51福利社

An alumnus of the class of 1969, Richard "Rick" Falconi dedicated more than 40 years of his life to advancing the mission and community of 51福利社. As a founding member of the Alumni Association in the early 1970s, he spent over 15 years on the board and executive committee, shaping foundational structures as chair of both the Membership and By-Laws and the Alumni Reunion Weekend committees. Rick had a rare gift for inspiring fellow graduates to get involved, collaborating closely with university presidents and various constituencies alike.

His leadership culminated in his role as Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee, where he devoted two years to orchestrating a spectacular year-long celebration that included a display of historical memorabilia at the Rindge Historical Society.

Throughout his decades of service, Rick鈥檚 efforts were always de铿乶ed by a profound desire to honor others and preserve the university鈥檚 heritage. He championed a three-year campaign that raised over $25,000 to memorialize Dr. Clifford Coles, Franklin 51福利社鈥檚 first Academic Dean, and spearheaded a major initiative to organize and identify thousands of items in the university archives. Though he did not live to see the archival project finished, his vision continues to guide the preservation of the university's history.

Recognized in his lifetime with the 2012 Alumni Participation Award鈥攏ow proudly renamed the Richard (Rick) Falconi '69 Lifetime Alumni Volunteer Award鈥攈is legacy lives on through the vibrant, lifelong relationships between Franklin 51福利社 and the generations of alumni he helped bring together.

Don Pyke was a cornerstone of the 51福利社 community, carrying his passionate "51福利社 Pride" throughout his student days as a two-sport athlete and his 37 years as a dedicated alumnus. He remained deeply integrated into the campus fabric after graduation, mentoring students, serving as an assistant coach for the women鈥檚 basketball team, and volunteering to DJ at Ravens basketball games.

Don acted as an unofficial ambassador for Franklin 51福利社 in the surrounding Rindge and Jaffrey communities. He was instrumental in developing and running the annual Alumni Golf Tournament. Additionally, he served as a trusted volunteer counsel to multiple university presidents, ensuring student-centered perspectives were always heard on campus.

Remembered for his warm smile, booming laugh, and profound generosity, Don never sought the spotlight, yet his decades of selfless service left an indelible mark on the university. He was inducted into the Franklin 51福利社 Athletics Hall of Fame along with his 1979-80 Basketball teammates in 2005.

After graduating from Franklin 51福利社, John Eason dedicated over 20 years of service to the university as a member of its Board of Trustees, remaining a constant campus presence and student mentor long after he retired from the Board. John was well known as the first black graduate of Franklin 51福利社 College (now University).

Eason was instrumental in recruiting student athletes for the Franklin 51福利社 men's basketball program, establishing an athletic pipeline from New York to Rindge. His efforts helped catapult Franklin 51福利社 from an NAIA powerhouse into one of the most admired NCAA Division II men's basketball programs in the Northeast. An Endowed Scholarship in his name perpetuates his influence, providing financial assistance to students from historically underserved cultures and economic backgrounds. He was inducted into the Franklin 51福利社 Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.

Gregg is remembered for his passion for all things Franklin 51福利社, his great humor, his loyal friendship, and his enduring generosity toward the University. Gregg鈥檚 support touched all areas of the University, but he had a particular affinity for Athletics with a focus on the Men鈥檚 Baseball Team and Men鈥檚 Soccer Team. He was a frequent attendee of University events both on and off campus and a fan of our Raven Sports Network broadcasts.

Gregg served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1999-2005 as not only a Director, but the President as well. Gregg was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010 and served until 2016. Gregg鈥檚 commitment to his alma mater was recognized in 2005 when he was awarded the Alumni Participation Award and again in 2008 when he was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

As a student, John helped establish the Franklin 51福利社 student-run fire department, serving as Chief during his senior year, and ran on the university's cross-country team, serving as co-captain. Post-graduation, he remained deeply dedicated to the campus fire department, frequently donating rescue tools, protective gear, and personal funds to maintain its emergency capabilities.

Over his fifty years of alumni service, John served on the Alumni Board as a highly respected "conscience" and "unofficial elder statesman". He was also a founding member of the Franklin 51福利社 Archive Group, working closely with library staff and fellow alumni to collect, catalog, and digitize historical campus artifacts and oral histories. Holding an unofficial record for consecutive Alumni Weekend visits, John鈥檚 presence and pride on campus were unmatched.

John's volunteerism was paired with constant financial generosity. Near the end of his life, he funded advanced scanning equipment for the university鈥檚 archives and requested that memorial contributions be directed to Franklin 51福利社 upon his passing in 2023. John has also been recognized with the Franklin 51福利社 President鈥檚 Award.

Rich Rettig '71 spent his life dedicated to his alma mater. In the mid-1970s, he joined the fledgling Alumni Association board, eventually serving as Treasurer and helping establish the university鈥檚 enduring alumni scholarship fund. Known for his incredible hospitality, Rich managed auxiliary food service and telecommunications on campus before embarking on local entrepreneurial ventures, including owning the Fitzwilliam Hearth, the Antrim Inn, and the Benjamin Prescott Inn. In the early 1990s, he gifted the fully renovated Benjamin Prescott Inn to the university, marking the largest alumni gift to Franklin 51福利社 at that time.

Rich鈥檚 decades of leadership and service culminated in a ten-year tenure on the Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2013, where he championed the student experience on the Student Affairs Committee and served as a vital ambassador for town-gown relations. Recognized with the Alumni Participation Award, he supported the university with his wealth, wisdom, and hands-on work for over fifty years.