Fisher Today Winter-Spring 2016

EDUCATION • DEDICATION • LIFE 2 0 1 6

A Year in Review PAGE 4

BEYOND THE SCOREBOARD................... PAGE 24

THE MARINES, THEN COLLEGE ................. PAGE 30

A FISHER COLLEGE PUBLICATION KEEPING YOU CONNECTED AND INFORMED www.fisher.edu

FISHER

W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 • V O L . 1 2 , N O . 1

• Affordable, flexible

and convenient

• Blended format,

in-classroom at

our Boston campus

and online

• Personalized learning

experience, with

small class sizes

and cutting-edge

technology

For more information about Fisher College’s MBA program in Strategic Leadership, visit:

fisher.edu/mba

The MBA in Strategic Leadership degree program focuses on accelerating the development of knowledge,

skills and abilities desired by any business in today’s dynamic industry environments and marketplaces. With

only 47 credits required for successful graduation and, depending on the student’s previous undergraduate

degree program, the ability to waive some preliminary courses, a student can graduate in as little as two years.

Additionally, alumni qualify for the Fisher for Life Scholarship — 25% off the tuition for the first five courses. The

common thread of the MBA program learning experience, “connecting knowing with doing,” will give

our graduates a competitive advantage in today’s tough job market.

The program combines more traditional in-classroom learning methods, at our main campus in the Boston

Back Bay area, with the latest online learning technology. This blending of old and new creates a

comfortable yet current educational experience. Fisher College has a long tradition of small class sizes,

current information technology, and teachers who are both subject-matter experts and business professionals.

With their up-to-date business backgrounds, these teachers are able to provide students limitless

opportunities to connect fundamental business, finance, and economic theory with best business practices

and current applications relevant to their specific career field and profession.

1 WINTER/SPRING 2016 | Fisher Todaywww.fisher.edu

F E A T U R E S

3 | By the Numbers:

A Detailed Look at

Fisher College

26 | Study Abroad: My Time

Aboard a Floating Classroom

30 | Fisher’s Veterans:

The Marines, Then College:

A Chat with ’15 Graduate

Calvin Tarbox

Getting to Know Our Veterans

34 | Student Entrepreneurs:

Baseball & Fashion

W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 • V O L . 1 2 , N O . 1

C O L U M N S

4 | Fisher News:

A Year in Review

36 | Out & About:

Planned Alumni Events for

Spring/Summer 2016

D E P A R T M E N T S

2 | From the President

21 | Honor Roll:

2014–2015 List of Donors

22 | Notable Alum:

Me and the Crew: Nostalgia

From the Class of ’55

23 | Athletics:

Meet Fisher’s New Athletic Director

Beyond the Scoreboard

27 | Academics:

Fisher for Your Future

DAPS Gets a New Dean

Academics Spotlight

133 25

2 Fisher Today | WINTER/SPRING 2016 www.fisher.edu

From the President’s Desk

Dr. Thomas M. McGovernP R E S I D E N T

Sincerely,

Fisher College Today is published for

alumni, students, parents and friends

by the Office of Communications.

M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

Christina Martin

W R I T E R S A N D E D I TO R S

Ana Da Cunha ’17

Janice Dominquez ’15

Colby Gray ’16

Chris LeBlanc

Amanda Matarese

Brad Mish

Cathie Wells ’55

D E S I G N

Diane Gayton

C O N T R I B U TO R S

Alissa Bertram

Ashley Laramie

Bill Maddock

Paul McBrine

All photos are credited by

Christina Martin, unless otherwise noted.

For more information about Fisher College, topics

addressed in this issue, or to obtain additional

copies of Fisher Today, please contact the Fisher

College Office of Communications & Marketing at

[email protected] or 617-236-8844.

O N T H E C OV E R

A year (2015) in review at Fisher, told mostly

through photos and vignettes, see page 4.

We have witnessed many changes over the past several years, including

increasing financial stability, acquiring additional buildings, developing

new undergraduate and graduate programs, and record enrollment. As

we are about to launch our next strategic plan, spanning Fiscal Years

2017–2021, we have become even more aware that learning and change

are continuous. Being respectful of our heritage, the strategic plan will incorporate new programs

and partnerships in a manner consistent with our mission and philosophy. Vision, planning, and

synergy will be the foundation of this plan and central to our case is the meaningful contribution

a Fisher education makes, meeting the needs of our students.

As we evolve and welcome traditional undergraduate students, I am very proud to say we

admitted the inaugural class of our MBA in Strategic Leadership this past year. This advanced-de-

gree program epitomizes what Fisher College is fundamentally committed to: cultivating leaders.

In short, this degree elevates the College’s profile and furthers our commitment to provide students

with the knowledge, skills, and abilities leading to a lifetime of success.

They will soon join a new generation of Fisher graduates and I couldn’t be more proud, not

only of the accomplishments of our students, but that we will also be continuing our legacy of

recognizing outstanding individuals willing to share their wisdom and experience.

May 14 will mark the 112th commencement of Fisher College and will feature a record number

of students from all of our schools and campuses, including the first class from the Fisher MBA

program. I couldn’t be more proud, not only of the accomplishments of our students, but that we

will also be continuing our legacy of recognizing outstanding individuals willing to share their

wisdom and experience.

In this issue of Fisher Today we are pleased to share with you stories of individuals whose

time at Fisher helped them find their passion and direction in athletics, academia, and beyond.

Although we have evolved at Fisher College, much remains the same. True to our mission, yet

realizing the way we go about accomplishing that mission must evolve with market-driven pro-

grams, state-of-the-art technology, and vision in order to accommodate the ever-changing higher

education landscape.

Fisher, then and now, faces its future with intention, vision, and pride. Thank you for your

ongoing support now as well in years to come.


BY THE NUMBERS


Academic Offerings Continue to ExpandFisher’s new MBA classes began on January 5, 2015. The first cohort consisted of 18 students. Two new bachelor’s degrees

were launched for the spring semester: a BA in Liberal Arts and a BS

in Marketing.

FISHER NEWS: A YEAR IN REVIEW

A Year in Review

This last year was memorable on campus and the site locations of Fisher College. From a spring ’15 semester plagued with treacherous weather, to athletic and academic departments reaching new heights, it was a year that reinforced our mission and motto—Ubique Fidelis (Everywhere Faithful).

CHRISTINA MARTIN, CHRIS LEBLANC, AND AMANDA MATARESE

Contributed to this Section

St. Patrick’s Day in Naples, FloridaFor the second year, the Fisher Col-lege Softball Team, alums, and Col-lege representatives traveled to Florida to march in the 39th Annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The

parade featured more than two dozen Mas-

sachusetts-based colleges. The day con-

cluded with lunch at Bokampers Sports Bar

& Grill, where students and alums had the

opportunity to mingle. St. Patrick’s Day Photos courtesy of Amanda Matarese



Fisher Takes ManhattanFisher College alums, President Tom McGovern, and other College representatives gathered in April at

the Penn Club in New York City as Fisher

launched its alumni chapter in the tri-

state area.

President McGovern (standing, center) addresses the group of alums at the April alumni reception.

Fashion & Music on Beacon StreetThe annual fashion event was reimagined in 2015 when seven small groups of Fashion Merchandising students

designed thought-provoking and creative displays combining

fashion and music.

Tori Lucifora, Sahar Slami, Kiryll Kalino, Paige Yates walked away with the award for the best music-inspired fashion display.

Photo courtesy of Xu Liu

Fisher’s Variety ShowAlthough plans by the Drama Club for a spring production of the Broadway hit Chicago were derailed by winter storms, the show still went on —

sort of … Faculty, staff, and students instead entertained the

crowd for two hours with an exhibition of comedy, perfor-

mance art, and musical talent.

Elle-Jordyn Goslin ‘15, Mpagi Kironde ‘18

We Survived the WINTER of 2015

108.6"

6 Fisher Today | WINTER/SPRING 2016

over the course of the season

BOSTON SNOW ACCUMULATION

48"diameter

LARGEST ICICLE hanging from the roof of 108 Beacon Street

360BAGS OF SALT

spread around campus and site loactions

$250,000WORTH OF DAMAGE

to the Boston campus and site locations

$60,000FOR ADDITIONAL SNOW REMOVAL to keep sidewalks, stairs, & alleys clear

5DAYS

of class cancellations

6 additional people hired

2 additional vehicles purchased: 1 PLOW + 1 BOBCAT

3 new snowblowers

www.fisher.edu


www.fisher.edu 7 WINTER/SPRING 2016 | Fisher Today

Courtney Gouger ‘17, Lilluanna Anderson,

Reveley Poler ‘16, Sofia Mollica ‘17 brave the

elements in the name of some sledding fun.

Photo courtesy of Courtney Gouger

Winter 2015 ... Boston made national headlines with the never-ending barrage of snow. Before the season was over, the city reached a record-breaking 108.6

inches. Legendary snow piles grew on college campuses and on city snow farms, the last of

which did not melt until July. On Fisher’s Beacon Street campus, crews braved the elements

to keep clear the sidewalks, steps, and alleys, even staying outside all night during the

biggest of the storms, repeatedly clearing the snow from the campus’s fire egresses.

The century-old construction of Fisher College took a beating from the elements. Ice dams

formed and ice broke through our roofs, gutters detached, and wrought-iron fire escapes

collapsed under the weight of the ice and snow. But despite Mother Nature’s fury, we

survived and managed to find moments of fun and beauty in the Back Bay.



No MoreIn April, Laura Christine J o y c e , a c l i n i c a l s o c i a l worker with expertise in domestic violence and sex-ual assault issues, visited the Fisher College campus as part of the No More Campaign.

Students, faculty, and staff par-

ticipated in the event, which is

designed to raise awareness about

domestic violence and sexual

assault. Participants wore teal

rubber bracelets in solidarity, took

photos of themselves while hold-

ing powerful “no more” messages

and attended the convocation ses-

sion with Joyce.

(L-R) Gary Maldonado ‘16, Kevin Ochoa ‘18, Holly Lesperance ‘18; Sergio Messa, Jacob West.

Another Winning Year for BaseballThe Fisher College baseball team finished its third straight season with 30 or more wins. The Falcons ended

the season with a record of 30-15 with two players earning All-AII

honors.

Senior right-hand pitcher Shawn Carlson (Andover, Massachusetts)

was named to the First Team with a 5-1 record in six appearances.

In 29 innings pitched, he threw 44 strikeouts and seven walks,

allowing only four earned runs.

Sophomore right-hand pitcher and utility player Brandon Mannion

(Lynn, Massachusetts) earned All-AII Second Team honors. In seven

appearances on the season, Mannion earned a 3-0 record in four

starts. He gave up nine earned runs in 26.2 innings pitched. He

struck out 22 and walked 14 on his way to a 3.04 ERA.

For the 12th consecutive year, Fisher’s baseball team qualified for

the AII Conference Championships. In the last game of Fisher’s

season, eventual champion Georgia Gwinnett College knocked the

Falcons out of the tournament for the second consecutive year.Grayson Weber ‘16 Photo courtesy of Courtney Gouger



Students at Gillette StadiumA small group of Fisher College seniors had the opportunity to visit Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts—home of the World-Cham-

pion New England Patriots. The students met with wide receiver, gunner, and

special teams captain Matthew Slater, who was preparing to deliver the 2015

Commencement address at the College.

(L-R) Seniors Ira Haywood, Chris Green, Victoria Guay, Elle-Jordyn Goslin, Jamal

Layne, Jen Crowe with New England Patriots Co-Captain Matthew Slater (center) and Vice

President of Academic Affairs Janet Kuser (far right) on the field at Gillette Stadium

New Softball Coach, Growing TeamHead Coach Ashley Laramie led the Falcons to a 7-28 record for the 2015 season. Laramie, a

graduate of Lasell College and North-

eastern University, also serves as the

assistant sports information director

at Fisher. Morgan Selmi ‘17


An Alternative Spring BreakA group of twenty students and staff traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast

for an alternative spring break in March 2015.

The students worked on several environmen-

tal projects designed to return the land to its

natural state.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Jackson, EdD

Students and staff during the alternative spring break in Mississippi.



(L-R) Janice Dominguez, Elle-Jordyn Goslin, and Seun Aribo during the

etiquette lunch presentation.

Photo courtesy of Colby Gray

New Concentration OfferingsThe College continued to expand its academic offerings with four concentrations added to the BA in Communication and Media Studies program: Advertising, Jour-

nalism, Public Relations, and Video Pro-

duction. Finance was also added as a

concentration to the BS in Management

program.

Psi ChiA new honor society held its inaugural induction ceremony during the annual honor society induction event. Psi Chi—the international

honor society in psychology—welcomed nearly 20 students into the society.

Founded in 1927, Psi Chi’s stated purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and

maintain excellence in scholarship and to advance the science of psychology.

Assistant Professor of Psychology Alicia Vitagliano (second from left) serves

as the society’s advisor.

Career ConferenceA half-day conference at Fisher College helped to hone the business etiquette of sixty Fisher seniors. Attend-

ees benefitted from a LinkedIn

photoshoot, networking session,

and a three-course etiquette lunch.



A New Fisher College Class Tradition: Where Are We Now?Members of the Class of 2015 have challenged all alums to help create a visual progression of the stages in their lives! Every year on the commencement

date of the particular graduating class (May 16 for the Class

of 2015, for example), graduates from that class should send

the Alumni Affairs office ([email protected]) photos of what

they’re doing on that day each year—no matter what it may

be. On the way to work? Mowing the lawn? Shopping for a

wedding dress? Sitting on a park bench reading? Anything! It’s

a progression from the graduation day to present day. Photos

will be compiled and presented in an online photo album for

all to see and enjoy, and a select few may be highlighted in

Fisher Today.

Janice Dominquez, Kaleigh Mulligan ‘15

Photo courtesy of Janice Dominguez ‘15

College Nurse Assists a Distressed MotoristFor the second time in 2015, College nurse Kristin Bello rushed to the rescue. On a busy

Thursday morning in August on I-93, Bello jumped

out of her car to assist a motorist who hit the barrier

in the median on the opposite side of the interstate.

When Bello reached the car, the driver was on the

ground hyperventilating. Bello stayed with her until

police arrived.

Earlier in the year, Bello aided riders of the Red Line

on the MBTA in evacuating a train car that had

quickly and inexplicably filled with smoke.

Nurse Bello leans over the Jersey barrier to aid a motorist.

Photo courtesy of Arghavan Schumacher


Commencement 2015On Saturday, May 16, 2015, Fisher College celebrated its 111th Commencement cer-emony at John Hancock Hall in Boston. Fisher recognized 191 student participants, 71

percent of whom received baccalaureate degrees.

New England Patriots wide receiver Mathew

Slater delivered the commencement address that

focused on the obstacles he had to overcome to

succeed, a theme that would be revisited in the fall

2015 essay contest for the Matthew Slater Schol-

arship. The valedictorians for the Class of 2015

were Victoria Guay, BS in Criminal Justice; Cal-

vin Tarbox, BS in Management, Accounting; and

Laurieann Williams, BS in Human Services, Early

Childhood Education.Photo courtesy of Beacon Photography

Bachelor of Science: 44% Criminal Justice: 8, Human Services: 22, Human

Services: Early Childhood Ed: 17, Management: 44, Management: Accounting: 15,

Management: Public Administration: 1, Management: Computer Info Systems: 5,

Management: Fashion Merchandising: 12, Management: Health Care: 14, Management:

Hospitality and Tourism: 7, Management: Human Resources: 9, Management:

Leadership: 2, Management: Marketing: 7, Management: Sports: 1, Nursing: 2

Bachelor of Arts: 7.4% Communication and Media Studies: 17, Psychology: 11

Associate in Science: 33% Business Administration: 28, Business Admin.

Accounting: 1, Computer Info Systems: 3, Criminal Justice: 4, Fashion Merchandising: 8,

Fashion Design: 1, General Studies: 31, Health Info Technology: 29, Health Sciences: 11,

Hospitality and Tourism: 2, Medical Assistant: 5, Paralegal Studies: 1

Associate in Arts: 10% Early Childhood Education: 30, Liberal Arts: 2,

Psychology: 6

Certificates: 5.6% Medical Assistant: 1, Medical Coding: 20

MEET THE CLASS OF 2015

(L-R) Calvin Tarbox, Laurieann Williams, President McGovern, Matthew Slater, Victoria Guay




Welcome to the Class of ’19Fisher College welcomed the Class of 2019 to its Boston campus over Labor Day Weekend 2015.

With the help of family and friends, stu-

dents moved into their new residence hall

rooms. They also had an opportunity to

bond with roommates during Playfair

on the lawn of the DCR Hatch Shell, and

during a boat cruise in the harbor.

Students participate in some icebreakers during their orientation Playfair event.

Story time on the EsplanadeIn conjunction with the Esplanade Association, the College launched its Story Time on the Esplanade project. Early Childhood

Education students spent two afternoons reading to local school-aged children

in the Esplanade playground. The event is expected to continue in Spring 2016.

SHRM InductionThe Society for Human Resource Manage-ment (SHRM) held a chapter charter cer-emony for the new Fisher chapter of SHRM in

October. Fisher College has the only official char-

ter in Massachusetts. Assoc. Professor John (Jack)

Roche serves as the society’s faculty advisor.

Fisher College SHRM Chapter President

Amanda Campion ‘17 and Dan Griffiths, SHRM

Field Services Director

Photo courtesy of Amanda Matarese

(L-R) Jill Feldman, James Upadhyay, Karina Batista, Victoria Jacobs, Asst Prof Cheryl Hovey, Lexi Forristall, Jeymi Rodriguez, Louise Ngo Kon.


Slater Presents Award to First-Year StudentFisher’s 2015 Commencement speaker, New England Patriot Matthew Slater, visited Fisher a second time to present the $5,000 check to the winner of the Matthew Slater Scholarship. Maya Stephen, a first-year student in the

Honors program and on the women’s soccer team, wrote about what

drove her to achieve her goals and dreams.

“I grew up poor,” Stephen

wrote. “My mother was on welfare and we lived in pub-lic housing. My brothers and I were raised in a toxic envi-ronment … and although some days felt like the sun couldn’t even overshadow the darkness in my life, I still stayed focused.”

Yankees v. Red Sox in NYCIn September, the Tri-State Chapter of Fisher’s Alumni Association held its inaugural social event, and what better place to do it than at Yankee Sta-dium. On that night there were no age-old Yankee v. Red Sox

rivalries—they were all there for the love of the game, and for

the joy of reminiscing and reconnecting. There was at least

one representative from every decade from the 1950s to now!

Breast Cancer WalkNearly 50 students and staff came together to walk in pink during the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on a sunny and slightly chilly

October morning. The five-mile walk is along the Charles

River, beginning and ending at the DCR Hatch Shell, right

in Fisher’s backyard.

Alums Nancy Di Benedetto ‘60 (top) and Mary Dolan Moceri ‘56 (bottom) in the stands at Yankee Stadium


Photo courtesy of

Amanda MatareseInaugural Day of ServiceThe Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and the Associate Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs spearheaded Fisher College’s inaugural Day of Service at the Esplanade. Two hun-

dred first-year students enrolled in the Common Experience

course participated in the event, which involved cleanup of

the Esplanade.

Photo courtesy of Colby Gray

Maya Stephen, Matthew Slater

(L-R) Softball Coach Ashley Laramie, Kristina Brown ‘17, Luz Evangelista ‘19



HomecomingHomecoming Weekend kicked off on October 23 with the Athletics Hall

of Fame Reception, where the 2005 base-

ball and basketball teams were honored

for the 10-year anniversary of their Sun-

rise Conference championships. Fisher

proudly inducted a new group of athletes

into the Hall of Fame, including the first

women’s soccer player, Briana Villemaire

’11. Also inducted were Eddy Delcarmen

’09 (baseball), Casey Purcell ’11 (men’s

basketball), and Michael Oliveira ’11

(baseball).

Festivities continued on Saturday with a

college history trolley tour led by former

College President Dr. Scott Fisher, a lun-

cheon at Maggiano’s Little Italy, a taste-

of-Boston dinner with local and seasonal

favorites, and a Ghosts and Gravestones

tour. Topping off the weekend was the

final fall baseball game of the season.

Photo courtesy of Linda Ayrapetov

Photo courtesy of Courtney Gouger

Photo courtesy of

Beacon Photography

Photo courtesy of

Beacon Photography

Photo courtesy of Beacon Photography

Photo courtesy of

Beacon Photography



Women’s soccer

The women’s soccer team closed out the 2015 regular season

campaign on a nine-win streak on the way to a program-best 12-5

record. The team secured its first-ever AII Tournament bid as the

No. 4 seed before losing to fifth seed Texas A&M-Texarkana, 7-1.

Several Falcons earned AII All-conference honors, including

sophomore Julia Schojan (First Team), junior Ashley De Sousa

(Second Team), Madison O’Brien (Second Team), sophomore Paige

Ciavarro (honorable mention), and sophomore Amanda Santiago

(honorable mention).

Schojan also secured NAIA Offensive Player of the Week hon-

ors in October for a stretch of four games in which she tallied 15

goals and six assists, and three games with double-digit points.

On the season, Schojan was among the NAIA Division 1 sta-

tistical leaders in several categories, ranking first in points (100),

assists per game (1.29), and assists (22). She ranked second in

points per game (5.88), goals per game (2.29), goals (39), and shots

on goal per game (4.82). She also secured third in shots on goal

(82) and fourth in shots per game (6.94).

De Sousa and Santiago also had top 10 statistical seasons for the

Falcons. De Sousa ranked third in total assists (19) and assists per

game (1.12), and seventh in points per game (2.88), while Santiago

ranked ninth in assists per game (0.76) and 10th in total assists (13).

As a team, the Falcons led the NAIA in goals per game (5.47).

They were second in assists per game (3.82) and shots on goal per

game (13.24), third in goals (93), and sixth in assists (65).

Men’s soccer

The men’s soccer team echoed the superb performance of the

women as they went 9-7-3 on the season on their way to their

first AII Tournament appearance in program history. The Falcons

secured the fifth seed position in the conference tournament but

fell 3-0 to Johnson & Wales University in the first round.

Junior Tyler Gahara set the pace for the team on the season,

securing First Team All-AII honors. Junior Jordan Markovich and

sophomore Nkrumah Gowie earned Second Team honors.

Gahara also earned NAIA Player of the Week honors for a

four-game stretch in which he scored five goals in four matches

to help his team to a 3-1 week, ranked fifth nationally in points

(2.63), and registered three assists.

On the season, he ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA in points

per game (2.37), points (45), goals per game (1.05), and goals (20).

Men’s and Women’s Soccer Find Their Groove

The Fisher College men’s and women’s soccer teams had the best seasons in College history, advancing to the AII Tournament in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The appearances mark the first time in the history of both teams that they appeared in post-season play. Julia Schojan ranked first in the nation with 100 points, scoring 39 goals and 22 assists. Her 39 goals are a Fisher record, beating her own record of 33 as a freshman Falcon in 2014.

Julia Schojan ’18 Andrew Leveillee ‘19Jordan Markovich ‘17Holly Lesperance ‘18

Photo courtesy of Deanna Morency ‘14




Bringing Veterans Awareness to CampusThe College hosted a symposium on veterans issues on November 18. The program, “How America

Can Better Support Returning Veterans,” brought together

five individuals who shared a variety of perspectives on the

subject. Included were Carlos and Melida Arredondo, founders

of the Arredondo Family Foundation. The couple lost their two

sons, one while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq and

the other to suicide following the death of his brother. Also

speaking were retired Navy Capt. Andy McCawley, President

and CEO of the New England Center and Home for Veterans;

retired Air Force Col. Paul Worcester, former base commander

of Otis Air Force Base; retired Marine Corps Sgt. Chris Lessard,

of the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes

Fund; and Patricia Lewis, owner, Vantage Deluxe World Travel.

The program was moderated by Karson Tager of the Karson

and Kennedy Morning Show on Mix 104.1 in Boston. Fisher

College again has been designated as a Military-Friendly

College by Victory Media, Inc. once again for 2016.

Honor Your VetsFisher celebrated its Ninth Annual Honor Your Veterans program on November 4, 2015, welcoming notable

guests including Lt. Greg Kelly of the Boston

Fire Department as the keynote speaker and Lt.

Jack Moreschi (second-from-left), Fisher’s 2014

Adopt-a-Service Member honoree. Dan Clark,

the “Singing Trooper,” provided entertainment,

and Fisher honored Sgt. Sylvester Egidio (fifth

from right) and Airman 1st Class Richard Duval

(far right) with distinguished veteran awards

for their service to our community.Photo courtesy of Beacon Photography

Photo courtesy of PR Photo and Illustration

(L-R) Karson Tager, Carlos Arredondo, Melida Arredondo



Men’s Basketball Team Wraps Up Its 15th SeasonDespite falling short of the postseason for the first time in three seasons, the men’s basketball team was still able to post its second-straight winning season and fifth in program history. The 2015–16 Falcons finished in the top 25 in multiple statistical categories,

including ranking number 1 in NAIA Division II rebounds-per-contest, (third nationally in defensive

rebounds per game and 10th nationally in offensive rebounds per contest ranked). The Falcons averaged

84.115 points over their 27 games this season, the 25th highest scoring offense in NAIA Division II.

The team saw one of its own shatter nearly every basketball offensive school record at Fisher.

Senior guard Tyler Shular appeared in a school record 114 games, finished his career ranked 1st

in steals (202), free throws made (459), free throws attempted (560), three pointers made (246) and

three-pointers made in a season (83, ‘15–’16).

The only Falcon to start all 26 games this season, Shular finished with 1893 career points, the

most by a Fisher Falcon. He also saved his best for last, collecting a career-high 43 points in his final

game of his senior season.

Shular wasn’t the only standout performer on this year’s roster. Junior Kyle Holmes averaged a

career-best 13.1 points per game while newcomer Malik Wilson added 11.9 points per contest.

Wilson collected a team-high 197 total rebounds. Shular was second on the team with seven

rebounds per game, 182 overall. Kyle Holmes’34 steals were second-best to Shular’s 55 while sopho-

more Brandon Robinson handed out a team-high 87 assists.

The 2016–17 Falcons will return four starters and 72.8% of the team’s scoring output. Next year’s

Falcons will look to a seven-member senior class to propel them back into the playoff picture.

Women’s Basketball Team Breaks School RecordsThe 2015–16 women’s basketball team continued to build on a foundation laid by second-year Head Coach Maureen LaRoche. The Falcons worked seven wins on the

season, an improvement over a tough three-win 2014–15 campaign.

The team also saw several school record-breaking stats with the season close: most points

scored in a game (and the first time eclipsing the century point mark) (107); highest season

scoring average (70.3); most points scored in a season (1686); first-ever positive scoring differ-

ential in a season (+1.4); most assists in a season (322); most field goals made in a season (641);

and most three-point field goals made in a season (153). Additionally, Aliyanah MacIntosh and

Madison Carroll had the first two triple-doubles in program history.

Sophomore guard Murphy Carroll, who earned All AII Second Team a year ago, again spear-

headed Fisher’s offensive attack this year. She ranked 12th in the country for NAIA Division

II in points per game (18.75). The only player to start in each of the team’s 24 games, Carroll

led the team in field goals (158), field goals attempted (417), three-pointers (63) three-pointers

attempted (207), free throws (71), steals (57), and points scored (450).

Defensively, the Falcons followed the lead of senior forward Christine Briggs, who is the leader

in career blocks (103) and single-season blocks (42). She ranked 19th in the country for the latter.

As the season ended, the team ranked in the top 10 in the country for total rebounds per

game (#4), defensive rebounds per game (#6), offensive rebounds per game (#8), and steals per

game (#10).

Tyler Shular ‘16

NaKeeya Goodman-

Boddie-Smith ‘19


I Hate Shakespeare!The fall 2015 Drama Club production was Steph DeFerie’s I Hate Shakespeare, a modern and farcical

twist on the works of William Shakespeare. Directed by Asso-

ciate Professor Danielle Herget, PhD, the play poked fun at the

playwright while demonstrating his sustained relevance in

today’s arts.

Revitalized Student Center, New Exercise CenterThe Student Center received a facelift over the 2016 winter break, with vibrant colors painted on

the walls, comfortable and colorful chairs, study cubbies,

and more.

The College’s new Exercise Center opened in January,

and faculty, staff, and students can enjoy the ellipticals,

treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight room.

Hanna Shimanski ‘19, Adam Pezerovic

Lessons Learned: My Life, My ChoiceFisher welcomed Audrey Morrissey, the associate direc-tor of My Life My Choice, an organization that works to raise

awareness of the commercial sexual exploitation of youth, to speak

on commercial sex trafficking and how My Life My Choice works to

end it. Morrissey, a survivor, has

helped develop and lead survi-

vor-led programs for vulnera-

ble girls aged 12 to 18, reaching

more than 200 girls annually.

She currently leads educational,

training, and public awareness

initiatives at My Life My Choice.

She also co-authored the orga-

nization’s nationally recognized

exploitation prevention curricu-

lum, which is used in 27 states.

Fisher In MiamiNothing like kicking off the New Year with a little football. And that’s just what a contingent of Fisher Col-

lege representatives and alums did! The group met on a

warm Sunday afternoon in Miami, Florida, to watch the New

England Patriots take on the Dolphins. While the final game

of the regular season represented a 20-10 loss for the Patriots,

the opportunity to connect with Fisher College alumni and

friends made the journey well worth it.


Audrey Morrissey

(L-R) President Thomas McGovern, Coach Scott Dulin, Alfredo Torres ‘06, Ashlee Rauf ‘08


If it were not for the merit and need-

based scholarships that Fisher

College offers, I would not have

attended and graduated f rom

this institution. The scholarships

helped me tremendously. Today I

am doing something I love! I am a

Senior Assistant Director of Admis-

sions here at the college and I see

f irsthand how vital scholarships

are to our students and their fami-

lies. Granting them allows students

to accomplish and follow their

dreams… just like me.

– Jose Diaz ’09

I am an active member of the

Fisher College community and love

my position as a Resident Assistant

on campus. Being involved has

brought me so much joy and life-

long friends, all while making my

college experience special so far.

If it were not for the generous schol-

arships Fisher offered to me, I know

I would not be where I am today.

– Abby Azzarito ’17

118 Beacon Society

For more than 75 years, 118 Beacon Street has served as home to Fisher College

and as a haven to its students. Thousands of students have ascended the marble

staircase in the grand lobby in their quest for knowledge.

In many ways, that iconic staircase symbolizes the transformative power of

a Fisher College education. Unfortunately, many would-be Fisher students cannot

obtain a college degree because they do not have the financial resources to pay for higher

education. They recognize the value of the opportunities offered by Fisher College, but without

help the doors to 118 Beacon remain closed. Opening these doors requires not only the courage

to dream of a brighter future but also the financial assistance to make that dream a reality.

Now more than ever, Fisher College students need our support. Therefore, for the first

time in its history, the College is launching a scholarship fund — the Fisher Faithful Fund. By

donating $1,000, you will become a member of the 118 Beacon Society and forever be identified

as a founder of the Fisher Faithful Fund. Your tax-deductible gift will ensure students are able

to claim their rightful place within the walls of 118 Beacon Street, fulfilling their dreams of

obtaining a college education.

For more information about about becoming part of the 118 Beacon Society please contact

617-236-8822 or [email protected].


HONOR ROLL

2014–2015 List of DonorsFounders Circle ( $10,000 +)

Scott A. Fisher ’51

Abukhadra Family

Hussain Al Nowais

Boston 4 Celebrations

Aramark

Seaward Management

President’s Circle

($5,000-$9,999)

Alexandra Bartsch

Thomas M. McGovern

Falcon Society ($2,500–$4,999)

Rebecca Costello ’68

Christian Fisher

Peter Post

Santander

1903 Society ($1,903–$2,499)

Robert A. Melaragni

Steven W Rich

Enterprise Corporation

Navy and Gold Society

($1,000–$1,902)

Michael Bell

Sandra Bishop ’62

Beverly Cleathero ’62

Jeffrey Conrad

Melinda Cook

Walter Dillingham

Peter Everett

Janet Kuser Komarnicki

Shiela M. Lally

Aniello C. Trotta

Charles Wintermeyer

Charles River Club ($500–$999)

Maria Carolina Avellaneda

James Bayles

Stephanie Davidson

J. Alexander Harte

Margie Malva ’50

Edward Rogers

Jane Rothschild-Castura ’73

Paul Rowe

Beacon Club ($250–$499)

Dolores Driscoll ’55

Cedric Dustin

Kyle Grenier

Vladimir Jandejsek

Debra A Kamm-Pelles

Christina Martin

Dorothy Olson ’04

June Pedrick ’54

Steven J Pelles

Margaret Pribulick

Susan Smith ’60

Centennial Club ($100 –$249)

Violet Apalakian ’43

Kathy Barbone ’80

Lynne Bertram ’62

Mary Ellen Brueckner ’69

Ellora Carle ’56

Carolyn Carlson ’64

Amy Ye Cho

Janice Christensen ’59

Deborah Crafts

Susan Donovan ’62

Barbara Downs ’64

M. Jane Eaton ’47

Deborah Giso ’72

Debra Graf ’76

Ellen Lyons

Amanda Matarese

Sarah McSweeney- Chamberlain

Marianne Murphy ‘13

Whitney N. Napoli ‘06

Richard D. Potter

Laura Rogers ‘85

Lorraine Stec ‘55

Amy Szeto ‘07

Tasha Trosclair ‘03

Merrie Walker ‘64

Jean Zink ‘51

Scholars Club (Up to $99)

Donald A. Arruda

Anthony Baker

Scott Bornstein

Rhodena Brunstrom ‘61

Doris Curtis ‘47

Nancy Dabney ‘57

Diana Danelian

Ryan Donovan

Karen Dunton ‘10

Fisher College Public Safety

Joan Forte ‘58

Marion Francis ‘47

Marybeth Gedney ‘84

Edith Graffum ‘55

Marjorie Hewitt

Adam Higgins

Michael Ibrahim

Brenda Korn ‘58

Janet Lancaster ‘62

Janice Lawson ‘59

Maria Concepcion Lloren ‘13

Kathleen Lord ‘50

Kathleen McDonald ‘53

Mary McDonald ‘55

Nuno Mendonca ‘14

Karen Myers ‘68

Michael Pithis ‘11

Sheilah Ross ‘55

Natalie A Sforza

Arghavan M. Schumacher

Peter Shurman ‘83

Rebecca Thompson ‘61

Sheila Tighe ‘95

Alex Wagner

Willem Wallinga

Jessica Warner ‘08

Jennifer L. Weiner

Catherine Wells

Barbara Wogsland ‘57

Donna Woods

Seth M. Woods

June Young ‘95

22 Fisher Today | WINTER/SPRING 2016 www.fisher.edu22 Fisher Today | WINTER/SPRING 2015

W e were all com-

mut er s wh i le

attending Fisher,

traveling by train

or “T” from vari-

ous towns in and outside the Boston area.

We met early on and became—and still

are—great friends. Most of us attended

rather small high schools, especially by

today’s standards, but it was like we’d

always known each other. After gradu-

ation we continued to gather and enjoy

wonderful dinners at our parents’ homes.

We traveled (not always the whole

group at a time) to New Hampshire for ski

weekends, to NYC for a St. Patrick’s Day

weekend, and to Europe in 1958 to attend

the World’s Fair in Brussels. The entire

tour cost $769!!

We Fisher girls double-dated, were par-

ticipants in each other’s weddings, and

were made godparents of each other’s chil-

dren—and attended their weddings as well.

As young marrieds we met at each other’s

homes about once a month. The husbands

all got along, so we included them when

we dined out. Our lives, of course, have

changed over the years, but there is a won-

derful bond within our group that makes

our friendship remain strong.

Me and the Crew:

Nostalgia From the Class of ’55CATHIE WELLS ’55

Photo courtesy of Cathie Wells

Black and white photos courtesy of The Beacon 1955

NOTABLE ALUM

23 WINTER/SPRING 2016 | Fisher Todaywww.fisher.edu 23 WINTER/SPRING 2015 | Fisher Today

ATHLETICS

Athletic Director Leonard Nardone, PhD

T his fall, Fisher introduced Leonard Nar-

done, PhD, as the college’s new athletic

director. Previously the Director of Ath-

letics at Texas A&M University, Nardone

has a wealth of experience to draw on.

He has held positions at institutions as diverse as the

State University of New York, Sheldon Jackson College

in Alaska, and the American University of Beirut.

When asked what led him to Fisher, Nardone said,

“I was very interested in continuing to share my past

experiences and background in athletics to help a

small college athletic program develop to its fullest

potential. Fisher College seemed like that type of

place. Of course, being centrally located in Boston was

appealing as well.”

An all-city football player himself while in high

school, Nardone recognizes the transformative effect

that participation in sports and extracurricular activ-

ities in general can have on a person. His belief: “It

doesn’t matter if it’s athletics, recreational sports,

drama, music, etc. It’s those external experiences while

in college that young men or women will remember for

the rest of their lives.”

Nardone, of course, intends for those memories made

on the field to skew toward victory rather than defeat.

He describes building a successful athletic program

as a “puzzle”—one he intends to solve. “My near-term

goals are to expand the program and develop an image

and reputation as one of the best small college athletic

programs in Boston, the Northeast, and the nation.

BRAD MISH

Meet Fisher’s New Athletic Director


Beyond the Scoreboard

ATHLETICS

CHRIS LEBLANC

Kristina Brown ’17 Softball; 2014, 2016

Arguably the most promising young athlete in Fisher’s athletic

department is softball player Kristina Brown.

In 2014, her freshman season, the Dixon, California, native led

the Falcons in nearly every major offensive statistical category,

including batting average (.612), runs scored (47), hits (63), doubles

(15), triples (5), home runs (12), runs batted in (45), and on-base

percentage (.637). She finished the season with AII Freshman of

the Year honors.

Expected to be among the Falcons’most potent weapons head-

ing into her sophomore season, Brown was sidelined by a knee

injury during a soccer game before the start of the 2015 softball

season. During her work to get back on the field, Brown has leaned

on her teammates and coaches for support.

“Mentally, it’s been really hard because obviously I love softball.

But being around my team, even during last spring, still communi-

cating with them about softball, made it easier to come back from

the injury,” Brown said.

She said the dozens of hours of rehab, workouts, and therapies

to repair her knee have paid off. Doctors cleared her to play in

early September, which meant she was able to hit off of a live

pitcher, do more agility drills, and work on fielding in her role as

a third baseman. Brown made the move to third because the risk

of reinjuring her knee is too high for her to continue at catcher.

Judging by her results early in practice, Brown said she feels like

her injury is a bygone problem. “I felt like I could really just pick up

where I left off,” Brown said. “I’ve been playing for so long, I think

everything is just muscle memory at this point.”

Although the road to recovery has been rough, Brown said the

injury unexpectedly opened another door for her future.

Since Brown—now a junior —still has three years of athletic

Kristina Brown ‘17

Photo courtesy of Deanna Morency ‘14


here. And I’m just working hard like I always do, to move my way up.”

Lebron said his four years at Fisher, which included multiple

all-conference accolades, helped him grow and mature both as a

baseball player and a person.

“I was in the lineup all four years from my freshman to my

senior year. So that helped me grow up,” he said. “Fisher College

made me grow up as a baseball player. It taught me everything. I

learned how to be a leader.”

Lebron is optimistic about his future as a baseball player, but he

wants to be a college baseball coach once his playing days are over.

He said he wants to draw on his own mistakes and experiences

to teach young players of the future what pitfalls to avoid and

what to work on to improve their game.

“You have to take advantage of that and work hard. There’s

always going to be somebody around you who is going to work

harder than you. In this game, you can never get comfortable.

You’ve always got to keep working hard,” Lebron said.

ATHLETICS

eligibility remaining, she will stay at Fisher to work on her MBA

after she graduates with her bachelor’s degree.

“Yes, it set me back personally. But for my education and my

future, I think it helped me realize that I should keep going and

get my master’s,” she said.

Victor Lebron ’15 Baseball, 2011–2015

While the Fisher baseball program continued its run of success

in 2015, one former Falcon is still working to carve out a place in a

professional baseball program.

Victor Lebron, a 2015 Management major, completed his first

season this fall as a second baseman for the Garden State Grays,

an independent minor-league baseball team in New Jersey.

A native of La Romana, Dominican Republic, Lebron is excited to be

playing at the next level. “The season [went] great. It’s a great opportu-

nity. It’s my first time playing pro ball,” Lebron said. “I’m happy to be

Victor Lebron ‘15


During the spring of 2015 I was part of the study

abroad program Semester at Sea (SAS), an expe-

rience that helped me become a better individ-

ual. This program differs from traditional study

abroad programs;

instead of being located in one

international city, students travel

from port to port by a cruise ship.

I had two responsibilities as a stu-

dent of the SAS program: go to class

and study when the ship was out to

sea; and travel, have fun, learn, and

experience new cultures when the

ship was docked at port. Over the

course of 112 days, we traveled to

12 ports, from Yokohama to Hong

Kong to Singapore to Cape Town

to London, and so many more. Not

only was I exposed to so many

beautiful wonders of the world, I

also met other students who would

become some of my closest friends.

Within these ports, the students, staff, and lifelong learners had

the chance to travel all around the area either independently or

with a program from Semester at Sea.

I am overwhelmed by all the memories from traveling and

exploring. It was an eye-opening experience to see how different

all these cultures are and how they differ from my day-to-day

life. I experienced all these different cultures and then made the

decision to add a couple of things to my life and practice them,

such as meditation, and exploration; I’ve also resolved to be more

friendly and helpful to other people. I was inspired following

visits to most ports, as we were treated with such warmth. Here

we were, strangers in foreign lands, yet those who lived there

thought nothing about making us feel warm and welcomed. That

speaks a lot about someone’s char-

acter and reinforces how I want to

treat others.

One of my favorite ports was

Vietnam. As we were approach-

ing beautiful Ho Chi Minh City, we

were fortunate enough to travel

along the famous Saigon River. The

Vietnamese locals were so welcom-

ing toward us that it felt like home.

The city is incredibly busy, and

there is an ocean of motor vehicles

at every corner. We took a water

taxi down the Mekong Delta river

and had the chance to see several

villages and different lifestyles. We

also spent a day at the Cu Chi tun-

nels, which was where the troops

used to hide during combat. I was amazed at the tunnels because

they were very small even after being enlarged for tourists to go

in them.

I can’t say enough about this experience and encourage stu-

dents to go on this amazing voyage. Just do it. Perform your

research, watch some videos, learn about the ports, and just

imagine how much fun you’ll have traveling around the world

with your peers. There is no doubt in my mind that no one regrets

going on Semester at Sea. If anything, they regret not going.

ANA DA CUNHA ’17

(L-R) Lisa Morris ’16, Ana Da Cunha

Photo courtesy of Ana Da Cunha

No RegretsMy Time Aboard a Floating Classroom

STUDY ABROAD


T he Office of Career Services has recently made

some changes to career-development programs

for students, which will position them as even

stronger candidates for jobs post-graduation.

Because the goal of this program is to engage

students at their developmental stage and address their specific

educational and career-oriented goals, Fisher will be able to

provide them with the guidance critical for future career suc-

cess. This program, Fisher for Your Future, equips students with

the tools they will need to be successful following graduation.

During students’ four years at Fisher College, they will write a

resume, take a preparation for internship and career course,

participate in an internship, complete a mock interview, and

have the chance to join a professional association, which will

be funded by Fisher College.

The program will also include experiential learning for stu-

dents in the bachelor’s programs. That means students begin-

ning the program in or after the fall of 2016 will not only be

required to complete one internship, but an additional expe-

riential learning opportunity as well. This can be fulfilled by

completing a second internship, a research project, or service

learning.

Adding a second experiential learning opportunity to our

students’ resumes will make them stand out when entering

the workforce. And, because many employers place empha-

sis on hiring recent graduates who have gained skills from

real-world experiences, this new academic requirement will

position students as even stronger candidates for future career

opportunities.

Career Services has also launched the Falcon Recruiter,

which has replaced Fish*net as the school’s online job and

internship database. The system has more than 1,000 employ-

ers in it and is growing quickly.

Fisher for Your FutureBARBARA ZERILLO

DAPS Gets a New DeanSharon L. Fross, PhD, joined Fisher College in August 2015 as Dean of the Division of

Accelerated and Professional Studies. Dr. Fross holds her Doctorate in Educational

Administration from the University of South Carolina. She came to Fisher from North-

eastern University, where she was a consultant at the College of Professional Studies.

Prior to that position, Fross was the Provost at New England College of Business. Sharon

Fross, PhD

ACADEMICS


Kathryn (Katie) Shea, PhD, joined the Fisher College faculty

in May 2015 as Program Director for the new Sport Management

baccalaureate program. Prior to arriving at Fisher, Shea was a fac-

ulty member in Sport and Recreation Management at Springfield

College and her research focuses on the effectiveness of policies

and rules developed and implemented by the governing bodies

of sports to achieve collective objectives. Her research has been

highlighted in The Chronicle of Higher Education, and most recently,

last November she presented at the North American Society for

the Sociology of Sport’s 36th Annual Conference in Santa Fe, New

Mexico. Her conference presentation, co-authored with Pam Lau-

cella and titled “Hope Solo: Domestic Violence, Women’s Soccer,

and the Media,” focused on a qualitative media analysis of U.S.

Soccer star Hope Solo’s 2014 domestic violence case.

In March, three students in the Human Resources Con-centration attended the SHRM Case Competition in Baltimore.

The students placed third out of 29 college entrants.

(L-R) Denis Ndreko ‘15, Rashanda Coplin ‘15, Amanda Campion ‘17, Jack Roche, EdD

Danna Zeiger, PhD, was nominated for

the NABT (National Association of Biology

Teachers) Biology Teaching Award 2015.

ACADEMICS

Academics Spotlight


Katie Shea, PhD

Dr. Danna Zeiger (L), participating at

a career symposium hosted by Brandeis

University in July 2015Photo courtesy of Mike Lovett


Assistant Professor Peter Cassi-no’s, study and paper titled “Hirschi’s

Social Bonding Theory, Nearly 45 Years

Later: A Comparison of Traditional, Con-

temporary, and Hybrid Models” will be

published in the peer-reviewed journal

Theory in Action, scheduled for April 2016.

Peter Cassino, PhD

Jennifer Weiner, PhD, Assistant Dean for the School of Health Professions and Human Services, spoke at the American Psychological Association conference

in Toronto, Canada, in August. The title of the presentation was “One Size Does Not Fit All:

Interdisciplinary Intersectional Approaches to Teaching Diversity.”

Associate Professor Danielle Herget, PhD, presented her

paper titled “Teaching Dystopia in a Kardashian World: The Chal-

lenges and Benefits to Using Dystopian Themes in the College

Classroom” at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture

Association National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana,

in early April 2015. She also participated on a panel about film

adaptation at the conference.

Separately, her paper titled “And the Fire Rages On: A Retrospective

Analysis of The Hunger Games Legacy” was accepted for the Popular

Culture Association conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico,

which was held in February 2016. She also participated on a

panel for the Science Fiction and Fantasy area of the conference.

ACADEMICS

Barbara Zerillo, Director of Career Ser-vices, had an article published online and in

the NACE Journal, the official publication of the

National Association of Colleges and Employ-

ers. The article, “To Come Out or Not to Come

Out” is about career advising specific to LGBTQ

populations. The journal has 6,000 college and

employer subscribers in the U.S.


Barbara Zerillo

Danielle Herget , PhD

Jen Weiner, PhD


FISHER’S VETERANS

Colby Gray (Gray): Where did you grow up?

Calvin Tarbox (Tarbox): Effingham, New Hampshire, a small

town near the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee. [Not

far from] Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

Gray: What made you interested in attending Fisher?

Tarbox: I was interested in Fisher College because of many rea-

sons: I knew it was veteran-friendly, I really liked the location,

and because a really close friend of mine — Cailey Haddad —

recommended it

Gray: What was your major?

Tarbox: BS in Management, [with a concentration in] Accounting.

Gray: Where did you do your internship while at Fisher?

Tarbox: I did two accounting internships. [The first was] at

Walsh and Co. in Winchester, Massachusetts. It was a small

accounting firm, but I learned a lot and I was able to get some

auditing experience. My second was for KPMG in Boston. KPMG

is one of the “Big Four” public accounting firms. There I worked

in the federal tax department.

Gray: How would you describe Fisher in one word?

Tarbox: Exceptional.

Gray: What was it like being your class valedictorian?

Tarbox: Being valedictorian was an incredible honor. I had no

idea until the senior award ceremony [in April]. It’s difficult to

put how I felt into words. I just kept thinking about how much I

appreciated the opportunity to attend Fisher. It made me think

about how many people had a positive impact on my life. I wish

I could share the honor with everyone who helped me accom-

plish that goal: professors, students, mentors, friends, family,

other veterans.

Gray: Why did you choose to join the Marines?

Tarbox: This is a tough question. I joined because there was

something inside of me that wanted to take action; I wanted to

support and defend my friends and family. I value my family

and freedom first and foremost, so this was an opportunity to

act on that. I just wanted to do something that would not only

benefit me, but I could learn something that I could use to help

others as well.

The Marines, Then College

A Chat with ’15 Graduate Calvin Tarbox

COLBY GRAY ’16

Colby Gray, a senior Communications major, interviewed recent Fisher College graduate Calvin Tarbox, who opened up about his time at Fisher, thoughts about being valedictorian, serving in the Marines, and the work he’s now doing to support his brothers- and sisters-in-arms.


FISHER’S VETERANS

Gray: Who are your heroes?

Tarbox: My mom and dad. The Marines. The men and women who

have paid the ultimate sacrifice to honor and protect our country,

and all those who put on a uniform and continue to fight.

Gray: How was [your company] Lights 4 Marines started?

Tarbox: Lights 4 Marines [L4M] was started in a garage. I was

working on something with a close friend and colleague (Paul

Ross, co-founder of L4M) who had given me a flashlight prior to

my deployment. I was explaining to him that I used the flash-

light he gave me almost every day in Afghanistan. As soon as

the words came out of my mouth, we both realized what we

wanted to do. We put our heads together and started a nonprofit

that is dedicated to supporting all troops deployed to a hostile

combat zone. We wanted to do something different, something

more than a standard care package. A gift that would come from

someone who had been in their shoes and knew how helpful a

tactical flashlight could be.

Gray: What’s one of your favorite stories from working with Lights 4

Marines?

Tarbox: The first batch of lights we sent to Afghanistan. We sent

about 20 lights to a small unit located in an isolated forward-

operating base. Every one of them mailed a postcard back to us,

thanking us for the light and exclaiming how much they loved

it. After a couple of months, they sent us a picture of all of them

together as another thankful gesture. Even if we only improve

the quality of life of one person, it is a success. I still have that

picture on my wall.

Gray: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Tarbox: Coming home safe from Afghanistan. Although, I have

to say valedictorian is a very close runner-up.

Gray: What are you doing post-graduation?

Tarbox: Well, I accepted an offer at KPMG and I will be starting

as a staff accountant in June 2016. I just recently got my Master

of Science in Accounting from Suffolk University. I am currently

working part time and studying for the CPA exam until I start

working full time in June.

Photo courtesy of Lights 4 Marines



FISHER’S VETERANS

Getting to Know Our Veterans

CHRIS LEBLANC

Fisher College has been a military-friendly institution for nearly a decade, and Fisher’s staff and faculty who have served are important to us. And to honor them, we wanted to get to know them a little bit better by asking them seven simple questions.

BOB MELARAGNI:What’s your hometown? Lowell , Massachusetts.

What’s your professional title? Vice President of Enrollment Management.

In what branch of the military did you serve? Massachusetts Army National Guard.

In what capacity did you serve? Personnel administration within a finance battalion.

Where did you serve and for how long? Stateside for 10 years.

How did your service help prep you for your career at Fisher?

The service instilled the power of teamwork in me at a very early age.

If there were a movie produced about your life, who would play you? Nicolas Cage.

ANTHONY BAKER:What’s your hometown? Warwick, Rhode Island.

What’s your professional title? Associate Professor of Management/MBA Program Director.

In what branch of the military did you serve? Army.

In what capacity did you serve? I was a paratrooper, Ranger, and Special Operator.

Where did you serve and for how long?

U.S., Europe, Central America, and the Middle East for 22 years.


Self-discipline, creative teaching skills, honor.

If there were a movie produced about your life, who would play you? Liam Neeson.


FISHER’S VETERANS

NEIL TROTTA:What’s your hometown? Seneca Falls, New York.

What’s your professional title? Dean, School of Graduate Studies.

In what branch of the military did you serve? Air Force.

In what capacity did you serve? I served as a personnel specialist.

Where did you serve and for how long?

In Texas, Mississippi, and Massachusetts for eight years.

How did your service help prep you for your career at Fisher? The military core requirements of discipline and work ethic have prepared me best.

If there were a movie produced about your life, who would play you? George C. Scott (I love the movie Patton).

ALEXANDER WAGNER:What’s your hometown? Mannheim, Germany.

What’s your professional title? Director of Institutional Research.

In what branch of the military did you serve? German Army.

In what capacity did you serve? ADA Recon, 12th Panzer Division .

Where did you serve and for how long? Germany, 18 months.


Taught me grit, discipline, and attention to detail .

If there were a movie produced about your life, who would play you? Til Schweiger (a German actor).

JEN REED:What’s your hometown? Attleboro, Massachusetts.

What’s your professional title? Marketing and Public Relations Manager.In what branch of the military did you serve? U.S. Air Force and I also served as an Army wife for 20 years (yep, that’s a thing).

In what capacity did you serve? I trained as a member of the military police force and was a reservist for four years, serving at Lackland AFB and Sheppard AFB, both in Texas.

Where did you serve and for how long? See prior answer.How did your service help prep you for your career at Fisher? The service gave me an understanding of and respect for the chain of command, planning, and executing, as well as setting goals and objectives for everything I do. As a military wife, learning to cope with high-stress situations was invaluable.If there were a movie produced about your life, who would play you? Sandra Bullock.


W hen Elvis Perez and Adam Lucey first

set foot on the Fisher College campus as

freshmen, neither realized they would

have found their calling and life’s pas-

sion by their senior year. Perez, a senior

Management major from New York City, and Lucey, a senior Crim-

inal Justice major from Malden, Massachusetts, share more than

just their love for the game of baseball. Both student athletes have

started their own businesses, and created their own fashion lines.

Lucey’s clothing line, Loosen Up Apparel (loosenupapparel.

com), is represented by a looping arrow that points upward. His

logo is truly representative of his personal philosophy.

“Life is better when you Loosen Up,” Lucey says.

Lucey’s fascination with fashion started when Adam was 19.

He found he had an interest in drawing and design; one short

year later he launched his own brand.

“I always loved the idea of owning my own business, I realized

that what I was drawing would look great on apparel,” Lucey said.

“I told my parents and then for Christmas they got me a shirt

with my design on it and I just knew I had to do it.”

Lucey said he is a strong believer that in order for one to suc-

ceed, one first needs to loosen up and approach the situation

calmly and with confidence.

“I want my brand to inspire people daily to loosen up on their

journeys to success,” he said.

Perez’s apparel and sports consulting brand, HTP (short for

Hundred Ten Percent, hundred10percent.com), sends a different

message. Launched in the fall of 2015, HTP has been Perez’s main

focus his senior year. The idea behind HTP stems from a conver-

sation Elvis had with two friends one afternoon in the middle

of a baseball game in his neighborhood park in New York. The

trio, all student athletes, talked about the disadvantages of being

athletes from the Northeast.

“For many reasons, we felt that a lot of the talent in our area

was being overlooked,” Perez said. “We wanted to find a way to

inspire these overlooked, talented athletes and to help them

find successful paths. HTP started because we want to motivate

everyone to give 110 percent and because we want to help ath-

letes gain exposure through player development.”

An idea that started off small has now helped four athletes

gain enough exposure to play in college through the company’s

sport consulting program.

Two brands, two messages, one thing in common: Perez and

Lucey want to inspire and motivate youth while striving for their

own success.

“It is not just apparel; our brand really is deeper than that,”

explained Perez. “Anyone could slap a logo on a t-shirt and sell

a product. There is a message and a meaning behind HTP that

differentiates it from the competition.”

HTP and Loosen Up may be small businesses now, but both

Baseball & FashionJANICE DOMINGUEZ ’15

Elvis Perez ‘16 emcees as his models walk the runway Julia Schojan ’18

STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS


founders have big plans to grow in the future.

“By the time I am 25, I want to be in retail stores, not just

online,” Lucey said. “I also want to have more options on apparel.

I want this great momentum to continue. By the time I am 30, I

want my brand to be found anywhere, nationwide.”

Perez and Lucey are perfect examples of how dreams can

become reality with the right determination and effort. Hard

work has never been a missing ingredient, which is also reflected

in their time on the baseball field as well as in the classroom.

Throughout their time at Fisher, they bonded and supported

each other in their ideas, motivating each other to reach further.

“It’s crazy, because I remember bouncing ideas around

with Elvis at baseball practices all the time,” Lucey said. “We

would get so excited talking about it, and now it is real.”

Beyond the baseball field, Perez and Lucey have collaborated

on numerous projects. Their latest endeavor was a fashion show

at Fisher, complete with runway models and dance and music

performances.

Of course, like any other success story, there have been obsta-

cles and challenges they have each had to face in order to grow.

“This is an absolute grind,” said Lucey. “It really runs my life.

I spend 65 percent of my day thinking about my brand and how I

can make it better. It is still an ongoing learning process.”

For Perez, manufacturing and distributing his product have

proven to be a challenge, as has been finding a permanent facility

to perform his sport consulting and instruction.

“Looking back to when it all started, one of the challenges for

HTP was other people’s inability to take the idea seriously,” he

said. “Creating a line and putting my vision onto paper was also

tough. On a more personal level, having enough faith to go full-

speed ahead on this project without letting doubt or others’opin-

ions interject was hard.”

Balancing being full-time student-athletes, owning and man-

aging businesses, while also taking on other roles on campus

has proven to be tough, but Lucy and Perez have taken their own

advice and have learned the value of loosening up and always

giving 110 percent in all areas to succeed. They have learned

valuable lessons through their studies, but the most important

lesson came outside the classroom.

“Everyone at Fisher is incredibly supportive,” Lucey said. “I love

seeing people wearing my product with a smile on their faces,”

Lucey said. “It really makes me feel good, makes it all worth it.”

Adam Lucey ‘16 (R) emcees as Cody Mercier 18 models

STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS


OUT & ABOUTT

HU

RS

DA

Y,

5/1

2

Like “Fisher College” and “Fisher College Alumni Association” on Facebook and Google+, and follow “@FisherCollege”

on Twitter and Instagram.

UpcomingPlanned

AlumniEvents

2016 Senior Week at FenwayAlumni and Fisher’s

seniors enjoy anevening of baseball and BBQ at the Red Sox vs. Astros game.

Pre-game BBQ will be served at 5 p.m.

SU

ND

AY

, 7

/3 Rooftop Reception

and 4th of July Rehearsal

All Fisher College alumni are invited

to attend.Start time TBA.

Also, keep an eye out for more

alumni andstudent events coming soon!

You can shape the future of Fisher — just like E.H. & M.C. did.

Established in 2006, the Legacy Society honors Fisher’s founders, who were dedicated to creating a sustainable college. Members

are individuals who have supported the long-term future of Fisher through a legacy gift. Solidifying the future of Fisher can be

simple and satisfying, and makes a difference in the lives of many students.

With your help, Fisher can

• Keep a Fisher education within reach of the most deserving students.

• Provide transformative internship experiences, continuing our tradition of training the future leaders of business.

• Recruit, support and inspire the next generation of faculty.

• Provide state-of-the-art facilities on a beautiful urban campus.

E.H. & M.C. Fisher Legacy Society Members

Cindy Vibber DeBiasi ’83

Scott A. Fisher ’51

Joan Rubin Fixler ’76

June Freemanzon ’52

Isabell Paul ’47

Marion Fritz*

Lea Tacconelli Pearson ’43*

Charles A. Wintermeyer*

*deceased

Please let us know if you have already included Fisher College in your estate plan or if you are

considering doing so — we would love to hear from you. Contact Amanda Matarese, associate

director of institutional advancement and alumni affairs, at 617-236-8822 or [email protected].

Alumni Ambassador Program

Share your Fisher Story

Have you ever thought about sharing your

Fisher Story? We’re offering a unique vol-

unteer opportunity that will allow you to

share your experience with prospective students

and families. As an alum, you have a compelling

story to share, from your firsthand experience

as a Fisher student to your current accomplish-

ments. It’s a tremendously powerful message.

There are two forums for sharing your story:

Volunteer at an on-campus event, or volunteer

in your own community at a college fair. If you

are interested in volunteering or learning more

details, please contact Amanda Matarese, associate

director of institutional advancement and alumni

affairs, at 617-236-8822 or [email protected].

FISHER TODAY

Office of Communications and Marketing

118 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02116

ATTENTION PARENTS OF FISHER GRADUATES: If this magazine is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please email [email protected] with his or her current address. Thank you!

Send a CLASS NOTE and WIN!

We’ve already begun putting together the next issue of Fisher Today, and we want you in it! Tell us what’s going on with you. Did you get a promotion? Travel to an amazing location? Get married? Start a business? Whatever it may be, we’d love to know!

Share your news with us before May 1 and you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing to win a piece of Fisher gear!

We’re giving away two Under Armour sweatshirts, two T-shirts, and two tumblers. The sweatshirts are embroidered with the Fisher name, the T-shirts are soft and have a vintage edge, and the tumblers will keep your water where it belongs—in your cup, not on your desk.

Class notes are easy to submit. Just send an email to [email protected].

Be sure to include your class year!

Fisher Today Winter-Spring 2016

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Transcript of Fisher Today Winter-Spring 2016