MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Colleagues,
The fall semester is well underway. The month of October has been packed with events and activities that have both advanced the objectives of the College and renewed our sense of joy and community.
A very productive Board of Trustees meeting on October 14 led to the approval of the FY23 budget. The Board also participated in a review of the College’s re-accreditation self-study as well as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice workshop.
The President’s Evening of Appreciation took place on Saturday, October 15, which also coincided with Founders’ Day. Due to the pandemic, the event last took place in 2019. It was so nice to come together and celebrate the generosity and support of the College's special donors. We gave special recognition to our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, and to benefactors, Robert Bolduc and Regina Hitchery, for their philanthropic support of the College and its mission.
The campus also welcomed the Sisters of St. Joseph on Wednesday, October 19 for the annual Founders’ Day Mass followed by lunch with our students in the dining hall. Thank you to Sr. Carol Allan and Campus Ministry for coordinating the Sisters' visit.
The well-attended launch of the book Along the Way: The Life, Lessons, and Legacy of Father Hugh F. Crean, edited by Fr. Mark Stelzer took place on Tuesday, October 18. The compilation consists of Father Crean’s homilies and talks accompanied by six contributors' essays reflecting on his life and ministry. Professors Peter DePergola and Michael McGreavy were among the contributors. I sincerely thank Fr. Mark Stelzer for his tireless effort in spearheading this project! Real to Reel aired a lengthy segment on the book launch that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/_e8wzGfifZM
The traditional fall Open House took place on Saturday, October 22. It was a beautiful day on campus and we welcomed nearly 60 prospective students and their families! This event would not be possible without the support and dedication of the entire Elms community. A special thank you to our Admissions team for their ongoing efforts!
And as if all the above events were not enough, let us not forget why we are all here – for our students! A very special shout out to our Student Affairs and Student Engagement teams for the countless events and activities taking place this last month including roller skating night, commuter coffee, movie nights, bingo, pumpkin carving, and the annual Trick or Treat among so many others.
With all the exciting and positive energy radiating throughout the campus, it reminds us to remain focused and motivated - to keep a close eye on the ever-changing landscape of higher education and determine the best course of action to remain a sought-out institution for our current and prospective students. There is much hard work ahead of us, but with the contribution and commitment of the entire Elms community, we can persevere. Thank you all for your support and dedication to our students and to each other!
With gratitude,
Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA
President
FUTURE ELMSNEWS
Submission pieces can be shared with the following department contacts:
Academic Affairs - Deb Methe
Admissions - Jenna Stolarik
Athletics - Sean Milbier
Finance - Katie Longley
HR - Cheryl Smith
Marketing - Megan Eischen
Student Affairs - Liz Newland
Institutional Advancement - Lynn Korza
The deadline for submissions is the third Friday of each month.
TOWN HALL
For those who were unable to attend the October 28 Town Hall, you may access the recording here. NOTE: Advance to 13 minutes - this marks the start of the meeting.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The last check run scheduled for November will be on Thursday, November 17th. Please submit payment requests for invoices and reimbursements by noon on Tuesday, November 15th, to be included in this check run.
There will be no check run the week of the Thanksgiving holiday, November 23rd - November 25th. Please contact Crystal Harrison, Accounts Payable Coordinator, directly at harrisonc@elms.edu with questions.
UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS
November 3: Career Fair
1:00 am-1:30pm
November 9: Cheer Fundraiser
5:00-9:30pm
November 16-: Faculty and Staff Social
4:00-6:00pm
November 17: Sigma Theta Tau Induction
6:00-8:00pm
November 18: Night in Paradise Pageant-WOCA
6:00-10:00pm
November 28: Annual Holiday Marketplace
11:00am-2:00pm
November 28: Annual Tree Lighting
4:00-5:00pm
Remember to search the Master Calendar to find the exact location for campus events.
PRESIDENT'S EVENING OF APPRECIATION
On October 15, 2022, President Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA gave special recognition to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield as the evening's event coincided with Founders' Day, the day in which we commemorate the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1650 in Le Puy, France. President Dumay also gave special recognition to benefactors Robert Bolduc and Regina Hitchery for their philographic support of the College and its mission. The President’s Evening of Appreciation celebrates the generosity and support of donors who have joined the Elms College Leadership Giving Societies through their annual and lifetime giving.
CAREER SERVICES
Elms College Career & Internship Fair
The Elms College Career & Internship Fair is returning next month live and in-person. It will take place on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm in Berchmans Gym. J. Marshall, Director of Career Services, would be grateful for any help for the event. Please email any questions directly to marshallj@elms.edu.
If you are interested, there is a Google signup form: https://forms.gle/TJ2U2gac5F358Lbu7
The event begins at 11:00 AM and ends at 1:30 PM but there are opportunities to help set up and break down (not the tables, promise!).
CENTER FOR ETHICS, RELIGION, AND CULTURE
The St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture is hosting the 2nd Distinguished Lecture in Ethics on Thursday, November 3 at 6:30 PM via Zoom Webinar.
This year’s Distinguished Lecturer is Professor Charles Camosy, Ph.D., Professor of Medical Humanities at Creighton University School of Medicine (Omaha, NE) and Monsignor Michael J. Curran Fellow in Moral Theology at Saint Joseph's Seminary and College (Yonkers, NY). The title of Dr. Camosy's lecture, based on his recent book, is “Losing Our Dignity: How Secularized Medicine is Undermining Fundamental Human Equality."
Professor Camosy’s published work has appeared in the American Journal of Bioethics, Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Journal of the Catholic Health Association, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, and America - The Jesuit Review.
Dr. Camosy is the author of six books, all of which have been critically acclaimed and award-winning: Too Expensive to Treat? Finitude, Tragedy, and the Neonatal ICU (Eerdmans, 2011); Peter Singer and Christian Ethics: Beyond Polarization (Cambridge University Press, 2012); For Love of Animals: Christian Ethics, Consistent Action (Franciscan, 2013); Beyond the Abortion Wars: A Way Forward for a New Generation (Eerdmans, 2016); Resisting a Throwaway Culture: How a Consistent Life Ethic Can Unite a Fractured People (New City, 2019); Losing Our Dignity: How Secularized Medicine is Undermining Fundamental Human Equality (New City, 2021); and Bioethics for Nurses: A Christian Moral Vision (Eerdmans, 2022).
Dr. Peter DePergola, CERC Executive Director, is encouraging faculty to incorporate this lecture into their curriculum to provide students with the opportunity to participate in the intellectual life of CERC. To learn more about an easily adoptable, discipline-nonspecific assignment or Dr. Pergola’s offer to grade these assignments, please contact him directly(DePergolaP@elms.edu).
Virtual space for the Webinar is limited, so please visit the event website and register -- and have your students, family, and friends register -- here as soon as possible.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
International Education Week is scheduled this year for the week of Nov 14-18. "This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences."
The International Programs Office is inviting all Elms offices and departments to participate in any way they can. Last year, with the help of students in the International Club, a week of cultural activities such as Mancala and Gaelic Football was offered along with an international film festival showing films such as "What We Do in the Shadows" and "Senna." This year the hope is to have more voices and events to promote the importance of international collaboration. Please see the list of suggested activities from the Dept of State. Any ideas that would work better for Elms offices and departments are welcome! Please let Octavio Seijas, Director of International Programs, know if you would like to get involved (seijaso@elms.edu).
YOU ARE INVITED!
On behalf of the Office of the President and the Office of Academic Affairs, it is my pleasure to invite you to join us for hors d'oeuvres and desserts at a Faculty-Staff Social Reception in the Borgia Gallery between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. on November 16.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Damien
--
Damien Murray,
Professor of History,
Director of Faculty Development
Elms College
Pronouns: he/him/his
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Celebrating the Sisters of St. Joseph!
October 15 is recognized each year as Founders' Day for Sisters of St. Joseph. On Friday, October 14, Campus Ministry held a tabling event with handouts including "I Am A Dear Neighbor" stickers and pins, "Blessed" pennants, "There is Wonderful Joy Ahead," mugs, and French treats!
On Wednesday, October 19, we welcomed several Sisters of St. Joseph to campus for Mass in St. Joseph Chapel and lunch afterwards in the dining center. It is always heartwarming to have SSJs visit campus and share some time with students/faculty/staff!
Thank you, Sisters of St. Joseph, for the legacy you have given us!
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Dan Chelotti, Associate Professor of English, recently taught a poetry workshop for students from Holyoke’s Poetry at the Care Center. The students from The Care Center were joined by three students from Elms: Amanda Munson, Elizabeth Gourde, and Joe Potter.
The workshop was called The Book of Mistakes, inspired by a children’s book by Corinna Luyken. In the book, a character emerges from drawing mistakes made by the author/illustrator; what are first considered mistakes turn out to be the character’s becoming. The workshop was designed to encourage students to make writing mistakes and then embrace those mistakes to generate new writing. All students left having written two new poems.
A second workshop will take place at The Care Center in Holyoke. This workshop will be led by Elms student Elizabeth Gourde.
English majors who concentrate on writing will have opportunities for internships with The Care Center.
It was a wonderful experience for all!
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Dining Services
The dining hall now has reusable take-out containers to purchase at the register. Each container costs $10 and you can return it for a clean container each time you visit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs.
COMMUTER COFFEE!
ATHLETICS
Fall Sports:
Women’s Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball and Field Hockey are all in the final week of the regular season and looking to qualify for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference playoffs.
Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Soccer and Field Hockey all held Pick Out games for cancer awareness this week.
Women’s Volleyball First Year Jaylen Holman was selected GNAC Rookie of the Week for the 3rd time. Women’s Soccer Senior Kayla Pasquel was selected GNAC Player of the Week. Golf First Year Miguel Pearce was selected GNAC Rookie of the Week.
Women’s and Men’s Cross Country competed in 4 races including the Blazer Invitational, and will race at the GNAC Championships on 10/29.
Golf competed in 6 tournaments including the GNAC Championships and the NEIGA Championships.
Winter Sports:
Men’s and Women’s Basketball has started practicing and are getting ready for their seasons. The women open up on November 8th when they host Salem State University. The men open up at home on November 12th vs Sage College.
You can find all athletic team schedules at ecblazers.com and stay informed by following our athletic department Instagram @elmsblazers
HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
Calling all Elms College crafters and artisans!
Elms College will be holding our Annual Holiday Marketplace on Monday, November 28 from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. We are looking for members of our campus to participate by selling homemade items(no direct sales vendors please - ex. Young Living, Color Street, Tupperware). There is no table fee, but we ask that you please donate an item that will be raffled off at the end of the event. The event will take place indoors in the Dining Hall and you will be provided with one 8 ft table and two chairs.
This is a juried event.
Please submit the following application to be considered for a spot in the Holiday Marketplace: https://forms.gle/DfYk1ikbZZX4K3BVA
Deadline for applications is Monday, October 31. You will be contacted by Friday, November 5 if your spot is secured.
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
November 28, 2022, 4 p.m. on the Quad
HUMAN RESOURCES
Elms College Employment Opportunities as of October 19, 2022
Applications are now being accepted for the positions listed below. Anyone interested in making a formal application should go to the Employment page on the Elms College website for a detailed job description and how to apply: www.elms.edu/employment or you may request a paper copy from the Human Resources Office.
Among the procedures which may be used to select personnel to fill vacant positions are a review of work experiences, qualifications, degrees/licensures/certifications, and employment interviews. This listing pertains to all current staff and faculty job vacancies at the College.
Elms College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment. It is the policy of Elms College to comply with applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity.
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Inside Money: Managing income and debt
Discover how to help make your money work harder by using your cash flow more effectively, developing good saving habits and better managing debt.
November 8 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
Whether you’re the kind of person that lives and spends in the now or plans for what’s ahead, there are always ways to save smarter. You’ll learn a number of strategies for better managing your money so you have the knowledge and confidence to pay your bills, save for a rainy day, and achieve any larger financial goals you’ve set for yourself.
November 9 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
Financial housekeeping for now and later
Get insights into your current financial situation and learn some practical steps you can take to help position yourself for future success.
November 10 at 12 p.m. (ET), 11 a.m. (CT), 10 a.m. (MT), 9 a.m. (PT)
Money at Work 2: Sharpening investment skills
Feel more secure in your savings strategy by verifying you’re on the right track. And if you’re off track, know what adjustments you need to make. Learn how to plan your investments and hold on to as much of your nest egg as possible.
November 10 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
Lifetime Income: Marketproof your retirement
You diversify your investment portfolio before retirement to help offset risk. A similar strategy can help see you through retirement. Learn how creating a diversified income plan—one that uses a combination of income sources and includes annuity income that’s guaranteed for life—can help reduce the risks you may face in retirement and ensure you have income that never runs out.
November 16 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
Welcome to new employees:
Jenny Aguiar- Director of Financial Aid
Samantha Miller- Admissions Counselor
Nicole Bourgeois- Admissions Counselor
Ashley Gonzalez- Data Operations Clerk for Admissions
Erin Girard- Custodian
Teresa Peloquin- Associate Director of Annual Giving
Jasmine Stacy- Cheerleading Coach
Hayley O’Brien- Public Safety Officer
Paula Borges- Student Accounts Representative
Best wishes to departing employees:
Alan Bloomgarden (Academic Affairs)
Anne Medina (Admissions)
Congratulations to all those starting new roles:
Nicole Fregeau '18 - Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
PUBLIC SAFETY
The 2021 Clery Report is now available on the Public Safety Website. This report discloses the most recent three years of crime statistics (2021, 2020 and 2019) and security policies as required by the Clery act. We want to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to make the campus environment a safe place to learn, live and work.
TECH TIPS
Staying Green with Technology at Elms!
Reducing paper helps save the college money while also helping to save the environment!
Relying on printed materials for interdepartmental work as well as course content is a costly, outdated method that is not only inefficient, but also hurts the environment.
Consider utilizing the resources we have on campus to reduce your carbon footprint.
Google Suite
Share notes through Google docs
Store and maintain important documents in Google Drive
Share updates and resources with your team on an internal Google site
Collaborate on different projects with shareable apps in Google
Ability to link Google docs, sheets, slides, etc. within our Moodle, allowing students the ability to upload assignments directly within the LMS
Moodle Learning Management System (LMS)
Post course syllabus instead of printing
Share links to online resources
Upload and share relevant resources within your course shell
Allow students to submit assignments digitally within Moodle
Grade, edit, and markup papers within Moodle
Adobe eSign
Have documents signed faster, digitally, and without the need for physical forms and in-person signatures.
Please consider implementing some of these changes into your daily workflow and course offerings to help reduce costs and negative impact on the environment.
For additional information on these tools, please visit Google’s Top 10 Tips to Go Paperless or reach out to helpdesk@elms.edu for questions or to schedule time with our Educational Technology Specialist.
FINANCE
Now that the FY23 budgets are loaded, make sure you know how to process payments by reviewing the Ellucian Training Guide for Requisitions, Approvals & Budget Management as well as the related policies available on the Policies and Procedures webpage.
ELMS IN THE NEWS:
September 20, 2022: Masslive.com published an editorial on the projected job growth of STEM positions in the state and highlighted Elms College's $1.5 million NSF grant in the article.
September 20, 2022: Spectrum News 1 aired a story that Elms has been awarded a $1.5 million STEM grant from the National Science Foundation.
October 3, 2022: BusinessWest published a news brief in the print version of the publication that Elms has been awarded a $1.5 million STEM grant from the National Science Foundation.
October 5, 2022: BusinessWest Daily Blog published the press release announcing Andrew Coston as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
October 6, 2022: Healthcare News published a feature story on the Haiti Nursing Continuing Education Program and several people were interviewed, including Dr. Dumay, Deana Nunes, associate dean of the SON, Anne Mistivar, adjunct professor of the SON, and Maryann Matrow, director of operation in the SON.
https://healthcarenews.com/issues/sep-oct-2022/#p=9 (digital edition)
October 6, 2022: iObserve.org published the press release announcing Andrew Coston as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
October 12, 2022: iObserve.org published the press release that Elms has received a $1.1 million renewal grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation to continue funding our Haiti Nursing Continuing Education program.
October 13, 2022: BusinessWest Daily blog published the press release that Elms has received a $1.1 million renewal grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation to continue funding our Haiti Nursing Continuing Education program.
October 13, 2022: HealthcareNews Daily blog published the press release that Elms has received a $1.1 million renewal grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation to continue funding our Haiti Nursing Continuing Education program.
October 14, 2022: The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education published the press release announcing Andrew Coston as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
October 17, 2022: BusinessWest published a feature story on the Haiti Nursing Continuing Education Program and several people were interviewed, including Dr. Dumay, Deana Nunes, associate dean of the SON, Anne Mistivar, adjunct professor of the SON, and Maryann Matrow, director of operation in the SON.
https://businesswest.com/issues/oct-17-2022/#p=28 (digital edition)