Wells College Alumnae and Alumni Office

Wells College Inaugurates Celebrating Scholarship and Engagement Series

kjpalum95 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:15:34 +0000

New campus program will trade five days of winter break for five of shared community learning.

Wells College is welcoming students back to campus five days earlier than usual this semester in order to accommodate the College’s new “Celebrating Scholarship and Engagement” series. In exchange for the earlier start to the spring semester, the campus community will join together for five days—spaced throughout the semester—in which classes are suspended in favor of an open day dedicated to shared knowledge and experience.

Based around themes relevant to a contemporary education and responsible civic life, these days will feature a variety of special speakers and guest lectures, internship and study abroad poster sessions, student presentations of senior theses and capstone projects, and other events highlighting the work of students, faculty, and staff. The Celebrating Scholarship and Engagement (CS&E) program aims to bring the College community together to share and explore specialized knowledge in different fields.

The first of these days will be held February 7, with the theme of Civil Rights and Liberties. Events on this day will be coordinated by Associate Professor of Political Science Susan Tabrizi and Professor of History Cynthia Koepp. Future topics will include Women and Gender, Imagination and Innovation, and Sustainability. The College’s 11th annual Activism Symposium in April, an event that has always drawn high student and faculty participation, will also serve as one of the CS&E days.

The five days of shared scholarship are part of the new Sustainable Community core curriculum the College has introduced. In addition to the changes in the semester schedule, each student’s academic experience will now include themed seminars each year that tie into the goals of the Sustainable Community program—to support Wells’ mission to cultivate meaningful lives, explore ethical decision making, engage students in service learning, and encourage thoughtful writing and public presentation.

The College Celebrates Employee Service

clarescott16 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:25:24 +0000

Recipients of the campus-wide awards for excellence pictured with President Ryerson

Faculty and staff members alike gathered Thursday morning to be honored by the College at the annual Employee Recognition Breakfast. At this year’s breakfast, the College added new campus-wide awards for excellence which recognize individual employees for excellent work in support of the College’s mission. Members of the campus community sent in over two dozen nominations, indicating their support, admiration and respect for their peers. The College initiated the Employee Recognition Breakfast four years ago to recognize and honor employees who reach a milestone in their service to the College and to say thanks to the College’s employees for their dedication to the College’s mission and students. Employees who were the recipients of the awards for excellence and those who were recognized for a milestone service anniversary were:

Awards for Excellence:

Melanie Cullen, Assistant Registrar
Eric Vaughn, Director of Experiential Learning and Career Services
Milene Morfei, Professor of Psychology
Malindra Ratnayake, Director of Residence Life and Learning Communities
Kenneth “Buster” Wilson, Custodian

Celebrating 5 Years of Service:

Erin Sue Becker, Van Driver
Scott Gross, Van Driver
Thomas Gruver, Van Driver
Lisa Kahaleole Hall, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies
Abigail Marnell, Assistant Director for Annual Giving
Peggy Morris, Custodian
Russell Posegate, Lecturer in Music
David Salico, Accountant
Susan Tabrizi, Associate Professor of Political Science
Amy Torea, Coordinator for Off-Campus Study
Joseph Wojtylko, Assistant Athletics Director for Recruiting; Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Celebrating 10 Years of Service:

Susan Wansor, Instructor and Field Experience Coordinator in Education

Celebrating 15 Years of Service:

Catherine Burroughs, Professor of English
Niamh O’Leary, Professor of Environmental Studies
Thomas Stiadle, Associate Professor of Mathematics

Celebrating 20 Years of Service:

Cynthia J. Koepp, Professor of History

Celebrating 25 Years of Service:

Kit Van Orman, Manager of Human Resources and Business Services
Jeanne Goddard, Professor of Dance
Bonnie Rafferty, Custodian
Christopher Bailey, Professor of Chemistry

Celebrating 30 Years of Service:

Cathleen Patella, Director of Financial Aid

Celebrating 35 Years of Service:

Sally Sievers, Lecturer in Mathematics

Celebrating 40 Years of Service:

Kenneth Kabelac, Electrician’s Assistant

Director of Alumnae/i Relations to assume new role

David F '11 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:32:02 +0000

Dear Wells alums and friends: I am pleased to share the following announcement which was recently sent to the campus community regarding a staffing change at Wells. Be assured that Kristen, President Ryerson, and I are committed to a smooth transition for alumnae/i relations. Kristen will continue to work with me to provide leadership until a new director is hired. She has been a terrific colleague on our advancement team and I am thrilled to endorse this exciting move for her and the College and look forward to working with her in this new and important capacity. As always, please contact me with any questions and thank you for all that you do to support your alma mater!

Best wishes,
Michael McGreevey
Vice President for Advancement
Wells College

ANNOUNCEMENT TO WELLS COLLEGE COMMUNITY
Dear Wells faculty, staff and students;

I am happy to share some good news: I have appointed Kristen J. Phillips ’95 to serve as the new Assistant to the President. For the past nine months, Kristen’s work as the director of alumnae and alumni relations has prepared her well for the position. In addition, Kristen earned a bachelor of arts in political science, cum laude, from Wells and a law degree, also cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School. Prior to joining the Advancement staff, Kristen worked in real estate law with specific expertise in developing the processes and staffing for handling a national clientele. Her rigorous education, diverse experiences and commitment to Wells, along with her enthusiasm, will provide a strong foundation as she transitions to this key position in the President’s Office while continuing to steward the important work of alumni relations.

Kristen will assume her new responsibilities on Wednesday, February 1 when she moves to Macmillan 213. Her email address will remain kphillips@wells.edu. Kristen’s phone number will change to 3475 in February; you may reach her at 3419 in the meantime. While Kristen will continue to work closely with the Advancement staff through Reunion, Vice President for Advancement Michael McGreevey will begin the search for a new director of alumnae and alumni relations very shortly.

Please join me in extending congratulations to Kristen.

Lisa Marsh Ryerson
President

Wells Alums Brave Seattle Weather to Attend Event

kjpalum95 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:45:04 +0000

On Sunday, January 15 Wells College alums gathered in Seattle, Washington for brunch at the Sand Point Grill. Kristina Gray Bartelson ’88, who owns the Sand Point Grill with her husband Craig, hosted the event. Despite the unexpected snow in Seattle the group had a wonderful time getting to know each other and sharing memories of Wells. They also had the opportunity to meet Hal Burrall, Director of Leadership and Planned Giving, who gave a College update. Thanks to all those who were able to attend.

Front Row: Judy Bernard Szthmary ’90, Annemarie Vashon Colino ’86, Kristins Gray Bartleson ’88, Carol Hall ’81, Karen Chase ’81

Back Row: Donna Godfrey ’76, Sally Warren Soest ’64, Mary Potts Montgomery ’64, Jen Benn ’85, Mary Ann Hopkins Hagan ’59 and Carol Hall’s husband, David Leavenworth.
Not pictured is Rachelle Stanko ’90 and Hal Burrall

Susan Bartkowski ’87 Featured in American Bar Association Journal

kjpalum95 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:10:30 +0000

Susan helps a student at the Ewaso School in Kenya, Africa read a letter from a student in Saratoga Springs, NY

Susan F. Bartkowski ’87, a principal of the Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C. law firm in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., is featured in the ABA Journal’s January 2012 edition in the publications’ Lawyers Giving Back section. The ABA Journal is the national monthly publication of the American Bar Association. The article highlights Susan’s efforts with Kenyan school children through a pen pal program she started with US students in the Saratoga Springs’ and Scotia/Glenville school systems as a Trustee of the Loisaba Community Conservation Foundation

Ms. Bartkowski sponsors a pen-pal program between middle school students at Scotia Glenville School and in Saratoga Springs, NY and students at the comparable Ewaso Primary School. Through an exchange of information about respective cultures and lives, this program has fostered a respect and sense of delight between students across the globe from each other. It is a program that teaches about and promotes positive global interaction, charity, understanding, and good friendships. Click here to read the article and see the others recoganized for their good work.

Students get a visit from the study break therapy dog!

David F '11 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:30:01 +0000

This morning, a fairly unique email came through the system, offering a Wells community caught up in final projects and exam preparation the chance to “come to the library and visit with Kirby, our own ‘therapy dog.’” For the rest of the day, students who stopped by the learning commons had the chance to scratch behind the ears of what was, admittedly, among the best dogs that I’ve ever seen.

Kirby belongs to Kim Nolan, the Acquisitions and Resource Sharing Manager for the library. “He’s loving this,” she noted. “He’s just being pet and hugged and loved all day!” I’d say he’s earned it.

Holiday Print-A-Thon & Sale at the Book Arts Center

clarescott16 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:56:49 +0000

Hurry up there’s only approximately 2 hours left, it ends at 6:00 p.m. tonight! Come out and support the Book Arts Center and get in the holiday spirit by creating your own letterpress holiday cards, and while you’re at it listen to holiday music, enjoy some hot chocolate, and maybe do some Christmas shopping for family and friends! There are six different holiday designs to choose from, and there are students and faculty there to help you craft your holiday cards. It’s just $10 for six hand-printed cards, and envelopes are included. The Center is also selling handmade books including pamphlets, link, stitch, boxes, and much more. In addition, other previously printed cards are available for sale.Click to view slideshow.

Tagged: 2011, Book Arts Center

Students’ Project Improving Wells’ Environmental Impact

David F '11 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:11:50 +0000

Wells Psychology students with supporting staff members, their project, and a clothesline with the names of those who donated.

In Professor Milene Morfei’s “Psychology of Environmental Sustainability” course this semester, students are working in groups to develop environmentally-conscious projects that benefit the Wells community. One of the groups has taken on the project of providing the College with a new “flapperless toilet.” These products, designed without the chain-and-lever apparatus in the tank, greatly reduce the amount of water used and eliminate parts that can wear down or break.

In order to pay for the toilet, group members Ruth Caforio ’12, Jodie Foust ’13, Cody Kimball ’13, Nicole Volkert ’13, and Jessica Ward ’12 raised funds by selling cupcakes, chocolate- and peanut butter-dipped pretzels, and handmade duct tape roses, and by taking $1 donations. The Niagara Conservation toilet that they purchased uses only 1.28 gallons of water per flush, cutting down the College’s water use and carbon footprint.

Each person who donated $1 received a small brochure on water conservation that noted “If one out of every 100 American homes retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, we could save about 100 million kWh of electricity per year—avoiding 80,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That is equivalent to removing nearly 15,000 automobiles from the road for one year!”

Wells Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Jim Chase agreed to oversee the installation of the toilet; it will be located in Macmillan Hall, accompanied by a poster explaining the student project and information about the product. The group hopes that future classes will continue with similar projects, and that over time Wells will be able to continually reduce the carbon footprint of the campus through student and community efforts.

Watch next week for information about some of the other class projects!

Students’ Creativity Shines in Original Costume and Scenic Designs

clarescott16 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:10:40 +0000

In the Art Exhibit Room on Monday, November 21, students from Professors Jeanne Goddard and Siouxie Easter’s Introduction to Performing Arts Class presented theatrical costume and scenic designs based on Anton Chekhov’s play “The Cherry Orchard.” Each student designed two costumes or scenes for the play. In addition, they imagined what characters would wear or how the stage would be set if the play were turned into a dance. Through this project students learned to talk about ways in which things can be re-envisioned and adapted. They also researched and conceptualized their visions and came up with statements and reasons behind their creative choices. By taking this introductory to performing arts course, students not only get the opportunity to critique and view plays, but also learn about the practical knowledge of theatre and get hands-on experience in the box office, scene shop and in the disciplines of dance, music and theatre. Earlier this fall students from the class saw the Henry James production “The Turn of the Screw.” Click to view slideshow.

Tagged: fall 2011, hands-on learning, introduction to performing arts, student projects, theatre and dance

Celebrate 11.11.11

kjpalum95 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:47:21 +0000