The Bridge is back with a new edition, and it’s celebrating a special anniversary.

The student-managed fine arts and literature journal recently released its 15^th volume, which pays tribute to the past and highlights the creativity of students and alumni.

“I really hope it showcases art in a different way,” said Editor-in-Chief Mialise Carney, ’19, an English major from Raynham.

Mialise and the other members of the editorial staff poured over about 200 submissions to pick the 68 works that made The Bridge’s 2018 edition. Submissions included poetry, writing, photography and ceramics. The journal’s staff celebrated the release of the publication at a party on Thursday. The Bridge is free and available around campus.

Mialise hopes The Bridge gives the work that graces its pages more longevity than a one-time event affords. It provides a publishing venue for people who may be too shy to submit their pieces elsewhere, she said.

The staff dedicated this year’s volume to former faculty advisers John Mulrooney and Katy Whittingham, who were instrumental in maintaining the award-winning journal’s high standards. A particular focus this year are works that touch on the challenging and rewarding aspects of life.

“There is heartbreak and loss, but also hope and love,” the editors wrote in a letter. “These are the things that make us human. Within the work of our vast community of creators, we see today’s significant conversations echoed through many artistic mediums.”

Mialise, who is returning as editor-in-chief next school year, envisions a bright future for The Bridge.

“I would love for it to become a journal that is more widely recognized on campus,” she said.

For more information, email thebridgejournal@bridgew.edu, or contact Faculty Adviser Evan Dardano at E1DARDANO@bridgew.edu. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

The BSU Chamber Choir’s spring concert on Sunday promises to be bittersweet for its longtime conductor, Dr. Carol A. Nicholeris, who will be taking her final bows.

The BSU music professor has served as the choir’s music director since 2000, conducting its four annual formal concerts and its many special performances. She officially retires as director at the conclusion of the concert, which will be held at 3 p.m. at the Center Congregational Church in Bridgewater.

“After nearly 50 years of conducting, it’s time to look at other interests,” said Dr. Nicholeris, also a longtime composer. “While continuing to teach, this will allow me to focus more on composition.”

But Dr. Nicholeris said she will look back fondly on her 18 years with the choir. Sponsored by the BSU Alumni Association, the all-volunteer group consists of a changing roster of about 20 alumni, undergraduates, and area residents, who perform a wide range of songs to accommodate the varied interests of its audiences.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” Professor Nicholeris said, citing in particular the chance to work with choir members and to see the enthusiasm the singers and their audiences share for the music being performed.

“It’s amazing how much the choral experience means to people,” she said.

This enthusiams often reveals itself in unexpected ways.

“We’ve had some wonderful moments with audiences over the years, things that happen spontaneously. Sometimes it’s very touching,” Dr. Nicholeris said, recalling, for instance, a concert in which a native Ukrainian was especially moved to hear the group’s rendition of a traditional Christmas carol from her country, a song she had not heard in years.

Dr. Nicholeris began composing and conducting as a member of the choir and the drum and bugle corps in high school, and later as a student at Boston University. In the ensuing years, she continued to develop those skills as music director for the Hingham Congregational Church and the Braintree Choral Society, as well as a music teacher at several area schools.

Her many years as a composer and conductor has enhanced her work as a professor, said Dr. Nicholeris, who has taught at BSU for 30 years. 

“It all goes hand in hand,” she said, noting that composing and performing provide unique perspectives that go beyond learning musical concepts. “In my teaching, I can draw on that variety of experience because I’ve done all that.” (Story by John Laidler for University News) 

The Bridgewater State University Athletics and Recreation Department held its 32nd Annual All Sports Banquet Tuesday, honoring various teams and players for their athletic and scholarly achievements.

Interim Director of Athletics Michael Storey emceed the event.

President Frederick W. Clark was on hand to present the Dr. Adrian Tinsley Scholar Athlete of the Year Award to Elizabeth Ettridge (lacrosse) and Rocky DeAndrade (basketball).

See photos of all award winners here.

Former Director of Athletics, John Harper, returned to present the Athlete of the Year Award, which was renamed in his honor, to standouts Jayci Andrews (track & field) and Richard Smith (swimming and diving).

Other major award winners were Rookies of the Year, Ellie Bucknell (track & field) and Gilley Kabamba (track & field); Lee Harrington Unsung Hero Award recipients, Haley Riley (lacrosse) and Michael Kotleski (track & field); Athletic Training Student of the Year, Kassidy Campbell (undergraduate); and the Student-Athlete Leadership Award recipient, Rocky DeAndrade (basketball).

Also honored were more than 140 student-athletes who maintained at least a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or who earned dean’s list honors for the fall 2017 semester. The 2017-18 team captains and senior student-athletes/trainers were honored as well as the members of Chi Sigma Alpha (National College Athlete Honor Society).

Associate Director of Athletics Susan Crosby-Tangen announced the Team Academic Award winners. The women’s lacrosse team had the top grade point average, checking in at 3.43; while the men’s tennis squad was recognized for its GPA of 3.26.

Also in attendance at the annual event were Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Margaret Jablonski and Acting Executive Director of The Wellness Center, Dr. Marybeth Lamb. Dr. Jablonski presented the Lee Harrington Unsung Hero Award winners, while Dr. Lamb presented the Rookie of the Year awards. (Story by Michael Holbrook for University News)

The Ricciardi College of Business hosted the campus’ first-ever Shark Tank event, where just like the popular television show, students pitched business ideas to a panel of judges. For BSU’s version, the judges were comprised of alumni and Foundation Board members. 

Hannah Powers, ’18, and Matthew R. Bourgeois, ’19, took home the top prizes for their ideas. Hannah will use the $1,500 prize money to help start and promote her small business, Seize the Clay; while Matthew will use his $1,500 to introduce to the BSU community a new app that will better inform students and staff of the many events happening on campus. 

Each of the seven presenters was given 10 minutes to share his or her ideas. At the end of each presentation, the judges were allowed to ask questions. 

Judges included Chairman of the BSU Foundation Tom Caron, ’75; Foundation Trustee Clare Cole, ’87; Senior Vice President of Eagle Insurance Group, Mike Cox, ’91; Studio25Boston Producer Jim Goff, ’87; Foundation Trustee Dave Rumrill, ’91; and Andrew Sullivan, ’86, chairman and owner of Protectowire Company. 

Connor Hall, ’20, and Adam Feldman, ’18, each won $1,000. Connor will use his earnings to better market his existing Mansfield-based landscaping business, while Adam will invest the money to start up a $1-per-month online membership to something called The Millionaires Club, a publication featuring money-saving tips for recent college graduates.

All of the presenters received at least $500 in prize money to put toward their business endeavors.

Junior Yvone Mezoff’s $500 will be used to explore the possibility of opening a marijuana-friendly Bed and Breakfast in Maine, while Ben Hollis, ’20, will take his $500 to invest in advertising for his budding photography business. 

Sophomores Elise Nista, Abby Honstraand Maria Marchione also received $500 for their idea to create a peer-inspired “Student Helping Students” BSU online database, intended to connect struggling students with “student helpers.”

Instructor Charles Feldman is credited for bringing a version of Shark Tank to BSU.

“This event is not just about the money. If someone really likes one of these ideas and wants to work with the students that would be great,” he said.

President Frederick W. Clark Jr. was in the audience and praised the students’ innovation, encouraging them to continue pursuing their ambitions. 

“In this faced-paced, globally connected world, it’s important to have an entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “With it, you will succeed. We need to encourage that in all of our students.”

The prize money was made available through BSU’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Fund. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

Jocelyn Cabral, ’18, fought a serious drug addiction for years. Later this month, she will walk across the stage at commencement, clean and sober, to receive her degree in social work. Yet already she’s hard at work on her new career, which involves helping those who are still stuck in the kind of life she left behind.

For her efforts, Jocelyn has been named by the Massachusetts Department of Education as one of its “29 Who Shine” for 2018. According to the department’s website, the program recognizes 29 outstanding student graduates, one from each of the campuses in the state system, based on their leadership potential and desire and willingness to work in a field where there is a demonstrated need.

The honorees are nominated by a faculty or staff member, or by a university awards committee.

Jocelyn grew up in Fall River and as a young adult became addicted to drugs, including heroin. For a time, she lived with a prostitute and even sold drugs. It took many years for her to get clean, but eventually she did so. She said she was tired of watching friends and family members die due to drug addiction – including her beloved brother.

Jocelyn went back to school, and is now preparing to graduate from BSU. She is in the process of turning her three-family home in Fall River into a recovery house that she has named the Jordan Matthew house, in honor of her brother. For Jocelyn, this represents the act of turning the negatives of her past into a positive future for herself and others. “I decided I want to work in treatment,” she said. “I want to help people who are struggling like I was, and dedicate my time to reducing the stigma and the number of opioid deaths as much as I can.”

For this and more, the state decided to honor her as one of its “29 Who Shine.” 

 You can read Jocelyn’s full story in the most recent edition of Bridgewater magazine (page 30). (Story by John Winters, G’11, University News)

Jamie MacDonald often talks about the students she’s working with at the Raymond Elementary School in Brockton. She began student-teaching fifth graders there in January.

“The students are amazing,” she said.

The East Bridgewater resident works in the extended-day program and loves the work, except for one aspect: She is saddened to see how the lack of supplies affects the students. This is another thing she talks about. It's her way of advocating on the students' behalf.

“Paper is a commodity in the school. There are no scissors, no glue sticks, no pencils and all the crayons are broken,” she said. “There’s not a lot to offer the kids as far as school supplies.”

She’s also witnessed ESL classes where there are 35 students and one teacher.

Exacerbating her dismay was a recent Boston Globe article indicating that some towns in the commonwealth spend an average of $1.28 per student per year on school supplies, while in some wealthier towns that amount is $275. In fact, earlier this year, Brockton officials were contemplating suing the state over funding amounts.

“I see the different side of it, and how hard the kids work and how badly they want to learn, but they don’t always have the supplies or the opportunities,” Ms. MacDonald said. “I’m always advocating for the students because I know how much they’re capable of.”

Bothered by the inequities she’s witnessed firsthand, Ms. MacDonald recently found herself discussing this with a friend while dining at a restaurant in Easton. She didn’t know this, but two men sitting nearby were able to catch the gist of their conversation.

“One of the men came over, and all of a sudden he’s writing me a check for $1,000,” she recalled. “I was in tears. He wanted nothing in return.”

The two men were lawyers, and the benefactor told Ms. MacDonald that his wife worked for School on Wheels, a nonprofit organization that provides education to the children of homeless families. (The BSU Scholars program, which provides a free education to select homeless individuals, works closely with the organization).

The next morning, Ms. MacDonald presented the check to the principal of Raymond Elementary, and she was ecstatic, and also moved to tears.

“It was really nice to see her that happy,” Ms. MacDonald said. “That money is going to go so far on school supplies.”

She takes no credit for bringing in the donation.

“I just happened to be lucky enough to sit next to someone who cared about education,” she said.

Ms. MacDonald is mentored by Professor Nicole Glen, who has taught her about the importance of advocating on behalf of young people in need. It’s a lesson Ms. MacDonald has taken to heart.

“These students have become a big part of my life,” she said. “I hope that I can make sure that the things they lack don’t keep them from being what they want to be.

Ms. MacDonald graduates later this month. (Story and photo by John Winters, G’11, University News) 

For 1,840 minutes beginning next Wednesday at 2 p.m., the extended BSU community will have the chance to “throw back, give back,” as part of this year’s annual Giving Day. 

This is the third year University Advancement has hosted the online fundraiser. 

The length of the fundraiser is symbolic, representing the year 1840, when the institution was founded, said Director of University Advancement Elizabeth Dubuque. 

“This fundraiser is a tool we use to engage everyone – alumni, employees, faculty, students and staff,” Ms. Dubuque said. “We are generating awareness and look to continue building our culture of philanthropy at Bridgewater State University."

Starting May 16 at 2 p.m. through May 17 at 8:40 p.m., BSU community members can visit give.bridgew.edu/today and make an online donation to benefit the university. 

The goal this year is to raise $50,000. 

In keeping with the “throw back, give back” theme, once they’ve made a donation, alumni and staff are asked to post old photos of their time at BSU to social media sites with the hashtag #BSUgives. Donors are encouraged to tag their friends and include the reason behind their contribution.

“We’re trying to make it fun and interactive,” Ms. Dubuque said. “We might be going back in time, but it will help us support our future.”

During the fundraiser, folks can follow along on BSU’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to view the throw-back photos and fundraising updates.

For those who prefer to donate via mail, checks can be made out to BSU Foundation-Giving Day, and mailed to BSU Foundation, PO Box 42, Bridgewater, MA, 02324.  

Dr. Uma Shama sees math everywhere – once even when a large truck was barreling toward her car.

Early in her teaching career at Bridgewater State University, Dr. Shama was driving near campus when a truck driver lost control. Skills she honed through years of studying math took over, and she assessed the situation logically and decided her best option was to pull as close to the curb as possible.

“In that fraction of a second, I could imagine what was happening,” Dr. Shama said, crediting her mathematics background with helping her to avoid a more serious crash.

Dr. Shama, a mathematics and computer science professor, has been a fixture on the Bridgewater State campus since 1987.  However, many BSU students only encounter her twice in their academic careers – at convocation as freshmen and at commencement when they leave as new graduates. That’s because for the past decade, Dr. Shama has served as university marshal, a role she will fulfill again at this week’s commencement.

“It is such an honor to be asked to serve as university marshal because I get to see students and welcome them at the beginning of their journey,” she said of duties that include leading dignitaries onto the stage and overseeing other aspects of the ceremonies. “At the end, I get to meet them with their families and friends to see their success.”

Dr. Shama, who lives in Bridgewater, came to the United States from India to pursue graduate school at the University of Connecticut. She fell in love with BSU’s focus on students. 

She co-founded the university’s faculty and librarian development program, which is now known as the Center for the Advancement of Research and Scholarship, and is co-director of the GeoGraphics Laboratory, which for decades has been on the forefront of public transportation mapping innovations, across Massachusetts and nationwide.

Dr. Shama has contributed to the effort to digitize bus routes and provide customers with real-time tracking before programs by Google and others made those features commonplace. She has focused on public transportation for people with disabilities: From making it easier for the blind to know what bus is arriving, to optimizing services to reduce costs for agencies. 

Students participate in these projects through the GeoGraphics Lab, and inspire her to continue her work in the classroom. She aims to dispel the negative connotations they sometimes have about math and show them that it is part of everyday life – even when facing an out-of-control truck.

“I want to bring it to people and say this is something real and logical,” she said. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Job seekers who visited Bridgewater State University’s recent Education Career Fair had more than brick-and-mortar schools to explore.

Walpole-based TEC Connections Academy (TECCA) Commonwealth Virtual School joined an array of traditional educational organizations that sent representatives to the RCC Ballroom for Wednesday’s event. 

“Teachers enjoy being part of something innovative and groundbreaking (at TECCA),” Superintendent Adam Goldberg said, as he waited for resume-toting students to enter the ballroom.

This was TECCA’s first appearance at the fair. The public school runs kindergarten through high school classes online and anticipates adding about 50 employees as it keeps pace with rising enrollment.

Virtual schools such as TECCA serve students who have medical or other reasons that prevent them from attending traditional schools, such as rigorous athletic or extracurricular commitments.

“This school fills a need for students that, for whatever reason, can’t attend brick-and-mortar schools,” said Mary Ann McKinnon, G’91, associate dean of the College of Education and Allied Studies. “The online school provides a great learning environment with many of the same things a traditional school does, just on a schedule that meets their needs.”

TECCA and BSU partner on professional development, as well as the formation of certificate programs that train students to teach online. Ms. McKinnon hopes to see the partnership expand to include placing BSU education majors at TECCA as student-teachers.

Mr. Goldberg said TECCA is seeking teachers with similar skills as conventional schools – expertise in their subject area, a passion for helping children, and teamwork.

The fair brought 53 school districts, charter schools, independent schools and other organizations to campus, delivering to job seekers a form of one-stop shopping. Attendees could also leave resumes for 17 additional organizations that were unable to attend in person.

“You get a sense of who they are personally rather than (just seeing them) online,” said Alec Provo, who picked BSU for graduate school and was among 200 job-seekers who attended the fair. 

Employers praised BSU graduates for bringing a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the job.

“BSU is a hotbed of promising young teachers,” said Derek Michael, director of curriculum at Global Learning Charter Public School in New Bedford. “I think they are prepared from day one.” (Story and photos by Brian Benson, University News) 

Ethan Child, ’21, has only been part of Bridgewater State University’s forensics team for a semester, but he already has under his belt an appearance at the oldest speech competition in the country.

Ethan, the reigning Massachusetts persuasive champion, traveled to Monmouth College in Illinois for last month’s Interstate Oratorical Contest, which is open to the top two persuasive speakers from each state. Though he did not become a finalist, Ethan said he was happy to make it to the competition.

“It was a humbling experience,” the East Bridgewater resident said. “I think some of these other students were so amazing.”

Ethan performed his speech, which argued that life sentences are overused and prisons should focus more on rehabilitation.

BSU Professor Susan Miskelly, who serves as director of forenscis and was also a judge at the competition, said Ethan received feedback from a variety of adjudicators. The speeches are so good that judges often struggle to rank them, Ms. Miskelly said.

“It really hones your skills in a way that just cannot be done in the classroom,” she said.

Ethan and his fellow competitors will also have their speeches published in the 2018 edition of Winning Orations, a book used by researchers to study student speeches, and by authors to provide samples for public-speaking textbooks. Ethan joins an impressive list of past contestants that includes former Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. George McGovern and Vernon Jordan, a civil rights icon and the former head of the National Urban League.

Ethan qualified at the Northeast Regional Championships at Suffolk University on Feb. 10. At that competition, fellow BSU students Helena Arnold (second place in Speaking to Entertain), Eamonn Graeme (third place in Informative Speaking) and Haley Costello (sixth place in Persuasion) also excelled. The team also took part in the Novice Nationals on March 10 at Suffolk.

Ethan joined the group at the recommendation of John Tierney, instructor in communiation studies, who taught his public speaking class last semester. Ethan was involved in theater and mock trial at Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, but had never taken part in forensics.

Now, Ethan, an English and secondary education major, is looking forward to being part of the BSU team again next school year. The experience he garnered in Illinois will serve him well in future competitions, Ms. Miskelly said.

Forensics has enabled him to travel on an airplane for the first time and meet college students from around the country, all the while building important skills, Ethan said.

 “It does encourage this ability to speak eloquently and speak your mind,” he said. “It also provides an opportunity to advocate for something you care about.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Sphero was on the move recently in Dr. Heather Pacheco-Guffrey’s classroom.

The ball-shaped robot darted around the room, banging into furniture, bags and even people’s shoes, as students tried to control it by programming its speed and direction. Across the room, Cozmo, a small robot that uses tracks to maneuver, played games with students and several blocks. The robots are controlled through the use of iPads.

“It’s something I’d never seen before,” said student Jennifer Harkness from New Jersey. “I’m really engaged in it so I think the kids would be, too.”

Jennifer and her fellow students experimented with and the robots, and even did some coding, as part of Science and Social Studies Inquiry for the Young Child, a course designed to prepare them for student-teaching in the fall and future careers as educators in pre-K through second grade. Students rotated in small groups between different robots. They had time to explore the devices before tackling programming challenges and providing feedback on the robots and their efficacy as teaching tools.

The activity illustrates what technology is available to today’s educators and familiarizes BSU students with the ways they could use robots in their future classrooms, said Dr. Pacheco-Guffrey, an assistant professor at BSU.

“Our teacher candidates are expected to be tech savvy,” she said. “This is one way Bridgewater faculty are responding to that.”

Some young students in local elementary schools don’t have access to technology such as iPads at home, said student Shira Pascal of Attleboro.

“This gives them a way to explore coding,” she said. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Daria Millerick, ’14, G’18, knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was young. That’s because her preschool teacher, Andrea Sullivan, treated the Winthrop resident as she battled a speech impediment.

“My preschool teacher was amazing,” Ms. Millerick said. “She was the only person who didn’t make me feel different.”

Ms. Millerick, who graduated from Bridgewater State University Thursday with a master’s in elementary education and works at Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School in her hometown, hopes to similarly touch the lives of her students.  

She was among about 475 graduates who earned their master’s degrees and certificates of advanced graduate study during Thursday’s commencement under the tent on the Boyden Quadrangle. See a complete list of those who earned graduate degrees.

The graduates heard from a number of speakers, including President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83, who urged them to vote and become involved in their communities in a way that is respectful of all.

“Just as we have been committed to your success, I ask you to become good citizens and take responsibility for the success of this nation… Go forth and be the good citizens that we so urgently need,” he said.

William “Mo” Cowan, a former U.S. senator from Massachusetts and current vice president of litigation and legal policy at General Electric Company, drew from his personal experience in delivering the commencement address.

Sen. Cowan recalled when then-Gov. Deval Patrick called him in 2009 and asked him to join his administration. He was a successful lawyer at the time and knew entering public service would result in a pay cut. But, he was also involved in educational and other community activities and did not feel he was doing “enough good.” He had gained valuable perspective from his community pursuits and decided to join the administration.

Graduates, he said, have knowledge but need perspective.

“You need to go out and earn perspective,” he said. “You must live and engage with the world – the whole world around you, to gain the necessary perspective.”

Sen. Cowan received an honorary doctorate of public service, while New Bedford Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin received the Distinguished Service Award.

Sinyong Choi, G’18, and Craig DeMelo, ’04, G’18, earned Distinguished Graduate Thesis awards while Erin Wiggin, ’05, G’10, G’18, received the Distinguished Graduate Research-Project Award.

Student speaker Christopher Koutros, G’18, a chemistry teacher at Oliver Ames High School in Easton, urged graduates to look to those around them and follow their examples of service to others.

Mr. Koutros, who earned a master of education degree in instructional technology, also worked his area of study into his speech.

“I challenge you to consider how you use technology,” he said. “Never let technology be a barrier to seeing the person behind it.”

As graduates gathered in Tillinghast Hall before the ceremony, Maher Senatus, G’18, reflected on his journey to earn a master’s of social work while also working fulltime. Mr. Senatus, who immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 2007 and works in human resources for Eliot Community Human Services, is following in the footsteps of his father, a pastor, and mother, a social worker, who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

“It’s very exciting,” he said of graduating. “It has been very tough, but I’ve had a good support system.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Maria Patrone, ’18, is among Bridgewater State University students on the hunt for new planets – all without leaving the comfort of campus.

“Space is cool,” said Maria, a Wilmington resident who graduated Saturday with a degree in physics and a concertation in astrophysics. “It looks pretty sometimes and it’s big. There’s always something new.”

Thanks in part to a $4,500 NASA Space Grant, Maria sought to find an exoplanet, which is a planet outside of our solar system. NASA, whose Kepler Spacecraft has identified potential exoplanets in need of confirmation, lists 3,725 confirmed exoplanets. 

Maria used equipment at BSU’s observatory atop the Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Mathematics Center in her quest to determine whether a Kepler discovery in constellation Cygnus is an exoplanet. She used a telescope to see the telltale dimming of a star as an object orbits it and a spectrograph (which splits light into its wavelengths) to analyze starlight. She thinks the object is not, in fact, an exoplanet, but more work is needed to confirm that finding.

Maria, who hopes to obtain an astronomy-related job and eventually attend graduate school, has worked at the observatory throughout her time at BSU, including showing young children the wonders of space. She praised the university for helping her hone her research skills as she learned to analyze data, troubleshoot problems and have patience.

Maria showed dedication while excelling at interpreting graphs and thinking critically about what they show as she advanced efforts to study exoplanets begun by prior students, said Observatory Manager Jamie Kern.

“You were building a new type of research from scratch,” Ms. Kern told Maria during a recent interview at the observatory. “It always takes a while to set up something new.”

Exoplanet research teaches students about all facets of successful exploration. Students collect and analyze data and apply physics concepts to form conclusions, said Dr. Martina Arndt, a physics professor.

“It’s better to do the work than just read about someone doing the work,” she said.

The future is bright for astronomical discoveries at Bridgewater. Maria took part in the BSU Experimental Astrophysics Research (BEAR) Team, which is a group of students dedicated to astronomy research. And, John L’Heureux, ’19, is poised to pick up the exoplanet research from Maria. 

“I know we’re going to stand on Maria’s shoulders and go from there,” said Dr. Arndt.

Maria, who recently presented her work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, hopes BSU students will be able to identify whether or not something is an exoplanet relatively quickly. And, she’ll be able to look back fondly on her journey at Bridgewater and efforts to lay the foundation for future research.

“Overall, it’s just been a really nice time full of supportive people,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends who will definitely be with me a long time.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

There aren’t many days that go by without sophomore guard Ryan Carney shooting a basketball. The 21-year-old has spent hours every day since elementary school working on his game.

His hard work paid off this past season, when he helped Bridgewater State University defeat Fitchburg State in the league championship game, 77-72. Ryan, who averaged 12.3 points per game on the season, contributed a strong performance, with 19 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists on 6 of 12 shooting in the contest.

“It all started right here,” Ryan said as he smiled proudly at the concrete mini basketball court in his backyard. On one end was an old rusty rim with a ripped net hanging by a few strings. On the other end of the court was a stable in-ground hoop with a clear backboard and full, white net. Three worn-out Spalding basketballs lay scattered on the nearby grass. 

It was here since fourth grade, where spent five to six days a week playing games with his friends and doing full-court drills by himself. He gives credit for his shooting ability to the drills he would do for hours after school. It was his idea of fun. 

“I would shoot a deep three and then turn around and shoot another one on the other hoop. When I got tired of that, I would just practice moves that I saw my favorite NBA players do,” he said.

Ryan wouldn’t always be alone though. His father, Bob Carney, a standout kicker for the class of 1982 Cambridge High School football team, was always more than willing to help his son improve his game. Mr. Carney would rebound for his son and then occasionally give him a challenge in a game of Around the World. He also coached Ryan’s travel basketball team for three years until Ryan was in sixth grade.

Ryan attributes his ability to finish at the rim to when he would play on the concrete court with his older brother Tim, 28, and his friends. 

“I would always play with them because it was better competition. I had to learn how to play against taller players my whole life,” said Ryan, who was a former Oliver Ames high school standout. “It’s easier to get a bucket now because I grew my sophomore year of high school,” he added, referring to the four-inch growth spurt that helped him to his current height of 6 feet, 2 inches.  

If there is anything that Ryan has always been, it’s a gym rat. He also improved his basketball playing with friends from within his league at local gyms such as Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro and the Easton YMCA in the center of town. 

“I’ve worked so hard because I’ve always wanted to win. Besides a couple of AAU weekend tournament championships, I never really won a title with my middle or high school teams. I think that’s why this championship means a lot to me,” he said.

The soft tone in his voice when he talks about the big game made it clear how important it was to win his first championship. Ryan mentioned that the feat was a result of working hard all season long. The Bears had players-only practices on off-days and players-only walkthroughs on game days. 

As for next season? Ryan plans on winning another championship. When asked about the likelihood of the Bears repeating, he was quick to say: “We can win again if we work hard and really get ready again in the off-season.”

And his role in this is clear: “I plan on being more of a leader by communicating more with my teammates and leading by example. I’ll be one of the older guys, and with the senior captains graduating, new guys are going to have to embrace that role,” he said.

It’ll be exciting to see the growth of Ryan and his teammates next season. The shooting guard is one of three starters returning to next year’s team

As the ball bounced on the concrete after another successful shot by Ryan, he turned and looked back at the court. The connection between the player and the game was evident by the smile on his face. It was a place where he could go out every day and do what he loves – “Get buckets”. (Story by Rocky DeAndrade for University News; photos courtesy of BSU Athletics & Recreation) 

Jessica-Lynn Maloney had long been looking forward to Saturday, when she was due to receive her diploma from Bridgewater State University. She expected that walking across that stage, after more than 10 years of juggling her studies with a full-time job and a young family, would be a joyful occasion she’d long remember.

However, Ms. Maloney almost didn’t attend commencement. Last Sunday, her husband Jose Lopes was killed in a motorcycle accident on Route 93 in Boston. Suddenly, her special day was clouded by heartbreak; her life turned upside down.

It was only at the urging of her professors, friends and family that she forced herself to attend Saturday’s morning commencement ceremony.

“It was sad because he wasn’t there,” the Boston native said of her late husband. “I wanted my kids to be close so I could feel like he was kind of there.”

Indeed, sitting up front were Ms. Maloney’s two sons, Jiovani, 11; and Jacobi, 4. They were easy to spot: Each wore a specially made shirt bearing a picture of their late father. Her husband’s brother and best friend, Ray Lopes, was also in attendance.

Ms. Maloney graduated cum laude with a degree in biology. It was nearly 15 years ago that she enrolled at Roxbury Community College and began studying biology in hopes of one day getting a job in medicine. She knew there was a long road ahead of her: She’d dropped out of high school at 16.

Mr. Lopes was a native of Cape Verde and a U.S. veteran. He grew up in Hanson and had ridden motorcycles for 35 years. Friends described him as “a class act.” He was 16 years older than his wife, whom he met when she was 17. They dated and fell in love. Ms. Maloney credits him with helping her to move from a third-floor apartment on the tough side of Brockton. Over the years, the couple built a life together, and Ms. Maloney, now 33, found work at the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, where she still works today.

“We had a lot of history together,” she said. “I loved the man and I have two beautiful children with him.”

When she went back to school her husband had to take on more hours at Boston Sand and Gravel, and take on a larger role raising their children.

“There was a lot of adjustment and sacrifices on both our parts,” she said.

Ms. Maloney began realizing dividends from attending college while at Roxbury. The school helped her find an internship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. She earned her associate’s degree in 2008, and transferred to Bridgewater State in 2016.

Ms. Maloney shares the story of her climb from dropout to cum laude graduate to show that no matter the amount of adversity one is facing, hard work can go a long way in overcoming it.

“I want people to know that even through the most difficult of struggles that if there’s a will there’s a way,” she said. “I have put so much energy and blood, sweat and tears into this and to finally hear my name and to graduate with the grades I got, it’s nothing short of a miracle. It was a tough, tough road and I know my husband would have been proud of me.”

Now facing the prospects of being a single mom with two growing boys to support, Ms. Maloney knows more challenges lie ahead. She’s not about to throw her hands up and surrender: She plans to begin a master’s program so she can realize her ultimate goal of becoming a physician’s assistant.

But first, she must bury her husband. Jose Lopes will be laid to rest in Hanson on Tuesday, with full military honors.

(Story by John Winters, G’11, University News; photos by Katherine Brown, an administrative assistant in University Advancement, who also uncovered this story)

As she settled into her seat, Christy Knight of Somerset stared toward the stage and smiled. Today her son, Brandon Moreno, was collecting his degree in Athletic Training. 

“I am beyond proud; he’s exceeded every expectation I’ve ever had,” Ms. Knight said. 

While studying as an undergrad at Bridgewater State, Mr. Moreno worked full-time as an EMT. He earned an internship with the FC Dallas major league soccer team and also completed 500 clinical hours at Brown University. Despite the hectic schedule, he consistently made the dean’s list, Ms. Knight said. 

Next up, Mr. Moreno plans to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy or tackle medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. 

“His experience here has motivated him to further his education and to take care of people,” Ms. Knight said. 

Mr. Moreno was among approximately 2,200 students who received bachelor’s degrees during undergraduate commencement ceremonies on the Boyden Quadrangle Saturday. Students from the Louis M. Ricciardi College of Business, the College of Education and Allied Studies and the Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics were honored at the morning ceremony, while the College of Humanities and Social Sciences held its commencement in the afternoon.

William Richard, ’93, who delivered the keynote speech during the morning ceremony, highlighted people’s yearning to take care of others and to spread unity, kindness and peace. These intangibles are important to carry past graduation, he said. William and his wife Denise Richard, ’93, received honorary doctorates of public service during the ceremony. 

The couple lost their 8-year-old son Martin in the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Inspired by a photo of Martin holding a handmade sign that read “No More Hurting People, Peace,” they started a foundation in Martin’s honor to share his message of peace. BSU also renamed its social justice institute after the boy.

“Don’t judge the value of your life based on the context of symbols that others deem important,” Mr. Richard said.

Instead he encouraged graduates to see life through the lens of others, to help people in need and to, “find meaning and fulfillment in the small and humanistic.”

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who also received an honorary doctorate of public service, praised the Richard family’s efforts to turn tragedy into something beautiful.

“Be intentional every day about being kind and making your community better, not only for yourself but those around you,” Lt. Gov. Polito told graduates while delivering the commencement address at the afternoon ceremony.

She recounted how her great-grandfather, Francesco, emigrated from Sicily to Massachusetts in 1909. He set his compass toward creating a better life for his family. He did so by making concrete blocks and saving money so he could buy construction equipment that started a family business still operating today, the lieutenant governor said.

Lt. Gov. Polito found her passion for public service and encouraged graduates to be mindful of what will drive them to get up every day and make Massachusetts better.

“If it isn’t discovered today, recalibrate your compass … and make sure the center of your compass is something you absolutely love,” she told graduates.

As they move on to the next chapter in their lives, President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83, said he is proud to serve a class that, “celebrated diversity and supported inclusion.”

“You never failed to hold the doors for one another… You proved not only to be good students but exceptional people,” said President Clark, who took group selfies with the graduates from the stage. “Continue to do good; to be good. Pay forward what has been given to you by so many on this campus and by your family and friends; continue to engage as citizens.”

President Clark also presented the Distinguished Service Award to Vincent Marturano, president and CEO of the Old Colony YMCA.

Student speaker Mariah Fossella, a double major in chemistry and biology, urged her fellow classmates to remember the connections made at BSU and to strive to make a difference. 

“We leave here changed people, better people – people with the knowledge to change the world. We are now equipped to make an impact,” Ms. Fossella told her fellow graduates Saturday morning. 

Connor McLernon, a criminal justice major who spoke in the afternoon ceremony and is planning to become a fulltime police officer in his hometown of Attleboro, praised the opportunities Bridgewater State provides students. He recounted jobs in residence life and as an orientation leader as well as the mentorship he received from BSU Assistant Chief of Police Michael Froio.

“We grow the most from the things that challenge us,” he said. “Do hard things. Do the things in life that challenge you.”

As she prepared for the ceremony in the Rondileau Campus Center, Lauren Golda, a psychology major from Acushnet, said she is fortunate to become the first person in her family to graduate from college. Golda hopes to pursue a career in social work.

“I just want to help people,” she said.

Daniel Padula, who is from Franklin and studied psychology, said his time at Bridgewater taught him to advocate for himself.

“It helped me grow up,” he said.  (Story by Heather Harris Michonski and Brian Benson, University News.)

It was a sad day for Stephanie Garafano when she watched her twin brother go off to college. The Attleboro resident soon understood that she would not be following in his footsteps.

“My parents didn’t have the heart to tell me that I probably couldn’t go to college,” the Attleboro resident said.

However, thanks to the Bridgewater State University and a program known as the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI), which brings to campus young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Stephanie eventually got word that her local university had a place for her.

“I framed that letter,” she told a packed RCC Ballroom Friday morning. “I was so out of my mind. It was the best day ever.”

The ICEI program is now in its eighth year, and at its annual end-of-year celebration 27 students were honored for the work they’d done in the classroom and as interns over the past academic year. The morning-long event featured poster presentations by the students showcasing the projects they’d completed in and outside of class.

That work was impressive, said Mary Price, director of the Center for PreK-12 Education Outreach, which oversees the ICEI program.

“It shows that all of these students tap into their strengths. And each one of you in this program has amazing strengths,” she said.

The program, which is funded in large part by a state grant, initially had six students. The program relies on partnerships with local school districts, the number of which has grown to 19 from an original half-dozen. BSU this year also pioneered a residence program, which allowed three students to live on campus (that number climbs to eight for next year).

All told, ICEI students took 85 classes and participated in 17 internships.

The audience for Friday’s event included students and their families, peer mentors who work with the students, education coaches, members of the BSU community and educators from the partner districts.

All play a part in making the program a success, said Christina Raeke, a coordinator for the program.

“Thank you for making our students’ dreams of attending college come true,” she said.

BSU Trustee Chairman Eugene Durgin and President Frederick W. Clark Jr. were both in attendance. The president said the ICEI program gives these students access to an education they would otherwise not have. He added that the program has benefits beyond this.

“These students have such a positive impact on the BSU community, as well,” he said. “It’s a home run.”

Each year, President Clark partners with at least one of the ICEI students, establishing a pen pal relationship. This year, Stephanie Garafano was the lucky one, and she and the president stayed in touch all year.

It was one of the reasons, Stephanie said, her first year as a Bridgewater student was special and why she’s proud to be a Bear.

“I want the world to know I go to Bridgewater State University,” she said. (Story by John Winters, G’11, University News)

The Bay State has broken the upward trend in the number of fatal opioid-related overdoses, but officials must not rest on their laurels.

That was the key message shared by Gov. Charlie Baker before representatives of law enforcement, educational, recovery and other organizations gathered in the Rondileau Campus Center Ballroom for the Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force’s annual conference.

“This is a relentless disease,” Gov. Baker said. “It has no feelings. It takes no prisoners and we have to fight it every day and we have to recognize and understand that means staying on it.”

State public health officials estimate there were 1,977 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2017, down 8.3 percent from 2,155 in 2016. The governor highlighted progress expanding treatment beds, providing more education to prescribers, increasing funding to combat addiction and other steps.

The task force brings together a variety of local constituents devoted to battling addiction to share information and track trends within the county. The group, led by District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Sheriff Joseph McDonald Jr., also includes Bridgewater State President Frederick W. Clark Jr.

Organizations must continue to work on a variety of areas, including supporting people in recovery and grandmothers who are raising kids whose parents are dead, incarcerated or otherwise unable to care for them because of addiction, Sheriff McDonald said.

“Addiction and access to drugs is not limited by borders,” he said. “We will continue and increase the conversations we are having with our neighboring counties.”

Conference attendees listened to speakers and watched a performance by Drug Story Theater, which provides improvisational theater opportunities to teens in the early stages of recovery from drugs and alcohol. The teens create theatrical pieces that incorporate their own stories and perform them for middle and high school students. The task force awarded Chris Mello the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Teen Challenge Brockton, which helps drug addicts and alcoholics through a residential, Christian faith-based program.

Bridgewater State University student Kevin Rosario, regional outreach representative for Gosnold Treatment Center, captivated the crowd as he shared his journey from drug addict to a dedicated employee of a treatment organization.

Mr. Rosario recalled smoking marijuana as a middle schooler as he sought to fit in with people older than him. 

“The rest of my life was a series of bad decisions and lack of impulse control,” he said, tracing an escalation in drug use that eventually led to using heroin.

Mr. Rosario said he is in long-term recovery, but is helping others battling addiction. Recovery may not be successful on the first try, but perseverance is important, Mr. Rosario and Gov. Baker said.

“What you guys are doing is really important. It really matters,” Mr. Rosario said, urging people to continue initiatives such as administering the overdose reversal drug naloxone. “All we know for sure is one thing – dead people don’t recover.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Both Massachusetts’ 2018 middle and high school principals of the year are former Bears. And, they say their love of helping children is what makes their jobs so rewarding.

“There’s an energy that comes from working with kids and an excitement working in an academic setting you don’t get at a lot of places,” said Matthew Colantonio, G’07, the principal of O’Donnell Middle School in Stoughton.

The Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association (MSAA) recently named Mr. Colantonio and Bill Burkhead, G’09, who leads Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich, as principals of the year.

Mr. Burkhead and Mr. Colantonio, who said their awards reflect the accomplishments of many, were nominated by others in their school communities. The principals then completed an application that included essays and took part in interviews. They also submitted letters from students, parents, teachers and community leaders.

Mr. Colantonio, who earned a master of education degree in educational leadership from Bridgewater State, has spent his entire educational career in Stoughton and is in his sixth year leading O’Donnell Middle School. He fell in love with English and writing during college, yet decided to earn his teaching certification in the event he needed a backup career. But, Mr. Colantonio enjoyed student-teaching and was hooked on the profession. 

As he looked to enter school administration, Mr. Colantonio turned to Bridgewater State to further his education. He praised Bridgewater for offering a rigorous program that pulls from both theory and real-world experience in building the next generation of strong school leaders. 

At O’Donnell, he sought to expand classes and extracurricular programming. The school has added a spring musical, several new sports, a cultural club that celebrates diversity and other activities to serve students with varying interests and needs.

“Everything I’ve done since I’ve been here has been in an effort to create a positive school climate where kids love their school, teachers like to work here, and the community is proud of the middle school,” he said.

Mr. Colantonio has also excelled at leading revisions to math and special education programming and working collaboratively, said Dr. Michael J. Connelly, assistant director of the MSAA.

Mr. Burkhead, who earned a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership from Bridgewater State and teaches part-time at the university, received high marks for bringing together rival high schools – Chatham and Harwich –  when Monomoy Regional High School opened in 2014, Dr. Connelly said.

Uniting two schools with different cultures and belief systems was one the hardest tasks Mr. Burkhead has faced. It was also a challenge BSU prepared him well for with its focus on practical assignments and connecting graduate students with principals.

“We (brought the schools together) by starting out with a common belief that we all agreed on,” he said. “We hung our hat on a home away from home, where everyone was important.”

Mr. Burkhead, who was previously an administrator in Plymouth and New Bedford, knew from a young age he wanted to be a teacher and coach. He sees his role in administration as a way to help even more students. At Monomoy, he seeks to know the names of all 620 students and regularly writes notes to them. He is also thrilled to see former students succeed.

“Changing and impacting kids’ lives for the better,” is why he so enjoys his job. “It’s very fulfilling when you can have an impact on someone else’s life.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)