Some in the program say it was the $6,000 scholarship that initially caught their eye, but since being admitted to the Students Engaging in Scientific and Mathematical Interdisciplinary Collaborations (SEISMIC) program, the young scholars agree it offers more than just financial relief. 

“When I saw the scholarship I was sold, but this has turned out to be much more. It provides many opportunities,” said Gabe DeOliveira of Hanson. 

It is the second year SEISMIC has been active on the BSU campus. Dr. Thomas Kling directs the program along with Drs. Colby King and Stephen Waratuke. The trio also receives assistance from the Center for Advancement of STEM Education Director Jennifer Aizenman.

The program is funded through a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. 

SEISMIC scholars must be science or mathematics majors to participate, and each receives a $6,000 scholarship annually, renewable for up to three years. 

This year’s scholars were accepted to the cohort-style program last fall. In addition to Gabe, they are Abigail Adams, Carine Freire, Fatiana Goncalves, Andrew Meyer, Robertho Ozerus, Manuel Pina, Abony Reid and Jeremy Woodward. 

The students are currently participating in the program’s required five-week, second-year summer seminar and interdisciplinary undergraduate research portion of the program. 

The goal of the SEISMIC program is not restricted to just one area, there many layers, said Dr. Waratuke. 

“It’s always about student success and retention, but the goal is to give them opportunities. It is up to them to capitalize on them,” he said.

Scholars are exposed to talented mentors and faculty, gain research and lab experience, and learn how to focus on their communication and writing skills. 

“Some come in intimidated and are concerned about their ability to write, to communicate, or worry about their lack of lab experience,” Dr. Waratuke said. “But this program helps them build self-confidence and shows them they’re capable of doing hands-on lab work and to speak about science.”

Until this summer, Carine, who lives in Brockton, had never worked in a laboratory before.

“Working in the lab has been beneficial for me. They are actually teaching me things and how to use instruments properly,” she said.

Junior Alec Milordis entering his second year of the program., and said there is much to be gained by participating in SEISMIC. He encourages those who qualify to apply during their freshman year. 

“I’ve gained a lot. I’ve been able to see what level of focus and work ethic is required to conduct actual research,” he said.  

On top of the introductory summer seminar, SEISMIC scholars must also participate in courses each fall semester. In the first year they must take a writing-intensive course that examines the role science plays in society; in the second year they are required to take a speaking-intensive STEM-focused social science course, and finally in the third year they must partake in a specially designed collaborative research capstone project and work together as a group to find solutions to significant problems. 

To stay in the program scholars must maintain a 2.8 GPA in science and mathematics courses, and overall take part in assessment activities to remain eligible for scholarships. Those that apply also much meet certain financial requirements. (Story and photos by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

Some people might view spending the summer on Cape Cod as a long vacation. But Bridgewater State University interns at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole have a different perspective.

The seven students lucky enough to spend part of their summer working for the nonprofit educational and research organization see their work as a great opportunity to expand their knowledge and meet some of the country’s leading scientists and researchers.

“The nice thing about the scientists is they’re always more than happy to explain what they’re doing,” said David Conlon, ’19, a biology and elementary education major from Weymouth. “They love to talk. It’s a really friendly, open, inviting atmosphere here.”

David and fellow biology major Chris Dix, ’20, work in the Central Microscopy Facility under the guidance of Louie Kerr, director of imaging services and a staff scientist at MBL. While their primary job is to train people on using the microscopes, they also get to peek at embryonic squid and coral, plus get to see some of the lab’s ongoing research.

“I didn’t quite know what to expect coming into it,” said Chris, who is from Marion. “It’s definitely been a great experience. I’ve enjoyed my time here and learned a lot.”

Across the MBL’s ocean-side campus, recent graduate Rebecca Edwards works in the Division of Education, inventorying and unboxing equipment used for various classes. The Attleboro resident has learned about tools not found on BSU’s campus and how to interact with vendors.

This year’s interns are part of a long line of Bridgewater students who have spent their summers at the MBL thanks to a partnership forged between the organization and BSU professors, who prescreen internship applicants. Mr. Kerr said he is pleased with the lab experience Bridgewater students bring.

“I’ve had nothing but outstanding students,” he said. “I’m just impressed with the quality and level of students coming out of Bridgewater.”

Other interns at MBL with BSU ties are Imani McKenzie, Kassandra Romanowicz, Jacqueline Greeley and Terrain Edwards-Grant. (Story by Brian Benson, photos by Carl Hollant, ’15, and Brian Benson, University News)

Upon entering the room, Bridgewater State University’s cohort of Mandela fellows scanned the open area to find row upon row of bunkbeds. A bag rested on nearly every one, positioned on top of the mattress, signifying it was occupied for the night. 

And so began the fellows’ tour of Father Bill’s and MainSpring’s Brockton location, where both emergency sheltering and permanent supportive housing is available for those in need. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to end and prevent homelessness in Southern Massachusetts. 

President and CEO John Yazwinski shared statistics with the visiting fellows to illustrate the ever-increasing need for shelter and housing for the homeless. 

In fiscal year 2017, the charitable organization, which also has a presence in Quincy, sheltered 1,904 individuals, averaging 224 individuals per night; 254 families were also sheltered last year, including 430 children, averaging 134 families per night.  

As long as they can walk into the building of their own free will, Father Bill’s and MainSpring will help, Mr. Yazwinski said.  

 “We are faith-based and are not going to judge,” he said. “We would rather have people sleeping inside then out on the street… If they can walk in on their own power, they are welcome.”

Fellow Kirsten Fawn Hornby wanted to know, with such a liberal approach, is violence ever an issue? 

Fights inside the building are rare, said Jon Lanham, triage director. 

“It is a lot more violent out on the streets than in here. Those that come here want a quiet night, a meal and a bed to sleep on,” he said. 

As the fellows continued on with their tour at the Brockton site positive affirmations such as, “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day,” decorated the walls. 

The fellows wanted to know if the organization’s efforts are effective and making a difference. 

Mr. Yazwinski said the organization has been able to aid many, with assistance from the state’s Tenancy Preservation Program, which assists disabled individuals and families facing eviction, and helped 96 percent of the households it serves remain housed. Father Bill’s and MainSpring facilitated 375 individuals to exit the shelter into housing or other systems of care, and ended homelessness for 73 families, helping them move into housing. 

Ultimately, for the 6,653 people in cities and towns in Southern Massachusetts who had nowhere to go in fiscal year 2017, Father Bill’s and MainSpring offered a refuge from the streets.

“Not every story ends up positive but in the 20 years I’ve been here, there are less people dying outside alone,” Mr. Yazwinski said.

With so many in need, the goal to find solutions to end homelessness will continue he told the fellows.

“I love the idea that we are not trying to manage a problem, but to end it.” (Story and photos by Heather Michonski Harris, University News)

Courtney Banzi, ’19, admits she was a little nervous about venturing abroad for a recent softball trip to Italy. But, the outfielder’s uneasiness disappeared like a home run sailing over the outfield fence.

“I really tried to embrace speaking their language,” she said of the 10-day trip with USA Premier Softball. “I just wanted to be immersed in that culture by speaking and learning everything that I could.”

Courtney, who tapped into savings and work earnings to fund the trip, did as much off the field as on. She climbed 400 steps to take in the picturesque view from atop Torre del Mangia in Siena, gazed at the Coliseum, and explored the caves and clear waters of the Mediterranean. She even saw colorful coral.

“The views are breathtaking,” said the Plymouth North High School graduate, who recently completed her career with the Bridgewater State University softball team. “There were no words to describe what I saw.”

And, of course, Courtney also had the unique opportunity to play the sport she loves against – and with – players from another country. The American team competed four times against their Italian counterparts. Courtney switched sides for one game playing with the Italians. 

The players had help from a translator, but Courtney also learned Italian words, including how to count the number of outs and “thank you.” And, many Italian players knew English.

“It was awesome,” she said of the multicultural softball experience. 

Courtney, the oldest player on a team that ranged from 14 to 22, became a mother figure to the younger players. She also learned more about her ability to mentor others, a skill that will be helpful as the math and secondary education major prepares to become a teacher.

“I realized how much people look up to me and that I’m a natural leader,” she said.

And, the one-time nervous tourist returned to the United States having caught the travel bug.

“It made me realize that there’s more to life than just Massachusetts,” she said. “There are a lot more things out there to explore.”  (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Allison Carter and Alexander Hersh showed unwavering concentration recently as they handled a piece of wood at Pilgrim Hall Museum.

Why? Well, this wasn’t an ordinary piece of wood. It is believed to be part of the Sparrow-Hawk, a ship from the 1600s that brought Europeans to the New World.

“It was a little bit nerve-wracking to be honest,” said Alexander, a Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School student from Brockton.

“You didn’t want to ruin something 400 years old,” added Allison, who is from Raynham and attends Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School. 

Allison, Alex and fellow high schoolers put their dexterity and newfound scientific skills to the test thanks to the weeklong program “The Graveyard of the Atlantic: Maritime Archaeology in Massachusetts” run by Bridgewater State University’s Center for the Advancement of STEM Education.

Students analyzed and measured pieces from the Sparrow-Hawk and worked on creating a digital recreation of the vessel, which brought about two dozen people from Europe to America in 1626. Bound for Virginia, the ship ended up wrecked on Cape Cod. Natives guided two survivors to Plymouth, where Gov. William Bradford sent a shallop to rescue other stranded passengers and crew. They spent almost a year in Plymouth before traveling to Virginia. 

The approximately 40-foot long Sparrow-Hawk became buried in sand and mud in Orleans. People removed the remnants after they emerged in an 1862 storm. They are in storage at Pilgrim Hall, but museum officials would like to put them on display in 2022 accompanied by a digital version of the ship.

The maritime archaeology class is one of a series of Summer Science Academy programs BSU offered in July for middle or high school students. The programs are designed to pique students’ interest in science as they partake in hands-on investigations and lead presentations about what they’ve learned.

During a different shipwreck class, one geared for middle schoolers, students explored the remains of the steamship City of Taunton. They measured pieces resting along the shore of the Taunton River in Somerset. 

Students in both courses learned about ship construction and how to map a wreck.

The high school students helped researchers better understand the Sparrow-Hawk, said Dr. Calvin Mires, a visiting assistant professor of anthropology who led the class and is helping the museum research the vessel.

“You’re the ‘Pilgrims’ of this project because it hasn’t been done,” Dr. Mires told the students. “You get to set the standard."

Imagine the pieces of the stern and floor timbers as patients. Take your time and really get to know the wood’s intricacies, he said.

Dr. Mires foresees work on the Sparrow-Hawk becoming a research project for BSU students. 

With 109 timbers to analyze, there are ample opportunities for student involvement, said Pilgrim Hall Executive Director Dr. Donna Curtin, who praised the partnership between Dr. Mires and the museum.

“All of these are going to be the pieces of the puzzle to create the picture of what this vessel looked like,” she said. 

The ship, Dr. Curtin said, carried the first known Irish to come to New England.

“It really does help illustrate the immigrant aspect of Plymouth Colony,” she said. “The Pilgrims were English immigrants. Plymouth Rock is a symbol of our immigrant nation. This particular ship allows us to tell the story of Plymouth people don’t expect.”

The vessel’s connection to history wasn’t lost on the students or several BSU undergraduates who helped run the class.

“As a biologist, I’ve never really looked into how history connects with STEM,” said Megan Norton, ’19, a biology major who hopes to become a teacher. “It has definitely given me an opportunity to see those connections.”

Alexander appreciated the opportunity to conduct field work while only a high school student, while classmate Allison enjoyed the trailblazing aspect.

“It’s really inspiring that you’re working with something people could look at in the future and be inspired by,” Allison said. “I’m contributing to something that hasn’t been documented before.” (Story and photos by Brian Benson, University News)

Last month, while most Americans were celebrating the Fourth of July stateside, Joshua Winsper, ’20, was in Athlone, Ireland, creating some fireworks of his own.

Representing Team USA at the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Youth Games, Joshua took home the bronze medal in the shot put and the silver in the javelin. He recorded a 27.97 foot (8.53 meters) throw in the shot put and an 80.09 foot (24.42 meter) effort in the javelin.

A tough competitor, the Rochester native was hoping to take home the gold in his first international competition. 

“I could have done better… The throws are what they are. It was a learning experience and I learned a lot. That’s the main thing I take from it,” he said. 

He will use the experience and apply it to his ultimate goal of qualifying and competing on the world stage in the Summer Paralympics in Tokyo 2020. 

“Standing there on the medal stand, I thought, ‘OK, this is what it would feel like if it was the real deal.’ I realized that I have a chance so I’m going to try and take it,” Joshua said. 

In the meantime, he will continue to suit up and compete as a Bear the next two years under BSU track and field assistant coach Alfred Blaisdell.  

As he trains for his chance to compete in the 2020 Paralympics, Joshua's short terms goals are to compete in next summer’s Paralympics Track and Field National Championships.

During the meet, he will aim to put up marks that will qualify him to compete in the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

Kim Tocchio, ’19, is dipping her toes in the water this summer in more ways than one.

Kim wades through ponds located in Mass Audubon’s Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary to search for amphibians and reptiles as she works with other Bridgewater State University students and Professor Thilina Surasinghe to assess the transformation of a former cranberry farm into wetland.

“It’s definitely given me the opportunity to get my feet wet in research and conservation,” said Kim, a biology major from Kingston.

The students are conducting a species inventory. The work includes checking traps, recording what is inside, and releasing the reptiles and amphibians back into the wild. They also walk around their approximately 480-acre study area weekly in search of snakes and other creatures that are not likely to end up in traps.

They have found many turtles and frogs, a positive sign for the largest freshwater ecological restoration in the Northeast. 

“Reptiles and amphibians are actually indicators for environmental health,” Kim said. “If you find a lot of them, it means that the environment is doing well.”

Creating wetlands is important for their incredible biodiversity, ability to keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by storing carbon, and other benefits, students said.

The Schulman family, which previously owned the property in the Manomet section of Plymouth, worked with the state Division of Ecological Restoration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other organizations on the restoration. Crews re-created almost 3 1/2 miles of meandering stream channel and removed nine dams, among other efforts, according to Mass Audubon.

Now, Dr. Surasinghe, an assistant professor of biological sciences, hopes to learn about what species are there today and how restoration helps amphibians and reptiles.

“You’re looking at a relatively young habitat,” he said. “It’s a beautiful piece of property.”

The species inventory is one of a variety of research projects connecting Bridgewater and Tidmarsh. Dr. Surasinghe is part of Living Observatory, a multi-institutional research network that seeks to tell the story of the restoration and enhance knowledge and understanding of wetland ecology. He is working with BSU student Ashley Zimmerman to study amphibian breeding activities by documenting their calls. And, Daniel Venuto, ’19, and Nikki Montanaro are studying woodland salamanders at several Mass Audubon properties in addition to their work on the species inventory.

The Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research, the university’s internship program, and Department of Biological Sciences funded students’ work on the species inventory. Dr. Surasinghe praised the support of Mass Audubon, especially regional scientist Gene Albanese, and Glorianna Davenport, president of the Living Observatory and a retired instructor at the MIT Media Lab. They have provided land and other logistics for the project, which is expected to continue this fall and has taught students valuable lessons about science.

Brett Sheehan, ’19, a biology major from Easton, is interested in science outreach and education and has explained the students’ research to sanctuary visitors. Kim hopes to study marine biology but said the experience has confirmed her desire to have a hands-on job. 

Working at Tidmarsh has opened Daniel’s eyes to the variety of creatures in the Bay State.

“I had no idea we had so much around,” the biology major from Bridgewater said. “I’ve come to learn there’s a lot of really beautiful wildlife that live around here. I feel like more people should go out and experience what Massachusetts has to offer.” (Story by Brian Benson, photos by Drew Cambra, ’19, University News)

A new undergraduate certificate program aims to give students the skills necessary to teach English around the world. 

“It’s not enough to be a native speaker of English to teach it,” said Dr. Alexandra Dema, an assistant professor in the College of Education and Allied Studies and the TESOL certificate coordinator at Bridgewater State University. “You have to know how to teach it.”

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. BSU already offers a graduate TESOL program. This fall, the university will launch the certificate program at the undergraduate level thanks to a BSU innovation grant.

Students must complete four courses, which provide a foundation, and also cover culture, linguistics and strategies for teaching. Though only available online this fall, courses will eventually be offered in person, as well. Eventually, students will be able to earn the certificate online, on campus or through a combination of the two. They can also complete the courses over 10 weeks in the summer. 

The program is flexible and caters to a variety of people, including BSU undergraduates and international and U.S. students who meet certain requirements but have no ties to the university.

“It will be offered to anyone in the world,” Dr. Dema said. “They can complete the whole program online without even coming to us. This is something BSU hasn’t been doing yet.”

A TESOL certificate is often required to teach English abroad and can open doors for those interested in working in U.S. adult and community education programs. Internationally, English-language teachers are needed in countries such as China, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil and Mexico.

The certificate could aid retired educators looking to teach English classes at their local libraries, or enable an undergraduate to live and teach in another country for a year or two after graduation.

“I know many people who go abroad want to travel and explore the world and they need to do something to get money,” Dr. Dema said. 

People do not have to know the native language of the country in which they will teach, she said.

More information about the certificate is available on the College of Continuing Studies’ website. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Students studying more than 8,000 miles away at Cambodia’s Pannasastra University are evidently aware of and talking about Bridgewater State University. 

“Before I came, I had heard about Bridgewater from other students who had gone to school here. I wanted to come and see for myself what it was all about,” said Viphalla Sarath, a visiting Cambodian student. 

Two assistant professors and ten undergraduate students, made the trip from Cambodia to BSU this July to spend two weeks on campus studying community learning, English and American culture. 

During their stay the cohort made day trips into Boston that included visits to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and other institutions, such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

“I loved the museums here,” student Som Poka said. “I could spend a whole day at the MFA.”

Differences in how citizens get around in the U.S. surprised the Cambodian students. Many locals would agree with their observations regarding Boston public transportation. 

“It’s very slow,” Som said with a laugh.

Unlike her home in Cambodia, Viphalla noted traveling to a store for supplies in the Bridgewater suburbs can be difficult. Back home she simply hops on her scooter to run errands.

“Here, a personal vehicle is necessary to have to access to get where you want to go,” she said. 

This is the first time BSU has hosted students from Pannastra University, said Dr. Wing-kai To, assistant provost for global engagement and senior international officer.

“We are always looking to bring people from around the world to BSU, and the summer program is one of the ways we can do that,” Dr. To said. 

Also traveling to campus this summer are 11 Chinese students from the Capital Normal University of China. It is the first time students from this particular university have stayed at BSU. 

Some of the visitors are teachers while others are working toward earning a master’s degree in education. During their two-week stay, the group compared the educational differences between schools in the United States versus their homeland. 

Aside from site visits to Boston, both visiting groups also took English classes and attended lectures on American culture, all taught by Bridgewater faculty. 

“The lecturers were helpful and friendly and encouraged us to go after our goals,” Viphalla said. “I loved it here and hope one day to be able to pursue a master’s degree in the United States.” (Story and photos by Heather Michonski Harris, University News)

Kiara Palomares, ’21, knows the challenges faced by immigrant families such as hers.

Kiara, who is majoring in political science and criminal justice and minoring in psychology at Bridgewater State University, is coping with the fact of her father living in Honduras after he was deported about three years ago. Meanwhile her mother, who came to the United States from Cuba, remains stateside and is on a path toward U.S. citizenship.

“At first I was devastated,” Kiara said of her father being forced to leave the country. “I knew it was a reality, but I never fathomed that it would happen to me and my family specifically. However, I feel it was harder for me to see how my little sisters and mom were impacted by it.”

Her sisters were 11 at the time and her mother worried about how to maintain the household. Her family, Kiara said, is now faring better, emotionally.

“This incident has pushed me to work so much harder because I realized that it’s not about me wanting to be successful but more about me needing to be successful,” she said. “I really don’t have an option.”

Now, Kiara, who was born in the United States and graduated from Lynn English High School, hopes to give back to the Hispanic community. She’s already had that chance thanks to an internship in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, provided through The Fund for American Studies’ summer program.

She was thrust into one of the major political topics of the summer – the Trump administration’s one-time policy calling for the separation of parents and children after they were detained for illegally crossing the border. Kiara traveled with chamber colleagues to Capitol Hill to advocate for families being separated.

“I was super nervous,” said Kiara, who completed the internship after only her freshman year at BSU. “I’m not completely oblivious about immigration policy, but I’m not the most educated either. Seeing the discussion pan out, it was like ‘wow.’”

Her primary role at the chamber was as a communications and marketing fellow, through which she attended and summarized events, tackled social media projects, and communicated with other chambers.

Kiara spent eight weeks in D.C., living with other students participating in the summer program, which mixes an internship with coursework and opportunities to see the sights. She visited museums and enjoyed the hubbub of the nation’s capital.

“It was very lively,” she said. “There’s always something to do. If you’re into politics, D.C. is definitely the place to be."

Kiara hopes to tackle another summer internship in the future. Ultimately, she wants to go to law school so she can help immigrants.

“As a citizen, English speaker and able-bodied person, why not help them because I know how hard they work?” she said. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

When most people hear about a volcano erupting and producing rivers of lava, they run in the opposite direction. Geology professors Michael Krol and Richard Enright wouldn’t think of doing such a thing. 

In fact, at the end of June the two traveled, on a trip sponsored by Bridgewater State University, to “the Big Island of Hawaii,” where for ten days they studied active hotspot volcanism and the recent eruptions associated with the Kilauea Shield Volcano. 

“This was a once in a lifetime thing. Typically you don’t get to witness active geological processes like this,” said Dr. Krol. “It’s an experience we get to take back into the classroom.”

The volcanic materials the pair of faculty members collected from their visit will be used to help engage students in undergraduate research as well as upper-level geoscience courses.

“It’s one thing to watch a video on YouTube,” Dr. Krol said. “Being able to share with students and show them this what I collected, it provides more imagery and details.”

Over the last 31 years Dr. Enright has led 10 field excursions with students to visit the active and inactive volcanic sites in Hawaii. 

The professors’ recent trip wasn’t just to observe and collect samples, but also served a reconnaissance mission to determine if the impact of the eruption would thwart next spring’s excursion course. 

Unfortunately the area has been too compromised and students will not be able to travel to Hawaii next year. 

At last count some 720 homes on the island have been destroyed. The largest fresh water waterbody on the island, Green Lake, vanished when lava flows completely evaporated it.

“There’s not going to be anything for the students to see in that area,” Dr. Enright said, referring to one of the reasons next year’s trip won’t take place. “Roads are destroyed, they’re buried.”

Instead other sites will be considered, including Iceland, Mexico City and the Southwestern United States.

The professors will continue to follow the Kilauea eruption. It’s unclear how long the volcano will emit lava, but it will be at least a year before the area is accessible, Dr. Enright said. (Story by Heather Michonski Harris, University News; photos by Professor Enright) 

Steep hills and drops will greet runners along the route of the seventh annual Kicking Butt for Crohn’s 5K road race. That's just as the event’s organizer, a Bridgewater State University student, envisioned it.

“It’s definitely a challenging road race,” said James Canzano, ’21. “I designed it not to be easy because Crohn’s isn’t easy to deal with.”

When his older sister Annie was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2011, it was the first time James had ever heard of the disease. Three years later his younger sister Mary was also diagnosed. 

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms can include persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal cramps and pain.

After her initial diagnosis, Annie missed most of eighth grade. Watching his sister struggle inspired James, then only 12, to help.

 “Giving back is something that has always been part of our family,” he said. 

He looked for motivation to his father Dana, who runs marathons and participates in bike races to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCFA).

“I decided to start my own road race. I enjoy running and thought it was the easiest way for me to bring awareness,” said James, who is a member of the BSU cross-country team.

“We didn’t know how successful it would be, but took the idea and moved forward with it,” he said. 

In its inaugural year the Kicking Butt for Crohn’s 5K saw some 200 runners sign up, raising more than $5,000. 

Since then the event raises around $7,000 annually. All proceeds go directly to CCFA.

The race is always held in Shrewsbury, James’s hometown. This year it is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, and steps off at 9 a.m. at Dean Park. Registration opens at 7 a.m. 

Pre-registration is $20 per runner or $25 on race day. Runners can pre-register online at www.kickingbuttforcrohns.org.

James still hasn’t declared a major but is looking to pull from the experience he’s gained through organizing the road race to help him decide.

“This is something I want to continue to do. It interests me to figure out a major related to fundraising,” he said. “It’s been great to grow a community where people have a better understanding of Crohn’s.” (Story by Heather Michonski Harris, University News) 

Daniel Keeley, ’13, is aiming to solve a mystery. But, instead of investigating a crime, this ardent researcher wants to help uncover nothing less than the unknowns of human life.

“You’re often on a microscope looking at something no one has seen before, maybe no one has described before,” said the Duke University fifth-year PhD candidate in cell and molecular biology. “You can’t read about it. You have to rely on your training and intellectual skills to figure it out… It’s this incredibly intricate and complex puzzle.”

Mr. Keeley, who grew up in Quincy, didn’t always view science this way. When he came to Bridgewater State University as an undergraduate, the biology major thought he would become a teacher. Then, he discovered the nature of lab research from Professors Jeffery Bowen and Merideth Krevosky.

“I had no concept that I’d be doing research,” he recalled. “I thought we knew everything already. I didn’t give much thought to where information in textbooks came from. When I got into the lab, I realized there’s a lot we don’t know.”

At Bridgewater, Mr. Keeley studied the best ways to kill off cancer cells. He also spent several summers interning at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, an experience through which he expanded his understanding of research and met incredible scientists.

Now, as he works toward his doctorate at Duke, Mr. Keeley’s research includes exploring the basement membrane. This is a thin sheet that gives organs their shape and provides a scaffold to which cells adhere. 

He is using C. elegans, a tiny transparent worm that has been a major model for fundamental scientific studies since the 1970s. The worms’ short three- to four-day lifespan allows Mr. Keeley to see how their basement membranes, which are similar to those in humans, change during organ growth and aging. 

Mr. Keeley hopes to continue researching after earning his doctorate. He would also like to work in science communications, to help share discoveries with a broad audience.

No matter where he ends up, though, Mr. Keeley can thank Bridgewater State for sparking his love of research.

“I wouldn’t be here without it,” he said of the school’s effect of on his life. “I got some really great training at Bridgewater. The biology department was a really great environment. My research experience turned my life goals around. I never would have considered research without the interaction with faculty I had at Bridgewater.” (Story and photo by Brian Benson, University News)

This summer, 54 undergraduates participated in the Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. Bridgewater State University students on Thursday showcased the results of their scholarly research and creativity.

Students gave oral presentations and displayed research posters and artwork at the day-long symposium, held in the Dana Mohler-Faria Science & Mathematics Center.

Students researched the mother-infant relationship in orangutans, the transitions elite soccer players make at the end of their careers, policies governing the treatment of farm animals, and many other topics across the academic disciplines at BSU.

See the attached PDF for a full list and descriptions of the projects. (Story by Brian Benson, photos by Drew Cambra, ’19).

Those who have lost a loved one to addiction often need a safe space to cope and grieve.

On Thursday, Aug. 30, grieving family and friends can gather for the 2018 Brockton Area Candlelight Vigil, to be held on the Brockton’s Massasoit Community College’s quadrangle.

The event is intended to bring together community members who have lost someone to an overdose, individuals and families struggling with addiction, individuals in recovery, and those who simply want to show their support. 

This is the second year that the Bridging L.I.V.E.S. (Life Is Valued Every Second) coalition has co-sponsored the event. 

Bridging L.I.V.E.S is an extension of the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative and made up of representatives from both the town of Bridgewater and Bridgewater State University. Members include doctors, police, firefighters, teachers, school administrators, parents, students, nurses, and council on aging staff.

Its mission is, “to prevent and reduce substance abuse by increasing awareness, providing education and offering support within the community.” 

The Aug. 30 event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a ceremony set for 7p.m. Speakers, resources, musical performances and a memorial slideshow are all scheduled. 

“Events like these can help increase awareness and remove the stigma associated with addiction and overdose,” said Amanda Sandoval, ’12, G’18, director of preventative services, High Point Treatment Center, Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative.

Other vigil sponsors include; BAMSI, Brockton Area Prevention Collaboration, the Brockton mayor’s office, Champion Plan, the Plymouth County District Attorney Office, Gandara Center, High Point Treatment Center, Learn to Cope, Massasoit Community College, Teen Challenge and Whitman Hanson WILL. 

Jill Maclean, ’00, has turned her Bridgewater State degree into a career of public service that has literally taken her from coast to coast.

“I like the opportunity to work for the places I live and help people have an impact on their communities,” said Ms. Maclean as to why she enjoys municipal planning.

Ms. Maclean, who grew up in Raynham and studied geography at Bridgewater State, initially worked for the towns of Marshfield and Wayland. She then spent about a decade in New Bedford, including time as city planner. 

In 2015, she took a risk, changed things up geographically, and became a senior planner for Juneau, Alaska.

“I’ve always wanted to live someplace different,” she said. “I decided it was worth a shot.”

Ms. Maclean, who also holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, was promoted to director of Juneau’s Community Development Department in June. She oversees a group of about two dozen people tasked with short- and long-range planning, permitting, building inspections, code enforcement and supporting the city’s planning commission.

None of that may have happened if not for Bridgewater’s geography program. Ms. Maclean initially went to what was then called Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. She transferred to Bridgewater after her freshman year because of its affordability and proximity to home. At Bridgewater, she took a geography class and fell in love with the professor and subject. Mapping and geography came naturally to her.

“I really liked how interesting it was and the breadth of career opportunities,” she said. “I wasn’t even aware of the opportunity to do urban planning and city planning before I went to Bridgewater.” 

Now, she’s thrilled with her cross-continent move to Juneau, which has about 30,000 year-round residents and sees an influx of tourists in the summer.

Juneau is different from the urban and suburban Massachusetts municipalities to which Ms. Maclean was accustomed. Alaska’s capital city is not connected to the network of North American roads, meaning ferries and airplanes are critical transportation resources. And, development can be tricky, as towering mountains influence where and how projects are built.

Planners seek to respect the character of existing neighborhoods while recognizing the need for more affordable housing. Development is more expensive, so Ms. Maclean’s department aims to offer streamlined permitting that is not arbitrary, she said.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the mountains and other abundant natural features.   

“It’s a really interesting place to live,” she said. “The access to the outdoors is not like anything I’ve seen elsewhere.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Just before Ryan O’Connor, ’19, left on a four-week journey to Trinidad, his mother asked him a rather unnerving question: “Are you sure you want to do this?”

That didn’t ease Ryan’s pre-trip jitters. But, the Bridgewater State University English major had nothing to worry about.

“As soon as I got there, within hours every single fear I had was dashed. Every single person was friendly,” said Ryan, who is from Braintree and minoring in Latin American and Caribbean studies. “Everyone was taken care of. I know I was taken care of.”

In fact, Ryan, Christine Paquette, ’20, and Taylor Loyd, ’19, felt like villagers during their stay this summer at Bridgewater State’s first international field school. The school is in Fondes Amandes, a community in the foothills of Trinidad’s Northern Range. They played ping-pong with children, hiked, planted trees, dined on the Caribbean island’s cuisine, and woke up to the squawking of parrots.  

“One of the promises of a field school is you learn by immersion. You learn by doing,” said Dr. Diana Fox, a Bridgewater State anthropology professor who spearheaded the launch of the field school. “You aren’t even aware of how much you pick up.”

The three undergraduates took part in what was the first official Trinidad field school excursion after two pilot trips. The school is a partnership between BSU, Caribbean Educators’ Research Initiative and Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project. The research initiative provides mentors for the students while the reforestation project transforms barren land into a thriving forest and prevents forest fires. 

Dr. Fox first visited the island in 2004 and fell in love with it. She built a relationship with Akilah Jaramogi, the reforestation project’s co-founder. Kemba Jaramogi, an operating manager and technical director of the reforestation project, also works closely with students.

The field school took shape in recent years. Dr. Fox hopes it serves BSU students from many majors. 

“It’s something really cool to get involved in,” said Christine, who spent two weeks in Trinidad. “There’s always something new you can learn from other cultures.”

Taylor, who spent three weeks there, said the planting of trees illustrates the importance of small actions, which make a huge difference when done by many people.

Taylor, who is from Halifax and is majoring in public health and sociology with a concentration in global studies and social justice, researched Trinidadian food from cultural, economic and social perspectives.

Ryan studied Trinidad’s culture since the island nation gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. 

Christine, an elementary education and anthropology double major from New Bedford, hopes to become a teacher. In Trinidad, she researched how living in an eco-community shapes children’s values. 

She said she learned to “really just keep an open mind about different cultural contexts children are growing up in.” 

Ryan, Christine and Taylor want to go back to Trinidad. The trip inspired Taylor to focus on her passions just as the Trinidadians she met focus on improving and caring about their environment.

“I would recommend every single student here to go (to the field school),” Taylor said. “I can’t even describe how amazing the opportunity is for personal growth, academic interests and cultural exposure.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

In the 1930s and 1940s, the Nazis imprisoned approximately 200,000 people at Germany’s Dachau Concentration Camp. An estimated 32,000 died. This summer, New England high school and college performers, including one from Bridgewater State University, brought moving music to this place that was once home to so much anguish. Standing in a circle and holding hands, members of the New England Ambassadors of Music sang a spiritual to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

“It was very powerful and emotional,” said Dr. Donald Running, an associate professor of music at Bridgewater, who led the ambassadors’ European trip.

The group, he said, showcased the good of humanity at a site of the worst of humanity.

The impromptu singing at Dachau came during the ambassadors’ 17-day journey. The students, who were recommended to the touring group by their school music directors, took in the sights and performed primarily at churches and parks. 

The singers and orchestral musicians visited cities like London and Paris, and journeyed to small villages such as Crans-Montana, which is in the Swiss Alps. They combined with students from Nevada to form a touring group of about 80 people. Dr. Running conducted the orchestra while a Nevada instructor led the chorus. Bridgewater State student Ezekiel Lewis sang in the chorus.

The musicians performed an American patriotic medley, the Shaker song “Simple Gifts,” Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” and other light pops pieces.

The New England group initially gathered at BSU for three days to learn music and meet one another. 

“This is an opportunity to get kids on campus, making music in a really positive experience,” Dr. Running said.

Hopefully, when they consider where to attend college, BSU will rise to the top of the list, he added.

Dr. Running led the trip for the first time this summer and called it “life changing.” The students visited places they may never get to see again and connected with their peers.

“They start to realize they’re surrounded by musicians from all over New England who are basically exactly the same,” he said. “We all have so much in common.”

The New England Ambassadors of Music plans to tour Europe again in 2020. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

It was Ryan Lanigan’s time in the shadows as a student-athlete at Brockton High School that ultimately inspired him to create a website that covered not just the superstars but every contributing member of a team. 

“My name wasn’t in the paper a lot and I thought, let’s promote these kids because they deserve it,” he said. 

To that end, in November 2011 Mr. Lanigan, a 2011 Bridgewater graduate, launched Hockomocksports.com, a sports-driven website that covers the 12 high schools in the Hockomock League of Southeastern Massachusetts. 

From soccer, basketball and football, to ice hockey, lacrosse, softball and baseball; he and his team, including Managing Editor Josh Perry, cover all varsity sports “Hock” fans follow. 

Visitors can click on the site to find updated game results, statistics, and photos of their favorite teams and players. 

In its inaugural year, Hockomocksports.com averaged between 400-500 page views per day. That number jumped to 1,500 the following year. 

The numbers have steadily climbed, and as of May 2018, Hockomocksports.com tallied, on average, 10,000 page views per day. 

During the 2017-18 school year the site garnered an impressive 4.3 million page views total. 

Initially, Mr. Lanigan said, the audience for the site was mostly young people. Now there’s a 60-40 split between younger and older fans.

With new advertisers and sponsors signing up, combined with sales of photos taken by the site’s staff, Mr. Lanigan’s enterprise garnered enough revenue last year to allow him to leave his job at TechTarget and focus solely on the website. 

“Luckily, putting in that time resulted in our best year,” he said. “Some might call it a hobby, some call it a job… We just love it and are lucky enough to be able to do it.”

Job or hobby, Mr. Lanigan’s said he is grateful to do what he believes is his calling. 

Growing up, once the newspaper arrived at his house each day, he could be found scouring the sports section. After just one year at St. Michael’s College in Vermont, Mr. Lanigan transferred to BSU where he joined the student-run newspaper, The Comment.

“The second I joined the paper I knew I was staying at Bridgewater,” he said. “Being in the newsroom, staying up doing copy edits, and being around people with a common focus, it seemed right for me,” Mr. Lanigan said. 

Looking forward, his goal is to sustain the business and continue covering high school sports, where he said the competition is still “pure.”

“We’re not in this to make millions of dollars,” Mr. Lanigan said. “We care more about kids succeeding than anything. I don’t want to write about the kid that struck out at the end of the game, I want to write about the kid who threw the strike.” (Story by Heather Michonski Harris, University News; photos courtesy ofhockomocksports.org.)