Catherine B. Shannon was awarded the President’s Medal of Achievement at Westfield State University’s 2024 undergraduate commencement at the MassMutual Center May 17.
The Westfield State University emerita professor of history was recognized for her years of service to the university through her teaching, research, writing, development of new programs and an organizer for peace in Northern Ireland. Shannon retired from Westfield State College in 2000.
Originally from Boston, Shannon started her career at Westfield State College in September 1967 in the history department. In the 1980s, she developed the Irish American Studies Program creating a program that taught students and community-members courses on Irish history, Irish language, Northern Ireland history, British History, Irish music and literature.
Shannon was instrumental in bringing an honors program to WSC in 1987. As a study abroad advisor, she arranged for a number of Westfield students to study or do their practice teaching in Ireland.
In 1982, Shannon organized the first Symposium on Northern Ireland that brought Irish and British representatives together to discuss the political issues of the time. The event was held at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. There were three symposiums, and these events led the way for peace in Northern Ireland. In 1994, Shannon received an award from the Charitable Irish Society for her work as an organizer for peace in Northern Ireland. Also in 1994, Shannon received the annual Solas Achievement Award from the Irish Immigration Center of Boston. She served as the first woman president of the Charitable Irish Society which was founded in 1737. She has been a member of the society since 1985 and continues to serve on its board of directors.
Shannon was educated at the University of Toronto where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She next attended University College, Dublin, National University of Ireland where she earned her Master of Arts degree. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2019 She was awarded an honorary doctorate of sacred letters from the University of Saint Michael College in the University of Toronto.
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Diana Szynal, president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, was inducted as an honorary member into the Beta Gamma Sigma AACSB Honor Society. The ceremony was hosted by the College of Business Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter at Western New England University.
Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a student can receive in an AACSB-accredited business program.
According to the dean of the College of Business, Sharianne Walker, Szynal was selected as an honorary inductee not only because of her business experience but because she has played a role in fostering economic growth, advocating for local businessesand supporting entrepreneurship in the Springfield region.
The 2024 Beta Gamma Sigma Class featured 19 undergraduate and graduate inductees. Szynal delivered the evening’s keynote address where she encouraged students to never forget the value of hard work and perseverance throughout their business careers.
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Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Anne Yereniuk, deputy chief of the Child Protection Unit, was honored with the Massachusetts District Attorney Association Spotlight Award at an annual prosecutors’ conference in Boston. She was one of 11 ADAs across the state to receive the award.
Yereniuk has worked at the Northwestern DA’s office since 2013 in various capacities, including prosecuting felony cases, serving as an attorney in charge of a district court team, and heading up the Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit. Prior to joining NWDAO, she worked in the Hampden County DA’s office from 2007 to 2013. She graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2005.
Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne presented Yereniuk with the award at an April 25 ceremony where he noted her expertise in cybercrimes and her pursuit of online perpetrators who disseminate child sexual abuse material.
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The Board of Directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announces changes to its Fresh and Local Distribution Center team. Stephen M. Creed, vice president of distribution and logistics, has retired and Eric A. Swensen was appointed to the same role as vice president of distribution and logistics.
Creed has over 45 years of experience in the distribution industry, five at Big Y.
Swensen, a Southwick resident, began his career with Big Y in 1985 as a part time service clerk. After working in several departments, he was promoted to full time two years later. Since then, he has held several positions including managing many different departments until his promotion to store director in 1997. In 2006, he joined the operations team as a district sales and merchandising assistant. In 2009, Swenson moved to the sales and marketing department where he’s held several positions including manager of space management, director of frozen food and dairy. in 2014, he was named vice president of center store and in 2019, became vice president of fresh foods. He reports to Richard D. Bossie.
