Raised beds invite folks to plant with the goal of expanded accessiblity
Saint Michael's College (July 14, 2023) Near the end of June, members of the summer Farm crew at Saint Michael's College and other volunteers were at work at center-campus between Joyce and Alliot Halls as they installed raised beds -- conceived and constructed through the Center for the Environment and the initiative of leaders Kristyn Achilich '05 and Christine Gall, with a goal of greater accessibility for members of the community faced with challenges of access to ground-level gardens and plots. (photos by Mark Tarnacki)
SAINT MICHAEL'S NEWS
Natural Area playing useful role amid epic recent Vermont flooding
In the few hours between biology Professor Declan McCabe’s noon and 3 p.m. visits Monday to the Saint Michael’s College 365-acre Natural Area on a flood plain along the Winooski River across Route 15 from main campus, a walking path became a virtual waterway. Yet McCabe, the Natural Area’s chief faculty steward, said such predictable and manageable rising water there amid historic and devastating statewide flooding in Vermont of recent days testifies to the wisdom of the federal conservation easement for the College that turned former agricultural fields along the river into the now well-used and attended tract for education and recreation. “There’s a little creek that goes across one of our trails and we know water is going to come up that creek backwards, so the water will rise — but not like you see on the news where houses are getting carried away,” McCabe said. “Still, it’s kind of spectacular to be down there and see the flood line rising as little worm holes are filling up and giving up air and everything is sort of percolating.” He explained how turbid and brown water from the Winooski River backing into the Natural Area wetlands through that creek “will cover every stem and leaf with a silt as the water goes down, and that’s really good, since that’s soil loaded with phosphorous that doesn’t go into Lake Champlain — so our wetlands are naturally filtering the water.” Watch an excellent Pat Bohan video below featuring Declan talking about the Natural Area and flooding.
Read full story on Natural Area flooding>>
See Declan quoted in Seven Days story on floods>>
Ken O’Connell supports military community with his own active and personal style
Camaraderie and community support are core values for military families and their advocates, so the robust turnout of Saint Michael’s College campus leaders in Ken O’Connell’s first-floor Joyce Hall office early in June to greet a Veterans Administration compliance officer left a strong positive impression. “There was a great showing from many campus offices to support our Military Community Services Department on this VA survey – multiple offices had either directors or VP’s present or made themselves available for questions on that day of the in-person visit. The person doing the survey was happy to see that kind of support on campus — the ‘proper representation,’ as she put it,” said O’Connell, who recently shared highlights of his busy and productive past year on and off campus. “My office has been re-establishing lots of our in-person connections with military bases after the pandemic,” he said. For example, his visits last year included to Camp LeJeune at the base high school located right on that North Carolina Marine Corps facility, and to Fort Bragg Army base, also in North Carolina – his first-ever visit there in his current role — to attend an education fair open to service members at the fort and their families. O’Connell, shown above on one of his recent trips to tell the wider military community more about Saint Michael's opportunities, said his chief mission at such stops is to raise awareness about what a smaller college like Saint Michael’s offers for military-connected students.
Read full story on military community initiatives>>
Four-week study term in Ireland checks key boxes for Teagan McCaffrey '24
Earlier this summer Teagan McCaffrey ‘24 embarked on a four-week long study abroad trip to Ireland. A criminology and psychology double major with a minor in sociology, McCaffrey studied the Crime, Terrorism, and Justice module at the University of Limerick. During her time abroad she learned about everything from music and dance to prisons and law. “I have wanted to travel to Ireland for a while,” she said, “plus I wanted to go to an English-speaking country where it would be easy for me to communicate with the locals. I have also Irish danced for 12 years, so I wanted to be able to go to the place where it started.” Beyond the simple desire to go, McCaffrey had many other factors to consider before crossing the ocean. After missing the application deadline for the spring study abroad session, McCaffrey reevaluated her options and decided that a four-week summer program was the best way to be able to see a new country while still having time to enjoy a summer full of family and friends, work, and preparation for the upcoming academic year. The lower photo at right shows Teagan (far left), with fellow members of her study program in Ireland. The large photo shows a dramatically beautiful scene that Teagan captured in her Ireland travels and study.
Read more about study trip to Ireland>>
Major paper: Josh Weiss '23 overcomes medical challenges to reach tennis stardom
In a feature story originally appearing recently in the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, the main daily newspaper and website in that large upstate New York city, writer Marquel Slaughter spotlighted the inspiring story of Saint Michael’s tennis star and recent graduate Josh Weiss ’23. The headline on the story was: “Weiss Overcomes Medical Challenges to Reach Tennis Stardom: He could barely move and was depressed. After celiac diagnosis, he became a tennis star.” The opening of the piece: “Olive oil drenched popcorn and bread-less sandwiches are some gluten free favorites Pittsford's Josh Weiss makes when he's being a ‘lazy chef.’ ‘It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen,’ Jason Boucher, Weiss' college tennis teammate at Saint Michael's College, said jokingly. Weiss' odd meal concepts come from his celiac disease. Preparing for a Ph.D at the University of Georgia after thriving in academics and tennis, everyday Weiss overcame the mental and physical effects of a disease he wasn't diagnosed with until high school. Weiss had Division I tennis upside, but missed tournaments crucial for college recruitment, and ended up at Division II Saint Michael's in Colchester, Vermont. Coach Jason Hammel likened Weiss becoming a Purple Knight to the program finding a winning lottery ticket no one picked up. ‘He believed in the college. We're lucky to get him as a player and member of the community,’ Hammel said.
Read full story about Josh Weiss>>
National Catholic Reporter publishes article from Fr. Carter '12 on Fourth of July themes
Leading up to July 4, Fr. Michael Carter, S.S.E. ’12 of the campus Edmundite community and a lecturer in religious studies posted on social media about another article that he recently saw published in a national magazine with wide circulation: “I have a piece published ... in the National Catholic Reporter about how both the United States and the Catholic Church are imperfect institutions and how it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they might grow to become in fact the things we like to believe they are in our rhetoric.” Following is from the headline and introduction to Fr. Michael’s piece: “This July 4th, celebrate the promise America holds and work to fulfill it … Celebration without justice is not pleasing to God. And yet it is appropriate to celebrate on this Fourth of July if we are committed to the mandate of creating a more just world.” Michael's author biography from NCR reads: “Fr. Michael Carter, a member of the Society of St. Edmund, is a native of Burlington, Vermont. He works in campus ministry and teaches in the religious studies department at St. Michael's College, Colchester, Vermont.”
Read NCR piece by Father Michael Carter>>
Festival musicians sharing talents at Mass
As in past years when they have graced the Saint Michael's College campus (the photo above is from 2021), the talented young musicans of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival have been sharing their transcendent gifts at Sunday Mass in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel. A quartet of some of the top young players in the country joined with Jerome Monachino's regular Liturgical Ensemble last Sunday, July 9, and a different quartet will be performing at this coming Sunday's liturgy on July 16, according to Amanda Stenroos, the Festival's general manager.
ALUMNI NEWS
Kaulins '13 volunteers on Polish-Ukrainian border
Amanda Kaulins '13 volunteered at the Polish-Ukrainian border in February 2023 to assist refugees upon their arrival with the All Hands and Hearts and International Organization for Migration programs. She will be returning to volunteer again this August. Amanda writes: "If you would like to get involved or have any questions, you can email Amanda at [email protected]"
St. Albans Messenger directs spotlight on music success of alumnus Troy Millette '16
Correspondent Sarah Faulkner of the St. Albans Messenger, the daily newspaper and website in Franklin County north of Burlington, wrote a nice feature about the strong and expanding music career of Saint Michael’s alumnus Troy Millette ’16. The start of that piece under the headline “Meet Troy Millette and the Fire Below, rising folk band hails from Fairfax”: “Surrounded by guitars, keyboards and sound equipment, local folk artist Troy Millette is at home in the studio — and it’s been that way for a long time. ‘I wanted to be Elvis when I was a kid, running around the house in a white jumpsuit,’ he reminisced. But the turning point was hearing Third Eye Blind at St. Michael’s College, and that was when Millette, from Fairfax, threw himself into the singing and songwriting world. What started out as childhood Elvis impersonations blossomed into consistent music gigs with big name artists — Rick Springfield, The Counting Crows, Grace Potter and Bowling for Soup, just to name a few.” Later the article mentions another musical alumnus who plays in Troy’s band Fire Below – drummer Matt DeLuca ’96, who is a longtime regular in campus music minister Jerome Monachino’s Liturgical Ensemble as well.
Read full story about Troy and mentioning Matt>>
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta newsletter features Pat Gallivan '89 for long service
This week on the social media posts of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero, serving kids with cancer, came this honor for a longtime beloved pillar of the Saint Michael’s alumni community (Class of 1989) who also served the College for decades in various leadership roles before moving on to new professional opportunities: “Congratulations to Patrick Gallivan who was selected by Camp's Volunteer Management Team (VMT) to enjoy the bright lights of this month's Volunteer Spotlight. Patrick takes center stage for his many years of dedication to Camp as Camp Director, former board member (currently serving as an ex-officio member in his role as Camp Director), member of multiple committees and teams (Facilities Committee, Camp Operations Leadership Team, Summer Program Team, and Wellness and Health Advisory Team), even putting his steady hand on the wheel as Interim Executive Director during a time of transition. Patrick's grounded perspective, silliness and deep commitment to Camp make him an invaluable member of the Camp family. Thank you for all that you do to bring joy to our campers & families Patrick!” Patrick currently is executive director for the Vermont Dental Association.
See full post honoring Patrick Gallivan>>
Cpt. Lance Jandreau '18 presents during NATO meeting in Helsinki
U.S. Army National Guard Cpt. Lance Jandreau ’18 (foreground kneeling in photo at right) recently posted this on social media with some photos: “I had the distinct honor of attending NATO’s Confederation of Interallied Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR) Joint Medical Reserve Officer Workshop (JMROW) the past week in Helsinki, Finland. An amazing opportunity to connect with other medical reserve officers from other nations as well as develop a common operating picture of medical service in a joint environment. I, personally, was honored to provide an oral presentation and poster presentation on two behavioral health topics that are near and dear to me. Those are 'Moral Injury' and 'Toxic Independence.' 'Moral Injury' is a relatively new concept in the world of behavioral over the last decade while 'Toxic Independence' is a concept I coined over the last few months, blending my education with my work. I am pursuing a career in behavioral health and hope to use this as the groundwork for some amazing innovations in behavioral health support for our service members…(if you want to learn more just ask!). Thank you to the other officers who made this time worthwhile and to Finland for being an amazing host and country to explore! I look forward to what the future may hold.” At Saint Michael’s, Lance majored in psychology with a minor in philosophy and he was active in ROTC through the University of Vermont program that invites Saint Michael’s students to participate.
Baseball team alumni reunite for golf round
Kevin Harutunian ’06 of Beverly, MA, recently shared this photo, explaining: “Boston-area Saint Michael’s College Baseball Alumni gathered for a round of golf at Granite Links in Quincy MA. From left to right: Michael "Sully" Sullivan '05, Matt "OB" O'Brien '08, Kevin "Toony" Harutunian '06, and Dan "Okie" O'Connor.”
Bruce Stryhas '67 now in VPA Hall of Fame
Good news from earlier this year about Bruce Stryhas ’67 (right) that his classmate, Bob Babyok ’67, shared with the College this week. Bruce was inducted into the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) Hall of Fame for his contributions as an athlete when he was in high school and College, including for Saint Michael's teams. From the southern Vermont news item that Bob shared from earlier this year about the honor: “Since the creation of the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) Hall of Fame in 2001, the VPA has honored more than 280 student-athletes, coaches/advisors, administrators, officials, media members, and contributors for their efforts on behalf of students across Vermont. One local been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame for the Vermont Principals’ Association in May. Bruce Stryhas of Ludlow was an outstanding three-sport student-athlete for Black River High School class of 1962. Stryhas played soccer, was a great pitcher and hitter in baseball, and really shined on the basketball court. He was Black River’s first player to score over 1,000 career points, leading Black River to three appearances in the finals. Stryhas was a great passer as well, he had 21 assists in one game. He went to the University of Connecticut for one year before transferring and being a standout starter for some of the top St. Michael’s College teams.”
DJ Taylor '96 to join Army War College forum
DJ Taylor ‘96, recently was selected to be one of 60 civilians nationally to attend the 17th Annual Commandant's National Security Program at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA this July. The program provides a forum where distinguished speakers discuss their views on issues of importance to the nation’s security and welfare with students and faculty of the U.S. Army War College and invited guests, and in turn have free and candid dialogue on these issues. DJ graduated from Saint Michael’s with a degree in journalism and is the former North American Head of Industry for Utilities at SAP America. DJ has spent his career at the intersection of IT and the energy sector, deemed as critical infrastructure by Presidential Policy Directive 21. He currently resides in Boise, Idaho with his wife, Danielle, and daughter, Madison.
Jim Biringer '08 building reputation as hockey journalist, and he still plays too
Jim Biringer '08 continues to master his craft on the ice, pursuing his passion for hockey by playing in several leagues and tournaments. Jim recently won his third consecutive New Year's Eve tournament championship at Sport O Rama in Monsey, NY. In addition, Jim's passion for roller hockey continues, as he took home the first of what he hopes are many 35 and older trophies this past spring. When Jim is not on the ice, he is covering the NHL for Full Press Hockey and NHLRumors.com. He most recently was in Nashville covering the 2023 NHL Draft for Full Press Hockey as he was on the draft floor and in the media room (photo at right). He has broken news of numerous trades as he continues to build his reputation in the field by tapping his passion and drive for the sport. Jim also has numerous podcasts including the Full Press NHL Podcast and can be found on the radio in places like WVTK in Middlebury, VT as well as Sauga 960 in Canada.
Roommates from 2005 celebrate 40 together in Mexico
These 2005 alums and former roommates left their combined nine children at home and gathered in Sayulita, Mexico to celebrate their 40th birthdays! Featured top left: Stephanie Burman (Sirois), top right: Margot Legare (Levesque), bottom left: Anna Patterson (Toothaker) - married to 2001 alum Dave Patterson, and bottom right: Lauren Nykvist (Filtzer).
ATHLETICS NEWS
- Cross country Coach Molly Peters unveils first-year classes
- Women's soccer coach Wendy Elles introduces newcomers
- Kevin Salinas named assistant coach for hockey women
- Molly Peters, also Nordic ski coach, announces newcomers
- Gray Flangan named Skier of Year by Vermont association
UPCOMING EVENTS
Event Calendar
View upcoming public events on the campus of Saint Michael's College.
Saint Michael's This Week is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications and
written by Mark Tarnacki, Staff Writer, Marketing and Communications.
Visit Saint Michael's online at smcvt.edu