Class of 2020 / en Success Stories /stories/2021/success-stories <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Success Stories</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2021-07-20T10:51:53-04:00" title="Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - 10:51" class="datetime">Tue, 07/20/2021 - 10:51</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Graduate students look back over their time at the university</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2021-07-22T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">July 22, 2021</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Members of the <a href="/academics/colleges-departments/college-graduate-studies">College of Graduate Studies</a>’ Classes of 2020 and 2021 are bringing compassion, tenacity and ingenuity to the world. And they credit their 51Թ education with making it possible.</p> <p>We asked several graduates to reflect on their time as Bears and how BSU set them up for success.</p> <h2>A Lesson in Perseverance</h2> <p><strong>Jessica Mello</strong>’s advisees at Argosy Collegiate Charter School will not have far to look for inspiration: Mello’s higher education journey shows that obstacles are merely things to be surmounted.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="998bc31b-281e-4a0d-82a2-45c87b6e06d1" data-langcode="en" class="align-right embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-b8663f9d082" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Jessica Mello poses for a photo." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Mello.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Somerset resident worked on&nbsp;her master’s degree in <a href="/graduate/counseling-student-affairs-counseling-med">student affairs counseling</a>&nbsp;while working, pregnant, raising her three children, and coping with a learning disability that makes reading more difficult.</p> <p>“It was really hard being a non-traditional, first-generation college student with a disability most people didn’t know about,” said Mello, a visual learner who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from BSU after graduating from Bristol Community College.</p> <p>Mello, who is finishing her fieldwork this summer,&nbsp;didn’t share with others her disability until graduate school. The counselor education curriculum includes lessons on serving students with disabilities, prompting Mello to open up about her personal experience.</p> <p>“They were super supportive,” she said. “I can’t say enough about the counselor education professors. That’s one of the things I love about the graduate program.”</p> <p>Through mock counseling sessions and other hands-on learning, faculty brought out her confidence.</p> <p>“I felt very prepared thanks to professors like Dr. <strong>(Katherine) Bender</strong>, Dr. <strong>(Nikki) Freeburg</strong> and Dr. <strong>(Victoria) Bacon</strong> who really challenge you in unique and encouraging ways,” she said.</p> <p>As Argosy’s new dean of college and career readiness, she will serve students taking dual enrollment college classes and encourage middle schoolers to reach for their dreams. She looks forward to sharing her own story to illustrate what is possible.</p> <p>“They’re capable of doing anything if they put their mind to it,” she said. “I know achieving my degrees is something that can never be taken from me.”</p> <h2>Illuminating new opportunities</h2> <p>Dr. <strong>Gale McCall</strong>, G’20, once didn’t know Bridgewater State even existed. The South Carolinian wasn’t familiar with northern schools.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="d296f07e-09bd-4474-aa9c-677cac879e6b" data-langcode="en" class="align-left embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-969cd7f6ce1" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Gale McCall" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/McCall.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Fortunately, her mentor was <strong>Michael Akinbola</strong>, G’17, an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist for the New England Patriots. The BSU graduate recommended his alma mater’s <a href="/graduate/athletic-training-ms">athletic training program</a>.</p> <p>“I feel like I developed a lot of good relationships,” said McCall. “From everyone in the College of Graduate Studies to my professors and classmates, it was pretty tight-knit.”</p> <p>She appreciated the funding available to students, which she said is superior to what she sees elsewhere. So too were the clinical rotations, where McCall worked at Harvard University, Stonehill College, and the Texas Legends of the NBA G League.</p> <p>McCall, who earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University, is already achieving her goal of working with professional athletes: She was head athletic trainer for the G League’s Long Island Nets this past season. And McCall knows her Bridgewater connections will be there for her into the future.</p> <p>“If you say you want to do it, someone in that network is going to help you do it,” she said. “Every person I’ve met at BSU was a little bit of sunshine amid all the snow and rain in Massachusetts.”</p> <h2>Commitment to service</h2> <p><strong>Cassandra Laslie</strong>, ’16, G’20, and <strong>Christopher Welch</strong>, ’18, G’20, came to Bridgewater as undergraduates unsure what their futures would hold. They graduated with <a href="/graduate/public-administration-masters-mpa">Master of Public Administration</a> degrees and a new outlook on rewarding careers.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="5d25a554-55e5-4817-a16a-8082f802be42" data-langcode="en" class="align-right embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-abf4ba52ca7" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Christopher Welch" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Welch.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“BSU has reshaped my life and my worldview,” said Welch, who is from Fall River and aims to earn a doctorate in environmental public policy.</p> <p>Laslie, who is from East Bridgewater and studied art as an undergraduate, knew little about public and nonprofit work until graduate school.</p> <p>“The word ‘constituent’ wasn’t even in my vocabulary,” she recalled. “It’s opened up my eyes to a totally different world.”</p> <p>Laslie interned at Massachusetts Wonderfund, a nonprofit supporting children served by the state Department of Children and Families. She teaches high school art and plans to continue her BSU education in the fall to advance her teaching skills. Welch gained hands-on experience at Cape Cod Commission, a regional planning agency. He is a management fellow in the General Manager's Office for the Town of Norwood and aims to become a regional planner or a town manager.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="ce7a3e9f-6541-49c6-b719-71e193e4d81c" data-langcode="en" class="align-left embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-7eb24768657" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Cassandra Laslie" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Laslie.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“BSU helped me to understand what my purpose is and what career I would like to pursue,” said Welch, who has a graduate certificate in applied anthropology and bachelor’s degree in history.</p> <p>Both benefited from BSU’s commitment to student success. Welch, whose mother survived COVID-19, received assistance paying his rent during the pandemic from the Student Emergency Fund. He appreciated the help of many political science professors, especially during the uncertain summer of 2020. Laslie praises the support of Dr. <strong>Melinda Tarsi</strong>, who she says will be a mentor and friend long after graduation.</p> <p>“Bridgewater State overall has made me a more confident person,” she said. “They’ve introduced me to a ton of people who I know will be there for me when I’m looking for jobs.”</p> <h2>Twice as Nice</h2> <p>Patriots fan <strong>Taylor Schon</strong>, ’20, G’21, is eager to show off her accomplishments at commencement on the Gillette Stadium field. Thanks to her determination, she gets to do it twice.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="ffe0f56a-116a-4374-9fbb-616d702e3997" data-langcode="en" class="align-right embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-4f7599c8b94" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Taylor Schon poses for a photo in front of Boyden Hall with her graduation cords." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Schon.JPG" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“To me, it’s just a whole different feeling and experience because I am able to go and celebrate myself with my classmates,” said Schon, who will be recognized for her <a href="/graduate/mba">Master of Business Administration</a> degree on July 29 and bachelor’s in management the next night.&nbsp;</p> <p>But she knows her time at BSU was about more than a ceremony.</p> <p>“I think Bridgewater overall has shown me with my education what I can do in the real world,” said Schon, who is from Stoneham and completing her coursework this summer.</p> <p>She’s a marketing assistant at engineering firm Weston &amp; Sampson, a company for which she interned. Schon, who played ice hockey as a Bear, hopes for a career tied to her passion for both athletics and environmental protection.</p> <p>She praised Dr. <strong>Kathleen Ferris-Costa</strong>, an associate professor in the <a href="/department/management-marketing">Department of Management and Marketing</a>, for her unwavering support and encouragement.</p> <p>“Grad school is a lot different than undergrad,” she said. “It really opens your network and allows you to meet a lot more people.”</p> <p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email <a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu">stories@bridgew.edu</a>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-4480b4f2654" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A BSU Transit bus displays a graduation sign." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/gradbus.JPG" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--115761 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-115761"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> I think Bridgewater overall has shown me with my education what I can do in the real world. </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Taylor Schon, ’20, G’21 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/commencement" aria-label="Related stories tagged Commencement" hreflang="en">Commencement</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2020" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2020" hreflang="en">Class of 2020</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2021" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2021" hreflang="en">Class of 2021</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/graduate-studies" aria-label="Related stories tagged Graduate Studies" hreflang="en">Graduate Studies</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-credit field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Bus photo by Zachary Allen, '24 </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:51:53 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 239836 at Class of 2020 Senior Voices /stories/2021/class-2020-senior-voices <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Class of 2020 Senior Voices</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/jfinkelsteinbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype content="JFINKELSTEIN@bridgew.edu">JFINKELSTEIN@b…</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2021-06-30T10:24:24-04:00" title="Wednesday, June 30, 2021 - 10:24" class="datetime">Wed, 06/30/2021 - 10:24</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Members of the Class of 2020 look back</span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2021-07-20T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">July 20, 2021</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-carousel-gallery field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--gallery-carousel paragraph---id--115616 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="gallery carousel id-115616"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-images field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" role="presentation" aria-label="department slideshow"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_large_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" width="1200" height="583"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 1199px)" type="image/webp" width="1183" height="575"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_tablet/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/webp" width="951" height="462"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px)" type="image/webp" width="703" height="342"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_extra_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 767px)" type="image/webp" width="511" height="249"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_large_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" width="1200" height="583"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 1199px)" type="image/jpeg" width="1183" height="575"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_tablet/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/jpeg" width="951" height="462"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px)" type="image/jpeg" width="703" height="342"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_extra_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 767px)" type="image/jpeg" width="511" height="249"> <img loading="eager" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/Cropped%202020%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec" alt="Banners hang from the front steps of Boyden Hall"> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Last year, when commencement was put on hold due to COVID-19, 51Թ President Frederick W Clark Jr made a promise to the class of 2020 that the ceremonies would not be canceled.</p> <p>Clark will prove as good as his word, when later this month members of the graduating class of 2020 will finally get their chance to celebrate when they walk the stage to collect their diplomas at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.</p> <p>We caught up with some members of the class of 2020 and asked them to reflect on what (finally) graduating from 51Թ means to them.</p> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/AngelicaGreenige1.jpg" alt="Angelica Greenidge" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">I am so grateful to have attended and graduated from such a great institution like BSU. My professors, administrators, and classmates have taught me that persistence, integrity and hard work are the keys to success. I have been able to face many challenges and to overcome numerous obstacles due to the support system at BSU. So, thank you BSU for giving me a strong foundation for success. </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Angelica Greenidge</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Psychology Major from Randolph</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/ErinWentzel1.jpg" alt="Erin Wentzel" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">Graduating from BSU is an honor like no other. BSU has become my support system, my community and my family, and I am so proud to become an alumnus of this university. I will always carry a piece of it with me.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Erin Wentzel</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Psychology Major from Portsmouth, RI</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/TomCrosby1.jpg" alt="Tom Crosby" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;"> “I love Bridgewater and am happy I will soon be graduating. Going here, I think it’s worth every penny I ever spent.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Tom Crosby</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Communications Major from Weymouth</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/CoriDubois1.jpg" alt="Cori Dubois" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">It does not stop at BSU even though they have definitely set me on the right path. I can’t wait to see where opportunity takes me.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Cori Dubois</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Communications Major from Dracut</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/GinaGodwin1.jpg" alt="Gina Godwin" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">From my very first day all the way to my last semester, I can’t emphasize enough how BSU helped me prepare for, set, and reach my goals. My professors were all instrumental in my success, whether it be my job or the awards I’ve received, they really helped lay out the path and walked it with me.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Gina Godwin</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Accounting Major from Holbrook</div> </div></div></div></section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Yes </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-7c54399b5ea" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Boyden Hall with 2020 Commencement flags" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/Boyden2020CommencementFlags0O6A7562-450x324.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2020" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2020" hreflang="en">Class of 2020</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 30 Jun 2021 14:24:24 +0000 JFINKELSTEIN@bridgew.edu 239641 at Time to Serve /stories/2020/time-serve <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Time to Serve</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-07-14T10:37:09-04:00" title="Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 10:37" class="datetime">Tue, 07/14/2020 - 10:37</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span><span>Two students discuss their roles in the National Guard’s pandemic response</span></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2020-07-16T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">July 16, 2020</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span><span>When the Massachusetts Army National Guard was called to active duty in April to support of the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the reserves were students studying at 51Թ.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Two of those students, seniors <strong>Samantha Mulcahy</strong> and <strong>Joel Pollock</strong>, had to decide if they could balance school and service and commit to the voluntary activation.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Joel, a specialist in the reserves, will earn his accounting degree this summer. He determined he could balance his studies and opted to volunteer. His unit has been distributing personal protective equipment (such as face masks and shields), to local hospitals and other healthcare facilities. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Other National Guard units have also been called to help quell riots that evolved from recent peaceful protests.&nbsp; </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Samantha is also a specialist with the Guard. A first-generation student who played on the BSU women’s softball team, worked part-time, and held down an internship while working toward two degrees, she knew volunteering would be too much.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>“It was a very hard decision,” she said. “Of course I wanted to protect and serve my country and state in times of need, however, being so close to finishing school and earning my degrees, I could not do that to myself,” she said. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Since COVID-19 first appeared in Massachusetts, members of the Massachusetts Army National Guard have been assisting many of the state’s healthcare workers, providing COVID-19 tests and setting up triage stations. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>“They are helping in anyway they can,” Samantha said. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Now that she has graduated from BSU with her degrees in criminal justice and psychology, the Taunton native is considering her options. She has been accepted into BSU’s Mental Health Counseling program but is also applying for other jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>With three years left on her contract, she plans to continue serving in the National Guard. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Joel also plans to continue his service. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>“My main goal post-graduation is to continue my search for a job where I can grow in the field of accounting,” he said. “My other goals are to save up enough money to buy a house and get promoted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.”</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Wherever their paths lead, both agree that BSU helped them get to where they are and where they want to go. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>“BSU has helped me prepare for the future through the many opportunities they provide such as career services, job fairs, mock interviews and formal dining training,” Joel said. “However, the most significant thing that has helped me prepare is the relationships I developed with faculty members.”</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Samantha is looking forward to applying all has learned at BSU toward whatever her future holds. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>“I have had a very busy schedule for the past four years and receiving these degrees is such an accomplishment to me,” she said.</span></span></p> <p><span><span></span></span></p> <p><span><span></span></span></p> <p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email <a href="mailto: stories@bridgew.edu ">stories@bridgew.edu&nbsp;</a></em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-5a788abd2d7" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Samantha Mulcahy and Joel Pollock" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/New%20NG%20Photo%20for%20Web.png" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--87311 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-87311"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> BSU has helped me prepare for the future through the many opportunities they provide...the most significant thing that has helped me prepare is the relationships I developed with faculty members. </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Joel Pollock, '20 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2020" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2020" hreflang="en">Class of 2020</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/veterans-center" aria-label="Related stories tagged Veterans Center" hreflang="en">Veterans Center</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 14 Jul 2020 14:37:09 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 231026 at Masterful Performance /stories/2020/masterful-performance <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Masterful Performance</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-05-19T10:15:44-04:00" title="Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 10:15" class="datetime">Tue, 05/19/2020 - 10:15</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Graduate students well prepared for chosen careers </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2020-05-20T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">May 20, 2020</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field__items"> <div class="field__label">Story Series</div> <div class="field__item"> Class of 2020 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>The <a href="/academics/colleges-departments/college-graduate-studies">College of Graduate Studies</a>’ Class of 2020 is ready to bring their compassion, expertise and ingenuity to the world. And, they credit their 51Թ education with making it possible.</p> <p>We asked several graduates to reflect on their time as Bears and how Bridgewater State set them up for success.</p> <h2>Illuminating new opportunities</h2> <p><strong>Gale McCall</strong> once didn’t know Bridgewater State even existed. The South Carolinian wasn’t familiar with northern schools.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="d296f07e-09bd-4474-aa9c-677cac879e6b" data-langcode="en" class="align-right embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-969cd7f6ce1" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Gale McCall" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/McCall.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Fortunately, her mentor is <strong>Michael Akinbola</strong>, G’17, an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist for the New England Patriots. The BSU graduate recommended his alma mater’s <a href="/graduate/athletic-training-ms">athletic training program</a>.</p> <p>“I feel like I developed a lot of good relationships,” said McCall. “From everyone in the College of Graduate Studies to my professors and classmates, it was pretty tight-knit.”</p> <p>She appreciated the funding available to students, which she said is superior to what she sees elsewhere. So too were the clinical rotations, where McCall worked at Harvard University, Stonehill College and the Texas Legends of the NBA G League.</p> <p>McCall, who earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University, hopes to work with professional athletes. While the COVID-19 pandemic affects the job search, McCall knows her Bridgewater connections will be there for her when she’s ready.</p> <p>“If you say you want to do it, someone in that network is going to help you do it,” she said. “Every person I’ve met at BSU was a little bit of sunshine in all the snow and rain in Massachusetts.”</p> <h2>Commitment to service</h2> <p><strong>Cassandra Laslie</strong> and <strong>Christopher Welch</strong> came to Bridgewater as undergraduates unsure what their futures would hold. They’re leaving with <a href="/graduate/mpa">Master of Public Administration</a> degrees and a new outlook on rewarding careers.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="5d25a554-55e5-4817-a16a-8082f802be42" data-langcode="en" class="align-left embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-abf4ba52ca7" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Christopher Welch" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Welch.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“BSU has reshaped my life and my worldview,” said Welch, who is from Fall River and aims to earn a doctorate in environmental public policy.</p> <p>Laslie, who is from East Bridgewater and studied art as an undergraduate, knew little about public and nonprofit work until graduate school. Now, she sees her future in the nonprofit sector.</p> <p>“The word ‘constituent’ wasn’t even in my vocabulary,” she recalled. “It’s opened up my eyes to a totally different world.”</p> <p>Laslie interned at Massachusetts Wonderfund, a nonprofit supporting children served by the state Department of Children and Families. Welch gained hands-on experience at Cape Cod Commission, a regional planning agency.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="ce7a3e9f-6541-49c6-b719-71e193e4d81c" data-langcode="en" class="align-right embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-7eb24768657" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Cassandra Laslie" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Laslie.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“BSU helped me to understand what my purpose is and what career I would like to pursue,” said Welch, who has a graduate certificate in applied anthropology and bachelor’s degree in history.</p> <p>Both benefited from BSU’s commitment to student success. Welch, whose mother survived COVID-19, received assistance paying his rent during the pandemic from the Student Emergency Fund. Laslie praises the support of Dr. <strong>Melinda Tarsi</strong>, who will be a mentor and friend long after graduation.</p> <p>“Bridgewater State overall has made me a more confident person,” she said. “They’ve introduced me to a ton of people who I know will be there for me when I’m looking for jobs.”</p> <h2>Planting seeds of change</h2> <p><strong>Michelle Little</strong> started her career as a landscape designer. Thanks to her graduate studies in <a href="/graduate/psychology-ma">clinical psychology</a>, she will help people blossom and grow as they overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges.</p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="351acb72-5935-4dff-ba32-c8b2f7848b51" data-langcode="en" class="align-left embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-9e96f2e9c63" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Michelle Little" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Little.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“The education was phenomenal,” said Little, a single mother from Whitman whose son, <strong>Michael Lauzon</strong>, is a BSU undergraduate. “Some of the courses I had were incredibly self-reflective and helped me figure out where I am in my development.”</p> <p>Little, who earned her bachelor’s degree three decades ago, lost landscaping clients during the 2008 recession. That prompted her to reconsider her career and, because she has family who faced substance abuse disorders, pursue psychology.</p> <p>She appreciated how easy it was to resume her education at Bridgewater, including taking several prerequisite classes before she could pursue a graduate degree.</p> <p>“BSU absolutely prepared me well,” said Little, who has one more class to complete this summer.&nbsp;“It’s such a great program. I really learned so much. I’m going to miss school a lot.”</p> <p>Little interned at Community Counseling of Bristol County and plans to continue working there, where her skills will be especially needed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p>“I know that it’s going to explode,” she said of demand for mental health care. “There’s going to be a lot more people who need services.”</p> <p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email <a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu">stories@bridgew.edu</a>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-43ed895e0b5" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A sign congratulating 2020 graduates" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/gradfeatured.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--82421 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-82421"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> “Bridgewater State overall has made me a more confident person. They’ve introduced me to a ton of people who I know will be there for me when I’m looking for jobs.” </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Cassandra Laslie, G'20 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2020" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2020" hreflang="en">Class of 2020</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 19 May 2020 14:15:44 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 228286 at Celebrating the Class of 2020 /stories/2020/celebrating-class-2020 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Celebrating the Class of 2020</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/rmaloneybridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>RMALONEY@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-05-15T09:22:55-04:00" title="Friday, May 15, 2020 - 09:22" class="datetime">Fri, 05/15/2020 - 09:22</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> BSU pledges commencement ceremony </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2020-05-15T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">May 15, 2020</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Marketing &amp; Communications </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field__items"> <div class="field__label">Story Series</div> <div class="field__item"> Class of 2020 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>BRIDGEWATER – Nearly 2,400 graduate and undergraduate students at 51Թ completed their academic programs over the course of the 2019-2020 academic year and are being recognized for their accomplishments by the university until they are able to attend their own commencement.</p> <p>BSU’s 179<sup>th</sup> Commencement Convocation for undergraduates and 12<sup>th</sup> Graduate Commencement Convocation, scheduled for May 16 and May 14 respectively, were postponed by the university in March when the COVID-19 pandemic exploded nationally and regionally.</p> <p>At that time, President Frederick W. Clark Jr. pledged to the campus community to hold the ceremonies and reiterated that promise to the 2020 graduates in a video message taped on the university’s historic quadrangle with the Class of 2020, university and college banners flowing from the columns of Boyden Hall in the background.</p> <p>“We won’t let this pandemic define your time at BSU. Your time on campus was defined by your wonderful professors … the countless friends you have met … and by how you have grown during your time at Bridgewater,” President Clark said. “Most importantly, I hope you have discovered something about your passion and purpose in life.”</p> <p>The commencement planning team at BSU has been developing alternative plans for how and when BSU will honor its 2020 graduates that included feedback from seniors received through BSU’s social media channels during the spring semester. An announcement to all graduates regarding the rescheduled commencement ceremonies is expected next month.</p> <p>President Clark’s video message, as traditionally happens at the end of commencement ceremonies, welcomed the graduates to the BSU alumni community, which surpassed 75,000 with the Class of 2020’s graduate (454) and undergraduate (1,914) students.</p> <p>“Our motto – ‘Not to be Ministered Unto, But to Minister’ – embodies the expectations we have of you as BSU graduates,” President Clark said. “Not to be taught but to teach. Not to be served, but to serve. We are all incredibly proud of you. We are Bears forever.”</p> <p>A series of virtual events, which began this week with a Toast to the Class of 2020, will continue until the time that members of the class can experience their walk across the stage on Boyden’s historic quadrangle.</p> <h2>View Our List of Graduates</h2> <p><a href="/commencement/2020-bsu-graduates-earn-advanced-degrees">Graduate Degree Recipients</a></p> <p><a href="/commencement/2020-bsu-undergraduates-earn-degrees">Undergraduate Degree Recipients</a></p> <div data-embed-button="media_entity_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.full" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="21f7b1aa-8fce-4410-9562-050d8b693a32" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--full field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-0705325a45c" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Commencement 2020 graphic" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Congrats-Class-of-2020-450x450.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-7c54399b5ea" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Boyden Hall with 2020 Commencement flags" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/Boyden2020CommencementFlags0O6A7562-450x324.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--81986 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-81986"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> We won’t let this pandemic define your time at BSU. </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2020" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2020" hreflang="en">Class of 2020</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 15 May 2020 13:22:55 +0000 RMALONEY@bridgew.edu 228111 at Senior Voices /stories/2020/senior-voices <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Senior Voices</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-05-14T12:52:57-04:00" title="Thursday, May 14, 2020 - 12:52" class="datetime">Thu, 05/14/2020 - 12:52</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Members of the Class of 2020 look back</span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2020-05-18T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">May 18, 2020</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-carousel-gallery field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--gallery-carousel paragraph---id--81991 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="gallery carousel id-81991"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-images field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" role="presentation" aria-label="department slideshow"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_large_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" width="1200" height="583"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 1199px)" type="image/webp" width="1183" height="575"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_tablet/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/webp" width="951" height="462"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px)" type="image/webp" width="703" height="342"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_extra_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.webp?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 767px)" type="image/webp" width="511" height="249"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_large_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" width="1200" height="583"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_desktop/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 1199px)" type="image/jpeg" width="1183" height="575"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_tablet/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/jpeg" width="951" height="462"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px)" type="image/jpeg" width="703" height="342"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_extra_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec 1x" media="all and (max-width: 767px)" type="image/jpeg" width="511" height="249"> <img loading="eager" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/gallery_carousel_small/public/media/gallery_carousel/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg?h=3e640eec" alt="Class of 2020 Banner"> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field__items"> <div class="field__label">Story Series</div> <div class="field__item"> Class of 2020 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Members of 51Թ’s class of 2020 aren’t letting COVID-19 define them. In fact, in the face of the pandemic they have proven their resilience.</p> <p>If ever a class was ready to take on the world, it's the class of 2020. </p> <p>Their commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for May 16, has been postponed. But that didn’t stop these graduating Bears from looking back fondly over their time at the university.</p> <p>We asked a selection of seniors to share how they will remember their overall BSU experience. This is what they had to say. </p> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Alexis%20Monteiro%20%281%29.JPG" alt="Alexis Monteiro" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">Coming from Cape Verde and having to adapt to the United States, I needed to be in a community where I felt I belonged and was accepted. BSU offered me the opportunity to create my own home away from home while helping me find myself and helping me learn more about how I can serve others around me. The BSU community offered me different platforms, opportunities and friends that have helped me find a purpose in life. Obrigado BSU!</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Alexis Monteiro</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">mathematics major from Praia, Cape Verde</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Karen%20Ozuna%20Vargas%20%281%29.jpg" alt="Karen Ozuna Vargas" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">My overall experience at BSU was definitely one to remember. I have grown a lot and have made many connections that I will keep with me, not only from among my peers but also the amazing faculty and administration that has supported me. I will remember the professors who enjoyed having me in their class, the clubs I joined and helped lead, the one-on-ones I had with my mentors, and all of the love that spread within the multicultural community. The support BSU gave me was all in all amazing and needed. Once a Bear, always a Bear.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Karen Ozuna Vargas</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">sociology major from Worcester, MA</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Chris%20Connelly.jpg" alt="Chris Connelly" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">I’ll remember BSU as the best four years of my life. It took me on a journey far beyond the classroom, giving me friends and memories for a lifetime and countless opportunities to be successful as a student and a professional.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Chris Connelly</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">political science major from Hingham</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Kyleigh%20Lobo.jpg" alt="Khyleigh Lobo" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">I am going to remember all of the people who have helped me through my past four years. Everyone in the Center for Multicultural Affairs has left an impact on my life, whether they were a student, faculty or staff member. They have helped shape me into a better woman who can achieve anything I set my mind to.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Khyleigh Lobo</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">criminal justice major from Bedford</div> </div></div></div></section> <section class="paragraph--type--testimonial" aria-label="testimonial"><div class="media-wrapper"><div class="media"><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <img src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/Andrew%20Fagan%20%20%281%29.jpg" alt="Andrew Fagan" class="image-style-_80x220"> </div><div class="media-body"> <blockquote style="max-width: 100%;">I will remember my overall experience as inspiring. I came to BSU as a somewhat low GPA student, not interested in involvement or leadership, and set a very low bar for myself. I thought I’d be in and out in four years of classes. I proved to myself that I have the capacity to be a leader, work hard for decent grades, and make a difference in my own way. I now have the confidence, relationships and experience to put myself out there in the real world.</blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">Andrew Fagan</div> <div class="field field--name-field-subtext field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items">economics major from Norwood</div> </div></div></div></section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Yes </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-64ec129fe09" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Class of 2020 banner" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/2020%20Flag%20Photo.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2020" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2020" hreflang="en">Class of 2020</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 14 May 2020 16:52:57 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 228066 at