Shawn M. Nassaney was born on July 7, 1976 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He attended Saint Raphael Academy, where he developed an interest in running and became a star on the track team. He went on to attend Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island and graduated cum laude in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, while leading Bryant’s track and cross-country programs. While at Bryant, Shawn was a 2-time recipient of the coveted “Bulldog Award,” for ability and commitment to the athletic program.
In June 1998, Shawn’s professional career started as an Inside Sales Representative with American Power Conversion (APC) in West Kingston, Rhode Island. In his three-year career he was an exceptional employee and quickly earned numerous promotions. His continued high performance merited a prestigious international assignment that relocated him to the company’s Pacific & Asia headquarters in Sydney, Australia in December 1999. He returned in December 2000 to APC’s corporate headquarters in Rhode Island to accept the role as a Sales Team Leader for the Company’s Enterprise Customer Solutions Team. He began coursework in the MBA program at Providence College in May 2001.
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Shawn was en route to Hawaii on United flight 175 with his girlfriend, Lynn Goodchild.
His legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those countless people he touched all over the world. He had a contagious love of life, infectious smile, and was a natural leader who mentored and instilled his sense of values, passion and drive for excellence.
The Foundation was founded by the Nassaney family along with close friends and colleagues to honor the memory of Shawn in a way that is consistent with his interests and passion for life.
The first accomplishment of the Foundation was the establishment and full funding of an endowed scholarship at Shawn’s alma mater, Bryant College, which bears his name. The Foundation has also contributed to a similar fund established at St. Raphael’s Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
In 2012, as part of perpetuating Shawn’s good moral character, the board decided to emphasize his “celebration and acceptance of diversity”. The board recognized the opportunity and need to provide a positive influence to children at beginning school ages. A decision was made to provide teachers at approving schools a series of tools to foster the “celebration and acceptance of diversity.”
In the Winter of 2013, the first tool, an illustrated children’s book, was introduced to schools.
It is the night of First Shadow and a young wumpie is missing. Can Shon and Linni find him in time?
Young Toma, a wumpie of the summer family does not have many friends. But he has a special secret. Will he listen to two other wumpies of the fall family and risk everything?
Young Lulli wants to be part of her family’s special ceremony. After being told she is too young to participate, she learns the magical secrets of the ceremonies, the crystals, and the other families. The above-lands are being threatened by a long deep cold. Against all families’ traditions, only Lulli and her best friend Mirri can show how to save the above-lands.
Date & Location
Saturday, September 11th, 2021
Location: Virtual & In-Person
Event Details
You’re cordially invited to participate in the 20th Anniversary Shawn M. Nassaney Final Memorial Race/Walk! This year the event will be held both in-person and virtually. Please join the Nassaney family and Bryant community members as we celebrate the life of Shawn M. Nassaney with the annual 5K memorial race on Saturday, September 11, 2021. We look forward to honoring Shawn’s legacy with alumni, family and friends throughout the world.
“The Nassaney family have special heartfelt feelings to all our friends who have participated in our races,” said Shawn’s father, Pat. “The opportunity to meet and share memories and sentiments in the past 21 races have been priceless. Thank you. We look forward to continue hearing from you in the future.”