A Newsletter Celebrating Mitchell College Alumni | SUMMER 2024 | |
|
Mitchell College Night at the CT Sun vs Chicago Sky
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and families are welcome. Get your tickets now!
| |
|
Mitchell College Gala—85 Years of Radical Possibilities
Saturday, October 5, 2024, Foxwoods Resort Casino
Tickets available soon
| |
Fall Weekend 2024
Friday, October 25-Sunday, October 27, 2024
- Full schedule and registration coming soon
-
FOUR-ever in Our Hearts Attention classes of '54, ‘64, ‘74, ‘84, ‘94, ‘04, ‘14, or '24? THIS IS YOUR YEAR! Be sure to make plans to join us. We will be celebrating YOU!
| |
|
|
Annual Day of Giving—Day to Make a Difference
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Your opportunity to support the Mitchell College legacy of possibility
| |
Commencement 2024
Mitchell College held its 80th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 11. Our newest Mitchell College alumni received their diplomas on a picture-perfect day surrounded by cheering friends and family. President Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D. conferred 10 associate degrees and 102 bachelor's degrees.
Dan Holdridge, M.S., a 9/11 survivor who was working and injured at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 hit, delivered the keynote address and implored the class to live in gratitude and kindness. “There is not a September 12 for everyone,” he said, “so live with no regrets.”
Johnathan Atkinson ’16, M.Ed., president of the Mitchell College Alumni Association, gave the alumni charge to the Class of 2024, welcoming them to the ranks of Mitchell College alumni. As the first class to enroll in the newly re-established Alumni Association, he urged the class to commit to helping the alumni community grow stronger. “You are part of a legacy now—a legacy of excellence, of reliance, of making a difference,” he said.
|  | |
Wonderful Things Happening in The Woods
You may remember Mitchell Woods as a place to escape the pressures of studying or cut through to Upper Campus. However, Mitchell Woods is also a 26-acre public park that includes wooded trails and a pond, in addition to a basketball court, two Little League fields, and the Children’s Learning Center at Mitchell College.
| |
|
The College was recently awarded a $396,960 grant for Mitchell Woods: Accessibility in Action by the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The project will expand the accessibility of Mitchell Woods to a broad range of users, including college students, seniors, preschool and school-age children, hearing- and sight-impaired individuals, and the greater community. Improvements will include universally accessible trails, multiple respite areas with benches, interpretive signage, and wayfinding improvements for people with visual and sensory impairments.
When complete, Mitchell Woods will offer one mile of fully accessible recreational trails in the heart of New London. The project is expected to take a year to 18 months to complete.
| |
1st Seafood, Sparks, & Scholarships Event Was a Blast
| |
Close to 100 alumni, students, staff, and community friends gathered on the lawn of Henry Hall and on Mitchell Beach to enjoy a perfect summer evening featuring fabulous food, fellowship, and fireworks. Testimonials from students were the stars of the evening as they provided first-hand accounts of how the support of the Mitchell College community helps make their goals and dreams a reality. After feasting on seafood and other summer treats, the group enjoyed perfect views of the Sailfest Fireworks from our private beach.
We hope you'll make plans to join us next year!
| |
Exclusive Alumni Association Benefit:
Mitchell Hub - Expanding the Mitchell Mission
| |
|
The Mitchell Hub is proud to expand on Mitchell’s legacy and philosophy of creating learning opportunities for people to meet their personal and professional goals by providing an Alumni Association benefit of a custom catalog with exclusive pricing.
You can explore new career directions, develop professional skills, and build new knowledge in business operations, healthcare, language learning, and much more.
Mitchell College Alumni Association members will receive an exclusive link to this specially curated and priced collection. Join MCAA now!
More Mitchell Hub Opportunities:
-
Mentorship Opportunities: If you are an experienced manager, we need you to be a part of our seminar offering. Share your expertise and experience with learners engaging in Hub courses.
-
Neuroequity courses foster inclusivity with courses exploring neurodiversity. Whether taken individually or as part of a group, these courses shed light on equitable practices and workplace strategies. Courses include:
-
Defining Neurodiversity: Get familiar with key terms and reflect on inclusive practices. (3 hours)
-
Neuroequity in the Workplace: Understand neurodiversity's strengths and learn to create an inclusive workplace. (25 hours)
-
WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Eligibility: Mitchell College offers 11 programs eligible for financial assistance through WIOA, aiding unemployed and underemployed residents in gaining training and support.
Contact Karen Bellnier, director of digital innovation, for more details about anything Mitchell Hub-related. Stay connected and keep learning with Mitchell College!
| |
Great Careers Begin Here
Our students don't always have to travel far to have a professional experience of a lifetime. Kyrsten Lucas '25 is spending her summer at a world-class internship just across the river at Pfizer. She has encountered a few Mitchell College connections on her path including Seth Strader '20 and Randy Scott Coons '15, two alumni who work at Pfizer.
Read Krysten's story.
Tell us about your workplace Mitchell College connections or let us know how you can help a Mitchell College student find their next step. alumni@mitchell.edu.
| |
Alumni Take the Helm On Campus | |
|
Ron Samul '91 steps into his newest role as director of the Thames at Mitchell College program as he enters his seventeenth academic year on staff.
In addition to his Mitchell degree, Ron holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative and professional writing from Western Connecticut State University. He is currently completing a doctorate in educational leadership.
In addition to appearing in numerous writing publications, Ron is also the author of the 2019 novel “The Staff."
Read more about his role at Thames at Mitchell College here.
| |  |
|
Kaitlin Thibodeau-Corey '21 returns to New London to serve as the next head softball coach after serving as the head softball coach at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and as interim head coach at Keystone College.
A four-year member of the Mitchell softball team, she was also a member of SAAC, a Board of Trustees Representative, a resident assistant, and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma. Thibodeau-Corey graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Justice Studies and was named Freshman Women's Student-Athlete of the year 2018.
| | |
Mitchell Athletics: Excellence On and Off the Field | |
|
When one era ends a new one begins as our graduating student-athletes gathered one last time together to celebrate their tenure as Mariners. The annual Senior Awards Banquet featured a series of end-of-year awards, along with recognition of the senior athletes in the class of 2024.
| |
Men's Basketball Scholar-Athletes Recognized on a National Stage
For the fourth time in program history, the Mitchell College men's basketball team received the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Award for completing the 2023-24 academic year with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. Five Mariner student-athletes were also recognized as members of the NABC Honors Court for finishing the 2023-24 year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. The recipients were Dontae Pollard '24 (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) earned the honor for the second time in his collegiate career, while Aidan Jacobson '25 (Branford, Conn.), Noah James '25 (New London, Conn.), Robert Zirlis '25 (Clinton, Conn.), and Wilton Causey '25 (Worcester, Mass.) were each first time recipients.
Baseball Wins Conference Title, Ties Record
The top-seeded Mitchell baseball team hosted second-seeded Johnson & Wales in a two-day best of three series for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship. The Mariners came out on top by a final of 3–1 on Thursday, then captured their fourth consecutive conference title with a 5–4 win over the Wildcats on Friday, earning an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament.
For the NCAA Tournament, the Mariners were selected to play in the Babson Park Regional, hosted by Babson College, May 17–19. The Mariners finished with an overall record of 34–13, tying the mark for the most victories in the Division III era of the program.
In addition, Michael Ficocelli '27 (North Providence, R.I.) was recognized as the GNAC Rookie of the Year, and first-year head coach, Shawn Gilblair nabbed GNAC Coach of the Year honors.
| |
SAVE THE DATES—FALL WEEKEND 2024
Oct 25: Mitchell College Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
Oct 26: Mitchell College Alumni Baseball and Softball Games
Oct 26: Mitchell College Athletics Men's and Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball
| |
|
Have news to share?
Share your milestones with us, such as births, graduations, marriages, moves, and new jobs!
Please include your contact information when you submit.
| |
Trustee Nancy Dolan '74 was honored at the New London City Council with a citation from the Connecticut Legislature for her years of public service. | |
Mitchell Pride, Far and Wide
| |
|
We love seeing Mitchell College pop up in the most unexpected places. Please send us a picture to alumni@mitchell.edu of you repping Mitchell College. We will highlight your alumni travels in future editions of The Mitchell Seal.
Need gear? Get it here or at MitchellGear.com
| |
Alick Furtick '99 having fun in the sun in Maine. | |
Mary Volpe '19 living her best life poolside in Aruba. | |
Emma Gosden '22 at Disney World—her magical place of employment. | |
|
These two have been besties since before their Mitchell connection, but their love of the College is bigger than any ocean.
From the beaches of New London to a recent trip together to Hawaii,
Kim Locklear Hodges '03 and Sue Sullivan Smith '85 share a long, strong bond and are as close as ohana.
| |
|
|
Johnathan Atkinson '16 & Tifereth (Fey) Lambert Atkinson '17 embarked on a romantic getaway to the beautiful island of St. Lucia for their honeymoon. A taste of their adventure is seen through Fey's eyes: "We explored the island’s natural beauty through hiking, snorkeling, land & sea tours, and their number one excursion - Mud Bathing. St. Lucia was an unforgettable time and place to visit for relaxation, romance, and serenity."
| |
|
This stunning group recently came from far and wide to gather in New London for a lovely dinner at On the Waterfront.
Even though life has them going in lots of directions,
Jordan Lohneiss '20,
Jessica Lohneiss '20,
Morgan Sproul '18,
Rachel Barda '21,
Taylor Duchesneau '19,
and Mary Volpe '19
are still there for one another.
| |
|
This crew headed to the West Coast for some fun in the sun (and fog) in the Bay Area.
Tom Martens '22,
Emma Gosden '22,
Dev Surprenant '22,
Jess Krupnikoff '24,
Nathalie Traylor '21,
Nick Danilek '21,
Emma Quinn '21,
Grace Burns '22,
and Lindsey Robinson '23
(See below how they got fancy to attend the wedding of a fellow Mariner!)
| |
Alumni Connections, Milestones, and Passages | |
Michael Mayes '13 completed his master's degree at Mt. Ida College (now UMass) and is engaged to Danielle Wilson. A spring 2025 wedding is anticipated. | | |
Ericca Farrington Rowe '13 welcomed potential Mitchell class of 2045 twins Beau Andrew and Evelyn Billie Rowe on May 10, 2024. | | |
|
Deborah Lee '15 was promoted to captain for the New York Ferry.
Domenico Santiago '19 is currently a director of construction for Cushman & Wakefield southeast division in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Ariana Carter '20 earned a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Hasani Williams '20 has completed a Master of Business Administration at Western Governors University.
Ibo Rivera '21 is the new head coach for ESports at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.
| |
Roland Thivierge '21 hit it out of the park when he asked Emily Mitchell '20 to become a permanent team. Their engagement happened at Fenway Park during the Noah Kahan concert. Emily recently started a new position with Audacy as a Digital Campaign Manager overseeing campaigns for the Hartford, Providence, and Springfield markets. | | |
Julia Paoletti '20 is engaged to Jake Ritchie and in the process of building a new home in Panama City, Florida, where the couple will reside. Julia will be starting a new position in educational administration. | | |
|
Times Remembered
Your memories are our greatest treasure. We want to highlight thoughts from all generations about the people and places that made your time on the Mitchell campus so memorable. Please send your stories to alumni@mitchell.edu for inclusion in future issues.
The following special stories salute staff members who changed the course of students' lives.
| |
|
An Accidental Path
from John Gerwatosky '61
"In 1958 I was selected by U.S. Rep. Horace Seely-Brown from Connecticut to attend the Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, Long Island. After getting my acceptance letter, I was left with taking the physical exam at the submarine base in Groton. On the second day, I failed the 'eye' exam, as the candidate could not use glasses to read the eye chart. My application was marked FAILED, and it was April of 1959. I did not apply to any colleges as I felt assured I was going to the Academy. Additionally, $35.00 in 1958 for a college application was a lot of money. I frankly was 'destroyed.'
Driving past the College on Pequot Ave. on my way to Ocean Beach (I was a lifeguard at the beach from 1956–1961), the 'light' went on and I stopped and spoke with Dorothy Stewart who helped me greatly in getting into Mitchell...I'll always be grateful to Dorothy for her understanding and help."
FUN FACT "TRW, my employer in Los Angeles, helped Mitchell set up its first computer lab in the late '70s–early '80s under the direction of the late Ann Robertson and, of course, President Bob Weller."
| |
|
A Ticket To Ride
from Bruce Ebert '68
"In 1966, another time of great turmoil and change in our country, Mitchell enrolled a sheltered and not-too-self-confident kid from Oceanside, Long Island, and helped him discover what he wanted to be when he grew up.
And grow up he did, starting with a seat in the second row, in the classroom in the basement of Mitchell Hall, in Ted Hargrove’s Journalism 101 class. I was covering speeches by guest lecturers at night (“The tern rookery” was one that was memorable to me for its title), President Weller’s tribute to a deceased student (Robert Sellew), and the opening of a new classroom building. (New London Mayor Harvey Mallove came late, irking Weller, who announced, 'This is as long as a Republican college president should have to wait for a Democratic mayor.' Funny, how you remember these things!)
My moment came when Mr. Hargrove, late into the Fall 1966 semester, complimented my work and my enthusiasm for Thamesana, the college newspaper, and told me he’d like me to be the paper’s editor for the next semester.
This was pretty heady stuff for someone who, just six months earlier and for four years before that, had blended in with the industrial-grade wall paint at his high school. I was lucky enough to know I wanted to be a newspaper reporter, but I had no idea how to get started.
Thamesana was my first ticket to ride, as a popular Liverpudlian rock group of the day would have observed. Thank you, Ted Hargrove. Thank you, Thamesana, and thank you, Mitchell College, for shining the light for me and setting me off on a career path that continued in Memphis, wandered through West Virginia and is still not yet ended for me, in Norfolk, Virginia.
I was enriched by late-night bull sessions in Saunders Dormitory, dinners with friends (jackets and ties required) at Clarke College Center, watching soccer games at the athletic field opposite Saunders and Simpson dorms, forays to Pequot Pizza House and Patsy’s grinder shop, and just the day-to-day encounters and nods of hello with the people I felt I had so much in common with, the Mitchell community.
All this and more added up to my Mitchell College experience—and I know I am not alone—and I hope fervently that future students will be eager to convey to those who come after them what this institution has done for them. GO, MARINERS!"
| |
Congratulations Emily Phillips '22 and Kevin Flores!
On May 18, 2024 in Mill Valley CA, a match was made official with Mitchell College represented.
In attendance: (third row, l-r) Jess Krupnikoff '24, Tom Martens '22, Dev Surprenant '22; (second row, l-r) Lindsey Robinson '23, Kara McCarthy '22, Emma Gosden '22, Kelly Nolan '22, Nathalie Traylor '21; (first row, l-r) Nick Danilek '21, Grace Burns '22, Emily the Beautiful Bride, Kevin the Lucky Groom, Emma Quinn '21
| |
Bring a Banner to YOUR Next Big Event
Are you planning an upcoming trip with Mitchell friends? Is there a big life event on the horizon that will be celebrated with your pals from college? We'd love to be part of the action! Our only request in exchange for a Mitchell College banner (which you can keep) is that we get pictures of your gathering, with the banner displayed, to post in upcoming newsletters and social media outreach.
Send your request to alumni@mitchell.edu or welsh_j@mitchell.edu with a description of the event—wedding, girls’ weekend, welcoming a new baby, housewarming, etc. Please allow at least a month's notice before the event so that we are sure to get the banner to you in time for the celebration.
|
|
|
Give Back to Where it Began
You've probably heard that TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More. Do you remember the team of people at Mitchell who helped you reach your goals? Those teams continue to work hard to support our students. Your gift will help fuel The Energy And Motivation to ensure today's Mitchell College students will achieve and succeed!
| |
|
Double The Good
Your one act of generosity may have twice or even three times the impact. Many companies have programs and policies that provide matching gifts made to charitable organizations by employees, spouses, and patrons. Please check with your employer, credit union, or other organization with whom you do business to see if they have an easy way to double - maybe even triple - your gift to Mitchell College.
If you are a member of Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, check out their matching gifts program that runs August 14 - November 22, 2024.
| | | | |
