The Right Stuff

Yes, Virginia (and Luis, etc.), there are still heros, and this story is about Assumption's hero, Ann McCarron (Assumption's recreational sports director).

Ann's Bike Across America is, and will continue to be, an inspiration to all of us-a legend, a role model-for generations to come. She overcame a childhood of sexual abuse by her pediatrician, and somehow triumphed. She refuses to be a victim, and now puts her energy into educating people about this pervasive crime, here in Central Massachusetts, and across the nation. Her Bike Across America last summer raised awareness and money to support human service agencies that are in the trenches every day, that provide help for children-the help Ann didn't have as a child. She's not stopping there. She has made a lifelong commitment to continue her journey to reach out to children. (See article on page 9.)

What an example of having a dream and making it come true. We see a lot of that at Assumption: students with drive and determination, on the right track academically and spiritually, ready to take on the world after graduation; faculty devoted to supporting the students' needs to get as much out of this educational opportunity as possible; administrators and staff who work diligently to provide the physical and supportive atmosphere that enables our faculty and students to achieve their goals. It's a great place to be-a place where we are encouraged, individually, to follow our dreams.

In this issue we feature the Institute of Social and Rehabilitation Services, a department developed to address and serve important human needs in our society. Our new director, Dr. William Talley, describes where the program has been and where it's going. We have so many Social Rehab graduates making a difference in so many people's lives, every day, on a one-to-one basis. And we've also featured Dr. Geraldine Hansen, professor

of Social and Rehabilitation Services,

and Coordinator of the Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program. Her energy is catching!

Assumption-academically strong, setting the course(s) for us to continue doing the right thing for ourselves and others. Read on

Save the Date!

Come to the

ASSUMPTION COLLEGE

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

April 16 and 17, 1999

Discover all that we are academically, spiritually and athletically. Join us as we inaugurate our new president,

Dr. Thomas R. Plough, as a part of the weekend festivities.

In Response

to You

Responding to the Summer issue's cover story, Patricia M. (Conlon) Albrecht called me to say that the Class of 1973 may have graduated the first class of undergraduate women (obviously a class of interesting, bright women), but she wanted it to be known that they were not the first by a long shot! Women were here, excelling academically and benefitting from an Assumption education, long before that. So, after some research (supplied by Institutional Advancement), we are happy to report that:

· There were 655 women graduates

from the Continuing Education and

Graduate schools before 1973.

· Jean B. Goyette graduated in 1943,

the first woman to graduate from the

Graduate School. Patricia M. (Conlon) Albrecht, 20 years later, graduated in

the Class of 1963.

· Continuing Ed graduated its first

woman student in 1962: Marie E. Jones.

The Editor