Wheaton News

Meet the new members of the Alumnae/i Association Board of Directors (ABD)—highly engaged graduates who have been involved with the college in many ways, from serving as class officers and on committees to attending Reunions and other events:

Shawn Blake ’98

• Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Hartford, Conn.
• ABD national Wheaton Fund co-chair

Why I stay connected to Wheaton: “Much of my adult life has been shaped and influenced by the one choice I made as a senior in high school to attend Wheaton. I had tremendous experiences on campus through active learning and engagement with faculty and staff who helped influence who I am today. I have developed lifelong friendships, got my first job after college, and most importantly met my wife, Sarah-Margaret Politis Blake ’96, as a result of attending Wheaton. Staying connected allows me the opportunity to relive these great experiences while seeing others do the same.”

What I hope to accomplish while on the board: “I am looking forward to engaging and meeting new people, and hearing about their unique Wheaton journeys. In my role as the national Wheaton Fund co-chair I want to drive further participation from our vast alum network so that current and future students have the resources and opportunities to succeed at Wheaton and beyond.”

Interesting facts (something most people don’t know about me): “In high school I was a cook in a Mexican restaurant. I love to cook and try new combinations and would love to someday open a restaurant.”

Deborah “Debbie” Goddard ’78

• Executive vice president for Capital Projects, New York City Housing Authority, New York, N.Y.
• ABD Alumnae/i Trustee

Why I stay connected to Wheaton: “I became reconnected to Wheaton due to its recommitment to issues of gender and to the importance of educating young women. I appreciate and respect the values evident in Wheaton’s academic offerings and its commitment to exposing students to community service.”

Why I want to be on the board: “To give back and support Wheaton. The college was good to me and for me. I was supported through financial aid and was able to create a unique major/minor; professors were supportive as well as challenging. Wheaton led me to law school and to a career in the arena that I had set my eyes on in high school.”

What I hope to accomplish while on the board: “Serving also as a Trustee, my primary objective is to provide an informed and effective connection between alumnae/i, the ABD and the college officers and Trustees. I expect that more specific objectives will surface as I become more immersed in the work of the ABD.”

Interesting facts (something most people don’t know about me): “Well, since I have lived in the Boston area for my entire life up to mid-August, I think the fact that I am living and working in NYC will be news to most.”

Andrew Lounder ’05

• Director of Special Projects, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Washington, D.C.
• ABD vice president of strategic planning and governance

Why I stay connected to Wheaton: “Wheaton was the right academic setting and environment for me and many dear friends at a crucial time in our lives. I see great value in preserving that opportunity for future generations, but in a fast-moving world preservation really means progress. Good, sound progress that is consistent with Wheaton’s distinctive heritage and values requires ongoing commitment from each of us.”

Why I want to be on the board: “There are some very concrete and achievable things I can do to help this board further develop as a strategic asset to the college. I think I’m the right person at the right time for this role. I am also encouraged by the upward trajectory of this board.”

What I hope to accomplish while on the board: “The big task before the board right now is to formulate our own strategic plan that will flow up into the college’s new strategic plan. Specifically, the college looks to the Alumnae/i Board of Directors to lead on alumnae/i engagement. To me, that means both carrying important messages to alumnae/i from the college and also conveying advice to the college that confidently accounts for alumnae/i voices. As vice president for strategic planning and governance, I’ll be leading efforts to strengthen our board’s work habits and structures so that we do this work consistently better over time.”

Interesting facts (something most people don’t know about me): “My first car was a 1978 Firebird, but it didn’t have heat. Growing up in Maine, and having turned 16 in early February, I toughed it out for a solid six weeks before my parents wore me down and I traded for a pick-up truck.”

Patrick B. Summers ’94

• Executive Director, New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), Boston
• ABD Alumnae/i athletics chair

Why I stay connected to Wheaton: “This is two-fold for me. On a personal level, I’ve made lifelong friendships and relationships with students, alums, faculty and staff that keep me engaged and connected to the college. Through attending Wheaton events and volunteering, I have an opportunity to see old friends and keep in contact with mentors who continue to advise me. I enjoy working with the Filene Center to help students find their career paths; it’s just one more way for me to give back to a college that gave me so much. From a professional perspective, I have experienced Wheaton on a different level as I work with the administration, staff and student-athletes on fostering the values of excellence, integrity and respect through the athletic department and through the NEWMAC.”

Why I want to be on the board: “Paying it forward and giving back are two reasons I’m excited to be on the ABD. I believe we all have a responsibility to make things better for those who come after us and one of the best ways to give back to Wheaton is to volunteer your time. I feel it’s a critical and exciting time to be involved at Wheaton as the energy and innovation of ideas are overflowing and I want to be a part of it.”

What I hope to accomplish while on the board: “To engage, educate and inform the alumnae/i as well as develop opportunities to support the alumnae/i relations office and the athletics department in creating events and initiatives that connect our alumnae/i base on and off campus. I know that our student-athlete alumnae/i base is a very loyal group of individuals who have given their hearts and souls to their respective teams. Fostering programs to keep them engaged will benefit the college’s future.”

Interesting facts (something most people don’t know about me): “I’m a first generation Filipino-American who came to the United States in 1972 when I was 6 months old. Two things I enjoy most are traveling and cooking. I secretly want to be a chef.”