Plymouth State wants to know what you’ve been up to since graduation!Send us your professional and personal accomplishments—career changes or promotions, advanced degrees and awards, military service, volunteer work, marriages, births/adoptions, and other information—so that we can share it with your classmates, alumni, and the University community.
1960s
After 44 years of teaching Art at the Wilton Public School, Mildred E. (Pearson) Hurd ’67 retired in June 2017. She taught drawing, painting, advertising, jewelry and AP Studio Art, and helped to develop an award-winning Art Department. She also celebrated her 44th wedding anniversary this year, and has two lovely daughters and two wonderful grandchildren.
1970s
TKE fraternity brothers from Plymouth State College came together in July 2017 at a family wedding in Lee, NH. Pictured are: John ’69 and Donnie ’71,‘95G Hughes, Art ’68 and Diana ’70 Cross, Harry ‘68 and Mauret Brinser, Jerry ’70 and Debbie Goldfarb, Rich ’69 and Diane Jones, Rusty and Marcia Ross, Bob ’70 and Crystal ’71 Skinner, Tom ’70,‘02G and Holly Fish, Gary ’72 and Ellen Stern, Bill ’70 and Louise ’72 Betton, Ken ‘70 and Lynda ’73 Bettcher
After a long tenure as the Facilities Manager at the Laconia Clinic, Mark S. Haynes ’72 retired in October. In November, he won a seat on the Laconia City Council, representing Laconia Ward 4.
After 21 years serving as a court security officer at the Warren Rudman Federal Courthouse in Concord, Stephen E. Holdsworth ‘73 retired just before Thanksgiving. He plans to enjoy skiing, grandchildren and trips to National Parks.
Matthew D. Gerken ’75 was inducted into the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association’s (EATA) ’49 Club, the organization’s Hall of Fame. Gerken has served as the head athletic trainer at three collegiate institutions in the last 40 years. He began his professional career at Bridgewater State College in 1977 and served there for 13 years before moving on to Colby-Sawyer College. After nine years at Colby-Sawyer (1990-1999), Gerken became the head athletic trainer at USM in August 1999. Presently overseeing the athletic healthcare for 22 intercollegiate sports and approximately 470 athletes at USM, Gerken was inducted into the Maine Athletic Trainers Association (MATA) Hall of Fame in 2014.
Robert D. Ricketts ’75
Robert D. Ricketts ’75 has retired after 40 years as a Professor in the College of Health and Human Development at Pennsylvania State University. He writes, “Because of the small classes, experiential learning approach and great faculty, my PSC education prepared me to continue at major universities. I developed a love of teaching and the outdoors at Plymouth that I credit for shaping my career. I have taught experiential courses all over from trekking European Alps, crossing London, backpacking and canoeing the Maine-New Hampshire wilderness, sailing the Chesapeake Bay, and kayaking and sailing the Florida Keys; however, the one program that always stands out is when I drive by Plymouth on my way with students to Mt. Washington for a backpacking course!”
Joy M. Milani ’79 writes, “I was inspired to go to graduate school and become a physical therapist after taking the Athletic Training classes at Plymouth State College from Ms. Graziadi. I have been a PT for the past 37 years. I presently work for the Children’s Clinics of Tucson, an all-inclusive clinic for multi-handicapped children, and Early Intervention, which works with babies from birth to three years in the homes with their families. A great start at PSC!”
1980s
Anne Poirier ’85 and Timothy Drown ’85
Anne B. Poirier ’85 is the founder of Shaping Perspectives…A Woman’s Way to Joy! She writes, “After 30 years in the Exercise and Fitness Industry, I had a change of philosophy. I went back to Plymouth to get my certification in Eating Disorders and decided to take my career in a different direction. I have founded a new company to help women who struggle with weight and body image issues. This is the most rewarding work I have ever done.” Anne Poirier ’85 and Timothy Drown ’85 were married October 11, 2013. ‘A Red Sox adventure…together again. 30 years after graduation!’
John H. Tucker, Jr. ‘87, President and CEO of scPharmaceuticals Inc., rang the Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell on December 21, 2017. scPharmaceuticals Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products that have the potential to transform infused therapies, advance patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
1990s
Scott J. Reuning ’93,’10G,’15CAGS has been hired as the next superintendent for SAU 44, representing the school districts of Northwood, Nottingham and Strafford, NH.
After serving as the Director of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital for the last 7 years, Robert D. Holland ’96 recently completed his Masters of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Columbia University and accepted a new position as Senior Medical Director with OrthoNet LLC in White Plains, NY. He writes, “Majoring in Physical Education at Plymouth State provided a solid foundation for me to then go on to medical school. Although PhysEd was not the traditional pre-med approach, when I interviewed for residency programs in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) my undergraduate experience was highly valued. I am grateful for the education that I received at Plymouth State and the success that it helped me to achieve.”
2000s
Douglas W. Martin ’04 was recognized with the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2017 “Forty Under 40” award. Martin is a commercial real estate advisor for Colliers International, volunteer with the annual Ride to End Alzheimer’s, board member of NHCIBOR Cares, and member of the New Boston Zoning Board.
Daniel E. Fife ’06 has launched a 2018 calendar, “The Life of Fife,” featuring full-color photos of locales around New Hampshire. Part of the proceeds will be donated to support autism charities.
Gov. Chris Sununu appointed Christine M. Brennan ‘08G,’12CAGS as New Hampshire’s Deputy Commissioner of Education. Brennan’s nomination to the post follows three decades in the Manchester school district. She was hired in 1987 to teach first grade at Wilson Elementary School, a job she held for 20 years until becoming a literacy specialist at the school from 2007 until 2010. Brennan became assistant principal at Wilson and Jewett Street elementary schools before taking the same position at Beech Street in the same in 2012. She has been principal of Beech Street since March 2014.
Jaimee L. (Coombs) Callahan ’08 has been named the new coach of the girls’ basketball team at Marblehead High School in Marblehead, MA.
Ashley M. Cormier ’08
Ashley M. Cormier ’08 has been named the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Events.
Samantha L. (Kenney) Maltais ’08 was recognized with the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2017 “Forty Under 40” award. Maltais is principal strategist and marketing manager at SilverTech, a digital marketing and technology agency in Manchester, NH.
Tate H. Aldrich ’09G was recognized with the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2017 “Forty Under 40” award. Aldrich is an English teacher and English Department chairman at Laconia High School. He is a member of “Stand Up Laconia,” which combats substance abuse in Laconia and volunteers with “Got Lunch!” to help them procure non-perishable food items.
Mrs. Cara L. (Allen) Morin ’09 received a Master’s in Public Administration from American Military University in 2013 and has begun a second Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of California, Irvine. She is a Talent Acquisition Specialist for the County of Orange in California. She writes, “PSU was a place where I could find myself, be free to explore, and pursue an education with support.”
Brian E. Wilkins, Jr. ’09, territory manager of the New England Regional Office of Merchants Insurance Group, earned the Associate in Commercial Underwriting insurance designation through the Institutes, an insurance education organization that confers the AU designation on those who complete rigorous courses and examinations. Wilkins began working at Merchants in 2015 as a regional marketing specialist before his promotion to territory manager for New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts. Before joining Merchants, he worked for an insurance agency as a commercial producer.
2010s
Dean J. Cashman ’10G, of Lebanon, NH, vice president and regional relationship manager and commercial lender at Lake Sunapee Bank, has completed a two-year course of study at the New England School for Financial Studies at the Center for Executive Education at Babson College. The program focuses on finance and leadership topics, strategic decision-making, portfolio administration, economic analysis, operational planning and real-life skills application. Cashman has been with Lake Sunapee Bank since 2005.
Joshua M. McAllister ’10G was recognized with the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2017 “Forty Under 40” award. McAllister is partner/vice-president/senior civil engineer at HEB Engineers, Inc. in Center Conway, NH and varsity baseball coach at Kennett High School. In 2016, he was awarded the 2016 Steve Eastman Community Spirit Award by the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce for commitment to the Mt. Washington Valley Community.
New Hampshire author Jamie R. Sayen ’10G released a new book titled You Had a Job for Life: Story of a Company Town chronicling the end of the paper industry in Groveton, NH following the closure of the town’s paper mill in the 1980s.
Eric J. Costa ’11 is the Marine Services Coordinator at Watermark Marine Construction in Laconia, NH.
Jennifer L. Fijal ’11 has joined the music faculty at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School Community Division as voice instructor and conductor of the Adult Chamber Choir. After receiving her bachelor’s degree at Plymouth State University in vocal performance and pedagogy, Jennifer continued on to the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) for her master’s degree in voice and opera.
Joyce C. Larson ’11G has joined the Lakes Region Community College as Director of Enrollment Management & Onboarding, following a long and successful career at Plymouth State University where she held several positions, including Director of Enterprise Information Management, Institutional Research, Registrar, and Admissions Officer. Larson lives in Moultonborough with her family. She is a member of the Moultonborough School Board, and is active in the Destination Imagination organization.
Jeffrey M. Lussier ’11 has joined Jones Lang LaSalle on the Bristol-Myers Squibb campus in Devens, MA as a Facilities Planner as of December 2017.
Robert T. Seaward, Jr. ’11G has been named the new superintendent of SAU 59, representing the Winnisquam Regional School District. Seaward, who has served as principal of Winnisquam Regional Middle School for the past five years, implemented several initiatives including a competency-based education system, a Junior National Honor Society, and development of relationships with local businesses and community organizations. He came to Winnisquam from Spaulding High School in the Rochester School District, where he served as principal from 2010 to 2013. He was deputy principal from January 2009 to June 2010, and assistant principal prior to that, beginning in 2007.
Mitchell J. Shortell ’11 is moving from NYC to Dallas, TX to work for Facebook as a Cost Control Analyst in their Data Center Design & Construction group.
Scott W. Carrigan ‘12G has been hired as Fire Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department in Salisbury, MA. Carrigan became a full-time firefighter in Exeter, NH in 1997. He then spent 17 years with the Nashua Fire Department as firefighter, lieutenant and captain.
Mark S. Langlois ‘12G has been named Director of Finance of the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society. Langlois has been the cooperative’s controller since 1997 and served as interim director of finance for the Hanover Co-op in 2015.
Jonathan E. Sadowski ’12G,’17CAGS was recognized with the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2017 “Forty Under 40” award. Sadowski is a special education teacher at Manchester High School Central and volunteers with the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness and New Futures.
Noelle J. Stillman ’13,’14G, of Palm Harbor, FL, has been selected as the artist for the city’s trail mural at Sheffield Park. The selection process included reviews by both the North Pinellas Cultural Alliance and the Oldsmar City Council. Stillman holds a Master’s in Art Education from Plymouth State University and is an art teacher in the Pinellas County school system. She is currently working on the Collaborative Mural Project at Sandy Lane Elementary in Clearwater.
Marylynn T. (Cote) Costa ’14 earned her M.S. Leadership at Granite State College in 2016. She is the Director of Shared Services Programs at the University System of New Hampshire in Concord, NH.
Jordan T. Daigneault ’14 and Michael F. Massahos ’11 were recently sworn in as new officers with the Manchester Police Department. Daigneault previously worked as an officer with the Plymouth and Holderness Police Departments. Massahos previously worked as an officer in Salem, NH.
Charles V. DeJoie III ’14 has been hired as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in New York. He writes, “Plymouth gave me the tools to collaborate with others on research and rough topics to get the job done. Without the community atmosphere of Plymouth, I may have never learned about how important serving the local community is to bettering the whole world.”
Sarah A. (Al-Momar) Lee ’15 has received her Masters of Applied Meteorology.
Joyce McKenney ’15G has joined the Spaulding Youth Center in Northfield, NH as a Residential Living Specialist. Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning and/or developmental challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ms. McKenney will focus on arranging vocational experiences and volunteer opportunities for students to teach the life skills needed to be successful.
Adam J. Rego ’15 joined the ranks of the Dartmouth Police Department of Dartmouth, MA on November 27, swearing an oath to protect and serve as the Select Board welcomed them to the force. Rego graduated from the police academy on November 15 and began a comprehensive field-training officer program.
Adam A. Steel ’15G has been named the new superintendent of SAU 39, representing the school districts of Amherst, Mont Vernon, and Souhegan Cooperative.
Kristen R. Ternullo ’15, of Lebanon, NH, has been promoted to staff level II accountant at accounting and professional services firm Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur.
Bethany-Laura Morin ’16 has been hired as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.
Justin J. Slattery ’16G was recognized with the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2017 “Forty Under 40” award. Slattery serves on the Belknap Economic Development Council where he has played a key role in the project to renovate and restore the Colonial Theatre. He serves as a director of Winnipesaukee-Opechee-Winnisquam Trail and the 200 X 2020 Workforce Development Initiative as well as a member of advisory committee of the block grant program of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority while chairing the board of directors of the Alliance of Regional Development Corporations.
Emily Yukica ’16, of Wilmot, NH, has joined West Lebanon-based Simple Energy as a customer service representative.
