New director and programs in Career Services In August 2011, Wendy Seligmann joined the College as the director of career services. She came to us from Earlham College, where she was the director of career services from 1989-2002 and then associate dean for student success until 2011. Seligmann has a bachelor’s degree from Earlham and an MBA from Old Dominion University. In addition to her many years in career services, she also has extensive experience in retention and as an instructor in Earlham’s business and non-profit management program. Since coming to the College, she has focused on strengthening alumni connections and developing new initiatives. “The campus community, including alumni, is open, positive and creative about growing career services programs, which are fertilized by the Triad,” Seligmann said. At 2012 Homecoming, in partnership with the WWC Alumni Association, career services hosted the Alumni Connections Social. The event provided juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore vocational pathways and to learn from alumni what it means to carry their ideas, skills and passions out into the world. In addition to real-time, face-to-face programs, Seligmann is launching a robust digital resource called OWLink (warrenwilsoncsm.symplicity.com). The web-based system combines the power and expertise of two professional associations, the National Association of Colleges and Employers and Direct Employers, to create an internship and employment database for alumni, students and employers. It will also house a searchable listing of Warren Wilson Career Network Volunteers. Another program Seligmann is developing is the Sophomore Externship Program (SEP), which is designed as an opportunity for a second-year student to engage in practice-based learning by actively participating in a field of interest. Students who participate in the program receive a firsthand look at the workplace in a career of their interest, make valuable contacts and have the opportunity to see how their Triad learning experiences can be applied in real world situations. “Through experiences in the College’s educational Triad of academics, work and service, our students have an authentic sense of themselves. Our job is to help them realize that they know more and have more experience than their peers at other schools,” Seligmann said. “We coach students to see how knowledge, skills and experience gained through the Triad can transfer to work, education and life after Warren Wilson.” On the Web: warren-wilson.edu/~careers
Dustin Rhodes ’95, back in the Valley Dustin has returned as the annual fund and communications director. You might remember him as a classmate or as the student activities director. Here, he tells us why he’s back and what he’s up to. People like me—graduates who never leave—are routinely accused of drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid. It’s true: I love Warren Wilson—even more than I did when I was an idealistic 18-year-old who decided this college was perfect for me after spending a sum total of five minutes on campus. I still find this place to be magical even after enjoying four years here as a student and eight years as director of student activities. I am grateful for every minute. That’s why I decided, after a five-year stint in Washington, D.C., to return to Warren Wilson as the director of the Warren Wilson Fund—a job that, admittedly, involves fewer glue sticks, sheets of poster board and Dolly Parton wigs than my previous Warren Wilson incarnation. But don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of creative challenges. Before seeking this position, I admit I wasn’t familiar with all the reasons why the Warren Wilson College Fund is important to the College—despite the fact that, as a student, I was the recipient of scholarships, loans and other forms of financial aid. I directly benefited from the money that many generous graduates and friends of the College donated. In fact, all students—past, present and future—directly benefit from the Warren Wilson College Fund. Your gift makes funds available for scholarships, grants and countless campus projects. Your gift benefits you, too; by continuing to support the College, you impact our alumni participation rate, which helps our national rankings, our ability to seek outside grants and more. When the College’s profile rises, our degrees become even more impressive to future employers, graduate schools, at cocktail parties, etc. Plus, you help ensure that this breathtakingly beautiful spot thrives. I urge you to visit as often as you can. No doubt, you support many worthy causes in the world—and, let’s be honest, there are lots of them. I hope you’ll make Warren Wilson a part of your annual giving. Like so many Warren Wilson students, I discovered all the reasons and ways I wanted to save the world while I studied, worked and served here in this community. Your gift to the Warren Wilson College Fund affords countless others that same, priceless opportunity. Your gift, big or small, makes a real difference. You can make an online gift at: http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~advancement/ annual_fund.php or simply write a check and send it in the enclosed envelope. We’re now able to process recurring payments from your bank account or debit card, too. This convenient way of giving allows you to break down your gift into easy monthly payments. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the College—and with the world. Connect: 828.771.2088
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drhodes@warren-wilson.edu OWL & SPADE