PRIORITY FOUR

Guided by this desire to ensure a kinder, gentler experience for today’s children, Dr. Elizabeth Englander received the Presidential Fellow Award in 2004 to start the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University. MARC provides programming and resources to schools, families, and professionals to promote healthy social and emotional adjustment in children. Over the course of the center’s two decades in existence, the curricula developed by Dr. Englander and her team have been used in all 50 states. MARC also partnered with new collaborators during the pandemic to create and publish books to help children develop a healthy relationship with technology and social media.

“Our model has been transformative not only because of the high-quality research we’re able to conduct as an academic center, but also because more than 80 percent of our programming is delivered at no cost to schools,” explains Dr. Englander. “It’s really in keeping with Bridgewater’s motto: Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” MARC consistently receives enthusiastic reviews from educators who benefit from its seminars, training programs, and resources. “I’ve attended many classes covering bullying over the last 20 years,” said one veteran public school employee. “I can honestly say that what I learned from MARC far exceeds them all combined.”

In addition to serving as a critical resource for families and schools in combating bullying, MARC plays an invaluable role in training the next generation of educators and counselors at BSU. “We’re organized as a teaching center, which enables Bridgewater students preparing for a career in education to gain essential experience at the primary and secondary school levels,” says Dr. Englander.

Additional philanthropic support for MARC would enable Dr. Englander to fund more graduate students to expand the center’s programming. “Unfortunately, we still have to turn schools away because we don’t have enough capacity,” she says. “We have a long waiting list for our services.” Dr. Englander envisions a nationwide expansion of the program, leveraging the expertise and networks of other public universities like BSU.

“Bullying has tremendous implications for a whole generation of children,” reflects Dr. Englander. “With MARC, we’re not only providing direct services to schools today, but we’re also training the next generation of educators and counselors who will amplify our efforts throughout their careers.”

“Preparing students for success after college means giving them both work experience and thinking experience.” For this reason, Louis M. Ricciardi, ’81, H’15, has prioritized internships, scholarships, and undergraduate research in his philanthropic support of BSU, and has mentored many Bridgewater students at his financial advising firm.

In recognition of his support, the Ricciardi College of Business was named in his honor in 2012. Reflecting on what sets the Ricciardi College apart, Mr. Ricciardi proudly underscores the key element of a liberal arts foundation in a business context. “Every business interaction involves human beings communicating and making decisions, and what better preparation for that than the liberal arts? The critical thinking skills at the heart of the curriculum help students develop as problem-solvers and leaders,” he explains, citing numerous students and graduates whose creative thinking has impressed him and his colleagues over the years.

“The Ricciardi College encourages so many facets of leadership,” says Lynn Omondi, ’24, a marketing major. “I have felt very supported, and I know that the experiences I’ve had will leave me with many options to choose from in my future.” Lynn is the inaugural recipient of the Murphy-Hornidge Black Lives Matter Scholarship, which has given her the financial freedom to focus on her studies — a cause that is also a top priority for Mr. Ricciardi.

“We have to create more opportunities for students who show aptitude and attitude, but who still have financial need,” he says. “This campaign will allow us to sustain our momentum and make a BSU education accessible to even more students.”

For Mr. Ricciardi, Without Exception represents the margin of excellence at Bridgewater State University — not only for expanding access to more students, but also for continuing to innovate and enhance the educational experience. “A successful campaign gives everyone — students, faculty, staff — the chance to dream bigger,” he says. “It allows us to think up inspiring new ideas and say, ‘Why not at Bridgewater?’ ”