Skidmore College

AUGUST 2016

Pride parade

Alumni pride

Alumni promote diversity and inclusion

Pride Parade

"I couldn't believe I was wearing Skid gear with a rainbow on it," enthuses Erika Astarita '10 about joining New York City's pride march for gender freedoms. In all, 35 alumni, parents of students and staff members paraded behind the big Skidmore banner, co-organized by the new alumni Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee.

The alumni board's Wendy Wilson '96 and the committee are planning more communications and events for alumni of color, LGBTQ grads, and others. [read more]

Competition and teamwork

Employers seek athletes’ edge

Jed Garfield ’85, Matt Lesser ’05

Matt Lesser '05 says the working world is about cooperating and taking criticism. When the former Thoroughbred basketball player started at his boutique real estate firm, he says, "I learned by watching others—it was like watching Michael Jordan and trying to be as good as that."

For Abigail Thomas '16, being judged in varsity horseback riding "was an introduction to accountability," and now "setbacks and imperfections on the job are opportunities for improvement."

Employers know that athletes often make great employees, so plenty of Thoroughbreds are parlaying their varsity experiences into career success. [read more]

Bus, bike, battery

Campus getting greener

Electric vehicle charging station

With more electric vehicles coming to campus, Skidmore has added a second EV charging station, this one in Case Center parking lot, near the bus stop and the Bikemore rack—all part of its national silver rating for sustainability. [read more]

Also In This Issue

A fresh batch of alumni news, from travels to jobs to new babies, can be viewed now on the Class Notes site.

Help at the end

Providing basic care and support for the dying is no easy task. But this summer a few Skidmore and Union students got some immersive, hands-on, and sometimes heart-rending education in caregiving.

Darwin and US history

When Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution, American antislavery activists took note. And the rest is history—which all freshmen are now reading in Randall Fuller's The Book that Changed America: How Darwin's Theory of Evolution Ignited a Nation.

Fifty-year perspective

In a short video, newly retired art professor John Cunningham reflects on 50 years of change at Skidmore—and in his sculpture, engineering work, and teaching.

Gala raises aid funds

C. Jerome Mopsik '06, Emily Carnevale Mopsik '07, and Amy Bergstraesser '11 are just three of the alumni who helped raise $280,000 for the Palamountain Scholarships.

All are welcome to toast Thoroughbred greats Jaime Cumpelik Balocca '99, Doug Pilawa '12, Jared Tendler '00, Katie Weber '07, the 2010 field-hockey team, and the 2010–11 men's basketball team at Skidmore's Hall of Fame induction ceremony and benefit, Oct. 7 on campus.

Homecoming to come

Plans are under way for another all-class, all-campus Homecoming at Skidmore, Oct. 7. The schedule includes athletics, faculty seminars, tours, s'mores by the fire, and free time to spend on campus and downtown.

Regional events

September events in Burlington, Vt.; NYC; Boston; Portland, Maine; Philadelphia; and San Francisco

Recent accomplishments by alumni from the classes of 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 1995, 1993, 1991 and '76, including artist David Schroeter '10

As a service to classmates, here is a listing of deceased alumni and their online obituaries that Skidmore has recently learned of.