Alumni News and Notes | Springfield College

Sun, 12/17/2023 - 12:00

In this section, you will find alumni accomplishments and updates submitted November 27, 2023 through December 21, 2023. Thanks for sharing your news! Please direct any future submissions to alumni@springfieldcollege.edu.

By: Maria D'Agostino Crawford '91 and Damon Markiewicz

“I’ve stayed connected to friends and mentors from Springfield College who always encourage following your dreams and exploring passions. The SC community is always there to cheer you on as you navigate changes in your life and your career.”

Congratulations to Dr. Marisa Babb-Wetherell '14, DPT'16, who has accepted a position at Harmony Chiropractic in Plainville, MA. The practice specializes in perinatal and pediatric care, and Marisa will be participating in collaborative care across disciplines to better serve her patients.

Can you spot Sarah Warhaftig '03 in her yearbook?! What a pleasant surprise to have Sarah drop by the Alumni House while she is out east. Sarah lives in San Mateo, CA and applies many of the foundational classes from her Sport Management degree within her personal consulting business “Wellness Tools for the Trades.”

Sarah’s team provides workshops for tradespeople that focus on mental health first aid, stress management, mindfulness, yoga, and nutrition.

Thank you for living out the Humanics philosophy in your everyday life, and for making the human experience for people in the trades more enriching.

Please join us in congratulating Breann Joyce '13 who was sworn in this week as the newest officer for the Darien Police Department. Breann graduated from SC with a degree in Movement and Sports Studies with an Athletic Coaching minor. After college, Joyce was both a PE teacher and a collegiate softball coach before pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Thank you for your service, and for helping elevate what it means to be a Springfield College graduate.

Thank you to all of our Springfield College alumni and their families who joined us for SC Night at the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) game on December 9. It was "Teddy Bear Toss" night and our guests helped to stuff bears which will go to local charities. It was a terrific night of SC fun and fellowship!

At left, Julie Haefner '04, G'09, Kirstin Lane '04, G'05, Ian Lane '02 and children enjoy the Springfield Thunderbirds event.

Retired YMCA Executive John Hedbavny '68, G'70, stopped by the Alumni House for a visit and posed with his yearbook.

Valli Meeks '77 and her husband Clyde Santana '73 recently met Judy Cowling '74.

Clyde was wearing a Springfield College hat and Judy introduced herself to the couple. You never know who you may meet when wearing Springfield College attire!

Camryn Bancroft '21, G'23, recently wrapped up her first year as Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach at Ithaca College. The team went 27-5, won the Liberty League Championship and made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Bancroft and Head Coach Johan Dulfer were named Regional Coaches of the Year.

"My time at Springfield had a huge impact in preparing me for this year. The classes we take, the in depth conversations with my peers and the situations/challenges our professors talk us through really helped to prepare me for the transition into the coaching world," says Bancroft.

Aboshioma "Sho" Obemeata, G'21, has been honored with the Mayor's Community Service Award by the city of Indianapolis.

The award is presented in recognition of the time and talent dedicated towards the betterment of Indianapolis and those who call it home and states "Congratulations on your exemplary service, and thank you for your many contributions to our community."

Obemeata is CEO of Panthera Elite Training & Performance and Founder of Advancement Through Athletics.

Susan Nickerson Shining-Star '94 has defied the odds and emerged as the creative force behind the enchanting children's book series, "Backyard Homestead Adventures," featuring the lovable Sunny Stella.

Pete Zsiga '74 has been added to the list of prolific and transformative researchers and authors who have been awarded the Malcolm Knowles Memorial Self-Directed Learning Award by the International Society for Self-Directed Learning. It is awarded to those who have made significant lifelong contributions to the field of self-directed learning.

Robert Noto '77 was recently inducted into the Amsterdam School District Hall of Fame after 34 years of teaching physical education and coaching. He coached football, baseball, boy’s and girl's basketball, and girl's volleyball. He also served as the district athletic director for 10 years before retiring in 2012.

Springfield College well represented at the annual PGA TOUR Meetings in La Quinta, CA.

At left, Pete Baranski '15, Kevin Harrington '05, Tara Gerber '04, Matt Lilley '21, G'23, Emma Wesoloski '22, and Larson Segerdahl '03.

Springfield College Sport Management alumnus Jamie Matteo '20, left, runs with Counseling program graduate students Nicole Graves, and Ryan Welch '21, G'24, during the 20th annual Hot Chocolate Run to raise money for Safe Passage’s mission to provide support and services to survivors of domestic violence in Northampton on Sunday, December 3, 2023.

In addition, Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Health Education and head cross country coach Anna Steinman finished second in the women’s field.

Anna Grearson '06 was named to the 40 under 40 list in Vermont, called the Rising Stars, by Vermont Business Magazine!

The Rising Star program recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 from the State of Vermont. The individuals are chosen by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and involvement in their communities.

Alumni Spotlight - Sarah Warhaftig '03. Currently an Executive Search Sales Representative at Lauren Jillian Executive Search, Sarah has had quite a varied career. A sport management major during her student days, she has worked in youth development with a focus on wellness and coaching for the U.S. Olympic Committee, YMCA, Brown Girl Surf and five different schools around the country. She was the founding director of mindfulness and wellness at Caliber ChangeMakers Academy and served as Senior Program Director at SquashDrive, a non-profit that provides academic and athletic coaching to deserving youth and in all capacities has been inspired by the impact of physical and mental well-being.

Sarah's "Passion Project" is the business she co-founded, Wellness Tools for the Trades, which is an interactive and exploratory workshop designed for tradespeople to learn tools to live healthier lives. The workshop explores multiple topics such as mental health, first aid, stress management, mindfulness, yoga and nutrition. The goal is to destigmatize the impacts of mental health, share information and bring the community together. For more information: https://www.wellnesstoolsforthetrades.com/

"Springfield truly allowed me to experience and embrace the meaning of Humanics in Action. I spent the majority of my career working with young people from varied backgrounds in the classroom, coaching, mentorship and ultimately serving as the Senior Program Director for a non-profit in Oakland, CA. I appreciate the opportunity to have learned in a small environment, was held accountable for my performance and had the opportunity to create and collaborate with peers and faculty. It was a true privilege to play for Kathy Mangano '86, G'88 on the softball team, and also be recommended by Bob Accorsi G'80 to pursue an incredible internship at the United States Olympic Committee."

Thank you Sarah Warhaftig for truly living the Humanics philosophy!

Submitted Obituaries:

Listed below are submitted obituaries from November 27, 2023 to December 21, 2023.

Richard C. MacDonald '58 - Read Full Obituary...

Gerard L. Comeau '60 - Read Full Obituary...

Teresa Harris G'61 - Read Full Obituary...

Paul J. Yates '62

Ernest E. Hedler III '67 - Read Full Obituary...

Joseph F. Szabo Jr. '71 - Read Full Obituary...

David R. Lundquist '72 - Read Full Obituary...

Richard R. Bartis '79 - Read Full Obituary...

Sarah "Salley" Howard - Read Full Obituary...

Nancy Shirling '93 - Read Full Obituary...

Kevin Cullinan '00 - Read Full Obituary...

Brenna Moriarty Salay '04 - Read Full Obituary...

Archived Class Notes:

Listed below are archived class notes from previous Triangle Monthly editions.

October 26, 2023 to November 27, 2023

September 25, 2023 to October 25, 2023

August 25, 2023 to September 24, 2023

July 25, 2023 to August 24, 2023

June 21, 2023 to July 24, 2023

May 20, 2023 to June 20, 2023

April 20, 2023 to May 19, 2023

March 20, 2023 to April 19, 2023

February 20, 2023 to March 19, 2023

October 2022 to February 2023

Archived Obituaries:

Listed below are submitted obituaries from October 28, 2023 to November 27, 2023.

Caroline Hills '52 - Full Obituary...

Thomas H. Bosworth '53 - Full Obituary...

Donald O. Ruland '55 - Full Obituary...

Jennie Bashista G'56 - Full Obituary...

Ronald Blanchard '62 - Full Obituary...

John G. Douglas G'63 - Full Obituary...

Richard B. Carter '63 - Full Obituary...

Katharina Decas '63 - Full Obituary...

William H. Welch Jr. '67 - Full Obituary...

James K. Tillotson G'67 - Full Obituary...

Alan V. Duncan '67 - Full Obituary...

George D. Cofrin '80 - Full Obituary...

Jennifer Stout Gadson '96 - Full Obituary...

Carvella Stovall-Hayes '04 - Full Obituary...

Archived Obituaries:

Listed below are submitted obituaries from September 22, 2023 to October 27, 2023.

Robert D. Bond '55 - Full Obituary...

Lawrence P. Boyd '57, G'70 - Full Obituary...

Joseph R. Campbell '57 - Full Obituary...

Lois Baillie Bortle '58 - Full Obituary...

Virginia Hammond Sella '64 - Full Obituary...

Joan Luczai G'64 - Full Obituary...

Richard B. Larson G'66 - Full Obituary...

Julia A. Orfanello '67 - Full Obituary...

Robert W. Cargill Jr. '67 - Full Obituary...

Dennis P. Walsh '67 - Full Obituary...

Ian E. Breck '70 - Full Obituary...

Tyler U. Griese G'75 - Full Obituary...

Nicholas A. Baker '75 - Full Obituary...

Eugene Markowski Jr. '76 - Full Obituary...

John K. Logan Jr. G'79 - Full Obituary...

Eleanor Fuller '78, G'79 - Full Obituary...

George D. Cofrin '80 - Full Obituary...

Randall S. Pinkham '86 - Full Obituary...

Robert W. Field '86 - Full Obituary...

Barbara Ferland-Cabral Flanagan G'87 - Full Obituary...

Tracy Whitney Hilliker '98 - Full Obituary...

Mattes F. Groppo '10 - Full Obituary...

Archived Obituaries:

Listed below are submitted obituaries from August 15, 2023 to September 21, 2023.

Kenneth L. King '51 - Full obituary...

Henry J. Eichin '61 - Full obituary...

William H. Broadrick Jr. '62 - Full obituary...

Ronald H. Hebert '63, G'64 - Full obituary...

Mary Jane Mackey Thomas '64 - Full obituary...

Elizabeth Gorczakoski Ralston '66 - Full obituary...

Dennis P. Walsh '67 - Full obituary...

Susan Jakub Klatka '69, G'70 - Full obituary...

Patrick J. Brennan '70 - Full obituary...

Evelyn Baron '72 - Full obituary...

Daniel C. Tafe '73 - Full obituary...

Edward T. McDonough III '76 - Full obituary...

Susan J. Loftus '85 - Full obituary...

Patrick L. Marsh '91 - Full obituary...

Margaret Price G'96 - Full obituary...

Archived Obituaries:

Listed below are submitted obituaries from July 15, 2023 to August 21, 2023.

Anita Hicks Krehel G'54 - Read Obituary...

Laurence A. Smith '56 - Read Obituary...

Paul K. Jordan '56, G'60 - Read Obituary...

Ronald R. Gruberg G'59 - Read Obituary...

William E. Drake '60, G'63 - Read Obituary...

Dennis Walsh '67

Bruce T. Rupert '72 - Read Obituary...

Kenneth Wade '72 - Read Obituary...

Barbara Giard Moffat G'78 - Read Obituary...

Elizabeth Schumaker G'77,DPE'81 - Read Obituary...

Laura Smith Klase '83 - Read Obituary...

Archived Obituaries:

Listed below are submitted obituaries from June 15, 2023 to July 15, 2023.

Walter S. Umberfield '52: Read Full Obituary...

Alice Melaven G'55: Read Full Obituary...

D. J. Bodin '55: Read Full Obituary...

General Robert Winglass '57: Read Full Obituary...

Paul E. McDonald '62, G'65: Read Full Obituary...

John T. Reardon, Jr. '63: Read Full Obituary...

George P. Turcotte '63: Read Full Obituary...

Robert Jonathan Stansfield G'66: Read Full Obituary...

David C. Anifant G'67: Read Full Obituary...

Jon Howard Rose '69: Read Full Obituary...

David B. Allen '69, G'70: Read Full Obiturary...

Linda K. Beres G'77: Read Full Obituary...

Lisa Kibbe Chambers '78, G'81: Read Full Obituary...

Carol M. Mathison G'84: Read Full Obituary...

David B. Ferguson '85: Read Full Obituary...