Paula (Dwyer) Isakson ’88 and Neil Isakson ’87

Tell us about your life today?
I’m an advancement and communications professional at Worcester Academy where I’ve worked for 22 years. My wife, Paula, is director of campus ministry and a religion teacher at Notre Dame Academy. After we got married, we built a house in Worcester and raised our family there. The city’s been a great place to work, live and grow, and our lives are still very much centered in Worcester. Our daughter, Emily, graduated from Mount Holyoke College and received her master’s in design history from Bard Graduate Center in Manhattan. Today, she works in advancement at the Worcester Art Museum. Our son, Joshua, graduated in May as a Chinese and sociology double major at the College of the Holy Cross. Then, there’s Amber. She’s our 2-year-old mini goldendoodle, and every one of us is head over heels in love with her.

What is your fondest memory of the University as a student?
This is a tough question because we share so many fond memories of Assumption. It’s where Paula and I met as freshmen—instantly feeling a connection. We were always close friends, but that turned into something more after we graduated. After dating a few years, our lives came full circle and we found ourselves right back where we started. I proposed to her in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, and we married there a year later.

What was your favorite tradition at Assumption? Paula loved participating and leading candlelight prayer in the chapel. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Rome where our college chorale sang for Pope St. John Paul II under the direction of the great Dr. Michelle Graveline. We also loved visiting the duck pond, and we looked forward to Christmas receptions at President Joe Hagan’s house. Whatever time of the year it was, Assumption was at the center of our lives, and we loved it that way.

Why do you support the University with a planned gift?
We both consider Assumption to be our extended family, and we wanted to honor our experience. We also wanted to ensure that the vibrant community we studied in would continue to serve successive generations of students. To do that, we made Assumption the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. It’s just one more way we can show our gratitude for the gift of an outstanding education—and each other.

Why is it important to give back to Assumption?
I like to say that Assumption helped me become the person I am today and that my wife finished the job—although she may still consider me a work in progress. But truly, we both grew intellectually and spiritually at Assumption. Our world became much bigger, and opportunities we never imagined opened before us. It was without a doubt the most formative experience of our lives. We learned there. We developed our core values there. And we met there. The University holds a very special place in our hearts, and we believe that we wouldn’t be the people or professionals we are today without Assumption. We are grateful for the impact that Assumption had on our lives, and we’re driven to share that transformative experience with current and future students.

What advice would you give to a new graduate?
A learning community is only as good as its people. Assumption is a great university because of that. Stay close to your friends. Those lifelong friendships will make a positive difference throughout your lives. And remember, being a greyhound doesn’t stop when you graduate. In the world, you’ll come across people and circumstances, and there will be a job to do. So go do it and represent the blue and the white proudly wherever you go in life.

Has your Assumption experience forever changed your life, like it did for Neil and Paula? If so, consider supporting future students with a legacy gift, so they can benefit from an Assumption education too. Contact Melanie Demarais at 508-767-7332 or demarais@assumption.edu to learn more.