salem state university statement, spring 2014

Salem

STATEMENT

Educating you for life salemstate.edu

The Magazine of Salem State University | Spring 2014The Magazine of Salem State University | Spring 2014

STATEMENTSalem

On Saturday, April 12, we officially kicked off the public phase of a $25-million fundraiser, “10,000 Reasons—The Campaign for Salem State University.” It’s the institution’s largest-ever fundraising effort and first-ever comprehensive campaign. In name and in spirit, it celebrates the individual voices of our students, faculty, alumni, and friends as well as the community we build together.

This issue of the Statement tells just some of the stories behind the campaign. You will learn from campaign co-chairs Kim Gassett-Schiller ’83 and Henry Bertolon ’74 about their own motivations for leading this effort. For that, they have my deepest thanks. You will read about some of the earliest gifts made to the campaign and the impact they are having on our campus and community, funding health and wellness, scholarships, internships, renovations, and much more. You will also see the tremendous support given to the campaign by our faculty and staff, who have turned out in record numbers to participate. I am proud to have these women and men as the foundation of our university.

The 10,000 Reasons campaign is one outgrowth of a longer-term strategy that will keep Salem State improving and evolving as we move ahead. The Board of Trustees and I agree that our current position is one of strength. At the same time, we see what educators across the nation are seeing: a growing gap between public funding and student need that is greater than it has ever been. Today this institution remains committed to minimizing the financial burden that this trend is putting on students. It will take the continued support of all alumni, our entire community and many generous friends if we are to remain successful.

Moving forward, we will be measured by how we hold true to our mission of accessibility and excellence. We don’t point out often enough what a rare combination that is. It is what enables us to continue to welcome, in 2014, the same kind of students that Salem Normal School welcomed in 1854—the Charlotte Fortens who marched out into the world to help the disenfranchised, the young men and women whose greatest passions lie in improving their own communities, the budding entrepreneurs who will reinvent all of our lives for the better. With our support, I am confident they will continue to pay their educations forward. I invite your participation.

Patricia Maguire MeserveyPresident

edi tor James K. Glynn ’77

des ign and produc t ion Simeen Brown

ass is tant ed i tors Taylor Mugford Margo W.R. Steiner ’11G

copy ed i tors Patrice (Bonin) Buchanan ’75 Amanda Voodre Anna Wistran Wolfe

photography Simeen Brown Sean Lynch Comcast Sports Net Jon Holloway Photography Sprelinginteractive.com Margo W.R. Steiner ’11G

wri t ing Cheryl Alkon Karen Murray Cady Stefanie Howlett Mukala Kabongo ’15 Brion O’Connor Jayne O’Leary Taylor Mugford Christopher Reardon ’11G Anne-Marie Seltzer Margo W.R. Steiner ’11G

edi tor ia l advisor y board Carmen Amado ’04 Donna Beaulieu Rob Brown Karen Murray Cady Linda Coleman Mary Dunn ’78 Linda Jones Rod Kessler Taylor Mugford Francesca Pomerantz Anthony Pira ’13G Mandy Ray Margo Steiner ’11G Tom Torello t: 978.542.7519e: [email protected]: salemstate.edu/statement

Salem State University, Salem, Massachusettspublishes Salem Statement twice a year

Copyright c 2014, Salem State University

All publication rights reserved. Send address changes to Alumni Affairsa: 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970e: [email protected]: 978.542.7552

PrESIdENT’S MESSAgEDear Editor Glynn and Staff:

I thoroughly enjoyed the fall issue of Salem Statement, mostly because of the then-and-now theme. This should be a regular segment of the Statement with contributions coming from the “then” students as they are “now.”

In particular, in the class notes, why not ask the individual for an article describing his or her journey to their current position as a roadmap or as a critique. Thoughts from these individuals would increase the wealth of the university from the point of view of education, information and advertising. The success or failure leads to progress through the educational process.

Also, enclosed is a small token of my appreciation of your fine work promoting Salem State University as a training school, a college for career development and a university for encompassing life’s challenges through excellence in public higher education.

Sincerely, Joannah M. Brunelli ’60, Franklin, Massachusetts

Dear Ms. Brunelli,

We’ve decided to take your advice. Beginning with this issue, every edition of Salem Statement will include a “then-and-now” feature, maybe even two or three.

To the alumni reading this, how about it? Do you have any photos or memories you’d like to share? Can you provide us with a few sentences on where you are now? Send them along and we will publish them. The mailing address is: Class Notes/Alumni Affairs, Salem State University, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA. 01915.

If you have questions, call alumni affairs at 978.542.7552 or visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/salemstateuniversity or Twitter at twitter.com/SalemState.

Sincerely, James K. Glynn ’77, Editor

s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 i S a l e m S t a t e m e n t 51

36

NEWS2 AROUND CAMPUS Essay writers, scientific advances, an

old diner, research in Greenland, and

a tribute to a retiring English professor

6 ATHLETICS The Viking then and now, Carter hits

1,000 point plateau, Frozen Fenway

10 VOICES OF OUR FACULTY Science, the arts and a new core curriculum

FEATURES12 A FIRST-OF-ITS-kIND CAMPAIgN 10,000 students, 10,000 reasons

ALUMNI36 CLASS NOTES Catching up with old friends

38 ALUMNI IN THE WORkFORCE ’01 grad is Bruins insider

46 ALUMNI AND FACULTY ObITUARIES Remembering their inspiration

48 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION bOARD OF DIRECTORS

The 2013-14 members

TABLE OF CONTENTS

34

6

42

12

S a l e m S t a t e m e n t i s p r i n g 2 0 1 42

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Kaylee Kjersgard, a fifth grader from Robert L. Ford Elementary School in Lynn, was among four young essay writers who spoke at the university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in January.

The university annually challenges students from area elementary, middle and high schools to participate in an essay contest focusing on the great civil rights leader’s message and how it affects us today. In addition to Kjersgard, this year’s winners were Shammala Bellegarde, an eighth grader from South Middle School in Brockton, and Jose Padilla, a senior at Revere High School.

They, too, read their essays before the large crowd.

Chantae Turner, president of the Salem State University Multicultural Student Association, also addressed the gathering and spoke of the dangers of today’s “subtle” prejudice. Turner explained that because of its underlying nature, prejudice is more dangerous now

than when Dr. King was alive. The convocation, which concluded

Salem State’s weeklong celebration of King’s life, also featured guest speaker Kenneth Elmore, dean of students at Boston University, and a rendition of “We Shall Overcome” by the Salem State University Gospel Choir, led by Rev. Laura Biddle. n

Daphnee Georges of the Center for Academic Excellence sings with the

university gospel choir at this year’s MLK convocation.

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Essay writers Take Center Stage

Essay writers Kaylee Kjersgard, left, and Chantae Turner ’15, at the ceremony.


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There are 200 million people infected with malaria each year. During a presentation of Salem State University’s 35th annual Darwin Festival, Pamela Weathers, a plant biologist at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) said there is today a simple and effective way to treat the disease. Speaking in front of a full house at Salem State’s Veterans Hall, Weathers described her travels to Africa to research annua, a potent medical plant that has been a driving force in finding a cure for the disease.

This encouraging news is just one of the many scientific breakthroughs

announced at Salem State’s annual event. Festival organizer Juditha Burchsted, who for 20 years has been a professor in the university’s biology department, said that during the weeklong festival there were two lectures each day presented by college professors from all around New England, along with several video presentations.

Burchsted said that it took a collection of individuals and departments at the school to plan the event. Not only were biology and geography involved, but also sociology and psychology.

The festival, which is free and open to the public, takes on everything from urban planning to climate change. Burchsted says, “This festival teaches us the evolution of cooperation.”

Susan Case, a biology professor at the university, has been attending the festival for 35 years. She was a presenter one year and has seen many changes. “Presentation technology is much smoother now than it was when the festival first began,” she said.

It’s all about progress. n

Open For BusinessBy MukALA kABONgO ’15

With a menu that is affordable for students and residents of the Salem community, the historic Salem Diner re-opened in January under university management. Operated by Chartwells, which has the university’s food service contract, the renovated diner is averaging about 300 customers per day, according to manager Luis Faria. “It’s been a great success,” he said. “The customers have been steady.”

Students can eat using their meal plans. and seniors Casey Grant and Hannah Loubris, both commuters, have been regular customers since they were sophomores. They say that their favorite dish is the breakfast omelette.

Faria pointed out that the menu would be expanded once a kitchen renovation is complete. n

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll ’89, right, got behind the counter to serve breakfast to trustee chair Pamela Scott, Rep. John Keenan and Sen. Joan Lovely during the grand re-opening.

darwin Festival Brings Scientific Advances to Campus By MukALA kABONgO ’15


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Due largely to her research as an undergraduate student, Jen Palermo ’13 was awarded a competitive full-time teaching assistantship at California State University, where she is enrolled as a master’s degree candidate in geology.

The award covers all of Palermo’s academic expenses while paying her salary as a teacher in introductory geology labs. She credits her studies at Salem State for the opportunity. “Among the requirements for the geological sciences is to complete a research project and to write an undergraduate thesis,” she explained. “When I was applying to graduate school, having a background

in research was a huge advantage. Many undergraduates are not required to write a thesis, but the requirement at Salem State gives students applying to graduate school a leg up.”

Palermo also gained field experience during a month-long research expedition to Iceland funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). “When I first became a geology major, professor Brad Hubeny found out about the NSF grant for research in Iceland,” she added. “Knowing that Iceland would mean a chance to travel and see the country, I was immediately interested.”

Upon her return from Iceland,

Palermo developed her research skills in the externally funded stable isotope lab and said the university’s plans to upgrade the science labs is good news. “I’m excited to hear that the Meier Hall labs are being expanded,” she continued. “Research at Salem State kick-started my curiosity, which has been my driving force to continue to learn. I was lucky enough to spend a month in Iceland, a geologic wonder, where I learned field research techniques. I tell my students at California State that I aim to be a professional student. I want to spend my life learning.” n

research Leads to Teaching Assistantship

Jen Palermo overlooking Rekavikurvatn Lake in the outskirts of Westfjords, Iceland, while conducting

field research on climate.


After 31 years of teaching English at the university, Professor Rod Kessler has made the decision to retire. At the annual faculty reading in March—his final one—he read his short story “Newfoundland” to the audience. Following the reading, many of Kessler’s colleagues shared their thoughts on working with the popular professor through the years.

Kessler began working at Salem State in 1983. In addition to his teaching duties at both the graduate and undergraduate level, he served as coordinator of the honors program,

editor of Sextant, assistant director of the Center for Creative and Performing Arts, and editor of Soundings East. For three years, he co-directed the Eastern Writers’ Conference, eventually becoming its director.

“I have many fond memories of teaching, too many to single out,” he said during an interview after the faculty reading. “I always get a thrill at the annual undergraduate and graduate readings when my students and former students read. I have also had the pleasure of congratulating former students on their first—and

even second—books. Nothing pleases me more than seeing their success.”

What he will miss most about teaching is the ongoing learning that accompanies it—and the guaranteed receptive audience. About retiring, Kessler says, “I’m afraid that once I stop teaching I’ll have no one to listen to me anymore.”

We expect just the opposite. n

Mukala Kabongo is a junior communications major interning in the university’s marketing and communications office.

THEN & NOw retiring

Professor kessler receives Tribute at

Faculty readingBy MukALA kABONgO ’15

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In 1000 AD Norse explorer Leif Eriksson may—or may not—have beaten Columbus to North America. We can verify, however, that on November 1, 2013, a most impressive Viking landed in Salem and has since taken up residence in front of Salem State’s new Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center.

Created by Essex metal artist Chris Williams, the half-ton figure stands atop two large rocks and has become a fan favorite for visitors to athletic matches between Salem State’s Vikings and rival teams from around New England.

Williams’ whimsical works are primarily of animals, and include a life-size, 1,800-pound rhinoceros on the front lawn of a New Hampshire client; a giant climbing tree frog adorning the outside of New England BioLabs Inc.’s offices in Ipswich; and an entire seascape at Boston’s Logan International Airport. The majority of the former iron worker’s commissions are held in private collections around the world.

For the Vikings of Salem State, however, the new fellow down at the O’Keefe Complex is at home right where he is. Come by and visit him some time!

Home of the Vikings!The Salem State Viking is an imposing figure for visiting teams entering the

O’Keefe Complex via the Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center.

The Viking, circa 1972

THEN & NOw


Excerpt from “Rob’s Ramblins” by Robert Griffin, The Log, April 21, 1961

“Because there appears to be some bewilderment and confusion regarding the official nickname of the college athletic teams, we’d like to poll the student body for ideas and suggestions for a really representative nickname for our athletic teams. Let’s have everything from your coolest to your most conservative ideas. The person or persons who come up with the winning suggestions will receive recognition for their contributions. We would appreciate any idea, so just clip out the coupon below and deposit it in one of the new Log suggestion boxes to be found in

Cubicle29-C on the second floor.” Excerpt from “Rob’s Ramblins’” by

Robert Griffin, The Log, June 6, 1961“Finally, in lieu of any response to

our request for suggestions for a title for the teams representing Salem on the fields of sport, Ed Cunha, Tom Bradley and I have selected as an appropriate nom de sports the Vikings. Do I hear whispers that this is a breach of tradition? Must we be witches, or clippers or even pumpkins in season? Not so, because the legend of Leif Ericson’s voyage to Massachusetts, and very probably to Salem harbor, dates back somewhat before the witch-clipper ship era. It even sounds a bit more

wholesome than honoring slave traders and witch hunters. The name Vikings, it seemed to us, conjures up a picture of hardy adventurers determined in the face of obstacles, consummately heroic in combat and most important, willing to pull the oars together when the wind blew the wrong way.

For those of you who feel you must express yourself on the subject, allow me to introduce you to the editorial pages where your opinion will, I’m sure, be dealt with accurately and fully.

The rest of us will grab our Valkyries and head for Valhalla.” n

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When junior guard Rachael Carter converted the second of two free throw attempts with 5:27 left in the first half of a home game against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, two things happened: the Vikings took a 22-21 lead, and Carter became the eighth player in Salem State women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points.

While she acknowledged the significance of her achievement, she remained focused on the score and the outcome. “It was a milestone in my career,” she said, “but it is just a statistic. Now the focus is on the team and moving forward.”

Carter and the Lady Vikings did stay focused on the game, which ended as a 71-61 victory before a big crowd that packed Twohig Gymnasium.

A nursing major from Merrimack, New Hampshire, Carter is the team leader in points, field goals and rebounds. She was named to the Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference second team in her freshman year and to the MASCAC all-academic team last year. Despite the accolades, she maintains, “I just want to become a better player and help the team move forward in the MASCAC.”

Coach Michelle Cunningham praised her leading scorer as a great playmaker. “Rachael is a dynamic player who finds many ways to score. She also distributes the ball very well to her teammates.” n

Carter is Eighth Lady Viking to Surpass 1,000 Points

By CHrISTOPHEr rEArdON ’11g

why the Vikings?


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The temperature had barely climbed into double digits by the time the men’s hockey team faced off against UMass Boston for a late afternoon encounter in early January. The frigid air, however, did nothing to discourage the Viking faithful who traveled to the Frozen Fenway Classic to watch their team skate in the annual collegiate hockey showcase. A back-and-forth battle went UMass Boston’s way in the end as the Beacons scored an empty net goal late in the third period to ice the Vikings, 4-2. Memories of a great game in a great venue will remain frozen in time for the Salem State contingent that included fans, a cappella singers, color guard, cheerleaders, the mascot, family members of the players, students, faculty, and administrators.

The Vikings went on to capture the 2014 Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference title and received an invitation to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. n

Frozen FenwayUMASS BOSTON EDGES VIKINGS IN A WINTER CLASSIC

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New Core Curriculum to be Implemented in Fall Semester

Like their counterparts in other areas of academia, professors in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math) work tirelessly to improve the courses they teach. Their goals are many: to address the exponential growth of knowledge in their respective fields; to connect with our ever-changing student population; to prepare students for STEM careers and graduate programs; and to find better ways to connect with students who often struggle with these disciplines. Sometimes, however, certain learning objectives seem unattainable despite their best efforts. In these cases, a fresh

approach may be warranted. One possible approach is arts

integration. When the arts are added to the STEM curriculum, STEM becomes STEAM.

Why the arts? A small but growing body of research suggests that the use of the performing arts, literary arts, visual arts, and design in STEM teaching can lead to improvements in a wide range of student outcomes. Here are a few examples:

Georgia Tech: When artists and engineers were brought together to solve problems, students’ metacognition— a characteristic that is identified with expert learners—improved.

Brown University: Through a STEAM course that employed Virtual Reality, STEM students learned aspects of art that were directly relevant to STEM disciplines. Art and design students became STEM research assistants, and career directions were changed and refined.

Kings College London: The quality of students’ illustrations of neurons improved from the novice level to the expert level after using movement to act out neural development.

DePaw University: Students created sculptures that showed the folding of proteins. They collaborated, solved

problems, were inspired to do additional research, raised important questions about their scientific discoveries, and developed metaphors to address conceptual challenges related to physical and temporal scaling.

Fields of study that involve an authentic combination of art/design and science are varied and include the theater of scientific presentations, the graphical representation of data, scientific illustration, fashion design, architecture, and the study of the evolution of rhythmic and musical abilities.

Many STEM professors and students have an arts background and are excited to use it in their work and studies. STEAM can be introduced as a single project, an entire STEM course, or a course offered through a STEM and an art department as a collaborative effort. Recent STEAM projects at Salem State include the use of haiku to teach Newtonian physics, sculpture to teach microbiology, bacteria as an artistic medium, dance to teach plant physiology, and training in illustration by an art professor to improve observation skills in science labs. n

Lisa Delissio is a professor of biology at the university. More on this subject is available on her blog, stemtosteamihe.wordpress.com.

Adding Arts to STEM Curriculum Benefits Students By LISA J. dELISSIO

VOICES OF Our FACuLTy


Since poet Richard Blanco read his beautiful and inspiring poem, “One Today,” during President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, poetry has entered the public dialogue again. It has even inspired an anti-poetry article in the Washington Post.

But as we find ourselves in April, and in National Poetry Month, the question of poetry’s relevance is again front and center. Why poetry? Why now?

Founded by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month has become a cultural effort to raise awareness of poetry and poetry events everywhere. April, the so-called “cruelest month,” became the chosen month christened by T.S. Eliot’s poem, “The Wasteland.”

In truth, there is much to cheer about in April because there is no shortage of opportunities to experience poetry. It is everywhere. Poetry is where we go when nowhere else will do. Why do we need a National Poetry Month? Poets will tell you that every month is National Poetry Month. Every moment of every day expresses such jubilance

and celebration. But for most people, to experience poetry—meaning to read it, write it, share it, or speak it—is a way of connecting to the world. Social media can only bring us so close. Poetry says, “I get it. I understand you.”

We connect to poetry because we recognize something in ourselves in the poems—something unanswered, some longing. Poets give voices to those emotions and situations. Poems celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary: from birth to death and the moments in between. They push against the borders of what is accepted in pleasant company and reach into silence, past the border of what is acceptable or recognized, toward that which is difficult to name. We go to poetry when we can’t find the right words. Is poetry dead? No.

There will always be those who feel poetry is dead or, even worse, dying. But poetry is thriving. There has never been a better time to take a poetry class, attend a reading or festival such as the Massachusetts Poetry Festival or publish verse in print and online. And National Poetry Month is the perfect time to find

poetry in your community, where it has always been, recording our histories through emotion and words. n

January Gill O’Neil is a poet and assistant professor at Salem State University, and executive director of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival, which takes place in Salem, May 2-4 this year. For more information visit masspoetry.org.

New Core Curriculum to be Implemented in Fall Semester To provide students with a rigorous liberal arts foundation tied to the 21st-century world,

a revamped general education curriculum becomes effective next semester. The new core curriculum includes competencies in written communication, oral communication, personal growth and responsibility, creative expression and appreciation, world cultures, the human past, contemporary society, scientific reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. “The new core allows students greater choice in how they meet these essential learning outcomes,” explained kristin Esterberg, provost and academic vice president. “It is designed to be more flexible and accommodating to both our transfer and first-time, first-year students. It also enables faculty members to design a broader array of courses to help students achieve the essential learning outcomes.”

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why Poetry? why Now? By JANuAry gILL O’NEIL


When President Meservey asked us to lead What Would becoMe the 10,000 reasons caMPaign, neither of us hesitated.

We each had walked these halls as students, put our degrees to good use, and then, over time, felt the pull of the place that had done so much for us. Today we are humbled by the opportunity to give back in this way.

There’s a lot in that name, 10,000 Reasons. As the campaign unfolds we hope you’ll make time to explore it. For now, please understand it as the simplest explanation behind this effort: we must better prepare every one of our students for the challenges and opportunities they face. We should know. We were two of them.

Any one Salem State student could make a compelling case for your support. On the whole, they overcome more obstacles than most on their way to a bachelor’s degree. Many are first-generation college students, Pell grant recipients, veterans, or working parents. Some carry two and even three jobs. Together we embrace this diversity and its challenges, and we achieve more because of it.

We all know we can’t support our students without supporting our faculty. They are compassionate and ever present, and we count them with admiration among the 10,000. Rare is the alum who doesn’t have a story to share about a faculty member who changed their world in some profound way. Administrators and other employees, too, are just as often cited as champions of that same spirit.

More than anything else, 10,000 Reasons is a story of real people who have dedicated themselves to learn, excel and succeed. It sounds a little funny to say it, but you just don’t get that spirit at every university. We think it’s where Salem State shines brightest. So although this campaign is partly a quest to become a world-class institution, let’s begin by announcing to the best of the world that we are already meeting its standard, and in so many ways.

‘A STORY OF REAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO LEARN, EXCEL AND SUCCEED’

10,000 STUDENTS10,000 REASONS TO gIVE


F E AT u r E S

Our campaign goals and early successes reflect this truth, and we hope you enjoy reading about some of them in this magazine. They amount to much more than a facelift. 10,000 Reasons is a reconstruction both of what it means for Salem State to be successful and of the route we’ll take to get there. Of course, the heart at the center will remain unchanged: this is a campaign grown out of the positive reinforcement that already brings our community one daily triumph after another.

For embodying that spirit as well as anybody, and for working so hard for so long, we gratefully acknowledge our friends and colleagues on the campaign steering committee. Their contributions have been truly invaluable, and they continue to wear the mantle of university ambassador with distinction and good cheer. Their generosity is rivaled only by the members of the board of trustees and the Salem State Foundation board of directors, every single one of whom has made a gift to this campaign. It is this kind of buy-in that has positioned us for success from the start.

We must thank President Meservey, too, for her thoughtful, progressive and vibrant leadership in this campaign and throughout her tenure at the helm of our university. From her we have accepted this role with equal parts pride and gratefulness. And while we remain excited about the work we see around us, she is the first to point out that this is but the seed of greater things to come.

We share her confidence in that sentiment, and we hope you will, too.

Yours truly,

Kim Gassett-Schiller ’83 and Henry Bertolon ’74Co-chairs, 10,000 Reasons Campaign n

Commitment to the Student Experience $4M

.

Commitment to Financial Assistance $4M

Commitment to Faculty $3M

Commitment to Academic Programs $5.5M

Commitment to Annual Support $8.5M

TOTAL $25M

PROgRESS

AS OF APRIL 12, 2014

$15.1 MILLION RAISED

$25M

$18.75M

$12.5M

$6.25M

$0

Henry Bertolon ’74Campaign Co-Chair kim gassett-Schiller ’83Campaign Co-Chair Nate Bryant ’87, ’93gCo-Chair, Campus Community Campaign Subcommittee Amy EverittCo-Chair, Campus Community Campaign Subcommittee

robert LuttsCo-Chair, Boards Subcommittee Pamela Carrington ScottCo-Chair, Boards Subcommittee Brian Cranney ’01HChair, Corporations & Foundations Subcommittee karen Morrissey ’71, ’93HChair, Leadership & Major gifts Subcommittee

Joanne ricciardiello ’68Chair, Alumni & Parents Subcommittee gina deschamps ’92gSteering Committee Member Bernard gordon ’85HSteering Committee Member

CAMPAIgN STEERINg COMMITTEE


CAMPAIgN ANNOUNCED TO SUPPORT EACH SALEM STATE STUDENT

THE LAUNCH

Top: Campaign co-chairs Kim Gassett-Schiller ’83 and Henry

Bertolon ’74 address the crowd at the height of the evening.

Above: Performer and composer Javier Marquez ‘08, of Salem, kicks

off a night of entertainment featuring students from Salem State’s past,

present and future.

University and foundation trustee Jacob Segal and wife Marilyn (left) with Joyce and Bill Cummings ‘13H#SSUReasons

what’s yours?JOIN US ON THE WEb: salemstate.edu /reasons


F E AT u r E S

1,2: Jack Welch Scholar Michael Crawford ’16 and nursing student

Ruth Mburu ’16G deliver two of the evening’s eight spotlight speeches.

3: Jobita Rodriguez-Rios ’14, student government association president, on her way to earning a standing ovation

4: President Meservey and husband Rick, left, with Janet ’68

and Kenneth Himmel ’85H

5: Class of 1983 friends and Salem State Foundation colleagues: Tim

Shea, board member; Kim Gassett-Schiller, campaign co-chair; Cynthia

McGurren, executive director and vice president of institutional

advancement; Jim Muse, president

6: The Salem State Dance Ensemble takes the spotlight during dinner.

7: Congressman John F. Tierney ’73, ’09H with U.S. armed

services veterans Philip Lippens ’13, ’15G and Tiffany Lever ’15

1 2 3 4

5

6

7


When nate bryant ’87, assistant dean of the center for acadeMic excellence, and aMy everitt, Professor of sPorts and MoveMent science, talk about the role they shared in chairing the caMPus coMMunity caMPaign, each tale of rollicking good fun turns naturally on a MoMent of Profound huMility. they credit that dynaMic to the MonuMental task that Was their charge: to recruit every single one of saleM state’s 1,535 eMPloyees as a donor to the caMPaign.

“As fundraisers, we were awfully green,” recounted Bryant, an administrator known to many as the best dressed man on campus, who looked very much at home at a tiny table pushed to one corner of the cinderblock room that serves as Everitt’s O’Keefe Center office. “Our understanding going into it was that 50-percent participation would be a huge success. And here we were aiming for 100.”

With little to lose, the co-chairs chose to kick things off with a flash mob in the middle of President Meservey’s 2011 holiday party. The novelty proved an able motivator. When the beat dropped in Veterans Hall, dance instructor Megan McLyman led Bryant, Everitt, the president, and dozens of faculty and staff in a dance to the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get it Started.” News of the incident spread quickly and momentum for the effort started to build.

“There’s a genuine sense of helping here that’s just amazing,” said Everitt. “The connection to the job is hardly the paycheck. The connection is the students. And you don’t have to search very far to find serious need. Our donors, our co-workers, relate: everyone who gave to the campaign knew someone who would directly benefit.”

EqUAL OPPORTUNITY ASkERS

“OUR UNDERSTANDINg

gOINg INTO IT WAS THAT 50-PERCENT

PARTICIPATION WOULD bE A HUgE

SUCCESS. AND HERE WE WERE

AIMINg FOR 100.” —NATE bRYANT,

ASSISTANT DEAN, CENTER

FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE


F E AT u r E S

This isn’t to say that the money would raise itself. To help guide the effort, Bryant and Everitt formed a committee of 36 employees representing nearly every department and discipline on campus. Nearly all of them said yes to the job on the spot, and together with institutional advancement staff, they spent countless hours gathered around the table. But it was the co-chairs who often found themselves face to face with fellow employees, asking them to give.

Over the course of the next year, every employee in every department received a personal solicitation from Bryant and Everitt. Their persistence was such that a familiar warning cry soon rose in the air from the Sullivan Building to the Alumni House and everywhere in between: “Hide your money! Here come Nate and Amy!” A video surfaced lampooning the duo as western outlaws. Another cast them as big game hunters, complete with safari jackets and pith helmets. Bryant and Everitt embraced the fun, they agree, because it unified the campus that much more.

“Unity was critical,” said Bryant. “We included everybody—and I mean everybody. No matter your title, no matter your seniority, no matter your salary, there’s something happening on this campus for you to feel passionate about supporting. That’s what we said

to them. We didn’t need a script.”“And we were clear,” Everitt said,

“it’s not about how much, it’s about how many. This was about being part of a community.” She leaned back in her chair next to her partner, and the levity in the room again gave way to wistfulness. Then together they recalled standing-room-only gatherings of men and women, many of whom had already worked a long day but still agreed to hear a little more about the campaign.

“Some opened their wallets on the spot, and others turned and walked straight out the door,” said Everitt. “They bolted out of there, they found the nearest ATM, and they came back with whatever amount they felt they could spare. Whether it was $20 or $200, they wanted to give. The impact in the moment was overwhelming.”

“There were more than a few touching moments,” said Bryant.

It’s true that a few incentives didn’t hurt. Any single department achieving the 100 percent participation mark received a freshly baked cake, personally delivered by the campaign co-chairs themselves. And every donor would be thanked with an invitation to a party at the campaign finish line. Some 400 people showed up on a Saturday night in October to enjoy food, drinks, dancing, and battle stories, as well as a famous appearance by President Meservey in her

blue jeans. Bryant, now 25 years into his Salem State career, calls it the finest campus gathering he can remember.

When all was said and done, 75 percent of the university’s staff had contributed more than $1.5 million dollars through the campaign. Individual gifts ranged from $5 to a high of $50,000 and the money supported scholarships, specific academic programs, the annual fund, and just about everything in between. Many pledged to make a donation every month for the next five years.

“All because we asked,” explained Everitt. “I was humbled from the outset by the president’s confidence in us to lead this effort. And then to have all of these people understand the need, to recognize it and commit like that? It’s the most powerful thing I’ve experienced on this campus.”

“I agree,” said Bryant. “In the end it came down to a lot of good people, with good hearts, who believe in these students and want to see them succeed. They see the perseverance. They see what’s possible. And they feel strongly about what a Salem State University education delivers.”

“Now other schools are calling us to ask what our secret is,” said Everitt. “How did we get to 75 percent? But there isn’t one. We just have 10,000 reasons to care a whole lot.” n

University employees were looking for 100 percent donor participation when they set a goal of raising $1,153,500.


alice M. Mccarthy had an intense love for the arts. after a 50-year career as a nurse, retireMent gave her the oPPortunity to enroll in her first Painting class at the age of 71 at saleM state. it Was here that she Witnessed firsthand the deterMination and hard Work of her felloW students. she also caMe to understand their financial struggles, so she hatched a Plan to do soMething about it.

INSPIRED ARTIST LEAVES $1.8 MILLION FOR FUTURE SCHOLARS

By ANNE-MArIE r. SELTZEr

continued on page 20

Alice McCarthy as a child, above would eventually develop

an intense love of art that manifested itself in the form of pastel, watercolor and oil

paintings, displayed above right and throughout our story.

Above photo courtesy of Alice’s niece, Laurie Bertram


Lisa Johnson faculty, social work

“Many of our students have a lot of demands on their time, and yet they show up. They’re enthusiastic and they want to learn. And they’re very appreciative of the learning experience that they get at Salem State. I’m always impressed by how much they’re able to sacrifice in order to be here, in order to pursue their education, in order to better their lives and the lives of their families.”

REASON 4 2 0 6

F E AT u r E S

What’s your reason?

salemstate.edu/reasons


In short order, the lifelong Salem resident had established the Harold T. and Alice M. McCarthy Memorial Scholarship, named partly in honor of her brother Harold, an English professor at UMass Amherst for 30 years. When Alice passed away at 93 in 2011, her estate included a bequest to the Salem State University Foundation, endowing a $1.8-million scholarship.

Her gift will aid talented art students who demonstrate financial need. The first recipient will enter Salem State in fall 2015.

“The scholarship will cover their tuition, room and board, fees, and books—the total package,” said Mary Melilli, professor of art and acting chair of art + design. Recipients may explore a number of art concentrations—from painting and printmaking to photography and graphic design, among others—all of which are offered within the department. “If the student maintains a certain grade-point average, the award will cover all four years.”

Melilli described her department as “strong in the traditional art forms. Our faculty members are practicing artists, multi-skilled and multi-talented. Students spend long hours in foundations classes, longer than at many other universities. They get exposure to art history, past and present, and develop computer skills very early on.”

Melilli is excited about the impact the scholarship will have on the department. “When word gets out, our department will become more renowned for its excellent programming,” she said. “We’ll be able to recruit a greater diversity of students and attract applicants who are top of their class.”


Local Resident Leaves $1.8 Million—continued from page 18

The artist, right, with her brother Harold in both photos.

courtesy Laurie Bertram


F E AT u r E S

ask tracee chimo ’01 to list some memorable moments in her acting career and she’ll undoubtedly include the roles of daphna feygenbaum in the new york stage play Bad Jews and neri feldman in the television series Orange Is the New Black.

also noteworthy was winning the clarence derwent award from actors equity as “Most Promising actress in new york,” and the obie and drama desk awards for originating the role of lauren in Circle Mirror Transformation at Playwrights horizons theatre in new york. of course, there was also the rising star award from the salem state alumni association in 2013, and gracing the cover of the first edition of New York Theatre Magazine this past october.

“i am so proud to be an alumna; getting the rising star award was a beautiful thing. i felt so honored. i learned a lot at salem state, especially that this acting thing is extremely difficult,” said chimo, who earned a bachelor of fine arts (bfa) degree with a performance concentration. “the faculty did not sugar coat anything. i came away with a very strong work ethic, more so than students from some other schools. success tastes better when you’ve had to work for it.”

chimo had planned to study dance at emerson college, but during a performance just two months before graduating from saugus high school she severed her left acl, partially tore her Mcl and suffered a bone contusion, thus ending her dream of becoming a choreographer.

“salem state was the only college that was able to accept

my late admission. When i got there, i didn’t know what i was going to do,” said chimo. “i was on crutches because i had reconstructive knee surgery. i lived in Peabody hall and could barely get around.”

an elective drama course with Professor david allen george in her freshman year set her on a new path. “it was so much fun. When i auditioned for the bfa acting program, i had such a thick boston accent that the professors said, ‘We think you might be talented, but we can’t tell.’ i received intensive voice training with the dialect master right away and learned american standard (english).” soon she was gracing the stage in salem state productions of Le Bête and Eccentricities of a Nightingale.

chimo has been working in new york since august 2001. When choosing parts, she looks for those that portray strong women. “they are more interesting,” she says. “forget Juliet. i prefer lady Macbeth. i like to explore the human psyche and play new and very different characters, people we haven’t seen before.”

one such character was daphna in Bad Jews, which ran at the roundabout underground in 2012 and then at roundabout’s laura Pels theatre in Manhattan in 2013. “daphna was my first big leading role in new york,” said chimo. “it’s a challenging role. she’s very angry, aggressive and lonely.”

the part completely changed chimo’s life, bringing her professional relationships and friendships with people she’s admired for years. acting opportunities followed —a guest appearance on The Good Wife this season and an hbo pilot with nathan lane called the Money. this summer she’ll make a film in canada.

her current project is a role on abc’s new series, The Black Box. “i play dr. Mackenzie teller, a neuroscientist with asperger’s syndrome,” said chimo. “the role came about because a station writer saw Bad Jews.”

the play also brought her the small but meaty role of neri feldman in the netflix series Orange Is the New Black, which is based on Piper kerman’s experiences in a women’s prison. feldman is “a big hippie, a super organic gal who makes her own clothes and hunts her own food. she’s very tough.”

chimo’s primary goal is to one day “conquer the absolute best roles out there for women.” n

PORTRAIT OF AN ACTRESS: TRACEE CHIMO ’01 By ANNE-MArIE r. SELTZEr


the Mainstage theatre (built in the 1950s) is being transformed into the sophia gordon center for creative and Performing arts. construction for the $18.6 million renovation project, made possible in part by a leadership gift from bernard and sophia gordon and the gordon foundation, is expected to start this summer and take 18 to 20 months, according to the Massachusetts division of capital asset Management and Maintenance, which is overseeing the project.

the new design allows for a full-sized stage with a hydraulic lift as well as raised seating for the audience, a balcony and an orchestra pit. seating in the theatre will be reduced from 700 to a more intimate space accommodating about 500. other features include a glass-walled lobby, a box office, shop rooms, a rehearsal space and offices. a newly landscaped courtyard will be created to provide a place for students to gather.

the only state university in Massachusetts with certification from the national association of schools of theatre, salem state has about 250 students pursuing a bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts in theatre. the gordon center will be a premiere teaching space for students in the performing arts and a place where audiences who come to campus will experience the transformative power of the arts. n

NEW CENTER FOR ARTS WILL SPOTLIgHT TOP PROgRAMS

choreographed by Jade cipolla ’14 of revere, dance students performed Never Fully Dressed at the american college dance festival held earlier this year at boston university. festival judges described it as “a well-crafted journey that kept unfolding with an interesting sound score and wonderful imagery.”

adjunct professor Maria larossa ’05 presented her work Us, which captured the attention of the judges with its “energy, strong human gestures, powerful cannons, and unexpected ending.” Performances by larossa’s ensemble, which featured alycia carangelo ’14, Jade cipolla ’13, amanda cosgrove ’14, stephanie espinal ’14, brenna kenney ’14, lindsey Mcgovern ’14, and heather crow, earned praise from the judges as “well done” and “a thoughtful performance with solid connections.”

according to associate Professor Meghan Mclyman, “the dance concentration curriculum focuses on choreography and performance and provides students with opportunities to create and perform. students are expected to achieve competency in technical proficiency, critical thinking skills and personal artistic voice.” n

RAVE REVIEWS FOR DANCE PERFORMERS


Nahomie St. Louis ’13 psychology

“Salem State University has helped me grow in all aspects of life, intellectually and spiritually. To be honest, I’m not sure what I would be without this institution. I am beyond satisfied with my decision to come here.”

REASON 6 9 2 7

Andrew Visconti ‘15 nursing

“I’m studying for my BSN with the goal of working in pediatrics as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. Graduating with honors is important to me and my future, and Salem State is helping me get there in an affordable way. Now I can see a clear path to graduate school as well, and that’s really exciting.”

REASON 8 8 3

F E AT u r E S

What’s your reason? salemstate.edu/reasons


An honors graduate of Wellesley College, Melilli knows the value of a scholarship. She won two competitive scholarships that allowed her to study abroad. “It gave me confidence,” she said. “It also told me that other people believed in me. This scholarship will let our students follow their passions, or possibly attend graduate school.”

According to Cynthia McGurren, vice president of institutional advancement, “It will definitely assist us in recruiting talented students who major in art and will highlight our outstanding faculty.”

“I think it will also instill pride in our university community and our art + design alumni. Financially, it’s a big boost,” she continued. “The university receives less than 40 percent of its funding from the Commonwealth, so we depend on private donations to support our mission, which is focused on student success.”

Art + design senior Stephanie DeFreest said that the financial benefits of a scholarship provide students with time to focus on their academics. DeFreest, who receives tuition reimbursement through the veterans’ affairs office, has a 3.9 grade point average. “That would never happen if I had to work and worry about finances,” she said.

McCarthy also left many of her own paintings to the university, one of which will be displayed around the art + design department with information about her life. “It’s very important to let our students know about their benefactors, added McGurren. “If someone receives a full scholarship, it’s important they know how it came to be.” n

Local Resident Leaves $1.8 Million—continued from page 20


F E AT u r E S

Theatre Fields a Winner in Each Category at kennedy Center Regionals; Five Move on to Finals in DC

salem state theatre majors and faculty enjoyed their greatest success to date at this year’s kennedy center american college theatre festival’s region one competition.

in a year of numerous firsts for the nationally-renowned theatre program, the university produced a record four student winners and one faculty awardee, all of whom will go on to the national competition, besting the university’s previous record of two. in addition to being the seventh consecutive year in which salem state students have been selected to go on to the finals, the department fielded a winner in every single category at the regionals, another first.

the annual competition was held from January 28 to february 1 in hyannis and involved theatre students from across new england and upstate new york.

four of the five salem state students and the faculty winner went on to the national competition at the kennedy center in Washington, dc, this month (april). a fifth student went to the united states institute for theatre technology (usitt) conference in texas to present his work on the national stage.

the university earned the additional honor of having its production of Kafka in Tel Aviv selected as one of only five productions (out of 43 entries) to be performed at the regional festival. all of the above combined to make salem state the most honored school at the festival, and one of the most honored theatre schools in the nation.

according to William cunningham, chair of theatre and speech communication, “People at the festival wanted to know what our secret is at salem state. i believe it is the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students.” he also noted that many salem state theatre students took advantage of networking opportunities and left the regional competition armed with potential job leads. n

EDITOR’S NOTE:The national competition results from the kennedy Center were not available at press time. Check our website for the latest from Washington.

WINNERS, AWARDS AND HOMETOWNS

the four students and one faculty member going on to the kennedy center national competition

James Wechsler ’15 of newbury (irene ryan acting award)

adelaide Majeski ’14 of salem (stage management award)

ryan boettcher ’14 of ashland (directing award)

lia Parisi ’15 of gloucester (dramaturgy award)

Professor Peter sampieri of Peabody (david Mark cohen award for playwriting, and a grant for excellence in playwriting for Kafka in Tel Aviv)

the following students also won awards:ryan goodwin ’15 of Mansfield (allied crafts award for his puppet design for Kafka in Tel Aviv)

corey Whittemore ’15 of belmont (honorable mention in lighting design for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)

Maritza bostic ’14 of salem (vasta award for best voice; she will be attending a workshop in new york city as a result)

lisa Joyce ’14 (first alternate for the irene ryan acting award)

MERIT AWARDS

ryan goodwin ’15 (outstanding prop design for Kafka in Tel Aviv)

emily grove of framingham (strong student direction for Mr. Marmalade)

lia Parisi of gloucester (outstanding translation for Kafka in Tel Aviv)

the company of Man & Superman (outstanding strength of focus and creativity above the norm)

the company of Hot L Baltimore (outstanding ensemble)

Front row: From left, Lia Parisi ’15,

James Wechsler ’15, Michelle Faria ’14,

Ryan Boettcher ’14. Top row: Ryan Goodwin ’15,

Maritza Bostic ’14, Lisa Joyce ’15,

Professor Peter Sampieri, Corey Whittemore ’15

SWEEPINg UP


PAYINg IT FORWARD at 24 and the Mother of a young child, Midge desiMone ’76 returned to college to coMPlete a degree she had Put on hold. With reasonable tuition, on-caMPus daycare and suPPortive Professors, she says, “saleM state Made the exPerience not Just Possible, but reWarding.”After graduation, though, she didn’t think much about it. “It’s a public institution,” she thought. “Don’t our taxes take care of everything?” But over time she came to a very different understanding.

WHEN DID THE IMPORTANCE OF gIVINg bACk bECOME CLEAR TO YOU?“A few years ago, a friend invited my husband Tom and me to the annual wine auction. One of my favorite professors, Richard Elia, acted as auctioneer. Surprised by his sharp memory of me from many years ago, I began to realize how much I owed Salem State. I remembered how much I had admired my professors there, and I remembered how single-minded I had been in the pursuit of my undergraduate degree, which was the springboard for my post-graduate education and several different career paths. Tom was feeling the same way. We agreed that we wanted to help give others the opportunity to experience that sense of achievement, so we called the university and asked what we could do.”

HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHERE TO DIRECT YOUR gIFT?“Tom plays basketball at Salem State on Sunday mornings, so part of our donation went to the refurbishment of the gym floor on South Campus. Often you forget the positive impact a university has on the community outside its campus, but clearly Tom had been a longtime beneficiary of that. We made a second donation to support and enhance the work of the English department. The professors there had been very kind to me as a slightly older returning student. Our third donation supports scholarships. Knowing that the barrier to a college education is often a financial one, it’s been a great feeling to know that our gift will make it easier for students in need to get their degrees.”

WHY SHOULD YOUR FELLOW ALUMNI SUPPORT SALEM STATE?“As alumni, it is our responsibility to support our institution of higher learning. We all have benefitted from our Salem State education, either through the careers that our education opened up to us or in the ways it taught us to meet and understand the world. It doesn’t matter how much you donate, it only matters that you do donate.” n

VOICES OF OUR ALUMNI

“OFTEN YOU FORgET THE

POSITIVE IMPACT A UNIVERSITY

HAS ON THE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE ITSCAMPUS...”

—MARY DESIMONE ’76

Mary (Midge) ’76 and Tom DeSimone of Swampscott


27

Winston bennett ’13 communications/public relations

“I came to Salem State to learn how to help people because my hometown has suffered from a lot of crime. With my degree I hope to be able to give back, maybe open a community center for local kids and seniors. My professors here taught me how communications and PR are global skills that I can apply to anything.”

REASON 1 0 21

F E AT u r E S

What’s your reason?

salemstate.edu/reasons


alyssia Johnson ’14 is enJoying a healthier lifestyle. “I go [to work out] three or four times a week compared to once or twice a week

previously,” points out the sport and movement science major from Medford who lives on campus in Atlantic Hall.

Johnson is spending more time at the gym these days, and there’s a reason for it.The Harold E. and Marilyn J. Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center, dedicated

in November of last year, is a glass-enclosed addition to the O’Keefe Complex with 49,000 square feet dedicated totally to the wellness of the campus community.

With a growing list of programs and members, there is something for everyone to choose from. Johnson is taking yoga, Zumba and Piloxing (a class that incorporates Pilates and boxing). Other offerings include intramural and club sports, noon-time basketball for faculty and staff and “late night at the gym” on select Friday nights throughout the semester.

The facility is also creating job opportunities for students. “Currently there are 51 student employees,” reports Kelly Janos, the center’s associate director of athletics and recreation. “We have fitness attendants, membership specialists, group exercise instructors, facility supervisors, intramural officials, lifeguards, and office assistants.”

These positions provide students with hands-on experience, Janos pointed out, adding that members benefit as well because “the students are there to help them.”

Many of the programs are for beginners, including a Couch to 5K training program for those looking to get active but not sure where to start. Led by Tony Veilleux ’15, a sport and movement science student, the program encourages participants to increase their running speed and distance, but to do so at their own comfort rate.

ALUMNA’S DONATION kEEPS EXERCISE WHEELS IN MOTIONSTUDENTS REACHINg HEALTH gOALS AT gASSETT FITNESS CENTER By CHEryL ALkON

THE gASSETT FITNESS CENTER PARTNERS WITH NUMEROUS COMMUNITY bUSINESSES AND ORgANIzATIONS THROUgHOUT THE YEAR. EXAMPLES ARE:• City of Salem Veterans

Services

• bay State Physical Therapy – Free injury screenings for the campus community

• Salem Chiropractic – Presented on “Truth to Wellness Care” and “The 5 Essentials to Optimal Health”

• Massachusetts Sports and Social Club

• green Tea Yoga

Opposite page: Biology major Ashley Shotwell ’15, top, and sport and movement science

major Alyssia Johnson ’14, bottom, take advantage

of new equipment and operating hours at

the Gassett Center.



F E AT u r E S


EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED

• Healthy body Image group partnership with counseling and health services

• Meditation group partnership with counseling and health services

• Olympic Lifting Seminar partnership with sport and movement science department

• Workshops for student groups, organizations and academic classes as requested in the areas of health, fitness and wellness.


F E AT u r E S

The program culminates with participation in the 18th annual North Shore Fitness 5K Road Race & Fun Walk. Sponsored by the university, it’s one of the many ways that the Gassett Center partners with the community.

Funding for Couch to 5K comes from the Wellness U Gassett endowment, the result of a very successful partnership between Kim Gassett-Schiller ’83 and Philip Schiller, university planning, and philanthropic aspirations.

“This endowment helped us get Wellness U up and running,” said Amy Everitt, a professor of sport

Freshman communications major Nasrine Hachem, left, and junior communications major Mukala Kabongo, center, get in a workout between classes.

and movement science who has been active with the launch of the program. “We’re really excited with our first employee-based initiative, an eight-week ‘biggest loser’ program,” she said. “Without the endowment, this program doesn’t happen.”

Everitt said the function of Wellness U is to give the entire campus community access to all of the university’s wellness programs. “The ultimate goal is student success,” she said, “and the wellbeing of our employees is an important component of that.”

While the endowment also

provides for equipment upgrades and a long-term investment in staff, the current equipment is getting rave reviews. Ashley Shotwell ’15, a biology major who commutes from Essex, said, “It’s encouraging to go to a nice facility, knowing it has all these modern benefits. The cardio bikes are really cool—they have TVs on them and you can race against others in a virtual environment.”

Shotwell goes to the gym four times a week. “I like that they offer classes almost every day,” she said. “I love how much cardio Zumba has. It’s fun. It makes you want to work out.” n


With a 25-year tenure as PrinciPal at the robert l. ford school in lynn and a Perfect attendance record in her 54 years as an educator, claire crane ’60,’09h had Planned to retire in the suMMer of 2013. instead, her best-laid Plans Were Put on hold: today she continues to lead and energize this reMarkable eleMentary school, Which educates alMost 550 k-5 students each year.

“It’s all about the kids,” explains Crane, with a passion for her students that is contagious and clearly shared by all who walk the brightly painted halls of the school. “I thought I had a good plan for transitioning towards retirement, but I guess it’s not quite time to leave the best job in the world.”

One plan that she has put solidly in place is a generous estate gift to Salem State University, meant to ensure that future student teachers will have the solid preparation needed to perpetuate excellence within the Lynn public schools. “The education I received at Salem State gave me my life, the life that I love—and I want to give back.”

“Raising the bar for education” has become Claire Crane’s mantra, and it fuels her laser focus on continuous improvement through community schooling. Living by her parents’ creed that “nothing is impossible,” her commitment to expanding educational opportunities for all students has paid significant dividends. The Ford School has been transformed over the years into one of the city’s highest performing elementary schools, boasting stronger attendance, enhanced test scores and increased parental involvement.

With her estate gift, Crane envisions a similar path for the university, one that will lead to Salem State becoming one of the state’s highest performing universities. Her gift will challenge the School of Education to keep the bar set high. Envisioning that the university will become a model for teaching the use of community schooling in education, she sees Salem State as becoming “the top university” in this arena. Her gift, she says, is “the energy” that will help to make it happen.

Although her legacy to Salem State and its School of Education will be the driver, Claire Crane—with her lifelong vision for education—will forever remain the spark.

‘RAISINg THE bAR’

EDUCATOR’S ESTATE gIFT WILL kEEP ALIVE A ‘NOTHINg IS IMPOSSIbLE’ APPROACH TO TEACHINg By kArEN MurrAy CAdy

n

Claire Crane ’60, ’09H


Amy Ouellette ’14 communications

“After being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, I’m looking to find a job that I am passionate about. I hope to work in either community relations or for a non-profit with a focus on writing, event-planning and fundraising. As a Salem resident and parent of school-aged children, community is important to me. Even though I am a small part of it, I feel that everyone can make a difference. Big ideas can spring from smaller contributions.”

REASON 2 3 2

F E AT u r E S

What’s your reason? salemstate.edu/reasons


internshiPs—Whether at a high school doWn the street or in a country far beyond our oWn borders—can helP students learnabout neW fields, neW eMPloyers and even Potential coWorkers.

For Ashley Bean ’13, Salem State’s internship program has helped her learn more about herself. Bean, a psychology major from Plymouth, spent last summer interning at Children’s Friend and Family Services, a nonprofit counseling organization in Salem. Under the supervision of the agency’s youth mentoring director, she helped match volunteer mentors with local children ages five to 18, and oversaw activities such as bowling, going to the movies and park outings. “It was a really good way for at-risk young people to have someone to look up to for guidance,” Bean said. “That internship helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my graduate studies and how to move forward on my career path.”

Through the university’s career services, Bean applied to the State University Internship Incentive Program and earned a $4,000 stipend for her learning experience. In turn, she used $3,200 of those earnings to travel to West Africa in March with 10 Salem State students and four professors to teach Liberians about technology.

“I want to be exposed to different cultures and experiences and see how they operate,” said Bean, now pursuing a master’s degree in mental health and school adjustment counseling. Internships—and participating in projects like the Liberia trip— she acknowledges, is “a way to get your foot in the door, make connections and get firsthand experience that you don’t get from books.”

According to Lauren Hubacheck, director of career services, “The university at present is working toward an across-campus signature internship program that will

bRINgINg CAREER PATHS INTO FOCUSbERTOLON ’74, kORzENIEWSkI ’79 HELP FUND CAREER READINESS

By CHEryL ALkON

Top: Ashley Bean ’13 Above: Kelly McGowan ’16

Facing page: Using proceeds from her internship, Ashley

Bean ’13, back row, right, joined a Salem State

interdisciplinary studies contingent in Ganta, Liberia,

teaching children from the Ganta United

Methodist School about technology.


F E AT u r E S

accomplish just that. The variety of experiential type internships we’re developing will contribute to the very important holistic development of our students, and allow them to apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world situations in business and industry.”

With financial support from Henry ’74 and Donna Bertolon, and Bob ’79 and Danis Korzeniewski, internship opportunities are increasing at the university. In recent years, approximately 55 percent of Salem State graduates reported participation in some form of structured learning opportunity outside of the classroom. These included internships, student teaching and field experience in clinical and high-technology settings.

“It has in large part been the donations of alumni such as the Bertolons and the Korzeniewskis,” said Hubacheck, “that have enabled us to make progress in the evolution of internships at the university. Matched by funds from the state, their gifts have enabled so many more opportunities for our students.”

Kelly McGowan ’16, a theatre arts major in the honors program with a minor in secondary education, returned to her high school last summer as an intern. There, she assisted the choreographer in a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, and helped student actors master dialects for The Crucible.

McGowan earned $1,700 that summer working closely with professional staff at Norwood High School. She said the experience was invaluable. n

“I WANT TO bE EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT CULTURES AND EXPERIENCES AND SEE HOW THEY OPERATE,”

—ASHLEY bEAN ’13


’77MAry SANFOrd

of Pelham, New Hampshire received the President’s Award at Catholic Medical

Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. She serves on numerous committees for the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and is the charter chair of its allied health committee. Mary is an integral part of the New Hampshire nursing community and has paved the way for many improvements in patient care throughout her career.

’79CArOL BOVA of Shrewsbury was recently promoted to professor of nursing and medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical School. Carol is an adult nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of experience caring for adults with HIV infection.

kArL wILSON of Beverly has been hired as senior vice president of commercial lending at the Institution for Savings. Karl has 30 years of commercial lending and business development experience and is a member of numerous boards and committees around the North Shore area, including Citizens for Adequate Housing and the Beverly Kiwanis Club.

’67At the tender age of 68, rICH LAMASNEy

has e-published his first book-length work, a comic memoir about growing up on the North Shore, attending Salem State and becoming a teacher. Anyone interested can find it on amazon.com. Cheers!

’70STEPHEN CArLSON of Saugus was named the 2013 Saugus Man of the Year at the 34th annual Founder’s Day ceremony at Town Hall on September 7. This award recognizes his three decades of behind-the-scenes efforts to preserve history. In the position of chairman of the Saugus Historical Commission, Carlson played a vital role in the restoration of the Saugus Public Library.

’73MICHAEL gOrMALLEy of Orlando, Florida spent some time in Vietnam last fall. Near the end of his visit he had the opportunity to speak at an educational conference at Saigon University, co-sponsored by the U.S. Consulate.

’75MICHAEL QuALTEr ’96g of Methuen is retiring from his post as headmaster at Lawrence High School. Michael has worked at Lawrence High since 1993, and taught and coached at Central Catholic High School before then.

’81ELIZABETH gArNISS of Tewksbury is now a teacher in the support services department at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. Elizabeth has more than 30 years of teaching experience.

’83STEPHEN kEATINg of Winchester was recently named head of large corporate market sales for ING U.S. Retirement Solutions.

rICHArd ST. PIErrE ’83g of Peabody was just named the president of the Peabody Historical Society. A long-time resident of Peabody, Richard plans to consolidate the work of previous president Bill Power and focus on current projects to restore historic sites and artifacts in town.

’89PAMELA ANgELAkIS

’05G of Peabody was recently named the new superintendent of the Swampscott

public school system. Pamela has worked as a teacher and administrator in the Swampscott public school system since 1990. During her time there she has chaired many initiatives geared toward helping students in need, building better home/school connections and modernizing the technology in the school system.

PETEr SHEArSTONE of Lake Forest, Illinois, has been named vice president of quality and regulatory affairs at Sysmex America. Sysmex is a global leader in medical diagnostic testing equipment and information systems technology.

TurN yOurSELF IN! HAVE yOu STArTEd A BuSINESS, BEguN A NEw CArEEr, rECEIVEd A PrOMOTION, BECOME ENgAgEd Or MArrIEd? LET uS kNOw wHAT’S NEw SO wE CAN kEEP yOur FELLOw ALuMNI INFOrMEd. THE EMAIL AddrESS IS : [email protected]. PHOTOS ArE wELCOME!

ALuMNI ArE LISTEd By THE yEAr IN wHICH THEy rECEIVEd THEIr uNdErgrAduATE dEgrEE. grAduATE dEgrEE rECIPIENTS ArE NOTEd wITH THE yEAr THEy rECEIVEd THEIr MASTEr’S dEgrEE FOLLOwEd By A “g.” HONOrAry dEgrEE rECIPIENTS ArE dESIgNATEd wITH AN “H” FOLLOwINg THEIr NAME.

NotesCL

AS

S

C L A S S N O T E S


VETErANS STOLE CErEMONy

wednesday, May 7, 2014

Veterans Hall

5 pm

ALuMNI wEEkENd

June 6-8, 2014

NOrTH SHOrE PrIdE PArAdE

June 21, 2014

Downtown Salem

11 am

HONOrINg STANLEy CAHILL

FOr 28 yEArS OF

OuTSTANdINg SErVICE

Friday, June 27, 2014

Gassett Fitness Center Gymnasium

5-7 pm

ATHLETES wEEkENd 2014

September 26-29, 2014

Upcoming Events

Please join the salem state university school of education and the alumni association’s friends of education in congratulating the 2013 inductees to the northeast regional educators hall of fame:

JosePh Picano ‘96g, director of fine arts, lynn Public schoolsDR. EDNA MAURIELLO ’44 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mary ann grassia ’92, first grade classroom teacher, Witchcraft heights elementary schoolSALEM STATE ALUMNI AWARD

seith bedard, director, Peabody learning academyNORTHEAST REgION EDUCATOR AWARD

ariana koustas, science teacher, billerica Memorial high schoolRISINg STAR AWARD

the hall of fame was created to honor and recognize exemplaryleaders, past and present, in the field of education for their dedication, contributions and service to their profession. if youare interested in nominating someone for this year’s hall of fame, visit salemstate.edu/alumni. .

grEATEr wASHINgTON dC ALuMNI grOuPdo you live in the washington dC area? If you are interested in getting involved with our greater dC alumni group, please call 978.542.7530 or visit salemstate.edu/alumni/groups to learn more about the programs and events offered in your area. Also, be sure to like the group on facebook at facebook.com/ssudcalumni.

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A L u M N I

One of sportscaster Joe Haggerty’s most appealing attributes is his “everyman” quality. When asked about his celebrity as Comcast SportsNet’s Bruin’s Insider, Haggerty chuckled and said in typical self-deprecating fashion, “Yeah, just like Ron Burgundy, people know me.”

But the fact remains that Haggerty is a big deal. In a hockey-mad region, he’s the chief Boston Bruins reporter for one of the two major sports-specific cable channels in the nation’s seventh largest media market.

“I’m perfectly happy at Comcast,” he said. “They just merged with NBC, so there are some pretty good opportunities with both of them. Obviously, with hockey, it’s a natural fit there. Unlike ESPN, which doesn’t give hockey the time of day, I’m with the exact right people who love hockey and can shine a bright light on the sport.

“So unless some NHL team comes along and thinks I’d make a good executive, which isn’t going to happen in a zillion years, I’m in the right place,” he continued.

At Home in the Spotlight

’01 grad is bruins insider for

coMcast sPortsnet

By BrION O’CONNOr

Above: Joe Haggerty ’01 loves his job as

Bruins Insider for Comcast SportsNet.


At Home in the Spotlight

Though Comcast isn’t the Bruins’ network (The New England Sports Network carries the team, along with the Red Sox), Haggerty still covers about 70 percent of the road games, including every playoff tilt. That translates to 60- and 70-hour work weeks, he estimated. Add that the 39-year-old reporter and his wife, Alyssa, welcomed their first child, son Finn, last August, life has become pretty hectic. “It’s a deal with the devil when you love what you do, and it’s such a good job,” he said. “You don’t mind doing some of it, but it’s definitely a ton of work.”

Haggerty didn’t get to this point by chance. He’s paid his dues. He attended Stoneham High School, where he played baseball and football and was sports editor for the school paper. After graduating in 1992, Haggerty briefly attended college in Boston, but left after a semester when money got tight.

“I worked for a couple of years and then went to Salem State in 1996. I got my diploma in 2001,” he said. “So it was a bit non-traditional, as far as a college education goes, but I found it was pretty in line with what the Salem State experience was for a lot of students.”

An English major with a minor in communications, he thrived both in and out of the classroom. “I remember taking TV news writing, and thinking at the time I would never have anything to do with this,” he said. “But I was glad I paid attention, because I did end up needing it. I write my own scripts. Whatever is on the teleprompter, I’m in charge of it. You need to find out what’s good news writing for TV, and Salem State definitely helped me learn some of that.”

Likewise, editing The Log provided Haggerty valuable experience, not just about the teamwork required to produce a newspaper, but also by instilling the larger ideals of what it meant to be a journalist. “At the end of the day, the one thing you always knew about The Log was that everybody loved to write, loved to take pictures and was really invested in what they were doing.

“It was a really cool experience to be a part of that because it was one of the first times you did something that’s not for high school or college credit,” Haggerty said. “This was people, of their own volition, who found The Log and had a burning desire to be a journalist or be involved in journalism. Beyond learning QuarkXpress and the editing, being around people like that was a really energizing environment.”

Though he never played hockey competitively, Haggerty said he was always surrounded by the game. His uncle, Mike Geragosian, runs All-American Goalie Camps (where you can often find Salem State coach Bill O’Neill working as an instructor). Family get-togethers automatically meant street hockey games. “I got exposed to it too late to actually play and be any good,” he said. “And I’ve always loved the people around hockey. When you add it all together, it was a pretty natural fit.”

One thing Haggerty did get from his folks was a knack for performing. His father, Bob “Stump” Haggerty, is an actor and a member of the Screen Actors’ Guild. “I did plays in high school,” said Haggerty. “I had some training, or at least had some comfort with performing and being in front of a camera. It’s in the blood to some degree.”

Aside from a one-year hiatus where he hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail, after Salem State Haggerty became a journalist of all trades, covering regular news and moonlighting as a sportswriter for a variety of outlets. “I started off doing the Bruins because I wanted to cover another pro sports team when the Red Sox weren’t playing,” he said. “Once the Red Sox season was over, I’d go right into the Bruins. But as time went on, I gravitated toward the hockey side of it.”

“It speaks to me more than the stuffy, stand-offish world of baseball,” he added “I like that hockey players are respectful and team-oriented, but they also want to have fun. They always have a smile on their face. So for me it was always a pretty natural calling.”

Haggerty credits Ed Berliner of the old CN8 network and Boston Herald columnist Michael Felger (who was working at 890 ESPN in 2008) for helping him make the transition to electronic media. “A few people got to know me and liked my personality, so they put me on with Felger a few times and we really hit it off,” he said. “I have to give Mike Felger all the credit in the world. He really gave me a shot and helped people notice me; he helped me figure out who I was on the air and what my personality was.”

“The best advice I ever got was, ‘Always have a smile on your face, and always have a lot of energy.’ If you don’t, you either look scared or you look angry, and both are turn-offs.”

Haggerty loves what he’s doing, and it shows. n

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C L A S S N O T E S

’95

dAVId dEruOSI ’95g of Saugus has extended his contract as superintendent of Malden public schools two more years. David is currently in his third year as superintendent, and the recent contract extension will extend his service from four years to six years.

MICHAEL grAy of Reading was promoted to managing director at Carpenter & MacNeille, a quality home construction company focused on architectural and interior design, construction, cabinetry, and property maintenance. In his new role, Michael will focus on making new partnerships and supporting the firm’s future growth.

’96TErry HudSON-

JINkS ’96g of Salem was recently promoted to chief nursing officer (CNO) at Tufts Medical

Center. Terry had been serving as the interim CNO for the past six months; before that she served as the vice president of patient care services.

kEVIN TkACHuk

of Medford, a 17-year veteran court officer, has been appointed chief court officer for the

Lowell court system. Kevin is one of the youngest court officers in the state and has worked his way up, getting his foot in the door working front door security. Kevin graduated with a bachelor of science degree with a concentration in criminal justice.

’98CArOLE gErMANO of Danvers was named a drum major for justice by the Danvers Committee on Diversity. Each year, the committee presents several of

’90rOBErT dEAN of Saugus has been appointed chief operating officer at Associated Homecare,

a family-owned and operated health care company based in Massachusetts. Robert currently serves as a board member for the Home Care Aides Council and the Home Care Alliance.

’93grEgOry O’dONNELL

’93g of Somerset was recently appointed to the position of senior vice president/

relationship manager of Santander Bank’s commercial lending team. He has years of experience in other banks and is a part of numerous boards and committees in southeastern Massachusetts.

’94gErALd BIrON of Drury has been appointed to the position of assistant vice president of credit administration at Adams Community Bank in Adams.

gArry M. SCOTT was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Vermont State Police, where he will oversee the traffic operation unit and the crash reconstruction team. He started with the state police in 2000. He and his wife Rosy live in Essex, Vermont, with their two children, Samantha and Jack.

MArIANNE SMITH ’94g of Gloucester was hired by Cape Ann Savings Bank as its new vice president and treasurer. Marianne has over 20 years of banking experience, most recently as vice president and controller of Northern Bank & Trust Company.

these awards to community members who exemplify Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of commitment to social justice and leadership in social, racial and religious tolerance. Carole served many years in the Danvers Police Department before retiring as a lieutenant in May. She was, and continues to be, an advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other sensitive crimes.

CHrISTOPHEr kIBErd of Rochester, New Hampshire has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Portsmouth Police Department. Christopher started with the department in 2002, and has served many roles there since.

’00rACHEL

(uLwICk)

CAIN married John Cain on October 25, 2013!

JASON SILVA of Beverly has been elected city counselor at-large for a second term. Jason served as

Salem mayor Kimberley Driscoll’s chief of staff for seven years, and recently took the position of executive director of the Salem YMCA.

’03TAd dAVIS of Morrisville, Vermont, created the Let’s Get Outdoors program for local kids in Stowe and Waterbury, Vt. The program aims to foster in kids a sense of adventure and an appreciation of nature, and get them away from computer screens. Let’s Get Outdoors holds summer and winter programs for activities such as skateboarding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and mountain biking.


EVENTS

A: NPR’s Here & Now co-host Robin Young, right, interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and

author Tony Kushner on stage November 13, 2013, during a presentation of the Salem State

University Series.

B: Kushner fields a question from the audience.

C: Future alumni braving the cold at Frozen Fenway, January 2014.

D: With a great view of the Frozen Fenway rink are Rob Buckley ’83, front, and, from the left,

John Sullivan ’87, Ron Lescinskas ’90 and Dave Fenton ’87.

E: Presenter Edna Mauriello ‘44, third from left, and President Meservey, fourth from left, with 2013

Northeast Regional Educator Hall of Fame recipients Ariana Koustas, Mary Ann Grassia ‘92, Seith Bedard,

and Joseph Picano ‘96G on November 7, 2013

F: Alumni and friends at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples, Florida, on March 15, 2014.

.

A C

d

E

F

B

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BuSINESS CArd wALL CHALLENgEATTENTION BuSINESS SCHOOL grAduATESHelp the Bertolon School of Business (BSB) alumni network in building a business card wall to be located in the business school. This wall will serve as a resource for students, faculty and alumni to connect and build professional relationships.

Our goal is 300 business cards by June 30.

All alumni who participate are eligible to enter a raffle for a commemorative brick to be placed in Alumni Plaza. The winner will be selected on June 30.

Established in February, 2013, the purpose of the BSB alumni network is to promote the professional, educational, economic, and social interests of Salem State university by creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the BSB, the Salem State alumni association and its growing community of business alumni.

Mail your business cards to Salem State university, Alumni Affairs, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970.

A L u M N I

SAVE THE dATE! ATHLETES wEEkENdSeptember 26–29, 2014

ALuMNI FrOM ALL SPOrTS PrOgrAMS

ArE wELCOME BACk TO CAMPuS TO

rECONNECT wITH CLASSMATES ANd

MEET Our CurrENT TEAMS.

This year’s gathering promises something for everyone:

• Hall of Fame Inductions at the Hawthorne Hotel

• Athletes golf Tournament at kernwood Country Club

• BBQ at Alumni Field with men’s soccer vs. MCLA

Additional events are now in the works. Please mark

your calendar and keep an eye out for more

information coming soon.


’07JAy FErNANdEZ of Lynn began writing short stories after a life-changing head-on collision. His latest book, The Eden of Your Eyes: a Kiss to Awake discusses humanity. Fernandez is excited to work with Tate Publishing and Enterprise, LLC to make the book available to the public.

MErEdITH LANg of Somerville is now working as an account manager at Insight Performance, a human resources and employee benefits consulting agency, in its Salem office.

’08ryAN wALSH ’12g of Harvard was hired as a sixth-grade social studies teacher and soccer coach at Littleton Middle School at the beginning of the school year. Ryan previously worked as a park ranger, where he discovered his love for teaching.

CHrISTINE LINdBErg of Middleton joined the team at Salisbury Town Hall, where she serves as chief aide to the town manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science.

’09rOBErT BuxTON of Hudson, New Hampshire, was recently named Hudson fire chief. Robert began his career in Hudson in 1992 as a firefighter, and moved to the Nashua Fire Department in 1997. He returned to Hudson in 2007 as deputy fire chief.

grAZIA CrIVELLO is currently attending Boston University for her master’s degree in criminal justice and was just accepted into Boston University’s national criminal justice honors society, Alpha Phi Sigma, Nu Mu chapter.

ELIZABETH SALES of Reading was awarded the Thomas P. and Edwina H. Devlin Medical Scholarship. The fund was started in 1960. A number of scholarships are given out each year to students preparing for careers in the health care industry.

JuLLISA (ALFONZO)

dECLET welcomed her first child, Noah Joseph Declet, into the world on November 11, 2013.

’04rICHArd gISO ’04g of Lynn was awarded a Massachusetts Outstanding Educator Award in January. Richard teaches first and second grade at the Carlton Innovation Elementary School in Salem. In addition to being an elementary school teacher, he remains highly involved in the Salem State community as an adjunct professor, elementary seminar leader and assistant coordinator of Salem State’s summer program for English language learners.

JOANNE HErNANdEZ of Walpole married Erik Mellen of Hingham. The couple married in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico in

May. Joanne is currently a clinical leader in pediatrics at Mass Eye and Ear, and Erik is a senior research analyst at Northeast Utilities.

’05MATTHEw FrANk of Chelsea was recently sworn in as president of the Chelsea City Council. Matthew grew up in Chelsea and has witnessed some of the city’s toughest times, experiences that he plans to use in his new role.

’06NANCy HATHAwAy of Peabody has worked for East Boston Savings Bank since 2011 and was recently promoted to branch officer at their Danvers branch. Nancy has fourteen years of banking experience around the North Shore and is an active member of the Wicked Running Club in Salem.

Elizabeth is currently a clinical research coordinator at the MGH Cancer Center and will soon begin studies at the MGH Institute of Healthcare Professionals.

kELLIE TANdILyAN of Danvers was hired as a Latin teacher at Clark School in Danvers. The school offers education from kindergarten to high school and focuses on individualized curriculum and fostering student success. Kellie is currently working on her master’s degree in elementary education at Antioch University.

’10kyLE MEAdOwS was promoted to coordinator of residential education at Bryant University in January 2014.

’11rOBErT wHyNOTT of Gloucester is running for an Essex District statehouse seat to represent Gloucester, Rockport and Essex. Robert is a long-time resident of Gloucester, and has been involved in politics throughout his life.

JuSTIN JONES of Danvers was recently sworn in as a patrol officer for the Danvers Police Department.

JAy PENSION of Danvers co-created “Left & Right”—a comedy about conjoined twins trying to find love on Valentine’s Day. Jay and his co-creator, Nathaniel Punches, created the play in 2011, and it debuted in Salem. It has since been performed in over 15 venues throughout New England and, most recently, in New York City.

JOHN dEANgELO of Malden has been promoted to varsity baseball head coach at Matignon High School in Somerville. Most recently, John was an assistant coach at Framingham State University. He also works as a teacher in the Waltham public school system. John played baseball for Salem State, and was a member of the MASCAC baseball all-athletic team during his collegiate career.

C L A S S N O T E S


A L u M N I

’12ALEx gOMES of Brockton began a career as an adult family care manager at Nonotuck Resource Associates in Kingston. Nonotuck offers personalized services and adult family care to people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Alex has years of experience in human services and was internally promoted from direct care to a case manager.

rOBErT VArNEy of Topsfield was appointed to full-time police officer with the Topsfield Police Department. Robert grew up in Topsfield and has already been with the police department there for more than two years through internships and part-time work.

’13ISAIAH gOMEZ was accepted into the University of California-San Diego PhD program. Since moving to San Diego in June, he has been awarded the Competitive Edge Fellowship, a departmental research fellowship, and a teaching assistantship from the University of California. He is doing marine natural products research at the interdisciplinary Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine at Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

CONNOr LITCHMAN of Mansfield set out to hike the Appalachian Trail in February. Connor plans to hike the 2,200-mile trail from Maine to Georgia in five months, returning in time to start graduate school in the fall. He intends to keep a diary of the trip that will be published in The Sun Chronicle’s living well section.

STEVE FIOrE of South Hadley is now working as a process control coordinator at Traditional Breads, Inc. in Lynn. Steve worked at Traditional Breads as a summer intern before his senior year at Salem State and was hired full-time upon his graduation. Steve recently purchased a home in Lynn, officially becoming a North Shore resident!

DOCUMENTINg YOUR PLANNED gIFT CAN HELP THE UNIVERSITY REACH ITS gOALSThere are various ways to support Salem State through your estate planning. We are prepared to assist you in achieving your philanthropic and financial goals with a planned gift, no matter how you choose to make it. become a member of our growing CROSbY SOCIETY by notifying us of your intent to provide for Salem State through a deferred or planned gift.

Three donors, three ways to give:

MICHAEL gORMALLEY ’73 – named Salem State as the beneficiary of his insurance policy

JOANNE MENDES ’79 – provided for Salem State in her will

gEORgE (’68) AND MARILYN MAgUIRE – gave a gift of life insurance

For more information visit salemstate.edu/plannedgiving or contact Michael Randall, director of major and planned giving, at [email protected] or 978.542.2345.


A L u M N I

OBITuArIES

STEPHEN J. CLArkEOctober 26, 2013Friend, retired Faculty who Taught 27 years at Salem State (1970-1997)

Stephen James Clarke, PhD, 83, of Salem, died on Saturday, October 26, in Marblehead. A 25-year resident of Swampscott, he was born in Cambridge and raised in Waterown. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Greek and Latin from Boston College and a doctorate degree in education from Harvard University. Stephen began his teaching career in West Newbury and moved on to teach in the Maynard public schools, at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester and at Regis College in Weston. In 1970, he joined the faculty of Salem State where he taught for 27 years, retiring with Emeritus status in 1997. A member of the education faculty, he was the coordinator for accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. After his retirement, he taught graduate practicums and directed studies during 2002-2005. Steve’s passions were travel, the arts and fine dining. He spent a year teaching for the U.S. Air Force in Japan in the late 1950s. Steve also enjoyed painting, attending the theatre and listening to an eclectic music collection, which included everything from opera to Gregorian chants to Irish folksongs. He helped many students gain acceptance into college and was always ready to lend his help or just a sympathetic ear.

JAMES BErTrAM SCHOOLEydecember 2, 2013Friend, retired Faculty who Taught at Salem State for 21 years (1966 to 1987)

At the age of 96, James B. Schooley died peacefully at his home in Amherst. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and joined the army during World War II, serving as a lieutenant in New Caledonia, the Fiji Islands and the Philippines. He then launched a career teaching botany at the college level and earned his doctorate with research on the genetics of American wildflowers. He joined the faculty of Salem State in 1966, retiring with Emeritus status in 1987. Retirement included the reconstruction of an 18th century post and beam farm house in Jefferson, Maine, and authorship of several books. He will be remembered for his charm and his integrity.

Faculty and StaffJANICE A. (MOOdy) LACEydecember 4, 2013Friend, retired Employee

Janice (Moody) Lacey, 81, passed away peacefully at her home in Gloucester. Born in 1932, she graduated from St. Ann High School in 1950. Janice worked for the New England Telephone Co. as an operator and also as the wire chief ’s secretary. In 1981, she began working at the Salem State College library, retiring in 1998. She was a longtime member of the Edward Peterson Post 98 Rockport American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as secretary and treasurer.

HELEN CONSTANTJanuary 9, 2014Friend, retired Fac-ulty who Taught at Salem State for 19 years (1974-1993)

Helen Constant of Arlington died at her home on January 9. Born in Somerville in 1929, she graduated from Somerville High School where she was the valedictorian in 1947. She went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree from Radcliffe College, a master’s of science degree in education from Boston University and a doctorate of education from Columbia University. Helen returned to Somerville to teach in the public school system and moved on to Salem State College in 1974, where she taught English literature and became chair of the graduate program in reading. She also helped establish the Massachusetts Childrens Book Award program in 1975, promoting literacy among children. Helen traveled extensively throughout the world, including Greece, Portugal, Aruba, Thailand, Osaka, Egypt, Hong Kong, and China. She retired as a professor emerita in 1993.


Margaret T. “Berkeley” O’Leary ’34

Lillian C. (Chiplovitz) wacks ’36

ruby M. (wilkins) wiggett ’37

James J. Sampson ’38

Barbara E. (Hood) Fontaine ’39

Irene J. (Malik) wisnoski ’40

Marian T. (Tarbox) Chase ’41

Margaret F. (McCarthy) doherty ’41

Joseph Seigal ’41

Eva L. (Shepherd) Turner ’41

Mary F. (Brown) Brady ’42

Marion M. Carey ’42

gordon B Mckeeman ’42

Morris H. Seigal ’42

Jean M. (Callahan) Hesenius ’44

Stella O. (dawyskiba) dardinski ’45

Jane P. (Shea) Simmons ’45

Frances r. (Finnerty) Sylvia ’45

Anne M. (guard) Callahan ’47

John r. Folsom ’47

Mary A. (Brown) kowal ’48

rita A. (Trabucco) Schlegel ’48

winifred T. (Hernon) Tikkanen ’50

Arline M. (Berrigan) Folta ’52

Janet B. (McFarlane) McLean ’52

Louis C. Fittante ’54

Albert d. Flight ’56

Ernest d. glynn ’56

Leonard S. Freedman ’57

Barbara E. (Stacey) Trowt ’57, ’65g

James C. Burns ’58, ’64g

Paul F. Barrett ’60

Edmund g. Josephs ’61

James P. Mcdermott ’62g

Ann E. (Arsenault) ducharme ’63

diane E. Hamm ’64

Maryellen (reilly) Pisani ’64, ‘77g

richard P. Thompson ’64

wayne r. Vose ’64

Nathalie (Ogan) Sullaway ’64g

Marilyn C. (Cataldo) Campbell ’65

Charles E. Curtin ’68

Janet H. (Hosker) Monroe ’68

Joanne P. (Tommasino) Allen ’68g

Susan L. (Beane) Fintonis ’69

Elaine A. (Manoogian) Espindle ’70, ’77g

John P. guilfoil ’70

karen I. (O’Hara) Sinnott ’70

Anthony M. Zaccaria ’70

Arthur V. gelardi ’71g

kathy L. (rohrer) Brown ’72

Mary J. (Cervoni) Myslinski ’72

Theodore A. guvelis ’73

Mark E. george ’74

Candace E. (Burns) MacLaughlin ’74

James M. Monks ’74

Maryanne C. glynn ’75

david M. Hayford ’75

Patrick J. Henry ’75

Phyllis A. (destino) rao ’75

roland E. Teague ’75

Anne M. Serino ’76, ’85g

Ella F. (white) Lombara ’76g

Thomas E. goodridge ’78

Carol J. (Tardy) Thomsen ’78

S. Steve Salvo ’79, ’83g

Nadine L. O’Connell ’82

ronald C. Arsenault ’83

James J. guay ’86

raymond J. Barnes ’88

Jeffrey J. regan ’90

gretchen C. (Court) gauthier ’92

Barbara J. (Hayes) Cowen ’94g

richard M. Mariano ’96

keith A. Macdonald ’10

INgrIdA A. rAudZENSFebruary 19, 2014Friend, retired Faculty who Taught for 37 years at Salem State (1971-2008)

Ingrida A. Raudzens, a former art professor at Salem State, died on February 19 after suffering a sudden stroke. She was 68 years old. Professor Raudzens was born in Germany and became a citizen of the United States in 1957. She joined Salem State in 1971 and brought an enthusiasm to the classroom that inspired students for 27 years. During her tenure she helped the art + design department maintain its national accreditation status, coordinated the art history concentration and chaired the department for nine consecutive years. The research papers and pastiche projects her students created were presented annually at the Salem State University Research Symposium. Known for her warmth, passion and generous spirit, she was well-loved by students and colleagues alike and will be greatly missed. Professor Raudzens retired with emerita status in in 2008 and is survived by her husband Mark Raudzens, who retired from Salem State as professor emeritus in 2002, and their daughter Adrianna Raudzens Bailey.

Alumni

A L u M N I


2013-2014SALEM STATE uNIVErSITy ALuMNI ASSOCIATION

BOArd OF dIrECTOrS

pres ident

Erik J. Champy ’89, ’94G

vice pres ident

Pamela (Sartorelli) Doherty ’92

secretar y

Stephanie Magdis ’06G

his tor ian

Marilyn Flaherty ’54

t rus tee

Alyce Davis ’75

members at large

Linda A. Brown ’02, ’04G

Robert W. Callahan ’72

Eileen M. Connolly ’59, ’77G

Jacqueline Coogan ’70

Thomas “TJ” Culinane Jr. ’86

Rose DeLuca ’73, ’03G

Richard F. Durgan ’69

Robert D. Ellison ’92

Dorothy (Mauriello) Foley ’48

Judith Josephs ’63, ’65G

Sheila P. Kearney ’54, ’67G

Josephine E. Kennedy ’72, ’76G

Patricia Libby ’71

Andrea Liftman ’75

Frank A. Lillo ’64, ’69G

Fatbardha Male ’08G

Jane E. Moroney ’60, ’62G

Dexter McKenzie ’95

Jo-Anne Murphy ’77G

Sean O’Brien ’12

Melissa Ogden ’00

Gary M. Roach ’80

Frederick A. Sannella ’64

Deirdre A. Santorelli ’83

Debra Lee Surface ’05

Alfred J. Viselli ’59, ’64G

Joseph Wamness ’00G

Mikki Lynne Wilson ’09

regional members

Joanne Mendes ’79

Carol Vara ’85, ’91G

s tudent member

Alex Booker ’14

JOANNE rICCIArdIELLO ’68CO-CHAIr, ALuMNI ANd PArENT CAMPAIgN SuBCOMMITTEE

“i am so proud of the educational foundation i gained at salem state. Please join me in making an annual gift that celebrates a new generation of students, and the successes and growth of our alma mater.”

for so many reasons, your annual gift matters.

now there are more ways than ever to make a gift that means the most to you. Visit salemstate.edu/reasons to donate online or learn more. then be sure to share your #SSUReasons for supporting salem state!

A L u M N I


A L u M N I T r A V E L PrOgrAMVisit salemstate.edu/travel.php to see the full itinerary for these fabulous vacation destinations!

MAdrId, ZArAgOZA & BArCELONA October 3-11, 20149 days/7 nightsMadrid, Toledo, Zaragoza, Montserrat, Tarragona, and Barcelona.

352 Lafayette Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970-5353

Educating you for life salemstate.edu

salem state university statement, spring 2014

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