News & Profiles

Class Notes

Debra (Belkin) Rademacher '88, a three-time All-America soccer player, has been inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Belkin played on the U.S. Women's National team from 1986-92, and while at UMass led the Minutewomen to the NCAA championship game in 1987, where they lost to N. Carolina 1-0. Over her four-year career at UMass, the Minutewomen had an overall record of 65-9-4.

Read more class notes and submit your own!

Alumni News and Profiles

Hospitality Graduate is New NESN Red Sox Reporter
Jennifer Dell '08, a graduate of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Isenberg School of Management, will be the next Red Sox sideline reporter on NESN (New England Sports Network). Dell, who earned cum laude honors at Isenberg, succeeds Heidi Watney in the high-profile position, which includes television commentary and player interviews.
Thomas Krakeski, US Ambassador to Bahrain
Thomas Krajeski ’75, Russian language and literature alumnus and the new Ambassador to Bahrain describes a typical day in the life of an Ambassador as well as what it was like to set up “Free University City” at UMass back in 1968. He says: "While much of the world conducts its business in English, the impact of learning and using a foreign language is huge. A language is the best window into a foreign culture, and the more you understand a person’s culture and history, the better diplomat you are."
CEE Alumnus Receives Legends of the Industry Award
James E. Walsh '77 was recently selected by the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts (HBAM) to receive its Legends of the Industry Award. This prestigious award is presented to a member or retired member of the association who has significantly contributed to the progress of both the association and building industry during the course of his or her career.
Resource Economics Alumnus leads sustainability in NY
"As an advocate for sustainable business practices, I owe a great deal to my training as a resource economist," observes Joe Martens '78, who is completing his first year as Commissioner of New York State's Department of the Environment and Conservation. In that role, Martens has authority over many of the state's initiatives involving the environment, conservation, and natural resources.
Isenberg Alumnus makes hockey accessible
Scott Crowder '09, a graduate of the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management, distributes used hockey equipment free-of-charge through his nonprofit start-up, Restore Hockey. Crowder, who is its executive director, notes that hockey equipment is typically more expensive, less affordable than gear used in other leading sports.
Natasha Trethewey named Mississippi poet laureate
Natasha Trethewey '95 MFA has been appointed Mississippi’s poet laureate by Gov. Haley Barbour, prior to leaving office. She will be responsible for promoting the literary arts in Mississippi through readings of her work at meetings, seminars and conferences across the state. Trethewey is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University in Atlanta.
Sport Management Alumnus champions green arenas
As chief operating officer of AEG Facilities, Bob Newman '87 M.S., a graduate of the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management, drives the integration of sustainable practices at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and at dozens of other arenas worldwide. According to Newman, every AEG facility is a mini ecosystem with its own environmental footprint.
MFA Alumni featured in Valley Advocate
Two alumni of the MFA Program for Poets & Writers were recently featured in The Valley Advocate. James Grinwis '00G has two books of poetry forthcoming, The City from Nome and Exhibit of Forking Paths. Corwin Ericson '00G (left) has a novel published by Dark Coast Press titled Swell which was released Dec. 11th.
Alumna to lead Kirwan Institute
Sharon L. Davies '84 (political science), the John C. Elam/Vorys Sater Professor in Law at the Moritz College of Law/Ohio State University, has been selected as the next director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity there. She is a leading scholar in race and criminal law.
Read more alumni profiles

@UMASS eNewsletters

This month in @UMASS
With the desire to keep alive the social, professional and educational bonds formed at UMass Amherst, the Black Alumni Network was formed this past summer through the UMass Amherst Alumni Association. While still a new group, the Black Alumni Network has attracted participants throughout New England, New York, and as far away as North Carolina.
This month in Student @UMASS
The Senior Campaign Committee will be kicking off the spring fundraising portion of the Senior Campaign to raise money for the 2012 Class Gift with two Trivia Nights! Brush up on your UMass Amherst trivia and current events, form a team with your friends, and join other members of the Class of 2012 for a night of fun
This month in Graduate Student @UMASS
Do you have a cool book collection? Have you written an amazing paper? You could win $1,000. The UMass Library is calling for submissions for two awards. The deadline is February 24, 2012.