Nearly 300 members of the extended BSU community gathered to pay tribute to the man President Dana Mohler-Faria introduced as “the longest-serving trustee on a pubic college campus in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Louis Ricciardi, ’81, has served Bridgewater in many capacities and as a benefactor; the College of Business bears his name. December 10 marked his final trustees meeting as chair. The celebration in his honor, held in the East Campus Commons dining room, was a chance to say thank you.
“(Lou’s) 25 years of continuous, extraordinary service to his alma mater have been exemplary in every sense, and we’ve come together tonight to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to him,” the president said.
Mr. Ricciardi’s record of service includes being the youngest person ever to be elected as chairman of a public college board of trustees in Massachusetts; he was just 30 years old in 1990 when he first became chairman at Bridgewater. He served two 10-year terms on BSU’s board of trustees – 1989 to 1999 and 2004 to 2014, most of those years as chairman.
In 1990, Mr. Ricciardi became a trustee of the university’s foundation, serving as chair from 1996 to 2004. In that capacity, he co-chaired Bridgewater’s first-ever capital campaign in 1999, an effort that raised $10 million dollars.
In April 2009, he was elected to a five-year term on the Massachusetts State Board of Higher Education, and in March 2010 was appointed vice chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
Mr. Ricciardi, who is the founder of the Ricciardi Financial Group in Taunton, received the university’s Distinguished Service Award at the May 2002 commencement ceremony, and the Bridgewater Alumni Association Rondileau Award for outstanding community service and professional achievement in 1999.
President Mohler-Faria remarked on the changes the university is now facing, of which Mr. Ricciardi’s departure from the board of trustees is just one.
“In a sense, this evening’s celebration is a bittersweet occasion,” he said. “Our time, mine and his, is coming to an end, as Lou has now completed his remarkable service and I retire at the end of June. But I know he and I will spend the rest of our lives talking to each other about the incredible events we’ve witnessed here and our joy and pride to have been so fortunate to work with so many of you here this evening.”
The president also spoke with passion about Mr. Ricciardi’s devotion to public service, citing it as an example for all BSU alums to emulate.
Mr. Ricciardi came to Bridgewater as a freshman in the late 1970s. He was the first in his family to attend college, and he made the most of the opportunity. In addition to a devotion to academics, he worked on the grounds crew picking weeds in the parking lots to help pay for school. The liberal arts education he received and the work ethic stood him in good stead.
“He then employed his great entrepreneurial skills,” the president said, picking up the story, “and started his own business, using his own vision and his own understanding of what he could do and what he could be. He recognized from the outset the importance of giving back.”
Reflecting upon Mr. Ricciardi’s initial appointment to Bridgewater’s board of trustees in 1989, Dr. Mohler-Faria said he came “just when he was needed most” and had an impact immediately.
“He came with Adrian Tinsley, my predecessor, and together they had a focus and a vision and with a dream of what the school could be. Lou committed himself to doing that, always understanding that at the center of that were our students,” the president said.
Dr. Mohler-Faria told the audience that it was during a late night car ride back from Worcester when Mr. Ricciardi first suggested to him that Bridgewater could become a university.
“I said to him, ‘I don’t think this is the right time for us to be seeking that. He said, ‘I think it is,’ and after further discussion and reflection, we agreed to make the effort. We put together a task force and involved other institutions and you know the result. That’s the kind of leadership he has always provided,” the president said. “The well-being of Bridgewater and the success of our students was and is foremost in his mind, always.”
In his remarks, Mr. Ricciardi thanked President Mohler-Faria for the friendship and companionship they enjoyed over a quarter-century and also thanked his fellow BSU trustees – past and present – for the help they provided to needy students over the years.
“There were many times when a student needed a hand, such as an internship or funding for a particular study opportunity or even tuition, it took only a few phone calls from the chairman and that help was provided,” he said. “They were truly helping, truly investing in, our students.”
Mr. Ricciardi credited his late father, Michael, with being a lifelong inspiration for him.
“My dad set an example for service and devotion that has guided me at every step of the way,” he said.
Addressing the audience directly, Mr. Ricciardi said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity I have this evening to say directly to you, ‘Thank you,’ because you inspire me – you are my heroes because of what you do every day to serve our students and, in particular, for all you’ve done to help me over the past 25 years.”
Dr. Jean McCormack, vice chairperson of the BSU Board of Trustees and former chancellor of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth campus, was among the speakers for the evening. Dr. Anna Bradfield of the president’s office acted as master of ceremonies for the evening. Entertainment was provided by two BSU students: singer Ailton Martins Dos Dantos, who is from Cape Verde and is studying for a master’s degree; and Carl Hollant, a senior who provided a piano performance. (Story and photos by David K. Wilson, ’71, University News; additonal photos below by student Steve Rowell)
