After gaining recognition for their athletic ability as track and field All-Americans, KSC’s Bryan Kolacz and Allison Chamberlain proved that they also excel in academic prowess when they were named to the 2009-10 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Kolacz and Chamberlain , both juniors, were third-team selections in the college division.
Most of us have heard the term “helicopter parent.” But what exactly does it mean, and what effect does such an over-protective parenting style have on kids? KSC psychology prof Neil Montgomery has done what may well be one of the first studies of that student/parent relationship, which he presented recently at the Association of Psychological Science Convention in Boston. The results were highlighted in LiveScience, and from there, picked up by media outlets around the world, including USA Today, Yahoo!, and FOXNews.
Have you seen KSC’s admissions video, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve“? Through interviews with students, faculty, and staff, it highlights many of the great aspects of the College, and it recently won “best video” in the 22nd Annual New Hampshire Creative Club’s juried art show. The show showcases creative excellence from northern New England’s graphic and web designers, videographers, copywriters, illustrators, photographers, and students.
KSC’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies teacher preparation program successfully navigated the performance-oriented standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) to earn continued accreditation. The NCATE board gave the KSC program special congratulations because NCATE found no “areas for improvement” during the renewal process.
The KSC Teacher Education program is also accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the New Hampshire State Board of Education.
Two KSC dance students, Shawn Ahern and Thomas Sommo, have landed spots in the very prestigious Pilobolus dance company. Sommo, who just finished his sophomore year, has been invited to work with Shadowland, a Pilobolus project that tours abroad but has not premiered in the States yet, and Ahern, who graduated this spring, has signed a three-year contract to be a member of the principal Pilobolus company, touring nationally and internationally.
Some 300 dancers came from around the world and from such schools as NYU, Julliard, and the Boston Conservatory to compete for a coveted spot in Pilobolus. Another KSC student, Angie Hartley, made it to the top 12 finalists. That’s quite a statement about the talent our dance program is producing. Ahern said that when one of Pilobolus’ artistic directors realized that three amazingly talented dancers came from the same small state school in New Hampshire, he remarked, “What’s in the water in Keene?”
If you’re not familiar with Pilobolus, check out their website and their YouTube channel. And this fascinating profile of the company on 60 Minutes.
Watch a video interview with Shawn Ahern right after he landed the Pilobolus contract.
More information.
KSC continues to stand as the top athletic program in the Little East Conference, which awarded the Owls the Commissioner’s Cup for the 10th year running. The Owls finished in the top-three of the final regular-season standings in 12 of their 17 (.706) conference-sponsored sports to average 6.667 points. Eastern Connecticut State University (5.812) edged intra-state rival Western Connecticut State University (5.522) for the second position.
“Keene State’s impressive 10-year stint as the conference’s top overall athletic institution will be difficult to repeat,” said Commissioner Jonathan C. Harper. “The dedication and hard work the Keene State athletic department, coaches, and student athletes have displayed over the past year continues to be a model for success in our conference.”
Keene State College retiree, Marleen (Reekstin) Baggs, passed away Tuesday, June 8, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital following a prolonged series of medical setbacks and concerns.
Marleen started working in the Registrar’s Office in September 1972 and later transferred to the Academic Advising Center (also known as the “O” Shop) in 1982, where she continued for the next 20 years until she retired in 2002. During those years, Marleen coordinated data gathering, assessment, and tracking of the many details regarding students’ academic decisions, including declarations of majors and minors and academic advisors. She also assisted with evaluation of transfer credits and supported many facets of the Academic Advising model.
Many faculty, staff, and students will remember Marleen for the mentoring she provided to our students. They might also recall her attachment to all things Hawaii, Tom Selleck, and puppies – and for her wonderful New York accent.
Her husband, KSC retiree Donald Baggs, says that funeral services for Marleen will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the Fletcher Funeral Home in Keene. Greeting will be at 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to honor Marleen can make a donation to the Mondanock Humane Society.
The Keene State College Alumni Association hosted its 2010 Reunion Weekend June 4–6. As a part of the festivities, three outstanding alumni were honored at the Annual Reunion Luncheon on Saturday, June 5.
Bruce Stronach ’74 received the Alumni Achievement Award, given to a Keene State College alumnus/a whose professional achievement in her or his chosen field brings honor to herself or himself and to KSC. Stronach currently serves as dean of Temple University, Japan Campus. He was president of Yokohama City University in Japan from 2004 to 2008 – the first foreign president of a Japanese public university – and is known as an expert in Japanese popular culture and politics, and as an educational pioneer and reformer. He served as acting president, provost, and chief operating officer at Becker College in Worcester, MA, from 1998–2004. Books, articles, and monographs he has published include Beyond the Rising Sun: Nationalism in Contemporary Japan, Politics East and West: A Comparison of Japanese and British Political Culture, and Popular Culture in Japan and America.
Brent Elwell (1977–2010) was honored with the Outstanding Service Award, given to an individual or organization that has provided outstanding service to KSC through leadership, commitment, and influence in the programs and activities of the College. Anyone who has been around Keene State College athletics the past 15 years knew Brent Elwell. At KSC sporting events he could be found handing out a towel or words of encouragement, videotaping the history of KSC sports, or just providing a pat on the back for a job well done. He also worked on campus in the mailroom and in the bookstore. Brent died in January at age 33, after a long battle with cancer. His father Ned accepted the award on his behalf.
Jack Griffin ’72 received the Alumni Association’s Sprague Drennan Award, given to a KSC alumnus/a who has demonstrated noteworthy participation in alumni activities and events. Griffin served on the Alumni Association Board for six years (one year as president); was a leader for the Career Planning and Placement alumni efforts to help and support students with job searches, resumes, and interview skills; and is a strong supporter of regional alumni events.
The recipe for a successful reunion weekend: great people + great food + great energy! We were pleased to host alumni from every decade – all way back to Bea Patch ’35, who celebrated her 75th class reunion. The weekend was wonderful and the spirit was great! We loved watching folks reconnect, revive old memories, and create a few new ones. We were delighted to see so many members of the classes of 1960, 1975, and 1985. Whether they hung out on the quad or danced the night away to the Tom Foolery Band, a good time was had by all. See you next June!
KSC’s Alumni Association is represented by a 15-member Board of Directors. The Board helps assess the needs of the more than 25,000 alumni with regard to information, career support, and campus connections and works to develop and execute a strategic plan that incorporates programs and services for students and alumni. Linda Lacey ’73 and Brian Parda ’01 were both re-elected to second three-year terms. Martha LaFleur ’67, Mark Metivier ’06, and John Mitchell ’88 were elected to their first three-year term. Each have a great deal of passion for KSC and the energy and initiative to move current programs forward. Welcome aboard Martha, Mark, and John, and thanks, Linda and Brian, for your continued service and support!
Nearly 300 alumni gathered at the corner of Main Street and Marlboro Street in Keene on Friday night, June 4, to celebrate the grand opening of the new Alumni Center. Sincerely appreciatve people spoke about the family that is the KSC alumni body, the welcome and generous support of the USNH system, and the many people and organizations that contributed to the campaign that made the Alumni Center possible. When the formal part of the dedication was over, everyone headed inside to tour the building and have a really really good party!
To encourage the guests to see everything, we handed out raffle tickets at several locations throughout the Center. Raffle prizes included books by alumni authors, gift certificates, wines, a copy of the Jonathan Daniels film, gift baskets of NH products, beautiful Vera Bradley items, and two exquisite turned wooden bowls – all prizes handcrafted by alumni or donated by alumni-owned businesses. And perhaps best of all was just talking to and mingling with the other guests in the magnificent Centennial Hall, enjoying good food and drink, and listening to the music of the Scott Mullett Quartet.
Alumni visited the Center throughout the weekend and seemed delighted with this impressive new building. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by – we would love to visit with you too!
Six intrepid climbers kicked off Reunion Weekend in fine style and kept a noble tradition alive when they shared camaraderie and fond memories during the Second Annual Alumni Monadnock Hike on June 4. The fearless Lenny Nelson ’70 led the group, which included Jim ’77 and John Barry ’71 (sons of former Alumni Director Fred Barry), Pat Cassin ’86, Michele Dilley ’85, and Marketing & Communications writer/editor Mark Reynolds.
We had a beautiful day and a most pleasant hike, with lots of time to swap stories, thoughts, snacks, and breathtaking vistas. Check out our photos (of the hike and the rest of a great weekend) on SmugMug.
We’ll be climbing Monadnock again next Reunion, so make a note to yourself to be there!
Earlier in May, the College held a retirement party for two of its beloved professors, Larry Benaquist and Tim Antrim.
Dr. Benaquist came to KSC in 1969 to teach Renaissance lit and soon got sidetracked into creating the Film Studies program. It’s been a wild ride ever since; you can read about some of it in the profile on Dr. Benaquist in the upcoming issue of Keene State Today, due out soon!
Even though officially retired, Dr. Benaquist will still be around campus. He’s teaching a few courses and putting the finishing touches on the film chronicling the history of the College. He’s also still swept along by such historic discoveries as When Lincoln Paid.
Dr. Antrim came to Keene State in 1968 and taught Classical Greek literature, 17th and 18th century British literature, Milton, D. H. Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield, and the literature of science. A colleague remembers Dr. Antrim reciting “The Battle of Malden” while they stood in the rain waiting for a restaurant’s doors to open for lunch.
He plans to keep earth household in Roxbury, wander the woods, watch the stars, do mathematics, read, write, dance, and play the concertina.
Have a warm memory of either or both of these two remarkable educators? Use the “comments” link to tell us about it.
If you’re looking for a little more passion in your life, get yourself over to the Thorne to catch the show that starts this Friday (June 4) at noon – just in time for Reunion Weekend! The new exhibit, “Passionate Pursuits,” showcases artwork, crafts, and collectibles from KSC alumni, faculty, staff, and Friends of the Thorne members. “Passionate Pursuits” runs through July 25 and reopens September 3–30.
Of course you can become a fan of KSC on Facebook, and you can follow us on Twitter. Come on in!
Blind music student Alex Krauth has perfect pitch and plenty of talent – great assets to bring to the KSC music program. But how was she going to get her music assignments in a format she could understand? Never fear, the Music Department, the Office of Disability Services, and the Center for Engagement Learning & Teaching (CELT) pooled their expertise to create music scores for her in braille.