Raising the BarOur alumni, students and faculty go above and beyond—professionally and personally.

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amc alumni magazine | 1

Inside}

2President’s Letter 2

Alumni Profile: Mike Miers ’05 One Step Ahead of Technology 3

President, Alumni Association Alicia Lenahan ’89 4

Calendar 5

Alumni Association 6

Alumni Profile: Richard Radesky ’98G Planning for Future Generations 8

Reunion/Homecoming 10

Alumni Profile: Maureen (Grady) Wilkinson ’90 Remembering a Friend and Mentor 12

Student Profile: Latoya Warner ’10Committed and Connected for a Lifetime 14

Faculty Profile: Judy Kenary, Ed.D. ’96G Driven to Succeed 16

Faculty Achievements 18

Staff Profile: Stephanie Williams Helping to Create a Happening Place 20

Student Profile: Michael Blomgren ’12Competing with Excellence 22

Learning from the Experts 24

Alumni Notes 26-32

Daniel Freeman (Criminal Justice), Megan Goddu (Music Therapy), Sandy Acosta (Criminal Justice), Jennifer Melson (Business), Thomas Horan (Education)

Catherine Athanasiou (Graphic Design)

Latoya Warner (Social Work & Psychology) Michael Blomgren (Criminal Justice)

2 | amc alumni magazine

Dear Friends:

Welcome to another issue of the AMC Alumni Magazine. I hope you enjoy learning more about the College and the exciting events and amazing people who are part of our college community.

The theme for this issue is “Raising the Bar.” This theme speaks to our commitment to excellence. Anna Maria College has a rich tradition of extraordinary faculty, staff, and students. The students of yesterday have become the distinguished alumni/ae of today.

But past excellence does not mean that we should not try to do better …

that we should not try to be better… that we should not try to “raise the bar.”

William Faulkner, the 20th-century American novelist, wrote, “Always dream

and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother just to be better

than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

“Raising the Bar” calls each and every one of us to a commitment to

excellence. Regardless of our role or responsibility at the College, we need

to find ways to do our jobs better… to be better. As faculty members, we

need to find better ways to help our students learn and develop so that they

are fully prepared to enter the career of their choice and to live meaningful

lives committed to the Common Good. As administrators and staff, we need

to develop better programs and services that support and enrich all of the

members of the college community as they pursue their goals.

As students, we need to focus even more passionately on the community of

scholars and learners, dedicated to the life of the mind that leads to academic

excellence and success in the classroom and through co-curricular activities.

As alumni/ae, we need to support our alma mater in every way possible; realizing

that our commitment of time, treasure and talent is essential to preserving the

quality of education that we received during our days on campus.

Simply said, we all need to”raise the bar” as Anna Maria College moves

confidently into the future. Our future has been charted by our Strategic Plan:

“Vision 2012: Excellence at Anna Maria College.” But to move this Plan from

rhetoric to reality, we need the engagement and support of each and every

member of the AMC community … and we need everyone to help “raise the bar.”

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!

Live the life you’ve imagined.” As we dream of the Anna Maria College of the 21st

century, I invite you to help make our dreams a reality. Thank you for all you do

for Anna Maria College.

Sincerely,

Jack P. Calareso, Ph.D.

President

amc alumni magazine | 3

Keeping AMC One Step Ahead of Technology

“In order for us to help the

College accomplish the goals

of its strategic plan, the IT

Department also needs to

have a vision,” comments

Mike Miers ’05, Director of

IT for AMC. “Our vision includes installing reliable

systems, ensuring redundancy with our servers,

protecting against single points of failure and building

a network to support future growth.” A member of the

AMC Class of 2005, Mike took over the reins of the IT

Department in 2007, and, with his tech-savvy staff of

three at his side, he has never looked back.

A major step in fulfilling the IT vision for the College

was the recent decision to partner with Cisco Systems,

considered to be a national leader in infrastructure

support. “Partnering with Cisco will allow Anna Maria

to become one of the more technologically-advanced

colleges in the area,” Mike explains.

With a 100% wireless campus and a new Microsoft

Exchange e-mail system, IT is creating a more efficient

academic and work environment for the entire campus

community. Since 2007, the IT team has installed

projection equipment and interactive whiteboards in

more than 92% of the classrooms; expanded current

computer labs and created a new one in the Learning

Center; reinvented the Mac lab; made infrastructure

changes to the e-mail system with better spamware

and fire walls; and outfitted the campus library with

two “C-Pod” stations: computers with 32” screens

and multiple mice and keyboards so that students

can work on projects together.

Another forward step in the College’s technology

is what Mike refers to as “Virtualization”. According

to Mike, “With virtualization, AMC has been able to

consolidate fifteen servers into three, thereby saving

energy and creating redundancy with all servers,

which helps reduce downtime while we troubleshoot

for problems. We have also increased student band-

width to 20 MB with plans to move to 100 MBs as

enrollment grows,” he adds.

Not resting for a minute, the IT department is already

looking toward the future when it hopes to install a

new phone system with VoIP: voicemail to e-mail, fax

to e-mail, and system phones that will allow staff to call

anywhere from their College extension. “My goal is not

just to keep AMC ahead of the technological curve,”

Mike says. “I want to create it.”

Many believe that raising a child takes a village approach, and the same might be said about growing a college. At AMC, the entire campus community has joined forces so that the college can realize its Vision 2012: Excellence at Anna Maria College. One of the key players in Team Anna Maria is the IT Department, which has a commitment to its own vision to provide the College with the most up-to-date technology in the industry.

alumni profile Mike Miers ’05

Prayers for Haiti

As this issue reaches you,

we continue to pray for the

people of Haiti. This horrific

tragedy has impacted Anna

Maria College in many ways.

We have a number of Haitian

students. The Sisters of Saint

Anne have a large community

who serve in Haiti.

The college community is

supporting the efforts to help

the people of Haiti through

donations to Catholic Relief

Services. We will also be con-

tributing to the Sisters of Saint

Anne as they plan to rebuild

their schools, all destroyed in

the earthquake.

We invite you to join us in

prayer and support for the

people of Haiti and the ministry

of the Sisters of Saint Anne.

march

18 Ensemble Concert Listen to the Jazz Ensemble as they fill Payer in Miriam Hall with beautiful music. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m.

26 Annual Faculty Art Exhibit Begins See artwork from the talented faculty in the art gallery at Miriam Hall on display through April 16th.

31 David Pelzer, author of A Child Called It The Social Work Program will be hosting New York Times best seller author David Pelzer.

april

14 Washington, DC Alumni Reception The greater Washington area has one of the largest groups of AMC alumni outside of New England. Join us to re-connect with AMC, reunite with old friends and make new connections.

16 Annual Faculty Art Exhibit Ends Final day to see artwork from the talented faculty in the art gallery at Miriam Hall.

may

15 Commencement Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MAWe welcome the newest AMC alumni, the Class of 2010, at the College’s annual Commencement ceremony.

26 AMC Open Golf Tournament Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston, MAPlease join us for the AMC Open (formerly AMCAT Open), our annual golf tournament that supports scholarships and the AMCAT athletic teams. We are looking for golfers and sponsors. To play, or for more information on how you can help, please call 508-849-3342, e-mail alumni@annamaria.edu or visit www.annamaria.edu/alumni.

june

29 Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Fenway Park, Boston, MAOur AMC Nights at Fenway always sell out fast. Join other AMC alumni as we cheer on the Sox to victory.

july

30 Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Fenway Park, Boston, MAOur AMC Nights at Fenway always sell out fast. Join other AMC alumni as we cheer on the Sox to victory.

september

4 First Football Game of the 2010 season Cheer on a bigger and more experienced AMCAT football team as they take on Worcester State on AMCAT field.

october

22 & 23 Reunion/Homecoming WeekendMake this the year you come home to Paxton and reconnect with your classmates and AMC. The classes of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005 are all celebrating reunions this year. Even if this isn’t a reunion year for your class, there’s plenty to see and do throughout the weekend!

n&e amc alumni calendar

news&events

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We convened the first meeting of the Board at Homecoming in October, with more than twenty

members representing every decade, every academic division and both traditional and non-traditional

students. At the meeting, the Board received its charge from President Calareso to be a vocal and

active liaison between the College and its alumni, and to help re-connect our alumni with AMC.

Since that meeting, the members have begun their chart of work through the Board’s standing

committees: events and programming, advancement, awards and nominations, and volunteer

management. The Board’s most diligent work will be conducted through these committees,

helping to advise the College’s staff and exploring ways to build our programming and services.

In this issue of the Alumni Magazine, you’ll be introduced to the members of the Board of Directors,

and I’m sure you’ll recognize a few of the faces. I hope you’ll reach out to us and share your thoughts

on how the College can strengthen its alumni relations program. What kind of events would you like

to attend? What services should the College offer its alumni? How would you like the College to

communicate with you? These are important questions and we need your input.

We’re also still looking for dedicated individuals to join the Board. If you know a fellow alumnus/a

who would be a good candidate to serve in this important position, please share his/her name with

the alumni office by calling 508-849-3342 or e-mailing alumni@annamaria.edu.

Please also take a minute to nominate someone for one of the 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards.

You can find more details on the award criteria on page 19. This program depends on nominations

from the alumni body, so I hope you can help us recognize another group of exceptional alumni

this year.

Finally, take a look at the calendar of upcoming alumni events. We try to offer something for

everyone and I hope to see you at one of our events in 2010.

In the meantime, thank you for your support of AMC.

Sincerely,

Alicia Lenahan ’89

President, Anna Maria College Alumni Association

I am pleased to update you on the progress your Alumni Association and its new Board of Directors has made over the past six months.

A message from Alicia Lenahan ’89 Alumni Associat ion President

amc alumni magazine | 5

6 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 7

a Mark Georgeson ’85, of Clinton, MA, is Vice President

of Information Technology at Commerce Bank in

Worcester. Mark majored in computer information

systems at AMC.

b Patrick Nealon ’86, ’99G, of Watertown, MA, is Senior

Director of Clinical Research at Genzyme Corporation.

As an undergraduate, Patrick majored in medical

technology and elementary education, and also earned

his Master of Business Administration degree at AMC.

Patrick received the Association’s Outstanding Alumni

Award for Professional Achievement in 2005.

c Margaret (Hornyak) Russell ’74, of Charlton, MA,

is the Executive Editor of the Catholic Free Press in

Worcester. Marge was an English major at AMC.

d Lori (Bean) Szczygiel ’84, ’91G, of Sturbridge, MA,

is Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Behavioral

Health Partnership. Lori earned both her bachelor’s

degree in music therapy and a Master of Business

Administration degree at AMC.

e Patricia (Recko) Smith ’64, of Worcester, MA,

recently retired as the Principal of St. Mary’s Elementary

School, also in Worcester. Pat has been a dedicated

volunteer at AMC for many years, including serving

on the former Alumni Council and on the Presidential

Search Committee in 2007.

f Diane Mohieldin ’97G, of Worcester, MA, is Chief

Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration for

the Harr Motor Group, also in Worcester. She earned

her Master of Business Administration degree at AMC.

g Maureen (Logan) Coghlin ’57, of Shrewsbury, MA,

is a former teacher who has given decades of service

to AMC. In addition to her service on the Association

Board, she is a longtime member of the College’s Board

of Trustees and served for many years on the former

Alumni Council. Maureen received the Association’s

Outstanding Alumni Award in 1993.

h Jeffrey Raymond ’03, of Millbury, MA, is a sales

consultant with Scholastic Book Fairs and previously

worked as the Children’s Librarian at the Hollis Social

Library in Hollis, NH. Jeff majored in history at AMC.

i Claudette (Renaud) Sortino ’64, of South Ryegate,

VT, is retired from a career in sales and marketing for

Johnson & Johnson. After graduating with a degree in

history, Claudette spent three years in the Peace Corps,

teaching in India.

j Ann Marie (Lamonica) Arcidi ’92, of Hampton, NH,

is Director of Marketing and Community Relations for

Our new Board of Directors will work to help reconnect our Alumni with AMC.

AlumniAssociation

The

1 Secretary, Tara Benson ’00, of Alexandria, VA,

is a Government Relations Assistant with Marsh &

McLennan Companies, Inc. in Washington, D.C.

Tara’s majors at AMC were history and political science.

2 President, Alicia Lenahan, Esq. ’89, of Brimfield, MA,

is the Senior Vice President of Resource Development

with the United Way of Central Massachusetts. She was

formerly the Chief Executive Officer of The CASA Project

in Worcester. Alicia majored in paralegal studies at AMC.

3 First Vice President, Michelle Booth ’89, of West

Brookfield, MA, is Assistant Executive Director of the

Springfield Housing Authority. She previously worked at

both AMC and in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s

Office. Michelle graduated with a degree in social work.

4 Second Vice President, David Armstrong ’98, ’01G,

of Shrewsbury, MA, is a Lieutenant with the Holden

Police Department. He joined the department in 1985

and was promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and Lieutenant

in 2009. He holds both his bachelor’s and master’s

degrees in criminal justice from AMC.

officers of the board

board members

a

b

1 2 3 4

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jk

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m

n

The Whittier Pavilion in Haverhill. At AMC, Ann Marie

majored in legal studies.

k Thomas Tuniewicz ’82G, of Southbridge, MA, is

Senior IT Assurance Manager at Wolf and Company,

P.C. He earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling

Psychology at AMC.

l Maureen (Grady) Wilkinson ’90 of Plainville, MA has

served as CEO for three national credit unions. Most

recently, as a result of a merger, she has assumed the

position of Vice President at HarborOne, the largest

state chartered credit union in New England. In her

position, Maureen heads up a new financial education

center with a focus on women, youth and small

business. Maureen majored in finance and English at

Anna Maria College and received the Association’s

Outstanding Young Alumna Award in 2002. Maureen

also holds an Executive MBA from Loyola University

Maryland. Please see more about Maureen on page 12.

m Robert McKean ’98G, of Southampton, MA, is

Managing Director of Stanley Park in Westfield. He was

previously the Executive Director of the Massachusetts

Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Bob earned his Master

of Business Administration degree at AMC. He received

the Association’s Outstanding Alumni Award for

Contribution to the Community in 2001.

n Thomas O’Neil ’97, of Worcester, MA, is a history

teacher at Doherty High School, also in Worcester.

Tom previously worked at AMC in several different

departments, including the alumni office and residence

life. A pre-law major at AMC, he is married to Maryrose

(Potter) O’Neil ’00, ’03G.

Not Pictured

Danica (Beaulac) Copp, ’92, of Woodbridge, VA,

is Clinical Director for Children’s Services of Virginia.

A social work major at AMC, Danica was previously

an Emergency Clinician with Riverside Community

Care in Massachusetts.

Katie Leahey ’06, of Worcester, MA, is a Paralegal

and Director of Community Relations at Abigail

Williams & Associates, also in Worcester. Katie is

currently working on her law degree at Southern

New England School of Law.

Lisa Saverese ’04, of Branford, CT, is Assistant

Director of Student Activities at the University of New

Haven. Lisa majored in human development/human

services at AMC and twice received the prestigious

JFK Award in recognition of her campus leadership.

8 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 9

“When I first graduated from high school, I thought

an associate’s degree would open up job opportunities

for me,” shares Rick. “However, I soon realized that if

I wanted to achieve my personal goals, I would need

a master’s degree to ensure that I had a leg up over

the competition.”

Rick began pursuing his MBA at Bryant College

but soon transferred to Anna Maria. “The educational

experience being offered at AMC was much more

to my liking,” explains Rick. “The small classes and

engaged faculty with real-life experiences made all

the difference. In addition, its more competitive price

made AMC a much better value,” he adds.

His time at AMC was well spent, as his new MBA

made Rick very competitive in the marketplace.

“I learned about total quality management, which

was in high demand in many industries in the mid-

to-late-’90s,” says Rick. “My AMC education began

to open up doors for me in the business world.”

After assisting to streamline operations at United

Health Plan, Rick’s strong entrepreneurial spirit

motivated him to move beyond the corporate world

and serve as a consultant in process management.

It was during this time that he found a passion for day

trading. After a brief stay in Florida, Rick returned to

Massachusetts to build a career in wealth management.

“I found that I really enjoyed helping others plan for

their future,” claims Rick, whose engaging personality

was well received by many individuals in the greater

Worcester community seeking financial management

advice. “Before I knew it, I was the co-creator and host

of a show called Planning for the Future, which first

aired on WORC-AM and then later on television on

Channel 3,” he adds. “The show was very successful

and featured numerous experts in the field of finance,

many of whom came from AMC.”

Today, Rick owns a very successful Ameriprise

franchise in Worcester and was recently listed in the

top 7% of wealth managers by Boston Magazine.

Although he has come a long way since graduating

from AMC, Rick has never lost sight of how his alma

mater helped him spiral to the top of his profession.

“My education at AMC provided me with much more

than book knowledge. My professors taught me how

to think and how to apply a practical knowledge to

real-world experiences,” shares Rick.

According to Rick, he is at a point in his life when

it is time to give back. As a financial planner, he can’t

think of a better way than to endow a planned gift at

Anna Maria College.

“Planned giving fits with who I am both personally

and professionally,” explains Rick. “It demonstrates to

others how important it is to learn how to manage your

money. It also supports another one of my passions:

education,” he adds. “The gift I am leaving AMC will

provide a full, four-year scholarship for one student a

year for as long as Anna Maria exists, which I expect

will be forever.”

In addition to this generous gift, Rick will soon be

teaching in the business department at AMC. “I can’t

wait to share my knowledge with students about real-

world experiences so that they can be better prepared

to understand life’s ups and downs.”

The Anna Maria College Community is very grateful

to Rick for his generosity and for insuring that future

AMC students will be able to benefit from his good will.

Planning for Future Generations

Walking into the office of Richard Radesky ’98G is like entering a microcosm of CNN with multiple computers and a flat-screen TV operating at the same time. A successful entrepreneur, Rick is at the top of his professional game and makes sure he remains this way by keeping ahead of the curve in our fast-paced global economy.

alumni profile Richard Radesky ’98G

Rick began carving out his own life path after graduating from Shrewsbury

High when he decided to join the Navy as a way to earn money for college.

After his stint in the service, Rick joined the workforce and began to

pursue his education part-time: first at Tidewater Community College in

Virginia, where he earned an associate’s degree in business; and later at

Worcester State, where he received his bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Although Rick had accomplished a great deal in a short time, he had

higher aspirations for himself.

Class of 1959Front Row, left to right: Mary Ann Toomey, Louise Brown, Bunny Lachance, Suzanne Kelly, Joyce Mastroianni, Alice Hause, Jeannine Trahan, Marjorie Guerin, Ellen Guerin RSM, Anne Messier

Back Row, left to right: Gloria Grenier, Jean Claprood, Barbara Teller, Carol Farrell, Mary Barry, RSM, Ann Grady, Frances Edgeworth, Lucille Billings, Elaine Clark, Clare Nelson, Anne Chandler

Classes 1950-1958Front Row, left to right: Louise Soldani ’53, Maureen Coghlin ’57, Rose Marie Decenzo ’50, Doris Babin, SSA ’55, Paula Bouthiller ’57, Marie Dugas, SSA ’53, Mary Ellen Kroll ’58, T. Anne Gemme ’58, Pauline Gagne ’58

Back Row, left to right: Diane Provencher ’57, Roberta O’Brien ’57, Louise Lavigne ’57, Constance Rossi ’57, Rena Richard ’55, Barbara Flynn, SSA ’55, Peggy Houde ’56, Shirley Geoffrion ’56, Monica Doherty ’56, Mona Heffernan ’56

10 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 11

A capacity crowd turned out to cheer on the AMCATS

against Castleton State on the gridiron. The AMCATS

led for much of the game but lost on a game-ending

field goal by Castleton. Despite the final score, the

crowd cheered hard for the AMCATS and enjoyed

being part of College history.

On Friday evening, the Alumni Association honored

five exceptional individuals with the 2009 Outstanding

Alumni Awards: Barbara (Gallow) Lyman, Ph.D. ’69

received the Outstanding Alumni Award for Professional

Achievement; Col. Thomas O’Sullivan ’91G received

the Outstanding Alumni Award for Contributions to the

Community; Lloyd Hamm ’81, ’83G, received the

Outstanding Alumni Award for Contributions to the

College; Bhawesh Raj Sharma ’01 received the

Outstanding Young Alumnus Award; and Frederick

Goodrich received the Honorary Alumnus Award.

(You can read more about the five honorees at

www.annamaria.edu/alumni.)

Following the ceremony, jazz recording artist Anne

Walsh ’84 performed a special Homecoming concert

in the Zecco Performing Arts

Center. Afterwards, the audi-

ence finished off the evening

at “Spiritwoods Pub.”

Don’t miss the fun at this

year’s Reunion/Homecoming

Weekend, October 22-23,

2010. Watch your mail and

the AMC website for more

information.

It was a historic Reunion/Homecoming

Weekend for Anna Maria College,

celebrating the golden reunion of the

Class of 1959, and featuring two firsts —

the first-ever Homecoming football game

and the first induction ceremony for the

new Saint Anne Society.

Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients

Frederick Goodrich, Lloyd Hamm ’81, ’83G, Barbara (Gallow) Lyman, Ph.D. ’69, Col. Thomas O’Sullivan ’91G, and Bhawesh Raj Sharma ’01 received Outstanding Alumni Awards

Reunion/Homecoming Weekend

Saint Anne SocietyThe members of the Class of 1959 were

the College’s honored guests throughout

the weekend and were celebrated at both

the Saint Anne Society luncheon and the

Reunion Dinner at the Worcester Club.

The College inducted the first 40

members into the Saint Anne Society on

Saturday, October 17th. Society member-

ship is granted to alumnae of the College

who have reached the 50th anniversary of

their graduation. Of the 40 inductees, half

represented the Class of 1959, who were

celebrating their golden anniversary.

The other half were from the classes of

1950-1958.

Anne Walsh ’84 performed a Homecoming concert

3SAVE the DATEThis year’s

Reunion/Homecoming WeekendOctober 22 & 23, 2010

Watch your mail and the AMC website for more information.

12 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 13

Remembering a friend and mentor

When she was a student at Portsmouth High,

Maureen (Grady) Wilkinson ’90 decided to take

advantage of the school’s offer of a day off for

students visiting colleges. With few expectations,

she attended a local college fair and instead of just

enjoying a day away from school, Maureen found

her life’s destiny.

Anna Maria College was the first display at the fair;

and once she saw the brochures and chatted with

staff, Maureen’s college search was over. “It just felt

right,” comments Maureen. “I knew then and there

that AMC had something special and I wanted to be

a part of it.”

AMC turned out to be exactly what Maureen

wanted for her college experience. From the

admissions process through her years as an

undergrad, AMC’s small, personal community

was just what she needed. “I went to a large high

school and was tired of the cliques and impersonal

atmosphere of a large community,” shares Maureen.

“Anna Maria was the change I was seeking, and over

the years I have found that it set the stage for me to

be successful in life.”

Maureen entered AMC as a finance major and

quickly realized that she enjoyed being a big fish in

a small sea. “You didn’t have to struggle to feel con-

nected or participate in activities,” she explains. “The

AMC culture allowed you to be whoever you wanted

to be.” For Maureen this meant that she was able to

play softball and basketball while belonging to the

business club and serving as a resident assistant

and tutor.

Maureen excelled both in and out of the classroom

and enjoys recounting the story about her first exam

at AMC. It was for one of Dr. Paul Russell’s history

classes. After studying hard for days, Maureen

decided to sleep on her books the night before the

test so that she could gain extra knowledge through

osmosis. She aced the exam and ended up sleeping

on her books the night before the rest of her exams

at AMC.

While her memories of Dr. Russell’s class and co-

curricular activities are wonderful, Maureen’s fondest

remembrance of AMC is the time she spent with

Sr. John.

Maureen first met Sr. John when she was a student

in Professor Louise Soldani’s English class. Like

most finance majors, Maureen had avoided taking

Sr. John’s English class because of her reputation for

being tough. However, when Professor Soldani took

a brief leave from the College, Maureen found herself

being taught by Sr. John. “I must admit that I was a

little intimidated at first,” quips Maureen. “However,

I studied hard, ended up doing well in the class, and

added English literature as a minor to my degree.”

Sr. John and Maureen’s next encounter came

during the summer between Maureen’s freshman and

sophomore year when she lived on campus to help

prepare for orientation. It was during this time that the

two of them could be found dialoguing in the dining

hall, discussing everything from the weather to the mysteries of life.

“Sr. John was always challenging me, trying to get me to think outside

the box,” shares Maureen. “We developed a very strong spiritual bond:

one that will remain with me for the rest of my life.”

Although Sr. John is no longer a part of this life, Maureen remains

connected to her spiritually. A successful businesswoman who has served

as a CEO for three national credit unions, Maureen was deeply touched by

Sr. John. Sister taught her to look beyond the material world and understand

that service to others is the true sign of a successful life.

Maureen treasures the fact that she was able to be with Sr. John during

her last day on earth. “Sr. John once said that her most precious reward

as a teacher was to send out students with an open and curious mind, the

ability to direct their own lives, and, in turn, dedicated to teaching others,”

shares Maureen. “I learned so much from her and I will forever strive to

follow in her footsteps.”

In her new position with HarborOne, Maureen tries to live out Sr. John’s

legacy each day. “I have found pleasure and fulfillment in what I call ‘psychic

income’,” explains Maureen. “I have transitioned from CEO to coach and

mentor, helping my staff to excel and build their own skills. This has become

one of the greatest joys in my life,” she adds.

In memory of Sr. John, Maureen has made a donation to the Sr. John

Scholarship at AMC. She shares, “I hope that I can set an example for other

AMC alumni to give back to the institution that touched all of our lives in so

many ways.”

Maureen has made a multi-year financial commitment to the Sr. John

Scholarship and will match all new gifts, dollar for dollar, made to the

Scholarship fund during the 2009/10 fiscal year.

Please see Maureen’s bio included in the Alumni Board section on page 7.

Maureen has made a multi-year financial commitment

to the Sr. John Scholarship and will match all new gifts,

dollar for dollar, made to the Scholarship fund during

the 2009/10 fiscal year.

Maureen (Grady) Wilkinson ’90alumni profile

Sister Mary John of Carmel Honors Scholarship at Anna Maria College

In memory of Sr. John, the Sr.

Mary John of Carmel Honors

Scholarship is awarded annually

to one or more AMC students.

Applicants for the scholarship first

read documents on the life and

work of Sr. John and then submit

an essay on how they believe that

they exemplify her teachings. In

addition to the essay, the student

applicant must be a junior or senior

at AMC; major in the humanities, with

preference given to English majors;

have a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher;

and have earned no lower than a B in

all English coursework.

With her graduation day quickly approaching, AMC senior Latoya Warner recently

took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to share her thoughts on her soon-to-be

alma mater. The dream school that Latoya applied to in 2006 has not only fulfilled her

wishes, but has become the launching pad for this motivated student to create a path

of academic and personal excellence that will guide her for the rest of her life.

“I really love it at Anna Maria,” shares Latoya. “While

I am excited about graduating and starting my career,

I am a bit apprehensive to leave my friends and the

rest of my AMC family.”

Latoya’s bittersweet sadness about leaving AMC

coincides with the feelings of many faculty, staff and

administrators at the College who have come to

know Latoya—not just for her spiritedness, but for

the many contributions she has made to the growth

of the College community.

In addition to thriving as a double major in social

work and psychology, Latoya has been an exemplary

leader and a role model for her friends and others

on campus. During her four-year tenure at Anna

Maria, she has been a resident assistant, a tutor in

the learning center, secretary and treasurer of Delta

Epsilon Sigma, vice-president of the social committee

and a strong member of a variety of groups including

the President’s Task Force on Diversity, the Board of

Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity, ALANA,

and the social action committee.

Latoya has also served as an ambassador and

role-model for inclusion. “Over the past four years

I have seen the faculty, staff and student population

become more diverse and inclusive of other cultures,

races and disabilities,” comments Latoya.

As Latoya prepares to enter the workforce, she

believes that the education she received at AMC both

in and out of the classroom will help her succeed.

Currently, she is interning for YOU, Inc. in Worcester,

an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth

and teens. By the end of her senior year, Latoya will

have put in more than 425 hours of work as an intern

helping clients who need a second chance.

“I am really enjoying the work,” says Latoya.

“Because of my age and the skills I learned at AMC,

many of the clients are asking for me directly,

which confirms for me that I have selected the

right profession.”

Latoya also knows that she made the right choice

when she decided to attend Anna Maria. According

to Latoya, “I have never been a number at AMC.

Faculty, staff, and even the College President know

me by name. That’s what I wanted for my college

experience.” While she wants AMC to remain small,

she is comfortable with the controlled growth the

College is experiencing. “Now that more people have

heard of Anna Maria, students are coming here from

all over the country which helps bring vibrancy and

diversity to campus,” she adds.

When looking out to the next five years, Latoya

sees herself involved in either social work or

psychology and most likely pursuing her master’s

degree in one of those fields. She shares that she will

never forget her years at AMC, and plans to remain

committed and connected to the College

as she continues her life journey.

Committed and Connected for a Lifetime

14 | amc alumni magazine

Latoya Warner ’10student profile

“Now that more people have heard of Anna Maria, students are coming here from all over the country which helps bring vibrancy and diversity to campus.”

16 | amc alumni magazine

Judy Kenary, Ed.D. ’96G, an assistant professor

at AMC, is a perfect example of the latter: a very

passionate and driven individual who seems to enjoy

seeking out new challenges and opportunities, even

if it means taking risks.

Judy advanced her career as a registered nurse,

first by earning her BSN from Pace University,

Westchester, New York. After joining the Fallon Clinic

in 1982, she took another step forward when her

passion for her job and patients caught the eye of the

leadership of the organization who soon appointed

Judy Director of Clinical Services. “The opportunity

to move from bedside care to managing the delivery

of ambulatory care was of great interest to me,” cites

Judy. “Although I was a young professional at the

time, I wasn’t afraid of the opportunity to help create

and manage change.”

In her new position, Judy was responsible for

managing clinical services for a large, multi-specialty

group practice, which over time had more than 20

sites in Worcester County. During her 20-year tenure,

she respected and enjoyed working with the forward-

thinking leadership. Working at the Clinic provided

her with the opportunity to experience the difference

between management and leadership. She soon

became well-known as one of those dynamic

leaders who could drive a project forward from

inception to completion.

Experiencing the role of leadership in an

organization and wanting to learn more became a

new passion for Judy, who decided to continue her

education at Anna Maria as an MBA student. Her

drive and leadership abilities did not go unnoticed by

her professors and upon receiving her MBA, Judy was

sought out to share her knowledge and experiences

with others. She began to teach business courses as

an adjunct professor in the 1990s, focusing most of

her energy on leadership.

“I found that I really enjoyed teaching, facilitating

and helping students grow to recognize their full

potential,” shares Judy. “I also liked how teaching

keeps you on your toes and up-to-date with what’s

current.” Judy knew, however, that to be competitive

and sustain credibility within the field of higher

education, she would need to obtain a terminal

degree. Despite her family and a full-time teaching

load at AMC, she pursued her education and was

accepted to University of Hartford Doctoral Program

in Educational Leadership in 2005. In the fall of 2009,

Judy defended her dissertation: “Service Learning

Experience and Undergraduate Leadership Behaviors:

An Action Research Case Study,” which earned her

the Doctorate in Educational Leadership, (Ed.D.).

“I was fortunate that Liz Manos, the Division

Chair for Business and Public Policy, supported my

educational pursuits,” explains Judy. “She and many

of my colleagues allowed me to conduct my research

at Anna Maria, which was extremely helpful to me in

balancing family, career and school,” she adds.

Judy believes that she has found a new niche for

herself in higher education and enjoys being able to

initiate learning as a creative experience. “I make a

conscious effort to integrate real-life experiences,

current affairs and theory into the classroom,” she

notes. Learning outside the traditional classroom is

a tactic Judy uses that gives students a chance to

interact within the community.

Judy is fully committed to AMC and the students

she instructs. She likes the small class sizes that allow

her to engage students, to bring out those who are

less outgoing and to help them be successful. Judy

also serves as the faculty advisor for athletics and the

business club. “I really love my work at Anna Maria,

she shares. “To me it is not a job. It is my passion.”

Judy Kenary, Ed.D. ’96G Assistant Professorfaculty profile

Driven to Succeedand to Pass It On!

“I make a conscious effort to integrate real-life experiences, current affairs and theory into the classroom.”

amc alumni magazine | 17

Personal success has a lot to do with being confident,

driven, educated and true to one’s ethics and values.

However, the path to success is different for each

individual. While some follow the straight and narrow,

others are more inspired by life’s challenges.

Beyond the Classroom:

A brief summary of what several of our faculty have

accomplished outside of the classroom.

AMC Professor of Humanities, Barbara Driscoll

de Alvarado, Ph.D., co-edited the recently released

book Moving Beyond Borders: Julian Samora and

the Establishment of Latino Studies. Her colleagues

included Alberto López Pulido, director and professor

of ethnic studies at the University of San Diego and

Carmon Samora, who teaches American studies at

the University of New Mexico and directs the Julian

Samora Legacy Project.

Joan-Beth Gow, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Biology,

authored a scholarly paper: “Mycobacterium phage

Troll4, complete genome. Annotated sequence,”

NCBI GenBank, 2008, with P. Robinson, J. Fuelling,

S. Lentz, W. Welch, R.H. Edgar, C. Ko, D. Jacobs-

Sera, R.W. Hendrix, and G. F. Hatfull.

Virginia R. Heslinga, Ed.D., Assistant Professor

English, recently received her Ed.D. from the

University of Phoenix, AZ.

Judith Kenary, Ed.D.’96G, Assistant Professor

Business, recently earned her Ed.D. in Educational

Leadership from the University of Hartford, CT.

Director of Visual Arts, Alice M. Lambert ’87

(pictured above) organized and managed the

curator exhibit: The Art of Contemplation:

The Works of St. Joseph’s Abbey, in collaboration

with the Museum of Russian Icons, November, 2009.

Lisa LeBlanc, Ph.D., Chair of the Division of

Humanities and International Studies, presented

a paper at the Southeastern Medieval Association

Conference at Vanderbilt University in October, 2009.

The paper was entitled “Beastly Humans: Liminal

Creatures in Medieval Bestiaries.”

Assistant Professor of Humanities and Media,

Travis Maruska, presented a paper at the Mid-

Atlantic Popular / American Culture Association

(MAP/ACA) Annual Conference on November 5,

2009, in Boston. The title of the paper was,

“How Dirty Harry Was Rodney King’d: The Evolution

of the Vigilante Cop in Contemporary American Film.”

L. Michael McCartney, Ph.D., Associate

Professor Criminal Justice, presented a scholarly

paper with K. Tobin, “Street Gangs and Organized

Crime: How Might Street Gangs Evolve into more

Sophisticated Organized Criminal Enterprises,” at the

Annual Meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice

Sciences. Boston, Massachusetts: March, 2009.

In January, 2010, Carl Moxey, Ph.D., Associate

Professor Biology, travelled to Puerto Rico with

five science students to study the rain forest and

shoreline ecology. On one of their excursions in

the Loquillo Forest, they found a mature male and

three immature stick insects, numerous coquis,

anole lizards, and large tree snails, to mention

just a few. According to Dr. Moxey, the stick insect

population appears to have been severely decimated

by Hurricane Hugo a number of years back.

Seth Racusen, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Criminal Justice/Political Science, was a discussant,

“Reflecting on affirmative action in Brazil: From race

relations to public policy,” at The Annual Meeting

of the Latin American Studies Association. Rio de

Janeiro: June, 2009.

faculty achievements

Nominee ______________________________________________________________________________ Class Year ______________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________________________________ State ____________ Zip ____________________________

Job Title ______________________________________________________ Employer ______________________________________________

Award: Professional Achievement Community College Young Alumnus/a

On a separate piece of paper, please state your reasons for nomination. An Awards Committee member may contact you for more information.

Nominator ____________________________________________________________________________ Class Year ______________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City _________________________________________________________ State ____________________ Zip ___________________________

Phone _______________________________________________________ E-mail __________________________________________________

Alumni Awards Nomination Form

Designed to recognize and honor alumni who have distinguished themselves through their professional endeavors, service to the College or exemplary service to the community.

Who is eligible?

Any AMC alumnus – undergraduate or graduate – is eligible to receive one of these prestigious awards. The program is successful

because of your involvement each year and we encourage you to help us identify alumni who deserve recognition for their

outstanding achievements. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 14, 2010. Please mail your nominations to: Alumni

Award Nominations, Anna Maria College, 50 Sunset Lane, Box K, Paxton, MA 01612. You may fax nominations to: 508-849-3334.

Call for Nominations Anna Maria College Alumni Awards

Awards will be presented in the following four categories:

Outstanding Contribution to the Community

Outstanding Professional Achievement

Outstanding Contribution to the College

Outstanding Young Alumnus/a (Graduated 10 Years or Less)

Think about it.

18 | amc alumni magazine

Helping to create a

Happening Place

24 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 21

“I really enjoy working with the Student Affairs

team to develop and implement new programs on

campus,” says Stephanie. “As we continue to grow

and expand, we need to make sure that AMC is well-

prepared to meet the needs of our changing student

population.”

Over the past three years, Stephanie has seen

changes in the diversity of the student body, which

according to Stephanie, “brings both opportuni-

ties and challenges to our campus.” She continues,

“More diversity on campus provides a great oppor-

tunity for students to become better prepared to live

and work in the world beyond Paxton. The increased

diversity also helps students of other races and

cultures move beyond the burden of being a minority

and all that this term brings with it,” she adds.

A more diverse campus also brings many chal-

lenges. Stephanie points to ALANA (African, Latino/

Hispanic, Asian/Pacific, Native American, and

American) and the important role this organization

plays in campus life. “ALANA provides a forum for

students to share their cultural and personal experi-

ences,” she shares. “Because it is student-directed,

it has also emerged as a driving force behind diversity

education, providing many opportunities and activi-

ties for students to be exposed to other races and

cultures.” Currently ALANA is one of the largest clubs

at AMC with over 40 active participants.

In addition to a more diverse student population,

Stephanie believes that AMC’s growth is helping

attract more enthusiastic students who are genuinely

excited about college. In her capacity as an academic

advisor, she has the opportunity to assist students in

developmental education and success initiatives.

“I meet with students who need a little extra

help transitioning into the college atmosphere

and navigating their academic endeavors,” shares

Stephanie. “I enjoy working with these students,

watching them grow and mature and eventually

walking across the stage to receive their degrees.”

Stephanie is also assisting the College in growing

its study abroad programs. Currently, we have one

student returning from her semester in Madrid, Spain,

and another on her way to study at University of

Newcastle in Newcastle, Australia.

In addition to the many hats Stephanie wears at

AMC, she is an excellent representative and liaison

for AMC in the community. She currently serves on

the ALANA Support Network through the Colleges

of Worcester Consortium, the Colleges of the

Worcester Consortium Higher Education Access

& Retention Committee, and the Worcester Adult

Learning Center Advisory Board Committee.

Stephanie is also a member of the Women’s

Initiative and the Stand Against Racism committee

at the YWCA.

Stephanie Williams, Director of Multicultural Affairsstaff profileThe Anna Maria College of the past is changing. What was once recognized as the small, quiet college on the hill is now becoming a vibrant place of activity seven days a week.

While the College’s commitment to the vision of the Sisters of Saint Anne remains steadfast, the changes on

campus are allowing the true mission of the College to shine. A member of the team helping revitalize the AMC

campus is Stephanie Williams, who serves as the Director of Multicultural Affairs, an Academic Advisor and the

Coordinator of Study Abroad. Stephanie joined Anna Maria in 2006 as a graduate and continuing education

recruiter but found her true passion when she joined the staff in the Student Affairs Office in 2008.

“More diversity on campus provides a great opportunity for students to become better prepared to live and work in the world beyond Paxton. The increased diversity also helps students of other races and cultures move beyond the burden of being a minority and all that this term brings with it.”

22 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 19

Golf is no longer considered just a gentleman’s game. With younger professionals entering the field of play every day, golf has become a highly competitive sport. AMC sophomore Michael Blomgren is a golfer in his own right and follows in the steps of many of the pros when he is competing as part of AMC’s golf team.

“I started my athletic career playing hockey,” shares Mike, “but soon became enamored with golf after a

cousin inspired me to take up the sport after I injured my knee.”

Mike began learning the game of golf on the challenging par-three course at Cyprian Keys in Boylston,

MA, where he first met AMC’s golf coach, Matt Stephens. By high school, Mike was playing the

Championship 18-hole course at Cyprian, where he maintains a six handicap. As part of the AMC

golf team, Mike strives to always post a good score.

“Playing competitive golf is different than playing other college sports,” comments Mike. “The coach can

help prepare you for an upcoming tournament with practice rounds and advice, but once you tee off, the

rest of the game is in your hands to win or lose.” Mike prefers to walk the course just like the pros so that

he stays in the groove and keeps his focus on the game. He points to his coach Matt as a very patient

man, someone who inspires the team not to give up.

Competing with Excellence on the Golf Course and in the Classroom “The coach can

help prepare you for an upcoming tournament with practice rounds and advice, but once you tee off, the rest of the game is in your hands to win or lose.”

Michael Blomgren ’12student profile

Save the date!May 26, 2010

The annual

AMC Golf Tournament is right around the corner!

(formerly the AMCAT Open)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Cyprian Keyes Golf Club Boylston, Massachusetts

More information will be coming soon to your e-mail and mailbox.

E-mail alumni@annamaria.edu or call 508-849-3342 with questions or to become a sponsor.

Great sponsorship opportunities are still available!

In addition to his commitment to excellence on

the golf course, Mike is a motivated student in the

College’s criminal justice program. He finds the

work challenging in a way that makes him want

to learn more.

When Mike isn’t studying or playing golf, he

manages a driving range on Route 12 in Auburn. It

was there that he became more familiar with Professor

Richard Talbot, who, in addition to teaching CJ courses

at AMC, likes to practice his golf swing during off-

hours. Professor Talbot and Mike not only connected

over their respective tee-shots, but Professor Talbot

provided support and friendship to Mike when the

Pro at the driving range passed away suddenly.

“Professor Talbot was there for me,” shares Mike.

“He really exemplifies what AMC’s close-knit

community is all about.”

With the golf season over, Mike looks for opportuni-

ties to get a round or two of play in whenever he can.

He claims that he would consider going pro, but knows

that to accomplish that goal he would have to move

to a place where he was sure he could play the game

year-round.

For now, Mike seems content to help the AMC golf

team win tournaments and to watch golf legends

compete when they visit Norton, MA for the annual

TPC tournament. He also hasn’t given up the notion

of beating his coach Matt. “I keep trying and hope that

someday I will post a better score,” he quips. Mike also

credits his desire to succeed to his parents, brother

and stepsisters. “They always push me to strive to

achieve,” adds Mike.

24 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 25

Through the Executive in Residence program, AMC invites alumni

who have distinguished themselves in their careers to return to

the College for two intensive days of sharing their expertise and

experience with students and faculty.

During the fall semester, Anna Maria was privileged to have two

outstanding alumni participate in the Executive in Residence program.

Robert Appis ’88G is the owner of The Egg and I restaurant in

Ogunquit, Maine, and is also a partner in Lorenzo Cycles, a start-up

company headed by actor Lorenzo Lamas. Prior to purchasing the

restaurant in 2001, Bob was a senior executive with a number of

different companies including FedEx and Merck.

Meeting with students in the business program, Bob drew on his

nearly 30 years of experience to discuss life in the corporate world

and the thrills of entrepreneurship.

“My return to Anna Maria College bought back many fond memo-

ries,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my business experiences

with the students. They were very intrigued and inquisitive about

entrepreneurship.”

Michael Wynn ’01G is the Chief of Police in Pittsfield, MA.

Chief Wynn has been widely recognized for his innovative and

effective approaches to reducing crime and creating a safer

community. He recently published his first book Rising Through

the Ranks: Leadership Tools and Techniques for Law Enforcement

(Kaplan Publishing, 2008).

Chief Wynn spoke to both undergraduate and graduate students

in criminal justice during his visit and tried to connect what is being

taught in the classroom to his experiences on the job.

“Anna Maria College’s Executive in Residence Program is a

dynamic way for current students and alumni to connect on a

personal and professional level,” he said. “The interaction with

the students, faculty and staff was both exciting and fun.”

Learning from the ExpertsAMC students in business, music and criminal justice had the opportunity to

learn from alumni professionals last fall through the College’s new Executive

in Residence and Campus to Career programs.

Through the Campus to Career program, AMC alumni are invited to

campus for a day to speak with students, share their experiences,

and answer questions.

During the fall semester AMC was fortunate to host three alumni

for Campus to Career visits: Anne Walsh ’84, Bhawesh Raj Sharma

’01, and Patrick Prato ’90.

Anne Walsh ’84 is a jazz recording artist and voice instructor

living in Los Angeles. She just released her third CD entitled Pretty

World and was nominated for a Grammy Award this year. Anne

gave our vocal students valuable advice and insight into what it

takes to establish oneself as a performing musician.

Bhawesh Raj Sharma ’01 is Senior Information Security

Officer at Eastern Bank in Lynn, MA. Raj shared practical tips

with our students on how they can make themselves more

marketable in the job search process and how to position

themselves for the careers they want.

Patrick Prato ’90 is a Senior Investment Consultant at Alps

Fund Services, and has had an impressive career in the financial

services industry, working first for Sun America and then Old

Mutual. He shared his practical sales and management experience

and answered questions from students on sales strategies and

techniques. He also advised seniors on how to navigate a very

difficult job market when they graduate in May.

If you know an AMC alumnus/a who would be an ideal candidate

to conduct an Executive in Residence visit, or if you would like to

participate in the Campus to Career program, please contact the

Alumni Office at 508-849-3342 or e-mail alumni@annamaria.edu.

executive in residence campus to career

– Robert Appis ’88G

Robert Appis ’88G, owner of The Egg and I restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine.

Michael Wynn ’01G, Chief of Police in Pittsfield, MA.

Anne Walsh ’84, jazz recording artist and voice instructor in Los Angeles

Bhawesh Raj Sharma ’01, Senior Information Security Officer at Eastern Bank in Lynn, MA.

an alumninotes

26 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 27

60’s

Edith (Mooney) LaVigne ’63 has been named to the Anna Maria College Board of Trustees.

Elaine (Gravel) Rosmond ’63 started painting at age 50, 21 years ago. She works soft pastels onto specially sanded boards, creating paintings that preserve her visual impressions from local and far-off travels. She strives to express the peace of a place in a realistic interpretation. Her paintings have appeared in numerous juried shows in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She feels privileged to be a part of HopArts studio trail, a self-guided tour through rural Hopkinton, Rhode Island and nearby communities, and to be among so many exceptional artists.

70’s

Since graduating, Diane Servant ’74, first taught French for two years, then had success in the business world and social services. She has no children, but her nephew has blessed her life with three great-nephews: Brian (10), James (10), and Ethan (6). One of her cousins has blessed her with Seth (7) and Jonah (4). They are such a joy for her. In 2004-2006, Diane was busy providing care for her older sister, her father, and her mother. Her older sister, Paulette, died in January of 2005, her father in March of 2005, and her mother in June of 2006. She thanks God for her older sister, Jackie, as they have pulled each other through difficult times. Diane writes, “It is very fulfilling working with the emotionally challenged, and I look forward to rejoining that field shortly. A big ‘hello’ to my former classmates.”

Diane Laveglia ’75 and husband Ken Szeflinski are still living in White Plains, Maryland outside of Washington, D.C. Ken is in his 35th year with the IRS and Diane is in her 20th with the Charles County Public School system. This year she entered the world of education administration and is serving as the Vice Principal of Mt. Hope Elementary School. “Having spent the majority of my career in middle school, elementary is a whole new world, and I am loving it!” she writes. Their two sons are living in Baltimore and Pittsburgh and they are enjoying life in their “empty nest.”

80’s

Lisa Christoforo ’81, ’91G has been studying various systems of self-defense since 1981. In 1994, she attained her 4th degree black belt in Chinese Kempo. After changing systems in 1995, she attained her goal rank of 5th degree black belt in American Kempo in September 2009.

Terri (Brigham) Gerhardt ’84, Maureen (Gerrits) Havey ’84 and Michael Lussier ’83 recently gathered for a mini-reunion in Wells, ME. During their time together, they ran into George Bush!

Karen Prato ’86, Ruth (Bitar) Mandella ’87, Brenda Gaudet ’87, Kim (Kennelly) Canty ’87, Pattie (Arbo) Sousa ’85, Ruthmary Fleming-Irr and Donna (Prato) Curtin ’87 recently reunited at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA for a mini-reunion of the ladies of Eagan II.

UNDERGRADUATE ALUMNI

50’s

This past summer, the Class of ’57 got together for lunch, once in June and then in July. Those who attended in July were: Roberta (McCarty) O’Brien, Janice (Sullivan) Higgins, Mary Lou (Gannon) Farrell, Elizabeth (Stanley) Buckley, Maureen (Moriarty) Caplette, Louise (Cartier) Lavigne and husband Jerry, Constance Rossi, Diane (Nolin) Provencher, Elizabeth “Betty” Lou (Nugent) Conte, Joan Martin, Carol (Poirier) DeCubellis, Catherine “Kaye” (Riordan) Delaney, Roberta (Coonan) Matuszek, Sr. Annette Bibeau SSA, Patricia (Lavigne) Clark, and Maureen (Logan) Coghlin. Barbara (Riordan) Gemme from the Class of ’59 was also in attendance.

The picture below is from the June gathering. Everyone had a great time and they are looking forward to next summer and more get-togethers.

Members of the Class of 1957 gathered for lunch on

June 11, 2009 at Cyprian Keyes in Boylston, MA.

Seated (L-R): Roberta (McCarty) O’Brien, Elizabeth

“Betty” Lou (Nugent) Conte, Mary Lou (Gannon)

Farrell, Elizabeth (Stanley) Buckley. Standing (L-R):

Maureen (Logan) Coghlin, Janice (Sullivan) Higgins,

Maureen (Moriarty) Caplette, Jerry Lavigne, Louise

(Cartier) Lavigne, Diane (Nolin) Provencher and

Constance Rossi.

AMC alumni are always connecting and re-

connecting both locally and across the country.

One such reconnection occurred last year

between Mary (Navaroli) Christian-Madden

’68 and Karen Byrne ’66. Here’s the story as

Karen tells it: “Mary and I were both chemistry

majors at AMC. We met when I was a senior

and she was a sophomore. Our meeting only

happened because Anna Maria was such a small

school with a small number of chemistry majors

and some of the required chemistry courses

were not offered every year. We became good

friends and stayed in touch after I graduated

in 1966 and went on to grad school at Boston

College. When Mary graduated in 1968, she

followed me to Boston College. We shared an

apartment in Brighton, MA for three years while

Mary attended BC and then taught in Waltham,

and I began my 34-year career at Natick High

School. In 1971, Mary got married and moved

to Washington, DC. I was a bridesmaid in her

wedding and that was the last time I saw her

until June, 2009. Mary was featured in the

Winter/Spring 2009 issue of the AMC alumni

magazine. As a direct result of the article, I

decided to get in touch with her. I finally made

contact with Mary on Facebook and we planned

a reunion. We talked for seven hours non-stop

because we had 38 years of catching up to

do. Hopefully, we will not lose touch again.”

The two friends connected again in November

at the annual Craft Fair, which was Karen’s first

visit to campus in nearly 20 years.

AMC Alumni Magazine Helps Reunite Friends After 38 Years

Are you planning an AMC mini-reunion?The Alumni Office can help! We can assist with current address information and class lists, supply AMC giveaways, and send the host or hostess a thank you gift. Start your planning today and contact us at (508) 849-3342 or alumni@annamaria.edu.

28 | amc alumni magazine

an alumninotes GRADUATE ALUMNIBusiness Administration Joan Bannon ’82G is the coach of the Hopkinton High School field hockey team. During her four-year tenure, she directed Hopkinton to the Division Two state championship in field hockey last fall, the first for the Hillers, and guided them to their third straight Tri-Valley League crown this year.

Rosalie Lawless ’83G has joined the senior manage-ment team at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital as Director of Human Resources. She previously served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the VNA Care Network and Hospice in Worcester. She is chairwoman of the Regional Employment Board of Southern Worcester County and serves on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, as well as the Health Care Advisory Board and the Business Advisory Board of Quinsigamond Community College.

Vern Brownell ’86G has been named President and CEO of D-Wave Systems. He joins D-Wave from Egenera, where he held various executive roles, including CEO. Egenera was founded by Mr. Brownell in 2000 based on his experiences as the Chief Technology Officer at Goldman Sachs, where he and his staff of 1,300 were responsible for worldwide technology infrastructure including computing platforms, data-centers, data networking, telecommunications, and trading-floor operations. Prior to his tenure at Goldman, Brownell served in various management and engineering roles at Stratus Computer, Ztel, and Digital Equipment.

Victor Champagne ’87G was honored at the Pentagon in the “Hall of Heroes” on March 12, 2009, for his research achievements in “Super Sonic Particle Deposition,” also known as “Cold Spray.” Mr. Champagne has been employed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory for the past 25 years and has been conducting research in Cold Spray Technology, for which he has recently received several top awards from

the Army, including the prestigious U.S. Army Research and Development Achievement Award. Mr. Champagne is known internationally as one of the foremost experts on Cold Spray Technology and is the editor of the first comprehensive reference book on the subject, published in 2007. The results of his research have led to many major technological advances for the Department of Defense, and his outstanding achievements have been recognized throughout his career. In 1991, he received a commendation for “Dedicated Service During Desert Shield and Desert Storm,” for which he volunteered. In 2008, he received the coveted Excellence in Federal Career Award and special recognition from Senator Barbara Mikulski, at his former duty station, Aberdeen Proving Ground, in Maryland. Mr. Champagne is honored to be serving God, his family and his country, and looks forward to another 25 years with the US Army.

Albert Jaffarian ’88G has joined Washington Trust in Providence, RI as an Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager.

Katherine Zak ’00G has been appointed Director of Surgical Services at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island in Pawtucket. She joins Memorial’s team from Southcoast Hospital Group in Fall River, MA, where she most recently served as Director of Perioperative Services. She is the former Director of Surgical and Medical Services at Saint Anne Hospital, Nurse Manager of Surgical Services at Miriam Hospital, and Nurse Manager for the Post Anesthesia Care Units and Center for Pain Management at Memorial Hospital.

Mark Hawke ’01G was re-elected in November to a second term as Mayor of the City of Gardner, MA.

amc alumni magazine | 29

90’s

Lynne (Piette) Marcet ’90 has two children (Thomas, 12 years old and Kathryn, 5 ½ years old). She is working as a social worker in an early intervention program serving children from birth to three years old with developmental delays, and their families. She also received a cochlear implant in June 2009 and is enjoying new hearing!

Kristin Nault ’94 married Robert Bousquet on September 13, 2008, at a beach ceremony on Cape Cod.

On Oct 23, 2008, Melissa Wilcox Watson ’94 and husband Joel Watson had their 4th child, Archer David Watson.

Melissa (Fino) Letson ’95 gave birth to a baby boy on October 27, 2008. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 oz. and joined his four year old sister Sonia.

David DiTullio ’98 celebrated the first birthday of his daughter Leila, with wife Jessica DiTullio this past July. David also recently served a one month tour in the Bahamas as a DEA Special Agent Medic in support of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, which targets drug trafficking in the Southern Caribbean.

Gina (Bonnici) Moreira ’99, ’01G gave birth to a baby daughter, Angelina Rosa Moreira on September 4, 2009, weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz.

Lawrence Zuaro ’99 recently became engaged to Erin Hill.

00’s

Krystal Doyle ’02 and Radley Leighton Jones were united in marriage September 9, 2009, in an outdoor ceremony at the Boardwalk Resort at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Kristin (Sawash) Perro ’02, ’04G has been promoted to branch manager of UniBank for Savings, Uxbridge branch. She has worked at UniBank since 2001, where she started out as a teller at the Whitinsville branch. She then advanced to a customer service representative position at the Sutton branch, where she was later promoted to assistant branch manager in 2004.

Kristine (Planchiunas) Whittemore ’02 was married on October 10, 2008, to Andrew Whittemore, Jr. They are expecting their first child in March 2010.

Captain Michael E. Ashton ’04 graduated from a combined Logistics Captains course in the top 20% of his class on August 28, 2009, at Fort Lee, VA. He is now back at Anna Maria College working on his master’s degree.

Cathleen Cook ’04 married Jeffrey Fanion on October 10, 2009, in Sterling, MA. She teaches 4th grade in Rutland, MA and Jeff works in law enforcement. They reside in Worcester.

Lauren (Hazlett) Riley ’04 and husband Tom welcomed a baby girl, Abigail Riley, on March 19, 2009.

Julie (Colebrook) St. John ’05, ’07G married Philip Paul St. John, Jr., on May 24, 2008. Julie currently works as a clinician at Burncoat Prep Elementary in Worcester through the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative.

Michelle (Ushinski) England ’05 married Joshua England on November 10th, 2009, on the beach at sunset in Negril, Jamaica.

Since graduating from Anna Maria, Bethany St. Germain-Blanchette ’06 has gotten married and had two children, Madison Amanda (12/30/06) and Noah Gerard (9/17/09).

Christina Suppe ’06 was recently promoted to assistant manager at Olympia Sports in Branford, CT.

Natasha Borkowski ’08, ’09G became an officer with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department in Savannah, GA and has been assigned to West Chatham.

Social networking is a great way to reconnect with classmates and maintain professional contacts. AMC’s presence on Facebook and LinkedIn gives you yet another avenue to stay connected with classmates and faculty. Visit www.annamaria.edu/alumni and click on the Facebook and LinkedIn buttons to connect.

Find us on Facebook and LinkedIn

Just got Married? Had a Baby? Got Promoted?

Let us know what you’ve been up to! Submit a Class Note by visiting www.annamaria.edu/alumni or send an e-mail to alumni@annamaria.edu.

an alumninotes

30 | amc alumni magazine amc alumni magazine | 31

Jessica (Stelmok) Sabourin ’07G and Daniel Sabourin were married on August 1, 2009, in Harvard, MA at Shaker Hills Golf Club. After the wedding the couple honey-mooned at Disney World in Orlando, FL. Jessica and Daniel reside in Worcester.

Linda St. John ’00G has been named Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for Fallon Community Health Plan. In this position, she will be responsible for overseeing the health plan’s talent management, compensation, human resources analytics,

and learning and organizational development. Linda previously held the position of Senior Director of Human Resources.

Criminal JusticeKevin Coppinger ’82G was recently sworn in as Acting Police Chief of the Lynn, MA, Police Department.

Paul Ridley ’84G is a Sergeant with the Pembroke Police Department. He was hired as a part-time patrol officer in Pembroke in 1980 and worked as a full-time police officer in Concord before returning to Pembroke. He was promoted to Sergeant in September 2009.

Deputy Chief Barry E. Ashton ’94G retired on October 2, 2009, after more than 32 years of service with the Town of Rockland Police Department. He will be a volunteer at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This will be his third time volunteering at the Olympics. He volunteered at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002.

Joseph Comperchio ’94G was a Military Police Officer in the Army National Guard until 1994 when he joined the Weymouth Police Department. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1999, Lieutenant in 2003 and Captain on

October 14, 2009. He has served as a member of the department’s mountain bike patrol and graffiti detection unit, and as Vice President of Local 630. He is an instructor for the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Pembroke with their three children, Kayla, 13, Allysa, 11, and Corey, 10.

Leroy Rose ’95G is a 22-year veteran and a Captain with the Rhode Island State Police. He was recently inducted into the East Providence High School Hall of Fame.

Michael Winquist ’98G was recently promoted to Lieutenant with the Rhode Island State Police. He is a 19-year veteran and is assigned to the intelligence unit.

Maureen Boyle ’01G is a staff reporter for The Enterprise in Brockton and recently won the coveted “Community Reporting Award” from the New England Society of Newspaper Editors. It is the second time she has won the award in three years. Maureen has been a reporter for more than 20 years in New England, covering everything from politics to police. She has covered stories ranging from the investigation into a suspected serial killer in New Bedford, to a visit by Mother Teresa, to gang violence in Brockton. She has been with The Enterprise for 11 years.

Jennifer Tapper ’01G is a Detective Sergeant with the Quincy Police Department. She is a former member of the Quincy department’s motorcycle division. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2005 and Detective in 2007. She is a member of the department’s honor guard and is in charge of the department’s special investigations unit. Jennifer is also a police academy Staff Sergeant and co-chairwoman of the Officer Jamie Cochrane Memorial Road Race in Quincy.

Natasha Borkowski ’08, ’09G recently became an Officer with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department in Savannah, GA.

EducationElizabeth Chamberland ’05G was recently named the new Principal of Eastford Road School in Southbridge, MA.

Emergency ManagementAbigail Williams ’06G is owner and principal of Abigail Williams & Associates, LLC. The firm has a distinguished record of success in many legal fields, including medical malpractice, workers’ compensation and personal injury and has been dedicated to serving the community by improving health care through outreach, education and advocacy. For the third straight year, the company will put its philosophy to work by presenting its popular “Be a Leader” program to Worcester County schools. The interactive assembly-style program for fourth, fifth and sixth graders, was created in partnership with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League. The “Be a Leader” program features players, attorneys, staff members and FINZ, the Sharks’ mascot, and emphasizes leadership in and out of the classroom.

Fire ScienceThomas Bogart ’03G of the Lynn Fire Department has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on August 26, 2009, to officially confer the designation upon Lieutenant Bogart. Thomas is one of only 660 CFOs worldwide. The CPC awards the CFO designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. The process includes an assessment of the applicant’s education, experience, professional development, technical competencies, contributions to the profession, and community involvement. Thomas is also an adjunct faculty member at AMC in the Fire Science program.

IN MEMORIAM

Alumni/ae

Sr. Angela Bisol, MPV ’56

Patricia (Minehan) Hallet ’62

Bambina (Di Tomoaso) Weiss ’62

Sr. Jeannette Robichaud, SSA ’63

Susan (O’Hearn) Bamerick ’65

Sandra Jean (Irwin) Sutherland ’65

Joanne (LaMalva) Charette ’72, ’80G

William Owens ’75G

Belinda F. Marrone ’79, ’80G

Dr. Michael C. Rubin ’81G

Richard W. McDonald ’83G

Ann (Peavey) Rennie ’84

Loretta Cusick ’85G

Paul D. Hand ’85G

Marilyn Rinker ’87G

Ralph Strothers ’89

Laura A. Laundree ’90G

Laura Lee MacLean ’98G

Faculty, Staff and Friends of AMC

Edward Camp, Jr. (Former Faculty)

Daniel J. Foley (Former Trustee)

Sr. Alma Lamoureux, SSA (Friend)

Raminta Molis (Former Faculty)

Carol Williams (Former Faculty)

Condolences to:

Francoise (Tasse) Spayne ’53, on the death of

her husband.

T. Anne (Gray) Gemme ’58, on the death of

her husband.

Janet (Marois) Arcieri ’59, on the death of

her daughter-in-law.

Claire Angers ’61, on the death for her father.

Julianne (Mansueti) Rabschnuk ’62, on the death

of her mother.

Colleen (Trudel) Trainor ’65, on the death of husband.

Susan Dion ’92, on the death of her mother.

an alumninotes

Let Dr. and Mrs. Jack Calareso be your hosts on an exceptional,

guided-tour of Italy. You’ve never truly visited Italy if you haven’t

travelled there with the Calaresos and had the opportunity to see

this beautiful country through their eyes.

For more information contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 508-849-3342 or alumni@annamaria.edu.

Highlights include: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Basilica of St. Francis, St. Mark’s Basilica Square, and the Uffizi Gallery, just to name a few.

Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi, Bologna

Tour Italy with the Calaresos

Jeannette Robichaud, SSA ’63 earned a Bachelor’s degree in music from Anna Maria College and a master’s degree in theology from Duquesne University. Before entering the Sisters of Saint Anne, she served as the Dean of Students and an Instructor in Religious Education at AMC.

As a Sister of Saint Anne, Sr. Jeannette taught at Holy Name High School, served as the Director of Religious Education at Christ the King Parish, and a Diocesan Consultant for Elementary Education and Sacramental Programs for the Diocese of Worcester. She also served as the Associate Director of the Office of Spiritual Development in the Archdiocese of Boston, preached and directed retreats and parish faith formation programs, and as an Instructor in AMC’s Master’s Program in Pastoral Ministry.

Within the Congregation, Sr. Jeannette served as Initial Formation Director, Vocation Director and Provincial Superior. As Provincial Superior, she served as the Chairperson of the College’s Board of Trustees.

Sr. Jeannette was known by all as a woman of great care and compassion. She was a model of peace, justice and non-violence. Her commitment to non-violence extended to her understanding of eco-theology and eco-formation. She taught and advocated for care for the Earth and sustainable living.

Sr. Jeannette died on August 25, 2009, at the age of 72 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bambina (DiTomoaso) Weiss ’62 passed away peacefully Saturday, October 10th in her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Bambi worked over 30 years for the City of Worcester School Department as the

Home & Hospital Director before retiring in 2001.Bambi was a loyal and dedicated volunteer with the

Alumni Council for decades and won the Outstanding Alumni Award for Contributions to the College in 2004. After her initial diagnosis 16 years ago, she began

supporting the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life.” Over those years, her team, “Bambi’s Brigade” raised more than $150,000 for cancer research.

Bambi was a gentle woman who cherished her family and was devoted to her friends. They were her inspiration to carry on the fight to live. She was happiest in the kitchen cooking her specialties. Bambi was an exceptional person in that her illness became a source of added strength, which enabled her to reach out with added compassion to those who were in need.

Bambi is survived by her beloved husband and partner of 42 years, William Weiss; her two devoted children, Laura Weiss of Holden and Mark Weiss of Needham; a cherished granddaughter, Allie; her Aunt Mary Caccavelli, many cousins and a host of dear friends.

Paul D. Hand ’85G entered into his eternal rest on October 30, 2009, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul was a member of the College’s social work faculty for 34 years, and served as department chair for a majority of his tenure. He earned his Master of Business

Administration degree at AMC in 1985. Prior to joining the Anna Maria faculty, he was a social worker with Children’s Friend in Worcester.

Paul was involved with civic and professional organizations including the City of Worcester Advisory Human Rights Committee; Catholic Charities; YOU, Inc., the Diocese of Worcester; the Blessed Sacrament Parish Ecumenical Committee; and the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, with which he volunteered in New York City in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Paul is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gloria (Zarrella) Hand ’55, and their seven children, Mary Hand ’81, Michele Prosser ’82, Annette Angelo ’84, Denise Boudreau ’88, Suzanne Cooney, Paul D. Hand Jr., and Joseph Hand, 27 grandchildren, a great-grandaughter, and many nieces and nephews.

Paul received the 2005 Outstanding Alumni Award for Contributions to the College, with his wife Gloria.

32 | amc alumni magazine

IN MEMORIAM

visitITALY

Details will be posted in upcoming alumni publications and online at www.annamaria.edu/alumni.

Non-profit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit No. 150Worcester, MA

Anna Maria College50 Sunset LanePaxton, MA 01612

helping

friends

in need

AMC Students Give Back.Not only do students get a great education at AMC, they also have the opportunity to help the community and further the Mission of the College. This past January, a group of students and two staff members traveled to Rocky Mount, North Carolina to spend a week hanging insulation and drywall for Habitat for Humanity. The group learned new trades, made friends, and helped a family in need.

Support AMC with a gift to the Annual Fund and help AMC students help others.

Visit www.annamaria.edu/giving or call 508-849-3641.