September/ October 2024

Dean Bulldogs and Families,

As we move into the second month of the fall semester, we hope that your student has begun to find their stride with academic and social pursuits. Student organizations are a great way to make connections when students have additional time in their schedule. Students can visit the Student Activities and Leadership Development office on the lower level of the Student Center Atrium for more information.

Pictured on the right is the first-year class in our classic letter 'D' formation prior to the matriculation ceremony and below, the traditional 'pat of Boomer'. Students pat Boomer immediately following the matriculation ceremony and will do it once more as they walk toward Commencement Exercises at graduation. Also below are photos from the 'Welcome Back Cookout' that took place on the iconic Awpie Way.

We are looking forward to welcoming many of you to campus for Homecoming: for Alumni and Families on October 25- 26 (link to the schedule below). It's always a terrific weekend to reconnect with your student as well as faculty and staff in Bulldog Nation.

There is a lot of terrific information below to assist your student from afar and connecting with important resources on campus. Wishing all of our families a great start to the fall.

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

Join us for Homecoming: For Alumni and Families, October 25 - 26. There will be days of activities for all of the Dean Community, including alumni, parents, and friends. Click to see the schedule of events.



This weekend will be a time to celebrate Dean College - for families to get an inside look at life at Dean, for alumni to reminisce about their experiences, share their alma mater with their families, and make new memories! Unless noted, all activities are open to everyone, of all ages.

Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning

Supporting Student Academic Success

We have just completed week four of the semester! This is a common time that your student may be seeking additional academic support in their courses. Here's some information we have shared with your students:

Success & Career Advisors have access to a dashboard that provides updated information about students' performance in courses by pulling data directly from Canvas pages. Students also have access to their own "live" grades and assignments in each course on the Canvas page. Advisors may reach out to students based on their academic performance on their dashboard to provide additional resources and support.

We have also encouraged students to:

•      Engage with their faculty to discuss your specific grades, academic progress, and areas to improve.

•      Utilize the academic support available to all students in the Morton Family Learning Center, and the Theodore and Cynthia Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics and Presentation Excellence.

•      Explore the Academic Coaching (AC) program, a fee-based service offered through the Morton Family Learning Center, which provides academic skill development through professional support in writing, reading, math, time management and study skills.

We are here to support their success!

New Faces:

Brooke Maker has joined us from Salve Regina University, where she advised and taught first-year students in a pilot model. She will bring wonderful experience to our team as she works with first-year and sophomore students in the School of Business, as well as first-year students in Strive4Success.

Karen Bailey brings experience from several institutions in career advising and event planning. Her strong career background will help set a foundation for our first-year and sophomore students in the School of Liberal Arts and School of Business.

Rachael Conboy has been an academic coach at Dean and she will bring that knowledge and skillset to our team. Her personal perspective of her career journey in the sciences that led her here, as well as her school counseling background, will help our first-year undecided students, and our first-year and sophomore students in the School of Liberal Arts.

Francesca Panorese comes to us from Brandeis University with a background blended in community engagement and education. Her experience and approach will be put to great use with juniors and seniors in the School of Liberal Arts.

Familiar Faces:

Shane Benjamin will continue his leadership as the Associate Director, working primarily with juniors and seniors in the School of Business and School of Liberal Arts. Isa Elsasser (first-year students and sophomores) and Liza Smith (juniors and seniors) will continue to work with our students primarily in the Schools of Performing Arts and School of Liberal Arts.

We look forward to supporting your students this year!

-Kristin Fitzgerald, Director of Success & Career Advising

Career Planning and Internships

New this semester! Career Planning & Internships has rolled out a new DCA supplemental workshop series this month to help students achieve their career-related goals! Every Monday from 12 pm-1 pm & 4 pm-5 pm, workshops are held to work on DCA topics such as interviewing, resume writing, life design, and so much more! Encourage your student to attend a session this semester. All sessions are held in the Campanella Board Room, which can be found across from the dining center.

Thea Cerio, Director of Career Planning and Internships

Student Activities and Leadership Development

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development has been having tons of fun with students at our events! You can always follow along with our Instagram, @deancollegecampuslife, to see what students have been up to like our recent Dean-themed bingo, movie nights, and magic show!



Dean's 40 student-run clubs and organizations have been off to a great start as well, recruiting new members and holding initial meetings and events. We're excited to see where this year takes them! Pictured is our Queer Pride Alliance at their first meeting of the semester, and our Women in Business club on their first Women in Business tour of local, female-owned businesses!

Center for Student Financial Planning and Services

FAFSA 2025- 2026

The 2025-2026 FAFSA application is scheduled to open on December 1st. The earlier you submit the FAFSA the better as some aid is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be sure to have your FSA ID username and password with you to complete and sign the FAFSA. If this is your first time completing the FAFSA visit studentaid.gov to learn about the application process and how to set up your FSA ID.

Stay tuned for upcoming FAFSA filing events starting in January. 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.

Did you know you could use your student account credit for books/supplies and Boomer Bucks?

Unsure if you have a student account credit? Log on to Student Account Portal and check your balance information. If you do have a credit and do not have any pending financial restrictions, then you can use your credit to:

Buy books and supplies at: https://www.bkstr.com/deanstore/home

Request Boomer Bucks using the “Boomer Bucks Request” link located under Essential Links on Today@dean.

Spring 2025 Bills

Bills for the Spring 2025 semester will be available the first week of December on the Student Account Portal and will be due by January 3rd.

If you do not have access already, your student can provide you access by logging into their Student Account Portal and clicking “Add an Authorized Party” on their home screen. You will then receive an electronic invitation to set up your very own credentials.

159th Dean College Commencement

Greetings from the Commencement Committee.

Yes, we are already looking ahead with anticipation to Dean College’s 159th Commencement. It will be here before you know it.

We do want to make sure everyone is aware of an important amendment that was made to the Dean College 2024-2025 Academic Calendar – Commencement will now be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Please note this important date in your calendar so you can start planning for the celebration! Here is a list of area hotels that we recommend. During the academic year, we will regularly update you via these emails and our commencement web pages.

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 with fun activities throughout the year, including a special senior sendoff! We are excited to cheer on the seniors (and soon to be graduates) as they finish their last year at Dean and start their next chapter!

Morton Family Learning Center

The Morton Family Learning Center offers a wide variety of academic supports that will help students throughout the semester. Study labs, workshops, and tutoring through our Theodore & Cynthia Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics and Presentation Excellence are among the many complimentary services offered. We encourage students to head over to the Learning Center page on Today@Dean for more information.

Academic Coaching, a specialized, fee-based service is also available through the Learning Center in both individual and group formats. Students and families can email learning@dean.edu or call the Learning Center at 508-541-1768 to register 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.

For additional information about our services, please contact the Morton Family Learning Center at 508-541-1768 or email us at learning@dean.edu.

Calendar Planning

When seeking information about Dean College calendar dates, please use the Official Academic Calendar that is listed 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 the Fall Semester 2024

Monday, October 14

Indigenous Peoples' Day-

No Classes

Friday, October 25 - Sunday, October 27

Homecoming for Alumni and Family Weekend

Wednesday, November 27- Friday, November 29

Thanksgiving Break, No Classes

Tuesday, December 10 - Friday, December 13

Finals Week

Health Services

FLU SHOTS ON CAMPUS

Health Services is excited to announce that CVS Pharmacy will be hosting a Flu Vaccine Clinic on campus on Wednesday, October 30th, from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Pre-register online here to secure your spot and make the process quicker and easier! Walk-ins are welcome, but registering ahead is strongly encouraged. Don't forget to have your insurance information ready, including prescription coverage. Stay healthy this flu season.

SELF-CARE KITS

As we enter cold & flu season, it is important for students to be prepared! We recommend each student keep a self-care kit in their dorm with supplies including cough drops, tissues, a cup of soup/broth, Gatorade, rapid COVID-19 tests, and any OTC medications that they would normally take at home for cough/cold symptoms or allergies.

RAPID COVID-19 tests

The US government has again made 4 free rapid COVID-19 tests available per person. Students can get these delivered directly to Dean College by ordering at https://covidtests.gov/

Counseling Services

Fresh Check Day

Bulldogs, save the date for Fresh Check Day on October 10th! The Counseling Center is excited to once again host Fresh Check at Dean College.

Fresh Check is a nationwide signature program of the Jordan Portco Foundation, Fresh Check Day. The event is an uplifting mental health program that supports mental health promotion and suicide prevention through interactive booths, and peer-to-peer messaging and assists students to engage in the important dialogue of wellness and mental health resources*. Booths will be staffed by several student organizations and departments from the college. This will be the seventh year Dean has hosted the events for its campus community.

Getting Around Town -Free Shuttle for Students- GATRA GO

Students can download the Gatra Go United app for a free rideshare service available to them Monday through Friday 7 am-6 pm, Saturday from 9 am-8 pm, and Sunday from 9 am - 6 pm. We will provide directions on the student portal as there is a special Dean College code for our community.

There is a three-passenger maximum for each trip. 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-emergent transportation needs.

Dean College 2024-2025

Performing Arts Season

Hey families, don't forget: Tickets are on sale now! Come and see our current Dean students, award-winning faculty, and renowned guest artists and directors. This year's lineup includes six theatrical productions, four dance shows, and multiple showcase performances. Pictured above are scenes from the recent production of 'Let It Be'. Encore!

October 16-20, 2024

Mad Forest

A poignant play written by Caryl Churchill following two families during the Romanian Revolution.

November 1-2, 2024

Arts Mosaic

Student works and collaborations, integrating dance, theatre, music, and much more.

November 13-17, 2024

My Favorite Year

A classic musical comedy based on the book by Joseph Dougherty and music and lyrics by Tony award-winning Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

November 22-23, 2024

New Dancer Showcase

An informal showing of dance works created by Dean’s upperclassmen dance majors and performed by first-year dance majors.

November 23-24, 2024

New Thespian Showcase

An informal showing of monologues, scenes, songs, and theatre works brought to the stage by Dean’s first-year theatre majors.

December 5-6, 2024

Faculty Dance Works

Two evenings of dance, featuring outstanding works conceived by the Joan Phelps Palladino Dance Program faculty and renowned guest artists.

February 19-23, 2025

Breath of Stars

A play about love and loss reimagining Shakespeare’s “Tempest” written by Caridad Svich.



February 28 - March 1, 2025

Choreographers’ Concert

Dean student choreographers will have selected works showcased and adjudicated by renowned industry professionals in this two-night concert.

March 21-23, 2025

An Evening of Short Plays

A new experience in theatre from Dean’s Schools of Performing Arts, this series of short plays will be curated, rehearsed, and performed in the Chapel at Dean Hall.

April 2-6, 2025

Freaky Friday

A new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, this is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic.

April 24-27, 2025

Dance Company

Award-winning faculty and guest choreographers showcase the impressive talent of our dance majors through a mixed bill of new and restaged dance works, ranging in style from hip-hop to jazz dance, tap to modern, and ballet.

April 29, 2025

Theatre Senior Showcase

Featuring scenes, songs, and monologues, the “Theatre Senior Showcase” is a celebration of the Class of 2025 and the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.

May 1-2, 2025

Dance Senior Showcase

Creating a performance from the ground up, Dean’s talented senior dance students share their choreography, performance, and production expertise in this annual collaborative showcase.

Ticket Pricing

Regularly priced tickets range from $12-$22 per show. Full-season ticket packages offer a 25 percent discount off the regular single-ticket prices.

The Full Season Package (eight performances) is $132 for the general public and $72 for senior citizens and non-Dean students. All shows for Dean students are $5.

The Theatre Series Package (four performances – “Mad Forest,” “My Favorite Year,” “Breath of Stars,” and “Freaky Friday”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.

The Dance Series Package (four performances – “Arts Mosaic,” “Faculty Dance Works,” “Choreographers’ Concert” and “Dance Company”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.

More information about our 24-25 Performing Arts Season and ticket packages are now available online at www.dean.edu/performance. Individual show tickets will be available beginning September 1st.  

Fall sports at Dean are well underway with teams focused on playoff berths. Keep up with all your favorite Bulldog teams, schedules, articles, and more at deanbulldogs.com. We hope to see you at Longley Athletic Complex, Pieri Gymnasium, or Grant Field!

WINTHROP, MASS.- First-year standout forward Emily Yazzetti (Mahopac, N.Y.) continued her string of success, earning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) field hockey Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors. The recognitions are the first of her career.

Yazzetti had a dominant week for the Bulldogs, guiding them to a 2-0 record with wins over Rivier and Anna Maria. In the two conference games, both 2-0 wins for Dean, Yazzetti scored all of Dean's goals. She is currently 2nd in the GNAC in goals scored and third in total points. After two wins last week, Dean is now 4-4 (2-1 GNAC). 

Full story here.

Let's Go Bulldogs!