RIPPLES IN A POND: 

A TRIBUTE TO KINDNESS

By Peter Vuono

   In 2010 my son was about to graduate from Massasoit Community  College but ran into an imposing stumbling block. One of his professors was inadvertently late in turning in a necessary grade for graduation. I panicked and called every dean and administrator that I could find but to no avail. 

   I contacted the then president of the college. Not only would the secretary not let me speak to him but she  also mentioned that she too was hesitant to ask him any burdening questions herself. I was exasperated, disheartened and disappointed in my alma mater. Fortunately a kind Dean and one additional administrator came to my aid and Micheal graduated on time but not without my having some disappointment.

   At about the same time, one of the most beloved professors in Massasoit history died from leukemia. She purposefully martyred herself by refusing treatment. She wanted it to go to someone younger than she. She never had a religious service and there was no burial place for her. Her ashes were scattered amongst the snow and ice. I thought, given the magnitude of her service, she should have some small memorial and remembrance. This is where the new president, Ray DiPasquale came in.

  Due to my past experience, I had a copious reservation in contacting him. After my confidence was bolstered by coach Bill Mitchell( who worked with the president), I contacted him. President DiPasquale was a man who had educational and political experiences dating back to Presidential candidate Mike Dukakis. He had absolutely nothing to gain by even listening to me but Professor Yellen was worth it and I sent him a story I wrote about her. 

  President DiPasquale shocked me because  he carried with him a trump card that not enough people carry-  kindness. I never actually met him; nor did I talk to him on the phone yet, he was more than willing to honor Professor Laura Yellen with a plaque. Furthermore, he also came up with an idea to honor a graduate who was severely inflicted with cerebral palsy- Pete Murby- who from approx. 1977-2023 selflessly volunteered his service to the college.

  Unfortunately on 4/4/24, President DiPasquale succumbed to cancer but not without teaching us all a lesson. He knew  full well that kindness transcends time and is forever stored up as treasure in heaven. Some people say that kindness is like dropping a pebble in a pond. The pebble sinks but it's impact spreads with ripples and continues to reach out touching one person upon another.

  If after hundreds of years go by and every brick and mortar of the buildings of Massasoit crumple, the pebble that Ray DiPasquale dropped will  transcend time.  It will continue to create ripples in the hearts of men and in the eyes of God.