Alumni Pages
We are very proud of our graduates, not only for their academic achievments while attending LSC, but for their accomplishments in their careers following their years at LSC. Below is a sampling of news and updates from some of our graduates. There are many other graduates who could be mentioned on these pages. If you are a alum of LSC's program, or know of one, please let us know of any awards, promotions or other accomplishments you have received.
For LSC alumni who are interested in connecting with others please check out the LSC Alumni Online Community.
Kelly Bates - 1994
Kelly Bates was featured in an interview for The Sun Chronicle, an Attleboro, MA newspaper.
" In 1996, Bates began her professional career at WMUR in Manchester, N.H., serving as the weekend morning meteorologist and science editor for four years. From there, she went to Atlanta to work for a private weather company, providing forecasts and graphics for a cable television station in the Netherlands.In 2000, Bates spent four years at WLNE in Providence before coming back to NBC 10. Bates joined the NBC 10 Weather Plus staff in August 2004, forecasting weather and was both a 2004 and 2005 Emmy nominee."
The complete article can be read here
Pete Bouchard - 1992
As 7NEWS Chief Meteorologist, Pete Bouchard oversees the operation of the 7NEWS Weather Department. He is the meteorologist on all 7NEWS evening newscasts (M-F, 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m.) as well as 7NEWS at 10 p.m. on CW56.
"Pete is an outstanding meteorologist who has a keen understanding of the complexities of New England weather forecasting. He is a true weather fanatic, and since joining the station more than three years ago, he has developed a great rapport with our viewers," said 7NBC (WHDH-TV) Vice President and General Manager Mike Carson.
Bouchard's love for weather started when he was growing up in a rather tame climate -- California. From the age of seven, he tracked the sun, wind and rain every year, until his family moved to Vermont in 1986. After experiencing his first REAL New England winter, Pete was destined for a career in meteorology.
Pete graduated from Lyndon State College in Vermont in 1992. After landing a part time job in Portland, Maine, he headed to Bangor for a two year stint at WVII-TV, where he learned the ropes of the television business and was awarded his AMS Seal. He made another stop in Portland, before taking the weekend meteorologist job at WFXT-TV here in Boston. Then, it was back to Portland for four years to work for another FOX affiliate, before joining 7NEWS in the summer of 2002.
He was twice nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Weathercasting at the Regional New England Emmy Awards. His awards in Portland include 1st Place for Best Weather from the Maine MAB as well as honors from the Maine Associated Press.
Pete and his wife have three children. In his limited spare time, he enjoys woodworking and fine carpentry.
Kenneth Knapp - 1994
Dr. Kenneth Knapp, a Gray native, was awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bronze Medal award April 18, 2008.
This is the highest honor that can be awarded by the administration, currently headed by retired Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher. The award recognized Knapp for analyzing data from 18 different satellites over more than 20 years to create climate data records on hurricane trends, and to improve the understanding of climate variability and change.
Knapp collaborated with the University of Wisconsin in his research, and the results confirmed increasing activity in the North Atlantic, but suggest that there are no noticeable trends in activity in any of the other hurricane-prone ocean basins.
Knapp attended the Gray-New Gloucester district schools, graduating in 1990. His junior high school science project was a hurricane display that he built for the Science Fair. He attended
Lyndon State College in Vermont, receiving two bachelor degrees, in meteorology and mathematics. He continued his graduate work at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. At CSU, he received his master’s degree and a doctorate in atmospheric science.
Sean Parker
Sean has been Weekend Meteorologist/Weekday Reporter for KREX-TV in Colorado, a CBS affiliate.
As a student, Sean Parker took first place in the Broadcast Education Association’s national competition! The BEA News Division attracted a large number of entries (242) in the competition and Sean was recognized as the #1 TV weathercaster.
Josh Nichols - 2000
Josh Nichols of WHEC-TV has earned the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation, a professional recognition of the quality of his weather broadcasts. Josh is the first broadcast meteorologist in Rochester, New York to earn the new designation. Among radio and television meteorologists, the CBM designation is sought as a mark of distinction and recognition.
The AMS grants the CBM designation to broadcast meteorologists who meet established criteria for scientific competence and effective communication skills in their weather presentations. The CBM is a new program, launched in January 2005 as an upgrade to the Society’s Seal of Approval program.
"The Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation clearly recognizes that the holders have the educational background and have been tested in their knowledge and communication of the sciences needed to be an effective broadcast meteorologist,” said AMS Executive Director Keith Seitter. “The general public can have added confidence in the quality and reliability of weather presentations made by broadcast meteorologists approved by the Society."
Josh has been a meteorologist with WHEC-TV since 2000, and can be seen regularly at 6&11 PM on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, his reports can also be heard daily on a number of radio stations throughout Rochester, including many other areas of upstate New York, and parts of Pennsylvania. Josh also teaches an elementary meteorology course at Monroe Community College in Rochester and regularly visits area public schools and community groups to share his enthusiasm about meteorology.
To earn the CBM, broadcasters must hold a degree in meteorology or equivalent from an accredited college or university, pass a rigorous written examination, and have their on-air work reviewed to assess technical competence, informational value, explanatory value, and communication skills.
In addition to the initial educational and test requirements, CBMs have to earn professional development points in order to maintain their certification. These points can be earned by attending scientific seminars or meetings and similar activities.
Rob Carolan - 1989
Hometown Forecast Services, Inc. (HFS) was started in January 2001 by Robert Carolan ‘89 after leaving a management position he held for 6 years at a large Massachusetts based weather company. Shortly after his departure, Rob started receiving telephone calls at home from the former customers he served while in Massachusetts. These customers asked Rob if he would consider starting his own business based on his reputation of providing outstanding customer service and accurate forecasting.
HFS is a leading provider of weather forecasting information serving a variety of commercial industries, media, and government agencies. Their staff of meteorologists provide accurate and dependable weather forecasts and information that enable our customers to make mission critical decisions that help minimize the loss of revenue, life, and property.
Today, HFS is the fastest growing private sector weather company in the country providing service to over 160 radio stations across the United States and Caribbean. HFS is well positioned to expand operations in all domestic and international markets.
HFS employs several LSC graduates:- Rob Carolan ’89 - BS in Meteorology and minor in Math. He is the manager of the business and serves as a meteorologist as well.
- Jackie Carolan ’89 – BA in Business Administration and minor in psychology. She serves as the Human Resources manager for the business.
- Debbie Beliveau Davidson ’91 – BS in Communication.
- Gary Babikian ’83 – BS is Meteorology
Col. John Murphy - 1982
Colonel Murphy is the Assistant Director of Weather, Directorate of Current Operations and Training, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He’s responsible for developing and implementing weather doctrine, policies, plans, programs, and standards. He plans, programs, and budgets for Air Force Weather (AFW) resources and manages execution of the $350 million per year weather program. He manages the 4,441-person weather career field and directs the 800-person Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA). He interfaces with Air Force MAJCOMs and the U.S. Army regarding full exploitation of Air Force weather resources and technology. He also directs interagency activities with the Department of Commerce (DoC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Colonel Murphy was commissioned in 1982 and graduated from Lyndon State College (Saint Michael’s College ROTC program). He has earned Master of Science degrees in Meteorology (Pennsylvania State University) and in Strategic Studies (U.S. Army War College). He has commanded at the detachment (Langley AFB) and squadron (Sembach AB) levels. During Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, he deployed as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Theater Forecast Unit and was responsible to the Combined Forces Commander for weather support across the entire Central Command area of responsibility.
His staff experience includes: Weather Processing Systems Acquisition Supervisor and Director of Personnel to Hq Air Weather Service (Scott AFB); Chief, Career Field Management and Executive Officer to the Director of Weather (Pentagon); and Deputy Director of Weather-Army/staff weather officer (SWO) to the Hq U.S. Army.
Prior to his current position, Colonel Murphy was the Chief of Weather Resources and Programs (Pentagon).
Colonel Murphy is married to the former Susan C. Santollo of Highlands, NJ. They have two children: Philip and Marissa.
Matthew Lazzara - 1991
Matthew Lazzara ’91 just completed his Doctorate of Philosophy in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work focused on fog in Antarctica.
Matthew has been an academic staff member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the Space Science and Engineering Center since he graduated from LSC in 1991. He obtained his Master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences in 1997 (both MS and PhD were part time adventures!). He is the Principal Investigator on the Antarctic Automatic Weather Station Program and co-Investigator of the Antarctic Meteorological Research Center at the University of Wisconsin. In addition, he is an adjunct faculty at Madison Area Technical College, where he teaches Weather and Climate.
