Lasting Impact: The alumni and donors behind Worcester State’s campus namings

Take a stroll around campus, and you will find the names of faculty, alumni, students, and friends of the institution on buildings, academic and student enrichment programs, and athletic facilities. In fact, much of the university’s tremendous growth over the last 150 years has been supported by benefactors, many of them devoted alumni whose gifts to the university have had lasting impact on students. Here are some of those stories.

SHAUGHNESSY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING (A)

Helen G. Shaughnessy Administration Building
Helen G. Shaughnessy ’43, a beloved alumna and esteemed professor and administrator, was an active member of the Worcester State community for more than 60 years. She enjoyed a notable career as an elementary school teacher, elementary supervisor, Worcester State associate professor, administrator, Foundation Board member, and volunteer. She established an endowed scholarship for education majors in 1999. Pledges and gifts of over $1.2 million from Shaughnessy’s classmates, students, friends, and colleagues—including her friend Albert J. Pilon Jr., who gave $1 million, and Phillip M. Wasylean II ’63, who gave $200,000—made the 2010 naming of this building possible.

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Theater
The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation awarded Worcester State College a $500,000 grant in 2006 to renovate the theater. This gift was instrumental in the preparation of a new bachelor of arts degree in visual and performing arts. The Fullers have supported Worcester State in many other ways, helping to fund the construction of the Wellness Center, supporting the Latino Education Institute, numerous scholarships, and academic programming.

SULLIVAN ACADEMIC CENTER (B)

Sullivan Academic Building
The former Science Building was rechristened the Sullivan Academic Building in 1980 to honor fifth president Dr.  Eugene A. Sullivan, who presided over a period of unprecedented growth.

Barbara (Hickey) O’Brien Department of Education
Alumni couple Robert K. O’Brien ’58 (1934-2023) and Barbara (Hickey) O’Brien ’57 (1936-2015) were devoted and active members of the Worcester State community their entire lives, and among the university’s first major donors. Barbara spent 34 years as a special education teacher in the Worcester Public Schools. After Barbara passed away in 2015, Bob created a new endowment for the Department of Education to honor her years of service as a teacher. Over their lifetime, the couple contributed nearly $1 million dollars to Worcester State, supporting students with eight endowed scholarships and founding the Robert K. O’Brien Next Big Idea contest.

John F. Eager Auditorium
The Class of 1957 commemorated its 50th class reunion in 2007 by dedicating this education classroom for late professor John F. Eager, their class advisor. Eager was the basketball and baseball coach from 1950 to 1957 and was instrumental in the development of both varsity sports. He also served as chairman of the Biology Department, associate director of Continuing Education, and an advisor to student veterans.

Dennis Brutus/Merrill Goldwyn Center for the Study of Human Rights
The center was co-founded in 1982 by late Professor of English Merrill Goldwyn (left) (1931-2012) and Worcester resident Rev. Paul Ferrin. Dennis Brutus (1924-2009) was a South African poet and anti-apartheid activist. In 1982, he delivered the inaugural address for the new center and later gifted to Worcester State an extensive collection of his  papers and letters.

GHOSH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING (C)

Ghosh Science and Technology Center
This prominent 110,000 square foot science building built in 2000 with state support was named for President Dr. Kalyan K. Ghosh, who led the university from 1992 to 2002. He invested in technology to facilitate computer-based learning and create a campus-wide network. Dr. Ghosh also launched the non-profit Worcester State Foundation in 1994 to attract philanthropic support for the university.

Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery
Alumna Mary Cosgrove Dolphin, M.Ed. ’57 (1931-1992) taught art at Worcester State for more than 30 years, until her retirement in 1986. Many public school teachers took her classes, and through them, she made an impact on students throughout the region. She is the artist who created the university’s centennial logo marking Worcester State’s first 100 years. Two of Dolphin’s closest childhood friends, Elizabeth “Betty” Mahan, M.Ed. ’56, Ed.D., and Marilyn Miller Pula, Ed.D., together with the Worcester State Class of 1953 Reunion Committee, donated the funds for the art gallery.

Dr. GB and Lexi Singh Simulation Center
The university dedicated the simulation center, which trains nursing students in the care of patients in a realistic environment, to Dr. GB Singh and Lexi Singh ’85 in recognition of their contributions to the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing. The Singhs have also endowed a Nursing Faculty Development Fund to assist faculty seeking advanced degrees. Lexi Singh is a 1985 graduate of the nursing program, and their daughter, Suzie (Singh) Nebelung, received a master’s degree in education in 2000.

Imoigele P. Aisiku, M.D., ’92 STEM Center
Dr. Imoigele Aisiku, M.D., ’92, an emergency care physician, gave a $1 million gift in 2017 to establish the center and support Worcester State students competing for top STEM graduate schools and careers. The center advances research in science, technology, and health fields and hosts the Aisiku Interdisciplinary Research Team Program, which provides undergraduates the opportunity to engage in pre-graduate-school research.

Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing
As founder of the Nursing Department in 1973, Dr. Lillian R. Goodman (1923-2018) built a visionary program renowned for graduating outstanding baccalaureate nursing students, many of whom go on to be leaders in the field. Her talent for teaching and mentoring was unparalleled, and she inspired countless graduates to reach their full potential. Early nursing program graduates Ellen Gaucher M.S.N. ’76, Anne Bourgeois ’77, Ed.D., and Jean Campaniello ’77, Ph.D. initiated the efforts to name the department for Goodman.

RESIDENCE LIFE HALLS (D)

Wasylean Hall
The first of his family to attend college, Phil Wasylean ’63 (1941- 2020) credited Worcester State Teachers College for giving him the foundation to succeed in his 42-year teaching career. In his lifetime, Wasylean donated more than $1 million to benefit students. The university commemorates his legacy each year in November with “Phil Day,” celebrated on National Philanthropy Day.

Dowden Hall
This residence life building is named for the late Vera Dowden Baldwin ’34, M.Ed. ’53 (1912-2009), who graduated from Worcester State Teachers College. She was an elementary school teacher and assistant principal before joining the Education Department faculty in 1957. In 1963, she was named Dean of Women and, in 1970, became the college’s first dean of students.

Sheehan Hall
After a successful career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 (1933-2016) used his math and business skills to embark on a second successful career as a venture capitalist. He was one of our most generous benefactors, sharing $4.5 million to benefit students and faculty. Sheehan’s support underwrites scholarships, the undergraduate Academic Excellence Awards, the Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 Honors Program, and international study.

WELLNESS CENTER (E)

Gene J. and Julianne DeFeudis Wellness Center
With lifetime gifts of over $1 million, the DeFeudises have supported 17 different programs, including scholarships that have benefitted more than 250 students. They were instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the construction of the Wellness Center, raising $1.6 million to build it with their generous $250,000 matching gift during the capital campaign in 2016. The center has since become the campus hub for health and fitness, special events, and athletic training and competition.

George and Lillian Albro Lancer Room & George H. Albro Memorial Golf Tournament
In honor of George Albro’s 70th birthday, his wife, Lillian Albro, ’65, M.Ed. ’68, friends, and family raised money to dedicate the first-floor Lancer Room when the Wellness Center first opened its doors. The room serves as a favorite gathering place for everyone on campus and is home to the campus Starbucks. George Albro ’65, M.Ed. ’68 (1943-2021) was a beloved alumnus, local educator, and coach. A tireless Worcester State ambassador, he was a member of the Lancer Hall of Fame and served as a member of the Foundation Board for many years. He and Lillian were both graduates of the Class of 1965, and Lillian remains an active member of the Worcester State alumni community. The annual George H. Albro ’65 Memorial Golf Tournament every August was founded in 2022 to raise money for Athletics.

Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund
Created by Gregg ’86 and Pamela ’87 Rosen, this fund supports a variety of cancer detection and prevention programming, health education, and wellness activities. Through the fund, the university launched a Wellness Expo in 2023 that drew more than 50 exhibitors and hundreds of students, faculty, and staff in 2024. In addition, the Rosen program underwrites the annual pink out games by Worcester State athletics teams to raise cancer awareness. As generous and active members of the Worcester State community, the Rosens have given multiple gifts over the years, including gifts to support scholarships, a new photo booth in the residence halls that enables students to create a professional headshot for career purposes, and the Distinguished Alumni Awards Wall, located on the ground floor of the Administration Building. They also purchased a building at 535 Chandler St. and gifted it to the university for use as the Latino Education Institute headquarters.

John Brissette Competition Court
When John Brissette ’88 joined the Board of Trustees in 2002, he made one of his goals to help Worcester State secure funding for a new first-class fitness center. This center now exists, in part, because of Brissette’s vision, effort, and effective leadership. The 1,500-seat competition court hosts student-athletes competing on the university’s NCAA Division III teams or intramural teams and special events throughout the year.

OUTDOOR ATHLETICS (F & G)

John F. Coughlin Memorial Field home to Lancer football, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and women’s lacrosse teams was dedicated at Homecoming 1986 to John F. Coughlin Sr. (1919-1986), the first and most successful hockey coach in Worcester State history. He was posthumously inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989.

The Kevin D. Lyons Baseball Diamond at Rockwood Field was dedicated in 2012 in honor of the late Kevin D. Lyons, ’65, ’71 (1943- 2008), the first baseball player inducted into the Worcester State Hall of Fame in 1986 and a lifelong supporter of local youth and interscholastic athletic teams.

STUDENT CENTER (H)

Fallon Room
The Fallon Room in the Student Center was dedicated in 1983 to the late Walter Carroll Fallon, who served as the college’s alumni association director from 1970 to 1972. His wife Mary Fallon serves on the Foundation Board to support efforts Walter began during his tenure.

Foster Room
This conference room is named for Dr. Elizabeth V. Foster, who taught at Worcester State College from 1937 to 1965. She was responsible for improving the pre-service and in-service training of teachers throughout the Commonwealth. Through her work, she impacted educators for decades. She was known for encouraging her education students remain “Firm, Friendly, Fearless, and Fair.”

Thea’s Pantry
The pantry provides food and other essentials to students, staff, and faculty in need. It is named after alumna Thea Aschkenase ’07 (1923-2019), a Holocaust survivor who was liberated from the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945 and was a life-long advocate against hunger. Aschkenase graduated from Worcester State with a degree in urban studies in her early 80s and was a beloved friend to many in the Worcester State community.

The Honorable John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement
Alumnus and longtime 17th Worcester District State Rep., the late John J. Binienda, ’70, D.P.A., h.c. ’14, donated $100,000 to Worcester State University to support and expand its Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. The center allows students to experience the rewards of giving back and civic responsibility—values that Binienda (1947-2014) exemplified. In 2016, the university honored the family with the naming of the Binienda Family Green at the Wellness Center.

Memorials

Captain Ross A. Reynolds ’17 Memorial
This 2,000-square-foot plaza and meditative cast-iron kettle fountain erected in front of the Sullivan Academic Center in 2024 was designed to create a welcoming space that honors the life of U.S. Marine Corps. Captain Ross A. Reynolds ’17, who died in an Osprey accident in 2022. During his time at Worcester State, Reynolds was a Presidential Student Ambassador and NROTC member and touched the lives of many in the Worcester State community.

Vanessa Dunn Memorial
John Dunn spent a year and a half fundraising to create a memorial to his sister and best friend Vanessa Dunn, who died in a tragic Christmas Eve car accident in 2009 just five credits short of earning her degree in criminal justice. The granite table bearing her carved resemblance, with four benches, sits quietly underneath a tree adjacent to the Sullivan Building. Worcester State awarded her a bachelor’s degree posthumously and honored her place in its 2010 graduation ceremony with an empty seat holding only a red rose. Vanessa was the beloved daughter of Jack and Debbie Dunn. The family also established the Dunn Family Memorial Scholarship for criminal justice majors to honor Vanessa and her father Jack, a retired Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Colonel who passed away in 2022.

Robin Kaplan Memorial
Alumna Robin Kaplan ’90 died on 9/11 when the plane she was flying on, American Airlines Flight 11, was hijacked by terrorists and flown into the World Trade Center. The Worcester State Foundation established the Robin Kaplan/TJX Scholarship for Worcester State students who are economically disadvantaged and are of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds who demonstrate both need and academic merit. This park next to the Wellness Center was named in her honor. The Class of 2002 contributed two stone benches to the park, and the Student Government Association made a donation toward the park’s plaque.