Stanislaus Szlosek |
Fitchburg, Mass.—Fitchburg State College alumni who have contributed to their community and their profession were honored during the spring undergraduate commencement celebration.
Dr. Barbara Heywood Tindle and Stanislaus “Stas” Szlosek Jr. were presented with alumni awards during the alumni breakfast held prior to commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16.
Tindle was posthumously awarded the Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes a Fitchburg State graduate who has made a significant contribution in their field, which has been an inspiration or of benefit to others, or who has made an extraordinary contribution to their community, region or state through their chosen field.
Tindle passed away on Jan. 13, 2008, after a courageous and extended battle with pancreatic carcinoma. She is remembered for her devotion to patient care and her enthusiasm towards the medical field. She was a committed mentor to many and of a professor of limitless passion to medical student, residents, and fellows.
Tindle lived a life dedicated to medicine and patient care. She graduated from Burbank Hospital School of Nursing/ Fitchburg State Teachers College with a bachelor’s degree in both education and nursing in 1955. After completing her studies at Fitchburg, she went on to study pre-medical at Youngstown University in Ohio, graduating in 1957. Tindle continued her studies, receiving her medical degree in 1961 from the Women’s Medical college of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Following her medical degree, she completed an internship in internal medicine at Worcester City Hospital.
Tindle was accepted for a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Southern California, L.A. County Hospital in Los Angeles. She worked as a faculty member of USC and an attending physician at L.A. County Hospital until relocating to Vermont. In 1977 she became a faculty member of the University of Vermont, serving as an associate professor of pathology. During her tenure in Vermont, Tindle continued her passion, serving as the director of hematopathology from 1977to 2002, and as the director of clinical pathology from 1996 to 2004 at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
Szlosek, an auto body and collision repair instructor at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District, was presented with the Alumni Miller Award. Established in 1955, this award is presented to an alumnus who is recognized as an outstanding teacher.
Szlosek owned and operated Szlosek Auto Body after graduating from Chicopee High School in 1965. He then began his studies in the industrial arts program at Fitchburg State College in 1967. After a brief hiatus, Szlosek returned to campus and finished his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts in 1976. He continued to pursue educational opportunities after completing his college degree by attending professional seminars, workshops, and continued work in the field.
After 12 years of working in the automotive industry, Szlosek began his career as a teacher and instructor at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg. He conveys as much passion to the students as he does to the craft. Szlosek is described by colleagues as a teacher “who has made a lasting contribution to the hundreds of students he has trained.” Due to the passion and expertise that he has conveys to his students, many have come to own an automotive business themselves, always accrediting Szlosek as their inspiration. |
