Staff meeting recap, SGA election results, free chair massages, Caroline Woolard's "Cultivating Collaborations," and more, this week

Skidmore News

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat stands at a podium beside an American flag

Ross Douthat discusses America's role in a changing world

The conservative New York Times columnist explored global politics, demographic shifts, and the role of religion in shaping the 21st century as part of the Periclean Honors Forum’s “Dialogues Across Differences” series.

April 4 Staff Meeting recap

Skidmore College’s April 4 staff meeting featured updates on ongoing responses to recent federal actions, wellness programming, artificial intelligence integration efforts, and budget planning.

Spicing up giving: Nigel Smith '19 and Kath Gross P'16 inspire a ripple effect of generosity

Both alumni believe in giving back — and now they’re rallying the next generation of philanthropy at Skidmore through mentorship, generosity, and even a hot “wing” challenge.

The Coming Week

Wednesday, April 9 ‌ ‌

‌5 p.m. ‌

‌"Holding Nations Accountable Through International Law? A Conversation on the Global Justice System with William Burke-White" ‌

‌Davis Auditorium ‌ ‌‌

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‌6 p.m.

‌Raab Lecture with Mark Newport ‌

‌Tang Teaching Museum

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‌Thursday, April 10 ‌

‌10 a.m.-noon ‌

‌Caroline Woolard: “Cultivating Collaboration” (RVSP) ‌

‌Tang Teaching Museum

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‌5:30 p.m.

‌“Maternal Health Matters” with Gadria Kalinowski ’21

‌Wyckoff Center ‌ ‌

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‌6 p.m. ‌

‌“a field of bloom and hum” on film: “The Personal Is Political" ‌

‌Tang Teaching Museum ‌ ‌

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‌8 p.m. ‌

‌Queer Open Mic Night ‌

‌Tang Teaching Museum

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‌Friday, April 11

‌2-4 p.m.

‌Beats for Beets

‌Community Garden

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‌‌7 p.m. ‌

‌Senior Recital: August DuClos ‌

‌Zankel Music Center ‌ ‌

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‌Saturday, April 12 ‌

‌2 p.m. ‌

‌Family Saturday ‌

‌Tang Teaching Museum

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‌3 p.m. ‌

‌Skidmore in Concert: Chamber Brass and Woodwind Ensembles ‌

‌Wilson Chapel ‌ ‌

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‌Sunday, April 13 ‌

‌2 p.m. ‌

‌Tang Guide Tour with Jana Wong ’25

‌Tang Teaching Museum ‌ ‌

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‌4 p.m. ‌

‌Young Kim and Skidmore Pianists ‌

‌Zankel Music Cener ‌

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‌Wednesday, April 16 ‌

‌4:30 p.m. ‌

‌K-Pop Dance Performance

‌Tang Teaching Museum

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‌Through Sunday, April 25

‌"Telepathic Jungle"

‌Schick Art Gallery

View more upcoming events

Human Resources

Position openings

‌Human Resources invites interested Skidmore employees to submit application materials for the openings listed below:

‌Assistant Professor of Plant Biology –– Department of Biology

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‌Please send applications to the Search Committee (Plant Biology), Office of the DOF/VPAA, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

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‌Professional development, events, training, and other opportunities ‌

Networking luncheon — 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
‌Final staff meeting — 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
‌Retirement and Recognition Ceremony — Noon-2 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, Case Green

‌For more information, including registration details and a full listing of opportunities, visit the Professional Development and Training website.

Student Government Association

Spring election results

‌Executive Committee: SGA President Samantha Majiedt; Executive Vice President Shira Lobron; and Vice Presidents Anna Barnes (academic affairs:), Claudette Castillo (financial affairs), Paul Ziek (student life), Madelyn Besikof (club affairs), Kylie Lederman (institutional diversity), and Emma Ferrigno (engagement and outreach).
‌Student Events Council: Chair Milo Flamenbaum; Vice Chair Ethan Baily; Treasurer Mia Aldape.
‌Senior senators: Madison Situ (class president), Tessa Bigelow, Lila Glanville, Allison Faulds, and David Aybar.
‌Junior senators: Joyce King (class president), Yanna Glogov, Katherine Sterling, and Jonathan Lipman.
‌Sophomore senators: Raahim Latif Khan (class president), Natalie Koegler, Solayman Ararba, Evvy Shoemaker, and Dylan Kostbar.

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‌Green Grant Award winners

‌The SGA Subcommittee on Sustainability presents the 2024-2025 Green Grant winners:

‌Rachel Entin-Bell: Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences bird collision prevention decals
‌Justin Pollard: Shiitake log growing at Skidmore
‌Zak Maxey: Adirondack chair repair and reuse

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‌Be sure to catch their projects developing around campus! Contact Madeline Bace with questions.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Read about the achievements of Paul Arciero, Patrick Daniels, Steve Ives, Pushkala Prasad, Laurie Rabinowitz, and Cate Talley.

Announcements

2025 Citizens and Scholars Faculty Institute –– deadline extended

‌Faculty are invited to apply for the 2025 Citizens and Scholars Faculty Institute — a professional development opportunity to facilitate complex classroom discussions, foster civil discourse, and enhance course design. Part of the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative, the program includes an in-person gathering June 22-24, an 18-month virtual learning community, and a stipend. Interested faculty should submit a 1-2 paragraph statement describing their interest, how their work aligns with the program’s goals, and how they might bring its content back to campus (e.g., course redesign or creation). Applications are due to Eric Morser by Monday, April 21. Submissions will be reviewed by President Conner, Jenny Huangfu Day, Eric Morser; and Elizabeth Stauderman. Selected participants (two) will be notified by May 2. Faculty should check email for additional details.

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‌Protocol for federal law enforcement requests and campus visits ‌

‌Skidmore takes everyone's safety seriously, including the safety of international community members as it relates to any potential interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or other federal agencies. Campus Safety and campus partners have in place a campus-wide response plan to guide employees and students in the event of contact from federal agents. Information about the College’s protocol for potential visits to campus or inquiries by federal agents may be found online. ‌

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‌Willingness to Serve

‌Four committee opportunities are available: The Safety Committee (one non-exempt staff member), The Institutional Policy and Planning Committee (IPPC) (one exempt staff member), IPPC Committee on Intercultural and Global Understanding (CIGU) (one non-exempt or exempt staff member), and The IPPC Subcommittee on Student Affairs (one non-exempt staff member). To express willingness, respond to the Office of the President by noon, Tuesday, April 15. More information can be found in an email sent Friday, April 4.

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‌Student Leadership Award winners

‌Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Student Leadership Awards: Arjun BK '25 and Bailey Gerson '25 (Rodney Andrews Prize); Djeneba Sanogo ’26 (Barbara Hume Memorial Award); Faith Anderson ’25, Charlotte Mahn ’25, and Brooke Tunnicliffe ’25 (Katherine Scranton Rozendaal Citizenship Award); Ivory Gipson ’25 and Yemi Majiyagbe ’25 (Jane Hapeman Distinguished Service Award); and Zia Foxhall '25, Sruti Ramaswamy '25, and Elena Tittel '25 (Sara Bennett '92 Memorial Prize for Leadership in Student Journalism).

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‌Class of 2029 summer reading

‌The Office of the First-Year Experience is excited to announce the Class of 2029 summer reading: “Stay True” by Hua Hsu. Incoming students, peer mentors, and Scribner Seminar faculty will receive copies, and Hsu will join campus for a keynote event on Monday, Sept. 29.

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‌Fall textbook orders from Skidmore Shop

‌Faculty should submit textbook and course material adoptions to Becky Mattison by Wednesday, April 30, for them to be available at Skidmore Shop this fall. For classes that do not require a textbook, contact her to be marked "No Text Required." More information has been shared via email.

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‌Free massages this Friday

‌The Department of Health Promotion is offering free massages from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center. Space is limited: Sign up online and keep an eye out for future offerings in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin.

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‌Red Cross Blood Drive ‌ ‌

‌A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, in the IM/Dance gym. Visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment with sponsor keyword SKIDMORE. Contact Michelle Hubbs with questions. ‌

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‌SEF applications due tomorro‌w ‌ ‌Applications for the Summer Experience Fund and Post Grad Awards are due tomorrow, Thursday, April 10. Visit the SEF website for FAQs and details. Contact sef@skidmore.edu for more information.

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‌Attend NCORE 2025: deadline extension

‌The College is selecting staff to attend the 2025 National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) in New York City, May 26 through 31. Participants will gain valuable insights and strategies to foster a more inclusive campus community. Apply by Tuesday, April 15. Note: Employees who plan to use independent professional development funds should contact Mariel Martin to coordinate.

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‌YES! Days for accepted students ‌ ‌ ‌

‌The College will be hosting YES! Days for admitted students on Saturday, April 12; Friday, April 18; and Monday, April 21. There will be an increase in traffic across campus on these dates. Everyone is invited to answer questions, provide directions, or simply say hello to our guests as they chart the next four years of their academic journeys. Contact Sarah Ireland with questions.

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Skidmore Weekly Bulletin submission procedure

Help reduce bulk emails by posting your announcement in Skidmore Weekly Bulletin, which is distributed to all students and employees. Submit announcements and events; lectures, panels, and other academic events; and faculty-staff achievements by completing the appropriate online form. The deadline for all submissions is noon on Monday.

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‌Live music at the Skidmore Shop

‌Join the Skidmore Shop from 1:15 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, for free coffee and live music, featuring a performance by Grace Higginbotham ’26. For more information, contact the Skidmore Shop.

Athletics News

Softball, baseball, golf, and men’s lacrosse are home this weekend. Softball will host Ithaca for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Friday and Union at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Baseball also opens against Ithaca for two games at noon on Saturday and will then take on Hobart at noon on Sunday. The golf team is hosting the Tim Brown Invitational at the Ballston Spa Country Club Saturday and Sunday. Also on Saturday, men’s lacrosse returns home for a crucial Liberty League game against Vassar at 1 p.m. Stay up to date with results and schedules on the Skidmore Athletics website and by subscribing to the Skidmore Athletics Weekly Newsletter.