January 2026

Bulldog Families,

Although we are now at the mid-point of the academic year, the ball dropping in Times Square signals for many, a fresh start—a time for resolutions, personal growth, and taking on new challenges. Whatever goals your student has set, the spring semester offers an abundance of opportunities across campus

For our Bulldogs looking to build a new routine—whether it's waking up on time for 8 a.m. classes, adding a fitness regimen, or committing to more hours in the library each week—remember that it typically takes 30 days for new behaviors to find permanence. For families cheering on these goals from a distance, remind your student that even small changes can lead to substantial progress, and a slip up should never deter them from continuing on that path to change.

We are very excited for the return of our Bulldogs and a special welcome to our new students starting this spring. For the Class of '26, we will remind them to soak in every moment of their final semester. The college years move quickly but the memories last a lifetime.

Enjoy the articles and information that follow, and please note that contacts for key campus offices can be found at the end of the newsletter.

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

160th Commencement Exercises

Greetings from the Commencement Committee, 



We are looking ahead with anticipation to Dean College’s 160th Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026.  

Please mark your calendars and share this date with family and friends. It will be here before you know it. We will share information about commencement in this 
e-newsletter and update our commencement web pages throughout the spring semester.  

The countdown to commencement has begun! 

The Office of Residence Life

The Office of Residence Life looks forward to welcoming all new and returning residents to campus on Sunday, January 18! New residents should complete their Spring 2026 Housing Application by January 12, via the Quick Links tab, located on MyDean, under “Dean eRezLife”. All new and returning residents can access their hall and room assignments via eRezLife. For Spring check-in information, please visit https://www.dean.edu/student-life/living-on-campus/check-in-for-residents-commuters/ or click on the banner above. Any questions, please contact our office at 581-541-1838.

Get Involved! The following involvement opportunity will be shared with your students:

Living on campus is an essential part of the college experience and we want to hear from you! The Office of Residence Life will be hiring Resident Assistants (student staff) for the 2026-2027 academic year beginning in February. Interested in becoming an RA and making a difference in your residential community? Contact Assistant Director, Jay Hinkle for more information on the hiring process.

See you soon, Bulldogs!

Academic Support at the Morton Family Learning Center

Academic Coaching is a specialized fee-based academic support service available through the Learning Center in both individual (one-on-one) or group (2-3 students per coach) formats. Students may sign up by calling the Learning Center directly at 508-541-1768. Families may also email learning@dean.edu to register their student and/or gain more information about setting up weekly meetings with an Academic Coach who can help students with note-taking, time management, organization, study strategies, and test preparation.

Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning

Welcome Back from Success & Career Advising!

We are excited to welcome your students back to campus! Please remind them to look at their schedules in Student Planning and review the information about textbooks and other necessary preparation for the semester. All students will receive an email from advising the week of January 12th welcoming them back into the semester!

Small Steps. Big Opportunities.

Every experience counts.

Families can support students by encouraging involvement in on-campus jobs, part-time work, internships, volunteering, or leadership roles. Each experience builds skills and confidence for life after Dean.

📅 Save the Date: Friday, March 27 — The Spring 2026 Opportunities Fair will welcome employers and graduate schools to campus. More details coming soon!

Stay connected.

Career workshops, drop-in hours, and events will be posted on the Career Services page on myDean by the end of the first week of the semester. A quick nudge from home can go a long way.

Progress over perfection.

Career development doesn’t happen overnight. Small, consistent steps each semester help students feel prepared and empowered.

Fun Career Fact 💡

Internship experience contributes to stronger early-career outcomes, including higher reported salaries and greater career satisfaction compared with graduates who did not participate in internships.

At Dean, every bachelor’s degree-seeking student completes at least one internship before graduating. This requirement helps students gain practical experience, build confidence, and explore career paths before entering the workforce.

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), “Internships & Co-ops: Key to Early Career Success,” 2024. (naceweb.org)

Order Your Spring Semester Textbooks and Beat the Rush!

Back to school days will be here soon! Be sure to avoid lines at the bookstore by ordering your books ahead of time and saving on used copies before they run out! Click on the link and see what's required for all your Spring courses.  

https://www.bkstr.com/deanstore/home?cm_mmc=OrganicSearch-_-GoogleMyBusiness-_-Google-_-558

Diane Lewis

Campus Store Leader

Calendar Planning

When seeking information about Dean College calendar dates, please use the Official Academic Calendar that is posted on the Dean College website under the heading Academics. Please do not use Google or other internet search engines for the calendar as it is likely to produce outdated and incorrect information.

Key Dates for Spring Semester 2026

Sunday, January 18- Residence Halls Re-open, Check-in for All Students, New Student Orientation begins

Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- No Classes- Administrative Offices Closed

Tuesday, January 20, Spring Semester Classes Begin

Monday, February 16- Presidents' Day- No Classes- Administrative Offices Closed

Monday, March 9- Friday, March 13- Spring Break- No Classes

Monday, April 20- Patriots' Day- No Classes- Administrative Offices Closed

Monday, May 4- Thursday, May 7- Finals Week- Non-graduating students must vacate their room three hours after their last final

Saturday, May 9- Commencement- 11am

Happy New Year!   

Now that your student is getting ready to return to campus for the Spring 2026 semester, we wanted to include a quick reminder about Dean’s Study Away Program.  

Dean College provides a wide variety of opportunities for students, both in the United States and in over fifty countries around the world. We encourage you to explore the study away program possibilities with your student, all from the comfort of your home.  

Students interested in studying away in summer or fall 2026 must submit their internal pre-approval application by February 15, 2026. This application is available on the Study Away department page on myDean. 

To learn more, encourage your student to attend an information session about our study away opportunities on Wednesday, January 28, 2006, at 5 pm in the Campanella Board Room directly across from the Dining Center. Students may also meet individually with Melissa Read, Director of the Study Away Program. Contact her at mread@dean.edu to schedule a time to meet.   

Student Financial Planning and Services

FAFSA Raffle - 2026-27 FAFSA is Open!

Filing your FAFSA just got more exciting! To encourage early filing, we’ve launched a Monthly FAFSA Raffle — and the earlier you file, the more chances you have to win!

How it works: · File your 2026-2027 FAFSA before Dean’s priority deadline of March 15.

Get entered into our monthly raffle — with extra entries the earlier you file!

o Filing in January = 3 entries

o Filing in February = 2 entries

o Filing up to March 15th – 1 entry

Prizes include gift cards, Dean swag, and other student favorites — drawn every month!

Don’t wait — more entries = more chances to win.

Some aid is available on a first come first serve basis. Earlier filing=better chance of receiving certain aid. Start your FAFSA today: www.studentaid.gov Questions or help needed filing the FAFSA? Email us at sfp@dean.edu or call 508-541-1518 and we can set up an in-person or Teams meeting to help you through the process!

Let’s make FAFSA season rewarding in more ways than one!

 As always, if you have any questions, you can contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services at sfp@dean.edu or via phone at (508)-541-1518. 

 Office of Counseling Services

Welcome back Bulldogs and Happy New Year! The Office of Counseling Services will be opening back up on January 20th. As a friendly reminder, we are located in Chapman House. Our hours this semester will be Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 9am-5pm, and Tuesday & Thursday 9am-6pm. For any students needing support with their mental health or interested in scheduling an appointment with one of our counselors, they can complete the counseling request form can be found on today at dean.  

The Counseling Center will be holding meet and greets during the first weeks of the semester on the concourse. Please be on the lookout for more details and information regarding these events on campus, on the Counseling Center's Instagram Page, and today at dean. 

Much success to our Bulldogs this semester! 

2025-2026 Performing Arts Season

Hey families, we are very excited for our spring performances at Dean. Don't miss out on the tremendous talents of our Bulldogs. Tickets are on sale now!

February 18-22, 2026

Much Ado About Nothing

One of Shakespeare’s last comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing” was first presented in 1598 and feels as contemporary as if it were written yesterday. The classic play is chock-full of surprises, laughs, relationships that feel familiar, and unforgettable characters navigating their way through impossible circumstances.



February 27-28, 2026

Choreographers’ Concert

Dean student choreographers will have selected works showcased and adjudicated by renowned industry professionals in this concert. Each of the three performances will have a different program of student work followed by a feedback session that is free and open to the public.

April 8-12, 2026

The Prom

In this comedic and heartwarming musical, four Broadway stars come together to support a high school girl in a small town who faces backlash from the school’s PTA for wanting to attend prom with her girlfriend. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.

April 23-26, 2026

Dance Company

Faculty and guest choreographers will showcase the impressive talent of Dean’s dance majors through a variety of new and restaged dance works, featuring a diverse program of dance genres.

April 26-27, 2026

Theatre Senior Showcase

Featuring scenes, songs, and monologues, the “Theatre Senior Showcase” is a celebration of the Class of 2026 and the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.

May 1-2, 2026

Dance Senior Showcase

Dean’s talented senior dance students share their choreography, performance, and production expertise in this annual collaborative showcase.

Dean has moved to a ticketless validation system for all events. There are two ways to receive your online tickets: digitally, via your mobile device (highly preferred), or by printing your receipt at home and picking up your tickets at the Will Call line at the Main Stage kiosk starting 60 minutes prior to performances with a valid ID. All events and performances are subject to change. Please visit www.dean.edu/performance for all up-to-date times and applicable venue policies. Ticket holders who do not comply with venue policies will not be admitted.

Please note: Dean College welcomes children and families to our performances. However, infants and children under 2 years of age are not allowed in the theatre, and an adult must accompany children under 16. All patrons must have their own ticketed seats; lap sitting is not permitted. Only ADA-certified service animals are allowed in the theatre.

Max Peters 24Hour Play Festival 

Now in its third year, the Dean College student run theatre organization, The Guild, proudly hosts the Max Peters 24Hour Play Festival, a thrilling theatrical challenge where student writers, directors, performers, and crew members create fully realized short plays in just 24 hours. This beloved event also serves a deeper purpose: honoring the life and legacy of Malachi “Max” M. Peters ’20. 

Malachi “Max” M. Peters ’20 was a theatre major at Dean College whose love for the performing arts radiated through everything he did. Warmhearted, creative, and full of life, Max was cherished by his classmates as well as by the faculty and staff who had the privilege of teaching and working alongside him. 

During his time at Dean, Max flourished both socially and academically, finding a home within the theatre program and forming meaningful connections that shaped his college experience. His enthusiasm for collaboration, performance, and community made him an unforgettable part of the Dean family. 

To honor his vibrant spirit and the positive experience he had at Dean, Leslie and Ted Peters established the Malachi “Max” M. Peters ’20 Scholarship in his memory. This scholarship supports Dean College students pursuing their passion for theatre. Their gift reflects the deep gratitude they feel for the community that uplifted their son and allowed him to grow as both a student and an artist. 

The scholarship honors Max’s legacy and love for theatre, supports promising theatre majors at Dean, and ensures future students can experience the same positive, transformative environment Max enjoyed. Proceeds from the 24Hour Play Festival directly contribute to this fund, helping young artists follow their dreams. 



About the Festival 

The festival, presented by Dean College's student-run organization, The Guild: New Theatre Works, begins with a prompt that student teams receive on Friday evening. Over the next 24 hours, they: 

• Write 5 original 10–15 minute plays 
• Assign writers, directors, and cast members 
• Rehearse scenes 
• Finalize minimal technical and staging elements 
• Perform the plays before a live audience on Saturday night 

The energy is electric, the collaboration is genuine, and the creativity is limitless. It’s a celebration of everything Dean’s theatre program stands for, and everything Max loved.

Alumni attendance strengthens the Dean community and helps sustain a scholarship that changes lives. By joining us, you: 

• Honor the memory of a fellow alumnus 
• Support current students as they take creative risks 
• Help provide financial support for emerging theatre artists 
• Keep the spirit of the performing arts thriving at Dean 

Saturday, January 24 • 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30) • Guidrey Center, Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center 

Admission to this event is pay-as-you-can at the door, with 100% of the proceeds supporting the Malachi “Max” M. Peters ’20 Scholarship. 

Your presence makes a meaningful impact. Together, we can continue to uplift future generations of Dean theatre students, just as Max’s family wished. 

Can't attend the Festival, but would like to support the scholarship in Max's name? Please click here and choose "Max M. Peters Scholarship Fund" as the gift designation. Thank you! 

Basketball Back in Action After Holiday Break

After a short holiday break, both Dean College basketball teams are back in action! The women opened with a one-and-one stint, hosting Westfield State University and traveling to Wellesley College. Meanwhile, the men's team picked up two impressive wins over New England College and Elms College. Both teams begin their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) schedule on Saturday, January 10th, against Rivier University.

Come to Pieri Gymnasium and watch all of the great action in-person. Can't make it to the game? No problem. Follow the live stream with links in the respective schedules on the athletics website. Admission is free for all regular season contests.

Let's Go Bulldogs!

Getting Around Town -Free Shuttle for Students- GATRA GO

Reminder that students can download the Gatra Go United app for a free rideshare service available to them Monday through Friday 6:30am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 9am- 6pm. We will provide directions on the student portal (myDean) as there is a special Dean College code for our community.

Students can use the service for Franklin and the neighboring towns of Foxboro, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Bellingham. Students have the opportunity to visit grocery stores, retail shopping centers, restaurants, and movie theatres. This includes Wrentham Outlets (Wrentham) and Patriot Place (Foxboro).

Students who choose to leave and return to campus before and after the hours provided by Gatra Go must obtain their own transportation (friend, rideshare, etc.). Campus Police and Safety cannot leave campus for non-emergency transportation needs.