Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater State University
The Sounds of BSU - Just a few days ago the outstanding design artists on BSU's web team created this just-over-a-minute long video which shares a series of sounds
pleasing to the ears of the entire university community in all seasons.
Bringing the Student Voice to Beacon Hill
President Clark, in his recent message to the university community, shared the
following photos and commentary:
While I frequently speak with state lawmakers and testify at hearings, our most powerful voices are truly those of our students.
Recently, I joined Student Government Association members Ms. Yashira Deoliveira and Mr. Josue Castellon at Student Advocacy Day, [photo above, with President Clark and Mr. Vinnie deMacedo, special advisor to the president] which coincided with a similar event for university presidents.
The Council of Presidents organized both initiatives for BSU and our peer state universities.
During our visit to the Statehouse, Yashira, Josue and I met with numerous lawmakers from the Senate and House.
In conversations with Senators William Driscoll Jr., Dylan Fernandes, and Michael Rodrigues and Representative Dennis Gallagher [see photo below], our students spoke eloquently about the many ways a Bridgewater education prepares them for their careers and the importance of keeping public higher education affordable.
A first-generation American and first-generation college student, Yashira shared how financial aid and other BSU supports are making her dreams more attainable.
Our students also advocated for the BRIGHT Act, which would invest more than $3 billion in the modernization and maintenance of buildings across the state’s public higher education campuses. They highlighted how the BRIGHT Act would make college affordable by covering costs that would otherwise be borne by students.
“It was an honor to represent Bridgewater State University and have the opportunity to meet and speak with numerous Massachusetts senators and representatives,” Yashira said.
“The experience showed me how important it is for students to advocate for one another and ensure that our voices are heard in decisions that impact higher education and our communities.”
Their voices clearly resonated as the Senate approved the BRIGHT Act that same day.
We are especially grateful that the bill includes a $20 million amendment introduced by Senator Driscoll for renovations of Tillinghast Hall. In a floor speech, the senator praised Yashira and Josue for highlighting how the legislation will enable BSU “to be unstoppable in terms of supporting their students and their journeys.”
The BRIGHT Act now moves to a conference committee that will resolve differences between the Senate and House versions. I look forward to seeing the results of those deliberations in the months ahead.
A Fairwell Salute to Doug Shropshire,
BSU's Outstanding Finance Chief
"More than dollars and cents" was the title of a recent news story about the retirement of Mr. Doug Shropshire, BSU's chief finance officer and vice president of finances.
We're grateful to Ms, Heather Harris Michonski, G '26, of BSU's Office of
Enrollment, Marketing and Communications, who shared this article with us, authored by her colleague, Mr. Brian Benson, G '23.
Judging from the size of the crowd packing the Student Union Ballroom at a ceremony honoring Mr. Shropshire, he had a great many people on hand to congratulate him.
You can read Mr. Benson's story by clicking on the link below:
We note with sadness the passing several days ago of a true lion of the Bridgewater State University Community - Dr. James Brennan, professor emeritus of biology who earned BSU's prestigious "Dr. V.James DiNardo Award for Excellence in Teaching."
Jim was renowned nationally as a biologist and his goal was to teach that subject when he arrived here. Over the years he would hold positions as chair of the biology department but also as dean of admissions and later as vice president for academic affairs.
A veteran of combat himself in the Korean War, on October 15th, 1969, Jim was the first faculty member to stand in silence at a demonstration in front of Boyden Hall to protest the Vietnam War.
He and his wife Jean raised seven children in Bridgewater.
Jim retired in 1998 after 38 years of highly distinguished service to this university.
He was 95 years of age at his passing.