From the Alumni Association President
I always loved the spring while at Assumption. Campus really comes to life with the blooming of all the flowers and trees and, of course, the return of the ducks!
Alumni gatherings took place across the country to start 2018 – from San Francisco, California, in January to Naples, Florida, in February. The Alumni Association Board of Directors planned a successful inaugural Alumna in Residence program featuring Candy McGovern Race ’78, where she connected with faculty and students throughout the day on the Assumption campus. The event culminated with a Career Networking Night where Candy delivered the keynote address on the
“Value of a Liberal Arts Education,” which welcomed over 40 alumni and 140 students.
Members of the Alumni Board volunteered on campus for spring open houses to engage with prospective students and parents, as well as at the Step and Dance Competition in April, which is a great event for the community. We have also been working with the sub-committees to support various areas of the institution. The Admissions Support Subcommittee is looking to build a network of alumni who are interested in volunteering at future events. If you would like to learn more, please contact me or alumni@assumption.edu.
-Michela D’Eramo Mesa ’06
Assumption Alumni Honored for Excellence
Each year, Assumption recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession. On Saturday, June 2, the following alumni will be honored with the Annual Alumni Awards.
Michael Sullivan ’83, of Holliston, will receive the Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award, given to an alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his/her chosen field of interest. Sullivan, who earned a degree in accounting, is president and partner of Linchris Hotel Corporation in Hanover. He has served on the institution’s Board of Trustees since 2009 and is a member of the President’s Council and a co-chair of the Light the Way Capital Campaign.
Donna O’Neill Connolly ’78, of Worcester, will receive the Jack Bresciani Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes continued enthusiastic service and devotion to the advancement of the Alumni Association. Connolly, who earned a degree in rehabilitation counseling, is the director of youth access and career planning for Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc (MassEdCO). Since graduating, Connolly has been an active member of the Alumni Association as a former Alumni Board president and as a member of several alumni committees.
Kevin Peterssen ’08, G’12, of Worcester, will receive the Young Alumni Award for demonstrating leadership and support to the Alumni Association and for embodying the institution’s mission. Peterssen, who earned a bachelor’s in accounting and an MBA from Assumption, is vice president of commercial banking for United Bank. He is an Alumni Board member, class ambassador, serves as an MBA mentor, and has volunteered for Veterans Inc. for more than 10 years.
Charles Brusard, professor emeritus of mathematics, will receive the Honorary Alumni Award for his outstanding devotion and generosity to the institution. Prof. Brusard, of Arlington, has taught at Assumption for nearly 50 years, and taught at Assumption Prep prior to coming to the institution in 1968. In 2011, Prof. Brusard was honored with “professor emeritus” status for his “long and distinguished service to the institution” and for “having earned the affection and respect of the Assumption community.”
