UMass Amherst Alumni Association

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Ronald Jager (1988, ENGR )
Ronald Jager (1988, ENGR) was named a vice president with Gannett Fleming, an international planning, design, and construction management firm. Jager serves as a senior project manager and office manager for Gannett Fleming in the State College, Pa., office.

With more than 27 years of experience, he is responsible for the firm's services to municipal and industrial clients in Central Pennsylvania, as well as supporting water and wastewater reuse projects throughout the country. Jager oversees project management, client relations, and business development throughout the region, in addition to providing senior technical consulting.

Submitted on Nov 23 2009
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Michael Burke (1984, HFA )
Michael Burke (1984, HFA) has been promoted to full professor at Colby College and was awarded an honorary master's degree Nov. 12. A native of Concord, California, Burke graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1977 and from the UMass Amherst with an MFA in 1984. He teaches in the English Department at Colby, where he focuses on environmental literature and writing and American literature. He has taught in London and Cape Town, South Africa.

Burke's memoir/adventure narrative, The Same River Twice (University of Arizona Press), was published in 2006. Other nonfiction pieces have appeared in Outside, Islands, Yankee, The New York Times, The Sunday Times (South Africa), Down East, New England Monthly, Chronicle of Higher Education, Boston Globe, and Country Home. For 35 years, Michael Burke has also been a whitewater and wilderness guide.

Submitted on Nov 23 2009
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Carol Craig (2006, OUT )
Carol Craig (2006, OUT) is the CEO of Craig Technologies located in Cape Canaveral, FL. In response to President Obama�s plan to defend the nation's computer network infrastructure, Craig Technologies is providing Cyber Analytic support to the Intelligence (A2) Directorate of the US Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, CO under the Contract Advisory and Assistance Services and Engineering and Technical Assistance (CAASETA) contract awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton in May.
Submitted on Nov 23 2009
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Robert Bringle (1974, CNS )
Robert Bringle (MS, 1972 and 1974, CNS) is spending the fall semester, 2009, on sabbatical leave as a Visiting Scholar at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He is a Chancellor�s Professor of Psychology and Philanthropic Studies and Executive Director of the Center for Service and Learning at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. During his leave Professor Bringle will be working with nine Irish universities and institutes of technology on developing service learning courses that incorporate community service as an integrated part of the curriculum, approaches to participatory action research in communities, and institutional support for civic engagement activities. His work includes lectures, seminars, workshops, and consultation with faculty on curriculum revision, student engagement, and scholarship. The sabbatical activities will also include adding Ireland to a comparative study of national strategies for implementing and institutionalizing service learning.

Submitted on Nov 23 2009
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James Scruggs (1979, ED )
James Scruggs (1979, ED) writes, "It has occurred to me that besides the many degrees and universities I have attended, my greatest and most gratifying personal energies were spent in working for human rights for people. My vocation was science, education and leadership, but my avocation was, and still is, trying to make as much of a contribution to the wellbeing of the human condition as possible. I have worked as the President of the West Haven NAACP & SCLC and been a member of the Connecticut Humans Rights Committee, Migrant Education Committee and West Haven Board of Education. I have authored many articles on contemporary issues as well as four books. My column, "Frankly Speaking", has provided me with the tool to keep me involved even after being retired from my vocations these fourteen years. I have found that the pen is mightier than the sword. It is even more powerful than the atomic bomb! The University of Massachusetts gave me this opportunity! I am proud to say that I am a product of the University of Massachusetts."

Submitted on Nov 23 2009
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David Oestreicher (1981, SOM )
David Oestreicher (1981, SOM) CPA/PFS, MBA, CLTC has been elected to New York Life Insurance Company's Agents Advisory Council, a prestigious group of 24 New York Life sales representatives elected by their peers to present agent viewpoints and issues to the Home Office.

David J. Oestreicher, a New York Life agent for 7 years, was elected to the Agents Advisory Council at a recent awards and recognition educational conference in San Antonio, Texas
Submitted on Nov 19 2009
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Jeffrey Cramer (1977, HFA )
Jeff Cramer ('77) published his third book for Yale University Press. Following his Walden: A Fully Annotated Edition (2004) and I to Myself: An Annotated Selection from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau (2007), Jeff has just published Thoreau’s The Maine Woods: A Fully Annotated Edition.

With three more Thoreau books in the works for Yale University Press, Princeton University Press, and Penguin Viking, as well as working as curator at the Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods, Jeff's days are quite full. To find out more, or keep in touch, go to: www.jeffreyscramer.com

Submitted on Nov 19 2009
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Neal Mann (1967, SBS )
Neal Mann (1967, SBS) writes, "In February I will become a grandfather for the first time. Can't wait."
Submitted on Nov 6 2009
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Neal Mann (1967, SBS )
Neal Mann (1967, SBS) writes, "Retired part time in 2000 and full time from Audiology in 2005. While employed part time as an Audiologist, I took the tests for my commercial driver's license and started driving trucks delivering wine and juice just because I wanted to."
Submitted on Nov 6 2009
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Judith (Udes) Herrell (1986, ED )
Judith (Udes) Herrell (1986, ED) writes, "Commonwealth Opera is producing Cosi Fan Tutti at the Academy of Music in Northampton MA on November 20th and 22nd. It is a wonderful operaetic comedy that should not be missed. Hope you can join me.
www.commonwealthopera.org
I have been involved with this organization since 2000. If you wish to become involved, please let me know."
Submitted on Nov 5 2009
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Judith (Udes) Herrell (1986, ED )
Judith (Udes) Herrell (1986, ED) recently accepted a position at Herrell's Development Corporation located in Northampton MA as President. Judith recently was employed at Iris Photo as Director of Sales and Marketing. "After 29 years, Herrell's Ice Cream decided to expand by franchising. I am happy to speak with anyone who might be interested."
Submitted on Nov 5 2009
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Stephen Masse (1975, HFA )
Stephen Masse (1975, HFA) writes, "Available from Good Harbor Press -- a new book for children 9 - 14. SHORT CIRCUS is twelve-year-old Jem Lockwood's own story about his remarkable adventures with his Big Brother Jesse Standish and a host of neighbors and friends, plus a mysterious enemy who sabotages the swimming pond. There are bike jumping contests, fistfights, motorbikes, visits to seaside towns for festivals, and swimming in a waterfall. What begins as a glorious summer is nearly ruined when Jem discovers that his Big Brother's rented house is about to be sold, and Jesse Standish may be forced to move away."

Submitted on Nov 5 2009
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James Pye (1969, )
Jim Pye (1969) writes, "My wife, Georgia (Wheaton College 1969), and I live in our hometown, Duxbury, Massachusetts. Since graduation on May 31, 1969, I have: done one year of law school at William and Mary; lost the Spring 1970 draft lottery; served two years, eight months, fourteen days, and four hours in the Army, during which time Georgia and I were married at the Wheaton College Chapel on October 9, 1971; finished law school at W&M in June 1975; was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar on December 19, 1975; earned an LLM in Taxation at BU Law School in June 1976; practiced real estate, estate planning, and probate law in Duxbury for thirty-five years, and counting; practiced real estate brokerage in Duxbury for twenty-five years, and counting; had two great kids; and have stayed in touch with my Zeta Nu roommate, Jack Fitzgerald, who keeps me current on all our fraternity brothers who graduated for Boston Latin School in 1965 and 1966. I would like to reconnect with my Zeta Nu fraternity brothers (1966-1971); the Class of 1969 Freshman Lacrosse Team, the only undefeated team on which I ever played; and become active in the South Shore and Cape Cod Umass Alumni Clubs. Please email me at JimPye@Alumni.Umass.edu. "

Submitted on Nov 5 2009
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Timothy Johnston (1989, HFA )
Timothy Johnston (1989, MFA) writes, "Tim Johnston's collection of stories, IRISH GIRL, winner of the 2009 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction, has just been published.

"These beautifully rendered tales pack and emotional wallop."
- Publisher's Weekly.

Tim also has a story featured in NARRATIVE MAGAZINE'S Story of The Week (Nov 15- 22). "

Submitted on Nov 4 2009
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Martin Comack (1999, SBS )
is currently an ABD doctoral candidate in Political Science at Northeastern University.
Submitted on Nov 2 2009
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Ariane Goodwin (1995, ED )
Ariane Goodwin (1995, ED) writes, "I've been using my doctorate from UMass, in Human Development and Creative Behavior, as the springboard for creating a whole menu of educational materials so visual fine artists can step into the 21st Century and find new ways to put their artwork successfully in the world.

It began with my first book (and the only book on the subject!) on "Writing the Artist Statement: Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work."

My latest adventure has been to create and host the only professional development art career conference for visual artists, online of off -- the smARTist Telesummit. (http://www.smARTist.com)

The fourth annual 7-day event is coming up: Jan 21 & 22 (2 MasterMind Panel Days) and Jan 25-29, featuring 12 Art Career Experts and Successful Artists giving keynote presentations.

This year -- smARTist 2010 -- our very special guest is the international best-selling author, Robert Fritz ("The Path of Least Resistance" & "Your Life as Art").

After 3 years, and 39 Art Career Expert Speakers, my outreach spans an online audience of over 250,000.

And my passion -- to help visual artists make an honest living doing what they love -- grows brighter and stronger as the dynamic, multi-faceted beauty of their art is able to grace all of our lives."

Submitted on Oct 28 2009
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Janet (Evensen) Carr (1954, CNS )
Janet (Evensen) Carr (1954, CNS) and husband Curt recently drove to Asheville N.C. for a reunion with dietitians that Janet interned with at the University of Minnesota in '54 -'55. Out of the group of 11 who have met for the past four years, only three of the women and their spouses were able to attend. However the enthusiasm was there. We are hoping for a bigger turnout next Labor Day when the reunion will be held in New Hampshire.
Submitted on Oct 27 2009
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Mona Hirata (1995, SBS )
Mona L. Hirata (1995, SBS), President and Co-Founder of Weddings by Grace and Mona, recently accepted a new venture teaching the first wedding planning certification course offered at Kapiolani Community College, in collaboration with the Wedding Planning Institute. The course began on Thursday, September 24, 2009 with nineteen students enrolled. Mona hopes to give these students a practical perspective by sharing her own experiences as a wedding planner and by bringing in guest speakers from vendors within the wedding industry. Another public speaking opportunity arose when Jim Richardson, a professor at the Shidler College of Business, invited Mona to speak at his Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship class as a featured entrepreneur.

Submitted on Oct 23 2009
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Wellesley Marsh (2004, SBS )
Wellesley Marsh (2004, SBS) writes, "Taschen books recently published the Music Icon series which features my photo layout and research work. So far, the series includes books on Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, and Jimi Hendrix. Working with one of the best publishers in the world has been a wonderful experience"

Submitted on Oct 22 2009
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John Petrocelli (1988, )
John Petrocelli (1988) writes, "In March I accepted a position as CEO of Incited Media (www.incitedmedia.com - http://www.incitedmedia.com/news_press_ceo.php) the leading provider of webcast management services. We have streamed some of the most watched and viewed live content in internet history include LiveEarth, Live 8, the Democratic National Convention, YouTube Live, the Grammys, FarmAid and MTV Video Music Awards.

In October Incited Media was acquired by AEG (http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS146987+05-Oct-2009+BW20091005) and launched AEG Digital Media. AEG is the world's largest investor in entertainment and sports facilities; the world's largest presenter of live sports and entertainment events; world's largest owner of sports teams and sports events; owner of the world's most profitable sports and entertainment venues; and reaches billions of people each year through its facilities, events, music, theater, festivals, sports, films and media assets.

Whew, its been a ton of work but a great ride so far as I have always wanted to work in both sports and music!"
Submitted on Oct 20 2009
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