St.Lawrence - EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, THE ALUMNI COUNCIL TURNS 100, AND SIX STUDENTS REINTERPRET 'SUMMER VACATION' - St. Lawrence University
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
st. Lawrence
University Magazine Fall 2015
Soars Spirit
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, THE ALUMNI COUNCIL TURNS 100,
AND SIX STUDENTS REINTERPRET ‘SUMMER VACATION’
Ema is a Japanese prayer tablet
that may express the maker’s wish
for academic success or good
luck. These tablets hung in the
North Country Japanese Garden
in the Sykes courtyard as the
2015-16 college year began.
,
Fall 15
student-created Features
14 It’s almost like the classroom doesn’t have walls anymore. When we
break down those barriers, we call it “Experiential Learning.”
20 “You’ve No Idea What I Did Last Summer” because you probably
didn’t think it meant no vacation—a few students demonstrate.
24 The Alumni Executive Council has in “A Century of Service” had a
bigger impact on St. Lawrence, and Laurentians, than most of us realize.
29 “How Could They Keep From Singing?” They couldn’t, as the Saints
sang their way through a milestone anniversary on Reunion Weekend.
Departments In Every Issue
4 On Campus 2 A Word from the President
10 Sports 36 Class Notes
30 Philanthropy in Action 52 Weddings
34 On Social Media 69 From the Archives
On the Cover: Kealey Viglielmo ’17 spent his summer getting to know some Adirondack raptors very well.
Photography by Tara Freeman. To read our magazine online, go to stlawu.edu/magazine.
st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2015
AWord From the President
Little Keepsakes & Kept Values
timepiece. With a trustworthy earnest- behavior insists, in the end, “everyone has knowing with accuracy the exact detail
PaperTrail
follow the Class of 2019— By the Numbers
5,888 applications (a record)
ness, he assured me that his offer was a a price,” then what can be set aside while of events or other lives, but developing
very fair price. still young as something so precious that a certain kind of emotional under-
I was not expecting an off-camera “An- it will never be sold? standing as intimate as an heirloom
tiques Road Show” moment, for this par- In this college-time formation of reflec- wristwatch. When we emphasize in our
ticular wristwatch, suddenly under hasty tive thought, there is also enough power living and curricular arrangements the
36% over 2014
street appraisal, was in its second genera- in it beyond the individual to teach others sharing of diverse experiences from all
tion of family ownership. It belonged to
my father, given to him by my mother to
nearby, even elders on campus, who will
spare enough curiosity to ask for some-
over the world and across the centuries,
we are reminding ourselves of a deeper
rise in applications
celebrate an anniversary, or the completion one else’s story of achievement, hardship necessity for finding sufficient ears and
of his dissertation, or the inauguration of or survival. This year marks a cluster of voices that can extend the long conver-
President Kennedy. Its deeper meaning, commemorative anniversaries from the last sation intelligently.
686 enrolled (a record)
in truth, signaled the hope that the Great 200 years—1965, 1945, 1915, 1865, and We cannot escape even the smallest
Depression finally took leave of an old, 1815—each touched by the fire of con- tokens of the past, the cameo brooch
low-grade despair. The occasion of the gift flict. For a significant number of people, or signet ring, because they are always
was never explained, though any or all of their own family histories, often painful or encoded with untold meaning, unex-
those reasons would fit the family history heroic, can be tied back to many of those pressed even for those who would never
18% legacies (a record)
around 1960, if only as a child recollects dates. A university as old as St. Lawrence let them go. They are conversation
his parents’ quietly shared triumph. I had also has a cable-tow extending off-shore starters for important matters. Every
no way of knowing then how compara- marked by the buoys of a far-reaching student and every teacher potentially
tively few their valuable possessions were. history. Over half the Class of 1915, for carries some small keepsake that reveals
The watch is still worn for important instance, men and women, served in the more about themselves than mere in-
occasions, runs like a hummingbird, and American military during wartime. ventory value. Look no further for the
W 22% international students
U.S. students of color or
would be, if old age should drive me to What history, remotely or personally, crown jewels of the University.
ith my suit jacket in one financial contingency, one of the last touches students at St. Lawrence today? Ryszard Kapuscinski in his remark-
hand, my briefcase in the things I would ever pawn. For this reason, Do they have the vocabulary to talk about able book The Soccer War warns his
other and my shirt sleeves I have singular television affinity, except it? When our students study abroad in readers about people who “devote too
rolled up, I walked past a when the Red Sox are playing. For more France, they live in the ancient Norman much attention to so-called events
57% women students
police officer in a busy city cross-walk. than a decade, the premise of the popular city of Rouen. As they walk those narrow heard round the world, while neglect-
A few paces beyond, he turned around, “Antiques Road Show” is to give people a streets near cathedral and martyr sites, ing the periods of silence.” He calls the
a perfect about-face, and followed me to sense of their belongings, particularly how they will see the bullet holes in the sides of challenge of allowing the past to speak,
the curb. history makes them valuable. They bring buildings from the liberation of 1945. “the battle against silence,” because
“Excuse me, sir, do you have the time?” their mementos, favorite works of art, or Meanwhile, for others on campus the it is, ultimately, silence that neglects
he asked while just off my shoulder, arriv- family china for expert assessment. As the contact point of history is sometimes another person’s humanity, protects
62% or outside the U.S.
from outside New York
ing like a pitcher trying to cover first base piece under consideration for potential nigh and raw, for we have students and tyrants and hides crimes. And yet, the
on a dribbler up the line. At first, I thought auction is described, the suspense builds professors among us for whom war is antique watch ticks away; it pulses with
he was just asking me, “Can we talk?” in around its authenticity, historical context not a distant event on the page or part a hard-won, beautiful story; and it is
that detective story way of false politeness, and personal connection to the owner. of a tour guide’s colorful detail. At St. worn by a grateful son because it stands
often depicting uniformed authority as The best viewing moment is the joy of Lawrence today I can recite a very present for something essential. n —WLF
both wise-guy and tough-guy. Then, I took the market supplicant hearing a higher past: a student’s father was assassinated by
his meaning more literally, realizing he appraisal than expected, and in that instant an explosion in a peaceful neighborhood;
only wanted me to look at my watch. also realizing the golden price would never another’s parents have lived for years in ST. LAWRENCE university magazine volume lxIV | number 4 | 2015
I complied and gave him the hour. warrant a sale, no matter what. and out of refugee camps; still others have
vice President for communications St. Lawrence University does not discriminate against students, faculty, staff or other beneficiaries on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age,
But that wasn’t exactly what he was after. To be touched by history through come from places that only 20 years ago Melissa Farmer Richards disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in admission to, or access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs
and activities. AA/EEO. For further information, contact the University’s Age Act, Title IX and Section 504 coordinator, 315-229-5656.
Breaking character and going totally intimate memories or small personal were killing fields amounting to historic Editor-in-Chief
Neal S. Burdick ’72
Design director
Jamie Lipps A complete policy listing is available at www.stlawu.edu/policies.
“civilian,” the beat patrolman said next, possessions can nearly overwhelm in its genocide. There is usually a story behind assistant editor photogr aphy director Published by St. Lawrence University four times yearly: January, April, July and October. Periodical postage is paid at Canton, NewYork 13617
Meg Keniston ’07, M’09 Tara Freeman and at additional mailing offices. (ISSN 0745-3582) Printed in U.S.A. All opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the author and do
“I’m a collector and I’ll give you $500 power to educate an individual about the family picture on the desk or the not necessarily reflect those of the editors and/or St. Lawrence University. Editorial offices: Office of University Communications, St. Lawrence
art director News editor
right now for your watch.” He then named choices in life, questions about purpose remembrance kept in a dresser drawer. Alex Rhea Ryan Deuel University, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617, phone 315-229-5585, fax 315-229-7422, e-mail nburdick@stlawu.edu, Web site www.stlawu.edu
the maker and the approximate date that first contemplated in the student days The purpose of historical mindfulness associate art director
Susan LaVean
class notes editor
Anna Barnard
Address changes A change-of-address card to Office of Annual Giving and Laurentian Engagement, St.Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive,
Canton, NY 13617 (315-229-5904, email slualum@stlawu.edu) will enable you to receive St.Lawrence and other University mail promptly.
the overseas jeweler had assembled the away from home. If the skeptic of human in a college community is not so much
2 3
st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2015
on campus
Know
it All.
A roundup of news from campus.Want more? Find us online:
www.stlawu.edu/news
1
Two fraternities
once again have
2 Joseph T. “JJ”
Jockel ’74 has
Consortium on Digital
Resources for Teaching
Year for public media.
This national award is given
campus housing been named a Piskor and Research. The annually to a single individual
allocations in Professor. Jockel has award will support digital working in public media in
2015-16. Beta been a member of the St. archiving of a sizable street the United States.
Theta Pi has
returned to 25
Lawrence faculty for 35 years.
The founding director of
art collection housed at the
Richard F. Brush Art 5 President William
L. Fox ’75 has been
College Street, its the University’s Canadian Gallery while also appointed to the
former home, while Alpha Studies program and one allowing faculty, Commission on
Tau Omega occupies 72 Park of the original teachers in students and Independent
Street. Each arrangement what became the First- staff to engage in Colleges and
is conditional. “Both Beta Year Program, in which he collaborative work Universities (cIcu)
and ATO need to work continues to teach, he is an with other institutions. Board of Trustees.
with their membership
to continue portraying a
acknowledged authority on
defense issues.
4 June Peoples,
North Country
The statewide association
for more than 100 private
positive image on campus,”
said Christopher Marquart,
3 The Council of
Independent
Public Radio’s
director of giving
higher education institutions,
cIcu’s mission is to develop
assistant dean of student life Colleges (CIC) has and finance, has been a consensus among a diverse
and director of residential selected St. Lawrence named Development membership and to advance
life and housing. to participate in its Professional of the higher education policy.
Old is Good
Rare 1545 book a valuable addition to libraries’ collection
F
By Neal Burdick '72
or some 40 years, the and mathematical discoveries for a astronomical, navigational and
Friends of the Owen popular educated audience,” the 1545 geographical calculations. “Volvelles
D. Young and Launders edition includes a world map, one are wonderful examples of paper
Libraries have been of the first showing what was known engineering and art, little paper
acquiring and donating of the newly-discovered American computers some 450 years before IBM,
to the University’s libraries rare continents. It also contains “chapters Microsoft and Apple changed our lives
and antiquarian books that would on the division of the earth into climate (again),” says McMurray, who helped
otherwise be out of the reach of regular zones, the use of parallels and meridians, arrange the purchase.
budgets. The latest is a 1545 edition of methods for determining latitude and “Cosmographia incorporates the best
Aerial Photography Cosmographia, first written, compiled longitude, and practical applications of the Scientific Revolution: a serious
and published in 1524 by the German of trigonometry,” McMurray says. Its sense of discovery uncoupled from
A high-level “group selfie” of
the new Romoda College
mathematician and cartographer Peter
Apian (1495-1552), also known as
treatise on triangulation, added in 1533
by collaborator Gemma Frisius, was
doctrine,” McMurray adds. “It is one
of the major 16th-century works in
residents was one feature of this Petrus Apianus. the first proposal that that process be applied mathematics, a significant book
fall’s Matriculation Ceremony. The Described by Curator of Special employed as a means of locating and combining all the liberal arts.” He notes
Class of 2019 set several numerical Collections and University Archivist mapping places. that upon hearing of its acquisition,
records; for specifics, see page 3. Mark McMurray as “a textbook and The book is also notable for its faculty in history, physics, math and
manual intended to summarize many volvelles, revolving paper discs with English quickly indicated that they
of the recent geographical, navigational which the reader can make various would use the book in their teaching. n
4 5
st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2015
on campus
Breathe in, Breathe out
Theme house sponsors weekly Zen meditation for all
D
By Caroline Fleischauer ’15
eep breaths in, deep breaths out, the heady scent Barbara Cross ’15, speaking for the members of the house
of cedar permeating the air. At the chime of a last spring, said “Zen Den is beneficial as a way to recharge
bell, I begin to touch my fingers to one another, and create a sense of mindfulness that students can use in
dragging myself out their daily lives.” From the welcoming
of the depths of my conscience, atmosphere with tapestries on the walls
bringing myself back to reality. and a cozy brick fireplace to the comfy
Upon opening my eyes, I see a chairs, it’s the perfect way, and place,
small number of other students to unwind and find some peace in the
doing the same, smiling serenely middle of the week.
and savoring the last of the Zen Den is but one of the activities
silence before we all must go our that the L.I.G.H.T. House has brought
separate ways. to campus since its inception in the fall
This is Zen Den at the of 2011. The residents often sponsor
L.I.G.H.T. (Living Inspiration- yoga, outdoor meditations at locations
ally Growing Healthy Together) such as Lampson Falls, workshops,
House theme residence, a group potlucks, and other events to promote
illustration: Gwenda Kaczor
High Tech, Low Tech
meditation led by the members healthy living. These are open to all stu-
at their house on Wednesday dents as well as others. Said Cross, “We
nights. Located at 17 College would like everyone to know that they
Street, the L.I.G.H.T. House are welcome at the L.I.G.H.T House.”
Students teach Rwandans English by Skype—then go there and do it in person focuses on promoting self-aware- For more on the house, visit
A
ness, and Zen Den is one of its www.stlawu.edu/admissions/what-
By Ryan Deuel & Neal Burdick '72 many weekly events. light-house. n
fter spending her in Rwanda via Skype video conferencing. “These are called wheels...” Anna Pond
junior year on For Pond, who began teaching English ’15, arms outstretched, and six other Welcome Aboard the Board
St. Lawrence’s in France in September, taking the class St. Lawrence students traveled to
Program in France, meant much more than getting a crash- Rwanda in May to teach both a women’s St. Lawrence University’s Board of Trustees has elected served on the Cancer Support Community of Greater
senior Anna Pond course in pedagogy. “(It was) an amazing sewing cooperative and the men’s five new members: Lee Bailey ’74, Joanie Byrne Hall Philadelphia for eight years.
’15 was left with a experience to watch people learn a lan- national cycling team basic English. P’17 and Nicoline Carlson Sawabini ’79, P’15 as new
strong desire to return there one day and guage,” she says. “Language gives people term members; and Christian Ehrhardt ’07 and Morgan 3: Sawabini recently retired as a managing director
teach English as a second language. power. I know what that has meant for groups that we had worked with over Pendergast Baker ’08, McCurdy-Sprague trustees. for risk management at GE Capital Commercial Real
Not long ago, it was relatively easy for me, and I want to give people that same Skype, and taught lessons on describ- Estate. She has been a member of St. Lawrence’s Parents
Americans and native-English speakers opportunity.” ing baskets, selling articles from their Committee, served as a Laurentians-in-Residence panelist
to go abroad after graduating from col- But it didn’t end there. Once the course boutique, measuring customers to fit and mentored several students in the Laurentians
lege and teach. Today, however, stan- was over, seven of the students traveled to them for clothing, parts of the body, Investing in Networking and Careers (LINC) program.
dards are more stringent. Those wishing Rwanda to teach the women in person. and so on. At the Africa Rising Cycling
to teach English as a second language They also taught members of the Rwan- Center, we stuck mostly to lessons on 1 2 3 4 5 4: Ehrhardt is a career member of the U.S. Foreign
(ESL) need to know more than just the dan national cycling team. bike parts, body parts, injuries, and basic Service. He has served at embassies in the Middle East,
language–they’re expected to know how “The women in the sewing coopera- communication for interviews. Their lack 1: Bailey is a managing director at US Renewables the Caribbean and Africa, where he has been responsible
to teach as well. tive wanted to learn English in order to of proficiency in English stops them from Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity fund for leading and managing embassy security operations.
“I had no idea how to develop a lesson talk to tourists and vendors,” instructor traveling to European tours, so basic that invests in renewable energy and clean fuel A First Responder and Canton EMT as a student, he has
plan or incorporate things like music Robin Rhodes-Crowell says. “The cycling proficiency was our goal.” companies. He has chaired his Reunion Development been a Laurentians-in-Residence panelist and a Laurentians
into teaching a language,” says Pond. So team wanted to learn how to talk to “I often think fondly of the people we Committee, been a panelist for the Laurentians-in- Investing in Networking and Careers (LINC) mentor.
in her final semester at St. Lawrence, she reporters and communicate effectively at met, all the smiles and laughter that we Residence program, and served on the Leadership Gifts
took Critical Aspects of Teaching English bicycling trade shows. It was more suc- experienced during teaching, and cher- Committee. 5: Baker is an assistant director of individual giving at
as a Second Language. The course went cessful than I could have imagined.” ish the images of understanding on our Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She works directly
far beyond just the theory of teaching: “We spent two weeks in Rwanda,” students’ faces,” Pond reminisces. “It was 2: Hall and her husband, Bob, are members of the St. with the Harvard AIDS Initiative and the Harvard Center for
about two-thirds of the students taught says Pond. “(At the cooperative), we such fun to hear them finally understand Lawrence Parents Committee. She serves on the board Population and Development Studies. She specializes in major
English to a women’s sewing cooperative split into the beginner and intermediate and use what we were teaching them.” n of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation and gift fundraising and volunteer management.
6 7
st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2015
on campus
laurentian
Review
environments, whether war zones in Jim is a master storyteller and a grace-
Cambodia or inner-city Chicago. His ful, elegant writer who brings complex
lifework to keep children safe coalesces science to life in dramatically rendered
in his latest book, Listening to Killers: personal histories. It is a narrative style
Lessons Learned from My 20 Years as a that makes for clear science and rivet-
Psychological Expert Witness in Murder ing reading. Be prepared to change your
Cases (University of California Press, mind. I did.
2015). This time, his battle for children’s Dan Clayton is professor of history and
The Women’s Initiative
human rights takes him to the dark- director of the Center for the Study of War
est side of humanity and the shocking Experience at Regis University in Denver.
world of brutal killers who commit A Phi Beta Kappa Laurentian, he majored
grisly crimes. in government and was named the first
Where are the children? Garbarino St. Lawrence Henry Reiff Scholar. Career Services initiative seeks to impart ‘the wisdom of women in the workforce’
tells the story of one particularly scary
A
beast of a man to illustrate what his By Caroline Fleischauer '15
exhaustive research revealed: “…the A Sampler of Professor
fundamental truth that many, perhaps Garbarino’s Scholarship s the oldest continuously co-educational The Women’s Initiative Fireside Chats bring together profes-
most, killers are untreated traumatized university in New York State, it’s safe to say sional women from all sectors of the economy and students
children inhabiting the bodies of scary Children and the Dark Side of Human that St. Lawrence has consistently looked to hungry for advice on how to enter those professions.
men (sometimes women).” The man had Experience (2008) balance the gender gap in education. A new
a child’s Pink Panther tattoo on his torso, campus initiative’s aim is to do the same in practice that focuses on low- and middle-income countries’
See Jane Hit: Why Girls Are Growing
and in the interview with Jim revealed More Violent and What We Can Do
the occupational field. need to address women’s leadership, girls’ education and
that he cried himself to sleep at night. About It (2006) Started in the fall of 2014, the Women’s Initiative’s goal is to healthcare management training; and Deirdre Scozzafava, New
Garbarino has taken developmental provide an opportunity for students to learn about women’s York State Deputy Secretary of State for Local Government.
psychology into the courtroom in 75 Words Can Hurt Forever: How to experiences in the workforce, in hopes of inspiring them to Beth Larrabee ’97, assistant director of career services and
Protect Adolescents from Bullying,
murder cases across the country, defend- pursue their career goals. To counter the pervading stereotypes the originator of the program, continues to work alongside
Harassment, and Emotional Violence
ing the children inhabiting the bodies of (2002) against women in certain professions, professional women students to build off of the success of the initial Fireside Chat
these adult male killers. He documents are invited to St. Lawrence from a variety of fields, including series. Reflecting on the first series, she says, “I was not only
and explains how “accumulating risk Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn politics, law enforcement, business, nonprofits and healthcare. inspired by the depth of dialog and energy ignited by our
Jim Garbarino ’68: factors” in the early lives of the killers set Violent and How We Can Save Them The initiative then facilitates discussion between them and amazing keynote speakers, community leaders, faculty and
(1999)
A Life’s Work in Children’s Safety them on the path to violent homicidal students about their experiences. staff who shared their wisdom and encouraged our students to
Coalesces in His Latest Book behavior. This is the context in which the No Place to Be a Child: Growing Up in One way the staff and student interns in Career Services are challenge themselves, network and seek out mentors as they
By Daniel Clayton ’68 killer’s choice to kill must be understood. a War Zone (1991) hoping to achieve this is through their Fireside Chat series. progress on their personal and professional journeys, but also by
I’ve been a big fan of Jim Garbarino’s He puts the question rhetorically: “What The original Innovation Grant proposal, which supplied the the collaborative leadership of our Student Steering Committee
Troubled Youth, Troubled Families
academic work ever since our student does this tell us about free will?” (1986)
initial funding for the program, outlines that, “Through a series who facilitated the events so gracefully.”
days at St. Lawrence, where we met Jim never excuses or condones the of intimate conversations, guided by women representing an “It becomes exciting and uniting to find out that women have
playing touch football. A professor of crime, of course, and he makes no Successful Schools and Competent array of industries and demographics, students will gain the dealt with challenges in the workplace, but have risen above
psychology at Loyola University Chicago, pretense that some killers are beyond Students (1981) wisdom of women in the workforce.” The sessions, which are these challenges and learned to appreciate their profession,” says
Prof. Garbarino is a seminal scholar redemption. But he also believes “we Protecting Children from Abuse and
open to all students and even those outside of the St. Lawrence Chelsea Draper ’15. “I left feeling refreshed and encouraged
in the field of child abuse and youth should never give up on killers of any Neglect (1980) community, feature a keynote speaker, followed by small to graduate from St. Lawrence.” For more on the Women’s
violence whose prodigious and highly age.” The outcomes have been mixed, as roundtable discussions and a networking reception. Speakers Initiative, visit www.stlawu.edu/career-services/womens-
influential body of work—24 books, Jim indicates, but it is certainly true that have included Kari Suva P’17, who conducts a consulting empowerment-initiative. n
dozens of scholarly articles—ranks him his brand of the “social toxicity” defense We provide information on books by
among our country’s academic elite. has made a significant contribution to alumni and others on a first-come, first-
The theme of much of Jim’s work is the shifting how the American justice system served basis. Books that do not receive Penalty Box: The music links in our summer issue lacked full credits. Jacob Brillhart ’15 performs his music with the St. Lawrence
String Orchestra, in an arrangement by director Chris Hosmer; and Corinne Niekrewicz ’15 is accompanied on the piano by Barbara
moral and emotional damage suffered considers adverse childhood experiences attention here may be recognized in a
Phillips-Farley. Also, in the story about Ryan Daniels, composer Richard Rodgers’ name was misspelled. We regret these errors.
by children who live in extremely toxic in murder cases. future issue.
8 9
st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2015
SPORTS
When Divya finished first in the long
jump and second in the triple jump, “That’s the best I’ve ever done!”
Doris texted her, “Yay, champ!”
Back on campus, now it’s Doris’s
turn to train for a national champion-
ship. Divya travels down from Ottawa,
Ontario, for one last session with Doris,
who is in Canton for St. Lawrence’s
A
2015 Reunion Weekend.
ccording to Divya, the
homemade practice spot
Doris constructed has
paid off: “She’s improved
a lot since January. She’s
listened, and she’s a great athlete.”
Doris shouts to her coach that she’s
ready to try again. Divya reminds her:
“Forward! Forward. Lean forward.” Doris The two women fall silent as the young pete in the long jump next time?” Doris
nods. coach measures the mark. asks. “You know, I want to continue this
Run, run, run. Hop. Skip. JUMP. “15 feet, 5 inches!” coaching thing.”
Coaching Up
Doris splashes into the sand, landing a “YAY! WOW. WOOOOOOOO!” yells Without a second thought, Divya
big jump in the pit. Doris. “That’s the best I’ve ever done!” responds: “Oh, yeah! You’ve got good
“Wow!” Divya yells. “See?! So much bet- “That’s so good! Look how good you’re spring!” n
ter. Did that feel better?” getting!”
The Generation Gap is no factor “Yes! That felt really good,” Doris As light showers begin to fall on the Doris Ferry placed fourth in the triple
when this duo starts talking track answers as she looks proudly at her foot- track, Doris and Divya decide to end jump and sixth in women’s singles
prints embedded in the pit. their training on this high note, but plans tennis at the National Senior Games in
By Meg Bernier Keniston ’07, M’09 “Wow, we need to measure that one. to work together again are already being Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, in
Y
Great job!” Divya runs and grabs a tape made. July. In mixed doubles tennis, she and
ou don’t have to look up at Divya asks Doris. “You were running Doris Ferry ’56, left, and Divya Biswal ’15, measure. “Do you think I should try and com- Bob Ferry ’59 earned a silver medal.
the North Country sky to faster. I want you to start from that white track champions both, have a lot to share
know when it’s about to rain line instead. If you start closer, you won’t despite an age difference of nearly 60 years.
in Canton. slow down.”
On this particular late May morning, “Okay, Coach.” Doris, determined to two connected through Laurentian chan- Family Tradition
the humidity hangs heavily in the air at get this right, makes her way back down nels and met up in January while Divya
the nearly empty Merrick-Pinkard Track. the runway. was practicing in South Florida with her Alissa Bibb ’03, left, competed as a
A closer look reveals an unusual pairing “When you take off at the board, you club team, the Ottawa Lions. senior in the NCAA Division III track and
of athletes practicing on the far side of have to make sure you look up and keep “She took me to a track and really field national championship meet, in
Weeks Field. Doris Kloppenburg Ferry everything moving forward,” Divya ad- worked with me, showing me what I her home venue. Twelve years later, her
’56 and Divya Biswal ’15, nearly 60 years vises. “Don’t lean back.” needed to work on for the next few brother Trevor ’15 replicated the feat.
apart in age, are too busy to notice the in- “Oh, just like skiing?” months,” Doris says. After the session,
coming weather as they discuss strategies “Yes! Just like that.” Doris returned to her condo complex and
for their final training session. The mention of skiing reminds them created her own practice venue using a
Doris heads toward the middle of the of how their relationship began. Doris cement path that ran along the complex’s
I
track, stops, turns around and stares down read about Divya, who had recently been tennis courts and led to the dumpster and f this isn’t unique, it’s certainly rare: a quartet of Saints to qualify, also as a has also served in Mongolia and Trinidad
the sand pit, about 30 yards away, that crowned NCAA Division III triple jump some bags of sand. When Trevor Bibb ’15 competed in senior, competing in the long jump and & Tobago.
Divya is standing near. The velvety sand national champion, in the fall 2014 Despite their generational difference the NCAA Division III track and field 400-meter hurdles. They didn’t miss the meet, though;
is just begging to be jumped into. Doris St. Lawrence magazine. Coincidentally, the and being hundreds of miles apart, Doris national championships on campus in “She told me to have fun and enjoy they hooked the live feed up to their
takes a deep breath, and she’s off. same issue included a feature article on and Divya consider themselves on “the May, he was, literally, following in the every second of it and appreciate it TV. “The facilities looked wonderful,
Run, run, run. Hop. Skip. Jump. Doris and her husband, Bob Ferry ’59. cutting edge of coaching,” staying in footsteps of his older sister, Alissa ’03, for what it is,” Trevor told a Watertown and I could see a crew of my former
She’s close, but her attempt at a success- “I had just qualified to compete in the touch via text messages, offering words who took part the last time that event Daily Times reporter. “I really did.” Alissa, teammates lined up on the fence
ful triple jump doesn’t quite make it into triple jump at the National Senior Games, of encouragement to one another. Over was hosted by St. Lawrence, 12 years a U.S. State Department diplomat in cheering for Trevor where my team had
the pit. and then I realized that here, right at St. a five-month period, Doris continued to earlier. One of four St. Lawrence athletes mandatory training for an assignment in cheered for me,” said Alissa. “A great
“You know what the difference was be- Lawrence, was the number one athlete in practice as Divya prepped and competed to qualify, he finished 15th in the men’s Moscow, was unable to attend the 2015 demonstration of how active our alumni
tween your first jump and this last one?” that event!” Doris explains excitedly. The in the NCAA national championships. 10,000-meter run. Alissa was also one of meet. Married to Andrew Dana ’04, she are, and it meant a lot." —NSB
10 11
st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2015
SPORTS
Marching In ncaa championships By The N#mbers
1856
824 Athletes
participated
286 Institutions
participated
36 National champions crowned
700 3-Day passes sold
hen St. Lawrence hosted the
NCAA Division III national
track and field championships
1300
People attended banquet dinner
700
last May, not all of the numbers had to do
with finishes, feet jumped, and so on. Some
Milk Cartons of milk
were about day passes and maple syrup.
handed out in two hours.
600 Pounds of chicken
breast consumed
288 Athletes named All-America
1300
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
110
Half-pint bottles of maple
Pounds of syrup given out at banquet
pasta consumed
60 Cheesecakes
consumed
We talk a lot about scholar-
athletes at St. Lawrence, the
assumption being that they rely
on their heads in the classroom
62,836 dollars worth of
NCAA merchandise sold
and the rest of their bodies in
Support Team
the sports venue. But that’s
not exclusive when it comes
T
to soccer, aside from the fact
hey travel to their children’s games so often,
that success in any sport
they sometimes develop friendships of
involves thinking. It doesn’t hurt
their own. Women’s basketball moms and
(although perhaps literally it
dads, their loyalties obvious, met up for a weekend
might) that Harry Copeland ’16,
on Cape Cod last summer. From left are Todd
a math major from Dedham,
Gonyeau (Ellie ’17), Pat and Gail Cady (Alison ’15),
Mass., is six-feet-five, putting
Pat Dalton '81 (Caroline ’17), Chris Gonyeau, Laura
his head a bit nearer the ball
and Jim McDuffee (Kara ’15), Ali Brandon (Lauren
most of the time.
Quattrocchi ’16), Kate Dalton and Dave Quattrocchi.
12 13
Experiential Learning
LIGHTS
CAMERA
TAKE ACTION
During her first year on St. Lawrence’s campus, photo club so that students who really love
Emily Parent ’18 found no shortage of activities photography could go on excursions, critique
to keep her busy. “There is never a reason to each other’s work and hold workshops.”
be bored here,” she says. “There is always some
sort of adventure, club or activity going on. Emily talked with a crew teammate, who offered
I wish I had more time to do everything!” to help make the club a reality, connecting her
with key people to get the ball rolling. Then
Emily filled her time by joining the crew team another friend helped her find a faculty adviser—
and the student social media team, and pursuing Assistant Professor of Chemistry Adam Hill, well
other weekly events and activities, but still— known on campus for his love of photography.
something was missing. Within six months of moving in, Emily had already
added to the University’s long list of clubs.
“I have been really interested in photography
for a long time and St. Lawrence didn’t have an “The size of our school and our supportive
outlet for me,” she says. “When I was looking at community made starting the club easy,” she says.
colleges, St. Lawrence always said if you didn’t “Now I have found 30 new friends who share the
find the club you were looking for, you could start same passion for photography as I do.”
one. So, I talked to a friend about re-starting a —Meg Bernier Keniston ’07, M’09
PHOTOGRAPH BY EMILY PARENT
14 15
Get out of class.
Experiential Learning
Community-Based Learning puts
classroom theory on the ground
By Caroline Fleischauer ’15 ommunity-based learning, or cbl, components have
been popular additions to St. Lawrence courses since the
early 1990s. According to Brenda Papineau, director of
community-based learning partnerships, “CBL enhances
students’ learning of course content and increases their active en-
gagement with the local community. CBL teaches students about
the value of reflection and reciprocity, and cultivates an under-
standing of and appreciation for difference.” St. Lawrence stu-
dents have performed CBL at local boys and girls clubs, daycares,
farms and programs supporting individuals with disabilities.
Kim Haab ’16 participated in her first CBL as part of her
First-Year Seminar, Food, Identity and Culture. Placed at
Bittersweet Farm, Kim spent the semester working with the
animals and produce.
“I came to realize how disconnected I was from the food I ate
and how ignorant I was about agriculture and food produc-
tion, Kim says. “My time at Bittersweet helped me to lessen
this disconnect.”
Kim went on to participate in St. Lawrence’s Sustainability
Semester, taking part in another CBL at LittleGrasse Food-
works. “I was introduced to the CSA (Community Supported
Agriculture) style of food production,” she says. Through seed-
ordering, garden planting and food preservation, Kim was able
to further explore her interest in sustainable agriculture.
Elizabeth Bastien ’15, who worked at a local agency for
learning-challenged individuals, says, “The time that I spent
there allowed me to develop lifelong friendships and relation-
ships with those I worked with, while also enhancing lessons I
learned in the classroom.” A Canton native, Lizzie went on to
Above, Canton native accept a position as a Community Mentor with the Center for
Liz Bastien ’15 went back Civic Engagement (CCE), coordinating the SLU Buddies pro-
into her own community to gram and planning annual campus-community service events,
learn through service. Right, such as Kick It and Shawna’s Walk for Wishes.
Sustainability Semester Kim and Liz are among nearly 3,000 students who have taken
student Kim Haab ’16 part in CBL courses over the past decade, logging over 60,000
helped build a greenhouse hours of service in the community. As the number of commu-
while learning where nity partners and involved students continues to rise, Papineau
her food comes from. hopes to initiate further cooperation between the CBL program
and the volunteer services offices, “to afford students the op-
portunity to seamlessly continue their service work outside of
a classroom requirement.” She also plans to continue a faculty
development seminar series: “We look forward to getting more
faculty excited about the pedagogy of CBL, with the desire to
increase new CBL course offerings.” n
16 17Experiential Learning
nia State University Department of Visual Arts and New Me-
dia. He also initiated the first meeting of the Model Security A Multitude
of Possibilities
Council, which took place on campus Feb. 11 to 13 in1949.
Nine colleges plus St. Lawrence participated, among them
Alfred University, representing China; Clarkson (Argentina);
McGill (Canada), Middlebury (France) and the University of
Vermont (Russia). St. Lawrence fielded two teams: the U.S. and
the United Kingdom. Multi-field option lets students
While arguably the first of its kind, the St. Lawrence Model make their own major
UN would come and go over the next 66 years, sometimes not By Lexi Williams ’15 and
existing for nearly a decade at a time. Then, a student or group Meg Bernier Keniston ’07, M’09
of students would jump-start it once again. One such resuscita-
tion came after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
That fall, Molly Ryan ’05 was a first-year student. Active in her
high school’s Model UN club, she was disappointed when she t. lawrence encourages its students to do whatever
learned that St. Lawrence did not have a similar organization. they want to do and be whoever they want to be. That especially
“It was an interesting time,” she says, “because international goes for their work in the classroom.
St. Lawrence’s current Model UN politics were at the forefront of everybody’s mind.” With the Students have had the option to design their own major since
team: from left, Nina Melkonyan ’18 help of Government chair Joseph Kling and funding from his the late 1980s. More than 150 Laurentians have taken the Uni-
of Yerevan, Armenia; Anna Tsybko ’16 department and Thelmo, she was able to get a new Model UN versity up on its offer and graduated with a multi-field degree,
of Yuzhnoukrainsk, Ukraine; Imman organization off the ground. She and 15 students participated allowing them to explore interdisciplinary fields that would
Merdanovic ’17 of Zenica, Bosnia otherwise not be accomplished through pre-existing majors.
and Herzegovina; Robert “Duff” According to Evelyn Jennings, associate professor of history
Archie ’18 of Alexandria, Virginia; “Participating in Model UN and associate dean for academic advising programs, a multi-
Zachary Martell ’16 of Essex Junction, field major is not very common, but that’s not because of a
Vermont; and Elizaveta Dyatko ’17, gives you phenomenal debating lack of student interest. Over the years, the faculty have learned
originally from Minsk, Belarus. what new academic programs are of interest based on similari-
and problem-solving skills.” ties between student-designed majors. Global studies and many
combined majors have been developed as a result of common-
RISE FALL
alities found among multi-field programs, Jennings explains.
in the Harvard National Model UN conference, even taking “Student interests evolve,” Jennings says. “We have a lot of ar-
home a few awards. eas of study at St. Lawrence, and some students take advantage
RISE AGAIN
“Participating in Model UN gives you phenomenal debat- of creating their own major because choosing just one academic
ing and problem-solving skills,” says Ryan, who now oversees program doesn’t satisfy their many interests.”
volunteer services at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Emma Turell ’16, right, is one of those students. “At first I
T
Plattsburgh, New York. “It really gives you a unique experience wanted to be a history major, but I be-
Model UN reflects the comings and goings of student interests not only in understanding international politics but also in how gan thinking that I’d rather major in
By Ryan Deuel to speak publically.” art instead,” she says. It was late
Nearly 15 years later, Elizaveta Dyatko ’17 followed—unknow- to completely change majors, so
wo growing military powers the notion that St. Lawrence’s Model UN conference may have ingly—in Ryan’s footsteps. Elizaveta, who is originally from she looked into the possibility
were wrestling for control of geo- been one of the earliest intercollegiate gatherings of its type. Minsk, Belarus, and is a graduate of United World Colleges of building her own.
politically significant territory. The UN was established by 51 member states on Oct. 24, Hong Kong, took it upon herself to create the most recent incar- “I combined history and art,
At the same time, a dictator who 1945, in the weeks and months following the end of the Second nation of the organization during her first year. Students began and added English to do some-
had shut down political dissent in World War in an attempt to promote international coopera- joining, and last April, she and a five-person team took part in thing I’ve always wanted to do:
his own country and executed his tion. St. Lawrence had an indirect role in its creation. One of its New York University’s Model United Nations Conference. learn how to write and draw his-
opponents was also supportive of long-admired professors, Government chair and treaty expert “We participated with students from Harvard, Princeton and torical graphic novels,” she says.
American military strategies. Henry Reiff, began consulting on “loan” to U.S. State Depart- other highly-esteemed schools,” she says. “We got to attend The combination options seem infinite.
These two internationally sig- ment in September 1944 and was a technical adviser in inter- social events with them, which gave us new experiences and One student designed a program that combined physics and
nificant situations could be pegged to the global concerns of national law and organizations at the San Francisco conference knowledge that we could bring back to St. Lawrence.” philosophy. In recent years, Jennings notes, many projects
today. Yet, they were the two cases studied by St. Lawrence Uni- that wrote the original UN charter in early 1945. Reiff later For Model UN participants, the experience tends to a have have included an art component and a few have focused on
versity’s First Model Political and Security Council Meeting, or served as a technical expert at the London conference that set lifelong impact. Middle Eastern studies.
Model UN, in 1949. (The first concerned the Berlin Blockade, up the UN and held its first meeting. “No matter what our professional role, we are working with But a multi-field major is not for everyone. “The drive stems
the other the Spanish dictatorship of Francisco Franco.) “On returning to SLU, he spoke widely about the UN in many people of differing personalities, opinions and viewpoints, from the desire to accomplish a specific project or goal,” Jennings
While it may be presumptuous to give this particular meet- the following months (and years)” wrote his son, Daniel Reiff, yet we are still all striving for similar outcomes,” Ryan says. “Model says. “If it seems doable and the student has the intellectual
ing a “first-ever” label, several key pieces of evidence support SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in the Fredo- UN prepared me and others for how to accomplish our goals.” n and academic rationale, anything is possible.” n
18 19You’ve
no idea
six OF SLU’S FINEST put fresh spin on the word ‘VACATION’
what I
My internship was meant
to find a correlation did last
between weather patterns
and the (raptors’) success.
—KEALEY VIGLIELMO ’17
summer
21I gained an understanding
of the political system
that I’d never have
learned in a textbook.
—NICOLE LEiNDERS ’16
Summer fellowship
research let me
come up with my
own research topic—
‘The Effect of Biofilm
Growth on Tetracycline-
resistant Soil Bacteria
in the Presence of
Tetracycline’.
—AUTUMN ROLACK ’17
As a University Fellow,
I kept my focus
on each stroke of
my paintings. This is
the way I explored
a pure existence of
myself in the art
It’s funny how soon
world, not distracted our paths cross,
by anything.
THIS PAGE: JEFF MAURITZEN
—tianhe zhong ’16
creating social circles
that are endlessly Capitol Hill Interns:
from left, Alita Rogers ’17,
intertwined with Annie Dietderich ’16,
St. Lawrence string. Nicole Leinders ’16.Laurentian Milestones
Several former council
presidents, along with
the current president,
Ed Forbes ’02, fourth
from right, enjoyed the
A Century of Service
council’s May centenary.
At far left, Lisa Cania
By Ed Forbes ’02 and
Lisa M. Cania M’82 M’82, University liaison.
The Alumni Executive Council turns 100 this year Every graduate gets a pin, below.
Sometimes it’s a family affair;
left, John Callahan ’78 and his
daughter Amy ’13 were both
It is a measure of
council members.
neither one hundred,
nor even hundreds.
The centennial of the Alumni Executive Council endurance of the Laurentian network—
(AEC) can only be measured in thousands. has been the cultivation of St. Lawrence’s
Consider: best volunteers, an unparalleled corps of
l Countless Laurentians have served as engagement that President Emeritus Daniel
members of the AEC. F. Sullivan ’65 regarded as “the best alumni
l The cumulative value of their support of council in the country.”
St. Lawrence is thousands upon thousands. Service to the council has brought thousands
l Thousands of Laurentians have benefited of Laurentians home to Canton to share their
from programs, internships and networking talents, their time and their treasure, rekindling
opportunities funded or otherwise provided again and again an enduring affection for
by members of the AEC. St. Lawrence.
Put simply, it is nearly impossible to quantify As the AEC celebrates its centennial, we
the impact of the council’s century of service asked its members to assess their experiences,
to St. Lawrence. the relationships they’ve made through council
The most important impact—beyond the phil- service and, as we look toward a second century
anthropic support, beyond the perpetuation and of service, the council’s future. >
24 25Laurentian Milestones
“
Council Service
is all about rolling
up your sleeves
the relationships
the alumni Council shapes cross-
generational Laurentian connections
The council is:
“My truest friends and confidantes.”
“A place I go for counsel and advice.”
“AEC is a vital, nimble, responsive asset to SLU and the
alumni body. [Its members should] keep supporting
the University, stay forward-thinking, talk to alums and
students and build appreciation for and commitment to
the University.”
—Karen Helle Nemiah ’82
The President’s Panel
One Laurentian joined the council almost upon graduation
and has “grown up” to lead. Another joined close to retirement
and brought seasoned skills to a council in transition.
One took the helm as the ship changed course. Another led
after a personal tragedy and council members gave meaning
“Supportive and understanding.” “The sky’s the limit! We are viewed as partners by the and love in unimagined ways. Each AEC president has
and providing —Alexandra Kirby Taylor ’89 University, and I believe we are limited only by our vision,
imagination and ability to execute.”
his or her own narrative, and each authored a chapter of
council history that helped bring the council to today’s secure
meaningful “We share a common experience as alumni of
St. Lawrence, but we also share many of the same values
—Sue Eichman North ’76 position in University life.
At Reunion, eight presidents gathered for a panel discussion
service to
“ that were central to attracting us to St. Lawrence in the
first place: integrity, individualism, generosity, and a
“Alumni who want to get more involved need to
understand the great things the council does. Its future is
on why giving of their time, talent and treasure has been
fulfilling for them in ways they never imagined, in family,
students and disdain for pretension and elitism.”
—Rob Donovan ’75
based on finding great alumni who want to serve.”
—Ken Polk ’91
professional and civic responsibilities. Deena Giltz
McCullough ’84 moderated. Here are highlights of their
fellow alumni. “SLU has an amazing network. I’ve had fascinating
poignant, thoughtful comments.
conversations with interesting people who have lived full A centennial commitment Q. What was your relationship with St. Lawrence before your
—Steve Todd ’92 lives and enjoy sharing their experiences.” The AEC has long advocated for the importance council service and since retiring from the council?
—Neil Chatterjee ’99 of internships and other forms of experiential learning. “I never fully imagined that St. Lawrence would be the
Their educational value is beyond debate, and the chief project of my life, other than my family. I think more
“There isn’t a Laurentian I have met whom I didn’t like. council has held that these student experiences about the future of the liberal arts and of St. Lawrence
Every graduate, before me or after me, instantly becomes part perpetuate the St. Lawrence network, a University than I do any questions in my professional life.”
the experience of my family. The AEC is my immediate St. Lawrence family. asset that is beyond value. —Ed Forbes ’02
Volunteering for St. Lawrence Everyone has a story. Everyone could write their own novel. So that every student can build experiential learning
I am intrigued by every conversation.” into his or her studies, the AEC has launched the Alumni “The more I learned about St. Lawrence, the more I
“My favorite aspect is interacting with students, especially —Chelsea Nuffer Lloyd ’10 Executive Council Endowment for Internships and loved the place.” >
helping them understand career options. This sense of Experiential Learning. We aim to raise $250,000 by —Steve Todd ’92
satisfaction makes traveling to campus or Canaras and “I value the relationships I’ve developed with University 2018 to make that statement a reality. As of this article’s
sacrificing work and family time worthwhile.” staff. I’ve always respected their work, but it took joining writing, pledges had surpassed $125,000. To support
—Brendan McLaughlin ’90 the council to really see how much goes on behind the this effort, visit stlawu.edu/giving. n
scenes. As a student I knew that the University staff was
“Over the years I had become disconnected from SLU. working away in Vilas, but now, as an alumna, I understand
Being on this council has helped me reconnect. I particularly that the quiet, tireless behind-the-scenes work is what
enjoy my contacts with current students at networking events, enabled me to have such an enjoyable, seamless college
practice interviews or the junior/senior dinner.” experience.”
—Jay McKee ’71 —Beth Slater ’03
(Editor’s note: Beth Slater admired the University staff
“It’s a unique experience—you are able to connect with so much she joined the team in spring 2015.)
all Laurentians, prospective, current and alumni, in one
weekend. The work we do sometimes mirrors that of our
professional lives, but other times it’s very different, the future
and I enjoy that aspect.” what’s in store for the
—Danielle Weaver ’07 second century of service? A new tradition at
Commencement is
“It has been extremely fulfilling knowing that I was “The council will become even more relevant in its the awarding of an
directly contributing to strengthening and enhancing the second century. We need to leverage the vast professional Alumni Association
college experience for others who will follow me.” network of Laurentians to assist our students with career pin (see page 23)
—Norm Abbott ’65 guidance and opportunities.” to each graduate, by
—Brendan McLaughlin ’90 the Alumni Council
“Council service is all about rolling up your sleeves and president. Here,
providing tangible, meaningful service to students and “Here’s to the continued spirit of shared vision between Steve Todd ’92
fellow alumni.” the University and its alumni.” (president 2012-14)
—Steve Todd ’92 —Joe Richardson ’63 does the honors.
26 27You can also read
