MAGAZINE | 2019
A Slopeside Education in Hospitality
CASTLETON MAGAZINE | 2019 2.
Equity and Outcome
4.
A Slopeside Education in Hospitality
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The Transfer Experience
8.
Business 101
4. 8.
12. Now & Then: Ellis Hall 14. Faces of Change 20. Castleton Gala 22. From Castleton with Love 24. Heroes Among Us 26. Athletics 28. The Arts 30. Home Away From Home
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UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION president DR. KAREN M. SCOLFORO director of human resources JANET HAZELTON chief budget and finance officer LAURA JAKUBOWSKI chief technology officer GAYLE MALINOWSKI ’95 dean of enrollment MAURICE OUIMET dean of students DENNIS PROULX ’87 chief academic officer JONATHAN SPIRO dean of advancement JEFF WELD ’04
published by OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT SERVICES ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT data specialist LIZ GARSIDE ‘04 director of grants MATTHEW MORIARTY director of alumni and university relations COURTNEY WIDLI ‘13 MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS sports information director THOMAS BLAKE ’17 director of creative services JANE MACOMBER FOLEY communications coordinator ELICIA MAILHIOT ‘12 director of design KATE RICHARDS
please send updates to ALUMNIOFFICE@CASTLETON.EDU
Dear Alumni & Friends: As the snow melts and I approach my second commencement, the first signs of a successful spring are all around us. Our spring sports teams are off to a great start, our Rotaract Club has returned from their Florida service trip, our nurses are preparing for their pilgrimage to Honduras, where they will help those in need, and our spring musical Catch Me if You Can was a rousing success. It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of another academic year. As I look back at all that we’ve accomplished together, some examples of which are featured within these pages, and all that is on the horizon, it is clear that Castleton University is building momentum for a bright future. Buoyed by the strong work of our faculty, we recently launched several new programs including a cutting edge Master of Business Administration; four new bachelor’s degree programs, a host of certificate programs, and two new early college academies, all designed to increase the equity in a Castleton University diploma, while also preparing our graduates for the evolving global workplace. We remain committed to affordable and accessible educational opportunities that are relevant and applicable to the needs of local, regional, national, and global employers. And, our efforts are paying off. In each of the last three semesters, we have seen increases in new student enrollment from the previous year, and we are poised to continue this trend. As you turn the pages, you’ll read more about these aforementioned efforts, as well as a spotlight on the exciting new School of Resort and Hospitality Management at Killington Resort—part of our new College of Business—one of many vitally important programs. But, as you well know, The Castleton Way is less about our programs of study and activities on and off campus, and more about our people and the way we treat each other every day. The people featured within the following pages will no doubt remind you of the power of the human spirit. Our students are establishing new businesses, forging new paths, and, most importantly, saving lives; our alumni are impacting the world around them, telling their own personal stories, and changing the lives of current students through their philanthropic giving; and our Castleton faculty and staff provide transformational education and advisement to our students every day. I’m thrilled to present this magazine to you, courtesy of our advancement team, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed living it over the past year. I hope to see you on campus soon, whether it’s at one of our signature events, like the Castleton Gala, Homecoming, and the Castleton Golf Classic, or for an impromptu visit to my office just to say hello. Castleton has quickly become my home, and I know it will continue to be yours.
please send comments to: COURTNEY WIDLI • 62 ALUMNI DRIVE • CASTLETON, VT 05735
DR. KAREN M. SCOLFORO CASTLETON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
(802) 468-1241 • COURTNEY.WIDLI@CASTLETON.EDU
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Equity and Outcome THIS PIECE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE RUTLAND HERALD AS PART OF ITS “VERMONT BY DEGREES” EDITORIAL SERIES. JEFF WELD, DEAN OF ADVANCEMENT Since the beginning of time education, and learning in general, has consistently been the world’s greatest equalizer. Need to stay warm? Learn to harness energy and create fire. Need protection from the elements? Learn to create simple tools and how to build structures. Can’t keep up with your predators? Learn to run faster. As the father of two young children I have ample opportunity to watch learning in action and how it creates equality, daily. The more the two year old learns, the more he is able to accomplish on par with his four-year-old sibling. The more he accomplishes, the deeper his desire to learn becomes. These examples are simple, and happen over time almost as a rule. Whether it is ancient evolution or standard human growth, learning equalizes, always. Historically speaking, it has been a lack of access to formal education that has been an inhibitor of equality and growth. Whether it is a lack of opportunity, a lack of aspiration, or a more likely combination of the two, access plays a significant role in today’s higher education landscape in Vermont— especially in its rural, blue collar communities. Of course it’s true: not everyone needs to go to college. What’s clear, however, is that everyone needs to continue to learn and the data points to the reality that some form of higher education leads to greater prosperity, better health, and opens doors to a more equitable future. In October 2018, the national unemployment rate was double for those with only a high school diploma as opposed to a bachelor’s degree. As a group, citizens who do not continue their education beyond high school are much more likely to live in poverty, have more health problems, and have children who also do not pursue education beyond high school. 2 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
A recent op-ed from Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Jeb Spaulding provided the following sobering insight: “Vermont has one of the very best high school graduation rates in the country, something to be proud of, but at the same time we have one of the lower rates of high school graduates going on to attend college – indeed, the lowest in New England. Even more concerning is the clear inequality in college continuation rates between the “haves” and “have nots” – only 38 percent of low-income Vermont high school graduates continue on to college, compared to 59 percent for non-economically disadvantaged graduates.” So, how do we address the higher education naysayers, those among us who reject the value of higher education and believe that a liberal arts education is a culprit rather than a cure? We point to the employment data above. We provide more access. We improve affordability. We help guide students along a path to create impactful, meaningful outcomes to which others from similar backgrounds may aspire. Over the past year, Castleton University has increased its outreach to early college students—those students who benefit from a free year of college while still in high school—in an effort to increase access to a four-year degree pathway. In addition to the traditional early college experience the University has also added two innovative academies that provide students with a highly focused curriculum in specific areas of interest. The Vermont Academy of Fine and Performing Arts at Castleton University is designed to provide students with an immersive experience in developing their passion for art, creative writing, music, or theater, while the Castleton University STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Academy is designed to provide students an immersive experience that further develops their critical thinking skills and stimulate their passions while opening their minds to careers in these high-demand areas. This free first year of college addresses access and affordability in an innovative way. Castleton has also created dozens of articulation agreements and transfer pathways that lead to affordable advanced degree options for traditionally underserved populations. Consider the fact that a Vermont student can attend Community College of Vermont, graduate with an associate’s degree, and complete his or her degree at Castleton while paying the same tuition as they did while at CCV. The outcome is a four year degree at nearly 25 percent less than spending all four
years at Castleton. Coupled with a year of early college, the affordability is multiplied. When combined with Castleton’s 3+2 articulation agreement with Vermont Law School, students have the potential to earn a Juris Doctorate by the time they are 21 years of age and at a fraction of the cost. Literally dozens of pathways across multiple programs have been created to increase access and affordability. Finally, when considering outcomes, consider this: According to the World Economic Forum’s recent Future of Jobs Report, the top ten skills for jobs in 2020 are all central focuses of Castleton’s traditional liberal arts education. Skills like complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility to name a few. Castleton applies the liberal arts model along with its growing list of 400 community partnerships that provide experiential learning through internships, research opportunities, and clinical placements in real world settings, creating a prepared workforce for Vermont and beyond. As Castleton University continues to grow and evolve, we are adding more streamlined degree options such as our three-year Resort and Hospitality Management bachelor’s degree, delivered in a cooperative education model with Killington Resort. Cooperative education, where students earn credits for paid positions in real world settings in addition to theoretical classroom experiences, will better prepare the workforce to meet the demands of the jobs of tomorrow. We are adding more online and distance learning programs to help close the opportunity gap for nontraditional, working populations who seek to advance their careers without disrupting their lives. We are creating certificate programs and remaining nimble in a disruptive environment. And, even throughout all of the disruption, change, and growth, Castleton University continues to do what it has done for nearly 250 years: Create equality through education for the benefit of Vermont. MAGAZINE | 2019 3
“We will build off our already strong partnership with Castleton and continue our innovative and truly unique program in Resort and Hospitality Management... The program provides real life experience that immediately translates into the skills needed to succeed in the resort industry.“ MIKE SOLIMANO, KILLINGTON/PICO PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
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A Slopeside Education in Hospitality Castleton launches School of Resort & Hospitality Management at Killington Castleton University has received notice from the New England Council on Higher Education (NECHE) that it is approved to operate at Killington Resort. Starting this fall the University will offer an accelerated Bachelor of Science degree in Resort Hospitality and Management delivered under a cooperative education model. “We are thrilled that NECHE has approved Killington as an additional location for this accelerated bachelor’s degree program,” said Castleton University President Dr. Karen M. Scolforo. “The cooperative delivery model incorporates practical experiences in addition to classroom theoretical learning. The School of Resort and Hospitality Management at Killington will provide a blueprint that can be adopted for other programs at Castleton.” In the three-year resort management program students attend classes as traditional students, and also receive credit for working in paid positions at Killington and Pico Mountains. Students maximize their time and talents through the applied learning format while providing integral support and expertise to both Killington and Pico. Green Mountain College previously ran a similar program at Killington and saw a completion rate of above 90 percent, and a 99 percent employment rate. With the recent announcement of Green Mountain College’s impending closure, Castleton has been identified by Killington as its educational partner for the new program. “While we’re sad to see our relationship with Green Mountain College end, we’re happy to have Castleton University step up and provide this opportunity,” said Killington/Pico President and General Manager Mike Solimano. “We will build off our already strong partnership with Castleton and continue our innovative and truly unique program in Resort and Hospitality Management started in 2001 by Frank Pauze. The program provides real life experience that immediately translates into the skills needed to succeed in the
resort industry. Currently, 35 alumni of the program work at Killington, and we hope to see that number grow with the continuation of this program.” According to Scolforo, Castleton University students have enjoyed free skiing and riding at Pico, discounted skiing and riding at Killington, and guaranteed part time job placement over the past two years through the Castleton Beast Pass program. This new venture is a logical progression with a strong community partner. “We have a strong collaborative relationship with Killington/Pico and we are excited to build and grow together. I believe the previous resort and hospitality management program only scratched the surface of its potential, and I expect ours will grow in size and scope very quickly.”
NEW ACADEMIC STRUCTURE APPROVED The School of Resort and Hospitality Management at Killington will be housed in the newly approved College of Business at Castleton University, part of an academic restructure that will provide a strong foundation of growth. In addition to the College of Business, there will be a College of Health and Science and a College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “Differentiated colleges and schools enable autonomous programming, entrance requirements, and delivery models, as well as greater access to interdisciplinary learning opportunities for our students,” Scolforo said. “Faculty realize greater collaboration, shared classes, and solidarity in broader initiatives. It also allows us to build out individual schools within the colleges such as the School of Nursing, School of Education, and School of Fine and Performing Arts to help build more autonomy and strength, while raising the equity in a Castleton University diploma.”
CASTLETON.EDU/RESORT-MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE | 2019 5
MAX TEMPEL
The Transfer Experience: KYLIE LABERGE (MIDDLE)
Three Castleton students share their stories of coming to Castleton, after beginning their undergraduate journeys elsewhere. Most of Castleton’s students find themselves on the University’s campus as freshmen, just a few short months after graduating high school, bright-eyed and eager for the journey that awaits and attempting to settle in before the upperclassmen return. For many others, they experienced the bright-eyed and eager phase elsewhere — at a community college that only offers two-year degrees, a four-year institution that just wasn’t the right fit, or a university they loved, but didn’t offer the opportunities and activities they had hoped for.
DUNCAN CAMPBELL
Approximately 25 percent of Castleton’s incoming students — like Max Tempel, Kylie Laberge, and Duncan Campbell — transfer to the University from another institution each fall. Max Tempel began his college career at Siena College in New York. A Public Relations major from Averill Park, New York, Tempel transferred to Castleton after his freshman year. Tempel wanted to continue his athletic career, and Castleton’s wrestling program offered him that chance. “I really liked Castleton’s small class sizes and the community around campus,” he said. “I love being part of the family and community that’s built around Castleton.” Castleton made it easy for Tempel to transfer, with support from the admissions team and his advisor. Tempel, now a junior, is captain of the University’s wrestling team and works as a community advisor. Last
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year, he was named treasurer for the Student Government Association. “Castleton heavily supports transfer students by offering a day-long transfer registration. This is an awesome way for transfer students to get acclimated to Castleton and what it has to offer,” he said. Castleton makes continuing education both accessible and affordable for students finishing a degree program at select schools across Vermont and New England, including Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts, SUNY Adirondack in New York, and Landmark College in Vermont. The University also works closely with Community College of Vermont graduates who are interested in continuing their education after earning an associate’s degree. Students who successfully complete CCV’s program are guaranteed admission to Castleton, where they receive academic and financial aid advising to ensure a smooth transition. Castleton worked with CCV to develop pathway plans for more than 20 programs of study, which details how credits earned at CCV will be applied to students’ studies at Castleton, creating a seamless transition to a bachelor’s degree program. Kylie Laberge is just one of the many students who come to Castleton after completing a two-year degree at Community College of Vermont. “I chose Castleton because it is the only school in Vermont to offer a Forensic Psychology program and it also offered the transfer success scholarship for CCV graduates,” she said. Now a senior, Laberge decided to continue her education at Castleton due to the proximity to her home in Hinesburg, Vermont. Laberge also knew that by transferring to Castleton, all of the credits she earned at CCV would be accepted. “Castleton provided me with an excellent education at a price that I could afford without going into debt,” she said. “I can’t say that it’s the same for all transfer students, but coming to Castleton was the best choice that I could have made.” For Laberge, making the transition from a college without a residential component to one with a robust residence life was one of the best parts about becoming a Spartan. Being around other students five days a week, combined with Castleton’s home-like atmosphere “really instilled a sense of family,” she said.
“Castleton provided me with an excellent education at a price that I could afford without going into debt... coming to Castleton was the best choice that I could have made.” -kylie laberge
Like Tempel, Laberge found the transfer process stress-free. “The transfer process for me was very easy as I was coming from another Vermont State College. All I had to do was complete the application then meet with a transfer admissions counselor about what major would best suit me. I didn’t have to worry about getting all of my credits transferred. Then I came for orientation and to choose my classes. Overall it was very smooth,” she said. Other students, like senior Duncan Campbell, come to Castleton toward the end of their educational journey. Campbell, a Connecticut-native who’s studying journalism at Castleton, attended both George Washington University in Washington D.C. and University of Missouri before taking some time off. After family and friends suggested he return to school to finish his degree, he landed at Castleton. “I was really attracted to the location of the campus. It is situated in such a beautiful area surrounded by the Green Mountains and is rural enough that you can focus on your school work while not feeling too isolated,” he said. “I also found the size of the school appealing. I can really engage with professors and there is a stronger sense of community than at a 30,000 plus size state school. I also found that Castleton was more financially stable compared to GW and Mizzou.” MAGAZINE | 2019 7
Business 101 It takes hard work and dedication to transform a great idea into a moneymaking business, but Castleton University students are doing it every day. Each of the student entrepreneurs featured have endured long hours, overcome challenges, and worked hard to balance being a full-time student with running their own business.
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MARTIN VANBUREN III V3 PHOTOGRAPHY | V3PHOTOGRAPHYVT.COM
“On top of all the social and communication skills, a spike in confidence was the most beneficial for the success I’m now seeing with my business.”
Martin VanBuren first became interested in photography during middle school. Equipped with a small, red, pointand-shoot camera, he explored and experimented with different methods until his senior year of high school, when he split the cost of an introductory-level DSLR camera with his parents and took an interest in sports photography. “It didn’t take long for parents and players to start offering compensation for the photos I posted on Facebook and so, the ignorant businessman I was, I decided 50 cents a photo was worth the time and effort I put in. But then more and more parents and players wanted photos and were interested in paying, so I rose my prices to a whopping $1,” he said. In December 2014, just two months after purchasing his camera, VanBuren created a Facebook page for his business, V3 Photography, and began watermarking his images with the brand. It didn’t take more than two days for VanBuren to come up with his business name, a catchy play on his last name. “The trend of taking photos of students for parents contin-
ued until my senior prom, where I brought my camera instead of a date and walked out with a dozen or so picture orders and payment,” he said. VanBuren is now a senior Media and Communication Major at Castleton and a respected portrait, event, and wedding photographer. He recently opened his own photography studio in his hometown of Poultney, Vermont, which VanBuren admits has been challenging at times. VanBuren has found Castleton professors supportive as he balances being a full-time student and a business owner. When he was unable to grasp how strong some of his work truly was, professors pointed it out, giving him the boost of confidence he needed. “Not having confidence in my abilities from a business standpoint really hurt financially, where I was afraid to charge a lot in fear I wasn’t worth it,” he said. “On top of all the social and communication skills, a spike in confidence was the most beneficial for the success I’m now seeing with my business.” MAGAZINE | 2019 9
ADAM CHOUINARD CHEWCUSTOMS | INSTAGRAM @CHEWCUSTOMS The first pair of shoes that Adam Chouinard designed were made out of duct tape and cardboard. He was 10 years old. Chouinard is now a senior Graphic Design student at Castleton and has sold more than 60 pairs of shoes since beginning his business, ChewCustoms. His desire to pursue a career in design, as well as making shoes, began during the gap year he took after high school. During this time, Chouinard held a variety of jobs, including working the counter at an auto parts store and maintaining the pin setting machines at a bowling alley. “The involvement in a number of things I knew I didn’t want to do focused my mind on the things that I did want to do. I loved shoes and have always had a seemingly innate talent with any artistic utensil I picked up. A year dedicated to self-reflection allowed my mind to combine the two,” he said. Over the years, Chouinard has grown and developed ChewCustoms as his own skills have evolved. It began strictly as a sneaker customization service where clients would bring him a pair of shoes and he would prepare them, then use leather paint or acrylics with additives to create durable designs. “Currently, I continue to customize shoes, but have also taken on much more daunting projects such as deconstructing sneakers to replace the original materials with alternative ones. With graduation closing in, the diversification of my business as an educational experience has been a way for me to expand my portfolio with the intentions of working in the product design field after school,” he said. For Chouinard, the freedom that comes from being able to follow his own path as a designer is one of the best parts of being in business. “Especially at this point in my education and career as a designer and artist it is undeniably important to me that I discover and develop my personal style,” he said. “Creating my own products allows for me to develop and reflect my personal experience, which I believe is essential in order for me to connect to my audience in a meaningful way.” 10 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
ANDREA TESTER ANDREA’S DANCE ACADEMY ANDREASDANCEACADEMY.COM Despite being just 19-years-old, Andrea Tester already wears many hats. In addition to being a full-time student, she’s a competitive dancer, assistant basketball coach, and a member of the University’s athletic band. Tester recently added another title to her growing list of accomplishments: Business owner. The sophomore Music Education major from Orwell, Vermont, opened Andrea’s Dance Academy in January and teaches weekly classes in tap, jazz, Irish step, and hip hop in Fair Haven, Vermont.
“I said, ‘I’m ready to do this.’ In a little over a month, I had my first open house. I made my dream become a reality.”
“I was joking around one day saying that I should open a dance studio in Fair Haven in one of the empty buildings on Main Street. I had just finished my last Irish dance competition after 10 years and did not want to give it up so easily,” she said. Tester found the perfect spot in a vacant space, right on Main Street. With help from her family and boyfriend, Tester began painting the studio walls a soft blush color, installing new mirrors and dance barres, and laying new flooring. With a roster of more than 20 people ranging in age from five to 18, Tester has quickly adjusted to balancing the demands of owning and operating a business with her studies. Castleton’s faculty have been supportive of her goals, helping her to develop important skills she’ll need as a new business owner. When asked if she has any advice for other Castleton students who are considering starting their own business, Tester said to “just go for it.” “If you have a dream of opening your own business, look into what requirements it needs and make sure you have friends, family, and a community that supports you. I had this idea right around Thanksgiving and in the middle of December I said, ‘I’m ready to do this.’ In a little over a month, I had my first open house. I made my dream become a reality,” she said. MAGAZINE | 2019 11
Now & Then ANN BASKIND ’68 REMINISCES
ABOUT HER TIME IN ELLIS HALL Students and alumni often refer to Castleton as their home away from home. This is especially true for those who have lived in Ellis Hall, a hallmark among Castleton’s 11 residence halls and one of the oldest buildings on the University’s campus. Perhaps the most charming thing about Ellis Hall is its history. Over the years, it has transformed from an all-female dorm to a stomping ground for first-year students. Ellis Hall — which bears its name in honor of George Ellis, a railroad magnate whose estate was on Glenbrook Road — was constructed in 1951 when Castleton was known as Castleton Teachers College. Nestled on a hill on South Street, Ellis became the second women’s dorm on the college’s campus. It originally housed 126 students. Leavenworth Hall, located in the footprint of the current academic building with the same name, was the older of the two dorms (built in 1926) and housed 60 students. On a cold, mid-winter’s night in 1971, Leavenworth Hall burned down. Ann Baskind ’68 came to Castleton State College from Westchester County, New York and lived in Ellis Hall when it housed only females. She soon became friends with the other freshmen who resided on the third floor’s south wing, which they affectionately refer to as Three South. 12 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
“Ellis Hall was very special. It kind of defined you; it was who you were,” Baskind said. “If someone would ask me to define Ellis, I would say it’s home.” Life in Ellis was different — and certainly simpler — back then. Baskind said that each floor included a phone room, which contained a single pay phone that students could make collect calls from. She also said that students were required to sign in and out with a desk aide every time they came and went from the dorm. Men were only allowed in the girls’ dorm rooms under special circumstances, such as to help drop luggage off during move-in, but public displays of affection thrived in “the fish bowl,” or the porches and lobbies of the female residence halls where men were allowed. “I remember when the lights flickered outside, you better be in that dorm,” she said.
Those flickering lights refer to the college’s curfew system for women, which included an 11 p.m. curfew Sunday through Thursday and a 2 a.m. curfew Friday and Saturday. The curfew system was abolished in the fall of 1968 for all women except first-semester freshman. Baskind also remembers Sophie Cassin, the Ellis dormitory director who was named Vermont Mother of the Year in 1965 by the American Mothers Committee, a program created by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1931. The Mother of the Year award is awarded annually at the state and national level to a woman who embodies the traits highly regarded in mothers and displays the ability to strengthen family relationships. Cassin was 69-years-old when she received this honor, and had been responsible for the roughly 120 female students housed in Ellis for six years prior. The women who called Ellis home were also known to create traditions. “When one of the girls got engaged, the entire house would gather in the living room on the first floor,” said Barbara Mahoney, who lived in Ellis at the same time as Baskind. “We would make a circle and pass a lighted candle around those assembled. When the candle came to the newly engaged girl, she blew out the candle to the delightful cheers of her friends.” What sticks out most to those who lived in Ellis was how easy it was to make friendships, many of which have now spanned more than 50 years. “Most of us on Three South stay in contact with each other,” said Barbara Barney, who lived in Ellis with Baskind and Mahoney. “We’ve been through divorces, deaths, grandbabies, and life with each other. It’s so wonderful to Facetime, chat, see each other a couple times every summer, and spend long weekends at the beach, even though we are thousands of miles apart.” Ellis Hall transformed into a co-ed residence hall in the second half of 1977 with the addition of an annex wing that housed 16 males. However, Ellis was still mostly home to females, with 130 women living there in the fall of 1977. In the early to mid-1990s, Ellis Hall became a dorm traditionally reserved for freshmen and was known for its rambunctious residents and frequent fire drills. While the mischief eventually returned to the normal level that’s ex-
pected in a college dorm, rumors of a haunting in the hall ramped up. The common belief that Ellis is haunted has become a popular story told to each year’s incoming class. Tales of spontaneous flushing toilets, running water, and random footsteps are shared. But like most ghost stories, proof is hard to come by. Today, Ellis Hall houses up to 144 students with the same corridor-style charm it’s always been known for. During the 2017-18 academic year, Castleton recognized that housing assignments based on gender alone may not be appropriate for all students and began offering gender-inclusive housing. The first floor of Ellis is one of three residence halls on campus that include gender-inclusive housing, a stark but welcome contrast from the days when it housed all women. While there are many things different about living in Ellis Hall today than when Baskind and her friends resided there, Ellis’ ability to help cultivate friendships remains. “I like that Ellis Hall is corridor-styled, with common rooms on every floor. Prior to living in Ellis, I lived in a suite-styled building. While living in a suite is arguably nice, I’ve observed that students are more likely to stay within the confines of their own suites,” said Kayla St. Marie, a senior community advisor in Ellis. “Corridor-style buildings are more personal. On multiple occasions, I have seen people working on homework together and hanging out in the common rooms. I believe that this style of living encourages community, which in my opinion makes it a great place to live.” For St. Marie and many others who reside in Ellis, living there is what you make it. “As the oldest residence hall on campus, it’s noticeably different in appearance than some of the new halls. Some will complain that the showers take longer to heat up, that the water pressure is not the best, or even that the building is haunted. I honestly believe that Ellis is what you make it,” St. Marie said. “If you choose to focus on the negative aspects of Ellis, then you will have a more negative outlook. However, if you choose to focus on all the great things about living in Ellis as I do, then you come to understand that Ellis is a pretty great place to live, bettered by the people who live there.”
MAGAZINE | 2019 13
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Faces
of
Change Castleton students are often told to make a difference here before they go and make a difference in the world. They thrive knowing that life is not just about doing well, but doing good too. That spirit stays with Spartans long after graduation. Castleton alumni have a desire to make the world, or at least a corner of it, a better place to live, work, and play. They are doing the hard work to make their communities brighter, healthier, and stronger. For some, that desire takes them to underdeveloped countries, where they spend years working to improve access to quality health care. Many have continued their education in another country while teaching English to locals. For others, the will to do good leads them right into to their own backyard. The following pages feature four alumni who have set out to make a difference in their communities. They are making sure those in need don’t go hungry. They are creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to find their inner strength. They are giving complete strangers a second chance at life. They are bringing others happiness through their hobbies and passions. The alumni featured in these pages are just a few examples of Spartans making a difference in the world, and there are thousands more just like them.
Are you a Castleton alum who is making a difference in your community? We want to hear from you: CASTLETON.EDU/CHANGE MAGAZINE | 2019 15
Jessica Potash ’15 SPORT MANAGEMENT | ’17 ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP
BE THE MATCH Last spring, Jessica Potash ’15, ’17 received a call that would not only change her life, but would save someone else’s. Potash was a senior when she joined Be The Match, an organization that provides support and resources for individuals diagnosed with blood cancers, their families, and health care professionals. It also oversees the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world. “Castleton held Be The Match drives, and I’m not going to lie, I heard ‘bone marrow’ and immediately was intimidated,” Potash said. “But my senior year there was a drive and I spoke to the representative there and she educated me about Be The Match. She helped me realize that one procedure can help save someone’s life and all I needed to do at that point was send in a swab of my cheek.” Three years later, outside of her office in New York City, Potash’s phone rang; It was Be The Match calling. “I remember feeling several different emotions, but mostly I was very excited. They told me the general information and I immediately started tearing up, especially after I was told I was a perfect match for my recipient,” she said. During the call, Potash learned that she would soon be one of many Castleton alumni who have donated marrow, something that made her “even prouder to be a Spartan.” 16 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
A month later she was at the hospital, with doctors drilling four tiny holes into her pelvic bone, using long, hollow needles to extract bone marrow. Within three weeks, Potash was “basically back to 100 percent.” Because the rules of anonymity associated with bone marrow donation are very strict, she knows little about her recipient, except that he or she is also doing well. “All that I have now are four scars on my back from the incisions” she said. “I’m extremely proud of those scars.”
Cody Tancreti ’13 PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Having grown up in the small town of Windsor, Vermont, Cody Tancreti ’13 was excited to teach physical education at nearby Woodstock Elementary School after graduation. A Physical Education major and a four-year member of Castleton’s football program, Tancreti first became interested in adaptive physical education after a class at Castleton with Spartan Race co-founder Andy Weinberg.
THE BRAVE CHALLENGE
“He let us do things like the Special Olympics and allowed us to really get a taste of what it would be like to run an adaptive classroom,” he said. After setting up an obstacle course for one of his classes, he was inspired to create a similar course for people with disabilities, giving them an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and compete against each other in a oneof-a-kind setting. Tancreti enlisted the help of friend and fellow athlete Jeff Thomas to make his vision a reality. The first BRAVE Challenge was held at Ascutney Mountain in September 2018. It attracted 80 participants and volunteers. “We had a very wide range of ages at our first race. We had someone in first grade and athletes over 30 years old. The great thing is that the race is really for everyone. There’s no age limit,” Tancreti said. “It’s designed to give people with disabilities something to look forward to, to train for.” Tancreti and Thomas created each obstacle so that athletes have the ability to choose different levels of difficulty at each obstacle. “If you think step A is too hard, you can look at step B. Or you can just go around the obstacle. We give them all these options so they don’t have to do anything that would make them anxious. We want them to be comfortable,” Tancreti said. The BRAVE Challenge returns this year with a race in South Burlington in June and a race in Hartford in September. Registration for participants and volunteers is open at bravechallenge.org. MAGAZINE | 2019 17
Wanda Courcelle ’72 ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ’86 EDUCATION CURRICULUM
OPERATION DOLLS & MORE
Wanda Courcelle ’72 and ’86 had been a teacher for nearly 40 years before she retired from Barstow Memorial School in 2010. Having dedicated most of her life to the education of young children, it’s no surprise that Courcelle soon began looking for other ways to stay connected. Nine years ago, a friend and former colleague called Courcelle and told her about the Operation Dolls and More program, which collects toys, books, games, stuffed animals, and much more, restores them to like-new condition, and packages them to give to more than 2,000 children in Rutland County. Operations Dolls and More is organized by RSVP, an organization dedicated to getting people involved with volunteering, and Trinity Church of Rutland, Vermont. In the beginning, Courcelle volunteered once a month. Now, she spends nearly six hours every Tuesday in the basement of Trinity Church, working alongside a group of others to sort and organize the donations. She spends the other six days a week washing and sewing products that are in need of TLC, drying stuffed animals on the clothesline in the summer and in front of the woodstove during the colder months. “I needed that kid connection,” Courcelle said. “Here, I’m working on stuffed animals, which I love, and I’m sorting books, which is near and dear to my heart.” The group works hard all year to prepare for their big event in November, when they welcome upward of 50 community agencies to collect themed packages for children of all ages, which include several books, toys, blankets, and stuffed animals. Agencies can then distribute the packages to families in need, reducing the stress that many experience around the holiday season. Courcelle estimates that more than 20,000 items were distributed last year. Operation Dolls and More has expanded to incorporate more monthly giving. Each month, Courcelle brings baskets to the Rutland Community Cupboard. Operation Dolls and More delivered 65 Valentine’s Day-themed packages to the Community Cupboard in February. “I thought, ‘we can never get rid of it all in November and December for our event,’” she said. “When people think of the Community Cupboard, they think food, but to see the look on people’s faces when they realize they can also get a birthday gift for their kids is just so great.”
18 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
Dan Warnecke ’17 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
RUTLAND COMMUNITY CUPBOARD
As executive director of the Rutland Community Cupboard Dan Warnecke ’17 spends his days making sure his neighbors in Rutland have food on the table. The Rutland Community Cupboard is a nonprofit organization that addresses food insecurity and hunger in many different ways, providing individuals with everything from fresh, organic produce to full meals during holiday seasons. Last year, the Rutland Community Cupboard served 11,420 people. In his role, Warnecke is tasked with running and managing the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit. He provides complete oversight, including coordinating fundraising events, developing reports, and applying for grants, in addition to promoting the cupboard and its work within the community. “I applied for this position at the Rutland Community Cupboard because I was inspired by the possibility of creating positive change within Rutland and its surrounding communities. Hunger exists everywhere throughout the country and knowing that I could help change that is what made me apply,” he said. Warnecke is committed to improving the greater Rutland community in other ways, including serving in his local
Rotary club and being a member of Rutland Young Professionals. “Giving back to the community is so important to me because I know that I, and many young professionals like me, are just a few paychecks away from needing the services that Rutland Community Cupboard provides,” he said. “So many of us take for granted all that we have, and it can be easy to forget that anything can change. It’s important to give back to the community when you can for this very reason, because you never know when your community may need to back you up in your time of need.” Warnecke feels that his time at Castleton prepared him for his current position. He took advantage of the many opportunities afforded to him, taking part in Castleton’s Rotaract club, Business club, and the Castleton Student Support Network. The 2017 senior class president and Student Government Association delegate was also the recipient of many awards at Castleton. “I learned about the importance of community service while attending Castleton, and I will never forget all the good that Castleton allowed me to do while obtaining my bachelor’s degree,” he said.
MAGAZINE | 2019 19
Celebrating Spartans Past, Present, and Future at the Castleton Gala Castleton University and the Alumni Association Board of Directors are hard at work planning the annual Castleton Gala, scheduled for Saturday, June 22, from 6-10 p.m. at the Castleton Pavilion. Celebrating Castleton’s past, present, and future, the event sets to recognize distinguished members of the Spartan community, while raising valuable funds for student scholarships. “With limited state allocations to education, gifts from individuals, alumni, and corporate sponsors are critical in supporting Castleton University students with the necessary funds to attain a high-quality education,” said Director of Alumni and University Relations Courtney Widli. “Each year the Castleton Gala continues to grow, celebrating the impact of philanthropy and outstanding achievement by honoring our deserving alumni and friends of the University. Together we commemorate Castleton’s rich history, while supporting our current and future students. It’s an exceptional night to be a Spartan.” With a theme of “A Night Among the Stars,” the 2019 event features a cocktail hour, dinner, awards, live music from the Aaron Audet Band, and a silent auction. The annual celebration will also honor several outstanding Castleton alumni and partners who have made a difference in their local communities, respective professions, and the University, while embracing all the aspects of The Castleton Way. Tickets are available for purchase for $75 per person, or at a reduced group rate of $500 for a table of eight. All event proceeds will benefit Castleton University students by providing need and merit-based scholarships. Dress for the evening is celebratory, cocktail attire and all Castleton alumni, community members, partners, and friends of the University are welcomed to attend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AWARD NOMINATION FORMS, VISIT:
CASTLETON.EDU/GALA 20 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
Distinguished Castleton Awards OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD
EMERGING LEADER AWARD
Established in 2005, the Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves through their professional accomplishments and displayed exemplary service to the University, community, and/or humanitarian efforts. The highest honor bestowed upon a Castleton University graduate, the award is traditionally reserved for those alumni who have attained and maintained extremely high stations in their chosen fields of endeavor and in their service to society.
Established in 2019, the Emerging Leader Award is given to alumni who graduated within the last ten years, regardless of age or degree, who are making an impact within their community or profession. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional success in their chosen field, outstanding character, creative leadership, professional achievement and/or devotion to Castleton.
THE SPARTAN SERVICE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE The Spartan Service Award is given for outstanding service to the University. The award recognizes the achievements of individuals working on behalf of the University through service in alumni programs, on advisory committees, and through efforts made to ensure the welfare of the institution, in addition to significant contributions of time, service, and talents throughout the years. This individual exemplifies what it means to be a Spartan and inspires the world around them through service to the community.
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR The Community Partner of the Year award recognizes a community business or organization that has an ongoing partnership with Castleton University which works to support and partner with the institution throughout the year, as well as provides student volunteers and service-learners meaningful community-based learning opportunities.
CASTLETON ANNUAL FUND CLASS OF THE YEAR This award recognizes the class that most embodied the spirit of philanthropy at Castleton throughout the last fiscal year through their dedicated outreach and support of the Castleton Annual Fund.
we hope you save the date and join us for
A Night Among the Stars CASTLETON UNIVERSITY GALA | SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 MAGAZINE | 2019 21
From Castleton with Love
We asked alums to share their Castleton love stories with us. Now we’re sharing them with you!
Jefferey Bruce ’16 & Carolyn Bruce ’13 “I was fortunate enough to meet my beautiful wife, Carolyn Bruce, in the music department. Castleton will always feel like home for both of us, as we both grew, as well as our love for each other!”
Jessica Woodruff Smith & Ryan Smith ’06 “I met my husband Ryan Smith freshman year. He was a commuter and had a class with my suitemate, so he would come hang out in my suite between classes since he didn’t have his own place to go. In May we will have been together 16 years, and we just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in September.”
Meghan Colby ’14 & Jake Colby ’12 “Jake and I met during my sophomore and his junior year, we started dating a year later after a whirlwind Theatre Department January Term trip to New York City. In September of 2015, Jake proposed during the curtain call of August: Osage County on the Casella stage. We moved to Florida in 2016, but knew the only place for us to get married was Castleton. In July of 2017, Harry McEnerny performed our ceremony at Casella. Thanks Castleton, for helping me find my person who completes a part of me I had no idea was missing.” 22 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
Christine Kirchhoff McMaster ’93 & Andrew McMaster ’93
Allie Dwinell ’16 & Derek Fallon ’14
“Andy McMaster and I met our freshmen year in 1989! First residents of the “new” dorm. Our daughter has been accepted at Castleton and will be making her decision in the next few months.”
“Derek Fallon and I met my freshman year in Wheeler in 2011. Been together ever since!”
Tausha Titus ’14 & Luke Titus ’13
Ashley McSweeney ’11 & Michael McSweeney ’11
“My husband and I met in 2008 before going to Castleton, but decided to go to the same school together and Castleton stole our hearts. He graduated in 2013 and I graduated in 2014.”
“When your family picture is also your Castleton alumni picture. All alumni, all met at Castleton, including my sister who is dating an alumnus. Castleton has truly become a family affair.”
HAVE A CASTLETON STORY TO SHARE? LET US KNOW!
/CASTLETONEDU
@CASTLETONEDU MAGAZINE | 2019 23
Heroes Among Us CASTLETON UNIVERSITY SKIERS LAUDED FOR HEROISM The morning of February 3 began as many others have this season for the Castleton University alpine ski team: a successful first run by the women had the Spartans sitting atop the team leaderboard with five racers among the top 10 individuals.
“I heard my dad [Kurt] call for a tourniquet as he ran over,” said Mackie. “I could hear Victor screaming as Linn and I were running up the mountain and ripping off our jackets. When we got to him I tied my windbreaker around his leg while Linn went up to his head to talk and comfort him.”
The men’s race got off to a quick start for the Spartans as well; Paul Rechberger and Logan Mackie each sat in the top five after strong opening runs. It wasn’t until Babson College’s Victor Wiacek took his first run, that the day changed drastically for Wiacek and two Castleton skiers.
University of Connecticut Head Coach, Bruce Diamond, who was nearby on the mountain, wrote in a letter to University administration that Mackie and Ljungemo “remained absolutely composed and focused as they calmly comforted the fallen athlete. Their actions prior to and after the arrival of ski patrol were critical to avoiding an irreparably disastrous result.”
Racing in the giant slalom down West Mountain Queensbury, New York, Wiacek was nearing the crest of a hill that would send him into the final half of the course when one of his skis came loose in a turn and slid across his thigh, causing a deep laceration in his left leg and severing an artery. Kylie Mackie and Linn Ljungemo were acting as gatekeepers at the point where Wiacek went down and sprang into action immediately upon seeing him crash. Both Spartan skiers are first-aid certified through Castleton’s eCare class. All three skiers are also friends outside of competition and Mackie has known Wiacek for most of her life. “We would have helped anyone,” said Ljungemo. “But with it being Victor, we were so determined to help and keep him alive.” Mackie and Ljungemo, along with Mackie’s father, Kurt, were the first individuals on the scene as onlookers waited for ski patrol to arrive and continue first aid. 24 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
According to Ljungemo, everyone was focused on helping Wiacek and their eCare training just took over. “Kurt and Kylie were very focused on his leg, and someone handed me a belt to tie a second tourniquet. Then I just turned around to his face and was talking to him to make sure he was awake and alert.” After many minutes of first aid on the mountain, ski patrol arrived with Wiacek at the base, where he was transferred to an ambulance and given blood in an attempt to stabilize his condition. After the initial plan to airlift Wiacek to Albany was altered due to poor visibility conditions, he was sent via ambulance with Mackie’s father there for support. On the mountain, Mackie and Ljungemo were questioning whether or not to take their second runs after helping their fellow competitor in such a situation. It wasn’t until Wia-
cek reached out to the two skiers via Kurt and implored them to take their second run that they knew what they had to do. “We didn’t want to do it [at first], but we had to do it for him,” said Ljungemo. Ljungemo laid down the fastest second run of the day to finish second overall, while Mackie posted the fifth-best second run to place sixth on the day and help Castleton to the team victory. With the ambulance originally scheduled to travel to Albany, on-board emergency personnel made the call to re-route to Saratoga as Wiacek sustained continued blood loss and needed stabilization at a hospital. The stop in Saratoga proved to be of the utmost importance, as a team of doctors—with assistance from Kurt—kept Wiacek conscious until they were able to replace a portion of the lost blood. The ambulance then departed from Saratoga to Albany, where Wiacek underwent successful surgery to stop the bleeding and seal the wound.
en are not just incredible student-athletes but are a part of our Castleton community who were courageous and selfless in a time of desperate need. We are proud that they are part of our Spartan family.” Letters, phone calls and text messages from MacConnell Division coaches, parents and officials have flooded the inboxes of the Castleton ski team in the wake of the incident, each featuring the same few words: heroic, courageous, and selfless. A day that could have ended in tragic fashion instead finished with positive news on all fronts thanks to swift action and composed demeanors by all parties involved.
According to Associate Dean for Athletics and Recreation, Deanna Tyson, Mackie and Ljungemo saved Wiacek’s life. “The young man’s father called me and told me that the doctors in Albany said ‘without the swift response on the mountain, Victor wouldn’t have made it.’ The actions that were taken by Kylie and Linn can be described as nothing but heroic. These two young wom-
Skiing Dominates at USCSA Eastern Regionals, Heads to National Championships JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING | SNOW KING MOUNTAIN RESORT • Women’s alpine skiing broke multiple program records at the USCSA National Championships, finishing second in the slalom, giant slalom, dual slalom and overall standings for its best-ever finish. Karoline Rettenbacher, Kirsten Kruk and Kylie Mackie highlighted 13 total All-America honors, each earning three-time All-American status. • Men’s alpine skiing landed on the podium for the second year in a row, tying a program-best finish at the USCSA National Championships with a third-place finish overall. The Spartans finished second in the slalom—led by Paul Rechberger’s third-place finish—and fourth in the giant slalom, while Logan Mackie earned three All-America accolades.
• Women’s nordic skiing earned four top-five finishes at the USCSA National Championships, finishing fourth overall behind four AllAmerica accolades for Megan Greene, who finished sixth overall across the week’s events. • Men’s nordic skiing won national title after national title at the USCSA National Championships, earning the overall National Championship after topping the podium in the 7.5K Classic, Freestyle Sprint and 15K Freestyle. John Paluszek claimed the individual title in the Freestyle Sprint on his way to four All-America Accolades, while Andrew Doherty earned four All-American nods of his own. MAGAZINE | 2019 25
Philanthropy in Action Since its creation in the winter of 2014, the Doug Mackenzie fund has worked to honor a friend and former Castleton lacrosse player, as well as provide immediate and lasting support for the men’s lacrosse program. Mackenzie attended Castleton in the mid 1980s and had a lasting impact on those who knew and loved him. Lacrosse was a big part of his life during his time at Castleton. With his untimely passing five years ago, several good friends, including Tom Harty ’86, Bob Ferro ’85, Dave Gardyne ’85 and Wayne Hrydziusku ’85, created the fund as a way to honor Mackenzie’s memory and provide direct benefit to the Men’s Lacrosse team. “This fund has been a true game-changer for our program,” said Head Coach Bo McDougall. “Each year the directors of the fund ask me for my ‘wish list’ and each year they’ve met and exceeded our team needs.” Since 2014 the fund, a recognized 501(c)3 charity, has raised over $250,000 towards a $500,000 permanent endowment, and has donated over $25,000 directly to the team for their immediate and long-term needs. The fund has grown beyond the simple goal of honoring a former teammate and has turned into something all players, both current and former, are getting behind and providing support. Today there are lacrosse alumni working on the board, some of whom have graduated within the last two years. The goal is to reach the $500,000 mark within the next five years and to provide a consistent flow of money for years to come to the men’s team. “I’m so grateful for the hard work of the entire group of alumni who have made this happen for our program,” said McDougall. “Doug’s spirit lives on in each one of our current players thanks to their generosity.” learn more:
CASTLETON.EDU/DOUG-FUND 26 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
A Big Entrance to the Little East Conference Castleton’s athletic programs opened the fall with the same energy and fervor as always—pristine August weather and an excitement in the air that can be felt across campus as Spartan student-athletes prepare for their upcoming seasons.
racers in the top third of their respective fields at the LEC Championships.
The difference for many student-athletes this fall, however, was that familiar foes were swapped out with new rivals as Castleton debuted in the Little East Conference as the league’s ninth full-time member.
Castleton had nine student-athletes earn fall All-LEC recognition, including six student-athletes that landed First Team accolades. Field Hockey’s Sarah Wells, Gabriella Hunt, and Ellie Gevry earned First Team honors, as did Men’s Soccer’s Seraphin Iradakunda, Women’s Soccer’s Makenzi Bellando, and Women’s Cross Country’s Kaylyn Crompton.
The Spartans hit the ground running as seven fall sports had a new home against fresh conference competitors. Four winter sports saw their first action against LEC opponents, and now seven more spring sports have their first go-round in the new conference.
In the winter, the Spartans saw high levels of success as Women’s Basketball rattled off a seven-game winning streak en route to LEC Tournament appearance and both Track and Field programs shattered school records week in and week out.
A league built on parity and stiff competition, the Little East showcased new opportunities for Castleton’s athletic programs to prove their standing among some of the most competitive schools in all of New England. And prove themselves, they did.
Brooke Raiche earned First Team All-Conference honors to wrap up a stellar campaign for the Spartans in which she ranked among the LEC’s leaders in a plethora of categories, and Tayler Larmie, Ally Stearns, and Lydia Maier represented Castleton’s Track and Field programs at the NCAA DIII New England Regional Championships after strong showings at the LEC Championships.
The Field Hockey team shocked the league by winning the regular-season title and advancing to the conference championship game, Men’s and Women’s Soccer each made their respective postseason tournaments before falling to teams that made the conference championship games, and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country each placed a pair of
Though spring sports are still in the fledgling stages of their seasons and there are many games left to be played, one thing is for certain: the Spartans will continue to prove that they belong in the Little East.
Women’s Hockey and Wrestling Highlight Successful Winter • Women’s Ice Hockey got hot down the stretch, winning
• Wrestling competed against some of the nation’s stiffest
• The Spartans knocked off Plymouth State in the NEHC
• Castleton will send two wrestlers Max Tempel and Jesse
five of their final six games to land the No. 3 seed in the NEHC Tournament.
Quarterfinals, before dispatching Johnson & Wales in the semifinals to take on Norwich for the NEHC Title.
• Castleton dropped the NEHC Championship against the
Cadets, but seniors Aimee Briand and Rylie Wills were named to the NEHC All-Tournament Team for their efforts in the three contests.
competition all season long, setting a program record with 15 dual match victories.
Webb to the upcoming NCAA National Championships in Roanoke, Virginia. The two are just the second and third wrestlers from Castleton to make the NCAA National Championships.
MAGAZINE | 2019 27
The Castleton Fine Arts Center is in the process of receiving an exciting new modernization as part of a vast renovation project made possible by the generous support of two donors, alumnus John Casella ’72 and longtime friend of the University, Lionel Kinney. Renovations include a cutting-edge graphic design lab, innovative recording studio, and extensive upgrades to the building’s dance studio, lobby, and gallery space. With an anticipated overall completion date of May 2019, the new upgrades will allow for a variety of new course offerings and expanded undergraduate and graduate programming.
RENOVATION & UPDATES TO INCLUDE:
GRAPHIC DESIGN & DIGITAL MEDIA LAB RECORDING STUDIO CHRISTINE PRICE GALLERY DANCE STUDIO
Before & After The new digital sign in front of the Fine Arts Center is one of five new to campus this year. The signs, which were generously funded by Jennifer and Fred Bagley, provide news and events updates as well as emergency information when necessary. 28 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
CU Bank Gallery 104 MERCHANTS ROW | RUTLAND THURSDAY - SATURDAY 12 - 6 p.m.
Director of Choral Activities Earns Faculty Fellow Distinction The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees recently honored Castleton Director of Choral Activities and Music Department Chair Sherrill Blodget as the VSCS Faculty Fellow for the 2018-19 academic year. The fellowship award recognizes tenured faculty who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in teaching and learning. “I am extremely honored to have received the VSCS Faculty Fellow Award. As the VSCS Faculty Fellow, I am exploring projects that will enrich my knowledge of the choral repertoire from Latin America and create opportunities to bring more of this rich repertoire to students and local audiences,” she said. Blodget joined the Castleton community in 2008. In her role, she directs the University Chorale and Castleton Chamber Singers, teaches voice, conducting, and global music, and is vocal director for musical theater productions. Blodget’s research has focused on choral music of Latin America. She has led student choirs to Cuba and the America-Cantat 8 Music of the Americas Conference in the Bahamas, as well as completing a residency at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay as a selected participant in the International Conductors Exchange Program. In recognition of her accomplishment, Blodget will present at the Vermont State Colleges Faculty Fellow Celebration.
MATTHEW J. PEAKE MARCH 30 - MAY 4
JUST A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
HALLIE MONROE MAY 11 - JUNE 22
HALLIE MONROE: ILLUSTRATIONS ON GLASS
JON LEVINE JUNE 29 - AUGUST 23
WE ARE AMERICA MAGAZINE | 2019 29
Home Away From Home TAKE A PEEK AT HOW SPARTANS MAKE THEIR ROOMS FEEL LIKE HOME.
30 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE | 2019 31
Off ice Hours: DAVE BLOW MEDIA & COMMUNICATION PROFESSOR
Castleton Media and Communication Professor Dave Blow is passionate about many things, but at the very top of his list are his family, skiing, and telling a good story. Blow, who graduated from Castleton in 1989, returned to teach the University’s journalism classes in 2005 after having spent 15 years as a reporter and editor for The Post Star newspaper in Glens Falls, New York. Although he traded in the newsroom for the classroom, Blow still regularly writes question and answer columns for The Post Star, as well as a ski column in the winter months. “Skiing is a big passion of mine, plus I write about it so it kind of forces me to get out there a lot more and go to different mountains, because I don’t want to keep writing about the same ones,” he said. Blow doesn’t stop at sharing the ski conditions though. Many of his other columns include anecdotes from time spent with his family. He openly shares peeks into his family life, including a recent father-daughter cruise, the time his (then) 75-year-old mother slid down an icy camp road on her Flexible Flyer metal runner sled, and even introducing readers to the family’s 17-year-old cat, Tia, who he jokingly says runs their household. One of Blow’s favorite columns is 32 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
one he wrote from the perspective of his old baseball glove, the same glove his daughter was using to pitch softball. “I share that in class and I still get emotional,” Blow said. “We still have that glove.” Blow is, in many ways, the quintessential family man. His two daughters, Kirsti and Sarah, are now in college, leaving him and his wife, Tania, at home with the newest addition to their family — a dog named Bear — and, of course, Tia the cat. Blow and his daughters have bonded over a shared love of music in the last few years. “I love hearing my daughter play music. My youngest daughter gets on stage with her often. Those are special moments,” he said. With an empty nest, Blow will continue to fill his time with the other things that bring him joy: skiing on a fresh powder day, ice skating on the pond near his home, and finding new stories to tell. “I like interviewing anybody. The guy that sells corn on the side of the road has been one of my favorite people to talk to,” he said. “I think everybody has a story, you just have to get them comfortable enough with you to tell it.”
MY SPACE: each issue we ask one person to share their space on castleton’s campus.
STEPHEN KLEPNER
director of athletic bands Stephen Klepner’s office serves many purposes; but the obvious one is storage. He is the director of athletic bands at Castleton: serving the Marching Band, Spirit Band, Color Guard, and Drumline. That’s a lot of equipment to inventory, organize, and store. While this may be his official office, he spends more time at Dave Wolk Stadium and Spartan Arena working with the Athletic Band ensembles. His favorite spot on campus is the Casella Theater, where he can be found watching many student plays, concerts, and other events. Klepner loves connecting and working with Castleton students, and is proud to work with the Athletic Bands as they continue to bring joy to the Castleton community.
MAGAZINE | 2019 33
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID VILLANTI MAILED FROM 05401
62 ALUMNI DRIVE CASTLETON, VERMONT 05735
JUNE
22
SATURDAY
Mark your calendars: Join us for an evening of dancing, a day of golf, or a weekend with friends and family. There’s something for everyone.
We hope to see you soon! for more information:
Castleton Gala AUGUST
9
FRIDAY
Castleton Classic Golf Tournament
castleton.edu/calendars OCTOBER
11-13 FRI-SUN
Homecoming & Family Weekend