Alumni Stories
Throughout Assumption University's storied history, our graduates have made significant contributions in their careers, in their communities and in their lives.
The friends our students make at Assumption become friends for life. Professionally, our alumni are leaders in a number of different industries. We invite you to learn a more about how Assumption graduates make a difference in the world in which we live.
Alumni Awards
Assumption University is proud of its Alumni and the contributions they make to their college and their community. Assumption's various Alumni Association awards and a list of recipients may be found below.
Assumption Magazine
Three times a year, the University publishes its flagship publication, Assumption Magazine. We invite you to browse our digital archives.
Alumni Weddings
To have your photo included online, please send a high-resolution photo to alumni@assumption.edu, and please list names and class years of the alumni that are in the photo. News of your wedding will also be included in a future edition of Assumption Magazine. For information about having your wedding in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, please contact the Office of Campus Ministry at 508-767-7149 or campusministry@assumption.edu.
Please scroll below to view photos of recent graduates' weddings.
Notable Assumption University Alumni
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Athletics
- Ray Fagnant '86 - Boston Red Sox northeast regional scouting supervisor
- Brian Kelly '83, HD'12 - head football coach, Louisiana State University (2012 College Football Coach of the Year)
- Andy Laska HA'68 - (deceased) director of athletics emeritus; former basketball and golf coach
- Joe O'Brien '57 - (deceased) former president/CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- Frank Vana '86 - most prolific amateur golfer in Massachusetts history
Business
- William Aubuchon '38 - (deceased) former president, Aubuchon Hardware, the largest privately-owned U.S. hardware store chain
- Carolyn Clancy '82 - executive vice president of product development, Fidelity Investments, Providence, RI
- Donald D'Amour '64, HD'10 - chairman/CEO, Big Y Foods, Inc., Springfield, MA
- Cedric Ellis '84 - vice president, human resources, CUNA Mutual Group, Madison, WI
- Bryant Farland '93 - corporate senior VP, Skanska Building, Inc., New York, NY
- David Grenon AP'57, HD'86 - retired president, The Protector Group Insurance Agency, Worcester, MA
- Jake Jones '71 - director of community and economic development, Long Branch, NJ
- David Kennedy '75 - former director of philanthropic programs, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Sydney, Australia
- Robert LaPierre AP'64 - president, Rob-Roy Hair Salons, MA
- Chris Marcks '77 - senior vice president (ret.), Prudential Retirement, Hartford, CT
- Normand Marois '57 - (deceased) retired president/chairman, Marois Brothers, Inc., Worcester, MA
- Ralph '87 and David Marois '89 - Marois Brothers, Inc., Worcester, MA
- Dave McManus '87 - co-president/CPA, Alexander, Aronson, Finning & Co., Westborough, MA
- Roselly Ramseyer-Torres '85 - former managing partner, Dresdner Bank, London, England
- Dominic Rawson '90 - VP/managing director, R&M International Sales Corporation, Fort Washington, PA
- Ed AP'60 and Richard St. Pierre AP'64 - owners, St. Pierre Manufacturing Corp., Worcester, MA (world's top manufacturer of "pitching" horseshoes)
Education
- Louis D'Abramo '71 - retired dean of the graduate school, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
- Sheila Harrity G'92 - former principal, Worcester Technical High School, Worcester, MA; superintendent, Montachusett Technical School; 2013 MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals High School Principal of the Year
- Stephen Knott '79, HD'13 - former co-chair, The Presidential Oral History Program at The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; faculty member, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI
- Russell Quaglia '80, HD'02 - president/founder, Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations, Portland, ME
- Benjamin Shen '54 - former astrophysicist, University of Pennsylvania, former trustee, National Science Foundation
Entertainment
- Bryan Dockett '91 - sr. vice president for Live Nation and former vice president for national sales, Disney Theatrical Productions, New York, NY
- Mark Kiely '85 - professional actor, portrayed teacher Gil Meyers on "Beverly Hills, 90210"
- Helen Russell '85 - TV producer, has worked for Oprah, WGBH's "American Experience" and HBO Sports
- Jane Shivick CE'06 - soprano, performed with Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and many others
Health Care / Medicine
- Frances Anthes '73 - president/CEO (ret.), Family Health Center of Worcester, MA
- Pierre Aucoin, M.D. '25 - (deceased) long-time family doctor in Maine, 2004 Commencement speaker at age of 100
- Art Babineau, DDS '52 & Don Lemay, DDS '69 - provided free dental care through Cape CARES to underprivileged in Honduras , page 2 of Babineau/Lemay
- Nader Fotouhi, Ph.D. '80 - chief scientific officer for TB drug development, Global Alliance and former vice president, discovery technologies, Hoffman-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ
- Fr. Rick Frechette, D.O. '74 - director, NPH Haiti, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital, Tabarre, Haiti
- Terrence Sheehan, M.D. '86 - chief medical officer, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, Rockville, MD
- Thomas J. Walsh, M.D. '74, HD'11 - infectious disease specialist affiliated with NY-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
Legal
- James D. Kelly '83 - partner, Dickstein Shapiro, LLC, Washington, DC
- Richard Testa '59 - (deceased) world-renowned, legal pioneer in the venture capital and high-tech industries; former partner, Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault
Media / Communications
- Jeff Archambault '74 - former vice president of communications, Disneyland Resort, Paris, France
- Dennis House '85 - Emmy award-winning journalist and news co-anchor, WFSB-TV, Hartford, CT
- Sheila (Skowyra) Halloran '03 - assignment manager, WCVB-TV (ABC), Boston, MA
Military
- Robert Catalanotti '80, HD'15 - retired major general, U.S. Army, Bronze Medal recipient for service in Iraq
- Andrew Loiselle '86 - former commander of U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, The George H.W. Bush
- Ed Mahan '71 - retired brigadier general, U.S. Air Force, 30-year career
Nonprofits
- Maurice Boisvert '66, HD'12 - retired president/CEO, Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc., Worcester, MA
- Hannah Brencher '10 - author and creator, "The World Needs More Love Letters"
- Anne Lynam Goddard '77, HD'09 - president/CEO, ChildFund International, Richmond, VA
- Sr. Margaret Leonard CE'64 - retired executive director, Project HOPE, Roxbury, MA
- Allyce Najimy '86 - ceo and executive director, The Foundation To Be Named Later, Boston, MA
- Larry Thayer '70 - president and founder (ret.), Cape Abilities, Cape Cod, MA
Public Service
- Timothy Barnicle '66 - former undersecretary of labor to Robert Reich under President Clinton
- Stephen Brewer G'74 - retired Massachusetts State Senator represented 28 towns in Central and Western MA
- Jay Garcia-Gregory '66 - federal judge, U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
- James B. Leary '89 - vice president of government and community relations, University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA
- Harold "Hank" Naughton '82 - Massachusetts State Representative, representing 12th Worcester District
- Catherine Stone '76 - former chief justice, Fourth District Court of Appeals, San Antonio, TX
Religious
- Rev. Wilfrid Dufault, A.A. '29 - (deceased) first American-born superior general of the Assumptionist order
- Fr. Rick Frechette, D.O. '74 - director, NPH Haiti, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital, Tabarre, Haiti
- Bro. Armand Lemaire, A.A. '48 - (deceased) long-time Assumption College administrator, former ambassador to Alumni Association
- Kathleen Morrow Simisky CCE'93 - freelance Catholic chaplain, guest spiritual director and weekend retreat leader
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Assumption University is proud of its alumni and the contributions they make to the university and their community. The annual Alumni Awards are presented by the Office of Alumni Relations and bestowed upon individuals at the University’s June Reunion. View the virtual ceremonies for the 2020 and 2021 Alumni Award Recipients.
Fr. Louis Dion, AA '35 Outstanding Achievement Award
The Outstanding Achievement Award is given to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in his/her chosen field or interest. Qualifications sought in candidates include, but are not limited to: outstanding leadership skills, community service, business acumen, preeminence in teaching or research, and or entrepreneurship.
Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. '35 Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients
Jack L. Bresciani '72 Outstanding Alumni Award
The Outstanding Alumni Award shall be given to an alumnus/a who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding dedication and service to Assumption University.
Jack Bresciani '72 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients
Honorary Alumni
The Honorary Alumni Award shall be awarded to non-graduates of Assumption University, in recognition of their outstanding devotion and commitment to the institution.
Honorary Alumni Award Recipients
Young Alumni Award
The Young Alumni Award shall be awarded to an alumnus/a who has graduated within the past ten years and has demonstrated professional and/or civic accomplishments through their career and/or service to their community, as well as a strong devotion to the University.
Alumni/Athletics Hall of Fame Award
Entry into the Athletic Hall of Fame shall be based primarily on the athletic prowess of the individual. However, anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to Assumption athletics in any capacity, shall be eligible.
- Selection shall be made on the basis of playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and the athlete's contribution to the team or teams on which he/she played, and to Assumption University in general.
- Selection should not be based on one athletic event or any spectacular play.
- Selection should not be made on the basis of sentiment or popularity in order to protect the validity and exclusiveness of the Hall of Fame.
- This award is presented in the fall at Homecoming/Family Weekend.
Jennifer (Fitton) Davis ‘96 married her husband, Harold, on September 5, 2021 in Sterling, MA.
Ellen DiMarzo '11, G'12 married Jared Brown in October 2021 in Wellesley. Alumni in attendance included Heather Gianfriddo, Gina Casadonte, Shamyre Johnson '12, and Cameron Hendley '15.
Several Hounds made the trip to Seattle, Washington in August 2021 to celebrate Christine Roach’s (‘11) marriage to Brad Vongphrachanh. In attendance L to R: Officiant, Dave Paradise, Kiley Krafve, Jessica Pulido, Carleigh Baldwin, Julia Brough, Laura Halloran, Patrick Jergel, Dennis Sojka, Stephanie Burns, Courtney Sojka, Michael Cram and Christie Cram.
Rachel (Montgomery) Berten '16 married her husband, John, on July 17, 2021 at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, NH. Alumni in attendance included Sarah Ardolino ’20, Grace Clark ’19, Lorin Colucci '16, Eric Cyr '16, Ryan Delmastro ’17, Breanna Dolciotto ’15, Ann Donahue ’15, Alyssa Giambanco G’18, Katie Jorgensen ’15, Kaylee Miodonka ’15, Kathy Montgomery ’18, Katie Montgomery ’18, Nicole Papazian G’18, Katelyn Parente '16, Kristen Piek ’15, Katarina Perez '16, Lily Sheehan ’20, Alaina Short '16, Lyla Stressel ’17, Jean-Pierre Tetreault ’18, Allie Zinni '16, and former provost Louise Carroll Keeley, Ph.D.
Stephanie (Plotkin) Murin ’14 married John Murin on August 15, 2020 at the Warren Conference Center and Inn in Ashland. Alumni in attendance included (from left to right) John McVey '14, Alysa Chiarolanza '14, Jenna (Wilson) Packard '14, Stephanie, John, Katie (Reynolds) Weed '12, Meaghan (Kearney) Jennison '12, and David Jennison '12. Other alumni attending the wedding in spirit due to the COVID-19 pandemic were: Andrea (Kolodziej) Spano '15, Lauren Johnson Batchelder '15, Marisa Berti '15, and Rick Turvey '14.
Shanell Cartagena ’16, G’17 married Dylan Dopson ’17, G’19 on August 8, 2020 at Zuka’s Hilltop Barn in Spencer. Alumni in attendance included: Erik Abramson ’14, G’18, Nicole Bongiovanni '16, Arianny Diaz ’15, Dan Donovan ’15, Rachel Duncan '16, Kathryn Graydon '16, Billy Griffin ’15, Sherliz Henriquez ’15, Ciara Lambkin '16, Kayley Millard ’18, G’20, Beatriz Patino G’07, Robert Ravenelle ’86, G’02, Peter Serencsics ’17, Kiara Serret ’17, Mario Silva-Rosa G’96, Tyron Thompson ’18, Tyshawn Thompson ’18, and Nathalie Vega '16.
Brian Burlas ’07 wed Alanna Richard on December 31, 2019. Alumni in attendance included: Jen (Favulli) Arguello ’06, Mike Burlas ’76, Dave ’77 and Ann (Warner) Carboneau ’77, Tim Clapes ’06, Don Collins ’75, Marc Dupuis ’85, Claire (Collins) Flynn ’79, Kyle ’06 and Katelyn (Gallagher) Fontaine ’07, Bill Hatten ’77, Casey Hatten ’06, Dan Hickey ’08, Neil Hennessy ’07, Tim Hussey ’07, Jon Kinhan ’07, Jeff ’76 and Sue (Daley) Lagarce ’80, Sean Lubin ’08, Jeremy Madow ’07, Paul Phillips ’76, Denis Richard ’75, John Richard ’08, Paul Ruane ’77, Jonathan ’07 and Lisa (Bordage) Sparling G’09, Eric ’08 and Jen (Paglio) Thanas ’09, George Tyburski ’77, Dr. Anthony Ursoleo ’70, Joe Ursoleo ’76, Mike Ursoleo ’08, and Nick Veltri ’07.
Andrea Moniz '12 married Dr. Zachary DeLoughery '12 on December 27, 2019. The ceremony was held at St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence, RI, followed by a reception at the Atlantic Resort Newport. Alumni in attendance included: Cristina DeFabritiis '12, Dr. Meaghan Farnam '12, Jonathan Howley '12, Elizabeth Johnson '12, Emily Marino '12, Crismel Monigan '12, Marcus Nichols '11, Gregory O'Rourke '12, Justin Pugliese '12, Dr. Abby Raposo '12, Andrew Smith '12, Jeffrey Starr '12, and Anna Veytser-Hunt '12.
Danny Dearing '13 married Molly Dearing on September 7, 2019. Alumni in attendance included Joe Arcieri ’15, Graham Bartlett ’12, Amanda Bradley '13, Dan Bradley '13, Briana Brown '13, Joe Fimiani '13, Dave Maiocco '13, Keven Meehan '13, Nick Napoli '13, Kevin O’Brien '13, Trevor Plante ’15, Ariel Scorpio ’12, Allison Shaw ’16, Brennen Shaw ’15, Dennis White, and Kyle Zobler '13.
Molly (Sweeney) Prospect married Daniel on August 17, 2019. Alumni in attendance included Shanell Cartagena ’16, G’17, Jennifer Faenza, Amy Logue Gontarz '01, G'08, Caroline Kenney, Marianne Knoegel, Brian Morrone, Bea Patino G’07, Kari Thoresen, and Jessica Wisniewski '17.
Erica Micciche married Adam Williamson on July 26, 2019 at Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson. Laura (Micciche) Valladares ’10 and Monique Girard served as bridesmaids, while other alumni in attendance included: Brenda (Wyman) Bachant ’88, Jill Foley ’11, Shannon (Murtagh) Hulton ’10, Keri Lamontagne, Kate (Janosko) Lemire ’09, Michael Quinn, Jennifer Ryan, Kaitlin (Owen) Spinna, and Lucas Spinna ’14. Erica, who played tennis during her four years at Assumption, works as a graphic designer for Smartfish Group. She and Adam, who served as Assumption’s head tennis coach from 2016-18, live in Paxton.
Kim Ricciardone '09 married Matt Kisil ’10 on November 3, 2018. Alumni in attendance included bridesmaid Amy (Laurendeau) Basbas '09, Megan (Kellett) Bray '09, bridesmaid Marie (Torto) Bucklin ’10, matron of honor Katie (Ricciardone) Conley ’07, Elizabeth Dickinson ’08, bridesmaid Marissa Howard '09, bridesmaid Katherine (Slifka) Leonard '09, Jennifer (Clancy) McWhirter ’10, Alyse Moccia ’10, maid of honor Laura Ricciardone ’16, Cecilia Santos '09, Megan (Maddaluno) Scheeler '09, Laura (Hart) Testa '09, and groomsman Matt Wright ’10.
Amy Logue '01 married Andrew Gontarz on October 6, 2018 in Scituate. Alumni in attendance included bridesmaids Jill (Moore) Bernhard '01, Meghan Logue ’12, and Cate (Leamy) Tyler '01, as well as: Matt Abraham '01, Erin (Jones) Barata '01, John Barata ’00, Bob Belforti ’02, Raquel Durkin Belforti '01, Jim Bernhard '01, Lauren Catalogna '01, Brittney (Cass) '01 and Kyle Egress '01, Kyle “Rip” Gibbons '01, Kristen (Hurlbut) Gwiazdoski '01, Kara (Wilson) Mason '01, Lauren (Kres) Masterson '01, Tim Monahan '01, Beth Murray '01, Jon Pickard '01, Amy Sacco ’98, and Brian Toman '01. Assumption staff in attendance included Nicki Lazaros and Sharon Mahoney P’07. Amy is the director of alumni relations at Assumption. The couple resides in Providence, RI.
Matthew Doherty '13 and Elizabeth Gannuscio '13 were married on October 6, 2018 at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Ron Sibougan, and a reception followed at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton. Alumni in attendance included: Jennifer Byrne '12, Michael Conway '13, John Donegan '13, John Flaherty '13, Kimberly McIntosh '13, Lauren Mulkern '13, Allison O'Malley '13, Billy O'Neill '13, Britni Hagopian Parker '13, and Brittany Wonsor '13.
Christine Marotto '11 married Dr. Robert DiGiammarino ’12 on August 25, 2018. The wedding was held at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and was presided by Fr. John Franck, A.A. Alumni in attendance included: Laura Begley ‘11, Jonathan Bishop ‘11, Nicole Campbell ‘11, Scott Corain ‘12, Jenna Damato ‘11, Michael Dion ‘11, Zachary DeLoughery ‘12, Nicole DePaola ‘11, Matt Epstein ’12, Meg Farnam ‘12, Elizabeth Johnson ‘12, Grace Kennedy ‘11, Alex Mascaro ‘11, Gayle Melko ‘10, Peter Melko 10, Alex Merriam ‘12, Andrea Moniz ‘12, Alex Potter ‘12, Andrew Smith ‘12, and Jeffrey Starr ’12.
Billy ’15 and Katie (Trapani) Johnson ’15 G’17 were married on August 18, 2018 at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel in Vermont. Alumni in attendance included the bride’s sister, Tara Trapani ’17, who served as maid of honor, as well as: Hugh Burke ’82, Patrick Coleman ’14, Kerry Craig ’15, Lauren Cranston ’15, Katie Cullerot ’15, Andrew Donahue ’15, Ben Hastings ’13, Susie (Hanlon) ’82 and William G. Kasper, Jr. ’82, Taylor King ’15, Kevin Mayone ’13, Ryan Merle ’14, Sam (Miller) ’14 and Matt Metcalf ’14, Kelly O’Neil ’15, Lauren Ostafin ’14, Michael Panze ’15, Timothy Quinn ’13, Cody Rocha ’14, Bridget Ryan ’15, Lucianna Sarafoglou ’15, Michael Smith ’14, Kevin Sullivan ’15, and Karen Vail ’17.
Brennen Shaw '15 married Allison Juneau '16 on August 18, 2018 at the Inn at Fogg Farm in Gray, Maine. Alumni in attendance were Ryan Sargaent '15, Janine Perro '15, Ryan Gomez '17, Trevor Plante '15, Lyndsey Gabrielian '18, Kiley Colucci '16, Eddy Frazier '15, Meg Sullivan '17, Kara McMahon '16, Allison Sheehan '18, Alex Erban '16, Allison Tivnan '15, Meg Eccleston '17, Bailey Morgan '16, Shane Benjamin '16, Joe Fimiani '13, Dave Damico '13, Ben Juzma '15, Camille Auger '15, Angela Razzano '15, Paige Anderson '15, Kyle Zobler '14, Nick Martinelli '16, Kristen Marn '16, Tyler Stillings '16, Taylor Beck '15, Kevin Murphy '17, Amy Mcneil '15, Paul Amarone '17, Emily Carlson '16, Chris Hemhauser '16, Maria Beatrice '16, Taylor Chase '16.
Garrett Hickey '13 married Heather Modenese on June 30, 2018 in Thomaston, CT. Alumni in attendance included Thomas Carrol ‘13, Kevin Donahue ‘12, Michael Conway ‘13, Grace Flaherty ‘13, Sam Pericolo ‘13, John Donegan ‘13, Brendan Murray ‘13, Joelle Santiago ‘13, John Flaherty ‘13, Ronson Quick ‘13, Matthew Doherty ‘13, and Liz Gannuscio.
Rachel Hedge '13/G'15 married Michael Dahmke '13 on June 29, 2018. Alumni in attendance included Ashley Januszewski '13/G'15, who served as a bridesmaid; Tim Flood '13, who served as a groomsman; Ashley (Impagliazzo) Jackson '14, Mark Petrucci '13, Nicole Dunn '13, Kasey Laliberte '13, Ryan O'Keefe '13, and Derek Campbell '13.
Kimberly Cohen '10 married Robert Tyler '10 on October 8, 2017 with Fr. Dennis Gallagher concelebrating. Alumni in attendance included Courtney (Stratton) Wall, Jacqueline Branca, Sarah (Ambacher) Paradee, Holly (Tortora) Haskell, Kevin Dabrieo, Derek Shanahan, Brian Tirrell, Kevin Pratt, Sean Whalen, Dan Ferry, Brian Sullivan '11, Cait DeFerrari '11, Kevin Grayson '10 and Quentin Bond '17.
Assumption Alumni Resources
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University Advancement
- Linda Burlingame Rosenlund '82, Acting Vice President
lrosenlund@assumption.edu, 508-767-7104 - Melanie Demarais HA'92, Assistant Vice President for Leadership Giving and Stewardship
demarais@assumption.edu, 508-767-7332 - Matt Levins G'19, Advancement and Alumni Engagement Coordinator
m.levins@assumption.edu, 508-767-7696 - Nicki Lazaros, Assistant to the Vice President
cn.lazaros@assumption.edu, 508-767-7205
Advancement Services
- Christina Nathan, Senior Director of Advancement Services
c.nathan@assumption.edu, 508-767-7164 - Joanna Toscano, Gift Processor
jtoscano@assumption.edu, 508-767-7307 - Diana Judge P'04, Data Entry Clerk,
dl.judge@assumption.edu, 508-767-7162
Alumni Relations
- Amy Logue Gontarz '01, G'08, Director of Alumni Relations
alogue@assumption.edu, 508-767-7011
The Assumption Fund
- Tim Martin, Director
timartin@assumption.edu, 508-767-7373
Assumption Magazine
- Michael Guilfoyle, Executive Director of Communications
Office of Communications
mk.guilfoyle@assumption.edu, 508-767-7331
Research
- Amy Hague Sacco '98, Director
asacco@assumption.edu, 508-767-7208
- Linda Burlingame Rosenlund '82, Acting Vice President

Stay in Touch!
We want to hear from you! Did you get married, have a child or start a new job? Share the news with other Assumption alumni! Assumption Magazine publishes Class Notes in each issue (spring, summer and winter). Submissions can be made by sending an email to alumni@assumption.edu or by completing an online form.
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