In her own words…

 

Bridgewater State University has awarded me many opportunities to connect the University with the town and I have been very thankful for those opportunities. The supervision of student teachers was part of my work at BSU.  During that time, I had the privilege of supervising students from Manchester, England. It soon became apparent that there was a much to learn from those students as they learned from us. Thus, I wanted to extend these connections with the BSU international students. After a discussion with Sue McCombe, from the BSU Community Partnership Office and Evie DeLutis, ’63, we made an appointment with Karim Ismaili, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, to put forth the idea of connecting international students with community members. With a positive reception from Karim, this idea eventually evolved into the Conversation Partners Program through the Dr. Edward Minnock Institute for Global Engagement.  

 

Sue “from the U,” as my husband referred to her, Evie, and I also expanded the One Book One Community reading program from a selected book once a year to a book each semester. I continue to be a member of the steering committee. The three of us have been guests on Jabbar Al-Obaudi’s In Focus cable program as well as an appearance on the Mansfield station to promote OBOC. I have co-lead book reviews at BSU, Heritage Circle Housing for the Elderly and the Bridgewater Senior Center.

 

From the first arrival of the Mandela Scholars, upcoming and outstanding leaders from a multitude of African countries, I have welcomed them and found ways to introduce them to the Bridgewater community. There were welcoming sessions at our home and multi-generational potluck dinners at Bridgewater United Methodist Church. It has been rewarding to continue the growth of these friendships thanks to Facebook.  

 

I have been an active member of the steering committee of Dress a Girl Around the World whose belief is that every young girl deserves to have at least one new dress. Our small original group has grown to over 50 sewers. When COVID needs arose, we changed direction and created masks that were given out for free. Thousands were made in a few months and went to places such as nursing homes, MCI, hospitals and our small core group sewed them for both the BPD and BSUPD.  

 

From the love of travel and photography, I have shared these trips with PowerPoint presentations at the senior center, Heritage Circle Housing and Bridgewater United Methodist Church.  

 

When STEM nights are held, I have always made certain to bring young children to encourage their interest in science. One of my little friends always asks, “When can I do science at your school again?”  

 

Through the senior center I have had Pen Pals at Williams Intermediate School and am currently writing to a BSU student.  

 

When educator friends from Perm, Russia visited Bridgewater, numerous residents opened their homes to them. On another occasion a friend from Perm visited and was interested in interviewing residents for a future publication. Many stepped up and shared views with her.

 

The Office of Alumni & Development learned about my own horrible experiences at my undergraduate university’s 50th celebration and I wanted to make certain that BSU did not make any of those mistakes. They listened to these suggestions and acted on the ones they thought would be most useful. I was also very interested to restore the teas of yore. Although I was on the steering committee for the return of this event, illness prevented me from participating. I look forward to the next one!

 

Thank you so very much for the President Rondileau Award. I am very humbled. “Once a Bear, Always a Bear” and once a teacher, always a teacher.