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Virtual Museum Aims to Change Perceptions and Raises Awareness of Mental Health Issues
Virtual Museum Aims to Change Perceptions and Raises Awareness of Mental Health Issues ke.dunbar Fri, 01/22/2021 - 14:46 During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns regarding mental health and raising awareness of such increased exponentially throughout the United States. To address these exacerbating concerns, Professor Paul Piwko, MBA, and Alexandra Orlandi ’19 incorporated the National Museum of Mental Health Project (NMMHP), a “museum without walls” that showcases exhibitions aimed to form new perspectives and understanding about mental health issues. NMMHP’s mission has expanded to include conveying mental health information through innovative virtual exhibits. According to its website, NMMHP is dedicated to developing and displaying exhibits that are a collaboration among artists, curators, mental health professionals, individuals who have experienced mental health challenges, and others committed to changing perspectives on this wide-ranging field that affects 10 million Americans each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The exhibits not only raise awareness and educate individuals on pressing mental health matters, but also seek to share research into this field and promote wellness. “The National Museum of Mental Health Project, Inc., is a nonprofit organization and ‘museum without walls’ that researches, shares, and creates exhibitions that can transform society’s attitudes about, and understanding of, mental health,” said Prof. Piwko. “Through the development of online exhibits, NMMHP fulfills the purpose of a museum: educate, interpret, advance dialogue, and develop literacy on a topic of societal importance.” Prof. Piwko, who teaches accounting in the Grenon School of Business, and Orlandi, a mental health specialist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, initially launched the NMMHP in 2019 after completing a research fellowship at Assumption about mental health exhibitions. The NMMHP was created to share information and research regarding exhibitions about mental health in the U.S. And while their initial mission was to showcase the exhibits developed by others, mainly through op-eds about the benefits of mental health exhibitions, the NMMHP now has an expanded mission that also includes the development of its own virtual exhibitions. “Learning about mental illness and wellness isn’t just about reading textbooks, listening to lectures, or seeing a therapist. Learning is also observing and exploring,” said Orlandi, explaining that NMMHP exhibitions will promote mental health literacy by sharing personal narratives and expanding vocabulary. “These exhibits will provide a unique space for visitors to experientially interact with content. Orlandi added that NMMHP is working on virtual exhibitions as a concrete step toward a physical national museum. And while the ultimate goal is to create a series of rotating and traveling exhibitions in publicly accessed spaces, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she and Prof. Piwko are focused on the development of virtual exhibitions, similar to that of GirlMuseum.org, an online museums dedicated to celebrating girlhood. “What Ashley Remer has done with Girl Museum is what we seek to replicate,” said Prof. Piwko. “From her living room in New Zealand, financed by a few thousand dollars annually, she created one of the world’s first virtual museums.” Prior to the pandemic, mental health exhibitions had been increasingly appearing in museums, airports, and malls. According to Prof. Piwko, NMMHP now seeks to expand and shift this trend from brick-and-mortar establishments to the internet. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for mental health resources,” he said. “Virtual museums side-step the cost of physical buildings and dramatically increase visitor accessibility.” NMMHP is currently developing its first exhibition, I Get It, which will launch in early 2021 on its website, which was designed by Kate Kruzick ’20. According to the website, the inaugural exhibition will serve as a “safe space for creative exploration, shared understanding, inspiration, and emotional learning” and will rely on a social media-based oral history collection of personal messages and artistic works that tell the story of journeys toward better mental health. NMMHP has a comprehensive list of U.S. mental health exhibits on its website along with a brief summary about each one, such as The Yellow Tulip Project’s I Am More exhibit, which has multiple locations in the U.S., including in Boston’s Logan Airport (Prof. Piwko and Orlandi spoke at the opening), that aim to eliminate the stigma around mental health. Prof. Piwko and Orlandi have been published by numerous news outlets, including the Des Moines Register, the Omaha World-Herald, The Coloradoan, and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. They presented their work to the New England Museum Association in 2018 and will present at the 2021 Mental Health America Annual Conference. NMMHP logo web.jpgThe National Museum of Mental Health Project was founded by Assumption Professor Paul Piwko, MBA, and Alexandra Orlandi ’19.Faculty Request Information Apply Visit Assumption Office of Communications
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Assumption Students Provide Holiday Cheer for Local Children in Need
Assumption Students Provide Holiday Cheer for Local Children in Need ke.dunbar Wed, 01/20/2021 - 06:23 With millions suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday season presented greater hardships for those who rely on the support from charitable nonprofit organizations. Knowing the impact the pandemic has taken on the local community, and the inability of nonprofits to hold their annual fundraisers and collection drives due to safety protocols, members of Assumption’s Student Government Association (SGA) reinvented Assumption’s annual giving tree collection in order to brighten the lives of others. “We knew that the giving tree was not going to be able to take place because of COVID, so I wanted to make sure that some type of fundraiser and donation event happened in its place,” said Julia Jacobsen ’22, senator for the Class of 2022 and head of SGA’s event planning committee. “Many people have struggled from the pandemic and I just wanted to help some families because around the holidays can be a tough time financially.” Each Christmas, the Office of Student Activities (OSA) appeals to the campus community to purchase Christmas gifts for children at the Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester. This year, because the fundraiser could not happen as usual in order to follow COVID-19 guidelines, OSA decided not to hold the event. That’s when Jacobsen and SGA stepped in and developed a website where students could purchase raffle tickets to win prizes from local restaurants, with the proceeds benefitting the Guild of St. Agnes. Through a social media strategy development by the students, SGA raised critically needed funds which were given to the Guild of St. Agnes to purchase gifts for its children. “This contribution meant the world to us, especially during such a difficult year for us all,” said Nicole Martin ’99, manager of school age programs at the Guild of St. Agnes, who currently oversees three remote learning programs totaling about 125 children during a school year that has been like no other. “We are VERY thankful for the help!” The giving tree event was part of SGA’s inaugural Charity Week, which Jacobsen and Elizabeth Owen ’21, SGA’s vice president of student affairs, put together in an effort to give back to the community in some way, as students were unable to volunteer for the annual Assumption Loves Worcester Day or the citywide Working for Worcester event, among others. “We only had one event during Charity Week this year, which was the fundraiser,” said Jacobsen. “We called it Charity Week as the Assumption community had a week to make donations to the giving tree.” giving tree for web.jpgGeneral Request Information Apply Visit Assumption Joel Rosario ’24
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Amid Challenges of Pandemic, Assumption Students Excel Academically
Amid Challenges of Pandemic, Assumption Students Excel Academically mguilfoyle Fri, 01/15/2021 - 10:22 Assumption University has announced those students named to the University’s Dean’s List for the fall 2020 semester. Students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 for a five-class, 15-credit semester to be included on the prestigious list, which is announced at the completion of the fall and spring semesters. Due to the pandemic, this fall semester was divided into two accelerated seven-week terms. “Despite an unprecedented semester which required adapting to different modes of learning, Assumption students demonstrated great resilience as they maintained a commitment to their academic program,” said Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., president of Assumption University. “Students navigated hybrid and remote learning amid the many other changes in campus life, along with the need to comply with health protocols and regular testing as they maintained their academic progress. The University congratulates all of our students for the academic success they achieved while surmounting the challenges presented by the pandemic.” Assumption University congratulates the following students named to the fall 2020 Dean’s List: CLASS OF 2021 Julie Aguiar, Leominster Derek Ahlstedt, Woburn Samuella Akaab, Worcester Emily Allen, Hopewell Junction, NY Jessica Almeida, North Billerica David Altman, Bristol, RI Chloe Amour, Jefferson Olivia Angelo, Miller Place, NY Amy Arena, Milford, NH Kylie Arvidson, Lancaster Shannon Arvidson, Lancaster Michael Asante Jr., Worcester Emily Baker, Barrington, RI Maria Barrett, Longmeadow Jillian Bates, Marlborough Jennifer Beardsley, Essex Maggie Belculfini, Worcester Abigail Benting, Westford Jacques Bergeron, Woodstock, CT Molly Berrigan, Westford Marlena Berro, Worcester Zain Bhugaloo, Nashua, NH Kassandra Blaisdell, Bedford, NH Haily Blodgett, Rye, NH Hannah Bolduc, Portland, ME Mackenzie Bolduc, Auburn Olivia Boncaldo, Holbrook Sofia Boncaldo, Holbrook Jennifer Bourgoin, Westfield John Brennan Jr., North Attleboro Abigail Browchuk, Leominster Oliver Bugbee, South Burlington, VT Deirdre Burchill, Braintree Hannah Cairney, Milford Johnna Caporuscio, Wayne, NJ Garrett Cardoza, Somerset Tyler Carlson, Charlton Julia Chappell, Manchester, NH Jessica Childers, Omaha, NE Ciera Clivio, Honolulu, HI Armand Cote IV, Upton Gertrude Cox, South Wellfleet Patrick Cronin, West Hartford, CT Angela Dalpe, Rehoboth Elena DelloRusso, Milford Adam Derbyshire, Ansonia, CT Brendan Desautels, Holden Sophia Dewsnap, Saugus Jennifer Doherty, Milton Marissa Doherty, Lowell Catherine Donnelly, Rehoboth Clara Dooley, Stoneham Abigail Duggan, West Roxbury Samantha El Saddik, Pittsfield Joseph Facteau, West Brookfield Amelia Fadden, Bellingham Kerry Farrell, Raynham Ryan Fillebrown, Ayer Alison Foley, Walpole Max Francis, West Barnstable Julia Gaudette, Grafton Jeffrey Gendron, Fitchburg Rebecca Gilchrist, Worcester Christina Goldin, Clinton Nicole Gomez, Worcester Scott Gover, Dracut Grace Gustinis, Monroe, CT Sarah Haak, Millbury Emma Halloran, Auburn Katherine Hammer, Greenlawn, NY Thomas Helms III, North Reading Alexandra Hernandez, Holden Maria Hernandez Monteros, Ardmore, OK Craig Herson, Plainville Rebecca Hobin, Cranston, RI Jordan Hoey, West Springfield Carley Holtshouser, Milford, NH Olivia Hulsebosch, West Roxbury Gabriella Humphries, Longmeadow Kileigh Hynes, Auburn Marissa Irwin, Shrewsbury Alison Joanis, Hanson Emmaline Johansen, Dracut Veronica Johnson, Terryville, CT Eleni Kalaitzidis, West Roxbury Kathryn Kearney, Northborough Matthew Kelly, North Potomac, MD Grace Kiernan, Lancaster Dillon Koster, Woburn Klara Kosto, Cranston, RI Zigmond Kuczynski, Tamaqua, PA Christina Kuss, Monson Brianna LaBarge, Southbridge Kevin Lanciano, Manchester, CT Justin Lavoie, West Bridgewater Samantha Leary, Hingham Timothy Lee, Northampton Amelie Legg, Hamden, NY Mackenzie Leonard, Worcester Kaelin Lozier, Ledyard, CT Colleen MacNeil, Tewksbury Samuel Malone, Douglas Adam Mansi, Swansea Anthony Marini, Ipswich Angela Martinez, Avon, CT Lauren Masamery, Somers, CT Catharine Masonius, Spring Lake, NJ Connor McCaffrey, Spencer Grace McDermott, Franklin Maeve McDonald, Quincy Maegan McGrenery, Waterbury, CT Sarah McGuinness, West Hartford, CT James McNamara, Westford Marissa Mitola, North Scituate, RI Andrew Moccia, Lynn Chiara Mol, Yonkers, NY Nolan Mullaney, Maynard Brooke Murphy, Salem, NH Meghan Murphy, Paxton Collin Musto, Tomkins Cove, NY Mariana Nashef, Shrewsbury Marissa Newell, Old Saybrook, CT Mikaela Newman, Hillsborough, NH Quynh Nguyen, Worcester Mia Nowicki, Chelsea Wynn Oakman, Kennebunk, ME Lily O'Connor, Longmeadow Kennedy O'Hara, Enfield, CT Ariana Orcera, Guaynabo, PR Michael O'Reilly, Hollis, NH Elizabeth Owen, Sherborn Emma Panacopoulos, Lynn Georgia Pendergast, Pelham, NH Dora Perez, New Bedford Hannah Pomerantz, Granby Isabel Primack, Ipswich Veronica Prytko, Millbury Rachael Pulsone, West Newton Shannon Quinlan, Buffalo, NY Emily Ramos, Marlborough James Randall, Walpole Justin Rankin, Enfield, CT Maria Riberdy, Feeding Hills Joseph Ricca, Westford McKenzie Richards, Cranston, RI Madison Robitaille, Blackstone Haley Rose, Wading River, NY Alicia Sagastume, Hudson Cassandra Saniuk, Assonet Emma Santee, Westerly, RI Andrew Sanzaro Jr., Wethersfield, CT Morgan Sauvageau, Sterling, CT Gina Marie Savino, South Windsor, CT Olivia Sawicki, Marlborough Danielle Schwalm, Billerica Shawn Scullion, Candiac, QC Brooke Shatney, Weare, NH Abigail Shaw, Oxford Mikayla Sheehan, Shrewsbury Ryan Sheehan, Smithfield, RI Morgan Shields, Uxbridge Riley Sipp, North Fort Meyers, FL Erin Smith, Upton Nicholas Smith, Worcester Charles Snow, Holden Rachel Spratt, Whitinsville Karly Stallworth, Bellingham Lindsey Stevenson, Southborough Madison Studley, Dover, NH Emma Sullivan, Pittsfield Samantha Surowiec, Tewksbury John Sweeney, Dedham Sydney Tappan, Oxford, CT Helen Tautkus, Laconia, NH Pagona Tekelis, Worcester Kylie Thomas, Worcester Audrey Tokarz, Marietta, GA William Traylor, Princeton Scott Vandenburgh, Valatie, NY Richard Vaughn III, Killingworth, CT Jasmin Veerapen, Stoughton Vimary Vega Betancourt, Littleton Sydney Vilardi, Riverside, RI Jonathan Wahl, Chepachet, RI Hannah Walker, Franklin Hannah White, Tamuning, GU Luke Whitehouse, Milford Abigail Whittum, East Providence, RI Adah Williams, North Billerica Maria Wilson, Shrewsbury Sara Witkus, Westfield Hannah Yash, Webster Kayla Yee, Roxbury Madison York, Scarborough, ME Liam Young, Middletown, CT Dillon Zona, Shrewsbury CLASS OF 2022 Allison Ainley, Rehoboth Vanessa Alan, Holden Brooke Albert, Marshfield Luke Alexander, Greenville, RI Carl Allard, Gardner Meredith Backman, Avon, CT Matthew Baker, Townsend Courtney Ball, Peabody Katerina Barbas, Boxborough Aaron Barber, South Kingstown, RI Jillian Barry, Shrewsbury Michael Batsolakis, Northborough Kyle Belmonte, Charlton Allyson Blaisdell, North Attleboro Kelly Blecker, Cromwell, CT Olivia Bombardier, Duxbury Sydney Bouchard, Cape Neddick, ME Riley Brackett, Wakefield Nicole Breen, South Easton Melissa Brennan, Branford, CT Adam Bruder, Cumberland Center, ME Margaret Buckley, Bridgeport, CT Ryan Burns, Danville, NH Jennifer Call, Belmont Katelyn Campbell, Brentwood, NH Sydney Carrington, Ludlow Caroline Casey, Ellington, CT Hannah Chapman, Templeton Johnna Charlton, North Grafton Rebecca Choiniere, Attleboro Elizabeth Chomiak, Ridgefield, CT Cameron Choquette, Bolton Marianna Colantuono, Manchester, NH Allison Collins, Natick Cal Connelly, Rochester, NH Megan Connery, Shrewsbury Erin Considine, Shrewsbury Grace Corbett, Merrimack, NH Cameron Cox, Charlton Carol D'Agostino, Durham, CT Samuel Davenport II, Princeton Patrick Davidson, Woonsocket, RI Thidarasamee Dean, Shrewsbury Mikayla DeBois, Orford, NH Shayla DeGeorge, Natick Grace Marie Diaz, Spencer Vincenzo DiCarlo, Hazlet, NJ Andrea DiCiaccio, Tewksbury Sydney Dickhaut, Ashby Stephen Donkor, Worcester Thomas Dow, Westfield Mackenzie Drew, Rochester Courtney Dunn, Milton Kaitlin Durkin, Shrewsbury Omar Elsheikh, Al Jizah Brooke English, Lancaster Monica Fenwick, Watertown, CT Rylee Ferguson, Haverhill Joshua Ferreira, Worcester Hannah Ferri, Narragansett, RI Emily Finnegan, Raymond, NH Brigett Fithian-Giantonio, Plainville, CT Deidre Fleming, Milford Grace Foley, Shrewsbury Caterina Fonseca, Enfield, CT Aubrey Forman, Saunderstown, RI Karin Fredricksen, Rutland Channelle Fuentes, West Haven, CT Emma Ganci, Andover Katherine Gatto, Webster Emily Gay, Uxbridge Maryjane Gelinas, Westport Anthony Gill, Sutton Kasey Goggins, Middletown, CT Paula Gomez Reyes, Mahwah, NJ Jillian Good, North Andover Sara Goulart, Falmouth Jenna Graf, Ballston Lake, NY Isabella Granara, Wilmington Dominic Grasso, Middleboro Manisha Gratton, Newport, VT Claudia Grunewald, North Attleboro Lauren Hammersley, Garden City, NY Kerry Harrington, Northborough Patrick Harrington, Bedford, NH Dorothea Hatzopoulos, Worcester Brianna Heffron, Upton Lara Herrero, San Juan, PR Payton Horton, Port Elizabeth Megan Horvath, Cheshire, CT Mia Hoyos Murray, Northborough Alana Hruska, Marlborough, CT Seth Hurteau, Westport Nora Ilacqua, Charlton Lauren Jakobs, Naples, ME Joseph Jepsen, Sutton Madelynn Johnson, Madison, CT Sarah Johnson, West Boylston Taylor Kent, Brooklyn, CT Dylan Klopfer, Coventry, CT Neil Korycki, Jefferson Antonia Kosnoski, Douglas Vasiliki Kotsironis, Dracut Breanna LaHair, Charlton Cameron Lamarche, Holden Brendan Lawrence, Warwick, RI Timothy Lemieux, Bristol, CT Maria Lemus-Melara, Clinton Nicole Leonardo, North Dartmouth Joseph Levin, Milford, CT Tobias Liska, Sykesville, MD Thomas Lucey, Wakefield Nicholas Macchione, Leominster Matthew MacKay, Dudley Morgan Maddock, Scarborough, ME Molly Madulka, Worcester Nicole Magnuson, Braintree Lucy Malia, Scarborough, ME John Mastergeorge, Amherst, NH Caitlin Mathers, Lynnfield Christina McAllen, Prospect, CT Caitlyn McCabe, Grafton Sydney McCann, South Dennis Curtis McGonigle, Medway Elliott McGuire, Reading Rosemary McLaughlin, Needham Heights Shannon McLaughlin, Chelmsford Kelsey McQuillan, Medfield Sabine Mende, Shrewsbury Chloe Monofar, Cumberland, RI Amanda Moon, North Adams Tyler Moreau, Hooksett, NH Trevor Moulton, Coventry, CT Maria Murphy, Worcester Jamison Naylor, North Scituate, RI Thayna Neves, Shrewsbury Stella Noecker, Douglas Sierra O'Keefe, Milford, CT Colin Orleman, Norwell Brendon Padula, Grafton Cassandra Palmisano, Woburn Mia Patriacca, Newton Katie Pauloz, Bristol, CT Giuliana Pierce, Pittsfield Leah Pion, Sunderland Mary Pizzi, Stoneham Taylor Poland, Johnston, RI Emme Poulin, South Portland, ME Kimberly Preece, Meriden, CT Allison Ragusa, Westford Jenna Raphel, Raynham Christina Raposo, Burlington Samantha Rhodes, Frederick, CO Isabella Ricciardi, Peabody Maria Rodriguez, Worcester Christopher Rogan, Millbury Carly Romano, Wake Forest, NC Isabella Ruane, Valhalla, NY Katie Rucinski, Watervliet, NY Michaela Ryan, Longmeadow Matthew Sanchez, Santa Ana, CA Jaque Sarnoff, Clearwater, FL Andrew Schneider, Sutton Carly Sevigny, Swansea Anna Shaughnessy, Attleboro Falls Megan Sheehan, Newton, NH Devan Sheth, Ashland Hannah Silvestri, Plainville Emily Snay, Charlton Kyle Sorgi, Braintree Nicholas Sposato, Shrewsbury Ariel Squier, Princeton Christopher Stalmok, Paxton Alexander Steinman, Middleboro Paul Steinman, Middleboro Emily Stevens, North Dighton Nicholas Storniolo, Atkinson, NH Shayna Sullivan, Westfield Ashley Sylvester, Gardner Brandon Sze, South Windsor, CT David Tiedemann, Westerly, RI Emma Ushchak, Middletown, CT Mikayla Williams, Worcester Larsen Wilson, Smyrna, DE Connor Wironen, Leominster Colin Wren, Holden Charles Zambito, Norwood Victoria Zawada, Shrewsbury CLASS OF 2023 Alyssa Accordino, Worcester Stephen Acquista, Auburn Zoe Adams, Wethersfield, CT Ava Amendola, Portland, CT Theresa Antonio, Upton Emily Armstrong, Marlboro, VT Justin Bates, Marlborough Molly Bates, Shrewsbury Madison Beatty, Natick Emily Beaumier, Millbury Erin Beckwith, Glastonbury, CT Kyra Belden, Hollis, NH Madeleine Bessette, Attleboro William Beyers, Worcester Johenny Bisono Martinez, Snellville, GA Carly Blair, Rutland Seth Bogoslofski, Southington, CT Emma Brennan, Worcester Bailey Brescia, Oxford Andrew Brooks Jr., Gardner Christian Buckley, Hanover Natalie Burkhard, Cleveland, WI Ashley Calore, Rehoboth Timothy Cannon, Burlington Cameron Carpenter, Auburn Magalin Carroll, Southington, CT Abbey Cashman, Spencer Brandon Cheng, Wilmington Corey Chiappone, Bellingham Jack Choate, North Grafton Aaron Christo, Holden Daniel Clark, Worcester Lauryn Coelho, North Dartmouth Britney Colome, Worcester Ryan Connor, Worcester Christopher Crespo, Smithtown, NY Grace Crockett, Haverhill Madison Czarnecki, Marlborough, CT Sebastiano D'Angelo, Longmeadow Addison Davis, Bristol, CT Taylor DeGeorge, Feeding Hills Brenda Delgado, Rock Hill, SC Claire DeSilva, Massapequa Park, NY Courtney Deslauriers, North Smithfield, RI Haleigh Dobeck, Clinton Erin Dooley, Topsfield Jacob Ducharme, Somersworth, NH Declan Dunbar, Chelmsford Tram Duong, Worcester Jordan Dwyer, Coventry, RI Julie Dwyer, Webster Alissa Easton, Southwick Bryce Eckenrode, Nashua, NH Andrew Ellis, Shrewsbury Matthew Escobar, Leicester Anthony Farago, Salisbury Rachel Ferguson, Worcester Adelaide Ferrick, Westford Jill Finn, Foxboro Kelly Fitzgerald, Blackstone Connor Flanagan, Kensington, NH Jillian Florent, New Bedford Jessica Freeman, Merrimac Victoria Freitas, Northborough Maria Gaughan, Somersworth , NH Lenore Gauna, Albany, NY Maura Gawrys, Merrimac Maia Giglio, Upton Mary Gillette, Waterbury, CT Katherine Gilligan, Abington Jack Grafton, Bridgewater Teresa Guerra, Worcester Grace Gurinian, North Grafton Ellen Harrington, North Easton Erin Hazelhurst, Rochdale Lisbeth Hoyt, Ashburnham Kaylee Hubbard, Nashua, NH Ashleigh Hughes, Franklin Mitchel Hurley, Worcester Sarah Iacoviello, Lunenburg Shannon Imparato, Bellingham Ann Irwin, Norwood Craig Jackson, Acton Rebecca Jalbert, Oxford Brian James, Webster Ellie Jellison, Pomfret Center, CT Jenna Joseph, Longmeadow Madison Kapulka, Auburn Emma Kearney, Belchertown Sydney Keyes, Templeton Kelly Knutelski, Oxford Anastasia Kopellas, Needham Heights Joel Kosovrasti, Worcester Mirgen Kroi, Worcester Mikas Kulbis-Marino, Methuen Emily Lafond, Westfield Margaret Lamberto, Franklin Alyson Landry, Pelham, NH Jaclyn Landry, Oxford Aine LaPalme, Manchester, NH Kristen Leblanc, Leominster Brian Leger, Leominster Sydney Leyden, Bedford, NH Gabriella Lindhurst, Southborough Madison Lucontoni, Bedford, NH Li MacQuarrie, Duxbury Devon Mann, Sharon Allison Marshall, Strafford, NH Aaron Marvin, Brookfield Sarah Masciarelli, Westborough Yasmin Massoudi, Northborough Mary-Catherine Masterson, Rehoboth Alexander Mavrogiannis, Dover Patrick May, Boylston Natalie Mazzini, Milford Lily McCarthy, Monroe, CT Martin McMahon IV, Worcester, VT Matthew McNaughton, Rehoboth Taylor Menino, Canton Jenna Merendino, Shrewsbury Zachary Merow, Brookfield Andrew Metellus, Framingham Marc-Andy Mexil, Brockton Collin Montgomery, Natick Sean Morrissey, Uxbridge Sydney Morse, Lunenburg Alyssa Mortimer, Winthrop Phoebe Moulin, Worcester Erin Moynihan, Brookline, NH Anna Mullen, Milton Timothy Murphy, Paxton Varun Nathan, Shrewsbury Ryan Nebus, Cranston, RI Kathy Nguyen, Franklin Valerie Nikolopoulos, Andover Valerie Nobrega, Wolcott, CT Kristin O'Connor, Shrewsbury James Olaes, Worcester Lily Orr, Ashland Gianna Ottaviano, Westford Patrick Otto, Belchertown Julia Palmisano, Methuen Max Paolino, Foster, RI Meghan Pefine, Billerica Alexa Pesce, Wakefield Lydia Petit, Rochdale Antonio Petrarca, Johnston, RI Colin Philippon, Salem, NH Daniel Phillips, South Weymouth Ryan Prendergast, Southington, CT Gemma Prescott, Pembroke Wandzia Prytko, Millbury Leigh Qualter, Marshfield Christopher Rabias, Tyngsborough Julia Rapoza, Westport Jordan Regan, North Branford, CT Paige Riendeau, Rutland Grace Risio, Milford Claudio Rocha, Peabody Thomas Ross, Patterson, NY Madison Roy, Fairhaven Samuel Roy, Thompson, CT Brady Ryan, Lynn Kelsey Savoy, Prospect, CT Kali Scirocco, Milford Leah Scontras, Old Orchard Beach, ME Patrick Sedgwick, Georgetown Lawrence Sexton Jr., Waltham Julia Sferlazza, Norwalk, CT Caroline Shea, Medway Chloe Shepard, West Boylston Tessa Smith, West Bridgewater Andrew Sneeringer, Lowell Peri Snow, East Bridgewater Faith Somody, Stamford, CT Anthony Spignese IV, Danvers Nicole St Germain, East Walpole Sarah St Pierre, Nashua, NH Melissa Staikos, Sarasota, FL Elizabeth Stone, Worcester Abbigail Sullivan, Andover, MN Christian Surette, North Andover Julianne Sutherland, Uxbridge Caleigh Tammaro, Milford Donatella Tocco, Glen Head, NY Deyana Underwood, Warwick, RI Ann Walsh, Middleton Alexis Washington, Cranston, RI Thomas Whyte, Auckland, AE Gabrielle Willett, Auburn, NH Victoria Williams, Middlebury, CT Sarah Wilsack, Westford Braedon Wood, Spencer Danielle Zarcone, Hauppauge, NY CLASS OF 2024 Sarah Abraham, Lowell David Alexander, Greenville, RI Emma Anderson, Bedford, NH Rachel Aucello, Watertown, CT Isabella Baker, Candia, NH Samuel Baker, New Britain, CT Breanna Began, Woburn Rebecca Benjamin, Amherst, NH Philip Benvenuti II, Auburn Jared Berardino, Rowley Ryan Berthiaume, Athol Nora Birmingham, Ellington, CT Emily Bonfiglio, Agawam Shaeleigh Boynton, Wrentham Kara Brush, Greenville, RI Jason Bunyon, Westford Chloe Callahan, Danvers Kaitlyn Calnan, Medway Kathryn Cannistraro, Marlborough Gaven Cannon, Newfield, NJ Elizabeth Cappelli, North Granby, CT Julia Cardaropoli, Longmeadow Kate Carleson, Plainfield, CT Angelina Carneiro, Douglas Cameron Carr, North Andover Paul Casey, Franklin Brianna Catino, Jefferson Grace Chicko, Londonderry, NH Madison Chisholm, Mashpee Taylor Cirone, Bradford John Colantuoni, Bedford, NH Liam Connacher, Leominster Elizabeth Cormier, Webster Allison Corsini, Milford Lauren Corsini, Milford Danielle Croft, West Townsend Fiorela Cruz-Rivera, Fitchburg Kaitlyn Dacosta, North Attleboro Maria Dalto, East Bridgewater Shannon Daly, West Roxbury Elaine Danas, Milford, NH Grace Dauley, Framingham William D'Avino, Waterbury, CT Sofia Dawson, West Townsend Maya Demello, Bristol, RI Ariana Desousa, Fall River Alexandra Dumais, Kingwood, TX Carly Duval, Tolland Theofania Evangelidis, Worcester Catherine Finamore, Webster Liam Fisher, Ayer Jada Fong, Middletown, CT Jillian Fredricksen, Rutland Ethan Friberg, North Attleboro Regan Gannon, Clinton Julianne Gath, Lowell Lauren Geremia, North Providence, RI Samantha Gibson, Douglas Samantha Gosselin, Pascoag, RI Jillian Greenleaf, Biddeford, ME Benjamin Greenwood, Westford Ashley Hamparian, South Weymouth Ryan Healey, Westwood Catherine Hurlburt, East Windsor, CT Katherine Ickes, Bolton Adam Ide, Dudley Christina Jandrow, Worcester Jenna Jernegan, Kingston Jillian Johnson, Holland Julia Johnston, Littleton Abigayle Jones, Charlton Coleman Jones, Medford Kara Kelliher, Nashua, NH Nikki Kim, Franklin Bridgette Kline, Shelton, CT Ashley Kuropatkin, Walpole Reese Kyle, Marlborough Jaylin Lacasse, Pittsfield Noah Laren, Blackstone Abigail Larson, Marlborough Angelique Lazard, Hyde Park Jacob Lazo, Grafton Delia Lee, Braintree Andrew Leger, Leominster Giovanna Lemos, Centerville Charles Lenihan, Worcester Maria Lepak, Simsbury, CT Jackie Li, Shrewsbury Ryann Lima, Ashland Marissa Longhi, Southwick Matthew Lowe, Clinton Maureen Lynch, Wallingford, CT Ryan Mahoney, Chatham Michael Marcacci, Charleston, SC Delaney Marshall, Wethersfield, CT Veronica Mason, Lynn Elizabeth Massicotte, Bristol, CT Rachel McDonagh, East Longmeadow Hailey McKillop, Weare, NH Thomas McLarnon, Fountainville, PA Brianna Michael, Shrewsbury Amanda Mieczkowski, Hadley Tasneem Mohammed, Shrewsbury Abigail Monahan, Bedford Margaret Montalto, Rocky Hill, CT Rebecca Monti, Westfield Brandi Montoya, Aurora, CO John Morales, Cranston, RI Hunter Mulvey, Falmouth Alan Nguyen Jr., Reading Michael Nichols, Warwick, RI Daniel Nimiroski, Richmond, RI Joshua Nixdorf, Westfield Sophia Noel, Hampden Tianna Nolasco, Marblehead Jack Noli, Southington, CT Emy Novoa, Worcester Caroline O'Connell, Natick Megan O'Meara, Northbridge Nana Otoo, Worcester Colton Parkinson, Attleboro Emily Pascetta, Bow, NH Katelyn Pickman, Cheshire, CT Isabella Pizzi, Pembroke Erene Poktor, Medway Davis Preston, Ayer Teresa Prytko, Millbury Noah Purdy, Worcester Abigail Reichert, Milford Alexandra Rippstein, Pleasantville, NY Camron Roberts, Old Lyme, CT William Roberts, Old Lyme, CT Kathryn Robinson, East Taunton Nicholas Rodriguez, Schuyler Falls, NY Joel Rosario, Springfield Kaitlyn Ryczek, Longmeadow Yana Semerly, Okemos, MI Olivia Shan, Shrewsbury Kaitlyn Shea, Fitchburg Finbarr Sheehan Jr., Holbrook Savannah Shepherd, Westboro Malia Shields, Brockton Ryan Singley, Holden Maria St. Germain, Manchester, NH Sarah Stroscio, Westborough Quinn Sullivan, Westport Julia Swanson, East Granby, CT Caitlin Sze, South Windsor, CT Maria Alejandra Tapia Betancourt, Worcester Julia Tardugno, Methuen Molly Tempesta, Braintree Ella Tenney, Braintree Clare Teskey, Stratford, CT Carlyn Thoreson, Framingham Kathryn Tilak, Shrewsbury Carlenys Troncoso, Northbridge Joseph Vanacore, North Attleboro Cole Wagner, Worcester Ava Walker, Oakham Leah Walker, Raymond, ME Jason Ward, Westford Kaden Wells, Spencer Caleb White, Tamuning, GU Leah Yekelchik, North Scituate, RI Danting Zhu, Rockland DeansList_V3.jpgAssumption University has announced those students who have been named to the Fall 2020 Dean's List.General Request Information Apply Visit Assumption Office of Communications
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Students, Alumni Engage in Lifelong Learning through CTEQ Symposium
Students, Alumni Engage in Lifelong Learning through CTEQ Symposium ke.dunbar Thu, 12/31/2020 - 08:28 A cornerstone of Assumption’s Catholic liberal education is imparting upon students and alumni with the tools and opportunities for lifelong learning. As such, the University’s Core Texts and Enduring Questions (CTEQ) Program—a unique and intellectually rich interdisciplinary Great Books program—recently held its second Alumni Symposium, inviting Assumption alumni and current CTEQ students to come together and explore perennial questions about good and evil, freedom and responsibility, and sin and redemption through informal, yet serious, discussions of four of author Flannery O’Connor’s short stories. “The seeds of a liberal education need to be cultivated over the course of a lifetime,” said Marc Guerra, Ph.D. ’90, G’94, director of the Core Texts & Enduring Questions Program. “Bringing students and alumni together to discuss O’Connor’s artful reflections on enduring human questions and themes is not only a natural fit for the CTEQ Program, it also reflects Assumption’s commitment to cultivating an appreciation of life-long learning in its students.” The Fall Alumni Symposium, which was held virtually on November 21, focused on the writings of Flannery O’Connor. According to Prof. Guerra, O’Connor is “arguably the greatest 20th century Catholic writer of fiction; at every turn, her memorable stories about the strange relation of sin, grace, and redemption force us to think of the unexpected—and often unwanted—ways that God’s grace interrupts the life of broken and fractured human beings.” Each participant received a copy of Flannery O’Connor: Collected Works (Library of America), from which the group collectively discussed “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, “The Enduring Chill”, “Good Country People”, and “The Lame Shall Enter First” in 75-minute sessions throughout the day. The CTEQ Alumni Symposium is held twice a year, once in the fall and again in the spring, and is an invitation-only occasion. As with the inaugural Symposium held in person last spring (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak), alumni from a variety of classes were in attendance, ranging from the Class of 1965 to the Class of 2016. “The aim of the CTEQ alumni symposia is twofold,” said Prof. Guerra. “We want to institutionalize a concrete venue at Assumption where students can continue to pursue the timeless goals of a Catholic liberal arts education (even after they graduate) and to show current CTEQ students that they really can place a Catholic liberal education at the center of their time at Assumption and still become a doctor or lawyer or businessperson—not just a somewhat quirky academic type.” Paul C. Verderese ’72, G’73, who owns a financial planning practice in Auburn, learned the value of lifelong learning at Assumption and believes an education shouldn’t conclude at commencement. He’s hoping more faculty consider undertaking programs similar to the CTEQ Symposium. “Professor Guerra’s design of the program accomplishes many important elements, among them he brings together several generations of alumni to study a particular topic or writer,” said Verderese, adding that the group dynamic encourages participants to diligently prepare for the event. “Participants challenge each other to think through the topics more deeply as differing viewpoints are examined during the discussions. The event provides a holiday from the workday world, allowing for the continued cultivation of the vocation to be a lifelong learner.” Also in attendance was Assumption Provost and Academic Vice President Greg Weiner, Ph.D., and Michele D’Amour HD’10, who, with her husband, Donald AP’60, AU’64, HD’10, have generously funded many initiatives at Assumption, including the CTEQ Program and whose generosity was recently recognized with the naming of the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The CTEQ Program, established with a donation from the D’Amours and supported by subsequent gifts from alumni and friends of the program, is truly a reflection of an Assumption education. “The CTEQ Program integrates four distinct field of study – art history, philosophy, political science, and theology – into one pedagogically coherent, interdisciplinary curriculum,” said Prof. Guerra. “Guided by the claims of faith and reason, CTEQ provides a visible, designated place at Assumption for students who want to broaden and deepen their undergraduate studies – regardless of their specialized major – with the kind of distinctive and humanizing academic experience that a serious Catholic liberal education can offer. At its core, the Program invites students to think deeply and seriously about what it means to be a human person and what it means to live a genuinely thoughtful and happy human life in light of all that we know about our world and ourselves. That intellectual pursuit has always been—and continues to be—a hallmark of an Assumption education.” The CTEQ Program allows students the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with fellow students and faculty and to attend national lectures, participate in intercollegiate student research and essay contests, as well as travel throughout the U.S. and Europe on CTEQ-sponsored trips. The next CTEQ Alumni Symposium, which will take place in the spring 2021 semester, will examine some of the writings of Frederick Douglass. CTEQ for web.jpgProf. Marc Guerra holds a discussion with students in the CTEQ program. General Request Information Apply Visit Assumption Office of Communications
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Professors Pivot, Create Virtual Showcase of Students’ Artwork
Professors Pivot, Create Virtual Showcase of Students’ Artwork ke.dunbar Tue, 12/29/2020 - 10:13 Though the pandemic has canceled campus events, the ingenuity of Assumption’s faculty in the Department of Art and Music has ensured that the (art) show will go on. In an effort to showcase students’ creativity, which traditionally occurs during the annual fall Student Art & Design Show on campus, Visiting Assistant Professor of Art and Design Lynn Simmons, MFA, has created a website to showcase the student art. “Our annual exhibition demonstrates the depth and breadth of our programs and puts the accomplishments of our students on display,” said Prof. Simmons. “The exhibition is normally held in the d’Alzon Library on campus, but this year, those interested in viewing the creativity of Assumption students may visit our online show to see works in painting, drawing, collage and assemblage, sculpture, photography, graphic design, typography, web design, and motion graphic design.” According to Prof. Simmons, there are 18 courses represented on the Assumption University Art and Design Show website—16 from this fall and two from last spring—and an estimated 300 works are showcased. “This semester, our students were very engaged and focused on learning and creating, as evidenced by the strong work through the exhibit,” she shared. Though untraditional, Associate Professor of Art History and Department Chair Toby Norris, Ph.D., sees the virtual showcase as an opportunity to share the artistic talent of Assumption students with new audiences. “The pandemic is actually giving us an opportunity to reach a much wider audience than would be physically able to come to campus,” he said, adding that students featured in the show now have the ability to share their work with their extended family and friends by sharing the link. “Every fall finals week, I loved walking through the art show in the library,” said Hannah White ’21, a double graphic design and English: Communications and Media major from Tamuning, Guam, adding that it’s gratifying and validating to have the public admire one’s art. “Seeing our work online is very much the same, except this time we get to share it with our families and communities from home more easily.” Offering classes in-person and virtually during the fall, faculty in the Department of Art & Music adapted to the public health situation by relying more on technology to deliver instruction. Prof. Simmons used Zoom breakout rooms to ensure her courses went smoothly and made herself available outside of class time to work one-on-one with students. “The biggest difference in my classes during the pandemic and the socio-political issues of our times is the opportunity to talk about what is happening and to bring those discussions and awareness throughout visual voices into the work,” she explained, adding that it gave her more opportunities to generate discussions about the roles that artists and designers have in society as communicators, and the responsibility that comes with those roles. “As this exhibit shows, students responded admirably and with fonts of imagination that maybe wouldn't have been tested without the obstacle of learning remotely,” said Associate Professor of Studio Art Carrie Nixon. White, who said Zoom studio sessions went better than expected, learned new skills and grew as a designer this semester. “In some ways, the conditions of the semester challenged me to think even more creatively when figuring out solutions to design problems,” she said. White acknowledged the hard work and dedication of her design professor, but missed the in-person community and teamwork of the design students. “My classmates and I did find ways to support each other through group chats and video calls, though.” For Nick Sposato ‘22, a graphic design major from Shrewsbury, remote learning has helped him become more comfortable with collaborating virtually, and the online art show is something he considers a good thing. “A good amount of the media and art that we access day to day is virtual and I think it’s important to be able to share our work that way,” he shared. The body of work presented in the online showcase is most impressive. To view the online fall 2020 Student Art & Design Online Show, visit here. Art studio for web.jpgAssumption University's art studio.General Request Information Apply Visit Assumption Caitlin Sze ‘24
