MAGAZINE
FALL 2014
college administration president David S. Wolk
Transformation. It’s a word that is used freely in higher education. After all, positive transformation is what all colleges and universities strive for in guiding their students. True transformation, the type of change that transcends the daily, is hard to achieve and harder still to sustain. And Castleton has been doing it for 227 years. On the pages that follow you will read about transformation in its various forms. As the college continues to transform its students, so too does it continue to transform itself. From the small, everyday transformations like the way we read and learn, to strategic and monumental transformations such as a new website and advancement into Downtown Rutland, to creative and beautiful transformations in converting an entire cityscape into a major work of art using only pencil. Well, over 400 pencils. Yes, you will read about a college that is transforming itself, while transforming its students. You will see how your gifts help that process, and why they are so vitally important to our students’ success. What you will also recognize is how much has not, and will not, change. Through name changes, shifts in educational focus, successes and challenges, Castleton has always and will always remain a community where individuals matter, and our success depends on our personal relationships first. With 227 years of tradition, knowledge, and perseverance behind us, together we transform.
dean of administration Scott Dikeman director of human resources Janet Hazelton dean of entrepreneurial programs Lyle Jepson dean of enrollment Maurice Ouimet, Jr. chief academic officer Tony Peffer dean of students Dennis Proulx ‘87 dean of arts, sciences, and community engagement Ingrid Johnston-Robledo dean of humanities, social sciences, and faculty mentoring Jonathan Spiro director of marketing and communications Jeff Weld ‘04 dean of technology, business, and physical education Yasmine Ziesler alumni and development director of annual fund and donor relations Liz Garside ‘04 director of major gifts and corporate giving Gary Ladabouche ’80 director of alumni and parent relations Vy Swenson director of grants and special projects Bill Wiles magazine credits editor Jane Foley, director of creative services design Kate Richards, associate director of creative services contributing writers Courtney Parker ’13, communications coordinator Denny Shramek, professor of english Ben Stockwell ’14, director of athletic communications Jeff Weld, director of marketing and communications Yasmine Ziesler, dean of technology, business, and physical education photography Alan Nyiri Christopher Williams ’15 digital media Katye Munger, director of digital media
Jeff Weld director of marketing and communications
published by College Advancement Office please send updates to alumnioffice@castleton.edu please send comments to: Jeff Weld • 62 Alumni Drive • Castleton, VT 05735 (802) 468-6052 • JEFF.WELD@CASTLETON.EDU
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CASTLETON MAGAZINE | FALL 2014
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ON THE COVER: Emma Faucher ’16 winner of full scholarship abroad.
2.
Love at First Site
4.
Summer Reading
6.
Turning the Page
8.
Discovering Development at All Stages
introducing the all new castleton.edu
e-readers: what they mean to readers, and writers
10.
Together We Transform
11.
Castleton in Motion
12.
Ramage’s Ideal City
14.
Outstanding Alumni Awards
15.
The Castleton Fund
26.
Surprise of a Lifetime
28.
Across International Borders
30.
Conferences and Events
32.
What’s in a Spartan?
36.
The Arts
fall convocation: state of the college address
student surprised with scholarship
exploring academics abroad
athlete profiles
Love at First Site Introducing the all new castleton.edu
Nearly two years ago Castleton partnered with Fastspot, an interactive agency from Baltimore specializing in web design and content management for higher education, cultural institutions, museums and nonprofits. The official launch on August 12 marked the culmination of countless hours of collaborative research, design, and migration of thousands of pages of information. We are pleased to introduce an all new castleton.edu. In 1995 castleton.edu made its first appearance on the information super highway. It was an exciting moment in time for the oldest college in Vermont. Fast forward nearly 20 years and the website is receiving its first real overhaul. Sure, it received a facelift here, an alteration there, and loads of new content over the years. But nearly two years ago the college embarked on a new challenge—find out what our visitors want and need, and deliver.
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SO... WHAT HAS CHANGED? In short, everything. The most noticeable change is the stunning visual facelift it received, but most notable are the structural changes. Below are some details, as well as important information for users who have grown accustomed to the old version. While the beginning of the internet age was exciting to be sure, like most frontiers it was pretty lawless. Need a new page? Add it. Need that page to show up “over there?” Add it “over there,” too. That led to multiple pages containing the same or similar information in multiple places, making it impossible to update in a timely manner, and even more challenging to ensure its accuracy. The “Big Tree” content management system, a software developed by Fastspot, is specifically designed to combat this very issue. Need a piece of content to show up in three different places? Design it
once and tell it where to appear. Better yet, tell it when to remind you to update it, and better still tell it when it’s time to come down. The information architecture and navigation structure of the new site is intuitive to a new visitor upon first visit. Directories are well thought out, and careful planning of where and when links appear has been utilized every step of the way. The navigation allows a visitor to forge his or her own path through the site without getting lost on a second or third level page. We want you to spend time reading our stories, watching our videos, and studying our photos. But, we also understand that you’re in a hurry, so if you want to get straight to it, our most desired content is always just a click away.
...the site doesn’t change, it responds. All of the navigation and all of the content remains the same while the site automatically adapts to your device.
We know you’ve got a lot of devices. We want every experience with castleton.edu to be a positive one. Whether you’re using a desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or the next technology that hasn’t been invented yet. That’s why the site doesn’t change, it responds. All of the navigation and all of the content remains the same while the site automatically adapts to your device. Previously, castleton.edu tried to serve the needs of all of our diverse and varied audiences, which include first-time visitors like prospective students and parents, and regular visitors like current students, faculty, and staff. This created confusion among external audiences and first-time visitors, and overloaded our regular visitors and internal audiences with information they did not necessarily want or need. Now, castleton.edu appeals as an introduction for first-time visitors, such as prospective students or the parent of a prospective student.
GET TO KNOW CASTLETON.EDU In conjunction with the new website launch we revamped our visual identity as well. For nearly ten years we have utilized and strengthened the Castleton wordmark. In recent years it became apparent that the college suffered from lack of a visual symbol, a mark that represented our college and its vast offerings and history. The new symbol combines the majestic mountains of Vermont, the academic beauty of Woodruff Hall, and the year of our founding all encompassed in a modern design. The logo family includes several variations to utilize in different circumstances, and with the ability to identify specific departments and centers, it will help provide awareness and strength to the Castleton brand. FALL 2014 5
Summer Reading by Dean Yasmine Ziesler Imagine picking out a book to give to a family member or dear friend. Do you look for something with an intriguing title or cover? Something shorter or longer? A topic you know is of strong interest to that person, or a topic that is completely new and different, but might be really meaningful to that person? Now, imagine picking out just one book to give to nearly 600 new Castleton students, First-Year Seminar professors and Student Orientation Staff (SOS), Residence Life and other staff across the college to read. Senior and 2014 SOS Program Coordinator and Summer Reading Selection Committee member Cassie Papandrea notes, “A great part of being a member of the committee is that I get to read five or six new books that I never would have been exposed to!” The selection committee, a small group of curious students, faculty, and staff, begins work over a year in advance, compiling lists of possible books, narrowing down the options to a list of several “semifinalist” options, and choosing the book for the next year’s entering class which they receive when they arrive on campus for summer registration. These new students then go home, read the book, and complete a first written assignment, all before returning to campus for
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the start of classes in August. “Take it seriously; this is your very first college assignment,” is advice these new students hear repeatedly from their SOS. While it is a serious assignment, it is also an opportunity for students to learn some important aspects of being a Castleton student. Professors expect to hear students’ own ideas about what they’ve read and how it relates to their experiences and studies.
“A great part of being a member of the committee is that I get to read five or six new books that I never would have been exposed to!”
Reference and Instruction Librarian Charlotte Gerstein, who supports the program with extensive background research on potential books for the program, reflects: “Ideally, I’m aiming for providing a positive shared experience that will help new students bond over an intellectual challenge. If things go just right, it can provide an introduction to what college is about—sharing the experience of opening your mind to new ideas and new intellectual experiences, and having interesting discussions where people may disagree but look to evidence to inform their thinking.” For everyone else on campus, it is an opportunity to discuss a topic of shared interest with the newest group of Spartans and the author or another key presenter related to the book.
RECENT EXAMPLES:
• A Soundings event panel discussion by local community leaders hosted by Assistant Professor of Political Science and Castleton Polling Institute Director Richard Clark explored issues raised in the 2014 Summer Reading, In the Neighborhood.
• Author Ron Currie, Jr. answered student questions about his
life growing up in rural Maine and how they connected to the 2013 Summer Reading novel, Everything Matters!
• John Elder Robison, author of the 2012 Summer Reading
memoir Look Me in the Eye spoke to a crowd of 700 Castleton students, faculty, staff, and interested community members about his experiences discovering and living with Aspergers Syndrome.
• Coach Luma Mufleh, subject of the 2011 Summer Reading,
Outcasts United, answered student questions about her experiences developing and coaching soccer teams for immigrant and refugee children in the Atlanta area.
Yasmine Ziesler was named Dean of Technology, Business, and Physical Education after spending three years as Associate Academic Dean at Castleton. Her work with the first-year experience, including the summer reading program, recently led to the “5tudy” program in which new students are being encouraged by FYS faculty and their SOS peer mentors to work toward devoting the equivalent of five hours per day, five days per week, by week five of the semester, to their academic work outside of class.
FALL 2014 5
Turning the Page by Denny Shramek In his 25 years as a professor of English at Castleton, Denny Shramek has certainly read and re-read his share of books. His thoughts on the latest trends in e-readers and analytics, and what they mean to the reader and the writer.
On January 3, 2011, I eagerly opened an account at Amazon with my new Kindle 3 e-book reading device. Four years later, my Kindle is now predictably primitive but still performs as I originally hoped. The selection of e-books from which I can choose is vast and relatively inexpensive (including thousands of free publicdomain books), the download time for each book is less than a minute and, primitive though my Kindle may be, it can purportedly store 3,500 books. More choice, more savings, more time, more space. Therein lies the warm and bright promise of e-book reading devices. The Pew Research Center reports that as of January 2014, 50 percent of Americans age 18 and older owned either an e-book reading device or a tablet on which to read e-books. Yet as more readers come to appreciate that promise, I concede some misgiv6 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
ings instead, notably about tracking analytics. It is widely reported that e-book reading devices and tablets track not only which e-books readers purchase but also how fast those readers read e-book pages, how far they read into the books, whether they finish the books, and which parts of the books they highlight. In other words, for those readers, the act of reading is no longer simply the interaction between reader and text. Now another presence—unseen, unbidden, highly inquisitive—has insinuated itself. Toward what purposes? Ostensibly, to improve and move product . . . in this case, books. Granted, all commercial enterprises must fulfill these two purposes or close up shop. And what better way to accomplish both than to measure consumer interest? The movie, television, music, and publishing industries already take
such measures, including The New York Times best sellers list, which has been providing publishing houses and the public with national best sellers lists since 1942. Unfortunately, e-book reading devices and tablets encourage commerce to intrude ever farther into the rapidly shrinking private, contemplative, and imaginative lives of everyday readers. They encourage commerce to intrude ever farther into the very act of writing, as well. To be sure, since the advent of the middle class and public education, readers have had a pronounced effect on literary production. Well-known but oftentimes impoverished nineteenth century American writers generally kept a steady eye on their book sales, read reviews of their books, and heeded the advice of their publishers, whose various enterprises relied on an accurate understanding of
Denny Shramek, who served as English department chair for 20 years, was named Vermont State Colleges Faculty Fellow in 2006-2007 and Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty in 2013.
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More choice, more savings, more time, more space. Therein lies the warm and bright promise of e-book reading devices.
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the reading public. Harper & Brothers publishing house, for example, suggested in 1836 that gothic poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe try his hand at novel writing because American readers “have a decided and strong preference for works (especially fiction) in which a single and connected story occupies the whole volume...” In 1838, Harper & Brothers published Poe’s novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket—after which Poe remained well known but impoverished. Such attempts to understand the nineteenth century reading public seem positively quaint in light of the bulk data that e-book reading devices and tablets now provide. Any number of seriously trendy publishing analysts are undoubtedly drawing their data-based conclusions at this very moment. According to reporter Alexandra Alter of The Wall Street Journal, one set of conclusions drawn by Barnes & Noble is this: “Science-fiction, romance, and crime-fiction fans often read more books more quickly than readers of literary fiction do, and finish most of the books they start. Readers of literary fiction quit books more often and tend [to] skip around between books.” These conclusions are nothing new, really. Popular fiction by definition moves books quickly; literary fiction, less so. What is new, though, is the sheer volume, and
weight, of the data from which these conclusions are drawn. Who among our future writers will have the heart and mind to resist the alluring recommendations and formulas for popular and literary writing that will inevitably flourish as a result of tracking analytics? To what extent will publishers festoon classic literary texts with the latest electronic bells and whistles to attract more readers? And what will become of those deep but difficult writers whom Herman Melville called “the thought divers”? Will the large publishing houses offer them contracts despite what the analytics might warn? Or will those future thought divers instead find their only refuge among the legions of talented but largely unheralded writers who publish at frugal small presses or who selfpublish . . . at Kindle? Despite whatever misgivings they might provoke in this age of short attention spans and big surveillance, e-books will presumably become ever more popular because of cost and convenience. Such will hold true at Castleton College, as well: with e-books eventually capturing a larger and larger share of the textbook market and our college thus once more turning the page, as it were. I wonder how members of our community will respond to that transformation. FALL 2014 7
Discovering Development At All Stages Each year Biology Professor Peter Kimmel gives students in his Developmental Biology class the opportunity to discover development from the very first stages of life. The lab, which traditionally involves looking at prepared microscope slides of embryos at different stages, is brought to life as Kimmel incorporates living organisms and live material into the course. “We incubate chicken eggs for about three days and open some of them to observe development,� Kimmel said. Students carefully complete the fragile process of cutting a square piece out of the shell without harming the egg inside, creating a window, then place a clear protective layer over the opening before placing it inside of an incubator. In addition to the chicken eggs, goose and duck eggs are also brought in and observed, giving students a broader sense of development. “It is amazing for students to be able to watch the same creature develop from a tiny, pulsating spot of red to the
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fully-developed, wobbly little chick that emerges from the egg,” said Kimmel. Throughout the duration of the project a live “Duck Cam” is set up in Jeffords Science Center to allow students and other Castleton community members to observe as the hatching process unfolds, and peek in on the newly hatched birds. The 24-hour camera watches on as the lives of the young ducklings play out before the students’ eyes. Once hatched and a few days old the miniature animals are let out to swim in one of the lab’s aquariums, and taken outdoors for walks around the campus, an eye-catching tradition that has become enjoyed by all.
“It is amazing for students to be able to watch the same creature develop from a tiny, pulsating spot of red to the fully-developed, wobbly little chick that emerges from the egg.” “Even after teaching this class for more than 20 years, I am still amazed at the process of development from one single fertilized egg cell to the trillions of cells in an adult,” said Kimmel. “For all of the recent advances in the genetic and molecular aspects, I don’t want my students to lose sight of what some have called the ‘dance’ of development, as cells and tissues move and interact to create the adult individual.”
Kimmel, right, accepting the Vermont State Colleges Faculty Fellow Award from Board of Trustees Chair Gary Moore.
Kimmel was recently named the VSC Faculty Fellow, an award given each semester by the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees. The fellowship honors tenured faculty who show outstanding accomplishments in teaching and learning.
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Together We Transform, Together We Succeed
Wolk’s address showcased Castleton’s most recent entrepreneurial ventures, referencing the Castleton Plan, the college’s ten-year blueprint for the future, and assured the college’s continued growth and transformation. “We are a college in transformation,” Wolk began, “We need to continue to be entrepreneurial and innovative in our approach to the growth of the college.” With the mission of attracting and retaining new students who will continue to enhance diversity, Wolk announced the inauguration of a new international student initiative that promises to bring in an increased number of talented students from many foreign countries. Also spearheading the college into territory is the establishment of the Castleton Downtown Center for Entrepreneurial Programs located in Rutland. The Center’s purpose is to connect businesses, nonprofits, schools, and local 10 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
government together to provide more learning opportunities for students, and to promote and support economic development in the region. Wolk explained how the Castleton Downtown Center for Entrepreneurial Programs, partnered with the Castleton Downtown Gallery and the Polling Institute, marks just the beginning of Castleton’s expansion into Rutland. Other entrepreneurial ventures include focus on existing graduate programs in accounting and education, along with the initiation of several new graduate programs in theater, music, mathematics, athletic leadership, and arts administration, as well as the launch of Castleton’s new website and visual identity. “We will continue to embrace our uniquely special, relationship-based education, as we continue to transform ourselves together with new approaches that serve our students well... The oldest college in Vermont cherishes its traditions, but is caring and courageous enough to change, to transform, and to do so together for continued success for our students and our college,” finished Wolk.
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The oldest college in Vermont cherishes its traditions, but is caring and courageous enough to change, to transform, and to do so together for continued success for our students and our college.
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On August 28 Castleton officially opened the 2014-15 academic year with fall Convocation as more than 500 students, faculty, and staff joined President Dave Wolk in the Casella Theater for his annual state of the college address.
— president dave wolk for president wolk’s full state of the college address visit: castleton.edu/convocation
Castleton in Motion When Castleton President Dave Wolk unveiled the Castleton Plan, a strategic roadmap for the next decade of the college’s journey, he set in motion a plan to help build on the reinvigoration of the college over the past dozen or so years, with well-planned incremental increases in undergraduate and graduate enrollment, staffing, programs and facilities. The plan promised to place a greater investment in, and commitment to the Rutland area, including downtown Rutland as a destination for selected new programs for graduate students and upper level undergraduates that will further enhance the quality of a Castleton education. Less than one year later the Castleton Downtown Center has become a reality. Located in downtown Rutland in the Opera House adjacent to the recently relocated Castleton Polling Institute, the center will work to further the college’s educational mission and better connect it with schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and industries. An expanded effort in community engagement programs, Castleton Center for Schools outreach, and new connections with the greater Rutland community are also key components to the new programs.
On July 1, Lyle Jepson began as the Dean of Entrepreneurial Programs, and is charged with leading the newly formed center. Jepson, who has served as the award-winning Director of Stafford Technical Center in Rutland, Vermont since 1999, will lead the new entrepreneurial center in a collaborative effort with Castleton’s current Director of Community Service and Internships, Chrispin White.
“The initial returns have been impressive,” said Director of the Fine Arts Center Rich Cowden. “We had over 600 people in attendance at the first event, with more than 200 coming from the college.”
While the new center is the latest facility to pop up in Rutland, joining the Castleton Polling Institute and the Castleton Downtown Gallery in downtown Rutland, and the Spartan Arena in Rutland Town, other inroads have been made to connect the two communities and position Castleton as an intellectual driver in the ongoing renaissance in Vermont’s third largest city.
Based on the wealth of positive feedback, the college aims to host at least one Soundings event each semester at the Rutland theatre.
A partnership with the Paramount Theatre was started this fall, a culmination of nearly seven years of planning and work. Two Soundings events were held in the historic downtown theatre, including a viewing and panel discussion of the acclaimed documentary film, The Hungry Heart, which chronicles opiate addiction in Vermont.
Looking towards the future, Castleton has taken into account the students’ perspective of the new partnership and their level of support for the initiative.
“Students have been overwhelmingly supportive of the idea,” Cowden said. Executive Producer of the Paramount Bruce Bouchard, who was enthused about the collaboration, said he has always envisioned such a partnership with the college since accepting his current position in 2007. He explained the arts present both a teaching and learning opportunity that will be highlighted by the pairing. “The fact that we are going to be working with Castleton is just an extension of what we do,” Bouchard said. “There are just so many benefits.” FALL 2014 11
30 Photos 400 Gray Pencils 730+ Days
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Ramage’s
Ideal City Art Professor Bill Ramage has always had a passion for creating works of art, but took on a project of a much larger scale as he began work on his latest masterpiece, a photo illustration of downtown Rutland. Standing 11 ½ feet high and 43 feet long, the streetscape drawing is composed of 18 panels of gray pencil sketches of downtown Rutland. Titled “Rutland: Post-Piero Ideal City,” the piece creates a seemingly life size image of the downtown area of Vermont’s historical city, featuring recognizable landmarks such as Merchants Row. The artistic display was created from a composite of 30 photographs taken in July of 2012, and required more than 400 gray pencils to complete. A two-year project in the making, the meticulous drawing includes a high level of detail, from window reflections to light ripples. Once displayed, the drawing will be placed upright and rolled into a 28-foot-wide half cylinder, allowing visitors to observe the creation from the center. Bill Ramage retired as chairperson of the Castleton Art Department in 2014 after 36 years as a member of the faculty. His works of art are legendary, and he has touched thousands of lives through his teaching and professional works.
The exhibit will premier at 104 Merchants Row in Rutland beginning in December and display at the Brattleboro Museum in early spring. This project is supported in part by the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts and was the recipient of the organization’s Creation Grant, supporting the development of new work by Vermont artists. FALL 2014 13
2014 Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award Gary and Mary Quinn Class of 1960 Gary and Mary Quinn received the Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award, announced at fall convocation by President Dave Wolk. Graduates of the class of 1960, the college sweethearts began dating during their sophomore year at Castleton and have been devoted to each other, and the college, ever since.
Over the years the Quinns have continued to play an active role as volunteers at Castleton, attending campus events and organizing class reunions. The Quinns were awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award for their continuous service to the community, the college, and the overall student body.
2014 Outstanding Young Alum Award Justin Garritt, Class of 2011 The honoree as 2014 Outstanding Young Alum is Justin Garritt. A stellar student, athlete, and college leader, Garritt graduated in 2011, leaving behind an impressive legacy. Following graduation he was accepted to Teach for America, where he taught in an inner city Baltimore middle school, and immediately captured the attention and love of his students, parents, and colleagues. Garritt transformed the school as he continued to transform himself, earning a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins and became a respected school leader. 14 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
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Zenith Electronics coined the advertising phrase “The Quality Goes In Before The Name Goes On.” And so it is here at Castleton. The quality is going “in” all over campus, in Leavenworth, in Jeffords, in the Stafford Academic Center, in Glenbrook, the Calvin Coolidge Library. And in the end what is the name that goes on? “Castleton Graduate.” And after you attain that status put a little extra pride in your stride because with a Castleton education not everybody can say that they have one, and people who know that you have one, will know that you earned it. We have three things to say about the award that we are receiving here today. We were thrilled to hear we had been nominated. We were honored to hear that we had received it. We are humbled to be here to accept it. We would like to leave you with this thought: You really can’t be a part of what goes on here without being involved with all that goes on here. It’s all about giving back to a place that gave something to you… a quality education. -GARY and MARY QUINN
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In recent years the pair has functioned as leaders of the Alumni Association board, Gary joining the board in 2000 and Mary followed suit the following year. With a combined 67 years of teaching in the public school system – Mary for 30 years as a first-grade teacher and Gary for 37 in high school English – the Castleton alumni duo are highly regarded teachers, serving as respected role models to young alumni and current students.
The fall session of the Castleton Phonathon is underway and runs through November. Helping to raise necessary funds for the college, eight student callers will make over 8,000 calls this academic year to alumni, parents, and friends seeking college support and donations. Gifts to Phonathon are used for scholarships, student programs and activities, and other annual expenditures that sustain and strengthen the student experience. In the last 10 years the program has raised close to $900,000 for the college.
Castleton relies on your generosity to bridge the gap between tuition revenue and the total cost of a student’s education. Phonathon provides current students with the opportunity to participate in annual fundraising efforts, while building relationships with alumni by updating them on Castleton news and sharing their personal experience. “Phonathon is a great way for students to develop communication skills, gain fundraising experience, and confidence,” said Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations Liz Garside, “They can be proud of their role and we hope you answer their call!”
Make Your Place in Castleton History You are a special part of Castleton’s family and you have left your mark in many ways on our beloved college. Show your continued support and leave an everlasting sign of that support with a personalized brick in the Alumni Court at the Castleton Pavilion, or on a seat-arm in the Casella Theater. These also make a great graduation, birthday, or holiday gift!
4x8” Personalized Brick • $100 Inscribed Seat-Arm Plaque • $150 Buy your brick or seat-arm plaque online: castleton.edu/alumni-giving For questions, call (802) 468-1240 or email us at: alumnioffice@castleton.edu FALL 2014 17
Mineral Collection Generously Donated In a generous donation from a friend of the college, Castleton received an extensive mineral collection that is on display in the Natural Sciences Department in Jeffords Science Center. As Alice Held downsized her Arizona home she was also looking to downsize her vastly colorful collection of the earth’s layers. “She had this amazing mineral collection that she didn’t have room for,” said Natural Sciences Professor Helen Mango.
After donating a large portion of her collection to Arizona State University, Held contacted a family member local to the Castleton area for further suggestions of where to gift her collection. “She wanted to find a place where these minerals would be appreciated and were needed,” Mango said. Held was eager to donate her collection to the college for the Castleton community to enjoy and use as a platform of geological study. To preserve this impressive collection, the
minerals will not be used for experimental purposes. “It’s purely for beautiful display,” said Mango. After her many years of experience in the field, Mango determined that a majority of the collection originates from Arizona, but also includes pieces from various parts of the world. In particular, she said the purple amethyst was most likely derived from Brazil while the light green malachite she suspects to be from Zaire, Africa.
Mango along with other professors and students plan to examine the collection more closely and will add labels identifying each mineral along with its suspected origin. 24 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
“Vermont-Shrewsbury (hometown)” a print by Jonathon Wells is displayed proudly as you enter the Natural Science Department of Jeffords Science Center. Wells, a local geologist and graphic artist, uses his extensive background of the earth and its layers to expose the many phenomena that lie beneath its surface. “My process involved doing research to understand the geology of the area. This involved collecting geology maps, cross sections, reports, and field trip logs,” said Wells. Thanks to the generosity of its alumni, the Natural Sciences Department was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the print for the department solely from donations. “It means a great deal to have this piece displayed at Castleton,” Wells said. “I am pleased that this print hangs in such a prominent location in Central Vermont, the region that I have felt and always will feel a strong connection to.”
image right: vermont - shrewsbury (hometown) archival inkjet print, 55.5” x 38”
Why I Give “Many years ago I attended Castleton when significant steps were taken to broaden the experience of its student body; new dorms, student activity center, opportunities in athletics and the arts and a concerted effort to hire professors from distinguished universities. It was a critical time of expansion and risk for the future of the school. I appreciate the way college leaders trusted in our future.
Steve Earley ’69 (center) with Gary Ladabouche and Liz Garside of the Castleton development office. Earley has given to the Castleton Fund for 25 years, most recently committing to a planned gift, joining the 1787 Society.
Today I see this same commitment. The college has an excellent faculty, provides an atmosphere for students to explore and expand their potential and maintains a close interpersonal and respectful atmosphere among students and faculty. I can still be a part of this experience by showing my financial support.” —Steve Earley FALL 2014 19 ’69
Surprise of a Lifetime Castleton junior Emma Faucher was overcome by excitement, thrill and emotion as she was announced the winner of a full semester tuition scholarship to study in New Zealand, an opportunity made possible by Education New Zealand. After submitting a creative, themed photo of herself paired with an essay entry to a Go Overseas study abroad contest, Faucher was selected out of over 1,000 applications for the $15,000 scholarship provided by the New Zealand government. The scholarship includes round trip airfare. “I wanted to experience somewhere I have never experienced,” said Faucher, explaining her decision to apply for the New Zealand education opportunity. Members of the awarding organization, Go Overseas, flew to campus from California, along with a representative from New Zealand, to surprise Faucher with a oversized check and announce her official win. Joined by family, friends, classmates, professors and Castleton President Dave Wolk, Faucher was filled with excitement after learning of her accomplishment. “I can’t believe I won out of that many people,” she said, still surprised by the win and overwhelming support of the Castleton community. Faucher will make the overseas journey in the spring of 2015, with plans to study psychology research at the Victoria University of Wellington. “Emma is one of several wonderful examples of Castleton students who have been able to realize their dreams of studying abroad with the support of competitive, national scholarships,” said Dean of Technology, Business and Physical Education, Yasmine Ziesler. “I hope this inspires other students to take risks.” 26 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
“Emma is one of several wonderful examples of Castleton students who have been able to realize their dreams of studying abroad with the support of competitive, national scholarships.” Above: Emma stands for a photo with Castleton’s President, Dave Wolk as he congratulates her on her achievement. Right: Emma’s $15,000 award winning photo submitted to the Go Overseas Scholarship contest.
Brian Garvey ’14 pictured below, third from left.
Across International Borders At Castleton, students are offered various distant learning opportunities and encouraged to explore academic endeavors far beyond the college, as both current students and recent graduates spread their knowledge and civic-mindedness beyond our borders.
Brian Garvey Pursues Abroad Assistantship after Graduation Spanish Education graduate Brian Garvey put his Castleton education to work only weeks after graduation when he was accepted into the Fulbright Colombia English Teaching Assistantship Program, which places recent college graduates as English teaching assistants in primary and secondary schools and universities overseas. Selected as one of the few participants in the program that drew more than 180 applications, he is funded to teach English to Colombian university students for a full academic year. “I love language, I love travel, and I love teaching,” said Garvey, adding that his acceptance into the program was one of the biggest opportunities he has ever received. “Being able to serve as a cultural diplomat for the U.S. is something that’s really important to me.” Garvey dedicated a majority of his college career to polishing and perfecting his Spanish speaking skills and traveling outside the U.S. borders. In 2011 he spent the year studying at the University of Salamanca in Spain, and was a recipient of the prestigious Gilman Study Abroad 28 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
“I love language, I love travel, and I love teaching.” Scholarship given by the Department of Education. In May of 2013 Garvey left for Buenos Aires, Argentina to volunteer at an orphanage. He spent more than thirty hours per week with underprivileged orphans, working one-on-one with the children as he focused on developing their literacy skills. Since arriving in Columbia, Garvey began instructing at La Universidad de San Buenaventura, where he is teaching academic English to student researchers and is in the process of developing international connections for Columbian students to travel abroad. “My time abroad has been the best experience of my life,” he said.
Senior Fardoos Mohamed, spent a portion of her summer in the United Arab Emirates studying Arabic after being named the recipient of a prestigious national study abroad scholarship, the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. Originally from Somalia, Mohamed spent a majority of her childhood growing up in Yemen before moving to Vermont in 2008. During her time in Yemen she was able to work with refugees, which intensified her eagerness to learn and explore other cultures. “It was a challenge for me to learn the American culture so now I am challenging myself even more to learn another culture,” she said. The Gilman Scholarship program provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students to participate in credit bearing, career-oriented study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
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It was a challenge for me to learn the American culture so now I am challenging myself even more to learn another culture
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Mohamed Receives Prestigious Gilman Scholarship
The program broadens the student population that studies abroad and is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and independent world. While in the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed spent over a month at the Sharjah University taking Arabic language classes and becoming immersed in the foreign culture. “I was able to learn a lot about the different cultures,” said Mohamed of her recent venture abroad, “It was a very diverse environment.”
Fardoos Mohamed ’15, pictured above during her visit to the United Arab Emirates.
With hopes of eventually joining the Peace Corps or United Nations, Mohamed said her abroad experience has help better prepare her for a future in international relations.
Thayer Presents Research Project at Paris Symposium Partnering with Psychology Professor Trevor Tebbs, senior Winter “Max” Thayer took his collaborative research from the classroom to an international symposium this past summer. Having dedicated countless hours to the development of the Chandelier Assessments, which combines methodology and technology to facilitate the collection, management, and communication of holistic data in a variety of endeavors, the duo recently explored the systems use in regards to individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“The Chandelier system will bring these advances directly to the people who need them most,” said Thayer. Thayer captivated a campus audience explaining the study as the opening presenter at the annual Castleton Scholars Celebration: A Showcase of Original Student Work. In July, both Thayer and Tebbs brought their research to Paris where they presented their topic at the International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “We are working with people who saw our presentation to pilot the system,”
Winter Thayer ’15, left, after presenting at the Castleton Scholars Celebration.
said Thayer, adding that their concepts were well received by those in attendance. “We are at an exciting time for the project.” For more on the Chandelier Assessments visit: chandelierassessments.com FALL 2014 29
If the answer was yes, say “I do” at Castleton.
For more information on booking an event at Castleton castleton.edu/conferences 30 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
Conferences and Events Keep Campus Lively While most students and faculty return home for summer break, the Castleton campus remains lively, thanks to the Conferences and Events team. In addition to various conferences held in the college’s scholarly environment throughout the academic year, the summer months bring a variety of workshops, conferences, weddings, special events, and athletic groups to Castleton. Utilizing the numerous unique, state of the art facilities, including the Castleton Pavilion and Spartan Arena, as well as various campus lecture halls, auditoriums, classrooms and sports fields, Castleton has proven to be a top performing event host in Vermont. Offering an assortment of services at an economical price, the professional catering staff uses the entire campus for those interested in booking events, providing housing accommodations, food and technical support. With the assistance of other departments on campus, such as facilities, media services, and dining provider Sodexo, the experienced Conferences and Events team is able to accommodate groups from 10 people to 1,000, assisting with all aspects of events from start to finish.
“Our guests can expect premier, state of the art facilities, personal attention to detail and professional customer service from our staff,” said Director of Conferences and Events Lori Phillips. “We treat our clients like they’re family.” Student interns also play an active role in the success of the department. This past summer over a half dozen Castleton students worked past the spring semester to help with conferences and events needs. Students assisted with event set-ups and check-ins, as well as personally greeted visiting guests and organizations. Over the years the campus has been home to popular groups, such as the Boston Crusaders and Governor’s Institute of the Arts, as well as hosting yearly events like the KOSA Drum Festival, Shrine Bowl Football Camp, New England Yearly Meeting of Friends and Castleton Summer Concert series, which featured a premier lineup of local musicians that took center stage every Tuesday evening throughout the 2014 summer.
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RACHEL BOMBARDIER JUNIOR • PITTSFORD, VERMONT EXERCISE SCIENCE • HEALTH SCIENCE ICE HOCKEY • LACROSSE ALL-CONFERENCE • PRESIDENT’S LIST DEAN’S LIST • ALL-ACADEMIC PEER TUTOR
What’s in a Spartan? Student-athletes make up nearly 25 percent of the Castleton student body. But what makes a Spartan?
LOUIS ALHAGE SOPHOMORE • NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT EXERCISE SCIENCE CROSS COUNTRY • LACROSSE DEAN’S LIST • MENTORING PROGRAM HABITAT CLUB • THEATER
“I take it to heart being a Spartan. To me it means holding myself to a higher standard and representing the school whether you’re on the field or off the field. When I’m back home in Connecticut and people ask me where I go to school I am proud to say I’m a Spartan and go to Castleton.” 32 CASTLETON MAGAZINE
“The thing I really enjoy about Castleton is that I can participate in all the activities that I want to. I can play two sports, study subjects that really interest me and also pursue other hobbies outside of Castleton like skiing and mountain biking. With that and having my family close by it allows me to live a balanced life.”
SOREN PELZ-WALSH JUNIOR • BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT PHYSICAL EDUCATION BASEBALL• FOOTBALL PRESIDENT’S LIST • DEAN’S LIST
“I love Vermont. When I was introduced to this community it was great to see that the coaches really care. It is also nice to be in a place where you know all your professors. I love the camaraderie I get playing two sports and also that teams go to watch and support other programs.”
MALLORY COSTELLO JUNIOR • VERNON, NEW JERSEY NURSING WOMEN’S SOCCER ALL-CONFERENCE ALL-REGION ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT DEAN’S LIST
“The quality nursing program is a big reason why I came to Castleton, while soccer has provided me with a great experience as well.”
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TRACK & FIELD COMES TO CASTLETON Men’s and women’s track and field were announced as the latest additions to the already impressive varsity athletic offerings at Castleton, bringing the total number to 22. The programs will begin a full schedule of competition starting with the spring 2016 season. Dave Heitkamp was named head coach of the program and will begin to lay the foundation this year. Heitkamp is renowned throughout the New England region as one of the very best at his craft. He has spent the past 24 years as the head track and field coach at nearby Fair Haven Union High School where he won numerous awards with the Slaters, including the National Federation Coaches Association Boys Indoor Track Coach of the Year in 2000. Additionally, he has been named the Vermont Indoor Track Association (VITA) Indoor Track Coach of the Year eight times in the last 12 years. He has captured 23 team state titles as well as produced countless individual state champions, four New England champions, and one All-American. MEN’S SOCCER DOWNS MIDDLEBURY As one of the longest standing programs in school history, the men’s soccer team has a lengthy list of accolades, accomplishments, mosts, and firsts. Multiple conference championships, individual achievements, hall of fame members, and even a share of a national title fill the trophy case and walls of the Spartan Athletic Complex. But, for nearly 60 years the one thing that had eluded every team was a win over Middlebury College. That ‘first’ was finally checked off the list on October 21 when the Spartans downed the Panthers 1-0 in a thrilling game at Spartan Stadium.
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Nate with the football team after their victory over Anna Maria.
FOOTBALL TEAM HOLDS A DATE FOR NATE As the Castleton football team put forth a record-breaking performance on October 11, they also made the game an unforgettable day for one young man who had the opportunity to be an honorary member of the Spartans team for a day. Sixth grader Nathan Cosgrove was invited to be involved with Castleton’s entire game day experience as part of the Coach to Cure MD program, an initiative supported by the American Football Coaches Association which seeks to raise money for research focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cosgrove is afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. The disease strikes boys across all races and cultures, causing progressive muscle weakness, which eventually leads to wheelchair dependency and a decline in respiratory function. “It was great having Nate at the game last week. It puts everything in perspective for us,” said junior linebacker Jay Morgan. “He has such a great attitude for all that he is going through
and was all smiles on the day and I think it motivated us and once again reinforced how blessed we are to play football.” The youngest Spartan also got to celebrate Castleton’s 65-9 victory over Anna Maria after the game, taking part in the singing of the alma mater while helping to hold the Helmet Trophy – the traveling trophy the two teams have played for over the past six years. He finished off the day by addressing the team during their post-game talk on the field.
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CASTLETON HALL OF FAME INDUCTION This year Castleton inducted an impressive trio of alums into the Castleton Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend. The inductees included former basketball standout George Price ’89, former baseball standout Chad Whittemore ’01, and educator Dr. Bonnie Van Lunen ’90.
Hall of Fame Inductees pictured above, from left to right: Chad Whittemore, Bonnie Van Lunen, and George Price.
Arguably one of the most complete forwards in the illustrious history of Castleton basketball, Price’s name is littered throughout the program’s record book. He is a member of the winningest class in the team’s history and the only player to ever lead his team in scoring four consecutive seasons. He currently ranks fourth all-time with 1,655 points and is one of two players with over 600 rebounds and 200 steals. Price was also selected NAIA Honorable Mention All American twice. Whittemore was a four-year standout and helped set the table for the impressive success of Castleton baseball over the past ten years. As a junior in 2000 he was named team MVP while leading the team to its first winning record in seven seasons. Overall he was named team MVP three times and captained the squad his senior year. Whittemore finished his career with then program records of 124 hits, 27 doubles and 40 extra base hits. Additionally he batted over .415 twice in his final three years while recording 104 hits and 67 runs scored over that span. Whittemore also earned All-Conference honors in each of his final two seasons. Van Lunen is an associate professor at Old Dominion and graduate of Castleton’s physical education program. She was also a four-year letterwinner as a member of the softball team. As an educator Van Lunen has distinguished herself, earning a master’s degree and then a doctorate from the University of Virginia in 1998. She has co-authored over 50 papers in the last ten years alone and in 2007 and 2011 was honored with the Outstanding Research Manuscript in the Athletic Training Education journal while working at Old Dominion. A year later she received the DCOE Publications Award from the Darden College of Education for co-authoring 14 publications during the academic year.
Spartans Come Home Students, alumni, parents, and friends of Castleton came together on campus, September 19-21, to celebrate Castleton’s annual Homecoming and Family weekend. for all of the weekend’s highlight photos, visit:
CASTLETON.EDU/HOMECOMING
Mark Your Calendars! Homecoming and Family Weekend 2015 September 25-27 FALL 2014 29
The Arts at Castleton Castleton offers over 75 nights of entertainment a year between Casella Theater and the Black Box Theater, as well as features the work of dozens of student and professional artists at our Christine Price and Downtown galleries. Here are some of the theater and gallery highlights, for a full list of events visit: CASTLETON.EDU/ARTS
JAN
29 Rani Arbo and daisy mahem JANUARY 29 • 7 p.m. • CASELLA THEATER ADULTS $15 • SENIORS $12 CHILDREN (UNDER 12) $10
FEB
23 FEB
09 A Far Cry FEBRUARY 9 • 7 p.m. • CASELLA THEATER ADULTS $15 • SENIORS $12 CHILDREN (UNDER 12) $10
Russell Serrianne Artwork on display February 23 through March 27 Christine Price Gallery, Castleton • Free
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APR
1
Black Violin APRIL 20 • 7 p.m. • CASELLA THEATER ADULTS $15 • SENIORS $12 • CHILDREN (UNDER 12) $10
Ruth Hamilton Artwork on display April 1 through May 2 The Castleton Downtown Gallery, Rutland • Free
APR
20
APR
8
San Jose Taiko APRIL 8 • 7 p.m. • CASELLA THEATER ADULTS $15 • SENIORS $12 CHILDREN (UNDER 12) $10
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FALL 2014 37
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