No foolin’ – another ~foot of snow on top of last week’s 40”? For our alumni and others not on campus right now, we are hunkering down for what must be the last real snow of the season. At this time, we are also awaiting the New York State budget agreement to be announced. As you know, we have been vocal advocates for increased state funding for TAP and other financial aid programs. More to come on that.
The recap below shows that March was a great month, and April looks as if it will be even busier. See the bottom of this email for a sneak peak of some of the great April activities that are planned.
Think spring!
- The Adirondack Watershed Institute released its 2016 Adirondack Lake Assessment Report authored by Corey Laxson, Elizabeth Yerger, Sean Regalado, and Dan Kelting. It examines the limnology and water quality of 70 lakes across the Adirondacks.
- Brett McLeod published an article in the current edition of Mother Earth News, entitled “Make Syrup from Birch, Walnut, and Sycamore Trees.”
- Prominent Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez (author of How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents) visited campus in a collaboration with the Adirondack Center for Writing.
- Cheryl Joyce and Tom Huber presented on the topic of “Bridging the Gap: Nature and Chemistry” at the Northern NY Local Section Natural Medicine Symposium at SUNY Canton.
- Joe Conto presented on the subject of Cognitive Dissonance in Tourism Experiences at the Adirondack Destination Marketing Summit in Lake Placid.
- Winter Storm Stella pounded the campus – huge thanks to our Sodexo colleagues who worked around the clock to plow the snow.
- Brett McLeod and 13 students attended Forestry Awareness Day in Albany, meeting with state legislators to discuss current forest policy issues and new stewardship legislation.
- Cathy Dove attended the annual Fred Tibbitts and Associates Spring Dinner and accepted an award on behalf of the college Excellence in Hospitality Education. Also attending were Chef Kevin McCarthy and PSC Junior Stephen De Simone, who prepared and served small plates prior to the dinner.
- The 33rd Annual Spring Career Fair was a huge success! A record number of organizations participated, including over 40 PSC alums and 38 new companies.
- A number of students took advantage of Spring Break as a time for excursions:
- The outing program made trip to Tahoe, skiing at Squaw Valley and other resorts with Robert O’Connor and Recreation and Intramurals staff.
- Students in Kendra Ormerod’s REC 361 course went to Zion and Grand Canyon national parks.
- RAs Sara Savoia and Hunter Gaudette took PSC students to celebrate an “Otter Birthday Party” at the Wild Center.
- The PSC Veterans Club once again did pushups for a wonderful cause, raising over $3,000 to support the Powers family, who lost their home and possessions in a house fire in Saranac Lake. Matthew Powers is an Afghanistan Veteran and a Saranac Lake hometown hero.
- Jill Susice and 8 students attended the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities conference.
- Amy Tuthill attended the Conference of the Council of College and Military Educators. She also completed the DoDMOU Compliance Tutorial which is part of their initiative to create a “Culture of Compliance”.
- 20 county land assessors from across the region attended the “Google Earth Pro for Assessors” workshop on campus. Mel Johnson was assisted by students Taylor Sprague, Haley Drury and Cody Sears. Chef Chris Griffin catered lunch (to literal applause from the participants).
- Hospitality and Baking students were well represented at the Taste of Maple Weekend in Lake Placid where they promoted EAT ADK restaurant week and sold Maple Iced Cookies & Maple Walnut Cupcakes.
- Joe Conto placed first in the Howl Storytelling Slam, a collaboration between North Country Public Radio and the Adirondack Center for Writing. The win sends him to the Grand Slam to be held June 3 at Pendragon Theater.
- The lumberjills of the PSC Woodsmen’s Team took the 1st place overall trophy at SUNY Cobleskill.
- Men’s Basketball hosted an Elite Prospect Basketball Camp.
- PSC students and alumni traveled to Bend, OR for the Snowshoe Racing USCSA National Championships. Congrats to our winners: Joe St. Cyr, Bob Bolton, Corrie Desilets, Lauren Brieant, Sarah Butler, Tessa White, Isaac Leach, Cody Sears, Jimmy Neary and Rand Snyder.
- RAs Randy Martinez, Andre-Anne Chenaille, and Jon Stetler facilitated a great “42 and You” program around diversity featuring the movie “42”.
- A Women’s History movie and discussion featuring “Hidden Figures” was sponsored by Student Activities.
- The Counseling Center hosted several activities related to sexual assault and domestic violence:
- Clothesline Project – Supports victims of Sexual Assault
- Being A Safe Smitty – Town Hall meeting
- Love Yourself Program – promoting self-esteem
- Hunting Ground movie and discussion
- Title IX Town Hall discussion
- The College sponsored a two-day training session addressing “Handling Student Conduct Hearings” and “Handling the Receipt and Investigation of Reports of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Offenses”.
- The NYSED approved the College’s application for a BS in Psychology. Recruitment for a first faculty member is underway with a “launch” of the program planned for fall 2018.
- Lisa Garrett-Sharp and Ellen Gooch were selected to serve on the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition Board.
- 30 local children and their families enjoyed a Rock Climbing Night hosted by Recreation and Intramurals.
- Our alumni participated in a number of great events. Over 120 attended the annual pancake breakfast held at alum Dave Eaton’s tree farm, Bob’s Trees in Galway on March 18. On March 25 the annual Brian Smith Basketball Game was held, and the campus was introduced to our brand new cheerleading squad, along with a performance by the PSC Steppers. Compass Club events were held in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Ashville, NC. Alumni mixed with admitted students and their families.
- 126 prospective students and their families from 13 different states visited campus during the month of March.
Sodexo donated and partnered with the Paul Smiths-Gabriels Fire Dept to host their Benefit Dinner, and helped several other programs including the Special Olympics, St Patrick’s Day Lunch/Dinner and Boy Scouts retreat.
Upcoming Events of Note
- April 1 – 22: Residence Hall Energy Conservation Competition begins
- April 5: Craft Beverage Panel & Tasting
- April 5: Day of Silence to support victims of Sexual Assault
- April 21: Accepted Students Day
- April 21-22: Stihl Timbersports NE Collegiate Qualifier
- April 22: Sugarbush Breakfast
- April 22: 5th annual SAM Fest
- April 22: Shiitake Cultivation Workshop
- April 24: Poetry Slam and Workshop
- April 24-28: Quilt Project to promote Diversity and Inclusion
- April 26: Stress Free Zone program
- April 26: Denim Day – Support Sexual Assault victims
- April 26 – 29: DECA’s High School International Career Development Conference
- April 27 – May 4: EAT ADK Restaurant Week
- April 27: Take Back The Night Event
Best,
Cathy
