Published work - Worcester Business Journal

Dorian A. Des Lauriers

MEGHAN GUARNIERI
SPECIAL TO METROWEST495 BIZ

 

Entrepreneur Dorian A. Des Lauriers, ProVerde Laboratories' CEO, teamed up with Christopher Hudalla, the company's chief scientific officer, about two years ago to create a green and environmentally friendlier technology to test medicinal marijuana. Des Lauriers — who had started several companies already — was responsible for building the business, as well as finance, marketing and sales. It was incorporated at the end of 2012.

Both men spent most of last year developing their technology and took delivery of equipment in the fall. The company is building a 16,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art lab facility in Milford, at space formerly occupied by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

"We are in the brand-new, bustling medical marijuana industry and we are in the unique position of having some of the coolest science in the world in this space," said Des Lauriers. "We are in the position to be doing testing, which has been mandated by law in Massachusetts, and most states are now even requiring testing for both efficacy and safety."

Des Lauriers saw opportunity. And Hudalla, who has a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, got the new technology up and running for ProVerde.

"We are the first laboratory in the world to be applying this [method] to this applications base," said Hudalla.

The technology, ultra performance convergence chromatography, was originally developed by Waters Corp. in Milford, explained Des Lauriers.

"We use super critical carbon dioxide in our process," said Des Lauriers, "(which uses) 100 to 500 times less toxic solvents compared to the prior generations of analytical testing equipment."

Although there are some challenges that come with being first out of the gate with technology like this, rewards are rich.

"This is changing people's lives dramatically: their family, their friends, their school, their whole life is forever changed by a few drops of this stuff," Des Lauriers said. "It's really exciting to … prove to people scientifically what the compounds are in this product and the benefit that people get from using it properly."

Published work - Worcester Business Journal

Holli Andrews

MEGHAN GUARNIERI
SPECIAL TO METROWEST495 BIZ

 

Holli Andrews holds the important role of connecting people to where they live: supporting capital improvement in Framingham's infrastructure; supporting existing businesses through this period of construction; recruiting businesses to diversify the economic base; getting out into the public and presenting the Framingham Downtown Renaissance's efforts.

And of that radiates from a central point: Framingham's rich past.

"Our goals are centered on preservation-based revitalization of our historic New England downtown," said Andrews.

Framingham Downtown Renaissance, or FDR, is built upon promotion, design, organization and economic restructuring. Promotion is getting the word out about the businesses in Framingham, as well as the different amenities they have or are working to create. Design is bringing the downtown to its best physical condition. Organization is trying to get as many different people involved as possible. Economic restructuring is working with existing businesses to help them become sustainable.

Andrews has the challenging, yet exciting, task of making this four-point approach happen.
"It's kind of a holistic way to work on the revitalization and recognize that there are many important facets to that," she said.

Andrews grew up near a little airport in Maine, in a town of about 4,000 people. Taking airplane rides with her dad and being able to see all the pollution that was in the air helped drive her to pursue a bachelor's degree in ecology.

"This job came up. It was exactly like a job I had in Maine while I was in graduate school," said Andrews. "I thought, 'You know what? I'm ready; I've been working on this for a long time.'"
Even though being a 501(c)3 organization has its funding challenges, Andrews makes the best of the situation. And she hopes this optimism is contagious.

"You have to love it," said Andrews. "You need that enthusiasm and passion in order to try and get people on board."

Published work - Worcester Business Journal

Colleges launch final push to meet fall admissions goals

As the academic year ends, applications for the Class of 2018 are in. Admissions officials at Central Massachusetts colleges and universities are confident they'll meet their headcount goals for their incoming groups of freshmen, with some hoping for slight increases over last year.

Jim Fowler, dean of admissions at Dean College in Franklin, said in an email that his applicant pool is 3 percent deeper over 2013 and has grown 68 percent in the last five years.

Many of the schools recently held open house events to invite accepted students to visit one last time before they make their final decisions. Typically, these types of events are successful in boosting admissions deposits the schools receive. Worcester State University, in particular, received such a financial boost from a recent “Congratulations Day” event, Ryan Forsythe, the school's vice president for enrollment management, said.

“We have had quite a surge,” he said last month. “After the event, we received almost 50 percent more deposits than we did last year on that day. So, we are optimistic for a better year.”

Reaching out

As application deadlines draw closer, schools try to make their presence more prevalent on social media. They're slowly adapting to certain handles in hopes of getting more information out to students who are going through the college application process.

“We have been treading lightly in social media, because we are aware of where the students go for information,” Ann McDermott, director of admission at the College of the Holy Cross, said last month.

Then, there's the issue of cost, which can greatly influence a student's decision on where to go. That's very much on the minds of officials at schools like Assumption College, which recently froze tuition for current freshmen and sophomores, as well as for the Class of 2018. Becker College and Worcester State have done something similar.

“I think certainly that in this economy, cost is something that many families are considering,” Edward Connor, chief admissions officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, said.

“Hopefully financial aid programs help balance the out-of-pocket costs a little bit and take cost out of the equation for some families and minimize that part of the decision-making process.”

Becker, meanwhile, has implemented its Be Affordable program, in which undergraduate day students will have tuition and financial aid awards remain the same through their four years.

“It is very attractive and reassuring to families to understand up front how to plan financially,” Kevin Mayne, vice president of enrollment management at Becker, said in an email.

“We created this program as a response to the growing need to make the dream of college education an affordable reality.”

But affordable tuition isn't the only factor students consider when picking a school. Paul Brower, admissions director at Nichols College in Dudley, shed some light on why kids may choose one school over others.

“Nichols is the only area school that offers a formal professional development program to our students,” Brower said in an email. “It really gives our students an edge as they compete for internships and professional positions.”

Maintaining a high level of enrollment from year to year can sometimes become difficult. But the schools learn over the years what techniques tend to work and which ones don't.

Some schools have decided to take a different approach and have begun sending people across the country to recruit more students.

“Becker has been engaging in more national travel and expanded outreach,” Mayne said.
“We are also providing strong leadership development programs and expanded service learning trip options, allowing for a more enriching and transformational collegiate experience.”

It's always tough to decipher why more or fewer students are committing to schools each year, but keeping a high level of communication between the school and potential student is key, officials say.

“As we approach the critical decision time for them, we have essentially ramped up our level of engagement,” said Peter Miller, dean of admissions and financial aid at Anna Maria College in Paxton. “We are with them every step of the way, monitoring how it is and where they are as they go through the process.”

Published Work - Worcester Business Journal

After fiscal improvements, tough winter, golf facilities stay the course

After the Great Recession struck in 2007, fewer golfers took their clubs out for a day on the links. After all, being the luxury it is, if you're out of work and you have to pay the mortgage and put food on the table, golf drifts downward on the list of priorities.

"Golf is a major contributor to the economy — many people don't realize how big a business it is," said David Frem, general manager of Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston. "In the United States, golf contributes $68.8 billion and 2 million jobs to the economy. In Massachusetts, the golf economy has (a) direct impact of $1.6 billion," he said.

Golf course owners and operators would probably agree that to get a boost in business requires them to provide and promote good products and services, Frem said.

"The economic downturn forced many courses to become more efficient, spend money more wisely, and pay more attention to their business," said Frem.

But last year, things appeared to turn around for golf in Central Massachusetts. Course managers in the region believe business will be even better this year.

"We are hoping that last year was the bottom in the golf economy cycle," said Mike Hightower, course superintendent at Westborough Country Club.

Jeffrey Lawson, general manager at Marlborough Country Club, has the same outlook. "We anticipate a terrific year ahead," he said. "With the improving economy and our (location), we expect 2014 to be a year of growth."

Club managers wary of being too optimistic

"I generally enter each season anticipating a repeat of the season prior, and mange expenses in such a way so we aren't surprised by another drop," said Kevin Sullivan, who owns Southborough's Stonybrook Golf Course. "If consumers feel pinched or less wealthy, it's the discretionary spending that tightens first."

Golfers in Central Massachusetts may still be able to afford their leisure activity, but they may not be able to go out and play as often as they would like. So the state of the economy can also affect the number of rounds they play from season to season.

"That is where we and other golf courses see it: the reduction in rounds played," Sullivan said. "People are still playing golf, eating at restaurants, etc., but doing less of it … They may still have cable (TV) but may have reduced their (service, or they may be) holding onto that four-year-old car for another year."

Hightower hopes to see more — or at least not less — business this year when spring brings out the golfers.

Then ... there's the snow

But as the economy improves, weather — especially conditions the region has experience for most of the last three months — plays a factor in when golfers decide to start teeing off.

"We do feel the improving economy will have a positive impact, but there are other factors to consider," said Stephanie Tor, manager at Berlin Country Club. "The biggest factor that will affect us this spring will really be inclement weather."

Frem agrees. "I am optimistic for this year, despite the likely late start due to all the snow still on the ground," he said. "(Last year) was not a good weather year for golfers, so combining that with a long winter, I think golfers are very excited to get the season started."

Value adds

Tor said value is essential for her nine-hole executive course. "Our lower overhead allows us to maintain a lower price point," she said. "A good value is always appealing."

Marlborough, being a private course, hopes to see more golfers from among the general public. "MCC ... accommodates public play on Mondays and Tuesday. Public play continues to grow," Lawson said.

Lawson said MCC has also extended its reach to junior golfers, women and couples. "Building programs that fit the interest and skill level of the golfer…will build interest," he said.

Even with the economy in recovery mode, course owners and managers are nonetheless approaching the spring on a hopeful note.

"It's difficult to read the tea leaves as no one can predict the future, even the economist and politicians," Sullivan said. "But I … do not anticipate much of a change this year."

Published Work - Le Provocateur

Restless Heart showcases saint's life - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in February 13, 2013 issue of Le Provocateur  

On Tuesday, February 5, students, faculty and off-campus visitors gathered at 7 p.m. to view the critically acclaimed film Restless Heart: The Confessions of St. Augustine. At the beginning of the evening everyone was welcomed at the top of the stairs of the Hagan Campus Center with a popcorn machine and other refreshments. The campus held the viewing in hopes to better educate the Assumption Community about St. Augustine and his connection to Assumption's history and mission.

Before the movie started, President Francesco Cesareo introduced himself and welcomed everyone to Assumption.

"I would like to welcome you to our campus this evening for this very special viewing of the movie Restless Heart on the confessions of St. Augustine," said Cesareo. "As you may know, St. Augustine holds a special place for us here at Assumption College because of the sponsors of our institution, the Augustinians of the Assumption."

"This is a part of our College's celebration of the year of faith to help bring to light the work of this great theologian and philosopher who continues to be very influential in our church today," said Cesareo. "As you know, Pope Benedict is a great admirer of St. Augustine and is very influenced by St. Augustine's own thinking."

Restless Heart was filmed in Europe and is the first full-length movie about Augustine--one of the Catholic Church's most well known saints.

The film takes place in the city of Hippo and is based around the life of Augustine. He starts out by sharing the story of how his Christian mother, Monica, saved his life when he was born.

When Augustine was young he was lucky enough to experience the famous orator Microbius using his persuasive skills to win over a court room. Microbius was famous for his line "These are facts...not words" to win any argument that was thrown his way. Augustine loved watching Microbius at work and he quickly wanted to become an orator; he was "eager to be eminent."

Augustine's mother, Monica, had a huge impact on the decisions that he made throughout his life and always hoped that "one day, we will be united in our faith." After seeing Microbius, the teenage Augustine immediately went home to tell his parents the news and that he wanted to travel to Carthage in order to learn the ways of Microbius and become a famous orator and lawyer just like him.

when Augustine first arrived he was introduced to a woman who would be his servant for his time there. Augustine was a self-centered person, but eventually proved to be worth of training under the eyes of Microbius.

Augustine quickly took after Microbius' lifestyle and was able to convince a jury to drop the charges against a guilty man who assaulted his wife. Through time, he had won so many cases that he returned home and was asked to go to Milan and become the orator for the emperor. He chose to take the offer even though that meant lying to his mother and wife and leaving them, along with his son, behind.

In one of the most prominent scenes, Catholic-Bishop Augustine has a debate with the bishop of Donatists; an unbiased judge ultimately decided the winner.

After returning to Hippo, also on the eve of an attack by Vandal raiders, Augustine tried to convince the Roman garrison to form a compromise with Genseric, the Vandal King--but they refused. This decision therefore forced Augustine to make his own decision.

In the end, he wrote two documents that are influential in the history of the Church--The Confessions and The City of God.

Published Work - Le Provocateur

Majors fair aids decision process - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in February 13, 2013 issue of Le Provocateur 

As an incoming first-year, there is awlays the question in the back of a students' mind: "What am I going to major in?"

The College would like to make this decision as easy as possible for students who are still unsure of what they want to pursue throughout their four years on campus.

On Wednesday, February 6, at 6 p.m. undeclared students were welcome to attend the Majors Fair in the Hagan Campus Center to explore all of the majors, minors and concentrations that are offered to them at Assumption. Suellen Lazarek Dean from Career Services organized this annual event.

Students were welcomed by smiling faces at the sign-in table and were told that if they visited five different tables they could get a free t-shirt, which were being handed out by the First-Year Mentor students.

Not only would students be able to receive their free t-shirt, but also just by signing in at the welcome table, their name was automatically put into a raffle.

Each department was represented by various faculty members and students to help answer any questions that people may have had. Junior Kerriann Lusk was one of the students helping out at the Education Department table.

"I think it is very helpful and informative. It helps the students visualize what their possible futures could be and see how many different options Assumption offers," said Lusk. "I helped answer questions about the education concentration because there are a lot of questions students have about the qualifications and courses that are required."

Bethany Rossi, Director of Career Services, was also there to represent. Career services is another helping hand available to all students on campus. One of their goals is to help you in any way possible--whether that is choosing a major or even perfecting your resume before you start job hunting. They are located on the hill in the Student Development and Counseling Center across the street and behind the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

The President of First-Year Mentors, senior Margaux Finan, along with the rest of the mentors, let their assigned first-year students know about the fair and why it would benefit them to attend.

"We want them to understand what majors are out there and be able to speak with professors about various areas of studies," said Finan. "We handed out t-shirts after the first year students got five signatures from various tables. Basically an incentive for them to visit."

"The career fair benefits the first-year students because it gives them the opportunity to talk to professors and get information on various areas of study," said Finan.

Don't forget to keep an eye out for other events that the First-Year Mentor program will be hosting throughout the remainder of the semester.

Published Work - Le Provocateur

Assumption students' hometowns slowly recover form Hurricane Sandy - News - Le Provocateur
Published in November 14, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur 

Although Hurricane Sandy didn't do much damage to the Assumption College campus, she left her mark on many other places. The high winds and rain that came with the hurricane left towns with downed trees, telephone poles, wires and flooding.

Hurricane Sandy was not only the largest hurricane on record, but also the second most costly Atlantic hurricane in history. Hurricane Katrina of 2005 being number one.

Hurricane Sandy changed the lives of many people in New Jersey and New York City. Sophomore Tyler Murphy was personally affected by the hurricane.

"My mom lives in West Keansburg, New Jersey. West Keansburg didn't get hit that bad, but my houes is flooded and the back yard is completely ruined," Murphy said. "My dad lives in Union Beach, New Jersey with my grandma, grandpa, aunt and little cousin. Union Beach got it the worst out of any place in New Jersey."

If you Google "Hurricane Sandy and Union Beach, New Jersey" there is a picture, courtesy of nj.com, of a home completely split in half. This house belonged to one of Murphy's friends.

"My dad's house is completely flooded and gone. My aunt Karen's house literally floated away," shared Murphy. "Probably the worst thing that happened was just that the Union Beach beachfront was washed away and that was pretty much all the town had going for it. There was a huge September 11 memorial there and it is completely ruined."

"Nearly 200 homes were destroyed in Union Beach in one of the worst storms the state has seen," according to nj.com.

Junior Brooke Samaha has a sister who lives in Manhattan who, as of October 30, was "stuck in NYC."

"She lives on the 21st floor of an apartment building, and although she was not evacuated from it, her power had gone out, and she was told she wasn't going to have power back for another week," said Samaha. "She also did not have water, and they weren't allowing anyone into New York City at the time."

"My sister told me, 'it was really scary since I was on the 21st floor and all the windows were shaking and you could feel the building moving. If you looked out my window, you could see how flooded all of First Ave. was. Probably three feet of water. You could hear things falling outside. Then the power went out.'"

"Luckily, the FDR bridge opened back up, and at about 8:45," said Samaha. "My father was able to pick her up and bring her to our home in Connecticut which was in much better shape than New York."

According to the New York Times, "The number of New York City fatalities from Hurricane Sandy jumped to 38 on Thursday, including two young boys who were swept from the arms of their mother on Staten Island and found dead at the swampy end of a street, the police said."

Sandy was the 10th hurricane that hit during the 2012 hurricane season. Not only did she do damage to the Northeastern part of the United States, but also devastating damage to the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic.

According to The Huffington Post, Hurricane Katrina caused more deaths, but Hurricane Sandy has left almost 10 times more people without power than Katrina did.

Sandy changed from a tropical wave while it was in the Caribbean Sea on October 22 to a tropical storm roughly six hours later.

By October 27, Sandy grew stronger to a category one hurricane. On October 29, when Sandy moved towards land near Atlantic City, New Jersey, she was referred to as a "post-tropical cyclone."

By the time Sandy was over, 24 states were affected by the hurricane. The entire East Coast from Florida to Maine and as far west as Michigan and Wisconsin were hit, while the most severe damage occurred in New Jersey and New York.