Skidmore College - Scope Magazine Spring 2019

11 SKIDMORE COLLEGE A kismet moment Emma Newcombe ’10 was so inspired by one of her Ameri- can studies professors at Skidmore that she chose to pursue that field as a career. The professor, Mary C. Lynn, became her mentor. So when Newcombe came to possess Lynn’s academic regalia through a chance encounter, it seemed like nothing short of destiny. A visit to Kru Coffee in Saratoga Springs was a rarity for both Newcombe, visiting assistant professor of American studies at Skidmore, and Pat Fehling, associate dean of the faculty and a professor of health and human physiological sciences. But one day last fall, they both found themselves in the shop and grabbing for the same coffee tray. “I thought the coffee tray was mine,” said Newcombe, who was picking up coffee for some of her students. Feh- ling was treating office staff. The two began chatting and discovered they were both professors at Skidmore. Newcombe mentioned that she taught American studies. Business philosophy Joel Quadracci ’91, CEO of media services giant Quad/ Graphics, joined trustee Dan Allen ’90, president and senior portfolio manager at Anchor- age Capital Group, at a Feb. 28 event at the Harvard Club in New York. The two trustees engaged in a broad discussion that ranged from the future of print to their enduring service to Skidmore. When he applied to college, Allen said he was looking for a liberal arts environment where he could also get solid busi- ness exposure and play a sport. “And it worked out, it was like a storybook. So fast forward: Be- ing part of the board, being part of Skidmore has allowed me to find ways to give back and have a voice in the community and the future of the school, even in a very small way. So that’s super gratifying,” Allen said. Quadracci said his liberal arts background at Skidmore continues to influence his ap- proach to business. “It’s informed me how I hire, actually. I had a great experi- ence. I was a philosophy major … I took my father’s (advice): ‘Go learn how to think, you can specialize later,’ ” Quadracci said. “Today, I look for people who can think. Liberal arts peo- ple tend to show better. They’re a little faster on their feet.” Quadracci’s biggest regret at Skidmore? “The biggest mistake I made was waiting to do my art requirement until senior year. I loved doing ceramics with (professor Regis) Brodie.” “Do you knowMary Lynn?” asked Fehling. “It was one of Mary Lynn’s classes that made me want to study American studies,” Newcombe replied. Fehling told Newcombe that Lynn’s husband, Dave Clark, had recently donated her regalia, and her gown was hanging on the back of her door. “All of a sudden it just hit me,” Fehling recalled. “Would you like Mary’s regalia?” she asked Newcombe. “We both got the chills,” Fehling said. Newcombe was thrilled. “It was a kismet moment for sure,” she said. The regalia is now hanging in the office of its original owner, currently occupied by Newcombe. And New- combe will be wearing it at Commencement this May. “Mary Lynn’s ability to get students discussing scholar- ly texts and her enthusiasm in those texts made each class engaging,” she said. “I try to get students excited about the class, just like she had taught me.” —Christopher Massa Lazar: Becky Yee; Kelly: Chris Cruz; Newcombe: Christopher Massa; Quadracci and Allen: Philip Coltart