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A Vision for Becker
College
Retired Lt. Col.
Michael J. Curry ’83
Attorney Kimberly
Clair ’96
www.alumni.becker.edu SUMMER 2007 Volume 2, No. 6
A Letter from Mary E. Maloney ’97, Director of Alumni Affairs and the Becker Fund
W here has the
year gone?
As the Becker Alumni
as six alumni and one coach were inducted
into our Athletic Hall of Fame. Paige
Rowden, the late Leicester Junior College
expressed an interest in supporting Becker
College in other ways. The Alumni Admissions
program is a great opportunity for all alumni to
Office continues to be basketball coach, was memorialized with a actively work towards ensuring the recruitment
caught in a flurry of plaque and the creation of the Paige Rowden of the best-qualified students for Becker College.
constant activity, it’s Endowed Scholarship. Thanks to all who reached out to Becker in
time to catch our Your response to our new Alumni the past year, either by attending an event, pro-
breath and reflect Online Community has been overwhelming. viding financial support or simply answering our
upon new and excit- If you have not registered, please do so at request for additional class notes. We enjoy
ing changes, as well as www.alumni.becker.edu, as you are missing sharing in your achievements! Drop me an
the challenges that lie great opportunities to contact former class- e-mail or call me with any suggestions you
ahead. The past year mates in a secure directory, network with might have regarding alumni programming or
has been filled with successful Becker alumni, advertise your any other concern. I can be reached at
exciting fun-filled business as part of the Yellow Page listings mary.maloney@becker.edu or 508-373-9525.
events, including new Becker on the Road and register for events online. I am happy to Don’t miss out on the fun; join me and the
receptions, the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet announce that Patricia Govoni Allard ’57 is Becker community at a Red Sox or Worcester
and the launching of the Alumni Online the winner of our drawing for two round-trip Tornadoes game, homecoming, reunion, regional
Community. Additionally, the Alumni tickets on Southwest Airlines, for registering events or at any of our additional dates listed on
Association board has grown dramatically, on the Alumni Online Community. the Becker calendar. I look forward to seeing
which brings fresh ideas and new energy. As we go to press, the results of the you very soon.
Regional events have increased, while 2006-2007 Becker Fund are not finalized.
paying greater attention to our “home bases” What we can conclude, however, is that Warmest regards,
of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island Becker pride is alive and well. For those who
and New York at the same time. Response contributed, please know that every gift to the
has been gratifying and you will see additional Becker community enables the College to ful-
summer and fall events on this issue’s calendar. fill its mission. Your gift, large or small, helps
On October 15, 2006, guests were treated the College provide scholarship support for
to an overwhelming expression of Becker pride students in need. Some alumni have Mary E. Maloney ’97
Application
Fee Waiver
61 Sever Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: 508-791-9241
This fee waiver entitles the student to submit
an undergraduate application to Becker College
without cost. This waiver is not valid without
the signature of a Becker representative.
The applicant must complete the
information below and submit this
It’s important you know that
waiver with the completed application. your contribution, big or small,
APPLICANT’S NAME
matters greatly.
ADDRESS
Each gift to the Becker Fund, regardless of size, is crucial to
the College’s ability to leverage additional funding...like
SIGNATURE government and corporate grants. Your gift demonstrates a
vote of confidence in a Becker education.
Fee Waiver Authorization
As a representative of Becker College (alumnus/a, Your gift to the Becker Fund can be made in a way that is
employee, sibling, other) please complete the
information below. convenient to you:
• cash, check or credit card
• stock or other appreciated assets
NAME
• a pledge that can be fulfilled throughout the year
RELATIONSHIP TO BECKER COLLEGE
Make your gift or pledge, or obtain additional information, by contacting
SIGNATURE Mary Maloney at 508-373-9525, mary.maloney@becker.edu, or
visit www.becker.edu.
Becker Bridges
Becker Bridges magazine is published three times a
year for alumni, parents, faculty, staff, trustees and
friends of Becker College. Our goal is to produce a
lively, informative publication that stimulates pride and
interest in Becker.
President
Ken Zirkle
Vice President of Institutional Advancement A Soldier’s Story...Page 6
Gerald Tuori
Vice President of Development and
Alumni Relations
Dean Hickey ’83
Editorial Staff
Sandy Lashin-Curewitz
Director of Communications
Mary E. Maloney ’97
Director of Alumni Affairs
Director of the Becker Fund
Kevin Woo ’05
Associate Director of Alumni Affairs features
Bettiann Michalik 04 Commencement 2007: 08 A Vision for Becker College
Sports Information Director G Go for the Passion We recently caught up with Dr. Raj Pathi,
As the graduating class and vice president of academic affairs at Becker
Cheryl Zukowski ’68
assembled guests emerged into College, to ask him the age-old question,
Alumni Office Secretary
the bright DCU Center lobby and “Where do you see [Becker College] in five to
sunny downtown streets, ten years?”
The Alumni Online Community:
Commencement 2007 speaker
www.alumni.becker.edu
David “Duddie” Massad, Sr.
had reminded them of the
Design
fruits of focus and 10 Kimberly Clair ’94 and ’96
Harvest Design Kimberly Clair’s studies in Becker’s hotel
commitment and to
“go for the passion.” management program included an
internship at Walt Disney World in
Florida, where she played Disney
characters, including Mickey Mouse.
Her exposure to a professional life in
06 Michael J. Curry ’83
the travel industry helped Kim to
When Michael James Curry graduated from understand that there might be
Leominster High School, no one considered another path for her.
him a candidate to join the United States
Army. His father was a soldier, stationed in
West Germany after the Korean conflict and 11 Becker Alumna Makes
during the Vietnam War, so Michael Generous Bequest
understood the
challenges of military Becker has established the Joyce E. Gormley
life better than most. Endowed Scholarship Fund, thanks to a
He is characterized by generous gift from the estate of Joyce E.
friends as having a Gormley ’50.
Becker College casual, worry-free style
61 Sever Street that made him an
Worcester, MA 01609 unlikely candidate to
join the Army. Departments:
Becker College online: 11 Gifts & Support
www.becker.edu 14 Class Notes
20 Campus News & Notes
On the cover: Megan Dimatteo, by Ron Bouley
Photography.
22 Athletics on the
Move
Photo Credits: Ron Bouley Photography 23 Becker College
Pg 4: bottom left and bottom right
Merchandise
Pg 5: middle right and bottom
Commencement 2007
David Massad (center) receives an honorary degree from President Ken Zirkle (left) and John Prosser, Chair of the Becker College Board of Trustees.
G raduates of Becker College belong to a distinctive community. Most come from
humble beginnings, they work hard to achieve their goals, and they go on to
accomplish great things. That perfectly describes David “Duddie” Massad, Sr., who
addressed the assembly at the College’s 219th commencement on May 12.
Mr. Massad told the 343 graduates, their families and friends that it was only his own
story that he had to share with them. An unlikely storyteller, his words washed over the
assembly like a wave of energy, drawing laughs and touching hearts.
He vividly described the afternoon, at 15 years old, that he asked his boss for a raise,
from 40 to 50 cents an hour. The employer gruffly responded that the young man should
ask for a raise on his own time. “I walked out,” said Mr. Massad, “not out of the office, but
out of the building. I walked across the street and got on the bus; I was so hurt.” He
continued, bringing the entire room with him, “through downtown, down Front Street,
past City Hall, down Shrewsbury Street and Belmont Hill and over the Lake
Quinsigamond Bridge. The bus stopped at White City Park—end of the line.”
Becker College Commencement 2007 success! With nowhere else to go that afternoon, he and his fierce ambition walked into what
would become a lucrative stint as an amusement
park concessionaire. From there, he was on his
way to building several successful domestic and
foreign car dealerships, and purchasing Commerce
Bank in 1993.
Mr. Massad acknowledged that many in the
seats before him might not know what they will be
doing next. “Be on board for whatever comes your
way. If you’re going to be a policeman, try to make
Linda Lee ’07
yourself chief,” he exhorted. “I was going to be a priest, except I knew I’d
never become Pope, so I changed my mind.”
Ultimately, Mr. Massad said, “we have to find the thing that we can accomplish, that
we can win at, and we have to go for the passion.”
“He hit every note inside of me,” Linda Lee, who received an associate degree in
business administration, told a Worcester Telegram & Gazette reporter of Mr. Massad’s
speech. “It really hit home, talking about having drive, not only in your work but in life, to
keep you going.”
Like Mr. Massad, many Becker graduates own compelling stories. An inventory
analyst for Staples Corp., Mrs. Lee enrolled in the accelerated degree program in fall 2005
to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration. The then 48-year-old wife and
Becker College Class of 2007 mother of two had to interrupt her studies, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer on New Year’s Day 2006.
With the encouragement of her family, while Mrs. Lee continued to work full-time
and undergo chemotherapy treatments, she completed classes to receive an associate’s degree
04 Becker b r i d g e s • S U M M E R 2 0 0 7
and graduated with highest honors.
“...we have to find the thing that
we can accomplish, that we can
win at, and we have to go for the
passion.” - David “Duddie” Massad, Sr.
Marc Durocher and cohort-mates
“I’ve had the most awesome month,” added Mrs. Lee. “My
husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary April 10,
I turned 50 April 24, and I got my degree today. I thank God for
every day that I have. I’m so thankful; I’m on cloud nine.”
When Marc Durocher, an engineering staff consultant for
Verizon, decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the age of 54, he
chose Becker’s accelerated business administration program, but
he lacked the credits to enroll. Mr. Durocher’s story made it clear
that working adults like him needed a “pathway” to help them
return to college, and thus the Pathways program was born. Mr.
Durocher says he is proud to be the first Pathways graduate.
“Education is invaluable,” he said. “I learn something new Andrea Jackman '07
every day.” Having graduated magna cum laude, with his Becker
degree in hand, he has now set his sights on earning a master’s
degree.
Andrea Jackman represents another Becker first. The Brooklyn,
N.Y. native is the first student to graduate from the pre-veterinary
major in veterinary science. While completing the rigorous program,
Becker College Class of 2007
Ms. Jackman made time to help her fellow students as a science
and math tutor in Becker’s Center for Academic Success, for
which she earned a Peer Tutor Award.
Ms. Jackman’s hard work also won her one of only six
veterinary technician internships at the Animal Medical Center
(AMC) in New York City. Her pre-veterinary degree and prestigious
intern experience will prepare her to pursue an advanced degree in
wildlife medicine and small animal surgery.
The Dean’s Awards, the highest academic honor bestowed
upon students by the College, were presented to Steven Jacques
and Patricia Kneeland. Mr. Jacques earned an associate’s degree in
business administration. Ms. Kneeland, who runs her own
business as a graphic designer and photographer, earned a bachelor’s
degree in the graphic design concentration.
Commencement is a solemn ceremony, a celebration and a
crossroad. As the graduating class and assembled guests emerged
into the bright DCU Center lobby and sunny downtown streets,
Commencement 2007 had served as a reminder of the fruits
of focus and commitment, and we were reminded to go for the 2007 graduates of the Becker design program
passion. I
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 05
W hen Michael James Curry graduated from Leominster High School,
no one considered him a candidate to join the United States Army.
His father was a soldier, stationed in West Germany after the Korean conflict
and during the Vietnam War, so Michael understood the challenges of mili-
tary life better than most, and joining the Army was not part of his thinking.
As a Becker student from 1981-1983, Mike, as his friends know him, was a
high achiever, earning honors, while playing basketball and soccer. He is
characterized by friends as having a casual, worry-free style that made him an
unlikely candidate to join the Army. So, people were shocked when he chose
to continue his education at Norwich University in Vermont, the oldest
Michael J. Curry ’83 private military academy in the country.
“Part of why I chose to attend Norwich is because everyone said I
Student to couldn’t do it, and I was determined to prove them wrong,” Mike admits.
“I was up for the challenge, although I had no idea what I was getting myself
into.” This decision led him on an amazing journey, with assignments in
Soldier: Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans and many locations throughout the
United States. He admits he almost didn’t make it, “At Norwich, I was faced
A Story of with the shock of my life. The environment was so controlled, with none of
the freedoms that an average college freshman would enjoy. Early on, the
Growth thought of leaving crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to disappoint my
parents or myself. They had made a substantial financial commitment to
send me there. I had made the commitment, and I wasn’t going to
through disappoint anyone or prove my doubters correct, so I hung in there.”
Within months, he had grown to embrace the mission and purpose of
Achievement the institution. He grew to understand that as a citizen-soldier he could serve
the United States in an important role. “It’s amazing, but my belief system
was turned upside down, and I adapted and became indoctrinated into the
culture,” Mike explained. “A life of service never really crossed my mind, but
after being at Norwich for three months, I knew that I belonged there.”
Upon graduation in 1986, Mike was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant
in the U. S. Army. His first duty station was Wackernheim, Germany, where
he was assigned to the 8th Infantry Division. Two months after arrival, he
was offered a mission that changed the prism through which he saw himself
as a soldier. His task was to recruit and train a 12-man team of soldiers to
participate in the largest marching event in the world, known as the
International Four Day Marches of Nijmegen. Participants are required to
march more than 130 miles over four days in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
The event included more than 250 military teams as well as 45,000 civilian
marchers from more than 100 countries. In preparation, Mike’s group marched
more than 1,500 miles during a seven-month training period and what started
as a group of 55 volunteers, was whittled down to a team of 14.
“This was a march with 40-pound rucksacks,” explains Mike. “These
young men pushed themselves to the limit. Many were dealing with injuries
and yet they were able to push through the adversity and represent our unit
with pride. Our division’s commanding general flew to Nijmegen to support
the team during the final day, and I felt the impact of his presence on my
men. It was inspirational and reinforced my belief that strong leadership
during adversity can make the difference between success and failure.”
Four years later, after completing the officer’s career course as an honor
graduate, Mike went to California as part of the 7th Division to take command
of a company. Mike explains, “I was 29 years old and preparing more than
80 young soldiers to go to war on a moment’s notice. We had millions of
dollars of equipment. The responsibility was enormous, but I loved it. The
challenge of preparing soldiers for war was something I had been trained to
do, but actually assuming this responsibility was a seminal moment in my
career in that, for the first time, I was the main guy responsible for preparing
soldiers to answer the call if needed. To think that I was responsible for the
lives of these young men and women really gave me pause, but then it
motivated me to work as hard as I could.” Mike contends that this
assignment fueled his love for soldiers and increased his dedication and
commitment to the Army.
06 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
Five years after the first Gulf War, and assist the general and senior leaders of life as he always has. When not working,
Kuwait was rebuilding their military to offset the Maine National Guard on issues he is with his wife and three children,
the threat posed by neighboring Iraq, and impacting readiness, operational capacity, Brock and Madison, both 9, and
Major Michael J. Curry was assigned to the and training in support of ongoing opera- Savannah, 8. As a family, they enjoy ski-
Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait at the tions in the Balkans, Afghanistan and ing, fishing and community involvement
American Embassy, as a Kuwaiti land forces Iraq. His role increased dramatically in at the base chapel near their home in
advisor. It was his mission to help plan, equip 2003 as demands on the National Guard Brunswick, Maine. They visit Central
and train the Kuwaiti Army and its leadership. grew significantly. Massachusetts often to see friends and
As a guest of the Kuwaiti government, he and Maine was a different type of assign- family, and recently Mike toured the
his wife, Machaela, were treated well and ment. It offered an opportunity to work Leicester campus of Becker College,
given a unique opportunity to experience the in a more civil-military environment, which brought back a lot of great
Arabic culture. During his two-year tenure, where state and federal interests did not memories. Mike said he is especially
Mike made significant progress with the lead- always align, especially as it pertained to grateful to his mother, who guided him
ership of the Kuwaiti Army and was the first the use of reserves as an operational force through the application process, and
U.S. advisor ever asked to participate in a in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Dealing with made sure he arrived at Becker prepared
decision-briefing to the Kuwaiti Military High these issues sometimes required a different to succeed. He believes his two years at
Council. He received the Defense Meritorious skill set than those I had developed as a Becker served as a foundation that
Service medal for his many accomplishments military officer and helped prepare me for helped prepare him for what came ahead
while assigned to the embassy in Kuwait. my eventual transition from the military in his professional, personal and
Following Kuwait, Mike spent two years life,” explained Mike. “I was also interacting continued academic pursuits. Along his
at the U.S. Army Command and General in the civilian community more regularly journey from Becker, he earned two
Staff College. Immediately thereafter, he was and, for the first time, I was able to master’s degrees and was recently
selected to attend the School of Advanced experience a conventional lifestyle where inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi
Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, a school I was at home for dinner nearly every honor society.
recognized as both a training ground and a night.” For the first time in his Army “I am so grateful for having
think tank for some of the Army’s brightest career, he could be home on weekends had the opportunity to
officers. While there, he wrote and published and see the kids off to school in the attend Becker in 1981.
two monographs about the organization and morning. The college provided a
design of logistical organizations in support of Earlier this year, Mike retired from safe haven for us to find
21st century army operations. It was during the U.S. Army and launched Paratusec, a ourselves. The professors
this period that Mike and Machaela had all New England-based professional and and administrators really
three of their children. technical services company. For his 20 cared about us and helped
us succeed as students,
enabling us to become
productive citizens.” I
In 2000, Mike was assigned to the 101st years of service, he was
Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, awarded the Legion of
where he served as the support operations Merit, which is one of
officer for the 3rd Infantry Brigade Task the highest decorations given to U.S.
Force. While assigned to the division, he military personnel and recognizes excep-
experienced his first deployment into a hostile tionally meritorious service to our coun- Far left: Deputy Commanding General of
the 7th Infantry Division presents Mike with
area, serving as the task force logistics officer try. Paratusec is focused on providing
the winning silver streamer award for
for an 8,000-person multinational peacekeeping mission-critical solutions to physical fitness.
force in Kosovo in 2001. government agencies and commercial
In 2002, he served as a senior staff enterprises worldwide, in the areas of Middle: Captain Michael Curry (l) with
operations and logistics liaison officer in sup- strategic planning, logistic operations Colonel Donald Fisher (r) at Fort Ord, Calif.
port of operations in Kuwait and Afghanistan. support, and security analysis and
Late that year, Mike was reassigned to the 1st infrastructure protection. Top Right: Mike Curry
United States Army, with duty in Maine as Mike and Machaela have traveled
Bottom Right: Mike and Machaela Curry
the senior army advisor to the adjutant general around the world and have been on nearly
of the State of Maine. His role was to advise every continent. Mike continues to enjoy
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 07
Photo: Sandy Lashin-Curewitz
Dr Pathi and members of the Becker College Class of 2007
A Vision for Becker College
W e recently caught up with Dr. Raj
Pathi, vice president of academic
affairs at Becker College, to ask him the age-
with the fall 2007 incoming class: “The con-
cept of the classroom is changing,” he said.
“Students are constantly connected. We are
staple at Becker since its nineteenth-century
days as Becker’s Business College. It is only
fitting, then, that the MBA will be Becker’s
old question, “Where do you see [Becker providing them the technology to facilitate first master’s degree. “The College has filed
College] in five to ten years?” “Dr. Zirkle their academic connection for their entire with the Board of Higher Education for
has provided a road map to follow,” he time at Becker.” Equipping students with a authorization to offer a graduate degree in
replied. “Becker is positioning itself to laptop upon their arrival on campus will business,” said Dr. Pathi.
become a significant center of learning in improve their technology skills and better Dr. Pathi described how adding
Massachusetts; significant in terms of size, prepare them for a competitive job market. master’s level programs will benefit the
quality, value, reputation and contribution According to Dr. Pathi, “Becker College bachelor and associate degree programs as
to the community.” will be built on its own terms—on its well. “We are completing the process of
If you think that sounds lofty, think strengths.” He lists those strengths as unique becoming a four-year institution,” he said.
again. Enrollment has increased 65%, from educational programs, a caring, committed “Bachelor’s programs provide more
1,096 in 2003, to 1,681 in 2007. Becker faculty and two beautiful campuses in resources for associate’s programs—books,
has invested $2 million in upgrading the Worcester and Leicester. In its long institu- databases, faculty. Master's programs
College’s technology infrastructure and to tional history, Becker has built a foundation will do the same; it is logical, evolutionary.”
get faculty and students on the same by paying individual attention to students Becker has already been successful in
academic platform, on a wireless network and providing opportunities for those of recruiting highly qualified faculty to sup-
accessible in academic areas and residence limited financial means, who are making port the growth of existing and new pro-
halls. personal sacrifices to get an education. grams. The quality of a Becker education
President Zirkle recently introduced Business education is the foundation will be bolstered even further, with plans to
the new laptop initiative that will begin for a broad range of careers, and has been a fill an additional six positions by fall 2007
08 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
and to increase training opportunities for
faculty.
In addition to the planned MBA, the
Page 9 photos: Randy O’Rourke
College will leverage existing, successful
academic areas to expand baccalaureate
programs. Administrators and faculty are
assessing opportunities in health care,
education, veterinary science and design
with a focus on the potential development
of new bachelor’s and master’s degree
programs. Throughout this process Becker There seems to be no shortage of people
will continue to offer two-year degrees in who want careers in education, but the
areas where associate’s degrees can provide obstacles are significant,” said Dr. Pathi. Opening his door to students and
a sufficient academic foundation for “The accelerated format gives working their families since his first days on
professional success. adults the ability to navigate or even campus, Dr. Zirkle begins a dialog that
The strategic plan for the College eliminate those obstacles.” An accelerat- starts with orientation—sometimes even
includes capitalizing on and expanding its ed concentration for early childhood before that. He listens in an informal
strengths and its solid reputation in nursing, education is not far behind. setting where discussion can be unfiltered.
veterinary science and early and elementary Like many non-profit and human According to Dr. Pathi, who sees his share
childhood education. The RN to BSN service organizations, higher education is of students at his door, today’s young peo-
program, which launches this fall, allows beginning to understand the imperative ple are never shy about talking. “Talking to
registered nurses with associate’s degrees to to measure and document performance. our students makes our work more enjoy-
earn a bachelor of science in nursing. Two For some time, Dr. Pathi has been laying able and purposeful,” he said. Becker also
new bachelor-level concentrations have the groundwork for systems of outcomes builds lifelong relationships by including
been added to the veterinary science assessment in a number of areas. Becker’s students and alumni in evaluations and
program. Both health care disciplines hold greatest obligation is to its students. To strategic planning.
the promise of further expansion. this end, he says, “Systematic efforts have “Alumni think of the College as ‘my
With fewer lifetime career options been added—standardized testing of Becker,’” said Dr. Zirkle. “Becker has made
and with career switching on the rise, more incoming students to determine support a difference in their lives, and they talk
adults are returning to college. To meet needed—to increase competency levels in about it. That is more valuable than
the unique needs of these individuals, who math, technology, critical reasoning and advertising.”
often work full-time in addition to carrying communication.” “Becker grows by word-of-mouth,”
a full course load, Becker College offers an echoed Dr. Pathi. “Students come because
accelerated learning program. Students of our reputation for helping others like
complete coursework as part of a cohort.
“Alumni think of the College them succeed. It is very rewarding to hear
Courses are intense and productive, as a as ‘my Becker,’” said Dr. Zirkle. from incoming students that they were
typical 16-week workload is taught in just “Becker has made a difference directed to Becker by alumni or a friend.”
six weeks. This accelerated model of Becker College has a proven history as
academic delivery is changing the face of
in their lives, and they talk a vital and responsive institution. The
higher education, allowing access to a about it. That is more valuable College continues to be the catalyst at a
larger population and facilitating an than advertising.” crossroads for brilliant faculty, visionary
appropriate education for students with a administrators and students on the verge of
specific need. “Having gained some real- greatness. While it may be difficult to
world experience, the students in the Dr. Pathi calls such methods imagine just what the classroom of 2017
accelerated program are better equipped to “intentional interventions.” Becker 101, will look like, it seems certain that the
appreciate that experience and thus can the first year experience course, is aimed future workforce will be replete with talented
draw more from it. These students take at providing new students with the skills minds that have benefited from a Becker
principles or ideas they learn in the and resources they need to be successful education. I
evening and can apply them the next day and at purposefully immersing them in
while at work. It’s very powerful,” adds their new environment.
Dr. Pathi. Building on the Becker reputation
The Center for Accelerated and for personal attention, Dr. Zirkle has
Professional Studies offers a new degree in initiated development of a sophomore
elementary education, which holds the experience course. “Instead of letting
opportunity for working adults to prepare students sink or swim after their first
for licensure as a teacher without giving up year, they will continue to learn how to
their jobs. “Our research indicated that be successful in college,” he says.
“Experience shows that the sophomore Top center: Becker College design class.
such a program would quickly get highly-
qualified teachers out into the workforce, year is often a more vulnerable time than Top Right: Students working together at Becker
to ease the growing teacher shortage. the freshman year.” College computer lab.
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 09
Kimberly Clair ’94 and
’96…from Corporate Mascot
to Corporate Counsel
I t was the excitement of travel that led Kimberly Clair to enroll at Becker College to
earn an associate’s degree in travel and tourism. Along the way she became interested
in the law, shifted gears and remained at Becker to earn a bachelor’s degree in legal
studies. She serves as a shining example of the many young people who come to our
college every year seeking an education but who are still in the process of discovering
their passion.
Kim hails from Maynard, Mass. where she graduated from high school along
with her brother, Ken. She then found her way to Becker through friends. Once she
stepped foot on the Leicester campus, she fell in love with the friendliness of the
people and the atmosphere of a small school, “where everyone knows your name.”
Kim’s studies in Becker’s hotel management program included an internship at
Walt Disney World in Florida, where she played Disney characters, including Mickey
Mouse. Her exposure to a professional life in the travel industry helped Kim to
understand that there might be another path for her. With the support of her family
and faculty, she transferred into the criminal justice program, focusing on paralegal
studies, with a view towards law school and a career as an attorney.
Encouraged by Professor John Dorsey, she sought and obtained a semester-long
internship with Attorney James Maloney, a longtime adjunct professor at Becker.
The experience she gained working in Attorney Maloney’s office fueled her interest
in the law and confirmed that she was headed down a professional path that would
be challenging and fulfilling.
The rigors of a heavy course load during her junior year at Becker led Kim to
find a recreational outlet, so she picked up a field hockey stick for the first time, and
she became a member of the 1994 Becker National Championship field hockey
team. During her junior year she became the vice president of Student Government,
a member of the Campus/Community Service Club and an alternate resident
assistant. As a senior, she served as the resident assistant for Winslow Hall and a
student ambassador for the Admissions Department on the Leicester Campus. She
did this while diligently progressing towards her bachelor’s degree in legal studies.
Upon graduation from Becker College in 1996, Kim sought experience in a
legal setting and secured a position as a paralegal for two years. In doing so, she was
able to gain valuable practical knowledge of our legal system and prepare for the
challenge of law school. In 1998, Kim moved to Harrisburg, Pa. to
attend Widener University’s School of Law. Widener was a
small school with a caring and committed faculty that
reminded her of Becker.
Upon receiving her juris doctorate in 2001, Kim was one
of a select group chosen for a court “clerkship,” which is
essentially an internship working for a judge. During this time she
was able to perform legal research and learn more about the practical
application of United States law. Kim’s clerkship was with the
Honorable Ronald E. Vican, president judge and the Honorable
Margherita Patti Worthington of the Monroe County Court of
Common Pleas in Stroudsburg, Pa.
Today, Kim serves as corporate counsel at Johnson Matthey,
a world leader in the supply of precious metal chemical compounds
and in the refining of precious metal materials from secondary
sources. Based in Wayne, Pa., she drafts and negotiates contracts and
commercial leases, serves as counsel to the various business units and
works all manner of legal matters, as requested. It has been a long, and
at times, winding road for Kim, but she knows it was the twists
and turns that helped her accomplish her goal of becoming a
practicing attorney. I
10 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
Gifts & Support
Becker Adds Bachelor’s
Degree Option for RNs
Becker Alumna’s Bequest Establishes and Nursing Students
Endowed Scholarship for Health Majors
B ecker College has initiated an
RN-to-BSN program, which will
launch in fall 2007. The RN-to-BSN
program is a two-year completion
J
oyce Gormley was born in 1931
and grew up on the east side
of Attleboro, Mass. as the only
various study committees.
Joyce was an avid reader,
very interested in education
program that provides the necessary
foundation for professional practice.
During the final two semesters, the
child of Dennis and and a well-informed citizen. student has the opportunity to apply this
Katherine Gormley. She In her later years, signifi- knowledge in a variety of clinical settings.
graduated from Attleboro cant health issues limited In addition, the program offers nurses
High School in 1948 her mobility and activity. the opportunity to explore a range of
and went on to earn her She passed away on nursing electives, including courses in
associate of science May 27, 2006, at the holistic nursing. The program format
degree, as a medical Epoch Care Center in allows students to continue working
secretary, from Becker Providence, R.I. and full-time while attending classes on a
College. was laid to rest in full-time or part-time basis.
She had a long and Attleboro at St. John’s Graduates from the RN-to-BSN
successful career as the Cemetery, after a program acquire a deeper and broader
director of medical records funeral mass at level of assessment, communication,
at Massachusetts General St. Mark’s Church in critical thinking and technical skills.
Hospital in Boston before Attleboro Falls. The program provides
retiring in 1983 to care for her In her estate, Joyce students with the theory
elderly mother in North generously provided for Becker and competencies for
Attleboro. At that time Joyce became College to establish the Joyce E. professional practice,
very involved in Attleboro town Gormley Endowed Scholarship Fund, community health
government as a representative town which will provide scholarship support assessment and leadership,
meeting member and contributor to for students in health majors. I as well as research
competencies to serve as
a foundation for graduate
study in nursing. I
How to Make a Planned Gift to Becker College Choose the Planned Gift that is Right for You
Bequests • Receive guaranteed cash payments in your lifetime.
• Reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes on appreciated property.
Include Becker in your will/trust or amend an existing will/trust to
• Reduce or eliminate estate taxes.
designate Becker as a beneficiary.
• Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to Life Insurance
the College.
• Designate Becker as the beneficiary of your policy.
• Retain unlimited access and control of your assets during your
• The death benefits and the premiums are considered a gift to
lifetime.
Becker College.
• Reduce estate taxes and possibly increase the inheritance of your
heirs.
Gifts of Retirement Accounts
Life Income Gifts • Designate Becker as the beneficiary of retirement accounts
to avoid income and/or estate taxes.
• Choose from a Charitable Gift Annuity, Charitable Remainder
Trust or Charitable Lead Trust, depending on your estate
planning goals. For more information contact:
• Receive an income tax deduction in your lifetime and possibly Dean Hickey ’83, Vice President of Development
increase the inheritance of your heirs. 508-373-9520 or dean.hickey@becker.edu
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 11
Becker on the Road
San Diego - On, January 22, Maria Viscuso ’84
and Trustee Dr. Gregory Pogue ’70 hosted
alumni at The Grape, a wine bar, owned by
Maria.
Los Angeles - Alumni gathered at McCormick
& Schmick on January 23, to renew old
friendships.
San Francisco - The Paragon Restaurant Tampa, Fla. - Tampa Area Alumni Reception
and Bar was the scene of an alumni gathering
on January 25.
Leicester, Mass. - On February 3 the men’s
alumni basketball team played an intense game,
followed by a luncheon at The Hawk’s Haven.
West Palm Beach, Fla. - Alumni gathered
at Morton’s Steakhouse on March 12, to listen
to President Zirkle’s future plans for the College.
Naples, Fla. - Gil Boutin ’39 was the host on
March 13, at Quail West Country Club, for
permanent resident alumni and “snow birds.”
Leicester, Mass. - Alumni basketball game
Tampa, Fla. - On March 15 at Palma Ceia
Golf and Country Club, alumni gathered for a
reception hosted by Debbie Akers ’77.
Worcester, Mass. - A young alumni gathering
was held on April 12 at McFadden’s Restaurant.
Philadelphia, Pa. - Alumni gathered on
April 17 at Twenty21 in Center City.
Washington, D.C. - The Cosmos Club was the
scene of our alumni and friends gathering on
April 19.
Washington, D.C. - Kevin Woo ’05, Marjorie O'Connell, daughter of the late Timothy
O’Connell ’33, Sylvia Meder St. Jean ’51 and Ronald St. Jean
12 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
Recent Regional Events
Los Angeles - Randi Eldridge
Parent ’75 and Andrea Murray
Fitzpatrick ’75
Worcester, Mass. - Young alumni gathering
Naples, Fla. -
Host Gil Boutin ’39
with Joy Jackson
McHugh ’55 and
Jack McHugh
San Diego - Dr. Gregory Pogue ’70, Maria Viscuso ’84, Mary Maloney ’97
and Dean Hickey ’83
San Francisco -
David Mendes
and Ruth Johnson
Mendes ’75
West Palm Beach, Fla. - West Palm Beach Area Alumni Reception
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 13
Class Notes
’25 Mabel Buttrick Perry is 101 years ’43 Louise Hubbard ’48 Stanton Tremper studied at
old and resides at the Oakdale Nursing Home O’Neill worked for Lovell Franklin Institute in Boston after graduating
in West Boylston, Mass. Her son, Kenneth, General Hospital at Fort from LJC and started working in his family’s
writes that she has all her faculties, reads Devens, Mass., where she new car dealership, which was sold eight
the news and always asks about Becker when met and married Ernest years ago. He is now involved in SCORE small
he visits. Jabour, M.D. She lived in business counseling and is active in the local
Vicksburg, Miss., while he (Red Hook, N.Y.) rotary club. He married
’34 John Brosky was serving in New Guinea Priscilla Woods, a Leicester girl, in 1950.
graduated with a degree in and the Philippines. When he returned, they
accounting, a profession moved to Montgomery, Ala., where he had a ’52 Robert D. Smith is retired and enjoying
that served him well practice for 23 years before his death. She life, his grandchildren and world travel.
throughout his entire moved to San Diego in 1977 and took a job
career. His first job was with the University of California. She married ’55 Robert F. Beaudet is retired
with Wickwire Spencer Steel John O’Neill, retired in 1990 and has lived a from the real estate division of the U.S.
Company in Worcester. After working for sev- low-key, comfortable life ever since. Postal Service. He has also retired as assis-
eral companies, John’s long career ended tant basketball coach at Holy Name School in
with A.B. Dick Products Co. of Worcester, ’44 Carmella Angelico Bertone and Worcester. He has six children and nine grand-
where he worked for 20 years, retiring as Mario have been married for 60 years. He is children.
president. John’s first marriage, in 1940, was an engineer (graduated from Cal-Aero Tech in
to Helen Lucey. They lived in Leicester and Glendale, Calif.). She lived in Connecticut for ’55 Carol Richards Biederwolf is married
raised three children, Judith, John and 35 years and has resided in Florida for 20 with three sons and eight grandchildren. She
Jerrold, and were married for 43 years. John years. Her daughter, Joanne, graduated from lives in Florida and spends summers in
has six grandchildren and seven great-grand- Becker in 1978, and her daughter, Lucille, is Manchester, Vt. to be near her parents. (Her
children. After Helen’s death, he moved to a school teacher in Florida. father is 100 and her mother is 93.)
California and met Marie Schartz, to whom he
was married for 20 years. His motto is “live ’44 Jean Evarts Corson worked for invest- ’56 Theodore L. Provo remains
and love.” He has been retired for 26 years ment officers of Connecticut Mutual Life active in his church, Mary, Queen of the
and spends a good deal of time golfing in Insurance and Chirurger & Cains Advertising. Rosary, where he serves as a eucharistic
New England and in Florida where he visits She has lived in Florida for 15 years and minister for weekend mass. He served on the
his sister, Blanche Brosky Greeney ’35 hopes to visit Becker soon. building committee for the Wire Village Middle
School, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with
’47 Ruth Johnson Mendes held many all the tools and technology needed by teachers
jobs in Worcester and joined several civil and students for the next 40 years. He contin-
rights groups, which worked on segregation ues to perform “inspector” duties at all elec-
problems in housing and jobs, before moving tions held in the town. During his educational
to California in 1964. She met her husband, career, he held the position of dean at both
David, during that time. She attended the Worcester State College and William Patterson
evening college of Clark University for five College in Wayne, N.J. and was instrumental in
years, planning to major in geography. She founding a college for the British government
worked as a teacher’s aide while her daugh- on the island of Tortola (BVI). He served on
John Brosky ’34 and sister Blanche Brosky Greeney ’35 ters were in grammar school. After moving to the board of trustees of Leicester Junior
California, she became active in working to College and was a staunch supporter of the
who lives in Naples, Fla. She enjoys spending solve the problems of the grape workers. merger with Becker. He is currently enjoying
time golfing in Florida, and travels to visit her Her daughter, Susan, graduated from UC-Davis the warm sun of Florida.
family during the summer months. with a degree in zoology and earned her DVM
(doctor of veterinary medicine) from the ’57 James C. Flippin earned a bachelor’s
’38 Harriet Fletcher Fisher graduated Tuskeegee School of Veterinary Medicine. degree from Washington College and is
from the one-year secretarial finishing course Susan’s husband, Orlando, is also a veteri- secretary/vice president of Reading Eagle Co.
and took a position with the Lyndonville narian. In 1970 Ruth and Dave joined a in Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Paula, have
Electric Plant. She worked there for three recreational co-op in the Sierra Nevada two children, Michael and Lucy Lee.
years before accepting a position at Vermont Mountains. They fish and hike in the summer
Tap & Die Co., where she worked as a book- and ski and toboggan in the winter. They have ’58 Edward Koorbusch has four
keeper for another three years before starting traveled to Hawaii and Sweden. Ruth is a sons and 12 grandchildren.
a family. After that she took in typing jobs to board member of the San Jose YWCA and
do at home and went on to write feature arti- Dave serves on the park and recreation ’60 Philip Kulp works for Nationwide
cles for various publications. She reported for board of their housing tract of 11 homes. Insurance Co. He is happy, healthy and
The Caledonian-Record, on a stringer basis, She wishes health and happiness to all enjoying his family and his job.
and she continues to freelance, mostly for members of the class of 1947.
The Northland Journal in Derby, Vt.
14 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
’63 Richard D. Steinberg retired a command sergeant major in the reserves.
Becker Brings Friends Together in February 2001 as senior vice president He served a tour of duty in Vietnam and
at Morgan Stanley, Inc. He serves as treasur- Desert Storm. He and his wife, Marisa, live
er on the board of directors of the Valley in a new home in an adult community. They
View School in North Brookfield, Mass. and have two sons and two grandchildren, with a
is a life member of the American Legion. He third on the way.
has been active at Clark University, most
recently as an alumni mentor. He was a ’66 Kathleen Sawyer Tucci has retired
founding board member and treasurer of the after 35 years with NBC as vice president of
Shrewsbury, Mass. Community Cable talent relations and corporate communica-
Television Company and has been active for tions. Her husband, Michael, who played
the past three decades in the venture capital Sonny in the original movie “Grease,” is
industry. He and Marsha have been married teaching acting at St. Francis High School.
for 42 years and have four daughters and Their daughter, Kate, will be attending Cornell
’37 Ernest Champagne, a native of four grandchildren. University.
Auburn, Mass. attended Becker on the
Front Street campus. To earn money for ’64 Judith Fava-Houle has enjoyed a busy ’67 Bruce L. Cole retired after 28 years
tuition, he worked at Brockelman’s career in the purchasing field but hopes to with Schering-Plough Corp. He is married with
Market on Main Street in Worcester. retire in a few years to the ski slopes of three children and three grandchildren. He
His favorite teacher was Charlivine Colorado and the hiking trails of the White serves on the advisory, strategic planning
Davis. He enlisted in the service after Mountains. She would love to hear from her and finance committees for Habcore, a not-
graduation and credits his promotion friends who graduated in 1964 or 1965 and for-profit agency for housing the homeless in
from private to corporal to the short- can be reached at Monmouth County, N.J.
hand and typing skills he learned at jhfava-houle@spectraenergy.com.
Becker. After leaving the service, he ’67 Cynthia Chabot Young Kessler lives
and his wife moved to Florida where ’64 Douglas C. Smith has a warm in Harrisburg, Pa. with her husband, Bob. He
they raised five children and established place in his heart for LJC where he began is the president and CEO of Kessler Foods,
Champagne Real Estate. His sister, his college years and played basketball. He Inc., home of the Nittany Lion Frank. Cynthia
Edna Champagne ’39, also graduated was a member of Becker’s board of trustees is still in touch with Joyce Keri Harriger
from Becker. from 1999-2005 and worked closely with ’67 and Cabrini Grosso Taylor and would
President Loew and Dr. Stronach. love to hear from anyone else from Converse
’57 MaryJane Jackson Dodds Hall.
celebrated her 50th Becker reunion this ’64 Frank J. Zimmel retired four
year. For many years she was an admin- years ago after spending 30 years in the oil ’67 Jim Rolston retired from his postmas-
istrative assistant at the UVM College industry in New York and other businesses ter position in 2002 and just finished a term
of Medicine in Burlington, Vt. In 1980 on Long Island. He has been remarried for in the New Hampshire House of
she moved to St. Petersburg, Fla. and 14 years to Barbara. His oldest son, Frank, Representatives. He was elected as his
continued working in the medical field. married last year and is a master plumber. town’s treasurer in March and also works as
Taking time to aid her aging parents His son, Brian, is a website planner and a contract employee for the State
and enjoy the Florida lifestyle, she developer in Albany, N.Y. Retirement has Department. Jim will become president of
continued to work part-time as a afforded Frank time to take cruises and the Exeter, N.H. Rotary Club in July. He trav-
medical transcriptionist until retiring in travel in his motor home. eled to Peru in May for a two-week medical
2002. She summers on Lake mission trip. “Life is good!”
Champlain and her many interests ’65 Kathleen Shaw retired from the
include her church, travel, family history, Worcester Telegram & Gazette in May 2006 ’68 Karen McGill Butner and Claudia
photography, and a third career as a and is now a freelance writer, publicist and Westby Duff ’68 have been meeting yearly
“guinea pig” for pharmaceutical blogger. She daily produces the Clergy Abuse for the last few years to watch Claudia’s
research trials, thus adding to her travel Tracker at youngest son, David, play lacrosse at
fund (she has just returned from a trip www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTracker. Goucher College in Maryland. They would like
to India). She is divorced with three She has traveled to a number of places to hear what others from Morey Hall have
daughters and six grandchildren who around the world, including Greece last been up to.
live in California, Nevada and Vermont. November.
’68 Jered Dawaliby is a former NBC
’65 William Siemon earned a public relations liaison for news broadcast-
bachelor’s degree in business administra- ers Jessica Savitch and Linda Ellerbee. He is
’61 Susan Hirst Holmes recently retired tion with a marketing major from Bryant currently a freelance writer.
as vice president of underwriting for University in Smithfield, R.I., after graduating
Barnstable County Mutual Insurance Co. in from Leicester Junior College. He has ’68 John DeBonville is a
Yarmouth Port, Mass. where she worked for enjoyed a successful career as a human chaplain and professor of economics at
25 years. resources professional for the past 35 years. American International College. In addition,
He has two married daughters; one is an ele- he is a priest-in-charge at the Church of the
’62 Thomas F. Faucher retired and mentary school teacher and mother of three, Good Shepherd (Episcopal) in West
moved from Massachusetts to Texas to be and the other has a degree in communica- Springfield, Mass. He has been married for
with family. tions and works at a church preschool. 36 years to the former Cathy MacKay
(daughter of Ruth Tiffany MacKay ’38,
’63 Mark Smylie has returned to ’65 Paul Thilem has great memo- retired secretary to President Borger
Philadelphia, after living in Florida for several ries of the time he spent at Leicester. [Leicester Junior], and President Weller
years, to start a new career with an on-line [Becker]). They have two children, Katrina
art gallery. Troyka Fine Arts Gallery is located ’66 Larry Mazzuchetti retired as vice and Christian.
at 1320 Pine Street in Philadelphia. Mark president of parts marketing for Jaguar in
would like to reunite with former classmates. 2000. He is also retired from the military as
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 15
Class Notes ’76 Jonathan Holmes has been
working in the human resource field for sever-
al years, the last three as a consultant. He
recently became involved in a project which
’68 William Eckert is enjoying a second ’70 David C. Shumway is a manu- includes domestic energy developments. He
career in law, after retiring from the Texas facturing engineering manager for Fused has been happily married for 27 years and has
Health and Human Services Commission in Fiberoptics Company. He has been married a son and two grandchildren. They have lived
2005. He is currently the human resources for 33 years and has two children. He played in Kentucky for 11 years and like it very much.
director of the Houston Volunteer Lawyers tennis at LJC and won the New England Junior
Program and is working on his LL.M. degree College Championship in 1969. He still ’76 Elizabeth Stevenson
from Cooley School of Law. He and his wife, enjoys tennis, as well as kayaking, biking and Proebstle has been married for 25
Virginia, are enjoying the company of their one hiking. years. She has three daughters and, of
and only grandson, AJ Franks, age 1. Bill is course, two dogs. She travels a lot and has
looking forward to hearing from graduates of ’71 Grace Nadeau Barnes lives in fond memories of Leicester.
LJC, ’67-’68. Taunton, Mass., just outside of both Boston
and Providence. She would love to hear from ’78 Judy Measday Lagas is living in New
’68 Peter H. Eells is president of Beaver her Morey Hall classmates. She can be Jersey and has been married for 10 years to
Petroleum Co., Inc. in Ohio. reached at gbob266@netzero.com. David, whom she has known her whole life.
See photo at www.alumni.becker.edu. The two went to kindergarten together and still
’68 Rosemarie Vetter Engler wants to have the class photo to prove it. Judy has two
reconnect with any of the Stobbs Hall 1967- ’71 Richard H. Bliwise worked sons, Mark, 22, and Danny, 19, both in college.
1969 graduates. You can reach Rosemarie at full–time for both a daily and a weekly news- She thinks about her college experience and
ree1948@verizon.net. See photo, Rosemarie paper from 1973-2000 and is best known for what a great two years it was. She hopes to
in Alaska, at www.alumni.becker.edu. coverage of high school hockey for The Star- hear from any Merrill Hall friends and would
Ledger from 1978-1989. In the 1990s he did love to get together— perhaps at the 30-year
’68 Brian Hyde and his partner split public relations for the Yogi Berra Celebrity reunion next year? You can contact her at
their time between Cape Cod and Florida. They Golf Classic in West Orange, N.J., which dnjlagas@yahoo.com.
are both self-employed; Brian is in financial raised funds for special needs scouts. Due to
management and his partner is a property health problems, Richard now works part-time ’79 Christine Carr Hill has been an educa-
manager and sculptor. They have been real as a freelance sports writer and has been a tional fund raiser at Smith College in
estate investors and developers in Sarasota, Yankee fan since 1957. Northampton, Mass. for over 20 years and
Fla., Boston and Cape Cod for 30 years. They hopes to work there until her retirement. She
enjoy traveling, art, architecture and charitable ’73 Julie Jones Fleming would love regularly sees Mary Yuska Roy ’79, Jody
endeavors. They have established a charitable to hear from some of the old gang. “Who’s Babineau Almonte ’78, and Hilary Norris-
foundation targeted primarily to education and up for golf?” Frank ’78. Christine wants to say hello to all
health care for poor children and students in of the friends she made at Becker, especially
the U.S. and Latin America. Brian’s email ’74 Arthur Hoenig is a manager in from Lincoln Hall, between 1977 and 1979.
address is brhyde@comcast.net. the New Jersey Department of Personnel She can be reached at chill@email.smith.edu.
after 30 years of service. He was married in
’68 Anne Jackson LaRussa is looking for July 2000. Arthur has fond memories of his ’79 Denise Leahy Mann has been a facility
her Dalton girls, classes of ’67 and ’68. friends and adventures while attending LJC assigner with Verizon for 24 years and a book-
and sends best wishes to all his classmates. keeper for her husband’s business, E. Mann
’69 Bill Simmons has retired from the Construction. They have two children, Alan, 16
health care industry and moved from Long ’74 Rosanne C. Martino is a medical para- and Nisa, 12. Her spare time is spent with her
Island to the St. Louis area. His last position legal for Kubicki Draper. After working for 20 daughter, an accomplished equestrian in the
was director of community outreach for years in the medical field, she found a great hunter/jumper horse show circuit and caring
Wellcare in New York City. He and his wife, need within the legal forum for an experi- for the horses at their farm in Westminster,
Ann, have a 13-year-old son, Matt. enced medical professional. Mass. She enjoys attending her children’s
sports games, including hockey and track.
’69 Timothy Thresher worked for 18 ’75 Andrea Murray Fitzpatrick and her Denise’s hobbies include gardening, interior
years as a wholesale institutional food sales- husband, John, have been married for 25 decorating with antiques and just hanging out,
man. He is currently cooking and training men years and have two children, Jonathan, 22 brushing a horse.
from the halfway house system in Hartford, and Ryan, 19. She would love to hear from
Conn. He and Elinor Doody have been married Morey Hall girls from 1975-1976.
for 28 years and have three daughters, Emily,
Lauren and Stephanie. Lauren graduated from ’75 Fritz Nataly and his wife,
What’s New?...
Becker College in 2005, and Tim found it very Marcie, adopted a son, Jacob, on May 24,
2007.
News About YOU
nostalgic to travel back and forth to visit
Lauren on the Leicester campus. Share news of your career, marriage and
’75 Randi Eldridge Parent is working at
other achievements on the Alumni Online
’70 David J. McGuiness works for the the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, a small
State of Florida public defender’s office. teaching aquarium on the beach in California. Community at www.alumni.becker.edu or
Her husband is an associate dean at UCLA. use the contact information below to mail,
’70 Gregory Pogue, associate vice presi- They have two children, Molly, a junior at UC-
phone or fax us. Let's keep in touch!
dent for human resources at the University of San Diego and Billy, a high school freshman.
San Diego and a member of the Becker Email: Alumni@becker.edu
College board of trustees, and his wife, Rohini, ’75 Melissa Wheeler and Jeff Mail: .O.
Becker Bridges, P Box 15071
announce the birth of their daughter, Jasmine Purser will retire and move to Hawaii next Worcester, MA 01615-0071
Dolores, on September 6, 2006. year. The two have a two-year-old grandson. Phone: 508-373-9531
See photo, Melissa Wheeler and Jeff Purser,
Fax: 508-831-7505
16 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 at www.alumni.becker.edu.
’80 Lori Ortoleva Agnew has been married Bennington, Vt. where she and her husband
for 25 years and is a member of the adminis- built their home and share it with four cats.
trative staff of the New York State United ’02 Brian D. McNeil is due to report She just moved her massage practice to a new
Teachers Union in Latham, N.Y. She wishes to this June for his second tour of duty in Iraq. location. Her email address is
say hello to all the alumni of Beeches Hall. A 1st lieutenant with the U.S. Army National MFreitas_LMT@comcast.net and her website is
Guard, Brian is currently employed as a retire- www.massageinvt.com.
’80 Christen Rivard West has been married ment service specialist with Fidelity Investments.
Previously, he served as a tuition assistance ’91 Shannon McGee Grauer and her hus-
for 23 years and has three beautiful children,
counselor in the Mass. Army National Guard
Catrina, 21, Cylene, 20 and Cameron, 18. She band moved to Freeport, Maine, two years ago
Education Office. It was in high school, at St.
is working as a head teacher at HeadStart in and have settled into great new jobs. Shannon
John's in Shrewsbury, that he decided to
Milford, Conn. enlist, and he completed basic training during is the head baker/product development for the
the summer between his junior and senior gourmet brownie company, Simply Divine
’82 Daniel Marshall works for Scotia Linen. year. He graduated from Becker with a parale- Brownies, baking up to 10,000 brownies in a
gal degree, went on to officer candidate week. The brownies have been featured on The
’83 Mary Lyons Matthews is head tech and school, and then earned a bachelor's degree Rachael Ray show, The Today Show and includ-
office manager at Lantana Atlantis Animal in economics from ed in the Oscars gift baskets. Shannon and
Clark University in her husband do some recreational lobstering
Hospital in Florida where she has worked for 22
2006. During his time
years. She and Cedric are happily married with on their lobster boat as well as other outdoor
in the National Guard,
a daughter, Kelly, who is a high school freshman. activities that the great state of Maine offers
Brian has served in
Mary is learning the guitar and loves to go mud- New Orleans during throughout the year. She also started a small
ding. She would like to hear from her classmates. the Hurricane Katrina soap making business and sells handcrafted,
disaster and in old-fashioned soaps at local farmers’ markets
’85 Christine Whitehead Clippinger and Taunton, Mass., during the warmer months. Shannon holds
her family moved from central Ohio to Kansas during the Taunton fond memories of her days at Becker in Merrill
City, Mo. in June of 2006. After having home- Dam crisis. Hall and wishes all her hall-mates well. You
Given his pending can reach Shannon at slgrauer@aol.com.
schooled her daughter, Chelsea, (who graduated
return to Iraq, Brian
last year) and son, Alex, (now a sophomore in says, “I no longer
high school) for the past eight years, she is ’94 Linda Pio, RN completed the MSN,
reviving her decorative painting/faux finish- Brian McNeil ’02 and think, 'I'm going to do Family Nurse Practitioner program at Regis
that next year.'” It
ing/mural business. She would love to hear his mom, Becker College in Weston, Mass. in 2006 and passed
was this attitude that
professor of nursing her certification boards from the American
from her Becker roommate, Lori Petrowski and led him to complete
Margaret McNeil the Boston Marathon Academy of Nurse Practitioners in June 2006.
some of her former Maple Hall dorm-mates like
Laura Crouse and Margaret Basso Corini this past April. He ran She is currently employed as a nursing director
’85. for the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Home, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.
through four different weather systems, finish-
ing in just under five hours.
’88 James Belletete owns his own busi- ’96 Christine Burns has lived in Deerfield
Brian comes from a Becker family. His mother,
ness—American Home Solutions Corp. Beach, Fla. for five years and is working as a
Margaret, a nurse for nearly 40 years, has
spent the last 20 years as a professor of physical therapist assistant in numerous rehab
’90 Pamela Carfora is a stay-at-home mom nursing at Becker. Brian's brother, Patrick, centers in the Boca Raton area. She is also a
with two children, KJ, 15, and Olivia, 2. She is a graduated from the nursing program in 1999, licensed massage therapist. She stays in
part-time bartender at night and still enjoys and their sister, Jenny, is currently enrolled in touch with Kelly Deptula Deicicchi ’95,
playing softball. the accelerated business administration program. Terry Lliepis, Pia Torchia ’99 and Tara
When Brian returns from Iraq he expects Sumner ’96 from Maple Hall.
to resume his job at Fidelity, picking up where
’90 Jonathan Seth McCall, after graduating
he left off. He would like to take up golf, he
from Becker, accepted a baseball scholarship to ’96 Paula Bozicas Hyde is a registered
said, and perhaps look for a classic car to fix
Keene State College in N.H., where he played nurse living in Townsend, Mass. She married in
up, a 1970s Chevelle or Chevy Supernova,
for one season. He then moved to Michigan dark blue or baby blue with two racing stripes. 1999 and has two girls, ages 4 and 2. Paula
where he was a starter for the Chippewas foot- lived at Miller Hall from 1993-95.
ball team before a knee injury ended his playing
career. Seth is now leading Comverse school setting and loves his job. He started ’97 Megan Mercier Wallace is married and
Technologies global facilities division in the boys’ tennis program at Quaboag and has has a very energetic 3-year-old. As ex-president
Wakefield, Mass. He owns Gate City finished his 14th season. His teams have of student government, she would love to hear
Entertainment Services, a DJ company, and qualified for the State Tournament for 12 con- what everyone has been up to in the past ten
resides in Concord, N.H. Seth has two sons secutive seasons. years. See photo at www.alumni.becker.edu.
from a previous marriage. He can be reached at
gatecitydj@hotmail.com and would love to hear ’90 Leigh Ann Benoit Pereira is a global ’99 Calixte M. Cocks is a salesperson for
from his friends in Hampshire Hall. market coordinator in inside sales for an Gallo Mazda-Volvo in Worcester. He is the
organic and natural food distributor. She is proud father of a son, Jovani Gabriel, who is
’90 Dawn Dow McCarthy has been married married with two girls and three stepchildren his whole world.
for almost 15 years. She has three children, ranging in age from 12-20.
two dogs, a cat and a horse. ’00 Lisa Freeman is working full-time at a
’90 Sandra Diaz Turner is living in Maine public school and is an SNF (skilled nursing
’90 John O’Neill completed his 23rd season and happily married for 10 years to her hus- facility) per diem. She truly enjoys being an
as head field hockey coach at Quaboag band, Andy. She has two boys, Diego and occupational therapist and hopes the COTAs
Regional Middle-High School. With a record of Matteo. She loves working as a veterinary (certified occupational therapy assistants) are
22-1 in 2006 and (21-2-1) in 2007, the team technician, misses all the girls from Knight healthy, happy and having fun! She would love
advanced to the Massachusetts Division 2 second floor, and would love to hear from to have a reunion with the class of ’00,
State Finals while capturing two sectional and them. “There are many memories I still hold especially if Edith and Mariland could attend.
league championships. The team has participat- dear.” She is having fun living in New Hampshire and,
ed in the state tournament 22 of his 23 sea- in her free time, travels as often as possible.
sons. John works with at-risk teens in a public ’91 Marlana VonRumpf Freitas is a mas-
sage therapist, with her own practice, living in Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 17
’00 Christina Valley graduated with a ’06 Melissa Rhodes is an area coordinator ’07 Katie Malony is planning her 2008
degree in paralegal studies. She is currently in Berkshire Hall on the Leicester campus wedding.
planning her New Year’s Eve 2007 wedding at and a veterinary technician at Banfield, The
Gillette Stadium. See photo, Tina and Leon, at Pet Hospital of Millbury. ’07 Danielle Mooradian is working for
www.alumni.becker.edu. GlassHouse Technologies in Framingham,
’06 Kate Ruscitti is working on a bachelor’s Mass.
’01 Jamoul A. Celey is a banking center degree in pre-veterinary studies at Becker.
manager for Bank of America and an assis- ’07 Jennifer Nieman is an area coordi-
tant men’s basketball coach at Becker. He is ’07 Julie Arroyo is attending Assumption nator in Lincoln Hall on Becker’s Worcester
single and lives in Lawrence, Mass. College. campus and looking for a full-time day job.
’01 Gerald Hood playes independent base- ’07 Stefanie Beauregard is going to ’07 Meghan O’Rourke is working at the
ball in the South Coast League. spend a year in Europe. Franklin Park Zoo and the New England
Aquarium this summer, before returning to
’01 George A. Mortensen is a corrections ’07 Sarah L. Bolduc is working at a veteri- Becker to complete the last year of her
officer for the State of New Jersey. He has nary hospital and taking a few classes. pre-veterinary bachelor’s degree.
two beautiful daughters and a wonderful girl-
friend. He volunteers for a police department ’07 Paul Capodanno will be assistant bas- ’07 Kelli Stockhaus is working at
in New Jersey and spends most of his time ketball director at Camp Winada in Pittsfield, St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.
with his family. Mass. for the summer.
’07 Heather Vogel is working at
’02 Samuel FanFan is a physical education ’07 Casey Carney works at Yankee Golden Starbucks while becoming certified as a
teacher for Seven Hills Charter School in Retriever Rescue, where surrendered golden personal trainer. She plans to stay in
Worcester. retrievers are taken in and nursed back to Worcester for a while and is planning a
health. couple of road trips for the summer.
’03 Sara Anderson is director of Grammy’s
Garden Learning Center in Connecticut. ’07 Michelle DeSantis is looking for a job
in federal law enforcement in the New York- In Memoriam
’03 Dereck Blair is a divisional service New Jersey area.
Gladys Johnson Curtis ’28
consultant in the Boston office of John
’07 Megan L. DiMatteo has accepted a Hazel Hathaway Aldrich ’32
Hancock Financial Services.
position with The New England Center for Howard L. Glass ’33
Children and is working towards a master’s Rita Thibault Bird Hutchins ’33
’03 Paul Collins is branch manager of
degree in intensive special needs. Mary Rourke Daly ’35
Enterprise Rent-A-Car in New Canaan, Conn.
Veikko W. Tiihonen ’35
’07 Stephanie Esper is working for Charlotte Shea Quinn ’36
’03 Brantley ‘Corey’ Rodrigues is a
Community Health Link. Alice Tiderman Carlson ’37
quality control specialist for John Hancock
Kathleen Mahoney O’Brien ’37
Financial Services.
’07 Kimberly Flink is a veterinary techni- Lloyd C. Prescott ’37
cian in the Department of Animal Medicine at Olga Steinhilber Breslin ’38
’04 Kate Clark teaches special education
UMass Medical School. She plans to attend Eileen O’Connor O’Day ’39
for grades 6-8 at Seven Hills Charter School
graduate school for a master’s degree in bio- Janet Powers Perry ’39
in Worcester. She is pursuing a master’s
medicine. Elizabeth Wheeler Ploof ’39
degree at Fitchburg State College.
Margaret Mustone Stockwell ’39
’07 Greg Gately is working for New York Clark Osborn ’41
’04 Darlyne Joseph is employed by the
Life. Clifton L. Gilson ’42
Family Health Center of Worcester.
Louise Troili Monroe ’44
’07 Jessica Haggerty is moving to Elizabeth Richardson ’44
’04 Sarah Maynard is a fourth grade
Washington, D.C. and doing some traveling. Bernard A. Wasiuk ’44
teacher at the Abby Kelley Foster Charter
Ann Snyder Antonio ’46
School in Worcester.
’07 Roberta Johnson is an RN looking for Kenneth M. Cooper ’47L
a full-time nursing position. She is enjoying Marilyn Munson McFarland ’48
’05 Scott Maloney has been earning
time with her husband and children. Paul B. Raeder ’48
laughs as a stand-up comic and tears as an
John F. Farrell ’58L
educational speaker on the college circuit. He
’07 Allison Kublin is working at Pizzeria Albert C. Locke, Jr. ’58
delivers a powerful message in a humorous
Uno while looking for a full-time position. Freda L. Migdelany ’59
way that finds a correlation to whomever from
Ildiko Heredi Laskowski ’71
wherever doing whatever—especially college
’07 Brianna Laviolette is working at Susan M. Falco ’74
students. Scott is developing a name for him-
Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Millbury. Barbara J. Goody ’80
self in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New
Kelley L. Strong ’80
York and hopes to gain popularity in the
’07 John Lenis hopes to teach photography Susan Fratesi DeVietro ’82
future. www.scottmaloney.com.
at the high school or college level. Karen A. Mahoney ’84
’06 Cynthia E. Davis is employed by
Fidelity Investments. ’07 Dorie Lynch moved to Texas after Unknown Class Year
being promoted as a senior processor at Helen Waihela Casewell
Fidelity Investments. She plans to work on Rita Splaine Hanlon
’06 Allison Flynn is continuing her educa-
her master’s degree at the University of Beverly Sottak Johnson
tion at Becker for a bachelor’s degree in the
Dallas. Ruth Tannahill Lamotte
new animal care major.
Hedwig Lopato Lewandowski
’07 Renee Lynch is looking for a job and Rita Terry McCarthy
studying to become LEED (Leadership in Ora Lusignan Mechetti
18 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 Energy and Environmental Design) certified. Robert E. Norwood
Join the Online
Save the Dates! August
31 Boston, Mass.
Community and
2007
Becker Alumni Day at
Fenway Park
Reconnect with Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
Your Classmates 7:05 game time
Includes private reception,
A L U M N I E V E N T S Fenway Buffet and two drink
vouchers at Jillian’s of Boston,
145 Ipswich Street, 4:30 p.m.
see ad on back cover
July
26 Hyannis, Mass.
Cape Cod Regional September
Reception 15 Worcester, Mass.
Elizabeth Pickford ’54 will Golden Years Luncheon
host a cocktail reception for 10:30 a.m., Worcester Art
area alumni at the Hyannis Museum—Guided Tour,
Yacht Club, 490 Ocean Street, 55 Salisbury Street, followed by
Hyannis, Massachusetts a noon reception and luncheon
at the Boutin Student Center,
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 44 West Street
Cocktail Reception
Casual Dress 27 Boston, Mass.
Boston Area
Regional Reception
Tia’s on the Waterfront,
August 200 Atlantic Avenue
2 Worcester, Mass.
Becker Family Night at
the Tornadoes October
Worcester Tornadoes vs. 11 Hartford, Conn.
Nashua Pride, Hanover Hartford Area
Insurance Park at Fitton Field Regional Reception
5:45 p.m. - Picnic Max Downtown
7:05 p.m. - Game 185 Asylum Street
Winner of the
Southwest Airlines $10 per person, picnic and
drawing: game, children 12 and 13 Leicester, Mass.
Patricia Govoni Allard ’57 under free. Tickets are limited, Homecoming
R.S.V.P. at see ad on back cover
Promote your business on the site’s
Yellow Pages www.alumni.becker.edu
19 Worcester, Mass. The annual
www.alumni.becker.edu Becker-Crafts Society Reception
will be held to recognize alumni
and friends who have made gifts
of $1,000 or more.
Tatnuck Country Club
1222 Pleasant Street
Separate invitation to follow.
November
8 Worcester, Mass.
Worcester Area Regional
Reception
VIA Italian Table
89 Shrewsbury Street
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 19
Becker Hosts Third Annual Nursing
Symposium
T he U.S. Census Bureau reported last year
that, while the median household income
rose, so did the number of people who go
participate in staffing the community health
center.
Dr. Sara Groves, from Johns Hopkins
without health insurance, to 46.6 million. In University, led the audience to consider health
the heart of cities across the country, nursing care beyond local communities by discussing
students and faculty members are providing local to global initiatives. The School of
crucial health care to this underserved popula- Nursing plays several roles, from consulting to
tion. This year’s Nursing Symposium turned its Community Outreach Students program,
the spotlight on this public health issue and in serving Baltimore residents. In 2004, nurs-
how nursing schools are bridging the gap. ing students and graduates seeking experience
Massachusetts Senator Edward M. overseas led to the development of an interna-
Augustus, Jr. joined more than 100 nursing tional clinical program. In 2006, Johns Professor Kimberly Harmon
students and members of the health care com-
munity in attendance, to give an update on
the state of public health in Central
Massachusetts.
The College lined up an impressive
group of nursing educators to present their
successful public health models. Dr. Stephanie
Chalupka, from the University of
Massachusetts, Lowell, focused on the cross-
cultural approach to improving children's
health. Director of the Governor's Wellmobile
Program at University of Maryland, Baltimore Dr. Sara Groves and Dr. Rebecca Wiseman
Dr. Rebecca Wiseman explained how 20 well- Sen. Edward M. Augustus discusses the state of
health care in Massachusetts at the third annual
mobiles provide direct care to the uninsured Hopkins opened the Office of Global Nursing Becker College Nursing Symposium.
throughout Maryland. to further expand opportunities to educate
Becker's own Professor of Nursing Judith students and serve populations in need
Tuori, MS, MSN, APRN, BC, provided throughout the world. other health care settings.
many examples of how Becker nursing stu- New to this year's symposium was a The College also inaugurated the first
dents assist in providing health care in Central workshop—“Recognizing and Reporting Nursing Job Fair to bring nurses and soon-to-
Massachusetts. Additionally, the College is a Workplace Violence”—presented by Christine graduate students into the same room with
partner in establishing the Helen A. Bowditch Pontus, MS, RN, COHN-S, of the employers. One of those employers was
Health Center at the nearby Elm Park Massachusetts Nurses Association. Pontus Becker faculty member Kimberly Harmon
Community School. Nurse practitioners on offered tools for nurses to cope with and ’89, (top right) owner of Harmon Home
the Becker faculty and nursing students will diffuse violent encounters in hospitals and Health, Inc. I
Enjoy the Benefits of A Becker College Gift Annuity
Provides fixed income that cannot be outlived • Provides partial tax-free payments
Produces a charitable income tax decuction • Enables Becker College to fulfill its mission
Single Life Payout Rates Age 65 70 75 80 85 90
Payout 6.0% 6.5% 7.1% 8.0% 9.5% 11.3%
For more information about charitable gift annuities, contact: Dean Hickey ’83, Vice President of Development
Becker College, 61 Sever Street, Worcester, MA 01609 • 508-373-9520 • dean.hickey@becker.edu
20 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
Campus News & Notes
Retirements
Worcester Tornadoes
Summer at Becker
M ay 2007 brought not only the gradua-
tion of the class of 2007, but also the
retirements of five distinguished members of
the Becker College faculty.
Professor of Chemistry John Bobola began
his tenure at Becker in 1968. Professor Bobola
earned a bachelor’s degree from Clark
University and a master’s degree from the State
University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. A President Ken Zirkle with Professor Richard Wheeler
member of several professional associations, he
helped develop the environmental science pro- music and education. He has exhibited his own
gram at Becker and served on accreditation work in Worcester, Boston and France; pub-
committees. He also coached the men’s tennis lished articles; and was nominated for the
team for 10 years. National Education Association Professor of the
Year Award. He also holds a bachelor’s degree
Professor of Psychology Ellen Duzak began
from Tufts University.
her time at Becker in 1978. Appointed to the
faculty in 1986, she also served as assistant to Professor of Mathematics Joseph Paré began
the registrar and participated on several aca- his tenure at Becker in 1969. He holds a bache-
demic committees. Professor Duzak earned lor’s degree from Fitchburg State College and a
her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Anna master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic
Maria College and a certificate of advanced Institute. Professor Paré has also served as presi-
graduate studies at Assumption College. On a dent of the Becker College Faculty Federation
sabbatical in 1999, she studied the Native Local 3359.
American, Celtic Irish and Tibetan cultures. With his retirement, Professor of Economics
Associate Professor of Fine Arts John Richard Wheeler must pass along the distinc-
Murphey started teaching at Becker in 1971. tion of being the most senior faculty member
Known for his riveting discussions on art his- at Becker College. Since joining the faculty in
tory, Professor Murphey was a frequent pre- 1964, Professor Wheeler has taught economics,
senter at Focus on Faculty sessions, taught at introduction to business and basic accounting.
the Worcester Art Museum and served as an He served on accreditation and faculty stan-
adjunct faculty member at Assumption dards committees. Professor Wheeler holds a
College. A graduate of the Academie Juliens in
Paris, Professor Murphey is trained in art,
bachelor’s degree from Providence College and
a master’s degree from Notre Dame University. B ecker College administra-
tion and staff members
turned out on May 21 to
welcome 17 Worcester
Tornadoes players to their
Habitat for Humanity summer home on the
College’s Worcester campus.
“
W e went to build houses down in Virginia, but we actually built stronger bonds with
our friends,” said Student Government President Andrew Rasla ’09. This perfectly
sums up the experience of the 25 Becker College students who worked with the Habitat for
Team manager, and former
Boston Red Sox, Rich Gedman
(pictured above) was on hand to help
Humanity Collegiate Challenge Alternative Spring Break program this year. The students his players get settled, and City
and staff can’t stop talking about the fun they had, the friends they made, the memories they Manager Michael O’Brien stopped by
will never forget and the lives they helped to change. They devoted one week, which many to welcome the team to the community.
college students spend traveling to tropical destinations, doing something to help families in The 2007 season marks the second
need. This is the third year that year Tornadoes teammates have
Becker has participated in the bunked on the Becker campus. Becker
Alternative Spring Break President Ken Zirkle remarked to a
program. The 2007 trip was reporter for Worcester News Tonight,
to Mechanicsville, Va. to “It’s an excellent opportunity for the
help construct three homes. players to become part of the local
The group pitched in roofing, community, and it's an example of
painting, installing insulation the many partnerships between
and drywall, demolishing a Worcester business and higher
trailer, building a shed and education.” I
landscaping. I
Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007 21
Athletics on the Move
BM: What is the biggest thing you have
Q&A
BM: What are important qualities that you
look for in your coaching and administra- learned as an athletic director that you wish
tive staff? you had known from the start?
FM: I want our staff to be committed to the FM: Patience. Early on in my career I would
with Frank Millerick - student-athlete. I want them to develop a pro- grow frustrated when things didn’t go as
planned. I quickly learned that I was going to
Becker College gram that challenges our student-athletes each
and every day. have a short career if I let every little bump in
Athletic Director the road bother me. Similarly, I have become
more flexible with change. A Division III
BM: Becker will compete in a new league in athletic program changes day to day; there are
Sports Information Director 2008. What are the advantages of the new new challenges and obstacles that arise, and you
Bettiann Michalik interviews league? Are there any disadvantages? must deal with these issues head on and not
the Hawks’ new athletic director. take them personally. I believe that I have
FM: Without question, the biggest advantage become better at adapting to the situation at
for Becker is the reduction of missed class hand.
BM: What is your vision for Becker time by our student-athletes. Many road trips
athletics? to play conference games took the students
out of class. The format of the new league BM: Have you had any mentors during your
FM: I want to build on the accomplishments allows for a significant decrease in missed class
of recent years. I don’t intend to reinvent the career as an athletic administrator?
time. At the end of the day, we all have to
wheel, but there are some areas where I see realize that student comes before athlete. I also FM: I have been fortunate to have worked with
opportunity. I see tremendous opportunity to believe that the new league will be a better fit some outstanding administrators and coaches
reach out to our alumni and friends—we have for Becker. All eight league schools are private dating back to my first job at Fitchburg State in
a great story to talk about—our alumni make institutions with very similar enrollment. One 1984. I learned as much from veteran coaches
the perfect audience. disadvantage is the unknown—all eight schools as I did from rookie coaches. I also believe that
Any successful athletics program is built are charting waters that are not familiar. Some over the years, the student-athletes have helped
on retaining its student-athletes. I would like to may feel that the required two-year wait for shape who I am today. I would say that being
see a higher percentage of four-year student- an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament is open to learning has been my biggest mentor. I
athletes at Becker. I also want to help with the a disadvantage, but I believe that is a small
vision that President Zirkle has set forth. He price to pay.
has some terrific plans for enhancing athletic
facilities that benefit the varsity athlete, and the
recreational athlete as well. It is very exciting BM: How much contact will you have with
and I am eager to be a part of this growth! the student-athletes? How do you get ath-
letes to value academic achievement as well In Memoriam
as athletic achievement?
BM: What are some of the keys to running a
successful athletic department? FM: I hope to have a lot of contact with the Lawrence A. Aja, Jr.
student-athletes. I will certainly be visible at
FM: Communication. Any successful business many of their home events, and I also want to onorary member of the Becker
operation must have effective communica-
tion—from top to bottom and from bottom
get to know them on a more personal level. I
think it is very important that the student-
H College Athletic Hall of Fame,
Lawrence A. Aja, Jr. passed away on
up. I also am a firm believer in working togeth- athletes know who the athletic director is and April 13 at the age of 85. An enthusi-
er as a team. It is important that all coaches that they feel comfortable in approaching me. astic supporter of athletics at the
and staff are working in sync and moving in It is tough to persuade an 18-year-old athlete College, Mr. Aja was director of food
the same direction. Finally, I must create an that academics is more important than his or services at Leicester Junior College
environment that is positive and enjoyable. I her sport. Beginning with the recruiting from 1954 to 1988.
want staff to be excited about coming to work process, coaches and staff need to drive home
each day. I learned as a young coach that in the message that being successful in the Fellow Hall of Famer Ken Kaufman '65
order to be successful, your players must want classroom will afford the opportunity to be remembered Mr. Aja fondly, “Larry was
to play for you. The same principle applies to successful on the playing field. Coaches must a wonderful friend to all the athletes.
the athletic director—or any manager. I need keep close tabs on their student-athletes, We’ll never forget the great meals he
to have the staff and coaches committed to particularly first year students. It is imperative treated us to on special occasions.”
Becker College and to me. that the athletic staff maintain good
relationships with faculty.
22 Becker b r i d g e s • SUMMER 2007
Show Your Becker Spirit Everywhere!
c.
a. b.
f. g.
d.
e.
h.
j.
i.
Gift Certificates Available!
www.alumni.becker.edu/store
a. Official Alumni Captain’s Chair d. Becker’s Box of Notecards h. Becker Color Print Picture
$355.00 $42.00 $120.00
(includes shipping and handling) 24 cards and envelopes come Personalization available-additional
Personalization available-additional packaged in a grey box decorated $15.00.
$25.00. with scene and gold border.
i. “The Most Beautiful Tree in the
b. Becker Painted Mirror e. Becker Color Print Mini Picture Forest”
$200.00 $42.00 $20.00
Colorprint on reverse glass using Personalization with the graduate’s A children’s book written by Joy
a centuries-old technique known name and date is available for an Jackson McHugh ’55
as eglomise. additional $15.00
j. Becker College T-shirt
c. Becker Glass Paperweight f. Becker College Fitted Cap $15.00
$35.00 $20.00 The all-purpose Becker College T,
Comes with a custom-made black cotton, in sizes s-xl.
velvet pouch and can be g. Becker Glass Photo Frame
personalized with the graduate’s $65.00
name and date for an additional Personalization with the graduate’s
charge. name and date is available for an
additional charge.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Homecoming
Becker Alumni
Day at Fenway October 13
Park
Come see the Boston
Red Sox vs. the Baltimore
Orioles - Game Time 7:05 p.m.
2007
I BBQ Lunch - 12:00 noon
Friday, August 31, 2007 I Field Hockey, Becker vs. Simmons
12:00 noon
I
$100 per person includes: Women’s Tennis, Becker vs. Bay Path
• One ticket to the game in the Outfield Grandstands
1:00 p.m.
(Section 5 and 6)
• Chartered luxury motor coach to and from Fenway All homecoming events will take place on the Leicester
• Private reception, Fenway Buffet and two drink campus.
vouchers at Jillian’s of Boston, 145 Ipswich Street,
4:30 p.m. For further information and to get involved please call
Kevin Woo at 508-373-9527 or
email: kevin.woo@becker.edu
The bus will depart the Becker College Worcester
campus at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are limited so don’t Check the Becker website at www.alumni.becker.edu
hesitate! for more information on Homecoming 2007.
Limit 4 tickets per alumnus
Login to the Online Community, or call
Kevin Woo at 508.373.9527 to R.S.V.P
www.alumni.becker.edu
P.O. Box 15071 • Worcester, MA 01615-0071
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