{"id":1130,"date":"2024-04-11T20:04:42","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T20:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2024-04-12T00:44:45","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T00:44:45","slug":"celebration-of-excellence-worcester-state-honors-its-distinguished-alumni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/2024\/04\/11\/celebration-of-excellence-worcester-state-honors-its-distinguished-alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebration of Excellence: Worcester State honors its Distinguished Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"width: 960px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-1130-1\" width=\"960\" height=\"1080\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/2023-DAA-FINAL-1.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/2023-DAA-FINAL-1.mp4\">https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/2023-DAA-FINAL-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #003087\">The university celebrated five outstanding Worcester State alumni with impressive professional and community service accomplishments during a joyful ceremony for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards.<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The October 2023 event in the Wellness Center brought together dignitaries and community leaders, including Worcester Mayor Joe Petty and City Councilor Khrystian King, Senator Robyn Kennedy, and members of the university Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThis evening we have an exceptional group of alumni,\u201d said Marina Taylor, chair of the Trustees. \u201cTruly they represent all that it means to be a lifelong Lancer. They are leaders in their communities and in their professions. And above all, they are committed to giving back to those communities and to their alma mater.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As is customary for the Distinguished Alumni Awards, the award for each recipient was presented by someone who knows the alum well. Following the presentation of the award, each alum also delivers remarks.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1254\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1254\" class=\"wp-image-1254 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1254\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rev. Dr. Gizel Hampton (right) presented Celia Johnston Blue \u201900 with the\u00a0 Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Community.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rev. Dr. Gizel Hampton presented Celia Johnston Blue \u201900 with the\u00a0 Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Community. In 2015, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Johnston Blue collaborated with 12 women of color from across Massachusetts to launch the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition in Worcester. In her current role as president and CEO of MAWOCC, Celia is leading the organization to realize its vision and mission of advocating for the voices of women of color to be heard to address the inequities present in every aspect of their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hampton described how she first met Celia at a local family church when they were young. \u201cCelia consistently strives to maintain an excellent spirit in all she accomplishes,\u201d Hampton said. \u201cWith her experience from humble beginnings and recognizing the disparities in our community at an early age, Celia was determined to make a difference and become an agent of change. I have admired Celia\u2019s tenacity and resolve to serve the disenfranchised in her community and our state.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beyond a long record of career and civic accomplishments, Celia\u2019s greatest accomplishment, said Hampton, is her family. \u201cHer husband Joe and daughter Violet are her number one cheerleaders and are often seen at various events actively participating and supporting every step of her journey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In her remarks, Johnston Blue described how she came to Worcester State as a non-traditional student and found faculty members were supportive and understanding. \u201cAfter I graduated I wanted to stay connected with Worcester State and found a way to do just that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After forming the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, she began collaborating with Worcester State\u2019s Binienda Center for Civic Engagement and worked with President Barry Maloney on recruitment and retention of students of color. She called on the audience to do their part to make the world more inclusive. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #003087\">\u201cYou can do one small act that will make a big difference and that is to ensure people of color and of diverse backgrounds are always in the room and at the decision-making tables when decisions are being made about them and our communities.\u2026 We are stronger together.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: var(--c-brand-dark-blue);letter-spacing: 0px\">Worcester State Dean of Education Dr. Raynold Lewis presented Doherty Memorial High School Assistant Principal Renah Razzaq with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education. \u201cAs her academic advisor, she shared with me her desire for education and described her experience as a student with interrupted formal education in the West Bank, hiding from place to place in churches and mosques to relocate to a spot where learning\/teaching could take place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1256\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1256\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1256\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0564-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0564-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0564-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0564-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0564-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0564-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1256\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Worcester State Dean of Education Dr. Raynold Lewis presented Doherty Memorial High School Assistant Principal Renah Razzaq with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Alumni Achievement in Education.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When the environment became even more dangerous, Renah returned to the US and finished her GED. She transferred to Worcester State from Quinsigamond Community College and went on to earn a master\u2019s degree in secondary administration and leadership. She became head of the math department at Doherty High in 2011 and in 2017 received the Massachusetts State University Alumni Award, given to notable graduates of the state universities. In 2023, she completed her Ph.D.\u00a0 in education from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cRenah\u2019s journey from hiding in churches and mosques to find a space to learn, with war planes overhead, to assistant principal to holder of a Ph.D. from prestigious WPI chronicles a unique academic odyssey,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cHer persistence and vision stand as an example of the power of desire, and its role in turning dreams into reality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Razzaq shared how she came to college as a mother with small children and found Worcester State was committed to accommodating diverse students. \u201cEven during February and April vacations when my children were by my side, I found incredible support from my professors, each of whom granted my requests to have my kids attend classes with me,\u201d she said. \u201cNot a single professor turned me away, reflecting the inclusive and compassionate spirit of Worcester State.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1250\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1250\" class=\"wp-image-1250 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0599-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0599-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0599-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0599-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0599-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0599-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Communication professor Eric Nichols (right) presented photographer George Annan with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Young Alumnus.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Communication professor Eric Nichols presented photographer George Annan with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Young Alumnus. Nichols shared how Annan has quickly made a name for himself in Worcester and beyond since he graduated in 2021. He has done assignments for internationally recognized media like <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Wall Street Journal<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good Morning America<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and ad campaigns for Converse, Puma, and Tito\u2019s Handmade Vodka, and has been involved with passion projects like <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dialogues, Diasporas, and Detours Through Africa<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a group exhibition at the Fitchburg Art Museum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBefore any of that, George was a member of the Worcester State community,\u201d said Nichols. The two met when George found him in the photo lab in the basement of the Learning Resource Center. \u201cWorking in the lab you learn two things: you learn who the students in the photo class are, and everyone else that comes in is completely lost and most likely looking for the mailroom.\u201d George, however, came to learn about photography and went on to become the \u201cgo-to lab tech loved by every student,\u201d Nichols said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cEven after graduating, George still gives back to the WSU photo students and lab,\u201d Nichols said. \u201cIt\u2019s for all of his talent, compassion, kindness, and friendship that I am honored to present Goerge with this Outstanding Young Alumnus award.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Annan recounted spending many hours in the photo lab with Nichols and Professor Brittany Severance. \u201cThey instilled in me the self-confidence to achieve anything art related I set out to do and helped me grow into the artist I am today,\u201d he said. \u201cThe education I received at Worcester State is something I will never take for granted as it provided me a space where my unique talents and curiosity could be nourished as I am to try my best to represent my family name, hometown, and university in my professional pursuits.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1247\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1247\" class=\"wp-image-1247 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0688-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0688-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0688-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0688-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0688-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0688-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Worcester State Alumnus Dave Bedard \u201974 (right) presented the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award to David Cawley \u201974.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Worcester State Alumnus Dave Bedard \u201974 presented the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award to David Cawley \u201974. Known as \u201cBear,\u201d Cawley was a four-year starter on the Worcester State football team, served as tri-captain his senior year and was awarded defensive MVP in 1973. \u201cTo this day, David is grateful and credits the formation of the WSU football program in 1969 with keeping him interested in college,\u201d Bedard said, until, in Cawley\u2019s words, \u201cthe academic interests kicked in during my sophomore year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cawley earned a psychology degree and went on to serve in the US Army in the Department of Neuropsychiatry at Ireland Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and later earned a master\u2019s degree. Over 21 years, Cawley served in senior executive roles in establishing and managing behavioral health management services across the country. In 2000, Cawley co-founded The CawleyJohnson Group in Atlanta, and has become a national leader in providing comprehensive health management and consulting services. In addition, Cawley and his wife, Chris, have been generous benefactors to Worcester State.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cDavid and Chris are also members of the WSU 1874 Pillar Society, having named WSU in their family trust planning, assuring that their support for Worcester State students continues long into the future,\u201d Bedard said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cawley spoke from the heart about his alma mater. \u201cWorcester State has meant a lot to both me and Chris,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m really proud to say I went here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1246\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1246\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1246\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0723-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0723-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0723-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0723-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0723-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0723-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1246\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Worcester State alumna Rosanne Matulaitis \u201965 (right) presented retired educator Maryanne Hammond with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Worcester State alumni couple Rosanne Matulaitis \u201965 and Vincent Matulaitis \u201966 presented retired educator Maryanne Hammond \u201969, M.Ed. \u201972, M.Ed. \u201977 with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater. Hammond has been an ambassador for Worcester State for decades, recently completing 10 years of service on the Board of Trustees, in addition to serving on the Alumni Association&#8217;s Advisory Board, Reach and Touch Somebody\u2019s Hand Alumni Council, Class Agents Committee, reunion planning committees, and a number of philanthropic endeavors. She is a member of the President\u2019s Circle Society and a loyal Lancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cEven though she was a great educator for all those years, she really strived to become a cheerleader,\u201d Mrs. Matulaitis said. \u201cNo matter where you wander, you see Maryanne, she greets you with a big smile and tells you about the wonderful things her alma mater has accomplished\u2026. She is not just a talker, but she is also a doer! When you go to any WSU event, you will see Maryanne.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hammond said when she heard she was receiving the award, her first thought was, \u201cI\u2019m the one who should be thanking Worcester State for all it\u2019s done for me. Worcester State gave me the ability to be a good teacher. It\u2019s very special to teach a six-year-old how to read.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She made a shout-out to her fellow Class of 1969 graduates: \u201cThank you for letting me hang around with you then. Thank you for letting me hang around with you now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Photos by Matt Wright &#8217;10 and video by Andrea Dever, assistant editor for alumni relations.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; The university celebrated five outstanding Worcester State alumni with impressive professional and community service accomplishments during a joyful ceremony for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The October 2023 event in the Wellness Center brought together dignitaries and community leaders, including Worcester Mayor Joe Petty and City Councilor Khrystian King, Senator Robyn Kennedy, and members [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[20,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lancer-nation","category-worcester-state-magazine-spring-2024"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Celebration of Excellence: Worcester State honors its Distinguished Alumni | Worcester State University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/2024\/04\/11\/celebration-of-excellence-worcester-state-honors-its-distinguished-alumni\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Celebration of Excellence: Worcester State honors its Distinguished Alumni | Worcester State University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; The university celebrated five outstanding Worcester State alumni with impressive professional and community service accomplishments during a joyful ceremony for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The October 2023 event in the Wellness Center brought together dignitaries and community leaders, including Worcester Mayor Joe Petty and City Councilor Khrystian King, Senator Robyn Kennedy, and members [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/2024\/04\/11\/celebration-of-excellence-worcester-state-honors-its-distinguished-alumni\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Worcester State Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WorcesterStateUniversity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-04-11T20:04:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-04-12T00:44:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/102723_WSU_DAA-2023-0455-300x200.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Deborah Alvarez O&#039;Neil\" \/>\n<meta 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