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Assumption
Assumption College Magazine • Volume 7, Number 3 • Summer 2009
Magazine
Committed
to Serving
Larry Thayer ’70, president
of Cape Abilities on Cape Cod
PHoto: dan vaillanCourt
PLUS
Habitat for Humanity
Chapter Builds
Commencement
and reunion recaps
the remarkable mission
of Brian ake ‘12
From The PreSIDeNT
Serving Others with
Heart and Soul
A
ssumption College strives to form students known
for “critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and
compassionate service.” In fact, our mission reflects
the basic philosophy of a Catholic liberal arts education, which seeks to develop the intellect, the heart and the
soul of each of our students. In addition to the strong academic
foundation students receive here, an Assumption education
helps them further develop and refine their moral sense and
ethical framework. It is here that they are encouraged to take
their knowledge and use it in meaningful service to others
during college and throughout their lifetimes.
The concept of service is deeply rooted in the educational
philosophy of the Augustinians of the Assumption. From the
very beginning, Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon conceived of education
as providing students with a solid Christian formation whereby
their faith would be active. His students were encouraged to
participate in a variety of works that would address the various
needs of their day, such as visiting the poor and providing for
their basic needs.
“last year, our students committed more than 85,000
hours of community service
in and around Worcester.”
As the stories in this issue highlight, Assumption College’s
historic commitment to service remains a vital component of our
community today. Students, alumni, the Assumptionists, faculty
and staff are making a difference locally and around the globe.
Assumption alumni, like Larry Thayer ’70, demonstrate how the
educational experience at Assumption can open an individual’s eyes
and heart to society’s difficult issues. The story of Brian Ake ’12
shows that you don’t have to be rich and powerful, or even a college
graduate, to effect change. The Assumption commitment to social
justice and societal needs is part of our academic curriculum and
part of who we are.
Last year, for example, I am proud to say our students committed more than 85,000 hours of community service in and
around Worcester. The Campus Ministry SEND service trips
during winter, spring and summer breaks attract almost 100
students a year. Students prepare for these trips throughout the
academic year. Each evening during the trip, the group gathers
to share in a reflection on what they have experienced and
learned through their service. A number of our graduates spend
a year or more in service before pursuing their career or continuing their education. Members of the Class of 2009, for example,
will be doing volunteer work for such service organizations as
the Peace Corps, Americorps, the Augustinian Volunteers, the
Jesuit Volunteer Corps and Cap Corps.
Service is also actively integrated within the curriculum
through the Community Service Learning (CSL) program. CSL
offers the kind of education that one cannot receive sitting in a
classroom or a library. Students take academic theory and apply
it to benefit various community organizations. In the classroom,
students share reflections about their experiences. The faculty has
embraced this program and CSL classes are offered in a variety
of disciplines, including English, sociology, theology, philosophy
and buiness.
What is particularly distinctive about the service engaged
in at Assumption is the attitude that informs it. Ex corde Ecclesiae
speaks of an “institutional commitment to the service of the
people of God” as one of the four defining characteristics of a
Catholic college. Education should never be self-centered, but
always outward looking. Assumption was founded on that concept. We live it each day—and so do our students, alumni, faculty
and staff.
Assumption graduates have a long tradition of serving in
education, human services, rehabilitation, counseling, nonprofit
agencies and government. Our alumni in business, law, medicine
and every walk of life offer their time, expertise and resources to
support worthy organizations. The legacy of Assumption College
is not just its academic excellence, but a sense of compassion for
others. It is a legacy that continues to reap rewards far beyond
Worcester, Massachusetts.
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D.
President
PHoto: tammy Woodard
Summer 2009
Assumption College Magazine • Volume 7, Number 3 www.assumption.edu/magazine
Features
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We encourage your feedback.
Please address your letters, class notes,
and story ideas to:
Assumption College Magazine
Assumption College
500 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA 01609-1296
e-mail: twatkins@assumption.edu
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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the Fantasticks was Fantastic
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larry thayer ’70 Helps People Become “Cape-able”
20
Brian ake ’12: Fundraiser. missionary. Filmmaker. Freshman.
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Building a Habitat for Humanity Chapter
26
reunion 2009
32
alumni awards Ceremony
20
departments
2
editor’s Page
3
on Campus
Editor/Coordinating Publisher
Troy Watkins
24
Hounds Watch
Director of Public Affairs
Renee Buisson
26
alumni news
Contributing Writers
Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69
Stephen Kostrzewa
Sharon Mahoney P’07
Steve Morris ’72
Elizabeth Walker
33
Class notes
39
in memoriam
Assumption College Magazine
Assumption College ISSN 1089-3903
Summer 2009
Art Direction/Design
Centuria Inc., Belmont, MA
Assumption College Magazine is published four times
a year (winter, spring, summer, fall) by the office of
Institutional Advancement, Assumption College, 500
Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296.
Telephone: (508) 767-7175. Periodical Postage Paid at
Worcester, Massachusetts, and additional mailing
offices. Postmaster: Forwarding address and correction requested. Send address changes to: Office of
Institutional Advancement, Assumption College,
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296.
Printed in the U.S.A., Assumption College Magazine
is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends,
faculty, staff, administration and parents of undergraduate students.
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on the Cover
larry thayer ’70 has empowered the
disabled community for nearly four
decades at Cape Cod’s Cape abilities.
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Cert no. SW-COC-002556
Assumption College Magazine • Summer 2009
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eDITor’ S LeTTer
s I put together this issue of Assumption magazine, I recalled my own Commencement and the
excitement and fear that it engendered. I knew
life was changing and I wasn’t quite sure where
it was going to lead me. All graduates, even
the ones with a job waiting for them, face the great unknown.
Assumption College does a remarkable job of transforming
its students and helping them to develop the key qualities that
will help them find purpose and success in their lives, their
professions and their communities. That preparation and the
friends they have made here make this major transition easier,
and they will soon find themselves in busy new lives.
The number of Assumption graduates who have gone on to
make a mark on the world and influence many lives for the better
is impressive. There are so many stories to tell of Assumption
students and alumni whose contributions are shining examples
of compassionate service, but we can highlight only a few. This
issue features alumnus Larry Thayer ’72 and student Brian Ake ’12,
who are wonderful examples of Assumption’s commitment to
service. We also highlight our Community Service Learning
(CSL) program, a dynamic model that integrates analytical read-
New Beginnings Bring
New Opportunities
“A
ings and critical thinking analysis in the classroom with experiential learning that addresses local community needs.
These articles will remind you of the special spirit that is the
heart of Assumption. Maybe they will inspire all of us to become
more involved in our neighborhoods, churches, communities and
beyond. Even the smallest of efforts can make a lasting impact.
As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you seek in the world.”
Assumption College is an agent of change in communities everywhere, thanks to the deep commitment to service of alumni and
students like Larry Thayer and Brian Ake.
letter to the editor
Assumption’s International Legacy
Congratulations on yet another superb issue
of Assumption Magazine!
I’m from the Class of ’73 and had the
honor of being included in the Winter 2008
issue as an expat like the ones you featured in
the latest issue. My daughter, who is half
French and half American, has been accepted
into the Class of 2013 as a Presidential
Scholar and an Honors student. She is very excited! Maybe one
day you’ll do a follow-up story on the expats’ children! For many
1972 Glee Club Spring Concert
Thank you for your response to our “From
the Archives” photo printed on p. 31 of
the spring issue. Paul Mathis ’74, who
served as director of the group pictured,
was able to identify nearly everyone in the
photo. The 1972 Glee Club Spring
Concert, “Sentimental Journey” was held
in the old Campus Center in the basement
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of us, Assumption is indeed a legacy. I am thrilled that Raphaële
has chosen Assumption and I see that it is truly international. I
know that she will feel at home there. Thank you for making AC
Magazine a great read and a wonderful showcase for the school
we love.
Louise Peloquin ’73
Sent via e-mail
Editor’s Note: Louise’s father, the late Dr. Laval U. Peloquin ’41,
and brother Dr. Laval A. Peloquin ’77 are also Assumption alumni.
of Founders Hall. The group is performing a swing version of “C’est Si Bon”
L-R: Debbie Menzel ’74, Denise Robbins
Vaillancourt (transferred in 1972), Landa
Girardi Mathis ’75, Bernie Brochu ’74,
Kent Ahern ’75, Bill Cotter (transferred
in 1972), Jeanne Thibodeau Parks ’75,
Sue Ratkiewitz Daisey ’75, Michelle
Cotnoir ’74 and “Laura.”
PHotoS: tammy Woodard
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The Fantasticks was Fantastic
The enduring tale of headstrong youth
and wily parents, plus wonderful songs
and tremendous student talent, made
Assumption’s staging of The Fantasticks
in April, at the magnificent Hanover
Theatre for the Performing Arts in
Worcester, something to remember
for several thousand ticket-holders
who offered standing ovations after
each performance.
Assumption was the first college in
Worcester to make a significant commitment – $125,000 over five years – in
support of the dramatic renovation of
the downtown theater. So it makes perfect
sense that Assumption would be the first
area college to mount a full-scale musical
theatre production in the now gloriously
restored Hanover Theatre. With a multitalented student cast, and inspired
direction by Brian Tivnan, who teaches
in the department of art, music and
theatre, the department’s production of
The Fantasticks burnished Assumption’s
tradition of outstanding instrumental,
voice and theatre performances.
“Performing in Hanover Theatre was
magical,” Tivnan said. “The space is huge,
but the stage offers an incredible sense of
intimacy with the audience. The students
had an opportunity to perform in a true
Broadway-style theater. I think we
demonstrated that Assumption’s theatre
program belongs on that professional
stage. More than 2,300 people attended
the four performances – more than
double what we anticipated.”
The strong ticket sales and enthusiastic audience support created enough
buzz to jump-start conversations about
Assumption’s 2010 spring musical at
Hanover Theatre. That prospect dovetails
with Hanover’s executive director Troy
Siebels’ vision for the extraordinary
performance venue.
“The Fantasticks was a wonderful
production,” Siebels said. “The audiences
loved it. The reason we undertook this
whole project – spending $32 million to
restore the theater – wasn’t just to bring
in Broadway tours. The restored Hanover
was intended to be a venue and a resource
for Worcester’s schools and colleges.
We couldn’t be happier to be partners
with Assumption.”
the Hanover theatre for the Performing arts is located at
the site of the former Showcase Cinema on main Street
in Worcester.
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PHoto: roB Carlin
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Honorary degree recipients rev. James Schall, S.J.,
anne lynam goddard ’77 and edmund Pellegrino,
m.d., Ph.d., (far right) with President Francesco
Cesareo, Ph.d. (second from right).
Commencement Speaker Urges Graduates
to “Follow your passion”
unny, breezy and warm describes both the weather
and the feeling emanating from the overflow crowd
of family and friends gathered for Assumption’s 92nd
Commencement ceremony on May 16. Seated under and
around an enormous white tent on H. L. Rocheleau ’24
Memorial Field, proud parents and others cheered loudly as the
College awarded 615 degrees and certificates, including 443
bachelor’s degrees, 148 graduate degrees, nine associate’s
degrees and 15 certificates of advanced graduate studies.
“This is a day of celebration and also one of possibility,”
President Francesco Cesareo told the graduates. “Your education
at Assumption College has been different because it is an education that affirms a set of values grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and enriched by the charism of the Augustinians
of the Assumption.” President Cesareo urged the graduates to be
“people of conviction and belief.”
Christian Children’s Fund (now ChildFund International)
president and CEO Anne Lynam Goddard ’77, who delivered
the Commencement address, was awarded an honorary Doctor
of Humane Letters degree, one of three honorary degrees conferred at this year’s Commencement. ChildFund International,
based in Richmond, VA, serves 15.5 million children and families in 31 countries. Salutatorian Ukeme Esiet of Lagos, Nigeria,
introduced Goddard, saying that “her personal relationship
with God and concern for the well-being of others” was an
example for the Class of ’09 to follow.
S
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“Following your passion will
give you the power to find a way
to make a living doing what you
love,” Goddard told the graduates.
“Keep yourself open to new
experiences…new experiences
open your hearts as well as your
minds…it helped me discover
what I am passionate about –
fighting poverty and helping children. That passion has taken me
from Kenya to Somalia…and to
anne lynam goddard ’77
Bangladesh, where I headed a
women’s health and development project…and it took me
to Egypt, where I was the first female country director for CARE
in its 50-year history there, and where we took on the barriers
that keep girls out of school.“
Goddard, whose son was wounded, but survived, in the
2008 Virginia Tech shootings, also shared her philosophy of
luck, comparing it to an early Super Mario Brothers video game
in which little platforms moved up and down. “If you pay attention, think, seize the opportunities at the right moment, have
courage and make that leap, you’ll be ‘lucky,’” Goddard said.
“You’ll find that job that pays you and feeds your passion.”
Valedictorian Lindsay Houle of Worcester told her classmates,
“We have an unbelievable opportunity to shape ourselves as the
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
valedictorian lindsay Houle ’09
PHotoS: roB Carlin
generation that changed how everything works...we are the ones
to whom everyone is looking for an answer…our education (at
Assumption) has helped us better understand the impact we can
have on those around us. We have learned to become thoughtful
citizens and better human beings by developing our souls.”
The Very Reverend Marcel Poirier, A.A., provincial superior
of the Augustinians of the Assumption, offered the invocation.
The Honorable Konstantina Lukes, mayor of Worcester, brought
greetings to the graduates, thanking them for the 85,000 hours
of volunteer service Assumption students invested in the greater
Worcester community this year. The Most Reverend Daniel P.
Reilly, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Worcester, offered
the benediction.
In addition to Goddard, honorary degree recipients included
Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., Ph.D., who was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Law degree. Dr. Pellegrino is the John Carroll Professor
Emeritus of Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center
and a pioneer in the field of Catholic medical ethics. Rev. James V.
Schall, S.J., also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
degree during the Commencement ceremony. Fr. Schall is a professor emeritus of political philosophy at Georgetown University.
A legendary teacher and highly prolific author, his defense
of classical liberal learning and his engagement with the enduring
questions about “what is” (truth, honor, integrity and other values)
have influenced generations of students and readers.
Crown and Shield Award Recipients
Thirteen members of the Class of 2009 each received a Crown
and Shield award for distinguishing themselves in the areas of
leadership and service to the College throughout their four years.
(Front, L-R) Meghan Cassidy, Leandra D’Eramo, Anna Maffeo,
Stephanie Boucher, Kaitlin Bevins, Meghan Donahue and Jennifer
Gonet. (Back, L-R) Katy Hartigan, Andrew Rudzinski, Ukeme
Esiet, President Cesareo, Melissa Nally, Ashley Chapdelaine and
Dan Meunier. Maffeo and Esiet each received the Fr. Emmanuel
D’Alzon Most Distinguished Crown and Shield Award for the
profound and lasting impact they have made on the student body
and College community.
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2009 Honors Convocation
ne of the true gifts of a liberal arts education is
the ability to think deeply and reason clearly
about any problem or opportunity…a liberal
arts education provides a solid foundation for
success,” Carolyn Clancy ’82 told the students,
faculty and parents gathered in April in the Chapel of the Holy
Spirit for the 25th annual Honors Convocation. Clancy is an
executive vice president with Fidelity Investments Foundation.
President Cesareo congratulated the students honored for their
outstanding academic achievements, during the annual celebration of scholarship at Assumption. More than 50 departmental
awards, prizes and scholarships were conferred, and 11 new
Augustine Scholars were named. Each year, the faculty in
Assumption’s 15 academic departments select the top students
in each major to receive a departmental award.
“O
augustine Scholars (Front, l-r:) alexandria orlando, Brett murphy, Katelyn
giacoppo, Hannah Brencher, ryan donaher, laura Hall, Christina graziano and
grace Kennedy (Back, l-r:) robert Sancoucy, leslie lupien, molly eastman, michael
Colebrook, matthew Jose and Kelly White. missing from photo: matthew owens.
michela Paolucci ’09
earned the award in
italian studies, presented by richard
Bonanno, Ph.d.
PHotoS: tammy Woodard
Joshua Schonberg ’09
receives the award in
global studies with
world environmental
concentration from
Smriti rao, Ph.d.
Carolyn Clancy ’82
richelle abrahams ’09
is presented the award
in studio art by Prof.
edith read.
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ashley Chapdelaine ’09
receives the award in theology from marc lePain,
Ph.d. ’65
A Personal Compass
BY FR. DENNIS GALLAGHER, A.A.’69, VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION
Fr. Gallagher’s remarks at this year’s Parent Orientation for the Class
of 2013 are excerpted here:
n recent literature sent out to prospective students, the
College has adopted a phrase that aims to speak in contemporary language about one of the goals of an Assumption
education, namely, that the education offered here helps
our students to acquire a personal compass for their lives. It
is one of those expressions suitable for promotional material
because it is generic enough not to offend too many people, and
at the same time it taps into a real yearning in the human heart
for a sense of purpose and direction. In fact, the College is making a claim for itself in using that term. The question which
should pique your interest as parents, if these words are not
simply dismissed as a good bit of advertising, is on what grounds
are we able to make such a promise?
Let me give that question the old college try. Assumption is
heir to a long tradition of education that refuses to reduce education to utilitarian ends, however important that future job may
be. The image that comes to mind is breathing deeply and freely.
In place of the anxiety that so often attends the business of making one’s way in the world, these four years are a privileged time
to rouse that wonder, so natural to us, about our place in the
world; about our relationship to God; about the mystery of our
very selves. An Assumption education allows for the serious
consideration of certain kinds of questions that might be out
of bounds in another type of college – but which are the deepest
and most fundamental questions and the stock in trade of a
Catholic college: What are the principles by which I am going to
live my life? What kind of life is most conducive to human happiness? To whom and before whom am I going to be accountable?
Back then, to the personal compass. How is it that Assumption
is well-positioned to help your son or daughter steer themselves
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Assumption Partners with Catholic Colleges
on Student Values Grant
Assumption College, along with The College of the Holy Cross
and Saint Anselm College, received a three-year $300,000 grant
from the Teagle Foundation in New York. Holy Cross serves as
the lead institution for the project.
The Teagle Foundation awarded planning grants to the three
Catholic liberal arts colleges in 2007 and 2008 to work together
to examine undergraduates’ acquisition and refinement of
moral, ethical, civic and spiritual values – values that are central
to the partnering colleges’ respective mission statements.
Faculty, students and administrators from the three institu-
the mission
in truly profitable ways? At the risk of sounding grandiose, it is
because our educational tradition draws upon the wisdom of the
ages, where the greatest thinkers, artists, writers and saints help
to open up in a fresh way the fundamental questions about how
to live one’s life. Finding one’s personal compass in this context
consists not so much in choosing one’s own values, as we might
say today, but in something closer to what the Christian tradition
understands by discovering one’s vocation and mission in life.
Within this framework, students will come to think in terms of
what God is calling them to be and to do with their lives, and how
they will help to build up the communities to which they belong,
be it family, country, or parish.
In the name of all throughout the campus who work to realize
the mission of the College, let this vision of education be our
pledge to you and to your sons and daughters as together we
begin this adventure.
tions are exploring new ways to track student growth and the
development of their value systems. The colleges also will assess
the extent to which each campus succeeds in providing programs
and opportunities that encourage students to explore the ethical
and spiritual beliefs that interest and attract them.
The development of personal values distinguishes the mission statements of Assumption and its grant partners. Funds
from the Teagle Foundation grant will underwrite the analysis of
current methods and resources for helping students to develop
and refine their value systems. The grant also supports the
development of new assessment strategies that will be shared
with liberal arts colleges nationwide.
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Faculty Update
Retirements
Two dedicated faculty members retired in
May—Charles Brusard, associate professor
of mathematics, and Linda Ammons, Ph.D.,
associate professor of anthropology.
The Assumption teaching career of
Brusard has spanned more than 40 years.
Among current faculty, only Fr. Donat
Lamothe, A.A. ’57 has served the College
longer. Brusard began in 1968 and taught
nearly every mathematics course offered.
He served as faculty senate president in
the mid-1980s and has served on and/or
chaired numerous committees during
his tenure. The faculty advisor for the
College’s chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon, a
national honor society in undergraduate
mathematics, since 1970, Brusard was
recognized for his many contributions
to the College as a 2006 recipient of the
Assumption College President’s Medal.
A loyal supporter of the College, Brusard
has been a member of the President’s
Council since 2001. He will continue to
teach part-time on campus this fall.
Dr. Ammons retired after 25 years
of teaching at Assumption. Ammons
earned her Ph.D. at Harvard, where she
presented her thesis, “West Bank Arab
Charles Brusard
linda ammons, Ph.d.
Villagers: The Influence of National and
International Politics on Village Peasant
Life.” A Woodrow Wilson Fellow and
Danforth Foundation Graduate Fellow,
she has also held teaching positions at
Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine;
Clark University and Harvard University,
where she began as a teaching assistant in
1972. Ammons has conducted archaeological fieldwork and research in Jerusalem,
Palestine and Massachusetts, published
several papers and co-authored a book
with John Worrell, Letters from P@lestine.
Tenure
Congratulations to those faculty members who were awarded tenure this year:
Suzanne Kelton, Ph.d.,
department of mathematics
and Computer Science
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Christopher Klofft, S.t.d.,
department of theology
lance lazar, Ph.d.,
department of History
amy lyubchik, Ph.d.,
department of Psychology
Fang Zhang, Ph.d.,
department of Psychology
Vatican’s Cardinal Arinze Receives Honorary Degree
“T
he communal celebration of the liturgy opens one
to the mystery of God and helps people find God
within their lives,” His Eminence, Francis Cardinal
Arinze, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for
Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments at the
Vatican, told the audience gathered on campus in April for his
public talk, “Liturgy and Our Spiritual Journey in Life,” the final
presentation in the inaugural year of the President’s Lecture
Series. “The Mass is the high point of the act of religion. The
liturgy is not just an individual expression of faith, but an
expression of the life of the Church that nourishes the believer.”
Cardinal Arinze, an expert in catechesis, received an honorary degree, Doctor of Sacred Theology, in recognition of his
five-decade career in the service and trust of three popes “and
in appreciation of the powerful impact you have had on the
faithful worldwide by broadening their understanding of the
liturgy, deepening their reverence for the mysteries of the sacraments, clarifying the religious rituals that unite Catholic worship
around the globe and building bridges to understanding and
dialogue between Catholics and those of other faiths.”
During an informal discussion with Assumption students,
the cardinal spoke about living an ethical life. “Freedom does
not mean I do what I like,” he explained. “Freedom means I
choose to do as I should.”
Cardinal Arinze, who was born in Nigeria, became the
youngest Roman Catholic bishop in the world in 1965 at age
32. Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal in 2005.
Assumption Artists Displayed in Local Exhibit
Four Assumption College students and an
alumna had their artistic works accepted
to and displayed in the Colleges of the
Worcester Consortium’s 5th Annual Art
Exhibit in February at ARTS Worcester’s
Aurora Gallery. Students Michael
Goolishian ’09, Sam Andrews ’09
(untitled oil painting, pictured right),
Stephanie Giguere ’12, Lani Heidenheim
’09 and Laurie McCrohon ’87 each had an
item included in this competitive juried
show. They were among 62 chosen for the
exhibit from 215 submissions.
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Two Alumni Appointed as Trustees
Carolyn Clancy has been active at
Assumption since her graduation. She
served as president of the Boston Regional
Alumni Club; was inducted into the
Alumni/Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002;
has been a member of the Multi-Sport
Stadium and Boston Campaign fundraising committees; a member of the
President’s Council since 2000.
Clancy is executive vice-president
of product development for Fidelity
Investments in Providence. She has
served Fidelity for several years, previously holding vice president positions
in rollover/education services as well
as institutional strategy and market
development.
In 2007, the Alumni Association presented Clancy with the Jack L. Bresciani
’72 Outstanding Alumna Award. A class
agent, she resides in Needham, MA.
michael t. Sullivan ’83
Paul Belsito ’00 Named to
Government/Community Post
other community leaders.
In this position, Belsito will work to
strengthen relationships with local, state
and federal government officials to help
them better understand the contributions
Assumption College makes to the community and the region. He will address issues
at the city, state and federal levels that
affect the College and the tax-exempt
status of nonprofit institutions. He also
will research funding opportunities that
the College might pursue with the state
and federal government. Paul and wife
Christienne reside in Shrewsbury
A pair of alumni were recently appointed
to the College’s Board of Trustees.
Paul Belsito ’00 was appointed in June
as Assumption’s executive assistant for
government and community relations.
He brings extensive experience in both
areas, having served as district director
in the office of State Senator Edward
Augustus. He also has served on various
committees for Senator John Kerry,
Congressman Jim McGovern and Lt.
Governor Timothy Murray. A Worcester
native, Belsito has strong working relationships with local officials and many
Michael T. Sullivan ’83
Michael Sullivan is president of Linchris
Hotel Corporation, a full-service hotel
management company with 1,300 employees and 25 properties in Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and
West Virginia. He began his career at the
public accounting firm of Alexander,
Grant and Company in Boston before
joining Inn America Corporation, where
he rose through the ranks from controller
trainee to assistant corporate controller.
He joined Linchris in 1989 as corporate
controller and later held the positions of
vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Sullivan currently sits on the
International Association of Holiday Inns
Board sub-committee representing all
Holiday Inns worldwide.
Sullivan and wife Cathy (Thomas) ’83
have been members of the President’s
Council since 2005. Sullivan served as cochair of his 25th Reunion Gift Committee,
which raised a record $76,080 in 2008.
They reside in Holliston and have three
children—Blair, a junior at Lehigh
University, Mark, a sophomore at the
University of Notre Dame, and Rachel,
a sophomore at Ursuline Academy
High School.
Paul Belsito ’00
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New Test-Score-Optional
Admission Policy
Assumption has announced test-score-optional admissions for
students applying to enroll in fall 2010. Prospective students no
longer will be required to provide SAT or ACT standardized
scores when applying to Assumption.
In the spring, the board of trustees approved the new
admissions policy following extended discussions with the college’s key governing bodies, including administrators, academic
deans and faculty leaders. The new admissions policy will be in
place for the 2009-10 recruiting season. “Nationwide, the evidence is mounting that standardized test scores are not the best
predictors of success in college, said Evan Lipp, vice president
for enrollment management.”
“In recent years, more than 800 other colleges and universities from around the nation have adopted test-optional
admissions, including NYU, Middlebury, Smith, Holy Cross,
Bates and Bowdoin, as well as some of our direct competition,
Fairfield, Providence, Stonehill and Merrimack College,” Lipp
said. “In 2008, our enrollment management division, in conjunction with Eduventures, a research and consulting firm,
analyzed four years of Assumption’s admissions data and academic records to examine standardized testing’s ability to
predict academic success specifically for the students we admit.
The study found that high school GPA (cumulative grade point
average) is, in fact, a better predictor of academic success at
Assumption. Our conclusions mirror those of the national studies.”
“this change will strengthen
assumption’s ability to
increase its success rate in
attracting prospective students
who may be considering
other educational institutions
within its competitive set.”
In light of the findings on and beyond campus, the College
no longer will require applicants to submit standardized test
scores. This change will strengthen Assumption’s ability to
increase its success rate in attracting prospective students who
may be considering other educational institutions within its
competitive set, Lipp explained.
“The change to test-score-optional status will not affect
Assumption’s admissions standards,” Lipp added. “We will
continue to hand-select only those students best qualified for
entry. By focusing on a more holistic approach, Assumption
will be able to assemble the best possible incoming class.”
Science Concentration Additions
Offer More Career Opportunities
Exploring biological and psychological explanations for
behavior and developing public policies for resource conservation are just some of the career paths Assumption College
graduates can pursue now that the college has added two
new concentrations. Interim Provost Frederick Travis has
announced that, beginning this fall, Assumption undergraduates can major in biology with a concentration in neuroscience and behavior, and in environmental science with a
concentration in environmental policy.
The new neuroscience-focused biology concentration
introduces students to biological and psychological rationales
for behavior. “It provides a strong foundation in biology,
while offering an interdisciplinary approach to studying
human behavior,” Travis said. “It asks the question at the
core of academic inquiry at Assumption, ‘What does it mean
to be human?’”
Students who choose the neuroscience concentration
will be encouraged to do internships or independent studies
in laboratories studying neurobiology or the biological basis
of behavior.“These students will be prepared to work in the
biotechnology and pharmacology industries or in other life
science organizations,” Travis explained. “They could pursue
graduate degrees in neuroscience or the health professions.”
While the College already offers a major in environmental science, the new concentration in environmental policy
introduces students to the principles and theory needed to
develop public policies for the conservation of natural
resources. “The program is designed for students who hope
to make a substantial contribution to the development of
green technologies and environmental sustainability,” Travis
said. “The concentration combines rigorous coursework in
environmental science with interdisciplinary studies in environmental policy.”
Graduates with this concentration can pursue advanced
degrees in environmental science or seek employment in
government agencies or industry. “The new concentration in
environmental policy is also excellent preparation for a career
in teaching, law, or the health sciences,” Travis added.
11
oN CamPUS
Tour de France
the assumption College Chorale traveled to France for a nine-day concert tour in may. the Chorale, directed by dr. michelle graveline Ha’08, performed at the Church
of Ste. maxime in eyragues and at the roguemaure Church in roguemaure. the chorale also sang in Paris at notre dame Cathedral and at the Church of the madeleine.
Laura Hall ’10 Crowned Miss Vermont
In June, Laura Hall ’10 was crowned Miss
Vermont at the state’s annual pageant, earning
a $5,000 scholarship and an additional $1,000
for her community service efforts. As Miss
Vermont, she will represent the Green Mountain
State at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas
in January and will tour her state, promoting her
platform of Youth Empowerment—Leaders of
Today. She will speak to audiences of all ages and
engage in various community service projects.
An organizational communication major
with minors in writing and television/theater
arts, Hall is an Augustine Scholar (the College’s
top scholarship award) and has been on the
Dean’s List every semester. She has worked in
12
laura Hall ’10
the Admissions Office on campus and performed
in Assumption theatre productions. A member
of the Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society (ODK), she will serve as
senate speaker for the Student Government
Association this year.
Hall is the daughter of Chris and stepdaughter
of Katie Smith Hall CE’04 and the second
Assumption student to compete in the Miss
America Pageant. Kristin Gauvin Neithercut ’05,
who was Miss Massachusetts 2005, competed
in the 2006 Miss America Pageant. Today, the
former New England Patriots and Los Angeles
Lakers cheerleader is a dance teacher and the
Miss Massachusetts pageant producer.
Students Employed in Summer Research
N
early a dozen Assumption students found terrific summer jobs without leaving campus. The undergraduates
are in the Testa Science Center laboratories Monday
through Friday conducting research related to their
majors, with mentoring and guidance from their professors in
the College’s Department of Natural Sciences.
Funding for the students’ paid summer research positions
comes from academic department budgets, the Assumption
Honors program or from competitive grants awarded to faculty.
For example, chemistry professor Betsy Colby-Davie is supporting several students through her grant from the Petroleum
Research Fund (American Chemical Society). Seniors Amber
Morra and Candice Baird, both honors students, are supported
by Assumption College Honors Research Fellowships.
Sophomore Stephanie Bouley and Morra are working with
assistant professor of biology Heather Wilkins to study the
effects of estrogen on colon cancer cells. Colby-Davie is employing seniors Leslie Lupien and Baird, and juniors Chantal McLellan
and Michael Dion in her laboratory to synthesize several natural
products with anti-tumor properties. Her students hope to test
some of their products on the colon cancer cells Prof. Wilkins’
students are studying.
“The experience in the lab exposes these hardworking students to the real process of science – the excitement of discovery, the trial and error of experimentation and the anticipation
of an answer,” Wilkins said.
Senior Michael McIntyre and junior Erin Gombos are studying liquid crystals and carbon nanotubes with assistant professor
of physics Georgi Georgiev.
“For me, undergraduate research is the highest form of
teaching,” said Georgiev. “It gives me a chance to spend many
more hours involved individually with students than I can in a
regular course. It also gives me an opportunity to teach them how
to read the research literature, formulate important questions,
plan and carry out the research and report their findings in scientific journals and conferences. All these are the tools that they
will need to be successful in any scientific field in the future.”
Junior Samantha Wessling is assessing the physical chemical effects of heat on wine with assistant professor of chemistry
Glenn Jones. Senior Douglas Reilly is focused on the growth of
long arm-like neuronal projections, called axons, which are
required for signaling the nervous system. Reilly and assistant
professor of biology Michele Lemons are studying how these
axons find their way to their correct target during development,
as well as why they fail to re-find their target in the adult after
an injury, such as a spinal cord injury.
“These summer research opportunities provide a unique
and important research experience for our students,” Lemons
said. “It takes a lot of work from both the students and the professors, but we’re all happy and excited to be working together.
This sort of independent, full-time and genuine research experience is often expected for students who want to gain entry into
graduate schools or science-related careers. The experience also
helps the students to take the facts they memorize in their
classes and put them into action in the lab.”
13
Learning From
Experience
B Y E LIzABETH W ALKER
Applying classroom concepts to reallife situations is at the core of service
learning, a strategy that integrates
teaching and learning with reflection
and meaningful community service.
At Assumption, more than a dozen
academic classes each semester
offer a community service learning
(CSL) component and more than
350 students take advantage of that
educational opportunity each year.
During the required 15 to 25 hours
of service (depending on the course),
those students apply their new
knowledge, while completing more
than 6,200 hours of service in the
Greater Worcester community.
14
Professor Susan melia (left) and Partnership Coordinator Susan Hayes
balance academics and community service in the CSl program.
I
n Professor Jennifer Niece’s 300-level accounting course,
Individual Income Tax Assistance, Assumption students
learn how to prepare tax returns electronically. But it wasn’t
until the undergraduates spent 25 hours of out-of-class time
preparing tax returns for residents in a low-income housing
complex in Worcester that they began to understand how people
who work two and three jobs can remain below the poverty line.
As Niece’s students honed their accounting skills, they also
explored issues such as poverty, welfare and social class. In 2008,
her CSL accounting students completed about 300 tax returns for
the housing complex residents, which provided nearly $450,000
in tax refunds for their clients.
“It’s an immense awakening for our students,” said Susan
Perschbacher Melia, director of the Community Service Learning
(CSL) Program at Assumption and a professor of sociology. “We
find that students who enroll in classes with a community service
learning component are more engaged. They write better papers
because they are writing about their own experiences, as well as
important issues. Community service learning is only one form
of pedagogy, but it’s a really effective technique.”
Assumption’s CSL Program was established officially in 2000.
While all the CSL classes have a 15- to 25-hour service requirement, the CSL minor requires six classes and 60 hours of service.
The CSL program continues to grow and involves more classes,
faculty, academic departments, students and community placements each year. It extends across the curriculum, including
English, economics, sociology, business and political science,
among other disciplines.
Perschbacher Melia concentrates on the academic aspects
of the CSL program, including course development and faculty
workshops, while Susan Hayes, CSL partnership coordinator,
establishes and nurtures relationships with community partners
and with faculty who use CSL pedagogy. Among her many responsibilities, Hayes identifies and oversees student placements that
reflect the learning objectives of the courses. Partnerships in
the Greater Worcester community resulted in nearly 50 student
placements during the past academic year, which, in turn, have
led to career opportunities for some of the students. Julia Kilgore
’09 was hired as the African Community Education program’s
first fulltime employee after her service there. Joshua Fosher ’09
had such a successful service learning experience at the Worcester
Public Schools’ New Citizen Center that he was offered a job after
graduation, as well.
“I completed the required 20 hours of service by the second
week for the CSL class I took last fall,” said Fosher, who majored
in anthropology. “I really enjoyed working with the kids, who
were from all over the world, so I kept volunteering. The principal
asked me if I’d stay on during spring semester and I was hired
into an aid position as soon as I graduated. My anthropology studies help me to understand that children from various cultures
perceive things very differently. I know that I’m helping these
children learn to function in a new place.”
Kilgore, a sociology major who minored in community
service learning, is the first fulltime employee at the African
Julia Kilgore ’09 and Josh Fosher ’09 are now employed by the programs
where they volunteered for CSl classes.
Community Education program in Worcester, which offers after
school programs for children from countries throughout Africa.
“I became intrigued by the African refugee population after going
to South Africa the summer before my senior year,” Kilgore said.
“I started volunteering at the African Community Education (ACE)
program in Worcester to meet CSL requirements. I finished
school in December and was hired as the only fulltime staff at
ACE. My title is office manager, but I do everything – office work,
programming, supervising the children and more. I’m learning
so much about business, managing a nonprofit and coordinating
initiatives.”
Further strengthening and broadening participation in the
CSL program would require additional resources, Perschbacher
Melia said.
“For example, we could offer scholarships to incoming firstyear students based on their years of community service and outstanding academic performance in high school,” she explained.
“Such scholarships could include a stipulation that the recipients
participate in community service learning classes.”
Offering classes in which CSL components are embedded
requires additional work for faculty, but Niece believes that
the benefits to the students and the community outweigh that
extra effort.
“I developed the (tax) course because I thought that this
program was an excellent way for students to apply their accounting knowledge, while also giving back to the community,” Niece
said. “In addition, most Assumption students have never been
exposed to the type of poverty faced by the people they serve by
preparing their tax returns. An important part of their education
is learning how to relate to the taxpayers and understanding the
choices that they face. Students not only need to master the tax
laws and software applications, but they also need to comprehend
the population that they help. The students develop a real sense
of professionalism and responsibility because they can see the
impact they make on the community and they draw connections
between their learning and their service.”
15
Larry Thayer ’70, president
and CEO of Cape Abilities,
a nonprofit organization
committed to serving people
with disabilities on Cape Cod
16
Helping People
Become
“Cape-able”
B Y E LIzABETH W ALKER
S
ocial and rehabilitation services classes were among
several electives Larry Thayer ’70 took as a political
science major looking to meet graduation requirements and
take advantage of assumption’s broad liberal arts curriculum.
an “intro to rehabilitation Services” class and a related
internship opened a window for him on the often unseen
challenges people with physical or intellectual disabilities
face daily. Combining what he learned in the classroom with
the real-life experience of his internship sparked in thayer
a sense of purpose and great passion for the human services
career that has consumed and compelled him for the past
four decades to help people with disabilities live productive,
independent lives.
17
Choosing to help
“As an undergraduate, I had an internship in Worcester,” Thayer
said. “I saw a side of life I had not seen growing up in Connecticut.
I saw that people had needs and that they were struggling. It was
then that I decided to be in a helping profession.”
That decision led Thayer on an unanticipated career path.
Rather than join VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) after
graduation as he had planned, he accepted a full scholarship to
stay on at Assumption and earn a master’s degree and certificate
of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in rehabilitation counseling, which he completed in 1972. While in graduate school, he
met his wife, Margaret “Beth” Munn G’72, also working on a
master’s degree and CAGS.
“Having a liberal arts degree has been very helpful for me,”
Larry said. “I learned how to think, to communicate and to write
effectively. You can easily apply the courses I had, like philosophy, physics and logic, when you have a vision of where you
want to go and how to get there.”
Four decades in human services
“There” for Thayer has been a four-decade career in human services, which took him to Cape Cod in 1974, and where, since 1990,
he has been president and executive director of Cape Abilities, a
nonprofit organization committed to serving people with disabilities
on Cape Cod through education, counseling, housing, employment, transportation and a litany of other therapeutic and social
support services and opportunities. Under Thayer’s leadership,
Cape Abilities has broadened its services and expanded its reach
on the Cape from Bourne to Provincetown. Just as important,
“you can easily apply the
courses i had, like philosophy,
physics and logic, when
you have a vision of where
you want to go and how
to get there.”
Thayer has worked to strengthen Cape Abilities financially through
forward-thinking real estate purchases, business acquisitions
and strategic partnerships with other Cape-based businesses.
Cape Cod’s protected shore, high-duned beaches and
abundance of hiking, biking and birding trails make it a dream
destination for tourists and retirees. But it was a job, not relaxation, that first attracted Thayer to the Cape early in his career.
His first job, based in Fitchburg, was area director for the
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). When the
same position opened up on the Cape, he wanted it. During
the interview, Thayer told the hiring committee that he was
perfect for the position because he “could make a decision.”
They tested his claim by offering him the job on the spot. “I
had to show them that I really could make a decision, so I said
‘yes,’” he said. “Then I went home to tell my wife that I had
just accepted a job on Cape Cod. We moved to the Cape shortly
after the Christmas holidays.”
larry thayer and ann marie Campbell with the Cape abilities Bee mobile. the Bee mobile travels across Cape Cod to promote the adopt a Bee farm
membership program.
18
Bringing together business and social services
“On the surface, the Cape seems to be an idyllic utopia,”
Thayer said. “But historically, Cape Cod has a high rate of substance abuse, single-parent families and salaries that don’t meet
the cost of living. There is need for the services we offer. Cape
Abilities has one foot in the business community and the other
in social services. Recently named Business of the Year by the
Hyannis Chamber of Commerce, the goal is to create employment and a revenue stream. It allows us to be more independent
than if we had to rely on traditional human services funding
sources. Raising substantial funds—more than $1 million last
year—has enabled Cape Abilities to operate with revenues
exceeding expenses for 18 consecutive years.”
Cape Abilities’ three main businesses include a vending
machine operation, filling 30,000 Welcome to Cape Cod Beach
Buckets for distribution to summer renters and the eight-acre
Cape Abilities Farm and Farm Stand on Route 6A in Dennis. At
the farm, several wheel-chair accessible greenhouses produce
more than 35,000 pounds of hydroponically-grown tomatoes
and other produce for sale to the public and local high-end
restaurants. Cape Abilities’ tomatoes placed eighth in the 2008
Commonwealth Tomato Festival in Boston.
“on the surface, the Cape
seems to be an idyllic utopia,
but there is need for the
services we offer.”
“For everything we do at the farm, we raise the money first,”
Thayer said. “We have tomatoes from mid-May until Christmas.
The hydroponic technology is fascinating. The tomato plants are
not grown in soil, but inside greenhouses where we feed them
with a mineral- and nutrient-filled solution that is pumped into
the trays where the plants rest. Bees pollinate the crops. We supply some of the finest restaurants on the Cape with our tomatoes.
The success and visibility of our tomato enterprise creates a
greater awareness of what we’re doing. We couldn’t have timed
the business better because today people want to eat local and
eat healthy. Demand for our tomatoes exceeds our crop.”
Increasing opportunity and choice
Beyond the produce and revenue stream the farm produces,
planting, caring for, harvesting and selling the harvest provides
jobs and learning opportunities for people with disabilities,
moving them toward greater independence. “I try to make sure
that all of our programs are providing choice and satisfaction
for our clients and our employees. We try to increase opportunities for people in our programs to make informed choices about
their lives. Going to work is a powerful thing for people.”
With 230 employees, including associate executive director
Jeff McCarthy ’69; a $10.5-million budget and nearly 20 locations
nick anderson and larry thayer with the official invitations from the Stafford
Foundation to the People's inaugural in Washington, dC
serving hundreds of people on the Cape, Cape Abilities is growing,
thriving and enjoying increased visibility. Featured in the Boston
Globe and New York Times and on the CBS Evening News, Cape
Abilities is creating “buzz,” which brings more support and partnership opportunities, Thayer said. In addition to an invitation to
participate in Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid Concert, he is especially
proud that Cape Abilities was one of 35 nonprofits nationwide
invited as special guests of the Stafford Foundation to attend the
People’s Inaugural, where a Cape Abilities contingent enjoyed
“front-row seats” at the presidential inauguration festivities.
Every day is different
The recent acquisition of a waterfront 18th-century farm on
seven acres in Marston Mills offers new program and partnership opportunities. Thayer foresees working with a living history
museum to demonstrate historic and contemporary (hydroponic) farming methods. “There are times when I ask myself
‘why am I taking on another project,’ but I love to work, love to
have fun and be creative. Every day is different. I’ve learned that
there isn’t only one answer.”
Thayer also has learned that decisions can have unexpected
impacts that are life-changing.
“I don’t think that people realize that choosing a college is
more than an academic decision,” he said. “I didn’t want to apply
to Assumption at first because I thought it was too close to home.
But as soon as I got to campus, I knew it was where I wanted to
be. Overall,my liberal arts education there was superb. It prepared me to deal with a wide range of experiences and people.”
It also opened Thayer’s eyes to a different world, one in
which people struggle and need help. Four decades later, he is
still working full-tilt to improve the quality of daily life and
choices available to people with disabilities. Visit Cape Abilities
online at www.capeabilities.org.
19
Fundraiser.
Missionary.
Filmmaker.
Freshman.
B Y T ROY W ATKINS
Brian Ake ’12 was just a month old
when he had his first surgery. Born
with a cleft lip and palate, it would
be the first of 20 corrective surgeries
Brian would undergo before age 13.
Plastic surgeons at Boston Children’s
Hospital rebuilt his nose and face.
Oral surgeons worked to remake his
jaw, while dentists and orthodontists
realigned Brian’s teeth. As a high
school freshman, Brian learned he
had lost most of his hearing and has
worn a hearing aid ever since.
20
"Helping in any way, you can make
a difference..."
Approximately one of every 800 babies in the United States,
and one of 500 in third world countries, is born with a cleft lip
and palate. A cleft lip is a separation in the upper lip. A similar
birth defect in the roof of the mouth, or palate, is known as a cleft
palate. Fortunately for Brian, he and his parents have had access
to excellent medical and surgical care. For those less privileged,
there are medical organizations, like Operation Smile, that bring
medical personnel to other countries to perform transformational facial surgeries.
Founded in 1982, Operation Smile organizes medical volunteers to travel around the world and provide free surgeries to
correct cleft lip and palate and other facial deformities. Its mission is “to mobilize a world of generous hearts to heal children’s
smiles and transform lives across the globe.” Last year, Operation
Smile provided free surgeries for nearly 11,000 children through
international and local, in-country medical missions. It coordinates more than 30 medical sites in 26 countries annually.
During his senior year at Masconomet Regional High School
in Topsfield, Brian was required to complete an internship project.
His mother Margaret Ake, an assistant professor of accounting at
Endicott College, recommended Operation Smile to Brian as a
focus for his internship. Brian figured that he would raise some
money, take some before-and-after pictures of the children and
present his project on a tri-fold board like his classmates. But the
project grew in proportion with Brian’s interest in Operation
Smile’s work.
“I wanted to do something different and (go) above-andbeyond,” Brian explained. “I contacted Operation Smile’s
Director of Student Programs K. Wade Hooton. He invited me
to go to mission training, and my mother and I decided to go on
a mission. We requested Cambodia because the trip scheduled
there coincided with my mom’s spring break at Endicott.”
Once committed to Operation Smile’s mission, Brian decided
to create a Web site to raise money. He launched it in December
2007 with a fundraising goal of $10,000. He surpassed his goal
within two months and ratcheted up his goal to $20,000. Two
fundraising events, one at his high school and one at Endicott
College, netted a total of $5,000, which helped Brian raise nearly
$26,000 for Operation Smile to fund future missions.
In March 2008, Brian and his mother flew to Cambodia on
their first medical mission. By then, Brian had decided to make a
documentary on his experience and shot six hours of video during
his two-week stay in Cambodia. With the help of several others on
the trip, he also collected hundreds of photos of fellow volunteers
and patients. Brian worked in student programs during his stay,
Brian with a palate patient who loved
the games brought by the students.
Brian had a very similar appearance to
that of this child, with a bilateral cleft
lip and palate, when he was born.
Brian with a patient who had her lip
repaired. She was scheduled to have
her palate repaired in november 2008
when operation Smile returned.
Brian and his mother margaret
at a historical museum.
educating children and families in schools and orphanages, where
he made presentations about burn prevention, dental care and
proper nutrition. He also kept the children entertained in the
hospitals with books, games and bubbles.
During the trip to Cambodia, Brian maintained a blog on his
Web site, posted photos and received messages from family and
friends. Margaret worked in medical records and post-operative
care during the trip. “I wanted to go on this mission and be a part
of this experience,” Margaret said. “I have often said that having
Brian changed my life. Never was that more true than when we
worked together as part of this team. We will never forget it.”
During the two weeks, the surgical team performed 133 surgeries
for children from among 284 potential patients.
Brian says he returned to high school from his Operation
Smile mission with more than six hours of video footage and
hundreds of photos. “The Operation Smile mission taught me
that one person can make a difference. The ideal way to live is to
be unselfish and think about the true problems in the world. By
helping in any way, you can make a difference, no matter how
small or great it is,” he added.
Brian had someone in his corner at Assumption even before
he enrolled at the College. Dean of Studies Eloise Knowlton previously had worked with Margaret Ake at Endicott and the dean
recommended Assumption and its Study Abroad program as a
perfect fit for Brian, given his interests. He felt welcomed as
soon as he arrived on campus and already has hit his stride in
the Assumption community after only one year. Brian joined the
College’s Operation Smile chapter and the student club ADAPT
(the Assumption Disabilities Awareness and Promotion Team),
as well as Cambiando Vidas (Changing Lives), a nonprofit organization that sends teams to build hurricane-safe homes in the
Dominican Republic. Brian is serving as Cambiando’s director of
fundraising. In March, he presented his documentary film about
his Operation Smile mission to Cambodia, “The Importance of a
Smile,” to an enthusiastic campus-wide audience.
While he already has a documentary in his career portfolio,
Brian’s own story has just begun. Heading into his second year on
campus, Brian has fine-tuned his academic focus and redirected
his initial interest in conventional study abroad possibilities. He
has declared a major in biology, plans to go to medical school
after graduation and hopes to become a plastic surgeon. In the
meantime, he wants to volunteer on future Operation Smile missions. Eventually, he would like to become a surgical team member
and, maybe one day, treat children who are born with similar
facial abnormalities … a true smile maker.
"...no matter how small or great it is."
21
Building a
Habitat Chapter
B Y S TEPHEN K OSTRzEWA
“It doesn’t matter if you hammer 50
nails or 500,” said Jane Bittner ’12,
president of Assumption College’s
Habitat for Humanity club, “any
small impact helps.” However, due
to her efforts, and those of dozens
of other students, Habitat, which
builds and rehabilitates homes
through volunteer labor, will be
able to help more people—and
hammer many more nails.
22
B
ittner, a biology major, was introduced to Habitat for Humanity
through a Community Service
Learning journalism course taught by
Associate Professor of English Michael
Land. She was impressed with the organization’s record of having built more
than 300,000 houses for more than 1.5 million people in more
than 3,000 communities worldwide. She also identified with
its commitment to working with the families they are assisting.
Inspired by her experience, she sought to start a club at
Assumption. “Jane got really fired up about the possibilities,”
Land recalled.
That passion is apparent when Bittner discusses her hopes
for her fledgling club. “I know a lot of people say they want to
change the world…someday, but I want to start now and give
other students at Assumption the opportunity to do so as well,”
she said.
act!, Speak!, Build!
Her drive was contagious. The group quickly grew to 34
members, and with Land agreeing to serve as faculty advisor,
held its first official meeting in early March. Since then they’ve
been busy, taking part in activities like Habitat’s nationwide
“Act!, Speak!, Build! Week” awareness project. For their
contribution, the group designed and built colorful birdhouses
decorated with Habitat facts and mounted them throughout
the campus.
In April they held their first “build day,” working with the
MetroWest/Greater Worcester Habitat branch to install drywall
and wood paneling at a duplex in Sudbury. Though the work was
tiring, the realization that they were able to make a difference in
other people’s lives made it all worthwhile. “I came home with
muddy sneakers, burnt cheeks and aching muscles…but I felt
I had accomplished something,” Bittner acknowledged.
Their efforts also had other unexpected bonuses. “A lot of
us live in the same dorm on the same floor, but have never said
more than a few words to each other. That all changed when we
were painting while suspended from a scaffold; we had to appreciate the person clinging next to us.”
The formation of the Habitat for Humanity club is just one
of Assumption’s contributions to Habitat. Students often take
part in “build trips” to Habitat work sites during breaks and, in
2008, they published “Finally Home,” a history and overview of
the Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity organization.
Plans for the club include organizing a build trip over the
2009–10 winter break and conducting a 5K fundraising run next
spring. In the fall, Bittner and Elizabeth Micozzi ’12, a fellow
member of the Assumption Habitat club, will serve as co-chairs
of the Habitat for Humanity Worcester College Consortium,
representing Worcester’s colleges at Habitat meetings and
furthering the goal of helping as many people as possible.
Trustee Finds
Gratification
in Habitat
for Humanity
Volunteerism
Assumption College Trustee Jim O’Connor has also discovered a unique sense of accomplishment through his
involvement in Habitat for Humanity (HH). For four years,
Jim has volunteered with HH in the Naples, FL, area and
Collier County, which boasts the largest HH group in the
U.S., having built 1,000 homes.
“A friend of mine was involved with Habitat and recommended it to me,” O’Connor recalls. After researching
the organization, he decided to join. He typically assembles 2x4s and builds frames for the houses during a fivehour shift on Saturday mornings. “And I’ve even earned
a promotion from hammer to nail gun,” he quipped. He
and wife Joan have also mentored families that have
applied for a house. Applicants are required to wait for
one year after being approved for a home so they can
work 500 hours for HH.
“It’s one thing to write a check to donate to an organization, but to go to a job site and see the actual fruit of
your labor, it’s tangible. I enjoy meeting the families and
seeing how pleased, lucky and appreciative they feel to
have a home.”
A former Sturbridge resident, O’Connor got to know
Frs. Roland Guilman, A.A.’50, John Franck, A.A. ’70 and
Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69 at St. Anne’s/St. Patrick’s Parish.
He was invited to join the Assumption College Board of
Trustees, of which he has been a member for 15 years. He
has chaired the finance and audit investment committees
for 12 years. Jim and Joan have three children and eight
grandchildren. They reside in Falmouth, MA, and spend
the winters in Naples, FL.
23
hoUNDS WaTCh
SPring Sports Roundup
Baillargeon Named All-American; Led Baseball Team
Back to NCAA Tournament
By Steve Morris ’72, Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations
Senior second baseman Mike Baillargeon capped off a superb
career as he was named to the American Baseball Coaches
Association All-American second team. He led the team to its
highest seasonal win total in its 92-year history. Named the
Player-of-the-Year on the Northeast-10 Conference, Daktronics
all-East and the ABCA East Region teams, Baillargeon was
named a first-team performer by the Northeast-10 Conference,
ECAC Division II and ABCA East Regional coaches and the sports
information directors on the Daktronics all-East team.
The Greyhounds finished the season 33-21-1, setting the
record for wins (33) and advanced to the conference final for
the first time since 2000 and to the NCAA Regional for only
the third time (1978, 1982) under Coach George Reidy, the
Northeast-10 Conference Coach-of-the-Year.
Baillargeon received his second consecutive Andrew Laska
Award as the male athlete-of-the-year at the College. He is also
a three-time Most Valuable Player (2006, ’08 and ’09).
Baillargeon batted .393 this season with a team-record 84
hits and also led the squad in runs (56), home runs (11), stolen
bases (12), walks (27) and total bases (136). He set career marks
in games (187), hits (267) and triples (15).
Mike Baillargeon
Baseball Players Excel in the Classroom
In addition to their on-field success,
Greyhound baseball players also excelled
in the classroom. Junior pitcher Michael
Colebrook, who spent the fall semester
studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, is one
of eight student-athletes with a perfect
4.0 GPA for the spring semester. A
French and philosophy major he was
named the winner of the Rev. Alfred
Berthaiume, A.A. Memorial Award for
“going above and beyond.”
He was named academic first-team
all-region in both 2008 and 2009 and
will be a three-time captain in 2010.
Colebrook and junior catcher Matthew
Jose were named Augustine Scholars—
the premier grant awarded by the College.
Jose, sophomore pitcher Dave McLean
and freshman pitcher Andrew Colebrook
(brother of Michael) also earned
Directors Citations.
Greyhound Sports News Online
For up-to-the-minute assumption greyhound sports coverage, visit
www.assumptiongreyhounds.com
24
Marissa Palumbo
Ashley Bilodeau
Kevin Klaskin
SOFTBALL In softball, sophomore shortstop Marissa Palumbo
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Senior Heather Gostyla was
(.324) and sophomore third baseman Ashley Bilodeau (.368)
both earned second-team all-conference, while freshman
pitcher Jennifer Lowrey (10-6, 2.36) made the all-rookie team.
The team finished 20-27 and qualified for the NE-10 playoffs.
named MVP in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track
and was the first female track standout to win the Desautels
Awards as the premier senior student-athlete.
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Junior Chris O’Day was the top perMEN’S LACROSSE Men’s lacrosse midfielder Chris Noyes
was the NE-10 Freshman-of-the-Year, leading the team with 89
ground balls and winning 140 faceoffs as the Greyhounds just
missed the playoffs. Senior attack Kevin Klaskin (23 goals, 21
assists) led the team in scoring and became merely the third
Greyhound to reach 100 points (49 goals, 59 assists) for a career.
former for the men’s team.
WOMEN’S ROWING Rowing standout Anne Harris joined
a select group by being named MVP and elected captain while
still a freshman.
MEN’S GOLF Senior Rob Younker led the golf team with
WOMEN’S LACROSSE Women’s lacrosse senior attack Shannon
a 78.5 medal average and won the male Desautels Award.
Howard (37 goals, 13 assists) led the team in scoring and finished her career with 82 goals and 46 assists.
WOMEN’S SOCCER Glenn Melia was recently hired as
head women’s soccer coach.
MEN’S TENNIS Sophomore men’s tennis doubles team/captains
Jimmy Mongello and Bobby Hurley earned third-team
all-NE-10 honors and led the team to the conference playoffs.
AWARDS The Greyhounds won the Brunk Award for Team
Sportmanship in the NE-10 after winning for football, men’s
indoor track and men’s lacrosse.
WOMEN’S TENNIS Freshman Melissa Ferry was named
to the third-team (and all-rookie team) while leading the
women’s tennis team to the NE-10 playoffs.
Shannon Howard
Heather Gostyla
Rob Younker
25
alumniNews
A crowd of more than 500 alumni, friends and family celebrated Reunion Weekend on campus June 5–7. Class dinners
were held for the Classes of ’59, ’64, ’69 and ’74 on Friday
evening, followed by a chocolate and fruit buffet and the music
of classical guitarist Bryan Wrenn ’07. Saturday’s activities
included a family barbecue on the Charlie’s patio outside Hagan
Campus Center, tours of the campus and the Testa Science Center,
“gym, swim and putt” in the Plourde Recreation Center, the
Reunion Mass, class dinners for the Classes of ’79, ’84, ’89,
’94, ’99 and 2004, followed by dancing to the tunes of a D.J.
in Taylor Dining Hall.
The annual Golden Greyhounds brunch, honoring alumni
who graduated 50 years ago or more, was held in the Testa
Science Center atrium. Dr. Catherine Wood Brooks, vice president for student affairs, addressed the crowd, comparing student
life of the 1950s to today.
Reunion
2009
PHoto: Warren lavallee
golden greyhounds Frank ’48 & loraine dufault, Fr. roland guilmain, a.a.
’50; Jean ’48 & louise Picard, dick ’55 and Pauline miller and mona &
lee Bourret ’50
tom manning ’69, Filomena & President Francesco Cesareo with
ron Coderre ’69
Celebrating the Class of ’59’s golden reunion were (front) Janet testa and Julie o’Shea
(2nd row) Fr. Henry donoghue, arlene desmarais, Jeanne & Pete Caron, and Fr. richard
roger (3rd row) norm desmarais, gerry & eleanore Croteau, and norm lizotte (back)
Fr. Paul vaudreuil, a.a. and dick & Katherine Picard
Chris & Jane mcFarlin leo ’94 with daughters Bridget and elizabeth reconnect
with ted & melanie armrod Priestly ’94 and children luke and madeline
Karen Checola mcdonald ’84, mary ellen goodyear Cranston ’84, Caren Zelton Kenney
’84 and Jayne Wojtowicz Beck ’84
26
the Class of 1964 celebrated its 45th reunion: (front l-r) Jay laPorte, gene Columbo,
marc lePain and Joe Simoneau (middle) don d’amour, Bill White and Pierre Belhumeur
(top) Jack Barnosky, gill Bastien, Steve Warner and John Corazzini
John Zinno ’89, matthew roche ’89, allyn “Chip” Smith ’89, richard turcott ’89
and John daddona ’89
Two Endowed
Scholarships Created
the Class of ’69, led by reunion Chairs tom
manning and ron Coderre, raised a 40th
reunion record of $188,000 from nearly 50
percent of the Class members. Working with
the office of institutional advancement, the
Class raised more than $68,000 to create two
endowed scholarships in honor of two mentors. Bro. Armand Lemaire, A.A. ’48 and Fr.
Paul Goudreau G’65. Both men were proctors
in the residence halls and business office
administrators when these alumni were students over 40 years ago.
the creation of the two scholarships—
the Fr. Paul J. goudreau g’65 Scholarship
Fund and the Bro. armand g. lemaire, a.a. ’48
Scholarship Fund—was announced at the 40th
reunion celebration, attended by both of the
honorees. Following a standing ovation, Bro.
armand and Fr. Paul thanked those in attendance for the honor. they were clearly touched
by the generosity of the Class in remembering
their support throughout the years.
Father Paul
Brother armand
gary & Patty Barnes vuylsteke ’74 with ray ’74 & margaret Chagnon
27
aLUmNI NeWS
Alumni Awards Ceremony
award recipients robert lewis ’74, Stephen Knott ’79 and Bob and Pat laut
P’00, ’02, ’03, ’07
Four distinguished members of the Assumption family were
honored at the Alumni Awards Ceremony on June 6 in Hagan
Hall. Robert and Patricia Laut P’00, ’02, ’03, ’07 were presented the Honorary Alumni Award. Former co-chairs of the
Parents Committee, Bob and Pat served that Committee for
several years while their four children—Brian ’00, Matt ’02,
Chris ’03 and Amanda ’07—attended Assumption. Tireless
supporters of and contributors to Assumption, the Lauts joined
the President’s Council in 1999 and during their tenure as
Parents commitee co-chairs, helped the Parents Fund surpass
the $100,000 giving total for the first time.
Introducing his parents, Brian Laut ’00 remarked how supportive his parents have been of him and his three siblings, as
well as Assumption College. He concluded, “One day, my siblings and I hope that our children will look up to us and respect
us as much as we respect our parents.” Bob Laut was quick to
point out that each of his four children made his or her own
decision to attend Assumption College. “We’ve greatly enjoyed
our involvement with Assumption and working with the Parents
Committee and will continue to support the College and be a
visible influence on campus,” he said.
Robert Lewis ’74 received the Jack L. Bresciani ’72
Outstanding Alumnus Award. Lewis has a long and distinguished
record of service as a loyal alumnus. A charter member of the
President’s Council and a member of the Heritage Society since
1993, he has helped organize and attend class reunions, and has
served on several AC committees, including the Alumni Board,
for which he is also a past president. He works for Remax
Executive Realty in North Grafton. Lewis and wife Lori have two
daughters, a son and a grandson. With Jack Bresciani’s mother,
Gemma, in attendance, John DiPietro ’72, a former roommate
of Jack’s, shared that both he and Bob were convinced by Jack
to become involved in the Alumni Association. Accepting the
award, Lewis said “From the moment I arrived on this campus
in 1970, I could feel its electricity and I’ve had a love affair with
Assumption since then. Over the years, during college and my
involvement after graduation with the Alumni Association I’ve
met people that I now consider the closest of friends, which I can
say about so many Assumption people.”
Stephen Knott, Ph.D. ’79 is this year’s recipient of the Fr.
Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award. Knott is
a faculty member of the national security decision making
department at the United States Naval War College in Newport,
RI. He previously co-chaired the Presidential Oral History
Program at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public
Affairs, and has also taught political science at several colleges,
including the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has authored four
books including his most recent, titled At Reagan’s Side: Insiders’
Recollections from Sacramento to the White House. Roy Angel ’79
introduced his classmate to receive the award. Knott said, “My
time at Assumption College changed my life for the better.” He
was thrilled that his most influential professor Ken Moynihan
AP’62 was in attendance, so Knott could thank him in person.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Luanne Vardo Proko ’85
completed her two-year term as president of the Alumni
Association and turned over the gavel to incoming president
Donna O’Neill Connolly ’78.
Nominations Sought for Alumni Awards
The Office of Alumni Relations seeks nominations for the annual
awards, giving by the Alumni Association. Please call 508-7677223 or e-mail alumni@assumption.edu. A brief description of
the criteria for each award follows. Please visit the Web site for
more information and a list of past recipients.
devotion to the advancement of the Alumni Association; untiring,
loyal, outstanding and unselfish efforts in fostering the ideals,
spirit, traditions and growth of Assumption College; and for distinguished achievement. Alumni who graduated at least 10 years
ago are eligible.
Honorary Alumnus/a Award
Fr. Louis Dion, A.A.’35 Outstanding Achievement Award
This award recognizes outstanding devotion and generosity to
Assumption College and/or the Association. Any member of
the general public is eligible for recognition.
Given to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated exceptional
achievement in his/her chosen field of interest. Qualifications
include, but are not limited to: outstanding leadership skills,
community service, business acumen, preeminence in teaching
or research and/or entrepreneurship. Alumni who graduated at
least 10 years ago may receive this award.
Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumnus/a Award
Given in recognition of continued enthusiastic service and
28
alumni eventS
Saturday, September 12
from the alumni association president
DONNA O’NEiLL CONNOLLy ’78
As your newest alumni president, I cannot
tell you how thrilled I am to be writing my
first column in this magazine. Assumption
has been a special part of my life for 35 years,
which included meeting my husband, Tim ’77, and my wonderful friends. I began taking my sons to basketball games
and joined the Central Mass. Regional club shortly after
that. In 2005, I was asked to join the alumni board and have
had the opportunity to attend some special events and meet
alumni from many different classes.
Reunion Weekend was a great time for all who attended.
The highlight for me was the Alumni Awards ceremony on
Saturday morning. Whether I know the recipient or not, it
is always a heartwarming and inspiring ceremony, honoring
those who have given so much to Assumption.
This year’s Fall Homecoming will include the rededication of the Laska Gymnasium. The Athletic Hall of Fame
dinner will follow the ceremony. In addition, we will also
have the annual Alumni Admissions Day program.
Please feel free to contact me or the staff in the alumni
relations office. If you have changed your e-mail address,
make sure we are aware of that. That is the best way for us
to contact you, since most events are now by e-vites ONLY.
I look forward to seeing you in the months to come.
Assumption Prep Reunion
Saturday, September 26
Fall Homecoming – see complete schedule on page 41
Laska Gymnasium Rededication
Alumni-Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner
Saturday, October 17
President’s Council Dinner
Saturday, December 6
2nd annual Breakfast with Santa
Save the Date:
Friday-Sunday, June 4, 5 & 6, 2010
Reunion Weekend
Please visit us online at www.assumption.edu/alums for
up-to-date programs, Regional Club events, times, locations, flyers, and more. Please watch your e-mail or check
the Web site often to confirm arrangements and to check
added Club events. If traveling, you are welcome to join
fellow alumni at regional events! Please make sure we
have your e-mail address for electronic invitations and
updates/event changes.
Questions?
Alumni Relations (508) 767-7223
or e-mail: alumni@assumption.edu
News to share?
E-mail alumni@assumption.edu or your class agent
(listed in Class Notes). Include photos with names
and graduation years of alumni pictured. Please
print or type.
Renew Your Vows Alumni Mass & Dinner
Fourteen couples participated in the may event: (l-r) Paula & rod gauvin ’72, andrew & Suzanne Klinger viens ’94, Chris & michelle remillard Bokis ’91,
Christopher & terry Bedard leger ’90, Joanne & louis Paquette ’70, Jim ’77 & Kathy Croteau Phaneuf ’76, Jeannine & roger trahan ’55, alan & Suzanne rice
Simoncini ’78, david & Carol nozzolillo geary ’80, robert & Peggy Bond duffy ’83, gloria and Paul Hand ’56, Francis ’75 & Frances Ziccardi meringolo ’76, Kevin
& laurie mcCrohon Hickey ’87, with President Cesareo (center).
29
aLUmNI NeWS
Croatia
And the survey said...
italy/Greece &
Washington, D.C.!
Several months ago we sent a survey to alumni regarding where they would like to
go next…you responded and we listened. the top two european choices were italy and
greece…so we combined the two for an exciting mediterranean Cruise. the top domestic
bus trip destination was Washington, d.C., so we thought Cherry-blossom season would
be ideal. our previous two trips to montreal and Sorrento, italy were sell-outs… so please
book early. alumni, family and friends are all welcome!
April 8-11, 2010
Washington, D.C.
round-trip luxury coach bus, four-day trip includes all the historic sights and institutions
with an on-bus Washington guide.the Capitol, White House, embassy row, national
Cathedral, memorials, the Smithsonian, and much more. accommodations are at the
luxurious 5-star Hilton mclean in virginia, and include all meals. approximate cost
is $489/pp double; $479/pp triple; $589/single. trip requires a minimum number
of passengers.
Washington, d.C.
venice
October/November 2010
Eastern Mediterranean Cruise to Italy, Greek Isles and Croatia
aaa executive and Class of 1976 alumnus Bill Sutherland has put together a unique
and special trip where we’ll explore the magnificent historical sights and cultures of italy,
Croatia and the stunning greek islands. experience the breathtaking scenery of venice
followed by a romantic seven-night eastern mediterranean cruise aboard the grand
italian steamship-inspired Costa Fortuna. Package includes 22 meals; round-trip air from
Boston to venice and breathtaking ports-of-call to Bari, italy; Katakolon, Santorini,
mykonos and rhodes, greece; and dubrovnik, Croatia also know as the “Pearl of the
adriatic.” approximate cost, including air-fare is $5,800. valid passport is mandatory.
trip requires a minimum number of passengers. Please contact diane laska-nixon ’76
at 508-767-7239 if interested.
mykonos
Complete itineraries for both trips will soon be
available online at www.assumption.edu/alums.
May 19-28, 2010 European Pilgrimage to Paris, Nimes and Rome
the year 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the
birth of Fr. emmanuel d’alzon, the founder of the
assumptionists, who are the founders and sponsoring religious community of assumption College.
Several events are in the works to celebrate this
anniversary, including a pilgrimage to three european
cities—Paris, nimes, rome—where d’alzon lived out
significant chapters of his life and where his dream
30
of a new religious community was born and realized.
the trip includes two days in Paris, continuing on
to nimes, including d’alzon’s birthplace and the
former site of the original “College de l’Assomption,”
and finishes with three days in rome. details are
in progress. if interested please e-mail Philosophy
Professor Christian gobel at cgobel@assumption.edu
or call 508-767-7378.
1
4
PHotoS: Carl Cox
Washington, D.C.
alumni receptions
5
2
3
more than 100 alumni and friends attended the reception at the
vatican embassy in Washington, d.C., in april. President Francesco
Cesareo and archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Papal nuncio, welcomed
the guests. Cesareo spoke about the College’s two pillars: the
Catholic intellectual tradition and assumption’s commitment to
academic excellence.
1. His eminence Jozef Cardinal tomko, His excellency most reverend
Pietro Sambi, His excellency most reverend Joseph adamec and
President Cesareo
2. meg ryan, marc Columbo, Karen and gene Columbo ’64
3. Winnie Walsh Keon ’85, monica Sheehan, tom Keon
and terry Sheehan ’86
4. Joe Bobinski ’76, rick repasky ’75 and Kim Bobinski.
5. Bob Hunter ’72, tom o’Connor ’68, diane laska-nixon ’76
and dan Small ’73
6. marna Blanchette, normand desmarais ’59, Paul giguere ’53
and arlene desmarais
6
31
aLUmNI NeWS
ClassNotes
assumption College
’62
ClaSS agent
tim Cooney (cooney38@charter.net)
Tim Cooney recently joined the board of
directors at the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s
Action Corps. He is president of the
Massachusetts Safety Council and has served
as mayor and a city councilor of Worcester.
Fitchburg’s Gelinas Courthouse
Hon. Andre A. Gelinas ’60
in June, the Fitchburg district
Court was designated as the
gelinas Courthouse, in honor
of the late Honorable A.
André Gelinas’20, HD ’55
and Hon. André A. “Andy”
Gelinas ’60, HD’83 for their
many contributions to the
judiciary, the bar and the city of Fitchburg for more
than 85 years.
the elder gelinas graduated from Harvard law
School and founded the law firm gelinas & Ward
in 1924, the oldest continuously operating firm
in northern Worcester County. He was appointed
in 1931 as a special justice of the Fitchburg district
Court and later served as assistant district attorney
and district attorney in Worcester County. He was
awarded an honorary degree from assumption in
1955 and practiced law until his death in 1978.
the younger gelinas joined the family law
practice in 1963 after earning his law degree at
the university of michigan law School. He began
his own judicial career as a special justice to the
Fitchburg district Court in 1973 and served until
1979, when he was appointed justice. He served
there until he was appointed to the massachusetts
appeals Court in 1999 and retired in 2008. He
serves as special advisor to the chief justice for
administration and management for information
technology. assumption awarded him an honorary
degree in 1983 (the first father and son to be so
honored by the College) and in 2000 he received
the alumni association’s Fr. louis dion, a.a. ’35
outstanding achievement award.
andy and renalde have two daughters,
michele (gelinas) arthur ’95 and nicole.
’64
Gene Columbo joined Deloitte
Consulting LLP in Washington, DC, as a senior manager. He specializes in postal and
logistics consultancy. Gene and wife Karen
live in Gaithersburg, MD.
Sr. Margaret Leonard, LSA, CE’64,
HD’07, executive director of Project HOPE,
received honorary degrees from UMassBoston and Tufts University in May. Since
1985 she has directed Project HOPE, a multiservice center with an array of educational
and economic empowerment programs that
annually serves more than 1,000 families
from its Roxbury location. Sr. Margaret also
appeared in the national media in late May
when U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Tim
Geithner visited Project HOPE to unveil new
markets tax credits.
’67
ClaSS agentS
Joe laforte (josephlaforte@comcast.net)
Pete marcotte (drakelane@comcast.net)
Charles DeFilippo retired as principal
of North Middlesex Regional High School in
2003. He and wife Mary then moved to
Florida, where Charlie is teaching government
and history at a local high school. The couple
recently celebrated its 40th wedding anniversary.
’68
ClaSS agentS
Bob mercier (pploon2@aol.com)
Chuck murphy (is1925@aol.com)
Joseph Bialy retired after 37 years as a
high school principal and 28 years in the
Army National Guard. Joe is an educational
liaison for the Army National Guard in
Massachusetts.
’69
ClaSS agent
ron Coderre (ron.coderre@snet.net)
Robert Boule was inducted into the
Worcester Public Schools Hall of Fame in May
at a ceremony held at Wachusett Country Club.
’70
40TH
REUNiON
Frank Ardaiolo was appointed to serve
on the board of the NASPA Foundation in
Cape Cod alumni reception in July: roger Plourde Hd’88, rosemary Spillane, gloria Plourde Ha’95
and Bitsey o’neill
32
the first lay president of the Academy.
’80
30TH
REUNiON
ClaSS agentS
mike robinson (mjrobinson@att.net)
Colette gushue rowland (rowlandhing@aol.com)
Sarah thomas tracy (sjttracy@cox.net)
Catherine Bean Benoit has joined
Workers’ Credit Union in Fitchburg as vice
president/residential mortgage manager.
Catherine resides in Lunenburg.
’81
ClaSS agent
Barbara taylor edmond ’76 enjoys the april Washington, dC, reception with terry ’86
and monica Sheehan.
Washington, DC. Frank is the vice president
for student life at Winthrop University in
Rock Hill, SC.
Raymond Belair received the degree of
Doctor of Ministry in Scripture from the
Graduate Theological Foundation in South
Bend, IN, in May.
’73
ClaSS agent
maureen ryan doyle (mryandoyle@aol.com)
Joseph Marocco is the associate director
of health care services for the Rhode Island
Department of Corrections.
’74
ClaSS agent
Bruce eells (breells@aol.com)
John Mancini was appointed dental
director at the Community Health Center of
Cape Cod in Mashpee, which provides comprehensive dental care and oral surgery to the
underserved. Following 28 years of private
practice he initiated and founded the Dental
Clinic at Burbank Hospital in northern
Worcester County. Upon his move to Cape Cod
he has served as dental director for two other
Cape Cod facilities.
’75
35TH
REUNiON
Philip Delongchamp, a long-time teacher
at the Knox Trail Junior High School in Spencer,
recently won the Teacher of the Year Award
John C. Shea (johnkimshea@comcast.net)
from the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Leicester.
Phil teaches 7th grade ancient civilization.
’76
Frances Meringolo was selected as the
Teacher of the Year 2009 for the Worcester
Public School system. Fran has been teaching
for 32 years and has been at Worcester
Technical High School since 1979. She is the
social studies department head and teaches
U.S. history.
Richard Pelletier, owner of Nashoba
Valley Winery, received the state’s first
farmer’s distillery license in 2003 and rolled
out its new single malt this month. The first
bottles have been aging in former wine barrels
for the last five years.
John Chetro Szivos returned from his
second trip to China in the past year where he
completed a series of lectures at Tianjin
Medical School on health communication and
systemic thinking. John is chair of the department of communication media at Fitchburg
State College. He and wife Annette G’83 reside
in Gardner. Their daughter, Erika, is AC’s
assistant swim coach.
’78
Robert Berg was recently named vice
president of finance and chief financial officer for Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane in
Columbus, OH. This is the company’s generic
human pharmaceutical business and its U.S.
manufacturing site for the global network.
Bob and wife Paula (Carey) ’83 will be relocating this summer from Connecticut to
Columbus with their three children, Chelsea,
Hayley and Brendan.
’84
ClaSS agent
ed mcdonald (emcd6114@aol.com)
Joseph Bonin, professor of mathematics
at The George Washington University, has
been awarded the 2009 Oscar and Shoshana
Trachtenberg Prize for excellence in teaching.
He has excelled as a teacher, academic mentor, and supervisor of Ph.D. students and
undergraduate honors theses. Joe is graduate
program chair and deputy department chair of
the mathematics department.
Susan Eramo’s daughter, Maria, graduated from Assumption in May (see photo on p.
37) Susan teaches for Assumption’s
Continuing & Career Education.
’86
Herve Richer has been appointed
President/CEO of Mount Saint Charles
Academy in Woonsocket, RI. He has been on
staff at the Academy for the past 26 years; having served as English teacher, assistant principal and principal for the past six years. He is
ClaSS agentS
Catherine Browne Harrison (cathbrowne@optline.net)
elizabeth mowry Sabourin (e.sabourin@comcast.net)
Terri Bahn Aves is a broker with Allen
Tate Realtors in Cary, NC.
Stephen Keohane joined Homes for our
33
CLaSS NoTeS
Troops as director of development. Steve
supervises the volunteer program and general
fundraising efforts. He also enjoys playing
hockey and is a coach for Easton Youth Lacrosse.
’87
ClaSS agentS
neil isakson (neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org)
Jacqueline Jones (jjones@moravian.edu)
Scott White (scott@swhitecpa.com)
Mark Henderson is the online director
for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, responsible
for telegram.com and
other online operations.
Kathleen Gaucher
was appointed assistant
vice president of operation services for
Harleysville Insurance
in April, based in its
Worcester office. Kathleen has worked for
Harleysville since 1991. She also earned an
MBA from Assumption in May.
’88
ClaSS agent
rob ames (rames@sovereignbank.com)
Anthony Perry was selected by USA
Football to attend the NFL Youth Summit in
Canton, OH, this summer. Tony is the president of the Central Mass. Pop Warner Football
League.
Roger Trahan teamed with two Unum
coworkers to win the recent 11th annual
spelling bee sponsored by Quinsigamond
Community College. They took the title by
spelling “triskaidekaphobia.”
’89
ClaSS agentS
Chris agro (c-agro@cox.net)
mike igo (fromogi@aol.com)
Christine Picard Sawicki (sawicki3@comcast.net)
James Leary was appointed as associate
vice chancellor for community affairs at
UMass Medical School in May. In this role, he
strengthens and promotes the Medical
School’s relationships with community
organizations, civic leaders, and government
representatives of Worcester and Central
Mass. Jim was previously chief of staff and
34
Cape Cod alumni reception in July: eileen ’87 and michael Birch, evelyn and Joe Jenkins ‘81
counsel to Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray
since 2007. In June, Jim was named Male
Democrat of the Year by the Worcester
Democratic City Committee.
Ann McInerney was inducted into the
Worcester Public Schools Hall of Fame in May
at a ceremony held at Wachusett Country Club.
She is assistant women’s basketball coach at
Holy Cross.
’90
20TH
assistant varsity coach at St. John’s High
School in Shrewsbury for many years. He is
currently the Squirt 2 coach and skill development coordinator for Lakers Youth Hockey in
Worcester as well as the Squirt coach for the
Central Mass Cobras of the New England
Future Stars. Mike teaches math and chairs
that department at St. John’s. He lives in West
Boylston with wife Shawna and their children
Patrick (9), Kayla (8), Alice (6) and Daniel (4).
REUNiON
ClaSS agentS
’91
Cliff Jefferson (ctjeff@charter.net)
Kelly Cronin Sachleben (ksachleben@comcast.net)
ClaSS agent
Harry Arters ran the Boston Marathon as
a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon
Challenge team to raise money for cancer
research. Harry is an emergency room physician at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.
He, wife Melissa and their children Emily (6)
and Benjamin (1) reside in Brooklyn, CT.
Deborah Larsen was name senior vice
president of commercial banking for UniBank
of Whitinsville in March. She has 25 years of
commercial banking experience and previously served as senior vice president for Bank
of America’s central MA middle market division. Deb, husband Bruce and daughter Jackie
reside in Sutton.
Mike Mead was recently recognized by
the Boston Bruins and FMC Ice Sports for
dedicating himself to the growth of youth
hockey in Massachusetts. He served as the
Andrew Bressette has been appointed
associate provost at Berry College in Rome,
GA. In his new role, Andy directs efforts to
help students make a positive transition to
college and succeed academically. He has
been a Berry faculty member since 1998. Andy
and wife Jennifer (Rice) ’91 reside in Rome
with their four children, Elizabeth, Drew, Lili
and Jacob.
Kara Doyle Curran is residing in
Danvers with husband Mark and their sons,
Tommy (7) and Johnny (5). Kara works parttime at Doyle Insurance in Danvers.
Bryan dockett (bdoc96@yahoo.com)
’92
ClaSS agentS
Kerry Haughey dockett (kdockett96@yahoo.com)
Will Waldron (mandwwaldron@verizon.net)
Jennifer Bete-Brown continues to work
as a chaplain for Hospice of Franklin County
in Greenfield. In May she graduated from the
Celebrant Institute and Foundation as a
nationally certified funeral celebrant.
John Giordano, of the Forensic
Dentistry Resource Center, has completed a
national training session in Nashville, TN, for
the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response
Team Medical System. DMORT is a federal
level response team consisting of 10 regions
throughout the country, designed to provide
identification and mortuary services in the
case of a mass fatality incident. John continues to practice dentistry and operate the
Forensic Dentistry Resource Center while
serving DMORT as a forensic dentist.
Kyle Keenan married Teresa Leo on
12/26/08 in Somerville.
Kyle is a
production engineering position with Carbon
Nanoprobes of Malvern, PA, a company specializing in nanoscale imaging technology.
BIRTHS: Janica Hickman Vogler and
husband Todd welcomed son Brady Todd on
12/8/08. He joins sister Riley (1).
WEBLiNk
’93
ClaSS agent
Scott Cavallo (sac0019@yahoo.com)
Kelley O’Neil O’Connor was promoted
to vice president of sales operations for
International Forest Products in Foxboro. It is
one of the world’s largest physical traders of
paper and wood commodities and is part of
the Kraft Group Companies.
BIRTHS: Jessica LaBarre Fosberry and
husband James welcomed son Alan on 5/23/08.
He joins George (7), Charlie (6) and Sarah (2).
Tina Colangelo Roy and husband Mark
welcomed Matthew Joseph born on 9/11/08.
The family resides in Weatogue, CT.
Dana Badway Witczak and husband
David announce the birth of Benjamin Elias
on 4/24/09. He joins brother John (3).
’95
15TH
REUNiON
ClaSS agentS
Kiersten Chapman marich (themarichs@verizon.net)
Dena Calvanese is executive director of
the Gray House, which operates several programs, including an after school site for 15
neighborhood children that makes sure kids
get a good meal. Gray House also operates a
thrift shop and a food pantry and holds classes
for adults teaching basic literacy skills.
Dave Whitston is an oncology research
scientist by day and is the lead singer of the
band zagnutt at night. Dave and his band have
released their third CD, “Garden Variety”
available on iTunes.
BIRTHS: Nicole Dumas Letendre and
husband Michael welcomed Nicholas Marcel
on 3/21/09. He joins Ethan (6).
Vikki Galiatsos Piacentini and husband
Dave announce the birth of Teddy on 5/18/09.
He joins Lukas (5) and Jason (1).
’96
ClaSS agent
Wendy vautour durkin (wdurkin@comcast.net)
David Nordman was promoted to deputy
managing editor/sports/operations by the
Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Dave has been
with the T&G since 1999, serving as lead
sports copy editor, assistant sports editor and
most recently, sports editor.
David Sullivan has joined Crain
Communications in Boston. He is working for
the pensions and investments section which
refers to itself as the international newspaper
of money management.
BIRTHS: Megan Palasciano Cohen and
husband Jeremy announce the birth of Alice
Anne on 4/1/08.
Charlene Vallante Larned and husband
Matthew welcomed Joshua John on 4/1/09. He
joins sister Katherine Elizabeth (2). Charlene
is an English teacher at Davisville Middle
School in North Kingston, RI.
Laura (Douillard) and husband Jeffrey
Ochs ’94 announce the birth of Natalie Claire
on 10/10/08. She joins Hailey (7) and Joseph (2).
Audra (Lapati) and husband Michael
Small ’97 celebrated the birth of Brayden
Michael on 3/16/09. Audra is a pharmaceutical representative for Takeda Pharmaceuticals
and Michael is an electrician for D.E. Small
Electric. The family resides in Haverhill.
’98
ClaSS agentS
Carl Cafaro (carl.cafaro@bankofamerica.com)
Jon Jankowski (jjankows@hotmail.com)
anne-marie Kenney (annemariekenney@gmail.com)
BIRTHS: Diana DeFelice Herron and
husband Rob welcomed Christopher on
7/1/08. He joins brother Tripp (3).
Maura Neville Hines and husband Josh
announce the birth of Connor Joseph on
2/9/09. He joins Maren (3) and William (2).
Erin Haughey Teter and husband Josh
announce the birth of Shea Patricia on 2/4/09.
She joins brother Brady (2).
’99
ClaSS agentS
lauren d’angelo (laurend7@msn.com)
laura ramsdell Parrillo (laura.parrillo@gmail.com)
Patrick Foran married Melissa
Thompson at Assumption’s Chapel of the Holy
Spirit on 2/21/09.
Nicole Meagher is an information systems
analyst for General Dynamics in Needham.
Matthew Ray is co-owner of Ray’s Exotic
Pets in Reading, which was recently named
the best pet store in Middlesex County.
BIRTHS: Tara Kangiser Azzarone and
husband Jerry welcomed Gianna Madison on
2/17/09. She joins sister Alexis (3).
Brent Boucher and wife Lisa recently
welcomed Hannah, who joins brother Luke.
Brent was named secretary for the French
Naturalization Club of Manchester, NH.
’00
10TH
REUNiON
ClaSS agent
doug Brown (douglas_Brown15@hotmail.com)
John Barata was inducted into the
Immaculate High School Sports Hall of Fame
in Danbury, CT, in April.
Katerina Callahan married Cristiano
Colitti on 3/6/09. Katerina received her J.D.
from Suffolk University Law School in 2003
and is as an associate at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen
and Hamilton LLP in Washington, DC.
John Orlandella operates a familyowned car business, Route 1 Auto Brokers,
in Saugus.
BIRTHS: Rachele Henriquez Brown
and husband Chris announce the birth of
Desmond Christopher on 4/10/09.
Julie D’Angelo Roderick and husband
Matthew announce the birth of Leah Grace on
4/30/09. She joins Joseph (3).
James Sullivan and wife Emily welcomed Kiley Anne on 3/13/09. She joins Allie
35
CLaSS NoTeS
Mae. James has recently joined Essex
Financial Services in Essex, CT.
’01
ClaSS agentS
nick Cafaro (nickcafaro@bankofamerica.com)
tim monahan (tmm915@hotmail.com)
Rachael Ray Runner-up
Sara Mayer ’03
Sara mayer was a the runner-up in rachael ray’s
march menu mania nationwide recipe contest. one
of two finalists ultimately selected from more than
1,200 submissions, Sara cooked alongside rachael
ray on rachael’s television show on april 6. each
contestant submitted their favorite original “Casual
Party” recipe and completed a 250-word essay.
mayer explained, “i entered the contest because
i love to cook and i’m a huge fan of rachael ray’s
cooking and talk show! i entered a family and
friend favorite recipe—Chick ’n ranch Bar B Q
Crescent Squares.” two days later Sara was told that
she was among the 16 selected, and three weeks
later, she found out she was a finalist. “going on tv
and cooking with rachael ray was an amazing
experience,” she said. “i was treated like a celebrity,
with a dressing room, hair and makeup and all the
perks the stars receive. meeting rachael was like
meeting a friend. She was so personal, upbeat and
funny! i immediately felt at ease with her and that
made cooking next to her so much easier. ” the winner took home $5,000 in groceries
and as the runner-up Sara received rachael ray’s
10-piece pot and pan set, which she uses often.
Sara resides in trumbull, Ct, and hopes to one day
land her dream job on the Food network.
Chad Richard is teaching social studies
to ninth-graders at Newburyport High School
and recently became the junior varsity head
coach for the hockey team and head coach for
the boys’ tennis team.
BIRTHS: Alexander and wife Erica Lohr
Foster welcomed Sadie Elizabeth on 1/4/09.
Lorie (Porter) and husband Ryan
Johnston announce the birth of Eric Scott on
4/21/09.
’02
ClaSS agentS
laura daros (laura.daros@gmail.com)
amy Beadle laCroix (amy.b.lacroix@gmail.com)
Joseph Andrews married Kristine
Bergevin ’03 in Keene, NH. Alumni in attendance were Dave Blodgett, Ken Fischer ’03,
Ryan Fitzgerald, best man Mike Kurkulonis,
Jay Laganelli, Mike Luzzo, Liz O’Donnell,
Laura (Tsotsis) Olson ’04, Mike and Deb (St.
Jean) Roux and Sarah Ryll. The couple resides
in Worcester.
Timothy Anger graduated from Nichols
College in May with an M.B.A.
Amanda Barbieri Patnode graduated
from Lesley University in February with an
M.Ed. in elementary education.
Erin Callahan married Daniel Wright on
10/18/08 in Westminster. Laurie Walsh Regan
’01 was a bridesmaid. Erin is a merchandise
planner for Staples. The couple resides in
Worcester.
’03
ClaSS agentS
Joe diCarlo (jdicarlo05@comcast.net)
Katie Beane is the new manager of
alumni relations at Harvard’s Kennedy School
of Government in Cambridge. She had been
working at the school in the executive education
marketing department for the last three years.
Linda Cammuso recently opened a new
law firm, Estate Preservation Law Offices,
with Brendan King in
Worcester. The firm
offers a broad spectrum of legal services,
including estate and
asset protection planning for individuals
and businesses, estate
and trust administration, and elder and
special needs planning. Linda earned her
Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University
Law School.
Joseph DiCarlo graduated in May from
Framingham State College with a master’s in
public administration.
Cape Cod alumni reception in July: Jay ’74 and Pam Foran P’99, ‘02
36
Robyn Kennedy was promoted in May to
deputy chief of staff for Massachusetts
Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. Robyn
was Murray’s policy director and a former legislative aide to former state Sen. Edward
Augustus, Jr.
Jennifer Parent and John Herberger
were married at Assumption College on
07/26/08.
Alumni in attendance
were David Amirault, Chris Angelli, Dave
Bergeron ’04, Julie Caparco, Melissa Cecchi,
Amie Clay ’02, Bill Grogan, Traci Haddock,
Sheila Halloran, Joe John, Michelle Gaudette
Jones, Tom Lewis, Jason Muise, Matt Murray,
Jessica DeFrancisco Schryver, Bob Siemaszko,
A.J. & Sheila Halloran Skowyra and Dave
Strole.
Katharine Theroux graduated from
Emerson College in May with a master’s in
publishing and writing.
BIRTHS: Ryan and wife Allison Reyell
Murphy ’05 welcomed Owen Connor on
2/15/09.
Amy Cuccaro Welch and husband Dion
recently welcomed daughter Nica Marley.
WEBLiNk
Ryan Barba has been accepted as a
Fellow in the Cornell University MBA
Leadership Program. This is a highly competitive award, given to only about five percent of
applicants, which carries a stipend as well as
full tuition.
Anthony Fornaciari is a facility service
sales representative with the Cintas
Corporation, where he has been employed
since graduation. He received the company’s
Twenty/Eighty Award and in 2008 he was
inducted into the President’s Club, representing the top 15% of Cinta’s U.S. sales reps.
Daniel Samit earned a master’s degree
in rehabilitation counseling from the
University of Arizona in May 2008. He has
also earned his designation as a certified rehabilitation counselor.
Aaron Skopek is an engineer for NBC’s
global earth station in Washington, DC. He
was previously an operations coordinator for
ESPN360.com.
’07
’04
ClaSS agentS
ClaSS agent
ryan Cody (ryanjcody@gmail.com)
Jillian Witham (jillianwitham@gmail.com)
Timothy Ray is the co-owner of Ray’s
Exotic Pets in Reading, which was recently
named the best pet store in Middlesex County.
’05
Jay laPerriere (jlaperri@assumption.edu)
erica mandeville (emandevi@assumption.edu)
5TH
Frank galligan (fgalliga@yahoo.com)
laura Schredni (lschredni@yahoo.com)
danielle St. martin (dstmarti@assumption.edu)
James Dealy earned an MBA from Bryant
University in December 2008.
Kimberly Miller was promoted in May to
vice president of Miller Fence Co. in
Worcester. She has worked in all aspects of
the company, owned by her family, for more
than 10 years.
Leah Stamp married Robert McCaskill
on 9/27/08 in Cranston, RI. Leah is employed
by Delta Dental in Providence, RI. The couple
resides in Cranston.
’08
ClaSS agentS
Katie diBuono (katiedibuono@gmail.com)
trisha lituri (joanda62@yahoo.com)
Kevin o’Connell (oconnell@assumption.edu)
Corey Diethorn is playing Division 2
basketball for Team Northumbria in England.
He finished 4th in the league in scoring, averaging 22 points per game while shooting
56% from the floor to go with league
best averages of 12 rebounds and three blocks
per game. Corey led the team to the playoff
championship.
Kristen Kenney is pursuing a doctorate
in chemistry at Northeastern University.
Brian Tuomi was a long-term substitute
English teacher at Westborough High School
last year. Next year he will be teaching in Saudi
Arabia.
REUNiON
ClaSS agent
natalie diCecca (njdicecca@suffolk.edu)
Carrie Grimshaw was appointed director of the Chester C. Corbin Library in
Webster in November. She received her master’s degree in library science from the
University of Rhode Island.
Kenneth Leaman graduated from
Simmons College with a doctor of physical
therapy. He is working as a staff PT at Team
Work Physical Therapy in Marshfield
and Quincy.
’06
ClaSS agentS
Casey Hatten (madhatten45@yahoo.com)
then and now: (left) 1989 Assumption Quarterly cover picturing maria eramo ’09 as a child.
(right) Susan (roland) eramo ’84, g’89 with her daughter, maria eramo ’09, on graduation day.
37
CLaSS NoTeS
Greg Twomey was featured in a Boston
Globe Northwest Regional article in March.
Playing basketball for the Greyhounds as a
postgraduate (while pursuing an MBA), Greg
tallied more than 1,400 points in his career
and helped lead it to the NCAA Tournament in
his last two seasons.
Jenna Wersel is working at Amica
Insurance in their Costa Mesa, CA, office.
’09
Kristina Boidi is a pathology technician
at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.
Maria Eramo appeared on the cover of
the summer 1989 issue of Assumption Quarterly
(little girl in cover photo, taken when her
mother, Susan (Roland) Eramo ’84, G’89
earned her MBA. Susan currently teaches for
Assumption’s Continuing & Career
Education. Maria and Susan celebrated at this
year’s commencement.
Chicoine monthly, as do Jeanne & Armand
Harnois and Carmen & Dick Dion. Please
keep me (ddion1130@verizon.net) posted of
any news you might like to share. Remember
that Prep spirit … I. Gotit.
Council in July as a judge for Worcester
Juvenile Court. Capuano worked as an urban
high school English teacher for 17 years,
before turning to law and handling cases on
delinquency, family law and youth offenders.
’69
G’90
Roger Joseph and the law firm for which
he works, Bingham McCutchen LLP received
the Catholic Schools Foundation’s 2009
Carolyn and Peter Lynch Award in March.
Since 1994, Roger has helped raise more than
$1 million to support the Inner-City
Scholarship Fund. The fund grants scholarships annually to needy students in inner-city
Catholic schools in the greater Boston area,
without regard to race, color, gender or creed.
Bingham has also contributed its used computers to the schools and arranged for high
school students to intern in Bingham’s
Boston office.
Dianne Bruce, executive director for
Edward Street Child Services, is this year’s
recipient of the Women’s Studies Passport
Series from Assumption’s Office of
Multicultural Affairs and Women’s Studies.
She was honored for her work in the
Worcester area.
Save the Date
Note:
indicates that a wedding photo
is available online at www.assumption.edu/
alums/Alumni/weddings.html
WEBLiNk
Prep Reunion
September 12, 2009
assumption Prep
’55
Dick Dion writes: Does anyone remember those APS schoolmates, who wrote in our
Prep Quarterly HERITAGE, whose pen names
were Hugh Sedit and U. Didit? For sure it
wasn’t me. Some 6-7 years ago when we first
started to plan for our then upcoming 50th
class reunion in 2005, I felt that ever growing
spirit planted in all of us so many years ago, to
once again reach out and reunite whenever
and wherever we can.
In January, Carmen & I met with Molly &
Raoul Gagne in Troy, NY for lunch. In March,
Claudia & Remi Branconnier met with Mary
& Bob Dumouchel and Jan & Bob Chicoine at
Remi’s Bistro in Naples, FL. Also in March,
Dan Rainville visited with Paul Belanger in
St. Petersburg, FL. They hadn’t seen each
other since our graduation. Lorilee & Gerard
Morin try to have dinner with Jan & Bob
38
Graduate alumni
G’71
Michael Pregot is a professor of educational leadership at Iona College in New
Rochelle, NY. He still spends much time in
Massachusetts at his home in Cape Cod.
G’73
Sister Mary Reap, I.H.M. was appointed
president of Elms College in Chicopee in
February. She began her duties in July. Sr.
Mary previously served as president of
Marywood University in Scranton, PA,
(1988–2007).
G’75
Deborah Capuano, a Worcester-area
lawyer, was confirmed by the Governor’s
G’95
Averil Capers has been named director
of marketing and research for the Telegram &
Gazette in Worcester.
G’05
Gregory Myers is the principal of
Quaboag Regional Middle-High School in
Warren. Greg had been the assistant principal
in Douglas since 2006.
News
to
share?
e-mail alumni@assumption.edu
or your class agent (listed in
Class notes). include photos
with names and graduation
years of alumni pictured.
Please print or type.
IN memorIam
James “Jim” L. McCarthy, Ph.D.
(1922-2009)
Assumption bid farewell to a deeply loved former
professor with the passing of James “Jim” L.
McCarthy on July 1, 2009. He first taught economics at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, and
taught for several years at Assumption’s summer
institute for high school economics teachers
prior to his full-time faculty appointment at
Assumption (1969–94). A World War II veteran,
he held degrees from Mass. State College (now
UMass-Amherst) and UConn and a Ph.D. from
Yale. David Kennedy, Ph.D.’75, one his former
students credits “Doc” McCarthy with helping
turn himself around after a disappointing freshman year at Assumption. “He was charming and
enthusiastic, knowledgeable and motivating,”
said Kennedy. With McCarthy’s counseling,
guidance and encouragement, Kennedy has
enjoyed a successful career. "I couldn’t have done
it without my Assumption degree,” he said, “and
certainly not without Doc picking me up and
dusting me off more times that I can remember.”
Since his passing, several alumni have shared
similar memories of their experiences with Doc.
He leaves his 10 children (including Thomas ’71,
David ’72, Michael ’78, Janice ’80, Steven ’83 and
Theresa ’88), 20 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. A scholarship fund has been
established in Professor McCarthy’s name. For
information about supporting it, contact Tom
Ryan at tryan@assumption.edu.
Dr. Raymond Goddu AP’37, ’41, G’44
Newburyport, MA, died March 7, 2009
Born in Holyoke, Ray was a well-known dentist
for many years. He proudly served in the U.S.
Navy during World War II, attaining the rank of
Lieutenant Junior Grade. He was chief of dental
service at Providence Hospital and president of
the Holyoke Dental Society. He is survived by
sons David and Richard; daughters Ellen and
Beth; five grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.
R. Philip Goyette, Ph.D. AP’53, ’57
Killingly, CT, died March 6, 2009
Born and raised in Moosup, CT, Phil attended
Medical School at Georgetown University. He
began his medical practice in 1962 and was the
founding partner of Putnam Medical
Associates. He was a member of the Day
Kimball Hospital medical staff throughout his
career, serving as chief of medicine, president
and a Board of Directors member. Phil leaves
his daughters Michele, Elise and Denise; longtime companion Lenore; brothers Paul AP’56
and Roland ’69; sister Theresa and six grandchildren.
Maurice Bellenoit AP’48
West Warwick, RI, died May 15, 2009
Born in Fall River, Maurice was known as “Big
Mike.” During his life he was a missionary in
the Solomon Islands, an English teacher, a
salesman, an avid writer and published poet. He
leaves his wife of 39 years, Irene; children
Paula, Philip, Elaine and Marc; two grandchildren; and sisters Rita and Louise.
Roger Parenteau AP’47, ’51
South Hadley, MA, died April 4, 2009
A retired obstetrician/gynecologist, Roger’s
private practice was located in Chicopee, MA for
more than 30 years. He was also co-founder of
the Medical West Health Campus in Chicopee.
Roger leaves his longtime companion, Judy, and
eight children.
J. Robert LaBerge ’52
Leominster, MA, died November 14, 2008
A native of Fitchburg, Bob was U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, having served on the
U.S.S. Fargo; he attained the rank of Seaman
First Class and earned the WWII Victory Medal.
He later worked as personnel director for
Tucker Manufacturing Co. of Leominster for
more than 40 years. Bob leaves his wife of 53
years, Geraldine; daughter Robyn; brother
Lauret; grandson Joseph and several nephews
and nieces, including Assumption Trustee
Candace McGovern Race ’78.
Charles Bouthillier AP’56
Brooklyn, CT, died February 10, 2009
Born in Brooklyn, CT, Charlie served his country in the U.S. Air Force for three years, before
earning an honorable discharge. He worked in
construction and carpentry, which he taught at
H.S. Ellis Technical School. Charlie was an avid
hunter and fisherman, enjoyed cooking, photography, opera and watching the Red Sox. He
leaves his wife of 44 years, Mary; son Kenneth;
daughters Julie and Kimberly; sisters Louise
and Cecile; and six grandchildren.
Anthony Venincasa ’59
Worcester, MA, died April 3, 2009
A lifetime Worcester resident, Anthony earned
a master’s degree in education from Worcester
State College and taught English in numerous
Worcester schools before his retirement in
1988. He also taught piano lessons for many
years and was a member of the Massachusetts
Teachers Association and St. Stephen’s Church.
Anthony leaves his children, Judith, Carmela,
Ellen and John; brothers Alfred and Francis;
sister Gloria; 14 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.
Maria McCallin Stipek CE’66
Worcester, MA, died February 21, 2009
Maria was a teacher and guidance counselor for
21 years for the Worcester Public Schools. She
was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church
and a delegate for the Mass Teachers
Associations. Maria enjoyed traveling in
Europe, Hawaii and the United States. She
leaves sons Francis’70 and Paul AP’69, daughter
Beatrice and grandson Francis.
Donald Horan G’67
Attleboro, MA, died March 8, 2009
Donald grew up in Framingham and lived in
Bellingham and Worcester before settling in
Attleboro in 2003. Donald taught history for
more than 20 years at Bellingham High School.
He was the head of the history department and
coached baseball and basketball. He was also a
selectman in Bellingham for many years. In
1970 he received an award for valor for rescuing
a young boy from a house fire. He leaves his former wife, Carole Kalberer; son Mark’81, daughters Donna and Lynne; six grandchildren
including Sara’09; and four nephews.
James Sullivan ’67, G’71
Westborough, MA, died February 23, 2009
Born and raised in Worcester, Jim was a longtime resident of Shrewsbury and Westborough.
A World War II veteran, Jim served his country
for more than 40 years in the U.S. Army
reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He
worked in engineering for New England
Telephone for more than 40 years. He also
taught psychology in the evening program at
Framingham State College and served on the
board of trustees for Quinsigamond Community
College. Jim leaves his wife of 65 years,
Florence CE’66, G’70; son Mark, daughters JoAnne, Barbara-Jean and Martha; brother
Robert, sister Patricia, and 10 grandchildren.
39
IN memorIam
Thomas DePeter ’69
Newton, MA, died May 6, 2009
Thomas retired after 35 years as an English
teacher and drama director at Newton High
School. He was an accomplished lacrosse coach
for many districts and a lifetime scholar of literature, poetry and philosophy. He is survived
by his children Courtney, Damien, Danielle,
Dylan, Caitlin and Meaghan; former wife
Sharon; six grandchildren; mother Mary; siblings Edward, Francis, Michelle, Noreen,
Andrew and Mark; and his dear friend Suzanne.
Ronald Hebert AP’69
Sturbridge, MA, died March 2, 2009
A Worcester native, Ron served in the Army
National Guard during the Vietnam era, and
later joined the family business, Hebert
Candies. He became a respected confectioner
throughout the candy industry, eventually
becoming president. After selling the family
business, he kept the Hebert Sturbridge location, renaming it EJ Candies in honor of his
grandchildren. He continued to make candy,
using his grandfather’s recipes, until his death.
Ron leaves his daughter, Traci Boyd ’95; grandchildren Eve and Jackson, former wife Jeannie;
brothers Richard AP’64 and Frederick AP’66
and sister Dianne.
Myrna Lee Baylis G’71
Boston, MA, died February 26, 2009
Born in Lawrence, Myrna moved to Greenwich
Village after graduating from Syracuse
University. She began her writing career with
Grosset and Dunlap. Settling in Worcester in
1967, she went on to become associate vice
chancellor for university relations and publications at the University of Massachusetts
Medical Center for 20 years. Myrna is survived
by her husband of 49 years, Carl; daughters
Michele and Ruth Anne; two grandchildren;
and sister Enid.
Charles Harvey, Jr. ’71
South Portland, ME, died February 18, 2009
Born in Beverly, Charles was SGA president at
Assumption and earned a J.D. from the
University of Maine Law School. He became a
highly skilled and respected trial lawyer, practicing with Verrill Dana (1975-95) before forming Harvey & Frank with Robert S. Frank in
1995. He was consistently listed in the Best
Lawyers in America. Charles leaves his wife,
Whitney; son John, daughter Charlotte, parents
Phyllis and Charles Sr.; sisters Marcia, Joanne
and Carol; and several nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth Kallgren G’71
Paxton, MA, died March 11, 2009
Elizabeth was a lifelong educator having taught
in the Holden and Brookfield public school sys-
40
tems and at Worcester State College. She was a
member of the First Congregational Church in
Paxton and enjoyed camping with her children
and quilting. She leaves her son Brian; her
daughter Diane; and two grandchildren
Rebekah and Bartholomew.
John Bierfeldt, Sr. G’73
Worcester, MA, died April 4, 2009
John enjoyed a distinguished career as an educator in the Worcester school system and was
inducted into the Worcester Public Schools’
Hall of Fame in 2001. John taught most recently
at St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg. John
is survived by his wife, Mary G’73, Assumption
lecturer of French for more than 20 years; children John Jr. ’96, Meg ’98, Michael ’00, Kate
and current AC student Daniel ’10. John and
Mary met at Taylor Dining Hall 38 years ago. He
was the former principal of Worcester’s Arthur
J. Sullivan Middle School and Burncoat Senior
High School.
Terry McCarthy ’80
Upton, MA, died October 10, 2008
Born in Milford and raised in Hopedale, Terry
was a Hopedale High School graduate. He
worked for the Kovacs family and its companies
for more than 20 years. Terry was the regional
manager, USA/Canada, for Diamond
Diagnostics of Holliston. An animal lover and
avid Patriots and Red Sox fan, Terry also
enjoyed gardening and music. He leaves his
wife, Karen; mother Jean; stepdaughter
Kimberly; and sisters Coleen and Michele.
Cynthia Carano ’85
Waterford, CT, died February 13, 2009
Cynthia was born in Providence, RI, and earned
a master’s degree in education psychology and
gifted education from the University of
Connecticut. She was an elementary school
teacher in Connecticut for 23 years, including
the last 22 years at Preston (CT) Veterans
Memorial School. She also taught reading, language arts and literature for grades seven and
eight. Cynthia leaves her parents, Joseph and
Julia Carano; brother Carl, sister-in-law
Colleen and nephew Joseph.
Andy Hallet ’97
Waterford, CT, died February 13, 2009
A native of Cape Cod and a
talented singer and actor,
Andy died from congestive
heart disease. He moved to
Los Angeles where he
worked as a runner for an
agency, property manager
and then personal assistant.
He was singing in a
Universal City blues revue
when he met and became friends with Joss
Whedon, a TV show creator of the WB
Network’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and its
spinoff, “Angel.” Whedon asked Hallett to
audition for the role of Lorne, the consummate
greeter at a karaoke bar on “Angel.” Andy
landed the role and appeared as the demon
“Lorne” on 76 episodes of “Angel” (2001–04).
He was featured in the Spring 2003 issue of
Assumption Magazine. Andy leaves his parents,
Dave and Laurie and grandmother Gladys.
Carole Forest G’03
Putney, FL died May 5, 2009
Born in Worcester, Carole taught English and
Art at the Austine School for the Deaf. She was a
vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf
in the State of Vermont. She leaves her husband,
Joel Pollick; daughter Deliah; mother Marie;
father Richard; brother John and sister Martha.
-Friends of the CollegeMaurice Brosnihan, father of Paul G’88 and
grandfather of Jacqueline Noone’08; Michael
Carroll, brother of Louise Carroll Keeley, AC
Associate Provost; Henry Cooke, father of
Lynne, AC instructional technology manager in
IT; Christopher Cote, son of Raymond AP’55;
Daniel Cronin, father of Kelly ’90; Maura
Curtin, sister of Jane’97 and Megan’97;
Loraine DesLauriers, wife of Richard ’50 and
mother of Richard ’82; Richard Deviney, husband of Anne Marie, catering support staff for
Sodexo, AC’s food service; Sr. Therese Dion,
S.S.A. HD’87, sister of the late former AC
President Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 and brother
of Richard Dion AP’55; Joseph Donnelly,
brother of Neil’07 and current student
Megan’12; Mary Doody, mother-in-law of
Robert Mercier ’68; Mabel Felkel, mother of
Daniel ’81; Marianne Giguere, wife of Paul ’53;
John Hanlon, father of Susan Hanlon Kasper
’82; Francis Harvey, father-in-law of AC
Professor of Management Carol Harvey; John
Hynes, father of Michael’89; Joan Johnson,
former AC secretary in the dean of student
affairs office and mother of Paul Johnson
Thompson ’85; Evelyn Mancini, grandmother
of Laura Hunter, AC coordinator for the
Continuing & Career Education; Eileen
McFadden-Hannan, mother-in-law of Brett
Devine’73; Esther Mullen, mother of Jim
Mullen, AC assistant director for operations for
athletics; Martin Murphy, brother of Colleen
G’85 and brother-in-law of Roger Racine’57;
James Stolberg. Jr., father of Donna’82; Mary
Susienka, mother of William ’76; Anthony
Toscano, father of Joanna, AC data management specialist; John Walsh, husband of
Cecily, retired AC administrative secretary;
Oscar Wandland, father of Melanie Palmer, AC
administrative secretary in the office of the registrar; Charlotte Wilder, mother of Andrew’86;
Dennis Wrenn, uncle of Bryan’07.
THE ALUMNi ASSOCiATiON PRESENTS
Fall Homecoming
alumni admissions Day
hall of Fame Dinner
Saturday, September 26, 2009
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Noon
Noon–3:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Parents Committee Meeting – taylor dining Hall, marriott room,
President’s reception to follow immediately in Salon of la maison Française
Alumni Admissions Day – return to campus with a prospective student
(the $50 application fee will be waived for alumni) for a private campus
tour, continental breakfast and panel discussion
Pre-game Barbecue, alumni Pavilion, multi-Sport Stadium
Family Carnival as part of Family Weekend
Football vs. Southern Connecticut State university
Laska Gymnasium Rededication Ceremony
Sponsor package available including a piece of the old floor
Alumni-Athletics Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception
Alumni-Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner
gerard “Jerry” rochon ’83 – ice Hockey
alan Christopher “Chris” eggert ’94 – Baseball
Julie lane ouellette ’00 – Field Hockey
meagan “meg” Foran Willis ’02 – lacrosse
richard “dick” Cerasuolo – Contributions
$35 per person – contact alumni relations at 508-727-7223
or alumni@assumption.edu to purchase tickets.
Be part of the Assumption Tradition!
For homecoming information, contact the alumni office at (508) 767-7223
or alumni@assumption.edu, or visit www.assumption.edu/alums.
PHoto: roB Carlin
500 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA 01609-1296
www.assumption.edu

AC_AlumMag_Summer200..

Transcription

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