Westfield State athletics welcomed back recent alumni Dr. Mark Gomes '10, Brandon Palmer '10, and Chris Walker '13 to an alumni forum with student athletes, discussing their paths through college and into the workforce, as well as how intercollegiate athletics helped set them up for success.

The interactive zoom presentation allowed for questions from the current athletes. Below are a seclection quotes from the alumni during the panel.

Gomes was a top sprinter on the Owls' track and field team.

Gomes graduated from Westfield State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies, later earning his masters and doctorate from American International College in Educational leadership. He is now an Assistant Principal at Springbrook High School in Maryland.

"If circumstances happen, know you can control your destiny, the best you can."

"I don't apologize for being who I am."

"Be who you are.  Don't think you have to fit into someone else's box or live for someone else."

"There's a quote I always go by, 'the key to success is playing the hand you were dealt like it was the hand you wanted.'"

Palmer competed in both track and field and football for the Owls, primarily as a high jumper and wide receiver. 

Palmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Westfield State in  art history and mass communication. He's currently a team sales manager for Marathon sports and coaches track and field at Northampton high school and Wheaton College. 

"Be persistent, be present, remain patient.  Marry the vision of where you want to be.  Have these pillars to support you."

"Establish a network of people that you look up to that you can consult with."

"It's vital that you envision where you can be in five, ten years - look down the road and make long term goals.  Establish short term goals that will be progressive towards the big goals that you have."

"You have to be flexible."

"Learn to respect everybody and have compassion."

Walker was a standout defensive lineman for the Owls football team. 

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a concentration in a accounting at Westfield State.  He became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2017  and currently pursuing an MBA at Bentley University.

"Social pressures, getting injured, sickness, not reaching potential - you always have to keep fighting every single day."

Ask yourself "How can I contribute to society?"

"Don't lose sight of your goals.  Try to make your goals achievable."

"Never give up.  You always have to be persistent, and you always have to make sure you're staying on the path you created for yourself."