Daniel Moriarty, ’19, is aiming to bring agriculture into the 21^st century.

“I don’t have time to go to farmers markets and a lot of people don’t,” said the Bridgewater State University student. “There’s got to be an easier way to get food from farms.”    

To that end, Daniel has developed a new online farmers market connecting Southeastern Massachusetts growers to customers in Bridgewater and the New Bedford area. The service, called FarmThrift, is part of the GotChew app. Users can purchase an array of fresh produce, seafood, baked goods and even artwork. Daniel then delivers their purchases to customers’ homes, even if that’s a BSU residence hall.

Daniel, of Dartmouth, and longtime friend Nick Caswell, a student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, came up with the idea for FarmThrift in the summer of 2017. They are beta-testing the business currently, ramping up to a full launch next summer.

Daniel, who is majoring in political science and minoring in sustainability innovation and outreach, is thankful for the support he’s received on and off campus. He learned the ins and outs of starting a business from EforAll, which runs business-accelerator programming. Meanwhile, he researched how renewable energy and the internet can help farms through a BSU-based Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship grant.

“The faculty here have been super supportive and helpful, both with academics and the business,” said Daniel, who learned about food production through his coursework.

Farmers, especially young ones, are receptive to listing their products on FarmThrift. There’s no cost to them, since the business makes its profit on deliveries, said Daniel.  

While he’s excited to see this service take off, Daniel also has bigger plans. He hopes to help farmers use technology to make localized food production more successful while also reducing their environmental footprint. Farms could, for example, adapt renewable energy to power the tools necessary for indoor agriculture during the winter, and use technology to monitor irrigation and reduce unnecessary watering. 

For now, though, he hopes FarmThrift expands local farms’ customer bases – at the same time giving him his first post-collegiate job. 

“If I can graduate and be self-employed with this, then it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “It’s worth it because everything is learning. I’ve definitely learned a lot about how business works.”

People can access FarmThrift by downloading the GotChew app from the Apple or Android app stores. Bridgewater deliveries take place on Saturday afternoons. (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

An emotional John “Jack” Jones, ’62, glanced about the room overflowing with friends and colleagues who came to pay tribute to his late wife. 

“Martha would have approved,” he said.

It was standing room only during the Oct. 12 Alumni House dedication, where it was announced that Bethany House will hereafter be known as the John W. Jones and Martha Drinkwater Jones Alumni House.

Or, as Bridgewater State University Foundation Chairman Thomas Caron, ’75, affectionately called it, “the House of Jones.”

Professor Emeritus Barbara Ward was one of many in attendance at the ceremony. 

“This is well deserved,” she said. 

Jack Jones was a member of the faculty in the College of Education and Allied Studies from 1969 to 2003. Prior to joining the faculty, he’d served for five years as assistant dean of the College of Graduate Studies. 

His wife, Dean Martha Drinkwater Jones, ’64, served as an administrator for 35 years in the Office of Student Affairs, eventually taking on the position of acting vice president prior to her retirement. 

President Frederick W. Clark Jr. credited the couple for giving so much of themselves over the years, as both philanthropists and administrators. 

“(Together they) have given a combined 80 years of service to Bridgewater State, to our students, and to this community,” he said.

Board of Trustees Chairman Eugene Durgin echoed the president’s sentiments. 

“Today the university gives back to two of its favorite sons and daughters,” he said. 

The building at 26 Summer St. was purchased by the university two years ago with the intention of creating a larger and more welcoming Alumni House. Built in 1860, it now becomes the oldest building on campus, surpassing the Gates House which was believed to have been built in the late 1880’s. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski; photos by Carl Hollant, ’15; University News & Video)

You can have “bad chemistry” with a lot of things, which can make you go out of your way to avoid them. 

When looking to fill their science electives some students might skip over courses with the word “chemistry” listed in the description.

Professor Iana Mandravel-Hutchins is working to change that attitude with her Art Uncovered class. 

“The key to the heart of art is chemistry,” she said. “I don’t want students to be fearful of chemistry. I try to teach them basic principles, then they can look at art with a chemist’s eye.”

Chemistry is found everywhere in the art world, Mandravel-Hutchins said, and the goal of her second year, speaking-intensive seminar is to show ways the two are related. It was used to help restore the Sistine Chapel, is applied in the preservation of paintings, and even found on television’s Antiques Roadshow, where it helps reveal the value of objects examined by the show’s appraisers. 

During the course students travel back to ancient times to learn how chemistry was used to create paint pigments, examine the layered structure of a painting, understand the chemistry of colored glass, and how science is not only used to detect fake works of art, but also involved in the creation of counterfeits. 

Students are also exposed to different tools used in chemistry and art, such as using x-rays to see what’s going on under the layers of a painting, Mandravel-Hutchins said. Students from all majors are welcome to register for the course to learn more about the intermingling of science and art.

“This class is not about memorizing chemical reactions. You won’t become a chemist by taking this course, but it will get you to recognize how science is related to art,” she said. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski; University News & Video; photos by Drew Cambra, ’19)

As a national expert on bullying and childhood causes of aggression and abuse, you might think longtime Bridgewater State University Professor Dr. Elizabeth Englander doesn’t have any professional firsts remaining. Think again.

Gov. Charlie Baker recently tapped Englander to serve on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee – her first time being part of a gubernatorial-appointed body. Her term runs through March 2020.

The committee distributes federal grant money that supports a variety of initiatives related to the juvenile justice system. It also advises the governor and state lawmakers on policies and assists public safety officials with developing a statewide plan related to child well-being and preventing delinquency.

“I think it’s logical to have someone who understands the psychological and behavioral underpinnings of these kinds of problems,” said Englander, a psychology professor who founded BSU’s Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center. “My goal is more just to help out wherever my expertise is relevant.” 

The center, known as MARC for short, offers bullying and cyberbullying prevention research and resources. It works annually with hundreds of schools.

Englander is one of many Bridgewater State faculty members whose academic pursuits have tangible effects on Massachusetts and beyond.

“I think it’s just a recognition of the fact we have faculty who have expertise that are really relevant and are applicable outside the university setting,” she said of her appointment.  (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Paul Prescott, ’88, failed his first test in an audiology class at Bridgewater State, but not for reasons one would expect.

Prescott’s learning disability made it difficult for him to take a written exam. When the professor allowed him to retake the test orally, he scored an A. 

“After that, she got to see that I wasn’t looking for any handouts,” said Prescott, who majored in communication disorders and minored in psychology. “I just need to take in information differently.”

Accommodating students’ needs is something at which Bridgewater excels – today and when Prescott was a student in the 1980s. It’s also a hallmark of his father’s dedication to serving others. Dr. Paul Prescott was a longtime Bridgewater State special education professor – and so much more.

The elder Prescott, who taught at Bridgewater until about a decade ago and died in 2010, helped families of disabled children push school districts for adequate services. He didn’t charge for his help or expertise, opting instead to pass on the goodwill someone showed him when he himself was advocating on behalf of his son.

“My dad was a pretty amazing man,” the younger Prescott recalled. “My dad is my hero and I was lucky in that I got a chance to tell him that multiple times.”

Dr. Prescott was as comfortable in the classroom as he was in the woods cutting down a tree. “He could wield a chainsaw like a surgeon could wield a scalpel,” his son said.

He was also committed to serving his country, and did so for more than three decades in the U.S. Army. His jobs included chief of staff for the 818th Hospital Center in Georgia and inspector general for the 77th Army Reserve Command in New York. He achieved the rank of colonel and was honored with the Legion of Merit for his dedication and leadership. He was, his son recalled, a natural leader who would never criticize a subordinate in public. 

Such selflessness breeds more of the same.

Roy Noepel, ’92, met Professor Prescott through Paul Prescott. The Norwood resident last year decided to donate one of his kidneys to a total stranger. Mr. Noepel cited his friend's father as inspiration.

“He had a great influence on me,” Mr. Noepel said. “I’m just carrying it on.”

The younger Prescott also carried on his father’s legacy of serving others by volunteering on local government boards and with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire.

Dr. Prescott also knew about perseverance, as he did not let growing up in Maine as part of a household with limited income hinder his life goals. He clearly passed that trait on to his son, too.

The younger Prescott overcame his disability, thanks to his parents and the support he received at Bridgewater State. He credits the school with improving his interpersonal skills and helping him develop in other ways. He now lives in Amherst, New Hampshire, and is employed in information technology at BAE Systems.  

“Being learning disabled, I had to constantly work and continue to work to compensate for my disability,” he said. Bridgewater “gave me the vehicle to be able to be successful, because no matter how hard you work, it just doesn’t work if you don’t have the support mechanism.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

You may have seen him on the quadrangle doing his thing. And his thing is flipping, whirling, cartwheeling and otherwise acrobatically moving to and fro.

He’s Ailton Tavares, ’20, and when he’s not in class or studying, you can find him on the quad or on a Boston street laying down some impressive moves.

Recently, we caught up with this business major who’s business is entertaining others with his unique abilities. (Video by Carl Hollant,’15, University News & Video)

Vibrant decorations, music and laughter dominated the second floor of Boyden Hall during the “You Have a Home at BSU” reception.   

The event was held to celebrate the launch of the university’s first-ever LGBTQ+ alumni group. 

“I think this is one of many good first steps I’ve seen in the past few years,” said Peter Wood, ’18. “This creates more spaces for alumni, to remind them that connections and spaces to network do exist.”

Wood came to the event to celebrate the extended supports being put in place to support members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies on campus and beyond.

As an alumnus, Cam Hall, ’17, plans on volunteering to help get the newly established group up and running.

“I definitely will be part of it. It feels good to be able to come back to BSU and have a socially inclusive place to gather,” Hall said. 

The university is currently ranked 36^thin the nation as a best college for LGBTQ students, a statistic that President Frederick W. Clark Jr. shed light on during the reception.

“Let’s applaud 36 for just a minute, then go after 35, 34… I really want to be number one,” Clark said.

Dr. Jean MacCormack, board of trustees vice chairwoman, announced she is planning to donate $50,000 to the new Achieving the Dream Fund. 

“This is something I believe will have a lasting effect,” Dr. MacCormack said of the new fund; she encouraged others to giveif they are able. 

Money raised will create pilot retention programs to help struggling students find successand close achievement gaps, said Dr. Sabrina Gentlewarrior, vice president of Student Success and Diversity.

“BSU is taking the right steps and we invite everyone to be part of the conversation,” said Dr. Luis F. Paredes, director of Institutional Diversity. (Story and photos by Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video)

Members of the Bridgewater State University community know the value of listening to those who are sometimes overlooked. To that end, the campus is set to once again provide a platform for some of those, particularly younger, voices to be heard.

As part of 2018 Universal Children’s Day, 250 third graders from Brockton elementary schools are expected travel to BSU to communicate their ideas and proposed solutions concerning pressing global issues.  

This is the third year the university has hosted the event. 

“It’s an uplifting day,” said Senior Associate Dean Jo Hoffman of the College of Education and Allied Sciences.

In 1954 the United Nations declared Nov. 20 as Universal Children’s Day, to allow students to come together to participate in activities based on the themes of the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development set forth by the U.N.

No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy are samplings of some of the goals. 

Throughout the day on campus, the Brockton students will partake of workshops where they will explore project-based learning and creative problem solving with BSU students and faculty.

During a poster session, children will have the opportunity to describe their connection to the goals and their ideas for local action. 

Part of the day will also include discussions of the book Full Steam Ahead by authors Peter and Paul Reynolds. The book focuses on creative problem solving. 

As a special treat, the day will conclude with a guest visit from the Reynolds brothers, who have participated in the previous two Children’s Day celebrations at Bridgewater. 

The 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development are in effect until 2030, and Dr. Hoffman said the university will continue to collaborate with area elementary schools to address them. 

“We have a goal for global competency and learning, of thinking beyond this region,” she said. 

Members of the Bridgewater State community are invited to attend Universal Children’s Day events. Things kick off at 9 a.m. in the Moakley Center. Keynote speakers Peter and Paul Reynolds are scheduled to speak at 11:30 a.m. (Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video)

Bridgewater State University students are harnessing the power of lasers and, in the process, shining a light on their university. 

A team of undergraduates has built a device that uses lasers to trap and manipulate microscopic items such as DNA molecules. The device, known as optical tweezers, allows students to research how cancer drugs interact with single molecules of DNA, work that could lead to the development of better medications to combat the disease.

And, a group of BSU students is believed to be the first undergraduates ever to build dual-beam optical tweezers, according to Dr. Thaya Paramanathan, an assistant professor of physics. Their creation is one of only 15 to 20 optical tweezers used for biological research in the country.

“It’s a huge thing to have something like this here at BSU,” Paramanathan said. “The specialty of this one, which nobody else can claim, is it was built completely by undergrads.”

The project began in 2015 and involved physics, biology, computer science and chemistry students. Work culminated over the summer as Adam Jabak, Zachary Ells, both class of 2020, and Brian Dolle, ’19, consistently caught DNA molecules using the tweezers. 

The high-tech tool is located in the single molecule biophysics lab inside the Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Mathematics Center.

“It’s super exciting to put all your effort into something and finally see it come to fruition,” said Brian, a physics and math major from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

The trailblazing students who laid the groundwork for the tweezers were Brian Daudelin, ’17, who led efforts to assemble the necessary equipment, including a table that is suspended in air to prevent and eliminate vibrations; along with Eric Grotzke and Amanda Coughlin, both class of 2017, who tackled computer programming and aligning the lasers. 

Current seniors William Coon and Benjamin Hanson caught the first DNA in 2017, setting the stage for Adam, Brian Dolle, and Zachary.

The trio, working this summer with a grant from BSU’s Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship, overcame challenges to consistently catch DNA using the tweezers. To do so, they had to focus laser beams on a minuscule point – about 100 times thinner than the thickness of a strand of human hair.

“It was a journey,” said Zachary, a physics major from Douglas who will conduct research at Northeastern University next summer thanks to a National Science Foundation grant the Boston school shared with BSU. “I thought I was just coming in to take data. It’s not like that. You run into real issues and roadblocks.”

They may have faced similar challenges as Arthur Ashkin, a scientist who recently received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work to develop optical tweezers

But, the story of optical tweezers is about more than building the device. Brian Dolle and Zachary use it to study doxorubicin, which treats many forms of cancer. Meanwhile, Adam researches how ruthenium-based prospective drug molecules bind to DNA.

They credit BSU with providing them a chance to do research normally reserved for graduate students.

“Being able to get undergraduate research experience definitely gives you a good sense of what graduate school will be like,” said Adam, a physics major from Boston who hopes to continue studying biophysics.

The experience also helps them compete for top graduate school spots.

“It means a lot more when you say ‘I have done research,’” Brian said.

Many others contributed to the development of the optical tweezers, including of Devon West-Coates, Jon del’Etoile, and Erin McLaughlin, all class of 2016, and Nicholas Bryden, ’17. (Story by Brian Benson, video by Carl Hollant, ’15, University News & Video; some photos provided, others by Drew Cambra, ’19)

Mary Waldron isn’t a Brockton native, but she sure has a passion for the city.

Waldron, who grew up in Chicopee and leads Bridgewater State University’s Institute for Policy Analysis and Regional Engagement, dedicates much of her free time to giving back to her adopted hometown.

The Boys & Girls Club of Brockton recently honored her commitment to the city and its youth at its annual gala. Waldron is one of three recipients of this year’s Thomas P. Kennedy Service Award, named after the late state senator who represented Brockton.

“She is someone who is so passionate about this city,” said Monica Lombardo, ’11, the club’s director of development and communications. “Mary has a lot of pride in her adopted hometown.”

Waldron started the Just Checking In Fund in memory of her late husband, John, who was himself committed to the city and renown for always checking in on friends and family.

The fund supports a variety of Brockton-area programs, including the Boys & Girls Club, youth sports, and an initiative to place flags at veterans’ graves. It awards scholarships to Brockton High School graduates and supports Brockton students attending BSU.

“To receive the award is humbling and also emotional in many ways,” said Waldron, whose husband worked for Kennedy.

She is also a Rotarian and has worked for Brockton 21st Century Corporation, which is an economic development agency, as well as the city’s mayor’s office.

Waldron praised BSU President Frederick W. Clark Jr., the cabinet, and the Board of Trustees for their support of her efforts to improve lives in the City of Champions. Her work is one of many examples of Bridgewater State’s commitment to social justice.

“Living in Brockton, you just see the need around you and you can’t sit back and be a bystander,” she said. “The need in Brockton is so, so large.”

Boys & Girls Club officials think she is a perfect fit for the award.

“She’s truly beloved by people far and wide in this city,” Lombardo said. “If there’s anybody who epitomizes what we’re trying to honor, Mary really is at the top of that list.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

It isn’t always professors and administrators who go above and beyond to ensure student success, sometimes assistance comes from students helping students. 

This month, the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) hosted a tutor appreciation week to recognize those who give their time to help other students achieve success. 

“Tutors work hard to help students uncover what they know, in order to help them develop a better understanding.” said Kathryn Crisostomo, learning assistant services’ assistant director. 

Seeking out a tutor doesn’t mean you aren’t smart, she added. 

“I believe some of the most successful students use tutoring support,” Crisostomo said. “It would be great if students could think of tutoring as another part of their regular study and learning time each week. It gives them another opportunity to reinforce concepts and identify areas they need to work on.”

Some of the students recognized by the AAC last week shared why they tutor and the benefits to their peers of seeking out the kinds of help they offer. 

Alex Crisman, ’21

MAJORS: secondary education and history

HOMETOWN: Taunton

Alex became a tutor because as an education major he wanted to get an idea of what it would take to become a teacher. 

“I feel this experience has really shown me the different ways that I can work with fellow students and how I can incorporate that into my future classroom.”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT TUTORING? “Being able to help fellow students in need.”

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO SEEK OUT A TUTOR? “If you are struggling with any area in any subject, always reach out and try to gain help from your peers or even the professor. We all want to make sure students can perform at the top of their ability, in and out of the classroom.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU PASS ON TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING BEING A TUTOR? “Patience is key most of the time. If you go in with very high expectations both you and the student will become frustrated and not succeed.”

Collen O’Dwyer, ’19

MAJORS: communication sciences and communication disorders

HOMETOWN: Westport

After taking a difficult course in her major, Colleen said she found support from her peers and was able to find success. 

“I realized that if I became a tutor, then I could provide other students the same support that I received.”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT TUTORING? “It is very fulfilling. I really love it when students who have been struggling with material begin to feel confident in their understanding of the class and their abilities as learners.”

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO SEEK OUT A TUTOR? “Because tutors, who have also taken the course they tutor in, are able to understand and relate to their students’ experiences.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU PASS ON TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING BEING A TUTOR? “You might be nervous because about being a tutor, because you may feel that you don’t know all the answers or that you aren’t an expert. That’s okay. Admit you don’t know the answer, and your student will understand. They might feel reassured that even tutors don’t know it all. Then work with your student to find the answer and you can learn together.”

Rob Couto, ’19

MAJOR: biology

HOMETOWN: Middleboro

In high school, Rob volunteered as a math tutor and learned that by explaining information to others, or listening to different ways of thinking, actually helped him retain information better. 

“I figured if becoming a tutor would be beneficial in helping students as well as myself then it’s a great opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT TUTORING? “When you can notice your students’ attitudes changing for the better as they gain confidence in a new form that shows through their work and their outlook on the material they once dreaded.”

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO SEEK OUT A TUTOR? “Once class material begins to get too complicated or a student falls behind, it’s quite difficult to catch up. Seeking out a tutor can save time, effort and even money because classes aren’t free.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU PASS ON TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING BEING A TUTOR? “I believe before building others up to create a strong academic mind, one should be confident in themselves and be ready to handle any issue a student could possibly throw at them.”

Maria Cabrera, ’19

MAJOR: sociology

HOMETOWN: Boston

Born in Guatemala, Maria is not a native speaker. She knows firsthand that learning can be difficult. She helps other students learn English. 

“Seeking out a tutor can be intimidating, however, students should take full advantage of this opportunity. A tutor can guide you along the path of success.”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT TUTORING? “As an English learner I like to provide support to those that are in the process of learning.”

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO SEEK OUT A TUTOR? “The relationship between tutors and students can grow through understanding each other’s needs and expectations. An hour meeting can simply be a conversation or a session of editing an essay assignment.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU PASS ON TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING BEING A TUTOR? “You gain many leadership skills and truly grow as a person. The students are super sweet and love talking about and learning new things.” (Story and photos by Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video)

This was not your average assignment for students in Sasha Link’s Writing Rhetorically course at Bridgewater State University.

“A lot of times in English classes you get a prompt to imagine you are writing to this person,” said Niccolo Lembo-Volpe, a Wareham High School junior taking the class through a dual-enrollment program.

“You’re never actually writing to them,” added BSU student Maddie Elliott, ’22.

But Link, ’04, made the hypothetical real when she asked students to write to their lawmakers on topics about which they are passionate – and subsequently hand deliver their letters during a trip to the statehouse.

“The most important thing is to then turn these ideas and passions into an open conversation and dialogue,” said Link, an adjunct professor in the Department of English and former legislative aide.

Link challenged students to write about topics related to their hometowns or the Bridgewater State community. 

Maddie, who lives in Foxboro, asked state Sen. Paul Feeney, D-Foxboro, if police have adequate training to respond to major incidents at Gillette Stadium. Niccolo wrote to state Rep. Susan Williams Gifford, R-Wareham, about creating more educational opportunities for non-native English speakers. Emily Mullaney, ’22, who is from Canton, advocated for increased funding and awareness for the Canton High School theater program.

“I learned the importance of putting your words out there,” said Emily, who wrote to state Rep. William Galvin, D-Canton, and talked with state Sen. Walter Timilty, D-Milton. 

Many students were unable to meet their lawmakers. But, they presented letters to secretaries or aides and went on an eye-opening tour of the statehouse.

“It was a lot of fun. It was really cool because I had never been there before,” said Abby Grella, ’22, of Mansfield, who wrote to state Rep. F. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, arguing foreign language instruction should start in lower grades. “You always hear what goes on in there and never go there to experience it.”

Students took in the statehouse’s grand architecture and found out it truly is a public building. 

“I always thought you have to be an exclusive person to get into the statehouse,” said Shayla Young, ’22, of Abington, who advocated for the Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race in a letter to state Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy. “I learned that it is the people’s house. You don’t have to be someone exclusive or important.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

The sinking of the Titanic has captured the imaginations of generations. Bridgewater State University students recently met one of the few people to see the wreck first-hand.

Prominent maritime archeologist Dr. James Delgado spoke at BSU, a university he praised for its state-of-the-art labs and a campus that is accessible to the public through events such as Open Lab Night.

“It’s a human-scale university,” Delgado said in an interview before delivering the annual Class of 1942 lecture. “I think it’s a perfect size. It’s large, but not a gigantic campus with 50,000 students. It’s the right scale for the kind of interactions I believe in in education, which are closer interactions with students and the ability to mentor.”

Delgado, who was fascinated with archeology and shipwrecks as a curious child, also spoke to BSU students and faculty and toured the university’s facilities during a multi-day visit. 

Curiosity, in a way, led him to Bridgewater State. Delgado and Dr. Martina Arndt, a BSU physics professor, met when they were touring the Kennedy Space Center. They were the only people in their group to venture out to the launch pad where a fire killed the Apollo 1 crew.

Arndt was excited to meet Delgado, since she was captivated by the Titanic as a child. She invited him to visit Bridgewater. 

To Delgado, a former director of maritime heritage at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, space is not the only “final frontier.”

“We’ve mapped the moon. We’ve mapped Mars and we’ve only mapped 5 percent of the earth’s oceans,” he said during the lecture.

Delgado kept up his inquisitiveness throughout a career, shining a light deep below the ocean’s surface with the help of increasingly advanced diving equipment and submersibles. In addition to the Titanic, he’s explored a variety of other shipwrecks, including the USS Independence aircraft carrier that was part of a target fleet for atomic bomb tests. He has seen the mailroom on the Titanic and a plane from the Independence.

Delgado, who is now senior vice president of SEARCH Inc., works with interdisciplinary teams of scientists on missions, where he spots unique fish in addition to shipwrecks. 

“Every time we go…we are discovering new life,” he said. “It’s amazing. It’s Star Trek. We meet aliens all the time, except they’re aliens of the deep.”

Scientists can observe and control missions from afar thanks to technology that also allows the public to watch on the internet.

Explorations bring closure to families whose relatives served on sunken ships and help researchers learn more about the connection between oceans and humans, Delgado said.

He hopes students remain interested in learning and understand that science is about collaboration across the disciplines.

“I never want to stop learning,” he said. “I’m still a student and will be until the day I die.”

Archbishop Williams High School freshmen Swetha Venkatesan and Sasha Powers took that message to heart. Swetha and Sasha were eager to learn how BSU students conduct research by touring labs at Open Lab Night, which followed Delgado’s lecture. They were also curious to get a glimpse into shipwreck exploration.

“We haven’t really learned about that yet,” Swetha said of shipwrecks.

Delgado had a message for students like Sasha and Swetha: 

“My generation and the one before me hasn’t found it all,” he said. “There’s so much more left to do and now the opportunity and the responsibility is with you. You can not only make a career, you can make a difference.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

If the Couto family ever needs a venue for a family reunion, Bridgewater State University’s Department of Psychology may be as appropriate a location as any.

Why? Well, siblings Kevin, Michael and Caroline are all current psychology majors at BSU. 

Meanwhile, the Couto clan’s ties to Bridgewater don’t end there: Cousin Tim is a 2015 graduate. And, you guessed it, he studied psychology too.

We recently asked the three Couto siblings about life on campus.

You grew up mostly on Cape Cod, but also moved around. And, you all transferred to BSU after going to at least one other school. What about Bridgewater State makes it feel like home?

MICHAEL, ’19: When I got here, I’d become friends with a group of people I’m still really close with. Having this group of friends really cemented Bridgewater as the place for me. Having someone on the faculty (Dr. Caroline Stanley) that I look up to is important. 

KEVIN, ’19: It’s close enough that we can go home if we need to for extra support, and it’s a good program. All of my professors have been nothing but helpful. I have a learning disability, so the academic support is important.

CAROLINE, ’20: We’ve all kind of had the same group of friends. And now, here it’s still true. Having both of them here helped me scoot my way into that friend group. I want to finish here. I’m done transferring. 

Why do you study psychology?

MICHAEL: I’m interested in the mind and monism. Life and death and consciousness are incredibly interesting to me from a philosophical standpoint. 

KEVIN: I find research very interesting. I enjoy reading research articles. Particularly, biopsychology research interests me a lot. 

CAROLINE: I want to go into psychiatry, the medicinal aspect of mental health. Around the beginning of high school, I just knew psychology would work for me.

(By the way, Tim earned a graduate degree in a psychology field from William James College in Newton. Kevin, Michael and Caroline, not surprisingly, are considering following suit.)

What’s the best part of having your siblings on campus?

KEIVN: You always have someone to eat with and hang out with. You’re never alone. 

CAROINE: If you ever run out of something, you can always get it.

MICHAEL: The best part of having siblings on campus is experiencing college together. I would talk about (my friends) Sarah and Matt and Bri, and it makes sense because they know these people. They get to share in my people who are now our people.

Is there a downside?

MICHAEL: You guys know everything I do. There are no secrets. (Story and photos by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

He had studied the film and knew exactly where the quarterback was headed, tracked him, saw his opportunity, and, running full speed, put his head down to make the hit. 

Unlike every other tackle he made throughout his football career, Brian Cerow, ’22, knew instantly this one was different.

“I felt and heard the crack and knew immediately something was wrong,” he said. 

In a panic, Brian managed to jump to his feet, remove his helmet and walk off the field. 

“My neck! My neck!” he screamed. 

Today, when the Bridgewater State University freshman shares with his new college friends how he overcame a broken neck injury, many express shock that he’s still standing.

The Hopedale native was able to walk onto the Bridgewater campus this fall, but that isn’t always the case for those who break their C1 vertebrae, as Brian had. 

“The majority of the time, C1 vertebrae fractures, you just die instantly,” he said. “You lose your respiratory system, you can’t breath, and unless you get oxygen within the first 10 minutes, you die.”

Lucky for Brian, the placement of his fracture wasn’t fatal.

“It was nanometers away,” he said. 

At the time of his injury last fall, Brian was a senior and captain of the Blackstone-Millville Hopedale co-op football team.

After months of wearing a neck brace and hours of physical therapy, he miraculously recovered and shocked everybody when he was able to suit up with the lacrosse team to close out his high school athletic career. 

He plans to continue playing club lacrosse at BSU, where he’s majoring in psychology.

Having a near-death experience might encourage some to change their perspective on life. Not Brian. 

“I’ll be honest, it just kind of furthered the ideals I already have. Live your life to the fullest on a daily basis because you don’t know when that last day is. Make meaningful connections with those around you, base those connections on love, compassion and caring,” he said.

Following his injury, Brian’s hometown rallied around him. That sense of community contributed to his successful recovery. 

Since arriving on campus, Brian said he has been able to expand and add to his support system. 

“I’ve already got a great group of friends here,” he said. “This is a great community with a lot of great people here on campus. I’m finding my niche.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski; photo by Carl Hollant’15, University News & Video)

There have been reported sightings of a bear flying, spinning and flipping through the air on the Bridgewater State University Quadrangle.

Upon further investigation it was revealed that the jumping and gyrating figure is actually Ailton Tavares, ’20, a business marketing major who earns a living as a “trickster.” 

No, Ailton isn’t collecting a paycheck by playing pranks, he’s part of a training discipline called “tricking,” where athlete-artists link together a combination of acrobatic moves that include kicks, flips and twists. 

For bystanders it’s an impressive routine to witness. 

“People are always surprised, for many they’ve never seen the things I do and are very shocked,” Ailton said.

When not in class he uses spaces around campus, such as the Boyden Quadrangle and University Park, to choreograph and practice his complicated sequence. 

“I practice every day until I’m tired,” Ailton said. “Tricking is like walking to me.”

High above the ground, the euphoria he experiences is like no other sensation. 

“I feel like I’m flying,” he said. “It’s a cool feeling to be in the air floating.”

Since starting five years ago, he has performed his act in Boston’s Fanueil Hall, California’s Venice Beach and in Montreal. He recently took part in a high-profile photo shoot for an upcoming print advertisement for Nike. 

It was Ailton’s late brother Emerson who turned him on to tricking and who still serves as motivation. 

“I feel like he’s with me, yeah,” he said. 

Ailton wants members of the BSU community to understand that during his on-campus workouts, he’s not showing off, but simply working on perfecting his craft. 

“I’m only training and trying to get better,” he said.

This bouncing Bear invites everyone to follow his blossoming career on Instagram. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video; video by Carl Hollant, ’15)

You may have heard the saying, “All politics is local.” But, all politics is math for students in a class currently being taught by Bridgewater State University Assistant Professor of Mathematics Jacqueline Anderson.

Anderson created a first-year seminar that shows the connections between number crunching and politics. Students in her Math and Politics course explore polling, gerrymandering, the ways in which other countries elect officials, and how seats in Congress are divvied up. Along the way, they learn geometry, logic, statistics and data analysis.

“I hope they take away from it a sense of the versatility of mathematics,” Anderson said. “It really is applicable in so many aspects of their lives.”

First-year seminars are small, discussion-oriented courses where students explore a topic of interest. In Math and Politics, discussions touch on issues making news in the run-up to the Nov. 6 midterm election.

Anderson hopes the seminar boosts students’ civic engagement and excitement to vote in all elections, from contests with national implications to races for local city councils and school committees. 

Anderson, who has always been interested in politics and government, sought to develop a course that would appeal to students who would not otherwise be inclined to study mathematics. Two summers ago, she attended a workshop on gerrymandering and math at Tufts University. That professional development experience gave her the necessary expertise to launch the BSU course last spring.

At a recent class session, students used grids featuring 60 purple squares and 40 yellow squares that represented voters inclined to vote for certain parties. Their challenge? To create a normal set of 10 districts as well as a gerrymandered set of 10 districts that led to the yellow group having more representation. 

The class members have also debated the pros and cons of the Electoral College and learned about the myriad of ways elections are held around the world.

“I enjoy it. It’s definitely interesting,” said William Colarusso, ’22, a computer science major from Barnstable. “I didn’t know what to expect and it’s definitely surprised me.”

Courtney Crowley, ’22, of Arlington, has always been interested in politics, but said this class prompted her to become a political science major on top of her special education major. 

Alexis Moulthrop, ’22, came into the course knowing little about politics. Now, she finds herself more inclined to peruse election content on Twitter and relate it to what she’s learned in Math and Politics. The early childhood education major from Kingston, said: “This class has definitely made me want to vote more.” (Story by Brian Benson, photos by Charlie Peters, University News & Video)

If Professor Andrew Holman was a contestant on Jeopardy and host Alec Trebec offered the answer, “Speed, Science and Mayhem,” after buzzing in Holman’s response would be, “What is hockey?”

For Holman, who leads Bridgewater State University’s Canadian Studies program, the sport has been part his life as far back as he can remember. 

“My older brothers played, my dad played. Hockey was always something you did, not something you decided to do. It wasn’t an expectation, it was just normal…Hockey has been a passion for me in terms of my own life,” said the native Canadian. 

Holman, who coached the Bears hockey team from 1998-2011, shares his passion for the sport in his latest project, Hockey: A Global History, a book work he co-wrote with Stephen Hardy. 

The book represents 25 years of research gathered by the two authors. 

“This is not a book about glorified shop talk,” Holman said. 

It covers the global history of hockey, from its birth in Montreal to its migration to the United States and Europe. Woven throughout are stories from individuals who demonstrate broader changes taking place within the sport. 

“It’s not about statistics or fights, those do work their way into the narrative, but really it’s about the bigger, broader questions about how people organize sport and how it’s delivered to people,” Holman said. 

Through the lens of hockey, the nexus of class and race is explored, as well as socioeconomics. The authors examine questions such as: What happens to a sport when it evolves from amateur to a commercial enterprise business?  

The book reveals the complexities of hockey, including racism and how whiteness was once used as a means of exclusion in the game. The science behind the sport is also explored.

“Hockey became a political divide,” Holman said. “It’s so complex. It really is a mirror of society, not just the good things, but many of the fissures that divide people in society. We talk about sport being a microcosm of society and hockey is a good example.”

The BSU professor isn’t done writing about hockey just yet. He is currently traveling throughout Canada to create a book of documents that trace the arc of hockey history in Canada. The project is being commissioned by Canada’s Champlain Society.  

Through his research, Holman will continue to seek out stories that demonstrate the intersection between broader social issues in Canada and hockey. 

“It’s always fun to debunk something. I really think that’s what drives my particular type of writing,” Holman said.

More details can be found at the publisher’s website.

“Every election is determined by the people who show up.” -Larry J. Sabato

Many people think that “my vote doesn’t count” and “it really doesn’t matter if I vote.” This may be the furthest thing from the truth. Not only is it important to vote to set an example for generations to come, as well as for the generations who don’t have a say yet, it’s important to vote for yourself. How many times have you complained or been annoyed with how things are run? The way to have a say in decision-making is to exercise your right to vote.

Our nation is a representative democracy founded on the principle that we “the people” elect officials to represent us. By not voting, you are choosing to let others make the decisions about the future direction of the country and your views may go unrepresented. Part of what makes America strong is that we, as individuals, have the ability to share our views. We all have issues important to who we are and the groups we belong to that need to be heard. There is no better way to express your opinion than in the voting booth.

If you think your vote doesn’t matter, think again. There have been numerous elections where the outcome was decided by a small number of votes. Don’t sit on the sidelines and possibly feel regret that you didn’t get involved if the election doesn’t go the way you want it to.

Many people throughout the world are still fighting for a right to vote, a right and privilege that we are lucky to have. We have a voice and a way to change the country, so we need to make our voices heard by voting.

This story was written by BSU student Catherine Rafuse.