Early Sprouts Featured on NHPR

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Early Sprouts, KSC’s award-winning effort to instill healthy nutrition and eating habits in preschool-age children by engaging them in gardening, exploring, and cooking fresh produce, was the subject of a New Hampshire Public Radio story on October 11. Early Sprouts has proven itself as an effective way to get preschoolers interested in eating vegetables and nutritious food. “Looking at when children develop food preferences, most of it happens prior to the age of five, so if we are really serious about preventing the obesity epidemic, we’ve got to start young,” explained Associate Professor of Health Sciences Karrie Kalich.

Taylor Farms Wins NH Dairy Farm of the Year

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The New England Green Pastures Committee recently awarded Taylor Brothers Farms, run by Rob Taylor ’93 and his brothers  Jim and Bill, the 2012 New Hampshire Dairy Farm of the Year.

Long-time NH Commissioner of Agriculture and University System of New Hampshire board member Stephen Taylor (recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from KSC in 2011) and his wife Gretchen started the farm in Meriden, NH, in 1970

Read all about it in the Union Leader.

When Lincoln Paid Shown at MoMA

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Francis Ford, older brother of and greatest influence on famed director John Ford, as Abraham Lincoln in When Lincoln Paid (Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)

Remember back in 2010 when the 1913 silent film, When Lincoln Paid, was resurrected and premiered at KSC to international acclaim? The KSC Film Archives discovered that it owned the only known copy of the long-lost film, secured a grant, and worked with the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY, and the National Film Preservation Foundation to restore the historic film.

MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art in New York) screened the film as part of its international celebration of film preservation, “To Save and Protect.”  When Lincoln Paid was the first shown in the festival’s Oct. 28 day-long screening of films about presidents.

Total Library Makeover (and other impressive accomplishments) Wins Kris Finnegan ’91 Library Director of the Year

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The old Nelson Town Library, pre Kris Finnegan

Here’s the Nelson Town Library when Kristine Finnegan ’91 became library director 20 years ago. The photo (right) doesn’t show that the library had moldy books, no water, no bathroom, and the windows were nailed shut. Each of the granite steps leading up to the library was a different height and they were treacherous, especially in winter. A number of patrons would phone ahead and tell Kris what books they wanted, or they would ask her to select something for them. Then they would drive to the base of the hill below the library and Kris would go down and meet them with their books. The library definitely had a problem with accessibility.

Here’s the Nelson Town Library today (photo below), after Kris marshaled her limited resources to advocate for a new building:

The new Nelson Town Library (left) today, with connector to Town Hall (right)

As a result, the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association chose a very deserving Kristine Finnegan to be 2012’s Library Director of the Year. The award is given for professionalism, leadership, and outstanding performance to a library director who offers programs which enhance the quality of life in their community.

Continue reading Total Library Makeover (and other impressive accomplishments) Wins Kris Finnegan ’91 Library Director of the Year →

Where’d I See That?

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Everybody knows where this is—but this is more of a “What’s Wrong with this Picture?” challenge.

If you think you know what’s missing, put your answer in the case with a 1936 “The Olds” trombone, and mail it to Newsline, 120 Alumni Center, 229 Main St., Keene, NH 03435. Or use the “comments” link, below.

Then tune in next month, when we’ll tell you the rest of the story. it’s a good one!

Homecoming 2012!

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Save the date:  October 12–14—KSC Homecoming! This year, we’ll be celebrating big all weekend! The new TDS building (the Technology, Design and Safety Center) opened its doors this fall, and , and we’ll be showing off our newest building with open houses and receptions!

We are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of Keene’s Rugby program, with men’s and women’s games on Saturday. That evening, all rugby alumni and their families are invited to a special dinner. Registration is open for the Rugby event! We finish the weekend off on Sunday with alumni games for both men and women.

There’s also a comedy show in the Nite Owl, a President’s reception for student government alumni, and the men’s soccer game against RIC with pre game festivities and fireworks! Make plans today; it is going to be a great weekend!

You can see the full schedule on the Alumni website, or visit the KSC Alumni Facebook page for more information. See you there!

Heidi Welch ’96: NH Teacher of the Year

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At the award presentation (left to right): Jean-Marie Beauchemin, Hannaford Supermarkets; Heidi Welch ’96; Jim O’Rouke, Principal, Hillsboro-Deering High School; and Virginia M. Barry, Ph.D., Commissioner of Education

The New Hampshire Department of Education recently named Heidi Welch ’96, director of music at Hillsboro-Deering High School, the state’s Teacher of the Year. According to the Department of Ed’s website, “The selection committee recognized her passion for education, the excitement she brings to the classroom, and her ability to reach every student. She possesses boundless commitment to support and guide the successes of her students. She realizes that literacy is the key to being truly free and strives to engage students in this pursuit through music. Literacy through music means that her students study American history in the context of the music of people’s lives and the times, that students read the plays to which they are performing the scores, and that reading is fundamental but literacy means so much more.”
Continue reading Heidi Welch ’96: NH Teacher of the Year →

Student Callers Pitch in—with Enthusiasm!

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Student callers Kayla Cunningham and Michael Perry.

If you’re an alum, you’ve likely received a call from one of KSC’s very charming phonathon students. These dedicated souls show up to staff the phonathon room each evening for 10 weeks during the fall and spring semesters to engage alums and other members of the KSC community in the College’s forward motion. They’ve just started this year, and thanks to their enthusiasm—and your generosity—they raised $10,464.81 during their first week on the job. At this moment, just 2 ½ weeks in, they’ve raised more than $16,000!

“This good work is to the credit of my amazing student managers, Kaleigh Liupakka and Renee Giles.” explained Assistant Director of Annual Giving Lindsay Tafflas. “They are very supportive, understanding, and helpful to all the new callers. They set a great example by making calls themselves. It is a privilege to work with this gang. They are truly doing one of the most difficult jobs on campus, and they are always motivated to raise as many gifts as they can to help their peers. They understand that they are connecting with alumni—having conversations, sharing stories, and listening to memories—and they really enjoy their work, which is why they are so effective. I would hope any alumnus would look forward to talking to these stellar callers!”

Digital Journalist Jonathan Cooper ’97 Sees Opportunities for Current Students

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Jonathan Cooper ’97

Jonathan Cooper ’97 was recently promoted to Vice President Media Relations & Employee Communications at Digital First Media, which jointly manages the Journal Register Company and MediaNews Group (offering more than 800 print and online products). Before joining the corporate staff at Digital First Media, Cooper held several positions with the Journal Register Company, including leading the Ben Franklin Project, an experiment to publish 18 daily websites and newspapers using free, web-based tools, and he began work on Project Thunderdome, the company’s digital content operations center. He also launched the Journal Register Company’s Media Labs (community-focused media training centers) as well as the open-to-the-public newsroom as part of the Company’s growing audience-focused engagement strategy.

“I made the move to digital while working in New Haven, Conn., at The Register, because I saw a way to tell stories in different formats—especially video,” Cooper explained. “The ability to create and edit video was no longer reserved for television, because the tools and equipment needed were available to everyone—including our audience. Now, there is even the ability for our newsrooms to livestream news without the cost of a TV station’s satellite truck.
Continue reading Digital Journalist Jonathan Cooper ’97 Sees Opportunities for Current Students →

Alumni Gathering in Portsmouth, Oct. 9

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The KSC Alumni Association invites all area alumni to join Interim President Dr. Jay Kahn, Provost Melinda Treadwell ’90, KSC faculty and staff, and other Seacoast-area alumni for a social gathering at

The Portsmouth Gas Light Co.
64 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH
October 9 from 5:30–9:30 p.m.

Bring your alumni friends to this enjoyable networking event. There will be complementary appetizers and cash bar. Please R.S.V.P. for the Alumni gathering by emailing alumni@keene.edu or calling Patty Farmer ’92 at 603-358-2370. See you there!

Educator and Actress: Maggi Parker ’48

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Promotional photo of Maggi taken for Hawaii-Five-O, courtesy of Maggi Blache Parker

Born in Nashua, Maggi Blanche Parker ’48 taught in New Hampshire and on Cape Cod after receiving her degree in education from what was then Keene Teachers College. But soon the big world beckoned, and the Air Force hired her to run schools in Japan and then in Madrid, Spain, and Mallorca. After that, she married and moved to Hawaii in 1964, where she co-founded the Parker-Ames Center in Honolulu, which offered psychological and educational services to emotionally disturbed children and young adults.

She also pursued her love of acting. “Love of the theater made me a good teacher.” she claimed. She excelled in both careers, landing the role of May, a secretary to Detective Lieutenant Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), in the popular Hawaii-Five-O television series. She also appeared in the TV show I Dream of Jeannie; several movies, including I Sailed to Tahiti with an All-Girl Crew, Hawaii, and Paradise Hawaiian Style; and other television and radio spots.

She continues to travel the world, and her itinerary still includes New Hampshire and Keene State—she says she was last on campus in 2008.

Read more about her in Cow Hampshire: New Hampshire’s History Blog.

Alumni Gathering in Springfield, Mass.

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Here’s a great opportunity to connect with other Keene State alums in the Springfield/Hartford area. Join Alumni Board member Jan Temple Metoxen ’68 and former Alumni and Parent Relations Director, Jeff LaValley ’88 M’99 on October 18th, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Samuel’s at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., for a regional reconnection event. Come network, reconnect with other area alumni, and hear about what’s happening at KSC. There will be free appetizers and a cash bar.

Please let us know if you will be joining us. You can RSVP & find out more information at the Alumni web page, or at the KSC Alumni Facebook page.

Music Dept. Gets Concert Marimba

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Sophomore and marimba specialist Josh Brennan puts the new instrument through its paces.

KSC’s Music Department has a new 5-octave concert marimba in its percussion studio. “It is a beautiful (and expensive!) instrument that we have been working many years trying to get for our majors,” said Music Professor Maura Glennon. “Right now, we have 15 percussion majors, who are thrilled to the gills about this great opportunity.”

What’s so cool about a concert marimba? “A concert marimba is unusual among classical instruments in that much of its development and repertoire took place from 1970 to today,” explained Music Lecturer Christoper Swist. Most marimbas in the ’70s had a four-octave range. In the decades since, more notes were gradually added to the bottom end of the instrument, resulting in the current five-octave configuration.
Continue reading Music Dept. Gets Concert Marimba →

An Alumni Evening in Derry

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Please join host Blake Richards ’71, other KSC alumni, and representatives from the KSC Alumni Association for a fun, relaxed gathering.

Where? Halligan’s Tavern,
32 West Broadway, Derry, NH
When? Thursday, October 25, 2012, from 6–8 p.m.
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

Get caught up with alums you know, and make friends with some you haven’t met yet. Who knows? You may meet neighbors and coworkers. Bring your KSC friends with you. Plan to make important networking connections and learn about the latest news at KSC.

Please RSVP by email to alumni@keene.edu or kmaclean@keene.edu, or call 358-2424. We’re looking forward to seeing you October 25th!

KSC Chamber Singers Build Trail to Porcupine Falls

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On the trail with the KSC Chamber Singers. Front row, l–r: Dr. Sandra Howard, David Parker, Emily DeAngelis, Kerri McCormack, Lauren Weiner. Back row: Nick Tocci, Kirk Bobkowski, Hannah Hall, Kevin Lackie, Dan Ciccarello, Brandon Carta, Jesse Oberg, Amy St. Louis, Kaitie Hart, Samantha McCloghry, Olivia Arciprete, and Ryan Owens (executive director, Monadnock Conservancy)

The KSC Chamber Singers as trailwrights? How does that work? Easy: For the past three semesters, the Singers have partnered with local non-profits. The ensemble works with an organization to learn about its mission, promote awareness about the group, and give a themed performance to raise money for that organization.

This semester, the Singers have partnered with the Monadnock Conservancy, a local land trust. They worked with the Conservancy to build a trail to Porcupine Falls in Gilsum, on land that was recently donated to the land trust. The Chamber Singers will give a concert this December (3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Alumni Recital Hall) to benefit the Conservancy, and that will include a world premiere of a commissioned work centered on the themes of conservation and land preservation. In addition, a discussion panel before the concert will feature the guest composer and the Conservancy’s executive director, Ryan Owens (also bass singer with the Chamber Singers of Keene), who will discuss the merger of music and the protection of land.
Continue reading KSC Chamber Singers Build Trail to Porcupine Falls →