Springfield College Alumni Updates

In this section, you will find alumni updates submitted April 30, 2024 through May 31, 2024. Thanks for sharing your news! Please direct any future submissions to alumni@springfieldcollege.edu.

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

At the age of 35, Athletic Counseling alumna Saiyidah Aisyah G'22 will be competing for Singapore in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France in the single women’s scull. This comes eight years after her Olympic debut in Rio and just two years after graduating from Springfield College. We are cheering for you from Alden Street!

We can’t think of a more appropriate name than the HOWDY award to recognize the outstanding service hospitality industry employees provide in the 413. Congratulations to Sport Management alumnus Drew Supernor '14, Manager of Brand Development and Merchandise at the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), for receiving this prestigious honor as a stand-out leader in Western Mass!

We love seeing alums stay engaged with Springfield College in the ways that are meaningful to them. SC Men’s Rugby alumni ranging from 1989 through 2023 showed up and played hard against the current SC Rugby team, a tradition that started a few years back. Although the alums relinquished the trophy they won last year with the students winning 38-34, it’s the fellowship and connections made that means the most to this forever bonded group.

Congratulations to Springfield College computer science students Bidhyaram Gupta '26, Meraj Husen '26 and Camilly Shrestha '26 who were awarded first place in the inaugural FinTech +A1 413 Startup Pitch competition! Hosted by Western New England University, the trio earned their first place finish for their groundbreaking startup idea, Smart Credit. The concept focuses on developing an AI-driven app to assist users in selecting the optimal credit card for maximizing rewards at the point of purchase. As a result of their success, Gupta, Husen and Shrestha have been selected to participate in the prestigious Summer Incubator Fellowship at WNE which will allow them to develop their Smart Credit startup further.

Behind the scenes of the letter writing project to the Class of 2024! Sending our newest alumni into the next chapter with messages of encouragement and kindness in their diplomas is exactly what the Humanics philosophy is all about. Many thanks to our alumni volunteers (ranging from 1959-2023) who made this surprise possible at Commencement; you are the difference makers!

Alumni Staff Stuffing Diploma Cases

Prior to commencement ceremonies, the graduating senior class took part in "Senior Week," and as part of this celebration, the cohort was treated to a keepsake to remember their home away from home, compliments of the Office of Alumni Relations.

Louisa Davis-Freeman '84, CAS'86, stopped by the Alumni House to say hello. She is a Class of '84 Reunion Ambassador and is hoping to see many of her classmates during Reunion Weekend June 7-9 to celebrate their 40th Reunion!

Chris Cousino '92, retired from the US Navy on September 1, 2023 after 29 years of service. He retired as a Commander in the Navy Supply Corps from the Navy International Programs Office (NIPO) in Washington DC, serving as the Logistics Policy Director.

Alumnus John Concannon '76 recently was recognized as a special educator during the 2024 Academic Awards Dinner celebration. Concannon was honored by Physical Eduction and Health Education graduate Danielle Pantano '24, who earned her program's 2024 Senior Award. Pantano was a student of Concannon's at Newington High School (CT).

Kazukata Onoda ’99, G’02, participated in the KOBE 2024 Para Athletics World Championships as a technical official. “It was such a great honor to represent my country and Humanics Philosophy at the Championships held in Japan. We welcomed more than 1000 Para Athletes from 104 nations to Kobe, Japan. It was a great opportunity to see the Para Athletes competing even though they have mild to severe disabilities.” Onoda said.

The championships were held from May 17 to 25 at Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium, which is one of Japan's leading multi-purpose stadiums, and was built in conjunction with the 1985 Summer Universiade.

Matthew W. Bazirgan, G'04, has been promoted to the role of director of college scouting for the NFL's Buffalo Bills.

Dylan Matthews '17 has started a new position as Business Development Representative at athenahealth.

Gabrianna Matthews '20 graduated with a Master's degree in Sports Science Analytics from Lasell University.

Abigail Murdock '21 has started a new position as a Public Health Epidemiologist at the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals.

Mackenzie Nunes '21 recently started a new position as Assistant Director of Academics at the University of Virginia.

Nora Fitzgerald '21 completed a Master's program at UMass Amherst and earned a degree in Social Justice Education.

Kinsey Colby '22, DPT '24, is working at Burke Rehabilitation as a Physical Therapist.

Kevin Velazquez Rivera '23 completed his Master's degree in Sports Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Marcus Lovell '23, G'24, has accepted an offer from The Hartford to become a Finance Associate within their Leadership Development Program starting in July.

Janna Hackenberg '24 has accepted a position as Technical Recruiter at Whitridge Associates.