WAYS PSU UNITES US BRINGING EDUCATION TO LIFE - pg. 12 - Plymouth Magazine
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THE MAGAZINE OF PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY | FALL 2018
WAYS
PSU
UNITES
US
PSUnite: Mentorship for the
Twenty-First Century pg. 2
Q&A WITH PRESIDENT BIRX BRINGING EDUCATION
AND PROVOST DORFF TO LIFE
pg. 6 pg. 12
Mentor 1,200 Students in Fall 2019
The University’s ambitious goal for alumni-student mentoring is based on 147 years of individual success stories.
Generations of students have long been united with alumni and faculty in a supportive culture that continues to thrive
on campus and at alumni gatherings. The challenge is how to take what has worked to scale. How can we connect
1,200 first-year students face-to-face with alumni mentors who live all over the world? One answer is PSUnite.
PSUnite is an online platform that will connect every first-year student with an alumni mentor: like-minded people
sharing ideas, collaborating on projects, and passing on knowledge through smart phone apps and user-friendly
web design. The vast knowledge base of our alumni community will be paired with students who have questions, are
looking for guidance, and will be encouraged by the accomplishments and discoveries of those who have gone before
them. The platform works in tandem with users’ existing LinkedIn profiles.
PSUnite is now being phased in with a cohort of 50 students and alumni in a test environment that will create an
experience tailored for the Plymouth State community. Throughout this academic year, alumni mentors will become
familiar with the program and, when classes begin next fall, we expect all first-year students to have mentors.
Join fellow alumni and friends by texting PSUnite to 51555 or visiting go.plymouth.edu/FollowPSUnite.
This important initiative promises to transform our mentorship capabilities while further uniting our community.
FALL 2018 | plymouth.edu/magazine
EDITOR | Peter Lee Miller
Contents
MANAGING EDITOR | Marlin Collingwood
EXECUTIVE EDITOR | Paula Lee Hobson
DESIGNER | Daphne Bruemmer ’98
CONTRIBUTORS ILLUSTRATORS +
Marlin Collingwood PHOTOGRAPHERS
Rodney Ekstrom ’09G Mackenzie Fullerton ’17
Lori L. Ferguson Ian Halter
Shannon Griffiths ’17 Kaleb Hart ’11
Christa Hollingsworth ’15G Joe Klementovich
Corey Hoyt Billy Lundy ’19
Chris Kilmer ’99 Jack Roberts ’18
Peter Lee Miller Isidro Rodriguez
Paige Schoppmann ’20
Gil Talbot ’76
John Tully
Plymouth Magazine is published by University Advancement,
Marketing Communications and Creative Services. ©2018,
Plymouth State University. Printed by Penmor Lithographers,
Cover Story
Lewiston, ME.
PSUnite: Mentorship for the
Twenty-First Century | page 2
Comments to:
Editor, Plymouth Magazine, Marketing Communications and
Creative Services, MSC 24, Plymouth State University, 17 High
St., Plymouth, NH 03264-1595; psu-mccs@plymouth.edu
5 Of Note | Stadium and Turf Field update, 15 Summer Ascent | Jump-starting the
Please send address changes to:
University Advancement, MSC 50, Plymouth State University, Center for Research and Innovation, University experience
17 High St., Plymouth, NH 03264-1595 Backwoods Brook Trout
(800) 772-2620; alumni@plymouth.edu 16 Evening of Connections Unites Donors,
Alumni may update their contact information online at
6 Q & A with President Birx and Provost Dorff Students, and Families
go.plymouth.edu/infoupdate.
7 Cluster Connections | Renovation Haiti Mentorship Unites Friends,
@PlymouthState
Updates: Geneva Smith, Centre Cultures
Lodge, Strength and Conditioning Lab PSU Panther Pitch
Plymouth State University
8 PSUniters | Five who are making a difference 17 Women’s Leadership Summit |
Please visit plymouth.edu/magazine for A Bonding, Mentoring Experience
additional photography, stories, and video. 10 Athletics | A Family Affair, A Coach’s Mentorship
18 The Green | Plymouth State Alumni
12 Bringing Education to Life: Utilizing the
News & Notes | Upcoming Alumni Events |
Supporting responsible use of forest resources. Standardized Patient | Combining seemingly
Class Notes | In Memoriam | Exchanging
Printed on Primalith Silk; 10 percent recycled,
diverse disciplines in powerful simulations
FSC-certified paper.
Vows | Arrivals | Donor Honor Roll Update
PLYMOUTH150 | Sesquicentennial Celebration Planned
Plymouth State’s proud, 150-year heritage will be highlighted throughout the 2021–2022 academic year, and the University plans to mark this major milestone
with participatory events for all ages and class years. Please watch for Plymouth150 news and invitations in upcoming editions of Plymouth Magazine!
Have a great idea about the anniversary to share? Please e-mail plymouth150@plymouth.edu.
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 1
PSUnite
Mentorship for the Twenty-First Century
PSUnite is a new, multifaceted initiative that is helping first-year students find their
niche and avail themselves of all that Plymouth State has to offer. It capitalizes on
what makes the Integrated Clusters model so compelling: the ability to see one’s
education in action, take learning outside the classroom, share ideas in real time,
and leverage the experience of others.
2 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018
“Wicked Problems”
The current generation is facing We created
some large, seemingly intractable
communities
problems: world hunger, gender
inequity, technology’s increasing around the various
influence, inequities in education,
Wicked Problems
and more. Daunting issues, but
also precisely the kind that lend so that students
themselves to a cross-disciplinary
working on a
Clusters approach, which is why
PSU is inviting students to tackle specific problem
these “Wicked Problems”—and
are housed in the
many more—in their First-Year
Seminars. same building.
Each of the approximately
1,200 first-year students were support services available to them,
asked to choose one of some 35 notes Grazioso. “Additionally,
“Wicked Problems” to work on. bringing classmates together in a
To enrich the learning experience shared living environment enables
even further, these students were PSU to synchronize learning
assigned to residence halls with inside and outside the classroom,
fellow classmates working on the providing students with a seam-
same problem through the ‘First less educational experience.”
Year Residential Experience,’ The FYRE concept also allows
better known as FYRE. the University to reinforce its
“Although creating a living/ general education model regarding
learning community such as this the four “habits of mind” (Pur-
is not unique to Plymouth State, poseful Communications, Problem
we’re employing some of the Solving, Integrated Perspective, Greek service in action—apple picking and pie baking for Gather and Cross
Roads House; two local non-profits benefiting Seacoast food pantries and
best practices for this concept,” and Self-Regulated Learning). “We homeless youth and families. Kappa Delta Phi alumni and active sisters spent the
notes Director of Residential Life hope that by building our pro- day picking apples and baking pies. Over 60 bushels of apples were picked, and
and Dining Services Amanda grams on language that’s shared in 20 pies baked and delivered for local food shelters and families in need. Photo
courtesy of Karen Bownes ’85, Kappa Delta Phi NAS.
Grazioso. “We created com- and out of the classroom, students
munities around the various will become immersed in these
Wicked Problems so that students habits of mind and integrate them Greek life reimagined and with my own daughter, the
working on a specific problem into every aspect of their learning Starting college can be challeng- important role that properly
are housed in the same building.” experience,” says Grazioso. ing, no matter your circumstances. implemented Greek life can
Such an approach encourages New surroundings, new friends, play in student life, success, and
students to embrace project-based new situations—they’re all part of achievement,” he says. “I have
work, Grazioso explains, and also the first-year experience. And the also seen it done responsibly and
makes it easier for the University process of finding one’s way can with increased leadership on the
to bring resources to students. be even more intimidating for the part of students to set behavior
“Faculty and alumni are making 43 percent of Plymouth State first- standards that are conducive to a
presentations within the residence years who are first in their family leading university. I believe this
halls, hosting alumni exploration to attend college and the 39 per- will also provide many students
panels on relevant topics, and cent who come from economically with opportunities like our clubs
the like,” Grazioso continues. “In disadvantaged homes. and athletics, which will help
short, we’re meeting students In addition to First-Year them to ‘find their tribe’ within
where they’re at.” Seminar and the FYRE initiative, the University community. Greek
Targeting first-year students President Donald Birx believes life, with its emphasis on service,
allows the University to introduce that a vibrant campus Greek life community, leadership, and
the concept of sharing campus will provide a valuable sense of school pride, can be a powerful
resources early on, while remind- community for students. “I have vehicle for rounding out a stu-
ing older students of the many Amanda Grazioso · John Tully photo. witnessed, at other institutions dent’s four years on campus.”
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 3
Join fellow alumni and friends by texting PSUnite to
Mentoring in the palm of 51555 or visiting go.plymouth.edu/FollowPSUnite. to other PSU students, but found
your hand it difficult to connect with those
A strong sense of community in need. “I took it upon myself to
is part of the University’s DNA. reach out to Rodney Ekstrom and
Alumni have always offered cohorts of 50 students to work out This initiative really demonstrates ask how I could get involved, but
encouragement and guidance to the kinks and familiarize users Plymouth State’s commitment not everyone will do that. Identi-
successive generations, and the with the tool, Ekstrom explains. to giving students a thoughtful, fying students early on who might
University also has a tradition of “By the spring, we plan to have meaningful college experience.” need help and don’t know where
facilitating student mentoring an active body of alumni mentors Mentoring is especially import- to find it is really important. It’s all
opportunities with faculty and with profiles in the system and ant to first-generation college about timing, and I think PSUnite
staff. As the institution’s 150th working familiarity with the pro- students such as she was, Blakney is going to be great in that regard.”
anniversary draws near, President gram, so that by the fall of 2019 continues. “I wouldn’t be who I am Ekstrom agrees. “PSUnite is
Birx has challenged the Plymouth we can connect every incoming today if it weren’t for those who going to allow us to impact not
State family to a stretch goal: pro- first-year with a mentor match.” helped me during my four years at only current students, but also
vide every first-year student with Plymouth State, and I want other the community and the state.
an alumni mentor through a new By spring, we plan to have an students to be able to tell that same Career development is not just
initiative: PSUnite. story a decade from now.” a transactional thing—it’s about
active body of alumni profiles
“By enabling students to make a relationship. Our alumni have
connections early on and giving in the system and working ‘street cred’ and the same DNA as
them tools to navigate college, we the students on campus now, so
familiarity with the program,
create a unified experience and an facilitating these relationships is
environment that supports every- so that by fall 2019 we can incredibly valuable. I’m looking
one,” notes Director of Alumni forward to hearing the stories that
connect every incoming first-
Relations Rodney Ekstrom ’09G. students involved in this initiative
“In many respects, we’re doing year with a mentor match. tell in a few years.”
this already—PSUnite just encap- Plymouth State is a community
sulates the process.” Work is already underway to with many wonderful stories of
The driving force behind enlist these alumni mentors in beta triumph over adversity, observes
PSUnite is the University’s new testing of the program, and early Kai Fowler ’13 Hobson, and PSUnite promises to
mentoring platform, an online envi- responses are exceedingly positive. enliven the fabric of experiences
ronment with a smart phone app “I think this initiative is bold in Kai Fowler ’13, an account even further. “We’ve long enjoyed
that will enable alumni across the all the good ways,” observes Leslie executive at Gartner, the global a tradition of alumni mentoring,
country and around the world to Blakney ’07. Blakney, formerly research and advisory firm, is but our former manual process
connect with students in Plymouth. associate director for advising at equally enthusiastic. “Mentoring could not be taken to scale the way
The tool allows both students and the Dartmouth Center for Pro- is crucial for students who are it will be with PSUnite. We have
alumni to create profiles—from fessional Development, recently just starting out and may need an more than 37,000 living alumni.
existing or new LinkedIn profiles— “came home” to Plymouth as extra push or someone to hold They have enjoyed successful
then generates mentoring matches director of career development. them accountable,” he observes. careers in a wide array of disci-
based on interests and expressed “I’m not aware of another institu- “There are plenty of resources plines, and I know they have rich
needs. “For example, an alumnus tion that’s committed to assigning available, but they’re only useful experiences and advice to share.
can say, ‘I can help with mock every first-year student a mentor. to students who seek them out.” “Alumni share their personal
interviews or résumé reviews,’ and As a student, Fowler continues, stories with us—some scream-
he will be matched with a student he didn’t start thinking seriously ingly funny, many touchingly
looking for that type of guidance,” about next steps until his junior wonderful. They tell us about the
explains Paula Lee Hobson, vice year, which was pretty late in the barriers they overcame, and how
president for university advance- game. And because his parents their Plymouth State experience
ment. “And what’s especially nice is weren’t familiar with corporate changed them, forever. Our stu-
that everything happens within the America, he needed guidance. “I dents need to know that this will
program environment—people can had no idea how to navigate the be true for them, too,” Hobson
send e-mails or set up video calls corporate scene, so a couple of my concludes. “We couldn’t be more
all from our dedicated platform. professors advised me on dressing excited to launch PSUnite.”
It’s very user-friendly.” the part, interviewing, writing my ■ Lori Ferguson
The University is building this Leslie Blakney ’07 · Mackenzie
résumé, etc.” After graduating,
dynamic ecosystem in phased Fullerton ’17 photo. Fowler was eager to pay it forward
4 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018
OF NOTE
Stadium and Turf Field Project Closes in on Fundraising Goal
As this issue of Plymouth Magazine went to press, the student body and will be a resource that benefits the regional
University remained just $192,299 shy of completing funding community.
for the $4 million Stadium and Turf Field project. Join your fellow PSU alumni and friends in support of
The lighted Stadium and Turf Field is a strategic this transformative project! For additional information about
component of Plymouth State’s Active Living, Learning, supporting this initiative through a philanthropic investment
and Wellness (ALLWell) Center and an unmatched Open or bequest, please contact Vice President for University
Laboratory for the Health and Human Enrichment Cluster. Advancement Paula Lee Hobson, (603) 535-2901,
Between academic programs, intercollegiate athletics teams, phobson@plymouth.edu, or Director of Development John
intramurals and recreation programs, club sports, and open Scheinman ’20P, (603) 535-2805, jscheinman@plymouth.edu.
recreation, it will be used by approximately 90 percent of the
Research and Scholarship at Backwoods Brook Trout:
Plymouth State University Stories of Time and Place
The Center for Research and Innovation (CRI), directed by Congratulations to Frederick
Dr. Joseph Boyer, is the University’s new hub for strategically Prince, professor of anatomy and
important, interdisciplinary research and scholarship by stu- author of Backwoods Brook Trout:
dents, faculty, and their external partners. Stories of Time and Place. Dr.
CRI integrates the Office of Research and Sponsored Prince has fished New Hampshire’s
Programs (ORSP), Center for the Environment (CFE), and backwoods ponds for more than 30
components of the Center for Business and Community Part- years, and his new book is a compi-
nerships (CBCP) into one center. lation of essays on his explorations
CRI develops, supports, and sustains interdisciplinary and discoveries. Available from
research and scholarship initiatives by convening individuals Amazon.
Dr. Joseph Boyer ·
Kaleb Hart ’11 photo. across Clusters to develop ideas for collaborative projects;
assisting faculty and students in proposal development and
submission; providing seed funding to leverage future research
and scholarship; and supporting interdisciplinary undergrad-
uate and graduate student projects and programs. For more
information, please visit campus.plymouth.edu/research.
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 5
Why Mentorship at PSU
with President Donald Birx
and Provost Robin Dorff
Plymouth Magazine recently sat down with the president and
provost to discuss the role of mentorship at Plymouth State.
Plymouth Magazine: What makes the Plymouth outside the classroom with students of similar counselor encouraged me to think broadly,
State community conducive to mentoring? interests, and opportunities to engage alumni and I’ve often reflected back on that when
President Birx: From the standpoint of through career areas and other valuable combining a love of science and technology
faculty-student interaction it’s among the best experiences. Open Labs, internships, and men- with a passion to create new opportunities
I’ve ever seen. There’s really a sense of students torships open windows into worlds of interest and hopeful futures.
getting to know faculty members here, and we for students. Provosts and presidents have also been
don’t underestimate staff mentorship either. tremendous sources of inspiration. Jay Gogue,
Many staff interact with students daily and the Dorff: One thing that drew me to PSU was president emeritus of Auburn University, was
impact they have and mentoring activities they the intentionality. Team-based problem the source of so many insights, as was Bill
perform are outstanding. solving and other strategies sometimes happen Conroy and Renu Khator. (President Birx’s
elsewhere, but that’s because of efforts by earlier postings include both New Mexico
Provost Dorff: The more I talk with alumni individual students or professors. Here, it’s State University (NMSU) and the University
the more I learn how they love PSU and the institution-wide. And mentoring is a critical of Houston. Gogue previously served as
faculty and staff who changed their lives. They component of that intentionality. president of both institutions; Conroy was
share stories of deep and lasting ties. NMSU provost and later president; and Khator
Plymouth: Who were your mentors? is currently chancellor, University of Houston
Plymouth: What is PSUnite’s charge to our Dorff: I was an undergraduate physics and System, and president, University of Houston.)
alumni who will provide all first-year students math major at Colorado College when I I took a six-month job in industry while
with mentors next year? wandered into Professor Fred Sondermann’s pursuing a PhD in physics at University of
Birx: Our generous culture of giving back international relations class. He opened my California, Santa Barbara. But industry mentors
provides a lot of satisfaction when we pass eyes to what would become my major. Then encouraged me to stay and it gave me a perspec-
on what we’ve learned. We want each student when I was teaching at the U.S. Army War tive into the opportunities and needs outside
to have someone to talk to about sometimes College, Gary Guertner, chairman of the academia that I would never have had otherwise.
challenging questions when there’s no one else Department of National Security and Strategy,
to ask. This is particularly meaningful because pulled me aside. He asked me to stay on a Plymouth: Do good mentors share universal
we have such a high percentage of first-gener- second year and let me know that he thought I qualities?
ation students. could be an excellent chair of the department Birx: Really the most important qualities are
one day soon. He believed in me and his active listening and a willingness to share
Dorff: PSUnite challenges alumni to share confidence helped set me up for what in fact experiences. Beyond that, it is the desire to
through internships, networking, and mento- would be my future. engage and making the time available to do it
ring. We can do it and transform our students’ meaningfully.
experience in the process. Birx: In high school, Dr. Frank Roberts
had faith in me and encouraged my love of Dorff: Yes, along with the ability to understand
Plymouth: How does mentoring fit into the science, setting me on a science-oriented others. My mentors probably understood me
Integrated Clusters learning model? career path. When I was about to graduate as better than I did myself at the time, and all
Birx: It’s important because of the intersection a (University of California) Berkeley under- were outstanding teachers. ■
and integration among what’s learned in graduate, science was taking a big hit and I
the classroom, with how students engage was told that there weren’t any jobs. A career Jack Roberts ’18 photo.
6 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018
Renovations Keeping Pace with Change
Left: Artist’s concept of the future transformation of
Centre Lodge into the University’s new student and alumni
gathering place.
Above: The Physical Education Center is undergoing a
comprehensive modernization and will serve as a new
Open Laboratory.
Top: Newly remodeled Geneva Smith Residence Hall. On left.
Move-in Day · Isidro Rodriguez photo. Right, a common area ·
Billy Lundy ’19 photo.
GENEVA SMITH RESIDENCE HALL future success. Combining studies with other in Centre Lodge may be reserved in advance
Transforming the undergraduate student aspects of students’ residential experience also to hold group meetings and social gatherings
experience to match the approaches embodied increases student-faculty interactions. (students use venus.plymouth.edu/25live and
in Integrated Clusters requires fresh perspec- alumni use go.plymouth.edu/room-request).
tives in residential life. Geneva Smith Hall has CENTRE LODGE More substantial enhancements are under
been renovated for the twenty-first century as Students develop essential teamwork, consideration with the goal of positioning
one of the locations where the First-Year Res- leadership, and networking skills through the building as the “gateway” to upper-class
idential Experience (FYRE) is taking place. It student organizations while gaining lifelong housing. This fall’s Homecoming celebration
is one of several halls that have been organized friendships, and Centre Lodge has been featured the unveiling of a conceptual render-
by First-Year Seminar topic, allowing students re-envisioned as a new social gathering place ing (above, bottom left), which illustrates how
to gain new and different perspectives that for both student and alumni groups, including Centre Lodge may appear in coming years.
support the skill development required for Greek life organizations. The Bradford Room
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 7
PSUniters
Five who are making a difference
LOURDES AVILÉS Avilés, the production’s science programs at KPMG and SAP. The
Meteorology Professor Lourdes consultant, worked with educa- latter’s sales graduate program
Avilés is a mentor to students, tion, theatre, and meteorology led to a connection with Profes-
professional colleagues, female students, and only in retrospect sor Robert Nadeau, who directs
counterparts, fellow Latinas, and did she recognize the mentorship the University’s Professional
budding scientific authors, but she aspect of her contribution. Sales Program.
doesn’t advertise herself as such. Her willingness to help and Reddington’s extensive
“I have never thought of myself as modesty have made her an excel- background is paired with an
a mentor or in a mentoring role,” lent fit on PSU’s campus, where abiding interest in PSU and its
she says. “I just do what I feel is she noticed “something different” students. “My experiences at PSU
right. I sense the needs of people when she came to interview in were so great, and I look back
interacting with me.” 2004. “There is a collegiality and on them very fondly,” he says.
Research is emphasized in her a friendliness, and an urge to do He volunteered for PSU’s alumni
field, and she advises both under- interesting and important things mentoring programs in 2015 and
graduate and graduate students. and care for our students,” she 2016, helping one student negoti-
“I have grown in my ability to says. “In the back of everything ate job offers and another set up
help students be better scientists, we do we’re always thinking: How her LinkedIn profile. He stays in
and adjust to their needs,” Avilés can we do better for our students? touch with students via the social
says. “Some have very strong ideas This is a positive place to work, media platform and continues to
and intuition about which ways and to work with others.” generously share advice.
to go. Others are more timid or “Students who are just starting
have never had the opportunity to TERRY REDDINGTON ’80 out may not have much experi-
make their own decisions.” After earning his business ence to rely on but, as they gain
Students seek her out to nav- management degree from confidence, they see that things
igate University matters: young Plymouth State, Terrence “Terry” don’t have to be so daunting,” he
women ask about work-life issues; Reddington embarked on a says. He encourages students to
and junior meteorologists look for highly successful, ongoing career, get involved in activities, and not
professional pointers. The author progressing from operations just for the networking aspect.
of Taken by Storm, 1938: A Social management to manufacturing “When you learn to do things,
and Meteorological History of the electronics and technology. you’ll have confidence when you
Great New England Hurricane, Through work in sales, presales, encounter them again.”
Avilés is currently working on product development, artificial Reddington views building
books on atmospheric optics intelligence, and more, he’s confidence as fundamental to
and Caribbean hurricanes, and evolved over decades of change mentoring. “I find myself in
graciously shares writing and pub- by focusing on staying relevant. corporate America and around
lishing tips. All of this mentoring “I’ve done my best to remain that the world and I’m sitting right
is unsolicited. “I’m surprised how way with the technology and the next to people who went to more
much I’ve served in that role with- people I interact with as clients,” prestigious schools. You make
out even thinking of it,” she says. he says. your own way. Confidence and
Her campus collaborations Reddington’s professional how you feel about yourself are so
include co-writing “Stormy mentoring perspective has been important. It doesn’t matter where
Weather,” a play/vacation finely tuned through experience you’re from; it just depends on
camp for elementary students. with corporate mentoring how you apply yourself.”
From the top: Lourdes Avilés, John Tully photo; Terry Reddington ’80; Bonnie Bechard, John Tully photo; Craig Russell ’04, Mackenzie Fullerton ’17 photo;
Patti May, Ian Halter photo.
8 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018BONNIE BECHARD The event raised awareness Voices Against Violence to combat disability. These three factors affect
Superior skills and knowledge are and funds to combat the crisis by domestic violence, and the “Good more than half of all PSU students.
valuable, but Professor Bonnie allowing participants to experi- Deed Challenge” has players devis- “We really have a unique
Bechard believes that great ence adventure therapy through ing community assistance projects. situation at Plymouth,” says May.
mentors also possess intrinsic rock climbing and hiking, with Teammates have unloaded trucks “People believe in TRIO, and we
qualities. “Learn to lead from the proceeds benefiting a local recov- for thrift stores, gathered trash, have close working relationships
heart and the mind,” she counsels. ery retreat center. It also gave raked lawns, and delivered food. with Financial Aid, Information
“You need to teach from the heart students a needed outlet to tackle The “Team IMPACT” initiative Technology, and other offices that
first, then you can mentor. Stu- something as big as addiction. involves a local child recovering are important to students. It’s a
dents have to first know that you “They were involved in from cancer who regularly comes seamless operation.”
care about them.” something that was meaningful to practices and games. “He puts Sixty students paired in the fall
Bechard, recipient of the and wouldn’t be forgotten,” says so much into perspective for our with 30 student mentors, and they
PSU Distinguished Graduate Bechard. “They developed and group,” says Russell. Children with bonded through a week’s worth of
Teaching Award and the Alumni used skills that they didn’t know health concerns are also the focus “Connection Days” before classes
Association Faculty Award of they had and made a difference.” of the holiday season “Teddy Bear began. “We try to match them
Excellence, has taught for over 35 Toss,” through which the men’s and up by their areas of study, such
years. She continually refreshes her CRAIG RUSSELL ’04 women’s ice hockey programs team as biology to biology,” says May.
pedagogy—and the University’s Craig Russell is in his ninth year up with the Children’s Hospital “This gives students an immediate
repertoire of business-related as Plymouth State University’s at Dartmouth (CHaD) to collect anchor to rely on.”
opportunities—through new ice hockey coach after serving as and distribute stuffed animals for Students, who might not
programs, including the entrepre- assistant coach for seven years. He children undergoing treatment. have previously known what the
neurial student group, Enactus also played on the team. The sport Coaches sometimes have to Registrar does, learn about campus
(now in its fifth year), and the has profoundly shaped him, but he redirect athletes, such as when programs, offices, and buildings,
Panther Pitch (beginning its third). downplays its importance in light Russell benched a talented player and mentors are trained in conflict
(See Panther Pitch story, page 16.) of life’s more lasting lessons. with a poor attitude. “He needed resolution and other useful skills.
Both programs represent new “A lot of what we do is cen- a reality check. Over time, he May gets special satisfaction
mentoring venues for Bechard tered on leadership and giving learned what it was to be part of from mentor relationships that
and regional business leaders, back, and it’s so much less about a team. Because he focused on benefit both parties. She recalls
and align with her advocacy for hockey,” he explains. “Hockey is being a better person, hockey a student who had been very shy
experiential learning through the easiest part of an athlete’s day. became easier for him.” and didn’t think he belonged in
work on real-life projects. “That’s The more important job for me The student thanked Russell college, and would quickly pass
the beauty of both mentoring and as a mentor is shaping a culture when he graduated and has gone her in hallways without making
Cluster projects,” she says. “Nei- of contributors. We talk about Ut on to career success. Russell can eye contact. His mentor was also
ther can happen entirely inside Prosim and the emphasis on ser- easily list other alumni of his somewhat hesitant in taking on
the classroom.” vice. We try to give more than we program who have achieved great her role, but grew in confidence
Her spring Social Entrepre- receive, and we receive so much.” things in law school, corporate life, through work with TRIO’s educa-
neurship special topics course PSU hockey players are enthu- public service, and entrepreneurial tional coordinators. In turn, the
demonstrated that Bechard’s siastically supported by fans in the pursuits. It’s their commitment to student mentor made a strong
time-honored mentoring strategy community and on campus. “If serving others and giving back, connection with the shy student,
remains on point. The course’s they get breakfast at Chase Street, however, that he considers the who stayed in school, flourished,
“Climb Above Addiction” project someone will grab them and talk greater accomplishment. and has become a mentor himself.
was devoted to addressing the their ear off,” says Russell. “We are He now makes eye contact easily
opioid crisis, and several students so fortunate to have that about PATTI MAY and wins smiles in return.
revealed in an early planning our program, and to have people Patti May, director of TRIO, has a “TRIO is truly a team
meeting that they had lost some- who want to get to know us. We professional view of the Univer- effort, and we see our role as
one to overdose. should get to know them too.” sity’s strong mentoring culture. A an umbrella connection to the
“A cousin, an uncle, and a Inviting fans and their kids staff member since 2003, she over- University, faculty, and campus
friend—all of these connections down to the locker room and sees a peer mentoring program resources,” says May. “We have
in this little room on campus,” celebrating the successes of other that teaches mentorship skills and strong support from the Univer-
Bechard recalls. “Mentoring also athletes are among the many ways fosters mentor relationships for sity at the highest level and the
has to take into consideration that Russell’s team reciprocates. The students who are either first-gen- resources on campus to make it
what matters most to students.” team works with local nonprofit eration, low-income, or have a work.” ■ Peter Lee Miller
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 9ATHLETICS
A Family Affair
Plymouth State plays a huge role
in the lives of the Osgood family.
Each of the four family members
enrolled at Plymouth for different
reasons but share similar motives
for staying.
For Kathy Landry Osgood ’93,
everything just seemed to fall
into place. “I felt like it was the
right size,” she says. “Who doesn’t
love the mountains? It is just the
perfect spot.”
Future husband Jay Osgood ’92
was impressed when he came for a
day tour of campus. He grew up in After a number of campus
Massachusetts a few streets down visits and meetings with coaches,
from Hall of Fame running back Mike had a list of pros and cons.
Joe Dudek ’87, who had brought “I felt like Plymouth was the one
national attention to Plymouth with school where I didn’t have any
his Heisman Trophy run in 1985. negatives,” he recalls. “It felt like
“I knew of Joe Dudek and a the right decision.”
few others who’d attended and “He kept coming back to
been successful,” remembers Jay. Plymouth,” Jay agrees. “We didn’t
“I loved it the first time I visited, want to push that on him. That’s
especially the small campus feel.” something we always told him—
For Jay, it was the relationships make sure you love the school
that made him comfortable. even without basketball.”
“People all said ‘hi’ to each other Kathy remembers when Mike Top: The four Osgoods on campus this fall.
and you knew everyone’s names,” shared that he had decided on Bottom: Kathy and Mike “back in the day.”
he explains. PSU. “We were excited, and I was
Kathy and Jay, both members online the next day buying more
of their respective Plymouth State Plymouth State gear!” out the season and we got the ball The youngest Osgood trans-
basketball teams, met on a shared While Mike was enjoying the rolling to transfer.” ferred to PSU in the spring of 2018
bus ride to an away game. “I made start of his college career at PSU, For Max, the choice seemed and, despite being nervous about
the first move,” confesses Kathy. his brother Max ’21 began looking obvious. He had heard Mike talk of coming in mid-year, hit it off with
They naturally connected, becom- at colleges as well. A skilled multi- how homey Plymouth was and had his new teammates right away.
ing friends, study partners, and sport athlete, Max ultimately visited his brother on campus to And now the family is a perfect
eventually a couple. They shared settled on playing football at the experience the close-knit commu- four-for-four. “I think my being
a first kiss at the Rail (now the next level. At 6’5” and 250 pounds, nity firsthand. “I had liked the idea here brings our family closer,”
Lucky Dog Tavern) and ultimately his size drew the attention of a of doing my own thing and going to says Max. “We are all Panthers
earned degrees and married. number of Division I schools a different school,” says Max, “but now.” Kathy echoes his sentiment.
Fast forward a few years and around New England. He was when I knew I had to leave there “It’s completely come full circle,”
they began the college search for offered a spot as a walk-on at the was no other option. Plymouth she says. “So many things have
their oldest son, Mike ’19. Blessed University of Rhode Island and was the only school I could think changed, but so many have stayed
with the athleticism of his parents, pursued his dream of being a DI of that I’d want to come to.” the same. I think that’s why Mike
Mike was a standout basketball athlete. But URI didn’t feel right. The news caught Mike off guard. and Max love it as much as we
player himself and, not knowing “He came home in October “I was completely shocked,” he says. loved it. It sounds corny, but we
exactly what he wanted to study, and wasn’t happy,” says Jay. “He “But I think Max saw how much I really do bleed green.”
his love of the sport helped steer basically didn’t like it there: the enjoyed being at Plymouth, and ■ Chris Kilmer ’99
the process. football or the school. He finished he wanted the same experience.”
10 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018ATHLETICS
A Coach’s Mentorship
“A life is not important except in the impact it “Because of my
has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson’s wisdom
experience, I was
has been modeled over the generations at
Plymouth State, including the life-changing interested in working
impact that Hall of Fame Coach John C. Foley
with the person who
had on Ernie Beals ’53.
Beals grew up in Hudson, MA. His didn’t have goals in
parents divorced before his first birthday,
his life, students who
leaving him without a father figure. In
1946, he moved to Ashland, NH. Beals was didn’t know where
a baseball player and dreamed of getting to
they were headed. I
the big leagues. He was good enough to earn
a tryout with the Boston Braves, but he had really worked extra
two strikes against him. “They didn’t like
hard with those
that I was wearing glasses at age 18,” Beals
chuckles. “And I weighed 145 pounds.” students to help them
Nevertheless, the Braves arranged for Beals
have self-esteem,
to play in the Northern League, similar to the
well-known Cape Cod League. Early in the because that’s
season, while playing in a light rain, a bolt
basically what Coach
of lightning shot through the sky. “It was an
epiphany for me,” says Beals. “I realized this Foley instilled in me.
wasn’t for me, but I thought that if I can’t play
You’ve got to have
maybe I’ll get into coaching.”
Beals had always loved school and decided pride in yourself.”
college was the next step. Because of his lim-
—Ernie Beals ’53
ited resources, Plymouth Teachers College was
the only option he could afford. A two-sport
athlete, he tried out for the basketball team in
the fall of his first year and was surprised when
Coach Foley selected him for the varsity squad.
“I was very happy with practice, but that
didn’t last long,” Beals remembers. “He was
all over me, day after day after day. He was
yelling, stamping his foot, and throwing his
hands in the air.” After two weeks, Beals had “I was stunned,” Beals says. “Okay coach, I goals in his life, students who didn’t know
had enough. Basketball wasn’t fun anymore. said, I would like to stay with the team.” where they were headed,” he says. “I really
He strolled into Foley’s office, and he was Foley’s coaching style didn’t change after the worked extra hard with those students to help
prepared to quit. After hearing Beals out, Foley life-altering conversation. “Not one bit,” laughs them have self-esteem, because that’s basically
firmly told him to take a seat. What Beals had Beals. “But going into it, I could see the twinkle what Coach Foley instilled in me. You’ve got to
expected to be a short, five-minute conversa- in his eye and I had a smile on my face. I ended have pride in yourself.”
tion turned into an hour-long talk that would up being a point guard for my last two years.” Beals turned 88-years-old in September and
have a profound impact on him. Beals carried the lesson with him when still approaches life with that confidence. “I
“I think you can become a good point he was drafted into military service, during live life one day at a time,” he says. “I get up in
guard,” Foley said. “But it’s not going to happen his career as a coach and teacher, admissions the morning and say ‘I’m going to enjoy today,’
if you just stay the same every day. You’ve got officer and, most notably, when he served as a and I do.” ■ Chris Kilmer ’99
to get better every day.” It was that message guidance director.
that shaped Beals’ future: striving each day to “Because of my experience, I was interested Coach Foley (on left) and Ernie Beals (number 9),
be better than he was the day before. in working with the person who didn’t have together with 1951–52 men’s basketball team.
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 11Bringing
Education
to Life:
Utilizing the
Standardized
Patient at PSU
The value of real-time learning for students in health care professions such as nursing,
It’s just these types of teachable
moments that educators in PSU’s
counseling, and physical therapy is in applying classroom knowledge and refining clinical physical therapy, counseling, and
nursing programs seek to create
skills through engagement with real people. “You think you know your stuff, but when
using Standardized Patients (SP):
you’re confronted with a live person, it’s a whole new experience,” observes Doctor of individuals trained to act like
real patients to simulate a set of
Physical Therapy student Jessica Quinn ’20DPT. “You quickly discover that everything
symptoms or problems. And to
doesn’t go by the book—what you’ve learned in class can be quite different from real life. make the experience richer still,
Plymouth State is training its own
When the book says that the patient should be showing symptom ‘x’ and they’re not, you
students and faculty members to
suddenly find yourself thinking, ‘Now what?’” act as those SPs.
The initiative was set in motion
by PSU’s Director of Physical
Therapy Dr. Sean Collins shortly
12 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018Professor Kelly Legacy, at right, and physical therapy students examine a Standardized Patient. John Tully photo.
after he arrived on campus in says Mroczka. “The fact that we College of Medicine at Chicago. opportunity to practice their skills
2015. Collins approached Paul could combine seemingly diverse Next, Mroczka offered a fall in a safe but practical environment
Mroczka, chair of the University’s disciplines in one specific area semester SP course to a dozen is so important.” But Legacy doesn’t
Department of Music, Theatre, and see how they related was very PSU theatre majors, then worked stop there. “We envision a host of
and Dance, about the possibility exciting,” he recalls. with Legacy to deploy the newly potential offshoots for the use of
of theatre students acting as In summer 2017, Mroczka trained students as Standardized Standardized Patients here at the
patients for the University’s new and Dr. Kelly Legacy, a clinical Patients in a fall DPT Objective University that goes beyond the
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) assistant professor and director of Structured Clinical Examination, medical field. For example, a Stan-
program. The two quickly realized clinical education in the Depart- commonly known as an OSCE. dardized Patient—under a slightly
the idea had the potential to foster ment of Physical Therapy, and The experiment was a great different name of course—could
interdisciplinary initiatives across ten other PSU faculty members success, says Legacy, and the PT pose as an employer interviewing a
campus. Indeed, in some respects realized the first step in their plan department will continue to employ student or a business person evalu-
it presaged President Birx’s by taking part in a two-week SP SPs in OSCEs moving forward. ating a proposal.”
introduction of the University’s training course led by faculty “The ability to offer emerging Legacy also believes that the
new Integrated Clusters model, from the University of Illinois health care professionals the Standardized Patient program
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 13offers Plymouth State an important educational impact of the exercise grateful for the opportunity to Mroczka has been so
opportunity to differentiate itself in significantly. I think the theatre work with Standardized Patients— impressed with the concept’s
the educational community. “I’m students who acted as the SPs it’s a fantastic way to bridge the potential that he now serves as
not aware of any other colleges benefited as well—they had a gap between book learning and director of PSU’s Standardized
or universities that are drawing chance to test their acting skills the clinical setting,” says Diego Patient Program; he is spear-
individuals from their own student and had the valuable experience Gatica ’20DPT. “While working heading an initiative to offer
body to train as SPs,” she explains. of providing our nursing students with mannequins and other stu- an SP course in the spring 2019
“We’re providing theatre students with positive as well as negative dents is helpful, the background semester and an interdisciplinary
with valuable acting opportunities feedback, something that isn’t information identified by the SPs, minor in the subject in the
and giving every student we train a always easy to do. I’m hopeful e.g., their environmental, personal, fall. “We’re presently working
marketable skill. Further, by train- that in the future, we can integrate and social/behavioral factors, primarily with students from our
ing and using SPs, we’re creating Standardized Patients into every simulates a realistic approach with department, but the minor will
experiential learning opportunities level of our program.” regard to treating patients who be open to all disciplines.” The
for our students and establishing “The nursing department is have clinical presentations of dif- training is beneficial for many
practices that we could share with very excited about creating new ferent musculoskeletal conditions.” reasons, he argues, not least
other educational institutions via a interdisciplinary learning oppor- The feedback received from of which is that it encourages
consulting role.” tunities for students, particularly Standardized Patients following students to think outside the
Members of PSU’s nursing within the campus setting,” agrees the simulations is also incredibly box. It also equips them with
faculty are equally enthusiastic Clinical Assistant Professor Julie valuable, says Kayla Jones ’20DPT. a marketable skill they can use
about the potential impact of the Fagan, who deployed SPs for a “I found it extremely helpful to while still in school and after
Standardized Patient program. Dr. mental health lab simulation this have the chance to ask the SP graduating, as medical schools
Donna Driscoll, one of the lead summer. “Nursing students told questions about my performance, and other programs frequently
organizers of the nursing depart- us afterward that they felt like for example, ‘How did I do as a hire Standardized Patients for
ment’s May mock disaster drill, they had learned much more therapist and as a person—did use in training scenarios. “We
was delighted with the authentic- working with SPs than with man- you feel like I cared about you as a fully expect that once we get our
ity that the Standardized Patients nequins, as they felt they could patient?’ We can be helpful to the minor established, we will attract
added to the exercise. “Giving suspend disbelief and fully com- theatre majors who are serving as PSU students from a variety of
students the chance to assess mit themselves to the experience.” the SPs, too, because we can give disciplines as well as people from
and triage real people, rather DPT students are enthusiastic them feedback on their acting outside the University.”
than mannequins, increased the about SPs as well. “I’m very skills. It’s a win-win.” ■ Lori Ferguson
Dr. Jean Coffey, Director of Nursing
Dr. Jean Coffey was working as director of nursing research and education at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center when she came across an opening for the director of nursing at Plymouth State. Eager to return to teach-
ing in a smaller program, Coffey investigated. “When I came for a visit, I was hooked—I fell in love with the facul-
ty, the setting, and the campus.”
Coffey officially joined the PSU faculty in January 2018, taught for a semester, and on July 1 stepped into the
role of director of nursing, taking over for Dr. Kathleen Patenaude.
Looking ahead, Coffey’s goals include efficiently on-boarding new faculty; forging new relationships with criti-
cal access hospitals so that PSU students can train in these settings; and maintaining students’ much-improved
pass rates on NCLEX, the nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses.
Additionally, having witnessed the benefits of using Standardized Patients (SP) in clinical simulations such
as the May 2018 disaster drill and this summer’s mental health lab simulation, Coffey is eager to incorporate
SPs more broadly into the nursing curriculum. “Every course has a simulation lab component, and moving for-
ward, I would like to expose students to at least one Standardized Patient experience in every lab they take.”
“I’m honored to be here and look forward to continuing to guide the program along on the positive trajectory
it’s been following,” says Coffey. “Dr. Patenaude did such good work during her tenure as director—she revised
the program’s curriculum extensively and implemented changes that have enabled us to reach a pass rate of
100 percent on NCLEX. I want to continue that progress. I like to be the kind of leader who supports my team
and acts as a steward for its work. Given the quality of Plymouth State’s faculty, I know we will continue to make Jack Roberts ’18 photo.
great strides.”
14 Plymouth Magazine | Fall 2018Summer Ascent Program Jump-Starts On-Campus Experience
Summer Ascent, a new weeklong, “I found the Summer Ascent Pro- ethos of Plymouth State’s Integrated PSU is
pre-semester program debuted in gram to be incredibly valuable,” says Clusters learning model in which stu-
committed
August, and a select group of students Nolan O’Donnell ’22. “Coming from dents and faculty representing multiple
benefited from the intensive introduc- the Baltimore area and knowing next disciplines work to create a pathway to to helping
tion to life at Plymouth State. The bridge to no one on campus, the small cohorts the future.
all students
program reinforced study skills and made it easy for me to quickly establish A week in Plymouth during the
problem-solving techniques, while also relationships with other students and summertime wouldn’t be complete navigate their
teaching the fundamentals of network- faculty members. When regular classes without outdoor adventures, and
path to success,
ing and relationship building. These came around, I could tell I was better participants enjoyed hikes, yoga, and
proficiencies prove critically important prepared. I knew where all my buildings community activities. “Developing and Summer
to students’ successful transition from were, had experienced critical thinking friendships and a support network for
Ascent allowed
high school to the University. sessions, and simply felt more comfort- their time at PSU is a big part of the
The program was offered on a schol- able sitting in the classroom.” program,” says Moran. “In addition students to
arship basis, which covered housing, Highlights included two one-credit to earning two credits before the fall
move to campus
meals, tuition, and academic materials. courses developed by faculty across semester even started, participants
“PSU is committed to helping all disciplines. The Habits of Mind Expe- bonded with mentors and friends; early and jump-
students navigate their path to success, rience (HOME) introduced the four connected with faculty, staff, and other
start their PSU
and Summer Ascent allowed students pillars of PSU’s General Education students; and enjoyed early success.
to move to campus early and jump- Program—Problem Solving, Integrated We’re confident that this program will career.
start their PSU career,” explains Dean Perspective, Purposeful Communica- pay many dividends for them over the
of Enrollment Management Jason tion, and Self-Regulated Learning—and course of their years at the University.”
Moran. “A collaborative planning group in the “toolkit” course, students worked ■ Peter Lee Miller
comprised of faculty and staff created a with faculty on specific skill sets such
proactive program emphasizing men- as blogging, digital production, and Isidro Rodriguez photo.
torship, team building, skill training, other in-demand topics. The complete
and fun.” curricular experience aligns with the
Plymouth State University | plymouth.edu/magazine 15You can also read
