Alumni Profile

How BSU's CPDC Helps Kids Gain Strength and Confidence

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:39:12 +0000

How BSU's CPDC Helps Kids Gain Strength and Confidence HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Tue, 04/21/2026 - 12:39

An alumnus’s family reflects on progress, milestones, and independence

April 23, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

Every time the Kent family pulls up to the ��רע��Ʒ�� campus, a little voice calls out from the back seat of the car.

“B.R.I.D.G.E.W.A.T.E.R.” said Dan Kent, ’10. “He just loves coming here and reads the sign every time we arrive.”

The little voice belongs to his 6-year-old son Desmond, who was born with Down Syndrome. He participates in BSU’s Children’s Physical Development Clinic (CPDC) program.

Dan discovered the program when talking with other special needs parents. As an alumnus, he was excited to hear his alma mater offers support that benefits his son.

“To say I’m proud of Bridgewater, that they have this program, is an understatement. It’s great to be an alum and to know there are great programs like this for kids with disabilities,” he said.

At the CPDC, students from all majors volunteer as clinicians, working with children and youth with disabilities, ages 18 months to 18 years. The program’s goal is to improve the “total development” of children by enhancing vital physical, motor, and aquatic skills and patterns.

“My wife (Shari) comes from a background of early intervention, and she’s been blown away by all of the activities and structure,” Dan said. “And the students that work there have such high enthusiasm.”

Both Shari and Dan have excitedly watched Desmond’s growth, especially in the pool, a space that their son used to be afraid of.

“He loves it, no question. In just a few short weeks he was swimming independently; before, he would hang onto the edge for dear life,” Dan said.

That confidence has carried over into other areas of Desmond’s life.

“He’s talking more confidently than ever. I know the CPDC program has had a huge impact on him,” Dan said.

While Desmond is participating in the program, Dan takes advantage of the opportunity to go down memory lane and walk the BSU campus with his 4-year-old daughter, Bianca.

“When we walk with her and show her things, it gives me time to reflect on college. I get to tell my daughter about what I did here, and that maybe she will go to Bridgewater one day,” Dan said.

It was during one of those walks that Dan learned about BSU’s EXCEL program, a fully inclusive postsecondary program for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

While visiting the bookstore, he came across two students eating lunch. He learned that, although they have disabilities, through EXCEL they enjoy the same experience as their college-aged peers in academics, socialization, career development, and independent living.

“I was so blown away. This level of inclusion didn’t exist when I was a student, and I’m so grateful that it does now,” Dan said.

Knowing his son can follow in his footprints and attend BSU someday, something he wasn’t sure would ever be possible, makes him emotional.

“Sometimes parents with children who have disabilities see nothing but fear, and don’t always see the opportunities,” he said. “But knowing Desmond can go here, as long as he’s capable and wants to … I’m so grateful I went to Bridgewater. I’m grateful to be a Bear.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

To say I’m proud of Bridgewater, that they have this program, is an understatement. It’s great to be an alum and to know there are great programs like this for kids with disabilities.

Dan Kent, '10

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Alumni Profile

Bridgewater Music Alumna Leads her Students to Carnegie Hall

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:56:38 +0000

Bridgewater Music Alumna Leads her Students to Carnegie Hall BBENSON@bridgew.edu Wed, 03/25/2026 - 09:56

Colleen McDonough also performed at the renowned venue as a BSU student

March 26, 2026

Brian Benson, G'23

For many musicians, performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime dream. Weymouth High School choral director Colleen McDonough, ’18, has now achieved it twice.

McDonough first graced one of the world’s most iconic stages as a BSU student and member of the university’s Chamber Singers. Inspired by that surreal experience, she recently created the same opportunity for her students.

“It's incredible to think of the people who stood on that stage,” she said. “You could be standing exactly where Judy Garland stood. That’s really powerful.”

While McDonough’s Carnegie experience was a highlight of her BSU journey, it was far from the only thing she gained from college. Arriving on campus as an older music education student, she thought she would attend classes and then go home. But her mindset completely changed when she experienced the welcoming, supportive atmosphere of BSU’s music department.

“What I found instead was a family,” McDonough said. “Many of the folks I went to college with are now my best friends.”

McDonough appreciated many of the faculty, including Drs. Sarah McQuarrie, Jean Kreiling and Steven Young, who she still considers her mentors eight years after graduating.

“They still to this day have significant impacts on the work that I do,” she said. “I was incredibly well prepared for the world of music education, and we were always held to incredibly high standards.”

As a student, McDonough quickly understood the skills she needed to hone and was unafraid to ask for the resources that would set her up for success, McQuarrie recalled.

"I'm just so proud of her," McQuarrie said. "She's definitely a leader and role model and always trying to do better."

Both of McDonough's Carnegie performances were part of concerts that the nonprofit Distinguished Concerts International New York organized. While BSU students joined singers from other schools, the Weymouth musicians enjoyed having the stage to themselves as McDonough led them through 35 minutes of singing as part of a concert titled “A Legacy of Song.”

Music has shaped McDonough’s career, fueled her passion, and built lasting friendships. She and her fellow Bears who performed at Carnegie keep the memory alive through a special tradition: singing music from their performance at each other’s weddings.

“It proves the power of music and the power of community,” she said. “Bridgewater gave me those things.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

They still to this day have significant impacts on the work that I do. I was incredibly well prepared for the world of music education, and we were always held to incredibly high standards.

Colleen McDonough, ’18, on the role of BSU music faculty

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Alumni Profile

Arts

BSU Alum Launches Art Career at 62, Featured on GBH

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:52:07 +0000

BSU Alum Launches Art Career at 62, Featured on GBH HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:52

Mai Mai Pietrowski, '73, turned a late start into a thriving career as a professional artist

March 24, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

Mai Mai Pietrowski, ’73, didn’t pick up a paintbrush until she was 62. Since then, she has turned that late start into a new career as a professional artist, showing others that it’s never too late.

Her artwork, “Sunflowers of Provence,” was recently featured on Community Canvas, presented by GBH’s The Culture Show. Selected from a public call for artists, her piece recently appeared on a massive digital screen, bringing her work to a wide, ever-changing audience.

This past December, Pietrowski’s colorful piece offered a cheerful reprieve for those driving along a dark and dreary highway in Allston. Displayed on a 30-foot by 45-foot screen overlooking the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), her vibrant work lit up the commute for passing drivers.

“You could see it from way down the highway … I was thrilled they picked me,” she said.

Photo courtesy of wgbh.org

Before becoming an artist, Pietrowski’s path took many turns, each shaped by a desire to explore, and to help others.

“I like to say I’ve had a multi-level career,” she said.

Her education started at Bridgewater State (then College), where she initially studied history. Back then she went by “Mary,” later changing it to Mai Mai, a family nickname she liked better.

As an undergraduate, Pietrowski lived in an apartment in the town center and walked to campus for class.

“I wanted to be a psychology major, but they didn’t have it at first,” Pietrowski said. “Then they included it after my first year and I switched. I was happy because I wanted to be a social worker.”

After graduating, she began a career with the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare (now the Department of Transitional Assistance) and worked as a caseworker for child services, putting that goal into practice.

She stayed there for six years before moving on to a successful career in the high-tech industry while earning an MBA. Pietrowski worked as a technical consultant before moving into marketing.

Drawn to new opportunities, in 1996 she capitalized on the booming internet market and built an online women’s bookstore.

“This was before Amazon and Barnes & Noble had a website. Once they launched, it became a tough market and my little bookstore couldn’t compete,” Pietrowski said.

She pivoted again, moving into working in marketing within the medical field. She helped to create programs like MammoSite, a website that provides women with information about breast radiation treatment.

While the work was enjoyable, she found herself wanting a new kind of challenge – one that would take her in an entirely new direction. In 2014, she went online and found a painting class at the Danforth Art Museum School, taught by Margaret Gerding.

“I had never really painted before, except as a kid in school,” Pietrowski said.

She admitted the first class was intimidating, but through Gerding’s guidance, she slowly found her footing.

“She was really encouraging. A lot of teachers don’t give you feedback, or they correct you, but she told me I was a natural at composition and a colorist; to not let anyone talk me out of using color,” Pietrowski said.

The advice paid off. Today, Pietrowski is a member of the SoWa Artists Guild, which many consider to be the soul of Boston’s art scene. She has been featured in galleries throughout New York and Massachusetts, and her artwork is also part of private collections in France, Switzerland, and across the United States.

“I like art because art makes people better. It’s for the same reasons I went into social work: to help people. Art can be therapy, too,” she said.

Pietrowski isn’t sure if she will switch careers again, but she recently took up gardening and has started her own home garden filled with medicinal plants.

“I’m a lifelong learner,” she said.

She encourages current BSU students to branch out, and not to worry so much about what their career should look like, but instead to be curious.

“Some people have a career for their whole life, and that’s great... but I’ve always been someone who is ready for something new. I would encourage students to try new things,” Pietrowski said. “I think it’s important to follow up on the things you’re interested in. That’s always been my mindset. You never know what’s coming next; you really don’t.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Some people have a career for their whole life, and that’s great... but I’ve always been someone who is ready for something new. I would encourage students to try new things.I think it’s important to follow up on the things you’re interested in. That’s always been my mindset. You never know what’s coming next; you really don’t.

Mai Mai Pietrowski, ’73

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Alumni Profile

BSU Thornburg Fitness Center and Outdoor Adventure Get New Coordinator

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:52:27 +0000

BSU Thornburg Fitness Center and Outdoor Adventure Get New Coordinator HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:52

Ashleigh Hartsfield, '25, comes full circle to lead campus recreation programs

March 17, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

As an undergraduate, Ashleigh Hartsfield, ’25, was very involved in the ��רע��Ʒ�� Athletic Department. She worked under Tara Nelson as part of the Bristaco group, a position she held for three years.

Her duties included guiding BSU’s mascot at athletic events, managing Midnight Madness, and undertaking various administrative tasks. She also worked in the Thornburg Fitness Center, where she wore multiple hats including working at the front desk and in the weight room, and supporting the GroupEx classes on campus.

Hartsfield also suited up for the Bears, playing catcher during the 2022-23 women’s softball season. She later served as team manager.

Last May, the Cumberland, Rhode Island native graduated from BSU with degrees in geography and public relations. She recently returned to her alma mater as coordinator of the Thornburg Fitness Center & Group Ex/Outdoor Adventure Programs.

Why did you want to apply for this position?

When I first heard of this role, it was an immediate "yes." It felt like a natural fit because of my work as a student, therefore, I felt very inclined to put my name in the ring.

What are your main responsibilities?

As the coordinator for the fitness center, GroupEX, and Outdoor Adventure, I will have three areas of responsibility. I will assist and help manage the day-to-day operations of the fitness center. I will manage and oversee the GroupEx programs, which are fitness classes on campus open to the BSU community. Finally, I will be planning and executing day trips to various activities such as skiing, skydiving, hiking, ice skating, etc. I encourage all students to keep an eye out for announcements because I’m planning to kickstart those activities this semester!

Why did you choose this career path?

I have always had a natural niche for fitness. I grew up playing sports and going to the gym, which led to most of my work experience involving fitness or sports. In high school, I worked at a softball facility, and through college I worked in athletics and recreation. Therefore, when I graduated with my degrees, I was at a standstill. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do and I was having a hard time securing a position. I have been a CrossFitter for a long time, so [when] a position opened up at my gym to coach, I jumped on the opportunity to get my certifications and really run with my background in fitness. Therefore, when this position opened up, I knew it was something I was really passionate about and could see myself doing for a long time.

What are some of your, either short term or long-term goals, in this position?

Right now, my big focus is getting Outdoor Adventure off the ground and running. I am lucky enough to be stepping into a role where the fitness center and GroupEx are well taken care of, so my short-term goal is to get a few adventures planned and executed this semester. As for long-term goals, I would love to create a consistent Outdoor Adventure team/club/group that helps these programs be very successful. I would also love to see the GroupEx program grow, not just participantion, but in classes offered. I am here for the students, so my forever goal will be to make sure recreation is offering what they want to see.

What are you most looking forward to, coming back to work at your alma mater?

I am definitely most looking forward to returning to a familiar place. Being able to come back is almost a dream come true. I am also looking forward to being a voice, and creating spaces in recreation that I feel would have added to my personal college experience. Students spend a majority of their time in the classroom, so I hope if I can get them moving in either a fitness class or outdoor adventure, it will help add to their experiences.

Do you have a favorite spot on campus?

This is a hard one! When I was a student, you could always find me in the library. It was the best homework spot! A close second is, of course, the Adrian Tinsley Center, where you can find me now, specifically in the fitness center.

Do you have a fun fact about yourself that you'd like to share?

As I mentioned earlier, I am a long-time CrossFitter and now coach over at CrossFit Bridgewater.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Students spend a majority of their time in the classroom, so I hope if I can get them moving in either a fitness class or outdoor adventure, it will help add to their experiences.

Ashley Hartsfield, ’25

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Alumni Profile

BSU Master's Grad Turned Internship into a Career

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:59:05 +0000

BSU Master's Grad Turned Internship into a Career HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Thu, 03/05/2026 - 08:59

Victoria Grasela, G'10, rose to a leadership role at United Way of Greater New Bedford

March 10, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

When Victoria Grasela, G’10, walked through the doors as an intern at the United Way of Greater New Bedford (UWGNB), she was focused on learning. Today, as vice president of marketing and community engagement, she’s shaping the organization’s story.

“What’s funny is, I initially tried to get out of the internship. I thought, I don’t have time for this,” Grasela said.

But, after having a conversation with a family friend who encouraged her to sit down with UWGNB President Michelle Neves Hartman, she changed her mind.

“The rest, as they say, is history. That was 16 years ago; in that time, I’ve gone from intern to VP,” Grasela said.

The BSU alumna’s original plan was to study law and become a lawyer. She earned her degree in political science from another state school.

During this time, she participated in an internship through the Washington Center in DC. While she was there, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, killing more than 1,000 people, and causing billions of dollars in damages. Part of her role involved fundraising to support relief and recovery efforts. The work felt deeply meaningful.

“It really started me thinking, ‘what do I actually want to do?’” Grasela said. “’Do I still want to pursue law or something different?’ That’s when I started to explore a career in a non-profit.”

That's how she came to enroll in Bridgewater State’s master’s in public administration program.

“Overall, it was a really great program. I enjoyed it and learned a lot,” she said. “I was able to take a lot of different classes, including policy and government.”

Those classes helped lay down a foundation for her career, she added. The program also exposed her to classmates from all walks of life who were pursuing different career paths or looking to work in various sectors.

“I connected with some great people at BSU. It was great for networking,” Grasela said.

Throughout her career at UWGNB, building meaningful connections has been her driving force.

As vice president of communications and marketing, she leads all aspects of the organization’s messaging, including social media and website management. Whether it’s a press release, digital campaign, or printed materials, she ensures UWGNB’s voice is mission-driven.

But the work goes beyond marketing.

She is passionate about strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for people to engage in meaningful ways and encourages members of the BSU community looking for volunteer opportunities to reach out to her.

“It is through volunteering that you discover career exploration. We should all be constantly learning and exploring the opportunities that are out there,” Grasela said.

One way is through the Hunger Hero program, a community-driven initiative that brings local businesses, organizations, and individuals together to fight hunger in the region.

“Anyone can participate. It’s great to watch people develop a love of volunteering and understand the importance of giving back at any age,” Grasela said.

She doesn’t just recruit volunteers. She also gives back.

Grasela serves as a board member for two nonprofits: the Wing Family of America and Mass 211. She also volunteers for Al!ve.

“I’m not just looking for volunteers, but I’m out there volunteering. I think it’s important to use your skills to assist others if you can,” she said.

For BSU students pondering their career path, she can’t stress the importance of internships enough.

“You never know where an internship will lead; make the best of the opportunities you are given, and it can turn into everything for you,” Grasela said.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

You never know where an internship will lead; make the best of the opportunities you are given, and it can turn into everything for you.

Victoria Grasela, G’10

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Alumni Profile

College of Graduate Studies

Beyond the Textbooks

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:47:52 +0000

Beyond the Textbooks HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 03/02/2026 - 12:47

Alumna Christina Brennan brings physics to life for high schoolers

March 3, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

In one classroom at South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School, physics lessons rarely stay on the page for very long.

There, Christina Brennan, ’20, G’26, teaches beyond the textbooks, giving students the opportunity to dive right in.

“My teaching is a little different than your typical classroom. The projects we do are very hands-on and applicable. I try not to do anything just based out of a book; I want them to have a real-world experience,” said Christina, who earned a physics degree from BSU and is now enrolled in the graduate physical science teaching degree program.

Her methods work. Some of her students recently advanced to the finals of the PACK Challenge to represent South Shore -- one of only six schools nationwide to earn a spot at the national engineering and manufacturing competition.

The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies hosts the event.

Brennan is working with students on engineering design, manufacturing concepts, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as they prepare to compete this October in Chicago. The opportunity, she said, is a valuable one for her high schoolers.

“The packaging industry is a booming industry; this exposes them to that,” she said. “Through the challenge, they have to design and create a packaging solution from start to finish.”

She is currently organizing fundraising events that will cover students’ travel expenses.

As both an educator and a Bridgewater State student, being able to see her education play out in her career is exciting.

“I am incredibly proud to see the impact of my continued learning reflected in my classroom and in my students’ success,” she said.

She was inspired to become a teacher because of the impression others left on her both in high school and at BSU.

“They (teachers) were always so caring and compassionate towards their students and always wanted the best for them. It inspired me to want to do better,” Christina said.

When transferring to BSU in her junior year, she specifically received support from Physics professor Dr. Thomas Kling.

“I had a lot of meetings with Dr. Kling. He made the transition very smooth, was incredibly welcoming, and helped me with figuring out what credits would transfer,” Christina said.

Once at BSU, she found the entire physics department to be exceptional, often making time for students beyond office hours. She remains in close contact with many of her professors, who have continued to mentor her in her graduate studies.

At the helm of her own classroom, Christina applies what she’s learned as a student, adding her own flair to educate the next generation.

“I get to showcase all the knowledge I’ve gotten from Bridgewater, and school in general,” she said. “I make sure my students see how important it is to keep learning and not be afraid of asking questions."

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I am incredibly proud to see the impact of my continued learning reflected in my classroom and in my students’ success.

Christina Brennan, ’20, G’26

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Alumni Profile

A Bridgewater State Love Story

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:05:11 +0000

A Bridgewater State Love Story BBENSON@bridgew.edu Thu, 02/12/2026 - 09:05

Maddie Monagle and Jonny Matthews trace their relationship back to Pope Hall

February 12, 2026

Brian Benson, G'23

Some love stories start with fireworks. For Maddie Monagle, ’18, and Jonny Matthews, ’19, it began with friendship – formed in Pope Hall and shaped by the everyday moments of life at ��רע��Ʒ��.”

“We really were like best friends at first,” Monagle recalled, noting their friend groups started hanging out together soon after Matthews moved in as a transfer student. “Then we started dating, and the rest is history.”

A decade later, the couple is living in Quincy and preparing to tie the knot in October. They credit Bridgewater State with providing not only a great education but the beginnings of a lifelong partnership.

Monagle and Matthews bonded over meals in dining halls and Emma’s Pizza nearby. They lived in a coed suite in Crimson Hall, cheered on the football team, and attended homecoming festivities. Monagle and Matthews were even study buddies, helping each other survive a difficult astronomy class.

“We really were inseparable,” Monagle said. “We were hanging out all the time.”

United by a shared passion for helping others, their bond persevered even as Monagle graduated, and Matthews stayed at BSU for his senior year.

“She has a really big heart and genuinely cares about the people in her life, and also people she doesn’t know,” said Matthews.

Monagle added: “He’s just very generous and driven to help others, and that is something I appreciate and am drawn to.”

Their career ambitions also revolve around serving others. Matthews, who studied criminal justice, works as a guidance counselor at Everett High School. Monagle, who earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications, is pursuing a master’s degree in social work and working as a team lead support analyst at Amadeus, a global technology company that serves the travel and tourism industry.

Though their careers diverged from their majors, Monagle and Matthews gained numerous transferable skills from BSU.

“It’s a great community of people. The school really helped me build relationships,” Monagle said, praising the opportunity to be immersed in a diverse, multicultural student body. “It was a very welcoming school.”

Matthews appreciated the real-world connections and experiences his professors brought into the classroom. He values the academic and personal growth that comes with being a Bear.

“Bridgewater is very important to us. I think we will always go back to visit whenever we can,” Monagle said. “It’s where we started our life together.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Bridgewater is very important to us. I think we will always go back to visit whenever we can. It’s where we started our life together.

Maddie Monagle, ’18

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Alumni Profile

Alumni’s Personal Training Business Rooted in BSU Studies

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:37:14 +0000

Alumni’s Personal Training Business Rooted in BSU Studies BBENSON@bridgew.edu Wed, 02/04/2026 - 11:37

Entrepreneurs credit Bridgewater with providing the right programs for success

February 5, 2026

Brian Benson, G’23

Jonady St. Germain and Darren Stephens have been friends and classmates since they were in elementary school. As ��רע��Ʒ�� students, they added a new dimension to their relationship.

While pursuing degrees in exercise science and business, the Class of 2018 graduates co-founded their own personal training business, LIT2LIFT. This new venture dovetailed perfectly with their Bridgewater State experiences, they said.

“Bridgewater helped us to develop our work ethic,” St. Germain said. “We’re always willing to push each other.”

Nine years after its launch, LIT2LIFT offers 1-on-1, partner and small group training along with weekly classes in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. Known as “Boston’s Black fitness duo,” St. Germain and Stephens also speak at wellness events. They have even built a fitness/lifestyle brand and a popular Instagram channel with almost 20,000 followers.

As an exercise science major at BSU, St. Germain learned the fundamentals of being a personal trainer including how to project his voice, engage clients and design a gym.

“A lot of my classes lined up exactly with what I do now,” he said.

With a degree in management, Stephens provides the business acumen that keeps the company running.

“I just knew I wanted to be at the head of something,” said Stephens, who minored in health science. “Business management gave me that opportunity.”

Stephens also appreciated the diversity of students with whom he interacted in college.

BSU “helped me communicate with people from different walks of life,” he said. “I credit a lot of that to Bridgewater.”

Many of their clients are looking to lose weight – something to which St. Germain and Stephens can also relate. As Bridgewater students, they overcame the so-called “freshman 15” by rededicating themselves to working out.

The benefits of doing so, they said, extended to all facets of their lives.

“It’s about allowing people to gain that confidence through weight loss,” St. Germain said.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

A lot of my classes lined up exactly with what I do now.

Jonady St. Germain, '18

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Alumni Profile

Alum Educator Makes the World his Classroom

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:47:06 +0000

Alum Educator Makes the World his Classroom HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Wed, 01/21/2026 - 13:47

Herbert Leonard, ’19, brings global perspective gained at BSU to Taunton High School

January 27, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

As long as he can remember, Herbert Leonard, ’19, knew he wanted to teach and where he was going to continue his education after high school.

“��רע��Ʒ��,” Leonard said. “It was close to home, a local school and has always had a great reputation for education.”

His decision paid off. Today he works as a Spanish teacher at Taunton High School, the same school where he performed his student teaching internship as an undergraduate.

After graduating from BSU with a degree in Spanish, Leonard later returned to his alma mater to complete a post-baccalaureate student teaching practicum through the Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership. He is now pursuing doctoral studies at Northeastern University.

“As an undergrad at BSU, Herbert was a standout student. He was even offered the chance to be a long-term paid substitute while doing his student teaching, which is very rare,” said Secondary Education Associate Professor Melissa LaBelle. “Herbert is a shining example of someone who took full advantage of his BSU education and is making a real impact in the field of education.”

Leonard is humbled by his former professor’s words but agrees the support he received at BSU was instrumental in guiding him.

“I love Bridgewater, I really do. I still talk to my professors today. Some of my best friends are people I met at Bridgewater…It really was a great experience, I loved all my time there,” he said.

Initially, Leonard thought he wanted to teach English. But when he took a Spanish class, he knew teaching bilingualism was his passion.

“Once I started learning Spanish, I knew that yes, this is what I want. Ever since then I’ve been working towards that, traveling, studying abroad and learning all I can so I can pass on that knowledge to my students,” he said.

As a student at BSU, he participated in a study tour in the Azores with the Department of Global Languages and Literatures. Before working full-time at Taunton, he also lived in Spain for a year, teaching in the public school system there.

“When you travel, live or study abroad it opens so many doors. You are given opportunities to meet people and learn about other cultures. You learn about others, but you also learn about yourself,” Leonard said.

He translates those experiences into his classroom.

“It’s so important to recognize other people’s perspectives and opinions and to be able to communicate with them in a language they understand. That’s huge,” Leonard said. “I really love building connections with students, especially in language. To see them start to speak words, to see their growth, that’s what I love the most (about teaching).”

That passion, Dr. LaBelle said, is what sets her former student apart.

“He really is such a strong leader and mentor for students and models each day the importance of bilingualism and multilingualism,” she said. “It is an important mission for him to honor and leverage students’ diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds as assets in the classroom.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I love Bridgewater, I really do. I still talk to my professors today. Some of my best friends are people I met at Bridgewater…It really was a great experience, I loved all my time there.

Herbert Leonard, ’19

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Alumni Profile

Alumnus Paints Portraits of Victims of Nazi Persecution

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:01:08 +0000

Alumnus Paints Portraits of Victims of Nazi Persecution BBENSON@bridgew.edu Wed, 01/14/2026 - 15:01

Bry Sharland’s work tells the stories of queer individuals imprisoned in concentration camps

January 15, 2026

Brian Benson, G'23

Fritz Kitzing was first arrested for simply wearing gender non-conforming clothing. Josef Kohout’s “crime”? Mailing a Christmas card to his boyfriend.

Kitzing and Kohout were among thousands of LGBT people imprisoned by the Nazis in World War II concentration camps during the Holocaust. While they both survived, many others died after facing horrific living conditions and torture at the hands of their captors.

Now their stories – and faces – live on through the talent of painter Bry Sharland, ’07, who is creating portraits of the victims.

“I hope it’s not just an upsetting reminder of something bad, but rather a celebration of the amazing lives people lived and an awareness of how freedom turned into tyranny,” said Sharland, who studied fine arts and secondary education at Bridgewater State and teaches middle school art in East Bridgewater.

Sharland named his initiative the Pink Triangle Portraits, a reference to the uniform patches that gay prisoners had to wear in concentration camps. He has painted about 60 portraits, many of which are on display through January at the Bridgewater Public Library.

Sharland uses bright, vibrant colors because, as he writes on his website, he is “giving color and dignity to those who had it stripped away.” Though he is predominately working from arrest records and mug shots, Sharland paints most individuals in street clothes rather than prison uniforms.

“The project became less about just documenting the people and more about celebrating the stories of their lives,” he said.

Sharland writes short narratives that accompany the portraits. These biographies offer a comprehensive view of their lives, rather than solely focusing on their incarceration.

He is not sure how he became interested in this lesser-known aspect of the Holocaust. But he remembers a high school history teacher letting him speak about the other minority groups who were targeted by Nazis alongside Jewish people.

In college, Sharland created artwork depicting scenes from concentration camps. He appreciated how his Bridgewater professors challenged him to explore new art mediums.

“I felt like it was always a supportive place,” Sharland said, recalling how he first made connections on campus as president of his high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. “It was always a welcoming environment for queer people.”

He praised faculty for helping him hone his research and writing skills. He even studied German, something that is useful as he scours archives for photos and biographical information.

Sharland has gathered information on about 500 people, although that represents just a fraction of the victims. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum estimates that 5,000 to 15,000 homosexual men were imprisoned in concentration camps and approximately 50,000 men served prison terms as convicted homosexuals. Sharland is committed to telling as many stories as possible.

“It’s taking the narrative away from the Nazis and giving it back to the queer individual,” he said.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I hope it’s not just an upsetting reminder of something bad, but rather a celebration of the amazing lives people lived and an awareness of how freedom turned into tyranny.

Bry Sharland, ’07

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Photo by Charlie Peters, G'20