Leaves - Lasell College

Transcription

Leaves
FA L L
W h e re t h e C l a s s ro o m
I s T h e R e a l Wo r l d
2 0 0 9
In this issue
2
3
4
5
12
13
25
29
30
31
Message from the President
Commencement
Alumni Spotlight
Connected Learning
Campus Update
Class Notes
Alumni Relations
Special Gifts
Annual Fund
Sports
Board of Trustees Approves Project
Making the Center for Creative
and Applied Arts a Reality
L
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT 51347
A glass gallery runs along the
entire front of the Center.
asell is an institution with a history
of innovation — continually
changing and growing to meet the
needs of its student population.
Currently the College’s student
enrollment is at its highest peak,
despite the current economic climate.
But, with burgeoning enrollment comes
the critical need for more classroom
and faculty office space.
and Cultural Center for other uses.
The two buildings will be the hub of
the arts on the campus.
The Center for Creative and Applied
Arts will be located immediately
adjacent to the Yamawaki Art and
Cultural Center. Its construction has
been under consideration for some
time and is listed as a priority in the
College’s Strategic Plan.
• Two smaller classrooms
“The cost of the project is relatively
modest,” explains President Michael
Alexander, “but it will have a great
impact on students, faculty, and the
academic program.”
The opening of the Center will
immediately give Lasell’s largest
academic department, Fashion Design
and Merchandising, much needed
studio and classroom space. It will
advance studies in the arts, music,
and drama at the College by not only
providing new space but also by freeing
up the classrooms in the Yamawaki Art
The Center will contain over 19,000
square feet and will specifically add
the following spaces to the Lasell
facility inventory:
• Four large studios for fashion
design, studio art, or music courses
• Seventeen faculty offices
• Gallery exhibition space
• A display and climate controlled
storage area for the College’s
Historical Clothing Collection
The building has already received
approval from the Auburndale Historic
District Commission and is proceeding
through the City’s normal zoning and
building approval processes.
“The project makes sense from a
thousand perspectives,” says Director
of Development Katharine Urner-Jones.
“It will not only give our arts programs
much needed space but, via the
domino effect, it will free up other
space across campus and enable the
College to place related departments
close to each other. The Center is not a
nice-to-have. It’s a have-to-have.” ❦
• Conference rooms
• A carpentry shop
The north side of the Center faces and completes the Bragdon quad.
Office of Institutional Advancement
1844 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02466-2716
Lasell College
Lasell College Recognized in
Chronicle of Higher Education’s
2009 Great Colleges to Work
For Survey
L
asell College has been recognized in The
Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2009 Great
Colleges to Work For® program in the Teaching
Environment category. One hundred and fifty
colleges were recognized in the results of the
publication’s second annual survey, announced in
a special supplement of The Chronicle on July 6,
2009. The Chronicle’s Great Colleges to Work For®
program recognizes small groups of colleges (based on enrollment size) for
specific best practices and policies, such as compensation and benefits, faculty
administration relations, and confidence in senior leadership. More than 300
four- and two-year colleges competed in this year’s program, and 247 went
through the entire survey process this spring. ❦
This issue highlights artists
Sandra Beraha ’78 and
Livy Hitchcock ’68
Turn to page 4
Dear Lasell Community,
Once again the excitement on campus is
palpable as we start the Fall semester. While
we welcome the largest class of first-year
students in our history, we are also delighted
to have 130 more returning students than
ever before. This excitement takes tangible
form in the opening of two new residence
halls — named East and West Halls — on
Woodland Road between Forest Avenue and
Studio Road. They form a quadrangle with
Van Winkle and McClelland Halls that creates
a dramatic interior courtyard, the likes of
which we have not seen before on our
Michael B. Alexander.
campus. Now that the east end of campus
has six residence halls on one block, we have
added a brand new fitness facility in McClelland Hall that augments the facility in the
Edwards Student Center.
These are just a few, among many, indicators of the health and vitality of Lasell
College. For example, in a year when most colleges were delighted if their Annual
Fund was equal to the year before, our Annual Fund ended up 19% ahead of last
year’s amount. We achieved this felicitous result because of the leadership of Trustee
Adelaide Van Winkle ’36/H’96, who created the Van Winkle Annual Fund Challenge,
which matched increases in gifts over contributions from the prior year. The challenge
did its job: it stimulated our loyal and dedicated alumni and donors to reach a little
deeper, even in these difficult economic times, and make somewhat larger gifts than
they had in the past. Therefore, even though the number of donations was down a
bit from the previous year, total giving to the Annual Fund was up significantly.
With our enrollment increasing from year to year, and slated to increase again next
year, it has created other needs on our campus for larger classroom space, faculty
offices, and even storage space. As called for in the Strategic Plan we developed in
October 2007, the next project on the boards is the Center for Creative and Applied
Arts, a project that involves the renovation of the two older buildings next to the
Yamawaki Art and Cultural Center into one modern classroom and office building
that would overlook the Campus Center quad (see article on page 1).
For a relatively modest cost, the Center for Creative and Applied Arts would provide
strategic value on several fronts. From an operational point of view, it would provide
much-needed space for our largest academic program — Fashion Design and
Merchandising; it would free up space in Yamawaki for art studios and music
rehearsals; it could provide a new home for the graphic design department in
Yamawaki; in fact, it would have a domino effect throughout the campus that would
allow us to move departments and faculty members into areas where they will be
adjacent to appropriate colleagues in their various departments. From an academic
and extracurricular point of view, the Center for Creative and Applied Arts will
support the revitalization of art, drama, and music programs at Lasell College.
These programs, while active and growing, are not as strong as some of our alumni
remember them from the past. We are determined to regain the prominence for the
arts both within and outside of the curriculum, and this project will be a major step in
helping us to do so. From a financial point of view, if we are able to raise the money
for the Center for Creative and Applied Arts, it will position us to move forward
strongly not only with our strategic plan, but with some of the future facilities
projects contemplated by the Campus Master Plan, which our Trustees approved in
the Fall of 2008.
None of this progress would be possible without the loyalty and support of our
alumni. We will be asking you for your help again to make the Center for Creative
and Applied Arts a reality. Please consider making a pledge toward this project in
addition to your Annual Fund support to keep moving Lasell forward to new levels
of excellence in our drive to develop the intellectual potential and personal character
of each Lasell student.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Alexander
President
2
Lasell Leaves • Fall 2009
Lasell College Announces
Appointment of New Overseers
Sally M. Andrews
is a healthcare
and educational
administrator with
more than 30 years
experience in the Boston academic
community. Since 2002, she has
been the executive director of the
Harvard Medical School Osher
Research Center and Division
for Research and Education in
Complementary and Integrative
Medical Therapies. In that capacity,
she is responsible for all strategic
planning and operational and
financial management of the
organization. For over 22 years,
Sally worked at Children’s Hospital
Boston, a Harvard Medical
School-affiliated academic institution,
finishing her career there as vice
chairman for administration and
chief administrative officer for the
Department of Medicine. She joined
Lasell’s Board of Overseers in 1993,
became a trustee in 2001, and now
returns to the Board of Overseers.
In 2006, she served as the chair
of the College’s Transition Planning
Committee and is currently on the
Board of Trustees of Lasell Village.
At Lasell, Urit
Chaimovitz ‘98
developed a zeal for
social justice and
community service.
Upon graduation,
she worked at Project Hope and
Crittendon Hastings House,
two Boston-area social service
organizations, focusing on women’s
health issues and teen parents. In
2001, Urit joined C & J Katz Studio
in Boston where she contributed
to a broad range of design projects,
though her particular focus and love
was residential design. In 2006,
Urit established her own design firm,
focusing on interiors, events, and
visual merchandising. She was also
the Visual Merchandising Coordinator
in both the New England and New
York regions for Tiffany & Co. Urit has
maintained a strong connection to
her alma mater, serving on the Lasell
College Board of Management as
committee chair and president until
the end of June 2009.
Felice Gordis joined
the Lasell College
faculty in the fall of
1993. In1999, she
was appointed Chair
of the Department
of Social Sciences, a position which
she held through the end of the
2007/2008 academic year. As
Department Chair, she excelled in
integrating advocacy for the interests
of her faculty with both efficiency
in departmental operations and
the vigorous promotion of new
departmental and institutional
initiatives, many of which have
become prototypes of excellence
for all departments. Dr. Gordis was
awarded the Ph.D. in Developmental
Psychology at Teachers College,
Columbia University, in 1970.
She retired from Lasell in May 2009
and received the distinction of
Professor Emerita.
On July 1, 2009,
Dr. Robert H.
Huntington became
the fourteenth
president of
Heidelberg University
in Tiffin, Ohio. Prior to this, he was
Vice President of Enterprise Support
Services for Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., a
company he worked with for more
than 22 years. Rob is a former
member of both Lasell’s Board of
Overseers and Business Program
Advisory Board. In 1998, he was
elected to the Board of Trustees
where he served as the Chairman
of the Institutional Advancement
Committee. He also served as the
Chair of the Academic Affairs
Committee and was a member of
the Presidential Search Committee.
Rob received his Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees from Middlebury
College, an M.B.A. from Dartmouth
College’s Amos Tuck School, and his
doctorate from Harvard University’s
Graduate School of Education.
Laura T. Jensen ’61
is Principal/Owner
of L/J Consultants,
specialists in
non-profit executive
search. Prior to
starting her own business, she
was Vice President of Percom, Inc.,
consultants to non-profit
management specializing in
human resource and organization
development interventions. Laura also
served in the capacities of Director of
Training and Development, Director of
Human Resources, Affirmative Action
Officer and Manpower Coordinator
for the American Cancer Society.
In addition, she held the position
of Director of Public Affairs for the
Leukemia Society of America. She
is a memoirist and writer of creative
non-fiction and her work has been
published in several literary magazines
and the San Francisco Writers’
Conference Anthology. Laura has
served as Reunion Coordinator for
her class at Lasell and she is a
member of the Heritage Society.
Commencement
Lasell Holds 155th Commencement
Speaker Marian Heard Tells
Graduates to Focus on Excellence
New Overseers Appointed
continued from page 2
Chester K. Lasell
spent 37 years in
the public relations/
communications
business with major
corporations and
agencies and educational institutions
before retiring in 1998. His last
positions were Vice President of
Corporate Communications for Deere &
Company and Director of Alumni
Relations for Williams College. He
received a B.A. from Williams in 1958
and an M.S. from the Columbia
Graduate School of Journalism in 1959.
He continues to be active in supporting
the institutions from which he
graduated. He is president of his class
at Williams and served as co-chair of his
50th Reunion, where Williams honored
him with its top award for alumni
service, the Rogerson Cup. A 1954
graduate of Pomfret School, Chet
served two terms as a Trustee and
was president of the school’s Alumni
Association from 2005 to 2007. He led
the fundraising effort that resulted in
the Chester H. Lasell Alumni House
being opened in 2001 in honor of his
late father. He also established the
Lasell Visiting Alumni Program there. In
2008, he received the school’s Olmsted
Award for “distinguished, sustained,
and dedicated” service. Chet is active in
community affairs, including service on
the Advisory Board of the Indian River
Neighborhood Association in Vero
Beach, FL. He is the great, great
nephew of Edward Lasell.
Dominic F. (Nick)
Mammola, P’11 is
the father of Kirsten
Mammola ‘11, a
Criminal Justice major.
Nick is a founding
partner, Executive Vice-President of
Business Affairs and Chief Financial
Officer of Stoneacre, Inc., in Lynnfield,
MA and Charlotte, NC, a venture
backed, early stage company and
platform for affinity marketing and
customer loyalty programs for major
consumer brands, affinity groups and
sports and entertainment properties.
Prior to this position, Nick was the
Co-Founder and Principal of Kingside
Partners, LLC, in Lexington, MA, a
consulting firm providing advisory and
executive management services to
underperforming mid-market
companies. Nick has held multiple
board memberships in private and
public companies. He received his
M.B.A. from Suffolk University and
his B.S. from Boston College.
Since 2005, Sharyn
Neble has served
on the Board of the
Boston Public Library
Foundation and
currently serves as the
Vice Chair as well as the Chair of the
Nominating Committee. Previously,
she served as Finance, Audit, and
Investment Chair and as Development
Chair. She also serves on the Finance
and Audit Committee for the Board of
Trustees of the Boston Public Library.
Sharyn served for four years on the
Board of Trustees of the Conservatory
Lab Charter School. She was a Board
member and CEO of a sheltered
workshop serving 500 special abilities
clients annually. Sharyn was the CEO
and Board member of a consumer
products company for 14 years. She is
an alumna of Skidmore College.
Lisa Vasiloff is
Co-Founder and
Executive Director of
Birthday Wishes, Inc.,
a charity that brings
birthday parties to
homeless children in Central and
Eastern, Massachusetts. From 1992
until 2005, Lisa co-managed a
Japanese bookstore in Cambridge,
MA. Prior to opening the bookstore,
Lisa spent four years at the Japan
Society of Boston, first as Program
Director, and later as Director of
Development. In this capacity, Lisa
organized cultural and educational
events, managed fundraising and
public relations activities, and
produced the Society’s annual reports
and monthly newsletters. She has
worked with Lasell students on
community service projects through
her Birthday Wishes, Inc. Lisa holds a
Master’s degree in Asian Studies from
the University of Michigan and a
Bachelor’s degree in History from
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. ❦
C
ommencement speaker Marian
L. Heard, President and CEO of
Oxen Hill Partners, which specializes in
leadership development programs, and
former head of the United Way of
Massachusetts Bay and United Ways of
New England, delivered an energetic
and passionate speech that encouraged
the graduates to focus on excellence
and progress in their lives and careers.
“You can’t dream of the sacrifices
the people here have made to get
you to this point. Remember who
you are and treat people with dignity.
People will remember you for how
you made them feel,” said Heard,
who also received an honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters degree
from the College.
Heard went on to acknowledge the
difficult economy that the graduates
face as they begin their careers. A
strong advocate of volunteer service,
Heard congratulated those who have
already found jobs and encouraged
those who haven't yet landed one
to volunteer.
Marian Heard addresses the Lasell graduates.
She also told the graduates that
there are three traits of people who
will succeed: “those who are well
trained, those who are willing to be
re-trained, and those who have a
flexible personality.”
Heard concluded with advice to the
Class of 2009 to never make promises
they can’t keep, to acknowledge the
support others have given them, and
to have a winning attitude that is
mindful of progress and excellence —
not just success. ❦
Professor Emerita, Psychology
For her 16 years of
exemplary leadership on
the Lasell faculty and her
masterful teaching that
embodies a deep care for
and commitment to the
College’s students and
their success, the Board
of Trustees bestowed
Dr. Felice Gordis with the
designation of Professor
Emerita, Psychology (see
story p. 22).
Recipients of Excellence in Educational Leadership Award
Through a period of continuous growth, Director of
Plant Operations and Public Safety Tom Koerber has
guided the College.
As Registrar of the College, Dianne Polizzi exhibits
constant concern for student welfare and success.
Accounting Professor Richard Frederics is a leader
among faculty in classroom-based connected
learning techniques.
3
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni in the Arts
The Renaissance of the Senses
Responding to Columbine Loss
Latin American Master Artist
Sandra Beraha ’78: Jungle Picassa
Livy Hitchcock ’68 Gifts
Portraits to Families
“The only way I
know how to
share who I am
is to share how
I am,” says
Ecuadorian
artist Sandra
Beraha ‘78.
Sandra Beraha ’78.
“To have been
born gifted is a fantastic journey and
I am grateful. For me, being an artist
is devotion, passion, giving it all.
My life has been mystical, mythical,
and magical.”
Known for her visionary paintings that
are full of color and light, Sandra has
been producing art since she was four.
She also started photography at an
early age which she gifts to us now
with her camera art and her digital
canvases. She is a prolific artist whose
work has been exhibited nationally
and internationally.
She can also count among her many
talents being a writer and international
published poet, a mathematician, and
an amazing creative chef who has
written seven imaginative cook books
which are in the process of being
edited and illustrated. And, she is the
mother of two daughters.
Sandra’s paintings and exhibits have
received much praise from the art
world. Fellow artist and fine art
photographer Matthew John George
says, “Sandra is one of the most
successful Latin American female
painters. Her work scintillates with
light. Her paintings are imbued with a
spirit full of passion and compassion,
they express the finest qualities of
humanity: respect, reverence, love, and
beauty. They are true visions of Utopia.
“She creates her work in a dream-state,
using the materials as if they were
extensions of her body, mind, and
spirit,” he continues. “You are invited
into her visions which exist in a place
and time of their own.”
In addition, Maestro José Caballero
Saguero, European Spanish Master, says
of her: “You are fraught with heart and
talent. You are a star, brilliant and
colossal. Your paintings, acrylics, oils,
pastels, watercolors, digital paintings,
are so far from the ‘sentimental’ with
a purity so unbelievable…You’re a
Jungle Picassa.”
Sandra puts her whole being into her
creations. “My paintings are music,
adagios, concertos, symphonies,” she
says. “I am honored to be called The
Zen Impressionist of the XXI Century.
I am a painter of light.”
Despite the rheumatoid arthritis that
has brought her much pain, Sandra’s
spirit is strong and undaunted. “I never
forget real life. The pain reminds me
that I am human. It has taught me
compassion, understanding, and
patience. It has taught me to appreciate
every instant of life,” she says.
The chores and bustle of each day are
part of who she is. “So many things are
always happening. I am a mother of
two beautiful girls and am running a
wild household that includes an animal
kingdom — three dogs, Miss Bunny,
and Senor Tortuga. I can feel
overworked, but it is so much fun.”
Sandra credits her years at Lasell for
awakening her senses to the seasons.
“It is where I met autumn for the first
time. The reds and oranges placed a
spell on me. Winter, Spring, Summer
and Fall — New England is the music
I hear from my young beautiful years
at Lasell.“
It is a music that has never stopped.
“Art is an arrow that hits you in the
center of the heart, and it hits you in
the center of your mind,” she says.
“I hear the Universe! It explodes inside
of me and comes through each piece.
I am Art. Art is my life.” ❦
Artist’s Bibliography:
Matthew John George
www.ArtWanted.com/rain2river2004
José Caballero Salguero
www.ArtWanted.com/salguero
A self-portrait by Sandra Beraha ’78.
To see Sandra’s work, visit www.ArtWanted.com/sandraberaha
4
Livy Hitchcock ’68.
For the past ten years, artist and gallery owner Livy Hitchcock ’68 has been creating
pastel portraits of the 12 students who were shot at Columbine High School on
April 20, 1999. She has given them to the victims’ families in the hopes that the
paintings will help them with their loss. Below she talks about this heartfelt and
generous undertaking.
What inspired you to do this project?
After watching the horrifying coverage of
the Columbine shootings with my
daughter, who was 18 at the time,
I couldn’t stop thinking about what could
be done for these families to ease their
pain. I had been painting portraits for
over 25 years at that point and, as
many of these people had passed on,
I knew that such an offer would be
helpful to the families as they dealt
with their grief.
How did you make contact with
the families?
The day after the tragedy I phoned a
friend in Colorado who gave me the
Hotline number for the Columbine
families. I called and left a message,
saying that I wanted to offer a portrait of
the 12 students and the teacher who had
been killed as a gift to their families. The
very first response came two months after
the tragedy. It was just a note, with a
number to call.
Did you have an idea of what the
settings for the portraits would be?
When I called the Bernall family, they sent
me two photos. One of Cassie putting on
lipstick and one of her as a baby holding
on to a tree her father planted for her.
They wanted to know if I could combine
the two photos! So that is how I started
doing the portraits with each student at
both the age they were killed and their
younger self.
Did the project immediately snowball?
In the first two years after the shootings
I painted four portraits. Then I went to
Littleton and stayed with friends. They
hosted a party for the families so I could
meet those I had painted the portraits for
and also meet with the other families to
discuss their portraits. Seventeen people
came and I met most of the families. They
stayed for five hours, had dessert and four
pots of coffee, and I looked at photos
they had brought.
The parents must be so moved when
they receive your portraits. Can you
share some of their reactions?
The parents’ responses have all
been touching. Dee Fleming, whose
daughter Kelly was killed, said,
“The portrait is such a comfort. It’s
calming. I know that Kelly’s not here
anymore, but it makes me feel like she is.”
I was also told that Doreen Tomlin was
afraid to open her son John’s portrait
because she was worried that it wouldn’t
look enough like him. But she said,
“When I unwrapped it, there was John
and his great big smile. I couldn’t believe
how much was captured. I couldn’t stop
staring at it.”
When you graduated from Lasell,
did you know that you wanted to
be a portrait artist?
I majored in Fashion Illustration at
Lasell because I wanted to learn
how to paint people, but I didn’t
have portrait instruction or pastel
instruction. What was extremely
valuable was the three-hour life
drawing classes twice a week.
Aside from them, I am self-taught.
So, I credit Lasell for giving me my art
foundation and for offering me the
opportunity to make close and lasting
friendships. I want to send a special
message of love to my fellow Nasonites
from the class of 1968 who all watched
me get my start.
To view a slide show of Livy’s Columbine portraits, go to
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXsfyCoDkvg
You and your husband now own
an art gallery in St. John, Virgin
Islands. How did you make that step?
I have always had a connection to the
Caribbean because I was born in Puerto
Rico and my parents built a home in St.
Croix (USVI) which they owned for 20
years. When the opportunity came to buy
the Bajo el Sol Gallery in St. John we sold
everything in Vermont and relocated. Our
son and daughter were grown so we
reasoned it was a good time to relocate.
Our gallery exhibits all local art and St.
John is a beautiful place to be and work.
But, the Columbine portraits are the single
most satisfying project of my career. It has
made me feel blessed to be an artist.
When I started I didn’t realize that it
would take me ten years to get this far.
Sometimes “good deeds” are a challenge
to accomplish, but this has certainly been
worth it. ❦
Connected Learning
Creative Synergy Amplifies Understanding
Photobook Depicts Students’ Perceptions of Justice
“P
hotographs truly communicate —
they enhance the spoken and
written word,” enthuses Criminal
Justice Professor David Carlson. Since
2005, he has assigned photographic
projects in several of his classes but,
after a Fall 2008 sabbatical in which
he studied digital imaging and the
creation of e-Books, he decided to
go one step further.
“I asked the students in my
Comparative Justice Systems class
to explore the concept of justice
through the use of quotations and
related photographs with the objective
of publishing their work by the end of
the semester. They took it and ran with
it and I hope the finished project will
help others explore justice in new
ways,” he explains.
Titled The Arc of Justice: From Word
to Image to Understanding, the book
includes pages from all 18 students in
the class. Each of them had access to
a digital camera and Professor Carlson
spent one class reviewing photographic
principles. Two students, Brittany Ellis
’10 and Luis Simoes ‘11, took on the
jobs of Artistic Director and Project
Manager respectively as their Honors
component projects.
Photo by Andrew Civetti ’09.
“It was very interesting to think about
justice in the abstract,” says Brittany.
“Some of the students found it easy
to take a photo that represented their
It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human
history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to
improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth
a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different
centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can
sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Robert F. Kennedy
64th U.S. Attorney General
quote while others had a hard time.
The whole class worked as a team on
the book’s final look.”
Erika McGrath ‘09 took a quote from
Benjamin Franklin on freedom. “For
me, when I think of freedom, I think
about the beach,” she says. “One day,
as I was leaving the dunes, I turned and
took a photo of the boardwalk — it is
calling me to walk it into the horizon.
“I loved the creativity that we used to
put the book together,” she continues.
“I think we all got much more out of it
than we would have if we had been
asked to write a paper.”
summer of a set of rocks in a New
Hampshire stream. When I read a paper
by Professor David Hall of Northeastern
University School of Law, I found a
quote that was the perfect fit. The
process of matching the words and
images was new and exciting.”
The finished product is a professional
four-color book that was put together
using the Blurb creative publishing
service. “The project raised the level of
intellectual and social synergy among
the students through their individual,
collaborative, and creative contributions
in the area of Justice Studies. This is
the measure of its true success,” says
Professor Carlson. ❦
Scott Kennedy ‘09 had the photo
before he chose the quote. “I was very
pleased with a shot I had taken last
Running along the pathways of justice is a quiet personal stream from
which each of us must drink daily. This stream is known by different names,
it flows in different directions but it ultimately springs from a source of
divine inspiration and peace.
David Hall
Professor of Law at Northeastern University School of Law
Photo by Scott Kennedy ’09.
5
Connected Learning
Off to Paris
This June, for the first time, Lasell Fashion Design and Merchandising students
were offered the opportunity to travel to Paris for two weeks to study French
culture and the French/European fashion industry. Organized by Professor Mary
Ruppert-Stroescu, chair of the Fashion Department, in conjunction with the
Paris American Academy, the students participated in a combination of lecture,
hands-on workshops, and field practice. Below, Erin Pitts ‘10 and Andrea
Imperato ‘10 share some of their experiences.
Parisian Reflections
by Andrea Imperato ’10
I
t’s still difficult to grasp that only
weeks ago, 16 other students and I
were studying at the Paris American
Academy. Just when we had become
accustomed to our neighborhood in
the 5th Arrondissement near the
Luxembourg Gardens, were master
navigators of the Metro, and could
finally muster up some decent
conversational French, we were back
at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Our 15
day adventure went by so rapidly!
Behind the scene at the Damir Doma Show.
As Fashion Design and Merchandising
majors, our group was aware of the
importance of Paris as a fashion capital.
However, the experiences of this brief
study abroad session truly allowed us to
understand first-hand how deeply
fashion is embedded in both the French
culture and economy.
During our time at the Paris American
Academy, we were introduced to
several young professionals who
worked for established designers such
as Dior and Anne Valerie Hash, as
well as the prominent trend forecaster
Trend Union. Many of our new
acquaintances were branching out
to create their own collections, which
was truly inspiring. It was so refreshing
to see young people succeed in
this competitive industry, especially
considering fashion’s recent battles
against economic recessions. These
introductions also allowed us to
make many networking contacts,
which we will no doubt reference
come graduation.
6
While it is grueling to narrow down
the many highlights of our adventure,
I personally found working as habilleurs
(dressers) for three fashion shows to be
the most exciting and educational
aspect of the trip. Our group had the
extreme good fortune of being in Paris
during the Parisian Menswear Fashion
Week, and was invited to dress for
three different designers’ Spring/
Summer 2010 shows: Tim Hamilton,
Damir Doma, and Songzio.
Although most of us have had
experience working on the Lasell
Runway shows, being a part of a
professional production was completely
surreal! It really helped us comprehend
the way fashion productions function.
It was also amazing to see first-hand
what the upcoming trends in menswear
will be (be on the look-out for lounge
tights for men!), as well as see the
different creative perspectives of
American, European, and Asian
designers. We were even a part of
fashion history, dressing for Tim
Hamilton’s first-ever fashion show!
I simply can’t imagine being able
to have such phenomenal resume
builders without this trip.
In addition to viewing collections of
contemporary designers, our group was
given private tours of the Pierre Cardin
Museum and the YSL Foundation
Archives. We had the opportunity of
seeing the most notable pieces from
these designers throughout their
careers, including garments that were
only made for private clients rather
than for regular collections. A personal
highlight for me was being able to
meet the curator of the Pierre Cardin
Museum, who was once one of the
designer’s models in the 1960s.
From start to finish, our trip was
nothing short of outstanding. It’s
almost as though our two-week
journey was a fantasy. But nothing can
erase the endless number of incredible
memories from our time in the fashion
capital of the world. For sure, we will
always have Paris! ❦
Standing amongst the menswear garments at the Damir Doma Show are (L to R) Renee Clarke ’10,
Amanda Erickson ’12, and Rhonda Jaber ‘12. Photo by Andrea Imperato ’10.
The Sights and Styles of Paris
by Erin Pitts ’10
T
he stark white façade and
overwhelming architecture of the
Sacre Coeur, the basilica that looks
out over all of Paris, was for me one of
the most memorable sites we visited on
the trip. Located on Montemarte, a hill
that reaches the height of 130 meters,
the view of the city is amazing. I had
seen countless pictures of it, but
nothing compares to the moment
when I first looked up and saw it
staring back at me.
People cover the stairs that lead up
the hill, and there are performers
dancing, playing music, and doing
tricks to entertain all, which added
to the excitement of the moment.
Not only is its outside appearance
amazing, the inside is equally as
inspiring — the grand painting just
above the altar and the stained glass
panels in the windows. It holds a
special place among all my incredible
memories of Paris.
In addition to the breathtaking sights,
there were numerous lectures and
hands-on experiences that we couldn’t
have found anywhere but Paris. As a
design student, the most touching
and educating experience I had was
working with Madame Picot, a leading
figure in the French haute couture
industry. She worked hand-in-hand
with Madame Gres (1903-1993), a
pleating and draping innovator of her
time, and she shared her personal story
about working with this legendary
figure, as well as many photographs,
sketches, and small couture samples.
After her lecture, the design students
were given a hands-on demonstration
of the intricate pleating technique used
by Madame Gres. Each of us, including
Under Madam Picot’s watchful eyes, Erin Pitts ’10
tries out the pleating technique for herself.
Professors Lynn Blake, Maritza Farrell,
and Mary Ruppert-Stroescu, got to
create a pleated leaf. It was a long
process as we had to measure and pin
very small and delicate pleats. What
made it more challenging and fun was
that Madame Picot doesn’t speak any
English and there was no translator
available. It was up to us to
communicate through motions and
attentive listening to fully understand
her instructions.
I still can’t believe I was given the
opportunity to work with her. It was
inspiring and motivating to learn a
technique from someone who has
perfected it and, hopefully one day,
I will be able to perfect it myself.
There are so many ways to create
new shapes and fits by using small
detailing methods.
Needless to say, I am very excited to see
what Paris-inspired creations this year’s
Lasell fashion show will hold! ❦
Connected Learning
Searching for a Lost Brother
Lasell Community
Helps One of Its Own
T
he story of Sudan’s Lost Boys is
tragic, but when that story hit close
to home for the Lasell community last
spring — then tragedy turned to hope.
In May, Kuol Acuek ‘09, began to share
his personal story about his experiences
as one of Sudan’s Lost Boys and his
desire to find his younger brother —
who is still there. Kuol hoped that by
sharing his story with the media he
could raise funds to return to his
homeland over the summer.
After hearing Kuol’s story, two Lasell
students, Rachael Simmons ’10 and
Amanda Keefe ‘10, immediately went
into action and collected more than
$650 from fellow students in three
days. They said that many were friendly
with him during his four years at Lasell,
but few knew what he had endured
before he came to the campus.
“We couldn’t believe his story,”
said Rachael. “There was an instant
outpouring of support.”
Kuol’s reunion with his brother Geu (L).
Then, Lasell’s Health Director, Ann
Sherman, and her husband Stephen,
gave Kuol the boost he needed
to make the trip. The Shermans
helped him make up the difference
between what he had raised and
his goal — $10,000.
With the Shermans’ generosity, the
students’ efforts, a donation from a
Lasell Village resident, and other
contributions secured by Lasell’s
Institutional Advancement Office, Kuol
purchased his airline ticket. He began
his two-month-long trip to his country
and his search for his younger brother
on May 30.
Kuol returned to the U.S. in July with a
story of success. He not only found his
brother, after three weeks of visits to
his village, but he also located his
mother, uncles, and learned that his
family had expanded. His next step is
to find a job locally and try to return
to his family as soon as he can. ❦
(L) Rachael Simmons ’10 and Amanda Keefe ’10 (R) hand Kuol Acuek ‘09 a check that helped him
to travel to Sudan.
Learning the Ropes
Two Students Participate in First-Ever
U.S. Marshals Summer Internship
had active warrants for 13 people.
“But, the internship hasn’t all been
action-packed,” says Tristen. “We have
spent a lot of time in court and have
dealt with quite a bit of paperwork.
We were hoping that we would learn
more about defensive tactics and have
some time with weapons training, but
that hasn’t happened yet.”
Inspired by Italian Exhibit
Hats Off to the Creations of
Accessories Design Class
(L to R) Groundbreakers Cindy Puerta-Ordonez ‘13
and Tristen Racine ‘10.
T
F
he Larz Anderson Auto Museum
may be considered an odd place
for millinery inspiration but its exhibit,
“Passion, Design, Performance: The Art
of Italian Style” was the source of a
great amount of creativity for 24
students from Fashion Professor Anne
Vallely’s Accessories Design class. The
exhibit showcased all things Italian,
from cars to accessories and garments
from the Lasell Historical Clothing
Collection and it kindled the students’
imagination. The extraordinary results
were modeled by Lasell students at a
runway show that was organized by
Fashion Merchandising students taking
Visual Promotion.
“Combining fashion and automobiles
was new territory for the museum and
we were complimented to be asked to
be part of it and to be able to have
both our Fashion and Merchandising
students draw from it,” says Professor
Vallely. “It was a truly unique
connected learning experience.” ❦
Lasell models wait to show the unique and cutting edge hats.
ugitive apprehension, the witness
protection program, world travel —
these are all part of the job description
of a U.S. Marshal. If there is an
unprecedented event, this is the law
enforcement agency that is called.
This summer, for the first time, a
summer internship program was
offered for students considering joining
the department. Two Lasell Criminal
Justice majors, Tristen Racine ’10 and
Cindy Puerta-Ordonez ’13, jumped at
the opportunity and sent in their
resumes. Both were accepted and
were the only two females to be so.
“I saw it as a great opportunity to get a
feel for the job — the hours, the pace,
the work load,” says Tristen Racine ’10.
When the two began, they found
themselves working 40 to 50 hours a
week. “Once we had to get up at 3:30
a.m. in order to arrive at a site where
an arrest was being made,” says Cindy.
“We stood outside as the officers went
in after an attempted murder suspect
— we got to see it all.”
The busiest day the two had was when
the officers they were accompanying
The two have received a fair amount
of physical training. “It’s given us a
taste of what kind of shape we would
have to be in for the job,” continues
Tristen. “Because we are the only
female interns, we’ve done extra
weight training for our arms besides
working on cardio and push-ups with
the others.”
“It’s made us think about
all the responsibilities that
go along with being a law
enforcement agent,” says
Cindy. “You have to ask
yourself, ‘Can I picture
doing this every day?’”
— Cindy Puerta-Ordonez ’13
Over the summer, both students
applied for the Federal Career
Internship Program (FCIP), a two-year
paid internship that could lead to
acceptance at the Academy. “Since
Tristen will be graduating in May, she
would be affected immediately if
accepted,” says Cindy. “I’m not sure
I would be able to do it while I’m a
full-time student, but I didn’t want to
let any chance slip by. Our summer
internship has answered a lot of
questions and we’re both waiting
to see what happens next.” ❦
7
Connected Learning
Trash can be Treasure
Honors Leadership Class
Collects Move-Out “Garbage”
“W
e are hoping to collect a ton of
trash,” says Sarah Turnage ’11
as she picked up a bag filled with
clothing. “As students depart for
the summer they leave behind an
enormous amount of stuff. They never
take the time to think about the people
who could really use their discards.”
Sarah is a member of Environmental
Science Professor Michael Daley’s
Honors Leadership and Social Justice
class. “We had a ‘green’ focus and
I asked my students to come up
with projects that revolved around
environmental sustainability,”
Professor Daley says. “Sarah’s proposal
of collecting end-of-semester student
‘garbage’ was one that the whole
class got behind. It tied in perfectly
with Lasell’s goal of reducing solid
waste on campus.”
“Last year my roommate and I threw
out so much,” recalls Sarah. “If we’d
had a place to put it we would have
been happy to donate it and not just
produce waste. I learned of an
organization that operates on other
campuses called ‘Dump & Run.’ It
collects items that students no longer
have use for and takes the dollars the
‘trash’ generates and donates the
money to environmental and social
groups. I thought we could do the
same thing, just on a smaller scale.”
Sarah pitched her idea to President
Alexander, Vice President for Business
and Finance Michael Hoyle, and
Director of Plant Operations Tom
Koerber, and they endorsed it
enthusiastically. “It is something that
we had been thinking of,” says Tom,
“and Linda Williams ‘06, Lasell’s plant
operations administrative assistant,
and I were delighted to help out and
coordinate the project.”
The class put up posters around
campus to advertise the castoff
collection and donation barrels were
set out in four campus locations.
“The drive went on for two weeks
and we collected 475 pounds of
clothing! We were pleased to donated
it to Big Brothers Big Sisters,” says
Professor Daley. ❦
Fashion Design Major Sole Recipient
Alyssa Fetera ’10 Wins International
Scholarship Competition
were applying from all around the
world I wasn’t expecting the letter
that informed me that I was the
winner. I feel so privileged to have
been recognized.”
Alyssa is a student who lets no moss
grow under her feet. This past year she
was selected to design and create an
evening dress for Project Prom, which
she did outside of class on her own
time. As a senior, she will not only be
working on her collection but also has
an internship at the Boston Ballet.
Alyssa Fetera ’10.
R
eceiving an award scholarship is
always an honor, but to be the
only recipient of a scholarship that is
open to students internationally makes
it much more so. “I applied for the
American Association of Textile
Chemists & Colorists (AATCC)
Foundation Color Solutions
International Textile & Apparel Design
Scholarship at the suggestion of
Fashion Department Chair Mary
Ruppert-Stroescu,” says Alyssa Fetera
’10, “but since I knew people
8
“I’ve always danced, so I’m really
excited about being surrounded by the
excitement of the ballet productions.
I’ll be sewing and making alterations to
costumes while absorbing everything.
After graduation one of the things on
my wish list is to travel to Hollywood
and make costumes, so this will be
great experience. But, first things first.
Right now I’m concentrating on my
senior collection and thrilled to be the
AATCC scholarship recipient.” ❦
The Trash Team: (L to R) Alli Huhtala ‘10, Fallon Castor ‘11, Jessie Glod ‘11, Josh Martinez ‘11, Sarah
Trunage ‘11 (front), Angela Fox ‘11 (back), Livia Tsakiris-Alston ‘11, Kate Lyons ‘11 (front), Jessica West
‘11, Elisa Bronstein ‘11, and Aaron Paniccia ‘11.
From Research Project to
Conference Presentation
By Kaitlin Harris ’10
W
hen Dr. Marsha Mirkin
approached me to become
a part of an ongoing research team
to help raise campus awareness
surrounding the student immigrant
experience, I immediately hopped
on board. The study originated in
the wake of a Student Voices Panel
where immigrant students discussed
their family, and educational and
social experiences. A team was then
created to conduct research to
compare the experiences and
viewpoints of immigrant and
non-immigrant students.
Another panel was held in the fall of
2008 and the process was repeated.
Joining me on this second research
team were Cate Near ‘09 and Danielle
Roux ‘09. We created a new student
survey and, with the Institutional
Review Board’s approval, we distributed
them to several classes across campus.
We took the data that we collected
and gathered our results.
With our research done, we decided to
submit it to the Association of Women
in Psychology (AWP) conference in
Newport, RI and we were very excited
when we
learned that
we had been
selected and
would be
part of an
hour and
Kaitlin Harris ’10, Cate Near ’09, and Danielle Roux
’09 hold the poster they created for the Association
of Women in Psychology Conference.
half poster session. We got busy with
our preparations, deciding what we
were going to say. Each of us took
a different section. Cate took the
abstract, I took the discussion, and
Danielle compiled the results. With
Dr. Mirkin, we all worked on the
introduction and methods section.
None of us had presented for this long
and we were all very nervous. To our
surprise, the conference was very
laid back. We spoke with many
professionals in the field including
Rhoda Unger, a pioneer in women’s
psychology. We were even asked to
submit our work to be published.
We walked into the conference with
hundreds of people, feeling nervous
and unprepared but we walked out
with confidence that our research
mattered and that we were the ones
who made it all happen.
This fall I am going to continue research
with Dr. Mirkin but with a new topic.
I am leaning towards a survey on
women’s issues and I’m excited to start
this undertaking. The experience I have
gained has made me comfortable in my
own ideas and I am ready to tackle a
new project as a senior. ❦
Connected Learning
Raising Money for Disadvantaged Women
First Annual Fashion & Service
Society Fundraiser
T
here’s a new club on campus with an inspiring mission: The Fashion &
Service Society. Its members are all fashion majors who want to use their
talents to raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations. The club may
be in its infancy, but the group is focused and determined.
Americorps* Vista Volunteer Nyndia
Diligent ’08, who was a Fashion Design
major as an undergraduate, serves as
the club’s advisor. “Once the idea of
using fashion for a charitable end was
put out there, I was amazed at how
many students
responded. A slate of
officers was elected, the
group started meeting
once a week, and the
ball was rolling.”
For a first project, the
group decided to hold a
fashion show in the
spring and donate the proceeds to
Dress for Success, a not-for-profit that
provides professional attire and a
network of support and career
development tools to disadvantaged
women seeking jobs.
“We sent a proposal to the Student
Government Association and were
given a stipend which we used for
decorations and to purchase a great
raffle item,” says Club President Dana
Martin ’09. “But, as we proceeded we
found that there are a lot of details
that go into planning an event of this
sort. It was our first time out and it
was stressful!”
On the day of the show there were
no signs of anxiety — just a sense
of purpose. A colorful runway was
created in the front of the Yamawaki
auditorium, fun candy decorations
were sprinkled about, student-baked
cupcake refreshments were
laid out, and 10 models
were preparing to wear
30 outfits.
“Nyndia had contacted
Sparklle Thames ’06, an
alum who was a featured
designer in last fall’s
Boston Fashion Expose
(see story p. 24),” says Dana. “For the
show, she willingly leant us pieces from
her ready-to-wear line as well as a
selection of her signature boned,
constructed bodices. For the other
two sections we modeled clothes
from LF Stores and presented resort
wear garments.”
“The evening was a fantastic first
Club effort,” exudes Nyndia.
“We were pleased to raise money
for Dress for Success and we’re
already thinking about what we
want to do next. We welcome anyone
in the Lasell community, whether
current or past, to join us in our
fashion/service endeavors.” ❦
Benefit for Multiple Sclerosis
Fashion Promotion Students
Volunteer at Glow and Behold Ball
E
vents don’t run smoothly
without a willing and able crew,
and the students in Professor Anne
Vallely’s Fashion Promotion class did
an outstanding job of decorating and
staffing the Glow and Behold Ball
that benefits the Accelerated Cure
Project for Multiple Sclerosis at the
Boston Ritz Carlton. “It was a fun
way to do community service,”
recalls Vicky Anson ‘09. “We worked
hard and everyone looked amazing.
It was great to be a part of this
celebration of fashion, especially for
the purpose of promoting such an
important cause.” ❦
Lasell models wear designs by Sparklle Thames ’06.
Seeing the Struggles, Hearing the Stories
Nicaragua Trip a Reality
Check for Participants
“T
he trip was utterly awe-inspiring
and opened new avenues for my
mind and heart,” exudes Amanda
Miller ’09, one of the nine students
who headed to Nicaragua on Lasell’s
second annual service trip. “What I
experienced took me out of my
comfort zone. I was uneasy and
scared until I got a hug from a little
seven-year-old girl. Then I didn’t want
to leave.”
The group works in concert with the
Biblioteca in San Juan del Sur and its
Proyecto Movil, which make books
available to the residents of the town
and the surrounding rural communities.
They also spend time with Fidel Pavon
at the Workshop for Appropriate
Technology, focusing on public health
outreach and, in particular, the use of
water filters.
“It was wonderful
to return and work
with the same
partners,” says
Director and Lasell
Librarian Lydia
Pittman. “They are
inspiring. We don’t
want to be in a
bubble when we’re
down there. They
understand our mission.”
Kayla McKenna ’09 wields a pick axe as the group
works to build a road.
Valentina Hernandez ‘09 was the only
Spanish speaking student and she
served as the translator. “There were
just 20 families there, with people from
the ages of one to 80, living in this
totally deserted, beautiful countryside.
They cook over an open fire and want
to be secluded. They say they just
need cooking oil, soap, and sugar
from the outside.
“We want to learn
about Nicaragua, the
issues of poverty and
development. We
want to see what the
struggles are and hear
the people’s stories.”
“It was so much more than I
expected,” says Demetrick Nealy ‘09.
“We had one particularly incredible day
when we went with Fidel to a remote
village to attend a community meeting
to hear feedback on the water filters
they had been provided. Riding in the
back of a truck, it was a three hour trip
— crossing rivers, going over boulders.
When we arrived, the villagers
embraced us. They wanted us to
understand their society.”
“The children have
to walk two to
three miles to
school and cross a
river to get there,”
continues Valentina.
“In the winter
sometimes they
can’t get across,
— Lydia Pittman
so they miss school.
Fidel is working with partners to find
out if it’s possible to build a new school
or bridge. In other communities
children drop out because their
families can’t afford school supplies
or even shoes.”
“Working with the Biblioteca we
saw how much value the people
put on books and education. Their
quest for knowledge and their
determination gave me something to
look up to,” says Demetrick. “It was a
life-changing experience.” ❦
Nicole Belanger ‘10 carries a bouquet of balloons.
9
Connected Learning
Presentations Span the Gamut
Spring Symposium Week
“
During the week we celebrated student performance and art work, community
service learning here and abroad, internships across the curriculum, writing
awards, and course projects showcasing students’ curiosity, ingenuity, creativity,
and passion. At Lasell College, what students are learning matters to them for a
better understanding of and action within the world beyond the classroom.
”
Jim Ostrow
Vice President for Academic Affairs
The Senior Collections Fashion Show is the week’s grand finale.
Stress and Alcohol on Campus
At the Symposium’s Student Art Award Exhibit, Dean of Undergraduate Education Stephen Bloom presents
an art award certificate to Ji Eun Kim ‘11.
Talent and Imagination
Intriguing Theatre Performances
T
here was a buzz on campus this spring about the performances of Professor
Hortense Gerardo’s Introduction to Theatre Arts class. The action art piece,
“Rebel Birds,” was the first of two and the actors drew the audience in as they wove
their way through Valentine Hall to their performance space in Café 1851. The
second work, “…a thing with feathers,” was an interactive multi-media art piece
that was performed in concert with an alternate sound scape created by students in
Professor Gerardo’s Kitsch, Camp and Cheese Honors 205 class. The work consisted
of a live performance and a “meta-dialogue” to which audience members could
eavesdrop, via radio, from computer-generated transmissions in Café 1851. Theatre
reviewers gave both a rave.
The Cyber Diem Awards Night on April 30th featured four short films created over
the course of the semester by students in Professor Gerardo’s Visual Anthropology
class. Each 24-minute film was a representation of a 24-hour period. David Henry,
Director of Programs at the Institute of Contemporary Art, was
the invited adjudicator for the evening. Amy McHale ‘09
won the jury prize for Best in Show with her film, “A
Drink to Remember, Another to Forget.” Winner of the
Audience Choice award was Kacie Member ‘09, for her
film, “La Vie D’un Danseur.” ❦
Nicole Connolly ’09 Presents
Year-Long Research
“F
or my senior internship I was very
interested in doing a research
project,” says Honors program
Psychology major Nicole Connolly ’09,
“and wanted to focus on the
relationship between stress and alcohol
abuse. As a Resident Assistant it is a
situation that I am confronted with and
I don’t think students are seeing or
recognizing the patterns that I see.”
During the fall, Nicole submitted her
proposal to the Institutional Review
Board for approval to involve students
on campus in her research, constructed
a questionnaire, and received
permission from professors across many
disciplines to administer the survey in
their classes.
and over again that was experiencing
the negative impact of drinking —
those who belong in the external locus
of control group, who believe that
something outside of them, such as
fate or luck, is in control,. My hope is
that they saw the poster that I created
for the Spring Symposium and
recognized themselves.”
“Nicole compiled an enormous amount
of data from her research,” says Social
Science Professor Cherington, who
served as her advisor. “As she
developed her strategies and proceeded
with the project, she was really doing
graduate level work. In the future,
perhaps another student will want to
carry her work forward and build on
her report.” ❦
The results served to confirm Nicole’s
hunch. “It was the same group over
The cast of “Rebel Birds” prepares to
make its entrance.
(L to R) Professor Sarah Cherington and Nicole Connolly ’09 at the Spring Symposium Poster Session.
10
Connected Learning
Service in the Lone Star State
Alternative Spring Break
Focuses on the Working Poor
F
or 10 Lasell students who traveled
to Austin, Texas over spring break,
it was a week of education, hard
service work, Southwestern music, and
cultural emersion. “The theme of the
trip was ‘The Working Poor,’” says
Dave Walsh ’10. “We worked with a
wide variety of organizations, got every
point of view, and, in the process, fell in
love with Texas.”
This is the seventh year of Lasell’s
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program,
and each has been totally different.
“There has been a lot of discussion
about homelessness at the College
this year, and this brought us to the
topic of the working poor and what it
means to be struggling,” says MACC
Americorps*VISTA Nyndia Diligent ’08,
who accompanied the students along
with Amy Greene, Student Programs
Coordinator for the Center of
Community-Based Learning.
“We talked about helping bridge the
gap between the poor and the middle
class and we zeroed in on Austin,
Texas because it has a range of
organizations that are focused on
this issue,” Nyndia explains.
The week’s program was very varied
and the students spent time at eight
different locations. “We worked at a
food bank where we packaged items,
we served meals at a homeless shelter,
and we visited the Center for Public
Policy Priorities where we entered into a
discussion about the political aspect of
homelessness,” recalls Dave.
Ready to prepare meals at Caritas are (L to R) Katelyn
Gormley ‘12, Alicia Deily ‘12, MACC Americorps*
Vista volunteer Nyndia Diligent ’08, Nisha Cirino ‘11,
Brittanie Allen ‘11, Camella Christmas ‘11, Chelsey
O’Brien ‘10, and Erica Desautels ’09.
“The homeless shelters in Austin are
awesome,” says Chelsey O’Brien ’10.
“We spent an entire day at ARCH
(Austin Resource Center for the
Homeless) which is located in the
middle of downtown — it’s not hidden
at all. It is housed in a ‘green’ building
with solar panels and a lot of natural
light and it serves gourmet food. It has
Members of the “pepper” team at Austin’s Salvation Army headquarters are (L to R) Brittanie Allen ‘11,
Camella Christmas ‘11, and Katherine Millette ‘09.
an uplifting feel, which contributes to
the well-being of the clients.”
“Everything is in one spot,” explains
Alicia Deily’12. “The homeless can
sleep there or use it as a day drop-in
shelter, where they can shower and get
email. We talked to one man who
came to pick up his mail. He had
gotten a job but he still used it as
his base.”
At Caritas, an organization that offers
services to individuals and families with
permanent and transitional housing
issues, the group helped prepare meals
for 400 people. “There was live music
playing while the cooking was being
done,” says Chelsey, “and there was a
music festival right across the street. In
fact, there was music everywhere
because our trip coincided with the
South by Southwest Music Festival.
We worked hard but there was a fun
atmosphere all around us.”
“There are more than 6,000 homeless
in Austin,” says Dave. “And, because
of the economy, more people are
finding themselves in this position.
The work we did on ASB was not only
gratifying, but made me feel more of a
connection to the problem.”
“Once you see it, you’re into it,” Alicia
concurs. “It got rid of so many of my
stereotypes. We spoke with a man who
writes incredible poetry. It was very
moving to have the opportunity to
interact with him and others.” ❦
Finding Spirituality on Campus
by Amanda Miller ’09
President, Student Government Association
I
was pleased when Reverend Barbara
Asinger, Lasell’s director of Spiritual
Life, asked me to join five other
students from different faiths and
religious cultures on a Student Voices
panel on religion. The goal of the panel
was to share the role that spirituality
and religion plays in our lives, both
before and during college, something
that I have given a lot of thought.
I am a very religious person and
participated in a formal way before
coming to Lasell. When I arrived on
campus in 2005, it was difficult for
me to find ways to practice my
religion or even be spiritual. I emerged
myself in student activities to fill the
void of God in my life. I was rapidly
becoming engrossed with leadership
activities on campus and forgot about
my spirituality.
I welcomed the establishment of the
Center for Spiritual Life and the arrival
of Reverend Asinger on campus in
2007. It is a place where students can
explore their values and beliefs and I
was able to talk without fear of being
rejected or shutdown. I realized that
the two-year hiatus from my religion
had driven me closer to my spirituality.
Reverend Asinger did not replace my
minster at home; she was simply a
remarkable addition to my circle of
spiritual influence.
This process of losing my religion and
gaining my spirituality made me a more
effective and confident leader among
my peers. I slowly began to realize that
I was not alone on campus. There were
many silent people like me who were
just waiting for an avenue for dialogue
to open up at Lasell. The importance of
having a spiritual center on college
(L to R) Rachael Craft ‘09, Wade Gallon ‘11, and Amanda Miller ’09 chat before the panel discussion begins.
Missing are Rachael Simmons ’11 and Teresa Medeiros ’12.
campuses is crucial for students’
spiritual quests to continue to thrive
through the college years.
One major conclusion of this panel is
that people who practice their religion
are “normal” — not infallible. A lot of
people have very high expectations of
“religious” people. We make mistakes
too and live life just as much as others
do. It is almost a stereotype to think that
religious people are perfect because we
are not. We are making our journeys
just like our fellow students. ❦
11
Campus Update
Four New Full-Time Faculty Hired
Dana Janbek joins
the faculty
as Assistant
Professor of Public
Relations. Dana
recently completed
her Ph.D. in
Communication at
the University of
Miami, Coral
Gables. She earned her M.A. in Political
Science at the University of Louisville
and her B.S. in Communication at
Spalding University. Dana’s research
focuses on terrorist use of the Internet
as a media outlet and the use of
technology in developing nations. She
has taught Communication courses at
the University of Miami, and has also
served as a research assistant at the
Middle East Institute in Washington,
D.C. Dana has worked for the Jordanian
embassy in Washington, D.C., and prior
to this served as the Director of World
Communities of Louisville. She is
currently co-authoring a book with
Dr. Philip Seib of the University of
Southern California/Annenberg titled
“Global Terrorism and New Media:
The Next Generation after Al-Qaeda.”
Michelle
Niestepski joins
Lasell as Assistant
Professor of
English. Michelle
received her Ph.D.
in English at the
University of
Rhode Island, her
M.A. in English
from Boston College, and her B.A.
in English and Sociology from
Merrimack College. Her publications
and professional presentations have
focused on such topics as instructor
and student responses to grammatical
errors in student writing, writing across
the curriculum programs, and gender
stereotyping in children’s media.
Michelle has taught at Northeastern
University, University of Rhode Island,
Boston College, and Merrimack
College. Most recently, she has served
as Acting Director of the National
Archives of Composition and Rhetoric
at the University of Rhode Island.
She has also served as Co-Director
of the Andover Lawrence Bread
Loaf Writing Workshop.
Melissa Van Hyfte
joins the faculty as
Assistant Professor
of Hospitality and
Event Management.
Melissa recently
completed her
Ph.D. in Hotel
and Restaurant
Management at
Auburn University. She received her
Master’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant,
and Tourism Management at the
University of South Carolina, and her B.S.
in Recreation and Sport Management at
Indiana State University. Melissa has
published various articles and delivered
professional presentations in such areas
as wildlife tourism, hotel branding,
service-learning, and international
hospitality education. In addition to her
teaching experience at Auburn and the
University of South Carolina, Melissa has
worked in the areas of Event Planning
and Hotel Management.
Catharine Weiss
joins Lasell as
Visiting Assistant
Professor of
Fashion. Cathy
earned her M.S.
in Management
at Lesley University,
and she received
her B.S. in
International Studies from Marymount
Manhattan College. Cathy has held
sales and marketing management
positions at Brahmin, Priscilla of Boston,
and the Museum of Fine Arts and she
worked at Liz Claiborne Corporate in
New York as Fashion Consultant and
Account Executive. She has taught a
variety of fashion merchandising and
business courses here at Lasell, as well
as at Newbury College, UMass
Dartmouth, and Bay State College,
where she also served as Assistant
Campus Coordinator. ❦
Faculty Update
Sociology Professor and Director of the
Donahue Institute Tessa LeRoux and
former Director of the RoseMary B. Fuss
Center for Research on Aging and
Intergenerational Studies Mark Sciegaj
co-edited a special Spring 2009 edition
of the Journal of Comparative Families
Studies titled “Aging: Families and
Households in Global Perspective.”
Derrek L. Shulman is the new Regional
Director for the Anti-Defamation
League (ADL) in New England. He has
been an adjunct lecturer in the Master
of Science in Management Program
at Lasell since 2003 and has taught
traditional and online hybrid courses
focusing on marketing to elders and
elder care politics. At the ADL helm,
Shulman is responsible for confronting
and counter-acting anti-Semitism and
securing fair treatment for all people.
The ADL was founded in 1913 and
has a rich legacy of creating local
communities based on respect across
the region and the country.
Assistant Professor of Communication
Brian Wardyga was this year’s
recipient of the Joan Howe Weber ’51
Professional Development Grant,
which provides funds for faculty as
they seek terminal degrees in their
field. In addition to teaching, Professor
Wardyga coordinates radio, television,
and video academic programming
at the College and is the founding
director of Lasell Radio. He is pursuing
his doctoral degree in Educational
Leadership at Liberty University
in Virginia. ❦
Professor Derrek Shulman.
Professor Brian Wardyga.
The Student Government Thomas
E.J. de Witt Spirit Award was given
this year to Department Chair of
Accounting/Finance Richard Frederics.
He was recognized for his immense
enthusiasm and his desire to help
everyone succeed in the classroom. His
involvement in college life beyond the
classroom, including his attendance at
almost every Laser event, helps him
connect to the students that he cares
so greatly about.
Professor Richard Frederics holds the Spirit Award.
12
In June, Professor LeRoux chaired and
presented a paper titled “Reflections
on Feminism, Family Studies and
Qualitative Methodologies” at the
Conference of the Committee on
Family Research of the International
Sociological Association at the Center
for Studies of Holocaust and Religious
Minorities at Oslo University College
in Norway.
Professor Tessa LeRoux.
Class Notes
Editor’s Note: In the interest of protecting the privacy of our alumni,
it is the policy of the Alumni Relations Office not to divulge contact
information. Please use the online community, www.lasellalumni.org,
to search for your classmates.
The content of Class Notes is based on material submitted to the
Alumni Office. We are unable to verify the factual content of each entry.
The Class Notes printed in this issue were received by July 10, 2009.
Please send your news to the Lasell College Alumni Office,
1844 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466-2716 or
email us at [email protected].
home care or have moved to be near
their children. Seventy-seven of us have
passed on. Some continue serving as
volunteers and/or enjoy a variety of
religious, social and physical activities.
Many have kept up life-long friendships
with other Lasell classmates, sharing
both good and bad times. Despite
various electronic devices to keep in
touch, the telephone is still a favorite
with most of us. As we get on in years,
our phone connections and other Lasell
contacts bring back thoughts of our
earlier days.”
1930’s
1936
Marjorie Reed Colley writes, “I tried
to attend the funeral of former
classmate, Janice Remig Kelley, but
my back problems were too much. My
driving license is now good until 2014.
I have nine great-grandchildren but
only one boy.”
1940’s
1944
Gloria Boyd Major-Brown and
Dottie Tobin Staffier were the sole
representatives from the Class of 1944
at reunion. They have this message for
their classmates: “Since graduation,
we’ve been the far from silent
spearhead for social fairness in many
arenas — equal pay for women, civil
rights, housing, education, and
opening doors heretofore closed.
We are women — hear us roar — we
are tired. Small wonder so few could
attend our 65th reunion, but we send
hearty wishes to our classmates. Don’t
forget to send changes of address, etc.
by phone, email or dogsled to Lasell.
Keep in touch and appreciate each
other. Kudos to Jean Campbell, our
long-time, loyal class agent. Be ever
mindful and fortified by our class
Our sincere condolences to Beatrice
Smith Kallahan on the death of
her husband.
Marge Westgate Doran with President Michael B. Alexander.
motto, ‘Courage with a sense of
humor.’ Until we meet again — talk
loud, eat well, laugh often.”
“I am so sorry that I was unable to
attend our reunion,” writes Priscilla
Breck Mitchell-Mosley. “I had a
delightful chat with Dottie Tobin
Staffier, and we shared our memories
of Lasell. They were such happy years.”
Priscilla and her husband spend
summers in Nova Scotia and winters in
Georgia. Last summer, Priscilla visited
Ellie Laing Greenhalgh-Kilty in
Jean Michael Petersen with President Michael B. Alexander.
Chatham on the Cape. Priscilla says,
“Ellie and I often chat as we have a
lifelong friendship, from grade one
through college.”
Jean Campbell reminisces: “Sixty-five
years ago, June 6, 1944, was a day of
new hope for the world around us
(D-Day) and it was graduation day for
the Class of ‘44. Much has transpired
since then. Many of us missed our
65th reunion. Classmates are spread
around the country in retirement and
assisted-living facilities. Some are in
Our sincere condolences to Jessie Doig
Clark on the death of her sister, Mary
Doig Nicholson '41. Jessie still keeps
in touch with Polly Hanley Kuhn.
Some poetic thoughts from Dottie
Tobin Staffier: “Ever grateful for 62
years married to my WWII hero; replete
with children, grandchildren and
assorted pets; breathless from the ups
and downs of life’s merry-go-round,
with alternating roles of teacher, social
worker, poet, and political activist;
I’ve come to the joyous conclusion
that Life Rocks!”
(L to R) Gloria Boyd Major-Brown and Dottie Tobin Staffier with flowers that were sent by classmate
Jean Campbell.
13
Class Notes
Joanna Ward with President Michael B. Alexander.
1955
Our sincere condolences to Jane Clark
Minear on the death of her husband in
October 2008.
Sally Quicke Reiss and her husband,
Phil, celebrated their 50th anniversary
in August 2008.
1957
(L to R) Joan Kennedy Johnson, Nancy Curtis Grellier, Nancy Lawson Donahue.
1949
An update from Elizabeth Rainville
Hallenbeck: “We’ve enjoyed 20 great
retirement years in South Carolina.
Our three children and three grands
are still in Connecticut, but daughter
and family are planning to move down
here so life is good.”
Sally Taylor Murray sadly writes,
“Alas! I won’t be able to get to
reunion. Since my strokes I have
trouble getting around and am very
tired toward the end of the day.”
From North Carolina, Marilyn Weeden
Davidson reports that “there is never a
dull moment. I am a chaplain’s assistant
at the local hospital, sing in the choir,
cook for shut-ins, sew children’s clothes
for the needy, and volunteer at our
local end-of-life hospice facility.”
1950’s
1952
“A Slant of Light” written by Galbraith
Miller Crump chronicles the life and
death of his wife, Joan Lee Crump,
who died of ovarian cancer in 2006.
Galbraith had this to say about Joan,
“Wherever she went she made friends.
She was the magnet drawing people to
us. She filled my life with love and
friends. Who could ask for more?”
1956
Nancy Shook Bender proudly boasts
that her 14-year-old grandson,
Matthew, played in the Little League
World Series but their Walpole, MA
team lost to Georgia who won the title.
“Sorry to miss reunion,” writes Norma
Gamins Wise, “but my granddaughter
was graduating magna cum laude from
Washington College in Maryland.”
1953
Audrey Thompson Rielle and
her husband are still in Jupiter, FL
and enjoying retirement. Audrey
often sees former classmates,
Bunny Coats Stryeski, Jeanette
Roberts Mann, Althea Janke
Gardner, and Jane Corbin Post.
Last year, she and Jeanette attended
a Lasell gathering at the Cape and
saw many other classmates.
In February 2009, two friends from the Class of ’58 got together in Stuart, FL. (L to R) Rich Oswald and Judy
Feldt Oswald, Jeanne Bradner Morgan and Gene Morgan.
Front Row (L to R) Louise Harrison Leader, Joan Valentine Glasson, Sandy Kenney Granese, Joan Conradi McLaughlin, Judy Barnstead Francis, Jean Alesio Tsokanis, Betsy Coulson Conrad, Fran Reid Smith, Ann Douglass Wood,
Judy Sias Fudge, Linda Barber Morgan; Middle Row (L to R) Patricia Reilly Lewis, Carol Slocum Hulse, Judy Sherman Babbitt, Nancy Rotman Duffy, Sue Saunders Doyle, Nancy Rioux, Joanne King Fitzgerald, Carolyn Wood Brox,
Sandy Poole Bednarik, Lyndell Mead Betzner, Priscilla Williams Espenhain; Back Row (L to R) Pat Jenkins Cooper, Roz Aulisi Jureller, Melisse Jenkins Bailey, Cindy Boynton Green, Jeanne McShain White, Suzie Paige Pruden,
Wendy Clark Gibb, Beverly Bigelow Young, Linda Bailey Bolton, Nancy Crowell Coleman, Carlene Hintlian Newell.
14
Class Notes
1959
Regarding her hip replacement right
after reunion, Fran Reid Smith writes,
“My new hip is great.”
Diane Strawhince Longley says, “My
husband and I moved to The Villages in
Lady Lake, FL, last year. I’m still working
on shooting my age for 18 holes
instead of 9. My granddaughter, Leigh
Anderson, is in the class of 2012!”
Carolyn Wood Brox and her husband,
Charlie, celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary with a family trip to Disney
World in Orlando.
1960’s
1964
In 2008, former Lasell roommates
and friends for the past 45 years,
Jane Boyden Kropp and Janet
Ramsbotham Blake, celebrated
Thanksgiving together. Jane and
husband David have lived in
Huntington Beach, CA for over 10
years. Janet and husband Norman
retired to Sun City, CA in 2008.
1965
Gail Jacobsen Isaksen is the recipient
of the Fairhaven Improvement
Association Testimonial Award,
recognizing outstanding community
service. She was recognized for
spearheading the restoration of old
Fairhaven buildings, especially in the
historic waterfront area, and turning
over other buildings into restaurants,
businesses, and specialty shops.
“She is an example for others on
how to clean up, fix up and take
pride in where you live.”
(L to R) David Kropp, Janet Ramsbotham Blake, Norman Blake, Jane Boyden Kropp.
The Alumni Office thanks Bev
Pembroke Hill for representing Lasell
College at the presidential inauguration
at Green Mountain College in Vermont
in April. Bev had this to say: “It was
a wonderful experience. As it turned
out, I knew many of the other
representatives from the various
colleges and universities in Vermont
from my associations while working
over the years for federal, state, county
and local government. I also got to
meet representatives from other
colleges such as Harvard and University
of Indiana. Every day I am proud to say
I graduated from Lasell.”
1968
St. John’s, Virgin Islands, artist,
Livy Haskin Hitchcock, takes her
inspiration from the island’s natural
beauty. She says, “I love the water,
flowers, and sugarbirds. I love the
light and dark and shadows.”
Livy paints in pastels, a switch she
made years ago after working in
watercolors. While the island of St.
John inspires her landscapes, people
inspire her portraits, the genre she
likes the most. Livy and her husband
moved to St. John in 2004.
Janice Taylor Perruzzi writes,
“Enjoying yet another grandchild.
Spending summers on the Cape.
Looking forward to next reunion.”
The Lasell girls from the Class of 1961 held a mini reunion in Falmouth, MA on July 5, 2009. (L to R) Jane
Parsons Dolbier, Linda Grean Curtis, Carol Healy McKinnon, Jane Kendrigan, and Dorothy Musche.
Front Row (L to R) Wendy Woolfort Cutler, Jackie Dubin Foster, Cindy Ross Corbett; Back Row (L to R) Eileen
Cleveland Sterio, Mary Anne Conboy, Cindy Barr-Pfeffer, Kathleen Cooper McElroy.
Front Row (L to R) Claire Monahan Knox, Jan Slocum, Linda Parmenter Goulding; Back Row (L to R) Sue
Coster Malsin, Vivien Ash Gallagher, Kathleen Hayes Panos, Marsha Keyes Tucker.
15
Class Notes
1970’s
1980’s
1970
1982
Maggie Cohen Sherman, a
community engagement artist, is
co-leading a summer trip to South
Africa through The University of
Vermont. Under Maggie’s tutelage,
graduate students will learn about
“creative energy, social change, and
knowledge of place” in this part of
the world.
Robin Tavekelian Post had
this to say about her wedding:
“Bill and I were married at my
great-grandmother’s church in the
boonies of Vermont followed by a
pig roast at my folks’ place. Everything
was perfect, no exaggeration.”
Our sincere condolences to Nancy
Wells Wood on the death of her
mother, Shirley Wolcott Wells ’43.
1974
“I live in the country and work toward
self-sufficiency with my husband,”
writes Rita Alicino Wheatley. “I work
in the city teaching second graders.
I have two grown, wonderful children
and one beautiful grandchild.”
Renee Berke says, “I am so sorry I was
not able to attend reunion.” On the
bright side, Renee says, “Kaplan
Publishing is publishing an anthology
called ‘To the Rescue,’ and they are
including a chapter by me.”
1990’s
1992
An update from Michelle Strathie
Peterson: “I am now in healthcare
as a social worker, a career change
from hotel/travel.”
1993
Paula Connelly Vass has been
promoted to assistant vice president,
clinical operations, at Walden
Behavioral Care in Waltham, MA, a
hospital specializing in the treatment
of eating disorders. Paula’s past
experience at Walden has included
three years as director of social work
and more than a year as a psychiatric
triage clinician.
Jess Anthony and Urit Chaimovitz.
1994
“Just wanted to fill you in on what I’ve
been up to,” writes Lauren Birchler
Crook. “After graduation, I went to the
University of Central Florida and earned
my BS in business while working at
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
I met my husband of 11 years there.
We now live in California. I am an
at-home mom to three beautiful girls,
7, 5, and 2 years.”
goes out for several hours, if not
days. In addition, it is the rainy season
now, and it has rained every day!
I have only had a glimpse of the
sun for maybe five hours the entire
week. I am hoping for one clear
night so I can star gaze. I would
love to hear from all of you,
[email protected].”
2000’s
2001
Kara Roop shares some insights about
her work and life in Ethiopia: “I am
working for the International Rescue
Committee. I intend to travel to six of
the nine refugee camps to assist in
training teachers. At the end of my
time here I will have also produced a
teacher training manual on how to be
an effective teacher. I am not a big fan
of coffee but I have tried Ethiopian
coffee. I had to put quite a lot of sugar
in it, and I was on a high for several
hours. For those of you who love
coffee, you should definitely come and
visit. The electricity here sporadically
Tangi Pina ’02 celebrated her 30th birthday with
Lasell friends Jennifer Benton Hunter ’01, Brittany
Jackson Fevrier ’01, Maggie Joseph Pierre ’01,
Lindsey Milheirao ’03, Meaghan Longo, Lawens
Fevrier ’02, Cassandra Charles ’05, and Jenna-Lynn
Geary ‘13.
(L to R): Beth Ballard, Susan Curry Soucy, Patricia Raposa Reineke, Dale Haworth-Wilson, Chris Chura.
Christine Bielakowski and Pam Henderson Pagliaro.
Front Row (L to R): Amy Sprague Sundberg, Mary Pat Smyth, Stephanie Belbusti;
Back Row (L to R): Amy Pilat Weksner and Crista Cannata.
16
Class Notes
2004
2008
In January, Alicia Cranford Corrigan
began a Master’s in Early Childhood
Education at Cambridge College.
Meghan Bishop was one of the top
five finalists on country station 93.1
to win a free trip to Charleston, SC
for their fashion week, and she was
a winner!
Crystal Crafts Rivera, her husband,
and daughter, Lola, “are happily settled
in Iowa in our first home.” Crystal says,
“Maybe she’ll attend Lasell someday.”
2007
Angelica Adams has been accepted
into the Master’s program in Public
Health at Brown University but is still
waiting to hear from Rhode Island
College. Angelica has been working
in the Weight Control and Diabetes
Research Center at Miriam Hospital,
part of the Brown University Medical
School in Providence, RI.
Tabatha Torres has been working as
an Ongoing Social Worker for the
Department of Children and Families.
She has been accepted at the graduate
programs in social work at Salem State
College and Simmons School of Social
Work and will enroll in one of the
programs in the fall semester 2009.
Jamie Borelli was accepted into the
Master of Arts program in School
Psychology at Massachusetts School
of Professional Psychology in Boston.
Her career goal is to become a
school psychologist.
Nara Paz has been selected as one of
the five finalists to present her designs
at Fashion Group International’s
fashion show to be held during Boston
Fashion Week in September. She has
also been chosen by Boston Fashion
Expose to show her garments during
fashion week under the tent at
Courageous Sailing overlooking
Boston Harbor.
2009
Rachel Craft accepted a position with
the AmeriCorps program in Apopka, FL,
working with low-income families in a
farming community. While the students
are in school, Rachel will teach their
parents English, financial literacy, and
parenting. During after-school hours,
she will be a tutor and mentor to the
students. Rachel writes, “This is my
next adventure. I move down to Florida
at the beginning of August.”
Amanda Miller has been accepted
at Northeastern University’s Master’s
program in College Student
Development and Counseling. She
will also be a graduate assistant in
residential life working with living
and learning communities.
Come One, Come All!
Mark your calendars for
the following fun events!
Saturday, October 17
8:00 a.m. Alumni Soccer Games
9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Alumni Athlete
Continental Breakfast Rockwell Hall Roof Deck
12:00-3:00 p.m. BBQ and Fall FEST.
Bring your kids for face
painting, pumpkin
decorating, henna
tattoos, candy apples,
balloon animals
and more!
4:30 p.m. Alumni Athlete Reception
5:30 p.m. Alumni Pub Night
Shoppers Café
Sunday, October 18
Complete weekend details at www.lasellalumni.org/ffaw2009
We look forward to seeing you at Family, Friends, and Alumni Weekend!
11:00 a.m. River Day Races
and Feast - Stoller
Boat House
17
Nota Bene
Engagements
Ruth Roughgarden Frank ’42
on June 10, 2009
Hillary Roth ’72 to Bruce Goemaat
Regina White McCarthy ’42
on March 2, 2009
Marriages
Eve Cartwright ’79 to Skip Frederick
Church on September 27, 2008
Robin Tavekelian ’82 to Bill Post on
September 20, 2008
Kimberly Bewsher ’02 to David
Prosper on September 27, 2008
Janice Hubbard ’04 to Adam Brown
on July 1, 2006
Julie Hubbard ’05 to Michael
Anastasia on June 28, 2008
Rebecca Crocker ’06 to Christopher
Nadeau on August 16, 2008
Shirley Wolcott Wells ’43
on March 19, 2009
Grace Crossland Spurr ’44
on June 5, 2009
Janet Dean Hannula ’44
on April 7, 2009
Joan Mills Barry ’44
in October 2008
Barbara Perry Larkin ’44
on June 28, 2008
Anne Heaphy Briggs ’46
on June 9, 2009
Dorothy Chapman Hinrichs ’48
on March 20, 2009
Judy Tracy Shanahan ’48
on May 30, 2009
Births
Patti Beck Bishop ’97, a daughter,
Emily Margaret, on May 11, 2009
Julie Monaco Giles ’99, a daughter,
Gabriella Marie, on December 12, 2008
Colleen Pratt ’02, a son, Cayden
Alexander, on February 17, 2009
Janice Hubbard Brown ’04, a son,
Dylan, May 2008
Deaths
Janice Whittaker Sandberg ’30
on April 19, 2009
Muriel Morse Henrich ’32
on May 6, 2009
Janice Remig Kelley ’36
on June 11, 2009
Dorothy Thomas Thomas ’38
on January 30, 2009
Jean Aljoe Buurman ’39
on May 16, 2009
Katherine Babcock Hansen ’49
on December 25, 2008
Mary Ellen Fiske Brubaker ’49
on July 7, 2009
Mary Gilmore ’49
on June 10, 2009
Patricia Walsh Barry ’51
in February 2009
Audrey Lang Clark ’53
on March 7, 2009
Mary Wellington McKoan ’53
on March 20, 2009
Judith Gushue Blythe ’55,
on February 16, 2009
Eileen Dahl Lord ’59
Mary Jusick Fede ’59
Joanna Duggan Leppa ’60
Marilyn Schwarz Wheeler ’64,
Meredith Hunt Emerson ’70
Wendy Hilgert Boyle ’74
Mary Bryan Rooney ’39
on May 22, 2009
Nancy Rottman ’75,
on June 13, 2007
Julia Keegan Fuller ’39
on November 26, 2008
Gertrude E. Boudrot, former
Lasell cook
Shirley Wood Bush ’39
in October 2006
Robert Burgess, former faculty,
on July 11, 2009
Sybil Hartley Eshbach ’40
on January 29, 2009
Elizabeth Iarrobino, former faculty,
on March 3, 2009
Frances Hodge Dwyer ’40
in July 2009
Minoru Yamawaki, chairman of
Yamawaki Gakuen Junior College,
May 11, 2009.
Barbara Berkman Sherman ’42
on July 6, 2009
Sarah “Sally” Nolan Williams ’42
on March 1, 2009
18
Sadly, Judith Tracy Shanahan ’48 died
on May 30, 2009. A former member of
Lasell’s Board of Overseers, Judy was
firm in her support of the College’s
Annual Fund, served as her class
reunion agent several times, and
attended most Florida alumni events.
She was committed to education and
for 12 years worked in the Manchester,
NH public school system as a special
education teacher. She was also active
in her community, including serving on
the board of the League of Women
Voters and the board of Child Health
Services. She and her husband Jim
enjoyed being surrounded by their
four children and 10 grandchildren.
Minoru Yamawaki, Chairman of
Yamawaki Gakuen Junior College,
Lasell’s sister college in Japan, died on
May 11, 2009.
A special relationship existed between
the two institutions as they shared
similar goals: to emphasize both
practical and scholarly education of
women to prepare them for successful
professional and personal lives.
In 1988, under Chairman Yamawaki’s
leadership, discussions began on ways
to broaden the exposure of students
to other cultures and to increase
the visibility of each college in the
international education area. A sister
school tie program was developed.
The symbol of the strength of this
relationship is the Yamawaki Art and
Cultural Center, which was dedicated
and opened in 1993. Its renovation
was made possible in large part
because of a generous gift from
Chairman Yamawaki. He and his wife,
Dr. Kyo Yamawaki, came for the ribbon
cutting and ceremonial planting of a
cherry tree.
“Chairman Yamawaki was a quiet,
private man and he enjoyed having
Kyo be the speaker for him,” recalls
Bob Kates, who was the first director
of the Center.
At the dedication, Kyo said, “I hope
the Center will promote harmony
between our people and other
countries — that it will promote
multicultural understanding throughout
the world.” What better legacy for
Chairman Yamawaki.
Campus Update
Building Research into Curriculum
Lasell Receives Davis
Educational Foundation Grant
W
ith the support of a new,
three-year $85,700 grant from
the Davis Educational Foundation,
Lasell undergraduates will soon be able
to conduct research throughout their
educational experience, both inside
and outside of the classroom.
The project, Research Across the
Curriculum, enables students to
participate in a variety of research
projects at all levels of academic
study — through research-intensive
courses, independent study, and
research assistantships.
The Davis Educational Foundation,
founded by Stanton and Elisabeth Davis
after Mr. Davis’ retirement as chairman
of Shaw’s Supermarkets, has previously
supported two other educational
projects at Lasell — Technology Across
the Curriculum and assistance in
building connected learning into the
first two years of study.
“With connected learning, students
are doing the work of the field; the
investigative and analytical work of
research leads them deeper into that
work, with meaningful results that
have lasting value,” says Jim Ostrow,
vice president of Academic Affairs for
the College. “This grant provides us
with the ability to institute research
at all points of the curriculum —
from First Year Seminar through
Senior Capstones.”
According to Ostrow, students will
learn how to formulate research
questions, gather data to test
hypotheses, interpret results, and
share findings — in a variety of
settings. Both Ostrow and Joann
Montepare, director of Lasell’s Fuss
Center for Research on Aging and
Intergenerational Studies, are co-leads
in this project for the College.
The grant supports the College’s
efforts to build new opportunities for
faculty-student collaboration, builds
rigor into the curriculum, and supports
faculty leadership, development, and
project design and implementation.
One example of faculty-student
collaboration is the research intensive
Psychology Professor Marsha Mirkin works with students on a student immigrant experience research project.
tutorial, which will be instituted in a
variety of majors.
The project will enable faculty and
students to build upon collaborations
between faculty and students in
previous semesters, such as a social
science survey conducted on the
student immigrant experience. In that
project, three social science students
worked with Professor Marsha Mirkin
to develop, implement, and analyze
the survey and then presented their
findings at a professional conference
(see story p. 8).
“A unique aspect of the Lasell
research initiative is that it provides
students with enriched opportunities
to hone their information literacy
and communication skills,” said
Montepare. “It takes the connected
learning philosophy of Lasell one
strong step further.”
“Typically at institutions where research
is available to students, it is available
at the upper years. Our intention is to
provide these opportunities to students
right when they walk in the door,”
Ostrow says. “Students can feel they
are productive learners and are having
an impact right away.” ❦
Lending a Hand to a Neighbor
Community Library Re-opens with
Help of Lasell and Local Businesses
O
ne year after the closure of the
Auburndale branch of the Newton
Free Library, Lasell College and several
local area businesses and organizations
have joined forces to support the
library’s re-opening in the community.
The Auburndale Community
Library, which is supported by a
community-based, non-profit
volunteer organization, now
operates as a lending library that
is independent from the Newton
Main Library. It re-opened its doors
on June 13.
“When our neighborhood branch
library was closed by the city due
to a budgetary cutback, we were
heartbroken. Because of the generous
donations of Lasell College and other
local businesses and institutions, we
were able to license the building and
the books back from the city for 15
hours per week,” said Dana Hanson
of Auburndale Community Library, Inc.
Start-up funds for the community
library were raised privately and from
local businesses, with the help of local
aldermen, members of the Auburndale
Community Association, and the Lasell
Neighborhood Association. Lasell College
and other local businesses all pledged or
gave a promise of in-kind services to help
the library open its doors.
“Because Lasell College is a part of the
Auburndale community, it is natural that
we lend a hand to support what we see
as essentially an educational initiative,”
said President Michael B. Alexander,
who indicated that the Lasell College
library will also still be available to
neighborhood residents.
“We thank our lucky stars every day
that Lasell was willing to support the
local community in this sort of an
arrangement to bring back a beloved
service to the local residents,” said
Hanson. “Rallying around a community
library is a great way for all of us who love
Auburndale to come together to make
our village a stronger community.” ❦
The Auburndale branch of the Newton Free Library.
19
Campus Update
Professor Joe Aieta Celebrates
Forty Years at Lasell
by Victoria Zaleski ’09
T
ough or teddy bear? Students’
opinions vary, but Professor
Joe Aieta’s long career at Lasell
has touched the minds of many
students who have walked down
Woodland Road.
For Professor Aieta there have
been many rewarding experiences.
“Teaching. Being challenged by those
who take my courses and having the
support of my colleagues are what
I have enjoyed the most,” he says.
In fact, students often get hooked on
his classes which he considers a great
compliment. Graphic Design major
Breanna Liggan ’10 has taken two
classes with him and is registered for
his Ethics class this fall. “His classes
appeal to my interests and I think his
perspective on life offers great wisdom.
He has a deep understanding of his
students,” she says.
His co-professors consider Aieta an
inspiration and a model for which to
strive. Professor Denny Frey, Chairman
of the Humanities Department, has
taught alongside Professor Aieta on
many occasions. He says that Aieta
is a masterful teacher. “I find myself
often times just enjoying the company,
watching him do what he does,”
Frey says. He adds that this is a bad
thing because as the other instructor
he is “not doing what I am supposed
to be doing.”
A heavy load of coursework is part
and parcel of his classes. “Sometimes
they don’t understand that being a
college student requires a fundamental
commitment to the learning process,”
says Aieta. “I understand most
students have to work in order to
pay for tuition, room and board.
However, the coursework must come
before anything, otherwise they are
cheating themselves.”
Frey says that Professor Aieta’s use of
the Socratic method is part of what
makes Aieta such a talented professor.
“He is a master of crafts at the art of
teaching. Teasing the students’ way
though questioning — he builds off the
knowledge they already know and they
learn as they go.”
“Sometimes they don’t understand that being
a college student requires a fundamental
commitment to the learning process,”
— Professor Joe Aieta
Breanna acknowledges that even
though the coursework can be tough,
it is rewarding. “I have never read as
much as I have for his classes in my
entire school career. It gets a little
aggravating trying to fit an entire book
into one week, but what I’ve gained
from it makes everything worthwhile.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything…I have
never felt so comfortable expressing
my opinions, even if they differ from
the professor’s.”
Lauren Ennis ’11 agrees. She says that
the way Professor Aieta facilitates
discussion adds to the classroom
environment. “It’s more student-led.
There is give and take — we all play off
each other. His questioning opens that
mental door.”
Aieta may have a harsh exterior and an
intense work ethic, but the outcomes
of participating in his classes are worth
it. He sets a high benchmark. ❦
Professors Denny Frey and Joe Aieta enjoy some give and take during class.
Why Science Matters…Or Does It?
Joan Weiler Arnow ’49 Professor
Stephen Sarikas Addresses College
“
Science is the spice of life,” says Professor of Biology
Stephen Sarikas, the fifth Lasell College Joan Weiler
Arnow ’49 Professor. “It enhances our curiosity about
nature, it enriches us, and it encourages self-discovery.
Scientists must learn to have an open mind and have to
be ready to deal with inconvenient results.
A
s Professor Sarikas delivered the
annual Arnow lecture, his words
reflected his passion for his field and his
admiration for past scientists, many of
whom are currently being celebrated.
The year 2009 is “The Year of Science”
since it is the anniversary of so many
great events in science history: the
400th anniversary of the publication
of Johannes Kepler’s first two Laws of
Planetary Motion and of Galileo’s first
telescopic observations; the 200th
anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth;
the 200th anniversary of the birth of
Abraham Lincoln, who signed into law
the establishment of the National
Academy of Science; the 100th
anniversary of the discovery of the
Burgess Shale, the most celebrated
of fossil locations; and the 40th
anniversary of the founding of the
Union of Concerned Scientists.
”
Joan Weiler Arnow ’49 Professor Stephen Sarikas.
Cementing Ties with China
Joint Program in Fashion
Merchandising Approved
L
ast fall an initial meeting with
Shandong Institute of Commerce
and Technology (SICT) was held, which
recently lead to the approval by the
Shandong Provincial Government of a
joint Lasell College — Shandong
Institute of Commerce and Technology
Program in Fashion and Retail
Merchandising. SICT is hoping to
20
enroll the first cohort of students this
fall. Lasell and SICT are continuing
to refine the curriculum, instructional
plan, and contract between the two
institutions. The expectation is that SICT
associate degree graduates will enter
Lasell in Fall 2013 to complete their
Bachelor of Science in Fashion and
Retail Merchandising.
“Science matters to all of us,” he
continued, “and is related to every
major at Lasell.” To demonstrate this
idea, Professor Sarikas identified areas
of science that could be linked to each
of Lasell’s academic programs.
“The message that science conveys can
be compromised by partisan politics,”
he continued. He talked about the Bush
administration’s assault on science and
the encouraging signs he sees from
President Obama. “On the pro side
are Obama’s moves towards legal and
ethical stem cell research and his views
on climate change policy. But, there are
areas of concern. For example, I don’t
see biofuels as the answer to our
energy problem and there should be
much less reliance on coal.” ❦
Campus Update
Academic Recognition for Lasell Students
Exceptional Graduate School Choices
Amanda Rosario ’09.
Amanda Miller ’09.
T
“I wasn’t sure exactly what direction
I wanted to head in after Lasell,”
says Amanda Miller ’09, “so I applied
and was accepted at Northeastern’s
Master’s program in College Student
Development and Counseling and the
Master of Divinity program at Andover
Newton Theological School. The
spiritual side of my life is very important
to me but, in the end, the experience
I had at Lasell pushed me towards
Northeastern.”
here was nothing but good news
for Amanda Rosario ’09 when
she checked her mail box. The law
school acceptances kept coming in —
from Suffolk University, Syracuse
University, Roger Williams, Franklin
Pierce University, and New England
Law. And, to sweeten the pie, New
England Law offered her a $20,000
Presidential Scholarship.
“I did a lot of law school research
on my own,” says this self-motivated
Legal Studies major, “but Professors
Linda Bucci and Paul DeBole were
always ready to answer any questions
I might have.”
Amanda transferred to Lasell as a
junior, after receiving her paralegal
certificate from a community college
near home in New Hampshire. “I’ve
really enjoyed my time here and have
just finished a terrific internship with
the firm of Atlas & Atlas that exposed
me to a variety of areas of law.”
With so many incredible choices,
deciding which school to accept was
difficult. “I was surprised when my
mother encouraged me to go to
Suffolk. I was convinced she would
favor Franklin Pierce because it’s closer
to home or New England Law because
of the scholarship.
“After weighing all factors I decided
on Suffolk. It has a great reputation,
is a good size, and I really like it here
in Boston. I’m very excited about
my choice.”
During her four years at the College,
Amanda’s presence was felt in many
areas. She served as president of the
Student Government Association,
was an Admissions ambassador,
captain of the field hockey team,
and an orientation coordinator.
She also served on the Presidential
Transition Committee and the
Mascot Committee.
Psychology majors Angelica Adams
’07 and Tabatha Torres ’07 have
both been accepted into prestigious
graduate programs and have had
to make difficult decisions. As
undergraduates, the two worked
together their entire senior year on a
very challenging independent research
project for Psychology Professor Sidney
Trantham. “It required them to
demonstrate a great deal of initiative,
responsibility, and intellectual curiosity
and I am not surprised at their current
accomplishments given their drive and
talents,” he says.
community health education, health
promotions, and intervention. I’ve
already taken two courses there and I
will be continuing my work at Miriam
while I finish out my requirements in
the evening.”
Angelica has been working as a
research assistant at Miriam Hospital,
which is part of the Brown University
Medical School in Providence, RI. She is
in the Weight Control and Diabetes
Research Center and has been most
involved with bariatric patients,
working on three different studies.
Recently Taby was accepted at both
Salem State College and Simmons
School of Social work. After receiving a
fellowship from DCF, she decided to
attend Simmons. “I will be working
full-time and taking classes part-time
except for when I’m on educational
leave for my field placement. I’m
counting on my organizational skills
and planning to finish in three years.
“What I enjoy most is the interaction
with the participants,” she says. “I go
to the surgeons’ clinics and let the
patients know about the different
research studies and protocols. I also
lead the assessment visits.”
Angelica applied to Brown University
Master’s program in Public Health and
Rhode Island College’s Master’s
program in Health Education and was
accepted by both. “It was really difficult
to turn down Brown, but I decided on
Rhode Island because it catered more
towards my interests which are
Tabatha has been working as an
Ongoing Social Worker for the
Department of Children & Families
(DCF) since graduation. Her case
management responsibilities run the
gamut — she deals with infants up
to the elderly. “I like the fact that my
job is always changing,” she smiles.
“Once I have my M.S.W. I would like
to take on a supervisory role at DCF
and perhaps eventually relocate to
Washington, D.C. and a hospital
setting,” she says. “I know that the
project that I worked on with Angelica
under Professor Trantham helped me
get into graduate school. It gave me a
lot of experience that others didn’t
have. Lasell helped open this door
for me.” ❦
“Serving in these capacities influenced
my final graduate school decision,”
she explains. “I’m a person who can’t
sit still and I loved being involved and
connecting with students, faculty,
staff and alumni at Lasell. When I
thought about it, I realized that higher
education is really where I want to
develop my career and is, ultimately,
‘my calling.’”
When at Northeastern, Amanda
is already planning to apply for a
2010 summer internship at the
National Orientation Directors
Association (NODA). “I had a
wonderful experience as an
undergraduate student representing
Lasell at the NODA conference,
and I would like to help plan their
conferences and train coordinators
in new orientation activities.
“My immediate goal is to obtain an
assistanceship in residential life in a
Boston area college. My ultimate goal is
to someday be a president of a college
— perhaps being the first female
president at Lasell!” ❦
(L to R) Angelica Adams ’07 and Tabatha Torres ’07 as undergraduates working on a research project
for Professor Sidney Trantham.
21
Campus Update
Finding Acceptance
Shared Hearts: Coming Out
and Getting Hitched
“My own story is one of darkness, and then
of light. It’s appropriate for a photographer.”
A
dam Mastoon, photographer
and author of The Shared Heart,
told his story of coming out and of
acceptance to Lasell students, staff, and
faculty at a talk sponsored by SAFE, the
Donahue Institute for Values and Public
Life, and the Center for Spiritual Life.
Mastoon, who endured daily ridicule in
school, said the culture he grew up in
did not celebrate positive, gay role
models. “I felt there was something
wrong with me,” he said. “I turned to
drugs and alcohol to deaden the pain.”
But after Mastoon graduated from high
school and went on to college, he
found acceptance and his career, which
allowed him to turn away from these
substances. And, he discovered the
power of images and wanted to use
that power in a positive way to support
gay, lesbian, and trans-gender youth.
The idea for his book, The Shared
Heart, was born.
“I see those depicted as exceptional
young adults,” Mastoon said.
“Collectively, the stories tell their
journey from silence to expression
and freedom.”
Students look at Adam Mastoon’s moving photography exhibit.
The corresponding photo exhibit to his
book was on display in the Brennan
Library. The exhibit was sponsored by
the Union Church of Waban and came
to Lasell via the National Youth
Advocacy Coalition in DC.
Mastoon’s spouse, Rabbi Andrew Klein
of Barrington, R.I., also spoke at the
event about his experiences and how
he came to attend rabbinical school
later in life.
Following the talk, Mastoon and Klein
fielded questions about gay marriage,
current laws, and asked the students
about the climate on Lasell’s campus
for gays and lesbians. ❦
College’s Accomplishments Recognized
Lasell Wins Honorable Mention
in Chamber’s Green Awards
L
asell College was honored in May
for its environmental sustainability
efforts by the Newton-Needham
Chamber of Commerce at the group’s
second annual Green Business Awards
ceremony, which was moderated by
WCVB-TV News Anchor David Brown.
Professor Aaron Toffler and Professor
Michael Daley attended the May
awards ceremony at the Newton
Marriott where Lasell College received
an honorable mention nod for its
efforts. “It sounded terrific when
Lasell’s accomplishments were
read,” says Aaron Toffler, Professor
of Environmental Studies and
co-Chair of the Environmental
Sustainability Committee.
“It helps; it gets us on the map locally
for our environmental efforts. I want
to try to establish these partnerships
with local groups and, ultimately,
it might make things easier for the
school to proceed with its sustainability
program. It’s a win — win.” ❦
Innovative, Dedicated, and Much Respected
Dr. Felice Gordis Retires from Lasell
W
hen the packing boxes began
arriving at the office of Dr. Felice
Gordis, the reality of her impending
retirement struck home. It is not often
that a professor’s retirement brings a
college-wide feeling of professional
and personal loss, but this was the
case in May.
“Felice is a gifted and natural leader,”
says Social Sciences Department Chair
Sidney Trantham. “She made both
faculty and students want to work
to their full potential, was very
insightful, and incredibly generous
with her time. She will be much
missed by the entire community.”
Dr. Gordis arrived as a part-time
professor at Lasell in 1993 when there
was no Psychology major. Five years
later the major was established, she
became full-time, and in 1999 was
appointed Chair of the Department
of Social Sciences, which includes
Psychology, Sociology and Human
Services. She held this position
until 2008.
“Lasell is a special place,” smiles
Dr. Gordis. “The shared commitment
to students that the faculty has here
is unusual. What is in the forefront is
the desire to help students move
ahead. The quality of our teaching
makes a huge difference to students
who may not have had a previously
strong record.”
Under her hand, the Social Sciences
Department grew. She assembled a
group of talented faculty and every
year the number of students majoring
in the Social Science disciplines
increased. “She set the foundation
for the program, developing the
infrastructure,” says Professor
Trantham, “including creating
the guidelines for our internship
program and bringing technology
into the classroom.”
President Michael Alexander holds the Green Business Award certificate with (L) Environmental Studies
Professors Aaron Toffler and (R) Michael Daley.
22
Dr. Felice Gordis, Professor Emerita, Psychology.
The Social Science internships provide
professional training and are organized
developmentally, with a first placement
in a student’s sophomore year followed
by an advanced senior internship.
Under the leadership of Dr. Gordis, all
site listings are now electronic and the
position of a departmental internship
coordinator has been established.
“Many of her departmental initiatives
have become prototypes of excellence
for all departments,” says Jim Ostrow,
vice president for Academic Affairs.
Dr. Gordis and her husband, Dr. David
Gordis, are moving to Albany. “I am
looking forward to spending time with
my children and grandchildren, reading,
going to movies,” she says. “I leave
Lasell with a great deal of professional
satisfaction but I will miss my
colleagues, the students, and the sense
of sharing in a common objective.”
She leaves a rich legacy behind. “She
has been a model of pedagogical
restlessness,” says Vice President
Ostrow. “She was never wholly satisfied
with what she achieved — always
searching for new ideas, new methods,
new possibilities for pushing students
to a new point of understanding.” ❦
Campus Update
Navigating Relationships with Adult Children
Dessert, Music, and Magic
Book Talk Given by Village
Trustee and Author Ruth Nemzoff
A Festive Intergenerational Evening
W
ith verve and
humor, Ruth
Nemzoff, Ed.D.,
talked to an
involved Lasell
Village audience
about her book
Don’t Bite Your
Tongue: How to
Ruth Nemzoff, Ed.D.
Foster Rewarding
Relationships with Your Adult Children,
which provides a guide on how
to navigate the ambiguities and
ever-changing realities of the lives of
parents and their adult children.
“I don’t give people recipes, because
they don’t work,” she said. “I give
methodologies. Know the environment
— our children’s world is different than
the one we experienced. Know yourself
— our children know us well and some
of their perceptions may be true, or
not. Ask the question, ‘Do we know
each other?’
“My third piece of advice is ‘Forgive
your parents! Only then are you free to
parent in new ways not in opposition to
them or exactly the way they parent.’”
The discussion of intergenerational
relationships led to a spirited question
and answer period with Villagers
sharing some of the life lessons they
had learned. “Be a cheerleader.”
“Remain teachable.” “It is often
unclear when you are or aren’t
being helpful.”
B
alloons, streamers, beautifully set
tables, and a sideboard full of
delicious desserts. The stage was set for
the first-ever Lasell College and Village
mixer. The event was the idea of Robert
D’Agostino ’12, who wanted to start
planning the evening as soon as he
stepped on campus. “At Lunenburg
High School we had such an event and
it was always a huge success,” he says.
When the Villagers arrived, they were
greeted by two rows of students,
dressed in their party finery. As
everyone settled at the tables the
sound of conversation filled the air
and Meghan Cheever ’11 played
background music on the piano.
After dessert, a magician provided
entertainment.
At the close of the evening, there were
smiles on everyone’s faces. “When the
Villagers who didn’t go heard what a
wonderful time we all had had, they
were so sorry they didn’t sign up,” says
Ann Mignosa ’87. “If the students do it
again next year, they will have to plan
for many more Village attendees!” ❦
“Parents and their adult children need
to know how, what, and when to say
something,” continued Dr. Nemzoff.
“I hope that the questions that I
include in every chapter will help
readers reflect. Let’s get away from the
‘My mom gives terrific advice, I just
wish she’d follow it’ scenario.” ❦
Minna Osoroi by Dr. Kyo Yamawaki
Students’ Translation Captures
Youngsters’ Imagination
I
t was a special day at The Holway Child Study Center-The Barn. The youngsters
all gathered in a circle to hear a story written by Dr. Kyo Yamawaki, a long-time
friend of the College and a reputed writer of children’s books.
(L to R) Rose Miller, Megan Gobeille ’11, and Anne Wangh enjoy the fun-filled evening.
Opportunities in a Growing Field
Careers in Aging Panel Held
What made the occasion particularly unique was that two Lasell students, Yuma
Watanabe ’10 and Megan Christiansen ’11 had undertaken the translation of the
book as a special project. They worked with Professor L. Halliday Piel, a Japanese
History scholar, and succeeded in capturing the spirit of Minna Osoroi, which they
rendered in English as “Everyone is Alike.” ❦
A
Assisted by five-year-old Teddy McCafferty, Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Ostrow reads Minna
Osoroi to an attentive audience.
(L to R) Paul Rosenthal and Dr. Montepare enter into a discussion before Kara Curtis speaks.
n informational evening for students on careers in the field of aging was
sponsored by the RoseMary B. Fuss Center. “There are dramatic changes in
demographics taking place and the needs of our culture are shifting,” said Dr. Joann
Montepare, director of the Fuss Center. Five speakers addressed diverse areas of
opportunity available to graduates: Dr. Daniel Kempler, chair of Communication
Sciences and Disorders at Emerson College; Dr. Amy Wagenfeld, Fuss Center
Research Affiliate and horticulture therapist; Dr. Mary Ruppert-Stroescu, chair of
Fashion at Lasell; Paul Rosenthal of Health Dialog Inc.; and Kara Curtis, Director of
Regulatory Affairs at Commonwealth Care Alliance. ❦
23
Campus Update
Balancing Two Careers
Sparklle Thames ’06: Fashion Designer and Youth Coordinator
“Fashion Expose” was the grand finale of Boston Fashion Week
2008. It’s a moment when the industry is exposed to local and
talented Boston area designers and Sparklle Thames ’06 was
selected to show her collection “Hidden Jewel.”
“I have a lot of sleepless nights when
I’m getting ready for a show,” she
confesses, “and this time was no
different. The line I showed was readyto-wear clothing that is fun, vibrant,
and suitable for many different
occasions. It also exhibited my love of
boned, constructed bodices, which has
become my trade mark.”
Sparklle created her first two corsets at
Lasell when she was putting together
her senior collection. “There are so
many seams, I think that’s what I love.
I go through phases where I’m looking
for ways to make them look different
— thinking about patterns and colors
that are unusual.”
sustainable agriculture and social
responsibility. “I went there when I
was 14, so I’m an alum of
their program,” she says.
“Now I’m managing the
diversity internships,
training teenagers to give
workshops to other
youth. They talk about
‘isms’ — such as racism and
genderism. We want youth
to think about how
they can make
things better.”
Being involved is what drives Sparklle.
“My job can be mentally draining but
I find fashion design therapeutic unless
I have a show.” And, shows keep
coming her way.
“I did the Beast of Fashion last
December. It was lots of fun. My pieces
were all corsets and I used spray
paint, feathers — really
anything I could get my hands
on.” She was also awarded
2008 Designer of the Year
by Style it Up, a fashion show
that airs on Boston
Neighborhood Network.
“I used to say ‘yes’ to every
fashion opportunity,
but now I am
more selective.
I want to
make sure
that I
But Sparklle’s day job has nothing to
do with clothing. She works at The
Food Project, a non-profit youth
development program that focuses on
benefit from it — I want to be
paid, get good press, or have my
designs pictured.
“What I’m interested in now are
ways to make fashion more
environmentally friendly, such as
using ‘green fabric’ that hasn’t been
died chemically. In August, I was part
of a show called Green Fest and I went
with a lot of ideas.”
Sparklle hasn’t forgotten her alma
mater. She was pleased to lend
garments from her “Hidden Jewel”
collection to Lasell’s Fashion and Service
show (see story p. 9). “I couldn’t
actually be there that night but I was
delighted to be able to contribute my
designs to help the students raise
money for Dress for Success.”
But, Sparklle’s top priority is her
three-year old daughter, Janylah, who is
already showing a strong sense of color
and has inherited her mother’s energy
and drive. “I want to do it all,” says
Sparklle, “and do it successfully.” ❦
From Hatchlings to One-Year Olds
45 Lasell Participants
The Tale of the Turtles
Walking in Support of
Sexual Assault Awareness
Two hundred grams and counting.
Three endangered Red-Bellied Cooter
turtles were only 7 grams when
Environmental Science Professor
Michael Daley first brought them to
Lasell last September as part of the
Turtle Head Start program that is run
by MassWildlife. With the care of his
biology students, they increased their
size by more than 28 times and were
returned to Fish and Wildlife in
Westborough in May, ready to be
released into their natural environment.
“We all learned a lot by being part
of this conservation project,” says
Professor Daley. “It generated interest
across the campus and my students
also shared their knowledge with the
children at the Barn and Rockwell.
The turtles were a real teaching tool
for discussions about conservation, loss
of habitat, and endangered species.”
“I
t’s an issue I’m passionate about,”
exclaims Fallon Coster ’11, who
interned at the Boston Area Rape Crisis
Center (BARCC) and helped fundraise
for the fourth annual 5K “Walk for
Change” in support of sexual assault
awareness and ending sexual violence.
BAARC offers free services such as
hospital costs, counseling, and pro
bono legal work. The walk raised
$108,000 to help defray these costs.
Boston College and Lasell had the
largest gatherings — so we should be
very proud,” continues Fallon.
The Lasell team included Peer Health
Educators, Student Government,
Resident Assistants, the entire women’s
lacrosse team, and members of the
faculty and staff. “With this year’s
success, I’m confident that joining the
walk will be an ongoing Lasell
tradition,” says Fallon.
“I was so pleased by the number of
Lasell representatives who turned out.
By the end of spring term, when the
little fellows weren’t so little any more,
they were devouring a head of lettuce
a day and making quite a mess of their
tank. “Their chances for survival are
actually better than the hatchlings that
remained in the wild, because they are
so much bigger. We all wish them
luck,” says Professor Daley.
Growing bigger and bigger until they’re ready for release.
24
The members of the Lasell team gather before the 5K “Walk for Change” sponsored by the Boston Area Rape
Crisis Center (BARCC).
Alumni Relations
Message from Karen Gill,
Director of Alumni Relations
Hello Lasell Alumni -
Karen Gill
Director of Alumni Relations
Office of Alumni Relations
Newton, MA 02466-2716
(617) 243-2139
fax (617) 243-2383
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.lasellalumni.org
It’s been a year of introducing some
new programs mixed in with some
standard favorites. We’ve welcomed
some new faces with these initiatives
and hope to keep re-engaging and
re-connecting more alumni throughout
the coming year with programming
that fits your needs and those of
changing global technology. Career
and social networking have been very
popular and we will continue to provide
resources for those opportunities.
On a personal note, I wanted to let you
know that after 14 years, I have
decided to leave Lasell. I’m going to
take a little time off and then decide
what the next professional chapter of
my life will hold. I’ve had the privilege
of getting to know so many wonderful
alumni from all the decades and I want
to thank you for all the help you have
given me over the years to make this
job very enjoyable.
With sincere fondness,
Karen Gill
Lasell Alumni
Online Community
We are
excited to
New and
Improved
announce
our new and
improved online
community! You will be
impressed with all the
expanded features and
options. Think MySpace
or Facebook, but better,
because it connects to your
alma mater. And it is still
free of charge to all alumni.
Every user needs to go through
the first time log in process.
of the Board of Management:
and made the transition from ‘home’
to school better.
Dear Alums,
Crista Cannata ’04
President of the Board
of Management
Lasell Alumni, Inc.
Newton, MA 02466-2716
(617) 243-2139
fax (617) 243-2383
[email protected]
www.lasellalumni.org
Each time I come back to Lasell
College, whether it is for an Alumni
Board of Management meeting, or
using Woodland Road. as a short cut
on my way home, I also look around
and picture what the campus looked
like when I first arrived.
It is a joy to watch the college campus
grow with the opening of two new
residence halls and to have a Campus
Master Plan that encompasses concepts
for the Lasell of the future. The campus
has always been beautiful, but I love to
see the improvements.
Through the years I grew as a person
and enjoyed every minute I had at
Lasell. Now it is the College’s turn to
grow and flourish. I have seen the
many ideas that are beginning to be
put in the works by President Alexander
and each time I see the new designs for
buildings and courtyards, I get a warm
fuzzy feeling inside. It makes me so
glad and excited, that I am a part of
the Lasell College community and that
by everyone’s help it is able to thrive
and flourish and continue to be a
great institution.
Click on
www.lasellalumni.org/firsttimelogin
and complete the
following three steps:
• Enter your last name and hit FIND.
• Select your name from the list
shown and click NEXT.
• Enter your unique ID number
and hit VERIFY.
If you have not received your unique ID
number by now, please contact the
Alumni Office, [email protected] or
617-243-2467.
Online community features include:
• Email forwarding-for-life
• Search for classmates, email them,
send an instant note, or add them
to your friends list
• Set up your own blog
When I first came to Lasell College in
the summer of 2000, they had just
added the Forest Suites. Everyone
wanted to live there, because it was
brand new. I liked living in Haskell
House, because it was small and quaint
Fondly,
• Post and view class notes
Crista Cannata, Class of 2004
Back to the Classroom
Alumni Enjoy Two Seminar Sessions at Reunion
Associate Professor of Psychology Sidney M. Trantham fields a question about
his topic, “The Evolution of Childhood.”
• Post and view photos
• Communicate via message
boards and chat rooms
• Networking, business card
exchange, and job listings
• Register for events, view events
and reunions
Welcome to
the community!
Former State Senator, Judge, and Adjunct Professor Cheryl Jacques
discussed hot-button political topics.
25
Alumni Relations
Thank you to all our
Reunion Weekend Sponsors!
Grant Thornton
RoseMary B. Fuss Center for Research
on Aging and Intergenerational Studies
Kenneally Creative
Sodexo
Ipswich Clambake Company
Sunshine Sign Company
Metric Construction Company
The Village Bank
D & S Landscaping & Excavation, Inc.
An evening at Symphony Hall listening to the
Boston Pops was a highlight for many.
An exuberant
The Class of 19
59
Petersen ’39
Jean Michael
s.
a Reunion Clas
from
t senior alum
ize for the mos
received the pr
enjoyed a cham
pa
gne toast with
the President
at
Hamel House.
at
’59, a fashion Professor
Louise Harrison Leader
50th reunion,
her
ting
bra
cele
also
Lasell who was
in
d by Amanda Unis ’09
modeled a coat designe
on Saturday.
h
lunc
at
w
Sho
ion
the Alumni Fash
mer,”
t to meet “Boo
ass of 1959 go
Cl
e
th
m
fro
rs
Some membe
Cindy Barr-Pfeff
er ‘69.
Flipping the ta
ssel makes grad
uation official
.
ascot.
Lasell’s new m
Toasting at th
e lobster bake
are Stephanie
Ginnie Chow
Kana ’08, Chris
’05, and frien
Goguen ’07,
d Ryan Kenney
.
e ’49,
wson Donahu
’49, Nancy La
Curtis Grellier
class parade.
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ett Williamson
and Lynn Blodg
26
.
d her artwork at Reunion
Beverly Bley ’64 exhibite
Alumni Relations
Past Alumni Events…
(L to R) Sue Allen Busa ’58 (seated), Susan Constantine Buonocore ’65, Laura Jensen ’61,
Jack Hyer, Guy Busa attended a luncheon at the Carolina Club, Chapel Hill, NC.
Gustavo Batista ’02 spoke to the Advanced Leadership Seminar.
In attendance at the program was Amanda Miller ’09, Student
Government President. This group is for seasoned student
leaders. Guest speakers are invited to share their successes in
business, politics, the non-profit sector, or life in general with a
tie to student leadership. In a small discussion format, students
are encouraged to ask questions and learn from the featured
guest. Four or five guests will be invited each semester.
At the “Life after Lasell” evening, seniors heard a
presentation titled “The Art of Networking,” which was
delivered by Dean for Institutional Advancement Ruth
Shuman and President Michael Alexander. The students
practiced networking with members of the Boards of
Trustees, Overseers, and Lasell Alumni, Inc. The event was
so successful that there will be several opportunities each
year to network not only with the Lasell constituency, but
with other area colleges and their constituencies as well.
The Natick Collection sponsored an exhibition and four-college competition, “Form to
Fashion,” at which Lasell alumni displayed their designs. (L to R) Fashion alums Heather
Daigle ‘07, Joe (Salvatore) Gianni ‘08, Amanda Unis ‘09, Lynn Morin ‘09, Kate Saddlemire ’09.
Elisse Allinson Share ’65, and her daughter Jennifer Share ’98,
chatted with President Michael Alexander and Janet Murphy
George ’50 at the New Jersey “Bill Cosby” event in Englewood.
On the Scoreboard — Lasell College Night at the Celtics!
Alumni Association Scholarships Awarded
“I’ve always known I wanted
to teach,” says Mercedes
Czlapinski ’11, an Honors Program
English major with a Secondary
Education concentration. She
received experience right on
campus by being a co-facilitator
for a First Year Seminar course last fall and by assisting
English Professor Stephanie Athey with a Survey of
American Literature class. Being the Vice President for
Major Events for the Campus Activities Board (CAB) also
consumes her time and brings her organizational skills
to the fore. “Pulling Spring Fest week together was a
challenge but joining CAB was one of the best decisions
I have made. It has allowed me to branch out in so
many different ways.”
Jamie DeLaurier ’12 is an
Education major who is
happiest when she’s singing.
“It’s something I have always
enjoyed and I’m having fun
being a member of Lasell’s
Jazz Chorus,” she says. “But,
what really drew me to Lasell was its emphasis on
community-based learning. I lived in the Community
Service House last year and was an America Reads
and America Counts tutor. Unfortunately I won’t be
able to continue with these programs because of
scheduling problems, but I am hoping to be a Second
Step mentor.” Jamie will also be a Resident Assistant
and would like to be a leader in Lasell’s Future
Educators Club.
Lauren Ennis ’11 is a History
major with a flair for writing.
Her freshman year she received a
Diane Donatio Memorial Writing
Award. Last year she was a
winner of one of the Ruth Paetz
Braun ’54 Connected Learning
Essay Awards and won the poetry contest that is held
by the Multicultural Student Union. “There are so
many opportunities here at Lasell,” she says. “I love
that this is such a tight-knit College and that students
are recognized for their efforts.” Lauren enjoys being
involved with the ACES (Awareness, Confidence,
Education, Success) Program and serves as a
Resident Assistant.
Psychology major Nicole Mello
’12 is a Community Service
Scholar and put in hours of
service last year. She joined the
America Reads program and,
in spite of being a freshman,
was made a Coordinator, leading
six other tutors. She was also a peer mentor in The
Second Step afterschool program and worked on
the issue of domestic violence. She took part in
the Exploring Leadership course and is a peer health
mentor this fall as well as being Vice President
of the Psychology Club. “I’ve always been busy,”
she smiles. “Last year flew by. Sometimes it’s hard
to do everything and still find time for homework
and sleep.”
When Communications major
Christina Lynn Purington ‘11
arrived on campus as a freshman
she knew she wanted to become
involved and did so through the
Center for Spiritual Life. She also
tutored for the America Reads
program and worked in Admissions. But, when she
joined the Campus Activity Board (CAB) she found
her real passion and currently serves as its president.
“I am determined to make students want to go to
events,” she enthuses. “It’s a constant challenge,
but our numbers have gone up. We are building
CAB’s identity and trying to contribute to a lively
atmosphere on campus. It’s all about creating a
strong College community.”
Tara Rufo ’10 has given a lot of
thought to her education and has
made some important decisions
along the way. She came to Lasell
as a transfer student and a
Fashion Design major, but soon
realized that she wanted to
become a Communication major with a concentration
in Journalism. She has written articles for Polished and
for The 1851 Chronicle and looks forward to making
further literary contributions. “I am still coping with
the death of my boyfriend, but I am thankful for the
support of my professors and my friends. Right now
I am focusing on doing well in school and I am
considering applying to Lasell’s new Master’s program
in Communication.” ❦
27
Alumni Relations
Two Alumni Receive Lasell Medallions
Virginia Thomas
Baxter ’39 has spent
her lifetime helping
and caring for others,
and has done this
with a twinkle in her
eye. “When you’re
pushing 100, you
shouldn’t push
anything else,” she
Medallion recipient Virginia
smiles, but in her case
Thomas Baxter ’39 was
this isn’t true. A social
unfortunately unable to
activist by nature, she
attend Reunion.
is very connected to
her church, continues to make hospital
visitations and, fortunately for Lasell,
maintains strong ties to her alma
mater. She’s not one to boast of her
accomplishments (“When I first wrote
my autobiography it was a paragraph
long,” she recalls.), but they are many.
Virginia moved to St. Petersburg, FL
with her husband in 1969 and soon
became very involved with the Church
Although not able to attend her 70th
Reunion this year, Virginia served as
her Reunion Coordinator in 1999 and
became a Corporator of the College
in 1998. Continually interested in the
growth and success of the College,
she established a gift annuity for the
Winslow Academic Center renovation
during the Lasell 150 Campaign and is
a member of the Heritage Society.
Virginia has been a strong presence
at many College Florida events, where
her great sense of humor is always
appreciated. “I learned at lot during my
years at Lasell, including traveling into
Boston and discovering what a cocktail
was,” she laughs.
Always open to new experiences,
Virginia confesses that she took
a chance and invested in an
off-Broadway play. “I went to New
York for opening night. I had to take
my nurse with me on doctor’s orders,
“I take my walker and my oxygen and travel in
the van to get there,” Virginia says. “I spend time
with the residents who don’t have visitors. We
swap lives. I get more out of it than what I give.”
of the Good Samaritan, serving as
an elder and a deacon. She ran the
Shepherd Program which matches
members of the congregation with
their own shepherd and she assisted
the pastor on his Care Team,
supporting families and helping
church members on a broad base.
“Often I would stay with families in the
hospital waiting room and be another
pair of ears when the surgeon spoke
with them,” she explains. “I learned a
lot about the medical profession in
the process.”
Virginia is still involved with a hospital
visitation program. “I take my walker
and my oxygen and travel in the van to
get there,” she says. “I spend time with
the residents who don’t have visitors.
We swap lives. I get more out of it than
what I give.”
The importance of education has
always been a high priority for Virginia
and she created the Baxter Endowed
Scholarship at Lasell to enable students
to receive a quality education. She has
also established a scholarship at her
retirement community for the hourly
workers there. “I tell the single mothers
that if they had more education they
could do better for their children,”
she says.
28
but I didn’t want to miss it. I’ve never
done anything like that before. The play
did well and it opened my eyes to a
whole different life style.”
This year Virginia has season tickets
for the Tampa Bay Rays. “I want
to see them win the World Series.
Gate 4, Section 131 — I’m there with
my cow bells and my Rays hat. It’s my
last hurrah!”
The College is proud to have the
support of such an exceptional woman
who has given so much of herself to so
many people. ❦
Ann J. Mignosa ’87 is a woman who
enjoys life to the fullest. She willingly
and eagerly lends her talents and
expertise to every endeavor, and
both the College and the Village are
fortunate to have been the focus
of so much of her time.
Ann first became acquainted with
Lasell through her husband, Sebastian
Mignosa, who taught at the College
for 32 years. She started breaking new
ground during his tenure when she
approached the registrar and asked if
she could take a course. “There wasn’t
a category for wives,” she laughs. “It
was agreed that I could take one class,
and then the next semester I got the ok
to take a second. Pretty soon I was on
my way to receiving my A.A.”
Constantly giving back to her alma
mater, Ann has served on the Alumni
Board of Management for more than
Ann J. Mignosa ’87 receives her Medallion from
President Michael Alexander.
breaking ceremony and to dig a first
shovelful of dirt with President Tom de
Witt and Newton Mayor David Cohen.”
Ann not only enjoys taking classes,
she has also reversed the roles and put
on her own teaching hat. She tutored
Accounting and Math at the Lasell
College Learning Center until 1993
“Exchanging ideas with the students, getting to
know them on a personal basis, and finding out
first-hand what is going on is irreplaceable,”
— Ann J. Mignosa ’87
15 years, was a member of the College
Strategic Planning Committee in 20032004, and was a member of the
President’s Search Committee. She is
currently an Overseer.
and she has taught computer classes
at both the Village and at Newton’s
Senior Center. But, what she
enjoys most is taking classes with
Lasell students.
When Lasell Village opened its doors
in 2000, Ann was the first resident to
move in and she is now its longest
resident. “I couldn’t wait,” she says. “A
living and learning community — what
could be better. I was privileged to be
asked to speak at the Village ground
“Exchanging ideas with the students,
getting to know them on a personal
basis, and finding out first-hand what
is going on is irreplaceable,” she says.
“Plus, my grandchildren are getting
to be the same age, so I can relate
to them. I see resemblances and it
helps me keep up.”
Call for Nominations for Lasell Medallion
Each year a committee appointed by
the Alumni Association’s Board of
Management selects individuals
to receive the Lasell Medallion.
The bronze award may be
presented to “any member of
the Lasell family who, by virtue
of distinguished service to the
College or society at large, has
brought added honor to the name
Lasell.” Nominations for the 2010 award,
which will be presented at Reunion Convocation on May 15,
should be sent to the Office of Alumni Relations.
Recognizing her inquisitiveness and
openness to new adventures, Ann
was asked to be the photographer for
Lasell’s Shoulder to Shoulder program
to Mexico in 2005. “It wasn’t easy to
keep up, but I did,” she smiles. “I’m so
glad I decided to take the plunge. I was
very impressed by how hard the Lasell
students worked.” But she was right
there with them cutting sugar cane —
back-breaking and dirty work.
Since moving into the Village, Ann
has been Vice-chair and Chair of the
Advisory Council and Chair of the
Finance Committee. In her “spare”
time, she volunteers at the Newton
Historical Society and tends her verdant
Village garden plot. ❦
Special Gifts and Planned Giving
Kathy Urner-Jones ’83 Becomes
Director of Development
T
Katharine Urner-Jones ’83
Director of Development
Office of Institutional
Advancement
Newton, MA 02466-2716
(617) 243-2223
Fax (617) 243-2383
[email protected]
he College is pleased to
announce the promotion of
Kathy Urner-Jones ’83 to Director
of Development. In this capacity,
Kathy will serve as the chief fundraising
officer for the College with
responsibility for special and planned
gifts, annual and leadership giving,
corporate and foundation relations,
and constituent relations. As Director
of Development, Kathy will also
manage the fundraising efforts for a
major initiative to build the new Center
for Creative and Applied Arts (as
described on page 1 of this issue.)
The Guidance Center, Inc., of
Cambridge, was Senior Consultant
with Payne, Forrester & Associates
in Connecticut, and served as both
Special Assistant to the President for
Advancement and Vice President for
Institutional Advancement for Bay Path
College. From 1994 to 2001, Kathy
served as Director of Major Gifts and
Planned Giving, and Campaign Director
at Lasell where she directed Lasell’s first
multi-million dollar comprehensive
capital campaign, Lasell 150, which
ended in 2001. ❦
Kathy has served as Special Assistant
to the President for Leadership
Development since her return to Lasell
in September of 2007. Prior to that, she
served as Director of Development for
hen I arrived at Lasell as a
freshman, I was lucky to
find a spot on the Annual Fund’s
Phonathon team and soon discovered
that I was doing something that I
really loved,” says Katelyn Hammond
’09, who recently joined the
Institutional Advancement staff
on a full-time basis in the position
of Development Coordinator.
Katelyn Hammond ’09.
“When I talk to alums about all
that Lasell offers and how critical
to students the money raised for
the Annual Fund is, I know I’m doing
something important,” she continues.
“I think it’s vital that people understand
that 92% of Lasell’s student body is on
financial aid. Without scholarship
Heritage Society
Members Hear
from Students
M
embers of the Heritage Society,
Lasell’s honorary organization for
planned giving donors, gathered at a
special tea in their honor held at Hamel
House on the Friday of Reunion
weekend. They listened attentively as
Associate Professor of Psychology
Marsha Mirkin, Molly Fawcett ’09, and
Angela Piranosian ’07 talked about the
many benefits of the internship
experience at Lasell.
Both Psychology majors, Molly and
Angela agreed that the practical
experience they received dovetailed
with their class work and strengthened
their grasp of their field. Further, they
felt that the experience had enabled
them to develop strong relationships
with clients and had expanded their
professional network.
Katelyn Hammond ’09 Is New
Development Coordinator
“W
The Value of the
Internship Experience
assistance there would be no way they
could fulfill their individual dreams.”
The attendees appreciated having
the opportunity to hear firsthand
from the students and to ask them
questions directly. Many lingered
afterwards to talk informally and
catch up with friends. ❦
Katelyn capped her four years of
Phonathon experience by serving as
Phonathon Captain for her senior year.
She also worked as a Resident Assistant
and, as a Fashion Design major, she
was busy creating her senior collection.
“There are so many activities and ways
to get involved at Lasell,” she says.
“Now as an alumna and a member of
the Institutional Advancement team,
I will continue to be part of the process
of spreading the word about what’s
happening on campus and helping in
the effort to keep essential programs
at the College growing.” ❦
Molly Fawcett ’09 answers questions about her
internship experience.
Institutional Advancement Adds Leadership Gifts Officer to Staff
O
ver the summer, Shelley Reese
Cornish joined Institutional
Advancement as the Leadership Gifts
Officer and she will be focusing on
increasing leadership giving to the
Annual Fund.
“I am looking forward to learning
about the rich history and future vision
of Lasell,” she says. “The College
encompasses such a wide range of
students — from the youngsters at
The Barn, to traditional aged students,
to the Villagers. The vibrancy on
campus and the rich intellectual
environment is almost palpable.”
Shelley most recently held the position
of Director of Development and Alumni
Relations at the Sage School, a private
elementary school in Foxboro, MA.
Prior to that, she was the Assistant
Director of Development, Gift and
Estate Planning at Babson College. She
also held several positions in alumni
relations, fundraising, and admissions
at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy,
MA, where she earned a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Communication Arts.
She holds a Master of Arts in Business
Communication and Public Relations
from Emerson College. ❦
Shelley Reese Cornish.
29
Annual Fund
Re-cap of a Great Year
Haegan Forrest
Director of Annual Giving
and Constituent Relations
Annual Fund Office
1844 Commonwealth Ave.
Newton, MA 02466-2716
(617) 243-2165
Fax: (617) 243-2383
[email protected]
A
s we turn toward the new fund
year it is still a joy to recall the
success of the 2009 Annual Fund.
Throughout the second half of the
year our fundraising team was inspired
by the continued support and
commitment to the College from so
many donors, including alumni, parents
of current students, and many other
friends. Starting a new position in
fundraising approximately three
quarters of the way through the fund
year can create a distinct sense of
anxiety and concern. Shortly after
starting though, my concern gave
way to excitement as Lasell was the
recipient of a tremendous level of
support. The month of June — the last
four weeks of the fund year — was the
second highest total of gifts received
over the past five years. The College,
and all who benefit from Lasell’s
programs, was greatly bolstered by
this support.
Annual Giving is a fascinating program
to me. It is an amazing opportunity
for a college to assure that essential
programs are maintained. Funds raised
also make it possible to consider new
academic opportunities that strengthen
the education provided to students.
As alumni, parents, and friends of the
College make the all-important choice
to share their support with Lasell, they
make it possible to strengthen and
enhance the academic program today.
At the same time, the reputation of the
College grows, as does the reputation
of degree recipients. This relationship
is a key factor in the culture change
fundraising and Annual Fund programs
can have on a college. To be an agent
of positive change is so exciting and
fulfilling for me — it makes this work
personally rewarding.
SUCCESS!
While guiding the Annual Fund
program through the spring, I was able
to visit with and meet a great many
members of the Lasell community.
Making some short drives, I enjoyed
hearing stories of the Lasell of years
past from several alums. In early May,
I joined President Michael Alexander
in New Jersey at an alumni reception
and the Bill Cosby show. Later in May,
during reunion weekend, it was a
thrill to welcome alumni to campus.
As a fly on the wall, I felt fortunate
to be present for the many long-time
friends getting reacquainted. I even
had the luck of meeting Boomer,
Lasell’s new mascot!!
This past year the Annual Fund
program raised over $730,000 for the
College from just over 2,100 people.
Thank you! Your support of Lasell
College is incredibly important and
each one of us here at Lasell is grateful.
Especially in these tumultuous times,
your choice to support the College is
not overlooked or taken for granted.
And to the many, many people who
have given in previous years, I thank
you as well. I hope you will all take
advantage of the opportunity to make
a gift to Lasell in the coming year.
to teach for, as a result of the positive
feedback Lasell faculty provided for
the survey (see story p. 1). I must say,
between this report and the resounding
love and fondness for Lasell among
alumni and students, and their parents,
I am encouraged and excited about my
future here at the College. At a
reception last spring, a graduating
senior told me how she felt like she
was about to leave her home. Another
graduating senior I have had the good
fortune to meet tells of pouring her
heart into the College and watching in
amazement as it grew and changed
before her eyes. Several students
returning this fall have talked about
new academic offerings, new sports
teams, and improved quality of life on
campus. These stories provide evidence
of what annual giving can do at Lasell.
Please accept my deep gratitude for
your ongoing support of the College.
Your gift makes it all possible.
Haegan Forrest
Director of Annual Giving
and Constituent Relations
During my first few months here,
I’ve heard over and over again how
wonderful a place Lasell is to work.
In fact, this past June, Lasell was
recognized by The Chronicle of Higher
Education as one of the best colleges
Kicking off the 2009-2010 Annual Fund
The Lasell Giving
Challenge resulted in
You WERE
over $161,000 of new
Up to the
and increased gifts
during the 2008-2009
Challenge!
Annual Fund program.
With that total we met
the challenge and secured the
entire grant amount from Trustee Adelaide
Shaffer Van Winkle ’36/H’96.
From everyone here at Lasell, we thank you
and ask you to join us in expressing our deep
appreciation to Adelaide Van Winkle for issuing
the challenge!
T
he 2009-2010 Lasell College Annual Fund officially opened on July 1. Please answer
the call and support Lasell this year. Your support is more important than ever. Each
gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.
From phonathons, student fundraising
programs, special mailings and many
personal visits, we truly hope to inspire
you to support Lasell this year. Together
we strengthen the College and build
strong ties among this year’s students
and the generations who came
before them.
This year’s goals include:
• Alumni participation goal of 15%.
• Parent participation goal of 10%.
The Annual Fund has kicked off for the 2009-2010
academic year. Please join in support of Lasell.
You can give online at
www.lasellalumni.org/donate
or email us at [email protected].
30
• The Lasell College Annual Fund
aims to raise $750,000 toward the
many academic and extra-curricular
programs students enjoy.
Sports
Message from the Athletic Director
T
he Lasers experienced success
and recognition during the Spring
2009 season. Even though no team
championships were achieved,
individuals and teams received
acknowledgement.
Kristy Walter
Athletic Director
Office of Athletics
Newton, MA 02466-2716
(617) 243-2147
fax (617) 243-2037
[email protected]
The baseball team, competing in
their first year of varsity competition,
compiled an overall record of 10-24
and earned a spot in the GNAC
Championships. This was quite an
accomplishment for the young team,
as they had to beat out two other
more established teams to make
the play-offs. Also, to cap off the
year, Lasell’s Mike Mahoney ’12, from
Rockland, MA was named the GNAC
Rookie of the Year. Coach Jim Dolan
has even higher expectations for the
2010 season.
The women’s lacrosse team finished the
season with an overall record of 9-7,
losing in the GNAC semifinals to
Norwich. Coach Marushka Eddy, in her
Come-from-Behind Win is One for the Memory Books
Assistant Professor Neil Hatem
Head Coach for a Day
first season, was honored as the GNAC
Coach of the Year. Along with Coach
Eddy, Caitlyn Murphy ’09 and
Cassandra Haase ’09 were named
First Team All-Conference Players.
Murphy along with fellow men’s
lacrosse player Mike Maggio ’11,
also received regional recognition
as both players were named to the
ECAC All-Star Team.
This winter, the Lasers will be adding
two new varsity teams — men’s and
women’s indoor track and field. Both
teams competed on the club level last
year, participating in a selection of
invitational meets in December, January,
and February. Members of the team will
enter such field events as shot put and
javelin along with sprints, distance
events, and relays. A schedule will be
put together to include 5-8 regional
meets this year. Cross Country Coach
Larry Sullivan, who will be the head
coach for the track and field teams,
is looking forward to building this
new tradition.
Another new addition this year is the
completion of a second fitness center
on campus. A state-of-the-art facility
opened on the first floor of McClelland
Hall. The center is similar in size to the
current fitness facility in Edwards, and it
includes brand new cardio equipment,
weight machines, free weights, and a
stretching/core area.
Along with Boomer, the new website
(laserpride.lasell.edu), the new fitness
center, and new varsity teams, the
Athletic Department is looking forward
to another successful year.
Kristy Walter
Athletic Director
Individuals Recognized
Scholar Athletes of the Year
Presented to senior four-year athletes with the highest cumulative GPA.
“It was truly one of the best experiences of my
life!” exclaims Assistant Professor Neil Hatem when
recalling his one-and-only time as head coach of
the Lasell women’s basketball team.
“It was incredible.”
F
or the past three years, Professor
Hatem has been the assistant coach
of the team, ably backing up Head
Coach Kelly Stubbs. However, before
the end of the season, he announced
that he would not be coaching again
next year. So, when Coach Stubbs had
to go to a conference and asked him to
take on the role of head coach against
the Lasers’ chief rival, the Mt. Ida
Mustangs, he knew this would be his
one shot.
“Both teams were in the position to
compete for the last playoff spot in
the GNAC conference, so it was a
meaningful game. Going into it I knew
I would have one win or no career
win and I was braced for either.”
And what a game it was. The Lasers
were trailing with only 1:52 to go
when Tricia Culver ‘10 made a drive
and sunk the tying basket. Then
Katie Schumitz ’09 made her third
three-pointer of the game and the
Mustangs never recovered.
“Neil is a great motivator on and
off the court,” says Assistant Coach
Christina DeLuca’08. “He made the
Christopher Johnson ‘09
Men’s Cross Country.
Kayla McKenna ‘09
Women’s Cross Country.
Student Athletes of the Year
Coach Hatem strategizes with the team during a
time out.
Awarded to distinguished senior athletes for their achievements
and impact on the team.
team realize that this game, because
we were playing our rival school and
because it would be his only game as
head coach, meant a lot more than just
winning. It was about playing for each
other and taking pride in Lasell.”
“I’m pleased I was able to communicate
my passion to the team and implement
Coach Stubbs’s tactics. The seniors really
played hard and it was the team’s win,”
Hatem says. “But there’s no getting
around what an incredible experience it
was for me. I still get excited thinking
about it and I’m thrilled to be part of the
history of basketball at Lasell. What a
fabulous way to retire!” ❦
Jose Guitan ‘09
Men’s Basketball.
Caitlyn Murphy ‘09
Women’s lacrosse.
31
Sports
Softball
Men’s Lacrosse
Overall Record; 21-19
Conference Record: 14-10
Overall Record: 5-10
Pilgrim League Record: 3-5
T
T
Ashley Laramie ’11 was named to the
All-Conference first team and Heather
Rose ‘09, Heather Lynch ‘10, Tricia
Culver ‘10, and Michelle Torres ‘12
made the All-Conference third team.
With a strong core returning, the
Lasers are looking forward to the
2010 season. ❦
Maggio was selected to the Eastern
College Athletic Conference (ECAC)’s
first team and he and Matt Stambler
‘09 made the Pilgrim League AllConference first team. Brandon Keith
‘10 was named to the League’s second
team and was Player of the Week in
March after recording a total of eight
goals and two assists over the course
of the 2-0 week for the Lasers. ❦
he Lasers got off to a fast start,
coming out of their spring training
trip to Florida with their best record ever,
going 5-5 in Fort Meyers. In April, they
were at the top of the GNAC standings
and finished with an impressive 21-19
record. Although defeated early in the
GNAC Tournament, five team members
were selected for All-Conference teams.
here were many highlights to the
season, including the final game
against Clark University. The match
ended with a sudden death overtime
victory for the Lasers with Mike Maggio
’11 scoring the game-winning goal just
17 seconds into the extra period.
Kristin Mammola ‘11 on the mound.
Sean Speciale ‘12 takes a hit.
Baseball
Women’s Lacrosse
Overall Record: 9-7
L
T
Two rookies were selected to the GNAC
All-Conference team. Pitcher Mike
Mahoney ’12 was the GNAC Rookie
of the Year and pitcher and second
baseman Josh Sullivan ’12 was a GNAC
All-Conference third team honoree. ❦
Senior attack Caitlyn Murphy was
selected to the Eastern College Athletic
Conference (ECAC) second team and
to the GNAC first team. Cassandra
Haase ’09 was also named to the
GNAC first team while goal keeper
Kristin Coderre ‘11, Christina Canavan
‘11, and Meredith Hessler ‘12 were on
the second team. Alexi Giatrelis ‘12
was selected as Rookie of the Week
during April. ❦
asell’s rookie baseball program got
off to a great start, securing a spot
in the GNAC playoffs. Along the way
there were some very exciting games,
particularly an incredible 5-4 win over
Becker College with a game-ending
double play. Josh Sullivan earned
the win on the mound, pitching a
phenomenal seven innings and
producing 10 strike outs and allowing
only six hits and just one earned run.
he Lasers had their best season
ever under the direction of first
year Head Coach Marushka Eddy,
who was named 2009 Coach of
the Year by the Great Northeast
Athletic Conference (GNAC).
Mike Mahoney ‘12 reaches for the catch.
Goal keeper Kristin Coderre ‘11 is under attack.
Men’s Volleyball
I
t was a good year for the Lasers.
They made it to the GNAC playoffs,
had their best finish ever at the MIT
Invitational Tournament, and took
home the Bard College Invitational
Championship.
Freshman setter Brendan McGourn was
selected as the GNAC Rookie of the
Year and to the All-Conference first
team. Senior outside hitter David
Rogers made the All-GNAC second
team. Joseph Lipski ‘09 set a new
record for career digs at Lasell with
805. During March, Zack Smith ’12
was named Rookie of the Week. ❦
32
Lasell Leaves is distributed
twice a year, free of charge to
alumni, students, and friends
of Lasell.
The publication is produced by
The Office of Institutional Advancement
Newton, MA 02466-2716
Dean for Institutional Advancement
Ruth S. Shuman
Director of Support Services
Jeanne A. Johnsen ’72
Editor
Phyllis Taylor
Photography
Phyllis Taylor
Contributing Editors
Emily Alter
Michelle Gaseau
Design
Kenneally Creative
© 2009, Lasell College. All Rights Reserved.
Dan Rogers ‘11 stretches for the ball.
Printing
Kirkwood Printing Company

Leaves - Lasell College

Transcription

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