1940s
Frances B, (Bartlett) Gardella '45
of Concord, turned 100 years old on April 4, 2025. Gardella was born April 4, 1925, in Leverett. She graduated from Amherst High School in 1942 and went on to Fitchburg State College to pursue a teaching degree. She graduated in 1945 from an accelerated program because teachers were so badly needed. After graduation, she spent the better part of a century teaching, traveling, and volunteering in her community.1970s
Philip M. Papoojian '78, '19
received his BS in Chemistry 1978 and MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019 from Fitchburg State. He was awarded his PhD in Developmental Psychology from Liberty University. In 2018- 2019, Phil was named the Outstanding Student in the Fitchburg State Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. He has an MS in Plastics Engineering (1985) from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and an MBA in Finance from Anna Maria College (1992). He is currently employed as a dual diagnosis, substance abuse and mental health Outpatient Psychotherapist at GAAMHA Inc. in Gardner, MA.1980s
Rose Cardarelli, Ed.D. '81
is Founder and CEO of the Education for All Coalition (EFAC), which was highlighted in a recent Global Campaign For Education-United States, monthly newsletter. EFAC works both inside the United States and internationally to advocate for the protection of basic human rights, including access to basic education, migration and resilience education, and peacebuilding for children and youth. EFAC's programs are culturally sensitive, tailored to need, and focused on play-based curricula with the belief that all children should have the opportunity to achieve their greatest potential in a safe and healthy environment. Learn more in the recently published book written by EFAC Founder & CEO, Rose Cardarelli: Children and the Climate Migration Crisis: A Casebook for Global Climate Action in Practice and Policy. 
Christopher A. Malatesta, Father '89
has been appointed the vicar general for the Diocese of Springfield. Father Malatesta earned a bachelor of science degree in business from Fitchburg State in 1989. Father Malatesta states, “After 23 years of parish ministry, I am honored and humbled to serve as vicar general and moderator of the curia for our diocese. I remain a parish priest at heart and I bring that experience with me as I assist in overseeing the operations of the diocese.”
Francine M. Meigs '83
was awarded the 2024 Joel D. Miller Award, which is presented to a Fitchburg State University alumnus who is recognized as an outstanding educator. Joel D. Miller served as a state senator and member of the Board of Education, and is considered one of the three founders of the State Normal School in Fitchburg. In 1903, he was honored with the name of one of the university’s first dormitories, Miller Hall. In his honor, the Joel D. Miller Award was established in 1955.
Francis X. Reidy '82
is receiving the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Division II Athletics Directors Association. Reidy retired from his position as vice president and director of athletics at Saint Leo University after more than 35 years of service. Reidy, who led the Saint Leo Lions to win 30 Sunshine State Conference championships, earn two national championships, and make 125 NCAA Division II championship appearances, retired in August of 2023. Reidy's contributions to intercollegiate athletics also include serving as president of the D2 ADA; the NCAA Championships Committee, with one year of service as chair; and the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee, which he also chaired for a year. He also made valuable contributions to the Sunshine State Conference.1990s
Maria A. LaVita '96
has been appointed to the role of Interim Police Chief of the City of Revere by Mayor Patrick M. O'Keefe Jr. LaVita is a Captain with the Revere Police Department, where she has served for over 29 years. For the past eight years, Captain LaVita has been the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division. She graduated from Fitchburg State with her bachelors degree in Psychology.
Stephen Tulli '91, '95
was awarded the 2025 Joel D. Miller Award, which is presented to a Fitchburg State University alumnus who is recognized as an outstanding educator. Joel D. Miller served as a state senator and member of the Board of Education, and is considered one of the three founders of the State Normal School in Fitchburg. In 1903, he was honored with the name of one of the university’s first dormitories, Miller Hall. In his honor, the Joel D. Miller Award was established in 1955.
Harris Upham '97
has won his sixth Sports Emmy for his work on The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad. Upham was recognized as part of the group from NBC/Peacock for "Oustanding Technical Team Event." His company, Objective42, sets up the mobile edit suites for coverage of large sporting events, such as NASCAR, World Cup Soccer and Sunday Night Football. Upham has been nominated for Sports Emmys ten times, winning six. His trophy for his work on the 2014 Tokyo games is on display in the Alumni Office.2000s
Larry D. Haile '01
has been recognized by the Carol Center for the Blind, in partnership with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, as one of this year's Carroll Society Awards recipients. The individuals who have been recognized have made significant contributions to their companies through their outstanding ability and job performance. Mr. Haile works for the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services.
Timothy B. Vernon '06
has been recognized by the Carol Center for the Blind, in partnership with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, with the Thomas J. Carroll Award for Employment "Blind Employee of the Year." Mr. Vernon is employed by Eversource. The Carroll Society Awards recognize exemplary employees who are blind. The individuals who are recognized have not only overcome barriers but have helped redefine what it means to be blind in the workplace—serving as leaders, role models, and culture-shapers in their organizations and communities.2010s
Chelsea J. (Despres) Buhts '10
was recognized as one of nine outstanding educators at the 2025 Alumni Educator Awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. Every year, each of the nine Massachusetts state universities selects an education alumnus to be recognized. Educators are recognized for their teaching excellence, especially in the face of challenging situations, as well as their contributions to the communities in which they live and work.
Sean P. DeBettencourt '17
was elected to the Oak Bluffs Select Board. He is a fourth-generation Islander who is focused on keeping the Vineyard attainable for families and the middle class. DeBettencourt received his Masters degree in Education in Curriculum and Teaching.Sarah S. Ellam '11
has been appointed as interim assistant principal of Hopkinton High School. Ellam received her masters degree in education from Fitchburg State in 2011. She has been teaching English for nearly 23 years.
Courtney B. Gustafson '12
released her first book (Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats) with Penguin Random House and it debuted on the NYT Bestseller List. Gustafson graduated with a BS in English, with a focus on professional writing. While she was at Fitchburg State she wrote for the student newspaper, wrote for and edited the student literary journal, completed an internship at a local newspaper, worked as a teaching assistant, earned scholarships for creative writing, read at open mics, studied literature and writing, and was part of the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society.
Monique A. Gutherie '19
is now one of three Graphic Communications Instructors at Monty Tech. She started at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year working with 9th-12th grade. Graphics has a print shop and she manages it working with clients in the school, alongside non-profits and municipalities in the district. The students work with real world clients and gain industry experience. Their shop is special because they have a host of hands-on things for the students to work with. They get to work on many different types of printing and finishing. From posters and magazines to stickers and t-shirts. She says she is so grateful to work with them and prepare them for careers in Graphic Design. Monique is a talent artist in her own right, having been one of two artists to design and paint a large mural in downtown Fitchburg.
Joshua J. Hayes '14
has been promoted to Associate Head Basketball Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University(FDU). Hayes joined FDU in 2023 as an assistant coach. He previously coached at Army West Point, The Citadel, Barton College and Emmanuel College. He received his bachelors from Fitchburg State in Interdisciplinary Studies and his Masters in Sports Management: Coaching & Athletic Administration, Event and Tourism Management from Liberty University.
Melissa M. Hendry '16
is running the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday, April 27, 2025. This will be the 45th edition of the race, with over 56,000 runners expected to participate.
Vanessa R. Kahn '18
is the Senior Digital Media Specialist at the New England Aquarium. Kahn received her bachelors degree from Fitchburg State with a double major of Communications Media and Earth and Environment Science. After graduating, she spent six months as a digital media intern at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo before moving back to the Boston area and securing another internship that aligned with her passions—this time at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium. In her current role, Kahn works closely with teams across the Aquarium to share stories about the organization’s research and mission, contributing to ocean conservation using her unique creative skill set. Kahn has continued to expand her skills and grow as a videographer throughout her five years at the Aquarium. When she pitched the idea of investing in an underwater camera rig, her department not only budgeted for the equipment but also sponsored Kahn to get her PADI open-water dive certification.
Jane C. Lacroix '15
is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. Her focus is reporting on celebrity news and viral trends. She has in-depth knowledge of celebrity and internet culture and has covered entertainment news extensively. Jane’s work has been featured in publications such as Ranker, People and Hollywood Life.
Susan Mitchem '17
has been appointed as the new Region 4 Administrator by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. In this role, Mitchem will serve as SCAO’s liaison to trial courts (circuit, probate, and district) in 29 counties in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. She received her MBA from Fitchburg State in 2017.
Gregory E. Rosenthal, Ed.D. '13
has been hired as the new Administrator of Special Services and Student Support Services for the Westfield Public Schools, starting on July 1, 2025.
Jordan M. Tofalo '16
won the "Best Actress" award at the "Top Shorts Film Festival" for her role in the film "Solus." The short film also won awards in the "Best Thriller," "Best Director," "Best Actor," and "Best Supporting Actress" categories.2020s
Samantha K. Beauchamp '21
graduated from Suffolk Law School in 2024 and is now practicing in Worcester County as a public defender through the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS).
Steve Eckert '22
has been hired by Nordic as its chief growth officer. Nordic is a Madison, WI based health and technology consulting firm. Eckert received his MBA from Fitchburg State in 2022. He will be based out Dallas, TX.
Destiny D. Fausta '24
has been hired by BOND Building and Construction, a major construction company based in Medford, as a project engineer. She graduated in 2024 with a degree in Construction Management. Fausta had spent the previous year working as an intern for BOND. Only 14% of all construction workers are women, according to a 2022 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Less than 1% of construction workers are Black women, making Fausta stand out on any construction site that she steps foot on.
Emily K. Gelinas '24
is joining Harvard Business School as a part-time, Multimedia Producer/Editor. She will be working alongside fellow Communications Media alumnus, David S. Habeeb '87, who is the Creative Director, Technology Products Group.
Riley S. Hogan '23
is starting a new job as a Production Assistant at Wayfair.