On the Front Lines
Members of the BSU community take up the battle against COVID-19
Also in this issue: Striving for Racial Justice on Campus and Beyond, New Academic Programs, Alumna Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
Campus Connection
Student Perspective
Faculty Focus
Standing Tall in a Time of Need
By John Winters, G'11
The stories in this section deal with the ongoing fallout from the spread of COVID-19 and the ways in which members of the BSU community have responded.
Several alumni and students have served on the various front lines of the pandemic. Profiled in these pages are those who answered phones for hotlines devoted to those left depressed or suicidal due to the manifest effects of the virus. Meanwhile, others have worked in area hospitals, served with the National Guard, worked as a local firefighter/EMT, and stepped up to help the homeless. Finally, an alumna in Maine, who is preparing for her future career in medicine, cofounded a volunteer organization to assist medical professionals severely burdened due to the long hours demanded by the pandemic response by helping with chores such as food shopping and pet sitting.
Each of these individuals exemplifies the BSU motto, “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” in a time when many around them more than ever need a helping hand.
Social work graduate helped Father Bill’s clients through height of pandemic
Senior’s graduation postponed while he helps veterans and others in time of crisis
With anxiety and desperation on the increase as a result of COVID-19, these Bears are providing support working local helplines
A team of BSU faculty members conduct one of the first surveys in the country of K-12 teachers and the impact of COVID-19
Speaking Up, Speaking Out
By John Winters, G'11
Racial justice is an ongoing battlefront that garnered new attention in 2020 due to the many highly publicized killings by police of unarmed people of color. The BSU community rushed to get involved.
This section features stories about a current student and recent graduates whose undergraduate research projects took on topics relating to racial justice and immigration. You’ll also read the thoughts of a trio of faculty members who have spent time this year discussing the issues of race and discrimination. Meanwhile, two faculty members are doing their part in the battle against injustice, as is an alumna who is making a career in Boston as an attorney fighting for the rights of the underrepresented.
Each of these individuals demonstrates a commitment to equity, fairness and a more just society.
Three faculty members share their thoughts about racial justice in America 2020
Part-time faculty member co-leads local group seeking racial justice
Alumni Update
Stay Connected: Send your news to the Office of Alumni Relations via email to alumni@bridgew.edu or mail to: Jones Alumni House, 26 Summer St., Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA 02325.
The class notes editor reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and brevity. Submitted photos must be either high-resolution digital images or original prints from film. Photos generated on home printers are not of publication quality.
Parting Shot
photo by Carl Hollant, ’15, University News and Video