There is no “typical day” at the HUB. But if there were, it would look something like this...
by Bill Laforme and Kristin Proulx Jarvis ’06G
Women's Rugby Club
It takes a lot of energy to be a rugby player at PSU. The sport itself is played at a fast pace, with few stoppages and continuous possession changes. All players on the field, regardless of position, must be able to run, pass, kick, and catch the ball. They must also be able to tackle and defend, making each position both offensive and defensive in nature.
Then there’s the work of managing the behind- the- scenes aspects of a club sport, which entails selecting coaches and referees, obtaining equipment, making travel arrangements, and setting up insurance for players. “It’s a ton of work,” says Melissa Duhamel, a junior who is president of the PSU Women’s Rugby Club, one of eight club sports teams at the University. “There’s paperwork to be completed so each player can play. There are arrangements I have to make for us to go to away games. [Managing] our budget is also a lot of work.” Read More
Alumni Directory to Launch in November
Joe Long
Does the beginning of the fall remind you of your days at Plymouth State and your friends and former classmates? Do you long to reconnect with old roommates, classmates, and friends? Effective November 1, 2008, getting in touch with them will be easier than ever with our new, searchable online alumni directory that will feature the names, class years, and contact information of PSU’s alumni body. Read More
Randy Hollister ’82G
Randy Hollister
“Anxiety is a block to learning, so the best thing you can do—in addition to hiring great teachers and setting an affirming direction—is to create a relaxed environment,” says Randy Hollister.
That philosophy helps explain the resounding success of Loudoun Country Day School in Leesburg, Virginia, consistently voted Best Private School by readers of Leesburg Today and Washington Families. From a modest beginning in 1953 with two faculty members and a student body of seven, LCDS has grown to nearly 280 students taught by 48 instructors. Most of this growth occurred under the guidance of Hollister, who came to the school in 1988 and assumed the post of headmaster in 1993. Read More
New Officers Effective July 1, 2008
The Plymouth State University Alumni Association has appointed four new officers and one returning officer to the board of directors. Bruce Wiggett Sr. ’74, Nancy Offen Grant ’92, and Laura Ellis ’06 were appointed to four year terms, while Gerry Buteau ’86 was re-appointed to a second four year term. Rick Desharnais ’01 was appointed to a one-year term to fill the position vacated by Michele Giannon Talwani ’93. All terms began on July 1, 2008. Read More
Suzanne Fitzgerald ’95
Suzanne Fitzgerald
“I’m a people person; I like meeting people and traveling. I’m just not good at sitting in an office,” says Suzanne Fitzgerald ’95.
As vice president and personal client advisor in wealth advisory services for Wilmington Trust Corporation in Wlimington, DE, Fitzgerald is constantly on the move, meeting with clients and their attorneys to decide how best to manage their wealth. “I do the financial advising and the trust, estate and investment work for clients with $25 million and more in personal net worth,” she explains. “It’s interesting work, and it’s fun.”
It’s also a far cry from her original career plan, becoming a college president. It was a goal she formed as an undergraduate at Plymouth State, and was one of the reasons she entered law school following graduation. “Bill Farrell [former PSU president] said that if I was looking to become president of a college someday, but did not want to teach for 20 years, a career in medicine or law might provide valuable experience,” she recalls. “I did well on my LSATs and decided to go to law school.”
Following law school, Fitzgerald embarked on a career in finance with Ayco, a Goldman Sachs company, where she was for eight years prior to joining Wilmington Trust. And while she loves her work, she says, “I still want to be a college president someday.”
Inspired by this goal and her love of Plymouth State, Fitzgerald accepted an invitation three yeras ago to serve on the President’s Council, a group whose chief priority is raising funds and developing resources that will advance PSU’s mission and vision. “It’s a great opportunity to be involved in the University’s future and to give something back,” she notes.
Plymouth Magazine Fall 2008 Volume XXIV Number 1
Plymouth Magazine Staff
Managing Editor: Christopher M. Williams
Editor: Barbra Alan
Designer: Daphne Bruemmer `98
Publications Manager: Lisa Prince
Web Site Designer: Kim Accorsi
Fall 2008 Contributors
- Rhiannon Hutchinson
- Kristin Proulx Jarvis ’06G
- Bill Laforme
- Dance C. Larsen ’08
- Henry “Joe” Long Jr.
- Jessica Rasmusson `08
- Alice Staples
- Sara Jayne Steen
- StaceyYap
Fall 2008 Photographers
- Kindra Clineff
- Jon Gilbert Fox
- Charley Frieberg
- John Hession
- Scott Jarvis
- Bob Krist
- Gil Talbot ’76
