1980s
Brian J. Crossman '89
will be inducted into the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) 2024 Hall of Fame. Excelling in track and field, he is the most highly decorated athlete of all. He was a 13-time All-American and three-time National Champion. He also won nine New England Championships and set two national records. Six of his records at Fitchburg State still stand. He was inducted into the Fitchburg State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997. Crossman joins two other Fitchburg State inductees in this year's class for the MASCAC Hall of Fame. Sue Lauder was the Director of Athletics for over 21 years at Fitchburg State and was inducted into the Fitchburg State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. Robert Elliott coached baseball at Fitchburg State for 24 years, leading the team to its first ever unbeaten season in 1962. He also coached soccer for 15 years and men's basketball for four seasons. Elliott was inducted into the Fitchburg State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994 as an individual and again in 2018 as part of a team.
David S. Habeeb '87
his film Beautiful Was the Fight is a feature-length music documentary showcasing several women from the Boston music scene and their struggle to achieve equality and success while embracing their identities and finding a voice in the community. The film was a Silver Winner at the 44th Telly Awards and has been featured in a number of film festivals both domestically and internationally. A screening of the film will take place at the Mugar Omni Theater, Museum of Science on May 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Karen M. McGovern '81
and a small group of other 1981 alumni gathered to celebrate their friendship at The Olde Pink House Restaurant and Tavern. Karen shared "Friendships made at FSC over 40 years ago stay strong - It takes a long time to make old friends!!
Class of 81 - Bernice (Aster) Bibeau, Karen McGovern, Maura (Hardiman) Reimer, Lori (Hunt) Elefant, and Heather (Pinkham) Simone. We all met the first year Herlihy Hall went coed."
Peter H. Reynolds '83
made an appearance on Monday, April 1, on the lawn of the White House, where he performed as narrator of the TheaterWorksUSA production of DOT DOT DOT: A New Musical - a musical adaptation of three of his books about creativity, The Dot, Ish and Sky Color published by Candlewick Press/Walker Books, also known as the Creatrilogy.
Performances of the show, featuring Reynolds and the musical’s talented young actors, were part of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition dating back to 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Reynolds shared, “To have my books turned into a musical was a dream come true. And now to have DOT DOT DOT: A New Musical performed on the White House lawn is truly amazing. Purposeful creativity can fuel positive civic change, so sharing the messages in my Creatrilogy series at the White House is especially meaningful.” Produced by TheaterWorksUSA, the show is now touring the U.S., including Reynolds’ own backyard at the Greater Boston Stage Company on Saturday April 13, 2024.
Jack R. Sherman '88
recently edited a half-hour documentary called "Unknown Heroes-Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day." It aired between June 1 - 9, just before the 80th anniversary of D-Day on various stations. Sherman is an editor and sound designer in Hollywood with Telco Productions.1990s
Cynthia A. Tilton '92
has been promoted to vice president, enterprise project manager of Fidelity Bank and will supervise project management initiatives, making sure they adhere to the bank’s strategic goals and objectives. Before joining Fidelity, Tilton held several roles in training, business development, business analysis, and project management during her 18-year tenure at financial services provider Deluxe, based in Minnesota. Tilton received her bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State University.
Harris Upham '97
former Fitchburg State Communications Media student and co-owner of Objective42, has been nominated for nine Sports Emmy awards over the years, and has won five (2002, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2022) of them for his work on the remote engineering crews for NBC's Olympics, ESPN's X Games and FIFA World Cup.2000s
Jeffrey W. Aubuchon '04
has accepted a short-term school leader position in the Peace Corps Response volunteer program. As a 22-year veteran educator and librarian, Aubuchon will mentor and coach Nepali high school teachers to improve their classroom practice and pedagogy with a focus on using educational technology.
Dan C. Daly '09
was the environment designer for "Yours To Lose", a new immersive play produced by Freedom Forum and Third Rail Projects. "Yours To Lose" premiered at South by South West in Austin, TX in 2024.Mark D. Nevard '04
is the recipient of the Oakmont Association's 36th Oakmont Excellence in Education Award. Nevard is a 27-year veteran of the Oakmont faculty, and his passionate work as an English teacher has earned him the respect and admiration of the students, faculty and administration.
Christopher A. Pratt '05
has been appointed the new Superintendent of Schools for SAU6, which serves Claremont and Unity in New Hampshire. Pratt has over 30 years of experience in Educational Leadership Management. He previously served as Interim Superintendent for SAU6, and the High School Principal at Stevens High School in Claremont, NH. He was also Superintendent of Schools at Windham Northeast Supervisory Union in Bellows Falls, VT, and Windham Southwest Supervisory Union in Wilmington, VT, where he oversaw multiple school districts, managed large budgets, and supervised administrative staff for 9 years.2010s
Mary Cardona-Foster '18
was among the competitors on the upcoming season of the globe-trotting, Emmy Award-winning reality series “The Amazing Race.” Read more about her adventure.
Kimberlee S. Connor '13
is starring in the Greater Boston Stage Company's production of Dial M for Murder from May 3-19, 2024.
Justin M. Curran '18
recently joined the Acton Fire Department. Firefighter Curran is a certified paramedic who served four years of active duty service with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Science from Fitchburg State University and previously worked as a mental health counselor at Walden Behavioral Care.
Devon D. Jennings '10
has joined the newly formed Boston based Flag Football team, the Boston Brigade.
Walter L. Kusmirek '13
was recently hired by the New York Jets as an offensive assistant coach. He was previously a college assistant at New Haven, Wagner and Morrisville State.James "Jim" S. Notaro, Jr. '10
was promoted to senior vice president, director of digital delivery, product, and market intelligence at Fidelity from his position as vice president, director, product innovation. With 20 years at Fidelity, Notaro will oversee the bank’s client care center and digital services in his new role. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State University and MBA from Bentley University in Waltham.
James S. Notaro, Jr. '10
was promoted to senior vice president, director of digital delivery, product, and market intelligence. In this role, he will oversee the Client Care Center and the bank’s digital services, including online and mobile banking.
Maria F. Pontes '11
is retiring as Superintendent of Fall River Public Schools at the end of this academic year (June 30, 2024). Pontes received her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Management from Fitchburg State in 2011. Pontes has spent 38 years in various capacities within the Fall River community.
Christopher J. Riggs '11
has been promoted to acting Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) within the New Jersey Department of Public Health. He previously served as the deputy executive director and chief counsel for the CRC. Riggs holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude, from Fitchburg State University and a Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law.
Janelle Rodriguez '15
was recently appointed operations supervisor in the clerk's office at West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court. She previously held the position of sessions clerk where she was responsible for attending court sessions working directly with judges, calling the daily list, administering oaths, receiving documents and recording dispositions. She acknowledges retired Professor Beth Walsh who assisted in finding her passion for the court system through Professor Walsh's legal process class and Fitchburg State's internship program, where she was placed in a local district court where she earned credits toward her bachelor's degree.
Alexandra Valdez '15
has been appointed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as the new Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Boston. Valdez brings over a decade of leadership and management experience, most recently as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement. She has a proven track record of building respectful and trusting relationships across diverse stakeholders, ensuring that all voices are amplified, heard and valued. 2020s
Crystal Aneke '20
just graduated from Boston College Law School.
Megan K. Steiger '20
was awarded one of the 2024 Alumni Educator Awards by The State Universities of Massachusetts.