Pictured above (l-r): Michael “Mike” Buscetto III, Michael Buscetto, Jr., and Michael “Mikey” Buscetto IV

In 1960 Michael Buscetto, Jr., proudly posed for a photograph with the Mitchell College Men’s Soccer team. But he wasn’t a player on the team.

“I was the mascot,” he said with a laugh. “They didn’t know my last name and listed me as ‘Mike Michaels’ in the caption in the Thamesana [Mitchell’s school newspaper]. They didn’t know who I was! I was a 12-year-old kid running around the campus. It was my backyard, and Mitchell College was a welcoming group. It always took care of the kids in the neighborhood.”

Buscetto, whose father, Michael Buscetto, Sr., owned the much-loved Michael’s Dairy, grew up in a house across from the dairy.

“My father worked as the dairy manager in the 1930s, when it was known as Mumford Dairy. The Mitchell family owned two dairies — Mumford, here in New London, and Mitchell Dairy in Salem. In 1936, they were going to close up Mumford Dairy and only operate from the Salem farm on Route 82. My father took over then and rented Mumford Dairy, changing its name to Michael’s Dairy. In 1943, he bought the property for $11,000. It was in our family for 70 years.” (Michael’s Dairy was purchased by Mitchell College from the Buscetto family in 2006.)

At first, the dairy only produced milk and cream, but then the eldest Buscetto filled a demand in the community.

“In the 1940s, my father started to make ice cream with one little machine. Everybody kept wanting it, and he couldn’t keep up with it. He added the ice cream plant in 1949 and opened the store in 1950.”

The rest is history.

Michael Jr. took over the operation in 1983, and his son Michael “Mike” Buscetto III pitched in from an early age (along with other son Bill).

“This was my first job at 7 years old,” Mike said. “We didn’t have a lot of options!”

Michael, Jr., added that grandson Mikey, now a senior at Mitchell College, was just 4 years old when he started working.

“I put in a new lawn in the front with sprinklers set up to keep the lawn damp,” he said. “I had to turn on the valves on the sprinklers for 15 minutes at a time. Mikey helped me turn the valves but after 15 minutes, he said he was thirsty and went in and got a milkshake. After working the next 15 minutes turning valves, he said ‘Gotta go home now!’ because he got his milkshake.”

“We showed no mercy here,” he said jokingly. “If you can walk, you can work!”

Mike said, “So many people who I see in the community tell me that working at Michael’s was their first job. They say, ‘Your family taught us so much about work ethic, showing up on time and being clean.’ Little stuff that made a big impact on them.’”

The celebrated sock hops – started by Michael, Jr., who invited DJ Billy Wronowski to play music and lead games throughout the summers – also made a big impact in the community.

 “Michael’s was a safe place from the daily grind. People could come here and relax. They didn’t necessarily buy anything either. At the sock hops, you would bring your lawn chair and see a bunch of people from the community. It was the social heartbeat of New London. You can’t replicate a Michael’s Dairy. You just can’t.” —Mike Buscetto

Earlier this year, Martha Schultz joined the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs as the director of marketing for Mitchell College, responsible for external marketing and communications across all platforms working closely with all of Mitchell’s offices and departments. In this role she manages the college’s brand, oversees the college’s digital platforms and website, and is instrumental in telling the Mitchell story.

Schultz most recently was an art director at an integrated marketing agency, and she previously held positions as creative operations director for a heritage management agency, creative director for an event management company and brand manager for an international law firm. Her experience includes serving as a creative services project manager at George Mason University, where she worked closely with the president, advancement and academic units during a pivotal time when the university was repositioning itself as a leading research, science and information technology institution. Schultz holds a B.A. in English literature from Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., and did graduate professional studies in editing and publishing at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Nancy Cowser, chief advancement and alumni affairs officer, says “Martha’s combination of creative talent, experience in higher education and broad technical skillset is a great fit for Mitchell College as we are extending our reach to tell the compelling story of Mitchell. Her marketing expertise will be critical in helping revitalize our brand and leverage it in new and more effective ways. Martha has been instrumental in building partnerships across campus and rebuilding our internal capabilities to prepare us for future growth.”

“Coming to Mitchell at a time of ‘rebirth’ and change is very energizing, and I see tremendous potential for all the ways we will be expressing what is unique and special about Mitchell College. Coming from a very competitive market in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, I have a true appreciation of what a gem Mitchell is and how we can leverage what makes us special in a competitive landscape. As higher ed is being challenged to evolve to adapt to new social and economic realities, I’m excited to face those challenges.” — Martha Schultz

Pictured above: Thames at Mitchell College students and their families celebrate the end of the year with program staff at The Red Barn on May 7, 2022.

At their May 7 end-of-year celebration, forty-four Thames at Mitchell students earned a newly created digital badge in recognition of their completion of the holistic one-year program by meeting the following criteria:

• Maintaining a 2.0 or better grade point average
• Independently demonstrating competencies including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision making, executive functioning and academics
• Participating in at least one club or leadership opportunity

Badges are a way of recognizing microcredentials, which focus on a particular skill or competency and can be helpful to both students and employers.

“The Thames at Mitchell badge highlights the tenets of the program and acknowledges that the students met the established criteria. Badges document a student’s progress during an academic program. In general, badges help students show employers that they are ready for the workplace. Badges are collectable and portable. Students can add badges to their email signature, social media profiles, LinkedIn and other public places online.” —Beverly Scully, director of Thames at Mitchell

Mitchell College recently named Keith Padin as business operations manager for the college’s auxiliary services. In his role, Padin will oversee dining services, rentals and event engagement, including operations of Michael’s Dairy and The Red Barn.

Padin most recently served as communications, sales and operations manager for A Thyme to Cook catering in North Stonington, where he led marketing initiatives, guided clients on event planning and contributed to the creation of company policies and procedures. Prior to that, he worked as marketing and hospitality manager for Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, Conn., and Jones Family Farms in Shelton, Conn. He studied communications at the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, president of Mitchell College, said, “We are excited for Keith to bring his experience and knowledge to this position at Mitchell College. At Mitchell we practice radical hospitality, welcoming everyone to our campus, from our diverse body of learners to our neighbors enjoying Michael’s Dairy. Beyond providing an excellent education to our students, we are fortunate to offer many of the facilities around our beautiful campus for public use. I know Keith will do a superb job connecting with and accommodating community requests.”

“I’m very excited to help reconnect the community back to Mitchell and all we have to offer here. From our legendary scoops of ice cream at Michael’s Dairy, a baseball tournament on our fields, an amazing wedding in The Red Barn or new Airbnb properties we’ll be offering soon, getting to see our neighbors here with us in New London is a special thrill. I’m honored Dr. Espy and my colleagues here at Mitchell have entrusted me with this mission, and I look forward to the adventure.” — Keith Padin

Mitchell College recently welcomed Catherine “Cathy” Hurd as the interim vice president of enrollment. In her role, she will oversee the offices of admissions and financial aid and will also work directly with President Tracy Y. Espy as the assistant to the president, special projects.

Hurd most recently served as the vice president of student enrollment management and student experience at Bennett College, where she was instrumental in providing strategic leadership and direction in admissions, financial aid, the registrar’s office and student affairs. Prior to that, she worked in similar positions at Pfeiffer University and Johnson C. Smith University.

Espy said, “We are thrilled to welcome Cathy to Mitchell College. She brings expertise in developing, implementing and assessing comprehensive enrollment strategies, coupled with a deep understanding of a student-centered campus environment. She comes to us at an exciting time, as we grow our brand and move in a bold new direction. In her role, she will focus on advancing enrollment by enhancing internal and external collaborations and partnerships, especially through effective communications and marketing and branding.”

Hurd holds a master of science in education with a specialization in leadership for higher education from Capella University, where she also completed a post-master’s certificate in enrollment management and Ph.D. coursework. She earned a bachelor of science from Coker University.

“I look forward to telling ‘The Mitchell Story’ as we transition Mitchell College from good to great, expanding our reach and brand across the United States and abroad. Using our diverse student profile — a kaleidoscope of learners — as our market ‘niche’ to grow our enrollment for both Mitchell College and Thames at Mitchell is our top priority.”

— Cathy Hurd

Dr. Alicia Martinez, Mitchell College dean of student experience and belonging, was recently selected to participate in the Executive Leadership Academy (ELA), a year-long program co-sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI). The program, which prepares experienced higher education leaders to move to positions of greater responsibility, including presidencies, is one of the most prestigious opportunities at the national level.

Selected from hundreds of applicants as one of 35 participants, Dr. Martinez will attend two seminars in Washington, D.C., led by current and former presidents and specialists in key areas. She will also benefit from a highly individualized Professional Experience Plan, taking into account her expertise and experience. In addition, she will participate in executive coaching, peer-to-peer participant-led webinars, regional gatherings and other activities.

Mitchell College president, Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, a former participant who nominated Dr. Martinez, said, “A leader among leaders, Dr. Martinez has two decades of experience in higher education leadership. She has consistently made tremendous positive impacts here at Mitchell College, through some of the most challenging times in higher education. Dr. Martinez represents the next generation of leaders, who are critical for long-term higher education success, and it was my absolute pleasure to nominate her for selection to the CIC Leadership Academy.”

Dr. Espy will also serve as a mentor for Dr. Martinez.

“I look forward to connecting with and sharing ideas with other senior leadership from a variety of colleges, as well as the individualized executive coaching and development of the Professional Experience Plan. My hope is to advance my institutional knowledge base and identify areas of personal experience and expertise I can strengthen with a focus on continuous improvement to ensure I can effectively meet the challenges of today’s educational environment and best serve our students.” —Dr. Martinez