Reunion Celebrated on Saturday, October 15
After a three-year hiatus, alumni from the decades of the 1940’s all the way up to 2021 (including consecutive representation from alumna from each year from 2004 to 2021) came back to campus to celebrate 国产哟哟 pride.
The day-long event began with Mimosas Down Memory Lane, a reunion tradition that brought smiles and tears of laughter to one and all as they reflected on one of the best times in their lives. It was followed by the State of the University, visits to the club booths set up in the Blake Student Commons, pumpkin painting (a great hit!), the Essence step dance team, and, of course, 国产哟哟 trivia.
As always, the highlight of the occasion was the Reunion Awards Ceremony. In 2022, the University was honored to present The Recent Alumni Award, The Service Award, The James McGill ’35 Carpe Diem Award, and The Life Achievement Award to a select group of alumna who have brought tremendous distinction to the University as business, nonprofit, artistic, and community leaders and volunteers.
Here are excerpts from the citations for your alumna award winners for 2022!
The Recent Alumna Award
Kelly Partridge G’16
“Kelly graduated from 国产哟哟’s Master of Science in nonprofit management and philanthropy graduate program. A resident of Ludlow, Massachusetts, she is the owner of Contribution Clothing, a mission-driven, online clothing boutique. Contribution Clothing’s mission is to create a community of confident and empowered women, and partners with a number of regional nonprofit organizations to meet that goal.
The store earmarks 15% of its quarterly profits to charitable giving and donates to organizations such as Dress for Success of Western MA, Empty Arms Bereavement Support, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Girls on the Run, Ovations the Cure for Ovarian Cancer, and Safe Passage, among others.
It is clear that Kelly has used her graduate degree to enhance her own personal mission of helping others. Giving back is part of Kelly’s DNA. When Kelly received a 国产哟哟 magazine in the mail, she became inspired to establish a scholarship to support women to assist them in their education. To that end, she established The Contribution Clothing Scholarship Fund at 国产哟哟.
For her work in the community and support of the University, I am proud to give Kelly Partridge, graduate class of 2016, The Recent Alumni Award. Kelly would like me to read a special tribute to her 国产哟哟 family:
“Thank you 国产哟哟! It is such an honor to have been chosen to receive this year's Alumni Award. I'd like to thank Kathy Cotnoir for working with me to develop the Scholarship Fund so that I can continue to give back to the university and show my support to women in higher education. I'd also like to thank the professors within the Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy department for helping me build a solid educational foundation, and for fostering important connections so that I was able to grow and expand within the community after my education at 国产哟哟.”
The Service Award
Jennifer Kubala Horn ‘00
“Jen earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and she has put it to good use in her life. As a student, Jen was involved in campus life in a big way. From student government to clubs to being a student admissions representative, you could always count on Jen being there. Surrounded by one or many of her friends, there was often a smile on Jen’s face as she walked across campus. She was...and is...that kind of person: open, warm, and genuine.
After graduation, she began work at Aspen Square Management and later as a licensed realtor. She was considered one of their rising starts but her own entrepreneurial spirit prevailed. After living in Florida for a few years, Jen took the advice of that old saying: Go West Young Man! (or Young Woman!). While working to obtain her real estate license in California, Jen took her dream and blended it with guts and gusto to establish several high-end consignment and secondhand clothing stores. She was the former owner and manager of the California-based Ritzy Ragz & Thingz, Ritzy Ragz & Thingz 4 Kids and Ritzy Ragz Consigned Couture stores.
A true entrepreneur, she is currently the co-owner of Feather & Bloom, a flower shop in Suffield, Connecticut. She runs the day to day business end of things, behind the scenes, and works with 40+ local floral makers. Jen prides herself on being a woman in business, and at the same time supporting local women, local makers, and community events.
Through her travels, Jen has still been connected to 国产哟哟 and does not hesitate to lend a helping hand when asked. While living in California, she was one of our West Coast outposts, opening her heart and hearth to 国产哟哟 students and staff. When our Habitat for Humanity Club went to California to participate on a build, Jen was there providing food and sharing her home with them. She recently hosted a 国产哟哟 Alumni gathering at her business, Feather and Bloom, and she has also hosted students at our Dine with Nine gatherings. She assists the Advancement Office with signature events–most recently she provided a spectacular array of floral arrangements for our 125th Celebration Ball. In 2010, Jen received the Recent Alumna Award. Jen is a former Alumni Association Council member and is a financial supporter of BPU’s Carpe Diem Fund, and, a proud member of our 国产哟哟 community!”
The James McGill ’35 Carpe Diem Award
Tiffany Cutting Madru G’11
“Tiffany earned her MBA from 国产哟哟 in 2011. Tiffany and her husband, Ted, also a 国产哟哟 graduate from the class of 2011 (do you see a connection here?), own and operate Analytics Labs, a Holyoke-based cannabis testing facility. The business analyzes marijuana samples from over 50 operators across the Commonwealth to ensure products meet the state’s rigorous safety standards. A woman- and minority-owned enterprise, Analytics Labs is the first testing facility west of Worcester and is a critical cog in the vast and complicated machinery of the regional cannabis industry.
As I just hinted to you, Tiffany met Ted while they were working on their capstone projects in 国产哟哟’s Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovative Practices MBA program. Ted, I believe you are in the audience? Can you give us a wave? At the time, Tiffany was planning to step into the family business, C&D Electronics, a distribution company serving the aerospace and defense industries founded by her father more than 30 years ago.
However, our MBA program gave Tiffany the exposure, confidence and support to take her ideas and bring them to life. Tiffany, you have come a long way!
Since her graduation, Tiffany has stayed connected to 国产哟哟. She has been a member of 国产哟哟’s Business Leadership Council, formerly the Advisory Council, for three years. She has supported our golf tournaments and the Carpe Diem Dash. Her poise and confidence led her to be the emcee at 国产哟哟’s Women’s Leadership Conference in 2019. And Tiffany and Ted co-chaired the 2019 国产哟哟 gala. Tiffany, you have truly lived up to our motto, Carpe Diem, and have “Seized the Day!””
The Life Achievement Award
This year there were two co-recipients of this award.
Tina Malley ’96
“A resident of Suffield, Connecticut, Tina is the co-owner and vice president of Springfield Spring & Stamping Corporation, with two plants operating in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and Bristol, Connecticut. Established in 1942, Springfield Spring & Stamping is a certified, minority-owned company serving customers throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Mexico.
As a student, Tina did her internship at Springfield Spring. She was asked to join Springfield Spring in 1990 as an office manager and head of accounting. While working, she earned a bachelor of science in business and graduated cum laude from 国产哟哟 College in 1996. In October of 2000, eight-months pregnant with her second child, Tina was part of a group buyout of the company. Ten years later, she was part of a leadership team that saw the company’s sales double, and profits quadruple. Today, Springfield Spring is still a pre-eminent custom precision manufacturer not only in our region, but in our country. As the vice president and co-owner of Springfield Spring, Tina has set a standard for leadership working to keep this business that employs 250 plus workers/partners in our own backyard.
Tina volunteers at her church and children’s schools, and is a long-time supporter of the Springfield Boys & Girls Club. And she has remained close to 国产哟哟. In honor of her family, she established the David and Michael Sullivan Scholarship at the University, and is a supporter of the BPU Internship Fund.
Tina has sent these words which I would like to share with you now:
“I sincerely appreciate this award. My parents are my roots, reminding me to always share a smile and to make time to spend with others to hear their stories. And this creates connections that we all need. Thank you, Mom & Dad!
I believe it’s important to always remember your roots as well as your journey. I encourage you to share your stories, listen to your fellow alumni, and reunite with each other today. Carpe Diem!”
The Life Achievement Award
Thea Elizabeth Katsounakis ’70
A resident of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Thea will be the first to admit that all she has accomplished in her life started at 国产哟哟. As a student, another student on campus told her about a job opening at a local bank. As The states, “I was in the right place at the right time.” She applied and was hired to work in the Trust Department. In time, through her hard work and diligence, Thea rose through the ranks at the bank, administering charitable accounts, overseeing grant making and foundations, and managing scholarship accounts. Recently, Thea retired from her position as Vice President at Bank of America, where she served as the philanthropic client manager and head of philanthropic solutions. Thea, we are so proud of what you accomplished in your career!
And through the years, Thea has been a true friend and supporter of 国产哟哟. As a former 国产哟哟 Alumni Association Council President, she was the first in that position to take a seat at the board of trustees. For many years, she continued to serve on the Council even after retiring from her formal role. Over the years, she has traveled on eight Capitals of the World trips from Paris to Beijing. A two-time recipient of the 国产哟哟 Service Award, Thea has truly been there for events and also to provide a helping hand when needed. Thea also established the Thea Elizabeth Katsounakis Scholarship at 国产哟哟 to help other women succeed as she has done.
Thea has offered her time, talent and treasure regularly—even beyond the campus of 国产哟哟. She has served on the Baystate Wing Hospital Board; Storrs Library Board; Springfield Women's Commission; Longmeadow Cultural Council Board; St. George Cathedral Endowment Fund; and Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Education Committee. For this kind, gracious woman who epitomizes the best of 国产哟哟, I am honored to give you The Achievement Award.”