Dean College, a private, residential college located in Franklin, Massachusetts, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive academic partnership agreement with Minor League Baseball’s Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox that has featured countless greats including Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Jim Rice. 

This multi-year agreement, which will include the establishment of formalized job shadowing and internship programs, will allow Dean College students the opportunity to work in various areas within the organization. This experiential learning will provide relevant professional development experiences and ultimately more valuable degrees.

“We are extremely proud of the opportunity to partner with the Pawtucket Red Sox on this innovative program that will benefit so many of our students,” said Dr. Paula Rooney, president at Dean College. “For more than 150 years Dean College has been committed to providing a personalized and high-quality academic experience. This partnership further illustrates our commitment to building relationships within the local community that are mutually beneficial for the community and our students.”   

Dean students will benefit from exposure to Pawsox executive leadership, including guest lectures from Pawsox and Red Sox executives, such as Owner Larry Lucchino and Team President Dr. Charles Steinberg. Executives will also be involved in a one-week intersession course focused on sales and marketing for each year of the contract. Additionally, Dean College will partner with the MLB team through in-stadium marketing, game-day activations and advertising. 

“We are eager to introduce the students of Dean College to the world of professional sports,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg.  “The variety of educational backgrounds that constitute a front office team can sometimes surprise and often inspire students.  It is healthy for students to see how much we value education.” 

“To allow our passion for teaching to extend from the classroom into real professional development opportunities is such a unique opportunity for our students and an incredible opportunity for our institution,” said Gregg Chalk, vice president of marketing and business development at Dean College. “This agreement is an expansion of Dean’s Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management and aligns with our mission to integrate core knowledge and marketable career skills with real-world learning and internship opportunities.”

For more information on Dean College’s partnership with the Pawtucket Red Sox or to learn more about The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management, please visit www.dean.edu.

The Dean College Baseball Team was named Region XXI Division II Champions on Saturday, May 14, 2016. This is the team’s first Regional Title since 1966.

The Bulldogs will travel to Rochester, New York on Saturday, May 21, 2016 to participate in the NJCAA District tournament. The double-elimination tournament features the Region Champions from Region XXI (New England), Region III (Upstate New York) and Region XV (Westchester County-New York City-Long Island).

Each team will play each other on Saturday, and the teams not eliminated will continue to the final games on Sunday. Below is the tournament schedule:

Saturday, May 21

11:00 Region XV Westchester CC (35-14-1) vs Region III Monroe CC (28-13)

1:00 Region XXI Dean College (19-20) vs Westchester CC

4:00 Dean College vs Monroe CC

Sunday, May 22

11:00 Game 4 (if game to follow 45 minutes after Game 4)

The winner of the District Tournament will advance to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, held at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Oklahoma on May 28 – June 3/4.

For more information on Dean College Athletics, visit www.dean.edu. For schedules and scores, visit www.deanbulldogs.com.

The Dean College Baseball team defeated UConn-Avery Point (15-6) on Saturday,May 14th to win the Region XXI Division II Championship Series, 2-0. They now advance to the District Tournament next weekend.

Gary Peralta drove in 2 runs with a home run, and combined with his no-hitter Saturday, was named the series MVP.  Brendan Smith started on the mound and pitched six innings, giving up five runs, only one earned, while walking one and striking out four. Coby Smith and Victor Paiva pitched the final three innings of relief and only gave up one run between them to secure the historic victory.

For updates, schedules and scores, visit our Dean College Athletics website. 

The keynote address was provided by Dean College President, Dr. Paula M. Rooney, who encouraged students to push themselves out of their comfort zones and keep an open mind. “Undoubtedly, you will make a few missteps, but they are openings to gain a fresh perspective and to continue absorbing knowledge and insights. And from that springs wisdom.” She also encouraged students to never waiver from their dreams. “Be confident. Respect the past but never live in it,” she added. “We champion entrepreneurial spirit at Dean. Hang on to that spirit because you possess the proven skills that can’t be taken from you.”

Additional remarks were provided by Mark D. Boyce, Chairman of the Dean College Board of Trustees, along with three graduating students, Candice ‘Coco’ Lam from Hong Kong, Jaclyn Coutoumas from Cambridge, MA and Allison Clarke from Franklin, MA.

Candice ‘Coco’ Lam spoke on behalf of the Associate Degree graduates. An English major from Hong Kong, Coco explained to students that her time at Dean and The Dean Difference was her recipe for success. “You start with a bowl of curiosity, an open mind ready to learn,” she said. “You add a pinch of confidence, a dash of integrity, and a dollop of passion, learned from our professors and our friends. Fold in some optimism. Garnish with gratitude and humility, being thankful for everything in life that has gotten us this far. Life is filled with its bitters, sweets, and sours, so choose your recipes with confidence and pride.” She finished by thanking her friends and ‘family’ at Dean. “I am immensely thankful to call Dean my home away from home, and I will never forget how I was welcomed with open arms.”

Jaclyn Coutoumas, a Dance major from Cambridge, MA reflected back on her time at Dean. “We spent the last 2-4 years working hard, creating relationships, polishing our skills and passions and becoming the adults we are today,” said Coutoumas. “That is something to be celebrated – we are something to be celebrated.”

Allison Clarke, who spoke on behalf of the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) students, spoke about her journey returning back to school after years in the workforce. “I registered for Public Speaking and on my first day of class I felt anxious. I saw so many young faces in the room. I was worried I would be cast out, but boy was I wrong. Not only were they absolutely wonderful and funny people, the class itself was a pure joy and prepared me to stand before you today, delivering this commencement speech.” She added, “The advice I have is to do what you love to do. If you do what makes you happy, it will never feel like work.”

Founded in 1865, Dean College is a private, residential college located in Franklin, MA. Dean College offers baccalaureate degrees, associate degree programs, as well as a robust schedule of part-time continuing and professional education credit and certificate programs throughout the calendar year. For more information on Dean College, visit our website www.dean.edu.

The Graduating Student Award Ceremony will start at 5:30pm on Friday, May 13th in the Guidrey Center. Immediately following, there will be a reception in the Atrium for all award winner and their guests. Reception concludes by 7:30pm.