Published Work - Le Provocateur

Convocation welcomes new faces to AC - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in September 26, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur 

Convocation is a ceremony that takes place once a year to recognize all of the new members of the faculty and staff at Assumption College. There are three components of convocation. First, the heads of the departments introduce all of the new employees who have been hired to the College in the past year. Second, President Francesco Cesareo gives a state of the college address.

"I address what has happened in the past year of the college, what were some of the major accomplishments of the college in the past year," said Cesareo. "And what are some of the challenges and opportunities that the college has faced."

Third, four chosen individuals are recognized and given one out of four various awards: excellence in teaching, excellence in service to the mission, excellence in scholarship and excellence in service.

"It is a way of recognizing individuals in the community who have really excelled in a particular area and who can serve as models to the rest of the community in terms of doing what they do best here at the college," said Cesareo.

This year, only two of the four wards were given out. the award of excellence in service was given to Professor Joseph T. Foley, the Business Studies Department Chair. The award of excellence in service to mission was given to Father Donat Lamothe, who is a Professor of Music.

After Father Dennis Galagher opened up with a prayer, Cesareo introduced the Vice President of Student Affairs Catherine WoodBrooks who introduced all of the new members in student affairs. These included the new Athletic Director Nick Smith, the Women's Head Lacrosse Coach Abbey Capobianco, the Assistant Director of Sports Information Jacob Grossman, the Assistant Director of Plourde Recreation Center Eric Wojtowicz, the Director of Health services Elizabeth Drexler-Hines, the Associate Director of Residential Life Benjamin Kadamus, the Resident Director of Wachusett Ashley Marco, the Resident Director of Salisubry Derek McDonald, the Resident Director of Plough-South-West Gregory Rodriguez, the Director of the Cross-Cultural Center Beatriz Patino-Mancuello, the Dean of Campus Life Conway Campbell, the Director of Residential Life Ted Zito and the Assistant Director of Residential Life Tyler Pau.

Following WoodBrooks, the Provost and Academic Vice President Franxis Lazarus introduced the 15 of 20 faculty and non-faculty members in the Office of the Provost. The five new members of the faculty included Associate Professor in the Business Studies department Catherine Pastille, Assistant Professor of Political Science Jeremy Geddert, Visiting Instructor in the Business Studies Department Paul Piwko, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Natural Science department Richard Warby and Visiting Instructor of Biology in the Natural Sciences department Elissa Kraus.

Lazarus also introduced non-faculty: Allen Wilkins, Christopher Murray, Elizabeth Hamblett, Dawn Law and Jennifer Marques are all new Information Technology members. Erin Rodriguez is the new Administrative Secretary. Amy Borrggaard is the new Assistant Director of Disability Services. Elizabeth Lipin is the new Cataloger & Reference Librarian. The last non-faculty member is Robin Maddalena is the Head of Access Services & Collection Management.

Cesareo introduced the new Director of Annual Giving Timothy Martin, who introduced his new Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Erin Mills. Cesareo continued with the new introductions for the finance department on behalf of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer Christian McCarthy. Those recognized were Peter Wells, David Grybowski, Debra Domozyvh, Matthew Mahota, Sean Montville, Casey Onuigbo and Michael Shea.

The last of all the acknowledgements was Daniel DiTullio, the new Executive Assistant for Government and Community Relations, within the President's Office. Cesareo closed out the ceremony by saying a few words and formally welcoming everyone to the college.

"Clearly Assumption College is a developing and vibrant institution," said Cesareo. "May God bless our efforts in this year ahead."