While the Nest may be a little quieter during the summer, Endicott faculty and staff didn’t slow down. Between preparing for the upcoming academic year, presenting at conferences, traveling across the globe, writing books and scholarly articles, and pursuing personal passions, they’ve made the most of the season.
We caught up with a few Gulls to hear how they spent their time—and what they’ve been up to before returning to campus this fall.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Hugo Burnham, Internship Faculty / Assistant Professor of Experiential Learning, Arts & Sciences: There were two activities of note for me this summer, all while working with my School of Visual & Performing Arts internship advisees! First, I recorded the narration for the audiobook of Punk In 50 Pieces: Punk Rock, Post Punk, New Wave and the Five Years That Changed Pop Music For Ever by author Kevin Dettmar. The session was recorded at Gloucester studio Bang A Song.
And second, my band, Gang of Four, played the main stage with Wilco at this summer’s Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA in North Adams to a sold-out audience of over 8,000 people (that included Dean Paige Williams!). Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy joined us onstage for two songs.
Ashlie Perry Banerjee, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Security Studies: It’s been a busy summer! I was able to attend a writing retreat, thanks to professional development, in Provincetown, Mass. While there, I worked on a book project about cybercrimes. I went to both Tennessee and New York City with my family to visit family members. My husband and I were able to go to a World Cup game in Atlanta (Haiti vs. Morocco), and now I’m preparing for the start of school!
Dr. Anna Suranyi, Professor of History: Liz Matelski [Distinguished Professor of History] and I both gave papers on July 17 at the SHEAR (Society of Historians of the Early Republic) conference in Philadelphia, as part of a panel entitled “Seeking Freedom in the Early Republic.” My paper was “Manumitting Family Members in Pennsylvania,” while Liz presented “Beyond the Moment of Freedom: The Afterlives of Slavery in Eighteenth-Century New England.”
Dr. Krystal Demaine, Professor of Expressive Therapies: This summer, I traveled to Bologna, Italy, where I presented two sessions at the World Congress of Music Therapy, followed by time exploring Rome, Venice, Naples, and Florence. One of the highlights was visiting Pompeii with my son, which made an unforgettable experience of history, art, and discovery. As a single mom, my son accompanies me to my conferences whenever possible, and it has been such a gift to experience the world together through his curiosity and wonder. And, of course, we ate the best pasta of our lives!
My international colleagues in expressive therapies (from four different universities) and I were invited as guest editors for the July special issue of The Arts in Psychotherapy on arts-based supervision, which features ten articles advancing the field. My colleague from Haifa University (Israel) and I are also very close to completing our third book manuscript, exploring creativity and the role of therapeutic experiences, and plan to submit the project to our editor later this summer before it moves to Routledge, the publisher.
Dr. Dina Gentile, Distinguished Professor, Sport Management & Esports Management: I represented Endicott College at the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. I was able to take a photo next to the trophy!
From a sport management perspective, I enjoyed observing sponsorship activation, fan engagement strategies, experiential marketing, and how one of the world’s largest brands creates memorable experiences for fans. I facilitated leadership and empowerment workshops throughout the summer, working with hundreds of student-athletes and coaches at elite camps. My interactive sessions focused on player reflections, tools to become a “good teammate,” and understanding team roles.
I co-authored the Esports Management chapter for the 9th edition of Contemporary Sport Management, helping update one of the leading textbooks in the field to reflect the continued growth and evolution of the esports industry.
One of the most unexpected projects of the summer began with a simple bucket list goal: learning to play pickleball. That experience inspired a creative writing series on Instagram (@Professor_Gentile) called Finding My Place. What began as reflections on learning a new sport evolved into a collection of personal stories about belonging, courage, vulnerability, friendship, and community. The series explores how beginning something new at any age mirrors the experience of many first-year college students, from walking into unfamiliar spaces to ultimately discovering where you belong. The overwhelmingly positive response has inspired me to begin developing the stories into a book (due out during the holidays).
The summer also provided time to recharge with family and dog Georgia in Maine, and I even learned to play mahjong. Now, my focus turns to my classes as I look forward to welcoming sport management freshmen into SM101 this fall!
Faculty & Staff at the Institute for Applied Behavioral Science: In June, we led the program’s first international study tour to Cork, Ireland. The delegation met with staff, faculty, and researchers at Munster Technological University (MTU) and Trinity College Dublin, participating in presentations and discussions with internationally recognized scholars.
The trip offered opportunities to experience Irish culture, including introductions to Gaelic football and hurling at MTU. We also visited Cork City Council, where the Lord Mayor welcomed the group, and the Deans of the Institute for Applied Behavioral Science and the School of Education signed the city’s official guest book.
In addition, we hosted the 14th Annual Ethics in Professional Practice Conference in partnership with the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. The conference brought together nationally recognized experts to discuss ethics, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional practice.
Dean Mary Jane Weiss presented the keynote address at the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis annual conference in June 2026. Her presentation was titled The Evolution and Refinement of Behavior Analytic Repertoires: Building Essential Skills in Practitioners.
Becca Kenneally, Chair of Performing Arts: I took part in the Music at Port Milford summer music festival in Southern Ontario, Canada. I was the director of the student choirs for two weeks, and also performed two pieces as a soprano in the faculty concert with pianist Mikael Darmanie of New York City and alongside Toronto’s Tokai Quartet. The choirs performed a variety of works, including selections of Purcell’s “Come Ye Sons of Art” and Palestrina’s “Sicut Cervus Desiderat.”
