Dr. Donald “Buzz” Hoagland was a vital part of the Westfield State community for twenty-three years. Committed to the mission of Westfield State, Buzz served as Biology Department Chair, MSCA union President, both a member and Chair of many different campus governance committees and many ad-hoc committees.
Buzz’s greatest passion was teaching and collaboration with students. With research and the scientific method at the center of all of his teaching, students came to share Buzz’s passion and enthusiasm for biological research. Buzz created an exceptional range of research topics for students to explore in the classroom. Inside and outside of class, students did impressive fieldwork. Buzz actively included students in helping his main research program – understanding the behavior and population dynamics of the mongoose. Twice a year Buzz would lead research teams to St. Croix to collect data and perform experiments. More than 100 students and faculty were part of these research expeditions over his time at Westfield State.
An avid cyclist, basketball player, gardener and outdoorsman, Buzz died suddenly last year at age 62 from undiagnosed coronary artery disease.
Buzz's passion for life and for learning was infectious and left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
We are asking you to help honor his legacy through a donation to the Buzz Hoagland Student Research Award. Established through the Westfield State Foundation, this award helps students with the costs associated with biological field work - including travel expenses and the purchasing of equipment. When making your donation, please specify that your gift is for the "Buzz Hoagland Student Research Award".
Thank you,
The Flaming Chalices.
