The John S. Hafer Academic Center has been a central part of the Curry College campus since 1965. Just who is John S. Hafer and why is this building named after him? John Stewart Hafer, who went by the name Bill, was president of Curry College from 1965 to 1979, a time of significant growth and change at Curry College.

Prior to his Curry days, Hafer was a pitcher for the Newark Bears, a farm-club of the then New York Giants. He also spent some time in Hollywood, landing a few minor parts in movies. During World War II, Hafer served as an officer in the allied military government in Japan and Germany. Following the war, Hafer took a position as a high school football coach in upstate New York where he earned a master's degree in Physical Education using the GI Bill. He continued to coach and teach physical education for a number of years until he became an athletic recruiter for Syracuse University. He is said to have recruited an all-star football team, including football great Jim Brown. He later became the admission director at Syracuse.

In 1965, Hafer was recruited to Curry College to serve as the College's president. The Trustees of Curry College were intent on getting Curry accredited and selected Hafer to lead the College during this time. Hafer hired Hiran Evans as Dean and together they set about getting Curry College accredited. They started a three year hiring surge to hire faculty members with PhDs. They worked closely with the faculty to put together an accreditation report. In 1971, the College was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Curry College experienced tremendous academic and physical growth during Hafer's leadership. In 1970, the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) was established; in 1974, Curry absorbed the Perry Normal School which taught teachers of nursery, kindergarten and primary levels; in 1975, the award- winning radio station WMLN-91.5 FM received its license from the FCC; and in 1977, Curry took over the Children's Hospital nursing school and converted it to a degree-granting program. During this time, the campus grew significantly with the acquisition of Jeanne d'Arc Academy, which is now South Campus. The Drapkin Student Center was built and the Levin Library was expanded.

Hafer was also a big athletic supporter. He even started a women's football team for a short time. There is an athletic award in his name to this day. Each year, the John S. Hafer award is presented to a football player who demonstrates excellence in football, scholarship and leadership.

In 1979, the Trustees names Hafer Chancellor of the College and William Boyle took over the presidency. Shortly thereafter, Hafer became ill and passed away suddenly. At that time, the Trustees decided to name the academic center after him, dedicating it the John S. Hafer Academic Center in recognition of his contributions to Curry College.

The building itself was constructed in 1965, just before Hafer came to Curry College. The Faculty Building used to sit where Hafer sits now, and moved in 1964 to accommodate the new academic center. When Hafer was built, it housed a geology lab, the Fine Arts department, and the theater.

What a season! To say the Colonels Football team broke a few records this year is an understatement. This season is in the books as one to remember.

The Colonels closed out the 2007 season with a school record 12 wins (12-1 overall; 7-0 NEFC Boyd) and their second-consecutive undefeated regular season (11-0). The Colonels, ranked #1 in New England and #20 nationally, won their fifth-consecutive NEFC Championship and made their fifth-straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Curry defeated Empire 8 Conference Champions Hartwick College, 42-21, at home in the first round of the 2007 NCAA Championship, the first-ever NCAA game played at Curry, and advanced to the Tournament "Sweet Sixteen." Curry lost to the fifth- ranked Cardinals of St. John Fisher College in the second round.

Coach Bandini is quite proud of what these student-athletes have accomplished. "It is really something special for these students to be a part of the best season not only in the history of Curry College football, but in the history of the New England Football Conference," said Coach Bandini. "They set at least 12 to 15 league records. Now, not one, but two Curry classes can say they won four consecutive championships during their time at Curry. To be the first in the league to take home a win in the first round of the NCAA tournament is something they will never forget."

When asked about their key to success, Skip answered, "Simple, we have good players and good coaches who recruit good players. They allowed us to coach them. We had a very intense pace that not all teams would be able to handle, but these kids could. They are a very intelligent group and put great demands upon themselves to achieve great goals. It all paid off."

The "buzz" the team's success has created has spread far and wide. Skip has heard from countless alumni and Curry supporters from around the country who heard about the team's success. To quote Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Ken Golner, "It shines a well-deserved spotlight on our football program, our athletic department and our school as a whole."

We are happy to announce that Coach Bandini has received the New England Football Writers Division II/III Coach of the Year Award. On January 10, he will receive the Coach of the Year Award from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. Congratulations to Coach Bandini, the entire coaching staff and our student athletes on an outstanding season, and, thanks for an exciting fall!

Dr. Leslie Muray, professor of philosophy and religion, has been immersed in the field of religion and science for the past 35 years. He holds a Master of Religion from the School of Theology at Claremont and a Ph.D. from The Claremont Graduate School. Because of his expertise on the subject, Les was approached by Greenwood Publishing to write a book as part of a textbook series they were publishing on religion and science. Les' book, Liberal Protestantism and Science is complete and awaiting publication.

Les started working on this book in 2005. He completed the text last year while on sabbatical in Budapest. Les's knowledge on the subject came from his years of reading and teaching religion and philosophy and studying religion and science. "The book is contrary to conventional wisdom that there is eternal warfare between science and religion. There exists an entirely different tradition that embraces science, including the theory of evolution," explains Les. "The book covers the most important trends in the interrelationship of the belief and scientific activity, specifically:

• The Liberal Protestant acceptance of evolution, and the teaching of the science in the schools.
• The advent of "ecotheology," and other means by which theologians address the changes in the environment.
• The Social Gospel, the early 20th century attempts by Protestants to extend scientific principles to improving society as a whole."

Volunteering and giving back to the community has always been a part of the Curry College experience. This year has been no exception. Angela Gugliotta, Assistant Director of Student Activities, happily reports that students, as well as faculty and staff, are responding enthusiastically to the many volunteer opportunities presented to our community.

Last month's blood drive was filled to capacity with a waiting list. Curry exceeded their personal goal of 10,000 pounds and collected a whopping 16,019 lbs. of food during the Cans Across America Food Drive. During the first weekend in December, a contingent of Curry students and staff members spent both Saturday and Sunday volunteering at the Polar Express event at Gillette Stadium to benefit the Ronald McDonald Charities.

"The Office of Student Activities is extremely excited about the amount of interest from our students. In fact, this past semester, a group of very enthusiastic first-year students revived the Curry Cares community service organization. These students are planning some exciting opportunities for next semester." Angela reports.

The next big service event coming up is the Alternative Spring Break trip. This year, two groups of students will travel to different parts of Delaware as part of the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge. Angela and Kendra Wisneski, Jennifer Glenn and another staff member to be named will accompany the student groups. "It is a great bonding experience for the students as they rough-it for a week in close quarters. In addition to honing their carpentry skills, student participants have the opportunity to learn first-hand about poverty housing issues, build their leadership and teamwork skills, and experience what it feels like to make a difference by helping to build a home for a family in need." If you know of students who may be interested in this experience, encourage them to visit the Student Activities Office.

If you are involved in an organization that is in need of volunteers or if you have any community service ideas you would like to share, the Office of Student Activities would love to hear from you. Your help in encouraging students to participate in these opportunities as a way to get involved is always appreciated.

If you haven't been by Student Financial Services this month, be sure to stop-in for some holiday cheer. The staff came together earlier this month to transform the office into a beautiful display of "Winter Holidays Around the World."

Stephanny Elias explains," We decorate with a different theme every year. I have a Secret Squirrel Team of staff members which rotates annually. They work with me to prepare and gather props based on the theme we come up with and then we unveil the theme to the rest of the staff on decorating day. This year was a bit challenging as we had to hand make almost all of the decorations. We turn it in to a party and include our student workers. We have lunch and decorate throughout the day while we remain open and service our students and their families."

Nominations are now being accepted for the Credit to Curry Award which will be presented at the Celebrate Curry event on February 2. Take a moment to submit a nomination for a Curry staff member who you feel deserves to be recognized with this honor. Nominees are judged by the Credit to Curry Committee based on contributions to Curry in the following areas: innovation, problem solving, team effort, and customer service.

To submit a nomination, simply send and email to the Credit to Curry Committee and tell us the name of the person you are nominating and why they deserve this award. All nominations are due by January 25.

Once again, the faculty and staff of Curry College will gather to 'Celebrate Curry' on February 2 at Lombardo's. The Celebrate Curry committee has been working hard to plan an evening of great food, spirits, prizes, music and dancing. We look forward to seeing you all, and your guest, there.