By Sophia Harris
Editor-in-Chief
By Dylan Pichnarcik
News Editor
Executive Vice President Dale Hamel, the longtime chief financial officer (CFO) of Framingham State, who helped steer the institution through a tumultuous era of financial change, is set to retire Oct.16.
After more than 20 years at Framingham State, during which he served five presidents, starting with Helen Heineman, Hamel is leaving the University in a position to “thrive” financially. He said, “I’m pleased that we are in a very strong financial position.”
As a member of the executive staff, Hamel is one of nine administrators who oversee specific departments that keep the daily operations of FSU running efficiently.
Departments such as Facilities & Capital Planning and Transportation report to Hamel.
He has also been heavily involved with the University’s accreditations by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). FSU has just earned its most recent reaccreditation, a feat he hoped to see before he retired.
Hamel's leadership played a central role in changing FSU's landscape. With the addition of two residence halls, West and Miles Bibb, FSU's footprint stretches all the way to the edge of Route 9 and beyond with the acquisition of the Danforth Art Museum on Vernon Street and the Warren Conference Center, located five miles south of FSU in Ashland.
Hamel said he is proud of the growth of Framingham State’s campus over the years. In 2004, Hamel said FSU only had 50 acres of land; now, it owns more than 138 acres, a 170% increase over his tenure. In terms of square footage, Hamel helped to increase it by 50%. This includes the addition of Hemenway labs, properties on Adams Road, and residence halls.
He said capital planning and working with the state to make arguments for not only operational support but also capital initiatives has been one of the areas he has enjoyed most during his time at Framingham State.
Hamel has been involved in every step of this process, including planning, advocacy, and implementation of capital planning and grant accumulation. Hamel added the University has been “very fortunate” recently to have a strong legislative delegation, including Senate President Karen Spilka, who has been “very receptive to our requests.”
He added he is grateful for a “strong team” to implement those projects, such as the Facilities Department, which has been involved in the planning and then execution of projects over time.
Hamel said over his tenure, he has learned that every year is different. “That's one of the reasons I stuck with it for so long because it certainly didn't get boring over those times.”
Aside from the pandemic period, Hamel said every day, he came to work excited for the day ahead. “There were always new challenges and opportunities that you face.”
He said one of his goals is to leave Framingham State “in good shape for the next group of people to move forward.”
He added, “We have a strong group of administrators and engaged faculty. I think one of the things I love about being here is the type of students that we have who are very appreciative of their experiences and then in acknowledging the opportunity that this provides to them.”
Previously, Hamel worked in the private sector of finance. One of the aspects of working at Framingham State, the public sector, is the satisfaction of making a difference for students, he said.
“I think all of us see ourselves as public servants. That’s how I would describe my role here - as being a public servant,” he said.
Hamel said he will continue to work on a “couple of small projects” at Framingham State such as funding for a barn at the Warren Center.
He added he has been working for about 12 years to transfer property use from the Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to Framingham State for a piece of land on the Stearns reservoir. “We're very close to making that happen. I don't want to walk away at the very end of that process,” he said.
Hamel said he hopes to ease his way out of FSU. The Massachusetts State College Building Authority’s CFO and executive director positions are vacant. Hamel will now serve temporarily to “help stabilize the organization for a while until both of those positions are filled.”
Hamel said he is excited for Robert Totino, his successor, to bring a “new set of eyes,” to the University’s finances. He added Totino is the “ultimate professional and just overall a nice guy.”
Hamel’s executive assistant, Margaret “Peg” Charbonnier, is also retiring. They have worked together for 24 years.
“She's just a great human being,” Hamel said. “I've really enjoyed, both professionally and personally, being able to work with her over the years.”
Charbonnier said working at Framingham State alongside Hamel has been a “wonderful experience,” adding, “I never minded coming to work any day.”
“I have to highlight him,” she said, “because the vision he had for this University has just blossomed.”
Charbonnier said she told Hamel during her interview with him over 20 years ago, “I watched you walk around this campus. Your eyes were wide open.” Charbonnier said she thought that's what got her the job as Hamel’s executive assistant.
She added, “The time flies, it just flies, always new things. Where else can you work and on your lunch break go and watch an ensemble play?”
Totino said, “The amount of work that Hamel and Charbonnier have accomplished over those multi-decade time frames has just been extraordinary.”
He said he hopes to build on the work of Hamel and Charbonnier to move the institution forward. He said he is very lucky to have two very successful predecessors.
Totino said he understands why Hamel has had such a “well-revered career here because of his characteristics and his persona. … He is a very, very good human being.”
President Nancy Niemi said when she first joined FSU, she relied a lot on Hamel for the depth of his institutional knowledge and his understanding of the Commonwealth. She added he has been an “invaluable partner” in helping her understand state and University finance.
She added Hamel has not only balanced the finances of the University, but has helped find creative ways, whether that be through investments or assets, to help the University thrive.
Linda Vaden-Goad, former provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, who retired in 2019, said Hamel is “just the best of the best,” adding, “He has made a huge difference here and the people can see it reflected everywhere” across campus.
Meg Nowak-Borrego, vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students, said she has enjoyed working with Hamel because he's very knowledgeable about his area of expertise and someone she could trust.
“He will say it like it is. He will also stand behind his word when he works with students. He will listen to students and work with me to try to come up with a way to fund their ideas and if we can't do it right away, help me plan for the future or have a strategy for the future,” she said.
Jeffrey Coleman, vice president of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, said what he appreciates about Hamel is “he's always able to find a way.
“Whenever we run into a need, and we may not have enough money to address that need, Dale has a way of finding money and makes the budget line up,” Coleman said. “I don't know how he does it, but he is always able to do it.”
Kim Galvani, coordinator of Transportation Services, said Hamel always wore a smile.
She said she is impressed by Hamel's involvement in the community. “What I've seen from the outside, with all the extracurricular things he does within the community and the University … it has been unbelievable. I feel like he has his hands in every little piece, and it just meshes well together.”
English professor Desmond McCarthy said Hamel has been “one of the most impactful figures in Framingham State’s history.”
He said largely due to Hamel’s “vision and expertise, the physical campus was almost completely renovated and significantly expanded during his tenure.”
McCarthy said Hamel’s “collegiality and his focus on the wellbeing of students are two of the many qualities that make him a model of what the University administrator should be.”
Student Trustee Jeremy McDonald, a senior political science major, said Hamel “has been an amazing core piece of Framingham State during his time here.”
McDonald said “he has transcended his role and title to be an impactful force at Framingham State. I’ve seen him in all kinds of situations. From walking the halls to the Board of Trustees meetings to All University Committee to Student Government meetings, Dale has been there for students and staff alike.”
He said he always enjoys working with Hamel and has appreciated his dedication to students and the Student Government Association.
“It really meant a lot to us as students to have our voice considered by him. I’m thankful for Dale’s years of tireless service to Framingham State, and I’m excited for him. I wish him all the best in his retirement,” McDonald said.
[Editor's Note: Desmond McCarthy is the advisor for The Gatepost.]
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