News from Westfield State - April 2020 Open Letter from Scott Gowen, President of the Westfield State Alumni Association and Erica Broman, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dear Westfield State University Alumni,
As the world adjusts to a new routine turned upside down by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we write with the hope that you, your family, and friends are in good health. We understand that so many members of our Westfield State University family are deeply impacted by this disease, and you are in our thoughts.
We are incredibly heartened by the collaboration exhibited by the Westfield State community to help fellow Owls as well as our Commonwealth in this time of unprecedented crisis. It's been inspiring to see our community of alumni, students, faculty, and staff grow even stronger together. Despite a pivot to remote classes and operations, your alma mater remains open: We continue to educate students, while ensuring the health and well-being of those who remain on campus. Faculty and staff have worked diligently to move students off campus and provide quality online instruction and support to our students—and we can't thank them enough for their commitment to Westfield State and their patience during this trying situation.
Here are some examples of our swift response to the pandemic:
Looking ahead, the campus will continue with the College of Graduate and Continuing Education classes but move at least the first session to remote learning. Any on-campus activities, this spring and summer, including summer conferences will not take place. The alumni kick-off to summer event at Tia's in Boston, also, will not occur. We are sorry to not be able to gather with you to share special Westfield State stories and experiences.
Working together we are stronger and are uplifted by the many and varied ways our community is reaching out to help others through these challenges. We wish you continued health and safety and look ahead to a time when we can be together in person.
In Unity, Erica Broman Scott Gowen President, WSAA While the overwhelming majority of our students have returned home to families and loved ones, there are a limited number of students whose options are more limited. Many are students aging out of the foster system. In an effort to assist them as best we can, we have created a Owls Helping Owls, Student Emergency Fund to support the essential needs of students who may not have parents or champions to assist them in this time of turmoil. The Institutional Advancement office is working closely with a dedicated group on campus who are committed to supporting and empowering current and former foster youth, homeless youth, and youth who have experienced other forms of substitute care to provide the necessary resources to enrich the college experience and eliminate barriers that may be preventing their academic success. This group provides assistance to stabilize housing, food insecurity and other basic needs while connecting students to financial, academic, and social emotional supports. To date, we have raised over $14,000 to assist these students.
While you continue to look after the health and safety of yourself and your loved ones, we hope you will consider helping some of our students whose options are limited and resources scarce. Please visit: westfield.ma.edu/owlhelp How has COVID-19 impacted your world? Undoubtedly there are few whose lives have not been upturned by the impact of COVID-19. As we look to the fall and our next issue of FOCUS, we hope to highlight the experiences of our alumni during this pandemic. No matter where your Westfield State education has taken you, we hope you might let us know how this virus has impacted your life and the lives of those around you. Please consider sharing your COVID-19 story with us by sending an email to alumnirelations@westfield.ma.edu.
Are You Now Living in a Virtual World? If so, please consider taking a bit of Westfield State with you! As many have transitioned to Zoom as a means of meeting, we invite you to pick your own virtual background with this selection from the great marketing team at Westfield State. Show your Owl Pride by clicking here: Interfaith Center Hosts Mission Trip to El Paso The Encuentro Project Interfaith Immersion Experience to the border (El Paso, TX and Juarez, Mexico) took place March 1-15, 2020. The participants included members of the Interfaith Chaplains and Advisory Councils, students leaders from the Jewish Student Organization, the Catholic Newman Club, and the Muslim Student Organization. Give A Hoot Results On March 4th and 5th we hosted our annual Give-a-Hoot Giving Days. We were pleased that you helped us raise over $44,000 from 329 donors supporting our scholarships, athletics and other programming here on campus.
We were proud that:
We look forward to building upon this success for next year! Thank You From Our Students With the shift to remote learning for the spring semester our phone program students have taken on new roles. In their remote roles they will be creating video content to be sent to our alumni. Currently, they are sending individual personalized thank you videos to the 60+ donors who have made a gift to our student emergency fund, Owls Helping Owls. Watch a sample thank you video from first-year student, Lauren here. News from the Career Center We continue to hear from alumni and students that are worried about employment, internships and opportunities moving forward. We wanted to share that the Career Center team is continually monitoring employment and internships locally, regionally and nationally. Here are ways we might be able to help:
Also, alumni and students can visit the Career Center's social channels such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn as we continue to upload opportunities and virtual career fairs. All employment opportunities and events are being posted on Handshake - https://westfield.joinhandshake.com/login, the Career Center's job/internship/events board.
Don't hesitate to reach out and let us know if you have any questions.
Be well and stay safe, The Career Center Team Save the Date: Homecoming - Saturday, October 17, 2020 Family Day/Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2020. We have terrific plans in place with sporting events, campus activities and special tours. We look forward especially to welcoming those from reunion years (5s and 0s) and those who haven't been back to campus recently.
Owls in Florida In March, Westfield State traveled down to Florida to visit our alumni in the Sunshine State. The week of activity kicked off with a reception at the Villages hosted by David and Colleen Campbell Class of 1984 and 1985 respectively. It was great to connect with alumni and former faculty and staff. (From Left to Right) David '84 and Colleen '85 Campbell graciously hosted a gathering at The Villages welcoming fellow Owls Heather Nelson '05, Jennifer B. Vanover '10 and retired faculty and staff Phillip Ettman and Paul Scannell. The next evening we watched the sunset at in Tampa to connect with our host Jeff Bradford '82 and a group of alumni sharing connections and stories of Westfield State. Sandra L. Marth '67 poses with her yearbook photo at the Naples Florida reception. Jane Garvey '70 chats with Robert '72, M '78 Mullally and his wife Nancy. Susan T. Stanley '82 poses with her yearbook photo at the Naples Florida reception. The week wrapped up with the Third Annual Hogan Classic, at the gorgeous Club Pelican Bay in Naples, hosted by Bill Hogan '77, Kevin Queenin '70 and Steve Marcus '88. The golfers had a wonderful round and we convened with a reception to celebrate Westfield State and our tournament winners (Michael O'Keefe '80 and Mary Langan '80). Participants in the third annual Hogan Classic gather for a group photo after an incredible day on the Club at Pelican Bay course in Naples. William Hogan '77, Chair of the Board of Trustees Kevin Queenin '70 and former Board chair Steven Marcus '88 were instrumental in the continued success of the Hogan Golf Classic. Use the button below to update your information and tell us what's new! Westfield State Office of Alumni Relations 333 Western Ave, Westfield, MA 01086 WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY - ALUMNI RELATIONS 577 Western Ave Westfield, MA 01086 (413) 572- 8652 |