Three Recognized with Distinguished Alumni Awards for Enduring Commitment to Assumption, Their Communities, and Professions
Founding Dean Emeritus of the Grenon School of Business Awarded Honorary Alumni Award for Initiatives to Position Assumption Students for Post-graduate Success
The University’s Office of Alumni Relations has announced the 2022 recipients of its annual awards in recognition of extraordinary members of the Assumption community for their achievements, commitment and devotion to the University. The 2022 recipients, who received their awards during Reunion Weekend on Saturday, June 11, Greg Ugalde, Esq. ’82, Tim Cooney ’62, Tracy Baldelli ’15, and Founding Dean Emeritus of the Grenon School of Business, Joe Foley.
For more information on Reunion, please visit the Reunion page.
Greg Ugalde, Esq. ’82 will receive the Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award, given annually to an Assumption graduate who demonstrates exceptional achievement in their profession. Ugalde serves as president and chief legal officer of T&M Building Co. Inc., one of Connecticut’s largest home builders. Since its founding in 1962, T&M Homes has built more than 4,000 homes in over 45 communities, specifically for trade-up and first-time buyers. He is also the founder and owner of GFU Investments, LLC, a builder/developer minority-owned business that focuses on urban development and workforce housing.
Ugalde is the National Association of Homebuilder’s (NAHB) 2021 Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors and has been active in the NAHB leadership structure at the local, state, and national levels throughout his career. He served as the NAHB State Representative from Connecticut; moderator of the State Representatives; and national area chairman for his region. Locally, he served as president of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA) as well as on its board and was named the Local and State Builder of the Year in 2000. Ugalde is a three-time HBRA Distinguished Service Award recipient; served as chairman of the Connecticut Developers Council; and received Connecticut’s state home building industry’s highest honor, the Charles J. LoDolce Award.
As a student at Assumption, Ugalde served as class president for all four years. As a dedicated alumnus, he served as chair of the Hartford Alumni Club, the Alumni Board 1990-95, is a longtime member of the President’s Council, and currently serves as an Alumni Ambassador.
Tim Cooney ’62 will receive the Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumni Award, which is bestowed upon an individual who has distinguished themselves by their outstanding dedication and service to Assumption University. Cooney’s service to the University includes volunteering as a class agent; being a steadfast supporter of the Fr. Bissonnette Golf Tournament; serving on several reunion committees; and is a longtime supporter of Assumption
Cooney has served as director of the Central Massachusetts Safety Council (CMSC) since 1975. Through several selfless endeavors, he has established himself as an individual committed to serving his community, including as a member of the Worcester City Council from 1980 to 2000 and as mayor in 1987. As an active supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, he created a free driver’s education course to assist Worcester youth living in, or below, the poverty line. His efforts enabled 80 Worcester youth to earn their learner’s permits, providing a path to obtain their driver’s licenses, as well as empowering them to gain independence, responsibility, self-esteem, and acquire a job.
Tracy Baldelli ’15 will receive the Young Alumni Award, recognizing an Assumption graduate who received their degree within the last 10 years who has demonstrated professional and/or civic accomplishments through their career and/or service to their community, and continued devotion to the University. Baldelli, a 2020 recipient of the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Award, currently serves as a major gifts officer at Providence College. Prior to Providence, she served is multiple roles in annual giving and leadership giving at WPI. In these roles at WPI, Baldelli exceeded senior class gift goals, developed a five-year implementation plan for a culture of campus-wide philanthropy, and raised major gifts from alumni and parents.
Baldelli has committed herself to the Worcester community, serving as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester since 2017, joining as the youngest board member in the Club’s history. She led the Club’s first-ever fundraising Gala in Elm Park in 2019, raising more than $150,000 in new revenue. She has volunteered with the United Way of Central Massachusetts’ Women’s Initiative Program, UMass Chan Medical School’s Winter Ball, and The CASA Project, Inc. Baldelli has also stayed involved with the Foundation for Metrowest’s Youth in Philanthropy Program, having participated in the program during her senior year of high school. Designed for students to act as a board of directors where they review grant proposals, fundraise, conduct site visits, and award grants, Baldelli instructed two courses during the pandemic, one in her hometown of Southborough, MA.
In addition to her community service, Baldelli continues to support Assumption as an Alumni Ambassador and through her membership in the President’s Council. As a recipient of the Neafsey Picard Family Endowed Scholarship, Baldelli recognizes the power of philanthropy and paying it forward for the next generation of Greyhounds.
Joe Foley CPA, CGMA, MBA, P’10, Founding Dean Emeritus of the Grenon School of Business, will receive the Honorary Alumni Award, awarded to non-graduates of Assumption University, in recognition of their outstanding devotion and commitment to the institution. Dean Emeritus Foley has served Assumption and its students for 43 years, retiring at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 academic year. In this unique and influential role, Dean Emeritus Foley has hired and supported exemplary faculty and developed new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Dean Emeritus Foley has also committed himself to engaging business alumni through visiting speaker programs, internships and career development activities such as experiential learning to benefit students. He is also recognized with the Honorary Alumni Award for his tireless efforts to connect Assumption alumni from the past with current students and the Office of University Advancement. These connections have yielded several advantages for students such as the Lagarce Trading Room – funded by a former student of Dean Emeritus Foley’s and his wife (Jeff ’76 and Susan Daley Lagarce ’80) – which is equipped with Bloomberg Terminals. He has also engaged influential and successful graduates to serve on the Grenon School of Business Advisory Council
Dean Emeritus Foley’s fundraising initiatives and programs will forever connect alumni to Assumption University while providing students distinct advantages throughout their undergraduate studies.