Dear Paul Smith’s community,
In any organization it is challenging to strike the right balance between over-communicating and keeping everyone informed. In addition to knowing what is going on, good communication ensures our students, faculty, staff and alumni have a strong voice in what is happening at PSC.
Over my 5+ years at PSC we have used a variety of approaches to strike the right balance between too little vs. too much communication. We offer large meetings for the entire community, office hours (anyone can drop-in), regular updates such as Day 1, pizza in the residence halls, lunches, small group sessions, etc. This semester we have added “Ask Me Anything” where two PSC leaders will be in the dining hall at preannounced times. Please don’t let them be lonely – sit down and chat! And please continue to suggest specific approaches we can use to ensure you both know what is happening and who to go to with questions, concerns and suggestions.
Cathy
- The Adirondack Watershed Institute presented new research detailing the threat of aquatic invasive species in Adirondack lakes at the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society meeting in Lake Placid. The study presented by Dr. Michale Glennon focused on identifying and predicting which lakes are most vulnerable to the introduction and establishment of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The second study, presented by Dr. Dan Kelting, examines risk of AIS in Adirondack lakes and the effectiveness of mitigation efforts such as our AWI boat steward program.
- The Paul Smith’s College DECA chapter hosted “Adventures in Top Tier Sport,” a panel featuring five sports and event management professionals from organization such as Empire State Winter Games, World University Games, US Luge Association, Ironman/Rock & Roll Marathon, and ORDA. The discussion included topics ranging from career opportunities and marketing to logistics and legacy after use of facilities.
- Cameron Jones, Jordan Simms, Jordan Spordone, and Brooke Wilson received hands-on experience working at the Albany Hilton with alum John D’Adamo for caucus week. We received effusive thanks from the hotel management, who said the students would be offered a job today if they had already graduated. Congrats to our stellar students!
- Paul Smith’s scientists contributed to a “Sip and Soak Lecture” at Hex and Hop Brewery in Bloomingdale. Corey Laxson presented on the topic: Form, Adaptation, and Identification of Mammal Skulls.
- Scott Chimileski’s photograph was the cover of a recent issue of the Journal of Bacteriology.
- Lee Ann Sporn and Scott Chimileski are featured scientist-artists in the current exhibition, Inside Woodland Textures and Layers at View Art Center in Old Forge (open through May 16).
- Deb Naybor has been named a Fulbright Application Reviewer for the 2020-2021 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research. She is a peer reviewer for the journal Sustainability, and recently completed a review of the article Searching for the Most Sustainable Lifestyle.
- To support the PSC’s Global Center for Rural Communities, the culinary department and Chef McCarthy developed a close cooperation with Moonstone Farm. The idea is to help farmers to create value for their products, in this case eggs. With our help Moonstone Farm started a noodle company which is employing two of our students. You can find their products and our students performing noodle fabrication every Saturday at the winter farmer’s market located at the Hotel Saranac.
- The culinary department continue to increase its presence in the community with our culinary Capstone hosting once a month “soup kitchen” lunches in cooperation with St. Luke`s Church in Saranac Lake. Also, in Saranac Lake, our baking freshman classes donated thirty-eight cakes to the Petrova Elementary School for their Winter Carnival Cake Walk.
- Kendra Ormerod recently took the National Association for Interpretation’s Process of Interpretive Planning Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina. This workshop will help Kendra, students, and partnering faculty and organizations incorporate effective visitor communication using interpretive elements likes signs and programs at Paul Smith’s College and our Adirondack region.
- The Center for Sustainability has been busy this month:
- PSC received a $40,000 grant from NYSERDA (NY State Energy Research and Development Authority) to fully cover the cost of installing 5 Electric Vehicle Phase 2 charging stations at Paul Smith’s College. The Electric Vehicle Charging stations will be installed over spring break in three locations- at the VIC, behind the Facilities Building and in the Commuter lot near the post office.
- The Center hired 3 students as Sustainability Fellows who will be working on a variety of Sustainability Projects in the area of Sustainable Transportation, Sustainable Dining, Waste Minimization and Climate Action Planning. The Fellows are supported by a $4000 grant from the NYSERDA REV Campus Challenge Technical Assistance for Roadmaps grant.
- The REV Campus Challenge Technical Assistance for Roadmaps grant will also partially pay for an engineering firm to complete a campus wide energy audit and development of a campus Energy Master Plan which will be used to update the colleges Climate Action Plan. This project will be completed over the next 5 months (Spring/Summer 2020).
- Rebi Romeo led a group of volunteers from PSC and NCCC to Glens Falls for regional snowshoe race competitions, and to Rochester for the New York State Special Olympics.
- It was a busy month for Residence Life and Housing, with RAs hosting a Superbowl event, “Taking Time Out for Yourself” series, educational safe sex discussion, Learning to Skate outing, and “Identity Open Mic” event, which encouraged Saratoga residents to share their talents while exploring issues related to identity and gender. Special thanks to Nathaniel Haraden, Victoria Tamberino, Widnie Dorillas, Sean Jackson, Ethan Billman, Josh Young, Widnie Dorillas, Autumn Tallant, and Dallas Olsen for conducting these activities.
- Nordic Skiing is heading into the championship season with strong results: Jack Fogarty landed in 14th place in the 15K classic race at the ECSC Championships, the men’s first top 15 in nearly a decade. The men’s sprint relay took 6th place in Lake Placid for Divisional Championships. The Ski team will compete in conference and national championships over the next few weeks.
- Eight members of the Striders snowshoe team qualified for US Snowshoe Nationals from their performances at the 10th Annual Whitaker’s Woods 4-Mile Snowshoe Race in NH. The team was led by FR Zack Sprott-Scribner, Sam Finger and Nick Ferrara (SR) who finished in 11, 12th, and 13th respectively. Margret Montag (SO) and Kelly Bosloper (JR) finished 3rd and 4th in the women’s age 20 – 29 category. Zack Bobbie followed up his fine performance in NH with a 6th place finish in the 5K at the Cock A Doodle Shoe Snowshoe Race. There were fifteen finishers in the 5K.
- PSC and the Dewey Mountain Recreation Area hosted the 3rd annual Adirondack Snowshoe Festival, including competitions and family activities at the VIC. Media coverage featuring many of our student athletes is found here.
- The Rock Wall is continuing its Kids Climbing nights on Sundays.
- The Outing Program has been running regular trips and has been offering skills training for backcountry skiiing and avalanche preparedness.
- We’ve had many terrific speakers this year for the signature Smitty Lecture Series. Dr. John Hausdoerffer from Western Colorado University wrapped up the series with an outstanding discussion of The Renewal Movement: Merging Environmental Ethics and Social Justice.
- Student Activities sponsored several events including a Superbowl Extravaganza, comedians Justin Rupple and Jay Black, a film screening and discussion of the movie “Harriet”, blood drive, basket raffle to raise money for the junior class gift, SGA Town Hall meeting, Soul Food theme dinner, Voter Registration event, and the 21+ Night to raise money for the senior class gift.
- The college in partnership with Saranac Lake/Tri-Lakes Christian faith leaders sponsored an event focused on strengthening friendship and building community.
- Admissions counselors have begun their Spring travel season and are traveling across the country giving classroom presentations, visiting high school guidance offices, and attending college fairs to recruit new students to PSC. In addition to our team going elsewhere, we’ve had a number of prospective students visit campus, including 26 for personal tours and 30 from Food and Finance High School (NYC) who visited overnight.
- Jodi Rossi, our international admissions counselor, attended recruitment tours in Nepal and Sweden, attending 19 college fairs, 2 college counselor networking events, 2 open-houses, 2 meetings with the US Embassy/Consulate Offices, and meetings with educational partners. She met with approximately 7,500 students and we already have 3 applicants!
- To help future Smitties achieve their educational goals, PSC has announced a Graduation Guarantee. Beginning with the Fall 2020 entering class, students who invest the appropriate effort and participation yet still need time to complete their 4-year degrees will have the opportunity to finish their coursework at no additional tuition cost.
- The Global Friendship Program launches this semester! This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to be matched with an international student. The Global Friendship Program provides international students with opportunities to experience life in the US and receive support while introducing hosts to global cultures and traditions. If interested, please contact Jodi Rossi at jrossi@paulsmiths.edu or 518-327-6072.
- The Financial Aid Office has begun sending award letters to incoming students for the Fall 2020 semester. The office also implemented Doc Star Imaging software and will begin going paperless for the 2020/2021 academic year.
- Alumni Class Representatives participated in on-campus training to help with alumni engagement in events, giving, and student recruitment.
- Thanks to the Senior Class for a great fundraising event in support of the senior class gift where over $500 was raised.
- During winter carnival we had great turnout at the joint alumni event at the Hotel Saranac; it was jointly hosted with North Country Community College.
Upcoming Events of Note
- March 7-13: Spring Break
- March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Irish Dinner
- March 17: Veteran Speaker
- March 18: Drop-in office hours with President Dove
- March 23: Caribbean Dinner
- March 25: Comedian
- March 26: Career Fair
- March 28: Admissions Open House
