Center for Student Involvement recognizes student leaders

The final CSI Spotlight awards of the fall semester recognize Brian Duffy ’10 and Normand Duquette ’09.

For Brian Duffy ’10 (Tolland, CT) the desire to get involved with Bryant’s student-run radio station was in his blood. His father, Fredrick “Rick” Duffy ’79 was WJMF’s general manager when he was a student. When Brian visited Bryant during his college search, he and his dad stopped by the radio station for old times’ sake. One of the first things they spotted was a picture of Rick and other station members that was taken when they were students. (To learn more, visit WJMF.)

“The current executive board was so excited to have a WJMF alumnus at the station,” recalls Brian, now a DJ and the station’s business director. “They were so welcoming and friendly to us, and they insisted that I join the station as a first-year student. When that happened, I knew I wanted to come to Bryant and dedicate myself to the group of students that welcomed me to the University.”

Duffy’s commitment to WJMF and his efforts toward helping welcome fellow organization members earned him a Center for Student Involvement Spotlight Award.

In addition to his work with WJMF, Duffy is a member of the newly formed Special Initiatives Committee that oversees program requests from student organizations who need funding. An accounting concentrator, he is also a member of the Accounting Association.

Through his work on campus, Duffy says he has had the opportunity to make lifelong friends with people who share similar interests. “My favorite part is knowing that we are all taking an active role in shaping the community where we live and learn,” he says.

Duffy, who would like to be an accountant with a government organization like the Central Intelligence Agency or Federal Bureau of Investigation, says he has also been able to grow as a leader.

His advice to students: Join an organization or program that sparks your interest. “College only happens once,” he says. “It is important to take advantage of all the resources presented to us as students.”

Leading the way

Over the last three-and-a-half years, Normand Duquette ’09 (Rehoboth, MA) has become an influential voice on campus. He is currently the vice president of the Student Senate and a co-chair of the Senior Class Gift Committee. He is also a member of President Machtley’s Senior Advisory Council.

Duquette’s work to enhance campus life also earned him a CSI Spotlight Award. He relishes working with fellow students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

“I love getting to know everyone on campus,” he says. “I have been able to develop a level of professionalism and learn how to work effectively in many diverse teams. Not everything has worked out perfectly, but I have developed the ability to deal with these challenges.”

As a member of the Student Senate, Duquette, a finance concentrator, has learned the importance of looking at the big picture. “Sometimes you have to take yourself out of the equation and consider the entire student body before making a decision.”

In the end, students should find something they are passionate about. “Do something because you want to effect positive change,” he says.