St Michael's: Join lighting of the cupola Christmas tree December 7

Saint Michael's This Week

December 2, 2022

Join lighting of the cupola Christmas tree December 7

Artisans this week were putting finishing touches on the Founders Hall cupola, applying an attractive copper roof (much like its original one) to the top of the structure that now is located on the central campus green (as seen in these photos by Cam Wilson ‘23). The President’s Office invites everyone to join with the campus community for the lighting of the cupola Christmas tree on Wednesday, December 7 at 5 p.m. Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to gather for cocoa, cookies, and good cheer to celebrate the new home of the cupola. The Sleepless Knights and Acabellas will provide music. Ornament-decorating activities will take place in residence halls leading up to the event; please bring your ornament to hang on the tree. Sponsored by the President's Office with thanks to Facilities, Student Affairs, and Sodexo for their support.

SAINT MICHAEL'S NEWS

High school group from Latin America visiting campus through Dec. 10

In collaboration with the Vermont Council on World Affairs, Saint Michael’s is hosting from November 30 through December 10 two dozen high school students from a variety of Latin American and Caribbean countries including Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela. Housed during their stay on campus in Ryan Hall, the students are visiting Vermont as part of the Latin American Youth Ambassadors Program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The program aims to provide these Youth Ambassadors with an opportunity to develop civic leadership and community development skills through interactions with peers and civic leaders. The College’s Center for Global Engagement organized an informal gathering between Saint Michael’s Spanish-speaking students and the Youth Ambassadors today (Friday, December 2) from 11 a.m. to noon in the Farrell Room as seen in these photos by Patrick Bohan.

Read full story on Latin American visitors>>

Aspiring to variety of medical fields, friends share townhouse

Katie Braman, Nicole Quispe, and Eiley Murphy are senior roommates and close friends at Saint Michael’s College. All three women are looking to pursue careers in various medical fields after their graduation in the spring of 2023. Braman is a health science major with minors in chemistry and psychology from North Adams, MA and she has her sights set on attending dentistry school post-graduation so that she can achieve her “long-term goal to provide free/low-cost dental care for those who do not have dental insurance.” Quispe is a health science major with minors in chemistry, health equity, and music from Methuen, MA. Quispe is looking to enroll in a physician’s assistant (PA) program after graduation eventually to work with surgical patients. Murphy is a biology major with minors in chemistry, statistics, and music from Beloit, WI, and she wants to attend veterinary school in order to become a veterinary oncologist. Attending a liberal arts college like Saint Michael’s College was important to all three women, not only for the availability of a wide range of courses, but for the individual support and personal growth that comes with being a Purple Knight. This photo shows, from left, Nicole, Katie and Eiley.

Read full story on medical career roommates>>

Hear great Christmas music from orchestra, singers on December 3

Come hear great music and support the musicians of the Saint Michael’s College String Orchestra and Singers on Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m. in the McCarthy Recital Hall. The String Orchestra, Fran Pepperman Taylor, director, will play: At the Purchaser’s Option, by Rhiannon Giddens (of Carolina Chocolate Drops fame); St. Paul’s Suite, by Gustav Holst; and Le Journal Du Printemps, by Johann Fischer. The Saint Michael’s Singers, Erin Grainger, director, will perform Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, with orchestra and student soloists. Free and open to the public. Student soloists will be Ethan Boucher '23, Sadie Chamberlain '25, Mia Cooper '24, Elizbeth Cupo '23, Scott Czerwinski '23, Jenna Gagne '25 and Anna Paradis '26.

Solomon Garza is new MakerSpace manager; do holiday workshops!

From Joe Pawlaczyk, the College’s director of Information Technology: “We are excited to announce Solomon Manuel Garza has started as the SMC MakerSpace Manager. He is a graduate of Middlebury College with a degree in Architectural Studies and managed the reopening of the Middlebury MakerSpace. Sol has a specialization in 3D printing as well as experience in animation making short animated films. Most recently Sol was an instructor at the Hannaford Career Center teaching 3D design. In his first week, Sol has been inventorying the SMC MakerSpace and meeting with student employees. During the month of December the MakerSpace will have a soft opening with several pop-up workshops. For the spring semester we will be back to being open on a full time basis. Stay tuned for more information on the pop-up workshops.” Sol wasted no time getting the MakerSpace up and running in time for the holidays, offering seasonal workshops this past Wednesday (Holiday Crafts Workshop) and Thursday (Vinyl Cutting Holiday Decals). Upcoming: 3D PRINTING CUSTOM FIGURINES on Wednesday, December 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; LASER CUTTING HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS, Thursday, December 8, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; HOLIDAY NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOP, Wednesday, December 14, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Felting workshop led by guest artist Liz Hamlin-Volz to make your own felted ornament. This is a great way to de-stress and learn a new skill! All materials will be provided. Sign up HERE since space limited.

Blasdel, retired from art faculty, and alumna wife Koch '89, featured by 'Stuck in Vermont'

Gregg Blasdel spent an extended period on the fine arts/art faculty at Saint Michael’s College before his retirement several years ago. This week, the talented Burlington videographer and storyteller Eva Sollberger featured Greg and his Saint Michael’s alumna wife, Jennifer Koch '89, in one of her popular “Stuck in Vermont” videos. The lead text into the video is this: “Burlington artists Jennifer Koch and Gregg Blasdel recently celebrated 17 years of matrimony. Jennifer owns and runs a frame shop; Gregg was a scholar and a professor of art for 30 years. Eva spent an afternoon watching them print proofs of their collaborative works, called Marriages of Reason.” Nick Clary, emeritus St. Mike’s professor of English, recalls Jennifer Koch as one of his Shakespeare students during her college years. (Click on image above to watch video).

Broadway Direct at St. Mike's sold out, but not in Vergennes

BROADWAY DIRECT at Saint Michael's Playhouse for December 10 is SOLD OUT. However, tickets are still available for the Vergennes Opera House performance of the same show, presented at the Opera House in Vergennes on Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the Vergennes Opera House performance can be purchased online 24 hours a day/7 days a week at www.vergennesoperahouse.org. Celebrate the music and performances from some of Broadway’s best shows including Guys and Dolls, and Ragtime, and much more. Produced for Saint Michael’s Playhouse and Vergennes Opera House this jubilant musical event stars Broadway and Playhouse favorites Bill Carmichael, Elisa Van Duyne, David L. Murray, Jr., and Madison Claire Parks, with musical direction by Scott Nicholas. Says Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin ’80, “We know we would not be as successful as we are today without your loyal support, and we are looking forward to a big, bold, professional theater season at Saint Michael’s Playhouse this summer. Tickets to our Summer 2023 productions will go on sale in the spring!”

Saint Michael's seniors among cadets to reveal coming military posts

Ken O’Connell, the College’s Director of Military Community Enrollment and Resources, Transfer Coordinator, this week on social media posted about Senior Class cadets with the UVM ROTC program that includes two Saint Michael’s College student cadets this year. Ken’s post: “Congratulations to all and it looks like some exciting posts and locations. I’d especially like to congratulate our Saint Michael's College Veteran and Military Community members of the UVM Army ROTC - Cadet Andrew Dezjot ’23 (Connecticut National Guard Adjutant General) and Cadet Nicholas Welsh ’23 (Colorado National Guard Medical Services)! Thank You for your dedicated service.” Ken also shared the post from UVM ROTC with the entire cadet group and their posts, demonstrating the wide array of opportunities for prospective Saint Michael’s students considering the ROTC option: “Last night our Senior Class Cadets received their Army branches … The branches are as follows: Cadet Cournoyer, UVM: Active Duty Field Artillery; Cadet Dempsey, UVM: Active Duty Military Police; Cadet Dezjot, Saint Michael's College: Connecticut National Guard Adjutant General; Cadet Dybowski, UVM: Active Duty Engineers; Cadet Ellis, UVM: Active Duty Nurse Corps; Cadet Henrikson, UVM: Active Duty Infantry; Cadet Kreuser, UVM: Vermont National Guard Medical Services Aviation; Cadet Lynch, UVM: Vermont National Guard Adjutant General; Cadet McKenrick, Middlebury College: Active Duty Military Intelligence, Branch Detail Armor; Cadet Merlino, UVM: Rhode Island National Guard Aviation; Cadet Micalizzi, UVM: Active Duty Infantry; Cadet Michael, UVM: Vermont National Guard Quartermaster Corps; Cadet Prior, Middlebury College: Active Duty Engineers; Cadet Welsh, Saint Michael's College: Colorado National Guard Medical Services; Cadet Whitney, Middlebury College: Active Duty Infantry." Ken also said that Nick is also a member of Saint Michael's College Fire and Rescue, and both Nick (environmental science major from Lewiston, ME) and Andrew (political science major from East Lyme, CT) are members of the Vermont Army National Guard. In this group photo, Nick is fourth from right, back row with glasses and Andrew is on far left with glasses.

CAREER CORNER

Small steps to career success can add up

As we approach the end of the semester we know students have many competing responsibilities and priorities. Career development doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task to add to the list, instead it is any number of small steps that you can take at any time to stay motivated and headed for professional success. The Boucher Career Education Center (BCEC) is always a resource. Think you’re too busy? The thought of trying to finish something can keep us from getting started. Give yourself a small goal or a short time frame and see what you can get done. Here are just a few ideas:
● Be curious, ask peers about their experiential opportunities they’ve had at St. Mike’s such as academic internships, on-campus student employment, clubs, teams, and service. All are great for career development.
● Start or update your résumé. The BCEC has many examples along with other online tips, tools, and resources to point you in the right direction.
● Create a LinkedIn, SMC Connect, or Handshake profile. Email [email protected] if you’d like us to take your profile headshot.
Anxious about questions?
You may be getting questions from others about your future plans (major, internships, jobs?). If you’re feeling pressured, try to turn it into something productive. Do some preparation now so you have a starting point- talk to your faculty members, mentors, peers, or a career coach. The people who care about you want to help, give them some suggestions about how they could be supportive: A practice interview, reviewing your documents, or listing your strengths.
Need some time to yourself?
Explore areas you’re interested in and do some self-reflection.
● Listen to our podcast: SMC Career Paths- with first hand perspectives from professionals.
● Think about: “What do I value?” “What energizes me?” “What moments have I been proud of?” “What am I excited to learn?”
Are you ready to reach out?
Networking is critical for exploring interests, building professional relationships, and securing opportunities.
● Reach out to an alum for a conversation or advice. The St. Mike’s community loves to help.
Many employers, here or at home, are eager to connect with students. Set up a site visit or job shadow. The BCEC is here to help you get started. Remember to make an appointment with a career coach through Handshake. We look forward to hearing from you. -- Laura Neville

ALUMNI NEWS

Katie Hodges ’14 finally experiences ‘winning the roses’

Katie Hodges ‘14, an equestrian who has been competing since the age of 12, recently won the titles “Grand National Champion Classic Pleasure Saddle Three Year Old” and “Reserve World Champion Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Horse” at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City. “I’ve gotten third place and a few national titles but I’ve never won a world title,” said Hodges. “It was my first year ‘winning the roses’ as they say. My horse was given this big blanket of roses when we won.” Hodges competed at the show with a three-year-old horse named Break the Bank, or Cash for short. Cash, as well as all of the horses that competed at the show, is a Morgan horse, a breed that originated in Vermont and is even the Vermont state animal. “When I received my titles, they announced that I was from Vermont and it was nice to see that come full circle,” said Hodges. The image here is an official photo from Katie’s world title competition in Oklahoma City.

Read full profile of equestrian Katie Hodges>>

Tougias '77 has new book out, Extreme Survival, about those who can 'rise against the odds'

When faced with unimaginable circumstances, how does one find a way to push through? To answer this question of survival against all odds, New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias ’77 interviewed over a hundred people with harrowing experiences: first chronicling their stories, then discussing in detail the lessons they learned for his newest book. According to publicity from his publisher, “Extreme Survival provides the entertainment and exceptional research fans of Tougias have come to expect. Tougias shares what everyone is capable of when under pressure. Making it through these situations requires that these techniques kick in at just the right time! From The Finest Hours to A Storm Too Soon, Michael Tougias has established himself as an expert on deep survival. Learn how to rise against the odds. Tougias has written seven survival and rescue books and Extreme Survival is the culmination of his life’s work of interviewing and researching the toughest survivors over the past three decades.”

Kamal '86 has lead voice role in animated movie

Youssif Kamal ’86 is a veteran New York City actor with a recent credit as a lead voice actor in an interesting new project – an upcoming animated movie titled Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again. According to St. Mike’s Emeritus English Professor Nick Clary, Youssif acted for a time after graduating from St. Mike’s with the Folger Shakespeare Theatre, and he has done other stage and TV acting over the years. His latest project is a cartoon adventure comedy, in which he plays the voice of the title character. The movie will be released on Apple TV+ on December 9. Most recently he appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award–winning musical The Band’s Visit. He has appeared in world premieres by Tony Kushner, Ethan Coen, Rajiv Joseph, Charles Mee, Lee Breuer, Betty Shamieh, Herbert Siguenza and Richard Montoya of Culture Clash, and Charles Randolph-Wright. He has also been seen in West Coast premieres and national tours of plays by Theresa Rebeck and Lynn Nottage. He was a company member of Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC. Kamal’s recent television credits include ”The Flight Attendant” “Murphy Brown,” “Animal Kingdom,” “Madam Secretary,” and “SEAL Team,” among others. He has done much voice-over work as well.

Watch trailer for new animated movie>>

Voters return Prentiss '86 to N.H. Senate

Suzanne Prentiss ’86 of West Lebanon, NH, was re-elected as a New Hampshire State Senator on November 8, 2022. This will be her second term representing 15 communities in the New Hampshire Statehouse. Suzanne served on both the Senate Education and Executive Departments and Administration Committees. In addition, she was appointed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to serve as the legislative voice on the National EMS Advisory Committee. “This appointment means a great deal to me as I started my career in public service at Saint Michael's as a member of the Rescue Squad,” Suzanne says, adding, “ I continue to hold my Paramedic certification.”

Maribeth Fonda '08 now a behavior analyst in Indiana

Maribeth Fonda '08 moved to Indianapolis, in in June 2022, and this is her first time living outside of Vermont. She accepted a position as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Bierman Autism Centers where she creates programming based in Applied Behavior Analysis for young clients on the autism spectrum.

Provost M'91 joins N.H. retirement system trustees

Paul Provost, a Saint Michael’s master’s graduate and president of NHTrust (an investment brokerage firm in Concord, NH) has been named to the Board of Trustees of the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS). NHRS, established in 1967 as a contributory, defined benefit plan, provides lifetime pension benefits, as well as disability and death benefits, and provides a post-retirement Medical Subsidy benefit to eligible beneficiaries. It also pursues investment strategy designed to meet its long-term funding requirements. Paul earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in Administrative Management from Saint Michael’s College. He is a Certified Financial Planner. He also serves on the boards of the New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corporation and the Concord Hospital Trust. He previously served as a board chair for the NH Charitable Foundation, Capital Region, and the Central New Hampshire Boys & Girls Club.

Read full item about Paul Provost from Seacoastonline>>

ATHLETICS NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saint Michael's This Week is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications and
written by Mark Tarnacki, Staff Writer, Marketing and Communications.
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