Chrystal Porter, Ph.D., Ed.S., (pictured left) has been appointed Vice President of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) and Professor of Sport Management. 

Porter comes to Lasell from Endicott College, where she was most recently the associate provost of the institution’s graduate, online, accelerated bachelor degree, and non-traditional programs.

“Chrystal exhibits a creative flair, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership experience, and deep academic credentials,” said President Michael B. Alexander.

Of Lasell, Porter said that she looks forward to working with a forward-thinking, student-centered, team-oriented community. “I am excited to join such an incredible institution.”

Porter received her Ph.D. from Capella University, a Specialist in Education from Florida State, and two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree from Ohio University.

As of July 1, 2020, Eric Turner (pictured left) is the Provost at Lasell University. 

For 28 years, Turner has served Lasell as an overseer, trustee, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, chair of the Board of Trustees, Lasell Village trustee, and since 2017, the vice president of GPS.

“I truly look forward to collaborating with faculty and staff in further integrating Academic and Student Affairs to improve the student experience.”

Two weeks after the death of George Floyd, Lasell University welcomed more than 150 participants to discuss racism and share resources for step-by-step community improvements. 

A partial screening and discussion of the film 13th — a documentary on the criminalization of Black Americans — was followed by a virtual vigil for Black lives to stand in solemn solidarity with those affected by police brutality and structural and institutional racism.

Dev Singer, technical services and electronic resources librarian, created a digital Resource Guide on Racism to help connect values with action.

More than 200 people joined a third program, “Promoting Racial Justice: Living and Learning at Lasell.” The Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) also held separate, ongoing forums, “Racial Justice at Lasell: Past and Present.” DAR is convening a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force to continue dialogue and expand engagement and resources for alumni and students of color.

Lasell raised more than $4 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 -- a 56% increase from 2019!

Lasers Helping Lasers COVID-19 Relief Fund: $189,806
The Lasell Fund: $900,000+ supports the University's greatest needs
Davis Educational Foundation Grant: $269,175, a three-year grant to support student career readiness

A full list of FY2020 donors can be found in our Annual Honor Roll.

Whether it's behind a sewing machine or beside a patient's bed, Lasell alumni kept pace with COVID-19 in providing front line support for their communities. 

Pictured L to R: Lindsay Tia Reilly '13, Jaime Fortier '15, Sam Killen '18 G'19, Rebeka Costa '16

Ami Ruehrwein Wall ’03, Lindsay Tia Reilly ’13, Jaime Fortier ’15, and Jacquelyn Farrington Kalic ’15 all shifted their attention to the creation of PPE for both the general public and healthcare workers.

Sam Killen ’18 G’19 went from working as an assistant athletic trainer to caring for COVID-19 
patients. She spent a week providing proning support at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, before leading a drive-through test site.

Rebeka Costa ’16 works as a nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and during the virus’ first spike in Massachusetts, cared for patients on a COVID-19 floor.

The University's first DECA chapter participated in a state-level collegiate competition in the spring.

Michael Woo ’23, Victoria Savluk ’23, and Alexandra Barlett ’20 were among Lasell participants who presented case studies on marketing and communications, fashion, business ethics, and financial accounting.

Five additional Lasell students were named as winners and qualified for the national DECA competition: Jackie Cordeiro ’22, Jessica Cartossa ’22, and now-alumni Jessica Spillane ’20, Cecelia Costa ’20, and Gianna Dell’Orfano ’20.

Associate Professor of Fashion Catharine Weiss advises the newly founded chapter.

DECA, Inc., is home to more than 5,000 collegiate members and prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

Lasell University honored the Class of 2020 by donating more than 5,000 articles of PPE to healthcare workers and community members.

The original goal was to donate 2,020 pieces.

AVP and Chief Diversity Officer Jesse Tauriac and Associate Director for the Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBL) Byrd Hughes consulted with Assistant Professor of Fashion Gail Jauregui, who shared patterns, material recommendations, and tutorial videos.

Jauregui, Haleigh West ’17, Corey Zemke ’20, and Megan Mahoney ’21 all created and donated hundreds of pieces of PPE. Massimo Cugno ’20 took the lead on transporting materials, while Donahue Institute for Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion interns Alanis Perez ’21, Annamarie Seiler ’20, Cindalis Cepero ’21, Geralson Withrow ’20, and Krista Roman ’20 helped with organization.

Lasell Athletics honor senior student-athletes for their success and accomplishments in a virtual awards banquet. 

Women’s Torchbearer Award and Women’s Scholar-Athlete Award
Mindy Esposito, field hockey

Men’s Torchbearer Award
Joe Sullivan, baseball

Men’s Scholar-Athlete Award
Alex Desharnais, track and field

Women’s Basketball
D’Asia Allen
Taylor Churchill
Amanda Ortiz
Dana Ross

Women’s Soccer
Olivia Austin
Kyla Bragg
Sarah Cullen
Caitlin Rotonnelli
Melissa Vasquez
Hayden Wheeler

Men’s Soccer
Jackson Burhans
Andrew Flores-McKenna
David Perry
Alex Strafer
Chris Tran
Francisco Villacorta

Women’s Volleyball
Kelly Cappitella

Men’s Volleyball
Scott Sterenberg

Softball
Allie Borowsky
Arianna Genovese
Sarah Kline
Essie Plouffe
Victoria Spellman

Baseball
Patrick Colvin
Lorenzo Davis
Grant Duford
Zach Handzel
Chris O’Connor
Luke Scholand
Joe Sullivan
Mike Tacinelli

Women’s Lacrosse
Morgan Choquet
Amanda DiLeonardo
Brooke Landry
(+Field Hockey)
Kaeli Leddy
Jordan McComb
Chloe Shugrue
(+Field Hockey)

Men’s Lacrosse
Joseph Cucuzza
Dan Gorman
Ryan Janovic
Brendan Johnson
Nick Kral
Reggie Sealy
Ben Werner

Field Hockey
Izzy Contois
Grace Duguay
Mindy Esposito
Sarah Rudker
Sam Taylor

Women’s Track & Field
Allie Clancy
Nhuelle Le

Men’s Track & Field
Massimo Cugno
Nick Defaranos
Alex Desharnais
Malik Francis
Matt Holden
(+Cross Country)
Kyle Mullen
(+Cross Country)
Kevin Wallin
(+Cross Country)

Women’s Cross Country
Beverly Ortiz

The Winslow Archives recently discovered photos from the 1970 Lasell student strike (pictured left).

During the spring semester, students voiced frustration over their lack of input on major institutional decisions.

In April 1970, five faculty members were fired without explanation; in response, students organized a rally and staged a 400-person sit-in at the Woodland Hall dining room during the Board of Trustees meeting. The students demanded that the Board reinstate the faculty until due process was established.

The Board’s subsequent refusal set students into action; they organized a strike that brought all classes to a halt on campus for nearly two weeks. In the end, the students achieved nearly all of their demands, including the immediate reinstatement of the fired faculty and the formation of a committee for students to have a say over major administrative decisions in the future.

Do you have questions about Lasell’s history? Do you want to take a virtual tour of the archive collections? Contact archives@lasell.edu, visit lasell.edu/archives, or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The Division of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) launched new Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentrations in healthcare management, sustainable fashion operations, project management, marketing, and human resources in spring 2020.

The Master of Science in Communication added a concentration in corporate communication, and Professional Studies added new courses in footwear design, ecommerce, and print surface design.

A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree completion program was also launched in the spring. The program is 100 percent online and delivered in a mobile-first format.

This fall, Lasell introduced two new GPS master’s degree programs: in organizational leadership and applied sports science analytics.

The University also introduced 11 new undergraduate programs: Bachelor of Arts programs in journalism, public relations, television and radio production, sport communication, and entertainment media; and Bachelor of Science programs in public and community health, biochemistry, supply chain management, eSports and gaming management, human resource management, and professional sales.

New academic appointments include Professor Claudia Rinaldi named as the University’s ninth recipient of the Joan Weiler Arnow Professorship, and Associate Professor Kathleen Potter appointed to the role of Dean of the School of Fashion.