write and share your thoughts,
wishes for the association and concerns to me throughout the year. I look forward to
meeting so many of you.
Finally, I would like to thank Suzanne Boniface and the 2009-2010 council members
for all the work they did to bring us to this point. This past year was full of excitement
and change. I hope to continue this legacy in the future.
10
11
F ac ulty Center
Helping With Health Care
Faculty Online
Westfield State launches nursing program
By Jennifer Krok ’09
By Chrysta Wheeler ’11
With the go-ahead from the
Q: When does the program
begin? When will the first
State Board of Higher Education
students be accepted into the
for a new Bachelor of Science
program, and when will the first
in Nursing (BSN) program at
class of this program graduate?
Westfield State, the University
welcomes Dr. Jacquelyn D. Jordan
A: The program and this first
as program administrator. “The
accepted students began this
nursing shortage is a national
September. These students will
and statewide health care issue,”
graduate in 2014.
Jordan says. “Westfield State is
responding to the shortage by
Q: How many students are
expected to apply to the
developing a baccalaureateprogram and how many
level nursing program in Western
students are expected to be
Massachusetts.”
accepted?
Jordan is extremely excited
about taking part in this new
A: We are expecting 500 appliprogram and is eager to work
cants for the program for fall
with the students, helping them
2011 admissions. We will only
gain the knowledge they need to
be able to fill 32 spots for the
be successful in the nursing field.
program.
Dr. Jacqueline D. Jordan
The program will provide nursing graduates with professional
Q: Will there be any special type
of application process for potential nursing majors?
nursing requirements. In addition, students will also complete the
University’s standard core requirements. Jordan says that in addition
A: There is no special application process for this program. However,
to this programwhich leads to the RN, Westfield hopes in the future to
each applicant has to meet the standards of the University, and then if
offer other nursing credentials including a master’s in nursing.
they are accepted by the University those applicants will then be given
Jordan offers this other information about the University’s new nursto me for final acceptance. We will look closely at the applicant’s math
ing program, in interview style.
and science grades.
Q: Why do you think educational institutions are having problems
producing an adequate number of nurses?
A: There are two reasons why institutions are having this problem. One,
the amount of space that’s required for teaching these programs, and
second, the shortage of faculty out there. This isn’t just a local problem. It’s a national problem. There is an increase in people wanting
to become nurses, but there is the shortage of the programs to teach
them, and with the baby boomers retiring the demand is apparent.
Q: Why did Westfield State decide to offer a nursing major?
A: It was actually President Dobelle’s idea. He went into the community, and he saw that there was a need for nurses. He felt that by adding
this type of program to Westfield State that we could help meet
this need.
Q: Are we the first state university to offer such a major, aside from
community colleges?
A: The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is the first four-year state
university in Western Massachusetts to offer this bachelor program.
Westfield State is the second.
12
Q: Will Westfield State’s nursing students be required to complete an
internship at a local hospital? If so which hospital has the University
partnered with?
A: Yes, students will be required to do a clinical during their junior
or senior year. We have partnered up with Noble Hospital right in
Westfield. Noble has been great. It has set aside space for our students
to do their clinical and practical work. We are grateful to Noble for
giving our students this opportunity and helping Westfield State make
this program all it can be.
Q: Through the program, will Westfield State graduate Licensed
Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), or Advance Practice
Nurses (APNs)?
A: Our students in our program will graduate with a Bachelor of Science
in Nursing (BSN). These students will then apply for a state board of
nursing exam called, the National Council Licensing Examination in
Nursing for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which is a national exam. If
they pass this exam, they will then be an RN.
More information on the nursing program can be found on the
Universitys’ Web site http://www.wsc.ma.edu/prospective-students/
academics/nursing/nursing-about-the-department/ n
Although a classroom and a notebook
may never be completely
replaced, online classes
are helping more and
more students complete
their degrees while
meeting their demanding
schedules.
Westfield State does
just this for thousands
of graduate and undergraduate students.
According to Lynn Zayac,
director of the Center for
Instructional Technology,
the University started
with one online class in
2002. That class was sociology and 20 students
enrolled. Today there are
about 277 online classes
offered and over 5,500 students are learning in cyberspace.
Zayac says almost every major is offering some classes online and the University
currently offers a completion program
for students working towards a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Concentrations available for this degree
include finance, management and marketing. An accounting concentration will be
integrated in the near future.
“We are also in the process of developing other bachelor completion programs.
By the summer we hope to have our first
cohort of students enrolled in a sociology degree program, with other majors
to follow,” Zayac says. “We are also are
very excited about the development of a
masters in art history and a visual culture
degree.”
Online classes are taught through a
variety of traditional and non-traditional
ways including lectures, videos and group
discussions. Zayac says that the structure
of an online class is similar to a traditional
class and is designed so that students have
to interact with the professor. There are
online discussions, Web links for quizzes and
assessments and weekly folders for students to
access assignments and projects.
Lisa Clark
Carmen Diaz
Two students that are currently enrolled in
online classes at Westfield State are Carmen
Diaz and Lisa Clark. Undergraduate student
Carmen Diaz is working
towards her bachelor’s
degree in business
management with a
tentative graduation
date of 2011.
Diaz works as an
administrative assistant
in the economics and
management department at the University
and currently takes all of
her courses online.
“The advantage of
online courses is that I
can work full-time and
work toward my degree
on my own time,” she
says. “Sometimes you
need to solve a problem
by yourself or wait for
faculty to respond to
your email. But in all the courses I have
taken, the faculty has been very helpful
and responded to my entire question
very fast.”
Lisa Clark works as an online faculty support specialist in the Center
for Instructional Technology at the
University. She fits a mixture of traditional
and online classes into her schedule to
work towards completing her undergraduate degree in Business Management.
Like many working adults today online
classes work perfectly for Clark’s busy life.
“Being home with my kids while taking
the course in the comfort of my own
home is a huge advantage,” she says.
Clark says that online classes at
Westfield State are well organized, very
interactive and convenient.
The faculty that teach the online
classes are just as important as the
students enrolled. Zayac says she has
received positive feedback from faculty
members. She says that some professors
have observed that students work harder
online and are more actively engaged in
the classes.
The University does a great job of giving
busy students a chance to complete their eduContinued on page 21
13
F ac ulty Center
Going Once, Going Twice
Career Services: A Lifelong Membership
Assistance from Westfield State computer and information science students
makes Kiwanis Club auction a great sell
When the Kiwanis Club of
This year was the club’s 41st
Westfield conducted its annual
annual auction and for many of
fundraising auction this March
those years it has been conducted
in the Westfield State television
at Westfield State. Proceeds from
studio, some amazing things hapthe auction benefit many parts of
pened. Bids appeared instantly on
the community through Kiwanis
screen so everyone watching the
charitable projects helping both
auction on the Comcast community
children and the elderly. Kiwanis
access channel could see updates
founded the Boys and Girls
immediately.
Club of Greater Westfield and
There was no question about
Westfield Little League baseball
who had gotten their bid in first,
and softball.
and video meshed perfectly with
Delisle and Kiwanis member
the new software created by
Michael Monahan approached
Westfield State computer and
James Carabetta, chair of the
information science students.
Computer and Information
Well, almost perfectly—the
Science Department, last year
James Carabetta
maiden launch of the new system
requesting the University’s assishad a slight glitch that delayed the start of the auction for a few mintance in creating software that could improve the auction.
utes. But that glitch turned out to be a mistake in one line of code (out
Three Computer Information Systems students, Tri Chau, Michael
of some 20,000 lines), which was feverishly found and fixed directly.
Pray and Nicholas Meszaros, took on the challenge as their senior cap Once that was discovered and fixed, “It worked like a champ for the
stone project. Aaron Childs, network administrator of the Information
remaining seven hours of the auction,” said George Delisle, former
Technology Department, and St. Jean helped with operational details.
Kiwanis president and auction chairman. The auction was the club’s
Carabetta oversaw the students’ work and this year, seniors Kevin
most successful ever.
Nickl and Martina Desnoyers joined the project team, replacing gradu “Last year was a record year and we raised $35,000,” Delisle said.
ates Chau and Pray. “The original incarnation was written last spring
“This year it was almost $41,000 and to do that in this economy is proband the students this year picked up from last year and got it to the
ably amazing! It was the first time ever we could register bids instantapoint where it was fully functional,” Carabetta said.
neously, and I’m convinced that helped raise prices a little.”
“It is truly a major piece of software, as robust as anything that might
“I can’t say enough about what Westfield State’s computer and
be found commercially,” he said. “There is a level of sophistication
information science department has done for us and is doing for us,”
that is probably unmatched by almost any other auction you might
he said. “Mark St. Jean (coordinator of video production and televisee. In fact, it is actually two systems—one that does the immediate
sion operations) and his staff were working hand and glove with the
auction day activities, and another that gathers and maintains inforcomputer science folks. So it looked good, and it was fast and accurate,
mation about bidders, donors, and auction items prior to the auction,
as well.”
handles reporting after the auction, and deals with security and other
The program also was streamed live over the Internet.
functions.”
“Great things can happen when the University and a community
“When someone posted a bid, it was displayed within a 10th of a
group like Kiwanis work together on a major project,” said Evan S.
second and nobody else could make that same bid,” Carabetta said. “It
Dobelle, president of Westfield State. “In this case Kiwanis raised a
cleared up all those types of issues, such as who called in first?”
record amount of funds to help the community and our students
“In addition to a powerful server located in the computer and inforgained valuable hands-on experience in creating an impressive piece
mation science department area—located a half-campus away from
of software.”
the auction studio—we also brought a dozen laptop computers to the
Delisle said other Kiwanis clubs have conducted auctions that were
television studio to run the system,” he said.
far less successful because of the costs involved in staging them and
However, the computer and information science department is not
the fact that “they don’t have a Westfield State.”
resting on its laurels. Carabetta said the students are continuing to
“If we were in their position, I don’t think an auction would be practitweak the software. Among other things, they are updating the code
cal here,” he said. “But it’s our biggest fundraiser, and it’s all thanks to
to create a more portable application, and reevaluating project goals in
Westfield State.”
anticipation of a long-term plan to combine the two current systems in
Kiwanis gave a $1,000 donation to the computer and information
a single, comprehensive software solution. n
science department in appreciation for its work.
14
Many times, when students check in with
about the way we work is that we are flexible
Career Services and Experiential Education, it
and adaptable,” adds McCartney.
is at the end of their academic career, not the
Part of being flexible means expanding
beginning.
career options. If a person is unsure of what
While the services are promoted at orientacareer they want or unable to find an open
tion, so student have access for the entire four
position in the career they would like Career
years of their schooling, some students don’t
Services is able present new options, some
show up until April when they will be graduating
option a person may not have even know
in May.
existed. “Look at some of the green jobs,”
Fortunately for students and alumni, career
explains Delgado, “That’s the field that’s going
services is a place where it is never too late to
to expand. Some of the jobs we have today
start—where there is no real beginning or end.
are jobs we didn’t have 10 years ago. In the
Career Services has seen alumni return 20 years
next five years there will be position that
after graduation for help. Reasons for seeking
don’t exist right now.” Federal employment
their services range from layoffs to changing
is also a growing job market. To aid students
interests. The new advances made by Career
looking for a career with Federal employment,
Services makes them a great option for both curCareer Services sends 50 or more students to
rent students and alumni.
Washington D.C. every year with great success.
Located in a new facility in Lammers Hall,
For students and alumni looking to further
Career Services has added a full-time professiontheir education after receiving their bachelor’s
al staff as well as a support staff. Thanks to new
degree, Career Services also provides much
technology at the center Career Services was
help in continued training and graduate school
Junior Delgado
able to expand its Web page so that students
advising. They work with students and alumni
and alumni can access registration, job and
to understand the application process and how
internships listing, assessments and programs to create cover letters,
to search for the right degree program. “
portfolios and resumes at their own convenience. Career Services,
Alumni are also encouraged to offer their help to students. Here’s
which is free of costs to both students and alumni, also works with
one example: An alum from the class of ’09 secured a position at
employers to improve job searching.
Travelers Insurance. He’s speaking to classes and is doing a lunch with
Junior Delgado, director and coordinator of employer services and
students in order to guide them in what they need in order to know
senior programs, created the University’s first career fair in response to
what they need to get into the industry. Also, many alumni return to
a lack of enthusiasm on behalf of employers in the current economy.
Westfield State as employers during the career fairs as loyal and very
The fair was described as a big move forward and the second annual
helpful. About 70 percent of employers who participate in the career
career fair brought approximately 80 employers to the campus. As it
fairs are Westfield State alumni.
is such a large part of the University, the Criminal Justice major has its
The Web site for Career Services is located at: www.wsc.ma.edu/
own career fair. “I think we have a great team here and the nice part
Current_Students/Career_Services/index.html n
New Trustee
Westfield State welcomes Joseph Carvalho III of Springfield, recently retired president and
executive director of Springfield Museums, as a new member of its Board of Trustees. Appointed by
Gov. Deval L. Patrick, Carvalho is a 1975 graduate of Westfield State with a bachelor’s degree in history. He also holds a master’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary and an M.L.S.
from the University of Rhode Island. He has done further studies at the Non-Profit Management
Institute at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration and the Library
Administrator’s Development Program at the University of Maryland. Carvalho has served as a consultant for several historic organizations and has received several awards from such organizations as
the National Genealogical Society and the New England Historical Association. Carvalho and his wife,
Gayle, have two children, Alyssa Gayle and Michael Armand. n
Joseph Carvalho III
15
Athletics
Smith Cup Returns
Woodward Center Trophy Case holds trophy once again, thanks to outstanding athletes
…Westfield State athletics home page is only a click away ...
By Mickey Curtis, Sports Information Director
The Smith Cup trophy has returned
to Westfield State.
Missing from the Woodward Center
trophy case for a year, Westfield State
reclaimed the coveted Smith Cup with
another outstanding effort on the
playing fields during the 2009-2010
academic year.
“On behalf of Westfield State athletics, I am proud and honored to accept
the 2009-10 Smith Cup,” says Westfield
State Director of Athletics Richard
Lenfest. “This award is very special for
our student athletes and represents the
overall success of our program in The
Massachusetts State College Athletics
Conference (MASCAC), and it also
represents the hard work, commitment
and teamwork of our coaches, student
athletes, staff and administration.”
MASCAC Howard C. Smith Cup is
awarded annually to the member institution that compiles the most points
based on the placement of each of its
programs competing in the 17-league
championship sports.
Westfield State captured 77 percent
(129.5 points) of a possible 168 points
to best 2008-09 Smith Cup winner
Bridgewater State, which claimed 72.8
percent (113.7 points) of a possible 156
points to finish second, as the Owls
took their third Smith Cup in the last
four years.
Framingham State finished in third
place with 55.4 percent (73.2 points) of
a possible 132 points, while Salem State
was next in fourth place after garnering
51.7 percent (74.5 points) of a possible
144 points.
“I would like to congratulate
Director of Athletics John Harper and
Bridgewater State on an outstanding
year,” says Lenfest, whose Owls were
runners-up by less than a point to the
Bears during the 2008-2009 academic
year. “Bridgewater State is a first-class
athletics program, and our teams
respect and enjoy the healthy rivalry
that exists between our two schools.”
The Owls finished first or second in
13 of the 17 MASCAC sports, including
eight regular season championships.
And a strong showing during the
spring sports season lifted Westfield
State to the Smith Cup crown.
The Westfield State baseball team
completed one of its finest seasons,
winning 30 games (30-11 record) for
the first time in 31 years. The Owls
captured the MASCAC regular season
championship and participated in the
NCAA Tournament, both for the third
time in four years. The Westfield State
softball squad set a school record for
victories in a season (26-13 record)
and claimed its first MASCAC regular
season crown in 25 years. Placing
second in the MASCAC were women’s
lacrosse, men’s track and field and
women’s track and field.
The baseball and softball teams
were led by MASCAC players of the
year senior Kevin Lyons and junior
Alicia Gardner. Lyons, who was an
All-New England selection along
with senior teammate Jeff Fields, set
school records for RBI in a season (58)
and career (114). Also excelling on
the baseball diamond was senior Ben
Wagner, who shattered the school
record for career hits (212).
Gardner was an All-New England
selection along with sophomore Kerin
DeGirolamo. The Owls top performer
during the spring semester was senior
track and field standout Kerry Arouca,
who earned three All-America certificates by placing second in the 5,000
meter run at both the NCAA indoor
and outdoor national championships
and eighth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the NCAA outdoor finals.
Westfield State has now won
outright or shared the Smith Cup nine
times. Now celebrating its 40th year,
Kerri Arouca
16
...For Owl Action…
Westfield State is taking full advantage of the
Web-based technology
to promote, publicize and
manage its highly successful varsity athletics
program.
The Owls launched its
athletics Web site—www.
WestfieldStateOwls—five
years ago, and it has
received rave reviews from
students, athletes, parents,
alumni and fans.
“When I became
(Westfield State) athletics
director in the summer of
2005, I knew one of the
first things we had to do
to establish and maintain
a top-notch athletics
program was to promote
it, and the best way to do
that nowadays is through
the Internet,” says Athletics
Director Richard Lenfest,
who knows the importance
of generating positive
publicity after working
11 years in minor league
baseball.
The athletics Web site
has many fan-friendly
features and keeps getting
better. One of the most
popular is the Webcasts
that provide live video
and audio stream—free
free of charge—of
selected Westfield State’s
home and away games through a special Internet package with the
Massachusetts State College Athletics Conference (MASCAC).
This past year Westfield State produced live video and audio stream
for its home football and basketball games and selected men’s and
women’s soccer games. In addition, the MASCAC indoor track and field
championships and the NCAA baseball tournament games were also
video streamed live.
“People really enjoy watching these games, especially if they live far
away,” says Lenfest. “We
have a football alumnus
who lives in Mexico City
who watches the football
games. And the NCAA
baseball games were
extremely popular with
our alumni and parents.”
This year the athletics department plans to
launch live video stream
for men’s ice hockey
home games. This should
generate many Web site
hits from families and
friends of the players,
who come from all over
the United States and
Canada.
Also benefitting
from the Webcasts are
Westfield State students,
mostly communication
majors. These students
provide the live audio
and a camera crew for the
home games.
“It has been a great
experience announcing and producing the
games,” says Westfield
State Senior Matt LaPan,
who has presented the
athletics department
with a detailed plan on
how to enhance the
Webcasts. And because of
his Webcast experiences,
LaPan was able to secure
an internship this past
summer with a team in the Florida Collegiate Baseball League.
Live Stats are also a fan favorite. The Westfield State athletics
department generates in-game computer statistics for most of its
teams that can be viewed being updated in real time on the Owl
Web site. “The Live Stats are especially popular for baseball and
softball games because many parents are not able to make the weekday games, plus we are not able to video stream these games,”
says Lenfest.
17
Athletics
Rachel Ryan ’11 Excels Performing
On the Big Stage
Westfield State Athletics Hall of Fame
to Induct Five Greats
Track is only one aspect of this all-around student athlete
By Brooke Wilson ’10
The Westfield State junior music
and self-esteem she obtained
major is an accomplished singer, a
from athletics. However, she had
track and field conference champion
another passion, and it was in the
and a standout for the championship
classroom—music. After that initial
Owl volleyball team.
volleyball season, Ryan began track
In addition to her work ethic and
and field to stay in shape. But she
passion for athletics—she competes
quit basketball in order to perform
and practices during the entire
in musicals, where she starred in
academic year in three sports—and
“Guys and Dolls” and “Pirates of
a demanding academic major that
Penzance.”
requires her to attend classes more
After graduating high school,
than 30 hours per week, Ryan also
Ryan chose to attend Westfield
shines as a classmate and teammate.
State over two other colleges.
Her demeanor gets her through
“Westfield State was my top
her long days.
choice, and I wanted to go some “Rachel is very easygoing and
where where I could play volleyball
isalways laughing. She is liked by all
and study music. The Woodward
of her teammates and the first one
Center is a nice (athletic) facility
to congratulate someone after an
and the professors are enthusiastic
event. She even cheers me on,” says
to help you succeed and work one
Westfield track and field head coach
on one.”
Sean O’Brien.
Ryan was even interested in
Ryan grew up in Westborough,
playing softball after being looked
where she became an athlete at
at very closely by Westfield’s softa young age. She played soccer,
ball coach. She ultimately decided
softball, basketball and was even a
to compete in both indoor and
youth cheerleader for 10 years, which
outdoor track as well as volleyball.
eventually led her to her career as a
It is a challenging schedule,
Rachel Ryan
volleyball player.
competing and practicing dur “At my high school if you didn’t play sports or weren’t into some sort
ing the fall, winter and spring sports season, and being a music major
of music field, you were considered weird. It was really out of the norm
makes her schedule even more demanding.
to not be involved,” says Ryan.
As a music major, Ryan is enrolled
As a high school freshman, Ryan
in as many as 12 classes each
had never played volleyball before
semester. She typically takes six
and did not join the team right away;
regular classes and an additional
however, she had a brief stint with
seven music courses (she generally
cheerleading. The freshman tried out
receives 1 or ½ credit for each music
for the cheerleading team and was
class) during a semester.
pressured to make a commitment
“I know when I ask Rachel to do
to the squad. Then, she realized
something and she consents, I can
she could apply her same strength
count on her to fulfill her obligations
and passion from cheerleading to
fully and enthusiastically—she is a
volleyball.
hard worker, and responsible. She
Ryan, along with Westfield State,
does more than most people do who
is happy she chose volleyball.
actually do two degrees,” says vocal
Like many young high school
professor Dr. Mary Bonacci.
athletes, Ryan enjoyed the success
18
Five former greats will be inducted into the Westfield State
Athletics Hall of Fame to kick off the 2010 Alumni Weekend.
The enshrinement ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. at
Scanlon Banquet Hall. Tickets are available by calling (413) 572-5433.
The Class of 2010 includes: Tom Brincklow (’92, basketball), Matt
Collins (’00, track and field), Hector Gomes (’81, soccer), Holly (Maines)
McGovern (’99, basketball/soccer), and Rick Vittum (’94, football).
Brincklow was a four-year starter and holds the school record for
starting in 92 consecutive games. He ranks seventh on the all-time
scoring charts with 1,364 points.
Collins was a three-time NCAA qualifier and placed second in the
400 hurdles at the 1999 national championships. He was a 14-time
Tom Brincklow (’92, basketball)
Matt Collins (’00, track and field)
Holly (Maines) McGovern (’99, basketball/soccer)
All-New England performer, including five championships in the
400 hurdles.
Gomes was a two-time All-New England and four-time all-conference selection. The standout defender ranks 14th on the Owls’ all-time
scoring list.
McGovern is one of the finest two-sport athletes in school history.
She was a four-time all-conference selection in both basketball and
soccer. She ranks third on the all-time soccer scoring list and holds
basketball school records for assists, steals, and free throw shooting.
Vittum is considered one of the finest offensive linemen in Owl
history. He was an All-America and All-New England selection his
senior year. n
Hector Gomes (’81, soccer)
Rick Vittum (’94, football)
19
alums use social media Continued from page 8
social media at westfield state
Faculty Center Online
Education Continued from page 13
these mediums, having found great success in contacting their old classmates
through Facebook.
Alumni Relations has spent a great deal of time creating a presence for
Westfield State on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We asked alumni how
they wanted to see social media used and largely heard one common theme:
To reconnect.
This past year, Alumni Relations
welcomed Andrew Richard ’12 as its
Social Media Maintainer. Richard’s
role within the department is to
maintain and promote Westfield
State to the Alumni and University
community.
Here are some of Richard’s
thoughts on social media and how
he feels it is making a difference in
higher education.
cation through online classes, but just as important
is the technical support they provide for current and
prospective students and faculty members.
According to Zayac, Westfield State has articulation agreements with 14 community colleges and
is looking to increase that number. (An Articulation
Agreement is an agreement with a community college that helps students make a seamless transition
to Westfield State.) The agreement shows students
what courses they need to take to complete their
degree, which courses will be transferred in and what
those courses will be called once they’re transferred
to Westfield State. Westfield State is also working on
articulation agreements with community colleges in
Connecticut.
Resources available for online classes are both
Web-based and face-to-face tutoring services, a help
desk and virtual office hours. The help desk is open
24 hours for students and faculty who need technical assistance with their classes. During virtual office
hours students can click on a link to see and talk to a
professor and students have access to online tutoring
24 hours a day, seven days a week via phone, email,
chat and live web conferencing.
In a day and age where both people and technology are moving faster than ever it is up to colleges
to keep up with the pace. Zayac says that Westfield
State is ahead of the curve when it comes to online
education. “Our growth has really been substantial
in relationship to our peer institutions. Westfield has
been a leader in online learning,” she says. n
Continued from page 9
Aaron Morris
Seventh-grade Holyoke math teacher, Aaron Morris, ’02, B.A., ’08,
Eventually, Morris began designing digital papers and embellishM.Ed, sings the praises of social media. The math teacher, by day, has
ments to sell through an online store. “The digital images are able to
creative and artistic interests that focus on scrapbooking. “I wanted to
be used more than once, which makes them very desirable for the
get away from being on
budget-minded scrapa computer all the time,”
booker,” says Morris. In
says Morris, “and actuaddition to becoming
ally work with materials.”
a designer, Morris was
Well, there is irony to that
getting to know scrapstatement now.
bookers from all over
Morris started by
the world. “I had a great
looking for scrapbookonline conversation with
ing materials on line.
a designer in Australia,”
The tools of the trade,
Morris says, “and was
such as, papers and
thrilled to actually see
embellishments were
her designs at Michael’s
often less expensive and
(a craft store) in West
offered more variety if
Springfield.”
purchased from an online
Visit Morris at his web
store. However, during
site: www.sirscrapalotdethis exploration, Morris
signs.com
discovered “digital scrapbooking” which involves
One thing is for sure,
purchasing digital images
social media is all
of papers and embellisharound us, connecting
ments, rather than the
us. Alumni are using it
actual materials.
with great success in
Morris began using
both professional and
Aaron Morris
the digital images and
social activities. The
composing scrapbook pages on the computer. He imports digital
three alumnae above all agreed that social media is about interacting,
photo images and then prints the page on a sheet of paper. “The only
connecting and staying in touch with their clients and peers. As Morris
difference is the page is flat,” says Morris, referring to the bulky pages
says, “I’m present (on the Web site), when I’m really not. And, connecof hand-applied scrapbook materials.
tions made online often go from friendships to customers.” n
On campus Wireless access at Westfield State
By Jenn Krok ’09
The days of dial-up and cable modems are long gone for Westfield
State. With most colleges working to offer wireless Internet access to
their students, it was up to the University to offer the latest and greatest.
Wireless Internet access at Westfield State was first offered in the
fall of 2003, says Christopher Hirtle, Chief information Officer in the
Information Technology Department. The first three spots on campus to
become wireless were Wilson Hall, the Dining Commons and the Library.
Hirtle says that during one of his first meetings with University
President Evan Dobelle, one of the first questions Dr. Dobelle asked was,
“What is the University’s most glaring need?” Hirtle says his response
was, “To make the campus wireless.”
The next step was to have blanket coverage across the University. This
meant making wireless Internet accessible in all of the residence halls,
academics buildings, open space on campus and the open space in
20
Stanley Park, often referred to as “the beach.”
According to Aaron Childs, a network administrator and assistant
director in the Information Technology Department, Westfield State was
100 percent wireless at the end of August 2008.
With wireless Internet access becoming the norm, Hirtle says that
students have come to expect this type of service.
“When seeing presentations and meeting with current and prospective students they always ask the question, ‘Are you wireless?’ ” Hirtle
says, “They have become used to this type of environment and it has
become a necessity.”
Westfield State is keeping on the cutting edge in today’s race for technology. “We are looking to expand the wireless access to Juniper Park in
the future and will definitely offer wireless printing,” says Hirtle. n
Q: How do you feel the University
has benefited using social media?
How will it continue to succeed with
social media?
A: The University has strongly benefited from the use of social media.
Andrew Richard ’12
It has opened a new door for the
institution, bringing in and informing prospective students, connecting the
community and reuniting alumni with their alma mater. As the development
of social media continues, we will create a stronger, more informed and connected community here at Westfield State.
Q: What do you feel is the next big social media outlet for colleges and
universities?
A: I still think Facebook is the “big social media outlet” with no close competitor at the moment. Facebook has a wide array of networking tools to help
communicate, inform, connect and share.
Q: Where do you see social media fitting in to colleges and universities in
the next year? Five years?
A: In the next year I see the majority of higher education institutions embracing social media and starting to utilize it as an official communication outlet.
In the next five years I think social media will override most traditional forms
of communication. E-mail is becoming obsolete and students no longer refer
to the University’s home page for information. People walk right by posters
without looking, but most everyone in this generation uses Facebook and
other social media daily, which supply the same information.
Social media is real-time communication between the University and its community. Now people are able to interact, comment on an event, share their
opinions publicly and find other classmates. It brings in prospective students,
and connects them and their parents with current students, faculty, staff and
alumni. It creates this stronger sense of community and a place to belong.
Social media is now, and it’s here to stay!
Smith Cup Returns
continued from page 16
the MASCAC is comprised of eight Massachusetts
state colleges in the NCAA Division III.
“We take great pride in winning the Smith Cup,
and we know that we cannot rest on our laurels.
Our goals are to continue to improve our programs,
and make more of an impact on the regional and
national levels,” says Lenfest, who had three of his
teams earn NCAA Tournament berths for the second
consecutive year.
“The University and the alumni are very proud of
our student athletes’ efforts and accomplishments.
And the administration has been extremely supportive and believes in the positive impact that athletics
plays in the University’s educational experience.” n
Be sure to check out Westfield State’s Alumni pages on Facebook and
LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter @WestfieldAlumni. n
21
Rachel Ryan Continued from page 18
Just a few clicks Continued from page 3
Her courses consist of choir, solo
and most competitive position
singing and instrumentals, where
in college. She was not starting
she plays percussion, saxophone
in the beginning of this season,
and the oboe. The high-level
but she always kept positive and
musician/athlete posts her daily
continued working hard and
schedule (15 total copies) all over
improving to earn that outside
her room in an effort to stay sane
position,” says Westfield volleyball
and organized.
coach Fred Glanville.
Last fall, Ryan was invited
Ryan’s junior season brought
with seven other Westfield State
one of the biggest challenges
students to sing with the Bay
to her volleyball career, as she
Path College Choir in Prague
participated with Division I playover Thanksgiving break. Ryan
ers from all over the country at
sang in Lichtenstein Palace, St.
the USA Olympics Training Center
Nicholas Cathedral and the Spanish
in Colorado this past January.
Synagogue.
“The hardest part was just going,
“I was able to attend operas and
because I was scared out of my
sing solo for hundreds of people in
mind. The experience showed me
the coolest places imaginable. No
that I can actually do this, and my
matter where we went we were
goal to attain a 10-foot jump is in
Rachel Ryan ’11
always listening to music, even if it
close reach,” says Ryan.
came from street players. It was an
“Rachel is an extremely hard
amazing trip that I was lucky enough to experience,” she says.
hitter. She smashes the ball. She is very passionate and an emotional
The high-energy junior also enjoys performing at Westfield State.
player in a game or practicing; she wears her emotions on her sleeves.
This past April she and classmate Tyler Cavanaugh performed voice
You know she loves volleyball, and she works hard at it. Although, I
solos in Dever Auditorium. And Westfield State students, teammates
don’t think she considers it work, but rather a labor of love, which is
and spectators also have an opportunity to hear her sing the national
why it’s such a pleasure to coach her,” says Glanville.
anthem prior to home volleyball games.
Ryan’s success continued during the indoor track and field season
When Rachel isn’t performing her music magic she’s working hard
as she won the MASCAC championships in the shot put and weight
to achieve her athletic goals. Ryan finished her 2009 volleyball season
throw. And during the outdoor season she was an All-New England
by capturing the Massachusetts State Athletics Conference (MASCAC)
performer in the javelin. Ryan is always looking for new ways to
tournament MVP honors. She averaged 2.70 kills per game in helping
improve her throwing techniques.
the Owls to the MASCAC championship and its first ever berth in the
“It’s all about mentality. I have an expectation to go hard every
NCAA Tournament.
minute,” she says. n
“Rachel plays at an outside position, and it’s the most contested
Owl Action Continued from page 17
Following each game the Westfield State sports information department posts stories, box scores and photos on the content management based Web site. “The athletics Web site is like our own daily
newspaper. It’s constantly being updated,” Lenfest says. “And we also
like to post as many feature stories as we can on the student athletes.”
Those who do not have to time to check the site on a daily basis
can sign up for an athletics department newsletter, which is sent
weekly to subscribers. And Owl sports fans are also targeted through
the athletics department’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Other fine features are: photo galleries for all varsity sports teams,
a Web store, where Owl apparel can be ordered online, an Athletics
Hall of Fame site, and an online questionnaire for prospective student
athletes.
“One of the best features of the Web site is that all of the photos,
team rosters, stories, statistics and even the game Webcasts are
22
archived online,” says Lenfest. “So a year from now or in 20 years our
alumni and their families can surf the site to check their records, watch
the replay of a Webcast and even purchase their own photos.”
The site is also a huge advantage from an environmental and
administration perspective. Pre-season and athletic training forms—
and there a lots of them—are no longer mailed to the student
athletes. The forms are posted online and some can be completed
electronically. The athletics department’s next goal is to post its compliance and eligibility forms online.
“Not only does this save money but it also allows staff members to
do their jobs more efficiently,” says Lenfest, whose future plans include
posting advertisements on the site to generate revenue. n
reviewed, revised and reorganized.” This job
required some outside expertise and assistance.
After interviewing five of eight candidates that
responded to Westfield’s request for proposals, Mind Over Media (MOM) was unanimously
selected by the committee. They had what the
others did not: a fresh and creative approach
coupled with limitless technical capabilities.
With MOM on board, the University took
on the massive challenge of organizing all
the information in a manner that would make
sense to the site’s readers. The new Web site
had to be easy to navigate, with information
organized in a clear manner. This process
presented numerous bumps along the way, but
the determination and dedication of the team
prevailed. The biggest challenge was developing the architecture, or organizational structure,
of the site. Goodreau recalls, “It was Mission
Organization!”
As with any big project, along with the challenges, there are some fun and engaging parts.
For instance, Goodreau spent four days with
the team from MOM shooting a video of the
campus for the Web site. “We wanted the video
to reflect the vibrant feel of the campus,” says
Goodreau.
The team also interviewed several students
around the campus. They were asked questions on an impromptu basis that elicited fresh
and original thoughts and opinions. “This
approach was great because they all delivered
exceptional interviews that truly reflected their
enthusiasm and passion for Westfield State,”
says Goodreau.
Visit the University’s new Web site at the
same address, wsc.ma.edu. You will find—with
very few ‘clicks’—the information you seek.
Visitors will be able to take a video tour, see
inside a residence hall, review majors, see
what’s happening in the graduate school and
do it at their leisure. Though the Web site is up
and running, there will continue to be tweaks.
“It wouldn’t be a successful Web site if it
wasn’t tweaked and massaged every day,” says
Goodreau. We will no longer be asking what
other colleges are doing with their Web sites. “I
want them to be asking, ‘What’s Westfield State
doing?’ If they are asking that question,” says
Goodreau, “then we are doing it right.” n
23
Al um ni News a n d No te s
Two Westfield State Firefighters put
their education to use coordinating
response to Northampton’s arson fires
An education in public administration from Westfield State
proved to be of great use for Deputy Chief Chris Norris ’97 and
Captain Matt Lemberg ’13 (expected) of the Northampton Fire
Department.
Class of 1985 check presentation
Class of 1970 check presentation
Westfield Alumni are giving
more than ever!
Reunion Giving shows commitment
to future Alumni
Students are the benefactors
Whether someone graduated in 2010 or in 1960—they are proud
of what Westfield State is today. This is shown by the number of
new Scholarships being formed by Reunion Classes and other
alumni groups. The Classes of 1970 and 1985 each have embarked
on raising $100,000 in order to establish class scholarships to help
today’s students.
In these days of budgets being slashed, Westfield State Alumni are
seeing something in their alma mater that is making them give—and
more are giving to the institution than ever before.
In fact, in fiscal year 2009, 11.5 percent of Westfield State Alumni
made a gift to support the University’s Foundation, which provides
Scholarships and program money for students. In 2010, more than 13
percent of alumni will have made a gift totaling nearly $500,000 in
support of Westfield Students. In comparison less than 4 percent of
alumni were making gifts in 2007.
What is happening? Why have Westfield State Alumni become more
focused on supporting their Alma Mater? Westfield State’s quality
and reputation are growing.
Alumni have made gifts to support the Westfield Fund, but they have
supported students in many ways. The Westfield Fund has provided
for scholarships, library materials and technology, equipment and
travel for student athletes, outreach programs for students to help
others in the community and the world.
At the center of all the fire departments and government
agencies, were the two former Westfield State master of public
administration students. In addition to their firefighter training,
Norris and Lemberg credit their education from Westfield State in
helping to inform their decisions.
“Initially most of my thoughts were on tactics learned at the fire
academy,” Lemberg said. “However, as it turned into a multiagency response, I had a chance to reflect on a few things I had picked
up at Westfield State.”
“It was helpful to have the skills acquired at the University in dealing with the other agencies and their members” Lemberg says.
“I felt that the knowledge I had acquired up to that point helped
me to deal with all the players.”
The University and the University’s Foundation have made great
strides in providing quality programs for Alumni coupled with
the success and the popularity Westfield State has through the
Commonwealth, the region and the country.
Westfield State launches
Alumni Street Team
The Westfield State Master of Public Administration Program
offers specialized tracks in criminal justice administration, public
management and nonprofit management and includes coursework ranging from community preparedness to managing towns
and cities.
Alumni are taking pride in their University, which was ranked #1 in
the state by an independent research group. This positive reputation
is helping to give Alumni a leg up in their careers and in life.
The Westfield State Division of Graduate and Continuing Education
(DGCE) recently launched the Alumni Street Team, a new initiative
to help build alumni relations.
“It helped to have a foundation in public administration to base
my actions and decisions on, not only on the night of the fires,
but also going forward in my career,” Lemberg says.
Alumni and Parents to make a greater impact
in New School year
Members of the Alumni Street Team will promote Westfield State
at events and will have the opportunity to be featured in the
University’s publications on the Westfield State Web site.
Alumni and Parents will be striving to raise more than $500,000 to
support today’s Westfield Students. If more than 13% of Alumni
make an average gift of $75 and 40% of parents make an average
gift of $100 the Westfield Fund would break records in the amount
of Scholarships it will provide to students. This will be a great testament to the education and quality opportunities that Westfield
is providing to students. On Reunion Weekend, checks totalling
$115,000 were donated.
24
The Westfield Fund makes it easy to
support Students
This past December, during a string of arson fires, the firefighters
of the Northampton Fire Department and surrounding communities were put to the test. When 18 separate fires broke out across
the city, the response by the firefighting community was large in
scale. It required the coordination of more than 20 fire departments, as well as state and federal agencies brought in to assist
with the investigation.
September 25, 2010 – Westfield Harvest Days
Downtown Restaurant and Pub Tour
Register at www.westfieldalumni.org/Harvestdays $10 in
advance, $12 at the door
Contact: Kathi Bradford, kbradford@wsc.ma.edu
October 2, 2010 – Family Day at Westfield State
Contact: Jess Murphy, jmurphy@wsc.ma.edu
October 6, 2010 - Announcement of the 2010-2011
Alumni Association Council
Contact: www.westfieldalumni.org
October 22, 2010 – Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner
Contact: Dave Caspole, dcaspole@wsc.ma.edu
October 23, 2010 – HOMECOMING 2010
Contact: Kelly Galanis, kgalanis@wsc.ma.edu
Registration: www.westfieldalumni.org/homecoming2010
November 6, 2010 – Horace Mann Society Celebration
Contact: Julie Phillips, japhillips@wsc.ma.edu
December 2-4, 2010 – The Music Department presents
“Amahl and the Night Visitors”
Contact: Karen Ducharme, ducharme@wsc.ma.edu
January 27-29, 2011 – Alumni Arts Weekend
sponsored by the Art, Theatre and Music Departments
March 3-4, 2011 – Westfield State Alumni in
Washington, DC (tentative)
March 6, 2011 – Annual “Celebration of Music” at the
Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA
Contact: Nancy Woitkowski, nwoitkowski@wsc.ma.edu
April, 2011 (Date, TBA) Alumni Mentor Day
May 21, 2011 – Golden Owls Celebration
at Commencement 2011
(for all alumni celebrating 50 or more years!)
“Westfield State alumni are found in every corner of the world,”
says Katheryn Bradford of Advancement and College Relations.
“This newest initiative will again showcase the relationships they
have developed and the skills they gained from their experiences
on our campus.”
June 24-26, 2011 – Reunion Weekend 2011
Classes ending in 1 or 6 and friends, affinity groups and all
alumni interested in returning for a visit
Alumni who are interested in volunteering for the Street Team
can contact Callie Hutchinson at chutchinson@wsc.ma.edu or
(413) 572-8149.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW. . .
25
Cla ss No t es
1970
Members of the class of 1970
came back to the Westfield
Sate campus to reconnect and
celebrate good times with
lifelong friends. Check out the
pictures below to see what a
great time was had by all. The
class was especially thrilled to
welcome back “Your Father’s
No No” for a very special
performance!
The Class of 1970 has established an endowed scholarship
for current Westfield State
students. Please visit www.
westfieldalumni.org/WSC1970
to learn more about the scholarship and to make your gift!
Robert Johnson was honored by
Westfield State at the May 2010
commencement ceremony. He
received an Honorary Degree
from the University and has just
been appointed to serve on
the Westfield State Foundation
Board of Directors.
Johnson is the President and
CEO of Massachusetts Special
Olympics.
1972
Mary Ellen Hogan of Springfield
was honored with the
Distinguished Alumni Award
from Elms College at commencement exercises on
May 16. The award has been
made annually since 1967 to a
graduate who has distinguished
herself or himself through
exemplary service to profession,
community, family and religious
life. Hogan, who graduated
from Elms in 1966, retired as
guidance director from the
High School of Commerce in
Springfield after 36 years. She
began her career as a Spanish
teacher and later was a guidance counselor. She went on to
earn a master’s of education at
Westfield State and a mas-
ter’s of teaching at American
International College.
1977
Debbi Dickinson currently
lives in Lisle, Illinois, and has
published two books, which can
be found in Barnes and Noble
stores nationwide. She recently
had a role in Animal Planet’s
“Animal Witness,” which premiered in September 2008. This
episode was based on a true
story.
Anna Saldo-Burke has published a book that provides an
understanding about autism.
Green Mittens Covered Her Ears:
A Look at Autism is a fascinating
nonfiction book that presents a
glimpse into the world of autism
and provides an understanding about autism for youths
and adults. The book reveals
how Anna and her twin sister
influenced Jessica’s life and she
in turn touched theirs. The story
begins when Jessica shared her
autistic world and the sisters
learned about her multitude
of obsessions that annoyed or
delighted her and the different
behaviors that they triggered.
During high school, the sisters
tutored Jessica and continued
the relationship in a summer job
as her companions.
Because people with disabilities have to adjust to the
world, they constantly worked
Anna Saldo-Burke
with Jessica on controlling her
behaviors and gaining skills so
she was more socially acceptable and independent. While
enlightening readers about
autism the book educates them
in areas such as looking beyond
the obvious and demonstrates
there can be success for people
with disabilities. A 27-year veteran teacher in both special and
inclusive education classrooms,
Anna sees the need to create
awareness and provide understanding about others who are
different. For teachers, inclusive
education, in which special
needs students are educated
within general education settings, is part of present-day
learning. As a result, it exposes
our youth to people with autism
in schools. Anna will donate $1
from the sale of each copy of
her book to help with the mission, “…to make life better for
the millions of people touched by
autism.”
1978
Mark Todd is head of the
Holyoke High School music
department and has a 10-year
history of musicals. He took extra
consideration into this year’s
selection and after vigorous
process decided that this year’s
musical performed by the students would be “Fame.”
paintings, Year of the Locusts, to
the University’s permanent art
collection.
“I am thrilled to be able to
add Year of the Locusts to our
permanent art collection,” says
Faith Lund, a member of the Art
Department faculty and curator
of the University’s Arno Maris
and Downtown galleries. “Diane
Savino has been very generous in donating a wonderful
representation of her amazing
work. She has mastered the
technique of tempera painting
through an evolution of many
years of work.” “The process
involves many layers of pigment
applied in thin veils,” Lund says.
“It is very time intensive, but the
results are incredible. She is parting with one of her treasures. It
is an amazing painting and will
enhance our collection.” Savino
says her work is always symbolic,
especially her donated piece,
Year of the Locusts. This particular painting denotes challenges
with Lyme disease, the flower
in the piece representing hope
inside. The piece also represents
looking out a window into
another world, she says.
Savino’s high school had no art
program, so she was self-taught.
Her education at Westfield State
gave her a good foundation for
drawing. The classes opened her
eyes to the history and what was
out there, especially color theory.
“Westfield State gave me a good
foundation,” Savino says. “This
is my way to give back to the
school and the students.” Savino
was curator for a 2007 exhibit
at Westfield State featuring
nationally known artists working
in the egg tempera medium. The
exhibit, “Tempera: Ten,” received
national attention, with profiles
in American Artist magazine and
American Art Collector.
1981
Mary Stern is running for her
third and final term as Yamhill
County Commissioner in the
2010 election.
1982
Artist Diane Savino has become
one of this country’s most
prominent masters of the egg
tempera medium. The Hatfield
resident has donated one of her
Diane Savino
26
27
Cla ss No t es
1983
Laura Tryon Jennings ’83
will hold a retrospective solo
exhibit at Westfield State’s
Downtown Gallery from
Oct. 22-Dec. 4. The opening
reception is Friday, Oct. 22
from 5:30-8 p.m. The opening
coincides with Homecoming
Weekend. Laura was an art
major at Westfield State. She
plans to have paintings from
her college days up through
her current series in the exhibit! “My paintings represent the
complexity and intricacy of life
and relationships.” Laura says
each of her works conveys the
message that we ought to take
time from our hectic pace to
reflect, treasure life’s simplicity, if only for a moment. She
uses an amalgam of color and
composition to depict the
wavering tension between
tranquility and chaos. Much
of her work projects a feeling
of calmness, peacefulness and
enlightenment that she hopes
causes the viewer to pause,
look and focus on the art and
serenity within the moments
of everyday life. Other works
include articles and details that
are seemingly out of place, just
as relationships and life are not
always in tidy order.
28
Doug Meehan has been cast in
“The Town,” a 2010 production
directed by Ben Affleck. The
film stars Ben Affleck and Blake
Lively.
1989
1985
The Class of ’85 Reunion at
Westfield State was a blast.
For those of you who attended, you know how much fun
it was to be back on campus
and reunite with so many old
friends and classmates!
The Class of ’85 has established a scholarship fund
which will support a
needy student each year
at Westfield. As of reunion
weekend, the class has
$51,000 committed to the
fund, and a class goal of
$100,000—which will provide much-needed financial
aid, and ensure the class’
legacy in perpetuity. Please
consider making the gift that
suits your budget—every
gift, including yours—helps
the class of 1985 get one
step closer to reaching their
goal of $100,000.
For more information, to
view reunion weekend
photos, and to make your
pledge or gift, please visit
the alumni website at www.
westfieldalumni.org.
William T. Fallon of Roanoke,
Va., was honored by
Partnership for Public Service
in Washington, D.C., last
September for his successful leadership of Operation
FALCON (Federal and Local
Cops Organized Nationally), a
nationwide anticrime initiative
that coordinated the efforts of
several law enforcement agencies. Fallon also was a finalist for
the Service to America Medal
that pays tribute to America’s
federal workforce, highlighting
those who have made significant contributions to the country. Fallon was nominated along
with his Operation FALCON
2008 Team, for their involvement in what is considered
the largest law enforcement
operation in American history,
resulting in the arrests of 19,380
felons wanted for various,
mostly violent, crimes. Fallon
is chief deputy U.S. Marshal for
the Department of Justice at
the U.S. Marshals Service. He
graduated from Westfield State
with a degree in criminal justice,
and is currently in the U.S. Naval
War College Graduate School.
Honorees are chosen based on
their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of
their work on addressing the
needs of the nation.
During one week in June 2008,
Fallon’s team prompted arrests
of individuals in 47 states, including those wanted for murder, sex
offense, gang violence, narcotics, and firearms violations. The
fugitives arrested had a collective
history of nearly 94,000 prior
arrests.
Led by Fallon, Deputy
Commander Thomas Thompson
and Investigative Program
Analyst Lance Eastwood,
Operation FALCON brought
together more than 5,000 law
enforcement officials from the
local, state, and federal levels.
Fallon’s team built an intraagency website, created task
force partnerships for geographic
areas, provided briefings across
the country, and helped develop
detailed case files to improve
communication.
Rep. Donald F. Humason Jr.
received the Legislator of The
Year Award from the Gun
Owners Action League on Feb.
20. The association of gun owners said Humason is a staunch
supporter of protecting civil
rights and is working hard on
issues important to the league.
James Leahy
Jill Monson
1999
James Leahy was named to
BusinessWest magazine’s fourth
annual “Forty Under Forty”
list. Leahy is a Pharmaceutical
Sales Representative for Alcon
Laboratories and a City Councilor
for the City of Holyoke. He
received his bachelor of arts in
sociology from Westfield State.
The list honors up and coming members of the business
community for their work and
community service.
2004
Stacey Ferguson is a new
recruiter for the Peace Corps.
She served in Morocco from
2005-2007 and joined the Boston
Regional Recruitment Office in
2010.
2005
Jill Monson was named to
BusinessWest magazine’s fourth
annual “Forty Under Forty” list.
Monson is director of marketing
for Adam Quenneville Roofing
and Siding and received her
bachelor of arts in communication from the University. The list
honors up and coming members
of the business community
for their work and community
service.
1997
Shana and Stephen Hall welcomed their second daughter,
Gracie Cathleen on Nov. 27,
2009. She joins big sister Ava.
Gracie and Ava, daughters of Shana and Stephen Hall.
29
Cla ss No t es
Thomas A. Galanis
Philip Ettman
2009
Thomas A. Galanis was named
to BusinessWest magazine’s
fourth annual “Forty Under
Forty” list. Galanis is portal manager and an adjunct professor at
Westfield State and received his
masters of public administration
from the University. The issue
featuring the 40 honorees was
released April 26. The list honors
up and coming members of the
business community for their
work and community service.
Galanis, 32, has worked for
Westfield State since Aug. 2005.
He works in the Information
Technology department and
teaches for the Division of
Graduate and Continuing
Education. See story on Galanis
on Page 15.
Faculty and Staff
Philip Ettman of Avon, Conn.,
a business law professor at
Westfield State, was a contestant in the Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire hot seat on Tuesday,
May 18, and Wednesday, May
19. Ettman’s wife, Marilyn, came
with him to New York and sat
30
in the Millionaire audience as
his on-air companion for the
show. The couple has one son,
Glenn. Ettman says he intended
to teach, just until he found
another job. He eventually fell
in love with it and has been
teaching law classes for 29 years
at Westfield State. He gave his
students the day off while he
came to appear in the hot seat,
but he didn’t tell them why.
Instead, he gave them a special
project and said they’d need a
lot of time to do it, so to be nice;
he’d give them a day off to work
on it. Ettman also volunteers
once a week in the Hartford
Public Schools, tutoring at-risk
youth. The first thing Ettman
said he would do if he won the
million? Take Meredith and
the entire studio audience out
for a drink. Then, he would buy
his wife “something sparkly”
for putting up with him for
37 years.
The following employees
have been appointed to
permanent positions at the
University: Katheryn Bradford,
Advancement and University
Relations, Jennifer Carlson,
Registrar’s Office, Kelly Galanis,
Advancement and College
Relations, Barbara Laffert,
Academic Achievement,
Monique Lopez, Registrar’s
Office, Azanda Seymour,
Academic Achievement, Cynthia
Seigler, International Programs,
Linda Silk, Registrar’s Office,
Laurie Simpson, Academic
Achievement.
Dr. Enrique Morales-Diaz will
lead Liberal Studies for the
upcoming academic year and
Dr. Ricki Kantrowitz will continue as the leader in the Honors
Program.
Dr. Cheryl Stanley has been
appointed as Acting Dean of
Education. Dr. Stanley has been
a respected, engaged, and natural leader in our Department of
education for many years.
Dr. Ojae Beale has begun
work as Associate Dean in
the Division of Graduate and
Continuing Education. DGCE is
positioning itself for extended
growth, and for leadership in
initiatives where our primary
goal is student success.
Maureen McCartney has been
appointed Acting Associate
Dean in Academic Achievement.
Maureen will work closely with
the many directors leading
programs that serve our student
success.
Katheryn Bradford has received
a Lifetime Service Award from
the Northeast Association of
College and University Housing
Officers (NEACUHO)
Weddings
1978
Jacquelyn Hethcoat and David
Jones were married on April 10,
2010.
1999
Leah Dawn Cervonayco married
Richard Angus Scheller Jr. in
an Oct. 24 ceremony. Leah is
a special education teacher in
West Springfield and the couple
lives in Easthampton.
and reception at Oak Ridge
Country Club in Agawam. The
couple spent their honeymoon
in St. Lucia, and they live in
Southampton.
Melissa is employed as a teacher
by the Chicopee Public Schools.
The two honeymooned in Punta
Cana, Dominican Republic and
currently live in West Springfield.
2005
2010
Nicole Spataro and Gregory
Dower, above, were married
on Sept. 26, 2009. The couple
Laura-Beth Guyer married
Christopher Olson in a ceremony
at St. Michael’s Church in East
Longmeadow on Oct. 2. LauraBeth is a teacher for MassMutual
Children’s House in Springfield.
Pictured from left to right are: Robert Maccioli ’05, Matthew Moauro
’05, Sherrie Mulholland ’07, Joe Beaudoin ’06, Carrie Crowell ’06,
Sarah Minde (Jacintho) ’07, Randy Minde ’05, Jen Wyse ’06, Corinne
Walters (Carritte) ’01, Nick Pizzoferatto ’05, Ryan Walters ’05.
2002
Emily Loignon and John Byrne
III were married on July 25,
2009 at St. Michael’s Church
in East Longmeadow. They
honeymooned in Playa del
Carmen, Mexico and live in East
Longmeadow.
2003
Diane Balicki married Craig
Goodrow on Nov. 7, 2009.
The ceremony was held at
St. Francis Xavier Cabrini in
West Springfield followed by a
reception at Oak Ridge Country
Club in Feeding Hills. Diane is
a life insurance case manager
at MassMutual Financial Group
in Enfield, Conn. The couple
Honeymooned at Disney World
in Florida and currently live in
Feeding Hills.
of an impact Westfield State
has had on their lives and they
are thrilled to be a part of the
University family!
welcomed 23 Westfield State
Alumni from the classes of 1970
through 2006 as their guests
at the Andover Country Club.
Included in the alumni group
were Gregory’s father, Rick
Dower ’70 and his Westfield
State roommate Barry Kostanski
’70. Westfield State holds a
special place in the couple’s
hearts, as well as their friends
and family. The picture of all the
alumni truly shows what kind
Sarah Plasse and Joseph Florek
III were married on Feb. 6, 2010
at Storrowton Village Meeting
House in West Springfield. The
reception that followed was
held at the Castle of Knights in
Chicopee. Sarah is a registered
dental hygienist and the couple
lives in North Carolina.
2007
Sarah Jacintho married Randy
Minde, Jr. ’05 on May 29, 2010.
Sarah and Randy welcomed
many Westfield Alumni as guests
at their wedding. Kicking off
Westfield State’s newest tradition, they are seen here posing
with the University banner.
2009
Melissa Moran married Kevin
Dooley on Feb. 13, 2010.
< Westfield State alumni celebrate Nicole Spataro and Gregory Dower’s
wedding. Included in photo are: Gregory Dower ’05, Nicole Spataro
’05, Derek Dubois ’05, Katie Abare ’04, Michael Dudley ’06, Tara
Yaffi ’05, Sarah Hardy ’05, Erin Coburn ’05, Jason Bramwell ’05,
Lisa Raschilla ’06, Elizabeth Watts ’05, Patrick Padgett ’06, John
McMahan ’06, Lucas Gonzalez ’06, Danielle Burkinshaw ’03,
Michael Burwell ’05, Jackie Vautour ’06, Rebecca Auld ’05, Andrew
Plummer ’05, Matthew Gurley ’06, Barry Kostanski ’70, Richard
Dower ’70, and Mary Petrie ’87.
Allison Marie Willett married Matthew Andrew Radon
in a Sept. 25, 2009 ceremony
2006
Colleen Wimberly married
Steven Bruso on June 5, 2010.
The couple lives in Boylston.
Daniel Pardi, a business major
with a concentration in marketing, is featured on the Jimmy
Fund’s Web site for triumping
over a pediatric battle with
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(ALL) at 7 years old. Back then,
baseball provided a wonderful
diversion for Dan, 21, who says,
Daniel Pardi
31
Cla ss No t es
“Loving baseball helped me get
through. “Going through [baseball] cards, looking up stats,
watching games—that’s what
took up my time at home or in
the hospital. Ken Griffey was my
favorite player, but the Red Sox
were always my favorite team.”
Dan graduated in May and
reports he is currently applying
for jobs. “Hopefully I will find
something soon,” he says.
Read Dan’s whole story at:
http://www.jimmyfund.org/
abo/red/related-stories/thered-sox-are-good-for-what-ailsyou.html
Deaths
1933
Theone Christiansen passed
away on Dec. 29, 2009 in a local
nursing home. After receiving
her bachelor’s degree from
Westfield State she taught math
in Tolland and later taught
math in the Southwick Public
School System for 25 years.
1953
Irene M. “Lou” LeTellier Kelly
passed away on June 4, 2010
in Holyoke. She was a longtime
teacher for the Holyoke Public
Schools.
1957
Eleanora Burns, Westfield
Public Schools Reading teacher
32
for over 30 years passed away
on April 28, 2010.
1959
Stell Wiernasz passed away
on May 1, 2010 at the home
of her daughter. She was a
teacher and librarian in the
Holyoke Public Schools and
retired in 1987. She opened the
first preschool at her home in
Easthampton in 1960.
1961
Janice Link passed away on
Jan. 25, 2010 in a local nursing
home. Janice was a substitute teacher for many years
in Westfield and returned to
college to finish her degrees in
1959.
She received her teaching
degree from Westfield State
and spent her entire career as a
librarian and classroom teacher
for the Wilbraham School
System. She served as president
of the Wilbraham Teachers’
Association and belonged to
the Massachusetts Teachers
Association.
1966
Eileen Hough passed away
on May 21 at Holyoke Medical
Center.
1967
at Westfield Vocational High
School.
1974
Susan Provost passed away on
May 9, 2010 at her home.
1975
Robert Diduk died Feb. 13,
2010 at Baystate Medical Center
surrounded by his loving family
and friends.
Robert Kirschling passed away
at Baystate Medical Center on
Jan. 14, 2010.
1980
1984
Ira Bylow passed away on May
19, 2010 at Baystate Medical
Center in Springfield.
Leo Kleciak passed away on
Jan. 31, 2010 surrounded by his
loving family. He served as an
English teacher in the Holyoke
Public School system for 30
years.
1963
1970
Frank Ball passed away on Feb.
6, 2010 in Baystate Medical
Center in Springfield.
Carl Wright passed away on
May 2, 2010 in the Holyoke
Soldier’s Home. He served in
the U.S. Army during WWII
and owned and operated the
former Wrights Auto Services
in East Springfield and taught
Margaret Schmidt passed away
on April 30, 2010 peacefully at
her home.
1962
1965
Jeanne Strycharz of Ludlow
passed away on April 15, 2010.
Come back to campus and reconnect with friends from good ol’
Westfield State! Watch our fighting Owls take to the football field, enjoy
some great food and beverages and reconnect with friends, faculty, staff,
and other alumni. Our Athletics Hall of Fame banquet is slated for Friday
evening, Oct. 22. Events for all ages are scheduled on Homecoming Day,
Saturday, Oct. 23.
We’ll start the day out over brunch at our Alumni Association Executive
Council’s annual meeting, open to all alumni and friends, and will follow
up with a scrumptious brunch and performance by the Pioneer Valley
Chordsmen. The Homecoming tents open at Noon and the football game
kicks off at 1 p.m. Featuring food and beverages from the Munich haus,
music by Lesser Known Contender and more!
The Arno Maris gallery will feature alumni Laura Tryon Jenning’s
Retrospective, with a reception on Friday, Oct. 22 from 5:30-8 p.m.
and a gallery talk on the 22 at 1:40 p.m. The gallery will also be open on
Homecoming Day, Oct. 23, from 2-5 p.m.
Stay tuned to our alumni Web site at http://www.westfieldalumni.org/
homecoming for more information. We look forward to seeing you at
Homecoming 2010! n
HOMECOMING 2010
REGISTRATION FORM
First Name _____________________________________
Last Name _____________________________________
Maiden Name ___________________________________
Grad Year ______________________________________
Email Address ___________________________________
Phone Number __________________________________
Mailing Address _________________________________
_____________________________________________
Patricia Hartmann (1971 master’s earned) passed away on
Feb. 27, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family. She was
a teacher in the Holyoke Public
Schools for many years and
received the Pope Pius X Award
for people involved in religious
education.
1961
Homecoming Weekend is
happening October 22-23, 2010!
City, State ZIP ___________________________________
Patricia McCollum passed away
April 15, 2010 home surrounded
by her loving family. She
received her bachelor’s degree
in psychology from Westfield
State and worked for the
Wilbraham Public Library.
Please enter number of individuals
attending each portion of Homecoming 2010:
�� Homecoming 2010 General Admission
for 2009 and 2010 Graduates FREE!
for Faculty and Staff FREE!
for all other Graduates $20
Susan A. Farrington passed
away June 7, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer.
�� Homecoming Alumni Brunch featuring the
Pioneer Valley Chordsmen $10
�� Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet $45
1994
Dexter Turner passed away
on March 7, 2010 at Holyoke
Hospital in Holyoke.
Total amount of your transaction: $_________
Please make checks payable to
Westfield State University Foundation, Inc.
Mail form and payment to: Westfield State University,
Office of Alumni Relations, PO Box 1630,
Westfield, MA 01086-1630 or register online at
www.westfieldalumni.org/homecoming
33
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
STRATEGIC
MAIL
01152
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA 01086-1630
Westfield State University!
On Wednesday, July 28, 2010, Governor Patrick signed a bill creating a Massachusetts State University system. The
bill recognizes that as comprehensive institutions offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range
of disciplines, the State Colleges all meet nationally recognized criteria for being universities. As a result of this bill,
Westfield State College will officially be known as Westfield State University, effective October 26, 2010.

Westfield state University Focus Magazine Design

Transcription

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