Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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The processional begins as the faculty and the Class of 1986 enter the Horace Mann Auditorium. Waiting for the Exercises to being, Seniors Nancy Collins and Paula McNamara pose for the camera. Addressing the Class of 1986, Mr. Arthur Silva, Class of 1972, stands at the podium. 20 Student Life

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... as we dealt with national and global problems crises as well as celebrated the special moments of joy and happi- ness. And the passage goes on as we continue to live in the our changing nation and world. his banner year with the success of his Born in the USA album. The album was number one album of 1985 and had seven top singles. The TWA hijacking in Beirut saw the beginning of a new fear of widespread terrorist attacks. Later attacks included the Achille Lauro cruise ship and the EgyptAir hijackings. The U.S., with evidence of Libya ' s connections to other terrorist attacks, fought back with an air attack on Libya in April 1986. Raging in South Africa was a violent civil war between the minority white government and the majority blacks in their protest of apartheid (strict racial segregation and discrimination) policies. The issue of apartheid was also protested in the U.S., especially at many colleges by students demanding dives- ture of college interests in South Africa. As America watched the live coverage of the January 28th launch of the Space Shuttle, the tragedy of the explosion and death of the seven astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire school-teacher and first civilian in Space, unfolded before a stunned nation ' s eyes. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) continued to escalate the fears of the nation as researchers con- tinued to try find a cure. Movie Star Rock Hudson died of the disease after a yearlong battle in Paris. News 19

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h j :. dH| . t„ „ ® . ■ • WJvi --wmam m j jjBhbK c. ' JjB %,,, r ' ! -. ;,« . • jgg||ij5pl- ' ' - H j si -« A ., - 1 ' ■ ' . ' :. ■ : - ' ' : j ' HM ■ a - - r ..,; ■ . Formally opening the 146th academic year at Bridgewater State College were the Convocation Exercises held on September 17, 1985 in the Horace Mann Auditorium in Boyden Hall. Mr. Arthur Silva, Class of 1972, a marketing executive with Digital Corpo- ration presented the annual Convoca- tion Address. He began his address to the Class of 1986 with, Expect good things to happen because your ex- pectations are your goals. He con- tinued by saying, Don ' t ever be afraid to take chances. The chances you take, the risks you ' re willing to encounter, makes the difference between a truly successful person and the one who doesn ' t have the confidence or self- esteem to rise above the average. Highlights of the event featured the introduction of the Senior Class officers followed by ah inspiring speech by Class President Audrey DePatto. Afterwards, Denis Lawrence, President of the Student Government Association, delivered a stirring speech in which he concluded, ... Convoca- tion marks the beginning of the ex- perience we ' ve spent the last four years preparing for. BSC is on the move, and now, so are we. The bell rings to formally start the 146th academic year at Bridgewater. The Senior Class officers are introduced by Class President, Audrey DePatto. Convocation 21