Extending Thanks from Portland |   |
Three alums reflected on the transforming experiences they had as students of Hobart and William Smith during The Northern New England Launch Celebration of Campaign for the Colleges held at the Portland Harbor Hotel in Portland, Maine, on Feb. 1. The Campaign, which seeks to raise $160 million, kicked off this fall.
Jay Flower '98, a financial advisor at Smith Barney in Portland, opened the evening celebration sharing the story of his study abroad trip to Rome with Professor Eugen Baer. "That trip changed my life in so many ways. Any time you travel to a country with a different language, it forces you out of your comfort zone. It makes you realize what kind of a person you are. You have to adapt because there's no going home. What a life lesson. I just loved it, Flower said.
(To see images from the event, click here.)
He was followed by Ashley Olen '05, who described herself as an "internship junkie and recalled completing five internships in her four years at William Smith. "I didn't want to leave college without taking advantage of everything, said Olen, who now works as a special education teacher. "By the time I graduated, I had a major in media and society, a minor in education, certifications to teach elementary and special ed, had played basketball for two years, was sports director of the radio station, and had traveled to Los Angeles for a semester. I definitely was tailor-made for a liberal arts education.
Concluding the alum reflections was Luke Gutelius '98 who recalled the lasting impact Football Coach Bill Maxwell had on his career. "Right after I graduated, Coach Maxwell passed away. My brother and I were working at starting this business making hats and T-shirts. We decided to name the company 'maax' as a tribute to the kinds of people who welcome you, who make room for you, who give you a chance.
Similar to the preceding campaign events held on and off campus, the Portland event garnered a great crowd. "It was a very large turnout that was highly motivated by the progress of the campaign, said Gearan.
The Campaign seeks to create a Performing Arts Center, expand the Scandling Student Center, and renovate athletics facilities, as well as raise the endowment to top $200 million, increasing scholarships and more. Campus building projects made possible through the campaign include Stern Hall, the newest academic building; Trinity Hall with offices for global education, public service and The Salisbury Center for Career Services; The Katherine D. Elliott Studio Arts Center and The Goldstein Family Carriage House, which complete a modern studio arts complex; Finger Lakes Institute; Bozzuto Boathouse; the Admissions Center; McCooey Field; and de Cordova Hall.
Mara O'Laughlin '66, leader of the Centennial Campaign, highlighted the 100th anniversary of the founding of William Smith College in 1908. As part of the campaign, William Smith alumnae have committed themselves to establish and endow a new Centennial Center for Leadership.
The Portland event was hosted by Flower and his wife Julie Limbocker '99 Flower. Honorary host committee members included Ryan D. Fendler '51, Bruce T. Myers '68, Daniel '73 and Hannah Hardman'75 Ostrye, Brooke A. Robinson '04 and Richard M. Rogers '64.
Upcoming events are scheduled in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 15, Baltimore on Feb. 16, Philadelphia on March 12, San Francisco on March 23, Los Angles on March 24, and Greenwich, Conn., on April 25.
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007