Category Archives: Uncategorized

In Memoriam: Alberta “Bea” Patch-Slegaitis ’35

Uncategorized
Bea Patch-Slegaitis ’35 (right), with Matt Gill ’10 and Norma Walker ’51 at the dedication of the Alumni Center, Reunion 2010.

The KSC community was saddened to learn that Alberta “Bea” Patch-Slegaitis ’35 passed away on July 6th. Ms Patch-Slegaitis had been living in Surf City, NC, and KSC was fortunate to have her on campus for Reunion 2010, where she, as our oldest alum, with Matt Gill ’10 (representing the youngest) and Norma Walker ’51, helped cut the ribbon for the dedication of the Alumni Center.

“She was a wonderful person and a real delight to have with us for her 75th class reunion that year,” said Patty Farmer ’92, director of Alumni and Parent Relations. “She wrote wonderful poems.”

Read her obituary in the Times Union.

Ms Patch-Slegaitis came from a different era, and it’s interesting to hear what life was like in her day. She contributed her reminisces of the early days at what was then Keene Normal School for Norma Walker’s Memory Book:
Continue reading In Memoriam: Alberta “Bea” Patch-Slegaitis ’35 →

“Lynn Richardson: Arctic Garden” on Exhibit in N. Adams

Uncategorized,
Detail from Arctic Garden by Lynn Richardson.

Assistant Art Professor Lynn Richardson is currently exhibiting her work in a special summer exhibition in North Adams, Mass., for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in conjunction with the “Oh Canada” Exhibition (features work by more than 60 artists who hail from every province and nearly every territory in the country). Craig Leonard (Canadian Artist and Professor from the Nova Scotia School of Art and Design) and Prof. Richardson have solo installations on exhibit from June 28th–August 26th.

The special exhibit, “Lynn Richardson: Arctic Garden,” is at North Adams’ Downstreet Art Gallery 107 (107 Main St.) “With renewed debates over rights to waterways and Arctic shipping routes, Richardson believes a new era of colonization will soon begin,” noted the Gallery. “By using British colonialism as a metaphor for the potential exploitation of the Arctic, Richardson uses sound, motion, light, and the physicality of the assembled pieces aided in her concept to engage the viewer. Although her work is intended to be playful, even humorous, in order to soften the hard reality of the underlying message, it presents a critical examination of the ‘dichotomy between nature and our industry-driven culture and the devastating long-term effects our current courses of action will have on the environment.'”

 

The Changing World of Teaching and Learning

Uncategorized

KSC has partnered with the NH Department of Education to bring approximately 500 teachers and school staff to campus from July 9–11 for an educator’s conference, titled “The Changing World of Teaching and Learning.” Speakers came from as far away as California, and participants from as far away as China to experience our beautiful campus and innovative programs. All sessions were held in the Student Center, the David F. Putnam Science Center, and Rhodes Hall.

Daniel Johnson ’95: NJPSA Visionary Leader Elementary Principal of the Year

Uncategorized
Dr. Dan Johnson ’95, NJPSA Visionary Leader Elementary Principal of the Year

Dr. Daniel Johnson ’95 has been named the NJPSA Visionary Leader Elementary Principal of the Year  for the State of New Jersey.  In addition, he is now in contention for the NAESP National Distinguished Principal award.

And above all, “he is a proud Keene Alum,” says his wife, Lori. Congratulations, Dan!

In Memoriam: Daniel Carr

Uncategorized,
Dan Carr and Julia Ferrari

The Keene State College community, and the larger world community of typographers, is saddened to learn of the passing of long-serving adjunct Art faculty member Daniel Carr at the end of June.

Professor Carr came to Keene State College in 1996 and taught Typography ever since. He was known as a kind-hearted talented member of our campus community who lived art and was very committed and connected with his students. In addition to his position at the college, Carr and longtime partner Julia Ferrari (also an adjunct faculty member) operated Golgonooza Letter Foundry & Press where they designed and printed fine press books exclusively with metal types. In 1999 Carr was elected a Master Typographic Punchcutter of France for his metal typeface Regulus.

ATypI’s Leipzig 2000 conference program included this biographical note:
Dan Carr is a punchcutter, type designer, poet and printer. His hand-cut typeface “Regulus” won him a Diplome de Maitre-graveur typographe awarded by the Maitre-graveur typographes francais. His digital typeface “Cheneau” was chosen for a judges’ choice award by the Type Directors Club in 2000. With his partner J. Ferrari he publishes, designs, and prints fine limited edition books. These books, set and printed with metal types cast at their atelier Golgonooza Letter Foundry & Press, are widely collected and exhibited. Gifts of the Leaves a book printed with Carr’s hand-cut “Regulus” was chosen as one of the top ten acquisitions of the last decade by Stanford University in California; it was also chosen for a special design binding by D. Glaister for the collection at the Hague this last year.

KSC has lost a rare treasure.

Michelle Sigiel ’10 Visits Poland as Auschwitz Jewish Center Fellow

Uncategorized, ,
Michelle Sigiel ’10, KSC’s first Holocaust & Genocide Studies major.

Most people see the wisdom in following their passion, and probably most of us pursue what we love to some degree, but few have taken that path with the focus and intention of Michelle Sigiel ’10. Michelle loves history and political science—especially as they relate to the Holocaust and World War II-era Europe. When she was at KSC, she had the distinction of being the first Holocaust & Genocide Studies (HGS) major in the first such undergraduate program in the country. She also majored in European history and political science. She graduated with honors and co-founded, with department chair Paul Vincent, the HGS honor society, ZXP (Zeta Chi Rho).
Continue reading Michelle Sigiel ’10 Visits Poland as Auschwitz Jewish Center Fellow →

Where’d I See That?

Uncategorized

This is just too easy! If you think you know where this door is, please carefully tape your answer to the back of a signed print of Howard Terpning’s Legend of Geronimo and send it to Newsline, Alumni Center, 229 Main St., Keene, NH 03435. Or use the “comments” link, below.

Two Education Profs Earn Fulbrights

Uncategorized,

Two of KSC’s Education Department faculty members, associate professors Shirley McLoughlin and Deborah Merchant, have been awarded Fulbright Scholar Grants for 2012 and 2013.

Having two Fulbright scholars in the same year gives KSC serious bragging rights, according to Sally Southwick, associate director of Sponsored Projects and Research. “These are highly competitive national awards,” she explained. “Only about 800 are awarded each year, and they’re very prestigious to receive. Having two Fulbright scholars in one year will get KSC in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s annual list of ‘top producers.’ For our size and Carnegie classification, two awards is considered a great achievement and one that generally only top-tier private institutions can claim. We now have close to 10 faculty members who have received Fulbright awards.”
Continue reading Two Education Profs Earn Fulbrights →

Heather Duval ’12 Interviews Kristen Stewart

Uncategorized
What a graduation present! Heather Duval ’12 (l) won a four-day trip to England to interview movie star Kristen Stewart. (Photo courtesy Sandi Duval)

Two days before graduating with an economics degree with management minor, Heather Duval ’12 learned that she’d won PopSugar’s “I’m a Huge Fan” contest, which meant PopSugar was flying her and her mother to London to interview Kristen Stewart about Stewart’s newest movie role as Snow White in Snow White and the Huntsman.

It all started when Heather answered a PopSugar online contest question about Kristen. A few weeks later, PopSugar notified her that she was one of five finalists. She was invited to continue via a Skype interview, where she answered more questions about Kristen. That was on May 1. Two days later, Heather learned she won. “I was told I won on May 3rd, graduated May 5th, and we left for London May 9th,” a still-reeling Heather said. “That made it one whirlwind of a trip.” (Don’t miss the video below.)
Continue reading Heather Duval ’12 Interviews Kristen Stewart →

Students in Free Enterprise

Uncategorized,
KSC management students with their trophy at the SIFE Regional Competition:
(kneeling, l-r): Taylor Galusha, Christina Alvarez, Heather Parilla, and Molly Michelnoick
(standing, l-r): Chris Gruner, Phillip Horn, Greg Devaux, Susan Albert, Dayna Coleman, Kristin Walsh, Evgeny Blinkov, Jordan Volikas, Lorin Dupuis, Tahj Russell

Fourteen management students traveled to NYC recently for the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Regional Competition, where they placed 1st Runner Up and brought home a trophy. Many of the judges and corporate attendees from national corporations congratulated the KSC students on a great year.

“Over this past academic year we have engaged in some great community service projects and networked with many of the corporations that specifically look to hire SIFE students,” said Emily Porschitz, assistant professor of management. “Diana Schaller, for example, recently secured a job at Liberty Mutual through SIFE connections that we began building at last year’s competition. Brian Prozeller from Liberty Mutual’s office in Boston came to Keene State in the Fall and spent extensive time with the SIFE students.”

“Whether or not they find employment directly through SIFE, I am certain that SIFE in general, and specifically attending the competition and job fair in New York City is a wonderful experiential learning opportunity for the students,” Prof. Porschitz explained. “Our students were extremely professional throughout the whole experience, and soaked up a taste of life in corporate New York City!”

Four New Alumni Award Winners

Uncategorized,
Dr. Phil Rumrill ’89 M’91, Dr. Helen Giles-Gee, and Scott McPherson ’92. Dr. Christopher Cameron ’06 was unable to attend.

One of the best parts of the annual Alumni Association Luncheon on Reunion Saturday (June 2) is the presentation of the Alumni awards. This year, the Alumni Inspiration Award went to Dr. Christopher Cameron ’06, the Sprague Drenan Award went to Scott McPherson ’92, the Alumni Achievement Award was given to Dr. Phillip Rumrill ’89 M’91, and outgoing KSC President Dr. Helen Giles-Gee received the Outstanding Service Award.
Continue reading Four New Alumni Award Winners →

Senior Becca Lazinsk Named Newman Civic Fellow

Uncategorized
KSC senior and Newman Civic Fellow Becca Lazinsk

Campus Compact chose KSC Honors Program senior Becca Lazinsk as one of 162 students from 32 states to be Newman Civic Fellows for 2012. The award honors inspiring college student leaders who have invested their time and energy in finding solutions for significant economic and social challenges that face communities throughout the country.

As Frank Newman, for whom the award was named, stated: “The most important thing an institution does is not to prepare a student for a career, but for a life as a citizen.”

Becca also received the President’s Leadership Award from KSC this year. She’s obviously aquiring the wisdom to make a big difference in her piece of the world!

Alums Bask in Liquid Sunshine at Reunion 2012

Uncategorized,
Rain? What rain? Members of the Class of ’03 are all smiles at Reunion 2012. (Al Karevy photo)

“It wouldn’t feel like a true Keene experience without some rain!” one alumna stated during Reunion 2012, which occurred June 1–3. And the weekend saw plenty of rain. Spirits undaunted, attendees still enjoyed their weekend visiting with classmates and fellow alumni.

The Class of 1962 was inducted into the Golden Circle as they celebrated their 50th class reunion. Other classes participated in their own class reunions, including the class of 1987, who brought their 25th reunion celebration banner to all events around campus!
Continue reading Alums Bask in Liquid Sunshine at Reunion 2012 →

KSC Mourns the Passing of Effie Torrey ’40, one of the Round Robin Circle

Uncategorized
Effie Wynn Torrey ’40

The KSC community is saddened to learn that Effie Wynn Torrey ’40 passed away quietly in her sleep on June 19. Her son was with her.

Effie was one of the seven close friends from the class of 1940 who pledged to keep in touch after they left what was then Keene Teacher’s College. They did so via a round-robin letter that continues to this day, though only two of the original group, Dorothy (Dot) Carruthers and Marion Thorell, are still around to keep the letter going.

Effie was a dedicated alumna, and we’ll miss her charming presence and delightful spirit at Reunion and Golden Circle luncheons.

The Union Leader columnist John Clayton did an article on the round robin circle that appeared in the Fall 2001 issue of Keene State Today.

KSC Provost Receives ADP Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement

Uncategorized
KSC Provost Dr. Mel Netzhammer, winner of the 2012 William Plater Award.

Each year, the American Democracy Project recognizes a Chief Academic Officer (or, in our case, a provost) for his or her leadership in institutionalizing civic engagement on their campus. The William Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement highlights the critical role of the chief academic officer in advancing the civic mission of the campus through curricular reform, public advocacy, accountability for institutional citizenship, faculty development and recruitment, and partnerships with community organizations.

This year, the ADP aptly chose KSC’s provost, Mel Netzhammer, for the William Plater Award. Read all about it.

Honors Students Lend a Hand in Nicaragua

Uncategorized,
Honors students and teachers in Nicaragua, l–r: Diego Gene (teacher at the Mime School), Prof. Patricia Pedroza, Bryan Fusco, Prof. Peggy Walsh, Josh DiGiovanna, Devin Cutter, Kaitlyn Conor, Velvet Young, Becky Rieger, Jess Pierce, Emily Winskowicz, Rissa Grady, Ali Asmus, Krista Sullivan, Alex Kirk, Kim Christel, Ana Maritza (teacher), and Aldo Marcel (guide).

From Peggy Walsh, professor of sociology and director of KSC’s Honors Program:

“Thirteen Keene State College Global Engagement honors students recently returned from two weeks in Nicaragua, the culmination of a spring course that focused on the social, economic, and political dimensions of this Central American country. The students had studied the early and recent history for a semester and were well prepared to participate in different aspects of the culture, converse with journalists, observe classrooms, and see first-hand the unanticipated consequences of the revolution that began in 1979 and ended just before many of them were born in 1990.
Continue reading Honors Students Lend a Hand in Nicaragua →