Lancer Nation is spreading across the country! The Worcester State Alumni Association was thrilled to host Regional Reconnects in Washington, D.C., and Florida this winter. Now, we’re planning our next stops, and we want to visit your area. 

These gatherings are a fantastic way to reconnect, network, and hear the latest updates from Worcester State—all in a fun, casual setting with fellow alumni. 

We’re hitting the road across New England this summer, and we’re open to any location where Lancers are making their home. 

If you’d like to help bring Worcester State to your region, please reach out to the alumni office at alumni@worcester.edu or 508-929-8141. Let’s reconnect—wherever you are!

The post We’re Bringing Worcester State to You! appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

By Alyssa Haywoode
Photo by George Annan ’21

Celia Johnston Blue ’00 loves leadership. 

“I love developing people and watching them go on to higher levels,” Blue said, “because as a leader, that’s what you want your folks to do.”

There is in her conception of leadership an interplay of lifting people and being lifted by them. There are the inspiring examples she sees in other leaders. And there are the challenges of gaining new skills to be able to take on new challenges. In this light, even hostility from others becomes a foundation for appreciating kindness. 

So when Blue recalls emigrating from Jamaica to the United States at age 11, she remembers it as a time of learning about racism, of students calling her names and telling her to go back to her own country. 

“But the light of that experience is that I had teachers who said, No, we’re not standing for that in our classrooms. And there were other classmates who wanted to know me. And I feel very blessed because my cousins, who also came to the United States, didn’t have teachers who stood up for them and weren’t able to make friends as easily. 

“I feel very blessed that I got to learn from seeing both sides,” Blue said. “And that’s the thing about being a Black woman, being a woman of color, is we start navigating the intersectionality of race and gender at a very early age.”

In high school, Blue took on more leadership roles, serving as co-captain of the softball team and president of her senior class. She went to other colleges before landing at 91żìČ„, which felt, finally, like home. At Worcester State, she was a nontraditional student, attending school and working full time. 

“I had a wonderful experience,” Blue said of her time at the university. “I met great professors along the way who were willing to help. They wanted you to be successful. They really wanted you to excel.”

During her college years, Blue was working in the financial services industry as a manager at Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp. She had considered becoming an attorney, but then she decided she would rather hire the attorneys. She was also considering running a school and teaching.  

“In that role at Plymouth Rock, I had a wonderful mentor, my boss. Shortly after I started, he said, ‘You’re natural for this stuff. Did you say you want to run a school?’”

Blue explained to her boss that she wanted to build a family and have professional flexibility, so, yes, education seemed like a good fit.

“And I remember him saying, ‘I think this is a better fit for you. Maybe you should think about teaching at some point. But I really want you to think about it.’ So I gave it some thought, and I began to lead in that role, and I realized that this was going to be the right track for me.”

Blue kept working and earned her M.B.A. at Anna Maria College. She was indeed on the right track, right up until she wasn’t.

“I changed,” she said. “I wanted to be in a position where I could do more for the residents and citizens of the Commonwealth. And the way to do that was through public service.”

Blue was inspired by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick who, in 2007, became the second African American in the United States elected as a governor. A mentor introduced Blue to Patrick, and that led to her first job in the public sector as a commissioner of the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission. It was a leadership challenge Blue loved. The commission already had aeronautical expertise. What Blue brought to the job were leadership and management skills. She balanced local needs and federal laws, pressing to change outdated rules and regulations. One key decision was an expansion of the runway at Worcester Regional Airport that allowed for more commercial flights. 

Fueled by her commitment to public service, Blue went to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and eventually became Massachusetts’ first African American registrar of motor vehicles. She made history—and she worked hard to make the sometimes onerous process easier for people applying for a driver’s license. Blue also worked in Rhode Island in the state’s Departments of Transportation and Human Services. 

Once again, she found herself wanting to do more for others—and for herself. Years earlier, she’d had a vision of creating an organization for women of color. Now, she shared the idea with mentors and a close friend. That led to an invitation to join Brenda Jenkins at a networking breakfast she was hosting for women of color in Worcester. 

“I went,” Blue said, “and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Blue and Jenkins were part of a group of 13 women who founded the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC), an organization “dedicated to eradicating the racial inequities among women of color created by structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized racism.”

The organization started in 2015 and publicly launched in 2016, and two of Blue’s mentors—Mary Fernandes and the late Mukiya Baker-Gomez, who had both held numerous leadership positions in Massachusetts state government—were founding members.

“They were my angels. I’d met them years earlier in state government, and they took me under their wings. I have had a lot of angels who have helped me navigate professional spaces as ‘a first,’” Blue said, thinking back on the challenges and successes of her career as a Black woman in largely male spaces. 

Currently the president and CEO of MAWOCC, Blue is proud of the organization’s programs. One example is the Intergenerational Leadership Academy. The academy enrolls women in a 12-week program that includes training on mentoring. The women then become mentors for high-school age girls who are enrolled in a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) program.

“We also weave in a holistic component. So there’s a self-care component. We share tips on navigating the world, because we know that girls can start feeling oppressed when they are young. That’s real for us. We also include civic engagement, because we want them to start being involved in their communities early and begin voting as soon as they are eligible,” Blue said.

For Blue, developing leaders is inclusive work. 

“We have a community of people who are very supportive of our organization, who have helped us to get where we are today, and that’s important. We knew we didn’t want to do this work alone,” Blue explained. Among MAWOCC’s many supporters is the Esler Family Foundation, MAWOCC’s largest private donor. 

Blue also pointed to Worcester State President Barry M. Maloney. 

“He’s been very, very supportive of MAWOCC, making introductions and connecting us to people on his team,” she said. “MAWOCC has worked with Worcester State on civic engagement projects and community projects. The president has also attended our annual meetings. And it’s great because, as an alumna, it’s wonderful to be able to be a partner and give back.”

What’s next? Blue continues to hone her leadership skills and plans to complete her Ph.D. She’s looking forward to the next 10 years of MAWOCC. She has a vision of working with women and girls globally. 

There are always more leadership opportunities to lift people up, and to be lifted by the power of doing this work. 

The post Leading with Purpose  appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

Samantha Paradis ’20, M.S. ’22, owns Sam’s Stems, a floral boutique in Central Massachusetts that works with local flower farmers to source fresh, sustainable blooms and preserve their beauty, and that offers flower-arranging workshops. We caught up with Paradis to talk about her business, her time at Worcester State, and the power of flowers. 

Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.

My journey to opening Sam’s Stems was guided by my appreciation of small businesses and my passion for floral design. While I built a strong foundation in the corporate world, I dreamed of becoming a florist. In 2023, I took the leap. Sam’s Stems has grown into not just a floral boutique but a space for creativity, connection, and community. From designing wedding florals to leading workshops and crafting large-scale installations, I get to combine strategy with artistry every day. What I cherish most are the relationships I’ve built with my clients and within the local floral community.

You talk about the “transformative power of flowers in bringing communities together.” How does that work?

Flowers have always played a role in human connection, from ancient rituals to modern celebrations. They mark life’s most significant moments, like weddings and memorials, and serve as everyday gestures of kindness. At Sam’s Stems, strangers become friends while creating arrangements together, and my collaborations with local flower farmers further strengthen connections. From ancient times to today,
flowers have brought people together. That understanding drives everything I do in my business.

We know that plants talk to each other in nature. They also talk to us, don’t they? What have you learned from your work about the language between flowers and people?

Flowers speak through color, scent, and symbolism. A single stem can evoke emotions, carry memories, and convey messages that words cannot. People often gravitate toward flowers that mirror their emotions, even if they don’t realize it. Each floral arrangement is a way of telling a story, honoring a memory, or capturing a feeling through nature’s most beautiful language.

How did your time at Worcester State inform or support your entrepreneurship
and creativity?

Studying business administration and accounting provided me with a strong technical foundation. As a graduate assistant, I managed projects, collaborated with diverse teams, and adapted to different roles. All of these skills help me run my business. As the student representative on the graduate disciplinary committee, I reinforced my ability to navigate complex discussions with fairness and professionalism. And being a member of the dance team gave me a perspective on discipline, creativity, and performance that shapes my approach to floral design. Just like dance, floral artistry requires a balance of structure and spontaneity, technique and emotion. The support from faculty, peers, and mentors reinforced that business and creativity can go hand in hand. 

You probably can’t pick just one flower, so—favorite combination of flowers?

It is so difficult to narrow it down, but I do have a special love for lilacs and bleeding hearts. There’s something about flowers that make you wait for them. They remind us to pause and appreciate the moment, and to consider how life unfolds in cycles. I also adore lavender for so many reasons, especially how it bridges fresh and dried flowers, offering beauty that lasts beyond its season.   

The post 5 Questions for Samantha Paradis appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

Worcester State inducted five former student-athletes, one coach, and the 1972 men’s outdoor track and field team into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame on September 27.

Above: The individual inductees are, clockwise from top, Thomas Moore, head coach of men’s basketball from 1989 to 1994; Courtney (Salisbury) Peloquin ’17, M.O.T. ’18, softball and women’s volleyball; Jeremy Gaucher ’08, football; Lindsay (DelleChiaie) Rocco ’10, women’s basketball; Marcus Price ’15, football; and Terrence Gibson ’16, men’s track and field and football. 

Celebrating the 1972’s Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Team

Inducted into Worcester State’s Athletic Hall of Fame on September 27, the team posted a 17-1 record during the 1972 season and won the inaugural Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Championship, scoring 89 points, taking home the top prize in five events, and establishing Massachusetts State College records in the process. Pictured at the ceremony are (left side, from top) President Barry M. Maloney (top left) and team members Paul Blaquiere, Don Hurme, Jim MacCallum, Pat Mahoney, Eric Adamson, Curt Blanchard, Ken Warchol, Ernie Dew, and Ron Wilmont, as well as (right side, from top) team members John Delaney, Don Gribbons, Keith Scott, Bill Hamilton, Dennis Mulryan, Gary Jusseaume, Kevin Campbell, Steve Widen, Rich Riley, and Bill Johnson. Not pictured are team members Mike Loosemore, Paul Ludvigson, Ken Troy, Don Bergan, and the late Bob Knox.

The post Worcester State Celebrates New Athletics Hall of Famers appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

Every year, the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board invests in the campus community by awarding grants that bring student-driven ideas to life.

This year, the board gave a total of $10,000 to 14 91żìČ„ campus groups.

Among this year’s recipients, the Asian Cultural “Boba” Club received an $800 grant to enhance its signature Lunar New Year celebration, pictured above. Thanks to the Advisory Board’s support, the club was able to upgrade decorations, offer better prizes, and cover most food costs. The annual event—open to all students and catered by local Vietnamese restaurant Mint Kitchen and Bar—was a resounding success.

“Everyone was coming back for seconds,” said executive board member Justine Mai ’25. The club has seen attendance at the event grow every year, and Mai especially loves the opportunity to share her culture with fellow students. 

Among the other recipients of this year’s Advisory Board grants were the senior class, which received funding for the popular Party on the Eve on the day before Commencement; men’s and women’s track and field, to replace worn-out equipment; the university library, to provide study break treats during finals; and women’s basketball, for its annual Alumni Day.

Grants from the Advisory Board helped the cheerleading team travel to Florida this spring to participate in a national tournament. It helped the Muslim Student Association host memorable Iftar dinners during Ramadan. And it helped the Student Nurses Association purchase MP3 players that simulate auditory hallucinations—a valuable learning tool for future nurses to understand mental illness. 

“The university is so grateful for the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board and its unwavering support for our students,” said Suzanne Nebelung, associate director of alumni relations and engagement. “Through these grants, our students bring their ideas to life, enhance their educational experiences, and build lasting connections with alumni.”

The post Alumni Association Advisory Board Gives $10,000 to Enhance Students’ Experience appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

Members of the Worcester State equestrian team compete on new horses at every event. In the process, they learn to trust and adapt—and to communicate across species.

By Rebecca Cross  
Photos by Ellen Pechinsky ’27

Compared to each of the other 23 varsity and club sports at Worcester State, the equestrian team is an entirely different animal. 

In those other sports, athletes test their skills against individuals or work as a team in coordination against another team. Horseback riding tests the communication and coordination not among people but between species: a human rider and a half-ton animal that is almost pure muscle.

“The relationship between horses and humans is amazing,” said the team’s coach, Courtney Germain ’18. “Horses are a thousand pounds and have minds of their own. It’s amazing they do the jobs they do, because really they don’t have to.”

For all their size, horses look to humans for emotional cues and guidance. “Horses pick up on your emotions,” said Germain. “I feel like people think you’re just sitting up there doing nothing. Like they don’t think it’s a real sport, but jumping, stuff like that, you’re guiding the horse every step. You’re guiding the horse off the ground.”

Germain started riding at age 12 and got her first horse, a gelding named Sam, when she was 14. She graduated from Worcester State with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice but chose to work full time with horses because she loves them so much. “To me, horses are like big dogs,” she said. “A lot of people are scared of them, but they’re very gentle.”

The eight members of the Worcester State Equestrian Team have weekly lessons with Germain at Windstar Farm in Sterling, Mass. Some members have been riding for years. Others are beginners. They all get personalized instruction and riding experience on each of the farm’s seven lesson horses.

Four team members compete in shows run by the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), founded in 1967. Its mission is to provide equestrian competition for all college and university students regardless of riding level, gender, race, sexual orientation, or financial status. Today, with the costs of owning and competing with a horse easily reaching $15,000 per year, the sport is out of reach for many. IHSA levels the playing field by requiring host colleges to provide tack and horses, which are assigned to riders by drawing lots.

Julia HachĂ© ’26, Maddi Sheppard ’26, Luna Hubbell ’28, Coach Courtney Germain ’18, Emmy Forde ’28, and Ellen Pechinsky ’27 show off their ribbons.

Mastering Any Horse: The Core Skill of IHSA Competition 

For a rider, competing through IHSA is far cheaper than owning your own horse. In addition, the way IHSA competitions are structured and judged creates a more level playing field. “When you’re competing in the regular horse world, a person could be winning because they have the most expensive horse in the class,” Germain said. “With IHSA, it comes down to how well you ride, not how expensive your horse is.”

“The whole point of competing in IHSA is to be able to ride any horse that you sit on,” said co-captain Ellen Pechinsky ’27. Pechinsky is studying nursing at Worcester State and has been riding since she was 6 years old. She likes that IHSA competition teaches riders to closely observe and flexibly work with their assigned horse. “The judges are very understanding that a horse might do something the rider isn’t always prepared for,” said Pechinsky, “but they’re looking for how you respond to the horse, how we appear and act.”

For co-captain and business major Julia HachĂ© ’26, who started riding at age 5 to build up leg muscles affected by cerebral palsy, being assigned random horses “really gives you an opportunity to showcase your skills as a rider.” 

Germain prepares team members for competitions by having them ride many different horses at Windstar. “Riding all these different horses makes you a better rider,” she said. “You learn something from every horse you ride.”

Pechinsky and HachĂ© have a few favorites at Windstar—although they’re quick to note that they love them all. Pechinsky’s favorites are Alfie and Autumn. “Both are wildly different,” she said. “Alfie is a good, healthy challenge for me, and Autumn is a sweet little mare who tries her hardest for you.” 

Haché’s favorites are Ranger, “a bundle of joy,” and Doodles, a 31-year-old kids’ lesson pony with a sassy side.

Emmy Forde ’28 and other equestrians at an IHSA meet this fall.

The Rewards of Riding: Mental, Physical, and Emotional

Just like humans, each horse has a distinct personality. For a rider, learning to read that personality quickly and adapt in response is part of what makes IHSA competitions so, well, competitive.

Some horses are sensitive, some are lazy, some need a firm hand, some need a soft hand. Some have longer strides, and all have quirks. ISHA judges evaluate riders partly on how well they adapt to an unfamiliar horse.

For safety, professionals carefully evaluate each rider’s ability so they are matched with an appropriate horse. All riders wear helmets, and many wear air vests to protect their chests. EMTs attend every show.

“Horseback riders are the grittiest people I know,” said HachĂ©. “There’s this whole attitude that you get right back up, keep trying.” Last summer, she was jumping a pony that had a short neck. “I kept getting nervous I would just go right over her. Courtney said, ‘Just sit back and cement yourself in the saddle.’ It’s about getting out of your head and trusting the horse you’re on, trusting yourself, and trusting your coach.”

The team is always recruiting, and when the co-captains talk to potential new members, they tout both the physical benefits and the emotional ones.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Pechinsky loved to go out and ride. “It was a tough time for me,” she said. “It was important for me to get out of the house, to focus on something other than myself and how I was feeling.”

“Life is hard, let’s be honest,” added HachĂ©. “Being on a horse takes you away from all the stuff going on in your life. All your stress, all your worry is completely gone, and you’re just in the moment, riding a horse.”  

The post The Ultimate Equestrian Challenge appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

For 150 years now, a Worcester State education has helped individuals scale the ladders of economic success and social mobility. 

When founded in 1874 as the Worcester Normal School, we offered a no-cost, two-year program for those seeking to teach in the growing public schools. Teaching was an attractive alternative to factory or domestic service work for young women who sought employment rather than marriage as their path to economic self-sufficiency, and we helped many achieve just that. Among them was Jennie Cora Clough, class of 1878, our first Black student as well as the first Black teacher in Worcester. 

By 1932, after becoming Worcester State Teachers College, we phased out two- and three-year diplomas. With our four-year education degree costing 1 to 2 percent of an average teacher’s salary, many Massachusetts residents of lesser means took advantage of the opportunity to learn and then earn, whether they taught or not. Even then, our students understood that a bachelor’s degree is a transformative credential that opens doors.

Among those who parlayed an education degree into substantial financial success was Framingham resident James P. Sheehan ’55, USMC (ret.). With a scholarship to help him afford his $75-a-year tuition, he reportedly hitchhiked the 26 miles from home to campus. He entered the Marines upon graduation. During 22 years in the service, he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and, after retiring, he launched a successful career as a venture capitalist. He is our university’s single largest donor, with a residence hall, the honors program, and our annual merit scholarships all bearing his name. 

By the 1970s, thousands of young people pursued degrees at Worcester State College every year. Gail Carberry ’70, Ed.D., worked her way through Worcester State, later earning master’s and doctoral degrees from UMass Amherst. She served as president of Quinsigamond Community College from 2006 until her retirement in 2017.

Worcester State has continued to be the college of choice for such hardworking students. Today, half of our degree-seeking undergraduates are Pell eligible and half are first generation. And we continue to invest in their success. With our recently announced ValuePlus promise, students from families earning $75,000 or less can likely attend for free.

We also have staff and programs dedicated to their success. About 50 years ago, for example, we established the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Graduates from then through today credit OMA for helping them thrive, among them Manasseh Konadu ’19, now an assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois, and Tayla Weeden ’23, who has worked at Boston Medical Center and is now a staff associate in Worcester State’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.

We take pride in helping our students get ahead—and we do it exceptionally well.
CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index ranks 91żìČ„ in the top 15 percent of colleges nationwide. Lake Ellie may not be large enough to have rising tides—but Worcester State itself lifts many boats!  

Sincerely,
Barry M. Maloney
President

The post Letter from the President appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

Women’s basketball star Katie Hurynowicz ’25 leads by example on and off the court. In January, she achieved a rare milestone.

Photos by Frank Poulin

Resilience and dedication have defined Katie Hurynowicz ’25’s college basketball journey. On January 13, the guard/forward achieved a rare feat, scoring her 1,000th career point during the Lancers’ 58-34 victory over Mount Holyoke College. 

Hurynowicz had a tough start as a collegiate athlete. With her first season cut short by COVID, she managed only 74 points. Sophomore year, she scored 255, and from there, her numbers skyrocketed: 440 as a junior and 399 as a senior, bringing her four-year total to 1,168. “She worked extremely hard to accomplish this goal,” said women’s basketball coach Karen Tessmer. “She is an excellent leader and sets the example for all her teammates in work ethic, commitment, loyalty, and passion.”

Hurynowicz—a Communication Sciences and Disorders major whose goal is to work as a speech pathologist—spoke with us about her accomplishment.

What brought you to Worcester State, and to basketball?

Hurynowicz is among the best in the league.

When I stepped onto campus, I loved the sense of community. It made my decision so easy. My family brought me to basketball: I have three older brothers, and they all played. My dad and mom played too. I was born into it, and I fell in love with it.

This was your second time reaching 1,000 career points. The first was at Tyngsborough High School. What was the transition from high school to college basketball like for you?  

My first full season—my sophomore year—was difficult. Most Division III athletes were the best in their high school and are used to playing the entire game, but then you come to college and that’s how it was for everyone else on your team, too. I didn’t get the playing time I thought I deserved—which, looking back, I know I didn’t deserve. 

Now you’re one of the best in the league and a two-time MASCAC All Conference Player. How did you do it? 

I listened to Coach and followed her advice, even though at times I didn’t like to hear it. I put in the work in the offseason to get into college shape, so I could go up against bigger, stronger girls. And that paid off.

Can you tell us about the moment on January 13 when you got your 1,000th point?

I had come into the previous game 32 points away and scored 20 in the first half. In the locker room at halftime, Coach said, “Just so everybody knows, Katie is 12 points away.” The jitters were there for sure. I ended up with 10 more that day—two short. The next game, I just let it come to me. I was relaxed. It actually happened on a free throw, which is how it happened for me in high school, too. It was a full-circle moment, and my whole family was there.

You’re a leader on your team. What do you strive for in that role? 

I try to lead by example, to be the teammate that I want to have. As a younger player, I always had people on the team I looked up to. I took their words and incorporated them into my game—and into my life. It’s nice for me to now be a teammate someone can listen to on and off the court.

What advice do you have for next year’s new players?

Push yourself and don’t give up. The transition from high school to college is difficult. Some freshmen on my team right now might not play at all. They can look at me and say, “Well, Katie didn’t really play either.” I can give them hope that if they work hard, it does pay off.  

The post From 74 Points to 1,000 and Beyond appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

By Alyssa Haywoode  
Photo by John Lenis

Ted Hebert ’74 is made of stories. 

There was the time he had the jitters during a hot air balloon ride and couldn’t find the ring he was sure he had. Running out of flight time, he finally found the ring, mustered his courage,  and proposed to his girlfriend, Barbara. There was the priest he met in Mexico who turned out to be a long-lost relative. There was the time, decades ago, when his mother said she wouldn’t be able to spend much on Christmas, and then she turned around and gave money to someone asking for a donation. “There are other people,” Hebert recalls her saying, “who need money more than we do.”

And then there’s the professional story that starts with 14-year-old Hebert getting a job as a gofer at a swimming pool company and slowly learning the business. In the middle of this story, Hebert is a kid who’s worried about the world’s tolerance for him. He didn’t have a lot of money, and he had a speech disability. 

“I always had dreams,” Hebert said, recalling his childhood, “but when you stutter, and you can’t talk right, when you’re scared and insecure 
” Then it seems like dreams are all you have. 

And while Cinderella had a fairy godmother, the magic that made all the difference for Hebert was working. He delivered newspapers. He washed neighbors’ cars. He mowed lawns and shoveled driveways. At a local diner, he washed dishes and baked muffins. He learned to install pools and earned money doing this work. He saved up $1,600 to buy the car he wanted, a Mustang. But the real payoff was that work was where he could see and feel his own value. 

“Work,” Hebert said, “is health.”

It’s an affinity that runs in the family. During the 1950s, Hebert had seen his mother work two jobs. 

Hebert wanted to be a doctor. He started out at Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College before transferring to 91żìČ„ to take pre-med courses. Having access to a public university was crucial, Hebert said, because even as hard as he was working, he couldn’t have earned enough to pay a private college’s tuition. Worcester State offered him strong professors who provided the flexibility Hebert needed to keep installing pools on the weekend. 

Add up Hebert’s education and hard work, mix in the connections he made along the way, stir in the fact that he grew out of his stutter, and the result was a young man with a big personality and a swimming pool’s worth of empathy for other people. 

During his final year in college, Hebert applied to 15 medical schools. He was accepted by only one: the University of Southern California.  He’d saved $10,000 to pay for the education, but he was scared of leaving the life he’d built. Then, six days before he was supposed to fly to California, he got a phone call with bad news. His mother had been getting groceries at Stop & Shop when she’d had a mild aneurysm.

“My mom was home the next day. I said, ‘You know what, I can’t go, I can’t.’ So I got a hardship leave for a year, and I never went to medical school.” 

Instead, Hebert kept living a life full of stories. He traveled, learned to ski, played hockey, kept installing pools, ventured into commercial real estate, and got involved with car racing. “I was even in a play,” he said. “Thirty-six shows of The Graduate. Hardest thing I ever did in my life.”

On the professional front, he committed to pools, launching Teddy Bear Pools & Spas in 1975 in his parents’ carport in East Springfield, Mass. The name was his mother’s idea: She said Ted Hebert, pronounced as it would be in French (Hebert’s father’s family is French Canadian), sounded like teddy bear. Today, Teddy Bear Pools has a bigger home—and a reputation that attracts customers from Western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. 

“The blessing of it all is that by keeping my business alive, I’ve been able to accumulate money and give back to my family—who are my employees—by giving them good jobs.” 

But that’s an understatement: He and Barbara, his wife, who said yes to his proposal on that hot air balloon ride, are also busy giving back to their community. And when he tells stories about philanthropy, the ending is mostly the same: Helping is a great way to connect with people, and connecting with people is the best reward.  

“I always tell people the most important thing is your happiness—and doing something to make the world better.”   

Take the story about how the Heberts supported Camp Words Unspoken, a camp in Pittsfield, Mass., for kids who stutter. That was personal. Both Hebert and his wife had stuttered when they were young. So they visited the camp and met the students, then Hebert got up to deliver a speech. He told the kids about his childhood: his stuttering, his low self-esteem, how he didn’t feel good enough. He told them that visiting the camp now made him feel like he was home. 

The unexpected happy ending: “Somehow or another, I almost started bawling. I got my wife to speak,” Hebert said. “And I told the kids that Barbara would never speak publicly, that her words were unspoken. But she spoke, and I was totally proud of her.”

The Heberts have also sponsored golf tournaments and sports teams. They are involved with Rotary International. They have supported the Make-a-Wish Foundation; the Chicopee, Ludlow, and West Springfield, Mass., Boys and Girls Clubs; and Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. And Hebert’s board service includes being a trustee on the board of Holyoke Community College. 

“We love animals, so we sponsor the Second Chance shelter,” Hebert added. “They run clinics for people who can’t afford to pay for things like rabies shots. We’ve supported a couple of clinics.” The Heberts have also donated to the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center and to the Zoo in Forest Park, both in Springfield.  

In 2022, Roca, a violence intervention and behavioral health program for young people in Chelsea, Mass., named Hebert one of its Difference Makers. The award brought up old feelings of not being worthy enough. But he accepted the award, went to the event, and did what he loves: forged connections with people, in this case Stefan Davis, CEO of I Found Light Against All Odds, an organization that supports at-risk youth—and that Hebert now supports.  

Hebert is also a history buff and a local cheerleader who wants Western Massachusetts and its residents to be better known, so he tells stories about how George Washington made the Springfield Armory the nation’s first national armory. Ask him why history is so important, and he says: 

“As human beings, if we look back at what others did—or did not do—we can make it a better world. But somehow or another, people think that this is the first time things have ever happened. If they knew history, we would not be making the same mistakes day in and day out. We’re making the same mistakes, but people don’t want to be bothered with the past. History is so important to human fundamentals.”

What advice does he give to young people? “I always tell people the most important thing is your happiness—and doing something to make the world better.”   

The post The Power of Work—and Working to Help People appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.

Gala raised $300,000 for the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund

By Deborah Alvarez O’Neil
Photos by Matt Wright ’10

Few thought they could truly make it happen. Imagine planning a black tie gala for 200 guests from across the country—a heartfelt tribute to a cherished spouse and father, a dear friend and esteemed colleague, a proud alumnus and generous philanthropist—all without the guest of honor finding out.

Yet, on the evening of October 25, 2024, there was no mistaking the utter astonishment on Gregg Rosen’s face when he rounded a corner at the AC Marriott Hotel to a loud cheer of “Surprise!” He stopped in his tracks with arms outstretched. His little granddaughters burst from the crowd and ran into his arms. “You had no idea?” one of them asked. “I had no idea!” he answered, beaming as people encircled him with hugs and handshakes.

The event—Rise Up for Rosen—was organized over the span of more than a year by a volunteer committee led by Worcester State Foundation Board member Ed Sherr and his wife, Resa, and the 91żìČ„ Advancement team. A combination of celebration and university fundraiser, the evening was a smashing success, with an outpouring of gratitude and recognition for Rosen by his friends, family, and colleagues and an outpouring of support for a cause that is near and dear to him. The event raised $300,000, which includes a matching $150,000 gift from the Rosens, for the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund. The fund is a one-of-a-kind initiative established by Gregg ’86 and Pam ’87 Rosen at Worcester State after Gregg was diagnosed with cancer.

Gregg Rosen ’86, pictured with his wife, Pam Rosen ’87

“We have to give kudos to all those folks who kept this event a secret from Gregg. That is amazing,” said Worcester State President Barry Maloney in his remarks. “One of the best things about serving as president of Worcester State is getting to know alums like Gregg Rosen. He grew up, in his own words, ‘a middle-class kid,’ someone who duct taped his baseball bat together when it cracked. For Gregg, 91żìČ„ was his obvious college choice for its location and affordability. He worked while attending school. He tells of the strong support he received from our incredible and caring faculty. Gregg is a quintessential Lancer. Gregg and his wife, Pam, who is also a proud Worcester State alum, have given back generously their time and treasures to their alma mater.”

The Rosens established the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund in 2022 to support a variety of initiatives centered on health, wellness, and cancer awareness, including the annual Worcester State Wellness Fair and Pink Out Games in Athletics. It provides summer research grants for faculty and students and direct support to Worcester State students who are impacted by cancer. 

The contributions raised at Rise Up for Rosen will expand direct support to students impacted by cancer and will underwrite educational programs for clinical students exploring careers that will ultimately treat cancer patients. For example, thanks to the Rosen Fund, the Speech-Language-Hearing Department was recently able to purchase tracheostomy models. The models will be used to train speech therapy students to work with patients with head and neck cancer who may require a tracheostomy as part of their recovery process. This procedure involves surgically placing a tube in the trachea to provide an airway when the patient is unable to breathe through the mouth or nose.  

FROM LEFT: Gregg and Pam Rosen with their friends Resa and Ed Sherr, who helped plan the event. Ed is a member of the Worcester State Foundation Board.

“Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play an integral role in the care team for these patients,” said Andrea Quinn, director of clinical education at the Speech-Language-Hearing Center. “As traditional methods of communication are often lost, SLPs focus on helping restore communication through both verbal and non-verbal means. One effective tool in this process is a speaking valve, which attaches to the tracheostomy tube. By using these models, students will gain hands-on experience, learning how to properly manipulate speaking valves and how to help restore communication between patients and their loved ones.” 

Providing such valuable resources for students and patients with cancer is exactly why the Rosens established the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund. At the end of the gala, Rosen took the microphone to share his personal journey with cancer and how it inspired him to establish the fund. 

At home, he keeps a drawer full of hospital bracelets—each one a reminder of a visit, a treatment, a moment of uncertainty. “There’s a lot of bracelets,” he said. “Someday, I’ll put them in a jar, and when I’m talking to people about my story and journey with cancer, they will understand better that this may have been a long road, but the outcome is well worth it. It’s scary to see how many times I’ve been there. But thanks to great doctors and treatment, I have a future ahead of me.”

Gregg and Pam wanted to do something with their three children, Kaitlyn, Zachary, and Melanie, that would bring some brightness to the difficulty they faced. That something became the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund. “We can make a difference in other people’s lives. And I thought to do it

Gregg Rosen speaks at the event, held at the AC Marriott Hotel. All 200 guests managed to keep the celebration a surprise.

at Worcester State because this is where I became an adult. I learned lessons and learned what I wanted to do in life, which was to meet people and talk to people and make friends, and I met my beautiful wife.”

He called on his friends and family to be part of the vision of the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund. “I want this to be a legacy. I want it to be a legacy that lives on to help others and something that we can be proud of at Worcester State,” he said. “I need your help. We need each other. It’s not about me. It’s about the next person. We can help save someone’s life or make a difference in their life or comfort them as my family has done for me.”

The post Rise Up for Rosen! appeared first on Worcester State Magazine.