champlain view - fall 2010

First ImpressionsRoger H. Perry Hall – Rooted in History, Cultivating Innovation

A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE

Fall 2010

Vermont First scholarship • social media ninjas • alumni leadership awards

SAVE THE DATE

Former Varsity Basketball Players Alumni Basketball Game

Saturday, June 11, 2011

IDX Argosy Gym on the

Champlain Campus For details, contact:

Bob Tipson: [email protected] Steve Gentile: [email protected]

Diana Agusta: [email protected]

Calendar of EventsTuesdays & Thursdays: The Boardroom Café during the academic year, the Boardroom café, operated by the students of champlain college’s hospitality industry management program and located in the hauke Family campus center, is open for lunch. seatings are available from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. members of the community are welcome. walk-ins or by reservation; call (802) 865-5485.

Wednesdays: The Grind Open Mic Coffeehouseenjoy free student performances at this wednesday night coffeehouse during the academic year. it is held from 8:30 to 11 p.m. in the Fireside lounge in the idX student life center, 262 south willard st.

26 Community Book Program Presents Julia Alvarez literary luminary julia alvarez, author of the novels In the Time of the Butterflies and How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents—along

with other novels, poetry collections, and nonfiction—will be on campus to read and discuss her celebrated work. alvarez’s writings often examine the conflicts and benefits that go along with living as both a dominican and an american. champlain college alumni auditorium, 7 p.m. Free.

28-30 The Shape of Things, by Neil LaBute presented by champlain theatre. The Shape of Things explores how far you would go for love and art. and what price would

you be willing to pay? after a chance meeting, evelyn, a sexy, aggressive artist, and adam, a shy, insecure student, become embroiled in an intense affair that leads to a shocking finale. Flynnspace, Burlington 8 p.m. champlain students free, general admission $20, faculty and staff $10. call 802-86-FlYnn for tickets.

3-6 The Shape of Things, by Neil LaBute see listing above.

17 BYOBiz Speaking from Experience Series: Jeff Crowe Beginning in the early 1990s, jeff crowe, former ceo and chairman of landstar, employed innovative technologies to organize

and empower independent truckers to build landstar systems into a $3 billion logistics services powerhouse. landstar has been recognized by Forbes magazine on several occasions as one of the 400 Best Big companies. it’s a great story told by a humble yet inspiring executive who grew up in rural pennsylvania attending a one-room schoolhouse until age 16. alumni auditorium, 7 p.m. Free. For more information: e-mail [email protected].

10 CHAMPLAIN ALUMNI EVENT: Alumni Gourmet Dinner join fellow alumni as champlain’s hospitality management students present a gourmet multi-course dinner as their final exam

for the fall semester. theme and cuisine to be determined, but rest assured, it’s a wonderful experience! limited seating, tickets sell out quickly! rsVp by thursday, dec. 2: call (802) 860-2785 or e-mail [email protected]. hauke center, 6 p.m. cost: $25/person.

22 CHAMPLAIN ALUMNI EVENT: Ice Skating Party join us, and bring your friends and family, for a fun afternoon of skating at leddy park arena in Burlington. we’ll get the legs

moving, and you’ll have a chance to meet some of your fellow alumni! 4:15-6:15p.m. cost: $10, includes skating and pizza. skate rental available at leddy for $3 additional. rsVp by Friday, jan. 14. call (802) 860-2785 or e-mail [email protected].

23-26 Antigone – Champlain Theatre see the contemporary translation of the classic tale that pits the individual vs. society in a confrontation of power, fate, and

death. music and dance help weave the story in a production that is more relevant today than ever before. Flynnspace, Burlington. 8 p.m. champlain students free, general admission, $20, Faculty and staff, $10. call 802-86-FlYnn for tickets.

14 CHAMPLAIN ALUMNI EVENT: Alumni at the Lyric Theatre—Chicago Chicago has everything that makes musical theater great: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz; one show-stopping

song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. join us for a great production by the lyric theatre company. cost and location of pre-theater reception to be determined; watch the alumni web site for details at www.alumni.champlain.edu.

7 Class of 2011 Commencement memorial auditorium, Burlington, 10 a.m., tickets required.

27-June 5 Champlain College Discover Ireland 10-Day Tour caman academic tour of ireland for staff, faculty, students, alumni, and friends to visit ireland and dublin. For more information, see page 32.

Get a new screensaver calendar with a champlain college scene every month at www.champlain.edu/alumni-and-Friends/download-calendar.html

ALUMNI, Stay Connected! watch your e-mail for additional alumni events in your area. to sign up for the alumni e-newsletter, e-mail [email protected], visit www.alumni.champlain.edu, or call (802) 860-2785 or toll-free (866) 421-7170.

OCTOBEr

NOVEMBEr

DECEMBEr

JANUArY ’11

FEBrUArY

APrIL

MAY

Fall 2010volume 9, number 2

Editor stephen mease

[email protected]

Art Director, Co-Editorjulia caminiti

Contributing DesignerKathleen mcGuffin

Contributing WritersGeoff davis

sona iyengaramanda petry ’11

PhotographersKathleen landwehrle

jon meadstephen mease

chris payne

Class Noteselizabeth scott

Vice President of Advancement shelley richardson

Director,Advancement & Campaign

tere Gade

Director, Alumni relations

alison johnson ’89 and ’97

Assistant Director, Alumni relations & Annual Giving

elizabeth scott

Senior Development Officersdannah Beauregardmoneer Greenbaum

Greg morganeric oliver

Contact Informationsend letters and

address changes to:

champlain college, office of advancement163 south willard st., p.o. Box 670

Burlington, Vt [email protected], (866) 421-7170

Champlain View is published twice a year (spring and fall) by champlain college. printing

by Queen city printers inc., Burlington, Vt.

Founded in 1878, champlain college is an equal opportunity educational institution.

Departments

2 From the President

3 View from the Hill

Vermont First scholars on the road to a better life … awards & honors celebrated … it takes big dreams to build a tiny house ...

25 Class Notes 27 The 2010 Alumni Awards news about your friends ... alumni lives 33 Alumni Voices

Features

7 Social Media Ninjas

two champlain Business seniors tweet their way into jobs right out of college thanks to a professor who is more than just a Facebook friend.

11 Unlocking a Treasure from the Past

take a step inside the new roger h. perry hall to celebrate its history and look toward its future.

16 Sustainability

a combination of geothermal wells, sustainable building practices, and smart thinking prepare perry hall for the next 150 years.

18 Family reunion

only four families have lived in roger h. perry hall, and you should hear the stories they tell.

Cover: photography by Chris Payne

A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE

printed with vegetable-based inks on Flo dull, 10% post- consumer waste recycled paper. please recycle this magazine. if you would like to read the issue online and would rather not receive it through the mail, please contact the office of advancement at (800) 570-5858 or [email protected].

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FSC INFOrMATION TK

| VIEW From the hill |

2 Champlain View | Fall 10

PrESIDENT’S letter

Hello from the hill,

Change.

If there is one word that describes Champlain College, it is change. It is our tradition to adapt and evolve to meet new challenges. So I am pleased to report that the tradition continues as we add new buildings, programs, and the faculty and staff to address our changing needs. The constant reinvention of the work

we do is a necessary and invigorating philosophy. It requires a holistic approach, a system-wide dedication, unfettered innovation and, of course, funds to pay for it all.

Champlain is celebrating success in all those areas this fall, most notably with the completion and opening of Roger H. Perry Hall, the launch of master’s degrees in emergent media and healthcare management, a new comprehensive strategic plan, and the start of the public phase of the $25 million Vision Innovation Passion Campaign.

Each accomplishment represents a step forward in Champlain’s capacity to meet students’ needs and send them into the world with a global perspective, the skills to adapt to a changing workplace, and the resolve to build better communities.

• In September, we gathered as a community to celebrate the opening of Roger H. Perry Hall—a textbook example of how to preserve the history and sense of place in a home built in the mid 1800s while creating a sustainable contemporary addition that complements the Hill district and campus and gives much-needed administrative space to our Offices of Admission, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Advising, Registration and International Studies.

• Champlain’s new residential MFA in Emergent Media is a giant step forward for the College’s growing roster of graduate programs. We are preparing students for a world in which creative arts, information technology, and the associated tools will define how we live and who we become.

• The College’s strategic plan —Champlain 2020—is a far-reaching document, crafted with input from faculty, staff and administrators, which will set the course for the College in the coming decade.

• And finally, at the heart of implementing Champlain 2020 is the Vision Innovation Passion Campaign to raise $25 million to fund top-priority initiatives to increase scholarship endowments and financial aid, endow faculty chairs, and support our flagship programs. The Campaign also funds new facilities, including Perry Hall and an addition to the Hauke Center for the Communication and Creative Media Division, all vital to maintaining the academic quality and institutional momentum at Champlain now and in the future.

Collectively, these accomplishments and goals strengthen Champlain’s position as an innovative educational leader in a competitive higher education environment. With your continued steadfast support, we will confidently move toward our goals and always stay a step ahead of the competition.

Dr. David F. Finney

President

George F. Bond ’73

robert d. Botjer

dawn d. Bugbee

George c. Burrill

scott d. carpenter

james h. crook, jr.

thomas V.s. cullins

laura p. dagan

staige davis

molly dillon

heather B. dwight

mary evslin

david F. Finney

james B. Foster

joan l. Gignoux

susan willey lamaster ’88

diana l. mccargo

michael m. metz

emily morrow

mark neagley

ambassador john m. o’Keefe

trey pecor

mary G. powell

david a. scheuer

peter stern

michael j. sullivan, jr. ’90

richard (rich) e. tarrant, jr.

dawn p.G. terrill ’88

sarah G. tischler

leandro a. Vazquez

lisa Ventriss

arthur e. wegner

2010Board of Trustees

President Dave F. Finney raises a champagne toast at the dedication dinner honoring former Champlain President roger H. Perry on Sept. 25.

Champlain View | Fall 10 3

ACT

2010Board of Trustees

CLASS

From the assortment of shiny antique, classic, and sports cars parked on the lawn at Champlain Trustee Diana McCargo

and Peter Swift’s Charlotte home, one might have expected the guest list to include undercover agents, movie stars, and perhaps even a president. Instead, the guest list for Champlain College’s “Vehicle to a Better Life” benefit brought a wide range of friends and supporters together to help raise funds for the Vermont First scholarship—a need-based scholarship designed to recognize the drive and challenges facing first-generation college-bound Vermont high school seniors. The program, instituted by President David F. Finney in 2007, helped 30 Champlain students meet their enrollment costs in its first year. For the 2009–10 academic year, the number of Vermont First scholarship recipients had more than doubled, serving 70 students who received more than $940,000 in institutional financial aid. For many, the scholarship combined with federal and state grants covered the full cost of attending Champlain. Michaela Fortin ’11 of Bristol, a Graphic Design major, was among those first 30 students whose lives were changed by the Vermont First scholarship. “Champlain was my one and only choice of colleges to attend. I applied early decision in my senior year and was accepted. However, as information packets arrived, I began to understand the true cost of college,” she recalled. In researching scholarships and financial aid options, she found that she qualified for the new scholarship designed to help academically talented students whose parents have not attended college. “It was the key to my success,” said Fortin, who graduates next May. “It was exciting to know that a Vermont college cares about Vermont students.” While family circumstances were different for Joe Letourneau ’13, of Hinesburg, the Vermont First scholarship also brought him to Champlain. Without it, he says, he probably wouldn’t have been able to attend college. “There are still many others out there like

me who want to go to college, but don’t have the choice because of financial reasons. I have been fortunate because of the generosity of people like you,” he told those gathered at the benefit event. “It will be years before I can financially give back to the community that now supports me. However, by telling my story,” explained Letourneau, an Information Technology major, “I hope to help pave the way for other Vermont First scholars who follow in my footsteps.” Needs are clearly growing for many Vermont families. This academic year, more than 100 Vermont First scholars are expected to receive support from an anticipated investment by Champlain of $1.3 million in institutional aid for the program. While surrounded by classic cars, stories, local music, food, and the panoramic views of the Green Mountains, the message of need was heard loud and clear. As was the challenge grant from Champlain Trustee Michael Metz and his family to match every gift up to $75,000. As of late summer, the “Vehicle to a Better Life” committee had raised more than $208,000, well over the original $150,000 goal. Part of the success goes directly back to Letourneau and Fortin and their stories. “These two amazing students spoke from the heart about their experiences as the first in their families to attend college and what it means for their future,” McCargo said. “They were just two of many examples of the transformative power of a Champlain education.” —Stephen Mease

For further information about the Vermont First scholarship, please contact Moneer Greenbaum at (802) 865-5426 or Moneer.greenbaum@champlain.

On the Road to SuccessVermont First Scholars

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Vermont First Scholars Joe Letourneau ’13 and Michaela Fortin ’11.



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the accounting excellence scholarship is a permanent endowment fund that honors the tradition of teaching excellence at champlain college. through the generosity of alumni and friends, the college has

awarded its third accounting excellence scholarship to Brittany r. LeClair ’11—an accomplished student who has demonstrated professional promise. “it is hard for me to express how truly grateful i am,” leclair said. “as an accounting student, i am cognizant of my current finances and fully understand the impact that student loans will have on my future. since i am not fortunate enough to be able to pay for college myself, every bit of support helps.” the accounting excellence scholarship is funded through interest income on invested donor contributions. make a gift in support of this fund by using the secure online site https://secure.champlain.edu/annualfund/ or call (866) 421-7170.

teaching tech

champlain college has introduced a professional development opportunity for high school, middle school, and elementary educators. today’s youth are more plugged in than ever, and teachers need to find new ways to engage students through technology. the 3-credit summer graduate course allows educators to explore the possibilities of teaching with video, social networking, wiki, web design, powerpoint and gaming. each participant receives a Flip video camera to create exciting new classroom material. according to champlain education professor laurel Bongiorno, the skills learned in the course create effective teaching tools. “our focus as educators needs to be finding ways to use those skills and tools to enhance their education rather than letting technology—or the lack of it—get in the way of learning,” she explained.

rENT-A-TEXT

The Champlain College Bookstore offered students a new option this fall when it came time to get the textbooks they needed for class: rent-a-text. Instead of dishing out big cash for textbooks and then trying to sell them back at the end of the semester, Follett

Higher Education Group decided to offer the service to help respond to concerns from students and parents that the cost of books was unreasonable.

The bookstore has also introduced CaféScribe, an e-textbook website that allows teachers to create an interactive experience with students. Teachers can highlight sections, summarize notes, and share notes. Both programs have been marked as a success.

NEWS&NOTABLESACCOUNTING EXCELLENCE

Fellowship in tanzania David Madonna ’11, a digital Forensics major from cranston, r.i., was one of five recipients of the 2010 metcalf Fellowship award. the award, given by the rhode island Foundation, offers $7,500 to students who desire to participate in a self-designed enrichment project involving traveling. madonna joined a small group of champlain college students on a three-week community service trip to tanzania, organized by the student Government association. the group volunteered in the village of Bagamoyo, where participants devoted their time and energy to the uhuru center for african arts, imuma home for orphans and Vulnerable children, and the african modern arts park. madonna returned with an understanding of the importance of community. “with the little they have, tanzanians are always sharing and caring for one another,” madonna said.

2020 Vision for BTV

Champlain’s home city was ranked 8th “Best City for the Next Decade” in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Burlington’s environmentalism is driving much of the economic growth, including the city’s development of innovative companies and organizations such as Seventh Generation, CarShare Vermont, and Green Mountain Power. The July 2010 issue says that “creativity and entrepreneurship define Burlington.” Reflecting on growth from 2005 to 2008 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Burlington ranked highest among all 10 “Best Cities” for income growth at 16.8 percent and had the lowest unemployment rates at 6.0 percent.

rENT-A-TEXT



‘Cane Do’ Spirit

Champlain College joined forces with Fletcher Allen Health Care last Spring to collect “Crutches and Canes for Haiti,” according to Tawnya McDonald, an assistant professor in the Champlain College social work program. The successful two-week collection drive was designed to aid amputee victims living in the Haitian communities following the devastating January earthquake. The drive, led by Lorelei Jackson ’12, a Psychology major, collected 218 assistive devices which were sent to Haiti through Physicians for Peace.

WASTE NOT

Champlain College Sustainability Coordinator Christina Erickson and her team have come up with a way to recycle things like batteries, cell phones, and other small e-devices that all too often are tossed in the trash. Five blue cylinder bins were placed around campus to collect dead batteries, empty printer cartridges, chargers, cables, and other small electronic devices as part of the Sustain Champlain “E-waste Not for Landfills” campaign. Items collected will be recycled at Good Point Recycling, a company based in Middlebury, Vermont.

Awards & HonorsChamplain College earned national recognition in

October for its efforts to assess student outcomes in information literacy using “e-portfolios” that measure skills

attained through the College’s four-year Core curriculum. It received the Association for General and Liberal Studies (AGLS) Improvement of General Education Exemplary Program Award. AGLS cited Champlain’s information literacy assessment program for its collaborative relationship between faculty and librarians, which grew out of an effort to define information literacy outcomes and find assessment methods that faculty would support. AGLS officials said they were impressed with the student e-portfolios, the electronic records of their academic achievements, and how the program was made possible by administrative support, professional development, and the commitment of both teaching librarians and faculty, all of which have led to demonstrated improvement of information literacy skills.

Andrew Burkhardt, Champlain College’s emerging technologies librarian, received the Lyrasis 2010 NextGen Librarian Award, which honored three librarians on a national level new to the library profession who demonstrate an innovative and fresh approach to the profession.

Champlain College awarded the 2010–11 Edward Phelps Lyman Professorship to Professor James S. Fry, Esq., the coordinator of Champlain College’s Paralegal Studies program. The honor, established in 1984, is presented by the Champlain College Board of Trustees to a senior faculty member who has shown dedication to students and Champlain College through a record of service and excellence in teaching and advising and through work on faculty and College committees.

Roland Palmer ’90, manager of Champlain College’s Office of Advancement Operations, received the 2010 Elizabeth A. Durick Staff Service Award, which recognizes a member of the staff who has had a positive impact on the College community.

Major Gen. Michael Dubie Named Distinguished Citizen: Champlain College named Major General Michael D. Dubie, adjutant general of the State of Vermont, as the 2010 Distinguished Citizen at the Class of 2014 Convocation in August. Dubie is responsible for the 4,000 members of the National Guard and a $220 million annual budget. Leading the Guard during the largest deployment since World War II presents many unique challenges, Dubie told students, including ensuring the wounded get the very best medical care. Dubie is married to Amy Spagnuolo Dubie ’81. They have three daughters, Chelsea, Whitney, and Morgan. His brother, Brian, is Lieutenant Governor of Vermont.

Major General Michael Dubie

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Compiled by Amanda Petry ’11



Rachel Salois ’12 of whitefield,

maine, a professional writing major, learned that her words have power to last year after she wrote an article for the student newspaper The Current urging her classmates to abandon “their inhibitions about being seen as eco-

freaks” and taking action with their passions any way that they could. the essay brought a response from Kyle dodson, director of champlain’s center for service and civic engagement (csce), who encouraged salois to follow her own advice. he then helped her hatch the “tiny house” building project that culminated with her pounding nails and overseeing a construction project in the courtyard outside Freeman hall during the campus-wide environmental awareness home planet week. her essay about the project appeared in The Burlington Free Press’s Green mountain section. this year she is editor-in-chief of The Current. she spent her summer writing reviews about tiny house books and articles for the website small house style.

Were you surprised at what happened after you wrote the first article? in the fast-paced, fun, and distracting world of college, it’s hard for me to see the panorama of where i’ve been and where i’m going. however, a year ago i strode onto campus with my hybrid passions of writing and environmentalism leading me and my pathway built itself. i thought that writing with some spunk about student activism might make others see their potential. i had no idea how quickly the article would boomerang back and land at my own feet.

What happened after meeting with Kyle Dodson? my lunch with him began a seven-month journey of meetings with the csce staff; more newspaper articles; a work-study job; and partnerships with an architect, a building contractor, an elementary school, and a high school drafting class. it led me to a self-education in leadership, group work, telephone communication, and construction. it led me to propose a book idea to the champlain college publishing initiative (which evolved into a web site called www.younghipsexyactivism.com), and finally to building a tiny house on campus during home planet week.

How did the ‘Tiny House’ project come together?with a lot of help from the construction crew working over at roger h. perry hall and champlain’s physical plant workers, the building came together and was finished in time to display for the spring prospective student weekend. then it was disassembled and moved to the edge academy in essex, Vermont, put back together, and now serves as an outdoor classroom for the school.

How has this project changed your life? i’ve never been much of a businesswoman, but i often find myself trying to sell people on the idea of a tiny house. what i really want is to start a trend. the best way to picture tiny houses is as a community, with people working together to have a green lifestyle: gardening, carpooling, and sharing a washing machine.

i’m hoping that when i build my tiny house, it will help me with my constant effort to have less of a relationship with my laptop, television, and ever-growing collection of impractical shoes, and more of a relationship with my family and next-door neighbors.

of course, building just one house took me two semesters of hard work, and, to be honest, it will be a microscopic nudge for the environmental movement. however, i can’t help but be encouraged, because with every mass movement, success is not one Goliath step, but a million tiny attempts that constantly propel us forward.

StudentViewQ&A

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rachel Salois ’12


Recently a want ad was spotted in the job section of Seven Days newspaper that sums up the changing world of marketing and advertising. The Burlington-based online education review websiteGetEducated.com was looking for a “Public Relations Ninja.” Apparently, gurus and specialists did not need to apply.

Both Corey Grenier ’10 and Nichole Magoon ’10, who graduated in May with degrees in Business from Champlain,

could easily have answered that “ninja” job posting with a straight face and the credentials to back it up. That is, if they were in the job market this fall.

Fortunately for both young women, they landed dream jobs right out of college, thanks in part to having the experience and skills that earned them the coveted title of “Social Media Ninja” for their work in a senior-level marketing class last spring.

Traveling the online career path with two starsSocial Media NiNjaS

Story and Photos by Stephen Mease

...they landed dream jobs right

out of college, thanks in part to

having the experience and skills

that earned them the coveted title

of “Social Media Ninja”...

Grenier, 22, of North Kingstown, R.I., majored in Marketing and Advertising and is now employed as an account executive at Brandthropology in Burlington, Vt. Magoon, 23, a Graphic Design and Marketing major, works full-time in Colchester, Vt. on MyWebGrocer.com’s marketing team. Both use their social media talents with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to do their jobs.

The ninja skills were taught by one of the leading experts in the social media field, Champlain College’s associate dean of the Division of Business, Professor Elaine J. Young. It’s Young’s own obsession with all things new online and willingness to bring her students along that have earned her a reputation as a “sensei” in the broad online social media arena.

it Begins in the classroom Young’s teaching style and online presence caught the attention of U.S. News & World Report for its recent article on professors using Twitter in the classroom. Young and her students’ real-time tweets from

Champlain’s commencement in May and a class project with Magic Hat Brewery for a “Twitter pub crawl” were cited as examples of how higher education is incorporating the online micro-blogging service into the classroom and daily life.

Whether it is Twitter, Google Wave, Radian6, or Foursquare, Young says it is critical to incorporate cutting-edge tools into her marketing classes. It gives Champlain students the ability to step into a work situation with confidence, she says. “Four years is a long time, and the technology is changing at such a rapid pace most businesses can’t keep up. So if an education in marketing is going to be worth the price of admission, it must be continuously integrating the new trends in communication technology— not yesterday’s trends, but today’s and tomorrow’s—into the construct of its classes,” Young explains.

And while today’s students may have grown up surrounded by technology, they still need specific training to use it properly in a business and workplace setting, she said.

So last spring, she replaced the old-school letter grades with more descriptive terms to describe their in-class social media skill levels. Young required her senior-level marketing students to identify something that they were passionate about—cooking, surfing, dancing, etc.—and then brand it through social media outlets, including a website; promote it using a blog; and follow up with analytics to measure the results. By the end of the semester, Young sorted her students into four levels of expertise:

• Grasshoppers, who didn’t quite get it.

• Apprentices, who still needed more seasoning in the ways of the web.

• Specialists, who were well on their way to expertise.

• Social Media Ninjas, who mastered the not-so-ancient art of tweeting and blogging, and then artfully used social media tools in a business setting for creative marketing results.

Corey Grenier ’10, (left) and Nichole Magoon

’10 (right) were all smiles after their senior

marketing project for the Governor’s Institute

earned them social media ninja status from

marketing Prof. Elaine Young, Associate Dean of

Champlain’s Division of Business (center).


Gaining National attention “The goal was really for them to learn to use the tools most effectively,” Young told Avis Thomas Lester, a Washington Post reporter who featured Young and her class project on the newspaper’s technology blog. Lester also interviewed seniors Candace Martabano, Jackie Cooper, Magoon, and Grenier via Skype for a podcast on Washington Post’s website.

Students gained insights, Young explained, learning “when they posted consistently, they had more traffic and more engagement. When they used Twitter to tell what they were writing about and to ask for feedback, they got more readers.”

Magoon, whose class blog was titled “Hire This Grad,” even helped fellow Champlain seniors promote themselves and eventually find jobs. “Basically it featured different seniors and why they rock and why you should hire them,” said Magoon. “One friend was offered a job. They found a student through www.hirethisgrad.com and contacted her and asked her to come in and interview for this position. It wasn’t something that she was looking for, so she recommended someone else and that person was hired, so indirectly, someone was hired.”

As of this fall, Magoon says she believes that every graduating senior whose profile was featured on the website is employed. She has plans to continue the blog and perhaps even turn it into its own business. “I just want to change the world using my social media skills,” she said.

Still, “friending” and “tweeting”—no matter how sophisticated—is not enough in today’s competitive business climate, Young wrote recently in Business Week magazine. “Today’s marketing students

also need to know basic HTML, design software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, how to run Google adwords campaigns, how to optimize a web site for search engines, how to analyze Web analytics data, how to develop a keyword strategy, and how to manage e-mail marketing campaigns.”

importance of internships Young’s thoughts are reflected by Matt Dodds, owner of Brandthropology, a small, full-service ad agency on Pine Street in Burlington. “Champlain programs and the students it puts out in the community for internships are really a huge benefit for small businesses like mine,” he says. “Champlain does a great job of giving its students relevant skills and the confidence to work in real situations like ours.”

It was an internship at Brandthropology that eventually resulted in Corey Grenier’s job offer for full-time employment a week before she graduated in May. This summer she worked with clients like Northwestern Medical Center, the Alpine Shop, and Champlain’s Continuing Professional Studies, managing their marketing accounts and juggling the production of PR, video, radio spots, web sites and print advertising with team members at the agency.

Grenier’s go-for-it spirit is what initially opened the doors to her internship. Jonathan Wilson of Brandthropology recalls he was impressed by Grenier’s initiative. Faced with the “routine” of applying for an internship, “Corey was ultra vigilant. She hit me up on Twitter. She stopped by the booth at the Champlain internship fair. She e-mailed me and fulfilled all my ridiculous requests for more information…

Looking for ways to increase your online and social media savvy? Here are some first steps to take on your journey.

Twitter/Facebook/linkedinThese social media tools are free and effective ways to connect, market, and sell yourself to a vast audience. Make sure to take the time to learn how to use these tools correctly. Remember, it is easy to sign up, but more difficult to make a productive impact.

Google alertsOne of the keys to success is to research and monitor everything. Google Alerts is a great service to track when a keyword, such as your name, is mentioned online. You can also set it up to watch for key industry or business words to track news and gather updates in your chosen field or job interest area.

WordPress or BloggerWordPress and Blogger are free blogging platforms that provide easy tools and templates to create an online presence for yourself or your business.

Google docs Gmail, Calendar, Reader, Spreadsheets, and Documents. Gmail is what you should be using for e-mail. The calendar is basic, but it is free and you can easily integrate it on your phone. Google Reader is where you should track the sites you want to read every day. Google Documents are great simply because they can perform the main functions of a program like Word but can also be shared and edited by a group of people at the same time.

Mint.comOdds are, you are strapped for cash and your spending is tight. Mint is a simple platform to track spending and budget for yourself. Make sure you create a budget for yourself so that cash flow never prevents you from doing something, like paying rent.

NiNja TRaiNiNG Tools of The web

“Four years is a long time, and the technology is changing at such a rapid pace most

businesses can’t keep up. So if an education in marketing is going to be worth the price of

admission, it must be continuously integrating the new trends in communication technology

—not yesterday’s trends, but today’s and tomorrow’s—into the construct of its classes.”

—Associate Dean of the Division of Business Elaine Young

even before she got an interview. That’s hustle,” wrote Wilson in a reference letter Grenier later posted on Magoon’s www.hirethisgrad.com site.

The social media ninja status also landed Grenier and Magoon on a panel of experts at the Vermont Human Resources Association annual meeting held at Champlain College in August. Speaking before more than 100 attendees, they shared their experiences with online personal branding and the job market. “It really helps employers to find you,” Grenier advised.

online Presence for HR The fact that human resource officers and career services and counseling are relying more on social media to link potential employees with businesses looking to hire doesn’t surprise Dolly Shaw, director of Champlain’s Career Services Office.

Champlain’s efforts in teaching students about the importance of online personal brands and using social media was highlighted last spring by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an organization that provides information on trends related to the employment of college graduates to businesses and industry.

According to the NACE report, Champlain’s Career Services Office has been seeing an upswing in interest in social media from employers and is already positioning itself to provide expanded programming and services to students. For example, Shaw says an unusually large number of employers seeking Champlain College interns cited the need for help in creating and improving their business’s online presence.

Students and graduates who have a strong online presence should expect to be found more easily by college recruiters, hiring managers, and the world at large

because their personal and professional information is more accessible, she adds.

“The reality is that more and more universities and employers screen applicants using social media, and a bad brand or no brand can have a negative impact on an individual’s future,” Shaw says. “We urge students to make a clean sweep of their ‘digital dirt’ and strategically cultivate and showcase a strong online persona that will shape positive perceptions of them both professionally and personally.”

All that brings two important challenges to the Champlain College Career Services Office this year.

• Strategically expanding connections with students and alumni through their preferred mediums of communication, and helping them connect with each other.

• Helping students become more mindful of what they showcase online and teaching them how to build, manage, and safeguard a powerful brand and social and professional network to achieve career success.

Champlain’s career services staff and faculty provide education on social media through individual appointments, classes, resume and interviewing workshops, and web resources. “Champlain is also integrating an

educational program in social media for juniors as part of its Life Experience and Action Dimension (LEAD) program, which includes a four-year career development component in preparing students for lifelong career management,” adds Mark Zammuto, a Champlain senior career advisor.

“It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know. And it’s not just who you know, it’s who knows you, ” Zammuto says.

The Ultimate PayoffLooking back over the class project and the experiences that led to her job with MyWebGrocer.com, Magoon says the challenge of creating a personal brand helped her understand more about herself.

“I’m driven and dedicated, and I truly, truly enjoy helping others. My goals are to make something of myself in this world, to help others and to make a difference,” she wrote on her blog. “…My drive, my dedication, my heart and my passions define who I am and I’m proud of that. I still have a ways to go on my quest for self discovery and definition, but I’ve made great strides because of this project.” 1

Nichole Magoon ‘10 even branded her mortarboard for graduation.

“...It’s not just what you know,

it’s who you know. And it’s not

just who you know, it’s who

knows you...”



Roger H. Perry Hall“You never have a second chance to make a first impression,” Champlain College President David F. Finney told several hundred people gathered in the warm, late September afternoon for the dedication of the Welcome and Admission Center at Roger H. Perry Hall. “We wanted to make our first impression be memorable to our prospective students and families… to let people know that even as we embrace the future, we honor and cherish the past, the heritage of place and of our people.” The opening of Roger H. Perry Hall is a milestone in the College’s history—christening a building that is a truly remarkable example of historic preservation, and one that at the same time models the highest level of modern sustainability and environmentally sound development in Vermont. Step inside Perry Hall with us—it has many stories to tell.

Unlocking a Treasure from the Past and Creating a Living

Landmark for the Future

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A New Era Begins at Perry Hall A Unique Synthesis of Priceless History

and Sustainable Modernity

When Champlain College assumed ownership of the property at 251 South Willard St., a former private home (see page 18) it found a unique historic structure beginning to show

its age. Fortunately, the home’s original construction materials—slate, copper, stone, brick, hardwoods, and plasters—were of high quality and had endured remarkably well, which meant that many original features both inside and outside the residence could be saved.

The College’s challenge was to preserve as much of this historical detail as possible while repurposing the building as an administrative hub and campus welcome center, and modernizing it for the 21st century. That effort began with a meticulous plan to carefully restore the building’s exterior and significant portions of the ornate first and second floors, which now serve as public areas. Project architects went to great lengths to locate new sources of marble, limestone, brick, slate, and other materials that matched the surviving original construction. Windows and other features that

had been altered during various renovations were restored to their original appearance, and preservation work began on key interior details such as the structure’s original open staircase, paneled ceilings, moldings, fireplaces, and rare 19th-century fixtures, all of which can be seen in virtually new condition today.

A Landmark for the Entire CommunityOutside, construction began on two new wings built from locally sourced brick and stone to echo the home’s existing style. Splitting new office space between these two wings allowed the architects to preserve historic views of the back lawn and Lake Champlain from the former ground-floor living rooms while creating essential facilities for students and visitors. As work on Perry Hall itself entered its final phase, an ambitious landscaping plan was put into motion to create a wealth of new public spaces for the entire neighborhood to enjoy.

Written by Geoff Davis


The historic east and west lawns were restored, and the west lawn was supplied with new walkways. A formal garden was established near the facility’s new entrances, and a unique “wetland” garden was planted along the far edge of the west lawn to absorb storm runoff. Both gardens feature native species that John Flynn’s amateur botanist wife, Nellie, collected while living on the property. In addition, an original carriage barn on the property was renovated for use as a student digital arts studio, and the property’s historic caretaker’s cottage was preserved in a new location on the northwest side of the property.

Sustainability for the Next 100 YearsAs extraordinary as this transformation has been, the most remarkable facets of the Perry Hall restoration are those visitors can’t see. Behind the scenes, a wide variety of advanced design features and technologies are working together to ensure that the building has the lowest possible environmental impacts on the health of its occupants and the world beyond its walls.

‘come light, Visit me’ by Kate pond

the new sundial by Burlington sculptor Kate pond and sundial designer Bill Gottesman was formally dedicated Friday, aug. 13, at 10 a.m. as more than 50 members of the national sundial society looked on at champlain college’s new roger h. perry hall and student welcome center. “while students might not be able to use it to always get to class on time, it is accurate and able to show the correct time during both daylight saving and standard time,” explained Gottesman, of precision sundial llc, who worked with pond on the design and precise location of the 6 1/2-foot tall steel sundial on the west side of the newly restored historic 151-year-old brick mansion. “this new sundial is beautiful in two ways,” observed roger Bailey of sidney, British columbia, a sundial enthusiast who attended the dedication. “it is artistic and it is correct. the mystery of the universe, time, and the sense of the relationship between the sun and the earth is all captured in the essence of this sundial.” the timely work of art was commissioned two years ago as construction work was about to begin on the new student welcome center. a plaque adjacent to the sundial explains how it works. the sundial is the second art installation on the champlain college campus in the past year—a cast-bronze statue of French explorer samuel de champlain by Vermont sculptor james sardonis was placed on the rozendaal courtyard near alumni auditorium as part of the state’s lake champlain Quadricentennial celebration in july 2009. —SM

how it worksn 44° 28.340 w 073° 12.248

the two ends of the helical section of corten steel serve as gnomons, casting shadows for standard and daylight saving time on the inner surface of the dial. time is indicated by the dominant shadow, top in the summer and bottom in the winter. an adjacent plaque provides the longitude and equation of time correction. the sundial utilizes the properties of an equatorial ring. shadows cast from the meridian gnomon at 15° intervals indicate the hour lines on the inside of the ring. these hour marks are at 30° segments around the ring. any of the hour mark positions have similar geometric properties, so the daylight saving gnomon at the one hour mark from the meridian will correctly show local daylight saving time. the helical curved edges allow for the position of the sun at different solar declinations.

For more information about sundials, visit www.sundials.org.

The main entrance to roger H. Perry Hall on Maple Street leads visitors to the waiting area in the restored main house’s former living rooms. The west lawn behind the building offers open space for students and neighbors to enjoy. The caretaker’s cottage is off in the distance. The Perry Barn now serves as a digital studio and lab space.

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(Continued on page 17)

rOGEr H. PErrY HALL OFFErS A FULL rANGE OF STUDENT SErVICES: FINANCIAL AID | STUDENT ACCOUNTS | ADVISING & rEGISTrATION CENTEr | ADMISSIONS STUDENT SErVICES | OFFICE OF INTErNATIONAL PrOGrAMS | BArN: STUDIO SPACE FOr THE DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND CrEATIVE MEDIA


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Roger H. Perry Hall is projected to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified, the highest U.S. Green Building Council certification a building can receive. Among the sustainable features incorporated into the overall design:

Geothermal heat pump: The steady earth temperature from underground water sources provides extremely efficient cooling in summer and heating in winter. The wells are connected to a natural underground aquifer that provides the thermal mass that creates the water base temperature of 50°F to 52°F for the system. Perry Hall contains 36 heat pumps to transfer energy throughout the building.

Super insulation and tight construction: Perry Hall’s super insulated and low-infiltration building skin design is so tight that it requires ventilation systems to exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air. The building systems use energy recovery ventilators to bring fresh air into the building while keeping the temperature and humidity constant.

Materials: Whenever possible, materials were sourced from within 500 miles of the site and preferably from Vermont. All the additional site stone was cut from quarries in Vermont.

Building Envelope: The new addition to the building is extremely well insulated, with 4-inch solid spray foam insulation on the walls, and triple-paned glass filled with argon. This gives the walls an actual average R-value of 20, which is an impressive number for a large structure.

Lighting: To ensure efficient use of electricity, Perry Hall is designed to utilize natural daylight whenever possible. Its orientation and window placement create optimal natural light penetration, reducing the need for electrically powered light sources. Exterior lights use “dark sky” technology. These lights are designed to illuminate spaces below them, but release no ambient light upward.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES• water conservation: use of ultra-low-flow fixtures and dual

flush fixtures.

• installation of pervious concrete on the site to reduce runoff and encourage groundwater infiltration.

• installation of constructed gravel wetland to collect all site runoff and detain and clean it.

• Green roof on one of the additions to reduce runoff.

• use of local and non-invasive plants. local plants will not require irrigation.

• installation of green screen wall on south exposed windows to reduce summer heat infiltration.

• use of long-life materials and avoidance of materials that are not sustainable.

Sustainability at Roger H. Perry Hall

GEOTHErMAL EXPLAINED


Following rigorous guidelines set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, which recognizes excellence in sustainable site development, water and energy conservation, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality, the building has made full use of nontoxic paints, carpets, and furnishings. Heat exchangers ensure a continual supply of fresh air without energy waste, and ultra-efficient lighting has been installed throughout the facility. The differing heights of the two new wings combine with the use of large glass windows to permit optimal levels of natural light and passive solar exposures. Far beneath the property, a new geothermal pump sends water from Perry Hall’s deep wells to its state-of-the-art climate control system. Because this water is naturally cooler than ambient air temperatures in the summer and warmer in the winter, the facility requires far less energy to heat and cool.

A Legacy Preserved, A Future SecuredThe final result reflects a masterful partnership of architects, engineers, and leading preservation experts. Indeed, the Perry Hall restoration provides the best of all worlds: an innovative

campus center that greatly strengthens the ability of the College to serve its students and guests, a spectacular new asset that enhances both its neighborhood and city, and a cherished historic landmark whose important legacy has now been secured for future generations. “This facility will greatly enhance our ability to serve our students better and show off one of Burlington’s historic architectural gems restored to its former glory,” says Champlain College President Finney. “It makes a strong statement to prospective students and their families about both our commitment to quality at Champlain College and the richness of Burlington’s history.” Honoring a vibrant past yet prepared for a rewarding future, Perry Hall is a living testament to the spirit of its namesake, former Champlain College president Dr. Roger H. Perry. With the College’s $12 million investment now complete, it stands ready to play a central role in our community’s life for the next 150 years.

Ian Mortimer, assistant vice president for undergraduate admission, talks about the Champlain College experience to a group of Vermont high school seniors and juniors and their families in the new Presentation room at roger H. Perry Hall.

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(Continued from page 13)


1859–1912 Edward J. and Harriet Phelps The original house was built in 1859 by Edward John Phelps, the son of Samuel S. Phelps, a judge on the Vermont Supreme Court and U.S. senator (1839–1851). Edward J. Phelps was born in 1822 in Middlebury, Vermont, and at the tender age of 14, enrolled in Middlebury College. He graduated four years later and as many young educated men of the era did, he

headed south to teach. After only a year in Virginia, he entered Yale Law School, stayed for a year, and then returned home to study law in the Middlebury office of Horatio Seymour, twice a losing candidate for governor and a longtime U.S. senator from Vermont (1821–1833). Phelps joined the Vermont Bar and in 1845 moved his practice to Burlington. In 1851, at age 29, he was appointed second auditor of the U.S. Treasury by President Millard Fillmore and moved to Washington, D.C. In 1854, he returned to Burlington to resume his practice and was elected state’s attorney for Chittenden County—the only elected office he ever held. Canadian architect William Bergholtz designed the Phelps home in Italianate style with elements of Greek Revival. The hillside location, with its view of Lake Champlain, was an important factor in its siting and setback. Construction began in 1859, and Phelps and his wife, Harriet, moved in the following year. It was one of nine Italianate houses built on South Willard Street between 1860 and 1890. Phelps became president of the American Bar Association in 1880 and was one of the most respected lawyers of his time. He retired his practice in 1881 a year after his unsuccessful run as the Democratic candidate for governor. For the next two years, he held an appointment at the University of Vermont as professor of medical jurisprudence. In 1885, he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to the post of ambassador to the Court of St. James in London for two years. From 1886 until his death in 1900, he was the Kent Professor of Law at Yale University. Phelps lived in different locations, but continued to summer in Burlington. After his death, Mrs. Phelps maintained the home and continued to summer in Burlington until the house was sold in 1913. In the obituary that appeared in Harper’s Weekly, Phelps was described as coming from “exceptionally vigorous and effective American stock.” It was also noted that his many successes were obtained by “very solid qualities, of learning and character, joined by personal traits, sound judgment as to men and the merits of disputed questions, and social gifts of unusual charm.”

1913–1940 John J. and Nellie F. FlynnJohn J. Flynn purchased the property March 22, 1913, and proceeded to renovate the home, adding a front porch and extending the south wing. Flynn well deserved his reputation as “a capitalist and businessman of large affairs, a promoter and financier.” He was one of the original founders of the Chittenden Bank, and several railroad and electric and gas companies. Flynn served on many boards and simultaneously managed a retail grocery company, as well as the Flynn, Majestic, and Capitol theaters. In 1877, Flynn married Nellie P. Waite of Dorset, one of the leading botanists in New England. Her Burlington flower garden contained practically all the hardy plants for this region. After her death in 1922, her husband published her book The Flora of Burlington and Vicinity. The Nellie F. Flynn Collection, with 22,700 specimens, was acquired by the University of Vermont from Goddard College as a permanent loan in 1956. John Flynn died in 1940 and left his house to the City of Burlington to operate as a home for aged men. The City turned down the gift because of operating expenses and the home reverted to the Flynn estate.

A Reunion of Memories

Roger H. Perry Hall has been home to a statesman and lawyer; a capitalist and his botanist wife; a businessman and developer; and a doctor, his wife, and their 11 children. All told, only four families ever lived in the 151-year-old home, and each has a story to tell…

Written by Stephen Mease

1955–2004 Dr. Martin and Elizabeth Cannon

In 1955, Dr. Martin Cannon and his wife, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick Cannon (at left) moved into the South Willard home. A prominent obstetrician, Dr. Cannon was in private practice and had delivered thousands of babies over his career by the time he retired in 1991. He also served in the Korean War. The couple raised 11 children in what would be known locally as the Cannon Estate. The family of six girls and five

boys (shown at right) still recall many days of playing in the large field behind the house, picking raspberries down by the carriage barn, raising ducks in the barn, and peeking in the rooms in the house such as the library that were off-limits to youngsters. The Cannon family enjoyed a front-row seat as Champlain College grew from a small, two-year business college to a four-year undergraduate school with many new facilities. The family had close ties with the college—one son, Martin, attended Champlain and played basketball for the school. For many years, the coach of the Champlain women’s field hockey team would bring her players over to the house to help Mrs. Cannon with yardwork. Like any children who grew up in a large family, the Cannons

have memories aplenty of the home— their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebrated on the back lawn under a tent, posing for family photos, grandchildren playing, a community of friends that always seemed to fill the house, bridge nights, and the Fourth of July family reunion that Mrs. Cannon hosted every year. Dr. Cannon died in 1996, and Mrs. Cannon continued to live in the home until it was sold to Champlain College in 2004. The building was renamed Roger H. Perry Hall in 2005 in honor of Champlain College President Roger H. Perry who was retiring. Planning for the restoration of the original building and the additions began with the College’s master plan, and ground was broken on the project in May 2009. The building was completed in late July 2010.

llewellyn collection this remarkable collection of maps, artifacts, books, postcards, and other printed materials includes many items of historical significance to Vermont and in particular the Burlington area. compiled over several decades by local engineer and businessman lance llewellyn and acquired by champlain college in 2010, the collection includes original materials from the 1780s through the present, many of which will be of special interest to students, researchers, and graphic designers. the collection is housed in champlain’s historic roger h. perry hall.

1943–1954 Gilbert BrewerIn 1943, Gilbert Brewer purchased the South Willard property and lived there until 1954. Brewer operated automobile businesses in Burlington, Vermont, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Canann, Connecticut. He also developed Brewer Parkway off Shelburne Road. Little else about his life or time living in the home was recorded.



Artist rose Frantzen of Maquoketa, Iowa. was chosen to paint roger Perry’s portrait. It hangs in the living room at Perry Hall.

Dr. Roger H. Perry Champlain College President 1992–2005

Throughout its 132-year history, Champlain College has had many distinguished leaders, but none have had as enduring an impact on the institution as Dr. Roger H. Perry, the College’s sixth president. During his tenure, Dr. Perry provided the

vision and the leadership that transformed Champlain from a local two-year college into an international 21st- century center for higher education and a model for other institutions to follow. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Syracuse University with a long teaching history, Dr. Perry arrived at the College in 1982 and began his service as vice president for academic affairs. After subsequently serving as provost, he assumed the presidency in 1992. During the next 13 years, Dr. Perry dramatically expanded both Champlain’s academic offerings and its campus infrastructure and, in doing so, led the College to the vibrant renaissance it continues to enjoy today. As president, Dr. Perry challenged the Champlain community to dare to dream and to make bold strides toward that imagined future. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and student education both inside and outside the classroom, he instituted 16 new bachelor’s degree programs, established the College’s first graduate degrees, created Champlain’s cutting-edge online distance learning division, and established the institution’s acclaimed foreign learning programs and international campuses.

A Dream Made Real

This extraordinary academic leadership was coupled with a series of prescient initiatives to thoroughly modernize the Champlain campus. During his historic tenure, Dr. Perry presided over the construction of such architecturally significant centerpieces as the Hauke Family Campus Center and Alumni Auditorium, the Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Information Commons, the Main Street Suites and Conference Center, the S.D. Ireland Family Center for Global Business and Technology, and the IDX Student Life Center. In these and many other ways, Dr. Perry worked tirelessly to successfully position Champlain College as a preeminent institution of academic excellence and secure for the institution a prosperous future. His legacy will be felt by every student, every faculty member, and every administration for decades to come, and it is the profound privilege of Champlain College to name Roger H. Perry Hall in his honor. —GD

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The Grand Opening and Dedication of Perry Hall on September 24 included a community open house to welcome hundreds of friends and neighbors to tour the new building. Local media stopped by for an interview, and after some speeches, thank yous, and plenty of food, it was on to the official ribbon-cutting on the back patio as the early autumn sun was setting over Lake Champlain.

The following evening, a gala dinner was held for friends, family, and supporters of Champlain College to honor former Champlain College president roger Perry and his wife, Gretchen. Along with a champagne toast, a couple of roasts and skits about the former president’s frugality and the presentation of an official Vermont flannel cap, the new portrait was unveiled and roger Perry had his say.


Roger H. Perry Hall Will Serve Students Well By Sarah Soule ’82

Champlain college has played a vital role in my life, both personally and professionally, for 30 years. in 1980, i

walked into Bader hall and was interviewed as a prospective student for the college’s marketing major. upon completion of my degree, Verne mcdonald, then the director of admissions at the college, offered me a position as an admission counselor at the college. thus in 1982, my career in admissions and college counseling began.

i served the college as a senior member of the admission staff for 20 years prior to moving on to the Vermont commons school, an independent college preparatory day school in south Burlington, in 2003, where i now

oversee both the admission and college counseling departments. Vermont commons was founded by former champlain president robert skiff.

over the past 28 years, i have witnessed champlain college’s emergence as one of the leading educational institutions in the northeast. champlain has remained true to its mission, which is to educate students for successful professional work in rewarding career fields.

i’m just one of thousands of people who have been fortunate enough to have graduated from champlain and found my way in a career that has provided tremendous personal and professional satisfaction. my current role involves helping students find the most appropriate match in relation to college placement. each year, i counsel several of my Vermont commons seniors to consider champlain because of the exceptional majors, dynamic faculty, and incomparable facilities.

the brand-new roger h. perry hall, which now houses admissions, financial aid, the registrar, and advising, is a key facility for champlain and one that will continue to open doors for students who attend the college.

my former boss, and mentor, Verne mcdonald, always told me “make sure each student feels as though they are the only person that matters.” Verne would have been pleased to see champlain thriving and he would have welcomed perry hall, the technology, and the way in which it is designed to serve students.

Sarah Soule ’82 is the director of admissions and college counseling at the Vermont Commons School in South Burlington, Vermont She resides in Charlotte.

You Make It HappenThe Welcome and Admissions Center at Roger H. Perry Hall is partially funded through generous donations by trustees, emeriti trustees, and close friends of Champlain who are early leaders in the College’s $25 million comprehensive Campaign, Vision Innovation Passion. You make it happen. Perry Hall is the beginning of many initiatives designed to help our students learn in an environment that positions them for global citizenry and a lifetime of success.

The Focus Is Our Students With the help of many additional donors, the College envisions funding enhanced academic initiatives, more financial aid and scholarship awards, and additional campus plan priorities to help today’s most promising students compete in tomorrow’s careers. New resources will enable faculty to better reach, teach, and inspire students; additional financial aid will help make the College affordable and attractive to a large population of students. In keeping with our master plan, the renovations of campus facilities and new buildings will blend harmoniously within Burlington’s historic Hill section community. Learning never ends; nor does change. By encouraging our faculty and students to constantly push at the edges of what is

probable, we hope they will discover and understand what is possible. This will happen not just here in Vermont, where our roots and commitment remain strong and deeply embedded, but in new and exciting locations around the world. As the world becomes increasingly connected, our students must be equipped with the skills and courage to lead. In the words of a longtime faculty member, “We didn’t invent innovation; we are simply, and endlessly, perfecting it.” The next round of innovation begins now, here in Perry Hall. Please join me as we take Champlain College boldly toward new horizons. — President David F. Finney 1

Learn more about the Vision Innovation Passion Campaign online at www.champlain.edu or call (802) 860-2752.

Vision. Innovation. Passion.

Confidence in Champlain’s Visionmore than 74 percent of champlain college faculty, staff and their families have already contributed to the Vision Innovation Passion campaign. “such strong faculty and staff giving really demonstrates confidence in our vision and plans for the future. those who are making our plans a reality are also investing in those dreams,” according to tere Gade, director of the campaign. “their support, along with others, will keep champlain at the forefront of providing distinctive excellence in higher education.”



Champlain College conferred honorary degrees at the 132nd Commencement to businessman and attorney Edwin Colodny and former Champlain College

president Robert A. Skiff, both Burlington natives. “Our honorary degree recipients have played major leadership roles in our community and throughout Vermont. Because of their generous philanthropic nature and open encouragement to others to support vital organizations, Vermont is a better place to live, work, and play,” Champlain College President David F. Finney said. “They are role models, leaders, and mentors acting in the spirit of higher education and community service.” Skiff delivered remarks on behalf of the honorary degree recipients to the 500 members of the Class of 2010 receiving bachelor’s and associate’s degrees. He served the College for 24 years as dean of students, vice president, and president, succeeding Champlain President C. Bader Brouilette in 1977 and serving through 1992. Under Skiff’s stewardship, academic programs and facilities grew, including the introduction of 10 majors of academic study. In 1992 Skiff received Champlain College’s Distinguished Citizen Award for his dedication to the community and the mission of the College. Colodny has been an influential presence in Burlington. His lifelong commitment to serving the community has led to the revival of some of Vermont is most important institutions, including the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care. In 2004, Colodny received Champlain College’s Distinguished Citizen Award for his outstanding community, achievements. “The philanthropic spirit displayed by both men and their families is evident on our campus, in our community and in our daily lives. Their willingness to share their talents and time sets an example for all of us to emulate,” President Finney added.

—Staff report

Honorary Degrees Awarded to Community Members

Edwin Colodny (left) and robert A. Skiff

Molly Dillon is president of Merchants Trust Company, a division of Merchants Bank. Dillon was formerly senior vice president and managing director of the Wealth Management Group at TD Banknorth, based in Burlington, Vermont. She is a member of the honorary board of directors of the Visiting Nurse Association

of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties and is a United Way Ambassador. Dillon is a graduate of Cornell University.

Active community member Mary Evslin is a partner at Evslin Consulting, providing marketing and public relations consulting to nonprofit and for-profit companies. She is on the Council on Rural Development Advisory Board, as well as the board of the ShoreCap Exchange, an international microcredit

organization. Evslin is the former chairman of the board of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. Evslin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Mark Neagley is the president and founder of Neagley Construction Co., an award-winning company specializing in adaptive reuse of historic structures. He personally managed all the infrastructure replacement and restoration of the buildings at Shelburne Farms. Neagley is the treasurer and a member of the board of directors for the Vermont Business

Roundtable and is involved with the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Rich Tarrant Jr. is the CEO and founder of MyWebGrocer, a Colchester-based company that provides e-commerce and e-marketing services to more than 80 retail grocery chains. He has an impressive record as an entrepreneur in the retail, real estate, and healthcare industries. Tarrant is a graduate of the University of Vermont.

—Amanda Petry

Meet the New Trustees at Champlain

Molly Dillon

Mary Evslin

Mark Neagley

rich Tarrant Jr.

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| CL ASS notes |

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Dorothy E. Myers league city, tX, june 12, 2010.

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Kenneth G. Smith Burlington, Vt, june 20, 2010.

’37

Dorris O. Carver colchester, Vt, june 8, 2010.Charles F. Lyman Sr. canandaigua, nY, may 13, 2010.

’55

Eleanor B. Garrow essex junction, Vt, august 25, 2010.

’64

Lorna M. Gaboriault Graniteville, Vt, july 6, 2010.

’68

Burton r. Sorrell saint albans, Vt, may 12, 2010.

’71

Brian W. Monnerat wolcott, ct, july 14, 2010.

’72

George W. Baxter Burlington, Vt, march 10, 2010.

’87

Joanne S. Kellermeyer double oak, tX, February 26, 2010.

’04

Kenneth Botka Burlington, Vt, july 10, 2010.

In Memory of Our Fellow Alumni and FriendsThe following members of our alumni family have passed on and will be remembered warmly by their friends, family, and alma mater.

Peter Gordon Bridge, 80, of Burlington, passed away on aug. 24, 2010. his life’s work was varied (dean of students and of academic affairs at champlain college, pastor, teacher, coach, chaplain, professor, mentor—even ice cream man), but the common theme in all he did was helping people. Bridge was born in springfield, massachusetts and earned degrees from colby college, hartford theological seminary, st. michael’s college, and Boston university and served four years in the u.s. air Force. Bridge was also a member of several swing bands and appeared in plays at champlain college. he volunteered with the united way of chittenden county, the mcclure multigenerational center, aarp, planned parenthood, the Vermont association for the Blind, Burlington community land trust, and st. paul’s cathedral.

Charlotte Bankus, 92, of norton, massachusetts, formerly of south Burlington, passed away on june 6, 2010. she grew up in Billerica, massachusetts and attended the mansfield Beauty academy in Boston. she was the wife of u.s. army colonel john t. Bankus, who died in 1993. mr. Bankus served as treasurer for the state of Vermont and vice president of finance at champlain college. as the wife of an army colonel, mrs. Bankus traveled throughout the world and lived in many places including Germany, japan, and pearl harbor at the beginning of wwii. she raised champion Kerry Blue terriers and won many competitions throughout the world, and was also an accomplished diver.

Dorothy Myers ’31, 97, of league city, texas, passed away on june 12, 2010. a true lifelong learner, she grew up in Burlington in the 1920s and lived with her aunt and uncle, as her mother passed away very young. while she was at champlain in 1930–31 (then known as Burlington Business college), the company her uncle worked for went bankrupt. she didn’t even know how the tuition got paid. But it was her job as a bookkeeper—starting pay of $10 a week—that kept the family afloat. she wanted to be remembered most for “being a fine violinist.” people described her as a peacemaker; and indeed she said her philosophy of life was to be “happy, not angry.” she was a longtime supporter of champlain college through the college’s gift annuity program and the annual Fund to support students.


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’58

NEWSGerritt Crowley and his wife nancy recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in punta cana, dominican republic, with their children.

’69

NEWSThelma F. Neufeld has been volunteering in the him department of new milford hospital, where she transcribes tumor Board minutes and files medical records.

’71

NEWS

Christine E. Dermott is recovering from bilateral knee replacement surgery done in late october 2009. the surgery went smoothly and she is almost ready to get back to horseback riding.

’77

NEWSChristine Fraga Thornton attended the wedding of her son, richard jordan, in montevideo, uruguay, on may 21, accompanied by her husband, peter thornton; daughter, meghan jordan; and granddaughter, alexis melton. after 10 years as the official u.s. court reporter in the u.s. district court, Bangor, maine, chris is now enjoying being an overflow freelance court reporter, working for several freelance firms and traveling throughout the state of maine. in her free time, chris is president of the Bangor chapter of the american sewing Guild, teaches quilting and sewing classes, and enjoys weaving and knitting wool she spins from various maine-grown fibers.

robin (Mattos) rasch is an lpGa teaching & club professional and director of the stratton Golf school.

’79

NEWSMarianne (Graham) Green organized a class of ’79 30th reunion that took place over columbus day weekend 2009. the group of hill hall ladies who joined her took a tour of champlain college, had lunch at sweetwaters, took a lake champlain cruise, and celebrated their 50th birthdays. she is interested in starting a yearly reunion that will also take place over columbus day weekend.

’80

NEWSBradley S. Fortier was named vice president of marketing at co-operative insurance companies.

’82

NEWSKevin F. Allen was recently certified by the Vermont alcohol and drug abuse certification Board as an apprenticed substance abuse counselor.

’85

MArrIAGELisa Larabee and stanton wyman, 2007.NEWSLisa (Larabee) Wyman received a degree in nursing in 2008.

’87

NEWSJune M. Plankey, a former lockeed martin executive, was recently appointed director of the Vermont procurement technical assistance center (ptac). the ptac assists Vermont companies seeking to contract with the federal or state government, or subcontract with companies that do. their work has helped such companies as revision eyewear in essex junction, which makes ballistic eye protection for the military,

and darn tough socks of northfield, which manufactures socks, win significant defense-related contracts.

’88

ENGAGEMENTDiane M. Parrow and rick stevens

NEWSKarin (Blinn) Stafford graduated with honors as a registered nurse on may 20, 2010, from north country community college in ticonderoga, nY. she has been working as a licensed practical nurse since 2008.

’89

BIrTHKelley (Agan) Whiteman and scott whiteman, a son, steven robert whiteman, may 22, 2010.

NEWSNiki Curry was promoted to manager at tupperware in February. she was also promoted to director at the Bedford Family connection in Bedford, ma. her oldest son, wesley, is entering kindergarten this fall.

’90

BIrTHSDavid Walker and Lindsey (Lefebvre) Walker ’05, a daughter, riley jill walker, may 21, 2010.James P. Nichols and Tammi-Ann (Bosley) Nichols ’92, a son, skyler james nichols, may 17, 2010.

NEWSroland Palmer received the champlain college elizabeth a. durick staff service award at the annual recognition dinner on may 14, 2010.

’91

BIrTHJudy Dunn and Benjamin Couture ’98, a daughter, makayla mae couture, st. albans, Vt, april 27, 2010.

NEWSGary Coon, Jr. was recently honored by ups for completing 20 years of service with the company. Gary, a package car driver with ups in williston, was recognized for his loyal service. he began his career in 1990 as a sorter with the company.

’92

BIrTHSTammi-Ann (Bosley) Nichols and James P. Nichols ’90, a son, skyler james nichols, may 17, 2010.Jason r. Douse and Kimberly douse, a son, noah drew douse, east montpelier, Vt march 12, 2010.

NEWSLauren B. Gebo was recently promoted to secretary to the u.s. attorney at the u.s. attorney’s office in Burlington, Vt. she previously worked as a legal assistant for the u.s. attorney’s office and spent four years with the Burlington, Vt, office of the Federal Bureau of investigation.

’94

BIrTHSErica Marcelino-Howard and trevor howard, a son, maxwell james howard, Fairfax, Vt, February 21, 2010.Kelley (Forrest) Merrow and tim merrow, a son, logan hunter merrow, springfield, Vt, February 27, 2010.

’95NEWSTimothy M. Bradshaw has been promoted to the position of regional manager for the Green mountain transit agency.Shawn A. Blaine has been promoted to customer service supervisor in the united states postal service.

’96BIrTHJason E. Jewett and Jessica (roberts) Jewett ’05, twins: a son Braman and a daughter logan, colchester, Vt, march, 7, 2010.

The Zonta Club of Burlington presented a check for $5,500 to Champlain College’s Single Parents Scholarship Program

from its 14th Annual Spelling Bee, held at Champlain College in May.

The Single Parents Program and Scholarship Fund, established in

1987, helps low-income single parents get a post-

secondary education.

Logan Merrow, son of Kelley (Forrest) Merrow ’94 and husband Tim.


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Champlain Alumni Enjoy a Variety of Events Champlain College alumni enjoy a variety of events put on by the Alumni relations team. This year, they’ve joined in at a Lake Monsters game and BBQ; a night at the Lyric theatre; a Habitat for Humanity workday in Milton, VT; a wonderful evening at the Mozart Festival at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT; a pre-race pasta party and a strong race for the Champlain Alumni relay team for the 2010 Vermont City Marathon; tickets to see Wicked on Broadway in NYC; and three nights at Fenway Park cheering on the red Sox. Watch the alumni website at www.alumni.champlain.edu for upcoming events in your area! And stay in touch, network and share ideas through Facebook, Twitter (#champalum), and LinkedIn.

2010 Grads and Parents

Begin a NewTradition

the champlain college graduating class of 2010 set the bar high for future classes with its record-setting class gift of $3,677. that amount was matched by other donors for a total gift of $5,195. the funds will be directed to: • the support a student fund which helps ensure that

no qualified student is denied access to a champlain education due to a lack of funds.

• the new americans scholarship, a vital program that reaches out to support Vermont refugee students.

in accepting the giant check during commencement rehearsal, champlain president david F. Finney thanked members of the class of 2010. “i have many friends in your class and i will miss you,” he said, “but this is the nature of college and i know you are ready for what lies ahead.” more than 500 associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees were conferred to students on may 8. seniors anthony enzor-demeo, a computer and digital Forensics major, and justine riegel, a public relations major, played instrumental roles in making the gift such a success. they reported that one out of three students from the 2010 class contributed to the gift.

to honor the achievements and collectively recognize their children’s graduation, the parents of the class of 2010 hope they have started a new tradition at champlain college. with the aid of an anonymous parent challenge, $7,390 was raised to purchase a Vermont-made item to add to the beauty and mission of the champlain campus. the 2010 gift, a period reproduction grandfather clock, can be seen in the parent reception room at roger h. perry hall. according to alison johnson, director of alumni relations, in the spirit of healthy competition, the class of 2011 is already hard at work to set a new record in may with its gift and participation levels.


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I t was smooth sailing for the honored guests receiving champlain college 2010 alumni leadership awards on saturday, sept. 25, aboard the Northern Lights cruise on lake champlain. champlain college president david F. Finney and former champlain presidents robert skiff and roger h. perry were on hand for a champagne toast and to present awards to those champlain college alums who have demonstrated great leadership in their career,

outstanding service to the community, or a notable accomplishment.

The 2010 Champlain College Alumni Leadership Award recipients are: (Clockwise from top left)

• robert skiff leadership award Beth Fitzgerald ’78

• tittemore Family legacy award Sullivan Family

• president’s alumni leadership award Lisa T. rees ’85 & ’02

• roger h. perry alumni leadership award Lauri Bellows Fisher, Esq. ’98

• c. Bader Brouilette alumni leadership award robert (Bob) Jolley ’73 of st. albans, passed away in February 2009 his wife, mary ellen jolley, and son, evan, accepted the award

• Vermont alumni leadership award (at right) Dawn ’89 and Michael ’88 Lancaster

The Alumni 2010Awards

CONGrATULATIONS!

read more about the winners at www.alumni.champlain.edu

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’97

BIrTHSTara (Hurley) and Bart Greenfield, a son, maxton Quinn Greenfield, milton, Vt, june 16, 2010.Elizabeth M. Soule and david rogers, a son, treyven reginald, randolph, Vt, april 9, 2010.Jeremy S. Larocque and janice (camara) larocque, a daughter, highgate, Vt, march 27, 2010.

NEWSGregg K. robitaille was recently appointed Vermont marketing representative for the concord Group insurance cos. he is responsible for business development among 59 agents in Vermont and western new hampshire.

’98

BIrTHSMatthew T. Mahoney and stacey (wood) mahoney, a son, rory wood mahoney, Burlington, Vt, February 13, 2010.Misty (Dubuque) Blow and michael Blow, a daughter, ava Frances Blow, september 9, 2010.Amanda (Hurlburt) Naef and christopher naef, a son, eli thomas naef, milton, Vt, February 18, 2010.Elizabeth (Bartlett) Miller and timothy miller, a daughter, Katherine sandra miller, essex junction, Vt, march 14, 2010.Benjamin Couture and Judy Dunn ’91, a daughter, makayla mae couture, st. albans, Vt, april 27, 2010.

NEWSStephen A. Vincent recently completed his mBa at the university of phoenix.

’99

BIrTHS

Sara (Gosselin) and jamie palmisano, a daughter, emelia doris palmisano, Barre, Vt, june 12, 2010.Kimberly (Auger) and troy peele, a daughter, camdyn Beverly peele, ayden, nc, november 1, 2009.

MArrIAGEFrank L. Marchetta and dawn hertzel, june 5, 2010.

’00

BIrTHSryan Bellavance and Krissy Bellavance, a daughter, hallie sophia Bellavance, Barre, Vt, july 7, 2010.Sharon (Wilkes) Dalley and jason dalley, a daughter, riley jane dalley, waterbury, Vt, april 27, 2010.David C. Schifilliti and erin (hawke) schifilliti, a son, dominic charles schifilliti, colchester, Vt, april 20, 2010.

MArrIAGEKevin L. Cote and tricia Guido, may 9, 2009.

NEWSryan P. Driscoll was recently promoted to advisory it architect at iBm.Jonathan M. Amon recently joined the doubletree hotel Burlington as rooms division manager. he manages front desk operations as well as the engineering and housekeeping departments. jonathan was previously employed as luxury sales manager for orient-express in charleston, sc.

’01

BIrTHSEmily J. Peters and justin ruch, a son, anders joseph ruch, colchester, Vt, june 28, 2010.Jason r. Berthe and jill (hammond), a son, jacob william Berthe, westford, Vt, april 10, 2010.Vanessa (Paskvan) Habedank and matthew habedank, a daughter, Keira lilly habedank, Bakersfield, Vt, april 3, 2010.

MArrIAGESSarah r. Lussier and taylor Bergeron, august 6, 2010.Nicholas Merritt and Jennifer DeMarinis ’02.

’02

BIrTHSMary (Geoffrey) and paul trepanier jr., a daughter, caitlyn olivia trepanier, northfield, Vt, june 29, 2010.Sara Louise (Martin) Blow and anthony steven Blow, a son, dylan anthony Blow, st. albans, Vt, july 27, 2010.Jeffrey T. Hatin and meghan (Bartinoski) hatin, a son, jeffrey thomas hatin jr., Georgia, Vt, march 5, 2010.

MArrIAGESJennifer DeMarinis and Nicholas Merritt ’01.Jeffrey T. Hatin and meghan a Bartinoski, september 19, 2009.

’03

BIrTHSNatalie (Paradee) Bruzzi and john Bruzzi, twins: a son, Gavin john Bruzzi, and a daughter, Gabriella ann Bruzzi, sheldon, Vt, july 30, 2010.Heather (Singleton) Shatney and nick shatney, a daughter, emma lynn shatney, may 27, 2010.Michael Burdick and Beth Burdick, a daughter, sidney lynn Burdick, Burlington, Vt, February 15, 2010.Bethany (Barrett) Fields and nathan Fields, a son, Grady nolan Fields, winooski, Vt, june 3, 2010.Sarah Pope and john Gosselin, a daughter, Kendyl mae Gosselin, shoreham, Vt, February 28, 2010.

ENGAGEMENTSKelly J. Palmer and mark mahnensmith, june 2011.Jennifer Swiatlowski and Kyle Brown, october 9, 2010.

NEWSDavid Brace has recently been awarded the professional license of certified public accountant, and is working as an adjunct professor at champlain college teaching online accounting courses.Kelly J. Palmer is currently employed as the assistant director of community service at johnson state college. she is also a full-time graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program at johnson state.

’04

BIrTHSTrish (Cook) Shepard and Benjamin shepard, a daughter, haley jane shepard, lincoln, Vt, may 31, 2010.Michael Poczobut and sandra (Bisson) poczobut, a daughter, emilia lorraine poczobut, Barre, Vt, February 16, 2010.Allison (Ostiguy) Gauthier and eric Gauthier, a daughter, olivia Karin Gauthier, colchester, Vt, march 4, 2010.Andrew Patterson and elizabeth (edelman) patterson, a daughter, stella ann niamh patterson, jericho, Vt, april 16, 2010.Elizabeth (Brassord) Wesson and Jeremy J. Wesson ’05, a daughter, rachel jessica wesson, williston, Vt, march 2, 2010.

MArrIAGEBenjamin Brunt and sarah Gaboriault, july 24, 2010.

NEWSEmily (Ball) Bacon has recently obtained her master of education degree from st. michael’s college. she is currently in her sixth year of teaching at Founders memorial in essex, Vt.

’05

BIrTHSJessica (Titus) Osgood and matthew osgood, a son, mason alan osgood, corinth, Vt, september 22, 2009.Diane M. (Gagnon) and mattie e. pontecorvo, a daughter, Kasey louise pontecorvo, colchester, Vt, march 20, 2010.Kathryn (Farley) Moore and joshua moore, a daughter, payton Kennedy moore, colchester, Vt, march 25, 2010.Jessica (roberts) Jewett and Jason Jewett ’96, twins: a son, Braman; and a daughter logan, colchester, Vt, march 7, 2010.Lindsey (Lefebvre) Walker and David Walker ’90, a daughter, riley jill walker, may 21, 2010.Jeremy J. Wesson and Elizabeth (Brassord) Wesson ’04, a daughter, rachel jessica wesson, williston, Vt, march 2, 2010.

MArrIAGESMeredith Walker and Josh McCullough ’05, september 25, 2009.Lyndsey McAllister and sean delaney, november 7, 2009.

NEWSLaura M. Huffman has joined the team at her look enterprises where she is working as a sales administrator.ralph r. Peterson has started a new internet talk radio show called the housekeepers podcast, where he talks about the importance, difficulty, and sheer unpredictability of trying to manage housekeepers.

Camdyn Beverly Peele, daughter of Kim Auger Peele ’99

Jessica (Titus) Osgood ’05 and son Mason Alan Osgood.

Jennifer Kruml ’05 with her bridesmaids, including Ashley (Isabelle) Bergeron ’05, Allison Hackett ’05 and Laura Huffman ’05.


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decided to call her former employer, the Willard Street Inn in Burlington. Living in Buffalo,

New York, Davis had worked at the Inn during college and wanted to move back to Burlington. She was consulting for hospital foodservice programs, and hoped to line up part-time work between consulting jobs. What Davis found, however, wasn’t part-time work—but the opportunity to be general manager of the Inn, and to live there as well. The job came with a bit of a twist. The inn was soon to be put on the market. The innkeepers wondered if Davis’s parents, who had considered relocating to Burlington, might be interested. It turns out they were, and what started as a job for Davis blossomed into a family business. Today, the Davises are celebrating five years of owning and operating the inn, a 1881 Queen Anne-Georgian Revival located in Burlington’s Hill section, on the edge of the Champlain College campus. The Davis management team consists of Carrie Davis; her parents, Katie and Larry Davis, innkeepers and owners; and her younger brother Jordan Davis, marketing services manager. Her older brother Matt lives in Taipei, but helps out with IT issues long-distance, as needed. As manager, Carrie Davis, 30, who received degrees in Hotel/Restaurant Management, Business Management, and Hospitality from Champlain, oversees a staff of 12, handles reservations, and serves as concierge to the guests.

She also does bookkeeping, monitors breakfast service, and helps in the kitchen when needed. She likes to bake and is known as the “cupcake girl” among friends, many of whom are fellow Champlain graduates. “No two days are ever alike. That keeps it entertaining,” Davis said. “I get to meet really interesting people, and the atmosphere’s not too bad either.” Growing up in East Aurora, New York, outside Buffalo, Davis enjoyed cooking and baking, but knew she didn’t want to be in the kitchen full-time. She got her first job in the industry at age 16, working at the RoyCroft Inn in East Aurora. When applying to colleges, she looked for a school with a strong Hospitality program and ultimately chose Champlain. Coincidentally, when she first came to Burlington to visit the college, she stayed at the Willard Street Inn with her parents, never guessing it would be where she ended up. Throughout college, she worked at local establishments, first at the Inn at Essex—now the Essex Resort & Spa—and then the Willard Street Inn. She often put in 24 to 30 hours a week while going to school full-time. Her college experience was extremely beneficial in launching her career, Davis said. It gave her great opportunities, including spending her last semester interning at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort on St. Thomas. Davis liked the fact that she learned not only the hands-on aspects of the business, but pricing and accounting and marketing, along with what happens in the kitchen and the front and back of the house. Many of the things she learned —such as the finer points of table service—she teaches inn employees today. “The teachers’ knowledge was not only from academia, but also from work experience, calling on real case scenarios,” Davis said. “My education gave me a good foundation. It set me up for being pretty well-rounded in the industry... It was definitely the right place for me.” —Sona Iyengar

The Family InnFor Carrie Davis, Business Runs in the Family

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It’s 1 p.m. at Handy’s Lunch and a crowd of regulars and newcomers fill the stools at the horseshoe-shaped counter, eating hamburgers and sandwiches, talking to friends, and

catching up on the day’s news. Earl Handy ’96, the owner and third generation in the family to run the circa 1945 Burlington diner, chats with a young couple expecting a baby. As the father of 2-year-old twins, he has useful information to share. A few minutes later, Handy says goodbye to one of his regulars, a young man about to leave for college, giving him a hug. “Go get smart,” he says, wishing him luck his first semester. Talking to people, getting to know them and forming relationships is what Earl Handy does best—and what he’s passionate about. “Our business has survived for 65 years based on customer relationships,” said Handy, 35, who grew up in Burlington’s South End. “It’s learning your customers and knowing who they are.” Building relationships with customers moved to a new level this year, as Handy jumped into social media. He started

a website with the help of two other Champlain College grads, Victor Castro ’03 of Commerce Generation, and Ryan Coughlin ’10. The business now has a Facebook fan page, and Handy blogs and actively uses Twitter, posting everything from lunch specials to tweets about his beloved Yankees. Handy is energized about these new directions and the ability to reach new generations of customers on the web. “We’ve taken that personal service, what we do in here every day, and we’ve expanded the counter to everybody,” he said. While he loves his work today, Handy didn’t originally want to be in the restaurant business. A Public Relations and Marketing major at Champlain, he intended to work in radio, planning to be a disc jockey. Handy received his associate’s degree in May 1996, but plans changed three months after he graduated, when his father passed away. Handy decided to run the diner for a little while, and then decided to stay. “It turned out to be the right move,” he said. “I really love what I do. This is what I know.” Handy said his education has benefited him a great deal in the business world. The skills and knowledge he gained help him today with everything from bookkeeping to marketing and advertising. Champlain helped him in other ways too: he met his wife there. Handy and Alexis Segrue ’95 met in a literature class their second year of school. Today, the couple and their twins, Genevieve and Nicholas, live in Shelburne. When Handy looks back, he finds it hard to believe he’s where he is today. “If somebody asked me at 18 . . . whether 17 years from then I’d be married, with twins, running the diner, and living in Shelburne, I would have been like, ‘You’re crazy, no way!’ But I’m glad I am.” —Sona Iyengar

CounterCultureEarl Handy Focuses on Customer Relationships,In Person and Online

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Meredith (Walker) McCullough has accepted a new position as a special events consultant for Fox chase manor in manassas, Va, and rose hill manor in leesburg, Va.Hadley (Kaynor) rakowski accepted a position as the coordinator of outreach services for ivymount outreach programs.Kelly A. Freeman recently joined with her brother, chris Freeman, in chicago to open a bar called old town social that they built from the ground up. it was voted number one Bar in chicago and its chef was voted Best new chef in chicago. they have since opened Quality social in san diego, which won the Best new Bar award in san diego, and will open another in Boston soon.

’06

BIrTHSGabrielle (Fondry) Gillilan and Bryan Gillilan, a daughter, adelaide rose Gillilan, st. albans, Vt, april 2, 2010.Michael D. Schiller and elizabeth santamore, a son, Kaiden douglas schiller, colchester, Vt, march 1, 2010.

MArrIAGENikki M. Jillson and Kyle anderson, september 5, 2009.

NEWSDanielle P. LaBerge recently accepted a position at j.c. penny as a loss prevention officer.Matthew S. Cleare was recently promoted to senior accountant at davis & hodgdon associates cpas, a full service public accounting firm.

’07

ENGAGEMENTSBenjamin A. Kohler and helen demina, july 17, 2010.Christian Mellen and Kayla Hodgon ’08, june 2010.

MArrIAGEShauna Foley and Alastair Lee, november 21, 2009.

NEWSraymond McCarthy Bergeron and Corinn McCarthy Bergeron ’10 moved to rochester, nY, so that

raymond can pursue an mFa in animation.Andrew B. Delaney, JD recently published an article titled “the nFl network Versus cable providers: throwing a penalty Flag on the Fans” in the Willamette Sports Law Journal. the article examines the battle between cable companies and the nFl network.

’08

BIrTHSAdam r. Blake and mia hockett, a daughter, merin renee Blake, Burlington, Vt, june 13, 2010.Beth (Bannister) Bearor and chris Bearor, a daughter, ella jane Bearor, Vergennes, Vt, october 8, 2009.Ashley LaFlam and sean laFlam, a daughter, abigail paige laFlam, salisbury, Vt, may 31, 2010.Amanda r. Carmichael and joseph Barnier, a daughter, payton marie Barnier, williston, Vt, april 22, 2010.Jason Cyr and heather (Greenfield) cyr, a daughter, esme marie cyr, swanton, Vt, march 17, 2010.

ENGAGEMENTSJoseph Cappuccio and lindsay mickolajczyk, october 2011.Kayla Hodgon and Christian Mellen ’07, june 2010.Valerie A. radlinski ’08 and Douglas Tetrault ’08, august 28, 2010.Danielle B. Frawley ’08 and Paul Altenburg ’08, Fall 2010.

NEWSMeredith K. rowan recently accepted a position as marketing assistant at the trinity university press in san antonio, tX.

’09

BIrTHSMallorie (Kutzner) Ward and matthew ward, a son, carter steven-Kay ward, may 4, 2010.James C. Giuliani and jessica (allen) Giuliani, a son, oliver james Giuliani, morrisville, Vt, march 3, 2010.

NEWSCynthia r. Allen recently moved to massachusetts to start her new job as a marketing assistant at cambridge college.

Michael D. Therrien was recently hired by Bond auto parts as a network administrator.Eugene richards IV was recently hired by lang mclaughry spera real estate in south Burlington, Vt.Jessica D. Ingram has been promoted to associate accountant ii at davis & hodgdon associates cpas. jessica has also stepped into the treasurer’s position at rebuilding together-–Greater Burlington inc. rebuilding together is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping homeowners safe, warm, and independent in their homes.Kathleen E. Barnes recently started working at champlain college as annual giving coordinator.

’10

BIrTHTasha (Bailey) Savoni and josh savoni, a daughter, isabella savoni, colchester, Vt, june 10, 2010.

NEWSEmilia M. Campbell has obtained a position with aspen Family services.ryan J. Fitzpatrick is the service and events manager at 156 Bistro in Burlington, Vt.Laura r. Scafati moved to manchester, nh, in june 2010 and started her job with Fairpoint communications as a telecommunications transaction tax accountant.Corinn McCarthy Bergeron and raymond McCarthy Bergeron ’07 moved to rochester, nY, so that raymond can pursue an mFa in animation.

Laura Huffman ’05 and teammate Kat Goliver after winning Iron Chef Champlain.

Katelyn Paulson ’07 on McAfee Knob, VA, while hiking the Appalachian Trail.

(From left) Jeffrey Mandell ’10, Marcie Andres, Larry Mandell and Bekah Mandell.

Champlain College and the Woodbury Institute of Champlain College celebrated the retirement of Woodbury’s founder and former president Larry Mandell in June.

Colleagues, friends, family, and former students gathered to reminisce about Mandell’s 35 years in higher education, the founding of Woodbury College in 1975, and its growth from offering associate’s to bachelor’s to master’s degrees in Mediation and Conflict resolution.

A fund in honor of Mandell to support the Woodbury Institute of Champlain College and the legacy of Mandell’s work was started and has already raised more than $68,000. If you would like to learn more about the fund, contact Dannah Beauregard, director of annual giving at (802) 865-5428.

Woodbury’s Founder Larry Mandell ready for the Next Big Thing


| CL ASS notes |

Discover Ireland May 27–June 5 Champlain Offers Academic Tour for Staff, Faculty, Alumni & Friends in 2011The Offices of the President and International Education at Champlain College will offer an academic 10-day tour of Ireland and Dublin May 27–June 5, 2011, for staff, faculty, students, alumni, and friends of Champlain College. The spring tour, led by faculty and staff of Champlain College Dublin, offers participants an insider understanding of the country, its people, and its culture and a chance to see Champlain College Academic Centre and learn more about the study abroad program.

Tour leaders include Stephen Robinson, director of Champlain College Dublin and an expert on landscape; Kelli Maoileoin, Dublin faculty member and expert on early Irish history; and Anthony O’Halloran, Dublin faculty member and expert on contemporary Irish history and politics.

The estimated cost of the tour is $1,500, not including airfare. A group flight may be arranged. Accommodations will be 3- or 4-star quality for overnights outside Dublin and corporate-style apartments with kitchens in Dublin. Travel will be by luxury coach. Space is limited to 45 participants.

For more information about the tour and to register, contact Dr. James P. Cross, Champlain College associate provost and senior international officer, at (802) 383-6633 or [email protected].

Here’s a small sample of your Irish journey:

• Take a walking tour of historic Dublin with local expert Pat Liddy.

• Learn about the political history of Ireland with Dr. Anthony O’Halloran and then visit the Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament).

• Enjoy the Irish countryside and West Coast; visit historic religious sites; experience traditional music, food, and spectacular scenery.

• Explore Belfast and learn about its history and see how it has largely rebuilt itself from the destruction of the Troubles.

For the complete day-by-day itinerary, visit: champlain.edu/Office-of-International-Education/Discover-Ireland/Itinerary.html

DUBLIN

When I arrived at Champlain College, I felt as if I had found Hogwarts on Earth. We don’t have four houses, but we do have four divisions. Our buildings boast towers and ghosts alike, and while our dining hall does not have an enchanted ceiling made to look like the sky outside, it has a killer view of the lake. The connections are more than just coincidental similarities, though. Much like Harry Potter, I felt I would never want to leave once I’d arrived at school, so rich was the academic experience; and beyond classes, I could not have imagined the transformations my life would undergo in my time here. The first connection between the two is creativity and innovation. When I was a freshman, the new software programs I encountered here felt very much like magic to my untrained mind. While the principles of play, design, and art are long-standing hubs of knowledge that were set in motion as early as our hunter-gatherer days, the digital spaces of these fields are only now being pioneered. Harry’s world is littered with rule-benders and boundary-pushers, most notably the Weasley twins and Dumbledore’s Army; so is our school filled with minds eager to test their grounding and express new interpretations of traditional knowledge. The second commonality is an understanding of our global context and empathy for our fellow humans. In her early 20s, author J.K. Rowling took a day job working for Amnesty International. Through her work, she interacted with political exiles, torture victims, and families torn apart by war. These experiences are reflected in the tension between wizards and Muggles, the politics of purebloods and half-bloods, and the cruelties of Voldemort’s war as a whole. In opposition to such conflicts, a strong theme of the series lies in the choices of characters to understand the plight of their neighbors. To quote Rowling directly, “Unlike any other creature on this planet, human beings can learn and understand without having experienced.” Related but distinctly separate is strength of community, across all ages and interests. I sense this strength whenever I’m on our campus, and I always have; there’s a feeling here that no matter what you study, you are surrounded by people with sharp minds and bold personalities who will come together to support you in overcoming any challenge. Harry Potter is not a character of invincible strength or unparalleled aptitude; he is, like the average Champlain student, simply an individual willing to identify obstacles, tackle the problems at hand, seek help when it is needed, and engage in personal growth all the while.

In September, Champlain College Emergent Media Center Creative Project Manager Lauren Nishikawa ’09 delivered the keynote speech at the opening of “Harry Potter’s World,” a special display and series of lectures and events at the Miller Information Commons. You can read her full speech, see a slide presentation, and view photos of the exhibit and events at www.alumni.champlain.edu.

Harry Potter and the Beaver’s Lodge

Why Champlain College is Hogwarts on Earth

| ALUMNI Voices |

Lauren Nishikawa ’09

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