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Dr. Marilyn White Barry, ’58 Graduate Alumnus/na Professional Achievement Award 

Ruth Carrigan, G’98

Throughout her more than two-decade career at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, Ruth worked as a school counselor school counselor director, and retired in June 2024 as the Director of Counseling Services. 

She has pioneered innovative services and programs not only for students and families in high school, but in professional organizations throughout the commonwealth. 

Throughout her career she has served in a variety of leadership roles in both the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA) and the South Short Guidance Association (SSGA) and continues to do so to this day.
 

Dr. Catherine Comeau Award for Professional Achievement in Physical Education

Sheila Tunstall McKenna, ‘62

Sheila Tunstall McKenna ‘62, began her career as a physical education teacher at Attleboro High School, where she coached field hockey, basketball, volleyball and spring track. She also began after school programs in duck pin bowling, golf, swimming and tennis. 

She has served as President of the Physical Education Alumni Association and President of the Bridgewater Alumni Association. She has been inducted into the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame, the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame and the New Agenda Northeast Hall of Fame. 

As a senior athlete Sheila plays basketball for the CT High Fives, the oldest competing 3 on 3 women’s team in New England, ranging in age from 80-87. As captain of the team, she’s had the privilege of speaking on NBC TV promoting senior women’s basketball. In July of 2025 the High Fives will be heading to Iowa, to compete in the National Senior Games.

Paul Gaines Sr. Achievement Award

Anthony Ervin

For almost 20 years, Anthony Ervin has worked tirelessly to advocate for the needs of Bridgewater’s students. 

Within the LGCIE Office, he has fortified and led many students to success, leading programming, supporting, and planning events, and creating a space for students of color to thrive. 

He transcends his role as a mentor, going beyond what his job requires to help students achieve the greatest level of success they can. 

You will always find him at events supporting students, clubs, and organizations, as well as other offices such as the Pride Center and Veterans Services.

Alfred J. Gomes Community Service Award

Joanna Edwards, ‘07

Joanna Edwards has dedicated the past 15 years to advocating for patients, crime victims, and others in her community. 

Nine years ago, she expanded her focus to real estate after purchasing her first investment property and co-founding Thumbprint Realty with her husband. Her passion for the industry grew quickly, fueled by her love for the work and her natural ability to connect with others. 

Today, Joanna thrives as a "mompreneur," balancing her roles as a wife, mother, investor, real estate agent, and founder of the nonprofit Thumbprint Cares. 

She also operates two successful Airbnb vacation rentals, showcasing her dynamic and multifaceted approach to both business and life.

Artemus Hale Meritorious Service Award

Eugene Durgin, Jr., H’23

Gene had an unparalleled record of service to ������Ƶ����, both as a member and Chair of our Board of Trustees and as a member and Chair of the ������Ƶ���� Foundation Board. 

Over the course of more than 30 years, he presided over the most transformative period in the university’s history. He oversaw BSU’s elevation to university status and the largest expansion of its physical campus in its history. BSU today serves more students, is a more equitable institution, is financially stronger and simply a better place than when he first joined the Board of Trustees in 1991. 

He was a constant source of support, guidance and wise counsel to three BSU presidents, and we will miss him greatly.

Henry Hampton Bridge Builder Award

Luis Pires, ‘24

As a student, Luis photographed events for BSU for close to four years as part of our Marketing and Communications team.

Outside of college, he spent several summers with the Philips Brooks House Association, a student-run non-profit organization affiliated with Harvard University, offering social justice and community building programs in Boston and Cambridge. Luis held multiple roles in the organization, eventually serving as senior counselor in summer 2019. 

Whether at BSU or Philips Brooks House, Luis always strives to make sure everyone feels heard, welcomed, and encouraged.

Martha D. Jones Award for Enriching the Lives of BSU Students

Matthew Miller 

Matt advised ������Ƶ����’s Program Council for many years, helping to bring events and programs to life and empowering students to be a force for change on campus. 

He currently serves as an advisor to the Student Government Association, encouraging student leaders to speak up and advocate for their fellow Bears. 

Whether it is out in front or behind the scenes, Matt works tirelessly to ensure students get the most out of their college experience. 

Outside of BSU, Matt has been recognized nationally by Ready Education as a key partner and is heavily involved in the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA).

Sarah A. Lewis Distinguished Award

Keyana Adarkwah, ‘20

Keyana had always been an ambitious student, having received numerous awards, and graduating Cum Laude in 2020. It was clear she had big aspirations for life post undergrad. 

Shortly after graduating she became a Staff Assistant for Congressman Stephen Lynch and was quickly promoted to District Representative, serving over 10 towns and cities within the 8th congressional district. 

She has since been promoted to Senior Immigration and Senior District Representative, and she isn’t slowing down any time soon. Whilst working full time she has also been pursuing her law degree. 

Keyana enjoys the fulfillment that comes from helping those in the Congressman’s district and will continue to work to give back to her community.

Dr. Adrian Rondileau Award for Professional Achievement & Community Service

Tamara Dzialo, ‘02

Tamara has worked in the field of domestic violence for over twenty years. 

She is currently a Domestic Violence Specialist with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts but prior to this position has worked in both Plymouth and District County District Attorney’s Office running high risk domestic violence programs. 

Early in her career while participating in a Sexual Assault Response Team she became aware of the need of sexual assault survivors during the lengthy evidence collection process. She began to supply comfort items to those survivors and founded a 501c3 nonprofit called Project PACK. 

Project PACK supplies Post Assault Comfort Kits (PACKs) to survivors in emergency rooms and Children’s Advocacy Centers across the state.

Nicholas P. Tillinghast Award for Achievement in the Field of Public Education

Kathleen Rogers, ’02, G’09

Kathleen has spent 19 years as a dedicated special education teacher in the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School district, 12 years as an adjunct faculty member at BSU, and 8 years as a Speech and Language Assistant for the Easton Public School district. 

She also has given countless hours supporting her community through various programs. Throughout that time Kathleen has volunteered for various local charities including Operation Santa, Special Olympics, initiated Autism Awareness Day at Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School, Co-chaired the Bridgewater Youth Cheerleading Association, and the Bridgewater Youth Track Program, where she also served as special education liaison. Presently, she is running the Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School Firefighters Club.

Dr. Adrian Tinsley Award for Achievement in the Arts

Paul D’Angelo, G’85, G’90

Paul J. D’Angelo dedicated his life to performing music and encouraging the arts. His graduate degrees in Theater and Education were earned when he was a career music and drama educator in Norwell, Massachusetts. 

Previously, during the Vietnam war, he was a bandmaster in the U. S. Coast Guard and eventually retired as a Reserve Officer. 

He was fortunate to have studied with many world-class musical artists at the University of Miami, The New England Conservatory and with Nadia Boulanger and others in France. He performed with and led several orchestras and conducted more than twenty Broadway shows. 

Paul owned Plymouth Music Inc., a retail music store where the six-teacher lesson program served many music students for fourteen years. 

He recently completed a musical comedy, “The New Emerald City” and an operatic tragedy, “Daughter of an Oath.” Both were reworked from the exit papers required by his Bridgewater degrees.

Dr. George A. Weygand, '53, G'56, Award for Outstanding Service to the BAA

Carrie Kulick-Clark, 85, G’98

Earlier this year, Carrie’s second term as president of the Bridgewater Alumni Association ended. In this role, she helped expand the Bear Essentials Clothing Drive, partnered with two successful HERstory events, joined forces with the Bridgewater Senior Center for “Dress a Girl Around the World,” modernized the BAA’s governing documents, and welcomed an unprecedented number of alumni back into the Bridgewater community. 

Carrie is an active member of Massachusetts’ guidance counselor community and has held several important positions in the South Shore Guidance Association and the Massachusetts School Counselors Association.