Dr. Michael Young delivering his opening remarks

Fred Clark (left) presents a certificate of achievement to a student

A student shakes hands with Dr. Anna Bradfield (far left)

Strong start, bright future

Posted on February 9, 2012 - Permalink
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More than 200 first-year students were honored at the New Student Dean's List Ceremony in the Rondileau Campus Center auditorium, where administrators praised the students' early academic achievement as the first step toward a bright future.

"You students are all on a path to excellence and personal success," said Fred Clark, executive vice president and vice president for external affairs, in his welcoming remarks.

In all, more than 800 first-year students, freshmen and transfers, representing the university's four colleges and undecided majors were named to the Dean's List during the 2011 spring and fall semesters. A near capacity crowd of families, faculty and staff filled the auditorium to help honor the students, who each received a certificate of achievement.

For a full list of the Dean's List students click here.

Mr. Clark asked the student achievers what they thought they could accomplish with a solid education from BSU. In answer to his own question, he listed some of the university's successful alumni, including: Bruce Anderson, '87, the winter commencement keynote speaker who serves as producer for 20th Century Fox's animation division, Blue Sky Studios; Jeff Corwin, '92, host and producer for programs on the Animal Planet television channel; and Allison Galanis, '10, who began working on her PhD at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine last fall.

"Where will you go with your education?" Mr. Clark asked the students. "That's up to you."

Additional praise was given by Dr. Anna Bradfield, dean of the College of Education and Allied Studies, who noted that only one in three first-year students earned placement on the Dean's List. "You join an elite group who took the challenge of school seriously and gave your time, energy and effort to achieve an academic record of merit," said Dr. Bradfield. "It is not easy at any point to get high grades, but the first semester is always the hardest and you did it. Congratulations."

Opening and closing the ceremony was Dr. Michael Young, associate provost for academic planning and administration, who echoed the praises of his colleagues. "This is your first successful step in your academic career," he told the Dean's List recipients. "Congratulations on a journey well made." (Story by Rob Matheson, '07, University Advancement; bottom photo by Doris Galli)

See below story for caption

Participants of the FIRST Tech Challenge

Tech Games

Posted on February 8, 2012 - Permalink
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Robots took over the Adrian Tinsley Center at Bridgewater State University on Saturday, when BSU hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge regional qualifier. The challenge pitted 24 high school teams in a robotics competition for a shot at the Massachusetts championship tournament.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is a non-profit organization that encourages young students to pursue STEM education programs (science, engineering, technology and math) by offering mentorships, scholarships and other initiatives.

Competing in the FTC were teams of up to 10 high school students from schools across the commonwealth and New England who, paired with mentors, built and programmed robots to perform prescribed tasks against competitors.

BSU's Dr. Art Goldstein, dean of College of Science and Mathematics, welcomed an audience of more than 700 people to the event, offering words of praise to the competitors.

"I'm very pleased to see so many of you participating in this competition because it indicates your interest in science and mathematics and I encourage you to maintain that interest because these fields offer so many rewards," said Dean Goldstein. "As a geologist myself, I've had the chance to travel around the world and meet so many fascinating people. At the same time, science and math are excellent career options where demand for people with talent is constantly growing."

After a 10-hour competition, a team from North Andover High School took first place. The students were presented a trophy by David Price, dean of aviation science at BSU who helped coordinate the competition.

Mr. Price said the robotics event represented the best application of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education for high school students, as it creates an educational and competitive environment that drives students to succeed.

"It takes every best practices of STEM and puts it into a competition model," said Dean Price. "That head-to-head competition really raises the bar for the students. It's more than good grades or any awards. These young people are playing for pride."

The North Andover team will go on to compete in the state tournament, which be held in March. If they win, they will earn a spot competing against teams from around the world in the international robotics competition, held this year in St. Louis, Mo.

While Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School did not officially have a team in the competition, as it competes locally and regionally with larger robots, the school did send student representatives of its robotic team to show support.

"We have a team of approximately 50 students," said Nicole Ledoux, a senior at BRRHS and a tri-captain of the school's robotics club. "We'll be competing in tournaments starting in March when we go to Baltimore, Maryland, for the Chesapeake Regional Competition. If we win there, we'll continue on and hopefully reach the nationals this year. The interest among high school students for robotics is growing all the time, and today's turnout is evidence of that."

Greetings were also delivered by Fred Clark, BSU's executive vice president and vice president for external affairs. "Although only one team will win today, everyone who participated in this event was already a winner even before you got here," said Mr. Clark. "You've learned how to work together, how to be engineers, how to solve problems and how to get machines to do what you want them to. I commend and applaud all of you and I especially want to acknowledge your family members and teachers who are supporting you as you explore how to improve all of our lives."

Among the volunteers who helped with Saturday's tournament were a large group of BSU students and alumni, including James Lynch, Class of 1987, who is an administrator at Massasoit Community College and whose son was a member of the B-R robotics team. "This is really a terrific way to get students involved with technology in the most positive ways," said Mr. Lynch. (David K. Wilson, 71, Office of University Advancement)

Top photo caption: Students from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School include (from left) Gloria Moran, a BSU graduate and volunteer from the Department of Elementary Education; Courtney Arnagost of Raynham, a BRRHS sophomore and member of the school's robotics team; Len Sprague of Bridgewater, a BSU freshman, a BRRHS graduate and former member of the school's robotics team; and James Lynch and Nicole Ledoux.

(From left) Drs. Howard London, Michael Kryzanek and Wing-kai To pose in front of the Tiananmen Square gate in Beijing

Trip strengthens ties in China

Posted on February 3, 2012 - Permalink
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Three BSU delegates made a trip to China, where they strengthened ties and developed several new exchange programs with BSU's partner institutions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The delegates were Dr. Mike Kryzanek, director of global studies and executive director of international engagement, Dr. Howard London, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Wing-Kai To, professor of history and coordinator of Asian Studies.

First stop on the trip was Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), followed by Shanghai Normal University (SHNU), then the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd).

"The mission [at BJTU] was to renegotiate BSU's partnership agreement," said Dr. Kryzanek. "We also finalized the details of a plan to bring twenty Jiaotong faculty members to BSU this summer for a month to enhance their English-language teaching strategies."

Dr. Kryzanek said the visitors will live on campus, take courses with BSU faculty and will also have the chance to visit cultural and historic sites in the region.

Next was a stop at SHNU, where the delegates continued to explore new academic programs for students and teachers. "We developed a new initiative in which prospective middle school teachers from Shanghai Normal will come here to examine how middle school teachers and principals conduct instruction and deliver their course work," said Dr. Kryzanek. "In addition, we're exploring with officials at Shanghai Normal the possibility of offering a 'two-plus-two' program in global management. Students there would spend their first two years at Shanghai Normal and then come to Bridgewater for two years to receive a joint degree."

Officials at SHNU also extended an invitation to BSU's management faculty to visit and teach at the university and conduct joint research.

HKIEd was the final stop of this journey, where the BSU delegation met with officials to discuss opportunities for new student exchanges and lay the groundwork for another "two-plus-two" program starting in 2013.

During the trip, two BSU faculty members -- Dr. Mark Brenner and Dr. Jing Tan, both of the Department of Social Work -- joined the delegation in presenting papers at an international conference in Hong Kong, titled, "Re-Emerging China," which was attended by scholars from throughout the region.

Overall, Dr. Kryzanek described the trip as a success. "We not only renegotiated existing partnerships, but we were able to develop new programs, which will significantly expand opportunities for Bridgewater students and those at the participating institutions to enhance their understanding of world cultures," he said. (David K. Wilson, '71, University Advancement)

10,000 and climbing

Posted on February 2, 2012 - Permalink
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Just three years after launching in-house flight operations, BSU Aviation has logged its 10,000th hour of accident-free flight instruction.

BSU Aviation's Chief Instructor Loren Herren credits the flight instructors, students, maintenance and administrative support staff, faculty, airport personnel, and FAA representatives for making such an achievement possible.

"We got to this point one flight at a time by always keeping our eye on the main thing, which is safe, fun, professionally-oriented flight training," he said. "Nothing about that commitment has changed, nor is it going to. Here's to the next 10,000."

BSU flight training takes place year-round at the Aviation Training Center located at the New Bedford Regional Airport. The program allows students to obtain private pilot, commercial pilot, instrument pilot, and flight instructor certificates. The curriculum provides the flight training necessary to operate safely in all types of weather and in the high-density environment of modern airspace.

Dr. Deborah Barshay (right) screens a student for skin damage using the Dermascan machine

Your skin is in

Posted on February 1, 2012 - Permalink
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Dr. Deborah Barshay and Health Services held their third annual melanoma screening event, "Your Skin is In," which aims to raise awareness about the dangerous form of skin cancer.

Throughout the afternoon, campus community members dropped by the screening table erected in the campus center, where they were tested by Dr. Barshay for facial sun damage through a Dermascan machine, which highlights large masses of freckles. The table was chock-full of informative pamphlets and posters made by volunteer peer educators that highlighted the signs and risk factors for developing melanoma, such as using tanning beds.

"You can get melanoma at any age, living anywhere and with any skin type," said Dr. Barshay, a visiting lecturer in the English department who does volunteer work for the Melanoma Foundation of New England. "Awareness is key to fighting this disease and we want to make sure that as many people as possible, the younger the better, are aware of their moles, sun usage, dermatologist visits, among other things."

Dr. Barshay's mother passed away from melanoma in 2007. The following year, she herself had surgery to remove the skin cancer. "Because of those incidents, my dad and I decided that we wanted to do something to make people more aware of this deadly disease. If caught early enough, melanoma does not have to be fatal," said Dr. Barshay.

She has been heavily involved with the melanoma foundation, organizing screenings around the commonwealth and Rhode Island.

Ann Doyle, BSU's coordinator of outreach education for Health Services, helped organize the event.

Many students signed the melanoma foundation's No Tanning Pledge, vowing to avoid tanning before spring break. To take the No-Tanning Pledge and qualify to win gift cards, movie passes and more, go to www.mfne.org and click on the No-Tanning Pledge box at the bottom of the page. (Rob Matheson, '07, University Advancement)

Jose Maria Pereira Neves, prime minister of Cape Verde, left, relaxes with Presidnet Mohler-Faria

Bruce Anderson, '87, delivers the keynote address

Graduate Julie Clerc of Acushnet

Student speaker Katie Wilber

Graduate Shanesha Christmas of Dorchester

Louis Ricciard, 81, addresses the graduates

President Dana Mohler-Faria

The handing out of diplomas begins...

The next chapter

Posted on January 27, 2012 - Permalink
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Bridgewater State University held its 26th Winter Commencement Ceremony Friday night, awarding nearly 400 bachelor's degrees. The evening's speakers encouraged graduates to pursue their dreams but to always remember those who helped them along the way.

The event, held in the Rondileau Campus Center Auditorium, annually welcomes back an alumnus of the institution to address the graduates.

Delivering this year's address was by Bruce Anderson, a 1987 Bridgewater graduate, and producer for 20th Century Fox's animation division, Blue Sky Studios. Most recently, Mr. Anderson produced the widely popular, computer-animated family film, "Rio."

"Consider your life a movie, with a compelling beginning, middle and end," he said. "Our theme is how you should expect the unexpected."

Previously, the Newtown, CT, resident served as production manager on "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006), producer on "Dr. Suess' Horton Hears a Who" (2008) and general manager for "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009), a record-breaker that earned nearly $1 billion worldwide. He also worked as department manager for Disney Feature Animation on the popular films "Mulan" (1998), "Lilo and Stitch" (2002) and "Tarzan" (1999).

He discussed his career of three decades and the positive effects of family, starting at the bottom, hard work, education and a curious nature.

Taking initiative and taking chances in the pursuit of one's goal is key, Mr. Anderson said. He finished by telling the graduates that their lives were now a blank page. "Your degree does not make you special," he said. "It's what you do with it that will make you special."

President Dana Mohler-Faria told the graduates to remember they are each "a part of the fabric of humanity."

"We hope that we have given you the tools that will bring back civility& to know that justice matters for everyone," President Mohler-Faria said. "We also hope we have given you the curiosity to explore things. And we hope we have given you the values that will sustain you."

The president also took time to acknowledge a special guest at this year's winter commencement. His Excellency Jose Maria Pereira Neves, prime minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, who was in attendance to witness his son, Jose, earn his degree in political science.

Also addressing the graduates was Louis Ricciardi, '81, chairman of the BSU Board of Trustees and vice chairperson of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. In October, the institution named its College of Business after Mr. Ricciardi.

He told the graduates to allow education to "ignite the passion in your heart. It is easy to be ordinary," he continued, "but an even better choice is to be extraordinary. Never stop learning and to embrace all challenges."

Student speaker Katie Wilber, who earned her degree in communication disorders, charged her fellow classmates with creating change in the world through good deeds and collaboration, no matter what path they take after graduation.

"Each of us has unique stories, experiences, personality, qualities and gifts, and each of us can touch the world in a way no one else can," said Ms. Wilber of Plymouth. "When we each discover the power within ourselves, and collaborate and join with others who have done the same, the possibilities are endless."

Ms. Wilber was active in various activities and organizations during her time at BSU, including Jumpstart; the FAM for Change program, which pairs BSU students with young people from the city of Brockton; the Social Justice League; and the BSU chapter of the international charity Free the Children, of which she was president.

In her speech, which focused on finding inspiration, Ms. Wilber noted a memorable experience she had with bringing her 14-year-old FAM for Change mentee to help tutor local homeless children. Ms. Wilber looked over to see her mentee, who was at first reluctant to tutor, and a 9-year-old student smiling and enjoying the learning experience.

"In this moment I realized the purpose of education: inspiration," said Ms. Wilber. "My mentee was not being me, she was not being her mother or her teacher. She was being herself and was able to connect with this little girl in a way I never could. Inspiring others is not showing a person who they should be - it is holding up a mirror and showing them who they already are."

Additionally, Ms. Wilber participated in service learning and study abroad trips to Tanzania, Cape Verde and Arizona. Her next step is to serve with Teach for America as an ESL elementary teacher in Providence. (Story and photos by John Winters, G'11, University Advancement)

(From left) BSU student-mentor Melissa Brulotte, of Weymouth, with underclassmen Brittany Belanger of Berkley and Nicolette Giordano of Huntington Station, NY.

A rich stream

Posted on January 26, 2012 - Permalink
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Despite being in just its second year, Bridgewater State University's STREAMS project has already improved the grades of many first-year students thanks to its initiatives inside and outside the classroom.

STREAMS, which stands for Student Retention Enhancement across Mathematics and Science, aims to help more students graduate with science or mathematics degrees. In May 2010, the National Science Foundation awarded the university a grant of nearly $1 million over five years to fund the project.

The improvements came last semester among 450 freshmen enrolled in 16 introductory science and math courses where the project's Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) programs had been implemented.

The SLA programs involve juniors and seniors who serve as peer learning assistants (PALs) and run two-hour weekly sessions where they work with freshmen in small groups on case studies relevant to everyday situations. Faculty members supervise and oversee the content of the one-credit courses.

"The SLAs have components of small group work and inquiry-based learning. Those types of activities help students learn deeply and keep them engaged in the subject material," said Dr. Thomas Kling, associate professor of physics, who oversees the program.

Additionally, the first-year students in the SLA courses can ask their PALs for advice regarding anything from course work to choosing classes for the next semester. "Having that role model helps," Dr. Kling said.

The results speak for themselves. The number of low grades earned by freshmen in these introductory classes, defined as D, F or withdrawal, dropped 13 percent, while high grades, A and B, rose 13 percent.

These numbers show that STREAMS is helping students get off on the right foot, Dr. Kling said. "Our hope is by having freshmen do really well in these introduction classes, they'll do better in the later courses and stay on the science path throughout their college careers," he said.

This past year saw the implementation of two new STREAMS initiatives outside the classroom, including a summer mentoring program for first-year students with 33 participants, and a residential learning community where 40 math and science majors share a floor in BSU's Woodward Hall.

The learning community mixes freshmen with upperclassmen science and mathematics majors who provide academic advice and coordinate science-based activities for the whole floor, such as their Magic of Science event, where students constructed simple, homemade science experiments.

"Instead of the usual residence activities, these students get to participate in things that are more science oriented," Dr. Kling said. "All these activities help students improve in their course work."

There's also the lab-based Summer Bridge Program in June, where freshmen take two courses led by faculty in the science and mathematics department. For part of the class time, they work in a lab conducting introductory research projects in small groups alongside student mentors, who are themselves working on research projects.

Dr. Kling said STREAMS has not only helped students, but has also helped promote better teaching practices. "We didn't just add the SLA programs on top of the classes," he said, "we integrated them into the courses, so the professors had to rethink their curriculum, how they were teaching and how they work with students. It was helpful."

BSU also received course development grants from STREAMS and hosted a number of professional development programs for faculty.

As for the future of the student-retention project, Dr. Kling said organizers plan to continue supporting new students through additional introductory courses, collaborating with regional community colleges, and initiating more professional development programs. "Then, we're looking to branch out to the upper-level classes," Dr. Kling said. (Story and file photo by Rob Matheson, '07, Office of University Development)