Assumption College
Encyclopedia
Assumption College is a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college
Liberal arts colleges in the United States
Liberal arts colleges in the United States are certain undergraduate institutions of higher education in the United States. The Encyclopædia Britannica Concise offers a definition of the liberal arts as a "college or university curriculum aimed at imparting general knowledge and developing general...

 located on 185 acres (708,000 m²) in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....

. Assumption has an enrollment of about 2,117 undergraduates. The college confers Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...

 degrees in its undergraduate program, Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...

 and Masters of Business Administration degrees in its Graduate program, and Associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...

 through its Continuing Education program. Though majors in the sciences are offered, only Bachelor of Arts degrees are conferred.

Undergraduate day college

Assumption was founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption, a Catholic order under the Augustinian Rule dedicated to service through teaching and the hastening of the Kingdom of God, as reflected in their motto "Thy Kingdom Come." The original campus was in the Greendale section of Worcester, on a tract of hillside land. In these early years, enrollment was exclusively male, primarily of French-Canadian heritage. Most courses were taught in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...

, with only a small number taught in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

.

In June 1953, a tornado
1953 Worcester Tornado
The 1953 Worcester Tornado was an extremely strong tornado that struck the city and surrounding area of Worcester, Massachusetts on June 9, 1953. It was part of the Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence, which occurred over a three-day period from June 6—9, 1953. The storm stayed on the ground...

 cut a path of destruction through several western and central Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 communities, including the city of Worcester. Several campus buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by this tornado. Although the previously co-located Assumption Preparatory School
Assumption Preparatory School
Assumption Preparatory School was an American secondary boarding school located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and operated by the Catholic order Augustinians of the Assumption...

 stayed on the rebuilt campus until 1970, the College relocated to a new campus off Salisbury Street, in the west side of the city, officially opening in 1956. The old Assumption campus complex was sold to the state after the prep school closed and is today the home of Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College is a public, two-year academic institution in Worcester, Massachusetts. A commuter school, the college has an enrollment of over 8,000 students in its Associate's degree and certification programs...

.

In 1969, Assumption became a coeducational institution, allowing both laymen and -women into the faculty and female students into its programs of study.

Centennial festivities began early in January 2004, celebrating the College's 100th year. On February 15, 2007, the Assumption College Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Francesco Cesareo
Francesco Cesareo
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. is an American educator and historian. In February 2007, he was selected to become the 16th president of Assumption College, and assumed the presidency on July 1, 2007. Prior to his selection, Dr. Cesareo served as dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of...

, an author and historian, would succeed President Thomas R. Plough
Thomas R. Plough
Thomas R. Plough is an American sociologist most notable for having served as president of North Dakota State University and Assumption College....

 on July 1, 2007. As the 15th president of the institution, Plough oversaw an aggressive eight-year Centennial Campaign that raised over $33 million for campus renovations and construction.

Continuing education

Assumption's first effort at continuing education began in 1954 with the founding of the Evening College, later known as the St. Augustine Institute. Non-credit courses were offered two years later with the founding of The Adult Education Center. Both facilities were coeducational and open to the public. Assumption phased out both facilities in the late 1960s.

In 1979, Assumption launched a second effort at continuing adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...

 with the Center for Continuing and Professional Education, renamed in 2007 the Center for Continuing and Career Education. This new facility combines the credited courses of the old Evening College and the non-credit work of the Adult Education Center into one office. The Center celebrated its 25th anniversary in the same year as the undergraduate College's Centennial.

College institutes

The French Institute (Institut Français), founded in 1979, serves as a specialized research center for students studying French history, culture, and language.

The Institute was founded by Father Wilfrid J. Dufault, A.A., the late chancellor emeritus of the College, and Dr. Claire Quintal, founding director emerita, to preserve the French heritage of Assumption College and of the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...

 region. The Institute is both an academic research facility and a center for French cultural activities. Although its main goals are to foster the preservation and study of the records of the history and cultural traditions of French ethnicity on this continent, the name French Institute (Institut français) was chosen to encompass the entire Francophone world. The Institute is the leading place to study material relating to the more than 1.5 million French Canadians who immigrated to New England in the 19th and 20th centuries.
As a research center, the French Institute acquires books, documents, and artifacts pertinent to its primary focus: the French presence in North America, with particular emphasis on New England. All aspects of this presence are of interest to the Institute: social, political, cultural, religious, literary, etc. The personal collection of Dr. Quintal formed the early nucleus of the holdings. The donation of their fine library by the Fall River
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...

 Dominicans greatly enhanced the Institute's book collection, which had begun to grow with gifts of duplicate books by ACA Assurance (formerly the Association Canado-Américaine) and later the Union St. Jean-Baptiste. From 2003 to 2005, book donations by Dr. Armand Chartier, Mr. Arthur L. Eno, Dr. Gerard Brault, and others expanded the library significantly. Documents and artifacts include rich private archives donated by the Jobin-Thibodeau family and by former advisory board president, the late Wilfrid J. Michaud, Jr. In 2004, the Institute's collection was complemented by the arrival on campus of the Mallet Library of the Union St. Jean-Baptiste, a magnificent collection of Franco-Americana compiled by a successful Franco-American
French American
French Americans or Franco-Americans are Americans of French or French Canadian descent. About 11.8 million U.S. residents are of this descent, and about 1.6 million speak French at home.An additional 450,000 U.S...

 immigrant, Major Edmond Mallet, in the late 19th century.

An active community of scholars engaged in ethnic studies, social history, and linguistic analysis uses the French Institute collection. Undergraduate students, doctoral candidates, and professional scholars are among these users. Scholarship emerging from study of the Institute collection is of interest and relevance to both specialists and a broader public.

The French Institute further seeks to promote knowledge and increase awareness of Francophone North Americans and Francophone questions generally by organizing colloquia and lectures, publishing books, and becoming involved in a variety of cultural projects. The Institute has published conference proceedings on such topics as French-Canadian immigrants to the United States, the Little Canadas of New England, and Franco-American journalism, folklore, education, literature, religion, and women. It has provided English translations of key texts to make them readily available to non-French speakers. Recent translations include The Beginnings of the Franco-American Colony in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 41,186 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Woonsocket lies directly south of the Massachusetts border....

, by Marie Louise Bonier, The Franco-Americans of New England: A History, by Armand Chartier, and the collection Steeples and Smokestacks: The Franco-American Experience in New England, edited by Claire Quintal, now in its second edition.

The Aaron T. Beck
Aaron T. Beck
Aaron Temkin Beck is an American psychiatrist and a professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He is widely regarded as the father of cognitive therapy, and his pioneering theories are widely used in the treatment of clinical depression...

 Institute for Cognitive Studies
, a 1996 addition to the College, serves as the research center for students in the BA and Master's counseling psychology programs.

The Worcester Institute for Senior Education (W.I.S.E.) was started in 1993 when Assumption College began sponsoring a specialized continuing education program for seniors. This program offers non-credit courses in most major academic disciplines to older learners in the community. W.I.S.E. enrolls 478 elder students in 35 courses each five-week session.

Residence halls

First-year student housing: Desautels and Alumni halls are the double-style residence halls located in the heart of campus. Many first-year students desire to live in these halls because of their proximity to classes and Taylor Dining Hall. Worcester and Salisbury halls house first-year students and sophomores. Worcester and Salisbury are made up of triples and quads, with some singles. Hanrahan, often referred to by students as "B-dorm," is the new Honors Housing option for first-year students, starting in the fall of 2006. Since becoming Honors Housing it is rarely referred to as "B". Nault is a substance-free residence hall, housing students of all four class years. Nault Hall offers singles, doubles, and triples.

Upperclass housing: All upperclassmen can live in the above residence halls, as well as other residence halls on campus. Young Hall, or "C-dorm," is on "the Hill" with Hanrahan, Nault, and the Aubuchon and Bissonette townhouses. Young Hall houses mostly sophomores and some juniors in singles, doubles, and triples. The Aubuchon townhouses are six-person apartments, and the Bissonette townhouses are four-person apartments. Aubuchon and Bissonette have living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and double bedrooms. The apartments are collectively called "The Ts," and students typically refer to them by number... T-1, T-2 etc.

Wachusett Hall and Moquin Hall are five-person apartments. Wachusett is made up of mostly juniors and features living rooms, kitchens, private bathrooms, and two bedrooms (one double and one triple). Moquin is in an area of campus known as the "Valley," which is a primarily senior area. Moquin offers living rooms, kitchens, private bathrooms, and three bedrooms (two doubles and one single). Moquin is typically referred to as "5-men." Also in the Valley is Dion Hall, which has the same set-up as the Bissonette townhouses ("4-men"). Authier and Dufault halls round out the Valley housing options. They are six-person apartments (hence Authier & Dufault are often referred to as SixMen) that were revamped and updated in the summer of 2006. Authier and Dufault offer living rooms, kitchens, private bathrooms, and three double bedrooms.

Built in 2001, Plough Hall (formerly known as North Hall) and South Hall are six-person apartments in the upper part of campus. Plough and South Halls feature four bedrooms (two doubles and two singles), kitchens, two private bathrooms, and living rooms. Finally, West Hall is made up of four-person suites (sometimes five-person suites) with two bedrooms and a bathroom but no kitchens.

Living/Learning Center: Built in 1998, The Living/Learning Center (or L/LC) is an exception to the other residence halls because students must apply to live in this building. Every other residence hall must be selected during room selection in the spring. A panel of judges evaluate L/LC applications and select the residents based on certain criteria. The residence hall itself is for four people, split up into two double bedrooms. It features a kitchen, living room, and a private bathroom. Before fall 2006, students needed to perform individual projects all centered on a topic the group decided on in the selection period. Starting in the 2006-2007 year, each student who lives in the L/LC must attend interest circles with various professors on a large amount of diverse topics. These topics include music, politics, psychology, the environment, etc. The students change their interest circles each semester.

Student publications

Le Provocateur (student newspaper): This student-edited publication is published bimonthly and distributed to all members of the college community. Le Provocateur, also called "the Provoc," has a staff of all student editors and contributing writers, an advisor from the English Department, and an advisor from the Office of Student Activities.

Heights (yearbook)

Phoenix (literary magazine)

Thoreau's Rooster (creative nonfiction journal)

Athletic facilities

Multi-Sport Stadium: With more than $21 million raised toward the $30 million goal for the Centennial Campaign (celebrating Assumption's 100-year history), Assumption College announced plans to construct a $3.2 million multi-sport stadium, which opened in September 2005. The stadium is the key capital project of the second phase of the Centennial Campaign.
The stadium was constructed on the previous site of Assumption’s football/lacrosse field. The new facility supports six athletic teams (football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, and field hockey) and an outdoor intramural sports program on an infilled, synthetic turf field. It includes lights, elevated grandstand seating for approximately 1,200 spectators, a press box and president’s box. The stadium includes a dedicated practice area north of the competition field.

Notable alumni

(Taken from Assumption College Alumni Profiles. Note that Assumption Preparatory School
Assumption Preparatory School
Assumption Preparatory School was an American secondary boarding school located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and operated by the Catholic order Augustinians of the Assumption...

 graduates are included in Assumption College alumni activities.)
  • Timothy M. Barnicle ’66: Former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy and Budget and for Employment and Training
  • Major General Robert Catalanotti ’80 (US Army): Former commander of the largest military base in Iraq, and current Senior Military Advisor, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Mike Farrell '09 chairman and Co-CEO of Farrell Funeral Home located in New Britain, Connecticut
  • Donald D’Amour, AP ’60, ’64: Chairman and CEO of Big Y Foods
  • Richard DesLauriers '82: Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division
  • Rev. Ernest Fortin
    Ernest Fortin
    Ernest L. Fortin, A.A. was a professor of theology at Boston College. While engaged in graduate studies in France, he met Allan Bloom, who introduced him to the work of Leo Strauss...

    , A.A. '46: Scholar, political philosopher and theologian. Professor of theology and philosophy, Assumption College, 1955-1971; professor of theology and political theory at Boston College, 1971-2002
  • Hon. Jay Garcia-Gregory ’66: Federal Judge, U.S. District Court
  • Andy Hallett
    Andy Hallett
    Andrew Alcott "Andy" Hallett was an American singer and actor best known for playing the part of Lorne in the television series Angel. He used his singing talents often on the show, and performed two songs on the series' 2005 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never.-Early life:Andrew Alcott...

     ’97: Singer and actor best known for playing the part of “Lorne” in the television series Angel
  • Dennis House ’85: Emmy Award-winning journalist for Eyewitness News at CBS affiliate WFSB TV-3 in Hartford, CT
  • Brian Kelly '83: Head football coach at University of Notre Dame
  • Stephen Knott ’79: Author and scholar, former co-chair of the Presidential Oral History Program at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs
  • Anne Lynam Goddard ’77: President and CEO of ChildFund International (formerly known as the Christian Children's Fund)
  • Mike Gravel
    Mike Gravel
    Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981, and a former candidate in the 2008 presidential election....

     AP '49: U.S. Senator from Alaska, 1969-81 and 2008 presidential candidate
  • Joe O’Brien ’57: Former Assumption College basketball coach and President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Tom O’Connor ’68: Director of Athletics at George Mason University
  • Mary Anastasia O'Grady '79: Member of The Wall Street Journal editorial board
  • Roselly Ramseyer Torres ’85: Global investment banker and former Global Head of Equity Products, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Dresdner Bank, London
  • Michael Ritchie
    Michael Ritchie (artistic director)
    Michael Ritchie is the artistic director of Center Theatre Group, overseeing the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Kirk Douglas Theatre.-Early career:...

     '79: Artistic director of the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles (CA)
  • Richard Ryscavage
    Richard Ryscavage
    Richard Ryscavage S.J., a nationally-known expert on immigration and refugee policy and issues, is director of the Center for Faith and Public Life and a professor of sociology and international studies at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut....

     S.J., Director of Center for Faith and Public Life and Professor of Sociology and International Studies at Fairfield University
    Fairfield University
    Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...

    , nationally known expert on immigation and refugees
  • Benjamin Shen, Ph.D. ’54: Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Pennsylvania from 1972 to 1996. Former Trustee or Governing Board Member of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the New York Academy of Sciences and the Pennsylvania Ballet Company
  • Richard Testa, Esq ’59: World-renowned attorney on venture capital and intellectual property

External links

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