Science scholarships awarded

Michal Pinkham ’04

Two Skidmore science majors will be finishing their degrees for free, courtesy of the late dramatist and diplomat Clare Boothe Luce. Juniors Michal Pinkham ’04 of Kittery Point, Maine, and Bond Caldaro ’04 of Ballston Spa, N.Y., are the first to receive the all-expenses-paid scholarships, funded by a $224,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation’s Clare Boothe Luce Program. The merit scholarships—to help aspiring women scientists realize their potential in traditionally male-dominated fields—cover the complete cost of attending Skidmore in the junior and senior years, including tuition, room, board, fees, and related expenses.
A mathematics-computer science major, Pinkham plans to pursue a master’s in mathematics, then teach math and computer science in high school—or possibly teach at the college level and do research.
During her two years at Skidmore, Pinkham has tutored youngsters in math and Spanish, served as treasurer of the Christian fellowship, and played on Skidmore’s basketball team. In 2001–02, she was the Thoroughbreds’ leading scorer, with an average 11.8 points per game; was an honorable-mention selection in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association; and made the UCAA’s all-academic team. She also taught basketball at summer camp.
Pinkham believes that women considering careers in the sciences have more opportunities now than ever—“and I think we’re starting to get more recognition in those fields,” she says. The Clare Booth Luce Scholarship, she adds, “is awesome. It’s beyond what I ever could have expected.”

Bond Caldaro ’04

Bond Caldaro, a mathematics-physics major, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in math as well as a teaching certification in secondary education. She hopes to teach at the Bronx High School of Science.
Besides the Luce scholarship, Caldaro has earned others from the Rotary, Key, and Elks Clubs, as well as the Porter Scholarship at Skidmore. In her two years on campus, she has been a fixture on the college’s dean’s list and Honors Forum. In addition to her academic pursuits, Caldaro has studied guitar, piano, and voice; competed on Skidmore’s field hockey and swim teams; volunteered as a member of Benef-Action (a student service organization); and tutored in Skidmore’s Liberal Studies program.
Caldaro credits a high-school chemistry teacher for sparking her desire to teach. “My dream is to be part of high-school students’ experiences,” she says, “and I will aspire to have the same effects…through my own teaching. I hope to excite students about the fields that excite me.” —PD, MTS