Living with roommates. Filling out forms. Finding an appropriate bathroom. 

Those are among the seemingly ordinary activities that can present challenges for members of the LGBTQ community. But, Bridgewater State University and its Pride Center are here to help.

“Sexual orientation and gender identity are not choices,” said Lee Forest, the center’s director. “You discover them. You could choose to live your life authentically or not, but who you are in terms of your identities are not choices.”

The center recently hosted LGBTQ 101, during which Forest and eight students explained terminology and shared personal stories. Several professors brought classes to the event, which included an interactive activity that illustrated the struggles members of the LGBTQ community face: What gender box to check on a form? How to explain one’s identity to roommates or new friends? Should one share this information at all?  

Bridgewater State strives to ease these concerns and create a welcoming, inclusive community for all students. Just ask Nicholas Williams, ’21. Nicholas is a transgender man, meaning he was assigned the sex of female at birth and identifies as a man. He has been fully living as a man for several years.

Nicholas grew up in a conservative household where, for many years, he didn’t know about being transgender. In high school, he often walked across the school to the one bathroom he could use. Things are different at BSU, and not just because there are 71 gender-inclusive, single-occupancy restrooms on campus.

“Coming to Bridgewater, where I do have the resources and support from so much of the campus, it’s really made a difference to me personally,” said Nicholas, who is from Auburn and majoring in communication studies with a concentration in public relations. 

 He feels like he can be himself.

Lindsey Thayer, ’22, agreed. She is asexual, meaning she feels no sexual attraction to any gender. Lindsey said she is lucky to have not experienced much prejudice. But, she sometimes thinks she is “broken.” Then, she realizes her BSU friends are there for her.

“People have accepted me with open arms,” the history major from Plymouth said. “I have great friends who help me when I fall into a pit.”

Student speakers encouraged their peers in the audience to avoid making assumptions based on how someone looks. 

Lindsey said: “It’s really important to listen to what you feel because you’re the person that knows you best.”

See below for a downloadable version of the handout from the event.

(Story and photos by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

The Journal of International Women’s Studies has a worldwide audience, but it’s also making a difference right here at Bridgewater State University.

The online, open-access journal, which recently surpassed 1 million article downloads on BSU’s Virtual Commons platform, is readily accessible to students and offers them a chance to gain hands-on experience in publishing.

“This is an important part of their global education,” said Dr. Diana Fox, a BSU anthropology professor and an executive editor of the journal. “This is the world brought to Bridgewater.”

And, Bridgewater faculty and administrators sit on the editorial board and contribute articles and book reviews.

Fox started the journal almost two decades ago when she was teaching at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and wanted to bridge the research and activism sides of feminism. She brought the publication to Bridgewater when she came here to teach. And, it moved to the Virtual Commons platform in 2012.

En route to 1 million downloads, the journal has reached beyond women’s studies to cover masculinity, LGBTQ issues and other topics. And, there’s more work to do.

“While women have made great gains, there are still significant inequalities in wealth, in political power in many countries and in terms of discrimination,” Fox said.

Emily Brunelle, ’19, copy edits the journal, a job that goes beyond catching grammatical problems. The journal publishes many submissions from non-native English speakers. Emily tries to make their work easy to understand for English speakers.

“It’s a unique challenge in that you’re trying to keep the voice of who is writing the article,” said the anthropology major from Whitman. “It’s so interesting. I really have enjoyed doing it.”

Emily, a self-described “grammar nerd” who loves linguistics, may look into copy editing work once she graduates. 

Carley Taylor, ’16, G’19, of Dartmouth, works for the journal as a graduate assistant. She communicates with authors and people who review submissions and works on the copy editing herself. 

“This journal for me personally opened up my mind a lot to things I wasn’t ever aware I should be researching and reading about,” said Taylor, who is studying English. “We get stories submitted from all around the world. A lot of articles are inspired by first-person experiences. … It’s very powerful.”

The Journal of International Women’s Studies is the only journal at BSU to surpass the 1 million download milestone.

“We’re very proud of Diana and all of her work she has done on the journal and her support for the library and working so collaboratively with us,” said Michael Somers, director of library services. “This is a high-quality, much-beloved and much-read journal.”

The publication’s online presence makes it truly international, Somers said.

“It has a role in the global women’s movement,” Fox said. “It has carved out a place and people are using it in teaching and their own work and that feels really amazing.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Looking for a way to enhance your resume while thinking critically about the United States? A minor in American studies could be for you. 

And, Bridgewater State University students may have already met some of the requirements for the program without even knowing it.

“American studies is a very interdisciplinary program and minor,” said Dr. Simone Poliandri, an associate anthropology professor and the program’s new coordinator. “You don’t have to bend to fit the minor and program. The minor and program will bend to fit you and your studies.”

Matthew Donovan-Scott, ’19, knows about that flexibility first hand. Matthew, an English major from Halifax whose minors include American studies, is interested in how our culture affects politics and vice versa. But, that’s just one way someone could complete the minor.

“There are a lot of things that make up what is America,” he said.

Along the way to that American studies minor you might learn something about yourself.

“Learning about your own culture can help you analyze what forces influence you and the world around you,” Matthew said.  

Poliandri, who succeeds English Associate Professor Dr. Heidi Bean as the program’s coordinator, is planning to introduce a theme each year with related events. This year’s focus is diversity and immigrant lives in the United States, a topic Poliandri said is timely and sensitive.

The program recently hosted “American Lives Today,” which brought together ethnically diverse speakers from BSU and elsewhere to discuss what it means to be American today.

Poliandri hopes to host a similar event in the spring to continue connecting the university and the outside world, and taking students beyond simply reading about diversity. 

The program also hosts an annual internship fair.

Meanwhile, the minor incorporates courses in anthropology, history, political science, criminal justice, music, and many other disciplines. It gives students a broad understanding of American society and culture, preparing them for careers in the law, government, human resources and other fields.

“Students can use it to complement what they already are doing for their major and career goals,” Poliandri said. “American studies is a feather in the cap for resumes and careers.”

Photo caption: Dr. Navid Fozi-Abivard, left, Erin X. Smithers, and Kim Soun Ty, answer questions at “American Lives Today.” (Story and photos by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

On Nov. 11, along with the rest the country, Bridgewater State University will honor military veterans. 

BSU wants student-veterans, in particular, to know that the institution has their backs 365 days a year. For example, there are services available through the school’s Veterans Center, where veterans can be found helping veterans.

Prior to his arrival at BSU, Marine veteran David Fairfax, ’20, (at left in the photo) was stationed in the Philippines, where he performed airfield seizure exercises. Or, he could be found soaring down a zip line in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. 

Since completing his service in 2017, David has pursued a degree at BSU, thanks to the GI Bill, in management information systems.

He and fellow veteran Sean Butrica, ’19, (at right in the photo) work in BSU’s Veterans Center to help others navigate military benefit applications. 

“Veterans may think they know how the benefits work or how they are used, but most of the time paperwork isn’t filled out 100-percent correctly, and those little mistakes can actually add up and cost you time and money,” said Sean, who served in the Air Force from 2008 to 2013.

David, meanwhile, is advocating for the easy and seamless transfer of hard-earned military credits. 

According to David and Sean, there are some 350 BSU student-veterans using veteran or military benefits. This keeps the center’s dedicated staff busy.

However, it isn’t all serious business: social outings are also organized, bringing together the university’s veteran population. The center recently hosted a barbeque and is looking to launch a new group, the Fellowship of Military Scholars. 

Having come to college after serving in the military, many veterans are older than a typical college student. Some have started their families or work full and/or part-time jobs, which means that getting student-veterans to gather in one place often proves challenging.

Sean hopes the new group will create a place for veterans to gather and share some camaraderie.

“Anyone can join. Those who support the military, those interested in joining the military or ROTC. All students are welcome to join the club,” he said. 

The only caveat is that board members of the new group must have served in the military. 

David and Sean encourage folks to stop in the Veterans Center located on the ground floor in Tillinghast Hall, 45 School St. 

“Our goal is to continue to involve students, to get the community together to network, help each other, and have fun,” David said. 

For more information on the Fellowship of Military Scholars call 508-531-2181, email veteran@bridgew.edu, or visit https://tinyurl.com/BSUMilFellowship.

Imagine having to give up your family pet because you can’t afford to keep it. 

Corinne Lawson, ‘16, is on a mission to prevent this from happening.

As president and treasurer of The Pet Pantry, a 501 (c)(3) tax-deductible charity, Lawson organizes the distribution of pet food and supplies to help keep local families and their pets together. 

“Financial and life stresses sometimes force families to surrender their animals. It’s really heartbreaking. We work to help offset costs so people can stay with their animals for as long as possible,” Lawson said. 

While at BSU studying psychology, the Easton native continued to operate her start-up pet sitting/dog walking business, an endeavor she began as a high school student. 

As an undergraduate, she also was employed at Brockton’s Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts. There, her paths crossed with the owner of The Pet Pantry, who informed her that the non-profit business was unfortunately closing. 

“At the time I was going to BSU full-time with the goal to become a mental health counselor,” Lawson said.  

But after working with animals and their families, she found herself pulled in another direction. Lawson made the decision to take over The Pet Pantry in January 2018 and currently works as a veterinarian assistant at the Whitman VCA Animal Hospital. 

What she learned as a psychology major has come in handy in her new career. 

“Psychology is such an interesting subject. I loved all the (BSU) teachers I had,” she said. “It helped prepare me for what I’m doing now because it encompasses so much about the human experience, compassion and helping people. It all ties into what I like to do.”

Psychology professor Susan Todd taught and mentored Lawson.

“Corinne was the kind of student that keeps me, and faculty like me, returning to the classrooms day after day, year after year,” Todd said. “I hope she continues to be the exemplary leader and professional that inspired me and so many others with whom she comes into contact.”

Hoping to inspire even more, Lawson encourages members of the Bridgewater State community to contribute to the cause. 

“If you’ve ever been in a tough spot, it’s easy to feel helpless. If there is something there to life you up, it makes life easier,” Lawson said.

Pet foods of all kinds are accepted as donations and can be dropped off at one of six area sites, found on The Pet Pantry website. Online monetary donations can also be made through the site. Finally, volunteers are always welcome to help package and deliver donations. 

 “I want to continue to help people and their animals. Animals are just innocent creatures, our pets love us unconditionally,” Lawson said. “Helping people, helping ourselves, and helping each other, that has become my mission in life.”

From not having to cook your own meals to avoiding the daily hunt for an elusive parking spot—there are many benefits to living on campus at Bridgewater State University.

Learn the Top 10 reason to live on campus!

1. STUDENT SUCCESS—When you live on campus you have better access to academic supports, from meeting with professors to taking advantage of the Academic Achievement Center and other resources!
2. SAFETY—With facilities on-call 24/7 and BSU institutional and student security officers located in residential buildings, you can take solace knowing help is there when you need it, any time of day and night.
3. COMMRADIERE—You live alongside folks and create long-lasting friendships you might not have otherwise. With activities always happening, it’s easy to get a group together to participate.
4. ALL-INCLUSIVE—You don’t have to worry about being late with the utility bill, because it’s all included and you never have to cook thanks to customized meal plans. The ResNet all-in-one communications package is hard to beat, offering one of the best cable packages around that includes specialized technical support and innovative services.
5. NO PARKING HASSLES—Finding a parking spot on any college campus is often a challenge. Instead of circling the campus behind the wheel of a car, you can walk, or better yet take a free bus offered through BSU’s Transit Service.
6. GROWTH—Living on campus helps you develop social and independent living skills that you'll utilize in the "real-world."
7. TRAVEL LIGHT—Instead of dragging everything around campus with you, you can drop your belongings off in your room between classes.
8. SLEEP IN—Feel free to hit the snooze button and still make it to class on time.
9. CONNECTION—Students who live on campus say it’s easier to create a closer connection to the institution that fosters a sense of school pride.
10. CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS—Best of all, you increase your chances of running into President Fred Clark!

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Each week a group of students leaves the Moakley Center to enter another dimension, “a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination.”

Sounds interesting. So, where are they headed exactly? 

Some call it the fifth dimension, for others it is better known as The Twilight Zone.

Housed in Bridgewater State University’s anthropology department, Dr. Walter Harper’s writing intensive course takes a closer look at Rod Serling’s anthology television series, The Twilight Zone, which ran from 1959 to 1964. 

Each week, students watch a 23-minute episode of the classic science fiction show, and then participate in a class discussion. Harper and the students draw upon themes within each episode that correlate to issues citizens face today, some 50 years after the show first aired. 

 “What I find fascinating is these issues still come up today – loneliness and alienation – especially for young people who aren’t feeling connected, who aren’t feeling part of anything on some level, or aren’t sure what their part in society is, and how it doesn’t make sense or speak to their particular experience,” Harper said. books

The professor also uses written by historians and film scholars to explore the role television plays in American culture. 

Many students were attracted to the class simply due to the course’s title. 

“I knew what the Twilight Zone was but had never watched an episode. My father is a fan and told me if I ever get the chance, I should try and watch it,” said special education and psychology major Abby Villano, ’22. 

After viewing an episode where the lead character is confined to living on an asteroid for 50 years and develops a relationship with a robot, students talked about human relationships. 

Like the character, many admitted they are lonely and discussed the effect that has when establishing relationships.

Another episode featured middle-class neighbors turning on each other after losing electricity and other modern comforts. Human nature, the Cold War, mob mentality and class structure were topics that surfaced among the students post-viewing.  

“The discussions we have are absolutely amazing. We go into great depth,” said criminal justice major Brady Liss, ’21. “It’s interesting that the show can still relate to everyday life.”

Harper encourages interested students to sign up early as The Twilight Zone is often maxed out and requires a wait list. The course is offered during the fall semester.

For more information email the professor at harper@bridgew.edu. Photo caption (left): Professor Harper leads his Twilight Zone class.

When seniors Alana Nicoletti and Coleby Paling walk into their Bridgewater State University classes, they feel like college students and are treated like them, too. 

That shouldn’t surprise you – until you realize they have yet to graduate high school.

“I’ve had many moments where people were like ‘Wait, what, you’re in high school?’” Coleby said.  

Alana, Coleby, and 13 of their Wareham High School classmates, spend part of each school day attending BSU. They are among about 50 juniors and seniors from around the region who take classes at the university through a dual-enrollment program. Students generally earn high school and college credit, but the benefits extend far beyond an impressive transcript.

“They really are getting that experience of being in a college class,” said Ashley O’Donnell, G’14, a BSU admissions counselor who coordinates the program. “It gives them that opportunity to explore what they might want to study.”

Dual-enrollment students learn to navigate campus and become familiar with BSU social and academic life. The university hopes they want to become fulltime Bears, something Alana and Coleby are considering.

“It’s definitely prepared me more with the workload and homework and just learning time management,” Alana said. 

Wareham administrators Scott Paladino and Deb Freitas praised former BSU President Dana Mohler-Faria, a Wareham High alumnus, current President Frederick W. Clark Jr., and many other BSU employees for their support.

The Wareham-BSU partnership, launched about five years ago, allows students to graduate high school with up to eight college courses under their belt along with a true taste of higher education.

“They know what college is going to be like,” said Paladino, the WHS principal. “They are not fearful. They know they will be successful in college because of this experience.”

Wareham students make connections at Bridgewater while retaining strong ties to their high school. Coleby recently attended a BSU theater production while Alana interacted with her college classmates concerning English projects. Junior Niccolo Lembo-Volpe traveled to the statehouse with his writing class to deliver letters they wrote to lawmakers.

Wareham students find they have more responsibility for their assignments in college courses and must think critically about themselves and their work. 

“I feel like being given the opportunity to just make a few more decisions for yourself really prepares you for when you’re going to be on your own,” Niccolo said. 

Dual-enrollment information is available at area high schools. BSU staff can send info to home-schooled students. The deadline to apply for the spring 2019 semester Nov. 27 by 5 p.m. Wareham High School students Alana Nicoletti, left, Coleby Paling and Niccolo Lembo-Volpe, who take classes at BSU, pose for a photo outside WHS. (Story and photo by Brian Benson, University News)

One day they are there, bouncing with energy to greet you, the next you stand silent in front of the door, afraid to turn the knob because you know they are gone.     

For many people, the experience of losing a pet is just painful as when a human dies, and those who grieve need to be supported, said Annette Scanlon, G’06, a veterinarian social worker. 

“Losing a pet brings similar, if not the same, levels of grief and loss as losing a human,” she said.

Scanlon and veterinarian Dr. Lisa Moses recently presented “Pets and Their People: Veterinary Social Work” at Bridgewater State University as part of the School of Social Work’s Professional Education Programs (PEP). 

Veterinary social work is an emerging field and Scanlon is one of just 50 practitioners in the country. Her job is to help both pet owners, caretakers and veterinarians through the difficult process of losing a pet. 

“Often times support for the inevitable (death of a pet) is not there,” Scanlon said, adding that veterinarians are often at high risk for compassion fatigue and burn out, and have a greater risk for suicide than the average person. 

“They have very little training as to how to deal with human clients,” Scanlon said. “I help support them as well.”

Offering professionals the chance to learn more about such innovative social work is one of the reasons BSU created PEP, said Carol Masshardt, director of Field Education School of Social Work. 

“We try to pick up on contemporary issues, we want (the workshops) to be relevant to the work,” Masshardt said. 

Suzanne Hecker, assistant director of field education at Simmons School of Social Work, said the information she gathered from the Pets and Their People seminar will be brought back and shared with her students. 

“(Veterinary social work) is an innovative field that many are interested in. I have students who have expressed an interest in these different modalities,” Hecker said. 

What drew Beacon Hospice social worker Manuel A. Manica to attend Pets and Their People is the ability to participate in-person versus online. 

“For me, I prefer to have human interactions. It’s much better and gives you the opportunity to interact, get feedback and network,” he said. 

Masshardt thanks Dr. Arnaa Alcon, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and President Frederick Clark, for their support when the School of Social Work pitched the idea to bring the PEP program to BSU. 

“(They) saw the value of professionals turning to BSU for their continued education from day one,” she said.

The next PEP workshop, “Critical and Chronic Medical Conditions: Implications for Social Work Practice,” is scheduled for March 29. 

Masshardt encourages professionals to reach out to offer suggestions for future workshops. For more information visit www.bridgew.edu/profdev or email cmasshardt@bridgew.edu. 

Photo caption (above, right): L-R Veterinarian Social Worker Annette Scanlon, G’06, and Dr. Lisa Moses host “Pets and Their People” a PEP workshop held on BSU campus.

Problem: The country needs professionals in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Solution: Bridgewater State University

At least that’s what officials at the federal Department of Education must have been thinking when they awarded BSU’s College of Graduate Studies as much as $450,000 over three years to prepare graduate students to meet workforce needs.

“They were looking for areas in which we have a dearth of people who have the right skills,” said Dr. Lisa Krissoff Boehm, the college’s dean.

The money, which comes from the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need initiative, funds a new fellowship program that provides graduate students up to $34,000 per year while they study computer science. BSU anticipates having three fellows at a time. 

“I am really proud that we were selected,” Boehm said. “It’s a big, big deal because (fellows) can just concentrate on their studies.”

This marks the first time the College of Graduate Studies will award fellowships, though many graduate students earn money by working on campus through assistantships.

Fellows will focus full time on their studies, since tuition, a living stipend, and other expenses will be covered. They will also learn college teaching skills. 

The computer science program serves students looking to work after graduation or further their education.

“At Bridgewater, we are all those things,” said Boehm. “We’re really connected with outside industry and we do have students looking at going to PhD programs.”

Boehm added: “We hope to be able to attract new students to the program with this financial support, and to contribute well-qualified graduates to our local, regional, and national workforce in an area of national need.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Lyndsey Kate Littlefield is not your stereotypical pageant winner. And the Bridgewater State University biology major wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“I always thought Miss Taunton was someone who was beautiful,” Lyndsey recalled once thinking. “I didn’t realize she could be educated, fierce and whoever she wanted to be.”

Today, you’ll find Lyndsey dancing across the pageant stage, researching in a lab on campus, working in a dental office, and racing in obstacle courses where she swings from bars and carries heavy bags.

“She has the brains, the athleticism and the personality to do everything that she wants to do,” said Dr. Alexandra Adams, a part-time lecturer who teaches Lyndsey’s Anatomy and Physiology class. “She’s very confident. She’s very hardworking. She’s extremely warm.  Every time you see her, she has a smile on her face.”

Lyndsey watched the Taunton scholarship pageant since she was young. After four unsuccessful attempts (wins at other pageants notwithstanding), she recently claimed the hometown title, which earned her a chance to become Miss Massachusetts. 

“It was such a big win emotionally,” said Lyndsey, a dance minor who relied on those skills for the talent part of the competition. “I sat down on the stage and cried. I was so excited to finally reach that goal.”

Lyndsey first attended Mount Ida College, but soon realized she would thrive at a larger institution. She’s glad she became a Bear and praised faculty such as Drs. Kenneth and Alexandra Adams of biological sciences for taking an interest in her success and supporting her. She also appreciates the strong connection BSU fosters among students.

“As a high school student, I never liked biology and I didn’t even like science,” she said. “But here I am so excited to learn something new every week.”

Lyndsey hopes to become a dentist who works in trauma surgery. She looks forward to a career where she won’t know what she will face each day.

In addition, Lyndsey’s a world traveler. She heads to Cambodia next month on a BSU trip to improve villagers’ access to clean water. And, she recently journeyed to London to represent the United States in the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships, a Spartan-style race where she ran nine miles and completed obstacles along the way.

As Miss Taunton, Lyndsey will inspire the city’s youth, make public appearances and support the organization Girls Incorporated of Taunton, which offers after-school, summer and other programming.

She also has a message for her fellow Bears: “Take the opportunity to expand yourself, always step into your uncomfortable zone and out of that box.” 

(Story by Brian Benson, video by Phil DeSimone, ’20, University News & Video)

With a CPA first-time exam pass rate of 61.3 percent and a low undergraduate 19:1 student-to-faculty ration, it’s no surprise that Bridgewater State University’s master’s and bachelor’s accounting programs are being recognized nationally. 

Accounting Edu recently included BSU on its “State-by-State Guide to the Most Affordable Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting 2018-19.”

Boston College was the only other Massachusetts school featured on the list, which also took into account the quality of the programs.

MaryBeth Tobin, associate professor and chairperson, spoke on behalf of the BSU Accounting and Finance Department, saying the recognition is a welcome sign of the programs’ achievements.

“Our department is very excited and appreciative that Accounting Edu has recognized both our master’s and bachelor’s accounting programs as among the highest for quality and affordability in Massachusetts,” she said. 

Tobin went on to add that, “Our faculty are very proud of our program and particularly our students. It is so rewarding to help our students develop academically and then utilize their knowledge and skills to achieve success in their professional careers.”

According to Carly Pierce, senior editor of Accounting Edu, the goal of creating the list is to help potential students interested in accounting find deserving programs that they are confident about recommending. 

“We considered more than just affordability when compiling these lists,” Pierce said in an email. “We wanted to find quality programs with strong first-time CPA pass rates as well.”

Over the years accounting and finance faculty members have created such programs, working to develop an accounting program that challenges students and helps them reach their academic and professional goals, Tobin said. 

“We often refer to this as ‘affordable excellence,’ and it is such a pleasure for an independent organization to recognize those exact values,” she said. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video)

Hannah Carpenter, ’16, G’18, knows the heartache of losing a relative to an opioid overdose. Now, she wants to ensure other families don’t face the same pain.

Carpenter, who studied criminal justice as an undergraduate and graduate student at Bridgewater State University, lost her father, David, last year. 

“It’s hard not having him here,” she said, recalling how he was her longtime softball coach, and so much more. “He inspired me every day of my life. He was a phenomenal, phenomenal dad. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”

Now, Carpenter, a Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative/AmeriCorps program coordinator, is doing her part to help families battling addiction. She serves with Plymouth County Outreach, a collaboration of the county’s district attorney and sheriff’s offices, as well as more than two dozen police departments, including BSU Police. Numerous non-law enforcement organizations are also involved.

Carpenter credits BSU and its criminal justice faculty with helping shape her future.

“I was very, very shy up until probably the end of my junior year,” she said. “I just had no interest in talking in class. I was very, very reserved. I had a couple really good professors I clicked with who helped me come out of my shell and become a conversation starter.”

Those public speaking skills come in handy during her AmeriCorps service, where she has a multi-faceted role at Plymouth County Outreach that includes running meetings and building partnerships in the community. 

The organization helps people access treatment and supports those battling addiction and their loved ones, through home visits after overdoses and more.

“We’re taking the stigma away from it,” Carpenter said. “There are people here who care about you. When you’re at your lowest, we can give you and your family resources.”

Plymouth County Outreach will enhance its services thanks to a nearly $500,000 grant from the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Program.

The funds, which will be dispersed over two years, allow the organization to add a project coordinator and an operations supervisor. Plymouth County Outreach will also improve a database that tracks the number of overdoses in the region and supports analysis of that data.

Meanwhile, Carpenter keeps her dad in her thoughts as she tackles her almost year-long service at Plymouth County Outreach.

“I wouldn’t be doing this with as much passion as I have,” she said. “It’s why I do everything I do to the degree I do it.” (Story and photo by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

It’s typically never a good idea to “feed the bears,” but Bridgewater State University encourages the practice because, believe it or not, many students struggle with the challenges of hunger and food insecurity.  

To ensure no student goes without, each Wednesday Jane Doherty and her daughter Julia travel to New Bedford to pick up 500 pounds of food that is then distributed out of J’s Market, a new food distribution center on campus created through a community partnership between the university’s Food Bank 4 U and the Greater Boston Food Bank.

“I love being surrounding by food. It’s like Christmas,” Julia said. 

Back in 2014, the mother-daughter team recognized there were students struggling with hunger. Using a $1,000 social justice grant they were able to open Food Bank 4 U in the campus center.

Operated by volunteers from Feed the Bears, the food bank relied on donations and was able to offer non-perishable food items such as granola bars, peanut butter, oatmeal, soups and other canned goods. 

As word grew so did interest. In its first year of operation, Food Bank 4 U was accessed 1,100 times. 

Wanting to do more, Jane, who works as a staff associate in the Department of Chemical Sciences, and Julia reached out to the Greater Boston Food Bank and started the process of forming a partnership. 

After filling out the initial application, it took two years to complete subsequent paperwork and meet all of the requirements before a partnership was approved by the Greater Boston Food Bank. 

What this means is not only will non-perishables be offered through Food Bank 4 U, but BSU students will now also have access to fresh food items such as milk, cheese, yogurt and produce.

Aside from providing healthier, fresher options, Jane and Julia said the collaboration alleviates anxiety.

“We were often stressed out, always worried there would not be enough food. We’ve had some lean times,” Jane said. “Now, we have the ability to be more reliable. This gives us a more diverse food selection and consistency.”

J’s Market officially opened in September and in its first two weeks saw 101 bags of food go out the door. In October, 304 bags of food were dispersed, feeding 246 students. 

Eggs, butternuts squash, potatoes, pineapple, salad and orange juice, every item finds a grateful recipient. 

“The response has been very good,” Jane said. “We’re also talking to students about meal planning and how to better prepare their food.”

Food Bank 4 U and J’s Market are both located in the Rondileau Campus Center. J’s Market (RCC 016) is open Wednesday and Thursdays from 12:30-3p.m. 

As long as the RCC is open, Food Bank 4 U (RCC 012) is open.

The location is semi-private to encourage students to visit.  The service is completely anonymous.

“We are here to help with students’ success,” Jane said. “That really is the bigger picture and part of our university’s mission.”

Captions: Top, Jane (left) and Julia Doherty. Bottom, Picking up supplies at the New England Food Bank.

Denmark is better known for its colorful tulips than for football, but Danny Higgins, ’17, is hoping to change that. 

For three years, Higgins led the Bridgewater State University football team as starting quarterback. His senior year the Bears captured the MASCAC title to advance to the NCAA Division III tournament, where they were runners-up against Alfred University.

Higgins still holds many BSU football records, including most career passing yards (6,091) and most career pass completions (474).

This March, the former Bear is taking his athletic prowess overseas to Denmark to join the Copenhagen Towers, an American football team that plays in the Danish American Football Federation. 

“Danny has always been very competitive and a hard worker. He always performed well under pressure,” said Joseph Verria, BSU head football coach. “I am excited to hear that Danny has an opportunity to play football in Denmark. I think he will do very well there.”

Since graduated from BSU in 2017 with a degree in marketing, Higgins has sought opportunities to continue his football career. 

After being recruited by Copenhagen coaches and staff, he realized this was his chance to continue playing the sport he loves. 

“They have a great team, are a winning organization, and located in an unbelievable city,” he said. “It is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Before Higgins was signed to play in Demark, and before he hit the gridiron at Swenson Field, the Manahawkin, New Jersey, native began his football career as a child, playing Pop Warner Youth Football. He continued playing for his hometown Southern Regional High School. 

When it came time to choose a college, after his initial visit Higgins said he was sold on BSU.

“It has a great campus, good people and is in an awesome location,” he said. “Living close to Boston was great. The overall environment of the school was very good.”

After four years at Bridgewater, what stands out most to Higgins is the lifelong friendships he formed with his teammates. 

“Coming to Massachusetts and not knowing anybody was an adjustment. But within that first year, and over my four seasons of playing, I not only made friends, I made brothers for life,” Higgins said. “Those memories with all of my teammates throughout the years are things I will remember forever.”

Now, he will create new bonds and memories in Denmark, and wants to tell today’s BSU students that anything is possible for those willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

“No matter if it’s for a quiz, a job, or a dream you have, everything is possible if you put the time and work in,” he said. “Nothing is given, everything is earned.”

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, BSU students talk about what they are thankful for. They're thankful for friends, family and BSU. We love that!

President Frederick W. Clark Jr. has a new position. But, don’t worry Bears, he’s not leaving his post leading Bridgewater State University.

Clark, a Brockton native who lives in Easton, became chair of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors during the organization’s recent annual meeting at Teen Challenge in Brockton. 

“To be here in this capacity is really remarkable for a son of Brockton,” said Clark, who grew up on the corner of Calmar Street and Warren Avenue, just a few blocks away from Teen Challenge. “Thank you for the great honor.”

Clark has worked with officials at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Massasoit Community College to develop a public higher education consortium in Brockton. He has also convened economic and workforce development conferences and forums and led business outreach efforts.

The chamber serves Brockton and many nearby communities, including Bridgewater. And, Clark sees a synergy between its activities and the education happening at BSU.

“When I look at the number and diversity of businesses and people employed locally, I am reminded of the important work that we all do at the chamber and the work that we do over at Bridgewater State University to prepare people in this region and beyond for careers that are so essential in our economy – so essential for our economy to grow,” he said.

Clark offered a unifying message to the hundreds of attendees at the annual meeting: “Together we can achieve what none of us could ever achieve by ourselves.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Bridgewater State University has a history of producing and employing coaches who help student athletes achieve success beyond the sports arena. 

Two of those coaches were recently recognized for their efforts.

On Nov. 4, current women’s head basketball coach Bridgett Casey and the late Suzanne Rivard, ’62, were inducted into the New Agenda: Northeast Hall of Fame.

New Agenda recognizes women who commit themselves to girls and women in sport throughout New England.

Joan Casabian, ’66, and Marica Crooks, ’55, served on the New Agenda: Northeast 2018 Hall of Fame Committee that received and reviewed this year’s nominations. 

Olivia Delgrosso, ’19, was recruited by and plays for Casey, who has led the team for the past 21 years. She said the recognition is well deserved.

“Playing for Coach Casey is a great opportunity and honor because of her 20-plus years of experience and dedication to the game,” she said. “Coach Casey pushes me to be the best person I can be on and off the court. She motivates us to give 100 percent in the classroom and on the court.”

Sarah Shaw, BSU assistant women’s basketball coach, said there are endless ways in which Casey supports her players both on and off the court, but it is her ability to teach life lessons as well that sets her apart.

“Coach Casey is very passionate and knowledgeable about what she does,” Shaw said. “She is a very caring and selfless individual which shines through in her coaching style.”

During the Nov. 4 induction ceremony held at the Woodland Golf Country Club in Newton, Sheila McKenna, ’62, spoke fondly of her 58-year friendship with Rivard, who passed away in 2016.

The two met as freshman in 1958 when standing on line to receive a dorm room assignment at what was then Bridgewater Teachers College. After exchanging pleasantries it was discovered the two had faced off earlier that year in the Narragansett Girls Basketball Championship Game. 

Rivard, who played for Somerset, had said, “I took the final shot and missed.” McKenna, who competed on the championship Fairhaven team, responded, “And I got the rebound and we won. Want to be my roommate?”

The two became steadfast friends.

After graduating from Bridgewater, Rivard took her degree in physical education and subsequently taught for 37 years at Oliver Ames High School in Easton. There, she served as a physical education teacher, assistant principal, and coach of the girls basketball, softball and field hockey teams. She was inducted into the Oliver Ames High School Hall of Fame in 2005. 

“She worked hard, played hard and studied hard,” McKenna said. (Pictured above, Suzanne Rivard) (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video)