From Marsh Memorial
Dear Friend of Springfield College: The STrengTh oF an inSTiTuTion can be reflected in the strength of its alumni, and Springfield College is blessed to have a great number of outstanding graduates. Featured in this issue are just a few—some recent (page 10), and some more seasoned (page 8). also included is our newest olympic medal- ist, women’s bobsledder and former track and field athlete eric Pac ’03, who won bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Winter olympic games (page 6). one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the opportu-
nity to meet with alumni across the country and around the world. i am impressed by them and by the positive impact they have upon their communities. They share a resolute belief in our mission, which has remained steadfast since 1885, as well as a collegiate experience that provided far more than textbook learning. Such sentiments are continually and powerfully echoed by
our students. each academic year, i greet our freshmen class. i challenge them to make good choices and tell them that i predict they not only will receive a stellar educa- tion at Springfield College, but also will make good friends and memories to last a lifetime. Four years later, i close this circle of their collegiate life at the senior socials Jani and i host in our home. i listen to their hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and then ask, “if you had to do it all over again, would you have chosen Springfield College?” Their response is a resounding yes! They love this institution—in fact, so much so that many stay here for graduate school. Student Trustee iain
President Flynn with Erin Pac
Bradbury ’10 spoke to the Board of Trustees at their
meeting in February about the “true bond” students have with Springfield College when he said that, “students here must be some of the luckiest college students in the country.” The campus, iain told them, “has come into the new millennium in full force, offering our students resources and an education unmatched by any institution.” he cited facilities that have been renovated or constructed during his time on campus and added, “For all of the students here, these treasures are incredible punc- tuation of the journey through college life, marked too by the relationships formed…we are incredibly grateful.”
2 Since it opened in January, the campus union has been
packed with excited students, a high level of energy, and great enthusiasm! i hope you enjoy the “inside look” presented in this issue (pages 12-15). it is a spectacular facility dedicated to our students and to our desire, as a caring and generous Springfield College community, to create the best learning and living envi- ronment for our students, now and in the years to come. But this facility is by no means the last project to be under-
taken on campus. in fact, shortly after the campus union opened, major renovation began on Judd gymnasia. The 116- year-old building has fulfilled many purposes over the years. in its earliest days, for example, it served as the site where games of “basket ball” were played. it was where the game of volleyball was named. originally called “mintonette” by its inventor, William Morgan, Class of 1894, Springfield College Professor alfred T. halstead observed the ball’s unique action in play during a demonstration game held at the College and proposed to rename it “volley ball.” The Judd renovation will create the Stitzer YMCa Center,
designed to be a destination point for YMCa leaders, Springfield College students, and campus visitors to share in both the histo- ry and the future of the YMCa. The overarching goals of the center are to celebrate and honor YMCa leaders of the past, recognize and support YMCa leaders of the present, and prepare YMCa leaders of the future. i hope that those of you who have fond memories of Judd or a special affinity for the YMCa will participate in a special fund-raising effort to support both the creation of this center and the preservation of this historic build- ing. Find out more about this fund-raising effort on pages 18-19. The new Stitzer YMCa Center will open this fall during the
College’s 125th anniversary year. This year has been marked by a number of 125th-related events—from Founder’s Day to “Cele- brating the Birthplace of Basketball®—James naismith and his Legacy.” a number of special events celebrating the game’s inventor during that week-long celebration included a screening by Steve James of his acclaimed film, “hoop Dreams;” a faculty/staff versus students “naismith rules” basketball game, played by the game’s original rules; a reading by renowned sports poet Jack ridl, from his work, “Losing Season;” and the dedication of the James naismith statue (see back cover)—a larger-than-life-sized statue of James naismith, sitting on a granite bench on the plaza outside of the campus union, which was created by famed sculptor elden Tefft. Following the celebration, i received an e-mail from Jack ridl,
who thanked Jani and me. he added, “i have been celebrating you two and the College since my arrival back home. i’ve been to lots of campuses. i’ve not visited any that have been more warm in spirit, generous of heart. i loved being with your students and your faculty. The mutual care and respect was palpable. i, simply and deeply put, had a wonderful time, one that is going to last in this heart.”
(Continued next page) TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 82, No. 1
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