Fall 2007 - Becker College

Alumniachiever
Alicia Lenahan ’79
recalled fond memories of her time on
the Becker equestrian team when she
toured the Becker Equestrian Center in
Paxton, Mass. She competed during her
two years at Becker, representing the
College on a European tour in Austria.
Horses remain a passion—she has two
on her farm and competes in dressage
shows with her 11-year old gelding,
Second Glanz, sired by Passing Glanz.
taught since 2003. She and her husband,
Thomas, live in Auburn with
their three daughters and one son.
’05 Stepheni Seymour is a registered
nurse for Travel Nurse
Across America and has worked in
Largo, Fla. and Hyannis Hospital on
Cape Cod. She is working on a
bachelor of science in nursing at
Florida College of Health and
Sciences and is planning her wedding
for August 2008.
’06 April Carron is a physical
therapist assistant at Johnson
Memorial Hospital in Stafford
Springs, Conn.
In Memoriam
Felicia Shandrick Matuzek ’30
Helen Spitaels Donahue ’32
James J. Hughes ’37
Francis D. Corcoran ’39
Rita Carrstedt Rowlands ’39
Frances Samko Wojnarowicz ’39
Laura Chamberlin Farrelly ’40
Lawrence J. McAuliffe ’40
Rachel Parker Prentice ’41
Charleen Croff Hayward ’42
Miriam S. Nassar ’48
Joyce Orcutt Blaine ’49
Wendell L. Follansbee ’51
Harland W. Warner ’51
Roger B. Kendall ’52
Jean Belanger Center ’53
Dorothy Taylor Coyle ’56
Patricia Lynch Benjamin ’57
Charles J. Carroll, Jr. ’57
After graduating from Becker, Alicia
went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in
paralegal studies from Anna Maria
College in Paxton, and a law degree
from New England School of Law in
Boston. She practiced real estate law, but
eventually found her heart to be in juvenile
court where she represented children
and parents in abuse and neglect
cases. It was a natural transition for her,
from practicing attorney to executive
’07 Ashley Lynn Cristofolini
works full-time at Greylock Animal
Hospital in North Adams, Mass. and
was married in August.
’07 Stephanie Marie Esper is
a case manager for a new program:
Motivating Youth Recovery at
Community Healthlink.
’07 Brianna Marie LaViolette
is a full-time veterinary technician at
GUESS WHO. She operates a pet salon.
Banfield, The Pet Hospital of
Millbury, Mass.
’07 Kristen Eddy Mysliny is
working at Northeast Animal Shelter
Robert J. McGovern ’64
William Cady ’71L
Linda Bergeron Tocci ’77
Robin Sasse Bruce ’83
Ronny B. Hamilton ’00
Unknown class year
Cecilia Kokernak Ball
Mary Kelly Ferguson
Frederick E. Lucas
Kathleen Westwell Mangold
Ellen Gaines Paulin
Helen Chapdelaine Shumway
Louisa Chase Waner
director of the CASA (Court Appointed
Special Advocates for children) Project,
in Worcester, Mass., where she served
for six years. Earlier this year, CASA volunteers
nominated Alicia for recognition
as a Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction.
In July 2006, Alicia made the move
from supporting just one human service
organization to an entire community, by
accepting the position of senior vice
president of resource development at
in Salem, Mass. She and her
husband, Jim, have a new daughter,
Savannah. Kristen has a
three-year-old stepdaughter,
Akella.
’07 Lisa Maynard Santucci
was married earlier this year and
is teaching math in grades 3-5 at
Wales Elementary School.
’07 Jessica Zorge married
Jason Robitaille at St. Mary's
Church in Shrewsbury, on May
25. A U.S. Army specialist, she
spent time in Iraq, postponing
graduation until this past May.
Jason, an Army sergeant, is currently
serving in Iraq. Jessica is
employed at Charles River Labs
in Shrewsbury.
On July 4, 2007, Harland W.
Warner, class of 1951, former trustee
and director of public relations and
alumni activities at Becker and an
award-winning public relations
executive, passed away at his home in
Vienna, Va. He was 76 years old.
Hal, as he was known, was an expert
in managing crises such as natural disasters,
industrial accidents, product recalls
and downsizings. In a 1998 letter to the
editor of the Washington Post, Hal noted
“When one is sick, a doctor is brought
in. When a company or an association
has communications problems, a public
relations professional is often called in
to write the prescription.” As a proud
past president of the Public Relations
Society of America, he was very active
within his profession and wrote and
spoke about it often.
United Way of Central Massachusetts.
She had been involved with United Way
for several years, raising money as a
loaned executive and volunteering as cochair
of the Housing and Homelessness
Allocations Panel.
Alicia and her husband Ronald
live on Garden Gate Farm in Brimfield,
Mass. Her son Mason has recently
joined them there, to manage the
property.
Alicia Lenahan ‘79
GUESS WHO Answers: TENNIS PLAYER – Tommie George ’67;
TRACK STAR – Kimberly Williams ’75; PET SALON – Heather Ruhl Thibeault ’96
Harland W. Warner ’51
Hal was educated in Worcester, first
at Becker and then at Clark University.
After graduation he worked for many
years at the Hartford Times newspaper
before returning to Becker, where, in
just five years, he set the College standard
in public relations and alumni
affairs for years to come. He left Becker
in 1970 to further develop his career in
PR at such firms as Corning, Manning,
Selvage and Lee and Capitoline/MS&L.
Hal also served as an adviser to Howard
University and as an adjunct professor
at George Mason University.
In recent years, Hal and his wife,
Joyce, spent much of their time with
family and traveling the world. They
took fascinating trips to China,
Mongolia, India, Australia and Kenya.
He is survived by his wife, their five
children and nine grandchildren.
Becker b ridges • FALL 2007 16