Springfield College Alumni News and Notes

In this section, you will find alumni updates submitted February 29, 2024 through March 27, 2024. Thanks for sharing your news! Please direct any future submissions to alumni@springfieldcollege.edu.

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

The Springfield College Department of Physical Therapy was well represented at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting in Boston, Mass.

20 current DPT students were selected to demonstrate their leadership and service as volunteers at the conference. This allowed them to attend several conference sessions in areas of specialty practice as well as spending time networking in the exhibition hall.

PT faculty were well represented with Angela Campbell, President of the Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, presenting awards and meeting with colleagues (and textbook authors). Julia Chevan and Maureen Barrett '92, G'93, providing Opioid reversal Narcan training at the APTA of Massachusetts booth in the Exhibit Hall.

It’s all about showing up. SC women's volleyball alumnae ranging from 2006-2023 were back at the Birthplace earlier this month for the alumnae match against the current team. What a crew!

Youth In Motion 2024: Alumni currently working in PE and School Counseling from 6 different school districts brought 70 students to campus to learn about Springfield College. While the high school students participated in interactive programming with faculty and current students, our alumni took part in professional development. A win-win for everyone! Three of our current students who themselves learned about SC from attending previous Youth In Motion events even facilitated workshops aimed at helping these students understand what sets us apart. Youth in Motion Photo Gallery...

Is there anything sweeter for our current students than seeing the unexpected excitement from alumni when they are on the road in their gear, and at a grocery store nonetheless?!

Janet Beyer Giampaolo ‘82 stopped the women’s lacrosse team in their tracks at a Publix in Panama City Beach this week to share her pride for being a student-athlete alumna (volleyball). Janet then showed up at their game that day and met other alums including Christa Carr ‘23, Amanda Carr ‘22, Kelly Gallo ‘14, G‘16, Katie Martel ‘22, Allie Delmonte ‘23, and Head Coach Jenn Thomas ‘14.

Alumni in the Workplace!

Becky Bussell '20, DPT ‘22, Tayla Foulkrod '19, DPT ‘21, and Jordyn Willey '17, DPT ‘20, all work together at Access PT and Wellness in South Windsor/Rocky Hill. They loudly and proudly wore their SC gear for spirit week, and love that even after graduating the Springfield College community is still very present in their everyday lives.

Leadership in service to others.

On their way to North Carolina to build a home with Habitat for Humanity, the alternative spring break group stayed overnight at the home of alums Beth Gibney-Boulden ‘96, G’98, and Michael Boulden ‘96, G’98. The Bouldens have remained active volunteers and contributors to Springfield College since graduating, so this visit was an incredible opportunity for our students to make meaningful connections with alums who are living the Humanics philosophy daily. What a great way to kickstart a week of service.

When your love and life is this fun, you celebrate your wedding twice! Kyle Jasuta ‘18, G’19, and Keeley York Jasuta ‘19 fell in love at SC and moved to Oregon with other SC friends after graduation.

They were married in an intimate ceremony in September 2023 on Mt. Hood, and celebrated their marriage with family and friends this March. The party started with a trip down the slopes at Mt. Bachelor followed by a reception in Bend, OR.

Springfield College in Cleveland! Thank you to Nicole Bowman '19, G'21, for sharing this picture of herself with SC sport management student Nick Ruffler, Class of 2024. Nick is currently working as an Account Executive for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the two got together for a photo after the recent Cavs vs. Celtics game.

Nicole is a Senior Occupational Therapist at Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital. Nicole and Nick originally connected through the Alumni Student Housing Assistance Program.

What a wonderful group of physical therapy and occupational therapy alumni who returned HOME to campus for a career fair and to meet with current students in our new Health Sciences Center. Many of these alumni have also provided clinical experiences for SC students.

Special thanks to to Jen Bergeron '19, DPT '21, Meghan Bradley '11, DPT '13, Andy Braga '15, DPT '17, Matt Calendrillo '04, G'05, Eric Connolly '98, G'99, David Doyle '00, G'01, Allison Leary '21, DPT '23, Alexandra MacPherson '21, DPT '23, Mike McGowan '14, DPT '16, Brian Owczarski '16, DPT '18, Steph Post '17, DPT '19, Nick Rajotte '21, DPT '23, Tyler Reid '15, DPT '17, Shelly Quirk '89, G'96, Jillian Keefe Senecal '11, G'12, Josh Swain '16, DPT '18 and Greg Zimbelman '98, G'99.

Springfield College alumni are a special group as they are always so willing to assist our current students. While in Southern California to attend the Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Conference, four Communications & Sports Journalism students connected with Todd Wright '93, Assistant Coach & Vice President of Player Performance for the LA Clippers.

From left to right: Nicholas Pantages, Class of 2026, Braedan Shea, Class of 2025, Todd Wright '93, Luke Whitehouse, class of 2024 and Patrick Fergus, class of 2026. All four students are editors for The Springfield Student newspaper. You never know where you may find Springfield College alumni!

Alumni Spotlight…Meet Joe Baia ‘11. Based in Georgia, Joe is the Senior Manager for Health, Wellness and Ergonomics within the airport customer service division at Delta Air Lines.

During his time on Alden Street, Baia majored in movement and sports studies and was a member of the soccer team.

“Springfield helped me build foundational skills for success in my professional life, and gave me the opportunity to be a part of an incredibly supportive network of friends, coaches and professors. Being part of an environment that shared similar goals and standards was a great fit for me. I owe a lot to my family because I came in to SC with a lot of tools and a good work ethic, but I left having sharpened those tools with coursework that over-prepared me and coaches that invested in me as a person, which gave me the confidence to be ambitious with career choices. Ultimately, several of those relationships that began at SC remain close today, and have been a crucial part of my professional growth and development.”

“A Springfield education introduced to me the Humanics philosophy, and while it took time to truly understand what it stood for, it became more clear over time how valuable it was. What SC means to me is being eager to learn and try new things without fear of failure, and applying yourself in order to lead by supporting others in your work. Servant leadership is a core value of any successful team or organization, and it was one of the most impactful things that I learned at Springfield.”

Congratulations to Springfield College head baseball coach Mark Simeone '87, G'96, who was inducted into the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame on March 7.

In his 28th season as head coach, Simeone earned his 500th career win earlier this month as the Pride defeated Westfield State University. Simeone is the third Springfield College baseball coach to be inducted into the Western MA Baseball Hall of Fame, following Charlie Roys '61, G'67, and Archie Allen '37, G'49.

In photo with Simeone is SC baseball alumnus Hassan Robinson '95.

"Here's a mural on the YMCA in Tucson, Arizona, done by artist Joe Pagac. Very cool to view in person," writes Jim Koenig '73.

Enrique Claudio '21, DPT '24, is excited to announce he has accepted a full-time PT position with ATI Physical Therapy.

Jack Margaros '21 has been promoted to Manager, Communications at the Southern California Golf Association.

Bridget Rossignol '21, G'23, graduated from Air Force Basic Military training as an Honor Graduate and the Top Female Training Performer. Rossignol was given the honor of bearing the Air Force flag on the Airman's Run of 670 of the newest members of the United States Air Force.

Leah Cagney-Vella '18 recently started a new position as Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Cardinal Center for Behavior Analysis.

Emma Jacque '21, G'22, works as a Marketing Partner for MGM Springfield. Emma has been selected to be a guest panelist at the upcoming Pioneer Valley Conference for Women.

Adam Smith, G'12, was featured on the March 2024 cover of South Shore Real Producers, highlighting his success in the real estate industry.

Mike Judge '05 has been named Tight Ends Coach and Run Game Coordinator for San Jose State Football.

Jennifer Procopio '91 has accepted a new role at Pfizer as Senior Manager, Therapy Area and Product Learning Experience Developer (US Oncology).

Chloe Hedrich '19 has started a new position as Senior Human Resources Specialist at EyePoint Pharmaceuticals.

Isaiah Rodgers, G'20, has joined the security team as Event Security Manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Doug Jarrow, G'04, recently started a new position as Coordinator, Strength & Conditioning Services with the Los Angeles Angels.

Jim Moody '82 is the new Senior Services Director for the Osceola Council on Aging.

Ian Wright '08 has become officially certified as a USATF Level 1 Track & Field Coach.

Josh Schupack '09, G'12, is starting a new position as Executive Director at YMCA Camp Fuller, YMCA of Greater Providence.

Springfield College alumni and friends recently joined President Mary-Beth Cooper for a relaxing night of engagement and connection in Naples, Florida.

Springfield College Executive Director of Corporate, Foundation and Major Giving, John White, recently announced he was leaving the College after more than 22 years of service to the College. White's last day was on March 21, 2024.

White started at Springfield College in the sports information office, before moving to the Office of Development and Institutional Advancement, where he had a huge impact on generating funds and partnerships for the College. He assisted in leading two successful capital campaigns while at Springfield, and he leaves a legacy of hard-work, integrity, and success. Congrats John, and thank you for all you did to make Springfield College a better place!

Alumni Relations loves to share photos of SC alums connecting with each other! Send your photos to alumni@springfieldcollege.edu!