Saint Michael’s College news: Leahy, MLK, Costa Rica

Day of Celebration on Jan. 16, Sutherland speaker on Jan. 31 to honor Dr. King legacy

Saint Michael’s College will celebrate its 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation starting with a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2023, and concluding with the Annual MLK Convocation Keynote speaker on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. This year’s keynote speaker is Margaret A. Burnham, sponsored by the Sutherland Lecture Series. The MLK Convocation is organized by the student-led Martin Luther King, Jr. Society, the Office of the President, the Diversity Coalition, the MLK Convocation Planning Committee, and the Center for Student Diversity, Empowerment, and Community. This year the College is offering a variety of programming focused on Dr. King’s Beloved Community, racial equity, social justice, and opportunities to collectively educate, learn, and grow. This coming Monday’s Day of Celebration will open with Welcome Remarks at 9 a.m. in the Dion Family Student Center Roy Room. Programming will run through 8 p.m. Special care has been taken to schedule presentations fifteen minutes after the start of most class periods so that faculty can meet classes in their classrooms and then move to the Dion Family Student Center to enjoy the lectures, discussions, music, poetry, food, and other activities hosted there.

A complete schedule for the Day of Celebration as well as ticketing information for the January 31 Convocation Keynote Speaker can be found at this link.>>

Alumni and professors reconnect through series featuring faculty speakers

The Office for Alumni and Family Engagement and Saint Michael’s faculty members teamed up once again for the annual Faculty Speaker Series, taking place from January 3 through January 12, 2023. Featured in this year’s lineup were presentations from Annie O’Shaughnessy of the Graduate Education Department, Gretchen Galbraith, dean of the faculty, George Ashline of the Mathematics and Statistics Department, Peter Vantine of the Classical and Modern Languages and Literature Department, Jen Purcell of the History Department, Kate Soons of our Health Sciences Program, and Patrick Walsh of our Economics Department. With topics ranging from the British monarchy to the Pythagorean Theorem, there was something for everyone during this year’s series. Many of our alumni were grateful for this additional educational opportunity with some of their favorite Saint Michael’s professors. To see faculty members reconnect with former students, even virtually, is a reminder of the indelible impact that Saint Michael’s faculty members make in the classroom and that last for a lifetime. Thank you to our distinguished instructors and professors who took time out of their breaks to impart their enthusiasm for their discipline to the SMC community. You remind us what it looks like to do well and do good! If you are interested in hosting such a presentation next year or are interested in connecting with our alumni in another way, please reach out to Sydney Rybicki at [email protected]

– Sydney Rybicki ’18 M’21, assistant director for alumni & family engagement

College announces Dean's List for Fall 2022

Congratulations to students named to Saint Michael’s College Dean’s list for Fall 2022.

Qualifications for Dean’s List: A student who has completed a minimum of twelve credits of classes with grades, not including classes with a grade “P”, and achieves a grade point average of at least 3.5 in a particular semester is cited on the Dean’s List for that semester. A student whose record includes the grade of I (Incomplete) in a particular semester is not eligible for inclusion on the Dean’s List, either at the end of the semester or when the I is changed to a permanent letter grade.

Nineteen students were December 2022 graduates

At the link below you can read the list of 19 Saint Michael’s students who are this year’s December 2022 graduates. They celebrated with a small ceremony in the President’s Office before the winter break, and have been encouraged to join with classmates in the traditional spring 2023 Commencement ceremony in May, as many said they plan to do.

See names of December graduates>>

Free Press cites Patterson in Catholic issues piece

When staff reporter Dan D’Ambrosio of the Burlington Free Press, a daily newspaper and website, wrote an extended article in late December about recent issues challenging the Catholic Church in Vermont, he interviewed Saint Michael’s Religious Studies Chair Raymond Patterson, with a mention of Ray’s teaching at the College: “Ray Patterson, chair of religious studies at St. Michael's College, said he shows students in his classes a map of the United States that breaks down the states by the percentage of their populations that attend church services, a study done by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University. ‘The part of the of the country that attends services the least by far is New England,’ Patterson said.”

Read full Free Press story quoting Patterson>>

Collier installs 'Ecological Change Markers' in Williston

Brian Collier of the Fine Arts/Art & Design faculty posted on social media this week, with the photo at right, that he “just finished installing one of my Ecological Change Markers at Tree Island Forest Park in Williston, VT.” Change Markers” are non-permanent sculptural monuments to ecological changes happening all around us,” Brian explains. “The sculptures function as contemplative objects, prompting viewers to notice local change where they are placed. By making local ecological shifts more visible, the Change Markers indirectly suggest viewers pause to consider ecologically positive actions they themselves can take.”

First senior show of semester in McCarthy Gallery is by 'Russ,' with title 'Chilltown Takeover'

Brian Collier, associate professor of Art & Design and Curator/Director of the McCarthy Art Gallery, recently shared information about the spring lineup of Art & Design senior gallery shows. Next up is Matt Russell ’23 (Russ), "Chilltown Takeover,” January 24 through February 3, 2023, with a Gallery Reception on Saturday, January 28 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Artist Statement: Matt’s earliest works within the creative realm was shooting and editing videos. This infatuation with the camera resulted in a curiosity about animation. Matt’s primary medium is digital with a focus on perspective drawing. However, Matt’s secondary means to work in is drawing on paper utilizing a mix of different mediums. Matt utilized a mix of pens, pencils and on occasion spray paint. In addition to drawings in perspective Matt also produces animations.

Visit McCarthy Gallery web page>>

WCAX interviews Dameron on Hinesburg history

George Dameron, Saint Michael's history professor emeritus, shares that he was interviewed this week (via Zoom) by Hailey Morgan, a reporter from television station WCAX, the Burlington-area CBS affiliate, about efforts by a Hinesburg organization in George is involved to restore the old Vestry in the village for future community use. From the WCAX website posting of the story: “The group says the building is believed to have been built around 1840 by the Congregational Church. It was initially called the chapel. George Dameron, a history professor at St. Michael’s College, says it could be one of Hinesburg’s oldest buildings. ‘The Congregational Church then decided they needed a brick church. Its congregation was growing. So what it ended up doing is deciding to dismantle the wooden church and build a brick church. And when they did that, they built the Vestry,’ Dameron said."

See full story quoting George Dameron on Vestry>>

Winter break study trip to Costa Rica a sensory feast for sizeable, engaged group

Students and their Saint Michael’s biology faculty leaders this week wrapped up an amazing study trip to Costa Rica, and they have been sharing about it on social media. Here are some images, along with a few recent student entries. Of the top right photo, emeritus biology Professor Peter Hope, a veteran of these trips, posted: “The students always look forward to the boat ride to see what we find along the Rio Sarapaqui. This years findings included two species of kingfishers, two species of swallows, a green ibis, a green iguana, an anhinga, a bare-throated tiger-heron, long-nosed bats, a black river turtle, & and a porcupine.” The group also spent a day zip lining through the jungle – the photo at right shows them ascending steep stairs wearing helmets for that activity. It was not all study, however. Julia Lynch '25 most recently posted: “This morning we left La Selva biological station and arrived at our hotel in San Jose in the afternoon! Along the way, we stopped to see a gorgeous waterfall. This afternoon we spent the day relaxing by the pool and going out to lunch. At the end of the day, we went to El Garaje de Brosed, a beautiful steakhouse nearby our hotel, located in a garage. Tomorrow morning we’ll leave bright and early for our flight home!” A group meal is top left.

Visit the Costa Rica group Facebook page>>

Lew of faculty directs concerts showcasing Vermont student piece

Nat Lew of the Saint Michael’s Fine Arts/Music faculty (chair) was in the news before Christmas for his prominent role conducting a performance of a Vermont high school student’s choral composition during a series of holiday concerts around the state. According to a report in The Valley Reporter, “Harwood Union High School senior Molly Caffry, Waitsfield, is having a big week marking the culmination of a special project as one of her original musical compositions is featured in a series of free holiday concerts around Vermont. … Performing in their annual holiday tour is a brass quintet of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra along with the professional vocal group Counterpoint. The conductor is Nathaniel Lew, a professor of music and music history at Saint Michael’s College. As is the tradition for the holiday performances, one piece on the program is a premiere of a student work presented through a collaboration with the nonprofit music education organization Music-COMP." This courtesy photo from Music-COMP shows Caffry (right) at a rehearsal with the Counterpoint singers and Nat directing (second from right).

Read full story on Lew conducting student composition>>

SMC CAN was back with holiday treats for students staying on campus over long break

Trish Siplon of the Saint Michael's political science faculty (photo at right), shared on social media some information with pictures about a warm holiday outreach by a campus group. She posted: "For the second year in a row, SMC CAN (Community Health Action Network) put out a Christmas eve spread for students staying on campus over the break. My visiting sister Katrinka and niece Tigist also helped [Billie Miles '76, staff information technology associate, top left] and me set it up for the second time!"

Edmundite Missions rise to meet key needs after Selma tornado does major damage

The Edmundite Missions in Selma, AL, a longstanding ministry of the Society of St. Edmund (Saint Michael’s College’s founding resident religious order) are doing important work today after a tornado on Thursday this week did major damage in Selma where the Missions are located. A social media post from the Diocese of Mobile gives some details: "Edmundite Missions does incredible work in the Selma community. They served dinners last night and will again serve food today to anyone who is hungry as well as emergency workers. Meals to be served between 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Bosco Nutrition Center, 1107 Griffin Ave., Selma. Clothes, small housewares available from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at The Boutique, 1010 Minter Ave. Those with an emergency situation can visit Catholic Social Ministries, 1107 Griffin Ave. Support recover work at edmunditemissions.org. Edmundite Missions staff report minimal damage to the missions. The Our Lady Queen of Peace parish hall lost one window. Please keep everyone in your prayers. Edmundite Missions.” Staffer Joe Quinn at the Missions and President and CEO Chad McEachern ’91 shared these photos.

Read tornado coverage from Selma newspaper>>

Seven Days features Dion Center art works by Benjamin Patrick '97

Shortly before Christmas, arts editor Pamela Polston of the Burlington area weekly Seven Days wrote a nice piece about beautiful art images that are now in the Saint Michael’s College Roy Room of the Dion Family Student Center. Polston’s December 21 piece begins with background explanation of work by the artist Benjamin Patrick ’97 that has appeared on Christmas cards he designs based on the Book of Revelation. Then she writes: “Centuries-old manuscripts are right in Patrick's wheelhouse. His fascination might seem an unexpected obsession for a guy whose artwork relies on the latest digital design technology. Whether or not you're on the Shelburne artist's card list, you can see other examples of his work in the Dion Family Student Center at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, where a dozen 4-by-2.75-foot digital prints are permanently installed in a meeting space called the Roy Room. The images are stunning, dynamic and brilliantly hued. Appropriately for the Catholic school, many of the artworks contain Christian content — specifically of the kind found in medieval illuminated manuscripts. But Patrick has distorted the original images by repeating, overlapping and pixelating the files and amping up the color saturation … Born in Burlington, Patrick moved with his family to Marquette, Mich., when he was 1, later to Hanover, N.H., and then Pittsfield, Mass. He returned to Vermont to earn a bachelor's degree in art at St. Michael's and, after a brief break, attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn for a master's of education in art and design. Working in New York City schools, Patrick discovered that he loved teaching … After graduating from Pratt in 2004, a position at Vermont Commons School in South Burlington lured Patrick to Vermont once again. Initially an artist-in-residence, he became chair of visual and performing arts programs and stayed for 15 years.” Later in Q&A he states: “I use German Hahnemühle paper for the cards — and for the prints that are at St. Mike's. For the prints I made at Dartmouth, I printed on vellum. I love the dichotomy of digital tools and original papers.”

Read full story on Benjamin Patrick art>>

ALUMNI NEWS

Senate farewell for Leahy '61 both emotional and heartfelt

“Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) bid farewell to his Senate colleagues on Tuesday in an emotional speech in which he looked back with gratitude on his long career and expressed hope for the restoration of eroded congressional traditions of respect and bipartisanship.” So began a news report by Kevin McCallum from a few days before Christmas on the website of Seven Days, a Burlington-area weekly newspaper and website, about Leahy, a 1961 Saint Michael’s College graduate, who is now a retired senator. The report continues: “The 82-year-old senator, who is retiring after 48 years in office, said representing Vermonters has been the honor of a lifetime. ‘I’ve so loved the privilege of being even a small part of this story, America’s story,’ Leahy said. He recalled how as a law school student at Georgetown University, he would sit in the Senate gallery and marvel at the deliberations but never imagined he would one day join in.” Most major Vermont media outlets had similar reports on Leahy's farewell.

Read full story on Leahy Senate farewell>>

NPR interviews Dick Marquise '69 about Lockerbie

Retired FBI agent Dick Marquise ’69 was a guest for an extensive National Public Radio interview in December about the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people – an interview occasioned by a court appearance of a chief suspect. The story by NPR’s Juana Summers opens using a soundbite of Dick from the documentary “Remembering Pan Am Flight 103,” saying: “The magnitude of that crash never really hit home to most people in the United States. I don't know that it hit home to most people in the FBI.” The host then introduces Dick for a long interview about that tragedy and subequent investigation. Summers notes at the outset, “Retired FBI special agent Dick Marquise initially led the U.S. investigation. … And today, with the alleged bomb maker behind the attack appearing before a U.S. court, we wanted to get his perspective on this moment."

Hear and read interview with Dick Marquise>>

Column profiles Jim Butler '77 about his success at Cape Cod sporting goods store

The Barnstable Patriot newspaper and website on Cape Cod recently featured a column that profiled Saint Michael’s graduate Jim Butler ’77 and the successful sporting goods store that he began right out of college and has run for decades with the help of a St. Mike’s connection. Here the start of the piece by columnist Barbara Dunn: “It was the spring of 1977 when the Massachusetts native Jim Butler was awarded a business degree from St. Michael’s College in Vermont. After graduation, he headed to Cape Cod where his parents had relocated. Just five months later, that young man opened the doors of his dream business. To find a community member who doesn’t know Butler is rare. As the owner of Butler Sporting Goods, located at 815 West Main St. in Hyannis, he serves both the individual sports buff and school teams across the Cape and Islands. Butler’s is the center of local retail sports. Jim’s passion for sports began while he was attending Arlington High School. With a sporting goods store abutting each end of the school, he would go hang out in one or the other, bantering with the guys. After his parents moved to the Cape during his senior year, trips home from college brought him to a community where it was difficult to find a needed pair of hockey skates. That year, Jim announced to his dad, 'When I graduate, I am going to open a sporting goods store.' He returned to St. Michael’s and over the next couple of years, professors supported Jim as he came up with a 'college kid’s business plan.' In November 1977, Butler Sporting Goods opened its doors in a tiny space at 801 West Main St., a building Jim’s father owned as an investment property. He knew the words of wisdom that had been offered to him were key: to get anywhere, you need to get a foot in the door with vendors who will work with you. Determined to follow that advice, Jim solicited support through two connections. He contacted a fellow St. Michael’s alumnus at Wilson Sporting Goods, as well as a Rawlings Sporting Goods representative who knew his grandfather. Both responded with interest, making Butler’s one of their retailers. Jim emphasized, 'If I didn’t have those connections, I don’t know if I would have been able to open the shop.'" The story featured a photo of Jim in his store with a prominent St. Mike's banner hanging from the ceiling.

Read full profile of Jim Butler '77>>

Abrami '04 wins sportswriting honor

More honors for an alumnus journalist -- this from an item in the Burlington Free Press this week: “Burlington Free Press staff writer Alex Abrami has been selected as Vermont's co-sportswriter of the year, the National Sports Media Association announced Monday afternoon. Abrami, who also won the award in 2014, 2018 and 2020, was chosen in a vote among his Vermont peers ... Abrami shares the honors with first-time winner James Biggam of the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus … Abrami is a staple in the Vermont sports landscape and has presided over the University of Vermont basketball beat for 10 seasons and has been a member of the Free Press sports department since 2007. Most recently, Abrami followed the UVM men's soccer team to Syracuse, New York, where it lost in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament and the men's basketball team's run to Buffalo for the opening round of March Madness. He is a graduate of St. Michael’s College (2004) and Rice Memorial High School (2000), where he played soccer and ran track and field." (photo courtesy Burlington Free Press)

See full item on Abrami honor>>

Kit Geary '22 lands Colorado reporter job

From the Steamboat Pilot & Today in Colorado in late December 2022, an item about a budding journalism career. From the paper and website’s staff report: "The Steamboat Pilot & Today has a new reporter, Kit Geary, in its newsroom … Geary will handle the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s public safety, county government and education beats, in addition to general assignment reporting responsibilities … Geary graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, in May 2022, with a degree in media studies, journalism and digital arts and a minor in English. ‘Kit is sharp, astute and well prepared for success in the journalism industry,’ [the editor] Pace said. ‘Many of her interests align with exactly what we’re looking for, and her love for skiing was just a bonus that helped lure her here.’ Prior to graduation, Geary authored a book, “Big Ideas, Big Money, Big Problems: White-Collar Crime in the Suites Could Harm You More Than Crime in the Streets.” The book explored technology’s impact on the execution and expansion of white-collar crime in a variety of political and corporate landscapes. In her writing, Geary sought to offer new perspectives on this sector of criminology by amplifying the untold stories of victims. Additionally, Geary worked as a newsroom intern for WCAX TV Channel 3 in South Burlington, Vermont. In that role, she assisted production and editing staff in daily operations including writing scripts, editing footage, stacking shows and line producing for a station that covered local and national news for northern New England and some of Canada. That internship came after Geary worked as a community relations intern for The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. Geary is a self-described political junkie and was also the politics editor for “The Defender,” a small publication in Colchester, Vermont, from September 2020 to January 2021." [The Defender is the Saint Michael's student newspaper]

Read full story on journalist Kit Geary>>

Beach '22 a catechetical leader in Barre

Abigail Beach ‘22 is working at St. Monica Parish in Barre, VT, as a parish catechetical leader. She writes: “I’ve also taken on many extra volunteer opportunities such as helping start to create this year’s Saints Shuffle and helping run the Girl Scouts troop 58997 at the elementary and middle school attached to this Parish. I just finished planning and executing the parish Christmas Pageant, too. We have such great kids at the parish and school! I’m also involved in the Church’s Bible study, the Catholic Daughters, and I am still being certified as a PCL through Franciscan University.”

Paul Baribault '70 has new inspirational book

Paul Baribault ’70 of Lewiston, ME, has a new book. He writes: “Almost immediately after [St. Mike’s graduation} I committed to a life of writing, which had been my dream since childhood. I have six books on Amazon today, and the latest went live just a week or so before Christmas this year.” Excerpts from his online publicity for this latest book: Comedy & Grace, Lewiston playwright Paul Baribault’s sequel to his first work in non-fiction, Our Brilliant Eternity is now available on Amazon. Following on that first book’s themes, it further explores the “what if” of things, of our lives here on Earth and what awaits us beyond it … One thing throughout is evident: the writer’s hope is to entertain, engage and inform us about who we are in Eternity – that we are brothers and sisters on a consciousness and soul-expanding journey, back to our true Home.” In September Paul also made his short story debut, in the latest issue of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series titled, “Mysteries and the Unexplainable,” with the submission title “Midnight Rider.”

Target dress challenge provides fun pandemic support for '01 group

Nichole Charbonneau ’01 shared a fun class note recently accompanied by this photo. She explains: “Our St. Mike’s pandemic support group rocked the #targetdresschallenge. This one dress (purchased at Target in 2021!) was mailed out every couple of weeks or so, to various locations in the Northeast, and then photographed on each of us by loving spouses and children alike. It’s hilarious and weird but got us all through some tough pandemic times. Participants: [All are Class of ’01 unless noted otherwise] Elizabeth Pantano Kaplan, Nicole Napoli Weiss, Megan Lynch Mayo, Amanda McCauley Courchene ‘04, Nichole Charbonneau, Tracy Myers Briggs, Meeghan Knapp Athearn, Jennifer Rankow Klein, Annie Cressey Valentine, Ali Mladnof Lafreniere, Lisl Kuklinksi May.

Free Press item highlights B.J. Robertson '07

From a December 19 Burlington Free Press story by Alex Abrami '04, career news for a onetime star basketball player at Saint Michael's, B.J. Robertson '07: The Burlington High School boys and girls basketball teams start a new era and welcome a new (temporary) home this season. Yet not all change is unfamiliar. Their first-year coaches are embedded in the history of the Queen City's hoops programs. B.J. Robertson, the former BHS star from two decades ago, and his father, Beverlis Robertson, take control in a winter of major transition for both Seahorse teams … After high school, Robertson played at St. Michael's College, where he also cracked the 1,000-point milestone, and then for the Vermont Frost Heaves of the American Basketball Association. The Frost Heaves won back-to-back ABA titles during Robertson's run."

Read full Free Press story on Robertson>>

ATHLETICS NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

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