The Anna Maria College Research Institute for Local and Community Studies: AMC Network

Name Marc Tumeinski
Position, affiliation, appointment,
etc. Associate Professor (Theology)
Email mtumeinski@annamaria.edu
Contact Number 508.849.3414
Education • Maryvale Institute, Liverpool Hope University Birmingham, UK.
PhD in Theology [Dissertation title ‘A conspiracy of
goodness’~Communal Christian practices in support of the
vocation of peacemaking: An analytical reading of selected
writings of John Howard Yoder and Joseph Ratzinger] • Holy
Apostles College and Seminary Cromwell, CT. MA in Dogmatic
Theology (summa cum laude), Class Salutatorian [Thesis title The
theology of peacemaking in the teaching of Reverend Emmanuel
Charles McCarthy] • Westfield State College Westfield, MA. BS in
Computer Science (magna cum laude)
Research Interests/Agenda • Two questions fueled my desire to study theology in graduate school and these questions continue to motivate my research. One, I wanted to know what my faith’s intellectual tradition had to
say about peacemaking. Growing up during the latter part of the
Cold War, questions of what it meant to be a Christian
peacemaker in the face of global and regional armed conflicts and
of the threat of nuclear war profoundly challenged me,
particularly in light of nationalism and militarism in the US and
around the world. Two, I was curious about what my faith said
about serving those in need. After finishing my undergraduate
degree, I worked for more than 10 years in programs helping
teens and adults with various physical and intellectual
impairments, and psychiatric disorders. This experience and the
relationships I cultivated during those years brought me face to
face with questions around the realities of systemic injustice and
structural violence, of suffering, of true beauty, and of the nature
of mercy and love.
• My research is situated mostly within the broad area of Catholic
moral theology, concentrating on the areas of peacemaking and
of service. I am especially interested in how Catholics live out
these aspects of the faith within the context of their local parish.
My study and experience have taught me that many Catholics
approach these two questions predominantly through a political
and civic lens, rather than primarily through an understanding of
what it means to be a disciple and to belong to a parish and the
larger Church. I have found great wisdom in the writings of recent
Popes around peacemaking and about service, as well as in a
range of theological voices, including the Catholic Worker
movement, Melkite Catholic theologians, and Mennonite thinkers.
Papers or Other Writings (to
share with others)
I am currently working on an analysis and commentary on the
doctoral dissertation of Fr. John Wright (who later became the
Bishop of Worcester and was instrumental in supporting the
Sisters of St. Anne as they moved from Marlboro (in the Boston
Archdiocese) to Paxton (in the new Worcester diocese). Fr.
Wright’s dissertation was entitled “National Patriotism in Papal
Teaching.” A copy of his dissertation is available in the Anna
Maria library
Would you like to add anything
else about your interest in
Central Massachusetts?
I am particularly interested in researching the early history of
Anna Maria, first in Marlboro (part of the Boston Archdiocese) and
later in Paxton (part of the Worcester Diocese). I am using the
College archives and other sources to learn about the intellectual
biographies of the Sisters of St. Anne who were professors and
filled other roles at the College. They are amazing women, and
their hard work, intellectual endeavors, mentoring and example
continue to set the direction of the College until today. This
legacy must be celebrated and promoted. I am also learning
about Bishop John Wright who supported the Sisters in the move
to Paxton in 1951, thus starting the first women’s Catholic college
in the new diocese of Worcester. Bishop Wright played an
instrumental role in supporting the Sisters and the College. Even
after he left Worcester, he continued to support the College until
his death in 1979, for instance, by donating money, books and
artwork to the College. Unfortunately, his legacy is largely
forgotten on campus, with almost no references to him or to his
support. I hope to help change that.

Barbara Driscoll de Alvarado
Associate Professor, Humanities, Anna Maria College
Email: bdriscoll@annamaria.edu
Contact Number: 508-849-3533
Education: Doctor of Philosophy, Latin American History/Mexican American
Studies, University of Notre Dame Master of Arts, Latin American
History, University of Notre Dame Bachelor of Arts with Honors,
Boston State College
Research Interests/Agenda: Although originally from the Boston area, my passion to learn
about Latin America and Latinos in the United States developed
during my undergraduate education has brought me many
opportunities to learn, work, teach, research and publish about
many related topics. From studying in the pioneering Mexican
American Graduate Studies Program at the University of Notre
Dame to working as a researcher at institutions in both Mexico
and the United States and teaching undergraduate and graduate
courses in both English and Spanish, learning about Latin America
has transformed and enriched my professional and personal life.
My overall goal for all my students to help them find the
educational path that will transform and enrich their lives,
whatever the direction that it might take. My personal interests
are not far from my professional ones. I am a passionate
practitioner and collection of needlework; I study many forms of
traditional women's needlework--my dream is to organize courses
in the history of needlework.
Now, I return to my first published area of research--local history.
Studying and documenting local and community history provides
basic tools to understand much more about the world around us,
and how it functions in the larger society. The focus also provides
an avenue to appreciate the contributions of local individuals and
communities.
Would you like to add anything
else about your interest in
Central Massachusetts?
Central Massachusetts offers researchers of many disciplines and
perspectives the opportunity to study, analyze and sometimes
document the past and present of a region that has been very
important for the state, the region and the nation. While the area
has benefitted from the work of some historians, social scientists
and other researchers, there is much to be done!

Name Dana Sheehan
Position, affiliation, appointment,
etc.
Director of The Writing Center; Assistant Professor of Writing
Email DSheehan@annamaria.edu
Contact Number 508-849-3606
Education Western Connecticut State University MFA, Emerson College BFA
Research Interests/Agenda Community based Writing Centers, Universal Design for Learning,
Accessibility for all
Would you like to add anything
else about your interest in
Central Massachusetts?
I'm not new to New England, but I've only lived in Central Mass for
a couple of years and have become incredibly interested in its
history and culture. I cannot wait for my next adventure.