Jillian Bzdula, ’21, recently made a visit to Bridgewater State University President Frederick W. Clark Jr.’s office to drop of a gift. It was a special book with a personal inscription inside the front cover.

“To Fred Clark, Thank you all your help! You are the sweetest and I feel blessed to know you. Go Bears!”

The book, Letters to Doris: One Woman’s Quest to Help Those With Nowhere Else to Turn, features stories of people who have overcome hardships with the help of Doris and Warren Buffett’s Letters Foundation.

Through the foundation one-time grants are given to struggling individuals to help stabilize their lives.

Jillian’s story, “Just in My Nature,” is one of the many inspiring narratives included in the book, which was published in December.

Three years ago things were looking dire for Jillian. She had just transferred to BSU from Bristol Community College when it became obvious the family van, also known as “Nelly,” was falling apart.

Vehicles breaking down is stressful for anyone, but in this case it was devastating.

Jillian has spinal muscular atrophy type 3, a form of muscular dystrophy. Because of her condition, she is unable to walk on her own and requires a wheelchair.

Most cars can’t accommodate a wheelchair, instead Jillian needs a van to travel. No van means no way to get to school.

A friend suggested Jillian reach out to President Clark for advice. 

“I was very nervous meeting him,” she said.

Her nerves were quickly put to rest upon their introduction.

“He offered to have the (Bridgewater State) mechanic fix it until we could get another van. President Clark kept that van going as long as it could. I am very grateful for every bit of help he gave us,” Jillian said.

Eventually, Nelly traveled her last mile and in the spring of 2016 Jillian found herself once again without transportation.

Around this time, a family friend read an article in the Boston Globe about the Letters Foundation. She encouraged Jillian to apply for one of the grants. Part of the application process requires letters of support.

Jillian knew exactly who would write a letter on her behalf, President Clark.

“Having his support, it makes me feel like I am special. I think it’s awesome he’s willing to go above and beyond to help a student succeed in their academic career,” she said.

The Letters Foundation accepted her application and provided $25,000 to purchase a new van.

Clark stepped up again, helping Jillian negotiate a deal with Bridgewater’s Automotive Innovations to purchase a 2014 Dodge Caravan, a.k.a. “Goldie.”

“You can’t succeed as a student if you can’t get here,” Clark said.

The Buffett grant covered most, but not all of the costs, so BSU picked up the balance.

“Goldie is great, we’re keeping her up to par… I no longer wake up every morning for class wondering if the van will start. I know I’ll get there safely,” Jillian said. “I’ve been overwhelmed by this entire experience and don’t really have the words other than I get a warm feeling in my heart knowing there are people out there that truly care and are willing to help.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, Photos by Carl Hollant, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Students who are homeless do not have a bed to return home to each night, instead rely on couch surfing, sleeping in borrowed cars, stairwells, or crashing at a friend’s house.

Sasha Heggie-Jackson, ’16, founder of the Jackson’s Center for Leadership, Advocacy and Supportive Services Inc. knows first-hand how stressful housing insecurity can be.

When pursuing her college degree, she suddenly found herself with no roof over her head. 

Due to circumstances beyond her control, Heggie-Jackson was evicted from her apartment and had to rely on “doubling up,” temporarily living where she could with family, friends and other non-relatives.

“It took me a while to gain some stability,” Heggie-Jackson said.

That experience inspired her to help others. As CEO of her own foundation, Heggie-Jackson counsels homeless students on the Bridgewater State University campus.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had conversations with students who don’t know where they are going to live… It’s a bigger problem than people realize,” she said.

There are a variety of reasons why younger people find themselves homeless. Sometimes their family home is not a safe environment, while in other cases parents have closed their doors because they disapprove of their child’s lifestyle or sexual orientation.

“(Homelessness) can happen to anyone. In terms of employment there are no guarantees, you might have something happen medically or an accident you aren’t prepared for,” Heggie-Jackson said.

The state recognizes that some students are struggling and is taking steps to help.

At a Jan. 31 press conference held at Framingham State University, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the state is providing  $3.5 million in grants to address and support housing insecurity. BSU President Frederick W. Clark Jr., Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Denine Rocco, and Eileen Estudante, director of outreach and special programs attended the event.

A portion of the grant money is allocated to fund the Massachusetts Student Housing Security pilot program, where dorm rooms will be made available to homeless college students including those attending Bridgewater State.

The pilot program launched at four campus sites in January pairs four-year institutions with nearby community colleges: BSU and Massasoit Community College, Framingham State and MassBay Community College, Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College and UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College.

Through the initiative, up to five beds are made available to each pair of participating schools for students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Rocco said thanks to the pilot program, BSU is currently housing two Massasoit students and three of its own students. The goal is to continue to find funding in order to provide more services and support.

Heggie-Jackson said she is pleased the state is taking steps to address youth homelessness and hopes more can be done.

“The thought often is that if you house a person they will be stable, but there are other components to it,” she said, “I wish the best for this program and hope it takes off. Reach out and listen to these students’ testimonies because they are the ones who know what they need.”

Estudante is the BSU and Massasoit point of contact for the pilot program and encourages students who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity to contact her. She can be found in room Boyden room 106, or by phone at 508-531-1276, or email lestudante@bridgew.edu. 

More information on other resources and supports BSU offers can be found on the BSU Resources in Support of Excellence (RISE) website. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, Photos by Carl Hollant, University News and Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu. 

Attention Bridgewater State University students: There’s an important deadline rapidly approaching and, if you miss it, it could affect your wallet.

BSU returning and incoming students have until March 1 to complete their FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for the 2019-2020 academic year and be eligible for the greatest potential funding.

We asked Laura Biechler, the university’s new director of financial aid, what students need to know.

What is FAFSA?

The FAFSA is the federal application for student aid. It’s free. It’s the only financial aid application Bridgewater uses. 

Why should students fill out FAFSA every year?

To see if they’re eligible for any type of financial aid, which includes federal Stafford Loans.

Where do students obtain the form? What information do they need to complete it?

Students can go to studentaid.ed.gov. They need to also have an FSA ID. The ID is basically your sign on – a user name and password that is created. Parents often times have to have a separate one.

BSU’s school code is 0021830.

What are some common pitfalls students face?

They use an email address that is connected to their high school, which is a terrible idea. When they leave the high school, it’s no longer active.

Another thing that students don’t realize is they let their parent log in first and then their parent completes the FAFSA as the applicant. Always make sure the student logs into the FAFSA application first.

How can students get help on campus?

A student no longer has to make an appointment to do FAFSA at the Financial Aid Office. They can walk in (Welcome Center Room 209, Mondays to Fridays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), get help, and use a computer to complete the form. Bring your parents’ tax information with you because you’ll probably need that.

Students should not be scared to contact the Financial Aid Office for any questions. One of the things they should remember is if they are confused on anything they’re entering, they should reach out to the Financial Aid Office for help! 

What happens after the form is submitted?

It takes a college five to 10 business days to receive the processed FAFSA. At that point in time, we can confirm we have it. We use it to determine what their award letter is going to be.

How can students get even more information?

The FAFSA website has a FAQ section about filling out the form. And Bridgewater State has information online. (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Jealousy, isolation, emotional abuse, stalking, possessiveness – these are just a few of the red flags that can lead to dating violence.

Recently, more than 800 red flags were installed throughout the Bridgewater State University campus to shed light on these warning signs.

The Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support Center (SVAS) set up the flags as part of the national Red Flag Campaign.

This is the third year SVAS has brought the campaign to BSU.

The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander-intervention strategy to address and prevent sexual assault, dating violence and talking, specifically on college campuses.

“Like all colleges, we are not immune to this issue. We want to be aware as a campus community and not only talk about this issue but also let people know we have supports in place, that Bridgewater cares and wants the campus community to be safe,” said Christy Osborne, SVAS outreach coordinator.

Often when people witness red flags they don’t speak up, she said.

“What happens between two people is not my business,” is often the sentiment of bystanders.

Osborne said it’s important to be vocal because it could save a life. 

“This really is a community approach. If you see something, you say something, don’t just let it slide,” she said.

Students are encouraged to participate in the poster campaign. Those interested can reach out to the SVAS center to pick up a poster to decorate that carries the pledge, declaring that if you see something you will speak up.

During the month-long campaign SVAS is also hosting the following events.

-Monday, Feb. 11, “Dating Violence” Spin the Wheel Table in the East Campus Commons from 10a.m.-1p.m. (co-sponsored with Alpha Kappa Alpha)

-Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 6-8p.m., “One Love” Escalation Film and Workshop in Dunn A. (co-sponsored with Alpha Kappa Alpha)

-Tuesday, Feb. 19, 4-6p.m. Film screening of “I am Jane Doe” Library Heritage Room, 103.

-Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2-3p.m. From Surviving to Thriving: Survivor Storyteller Series, Library Heritage Room 103. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, Photos by Carl Hollant, University News and VIdeo)

You’ve likely noticed a new icon on your university computer’s desktop. It could keep you safe, or maybe even save your life.

Wondering what to do during a tornado warning? How should you respond to an active shooter on campus? What about if you detect the tell-tale odor of a gas leak? Answers to these questions and more are now a click away thanks to that new desktop icon.

Clicking on it brings up a webpage where users can access tips for a variety of emergencies. Scroll down to find links to more extensive information from the university’s Crisis Management Plan.

“The idea was to really look at policies for a crisis on campus and narrow it down to four to five bullet points you could quickly look at without having to read a full policy that goes into more details,” Assistant Chief of Police Matthew Rushton, ’15, G’20.

The icon and webpage are the results of a partnership between BSU Police and Information Technology.

 BSU has also revised its text message alert system so messages will come in a single text with a hyperlink to more information.

The desktop icon features a BSU Police patch, but that will soon be updated to a new emergency management logo.

While the information is designed to be easily accessible in an emergency, Rushton urges students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the guidelines now.

“We encourage faculty, especially in the beginning of each semester, to spend three to four minutes reviewing what to do in an emergency,” he said. “What are we going to do as a class?”

Anyone not using a university computer can access the same information from the BSU police website.

“It’s not just about helping yourself,” Rushton said. “It’s about helping others.” (Story by Brian Benson, video by Kelsea Marciarelli, ‘19, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

 [Editor's Note: This is the second of four stories for Black History Month]

When he was a student at Bridgewater State University, Noube Rateau, ’10, watched in frustration the day protestors arrived on campus carrying posters depicting then-President Barack Obama as Adolph Hitler.

Those carrying the jarring signs back in 2010 were demonstrating against Obama’s stand on healthcare reform. In response, Rateau made a documentary, “Human Rights Overdue,” supporting the president’s healthcare proposal.

Tackling important social issues like this is what drives the young black director.

In 2009, the Brockton native founded Noube Productions, and in doing so created a platform where he can continue his work and create films that both educate the community on real-life situations and offer possible solutions.

Rateau had additional motivation for starting up the production company.

“Statistically speaking, less than 10 percent of directors in Hollywood are black. When we watch films it’s often how white people perceive black people. I want to tell stories about how people actually live, question stereotypes and discuss controversial issues,” Rateau said.

The documentaries produced by Noube Productions have been well received, many earning honors including a 2016 best documentary New England Emmy nomination for Out of Bounds.

That film, co-directed with William Medero, tells the story of inner-city athletes and the struggles they face. The film features interviews with athletes and sports commentators, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Basketball Hall of Fame reporter Jackie MacMullen.

Chronicling hot-button social issues will always be the goal for Noube Productions.

Rateau’s favorite work to date is Fatherhood, a documentary that explores the stereotype of African American families where the father is not present.

When he’s not directing, the alumnus can be found guiding the next generation of filmmakers as a teacher at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute. 

“I find that the things I do, I can apply them in the class. It makes me a better teacher,” Rateau said. “I use TV production as a vehicle to teach life skills.”

He plans picking up the camera again soon and is considering taking American education as his next subject.

“Making these documentaries, it’s not about the money, I’m not retiring off of it,” Rateau said. “But I go to work every day in a TV studio, it’s the best job in the world. The God’s honest truth is, I’m doing what I love.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News and Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu  

It was a full house in room 100 of Tillinghast Hall Wednesday when Bridgewater State University announced the space will now be known as the emeriti faculty lounge.

Aside from being an area for emeriti to gather, two offices are available and can be used as a workspace. The lounge is nominally for emeriti faculty, but is also open to all faculty, librarians and staff.

According to President Frederick W. Clark Jr., BSU is the first Massachusetts state university to offer its emeriti faculty their own space to work and connect.

“It’s only fitting that we honor the faculty who have given us so much,” said Dr. Karim Ismaili, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

Emeritus Club Chairman Steve Smalley said he couldn’t be more thrilled and thanked the university for bringing the project to fruition.

“Having this available to faculty and staff, a place to come and have lunch located in a central location is important,” he said. “Thank you. We all feel really good.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski) 

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Several years ago, you’d be hard pressed to find Bridgewater State University students considering applying for a prestigious U.S. Department of State Fulbright grant. Now, BSU is one of the country’s top Fulbright-producing institutions.

With three recipients, Bridgewater is among the top 19 schools in its category, according to an analysis by the Department of State for the 2018-2019 academic year. BSU is in a category of schools that award master’s degrees but are not viewed as research institutions.

“This is a thrilling accomplishment for the institution and that’s mainly because it’s showing that what we’re promising is what we’re achieving,” said Dr. Jenny Shanahan, assistant provost for high-impact practices. “We’re telling our students and our prospective students that we are committed to providing the most outstanding educational opportunities available in higher education.”

Daniela Belice, ’18, who majored in political science and sociology, is researching the economic integration of immigrant health care workers in Canada. Mikayla Cote, ’17, is studying wastewater technology in Cambodia and Danielle Lopez, ’17, is teaching English and after-school science lessons in Malaysia. Cote and Lopez both majored in biology at BSU. Five other students applied for a Fulbright.

Their accomplishments show Bridgewater can match the experiences students have at private universities that are out of reach financially for many BSU students, Shanahan said.

She credits BSU’s strong undergraduate research program and faculty mentors. Sometimes a nudge from faculty and staff will encourage a student to apply for an opportunity such as the Fulbright Program that they didn’t know was even a possibility.

“The commitment has been to get the word out to students,” Shanahan said. (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.  

A taste of Africa is coming once again this summer to Bridgewater State University.

For the fourth consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State has chosen BSU to host some of the continent’s brightest emerging leaders through the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. This year, Bridgewater is the only college or university in New England – and one of just 27 across the country – selected as host institutions.

The program, founded in 2014 and administered by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), helps fellows develop leadership skills as they take part in academic study, mentoring, networking, public service and other activities. They also build strong ties with U.S. citizens they interact with. After returning to their home countries, fellows participate in alumni programming to continue building skills and networks.

Nearly 3,700 fellows have taken part in the program thus far and positively affected more than 45 million people across Africa, according to IREX, which recently announced Bridgewater as a host institution.

BSU will welcome 25 fellows beginning June 19 for a six-week leadership in public management institute. The program is designed for those who work or hope to work in government, regional or international organizations, or other fields of public service. Fellows, who range in age from 25 to 35, learn about U.S. public management models and best practices.

Last year’s group (pictured above)toured a high-tech simulator program at Boston Children’s Hospital, visited the homelessness assistance and prevention organization Father Bill’s & MainSpring, and saw a demonstration of drones. They also participated in summertime life in Massachusetts by walking in Bridgewater’s Independence Day parade and enjoying a Cape Cod clambake.

Dr. Wing-kai To, assistant provost for global engagement and senior international officer, leads the institute. Dr. Michael Kryzanek, professor emeritus of political science, serves as academic director. (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu. 

Filling out FAFSA forms can be daunting, but students and alumni who have undergone the application process, say it doesn’t have to be all that bad.

Bridgewater State University returning and incoming students have until March 1 to complete their FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for the 2019-2020 academic year in order to be eligible for the greatest potential funding.

Chelsea Coffey, ’15, and Amanda Langley, ’17, said the best place to start when applying for FAFSA is BSU’s financial aid office.

“I was the first child in my family to go to college, so me and my parents had no prior experience with the FAFSA. We found certain questions to be confusing, so we called the financial aid office for help,” Coffey said.

As a student Langley ran into circumstances that required her to supply additional documents after her FAFSA had already been processed.

“The (financial aid) office was great at communicating what was required of me. My counselor and the whole staff could not have been more supportive throughout the entire process. I probably would have had to withdraw from the university if it wasn’t for their continuous support and assistance,” Langley said.

This year marked the first time Bailey Cormier, ’22, applied for FAFSA.

After receiving her acceptance letter from Bridgewater, Bailey’s family reached out to the financial aid office for additional help.

“There were a lot of confusing terms,” Bailey said.

To better understand the process, her family asked a lot of questions.

“I never felt like I was stupid for asking questions,” she said. “Do not be afraid to ask questions. It’s O.K. to not understand it. It’s really validating to be understood when it comes to money and education.”

Ramon Luis Montes, ’20, faced an unusual and major roadblock when it came time to apply for FAFSA. Due to a glitch, his social security number was somehow switched with his twin brother.

“This error was not an easy fix and we spent months trying to resolve it,” he said.

To fix the problem, Ramon reached out to the BSU financial aid office.

“(They) were incredibly kind and patient with our situation,” Ramon said.

Whether it’s a major obstacle or just trying to understand the information, those who have gone through it all agree asking for help is key in completing the FAFSA application correctly.

“Reach out to your school’s financial aid office to seek out a representative,” Ramon said. “The application may be difficult and overwhelming but with professional assistance you will feel more at ease.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News and Video) 

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Despite the new buildings and faces, there is a certain familiarity, a sense of belonging, that takes over when Ellen Cuttle Oliver, ’82, G’89, steps onto the Bridgewater State University campus.

It’s that feeling of connectedness that Oliver wants to create for the school’s 70,000 alumni in her new role as executive director of alumni relations.

“Whether you’re a graduate from 50 years ago or five years ago, or even a student of today, it’s the connections we remember,” she said.

Oliver carries fond memories of her time as a student at what was then Bridgewater State College.

“Bridgewater changed my life. The friends and roommates I had then are my closest friends today,” she said. “Those relationships are important. The interactions with faculty is important. It’s those connections you make while transforming from a kid to an adult that matter.”

Oliver wants to tap into those shared experiences and find ways to re-engage students and alumni.

“The Bridgewater of yesterday is different than it is today, the physicality of it. It’s putting the ‘bridge’ back in Bridgewater, that’s where we start,” she said. “What’s going to connect people, bring them back and fill them up? Alumni need to know that what was still is, but it’s more than we could even have hoped for today.”

Oliver is planning to bring back and formalize the Crimson Ambassadors, a student group whose members interact with alumni at events and with whom they can connect and share current BSU experiences.

Building those relationships is important for both students and alumni.

“All of our current students are alumni in training, they are the alumni of tomorrow,” Oliver said.

She encourages alumni to reach out and visit her in the recently renamed John W. Jones and Martha Drinkwater Jones Alumni House, located at 26 Summer St.

“I want people to walk into the house and see part of themselves on the wall. From Horace Mann and on, I want people to know the story, from college to university, and to share who the leaders and educators were yesterday and who the leaders and educators of today are,” Oliver said. “My job is to bring people home and let them know they will always have a place here.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, Photo by Carl Hollant, University News and Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

[Editor’s Note: This is the third of four stories for Black History Month]

As part of Black History Month, Bridgewater State University is highlighting some of the relevant people and initiatives in the institution’s nearly 180 years. These pioneers and trailblazing developments have helped make the Bridgewater of today a place of acceptance, inclusion and diversity.

A PIONEERING PROFESSOR

In 1958, Willie O’Ree broke the color barrier when he stepped on the ice in his first game for the Boston Bruins. Meanwhile, a federal judge that same year ordered Louisiana State University to desegregate, thereby clearing the way for 69 African-Americans to enroll.

The year 1958 also saw Clement C. Maxwell, president of what was then known as Bridgewater State College, offer a full-time faculty appointment to Dr. Robert A. Daniel (pictured at right).

Daniel became the first full-time faculty member of color. The popular art professor remained at Bridgewater for the next 30 years.

In 1973, he was among the originators of the institution’s Afro-American Award. Upon his retirement, the award was renamed the Dr. Robert A. Daniel African-American scholarship. It was endowed in 2000, and has since funded two annual scholarships. The first is given to a senior of African-American descent having achieved the highest academic average during his or her undergraduate years. The second is awarded to a sophomore student demonstrating the most significant improvement in academic performance over his or her freshman year.

Daniel died in September 2016 at the age of 90.

FORGING THE WAY

The school’s first black graduate, Sarah A. Lewis, completed her studies at what was then the State Normal School at Bridgewater in 1869. This was a year before Harvard University awarded its first undergraduate degree to a black student.

Lewis, who hailed from Fall River, came to Bridgewater at time when many of her peers were working in her native city’s textile mills. As part of her acceptance, Lewis committed to teach in Massachusetts public schools upon graduating.

A painting of her hangs in the Maxwell Library as part of the institution’s Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement (HOBA).

THE HALL OF BLACK ACHIEVEMENT

HOBA found a home at Bridgewater State when civil rights activist and Boston television and radio personality Lovell Dyett approached the school with the idea of establishing a way to acknowledge the significant achievements and contributions of people of color.

The Hall of Black Achievement was instituted on campus in 1987. Through 2011, each year a heritage celebration was held to posthumously induct historical figures and to honor top students of color from Bridgewater and other state schools. The portraits of the well-known honorees – including Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman – still decorate the hall on the first floor of the library.

GROUNDBREAKING SORORITY

This past December, 13 young women became part of BSU history when they were welcomed into the school’s first-ever black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. University Advancement Director Diane Bell was instrumental in bringing the Greek life organization to campus.

At the time of the induction ceremony (pictured above), one of the inductees, Star-Asia Kuwornoo, ’20, commented on the historic event: “I feel Bridgewater State University is going in the right direction of incorporating diversity on campus. Now this illustrious organization can assist this campus to excel and grow and bring all walks of life together.” 

Years from now a new generation will look to the past and undoubtedly feel inspired to take action and, like those before them, create another page to add to the BSU black history story. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News & Video)

(Special thanks to David Wilson, ’71, presidential liaison to Bridgewater’s emeriti faculty; and Orson Kingsley, BSU librarian and head of archives and special collections.)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share. Email stories@bridgw.edu

How do you make something old new again? Just ask Bridgewater State University’s veteran music Professor Carol Nicholeris, G’83, G’91.

Dr. Nicholeris set the text from English composer Thomas Morley’s 16^th-century song Now is the Month of Maying to new music. It is, to her knowledge, the first time in about 400 years someone has done so with the popular choral tune.

“His is very regular, very metered, which was expected in those days, and for a dance especially,” said Nicholeris, who earned a master of arts degree in teaching in creative arts and a certificate of advanced graduate study in education administration from BSU. “In our time we have many more musical options and much more freedom. I can go more with the flow of the text, or change meters, or include more dissonance in the harmonies."

Nicholeris adapted the text and wrote a new song with different melodies, harmonies, rhythms and meters than what Morley used. She made her composition more closely resemble how someone might speak the words, in part by changing how syllables are accented. She also made the piece more playful. The text is, after all, about springtime.

“It’s just a different style,” she said. “Morley did a great job given the conventions of the time. I tried to make a closer relationship to the freedoms of phrasing that we have in language and, now, in music.”

Nicholeris, who has written music since her teens, has a special connection with Now is the Month of Maying. Morley’s version was the first piece of its type she sang as a freshman at Braintree High School in 1970.

She actually composed her take several decades ago. But, publishing companies thought no one would want to sing it because they had Morley’s composition.

Nicholeris knew otherwise.

“If it were all just about the words, why even bother about the music?” she remembers thinking.

She was thrilled to learn in recent years that ECS Publishing wanted to publish her piece. It is part of the company’s spring 2019 catalog.

Nicholeris hopes that choruses of all types perform the piece, which, when compared to Morley’s, is an excellent example of how music evolves over time.

“I just hope people have some fun with this,” she said, “and realize we can bring these texts into our time.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Did you know 66 children visit emergency rooms across the U.S. each day because of shopping cart injuries? Entrepreneur Kaitlyn Litchfield, ’06, does, and she’s making shopping with young children safer and less stressful.

 The Bridgewater State graduate developed a vest to keep infants and toddlers securely in shopping cart seats. The vest features straps that parents attach to the cart that keep their little Houdinis from falling out, a common cause of the 66 daily emergency room visits identified in a Nationwide Children’s Hospital study.

Litchfield, a criminal justice major who worked in probation at Brockton District Court before discovering she wanted a different type of career, saw the need for the vest firsthand when son Camden almost fell out of a cart.

“I came home in tears and said to my husband ‘We need to buy something,’” she recalled. “It didn’t exist.”

Litchfield thought she should take it upon herself to make something that would do the trick. When her other son, Nathan, (pictured at right wearing the vest with Litchfield) nearly toppled out of a shopping cart a few years later, Litchfield knew she had to design a product.

“If not now, then when?” she said. “There’s always going to be a reason not to.”

Things progressed quickly as she developed a concept and found local companies to assist with manufacturing and other aspects of her business, Lamb & Lou. Litchfield is now accepting pre-orders and plans to begin shipping vests in the spring.

“It still shocks me that I’m doing this,” said Litchfield, who was selected as a South Shore Living magazine entrepreneur to watch, and also works as a photographer. 

It takes effort to bring a product to market, but that’s nothing new for Litchfield. At Bridgewater, she learned the value of hard work by, ironically, sleeping in. Litchfield slept through the final exam in a geography class taught by Professor James Hayes-Bohanan. Instead of failing her, Dr. Hayes-Bohanan let her make up the exam because he knew she paid attention throughout the class.

“That changed my life,” she said. “I realized it’s not that you’re the best or love a subject. If you show up and try, people will recognize that. People will see that in you and he recognized that.”

Sleeping through a final is not good advice for BSU students, but Litchfield has other words of wisdom for entrepreneurial Bears: Don’t be afraid to try something that might seem to be outside of your wheelhouse.

“Do it because you have nothing to lose,” said Litchfield, who encourages entrepreneurial BSU students to ask her questions through her website. “It can be you.” (Story by Brian Benson, video and photo by Carl Hollant, ’15, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Dick Kattenburg was in his 20s when he died at Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944. Now, Bridgewater State University music Professor Deborah Nemko (pictured above giving a piano lesson to a BSU student) is keeping alive his memory and music.

Kattenburg and other Jewish composers wrote music on scraps of paper while in concentration camps. Nemko researches and performs on piano the works of Kattenburg and fellow classical composers who died in the Holocaust or who were prevented from publishing their music during the World War II era.

“I’m Jewish and I have a very strong connection to wanting to make sure these composers and their works and the people who lived through this terrible period live on,” said Nemko.

The veteran music professor will perform Kattenburg’s music next month at the Anne Frank Awards Ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington. The annual event, held March 27, recognizes people who work in the spirit of inclusion and diversity embodied by Frank, the famous Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim. 

From March 2-6, Nemko will be artist-in-residence at York University in Toronto. She will perform music from World War II that is mostly unpublished and largely unknown and will also deliver a lecture on the musical contributions of refugees past and present. Nemko will also give a master class for piano students.

This summer, she will present a lecture-recital at the International College Music Society conference in Belgium.

In 2015, Nemko taught, researched and performed in the Netherlands as a Fulbright scholar. She worked with the Leo Smit Foundation to study Dutch suppressed and forgotten composers. In many cases, relatives find these pieces in attics. Sometimes, scholars must sift through multiple versions to determine which one was likely the composers’ finished piece.

While Nemko’s research has taken her abroad, she hasn’t forgotten about sharing her work with Bridgewater students. She incorporates the composers into her 20^th century music history course and has performed some works on campus.

“Playing the music is a way of getting into a topic that may be difficult to talk about and understand,” she said. “People relate to music emotionally.”

Many composers’ scores remain unpublished. Nemko hopes to make their works more well-known through preparing the music for publication and recording and performing it.

“It gives me chills to know I have an opportunity to be close to this and the music and handwriting which represents these people whose lives were cut short,” she said. “I have the opportunity to tell their story. To me, that’s really powerful.” (Story by Brian Benson, photo by Drew Cambra, '19, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Adama Bah, ’21, makes sure to smile when she walks across the Bridgewater State University campus. Chances are fellow Bears will smile back, since, no matter the color of their skin, they share a bond.

“Bridgewater provided me a family that I didn’t know I needed,” Adama said.

As a Guinean-American, Adama is not shy about sharing her culture and talking about life at BSU. Which makes sense, seeing that she is president of the university’s African Student Association, an organization that aims to educate people about Africa.

“I think it’s important because there are people who identify as African on campus and I want them to have a safe space,” she said of the club. “I also want students who don’t (identify as African) to learn about Africa. The best way to learn about someone’s culture is to dive deep.”

Founded in 2010, the association hosts fashion shows and other programs, and hosts meetings where members discuss current events and more. The goal is to make sure students understand Africa as a diverse continent whose citizens have successes and face challenges.

Adama (pictured at right) also connects with prospective Bears by talking to students of color who visit BSU’s Center for Multicultural Affairs. She tells them it can be challenging to be on any campus where they are the minority. At BSU, the center is a safe place for people of all backgrounds, she said, while campus clubs introduce students to a variety of cultures.

“Even though you might not see someone who looks like you, a lot of these students do come from the same background,” she said.

Adama, whose family moved from Georgia to Boston, fell in love with BSU when she toured campus. She’s switched majors several times, ultimately settling on social work, as she aspires to work in a higher education diversity office. Despite her winding journey at Bridgewater, she found support from President Frederick Clark Jr., faculty, staff and fellow students.

“Everyone makes you feel like ‘Hey, we’re all in it together,” Adama said. “The fact that our president walks around and knows all of us, I think that is something Bridgewater has that no other school has.”

These things, as well as Adama’s experience after the New England Patriots recently won a sixth Super Bowl – after which she and her fellow students embraced and rejoiced in their shared joy – make the campus feel like a special place where everyone is connected.

“We were super excited, holding each other,” she said. “These are my Bears. This is my family.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Why do young women take and post selfies to social media? Is it because it’s empowering? Are they seeking positive feedback? Is it for attention?

Dr. Laura Ramsey, associate professor of psychology, and alumna Amber Horan, ’16, teamed up to tackle these questions.

They initiated a study to explore the extent to which young women post sexualized photos of themselves on social media, the reasons why, and the consequences resulting from downloading these types of photos.

The study resulted in the article, “Picture this: Women’s self-sexualization in photos on social media,” published by ScienceDirect.

“We have seen many journalists, concerned parents, and other interested parties asking how and why young women post sexy photos of themselves,” Dr. Ramsey said. “We wanted to see how often it was happening and maybe try to tap into the reasons why women are posting these photos.”

Sixty-one Bridgewater State University undergraduate students participated in the study. Ramsey and Horan looked at the ten most recent photographs the women posted to social media to complete a variety of survey measures.

The results were surprising.

“One thing we found was that sexy photos (on social media) are not as common as you might think, given how much discussion there is around it being a social issue,” Dr. Ramsey said. “I think the reason is because when we see a photo that is sexualized it really sticks out and you remember it. Most of the young women in our sample were not posting that many (sexualized) photos.”

The study also found that most of the young women posting selfies are not gaining a sense of empowerment.

“It doesn’t translate to actually being in more control of your life — that doesn’t mean it can’t happen for some. But based on the averages, self-sexualizing photos do not translate to any real social power or agency in their life or relationships,” Dr. Ramsey said.

Another interesting result shows that the more self-sexualizing photos a woman posted did not equate to having control over her sex life off-line.

“We found that a woman posting self-sexualizing photos is less like to be able to communicate effectively her sexual desires,” Dr. Ramsey said. “It could be because you are viewing yourself as an object and not going to honor your agency in a way that you would if you were honoring your personhood.”

After completing the study, Horan hopes the results raise awareness.

“Women need to be aware of how they are portraying themselves,” she said. “If they feel good about themselves and want to post sexualized photos then by all means, if you’ve got it, flaunt it — but do so because you are a strong, independent beautiful woman who knows their worth, not to objectify themselves to others nor to achieve receiving likes or comments for attention to give themselves a sense of worth.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, photo by Carl Hollant, University News and Video)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? email stories@bridgew.edu 

Wearing a Patriots shirt, Kellie Nostrant fit well into the crowd packing Boston streets for the recent Super Bowl parade – at least until you found out she’s not a fan of the team.

In fact, she’s not much of a football fan at all, and her home state doesn’t even have an NFL team. So why did she join the throngs of exuberant New England football fans?

“It was a ‘When in Rome’ kind of thing,” said Kellie (pictured above), an Eastern Oregon University senior studying at Bridgewater State University as a domestic exchange student. “I went with my roommates (who are Bridgewater students). They’d been to multiple parades before. They were excited to take me and it was a lot of fun.” 

Kellie is among five students spending the semester at BSU through the National Student Exchange, an organization that partners with American and Canadian schools. The initiative, which BSU has been part of since 1998, is similar to a foreign exchange program.

Bridgewater students like to visit Hawaii and Puerto Rico through the exchange, said Jen Currie, G’17, associate director, International Student & Scholar Services.

“It’s an opportunity for students to get a different experience at a different U.S. university, especially if they can’t afford to fly abroad,” Currie said.

Those spending the semester at BSU wanted to experience Boston, scout out potential law schools, and explore a different part of the country. They praised Bridgewater students for going, as Kellie put it, “above and beyond” to help the visitors adjust.

“I was nervous because I hadn’t been far from home,” said Mark Guzman, a Kansas resident and Wichita State University student. “This is the longest period I’ve spent outside my home state.”

But, Guzman finds the time flying by, now that he has adjusted to campus. Fellow Wichita student and Kansas resident Luz Aguirre found a home away from home in BSU’s La Sociedad Latinx.

The visiting students attended orientation with international students, a process that eased fears of being away from home.

“If they can do it, I can do it,” Luz said.

Students said they help diversify the campus and are a resource for Bears who are considering an exchange program and want a first-hand perspective.

“It’s an opportunity to explore what else is out there rather than just exploring what I’m used to,” said Quincy Ryan, a student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, of spending time at BSU. “It’s breaking out of my comfort zone.” (Story and group photo by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a BSU story you’d like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

It was Hannah Powers, ’18, last semester of college and she was uncertain as to what the future held.

“I was terrified I wouldn’t get a job in my field,” Powers admitted.

The art major knew she loved working with ceramics and, as an undergraduate had obtained an internship with Mudstone Studios, a communal ceramic studio in Warren, Rhode Island.

Beyond that, she struggled to find the answers that would lead her down the right path.

Shortly before graduation, Powers saw an announcement on Facebook that the Ricciardi School of Business was hosting the campus’ first-ever Shark Tank competition, where just like the popular television show, students pitch business ideas to a panel of judges.

“I thought it might be worth it, even if I didn’t win to show people what I’m working on and get advice,” Powers said.

What she was working on was creating and selling ceramic jars containing holistic gemstones through her Seize the Clay Studios. She wanted to expand the small online business. 

During the BSU Shark Tank, Powers pitched her proposal to the panel of judges, made up BSU alumni and members of the university’s Foundation Board.

After the judges deliberated, Powers learned she was one of the first place winners and would receive $1,500 to put toward her business.

“Once I got the money I opened a separate business account. Everything I purchased for the business came out of that account,” she said.

The money was put to good use, covering promotional items, materials, and rental space at Mudstone Studios.

“This award meant I could just go for it, it’s been amazing,” Powers said.

The young artist has also expanded her product line beyond the gemstone jars to include ring holders, incense holders, plant hangers and candle holders.

She is grateful to the Ricciardi School of Business and to the judges who saw Seize the Clay’s potential. If Shark Tank returns to campus this spring, Powers encourages students to present their ideas.

“If you think you have a good idea and are passionate about it, just do it,” she said. “You never know where it’s going to lead you.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski)

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu