A Whirlwind Summer at the Nest
Though our Gulls fly away for the summer and the Nest may seem quiet—the Endicott campus is always alive with activity in the summertime.
This June kicked off a busy wedding season at Misselwood Estate, while conferences and meetings brought the greater business community to the Wylie Center & Tupper Manor. Young athletes across New England attended field hockey, volleyball, and lacrosse camps at the Nest, while the 14th annual Misselwood Concours d’Elegance wowed car enthusiasts with stunning automobiles and motorcycles.
And that’s just the beginning! Take a look at what else went down at the Nest this summer.
A passion for the written word
In June, 37 high school students arrived at the Nest for the sixth annual Young Writers Workshop, a program that provides an opportunity to learn more about creative writing. Participants worked closely with Endicott’s faculty members and professional writers to create and refine new writing, learn how to give feedback to peers, and receive tips on publishing and promoting their work.
In addition to workshops on writing fiction, poetry, and drama, students could select from new genres that included writing dialogue for film and television, writing musical lyrics, and using multimedia for more vivid writing.
“It’s always rewarding to see young writers get to know our faculty, our campus, and most of all—each other!” said Sam Alexander, Associate Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Communication, and Humanities.
“Writing can sometimes feel like a solitary art, but the truth is that writers, like everyone else, need community. This year’s group of almost 40 writers from 25 different high schools found that community at Endicott,” he said.
Venuti Hall rises
Construction began in the summer of 2023, and now, a year later, Venuti Hall is ready to welcome students. Named after former Trustee Anthony “Tony” J. Venuti—who played a pivotal role in developing 27 campus buildings—this 178-bed residence hall will house underclassmen and feature the new Gull N’ Go convenience store, just steps from Standish Hall.
Big changes for several departments
With the start of the new academic year, change is in the air at the Nest. Among the updates, the Physical Plant department has rebranded as Facilities Management, though you’ll still find them in their familiar spot across from the parking garage and behind the Post Center. But they’re not the only ones making moves—literally.
The newly opened West Administrative Center, housed in the beautifully renovated former Nursing Building, is now the vibrant hub for Student Services, including the Bursar, Registrar, and Financial Aid offices. The building also hosts Institutional Advancement, the Business Office, and College Communications & Marketing.
Lower Callahan like you’ve never seen it before
LoCal, we hardly knew ye! Gone are the days of relaxing afternoons playing pool while tunes from EC Radio hummed in the background. EC Radio now has a new home in the WAX Academic Center, making way for more meeting spaces, a lively Commuter Lounge, and the exciting new Endicott Esports Center, featuring 15 state-of-the-art gaming PCs.
Open every day to students who sign up for a free membership, the Endicott Esports Center is the official training headquarters of Endicott’s competitive esports teams and will host watch parties and monthly competitions in popular titles including Fortnite, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and College Football 25.
“This new Endicott Esports Center is a testament to our continued commitment to growing a vibrant and inclusive gaming community on campus,” said Esports Coordinator Brendan Hall. “Gamers want to be social, and creating a social space like this is an important step in our continued growth. This center is a welcoming environment for everyone from everywhere to connect, unwind, and have fun.”
They came, they saw, they Explored the College Presidency
Supporting the next generation of college presidents is a critical challenge in higher education, which is why President Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D., launched the Exploring the College Presidency program in 2023. With college and university leadership under increasing scrutiny, the program aims to equip aspiring presidents with the knowledge and skills to lead effectively. This June marked the second season of this intensive three-day experience, designed to empower future leaders and amplify their impact on campus and beyond.
Creating new friendships
Six sessions of ONBOARD happened this summer, allowing over 250 new Gulls to explore the Nest. The three-day, two-night retreat was led by returning student leaders and was designed to bring incoming students together before the fall semester. ONBOARD offers first-year students the opportunity to meet other Gulls, learn more about the campus community, and have fun. Activities included beach days, movie nights, icebreaker games, and volleyball.
For Orientation Assistant Julia Valaskatgis ’26, ONBOARD was a way to give back.
“We honestly have one of the best college communities, and I just wanted to get involved and give back to a community that has welcomed me,” she said. “I want to make others feel included.”
Abigail Brossart ’28, an interior architecture major from Arizona, was initially nervous about heading to the Nest knowing no one. But with ONBOARD, Brossart quickly formed new relationships.
“I felt like this would be a good opportunity to meet some nice people, and at least that way on Move-In Day you see a familiar face,” she said. “It’s been really positive.”
A new sea wall for Endicott Beach
After a 2018 Nor’easter severely damaged the stone seawall overlooking Endicott Beach, the College partnered with Foth to design and implement a sloped stone revetment to replace the vertical stone seawall, ensuring protection against a 100-year storm and a service life of at least 75 years. The project, executed with Northern Construction, LLC, stabilized the shoreline and rebuilt 750 linear feet of coastal defense on time and within budget. The beach is slated to reopen in September.
