A screenshot of Dr. Curtiss Hoffman from the documentary

Talking about 'America's Stonehenge'

Posted on September 8, 2010 - Permalink
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Dr. Curtiss Hoffman, professor of anthropology, was featured in the documentary, Written in Stone, which centers on the mystery and controversy surrounding ancient rock formations found in the forests of New England.

The film focuses primarily on the bitter, decades-long debate among scholars and scientists as to which early civilization built "America's Stonehenge," a 30-acre archaeological site of stone structures located on Mystery Hill in Salem, N.H.

In the documentary, Dr. Hoffman discusses the mass migration to the United States and shares his expertise on Native American culture pertaining to stone formations and worship. He also talks about his efforts at the university to help preserve archeological sites sacred to Native Americans.

Dr. Hoffman became involved with the documentary through his work at the Robbins Museum of Archaeology in Middleboro, which specializes in exhibiting the rich prehistory of New England's Native Americans. Dr. Hoffman has conducted extensive archeological research in Middleboro's forests and each summer takes students on archeological field excavations in the town and surrounding areas.

Weighing in on the film's controversial topics alongside Dr. Hoffman are archaeologists, researchers and representatives from preservation organizations, such as the New England Antiquities Research Association.

The documentary, directed by Daniel Gaucher, a professor at Emerson College, premiered at the Boston International Film Festival, followed by an additional showing at the Stuart Street Theater in Boston and the Brattle Theater in Cambridge. (Story by Rob Matheson, Office of Institutional Communications)

Dr. Barry is sworn in by Gov. Patrick.

Dr. Marilyn Barry Named Trustee

Posted on September 6, 2010 - Permalink
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Dr. Marilyn White Barry, a 1958 graduate, was sworn in during convocation by Gov. Deval Patrick as the newest member of BSU's board of trustees.

"Gov. Patrick has just spoken of the potential and promise that each of you hold," President Dana Mohler-Faria said, gesturing toward the members of the class of 2014. "In this auditorium there is an individual who embodies the fulfillment of that promise as much as anyone I have ever known.

"More than 50 years ago," he continued, "she found herself in the very place you do now, at the beginning of her academic career at Bridgewater. She came from very humble beginnings, but she persevered and worked hard. She graduated with distinction in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and became a public school teacher. From there, she received a fellowship to Boston University and earned both a master's degree and doctoral degree in special education... all the while becoming a national expert in the areas of audiology and speech pathology and raising a beautiful family, several of whom are here with us today."

The president then described Dr. Barry's return to her alma mater in 1974 as a faculty member and her subsequent election to department chairperson in 1978, followed by her appointment as the first woman dean of the graduate school in 1987.

"Though she retired in 1998, her work on behalf of this institution is nothing short of legendary. Her ability to inspire others as a leader of the Bridgewater Foundation is extraordinary, and her personal generosity has benefitted, quite literally, hundreds of students," he said. "Today she returns home once again, this time to be installed as a member of our board of trustees," the president continued. "As she is the very first trustee to be installed as a member of the board of trustees at Bridgewater State University."

The president then asked Gov. Patrick to administer the oath.

After the ceremony, Dr. Barry expressed her gratitude for her appointment to the board,

"I am both delighted and humbled to have this opportunity to serve Bridgewater, which has been such an important part of my life for more than half a century," she said. "To have been nominated by Dr. Mohler-Faria and chosen by Gov. Patrick to become a member of the university's board of trustees is a wonderful honor for me and my family," she said. "I look forward with great anticipation to serving on this board and working closely with the entire university community during this exciting period, when so much progress is being made in every area at Bridgewater."

As noted by President Mohler-Faria, Dr. Barry throughout the years has been a major benefactor both of individual students and the institution as a whole. Two years ago, she endowed the "Dr. Marilyn White Barry, '58, Graduate Award for Academic Excellence," which is presented each spring to an outstanding graduate student, and in 2006, she and her husband, Dennis, were significant contributors to the purchase of a private home adjacent to the campus, the Barry House, which provides housing for the university president.

Dr. Barry and her husband are the parents of two and the grandparents of four. (Story and photo by David K. Wilson, '71, Office of Institutional Communications)

President Mohler-Faria at the renaming ceremony

Students celebrate on the Quad

Making it official

A Day to Remember (Multimedia)

Posted on September 2, 2010 - Permalink
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It wasn't just any Opening Day celebration. Indeed, the start of the 171st academic year marked the institution's official transition to Bridgewater State University.

The day was capped by a renaming ceremony held on the steps of Boyden Hall, replete with 4,000 guests, a dais full of dignitaries, and a flyover by the university's own aircraft.

"This is a great, great day," President Dana Mohler-Faria said.

The packed schedule of events included the traditional Opening Day breakfast, as well as Convocation, held this year for the incoming freshmen. The special guest at the latter event was Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

"You are a university because you earned it," he told the packed Campus Center Auditorium.

As with many speakers at the event, the governor urged freshmen to in some way serve the public good. After the ceremony, he met for nearly an hour outside in the 90-degree heat with a long line of students and BSU employees who wanted to shake his hand and pose for photos.

Convocation allowed President Mohler-Faria to share with the newly arrived freshmen some of his own thoughts. After displaying on a large screen a group photo of the incoming class of 2014, he asked some hard questions.

"Which one of you will stand apart from this group?" he said. "Which one of you will decide that the world is not equitable, fair or just enough for you?

"How will you make a difference?" the president asked.

Picking up on that theme, Louis Ricciardi, '81, chairman of the BSU board of trustees, offered a quote from Gandhi, telling the students to "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Biology Professor Kevin Curry would seem to be the personification of these words. He addressed the convocation audience to discuss his work in helping bring clean water to some of the poorest villages in Cambodia. The students who worked with him on this were transformed by their service to others, he said.

"All of them were changed& forever," he said. "Now what about you?"

Student speaker Melani Gerenia, '11, told the freshmen how her time at Bridgewater had changed her from a wallflower to someone who was heavily involved with student activities.

"College is a fresh start and a new beginning," she said.

Also during convocation, a devoted friend of the institution was sworn in as a member of the board of trustees. Gov. Patrick administered the oath to Dr. Marilyn W. Barry, '58. Dr. Barry led a distinguished career in education, earning a doctorate while raising young children, joining the faculty at Bridgewater in 1974 and rising to become chairperson of the department of special education, and subsequently the first woman dean of the graduate school.

Dr. Mohler-Faria remarked that it was fitting Dr. Barry be named the first trustee of Bridgewater State University.

Gov. Patrick signed the bill on July 28, changing the institution's name to Bridgewater State University. During the renaming ceremony, many speakers said the designation was long overdue. Dr. Mohler-Faria dated the process to 1965.

On hand for most of the day's events was state Secretary of Education Paul Reville. At both convocation and the renaming ceremony, he discussed the importance of Bridgewater's achieving university status, and offered advice to the students who filled most of the quadrangle for the ceremony as they enjoyed a barbeque dinner.

"Take time to consider the opportunities you have here, and hold on to that," he told the students.

Other speakers at the renaming ceremony included state Representatives Peter Koutoujian, '83, and David Flynn, '58, state Sen. Marc Pacheco; Fred Clark, '83, of the Massachusetts Council of Presidents; Mr. Ricciardi, and former Bridgewater President Adrian Tinsley.

As the sun began to settle behind Boyden Hall, the crowd counted down from ten and a banner was removed from the façade of the building revealing the gold letters that spelled out "Bridgewater State University."

The Unveiling:

The governor's convocation speech:

Dr. Kevin Curry's convocation speech:

Dr. Marilyn W. Barry sworn in as a member of the board of trustees:

(Story by John Winters, photos by Karen Callan, Office of Institutional Communications; Videos by the Moakley TV Studio)

President Mohler-Faria

Strong and Ready (Multimedia)

Posted on September 1, 2010 - Permalink
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The 171st academic year started on a high note as President Dana Mohler-Faria reported at the opening day breakfast that the institution is as strong as ever and, emboldened by university status, ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

"The state of our institution is stronger than at any point in its long and storied history," he told a packed Tillinghast dining hall. "We are tremendously well positioned in so many ways."

The president then listed several areas of institutional pride, including strong enrollment figures (11,000 and counting), a bold strategic plan for the present and future of the university, an aggressive campaign of faculty hiring, the creation of two new schools and the major investments that will continue to be made in each of the five schools, and "a program of construction, renovation and renewal that is unlike any currently happening at any institution -- public or private -- anywhere in Massachusetts."

"Make no mistake, this is a remarkable set of accomplishments and we should be very proud," President Mohler-Faria said.

The breakfast provided an auspicious start to what is scheduled to be a day celebrating university status. Planned are the welcoming of the class of 2014 during an afternoon convocation ceremony that will feature Gov. Deval Patrick, and at 5 PM the opening day barbeque and renaming ceremony.

As he concluded his remarks, Dr. Mohler-Faria spoke of the work that goes on at BSU in a larger context, that which is conveyed by the institution's motto: Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.

"All that we build, all that we strive to accomplish, all that we know and all that we say, all of what we think, discuss and feel, all of the lessons we learn and wisdom we gather, all of the new lives we help forge and all of the satisfaction we feel in doing so, none of it matters if that tremendous energy is not transformed into action," he said. "If we do not step up and answer the call to better our world and shape it into a more just and equitable place. If we do not inspire this new generation, through our words and the example we set, to do the same."

While BSU is well positioned for the present and future, Dr. Mohler-Faria said this success must be built upon for the greater good.

"Our accomplishments should not be seen as a destination, an end to so many beginnings. Rather, they serve as the foundation upon which we must build something of a much deeper and profound sense of purpose," he said. "They do not satisfy our appetites, but make us hungrier to achieve more.

"My expectation for each of you, and for all of us together, is that we will both hear and respond to that higher calling, that greater purpose, that much loftier reason for being," he said.

(Story and photo by John Winters, Office of Institutional Communications. Video by the Moakley TV Studio)

Dr. Ed Brush

Dr. Lee Torda

Summer Scholars

Posted on August 30, 2010 - Permalink
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The academic year had yet to begin, but nearly 40 faculty members returned to campus early to participate in the week-long, first-ever Teacher-Scholar Summer Institute. By all accounts, it was a busy and well-received five days.

"We offered two primary tracks - a set of writing workshops and a set of pedagogy workshops - and all of us involved in the planning of the institute are very pleased with the level of interest and enthusiasm from all who took part, both veteran faculty members and those who have come to BSU more recently," said Director of Teaching and Learning Ann Brunjes, who was one of the chief organizers of the institute.

The institute's themes were cultural inclusion, sustainability, and undergraduate research. Each day the participants in the pedagogy track spent the mornings attending workshops, while the afternoons were devoted to devising ways to put into practice the information and best practices discussed.

Those on the writing track worked on a range of texts, including conference papers, grant proposals, journal articles and book prospectuses. Their mornings were spent writing, while in the afternoon sessions participants shared stories about their progress, received feedback, and set goals for the next day.

"It's truly been an extraordinary week," Dr. Brunjes said at an event held in the Campus Center to mark the conclusion of the institute. Addressing those participants who filled the Bridgewater Dining Room to capacity, she said, "I applaud your commitment to your work, your professionalism, your focus and creativity and your collegiality and good humor. It's an honor for me to help you support your continued growth as faculty members at Bridgewater."

Joining Dr. Brunjes in planning the institute were Dr. Michelle Cox (English), Acting Director of the Office of Institutional Diversity Dr. Sabrina Gentlewarrior and Dr. Erin O'Connor (history).

In turn, they worked with Dr. Andrew Harris, associate provost for academic affairs, to write the proposal to develop the program and they recruited as facilitators Dr. Ed Brush (chemical sciences), Dr. Lee Torda (English) and Dr. Joyce Rain Anderson (English) to help plan and coordinate the tracks that were to be offered.

"The institute was, for me, a tremendously valuable learning opportunity," said Dr. Margaret Lowe (history). "I studied a particular track that was devoted to undergraduate research and also a track that focused on sustainability, and I came away with a wealth of beneficial and substantive information. The work that people are doing across this campus is amazing."

In addition to current BSU faculty who attended the event were a number of emerti faculty who were invited because, Dr. Brunjes said, "they are a central part of the tradition of teaching, scholarship and service."

Dr. Mary Lou Thornburg, who served on the faculty from 1964 to 1997 and is acting dean emerita of the School of Education and Allied Studies - as well as current vice chair of the Bridgewater State University Foundation - offered her congratulations to the participating faculty members.

"I remember when I was teaching how much I and my colleagues savored the last few days of summer before classes began in the fall, and I applaud you for your willingness to give up those days for such a noble purpose," she said.

Dr. Harris also addressed the participants and took the opportunity to recognize Dr. Lee Torda, who has rejoined the English faculty after a tour as director of undergraduate research at BSU.

"Lee Torda established such a presence at Bridgewater and such a reputation for her strong encouragement of student scholarship and empowering them to do extraordinary work," said Dr. Harris. To the sustained applause of those present, Dr. Harris presented Dr. Torda with a bouquet of flowers.

Dr. Brunjes, in her closing comments, said, "I want to say a special thanks to President Mohler-Faria and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Howard London who supported this idea and authorized the funding to make it possible. Because they believed in us, the work we've done gives us a great beginning - from this will result new collaborations, new teaching strategies, new scholarly and creative projects, and new professional friendships and affiliations and alliances. I look forward eagerly to what's ahead."

(Story and photos by David K. Wilson, '71, Office of Institutional Communications)

Scenes from moving-in day 2010

New Arrivals

Posted on August 28, 2010 - Permalink
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The line of SUVs, trucks and station wagons wound their way on Saturday to Shea & Durgin and Woodward halls as roughly 925 first-year students arrived for their tenure at Bridgewater State University. Sunday, other residence halls across campus opened their doors to 2,000 returning resident students.

This weekend marked the annual moving-in day -- or, for some, moving-back day. Throughout Both days, student volunteers were buzzing about helping families move their sons and daughters in, and anxious students unloaded and unpacked their belongings as they dug into their new digs. There was, as always, the occasional tear shed, as parents departed.

"I think it's a little overwhelming from the parents' perspective," said Jo Anne Roderiques of New Bedford. She was sitting with son, Desmond, after moving him into Shea-Durgin. She admitted it was an emotional experience: even though this is the second child she'd sent off to school.

The weekend's weather was perhaps considered a bit warm by those toting boxes and mini-refrigerators. However, BSU volunteers who recalled last year in the rain said this year was more pleasant for everyone.

Overall, it was a day fitting for a milestone. The freshmen, members of the Class of 2014, are the first to enter Bridgewater State University. Indeed, when they applied to the institution it was a college. Now it was a university they were moving into. That was good news, they said.

"It feels good," Desmond Roderiques said.

Newly arrived freshman Dylan Curtis of Framingham agreed.

"I think it's pretty cool," he said. "It'll look better on a diploma. It's nice."

(Story and photos by John Winters, Office of Institutional Communications)

(Left to right) Liz Hayes, Phil Atkins and Professor Suzanne Ramczyk

Dr. Ramczyk, top, and Ms. Hayes

Just Like 'Old Times' (Multimedia)

Posted on August 27, 2010 - Permalink
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Thomas Kee has no idea why Harold Pinter's "Old Times" is not performed as often as the Nobel Laureate's other plays, "Betrayal" and "The Homecoming." But the assistant professor of theater says this turns out to be a good thing: For it allows Bridgewater to offer as its first theater production as a university a play that will have a built-in audience of Pinter fans, lovers of great theater, and the curious.

"This is a rare opportunity to see professional actors working with our own acting faculty on an extraordinary play right here on campus," he said.

In early September, the Bridgewater Theater Guest Artist Series will be presenting Pinter's "Old Times," in part utilizing a CART faculty and librarian research grant. The play features BSU Professor Suzanne Ramczyk, Elliot Norton Award nominee Liz Hayes, and American Repertory Theatre veteran Phil Atkins. Mr. Kee will direct. Rounding out the production design team are Dr. Arthur Dirks, professor of theater and dance, and facility technical director Mark Johnson, who serves as BSU as assistant director of the newly renovated RCC auditorium.

The play pits a middle-aged couple and a "friend" from their youth in a battle over the truth about their shared history. As Mr. Pinter writes: "There are some things one remembers even though they may never have happened." This poignant statement is at the core of this edgy and comic play which explores how we use memories of the past to control our future, Mr. Kee said.

This complex play offered at the beginning of the semester is an ideal jumping-off point for class discussion, he added. The Bridgewater Theater Guest Artist Series production of "Old Times" helps fulfill the mission of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences by creating "provocative and high level work by faculty and students that enriches the cultural life on campus and beyond," Mr. Kee said.

Performances will be held in the Rondileau Campus Center Auditorium on Sept. 8, 9, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., and Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. For reservations and ticket information, please call the box office at 508-531-1321. Tickets are $12 for general audience and $10 for seniors and students with I.D. Seating is very limited, so reserve your tickets ahead of time.
(Photos by Karen Callan, Office of Institutional Communications;
Video by the Moakley TV Studio)