Advancement Fast Facts 2023

Fast Facts O F F I C E

O F

A DVA N CE M E N T

As we mark the centennial of Skidmore College, we commemorate a century of creativity and innovation — a transformative vision for a liberal arts education reimagined by each generation to cultivate both “mind and hand.”

A hundred years ago, Lucy Skidmore Scribner’s vision of a great education for women became a reality as the Skidmore School of Arts became Skidmore College, a fully accredited four-year institution of higher education. We’ve come a long way from that rather humble beginning, but Lucy’s vision remains: We are a community of learners, where students and faculty work closely together in the pursuit not just of knowledge but of character; we educate ‘the mind and the hand,’ offering an education that is both eminently practical and highly idealistic. We prioritize creativity, whether in music or business, dance or economics. And above all else, we foster a community of trust.

— Marc C. Conner, President

LEADERSHIP

Marc C. Conner An innovative leader of interdisciplinary academic programs, a longtime advocate of diversity and inclusion initiatives, and a widely published professor of English, President Conner joined Skidmore College following more than 24 years at Washington and Lee University, where he had most recently served as provost and chief academic officer from 2016 to 2020.

As president, Conner has steered the College through the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic; has prioritized Skidmore’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly through the introduction of its Racial Justice Initiative; and completed an ambitious Campus Master Planning process that will guide campus planning for the next decade and beyond, informing future strategic planning to steward Skidmore’s resources and best align the College’s priorities.

To learn more about President Conner and his contributions to Skidmore College, visit: www.skidmore.edu/president

F A C U LT Y

Skidmore’s faculty is committed to working collaboratively with students.

Participation in Faculty-Student Summer Research Programs surged from seven students in 2005 to 115 in 2022.

Forty faculty members worked with students over the summer to conduct original research on wide-ranging subjects, including tracking spongy moth defoliation, cataloging public sculptures commissioned for the 1980 Winter Olympics, constructing a campus hoop house, researching the effects of microplastics on fruit flies’ circadian rhythms, and much more. Many teams present their findings in regional and national scholarly conferences, such as the New York Six Undergraduate Research Conference, as well as in academic journals. These research experiences give students an edge when applying for competitive graduate programs and job placements.

281

FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS

87%

HOLD THE HIGHEST DEGREE IN THEIR FIELDS

Among others, Skidmore faculty have received grants from: Administration for Children and Families

FEMALE

MALE

27%

ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR OR INTERNATIONAL

Auburn University

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Cornell University

Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation

Kent State University

Department of Homeland Security

Ohio State University

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Howard Hughes Medical Institute National Endowment for the Arts

150 131

Faculty also engage in grant-funded collaborative research with U.S. institutions, including:

Syracuse University University of California at San Diego University of Hawaii University of Michigan

National Endowment for the Humanities

University of Northern Colorado

National Institutes of Health

and more.

Washington University in St. Louis

National Science Foundation National Aeronautics and Space Administration New York State Council on the Arts Skidmore professors have also won major prizes such as the MacArthur, Guggenheim, Peabody, Pulitzer, and Emmy awards.

CURRICULUM

Close student-faculty interaction is ensured with an average class size of 16 and a student-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.

In the 2021-22 academic year, 1,692 courses were offered (excluding independent studies). Skidmore’s broad curriculum offers nearly 50 majors ranging from international affairs to environmental studies to neuroscience.

The top five majors for the Class of 2022 were Business, Psychology, Political Science, English, and Art. The five top minors were World Languages and Literatures, Media and Film Studies, Business, Art, and Education Studies.

The John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS) embeds documentary within Skidmore’s core curriculum and culture, profoundly enhancing the College’s overall capacities for creative public engagement, social impact, and integrative learning. It offers a variety of theory- and skill-based courses spanning many documentary mediums (film, audio, archive, exhibit, photography, writing, virtual reality, mapping, and web design), provides an enhanced production/post-production workspace (DOCLab), and hosts and supports numerous events presenting documentary work and practice, including the weekend-long MDOCS Forum during the Storytellers’ Institute summer residency program.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Nearly 60 percent of students study abroad at some point.

Skidmore sponsors semester and yearlong programs in England, France, New Zealand, and Spain, as well as many short-term programs around the globe. In addition, students have access to over 100 other approved programs in the United States and more than 45 countries.

During the Summer of 2022, 88 students out of 166 applicants received funding from the Summer Experience Fund.

Students are able to gain skills, knowledge, connections, and experience within their chosen field without the burden of having to support themselves while engaging in unpaid work. These experiences include internships, volunteer opportunities, research, community service, artist residencies, and more. Gifts from Skidmore alumni, parents, families, and friends, funding from Skidmore’s student government, the SEE-Beyond Awards program, and the Zankel Experience Network make these summer stipends possible. skidmore.edu/summerexperiencefund

ADMISSIONS

Skidmore received a record number of applications (over 13,000) for the Class of 2026.

36 states

31

countries

The 785 students in the class come from 36 different states and 31 countries.

9% are international students.

50% accepted through early decision.

25% identify as domestic students of color.

11% are the first in their family to attend college.

61:39 female to male ratio

Scholarships & Financial Aid The College’s financial aid budget grew from $15.1 million in 2003 to $67.2 million (as of September 2022). 2022-23 financial aid packages range from $2,000 to $79,400 depending on need. Fifty-four percent of Skidmore’s students receive some form of financial aid (grants and scholarships) — 50% in the Class of 2026.

Of all applicants for the Class of 2026, 78% requested financial aid assistance. The average grant amount for first-year students is $47,310, and the average grant amount is $47,260 for all classes. The current average post-college debt for a Skidmore graduate is $24,733, well below last year’s national average of $36,510 Aid in specialized fields comes from the Lincoln and Therese W. Filene Music Scholarship awards and the Porter/Wachenheim Award in Science and Mathematics.

BY THE NUMBERS Increase in financial aid budget:

$67.2

From $15.1 million in 2003 to $67.2 million today

$15.1

78% 54% of applicants request financial assistance

$47,310

$24,733

average first-year student grant

$170 MILLION

Operating Budget, 2022-23

of students receive some form of a Skidmore grant

average post-college debt

$78,880

Tuition, required fees, traditional residence hall and board, 2022-23

$454.9 MILLION

Endowment as of May 31, 2022

I N T E G R AT I V E L E A R N I N G & E D U C AT I O N

Skidmore is excited to celebrate the Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences (BTCIS), a LEED-certified space of collaboration and education for the Skidmore students of today and tomorrow.

22

46

RESEARCH LABS

Members of the Skidmore community recognized the visionary leadership and service of longtime trustee Wilma “Billie” Stein Tisch ’48 at a naming ceremony and dedication in May, 2022.

Skidmore’s faculty and students are enjoying the benefits of the North Wing (2020) and East Wing (2022) — fully operational for interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Whether or not the sciences are their academic focus, our undergraduates have access to labs equipped with state-of-the-art tools that allow them to learn, explore, and discover.

In total, the BTCIS will offer 22 teaching labs, 46 research labs, 12 traditional and computer classrooms, and the Schupf Family IdeaLab — a bright and open hub for innovation and creativity located adjacent to the soaring Glotzbach Atrium.

TEACHING LABS

12

TRADITIONAL AND COMPUTER CLASSROMS

D I V ERS IT Y, E QUITY, AND IN CLUSIO N (DE I )

All across campus, every day, work is taking place to make Skidmore a more diverse and inclusive community, in which members develop their abilities to live in a complex and interconnected world.

Skidmore’s multi-pronged approach enables every student, faculty, and staff member to take an active role in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

The $1.185 million Mellon Foundation grant supports Skidmore’s Black Studies Program and Racial Justice Teaching Challenge. Most of the College’s academic departments have engaged in the challenge, along with the Tang Museum, Scribner Library, and Wyckoff Center.

All of these resources and spaces support research, discussion, and creation of new course content.

In 2022-23, Skidmore’s Opportunity Program celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the first graduating class of 1973.

To learn more about signature DEI projects like Wyckoff Center (pictured), In It, and the Racial Justice Teaching Challenge at Skidmore, visit skidmore.edu/diversity

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Our Campus Sustainability Plan sets ambitious goals for energy, food, waste, lands and grounds, and engagement.

Skidmore offers more than 150 sustainability-related courses in 28 academic departments or programs across the College. Skidmore received a Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and earned recognition as a state leader for the New York State Renewing the Energy Vision Challenge.

skidmore.edu/sustainability

Rooftop solar thermal systems provide 30% of the hot water for five residence halls, while the 54-panel array on the dining hall supplies 1,000 gallons of hot water per day.

20%

of the College’s electricity needs are provided by our 2.1-megawatt solar array and small hydro project.

Electrification efforts include five EV charging stations, a dozen hybrid fleet vehicles, and multiple all-electric work carts.

40%

of Skidmore’s campus is heated and cooled with geothermal energy.

52%

REDUCTION in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from year 2000 levels.

Full-scale food waste recycling on campus includes food donations, pre-consumer and post-consumer food scraps collection in the dining hall, and student-led residential composting.

AT H L E T I C S

Skidmore student-athletes excel — on and off the field.

In their 2021-2022 seasons, men’s tennis, men’s basketball, and men’s hockey advanced to conference championship games and women’s tennis, 11-time Liberty League champions, went on to the NCAA Division III tournament.

★ 15 of 19 teams qualified for postseason play. ★ 162 student-athletes received Liberty League All-Academic honors.

Twice each year, a number of student-athletes are recognized as Thoroughbred Society members for achieving a GPA of 3.67 or higher for the previous semester. In September 2022, 155 athletes were recognized. Forty held a 4.0 GPA.

skidmoreathletics.com

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Summer academic programs offer opportunities for Skidmore, visiting, and pre-college students to enroll in credit-bearing courses.

Three summer sessions are offered that include formal classes as well as independent study and internship opportunities.

Skidmore hosts nationally known and highly regarded summer institutes. The Skidmore Jazz Institute, SITI Company Theater Workshop, and the New York State Summer Writers Institute serve pre-college, college, postgraduate, and professional students.

Academic-year residencies bring students together with worldclass scholars and artists, such as Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, author and playwright Caryl Phillips, Bessie Award-winning choreographer Stephen Petronio, visual artist and MacArthur Fellow Janine Antoni, and gospel singer and civil rights icon Bernice Johnson Reagon.

Skidmore provides programming for area youth and senior adults and participates in partnerships with Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Caffè Lena, and other community organizations.

THE ARTS

Across campus, the dynamic academic, cocurricular, and social culture is enriched by the visual and performing arts.

The Frances Young Tang ’61 Teaching Museum and Art Gallery is a national model for museum learning, creativity, and undergraduate exploration. Faculty, students, and visitors experience dynamic collections, artworks, and programs every year.

The Theater Department delivers a preprofessional program of theater arts within the liberal arts setting. Likewise, dance majors receive the Bachelor of Science degree — fulfilling College liberal arts requirements while receiving intensive dance training. theater.skidmore.edu

The Tang collection comprises over 17,000 objects, and an ambitious programming schedule includes approximately 12 exhibitions each year. Tens of thousands of Skidmore students have walked through its doors for classes, one-of-akind events, and transformative work experiences. The Tang regularly receives praise from The New York Times, Art in America, Art Forum, and other national publications. tang.skidmore.edu

The Arthur Zankel Music Center opened in 2010 as a hub of musical activity for the Skidmore College campus and surrounding communities. With more than 54,000 square feet of teaching, practice, performance, and administrative space, this nonprofit venue welcomes almost 25,000 guests each year.

The 600-seat, acoustically tuned Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall has drawn sold-out crowds and featured performances by many internationally renowned artists, including Emanuel Ax, Jon Batiste, Dave Brubeck, Ani Difranco, Havana Lyceum Orchestra, Indigo Girls, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Branford Marsalis, Paul Simon, Gloria Steinem, Taiko Project, and the Ying Quartet. It also has hosted the NPR radio programs Selected Shorts and The Moth. skidmore.edu/zankel

SUPPORT

Skidmore received gifts of more than $27.6 million from alumni, parents, families, and friends during the 2021-22 giving year, including a record-setting $7.98 million through the Skidmore Fund.

Parents and families made gifts totaling $3.2 million, including $1.7 million through the Skidmore Fund.

$7.98 million 1,220 60% 2,171 $10.6 million

in gifts through the Skidmore Fund will help students pursue their studies and discover their passions by providing every part of campus with resources that prioritize the needs of students and faculty. Endowed gifts strengthen the College in perpetuity. alumni, parents, families, and friends generously supported Skidmore at the leadership level during the 2021-22 giving year. President’s Society donors contributed over $7.1 million through the Skidmore Fund. of members of the Class of 2022 gave back to Skidmore through the Senior Gift campaign for a total of $9,780 (the highest total in the past 10 years). loyal Skidmore volunteers who give back to the College in many ways. Last year, Skidmore volunteers provided gifts that exceeded $5.3 million. More than 1,800 volunteers attended virtual regional, campus, or Reunion events. was raised overall by Reunion 2022 classes from 1,252 alumni (highest total since 2009), breaking 14 class records and five Reunion records.

Major grants from the George I. Alden Trust, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Davis United World College Scholars Program, GKV Foundation, Kettering Fund, Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation, Charles Hayden Foundation, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, J.M. McDonald Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Teagle Foundation, Teiger Foundation, Henry David Thoreau Foundation, and Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund enhance Skidmore’s programming.

Office of Advancement 815 North Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

FEB 2023