Assumption Celebrates Conclusion of Record-Setting, $50 Million Campaign
Assumption Celebrates Conclusion of Record-Setting, $50 Million Campaign
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Thu, 06/16/2022 - 13:08 Assumption University celebrated the conclusion of the wildly successful Light the Way capital campaign on Friday, June 10 with a gala honoring those who have spent the last several years supporting the University’s record-setting campaign. After seven years, two of which were plagued by a pandemic, the University raised an historic $50.6 million, 45 percent over its original goal. “The Board and I are tremendously grateful to each and every one of you,” said Fran Bedard ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees, addressing the audience of benefactors, including several faculty members, administrators, staff, alumni and their families, student mentors, advisory board members, Trustees, and other University ambassadors. “Your generosity of time, talent, and treasure significantly enhances the strength and quality of Assumption and our ability to serve students. The milestone we celebrate tonight is significant in our nearly 120-year history. This successful campaign has a transformational impact on the University and provides great momentum as we continue to enhance our university status.” “The sun is rising on a day bright with possibility at Assumption—one where we embrace our Catholic identity in educational terms and welcome all, no matter who they may be, who seek to pursue the truth in the company of friends,” said Interim President Greg Weiner, Ph.D. “I stand here with confidence and gratitude—confidence in the Assumption we can build together and gratitude for all you’re doing to make it possible.” The Light the Way campaign began with a silent phase in 2015 before being publicly announced in 2017. The campaign had an original goal of $35 million and four fundraising priorities: building a new academic center, athletic facility improvements, as well as increasing resources for the endowment and The Assumption Fund. Because of the tremendous success of The Light the way campaign in raising nearly $16 million more than planned, Assumption was able to broaden its growth, both physical and financial. The University added physical structures to its campus with the additions of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center, which has become the hub of academic life on campus, and the Richard J. and Sophia Catrambone Health Sciences Center, a response to the increased global need for healthcare professionals. This spring, the University broke ground on its latest project of upgrading the softball field to a multi-sport artificial turf facility, thanks to a matching grant provided by Brian Kelly ’83 HD ‘12. The University also launched innovative partnerships, such as one with the Worcester Red Sox, that provide students exciting opportunities for internships and community engagement. The addition of these important edifices and partnerships allowed the University to expand and organize into five schools—the Froelich School of Nursing, Grenon School of Business, D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Health Professions, and School of Graduate Studies—leading the way for the approval of Assumption’s transition from a college to a university in June 2020. The campaign also provided key financial assistance to Assumption students. More than 44 scholarships and endowed funds were established to support students and faculty initiatives and the University was able to raise more than $500,000 for the Coronavirus Financial Aid Relief Fund to help students and their families impacted by the pandemic. Bedard shared that while many individuals were essential to the success of this campaign, the leadership of President Emeritus Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., was the key to the campaign’s success. Bedard lauded President Emeritus Cesareo for traversing the country and “meeting with alumni and friends of Assumption to share a compelling story of the value of an Assumption education – and why they should make a selfless sacrifice to support the institution.” In honor of his dedication to Assumption and his countless contributions to the institution during his 15 years of service, Bedard announced that the University would honor him by the renaming of South Hall to Cesareo Hall. “This campaign has been transformative for Assumption with the changed landscape of the campus that resulted from the construction of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center, the Richard J. and Sophia Catrambone Health Sciences Center, and the piazza as the focal point for the shift of the campus to the actual center,” said President Emeritus Cesareo. “Each of these projects were more than bricks and mortar, but reflected a particular vision that I had which spoke to the education we offer to our students and the purpose of Catholic liberal education and our mission as a Catholic institution, which each of these donors understood and for which we are all grateful. The true essence of this campaign and its priorities was the students – this was a student-centric campaign which was only fitting since my presidency was always student-focused. This evening is an opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters for investing in Assumption and laying a strong foundation for its future.” On hand to celebrate the success were campaign co-chairs Michael Sullivan ‘83 and Carolyn Clancy ‘82. Honorary Campaign Chair Brian Kelly ’83 provided a recorded message from his new home in Louisiana. “I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to all who contributed to our campaign and helped us significantly exceed our goals,” shared Clancy. “This will allow us to continue to provide an exceptional education to so many for years to come. Assumption University continues to evolve, expand, transform, and innovate greatly thanks to your generosity and commitment.” Sullivan echoed his co-chair’s sentiments. “The overwhelming support of the Assumption community and alumni made this campaign a success,” he said. “The $50 million in capital contributions will position the university well to serve its current and future students’ needs as they prepare to make a meaningful difference in the world. We are grateful to all who made it happen.” ABOUT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY Assumption University, founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption, is New England’s premier university for high-quality education, integrating career preparation and education of the whole person, drawing upon the best in the rich and centuries-long tradition of Catholic higher education. Assumption, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, seeks to provide students with a transformative education that forms graduates who possess critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship, and compassionate service. The University offers 34 majors and 49 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, nursing and professional studies; as well as master’s and continuing education degrees and professional certificate programs. For more information about Assumption University, please visit www.assumption.edu.
Gala1.jpgAssumption University celebrated the conclusion of the wildly successful Light the Way capital campaign on Friday, June 10 with a gala honoring those who have spent the last several years supporting the University’s record-setting campaign.General
Assumption University celebrated the conclusion of the wildly successful Light the Way capital campaign on Friday, June 10 with a gala honoring those who have spent the last several years supporting the University’s record-setting campaign. After seven years, two of which were plagued by a pandemic, the University raised an historic $50.6 million, 45 percent over its original goal.
“The Board and I are tremendously grateful to each and every one of you,” said Fran Bedard ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees, addressing the audience of benefactors, including several faculty members, administrators, staff, alumni and their families, student mentors, advisory board members, Trustees, and other University ambassadors. “Your generosity of time, talent, and treasure significantly enhances the strength and quality of Assumption and our ability to serve students. The milestone we celebrate tonight is significant in our nearly 120-year history. This successful campaign has a transformational impact on the University and provides great momentum as we continue to enhance our university status.”
“The sun is rising on a day bright with possibility at Assumption—one where we embrace our Catholic identity in educational terms and welcome all, no matter who they may be, who seek to pursue the truth in the company of friends,” said Interim President Greg Weiner, Ph.D. “I stand here with confidence and gratitude—confidence in the Assumption we can build together and gratitude for all you’re doing to make it possible.”
The Light the Way campaign began with a silent phase in 2015 before being publicly announced in 2017. The campaign had an original goal of $35 million and four fundraising priorities: building a new academic center, athletic facility improvements, as well as increasing resources for the endowment and The Assumption Fund. Because of the tremendous success of The Light the way campaign in raising nearly $16 million more than planned, Assumption was able to broaden its growth, both physical and financial.
The University added physical structures to its campus with the additions of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center, which has become the hub of academic life on campus, and the Richard J. and Sophia Catrambone Health Sciences Center, a response to the increased global need for healthcare professionals. This spring, the University broke ground on its latest project of upgrading the softball field to a multi-sport artificial turf facility, thanks to a matching grant provided by Brian Kelly ’83 HD ‘12. The University also launched innovative partnerships, such as one with the Worcester Red Sox, that provide students exciting opportunities for internships and community engagement.
The addition of these important edifices and partnerships allowed the University to expand and organize into five schools—the Froelich School of Nursing, Grenon School of Business, D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Health Professions, and School of Graduate Studies—leading the way for the approval of Assumption’s transition from a college to a university in June 2020.
The campaign also provided key financial assistance to Assumption students. More than 44 scholarships and endowed funds were established to support students and faculty initiatives and the University was able to raise more than $500,000 for the Coronavirus Financial Aid Relief Fund to help students and their families impacted by the pandemic.
Bedard shared that while many individuals were essential to the success of this campaign, the leadership of President Emeritus Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., was the key to the campaign’s success. Bedard lauded President Emeritus Cesareo for traversing the country and “meeting with alumni and friends of Assumption to share a compelling story of the value of an Assumption education – and why they should make a selfless sacrifice to support the institution.”
In honor of his dedication to Assumption and his countless contributions to the institution during his 15 years of service, Bedard announced that the University would honor him by the renaming of South Hall to Cesareo Hall.
“This campaign has been transformative for Assumption with the changed landscape of the campus that resulted from the construction of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center, the Richard J. and Sophia Catrambone Health Sciences Center, and the piazza as the focal point for the shift of the campus to the actual center,” said President Emeritus Cesareo. “Each of these projects were more than bricks and mortar, but reflected a particular vision that I had which spoke to the education we offer to our students and the purpose of Catholic liberal education and our mission as a Catholic institution, which each of these donors understood and for which we are all grateful. The true essence of this campaign and its priorities was the students – this was a student-centric campaign which was only fitting since my presidency was always student-focused. This evening is an opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters for investing in Assumption and laying a strong foundation for its future.”
On hand to celebrate the success were campaign co-chairs Michael Sullivan ‘83 and Carolyn Clancy ‘82. Honorary Campaign Chair Brian Kelly ’83 provided a recorded message from his new home in Louisiana.
“I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to all who contributed to our campaign and helped us significantly exceed our goals,” shared Clancy. “This will allow us to continue to provide an exceptional education to so many for years to come. Assumption University continues to evolve, expand, transform, and innovate greatly thanks to your generosity and commitment.”
Sullivan echoed his co-chair’s sentiments. “The overwhelming support of the Assumption community and alumni made this campaign a success,” he said. “The $50 million in capital contributions will position the university well to serve its current and future students’ needs as they prepare to make a meaningful difference in the world. We are grateful to all who made it happen.”
ABOUT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY
Assumption University, founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption, is New England’s premier university for high-quality education, integrating career preparation and education of the whole person, drawing upon the best in the rich and centuries-long tradition of Catholic higher education. Assumption, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, seeks to provide students with a transformative education that forms graduates who possess critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship, and compassionate service. The University offers 34 majors and 49 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, nursing and professional studies; as well as master’s and continuing education degrees and professional certificate programs. For more information about Assumption University, please visit www.assumption.edu.
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It speaks to their strengths as well as to the quality education and preparation they are engaged in both in our department and across our institution.” “The conference is where everyone comes together and tries to look forward five years,” said Dante Bachini, a health sciences major with a focus on patient advocacy. “We ask questions like, ‘what are we doing now?’, ‘What’s the new research?’, ‘As a profession, are we moving forward to not only support our patients and clients, but each other?’, ‘How are we trying to maintain the highest ethical standards for our patients?’” Bachini gave a presentation at the conference on the interviewing methods used by primary care physicians and their patients with chronic illness. “In the chronic disease world, providers are unable to really get all the knowledge about what’s going on,” he said. “What we’re seeing is that the patient and provider are on separate thought processes and have different information understandings which create a large barrier to care.” Bachini’s work is focused on how an interdisciplinary approach between human services strategies and clinical strategies can be used in clinical spaces to promote patient wellness. “My research found that the human services field, though not focused on being a clinician, has key enduring strategies which promote the wellness of chronic disease patients,” he said. “These strategies include patients’ stories, their lived experience, and their knowledge into the picture. 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- Assumption University Honors Veterans DayAssumption University Honors Veterans Day oe.boudreau Fri, 11/10/2023 - 12:50 On November 7th, in celebration of Veterans Day, Assumption University honored those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, including those within the AU community, with a ceremony in the Atrium of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center. The service included a presentation of the colors and a performance of the National Anthem by Assumption’s Chorale. “Our world is dangerous, and veterans put themselves on the line to keep that danger at bay, so that we have the luxury of learning for learning’s sake,” President Greg Weiner said in his opening remarks. “Simply to say ‘thank you’ feels grossly inadequate…but when all else fails, words are what we have.” After Weiner’s speech, the guest speaker for the event, Gary Senecal, Assistant Professor of Human Services, spoke about his experience as a member of the United States Army Reserve since 2013, specifically his time serving in Somalia to provide medical care to wounded service members. Senecal emphasized how much of an impact serving has had on both his life and his outlook on teamwork and community. “I’ve learned a lot during my time in the service…teamwork, comradery, fulfillment in connection with others,” Senecal said. “I don’t know if I’ve found greater joy than being a part of that tight-knit group of people. This experience of comradery and connection only happens in the military.” Senecal also spoke about his return to campus after service, saying that the Assumption community was able to help with the transition from life in military service back to work as a professor. “When I came back to campus, I cannot begin to describe how welcoming it was,” he said. “There are days when I miss doing the work that I did…nevertheless, I am thankful to have those sentiments placated by having a job that replicates it and allows me to operate daily in the company of friends.” For many years, Assumption has offered programs and resources for students who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces in order to help them adjust to both college life and life outside of military service. Beginning with the creation of the Veterans’ Success Committee, faculty, staff, and students work together to ensure that veterans on Assumption’s campus have everything they need to thrive and be successful. “I had a very difficult time making the transition from a combat zone to college when I got back from Vietnam,” said Michael Rubino, former Chair of the Veterans’ Success Committee and Veterans Recruitment Coordinator. “Because I had that experience, I am now able to help students make that transition.” Due to the number of efforts put forth by the Veterans’ Success Committee, along with other programs across campus, Assumption was honored by Military Friendly as one of the nation’s Top Ten Military Friendly Schools for 2023-2024. According to Military Friendly’s methodology and criteria, factors that determine rankings include: “retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates.” These efforts include the creation of a veterans’ lounge, located currently in the Information Technology Center, to allow veterans a dedicated space on campus to gather and form communities. Rubino stressed that the lounge is extremely important to the veteran community on campus so they can have a place to connect and relate to one another. “It gives the veterans a place to go to meet one another and so forth and try to work out problems because they all understand each other’s backgrounds,” Rubino said. “I have found oftentimes that veterans who have been in combat zones only feel comfortable talking to other veterans who have been in similar situations.” On Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11th, a ceremony will be held to honor veterans in the Assumption community. This ceremony will be held at halftime of the Assumption Greyhounds football game against Southern Connecticut State, which kicks off at 12:00pm at Brian Kelly ‘83 Stadium. Veterans-AU-Web-2.pngAssumption University community members present the colors at the November 7th Veterans Day ceremony.General Olivia Boudreau
- Nursing Class of 2023 Has 100 Percent NCLEX-RN® Passing RateNursing Class of 2023 Has 100 Percent NCLEX-RN® Passing Rate oe.boudreau Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:57 Assumption University’s Froelich School of Nursing announced that every member of its first graduating class has passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) following their graduation from the program this May. The NCLEX-RN® is an exam regulated by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which oversees each state’s board of registration and nursing. The national exam is the final step in the licensure process to become a registered nurse. According to data gathered and reported by NCSBN, the average pass rate for all candidates who took the NCLEX-RN® from January through September 2023 was 88.55 percent. In April of 2023, the NCLEX-RN® test plan was updated to correlate to the revisions made on the exam. The Next Generation NCLEX-RN®, with a focus on testing the exam taker’s clinical judgment was launched on April 1 after years of research and item development. “Amongst us in nursing education, we had never seen these kinds of exam items,” said Caitlin Stover, Dean of the Froelich School of Nursing. “It was really important to structure a curriculum that embeds clinical judgment scenarios, exam items, and simulations in every course so that the students had exposure and confidence going into this exam.” “The class of 2023’s success is a validation of all of the hard work that we have put in over the past couple of years,” said Stover. “We have things on paper, we give really high-quality exams, and we follow principles of best teaching-learning strategies, but you don’t know until you get the official results.” Along with all passing the NCLEX-RN®, each of the nurses from the class of 2023 are now employed at various hospitals across the country, such as in the UMass Medical system through their new graduate program, St. Vincent Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Midstate Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, and Newport Hospital. Students from the class of 2023, such as Aly Landry and James Bachini, have said that their experiences at Assumption have benefited them greatly, both in terms of when they had to know for the NCLEX-RN® exam and for their nursing careers. “My experience not only prepared me for the NCLEX-RN®, but also for getting a job as a registered nurse on the cardiothoracic surgery unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston,” said Landry. “I believe that the foundation set from my time at Assumption with a strong liberal arts curriculum coupled with diverse clinical experiences really helped me transition to practice. I have confidence in my work and can draw from the values learned at Assumption.” “Although the entire process is incredibly stressful and difficult, I felt supported, prepared and capable thanks to the nursing curriculum and education that the wonderful Froelich School of Nursing faculty provided,” said Bachini. “I was also supported by a faculty mentor who helped motivate me and keep me on track with my studying for the boards as well as providing additional resources whenever needed.” The importance of the nursing program’s preparation for nursing students to enter their careers as compassionate professionals was also emphasized by both Stover and Bachini as a former student in the program. “The NCLEX-RN® is 100 percent important, but we pride ourselves on developing the professionalism required of the nurse as well,” she said. “The success of the program is a reiteration of Assumption’s commitment to develop the workforce in a time of a huge nursing shortage, making sure that these nurses are high quality and compassionate.” “Upon my hiring as a staff nurse at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital in Burlington, Massachusetts, I have felt that I have the proper skills in place to support me in my new position,” said Bachini. “We [nurses of the class of 2023] are well prepared to professionally and compassionately treat and serve patients today and well into the future.” The success of the class of 2023 was also aided by many other departments on campus that assisted in laying the science foundations, such as the as well as the humanities departments who were instrumental in establishing a foundation of critical thinking and reasoning that nursing knowledge is built upon. “This wasn’t just nursing’s success,” said Stover. “This was all hands-on deck, all departments that educate the students along their transformative journey here at Assumption.” nclex23-large.jpgStudents from the Froelich School of Nursing's Class of 2023 stand in front of the Catrambone Health Sciences Building. General Olivia Boudreau
- Senator Robyn Kennedy ’03 Leads Town Hall on Community Engagement and Women’s Intersectional LeadershipSenator Robyn Kennedy ’03 Leads Town Hall on Community Engagement and Women’s Intersectional Leadership oe.boudreau Mon, 11/06/2023 - 11:22 To kick off fall semester programming for Assumption’s Women’s Studies Program, Massachusetts State Senator Robyn Kennedy, a member of the class of 2003, participated in a town hall in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center on October 17th to discuss topics such as community engagement and women’s leadership. “I never envisioned that I would someday be standing here as your state senator,” Kennedy said. “Keep your eyes open, your hearts open, and your dreams big.” Kennedy, who graduated from Assumption with a bachelor’s degree in history, currently serves as State Senator for the First Worcester District of Massachusetts, which includes Boylston, West Boylston, Northborough, Berlin, Bolton, and most of Worcester. Through her career, Kennedy has worked in multiple different public service roles, including Chief Operating Officer at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Central Massachusetts and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Over 140 students, faculty, staff, and alumni filled Ballroom A as Senator Kennedy advocated for policies such as the care economy, making the workforce more accessible for all, period poverty, and early education for all children. Senator Kennedy was introduced by Cinzia Pica, Director of the Women’s Studies Program and Professor and Chair of the Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies Department, and Kathryn Cannistraro ‘24, a human services major and women’s studies minor, who recently received the Outstanding Student in Human Services Award from the National Organization for Human Services. Kennedy began her speech by connecting her public service to her undergraduate experience at Assumption, saying she found inspiration in the university motto, “Until Christ be Formed in You.” She also said that in her public service, she works to “drive the mission of the university into a values system,” ensuring that Assumption’s mission is reflected in her work. She emphasized the importance of passionate leadership, encouraging students to take action in the Worcester community through volunteering for campaigns and uplifting and caring for those among us. “We need more leaders – we need the conviction as leaders to be driven by passion,” Senator Kennedy said. “Leaders willing to listen to and to be led by those who are most impacted by any issue we are facing.” To emphasize this point further, Kennedy quoted Bible verse Matthew 25:40, “…Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,’” saying they were words that have always been important to her work. Kennedy made a point throughout her talk to encourage students to get involved in the Worcester community, including doing both community service and volunteering for local campaigns, saying that doing this work “helps [students] learn and grow [their] own values systems.” After an introduction of her major policy initiatives and promoting getting involved in the community, Kennedy fielded questions from Assumption students on topics such as the opioid crisis, immigration into Massachusetts, and housing. While answering these questions, Kennedy promoted more resources being allocated to community wellbeing, making child care more affordable for families, increased capacities for addiction treatment spaces, and pay increases for teachers, among many other policies. Toward the end of the town hall, Kennedy was asked for any advice she had for seniors getting ready to graduate. To answer, Kennedy stressed the importance of internships, telling students to “take advantage of internships that may not be in your field,” saying that interning can help students learn both what they are and aren’t interested in. AU-Robyn-Kennedy-Image.jpgAssumption University graduate from the class of 2003 Senator Robyn Kennedy participates in a town hall in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center.General Olivia Boudreau