Alumni News
Seven Alumni and '95 Women's Soccer Team Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame
May 4, 2008
Franklin Pierce University held its annual Student-Athlete Awards and Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet on Sunday. Several student-athletes received honorary scholarships or awards, while the department also inducted seven individuals and one team into its Hall of Fame.
Members of the Franklin Pierce Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2008 are women's basketball and soccer standout Amy (Hanlon) Lochhead, '96, field hockey All-American Kristen (Clarke) McLaughlin, '01, women's soccer All-American Pauliina Miettinen, '98, men's tennis standout Mehdi Belhassan, '95, men's basketball star Wayne Boyette, '93, men's soccer standout Michael "Mick" Statham, '92, contributor Gregg Doody, '92, and the 1995 National Champion women's soccer team. (Read more on our Athletics web page)
Introducing Pierce Alumni Career Education (PACE)
Spring 2008
Imagine being an undergraduate student majoring in mass communication, looking to enter the field of movie production, and finding out you could be paired with an alumni mentor who is an associate episode producer for the Dr. Phil Show in Hollywood. This is just one of ten student / alumni connections that have been made through the PACE pilot program. The program, which stands for Piece Alumni Career Education, is coordinated by the directors of Alumni Relations and Career Planning and Placement at Franklin Pierce.
After a year of collaborative planning, discussions with faculty, engaging the academic relations committee of the Alumni Association and recruiting alumni mentors for the initial matches, Franklin Pierce is excited to start the program and watch students and alumni continue to grow. The students are primarily sophomores and juniors who are matched with their mentors through May 2009. The mentors - alumni from across the country representing various professions - have volunteered for bi-weekly contact via e-mail, phone or instant messaging. The student and mentor determine the best method to keep in touch.
If you are interested in volunteering as a PACE alumni mentor, contact Alumni Relations as (877) 372-2586 or alumni@franklinpierce.edu.
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2008 Athletic Halls of Fame Induction / Awards scheduled
March 24, 2008
Franklin Pierce University Athletics and Alumni Relations cordially invite you to the 2007 - 2008 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction & Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony.
The event will take place Sunday, May 4, 2008, beginning with a 3:30 p.m. Awards Dinner at Pierce Hall in the Emily Flint Campus Center, and followed by a 5:15 p.m. induction and awards ceremony in the Fieldhouse.
Hall of Fame Inductees:
- 1995 Women's Soccer Team
- Gregg Doody'92
- Mehdi Belhassan ‘94
- Wayne Boyette ‘94
- Kristen (Clarke) McLaughlin ‘01
- Amy (Hanlon) Lochhead '96
- Pauliina Miettinen '99/00
- Michael Statham ‘92
Student-Athlete Awards:
- Walter Peterson Male & Female Student-Athletes of the Year
- Richard Burns Male & Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year
- Franklin Pierce Athletics Community Service Award
- Don & Judy Schriefer Scholarships
Tickets are $20 per person. Pre-registration for awards dinner and ceremony are required before Friday, April 25. For registration information and inquiries, contact Alumni Relations at (877) 372-2586 or toll free at (603) 899-1131. Or e-mail alumni@franklinpierce.edu.
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Alumna returns to campus, shares from media career
February 2, 2007
The Alumni Relations Office recently partnered with the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication in hosting an Alumni Conversation with Genevieve McGillicuddy '94 on Tuesday, 06 February 2007. Ms. McGillicuddy, marketing manager for Turner Classic Movies, has made significant contributions to women in film and society throughout her career. Turner Classic Movies is a commercial-free 24-hour cable network dedicated to classic movies, from Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.
A 1994 graduate of Franklin Pierce University (Rindge), she received a master's degree in film studies from Emory University in 1996. Following graduate studies, she worked as an educational coordinator for IMAGE Film & Video Center, a non-profit media arts center in Atlanta. In 1998, McGillicuddy became the director of the annual Atlanta Film Festival and Out on Film, the Atlanta Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, both produced by IMAGE. In 2003, she became the marketing director for the Atlanta-area Madstone Theater, part of a chain of innovative art-house theaters.
McGillicuddy is responsible for managing the TCM licensing and publishing programs, and working on partnerships and promotions. She has served on the boards of Women in Film/Atlanta, the second oldest WIF chapter in the country, and EstroFest Productions, an organization supporting women artists in Atlanta. She has also served as a judge for the Birmingham Film Festival and Baltimore's MicroCineFest, and has consulted on several film festivals, including the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, the AFF and Out on Film.
The conversation, entitled Women in Media: Challenges, Changes and the Road Ahead; lasted approximately 50 minutes followed by a question/answer session. While on campus for two days, Mrs. McGillicuddy also spoke in four classes, participated in informational interviews with students and alumni and enjoyed meals with faculty and students to network and provide career advice.
"We are very pleased to welcome such a fine communications professional to share her wisdom and experience with the students and Franklin Pierce community," commented Kristen D. Nevious, Ph.D., after the conversation and luncheon. "She provided amazing insight to the world of film and media as it relates to women with such grace and poise that any member of the listening audience, live here at the Patterson Television Studio or on the FitzCast, would certainly have a new appreciation for the disparity in the industry"
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Pierce Hall Construction Completed
Construction on Pierce Hall was completed in December 2006 and the inaugural event held was the annual holiday party for the faculty, staff and administration of Franklin Pierce shortly thereafter.
The new Pierce Hall will provide seating capacity for up to 250 patrons and will enrich student programming as well as cultural and community events for residents of the region. External architecture will be consistent with the style of the Campus Center.
The hall will take advantage of large windows facing Pearly Pond and will capture stunning views, provide abundant natural light and reinforce the special sense of place that distinguishes Franklin Pierce. The project is supported by federal funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Franklin Pierce frequently hosts speakers of national prominence and schedules events with community-wide appeal. In addition, various lecture programs and events at the Fitzwater Center attract distinguished spokespeople and political officeholders. Now the College will have a top-quality and comfortable gathering space to serve these purposes.
"We look forward to hosting special events during Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2007 in this beautiful new space on campus. The view of Pearly Pond and the surrounding flora highlight the internal home-spun feeling of the interior," commented Peter L. Brodie, alumni relations director.
The new auditorium will also host large interdisciplinary functions for campus members - to enhance community life at Franklin Pierce and enrich the College's liberal arts culture.
Click here for more photos of the Hall in use by various members of the Franklin Pierce Community.
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Susan A. Edwards '04 (MBA) elected Vice President for External Relations of Alumni Association
The recently vacated position of vice president for external relations was filled by unanimous vote of the alumni association board of directors by Susan A. Edwards '04 (MBA) according to a recent announcement from the alumni relations office at Franklin Pierce. She fills the position vacated by new association president Henry Ellis '69 when he assumed the role of president following the resignation of Melissa A. Conway '98. The changes in all positions took effect on Monday, October 23, 2006 advises Peter L. Brodie, alumni relations director.
President Ellis made his first public appearance following the announcement of his new leadership role, "As a member of the class of 1969, I believe I bring a unique perspective to the position of president of the alumni association board of directors. I remember what Franklin Pierce as like at the beginning; I can see what it has become and I also see the great potential for what we can become in the future. I hope to be able to work with all alumni to help make that potential a reality and promise that the alumni association will be an active force engaging alumni in the Franklin Pierce community as an integral part of the changes ahead."
The election of Susan Edwards to the position of vice president for external relations was completed a week following alumni and reunion weekend. Susan attended several events during the weekend and commented recently, "as Henry and I step into our new roles, I look forward to working with my fellow members of the board as well as alumni from the various campuses. There are exciting times ahead for all alumni as Franklin Pierce University
becomes Franklin Pierce University. I am honored to be a part of that transition."
The board of directors meets individually three times per year in addition to the annual meeting held during alumni and reunion weekend. Volunteers are always welcome for committee membership positions, chapter leadership positions and class correspondents. Other alumni opportunities are always being developed ~ please contact the alumni relations office at 603.899.1131 or alumni@franklinpierce.edu
to find the right opportunity for you.
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The following message comes from Franklin Pierce President George J. Hagerty to the College Community.
Dear Franklin Pierce Alumni,
I am delighted to share with you the news that the Board of Trustees voted yesterday afternoon to make our transition to university status official and change our name to Franklin Pierce University, effective July 1, 2007. This is a major milestone in a process that began well over a year ago and resulted in a vote by the Trustees in June to proceed with becoming a university.
Before I share the details and implications of this historic step forward, I would like for us to pause and collectively celebrate the accomplishment that this decision reflects. Yesterday's vote accomplishes much more than a name change. Franklin Pierce has officially become a university because university status most accurately represents the quality and breadth of the education we offer.
The growing reputation of our undergraduate college at Rindge, our expanded number of high-quality graduate-level and online degrees, and our international presence all represent the operations of a small university. As I weighed the decision to change our public identity, it became clear to me that "university" most accurately describes our endeavors and the value of the education we provide.
At the same time, I recognize that the word university may evoke images of large classes, loss of close-community, a sprawling campus, and a focus on research rather than on teaching. Be assured that everything that is special about Franklin Pierce - our small classes, our commitment to teaching, our close community, and our warm and welcoming campus - will be preserved and, ultimately, enhanced by our becoming a university.
While our mission remains unchanged, there is much to gain by setting ourselves apart as a small university. It is essential that we anchor our public identity in the reality of our accomplishments. My conversations with Trustees and many members of the Franklin Pierce community revealed a deep sense of pride and a strong belief that we are best served when our name matches the excellence of our academic offerings.
Following yesterday's decision, it will take nearly a year to complete the transition to university status. The conversion of signs, logos, publications, the Website and other elements of our visual identity will take place starting in January. There will be no significant operational changes or administrative restructuring because we have already been functioning as a small university.
Throughout this process, we have worked closely with state and regional accrediting agencies, and they have assured us that Franklin Pierce fully meets university criteria. They will be notified by letter on Monday that the Board of Trustees has adopted a change in both status and name, effective July 1, 2007.
We chose the new name after much study and careful deliberation, and concluded that the title "Franklin Pierce University" would best serve the institution. I want to thank everyone that participated in surveys and discussion groups. Your comments were significant in guiding us to a final decision.
Taking into consideration all the opinions received, the Trustees decided we should not lose the brand equity in the Franklin Pierce name. To change our identity completely would require an expensive and time-consuming reeducation in the marketplace where we have worked to earn a well-deserved reputation. Having "Franklin Pierce" precede the word "university" will distinguish us from public universities and other institutions whose titles start with "University of..." and often end with a geographic description, such as the University of Michigan.
I'm certain that you may have additional questions. Rather than try to answer all of them in this message, we will post an FAQ information section on our website ~ alumni may access it through the alumni relations website at www.franklinpierce.edu /alumni. That section will be up and running during the next week.
I look forward to celebrating a series of milestones with you throughout the year as we turn the page to a new chapter in our history. A community-wide celebration to close all transition activities will be held on November 12, 2007 - the 45th anniversary of the signing of the institution's charter.
With gratitude and all good wishes, I remain
Sincerely,
George J. Hagerty
President
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Alumni Association President Welcomes New Members of the Board of Directors
New Executive Team Members and Announces Alumni Leadership Retreat
Melissa A. Conway '98, president of the alumni association board of directors, proudly welcomed four new members of the board of directors as the association is preparing for its annual leadership retreat on the Rindge Campus from July 7-9, 2006 ~ Deborah A. Carney '71, Marcy Pollock Fink '73, Sean P. Sanderson '00 and Ulysses E. Shields '02 (MBA). The board members will participate in the full meeting of the board of directors during the annual leadership retreat as their first formal function as volunteer members of the board of directors.
"The board of directors is making great strides forward in focusing our attention on our primary task ~ engaging alumni," Conway continued as she announced the names of the new executive team members for the board of directors ~ Henry G. Ellis '69, Vice President for External Relations; Joseph M. Davis '89, Vice President for Academic Relations; Joyce Loughlin Bastille '91, Alumni and Reunion Weekend Chair; and John F. Washington, Jr. '83, Membership and Bylaws Committee Chair. The new executive team members join President Conway and Alumni Relations Director Peter Brodie (ex-officio) in completing the members of the executive team for the 2006-2007 program year. Ellis and Washington have been elected to two-year terms while Davis and Bastille have been elected to one-year terms (with their successors to be elected to two year terms thus staggering the leadership position terms so that there is not a full turnover of the executive team at one time). The new executive team will make their leadership debut at the alumni leadership retreat from July 7-9, 2006 on the Rindge Campus.
President Conway also was pleased to announce that the annual retreat for the board of directors has been expanded to include non-board member leaders in the association as well. "We have invited class correspondents working on their reunion, chapter leaders and non-board committee members to participate in the development of the association. It is my hope in the next year of my presidency to forge and strengthen stronger ties with a broader-based alumni constituency as we provide strength and support to our alma mater's strategic plan and mission." The retreat includes committee meetings, presentations from administrators, a tour of the campus and team-building exercises.
Alumni Association President Recognizes Retiring Board Members
Melissa A. Conway '98, president of the alumni association board of directors, recognized and acknowledged the contributions of six retiring volunteer members of the alumni association board of directors at their last meeting on April 29, 2006 at the Manchester Campus. Conway commended all of the volunteers present while speaking specifically of the six retiring board members ~ Linda Sheridan '95, Jennifer Cialfi Vamvakas '95, Anthony Jardim '97, Stephen Segal '71, Nicole Torday '98 and Justin Wingate '01.
Alumni Relations Director Peter Brodie presented each of the volunteers present with a gift from the College as a token of appreciation for a combined 20 years of dedicated service to advancing the mission of the association and their alma mater.
Linda Sheridan '95
Jennifer Cialfi Vamvakas '95
Anthony Jardim '97
Stephen Segal '71
Nicole Torday '98
Justin Wingate '01
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Fall GPS Scholarships Available
The scholarship committee of the alumni association announced the increase of one scholarship and addition of a scholarship for the students in programs at Franklin Pierce University
satellite learning communities. The following scholarships are available:
2005 2006
Professional Studies (Undergraduate) $500 (one per campus) $500 (one per campus)
MBA Graduate Program $1,000 (one scholarship) $1,000 (one scholarship)
MSITM Graduate Program $1,000 (one scholarship) $1,000 (one scholarship)
M.Ed. Graduate Program New None Available $1,000 (one scholarship)
DPT Graduate Program New $1,000 (one scholarship) $2,500 (one scholarship)
The scholarship committee and the board of directors voted to increase the doctor of physical therapy program scholarship because the students in this program are full-time and not able to work outside the classroom. The rigorous program requirements preclude work opportunities outside the classroom while students are paying graduate level tuition and fees.
The introduction of the new M.Ed. program also presents an outstanding opportunity for graduate students to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by Franklin Pierce College. This exciting program will help advance the capabilities of the teaching profession in New Hampshire. The alumni association is pleased to offer scholarships to these fine individuals.
Applications are available online by clicking on the name of the scholarship program above, the director of the local campus or the alumni relations office (alumni@franklinpierce.edu)
Contact Alumni Relations: alumni@franklinpierce.edu or call 877-372-2586 (toll free U.S. only) or 603- 899-1131(Country Code 011 for international calls).
