Reunion Awards: In the Spotlight
At the 2016 Reunion, the President’s Award, the James McGill ‘35 Carpe Diem Award, and the Young Alumni Award were given to three outstanding members of the Bay Path community.
The President’s Award
The President’s Award is given to an individual, non-alumni, who has done much to serve the University and the community, and who has been an inspiration to Bay Path’s President. This year, President Leary was honored to bestow this honor on Dean Marcia Conrad.
When retired Dean Marcia Conrad first came to Bay Path, her plan was only to stay for a short time while her husband Irv finished his degree. Instead, in her words, “…I began a 53-year love affair with Bay Path.”
For more than four decades, Dean Marcia Conrad influenced generations of Bay Path students. A graduate of Springfield College, she came to Bay Path in 1963, and was appointed dean of students in 1965, the youngest dean of students in the country at the time. Many of our alumni remember her not only as a constant presence on campus always ready to lend an ear or give advice, but also as a role model, who along with her husband Irv and sons Scott and Kirk, joined students in the dining commons for meals and events. She created community, and more important, created a positive example of family. She was a woman ahead of her time, balancing career, family, and life.
During her career at Bay Path, Dean Conrad directed all phases of student life, including campus activities, residence life, career counseling and placement, health services, and personal counseling. One of her greatest achievements during her tenure has been her support and work in obtaining NCAA Division III status for the Bay Path athletic programs. Her life of service was acknowledged by the University with establishment of the Marcia H. Conrad Student Services Award. And the University Awards Ceremony was renamed the Dean Marcia H. Conrad Awards Program in her honor.
A member of the Bay Path Legacy Society, Marcia also established the Marcia H. Conrad Scholarship. Because Marcia was so connected with the students, she realized sometimes the most unexpected expense would deter a young woman from earning her degree. That’s why she specifically indicated that her scholarship would focus on providing financial resources for books, so that students could continue their studies.
President Leary surprised Marcia with the news that when alumni learned Dean Conrad would be receiving this award, as their way of saying “thank you” and to recognize all that she has done for them over the years, they contributed over $2,000.00 to the Marcia H. Conrad Scholarship in her honor.
With her gracious manner and kind heart, she has been the epitome of class, earning universal respect from faculty, staff and students. From the moment President Leary took the reins of leadership at Bay Path, Marcia has been one of President Leary’s most ardent supporters stating: “I will do whatever you need me to do to ensure your presidency is a success.” Without hesitation, Marcia became the bridge between the two presidencies at Bay Path, ensuring a transition that would lay the groundwork for the transformation of Bay Path in the coming years.
Dean Conrad was also celebrated with moving and heartfelt words from alumni across the decades: Charlene Mazur ’67, Barbara Hitchcock '68, Christine Lear '85, Melissa Mazer Scott '97 and Shannon Cooley '00.
In closing and in Marcia’s words, “I have been privileged to serve and work with six presidents of Bay Path. I never regretted, nor have I have ever looked back during my time here on this campus. It was tremendously rewarding and I am proud to be a member of this community.”
The Recent Alumni Award
The Recent Alumni Award, given to an alumna from the last 10 classes for service to the University, and who shows promise as a leader.
Jasmine Naylor, a triple Bay Path alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in business in 2006, her MBA in 2009, and her Master of Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy in 2010 was the recipient of the Recent Alumni Award.
A first-generation student from a large family, Jasmine is a proud Latina woman strongly committed to the value of an education and a college degree, who has helped siblings, cousins and other young people with their college application process. She continues in her role as a student ambassador by participating in Bay Path accepted student admissions events, as well as Advising Days on behalf of the Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center.
As an undergraduate, Jasmine was part of the InRoads Program through the Career Center. Her internship at the United Technology Corporation led to a full-time position. After 10 years with United Technology Corporation, Jasmine made a connection with fellow Bay Path MBA student Tania Barber, President of the Caring Health Center in Springfield. She decided to move up the ladder and took a position as Executive Vice President for the Caring Health Center.
Jasmine also supports Bay Path through her generosity. In 2015, she made a BOLD Scholarship donation in honor of her mother. In Jasmine’s words, “I honor her for all the sacrifices she made so that I could make it to places she only dreamed of…”
In her spare time, Jasmine is very active in her church and recently helped to launch a Women’s Auxiliary group to engage 20 to 22-year-old women with the congregation, and give them a more active role in the ministry.
Also present at the award ceremony was Jasmine’s husband, two children, and mother.
THE JAMES MCGILL ’35 CARPE DIEM AWARD
The James McGill ‘35 Carpe Diem Award recognizes an alumna who’s educational, employment and civic contributions truly epitomize the University’s Motto—Carpe Diem…Seize the Day! It is named in honor of Bay Path graduate James McGill, class of 1935.
This year’s distinction went to the dynamic duo of Jan Melnik and Louise Kursmark, Class of 1976.
For over four decades, they have maintained a close personal and professional friendship that began in a 9th grade English class in North Branford, Connecticut, flourished as students on the Bay Path campus, and was strengthened through the years with their shared interests in career services.
Both are internationally recognized experts in the field of career management, and through Louise’s and Jan’s respective businesses, Best Impression Career Services Inc. and Absolute Advantage, they have over 50 years of combined experience assisting thousands of clients throughout the world.
Together, Jan and Louise have written and co-authored more than 25 business start-up, resume, and career-oriented books, including their co-written classic Executive’s Pocket Guide to ROI Resumes and Job Search; and appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, FOX News, and NBC, among others.
Before entrepreneurship was a popular word, they established their own businesses and are quick to credit Bay Path with their success. In Louise’s words, “Bay Path gave me my exterior. With the help of Gerald Kane, Marie Seeton, and Joanne Kane, whose guidebook on grammar and language I still have, I stepped out of my shy self and found the courage to do things.” Likewise, Jan shares, “I give credit to Charlie Page and Paul Norton, and in particular to Jack Gaffney, chair of theatre arts. My parents forced me to take his speech class, and it was life changing.”
Through the Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center, Jan and Louise return often to share their wisdom and knowledge in career services, and to give those tips that will help our students land that crucial job. Jan is also an adjunct professor at Bay Path, where she develops and teaches a range of courses.
But the measure of their success is linked to their partnership. In Louise’s words, “We are more than peers. We are trusted friends and confidants. Our connection, so influenced by our Bay Path experience, provides us with a built-in network of honest advice, and a friendship that has never wavered. Jan has been such a rich part of my life that sharing this award is icing on the cake for both of us.”
In her spare time, Louise volunteers her career services to the National Resume Writers Association and Career Thought Leaders, helping people obtain their dream jobs. For over 20 years, Jan has been an elected commissioner for planning and zoning for the town of Durham, CT, volunteering over 20 hours a month of her time for this effort. She is also the founder of the Connecticut Mothers of Multiple, an organization that helps mothers in raising twins, triplets, and more!
Congratulations to Louise and Jan!