The 2024 Alumni Achievement Awards

Recognizing Alumni for Their
Outstanding Accomplishments

The Alumni
Achievement Awards at Reunion Weekend

Hundreds of alumni returned to FSU for Reunion Weekend celebrations in May, including members of the Golden Anniversary Class of 1974. In addition to tours, dinners and luncheons, concerts and other events, we also recognized our 2024 Alumni Achievement Award winners.

Distinguished Alumni
Achievement Award

Dr. Paul LeBlanc ’80

Widely recognized as one of the most innovative leaders in higher education, Dr. Paul LeBlanc retired this year as President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Since 2003, under Paul’s leadership, SNHU has grown from 2,800 students to over 160,000 learners and is the largest nonprofit provider of online higher education in the country.

Paul served as Senior Policy Advisor to Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell at the U.S. Department of Education, working on competency-based education, new accreditation

pathways and innovation. He serves on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) and on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Board on Higher Education and Workforce (and served on its Committee on Quality in Undergraduate Education).

Alumni Achievement Award for
Leadership and Service

Jennifer DiMartino ’91

Jennifer DiMartino is the Executive Director of ALS ONE, overseeing all aspects of the daily operations of the organization, a position she has held since its founding in December of 2015. She was asked to lead ALS ONE by its founder, Framingham State alumnus Kevin Gosnell ’91, who sought to change the trajectory of the disease with which he so courageously lived by uniting world leaders in ALS research and care before losing his battle just 14 months after his diagnosis.

Jen began her career in the healthcare industry, working at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, managing the Brain Tumor Clinic under Howard Fine, MD, and the leukemia and myelodysplasia laboratory. Jen has volunteered her experience to raise funds for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and South Plymouth Little League, among others.

Leadership and Service
Achievement Award

Michael Gatlin ’78

Michael Gatlin has had a successful career in law, with a demonstrated commitment to professional excellence, beginning as an Associate at Sheridan, Garrahan and Lander, and establishing his own law practice in Framingham in 1987. As a member of the Property Law Section of the Massachusetts Bar Association, he gives frequent lectures for the Massachusetts Bar Association. Michael’s recognition as South Middlesex Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year and his role as the founder of the MetroWest AIDS Consortium highlight his dedication to public service and social justice.

Michael has served on the Board of Directors of the Framingham State University Foundation since 2013, and he previously served from 2000 to 2009.

Alumni Educator
Achievement Award

Robin Welch ’77

Robin Welch has an extensive and diverse educational career with over 40 years in education, serving as a classroom teacher, an Educational Technology Specialist, and in various administrative roles, including as a Principal in schools across Brookline, Wayland, Milton and Framingham.

Robin’s numerous awards, including the Thomas C. Passios Award, the National Distinguished Principal Award and the 2005 Massachusetts Principal of the Year Award, showcase his outstanding contributions and impact on education.

Beyond education, Robin contributes to his community through involvement in projects such as the “100 Males to College” program at Framingham State, serving on the Board of Directors for Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest, and as the Co-Chair of the JFS Committee on Anti-Racism and Fighting Antisemitism.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Jeneba Aruna ’20

Jeneba Aruna comes from a place of resilience and determination, having been born in West Africa and experiencing the challenges of a civil war. After moving to the United States with her family, she went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Framingham State in 2020.

Jeneba began working in a genomics lab, ultimately deciding to pursue nursing, underscoring her passion for working directly with patients and making a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Jeneba has finished her one year in the Graduate Entry Pathway program at UMass Chan Medical School on her way to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Through her online presence on YouTube and TikTok as “Legally Nursing Gyal,” Jeneba actively shares her journey, aiming to inspire women of color to enter the nursing profession.

Honorary Alumna

Dr. Helen Heineman

The name Helen Heineman is synonymous with Framingham State. Dr. Heineman spent 43 years working in higher education, the vast majority of that at FSU, beginning as a faculty member in the Department of English, with a teaching and research focus in British literature. She spent many years serving as the Chair of the Department of English before being appointed Vice President of Academic Affairs. While in the latter role, she was selected as the University’s 14th President. Her tenure was a substantial one for the University, which included the construction of the Athletic and Recreation Center and the

Arthur M. Doyle Technology Center, as well as the renovation of what is now named the Helen Heineman Ecumenical and Cultural Center.

Dr. Heineman retired from Framingham State in 2006, but has continued to provide significant service to the University. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Framingham State University Foundation since 2008, and has taught in the Lifelong Learning Program (LLP) since its inception.