Summer for the "admission professional" entails a number of conferences and workshops. I was lucky enough to participate in an incredible workshop right here on the Skidmore campus. The IGR workshop was a very effective workshop to help professors, staff members and community members open up dialog surrounding race and identity. Thirty plus Skidmore staff members were admitted into the program run by the program directors, Monita and Charles (now retired). The three day workshop was challenging, rewarding and empowered participants with more knowledge, tools and experience to work with majority and diverse populations! I highly recommend the IGR workshop!
Here is a link to a short clip about IGR workshops/classes.
Skidmore is in the process of introducing more IGR type classes (there are a few offered already on campus) into the academic curriculum.
Showing posts with label Skidmore and Saratoga Springs Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skidmore and Saratoga Springs Community. Show all posts
Graduation!
My spring travel (see post below) this year coincided with Senior Week. I didn't have a chance to say congratulations to many of the seniors I met during the admissions process more than four or five years ago. Congrats to everyone who graduated!
Adirondack Scholars
About five months ago, I wrote about a project to serve rural, first-generation students. Well, we pulled it off and it was a great success! A big thanks to the Skidmore Women’s tennis team, and the other Skidmore students who acted as mentors for the day (Hillary Ekwall, Megan Labbate, and Saundra). We had about eighty five students visit campus on Tuesday, participate in a scavenger hunt, and have lunch in the dining hall. The day was designed to help the Adirondack scholars become acquainted with a college campus and college life so they will think about going to college in the future! 
Dani Fancher, a member of the women's tennis team, poses for a picture in order to get points in the scavenger hunt
One of the groups poses on the stage of JKB theater
Some of the Adirondack Scholars talk to a group of Skidmore students studying in the library
Some of the Adirondack Scholars listening to their Skidmore mentors speak
Adirondack Scholars find a first-year student at Skidmore in line waiting for food
Here is a rough copy of the scavenger hunt. We hope other campuses take the lead in promoting early college awareness to under served populations.
THE SKIDMORE SNAPSHOT with
Find or take a picture of the following items on the below list!
Extra points given for being in the picture with the “subject.”
Someone younger than 10 years old on campus! 5pts
Skidmore student, class of 2011. 2pts
Skidmore Student in the library studying science! 4pts
Skidmore student wearing shorts and flip flops 5pts
Skidmore Professor 2pts
The President of Skidmore (outside of his office) 9pts
Skidmore student exercising in the gym 5pts
Skidmore student in an art studio 2pts
Skidmore student in the science lab 4pts
Skidmore student practicing an instrument 4pts
Skidmore students in the library studying together 4pts
Skidmore Student Government Officer (SGA officer) 5pts
A poster for an upcoming event 2pts
“ICE AGE” (the movie) 4pts
Inside a Skidmore dorm room 5pts
On the Skidmore basketball court 5pts
On stage of the Skidmore Theatre 5pts
In an art gallery 4pts
A fireplace 5pts
The Skidmore Seal 4pts
Skidmore sweatshirt 4pts
Skidmore Post Office 4pts
Wachenheim Field 3pts
Display of student research 6pts
A copy of the Skidmore News 2pts
Here are some pictures from the scavenger hunt!
Dani Fancher, a member of the women's tennis team, poses for a picture in order to get points in the scavenger hunt
One of the groups poses on the stage of JKB theater
Some of the Adirondack Scholars talk to a group of Skidmore students studying in the library
Some of the Adirondack Scholars listening to their Skidmore mentors speak
Adirondack Scholars find a first-year student at Skidmore in line waiting for foodDiscovery Weekend
This past weekend was Discovery Weekend at Skidmore, a program designed for (but not exclusively for) accepted students of color to become more familiar with Skidmore.
Skidmore has made incredible strides in diversity over the last few years. When I returned to work for Skidmore in 2003, the student of color population was about 13% of the student body. The class of 2011 has nearly 24% students of color, and I expect the class o 2012 to be even larger.
Prospective students should not judge a school's "diversity" by looking at percentages. Skidmore may have had only 13% students of color in 2003, but we were recognized in a national study as a model for success in regard to graduation and retention rates for students of color. We have a much larger percentage of under represented students now, but we have not compromised the retention and graduation we were applauded for in 2003. Here is another article about what is being called, "The Skidmore Model."
And of course- the requisite pictures for each blog post!
Professor Joshua Woodfork (in the stripes) at breakfast with a few Discovery Weekend students
Hanging out at Galactic Bowling
In front of Case Center
Hanging out with some of the Hawaiians on Discovery Tour:)
Link to all of my pictures are here and here
Skidmore has made incredible strides in diversity over the last few years. When I returned to work for Skidmore in 2003, the student of color population was about 13% of the student body. The class of 2011 has nearly 24% students of color, and I expect the class o 2012 to be even larger.
Prospective students should not judge a school's "diversity" by looking at percentages. Skidmore may have had only 13% students of color in 2003, but we were recognized in a national study as a model for success in regard to graduation and retention rates for students of color. We have a much larger percentage of under represented students now, but we have not compromised the retention and graduation we were applauded for in 2003. Here is another article about what is being called, "The Skidmore Model."
And of course- the requisite pictures for each blog post!
Professor Joshua Woodfork (in the stripes) at breakfast with a few Discovery Weekend students
Hanging out at Galactic Bowling
In front of Case Center
Hanging out with some of the Hawaiians on Discovery Tour:)
Link to all of my pictures are here and here
John Ashcroft
I went to the John Ashcroft lecture on campus last night. I am proud of Skidmore for bringing a controversial speaker to campus. I may not agree with much of anything he said, but I'm appreciative of the discourse and debate he brought to campus (even before he arrived). Events like this makes a small learning community so rewarding; students are able to hear, share, defend, and oppose ideas in an academic forum.
I think his lecture would have been more appropriately tittled "Defending the Patriot Act," as opposed to, "Leadership in difficult times."
I watched from a simulcast of the lecture in Case Center.
I think his lecture would have been more appropriately tittled "Defending the Patriot Act," as opposed to, "Leadership in difficult times."
I watched from a simulcast of the lecture in Case Center.
Faculty Basketball at Skidmore
Now that I work at Skidmore, I can play "noontime faculty/staff basketball". Games are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at, you guessed it, noon. You can always judge how good a college is by how competitive the faculty basketball is (uh....not really- but wouldn't that be neat to see in the guidebooks?).
Here are some pictures from the last outing.
Executing the triangle offense
Sometimes we play soccer too (click on photo)!
Some of the professors can really play:)
Here are some pictures from the last outing.
Executing the triangle offense
Sometimes we play soccer too (click on photo)!
Some of the professors can really play:)
Chowderfest!
Chowderfest 2008!
I have been busy reading applications and I haven't had time to blog as much as I want to. Here is a post about Chowderfest!
http://www.discoversaratoga.org/Chowderfest/
We brought our pugs along ( bundled up for the cold), a bottle of water, and a couple cans of soda to cleanse the palate and quench our thirst!
This Chowder won "Best Dog Chowder" as judged by the Mayor's dog.
Dookie dares Walter (in the Skidmore sweater) to try the dog chowder
The line outside at one of the chowder stops!
I actually had two bowls of this chowder. It was one of the winners of the day!
Our ballot for Chowderfest 2008!
Skidmore musicians
Congratulations to Julia Nunes '11, the winner of the Bushman World Ukelele Video Contest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-lt3vVA-4I
Skidmore has an incredible music community; here are some other Skiddies I enjoy listening to.
Amy Regan
"So in Love" is my favorite!
Lisa Bastoni
Can be seen performing all over Boston.
Sinem Saniye
"Boom Sheke Nana" won the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest
Lyle Divinsky
Also starred in Cabaret Troupe's production of "Fame" earlier this fall.
Nat Osborn
His group features a number of Skidmore classmates. "Yours alone" is awesome!
Dylan Connor
So versatile and talented.
Here is a brand new way to keep track of all your favorite Skidmore musicians:http://skidmore.magnify.net/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-lt3vVA-4I
Skidmore has an incredible music community; here are some other Skiddies I enjoy listening to.
Amy Regan
"So in Love" is my favorite!
Lisa Bastoni
Can be seen performing all over Boston.
Sinem Saniye
"Boom Sheke Nana" won the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest
Lyle Divinsky
Also starred in Cabaret Troupe's production of "Fame" earlier this fall.
Nat Osborn
His group features a number of Skidmore classmates. "Yours alone" is awesome!
Dylan Connor
So versatile and talented.
Here is a brand new way to keep track of all your favorite Skidmore musicians:http://skidmore.magnify.net/
Super Tuesday
Yesterday was a super Tuesday in many respects. Skidmore has enough voter participation in order be its own polling district so Skidmore students vote right on campus!
Skidmore students also vote in local elections (but we'll save that for another post).
I was also able to join many of the international students at an informal gathering at Scribner House, the home of President Glotzbach and his wife Marie.
Skidmore students also vote in local elections (but we'll save that for another post).
I was also able to join many of the international students at an informal gathering at Scribner House, the home of President Glotzbach and his wife Marie.
Kudos to the Women's Basketball team
You already know I am a big proponent of early college awareness (especially for underrepresented populations). In fact, I think all colleges should be required to do early college awareness and I am currently working on a proposal to the national board to try to ensure this happens! 
Students from the Greenberg Child Care Center on campus also came to watch the game!
The students from Arbor Hill wait for the Skidmore basket before cheering!
Students line up to meet the Skidmore team
A young spectator celebrates his new Skidmore t-shirt!
The students have fun with the Skidmore players after the game
Darren Bennett, head women's basketball coach, arranged for Arbor Hill Elementary School (in Albany) to visit Skidmore, take a short tour, and see the women's basketball team play! There were raffles throughout the game and many students walked away with Skidmore backpacks, t-shirts and other collectibles.
The opposing team from Southern Vermont College was probably not expecting a crowd at the game because Skidmore students are on break until later this month. Skidmore came away with the victory but the highlight of the day was after the game when the students from Arbor Hill were able to interact with the players from the Skidmore Women's Basketball team!
Students from the Greenberg Child Care Center on campus also came to watch the game!
The students from Arbor Hill wait for the Skidmore basket before cheering!
Students line up to meet the Skidmore team
A young spectator celebrates his new Skidmore t-shirt!
The students have fun with the Skidmore players after the gameSkidmore cheer after the gameLet's see your moves!
Everyone having a good time after the game!
Happy New Year!
Saratoga Springs has a great New Years Eve celebration every year. http://www.ymcasaratoga.org/firstnight/shogrid.php I spent my first NYE in Saratoga in 2007 after spending the last seven years celebrating in New York City. This year I was under the weather and stayed in.
What is coming up?
I'm really looking forward to the annual SUCH holiday gathering! The admission offices from Skidmore College, Union College, Colgate University, and Hamilton College get together every year to celebrate the holidays, take a break from the application review season, and just to catch up with each other. The party host rotates every year so this year Hamilton College is the host school. One of the biggest surprises to me about my job in admissions is the extraordinary collegiality in the profession. This was particularly surprising given my experience as a student athlete for Skidmore (we compete against Hamilton and Union in the Liberty League).
I'll be at the College Connect Annual Meeting held at The Hilton Lake Place Resort in Lake Placid, New York on January 17th-18th (Carpooling with Union College to the event!).
http://www.collegefes.org/pdf/CCAnnualMeeting08.pdf
Walter, one of the (many) admissions office mascots, gets tangled in some holiday lights. Happy Holidays!
What is coming up?
I'm really looking forward to the annual SUCH holiday gathering! The admission offices from Skidmore College, Union College, Colgate University, and Hamilton College get together every year to celebrate the holidays, take a break from the application review season, and just to catch up with each other. The party host rotates every year so this year Hamilton College is the host school. One of the biggest surprises to me about my job in admissions is the extraordinary collegiality in the profession. This was particularly surprising given my experience as a student athlete for Skidmore (we compete against Hamilton and Union in the Liberty League).
I'll be at the College Connect Annual Meeting held at The Hilton Lake Place Resort in Lake Placid, New York on January 17th-18th (Carpooling with Union College to the event!).
http://www.collegefes.org/pdf/CCAnnualMeeting08.pdf
Walter, one of the (many) admissions office mascots, gets tangled in some holiday lights. Happy Holidays!Beatlemania
Beatlemania, my favorite Skidmore tradition (check out some of my other "favorite things" around Saratoga), was awesome! We got there at 7:30 pm and there were no seats left. We were able to bring in chairs and sit at the very back. The Zankel Music Center (coming soon) will be able to accommodate the entire crowd!
Standing room only
The Bandersnatchers
Alex Selby, summer tour guide extraordinaire, rocking out with his crew
Standing room only
The Bandersnatchers
Alex Selby, summer tour guide extraordinaire, rocking out with his crewMy Favorites list
My favorite Pizza: Panza's. This place has thin crust pizza that is only made a few nights a week. It is located on the lake and I would guess the vast majority of Skidmore students don't know about this hidden gem. I've only known about this place for a few years.
My favorite shop: Alpine Shop is a cool little snowboard/ski shop that students can walk to from campus. They have a friendly dog in the shop, free popcorn, and knowledgeable staff.
My favorite restaurant: Lanci's is hands down the best dining experience in Saratoga and beyond. It is a tiny restaurant where you will be treated like you are the only guest in the place (we were the only guests the last time we were there). The food is top notch, the service is excellent and I can't think of a better restaurant experience (anywhere) for a quiet dinner for two.
Favorite Bagel shop: Uncommon Grounds is the obvious choice here. It really is a coffee shop and I hear their coffee is really good ( I don't drink coffee so I wouldn't know). Our office will get a bunch of bagels and cream cheese for a nice treat every once in a while.
My favorite hotel to recommend: The Springs Motel. It's not the nicest place in town. In fact, it is probably one of the most affordable in town. The Springs Motel is consistently clean and most of the guests are repeat clients/guest. It is also owned by one of Skidmore's security officers.
Favorite Fast Food: Moe's. Huge portions for really fair prices. I usually get the Overachiever, Billy Barou, or the Homewrecker. The queso sauce is addictive.
Favorite place for a Sandwich: Roma's Deli! I've only ordered one type of sandwich here for the last few years; domestic prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, onion and light Italian dressing on an Italian sub. Olives on the side.
Favorite place for a quick bite downtown for less than four dollars: Esperanto. The rice and beans plate is an awesome meal for so little money. Don't forget to try the dough boy (you'll need more than one to fill up).
My favorite shop: Alpine Shop is a cool little snowboard/ski shop that students can walk to from campus. They have a friendly dog in the shop, free popcorn, and knowledgeable staff.
My favorite restaurant: Lanci's is hands down the best dining experience in Saratoga and beyond. It is a tiny restaurant where you will be treated like you are the only guest in the place (we were the only guests the last time we were there). The food is top notch, the service is excellent and I can't think of a better restaurant experience (anywhere) for a quiet dinner for two.
Favorite Bagel shop: Uncommon Grounds is the obvious choice here. It really is a coffee shop and I hear their coffee is really good ( I don't drink coffee so I wouldn't know). Our office will get a bunch of bagels and cream cheese for a nice treat every once in a while.
My favorite hotel to recommend: The Springs Motel. It's not the nicest place in town. In fact, it is probably one of the most affordable in town. The Springs Motel is consistently clean and most of the guests are repeat clients/guest. It is also owned by one of Skidmore's security officers.
Favorite Fast Food: Moe's. Huge portions for really fair prices. I usually get the Overachiever, Billy Barou, or the Homewrecker. The queso sauce is addictive.
Favorite place for a Sandwich: Roma's Deli! I've only ordered one type of sandwich here for the last few years; domestic prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, onion and light Italian dressing on an Italian sub. Olives on the side.
Favorite place for a quick bite downtown for less than four dollars: Esperanto. The rice and beans plate is an awesome meal for so little money. Don't forget to try the dough boy (you'll need more than one to fill up).
My favorite Skidmore tradition
This post is going to spawn in to another post about all of my favorite things at Skidmore! However, this post is specifically about my favorite Skidmore tradition, Skidmania Beatlemore. Originally dubbed "Beatlemania" seven years ago on the 40th anniversary of the coining of the term "Beatlemania" -this festival is probably some of the best two hours spent in the Skidmore community. http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/mu344-Beatles/Skidmania/Skidmania-2007.htm
See you there!
See you there!
Thursday night activities
Thursday, November 29
There are so many things to do at Skidmore. There were at least four events I wanted to attend on Thursday alone and it was impossible to attend them all. The Honors Forum has a series of panel discussions called "Shades of Grey"(recently changed to "Degrees of Grey") and Thursday nights' specific topic was about Global Warming.
There was a movie sponsored by the Black Faculty and Staff Group on campus immediately following the "Degrees of Grey" discussion.
The "tree lighting" ceremony is one of my favorite traditions on campus and was going on Thursday night as well.
Rithmos is one of the many talented dance groups on campus and they were performing on Thursday night too!
The Victorian Street Walk was also going on and this was what we ended doing. It was very hard to find parking (we drove from home) but once we did we strolled into town to see a huge crowd (over 21,000 people attended last year) scattered across Broadway. I was only able to snap 3 photos before my camera battery ran out.
Inside the first store we stopped into. We enjoyed the free Masala Chai tea here.
One of Skidmore's own a cappella groups!
We enjoyed free warm cider and cookies all around town. We wanted to get some kettle corn, but the line was too long and we had to rush back to campus to catch our next event, The Cherry Orchard.
Anton Chekhov's play written in the early 1900's was one of the many productions the theatre department puts on per semester. It was featured in our Theatre Open House a weak earlier and had rave reviews from the audience. Kudos to the entire cast and staff of the production. You guys are incredibly talented and hard-working!
There are so many things to do at Skidmore. There were at least four events I wanted to attend on Thursday alone and it was impossible to attend them all. The Honors Forum has a series of panel discussions called "Shades of Grey"(recently changed to "Degrees of Grey") and Thursday nights' specific topic was about Global Warming.
There was a movie sponsored by the Black Faculty and Staff Group on campus immediately following the "Degrees of Grey" discussion.
The "tree lighting" ceremony is one of my favorite traditions on campus and was going on Thursday night as well.
Rithmos is one of the many talented dance groups on campus and they were performing on Thursday night too!
The Victorian Street Walk was also going on and this was what we ended doing. It was very hard to find parking (we drove from home) but once we did we strolled into town to see a huge crowd (over 21,000 people attended last year) scattered across Broadway. I was only able to snap 3 photos before my camera battery ran out.
Inside the first store we stopped into. We enjoyed the free Masala Chai tea here.
One of Skidmore's own a cappella groups!We enjoyed free warm cider and cookies all around town. We wanted to get some kettle corn, but the line was too long and we had to rush back to campus to catch our next event, The Cherry Orchard.
Anton Chekhov's play written in the early 1900's was one of the many productions the theatre department puts on per semester. It was featured in our Theatre Open House a weak earlier and had rave reviews from the audience. Kudos to the entire cast and staff of the production. You guys are incredibly talented and hard-working!
Decisions, decisions, decisions
It is restaurant week in Saratoga. There are a number of restaurants in town that feature pre-set menus for $18.19 (Saratoga was founded in the year 1819).
We are planning to go to one of the restaurants on Tuesday night. We hope to to return downtown on Thursday for the Victorian Street Walk
We can't decide on Hattie's or One Caroline.
Hattie's chef was featured on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."
One Caroline was featured on "Rachel Ray's $40 a day". This restaurant features incredible live music (see Sarah Pedinotti if you have the chance!) in addition to their great food. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
It's easy to see why the Skidmore community is so lucky to have Saratoga Springs!
We are planning to go to one of the restaurants on Tuesday night. We hope to to return downtown on Thursday for the Victorian Street Walk
We can't decide on Hattie's or One Caroline.
Hattie's chef was featured on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."
One Caroline was featured on "Rachel Ray's $40 a day". This restaurant features incredible live music (see Sarah Pedinotti if you have the chance!) in addition to their great food. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
It's easy to see why the Skidmore community is so lucky to have Saratoga Springs!
Another post about food!
We had a group of prospective students visit us on campus last night so I had the chance to go to dinner in the D-hall with them. The lunches (as I have posted) are very good, but this dinner was amazing!
Carved turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes and more!
The pumpkin cheesecake was so good!
Crepes!
Seafood Paella!
Cranberry relish on the left!
Carved turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes and more!
The pumpkin cheesecake was so good!
Crepes!
Seafood Paella!
Cranberry relish on the left!
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