布里奇沃特 was the place. I often say it was life-changing, and it was in a bunch of ways.
When it came time to pursue a college education, Dr. 迈克·维埃拉, ’75, G’82, had a dream school in mind: 布里奇沃特 State.
Vieira’s favorite schoolteachers had earned their degrees as Bears, so 布里奇沃特 immediately stood out to the aspiring educator.
“布里奇沃特 was the place,” said Vieira, who studied 英语 as an undergraduate and earned a master's degree in teaching 英语. “I often say it was life-changing, and it was in a bunch of ways.”
After several decades teaching middle school, high school and college students, Vieira is gaining a new perspective on his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees. Vieira has served on the 布里奇沃特 校友 Association Board since 2015, and his fellow board members elected him to become the university’s newest trustee.
“I’m honored to be in this position, and I look forward to representing the alumni to the best of my abilities for as long as I can,他说.
As a 布里奇沃特 student, Vieira joined the Campus 评论 student newspaper at the urging of a professor. He quickly fell in love with journalism and publishing, from writing stories to laying out pages to thriving in the sometimes-chaotic newsroom. His first article was on the 1973 resignation of U.S. Vice 总统 Spiro Agnew.
Vieira taught 英语 and journalism for 20 years at Fall River’s Durfee High School, where he advised Durfee’s student publications.
“It all goes back to 布里奇沃特,他说. “I created a newsroom atmosphere that really replicated the 评论.”
He went on to work as an assistant professor of computer information systems and an administrator at Bristol Community College. Vieira helped organize international trips that provided community college students with global perspectives similar to those he gained at 布里奇沃特 on a trip to Portugal.
今天, 布里奇沃特 students continue to benefit from the global education, hands-on lessons, and individual support which Vieira experienced as a Bear, and subsequently based his teaching career on.
“In a lot of ways, it’s paying it forward,他说 of being an educator. “I always try to keep an eye on those students who need that little extra push. ... You are responsible for helping develop future citizens and future leaders.”
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