Alumni Spotlight
Michael Rochford ’74
Spreading the Love of Reading, One Stop at a Time
By Chandra Persaud ’11
Michael Rochford ’74, Executive Director of St. Nicks Alliance, firmly believes that reading nurtures
the mind and paves the path for future success. This exact sentiment is the driving force behind
the non-profit organization’s latest literacy initiative—the BK Story Voyager (bkstoryvoyager.org),
a bookmobile that travels weekly to a fter-school sites throughout north Brooklyn, bringing the
love of books to children and families.
R
ochford, who has worked with
local leaders who came out in strong
St. Nicks for the last 20 years,
support for the Bk Story Voyager’s
hopes the BK Story Voyager helps
goals of increasing literacy and access
children get ready to learn and eager to
to books.
read, igniting a passion that turns them
“I was drawn to the idea of a children’s
into lifelong readers.
literacy outreach program from the
“Reading not only helps one stay
beginning. Books kind of saved my life as
informed, but provides the groundwork
a kid. My nephew is just beginning to hit
needed to lead with innovation,” says
his stride as a young reader, so the topic
Rochford who as a child gravitated towards
of literacy and supporting our youth’s
biographies and books about cities during
academic success is very important to
his regular visits to his local library. “It is
me,” says Dell. She currently continues
Michael Rochford with Alison Dell
in front of the BK Story Voyager.
so important to be inquisitive.”
to serve on the BK Story Voyager Advisory
St. Nicks serves over 2,000 children in
Committee at St. Nicks.
after-school and community centers each year. “We noticed that many
Professor Dell says taking this idea and turning it into reality through
of our children, despite exposure to enriching after-school programming,
sheer determination and collaboration was an empowering experience.
were not reading at grade level or thriving in school,” explains Rochford.
“After all the steps involved in the process—going from an idea, to a
The organization set out to find a creative, but effective solution to
vote, to deciding how the will be outfitted—it is inspiring to see the
specifically engage children in reading. The book distribution vehicle
BK Story Voyager on the road and engaging Brooklyn’s kids and families
was born from conversations among board members and focus groups
with books,” says Dell.
with neighborhood parents and children.
Rochford credits St. Francis College for laying the necessary founda“One of the ultimate goals of this initiative is to lift the rate of student
tion that led him to devote decades to revitalizing urban areas. “As a
performance and school success,” says Rochford and the bookmobile
Brooklyn native, I was drawn to St. Francis because it offered a solid
is well equipped to do exactly that. On the road since fall 2015, the
undergraduate education, small school environment, and is conveniently
BK Story Voyager boasts a library suitable for children of all ages along
located in a major metropolitan area. I majored in sociology, which
with a full-time librarian. In addition, it offers multimedia access, arts
was a good introduction for my focus on urban development,” says
and crafts events, literacy-based contests, and even opportunities to
Rochford. Out of a love for cities and a thirst for what makes them thrive,
meet guest authors. The BK Story Voyager also ensures that children
Rochford pursued a MS in Urban Planning and a MBA in Finance after
and families have access to books even when local libraries are closed
graduating from SFC.
and can enjoy books they may be unable to afford at retail prices.
As for his time at SFC, Rochford fondly remembers classes in sociology
Most importantly, the bookmobile is an emblem of St. Nicks continwith Dr. Edna O’Hern and philosophy with Dr. O’Brian. “Both professors
ued promise to empower residents of the Williamsburg-Greenpoint
were passionate about their subjects and encouraged inquiry. They did
community “The BK Story Voyager is part of a larger innovative effort
an excellent job providing a solid foundation for advanced study,” recalls
intended to integrate affordable housing, education and employment
Rochford. In addition, he can vividly recount forming new friendships at
to address poverty,” explains Rochford.
SFC and exploring downtown Brooklyn. “I also have great memories of
The BK Story Voyager would not be around today without the help
the quirky group Treaty Stone,” adds Rochford.
of the Williamsburg-Greenpoint community. Money for the bus came
Dell was not surprised to learn that Rochford is an alumnus of SFC.
from Councilman Steve Levin’s Participatory Budgeting process which
“The College’s culture includes the expectation that you are working not
gives community members the ability to decide how the city’s money
only for your own gain, but to make the world a better place. An atmowill be spent.
sphere that requires each person
Among those playing an
to work towards social change is
Our Deepest Condolences
instrumental role in the launch of
one of my favorite things about
During the reporting of this story in August, Michael’s 24-year-old
the BK Story Voyager is SFC’s very
the College.” Without a doubt,
son, Michael Cawley Rochford, unexpectedly passed away while
own Alison Dell, Assistant Professor
Rochford’s work is the epitome
on summer break from George Washington University Law School.
of Biology. As a volunteer, she stood
of such Franciscan values. ●
Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael and the Rochford family.
alongside parents, educators, and
8 | ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE TERRIER | FALL 2016