Bay Path University

A Changing of the Guard Bay Path University Board of Trustees Announces Change of Leadership and a Retirement On June 30, Jonathan F. Besse, managing director of Slalom Consulting, will be stepping down as chair of the Bay Path University Board of Trustees, having fulfilled his term. He carried out his duties with equanimity and enthusiasm and was an inspirational cheerleader for the University community. During his tenure, the University underwent a nationwide presidential search and selected Sandra J. Doran; successfully met the challenges of the pandemic; and shepherded Building One Bay Path: The 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, among other initiatives. With this transition, the University is proud to welcome Carrie Burr '86, who will serve as board chair from 2022 to 2025. She has been the vice chair for three years and has actively served on all board committees. A Bay Path Trustee since 2014, Burr is only the second alumna to take the leadership reins as chair of the board. A committed supporter of Bay Path, she and her husband, Tim, have provided funding for Academic Learners & Leaders Initiative (ALLI,) a program that transitions high school students to the college experience at Bay Path, and they are members of the Millennium Society. Burr and her husband were the honorary chairs for the third Presidential Gala, and, most recently, Burr served on the Presidential Inauguration Committee for President Doran. Burr's seat as vice chair will be filled by Wayne Webster, a trustee since 2018. Webster is the vice president of commercial lending at Westfield Bank. "It has been an honor to work closely with Jonathan to advance our University's mission," states President Sandra J. Doran. "His sound advice and his belief in our vision and, most importantly, in the potential of Bay Path students, has been critical in ensuring our legacy of career-focused education. On behalf of the University, I want to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jonathan, and we pledge to continue the work we have begun with Carrie and Wayne." From left: Incoming chair of the Board of Trustees, Carrie Burr '86; new vice chair of the Board of Trustees, Wayne Webster; chair of the Board of Trustees, Jonathan Besse, delivered the commencement address at the 125th graduation ceremony. A Fond Farewell After 15 years, Angie Strople McGinnis will be finishing her term with the Board of Trustees. A former resident of Longmeadow, McGinnis grew up down the road from Bay Path. Her family homestead included the land of the present-day South Campus / Ryan athletic fields. Once the town of Longmeadow's first little league baseball field, in 1998 the Strople family reached an agreement that Bay Path would purchase the property. Over the years, the Ryan Field has been host for a number of activities and events, and, of course, the Bay Path softball and soccer teams. "After many years of volunteering in different ways at the University, I was honored to become a member of Bay Path's Board of Trustees. The University has been part of our family for some time, and I can proudly say that my daughter, Patience, is a 1994 graduate. I will miss the wonderful friendships I have made with so many of the administrators and the other board members, and the difference we have all made in this University." The University will be forever grateful to McGinnis, and we thank her for her tireless support of Bay Path students and for her generosity over the years. Carpe Diem! 20 Bay Pathway Spring/Summer 2022 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS McGinnis

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