Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal • June 20, 2016 www.wbjournal.com PLAN WISELY. INVEST CONSERVATIVELY. LIVE WELL. 370 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1000, WORCESTER, MA 01608 | 508.753.8807 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network ® , Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Worcester-area residents have been entrusting Bartholomew & Company to guide their financial lives since 1994. As one of the region's premier wealth management firms, our approach pairs a conservative investment philosophy with time-honored investment strategies to address every element of your financial picture. For a personalized plan to help you enrich your lifestyle and legacy, partner with the experts who are right in your own community. Call us for a complimentary consultation at 508.753.8807, or visit www.bartandco.com. WEALTH MANAGEMENT TO REALIZE YOUR VISION We Are Dedicated to the Success of Your Business, and ready to meet your commercial banking needs. Simply Beter. Call us today at 508.765.7389 and start experiencing Simply Better commercial banking from Savers Bank. Uxbridge • Southbridge • Sturbridge • Charlton • Grafton • Auburn saversbank.com 800.649.3036 Member FDIC Member SIF Equal Housing Lender • Commercial Lending • Business Checking • Cash Management • Business Savings A lot has happened at Anna Maria College since President Mary Lou Retelle officially took the reigns on a permanent basis about a year ago. The college has added seven new board members, study abroad programs have increased and affordability options have expanded. While the first year of a college presi- dency is usually an exciting and ener- getic time full of new ideas, Retelle said, the goal is to keep that momentum going. Retelle joined Anna Maria as vice president for enrollment, student life and athletic programs in 2011 and was promoted to interim president following the resignation of Dr. Jack P. Calareso in 2014, taking on the role permanently last year. Since then, she has secured $550,000 in grants, added key board members and increased students' options for getting an education for a reasonable price. The college is in the data gathering phase of putting together its long-term strategic plan, something Retelle said she hopes to be able to pres- ent to the board by early next year. When she joined the college as head of enrollment, Retelle's job was to attract the best possible students, and so she had her hands in a little bit of every- thing, including athletics, scholarships and student life. While she said it is rela- tively unusual for a college president to come from an enrollment background – they traditionally come through aca- demics or advancement, she said – being involved in so many aspects of the col- lege gave her a seat at the table and pre- pared her well for her current job. "You have to be aware of all the things that are necessary in order to have the best students, so you have your fingers in everything," she said. "At some point or another you're working with other con- stituencies on campus in enrollment. That was a tremendous preparation, good experience for me as the president, because I had that chance to have those conversations with people for many many years." Community partnerships When she was appointed interim president, Retelle said she put a lot of effort into making herself known in the community, to make it clear that Anna Maria hadn't disappeared just because a Anna Maria's new president looks towards strategic plan P H O T O / L A U R A F I N A L D I Mary Lou Retelle has been with Anna Maria College since 2011. She was appointed interin president in 2014, a position that became permanent last year. BY LAURA FINALDI Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer

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