Company Notebook

Tighe & Bond Acquires New Hampshire-based Waterfront Engineers
WESTFIELD — Waterfront Engineers LLC, a New Hampshire-based firm known for providing specialized engineering services for shoreline challenges and waterfront facilities, joined forces this week with Tighe & Bond, a New England leader in engineering and environmental services. Tighe & Bond acquired Waterfront Engineers to offer its clients additional expertise and targeted solutions for complex and challenging coastal projects. Tighe & Bond’s Portsmouth, N.H. office will serve as the hub for these expanded services. “It is a pleasure to welcome Waterfront Engineers to our team. Over the years, we have collaborated regularly with the firm’s chief engineer, Duncan Mellor, and know that his 30-plus years of proven coastal engineering success will benefit our waterfront clients,” said Tighe & Bond President and CEO David Pinsky. Based in Stratham, N.H. for 10 years, Waterfront Engineers has provided a range of specialized engineering for the assessment (above and underwater), design, and construction of structures built along shorelines, waterways, ports, and harbors. These include piers, wharves, bulkheads, quay walls, revetments, breakwaters, bridges, parks, marinas, dredging, tidal turbines, and many other specialized coastal studies, grant applications, and structures. Tighe & Bond has long provided structural, geotechnical, and civil-engineering services for buildings, dams, and seawalls throughout New England. However, the addition of Waterfront Engineers’ coastal engineering capabilities deepens this expertise, and supports the firm’s ongoing growth and presence in New Hampshire. 

WNEU Expands Opportunities for International Students
SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNEU) is expanding opportunities for international students to enroll in undergraduate and graduate degree programs through a new language-instruction partnership with Denver-based Bridge Education Group. The arrangement will facilitate establishment of a BridgePathways Intensive English Center on the university campus this fall. The first cohort of students will be enrolled in January 2016. WNEU is dedicated to providing international students with the tools they will need to succeed while studying in the U.S., said Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Richard Keating. Western New England University is one of three universities to open BridgePathways Centers this year, and the only program in New England, joining three previously established programs in other parts of the U.S. Full-immersion experiences, academically, culturally, and socially, are an essential component of the program. BridgePathways students at Western New England will be housed on campus and provided with structured activities designed to get them actively participating in daily campus life and the surrounding community. An intensive academic English curriculum will focus on critical writing, with coursework designed to prepare students for university-level assignments. Students also practice essential speaking and listening skills needed for successful participation in discussions and lectures. The rigorous curriculum was designed using a three-pronged approach, addressing linguistic, academic, and intercultural skills. BridgePathways at Western New England University will have six start dates throughout the year, offering eight-week terms, and will accept students at an intermediate English proficiency level. Students in the language program will receive conditional admission to the university, allowing them to enroll in one more than 60 academic programs upon successful completion of the BridgePathways curriculum. Founded in 1986, Bridge Education Group is a world leader in language education for international students. Headquartered in Denver, it offers a wide spectrum of services, including language training and immersion programs, teacher training and development courses, language testing, translation and interpretation services, and cross-cultural exchange programs. During the spring 2015 semester, WNEU hosted about 130 international undergraduate and graduate students in its academic programs from 27 different countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Panama, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zambia. The students matriculated in the colleges of Engineering, Business, Arts and Sciences, and Pharmacy, as well as the School of Law.

Springfield College Sports Communication Department Lauded
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield College Sports Communication Department was recently recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Assoc. (AVCA) for its successful efforts in the advancement and promotion of the sport of volleyball. The college earned NCAA Division III Sports Information Director Women’s Volleyball Regional Honors for the New England area and also NCAA Division III Sports Information Director Men’s Volleyball Conference Honors during the announcement of the annual AVCA Grant Burger Media Award. Led by Director of Sports Communication Brian Magoffin and Assistant Director of Sports Communication Jonathan Santer, Springfield College was the only institution in the country across NCAA Division I, II, and III, as well as the NAIA, to be recognized by the AVCA in both men’s and women’s volleyball. Their efforts included traditional releases and statistical coverage, in addition to enhanced web and video efforts to promote the success of the men’s and women’s programs, including highlight packages, postgame interviews, and features throughout the season. “Brian and Jonathan have a knack for capturing the essence of what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Springfield College Director of Athletics Cathie Schweitzer, who will be retiring at the end of June after 15 years in her current role. “Our sports-information team creatively thinks of ways to keep Springfield College athletics at the forefront, and the coverage they provide promoting players, coaches, and the volleyball programs is unparalleled.” The AVCA Grant Burger Media Award recognizes members of the media who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball, whether through consistent coverage in all mediums (sports information, print, broadcasting, web content, college student reporting, and social media), production of volleyball-specific publications, or extensive radio and/or television exposure.

Country Bank Awards Scholarships to Graduating Seniors
WARE — Country Bank recently awarded $80,000 in scholarship money to 32 students in its market area. Two students from each of the 16 high schools will each receive $2,500 to help them get started with their higher-education dreams. These students have been selected by scholarship committees established at the individual schools. “We are so pleased to be able to provide these students a helping hand as they plan their future,” stated Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank. “The students have each shown their dedication and hard work in the classroom and in the community, and their teachers have chosen them for this special honor. We wish them all the best of luck.” The seniors awarded the 2015 Country Bank Scholarship include: Ryan Paul Lagasse and Jena Marie Desroches, Bay Path Regional High School; Sienna Nielsen and Kathleen Sera Royal, Belchertown High School; Constance Morgan-Poirer and Tyler Golden, David Prouty High School; Cullen Mars and Alexandria DiCentes, Leicester High School; Zacharry Frangules and Emily Sevigne, Ludlow High School; Viviana Angel and Maxine Girard, Minnechaug Regional High School; Haley Arbour and Justin Maloney, Monson Innovation High School; Danielle Mierzejewski and Alex Ouellet-Poulin, North Brookfield High School; Jacob Sifuentes and Elisah Huynh, Palmer High School; Shannon Kennedy and Michael Desjardins, Pathfinder Regional High School; Sophia Kornitsky and Sonja Josephson, Quabbin Regional High School; Monica Greenlaw and Benjamin Webber, Quaboag Regional High School; Benjamin White and Emily Ijams, Shepherd Hill Regional High School; Kendal Danna and Morgan Button, Tantasqua Regional High School; Artur Bielecki and Michaela Scott, Wachusett Regional High School; Emily Houle and Mihaela Sousa, Ware High School.

Polish National Credit Union Supports Families with Food Drive
CHICOPEE — In honor of Military Appreciation Month in May, Polish National Credit Union held a month-long food drive at all branch locations, collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries, and school supplies for military families in need. The credit union also held three dress-down days during May that required employees to donate two food items each time they wanted to dress down, as well as encouraging members to donate and promoting the drive to the public through social media. The credit union supplemented their efforts by donating a pallet of bottled water. “At Polish National Credit Union, our mission is to grow lasting relationships that improve people’s lives,” said Jennifer Boyle, the institution’s vice president of marketing. “We are so pleased to be able to partner with the Pioneer Valley USO to assist military families in need. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to our community.” The Pioneer Valley USO encourages business and community support for active troops. For more information, call (413) 557-3290.

Berkshire Bank Announces Scholarship Recipients
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced that it has selected 30 high-school seniors to receive a total of $45,000 in scholarships through its Berkshire Bank Foundation Scholarship Awards Program. Each of the recipients will receive $1,500. A team of 200 Berkshire Bank employee volunteers reviewed nearly 300 applications to select the winners. The winners all live in the regions served by Berkshire Bank, including communities in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. Berkshire Bank representatives surprised the students with their scholarship awards at their respective high schools. The six recipients from the Pioneer Valley are Wilda Joseph and Samantha Cross, Cathedral High School; Alyssa Hogan, Chicopee High School; Jessie Walton, Gateway Regional High School; Nathan Drewniak, Holyoke Catholic High School, and Kadeja Miller, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy. The scholarship awards recognize students who have exemplified community service through their volunteer efforts, have been successful academically, and have a financial need.