College of Our Lady of the Elms ~ August 12, 2020
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Elms College Receives Grant to Fund Experiential Learning |
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Elms College has been awarded a $240,000 grant from the Davis Educational Foundation (DEF) in support of its Experiential Learning Mastering Success (ELMS) – Real World Ready! learning initiative. The grant will be dispersed over the next three years.
The overall goal of the ELMS – Real World Ready! learning initiative is to provide at least one high-impact experiential learning opportunity to every student during their college career. Experiential learning is one of the five pillars of the college’s 2020-23 strategic plan. Students can participate in internships, research, study-abroad trips, and service-learning opportunities.
The first-year disbursement of the grant will support hiring a director of Experiential Learning, providing professional development for faculty and staff, and broadening of the college’s third annual Innovation Challenge (IC). The IC is a three-day event in which students work in teams and explore the intersection of social relationships, business economics, public education, and social justice. Over the past two years, Elms students have developed creative ideas to alleviate homelessness and address bullying. The upcoming Innovation Challenge in the fall 2020 semester will expand participation from 60 students to the entire first-year class.
The ELMS – Real World Ready! learning initiative and the DEF grant builds on the philanthropic scholarship funding currently available to students through the donor-funded Keating Schneider Experiential Learning Fund and the Elms Advantage Internship program. These programs were highlighted in a recent alumni newsletter. Click here to view the website.
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David Lussier ’00
Frontline Nurse at Javits
Convention Center, NYC
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Leanne Price ’13, Psy.D. Post Doctoral Psychology Resident at Clifford Beers Clinic in CT |
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Kaylee Hotchkiss ’12, M.Ed. ’20 Spanish Teacher at Palmer High School |
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We reached out to members of the Elms community who are on the frontlines of the pandemic fight from a variety of perspectives: nurses, law enforcement officers, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and a biostatistician, among others. Click here to see what they said, in their own words, about their experiences. Several other community members are also featured on the college's website.
TIn addition, this feature was included in the Spring 2020 Elms Magazine. Click the button below to read the full issue.
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Matthew Barone '14 to be Ordained |
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While the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the original ordination date in early June, Elms alumnus Matthew Barone '14 and four other men are slated to be ordained on Aug. 15 in St. Michael’s Cathedral. Archbishop-designate Mitchell T. Rozanski, apostolic administrator of the Springfield Diocese, will ordain the men during an 11 a.m. Mass. This will be one of the archbishop’s last public Masses he will celebrate in the diocese before leaving for his new position in St. Louis.
Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, the Mass is by invitation only and will not be open to the public. However, the event will be live streamed on www.diospringfield.org.
Deacon Matthew Barone '14, is a native of Chicopee, where he grew up with two younger siblings, Michael and Molly, and his mother, Eileen. He attended the former St. Patrick Elementary School and graduated from the former Holyoke Catholic High School, Elms College in Chicopee, and St. John’s Seminary.
Matthew said his journey to the priesthood likely began in second grade, where he learned about the sacraments and holy orders as his teacher, Mrs. Grenier, read a story to the class on seminarian life. He thought to himself: “This is something I would like to do.”
He has been serving at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Springfield during his transitional diaconate year. He said he is looking forward to serving as a parish priest.
“Celebrating Eucharist, bringing the sacraments to people, and tending to the spiritual care of God’s people are most important among all the things a parish priest has to do,” he said. “Based on my experiences, and my strengths, and also depending on the needs of the parish, I hope to learn and grow as a priest and perhaps be a pastor someday.”
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Joining our book club lets you read more and enjoy all the benefits that come with it. Click the sign-up button to sign-up today. Our next discussion begins in earnest on August 20, 2020.
Do you want to learn more about the book? Click here to read NPR's book review by Brian Naylor, In Talking To Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell Explores Why It's So Hard To Do. Gladwell's previous books, include the bestsellers, The Tipping Point and Blink.
By August 20: finish reading the introduction and chapters 1 and 2
By August 27: finish reading chapters 3-5
By September 3: finish reading chapters 6 and 7
By September 17: finish reading chapters 8 and 9
By October 1: finish the book and prepare for our end-of-book discussion!
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Reunion Planning: Class Meetings to Begin in September |
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We will be connecting, celebrating, and honoring all the classes ending in 0/5 and 1/6. What a Reunion this will be! We will create special opportunities for each reunion group, especially those that are waiting an extra year to celebrate due to COVID-19.
We recently held kick-off meetings where we shared the reunion survey results, brainstormed ideas, and discussed the schedules. It's not to0 late to get involved, we have only just begun!
Many alumni from these classes already serve as class agents or class representatives, but we can always use more help. Want to get involved with reunion planning? Next up will be class specific meetings. Email Andrea at [email protected] no later than August 19. Meetings will be held by Zoom and phone and are open to all class members. Class meetings will begin in September.
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Weekly Mass is celebrated with Father Mark on YouTube weekly from St. Joseph Chapel in Berchmans Hall. This has been a blessing during this unprecedented public health crisis. We have heard from alumni that live near and far how much they have enjoyed these Masses. Many feel more connected to the College of Our Lady of the Elms.
The college plans for these to continue until regular on-campus Masses can return. Masses are posted at 4 pm on Saturdays on the college's YouTube channel and the Elms College Facebook page. Join us this week!
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Alumni Association Happenings |
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Alumni Association Board
2020-2021 Executive Committee
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Executive Committee
President: Theresa Stec
Vice President: Diane Brunelle
Treasurer: Yahaira Antomarchi
Secretary: Katie Roberts
Nominating Committee
(Non-AAB Elected Members)
Mena DeCarvahlo, Member
Mary Hurley, Member
Kathy Hinkley Seward, Member
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Watch for the upcoming Alumni Association Board meetings schedule, continued opportunities to get involved, and new virtual and small group gatherings.
Quick Feedback Poll
Answer the question below about possible outdoor gatherings designed for small groups of alumni. Please note these would only happen possible with safety and precautions as part of the planning and as allowed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Elms College.
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Would you join us for a small OUTDOOR gathering? (i.e. picnic, movie or firepit social)
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