42nd Annual Palamountain Benefit supports Skidmore scholarships

With elaborate picnic baskets prepared by Skidmore College’s Dining Services team, a silent auction, and generous donations, community members offered their support to the Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund, which benefits Skidmore students who otherwise might not be able to attend the College.  

On Tuesday, July 20, supporters of the 42nd Annual Palamountain Benefit picked up gourmet picnic baskets “to go” at a unique drive-through event at the Surrey-Williamson Inn. The baskets were created by Skidmore’s award-winning culinary team and featured delectable treats ranging from a charcuterie board with foie gras and duck galantine to a saffron-aioli, New England lobster roll kit. 

A silent online auction includes items such as a stay at a private villa in St. John, NFL tickets, Skidmore box seats at the Saratoga Race Course, an exclusive tour of the Tang Teaching Museum, and a private dinner with Skidmore President Marc Conner and Barbara Reyes-Conner prepared by Executive Chef Jim Rose. The auction will continue until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27. 

As part of the benefit, recent graduate Daniela German ’21 was recognized as this year's featured Anne T. Palamountain Scholar Award recipient. A first-generation student, German ’21 arrived at Skidmore from Houston, Texas. 

Even as the pandemic increased financial strain for her family, German persevered, continuing her education with inspiration from her mother and support from the Skidmore community. 

“The scholarship has eased a lot of financial burdens for my family,” she said. "I am thankful every day for the opportunity to accomplish my dreams here at Skidmore."

While pursuing a major in health and human physiological sciences with a minor in anthropology, German was active in Raíces, which promotes Latinx culture, and participated in a travel seminar to Guatemala. She plans to attend graduate school to join a forensic program with the goal of working to provide some relief to families who seek justice. 

All proceeds from the Palamountain Scholarship Benefit go to the Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund, created to honor Skidmore's late president and his wife for their 22 years of dedicated service and leadership at the College. 

“Ann Palamountain was certainly a role model to me, and her energy and her desire to provide opportunity to students is contagious," said Tab Orthwein ’91, co-chair of the benefit with Kristin Grosso ’91. "To help carry on the tradition since her passing is something I've felt motivated to do."

The Palamountain Scholarship Fund provides support for students who, because of financial need, might not otherwise be able to attend Skidmore. Aid from the fund is given annually to financially eligible juniors and seniors whose outstanding academic records and cocurricular service exemplify the unique contribution that the Palamountains have made to Skidmore College. 

The scholarship benefit was launched by Anne Palamountain in 1979. Seven years later the Palamountain Scholarship Fund was officially established with a gift from Mr. William Murray and the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust of New York City.  

Many thousands of donors have honored the Palamountains by contributing to this endowed fund.