SPRING 2001 www.smcm.edu

Cover photo of the Garden SEGREGATION AT GUADALAJARA of Remembrance taken by ENCOUNTERS Paul Matthai, '74. Look for J l» IwiftRI <•**•) Paul's work in the Aldom AN INTERVIEW WITH PG. 22 StMarysCbU^ Lounge of the Campus LIZ BARBER WALKER, Center during Reunion of Maryland Weekend, June 8-10. PG. to at Historic St. Marys City By Dirk Griffith;79

The College is pleased to announce the Lucy F. Spedden Scholarship, named for the alumna whose gift of nearly a million dollars makes it possible. The gift, established through a bequest, is expected to generate $50,000 a year in new scholarships. Born February 5, 1898 in Fishing Creek, near Cambridge on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Lucy Spedden lived to see her 100th birthday. Better known as "Miss Lucy," she hailed from the Class of 1916. She did not graduate from St. Mary's Female Seminary, leaving school instead to care for an ailing, widowed mother. Diploma or no, she couldn't have been a more loyal alumna. It has been said that Miss Lucy never married because she was manied to St. Mary's. Her personal dedication, leadership, and hard work inspired generations of alumnae. She planned her vacations to coincide with Reunion Weekend and came back to St. Mary's to recruit new members to the fledgling Alumni Association. When alumni records were destroyed in the 1924 Calvert Hall fire, Miss Lucy reconstructed many of them by hand. For many, many years she was an active member of the Washington, D.C. alumni chapter. Recognizing this lifetime of service, the College honored her in 1990 with the Order of the Ark and Dove.

For much of her life she played a lead­ ing role in the growth of the St. Mary's Alumni Association. For that alone, she'd be guaranteed a special place in the College's history. With this gift, and the countless students it will help, her legacy continues to be written. Many knew her in the last century as a leader and an advocate. Untold more will know her in the new one as a benefactor! con SPRING 2001

2 Editor's Remarks

3 President's Letter

4 College News

7 Our Contributors

8 Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose... Laraine Glidden, professor of psychology, associate provost for faculty affairs

10 She Got Through: Liz Barber's St. Mary's Experience Patricia Riley Dunlap, acting director of college publications

14 A Poet for Our Time Michael Glaser, professor of English

18 Life Changers

22 Guadalajara Encounters Patty Feeney '98

24 The Alumni Connection

30 Ben Weiner

32 The Last Page

•'.-I• I

"3 By St. Mary's College of Maryland Magazine The Mulberry Tree

Spring 2001, Vol. XXII, No. 2

mams Mulberryliee

Communications — a word that spells success or failure in life for individu­ Editor Lee Capristo als and institutions. As a liberal arts, academic community, communications Managing Editor Paula Mitchell is at the heart of the matter in our daily lives and interactions. At St. Mary's, Alumni Editor Emily Jackson we have chosen to place a stronger emphasis on how the College commu­ Design Robert Rytter 6k Associates nicates and presents itself to the community. You have seen the new word- Poetry Consultant Michael Glaser mark and logo, proudly stating our character as 'The Public Honors College Editorial Committee Carolina Calonje '01 Colleen Carpinelli ... at Historic St. Mary's City." There are intentional messages here that Patricia Riley Dunlap capture the essence of our place in the world of higher education. Nell Hampton Bjorn Krondorfer Anne Henderson Marum '62 My recent appointment as vice president for communications and new Torre Meringolo Paula Mitchell initiatives is another such intentional action. It will be my responsibility to Dennis Poremski develop the full presentation of the institution through its publications, its Lisa Scheer media relations, its Web site, and the many partnerships and community Bud Stringer '61 Julie Switzer outreach programs. I welcome the challenge and am grateful for the Publisher Office of Communications and opportunity. We will accomplish this mission in many ways over the coming New Initiatives months and years. One new initiative, of which you may already be aware, St. Mary's College of Maryland 18952 E. Fisher Dr. is the creation of The River Gazette. This newspaper, published 10 months St. Mary's City, MD 20686 of the year, features news, events, and stories of interest to the College Vice President Larry Vote community, local community, alumni, and friends of the institution. It for Communications and New Initiatives attempts to be a vibrant vehicle for conveying the life and momentum of Director of Anne Henderson Marum '62 the College. It is distributed with The Enterprise and sent to students, staff, Alumni Relations alumni, and friends. We hope you will share with us your response to The River Gazette so that we may better serve you through this medium. The Mulberry Tree is published fry St. Mary's College of Maryland, Maryland's public honors college for the liberal arts, his produced for alumni, faculty, staff, parents, graduating seniors, and friends of the College. The Mulberry Tree is another beloved publication of the College. Beginning with this issue, we begin to transition the magazine into one that clearly Tde magazine is named for the famous mulberry tree under which the addresses the interests of the alumni. Look for this change in the current Calvert colonists signed a treaty of friendship with the Yaocomico people edition with most of the articles reflecting an alumni interest or point of view. and on the trunk of which public notices were posted in the mid-1600s. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lee Capristo as editor of The The tree endured long into the 19th century and was once a popular Mulberry Tree. A superb writer and editor, she will guide the shaping of the meeting spot for St. Mary's students. magazine and solicit your opinions on what you would like to see in future issues. Lee will also serve as lead editor on our new Annual Report of the College, to be published each summer. With The River Gazette published 10 times a year, The Mulberry Tree published in May and December, Copyright 2001 by the Office of Communications and New Initiatives, and the Annual Report of the College coming in the summer, we will Calvert Hall, St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD 20686. be in contact with you every month of the year. We think that is what The opinions expressed in The Mulberry Tree are those of the indi­ communication is all about. vidual authors and not necessarily those of the College. The editor reserves the right to select and edit all material. Manuscripts and let­ ters to the editor are encouraged and may be addressed to Editor, Larry E. Vote The Mulberry Tree, SMCM Office of Communications and New Initiatives, 18952 E. Fisher Dr., St. Mary's City, MD 20686. Vice President for Communications and New Initiatives Photographs and illustrations: Front cover, Paul Matthai '74, Holly A. Giesen and family, Kirk Saunders, Doan Nguyen, Keith Harvey, Doug Barber, Joanne Goldwater, The Point News photographers, Meghan John, Patricia Riley Dunlap, Richard Poorman, Robert C. Lautman, Eric Heisler '00, and unnamed family members of contributing alumni and students. Photographs and illustrations may not be reproduced without the express written consent of St. Mary's College of Maryland. I erter Spring 2001 the president '•;-.

Dear Friends: It is almost exactly a year since the opening of the new Campus Center, and our return on this long-awaited investment continues to soar. In every way, the Campus Center has become more important than ever before. Students gather in the Great Room for dining and connection to each other, joined frequently by faculty and staff. Cole Cinema One is frequently packed to capacity for both the weekend film series and Robin Bates' Monday-and-Wednesday-evening genre film class, which gives classics like The Awful Truth and Letter from an Unknown Woman the screening and artists' interpretation they deserve. Saturday afternoon at the Franzen Campus Store is no longer a quiet reverie as students are joined by parents, prospective students, and local citizens who drop by for a cup of coffee or a T-shirt, or to browse through Ron Stone's newest book displays. The benefits of the new Campus Center go beyond good dining, good movies, and good books. Students set up with their guitars in the cafe terrace and play for friends and passersby. They host tables to announce raffles, club sign-ups, and programs. The information desk at the crossroads between the mailboxes and the main terrace entrance is a hot spot for conversations. And the Aldom and Yeager lounges provide casual landing pads for active students who use them to study an hour between classes, to meet with friends, or just to snooze. Twice this year we have gathered at the Campus Center for rallies, both times to express our concern and disappointment over individual incidents of hate crimes on our campus. We have gathered to remind ourselves that ours is America's oldest community of tolerance. We have come to reiterate our high standards for ourselves and for each other. And both times we collectively dispelled the sense of shame and discouragement that comes over a community victimized by cowardly acts of disrespect. The Campus Center is a magnet for all of us. At the annual Possum Bowl in December, I watched as several alumni sailors took in the grandeur of the Great Room for their first time. One of them reached out to touch the yellow pine post and then traced its ascent to the vaulted ceiling. "This is my College?" he mused. And then, after a while, he whispered, "Yes, this is my College." We are indebted to those who planned, designed, and built this building, and especially to our Director of Facilities Chip Jackson and Executive Vice President of Administration Emeritus John Underwood. The Campus Center has become our Agora, and may we use it as wisely as did that great civilization of the past. Sincerely, , ^7*£~

Jane Margaret O'Brien *1 U.S.News Spring 2001 £Q e news America's RfMSt 1 By Marc Apter,1 directorW of public and media relations I:

SMCM How to choose the right school The Fiske Guide also ranks SMCM in Time Magazine's The Best Colleges for RANKS AT among the top 10 percent of colleges You — 2001 Edition, they write, "St. THE TOP 2001 Edition in the nation. "St. Mary's is one of the Mary's College is the only public honors Word has spread. As Governor best deals on the East Coast.. .bent on college in Maryland; it's a small, highly Glendening remarked in his State of establishing itself as one of the country's selective, state-funded liberal arts college the State Address in January, "St. Mary's premier public liberal arts colleges.. .it is with a breathtaking campus..." College is recognized as the nation's best gaining stature and attracting more and public liberal arts college." Nine of the more students for whom it is the first NEW ANTHOLOGY INCLUDES FOUR nation's most prestigious magazines and choice," writes Edward B. Fiske, former FROM SMCM college-ranking publications have given Education Editor of The New York Times. Nearly a century of literary vision is cap­ St. Mary's College of Maryland high In Kiplinger's October 2000 issue, SMCM tured in Weavings 2000: The Maryland marks this year. is ranked as one of the top 10 small pub­ Millennial Anthology, the most compre­ hensive collection of contemporary For the second year in a row, U.S. News lic colleges (under 4,000) and as a best Maryland writers published. Over 125 & World Report ranked SMCM as the value in public colleges. The College famous and lesser-known Maryland number-one public liberal arts college also ranks highly in a number of cate­ writers, aged 8 to 90, are featured in in the nation. In its America's Best gories for The College Finder: Choosing Weavings 2000, including four members Colleges 2001 Edition, it asserts that the School That's Right for You. Among of SMCM's faculty and staff. Edited by St. Mary's College of Maryland offers the categories: colleges where teachers SMCM Professor Michael S. Glaser, "superior education at a comparatively work closely with students, and colleges this anthology is a tapestry of Maryland's low tuition price." with strong sailing programs. finest contemporary poetry, fiction, The Princeton Review ranks the College In addition, SMCM ranked among the memoirs, and essays. among the top 10 percent of the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the nation St. Mary's College writers include colleges and universities in the country for Asian Americans by a Magazine— Lucille Clifton, Jeffrey Coleman, Jeffrey in its The Best 331 Colleges Ranked by Inside Asian America. Insight On The Hammond, and Jeanne Fryberger Vote. Students for 2001: Professors, Dorms, News ranked SMCM in the top 15 Professor Lucille Clifton is this year's Parties, &More. "Small, highly selec­ colleges with strong academic liberal winner of the National Book Award and tive, state-funded, and ultra-affordable, arts values. The College also makes a Pushcart Prize, as well as a former Poet St. Mary's College is Maryland's public Barron's list for the top 10 percent of Laureate of Maryland. Jeffrey Coleman honor college.. .and represents a real colleges in the nation in its publication, is a member of the English faculty. value in American higher education," Profiles of American Colleges 2001. And Jeffrey Hammond, professor of English, it reports. is a winner of one of this year's Pushcart maiiDoilk x Correction To the editor: students the opportunities they take so We offer our sincere apologies to those Thank you so very much for sending me much for granted. People are amazed donors whose names were accidentally a copy of the [February 16, 2001] River when I tell my stories — even down to omitted from the donor lists featured Gazette. [My husband and I] enjoyed [the graduating classes of 22 and 13 people! in the St. Mary's College of Maryland article "Love at St. Mary's College"] and We also enjoyed The Mulberry Tree Papers 1999 Annual Report, published in the the fact that you felt the old-timers' stories with my comments on Louisa K. Rotha. fall edition of The Mulberry Tree Papers. were of note! I often think that we lived She was a stern taskmaster, yet a very Those names are: in a cocoon, but at the time, we certainly gentle and caring lady and, for me, a major didn't know it. In fact, the entire county Jane Margaret O'Brien and role model. She had high expectations of was in a time warp. I guess the navy base James A. Grube, 1840 Society us, and made no compromises, yet I can is pushing it into the 21st century. It was a still see her teasing us and laughing with Todd D. and Kimberly B. Kelley, time of gentler persuasion, yet we man­ us! Thank you for including my thoughts 1840 Society aged to become thinking and productive in your excellent publication — we've citizens, and we certainly saw enormous Margaret A. Duchesne 77, come a long way from the mimeographed change in the world in our lifetimes. I love Garden of Remembrance Club communications of the 1940s! seeing the College become more and more We regret the enor. immersed in the real world, and envy the Rachel Early Green '47HS and '49JC Spring 2001

r]tft0V%{ s ,000 E. ,0, o,n w«---«* - „»WW« !*»** Program (LEAP) for the next 15 years. "Once you quantify things, they THE' The grant was awarded to St. Mary's become much more manipulable and _rt)* I "^ College of Maryland by Boeing to understandable, and it's possible to implement an after-school program that create precise theories about them," will be conducted by two undergraduate says Hicks. The documentary used science students at the College and a social data to shed light on many teacher at Carver. This is Boeing's first misconstrued notions about supposed cuniculum development grant in St. American trends. For example, voter Prizes. Jeanne Fryberger Vote, director Mary's County. participation is not declining as is of Continuing Education, has been commonly reported; parents do, in fact, published in the Potomac Review and SMCM PROFESSOR CO-AUTHORED spend more time with their children has directed SMCM's Women in Poetry HIT PBS DOCUMENTARY now than in the past; and Americans Invitational for the last eight years. Louis Hicks, associate professor of read more than ever before. sociology at SMCM, was one of three ST. MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND, The book and documentary are founded co-authors in the writing of the PBS BOEING, AND ST. MARY'S PUBLIC on the examination of census data, documentary, The First Measured SCHOOLS JOIN FORCES TO HELP government statistics and surveys. The Century: An Illustrated Guide to Trends STUDENTS PREPARE FOR HIGH-TECH use of measurement and statistics not in America, 1900-2000, and the book of CAREERS only reflects a change in American the same name on which it was based. An innovative social trends, but also a change in The book received rave reviews from research technique and procedure. after-school The New York Times, The Wall Street enrichment Through a series of charts and essays, Journal and U.S.A. Today, among the success and failures of America in program for others. Hicks' book, co-written th the 20th century, including an expan­ 4 grade with Theodore Cap low and Ben J. sion of economic, social, and cultural students Wattenberg, has ranked in the top 100 liberty, can be measured and analyzed. at George on the Amazon.com best-sellers list. Washington In addition, scores of colleges have AUDIENCE COMMISSIONS PIECE BY Carver adopted his book for classroom use. SMCM PROFESSOR DAVID FROOM Elementary School in The world premiere of the PBS docu­ Composer David Froom, associate Lexington Carver student Laketa mentary, featuring a brief introduction professor of music at SMCM, heard the Spicer investigates the by Professor Hicks, was held in the first performance of his newly commis­ Park was nature of matter. announced SMCM Campus Center Cole Cinema sioned ensemble piece, Fantasy Dances, th on November 16, 2000, at the school. One theatre on December 10, 2000. played by the 20 Century Consort on The program is underwritten by a The PBS network aired The First January 27, 2001. Fantasy Dances was $25,000 grant from the Boeing Company Measured Century nationally on commissioned by nine private indi­ Charitable Trust. In a first-of-its-kind December 20, 2000. viduals, a new trend in commissioning music, in honor of the 20th Century collaborative effort between Boeing, The documentary focused on this cen­ Consort's 25th anniversary season. St. Mary's College of Maryland, and the tury's inclination toward measurement. St. Mary's County Board of Education, a These nine individuals from the group of deserving students is receiving D.C. metropolitan area came together science and math enrichment. to form a club with the purpose of SMCM President Maggie O'Brien said, commissioning music and "giving a "This grant from Boeing shows the gift to the world," says group member commitment of a major corporation in Robert Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz once Southern Maryland to join hands with thought "only princes or kings could public education over the long haul commission music," but with the to help Boeing and other high-tech formation of this new commissioning companies find personnel to meet their club, consisting of architects, doctors, needs for well-trained employees here psychologists and a volunteer at the in the county." National Cathedral, "an average concert-goer now has the opportunity The program's endowment will provide to commission music." a Learning Enrichment After-school Professor fouis Hicks in his SMCM office. continued on page 6 Spring 2001

SPONSORED FACULTY PROJECTS Rachel Myerowitz - funds from this Charles Adler - a three-year grant National Science Foundation grant from the National Science Foundation enabled the purchase of a DNA sequencer - $31,665 to study rainbow reffactometry - i $152,157 Elizabeth Osborn - a fellowship from Lucille Clifton - a three-year grant the Woodrow Wilson International from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Center for Scholars in Washington for Foundation to enable families of two Eastern European Studies - $9,000 SMCM Professor and composer David Froom (r) St. Mary's County elementary schools Richard Piatt - a continuation of a at the premiere of Fantasy Dances to share stories, poetry, songs - $33,562 National Science Foundation $105,000 grant to study the influence of personality Composer David Froom was deemed Karen Crawford - the National and cognitive factors on memory - the perfect choice for the first commis­ Science Foundation Opportunity $4,125 sion not only because of the quality Award to study the early development and style of his compositions, but Henry Rosemont - the Association of of the squid embryo, Loligo pealei - American Colleges and Universities because he frequently attends the $18,000 concerts of the 20th Century Consort. grant to help campus teams expand their David Froom says he finds it "exciting Michael Glaser - the Maryland knowledge of Japan and integrate Japan- and gratifying that an audience wants Commission for Celebration 2000 related content into the cuniculum. to take commissioning matters into grant funded his book, Weavings 2000: Lois Stover - a Maryland State their own hands." The Maryland Millennial Anthology, Department of Education grant for a collection of over 125 Maryland a professional development school SMCM'S JEFFREY SILBERSCHLAG - writers - $50,000 FIRST AMERICAN NAMED PRINCIPAL partnership between the College and GUEST CONDUCTOR OF A RUSSIAN Laraine Glidden - a five-year research St. Mary's County Public Schools - ORCHESTRA grant from the National Institute of $35,799 Child Health and Human Development Jeffrey Silberschlag, professor Robert Paul and Christopher Tanner continues her study of families rearing - a grant from the U.S. Department of of music at SMCM and children with disabilities - $1,126,823 director of the Chesapeake Housing and Urban Development to Chamber Orchestra and The Holly Gorton and Bill Williams - a continue a $320,000 E.P.A. grant to River Concert Series, has been National Science Foundation grant to monitor the ecological health of the named principal guest conduc­ study chloroplast movement and how St. Mary's River and its watershed and tor of the Moscow Academy it may protect photosynthetic appara­ to document changes - $92,500 Chamber Orchestra (Music tus from radiation stress - $230,000 Meredith Taylor and Henry Director, Alexander Rudin). Katharina von Kellenbach - an Rosemont - the Japan Foundation He is the first American to American Council of Learned Societies has funded a new faculty position in hold an ongoing position as grant to investigate the failure of post­ Japanese dramatic arts - $83,186 Professor and principal guest conductor with war Germany to prosecute perpetrators conductor a Russian orchestra. During his Gail Savage - the American Jeffrey of Nazi atrocities - $7,838 Association of University Women Silberschlag appointment, Mr. Silberschlag grant supports research to study will lead the highly considered Wes Jordan - an American divorce laws - $27,000 Moscow group in a five-year exploration Psychological Association grant to of American music. support the creation of prototypes of Christopher Tanner - Work with Psychology Trunks - $2,500 This appointment came after his Potomac Crossing Consultants to much-praised series of concerts in Edward Kobrinski, Phyllis Keen, create new beds of eelgrass in the Moscow and St. Petersburg with the Lois Stover - a grant from the U.S. lower Potomac River - $11,142 Moscow Academy Chamber Orchestra Department of Education to help the Travel Abroad Office - a grant from and the St. Petersburg Soloists. Five College and the St. Mary's Public the Mellon Foundation to plan a concerts were held in late December School system to integrate technology seminar on safety issues regarding and early January at the Moscow - $82,997 student travel abroad - $35,000 Philharmonic Hall and the Grand Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. \^_y _-M—-L %_^^_jj' Spring 2001

MICHAEL S. GLASER LARAINE GLIDDEN PAUL MATTHAI '74 (photographer - cover photo) More than 300 of Laraine Glidden Michael S. Glaser's joined the faculty in Paul Matthai graduated from St. poems have been psychology in 1976. Mary's College in 1974 and has been published, most In addition to her taking photographs for more than 25 recently in the teaching in develop­ years. His work has varied from photo- American Scholar, mental psychology journalist travelogues to contemporary New Letters, Prairie and her research fine art photography. He has captured Schooner, Christian Science Monitor, on parenting children with disabilities, images of Turkey, the Persian Gulf, and Unsettling America (Viking Penguin), she has served as director of the honors South Africa as well as the natural Outsiders (Milkweed Editions) and Light program, head of the human develop­ beauty of the Grand Canyon and the Gathering Poems (Holt). In the Men's ment division, special assistant to the Shenandoah Mountains. His cunent Room and Other Poems won the 1996 president, and, cunently, associate photographic interest is in creating Painted Bride Quarterly chapbook provost for faculty affairs. unique and beautiful visions of bleak competition. Glaser edited Weavings industrial landscapes. His work will be 2000: The Maryland Millennial PATTY FEENEY '98 displayed in the Boyden Gallery of Anthology, and has written a chapbook Patty Feeney graduated from St. Montgomery Hall during Reunion to be published by Pudding House Mary's College in 1998 with a major Weekend 2001, June 8-10. Publications. in economics and Spanish. In this issue, she writes about her experiences as coordinator of foreign students studying at El Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Campus Guadalajara. Patty is cunently living in Phoenix and working as an economic researcher at Applied Economics. She also teaches Spanish at Mesa Community College. ose...

The river is still here. The re are more bricks.

impressed forever, no matter the number of years that have passed. We remember the first time we saw it. We had driven ridden from some distance, perhaps frc one of the airports, or from some c Maryland or Virginia or Pennsylvania county. Suddenly, we realized that we were close, and that our destination was upon us. We saw the speed limit sign — one of the 30 — and we began to slow down. We books she has published. drove around the bend, and there it was — the river. It is the river that never changes, and that changes constantly, from moment to moment. I estimate that I have driven Route 5 to the College, slowed down (at least some of the time) to not-quite 30, and looked out at the river at least 22,080 times. It is a sight that is forever. Spring 2001

Of course, we have a lot more bricks, helping to change the world, if only a small The education is different. too. We have the bricks of Montgomery part of it. Service work and volunteerism is The 1976 catalog had 61 pages; the Hall, and of all the townhouses, and at an all-time high, and many students cunent catalog runs to 214. Most of of Daugherty-Palmer Commons, and seem less interested in how much money these extra pages are descriptions of more Schaefer Hall, and the library addition, and they can earn and more interested in the majors, more programs, and more courses. the rebuilt and expanded Campus Center. social impact that their work will have. There are many more courses that students And the brick pathways that help to con­ One example is the increase in the number may elect now than they could in 1976: nect and unify this expanded campus. of students who are choosing to enter the field of education by pursuing teacher Digital Imaging The students are the same. certification. In just the last four years, this Environmental Ethics number has tripled and now represents There is a constancy about 18-year-olds, -::' Civil Rights Movement about 10% of each graduating class. regardless of the era. They (we) all anived Heaven and Hell at college, eager for the new world and the & Economics of Developing Countries new life that lay before us. We were scared Our mission is the same. Molecular Evolution and we were excited. We alternated Students who entered the College in 1976 Health Psychology between moments of panic and moments read the following in their catalog: "The These are a few titles of courses offered of exhilaration. And — at least sometimes objective of the liberal arts curriculum at in fall 2000. None of them was offered — the panic was exhilarating! We were St. Mary's College of Maryland is to sharp­ in 1976. anxious about whether we would succeed en awareness of the fundamental issues at And what we do in courses is also — in the classroom, on the athletic field, stake in those worlds — natural, social and different. More writing is expected, as in the choir, on the newspaper. Would we spiritual — in which we live and to develop are more student presentations. Many be good students, good roommates, good the critical tools necessary for the analysis courses have some kind of computer friends, good scientists, good artists? Would and communication of ideas concerning component — e-mail conespondence, we even be able to figure out what we these dimensions... the college experience listserves, PowerPoint presentations, wanted to be good at, other than every­ is seen as a process, part of a continuum preparation of e-portfolios, Web-based thing, of course? Maybe some of us knew which begins in the early years, is given assignments, and so forth. who we were, and a few thought we knew impetus and direction during the under­ what we wanted to become. But most of us graduate experience and which acquires a spent our days and nights learning how to self-sustaining momentum for later life. And the education is the figure out the answers to all of the questions If growth ceases with the diploma, the same. we had about identity and intimacy, about college has failed. St. Mary's seeks to train As both mission statements emphasize, success and failure, about happiness and students who have mastered knowledge St. Mary's tries to prepare its students for despair. Students used to spend their years both in some breadth and depth, and who lifelong learning. That was true in 1976, at SMCM growing up. And that's pretty have acquired the skills and appetite to and it is still true in 2001. What we much what students still do in the year become learners all their lives." teach and the tools we use to teach have 2001. Entering a new century and a new evolved. As the society has changed, we In 2001, they can read, "The St. Mary's millennium hasn't changed that at all. have had to change to prepare our stu­ cuniculum is designed to give students an dents to take their place in the world. excellent general education and to help But the emphasis on the individual in a The students are different. them develop keen intellectual skills that supportive environment with a faculty Well, yes, this is also true. Entering students will serve them through life. The College's who are actively engaged and care about in the 1990s and presumably into the guiding premise is that the best preparation their students — that has stayed the 2000s come better prepared for college for a life of value is an education which same, and I think we all wish and strive work than they used to. They have taken encompasses the humanities, the arts, the to make it always so. more honors and advanced placement sciences, and the social sciences; which courses. They are computer literate — in stresses the links between disciplines while some instances more so than the faculty! allowing for individual specialization in I almost always rely on students to help particular academic fields; and which Plus ca change, plus cest me design Web sites, for example. develops in students the ability to continue la mime chose. Students are different in other ways, too. learning on their own." Although having a good time is still a Both mission statements emphasize high priority, more students seem more breadth and depth and the importance * The more things concerned with being good citizens, with of preparation for lifelong learning. change, the more they stay the same. She Got Th rou gflfel.* of i\V, *•*« Mhi dt&i -rfflf-'/* <;** ^ Mavytana. ISP 1? .

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More than 36 years after her graduation, Elizabeth Barber Walker still chokes up when she recalls her years at St. Mary's College. Unlike her fellow alumnae, Liz's emotions surface not from fond memo­ ries of affable classmates and supportive professors, although she had a few of each, but from the invective she suffered as the College's first African-American student. Her story serves as a reminder of a time and a culture that are thankfully part of our past. It also highlights the social progress St. Mary's College has made since 1962. By Patricia Riley Dunlap Delivered by her grandmother on January 10, Elizabeth Barber was bom black in racially segregated Southern Maryland. Living in Park Hall, William Henry Barber ran a construction compa­ ny (it built much of Town Creek) while his wife, Cora Elizabeth, worked as a domestic. Their five children (four girls and a boy) attended the all-black schools in the area — Jarboesville Elementary and George Washington Carver High. Liz is the eldest. 10 Ms. Fleming told Liz Spring 200 i 11 that no African American 2 had ever attended the E. 120-year-old school. 4 The racism that defined society dawned Mary's black custodial staff would keep gradually on Liz. She first resisted it at When asked many years an eye out for trouble. age seven or eight when she and her Meanwhile, the College worked to ease mother were shopping for shoes in later how she had Liz's matriculation. The "big sister" they Lexington Park. As they waited, white selected was Grace Barolett, a child customers who had come into the managed to get of a military family who, having been store after them were served, one after lizintoSt. Mary's, exposed to other races and cultures, another. Liz and her mother could have was comfortable with the assignment been invisible. Eventually, the little girl Ms. Fleming responded, to mentor Liz during her freshman year. became provoked enough to insist that And the administration exempted Liz she didn't need shoes, stand up, and "Sheer subterfuge!" from the traditional freshman require­ walk out. Lecturing her on the need to It worked. ment to wear a "Rat" sign, concerned avoid trouble, her mother bought her that it would draw more harassment shoes at another store where they were would require Liz to apply suneptitiously than usual in her case. Despite every­ better treated. and to be prepared for mistreatment if one's efforts, the first day of classes A second memory returns her to the day she enrolled. found Liz too nervous to eat breakfast. she was unpacking books for the upcom­ Mr. Barber was concerned for his daugh­ The first day of classes, Liz walked to ing school year with the principal, Mr. ter's safety, but Ms. Fleming reassured Anne Arundel Hall waiting for her "big Mears, and some teachers at Jarboesville him that a safety network would be sister" to spot her. Students stared, point­ school. She asked Mr. Murchison, her created, and he assented. Ms. Fleming ed, and spoke to each other, but no one mathematics teacher, why "new" books then obtained an application for Liz spoke to her. At last, she heard Grace had marks and names in them. He and worked with the family to complete call her name, and, within minutes, explained that white children had used it without checking the "race block," Grace's sister Cathy and Cathy's friend them, but they were new for black chil­ mentioning the high school from Lyn Perkett joined them. The quartet dren. When Liz questioned him further, which Liz would graduate, or sending a walked on to their classes, chatting as he told her that that was the way things photograph. Each of these items would they went. It was the only friendly were and that she and her classmates have drawn attention to Liz's race and encounter Liz would have that day and were lucky to have books at all. might have led to her rejection. When one of few over the entire two-year peri­ A bright child, Liz brought home good asked many years later how she had od. Classmates teaming up in class or grades and positive teacher comments. managed to get Liz into St. Mary's, Ms. P. E. would go to great lengths to avoid In high school she dreamed of college, Heming responded, "Sheer subterfuge!" her, and verbal abuse was a daily event. but bleakly, since her family couldn't It worked. This cold reception caused Liz to spend the first few moments of each class plan­ afford to send her to one of the historic Liz's stomach flip-flopped when she ning escape routes and defensive strate­ black colleges. She shared her ambition opened the letter from St. Mary's and gies, just in case. Today, Liz identifies with her French teacher, Delores read of her acceptance and an invitation the principal emotions she felt as a St. Fleming, who asked her if she had con­ to attend a family meeting at the Mary's student as "loneliness and fear." sidered St. Mary's College. Ms. Fleming College. Friends and supporters leaped thought it was a state school although into action. Lt. Cdr. and Mrs. Lyle Her professors varied in their responses. most Southern Maryland blacks believed Pollard, for whom Liz babysat, bought Most were cool and distant, providing it to be private. The difference was sig­ her new clothes. Delores Heming help and advice if she requested it, but nificant since the 1954 Supreme Court enlisted her colleague Elvare Gaskins offering nothing proactively. She feels ruling, Brown v. the Board of Education to join Liz, her parents, and her for the that some gave her lower grades than of Topeka, Kansas, required only public meeting, instructing them all in the she deserved. One English professor, in institutions to desegregate. Confirming post-Brown-decision civil rights laws. particular, returned Liz's assignments its public status with the state depart­ The black community united behind Liz with no notations concerning strengths ment of education, Ms. Fleming told to ensure her safety. Liz's father would or weaknesses, just the grades — never Liz that no African American had ever drive her to campus every morning and above a "C." This same professor left the attended the 120-year-old school. Liz's pick her up at a designated spot near classroom more often than was custom­ willingness to proceed took Ms. Fleming Brent Hall every afternoon. If she wasn't ary, leaving her white students to glare to the Barber house where she explained there, he would take action. (Liz isn't malevolently at Liz, throw paper balls at the implications to her parents. She sure what he might have done.) He and her, and call her names. Male students told them that the racially prejudiced her uncles would check on her off and were particularly overt in their hostility. atmosphere of Southern Maryland on during the day, and members of St. continued on I 12 12 Spring 2001

.3

Determined not to respond, Liz would influence Barber- remind herself that everyone was watch­ family dynamics. ing her, even politicians, that she was Threatening tele­ making history, and that the county's phone calls, often future depended on her success. placed in the wee hours of the morning, At home with Liz and some of her Teddy bear collection. In a historical context, Liz's St. Mary's had long been a experience was calm. At a time when concern, and her father was having a In her last year (1963 — '64) Liz governors blocked university doorways in much harder time acquiring construction became involved in a few extra-cmricu- Alabama and Arkansas, black students contracts. Liz had noticed the belt-tight­ lar activities, attending concerts and were brutalized and murdered, police ening, but her parents never mentioned madrigals, and assuming a marginal posi­ attacked peaceful black demonstrators any of this to her, even during this tion on the basketball team. When the with fire hoses and vicious dogs, and crucial evening. If Liz had known that team traveled, Liz sat up front with Earl order in some cities depended on the her family was affected so deeply, she Sommerville, the black bus driver, who National Guard, Liz was comparatively might have withdrawn from St. Mary's was friendlier with her than her team­ lucky. Her awareness of national events immediately, but not a word was said, mates were. One night in Waldorf, raised rather than lowered her level of even when she insisted on staying put. when push came to shove, her coaches concern. Who knew what lay around The fact that she was beginning to proved steadfast. The bus had stopped the next corner? develop a small cadre of friends added at a restaurant so the girls could eat and Liz's one potentially violent encounter to her determination and her desire to use the facilities. The coaches had gone was cut short by a watchful custodian pave the way for other minorities. inside, telling the girls to stay on the and a considerate professor. That day, bus for the time being. Desperate for a Liz gratefully remembers those who were Liz left her English class and noticed restroom, the girls began to file off and kind to her. She learned to play bridge custodian Florence Ball standing in the go inside. The coaches ordered them (then a gateway into campus society) hallway as a curiously nervous sentinel, back to the bus, explaining that they by watching, and many students were apparently ready to react to something would be returning immediately to willing to play with her. However, when Liz had not yet seen or heard. Something campus. They told Earl and Liz that the Cathy Barolett asked her to take her place about Ms. Ball's demeanor made the hair restaurant manager had refused to serve at the bridge table, Andy, the student she on the back of Liz's neck tingle. Behind the two of them, and that the decision would have played with, walked out her she could hear the sound of books had been made to respond as a team. of the room. Classmates who became being dropped on the floor and feet "They could serve us all, or get none of good friends included Donna King, Sue running in her direction. Then someone our business," recalled Liz. "The ride Crumpacker, Carol Taylor, John Slade III raced by, knocking the books out of Liz's back seemed especially long since nearly (now judge of the District Court of the arms, and causing panic to make its way all of us really needed a restroom." This state of Maryland), and Ken Dickson, up her throat. At that moment, Home jumbled mix of cruelty and kindness who was playing tennis with Liz when Economics Professor Charlotte Oslund continued to the end. news of President Kennedy's assassination stepped out of her empty classroom, reached them. Regina Hammett and Rita At commencement, graduating students pulled Liz into it, and shut the door. Conine were always kind to her, and, of sat on a stage, and Liz was the second While Liz recovered her composure, course, there were Grace and Cathy student to walk up to President Russell Florence Ball, without Liz's knowledge, Barolett and Lyn Perket. Some faculty and to receive her diploma. When she telephoned her father. Afraid to stay on staff members also went out of their way returned, her chair had been removed, campus, Liz began to walk home, but to support her. Liz particularly remembers forcing her to stand among her seated soon realized that her father would call Dean of Women Beatrice Simms, History classmates. Finally someone found a the police if he couldn't find her. She Professor Kemp Yarborough, Librarian chair and students cooperated in the returned to campus, catching her father Margaret Keen, and Registrar Lois effort to pass it up to her. She doesn't just in time. Donhiser. Her impression was that remember ever being so embanassed. That evening Ms. Fleming and the Residence Nurse Ethel Chance didn't After the ceremony, while her family Barber family talked late into the night consider race when she dealt with people, and friends gathered at a local park to about withdrawing Liz from St. Mary's. allowing her to become the only adult on celebrate, Liz remembered thinking, Liz still remembers her repeated campus with whom Liz could talk openly "I did it. I got through!" response: "No. I've never been a quitting and laugh over a good joke. Professor The following September Liz began child. I'm making a difference in this Oslund, who may have saved her from classes at Hampton University at Ms. county, and I can't quit now." By this harm that ominous day, also became a Heming's suggestion. She felt that "Liz time, Liz's situation had begun to compassionate champion of Liz's welfare. Spring 2C01 \ 3

Diversity ~ Our Mission 2 had suffered enough." As she told one In late December, under President last fall that the Phoenix Foundation inquirer, "I'll never put a black child Maggie O'Brien's leadership, SMCM had folded without notifying them. through that again as long as I live." committed to helping over 40 seniors When President O'Brien learned of In 1966, Liz graduated with a degree in in Washington D.C. high schcwls real­ their loss, she offered to fill the gap in speech and a minor in English. Later, ize their higher education goals, even two ways. First, St. Mary's offered full she earned a master's degree in special though their original scholarships had tuition scholarships to Bruce-Monroe education from Old Dominion vanished. After meeting twice with students who could meet SMCM University and took some doctoral the students, SMCM hosted a college- admissions requirements. Second, she courses there. For several years, Liz counseling program on campus, and Governor Glendening established taught speech and language communi­ culminating in a Bnice-Monroe Task die Bruce-Monroe Task Force, securing cations at Green Holly school in Force College Fair on February 26. Its college opportunities for them all. Lexington Park. While there, she goal was to provide every student helped to inventory the language devel­ who had been promised college scholar­ In addition to St. Mary's, partici­ opment of every 2 '/^-year-old child in ships by the now-defunct Phoenix pating colleges include Cecil St. Mary's County and began teaching Foundation just that. Community College, Frostburg the learning disabled. Maniage to career State University, Morgan State The Fair brought together regional sailor Houston Walker took her away University, Towson University, and college counselors, scholarship assis­ from home — eventually to Norfolk, the University of Maryland. tance agencies, the students, and Virginia — where she teaches seventh- their families to secure individualized Several contributors stepped in to and eighth-grade challenged students at admissions placement and financial help. Trustees of the Francis L. and Azalea Middle School. Now a widow aid. Happily, that goal was met for Ann M. Koenig Charitable Trust and mother of 2 7-year-old Knaron, a every single student. and the Koenig Private Foundation special needs woman on the verge of donated $100,000 toward SMCM working and living independently, Liz In 1995, the sixth-grade class of Bruce- scholarships for Bruce-Monroe alums has reconnected with her first higher Monroe Elementary School in D.C. and Calvert County students. In education alma mater, returning to was promised full college scholarships addition, DC-CAP, in partnership speak of her experiences on three upon high school graduation. The stu­ with Fight for Children, has estab­ separate occasions since 1991. dents from low-income families, now lished the Bruce-Monroe Scholarship seniors, were disappointed to learn late When asked if she would do it all again, Program to help these students. Liz reaffirmed her commitment. "It needed to be done, but I would involve Director of Admissions Rich myself more. I'd try to have an impact Edgar bids a fond farewell to on the cumculum and be bolder Tori Hill. about participating in extra-auricular activities. I would have loved to have lived on campus. It might have made a difference. But I did graduate, and it wasn't handed to me." Liz Walker doesn't understand why so few St. Mary's County African Americans attend St. Mary's College. She knows from her recent experiences on campus that the College's mission now includes education for all talented students regardless of their ability to pay and the building of a diverse community of scholars (faculty, students, and staff). She's met with members of the Black Student Union. "Things have changed at St. Mary's," she says, "and I wish President O'Brien, rear, right, the county's black community would accompanies students through encourage its children to attend college the Reynolds Courtyard of the there. I opened the door for them, but Campus Center. nobody's going through." A By Michael Glaser, Professor of English

Lucille Clifton outside the SMCM library.

For National Poetry Month in April 1999, the Writer's Center in Bethesda,

Maryland, with a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council, sent to every public

library in Maryland a display about the last four poet laureates of Maryland and copies

of their books. This display included a short, written appreciation of Lucille Clifton,

who held that post from 1979 to 1985. Professor Clifton holds the College's Hilda C.

Landers Endowed Chair in the liberal Arts and has been its distinguished professor of

humanities for just over ten years. In November 2000, she was awarded the prestigious

National Book Award for poetry. Michael Glaser, former chair of the Department of

English at SMCM, was asked to write about Lucille Clifton. His comments, updated

to include recent events, are reprinted here. 14 .Spring 2001 15

2

At the beginning collection of poems, courage to write about it. Some regard of her memoir, Blessing the Boats: her as a survivor of cancer. Others find Generations, Lucille New and Selected comfort and insight in her poems about Clifton recalls a Poems, 1988-2000, being a mother or a widow. Many quotation from the was published last readers treasure her poetry for its crystal book of Job. April by BOA clarity of language, and most value her Speaking to his Editions, Ltd. and work for its spirituality and its struggle "friends," who are MEW AH0 SEIECTE& received the to salvage what grace we can. arguing that his POEMS 1988-2000 National Book Clifton writes of her life in ways that suffering must be a Award in November give voice to the experiences of many consequence for of 2000. Other major African Americans while still subtly, but something he has acknowledgments sharply, pointing out the implicit racism done, Job states, LPCILLi CLIFTON she has received that exists, often unrecognized, in the ______include the Shelley "Lo, mine eye hath ______privileged, white construction of things. Memorial Prize, a seen all this, mine In one of her early poems, she wrote: ear hath heard and understood it. What Charity Randall Citation, selection as a ye know, the same do I know also; I am Literary Lion by the New York Public in the inner city Library, a Lannan Achievement Award not inferior unto you." or in Poetry, and a Lila-Wallace/Reader's These are the words of a strong and Digest Award. She is the only poet who like we call it rightfully proud person. And they are has had two books selected as finalists appropriate words for the beginning of home for the Pulitzer Prize in the same year. a memoir by a woman whose roots go Professor Clifton serves on the board More recently, her language expresses deeply with her people to the Dahomey of chancellors of the Academy of her feelings quite explicitly. In her women of Africa. The generations of American Poets and was recently poem, "jasper texas 1998, for j. byrd" Ms. Clifton's family encompass a history elected as a fellow of the American (from her latest book, Blessing the Boats: of both pain and pride, from free people Academy of Arts and Sciences. New and Selected Poems), she considers in Africa to freed slaves in America. what happened to Mr. Byrd's body as Born Lucille Sayles in Depew, New As important as they may be, these it was dragged behind a truck by two York, she went to Howard University, recognitions have little to do with why white men and asks: manied Fred J. Clifton, mothered six Professor Clifton writes. For her, writing children, never completed college, and is a way of being in this world — a why and why and why has received ten honorary doctorate way of continuing to hope, a way of should I call a white man brother? degrees. During this time, Lucille connecting with something beyond the Clifton has become one of America's loneliness and despair that too often Clifton's early work includes three of most acclaimed writers whose work is seem to creep along the borders of our her best-known poems, "homage to my treasured for its compassion, wisdom, days. Writing, she claims, is a way of hair," "homage to my hips," and "what and light. Her poems and stories not saying, "I am not alone." the minor said." In them, she celebrates only teach us about our world, they also with sassy verve and sensuality her Many who know her contend that urge us toward the genuine, by model­ "nappy hair" and hips that can "put a Lucille Clifton's most significant gift — ing the courage and integrity that many spell on a man and / spin him like a in her person and in her poetry — is her consider necessary for both poetry well top!" as well as a body that her minor capacity for joy. Even as we necessarily wrought and lives well lived. calls "a wonder." "you got a geography / acknowledge the darkness, Lucille of your own," it tells her, concluding, Cunently serving as distinguished pro­ states, so, also, must we choose joy. "Mister with his hands on you / he got fessor of humanities and holding the "To acknowledge the darkness and not his hands on / some / damn / body!" Hilda C. Landers Endowed Chair in the choose joy may well be sin." More recent poems explore with Liberal Arts at St. Mary's College of Readers value Clifton's poetry for many increased complexity the experience of Maryland, Ms. Clifton's previous book, reasons. Some see her as an African- being a woman: "poem in praise of Tfie Terrible Stories, was a finalist for the American poet documenting the menstruation," "poem to my uterus," National Book Award, the Lenore struggles of her people. Others see her as and "to my last period" as well Marshall Prize, and the Los Angeles a feminist who speaks out for women's as "lumpectomy eve," which ends: Times Book Award. Her most recent rights. Some see in her a woman who has been abused and who has the

continued on page 16 16 Spring 2001

all night I hear the whispering Although an awareness of all these aspects of her writing might help us bet­ the soft ter appreciate Clifton's poetry, Lucille, love calls you to this knife herself, does not consciously seek to write from any singular point of view. all night it is the one breast "One wants to write out of the whole­ comforting the other ness of what is," she states, "and I am Professor Clifton is able to confront and all of these things. I do not choose to write with dignity about some of life's be victimized by my own life." What most difficult and confusing experiences matters most to her is knowing that she has worked with integrity; that she has — those shapeshifters who "wear Lucille Clifton at SMCM strange hands" as "they walk through honored her past, acknowledged the commencement 2000. the houses / at night their daughters / complicated humanness of the present, do not know them." and has done what she can to help, to be one who tried. the poem at the end of the world blessing the boats The name "Lucille" means light, and is the poem the little girl breathes it is no exaggeration to state that Lucille (at St. Mary's) Clifton, as citizen, as teacher, and as into her pillow the one may the tide poet, is one who gives light. In what has she cannot tell the one become her signature poem, Professor that is entering even now Clifton sums up well her philosophy there is no one to hear the lip of our understanding about the importance of acknowledging The spirituality that many readers see the darkness, but seeking the light. carry you out beyond the face of fear as central to much of her poetry may well be what enables her to write about ... born in babylon may you kiss such difficult subjects with patience, both nonwhite and woman the wind then turn from it understanding, and even forgiveness. And, while she claims no particular what did I see to be except myself? certain that it will religion, the life of the spirit infuses Come celebrate love you back may you each of Lucille Clifton's books of poetry. From her elegant poem, "the lesson of With me that everyday open your eyes to water the falling leaves": Something has tried to kill me water waving forever

the leaves believe And has railed. and may you in your innocence such letting go is love Many of her readers think that Lucille sail through this to that Clifton has that rare and awesome such love is faith Perhaps the citation that Professor ability to name the names of things Clifton received from the judges at the such faith is grace with such clarity and such accuracy National Book Award captures most that, no matter how complex and such grace is god succinctly why we at St. Mary's take ambivalent the subject and feeling may such great pride in having her as a col­ i agree with the leaves be, the illumination that comes is league and friend. That citation reads: inevitable and unmistakable. With the to a far more complex series of poems "Lucille Clifton's poetry is a work of same sense of certainty that "the light about the nature of good and evil, witness and testament, outcry and affir­ that came to lucille clifton ... spelled that ends: mation, lament and prayer. These fierce, out in her hand / 'you might as well plain-spoken lyrics, fueled by emotional still there is mercy, there is grace answer the door, my child, / the truth necessity, are a gift to American poetry, is furiously knocking.' " So also does how otherwise and to our understanding of ourselves the light from her poems offer us, her and one another. Clifton evokes the could I have come to this readers, its own blessing. struggle, beauty, and passion of one marble spinning in space woman's life with such clarity and propelled by the great power that her vision becomes represen­ tative, communal, and unforgettable." # thumb of the universe? VQ1 St.M arv __ Spring 2001 17

the times | ^* it is hard to remain human on a day ' when birds perch weeping in the trees and the squirrel eyes do not look away but the dog ones do in pity. another child has killed a child and i catch myself relieved that they are white and i might understand except that i am tired of understanding, if this alphabet could speak its own tongue it would be all symbol surely; the cat would hunch across the long table and that would mean time is catching up, and the spindle fish would run to ground study the masters to my last period and that would mean the end is coming and the grains of dust would gather themselves like my aunt timmie. well girl, goodbye, along the streets and spell out: it was her iron, after thirty-eight years, or one like hers, thirty-eight years and you these too are your children this too is your child that smoothed the sheets never arrived

the master poet slept on. splendid in your red dress Lucille Clifton home or hotel, what matters is without trouble for me From Blessing the Boats: he lay himself down on her handiwork somewhere, somehow. New and Selected Poems 1988-2000 and dreamed, she dreamed too, words: BOA Editions, Ltd., 2000 Some Cherokee, some masai and some now it is done, huge and particular as hope. and i feel just like if you had heard her the grandmothers who, after the hussy has gone, chanting as she ironed my dream about the poet you would understand form and line sit holding her photograph and discipline and order and and sighing, wasn't she a man. america. beautiful? wasn't she beautiful? i think it is a man. sits down with wood. Lucille Clifton Lucille Clifton i think he's holding wood. From Blessing the Boats: From Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000 New and Selected Poems 1988-2000 he carves. BOA Editions, Ltd., 2000 BOA Editions, Ltd., 2000 he is making a world he says as his fingers cut citizens trees and things which he perceives to be a world but someone says that is only a poem. he laughs. i think he is laughing.

Lucille Clifton From Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000 BOA Editions, Ltd., 2000 than ^ Inspirational

Role Model By Holly Giesen '86

Most students only know their profes­ mother's selflessness is amazing. She sors for a few years. I have had the privi­ never asks for anything in return." lege of knowing my favorite professor Whether she is counseling a student, for 42 years. My mother, Professor Carol teaching, working in the community, or Giesen, continues to help me evolve making professional strides for women, into an effective person. But what Carol Giesen is an inspiration to her makes her so special is the energy, students and to all who have the good inspiration, and devotion she generates fortune to know her. Her enduring for her many students. She does this dedication to education and her with ease, because it is "who she is." sustained interest in the well-being During my time at St. Mary's College, and future of her students are part of a and while mentoring SMCM interns at model of professional life to which her the NIH, I was filled with pride when students, and her daughter, can aspire. fellow SMCM students commented on how warm, open, and supportive she is. Postscript: Although they added that her exams Carol Giesen retires at the end of this gave them hives, clearly they had a academic year. She and her fellow retirees deep respect for her. I heard "Your mom and their many contributions to the College is awesome!" "You are so lucky." "Your will be featured in the fall issue of The mom really helped me out." Recently Mulberry Tree Papers. one of her colleagues commented, "Your

Left: In the Army

Below: Carol with the first three of her five children. Spring 2001 19 ka s notntil m Wlitki t By Kajjmiera W. Ostryniec Patterson '96

: MMi~0W??rt F Klifigs: In my years at St. Mary's College, I retirement, what causes inflation and was lucky to study with many talented recession, and, best of all, he taught us people. It is genuinely difficult to the value of index funds. choose just one to write about, but Today, three years after graduation, I can there was one class that surprised me, truly say that this was one class that teaching me valuable lessons that I use really changed my life. I am far wiser regularly as I craft my life. It was a class about investing than I would have been outside of my English major, taught by without Dr. Puckett. I could hear him a professor I'd never had before, and it whispering his approval as I opened my had a huge impact on my life. IRA. And, thanks to his wise counsel, When registering for the courses I I understand the need to prepare finan­ would take during the last semester of cially for the future — for children, their my senior year, I decided it was time to college educations, and for retirement. branch out and learn something new I know I'll be able to manage these goals and different from language and litera­ with Dr. Puckett on my team. During ture, so I enrolled in Introduction to the 16 weeks I spent in Introduction to Economics. My professor was Richard Economics, he taught me all the skills Puckett, "the people's friend," as he I need to protect myself financially, so often refened to himself. In the and I'm forever grateful. The lessons I course of one semester, he taught us the learned in his class have provided me difference between stocks and bonds, with me a safety net I'll use for the rest how much money we would need for of my life.

Kazia Patterson with her husband Jon. Scientist's lEtkic By Jim Johnson '75

Dr. Ernest Willoughby was the first thing I did had to come with hard biology professor I had at SMCM who work. Those lessons stayed with me challenged me to move beyond average when I graduated from St. Mary's performance. At best I was an average College in 1975 (almost 25 years student with little or no direction until ago!). I went on to earn a master's I took genetics and, then, animal degree in marine science from the physiology from Dr. Willoughby. Even College of William and Mary's Virginia though I earned a "C" in both courses, Institute of Marine Science and a the influence that Dr. Willoughby had Ph.D. in zoology with a minor in sta­ on me was profound. He challenged tistics from North Carolina State me to stretch myself in the search for University. Hopefully I have passed on knowledge, to appreciate the complexi­ to my children the same ideals that ties of the natural world, and most Dr. Willoughby taught me at SMCM. importantly, to understand that any-

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Jim Johnson, wife Barbara, and son Ben, at home in North Carolina. Spring 2001 21 iMyself H as a Woman

By Jo Ann Klein Sanner '74

It was 1970 at St. Mary's College. I was a young women from a small town who Ellen Bravo came to St. Mary's was embarking on a college endeavor College with a B.A. from Cornell with no idea of what opportunities or University, an M.A. from experiences were available to me. I Cambridge University, and an soon found myself enrolled in a course A.B.D. from McGill University. titled The Oppression of Women. After her short stint here, Bravo threw herself actively into feminism. The professor wore bell-bottom blue In 1982, she helped found the jeans and dangling eanings. She spoke Milwaukee, Wisconsin, chapter of with strong conviction about our roles 9to5, a grassroots collective for as women and the changes we would women office workers that addresses encounter in the upcoming years. We issues such as low pay and lack talked about all minorities and their of opportunities for advancement. struggles. We sat on the floor in a circle In 1984, Wisconsin's governor and shared ideas, life styles, and stories appointed Bravo as an observer to about what was expected of us in the the state's Comparable Worth Task future. I did not know that she was Force. Since then, she has become a laying the groundwork for my personal leading spokesperson on pay equity, strength and convictions as a woman, a family leave, and sexual harassment, wife, and a mother. I just knew that she debating the subjects extensively cared about women and their future. on TV and radio as well as at public meetings. Today, she serves She encouraged us to grow and mature, as CEO o/9to5, National Association to seize opportunities and to be every­ of Working Women, a merger of thing that we wanted to be without Ellen Bravo like minded associations and the reservation. In those uninhibited nation's largest organization of years of change, we who encountered working women. Oppression of Women through Professor Ellen Bravo were molded in Milwaukee Magazine named Bravo large part by this woman who taught one of its 25 Giants of the Decade it. We didn't know it then, but we are for the 1980s. In 1995, she attended inspired by her candor and her love the United Nation's Fourth World of life as a woman. Ellen Bravo is now Conference on Women in Beijing as the CEO of 9to5, a national woman's part of a delegation sponsored by the group that deals with women in the Ms. Foundation. That same founda­ workplace and how they influence the tion awarded her a Gloria Steinem future by meeting the challenges of Women of Vision award. today. She was an inspiration to me then, and she continues to inspire me Bravo is the author of The 9to5 today by living the life she advocated Guide to Combating Sexual at St. Mary's College 30 years ago. Harassment and The Job/Family Challenge, a 9to5 Guide: Not for Women Only. In May 1998, while my classmates were receiving their diplomas on Townhouse Green, I was pounding a Mexican pave­ ment looking for a job in Guadalajara, the city where I had studied the year before as a St. Mary's study-abroad student. Although I am not advocating that anyone miss graduation, my job hunt in Mexico was perhaps one of the greatest challenges of my life. SM My liberal arts degree in hand (double major in economics and Spanish), naive

•••-.'" old me thought I would have no ttouble T^l *":?: *ST'f. r- finding a job in Mexico. But, in an !! underdeveloped nation just emerging from an economic crisis, employers had no interest in people with no practical skills. A liberal arts education didn't count, especially in an economy that discouraged foreigners from taking good company jobs from Mexican nationals. Defeated, I was ready to return to the States when the phone rang. "Are you American? Do you speak English? Are you actually in Mexico?" My G.P.A., my double major, my references, and my college's reputation didn't get me the job at ITESM Campus Guadalajara. The only things in my favor were that I was from the United States and in the right place at the right time. But, once on the job, my liberal arts background did help me perform. The position was coordinator for the foreign students studying at El Institute) Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de HEISS Monteney (ITESM), or Monteney Institute of Technology. ITESM is a & private university dedicated to producing the best engineers and businessmen in Mexico. (It is not a liberal arts institu­ tion.) Its 28-campus system has a student population of more than 400,000, and its tuition hovers around $3,500 U. S. dollars per semester. Its international programs include student exchanges with over 300 institutions around the •III. I III/ • .-..II"* world. I was to be in charge of ITESM's foreign students. The employment process required me to jump through a series of hoops. My birth certificate and degree had to be apostiUed Spring 2001 23 H

3- 3 by the secretary of the issuing state, in my gift that paid off every day on the job. My Mexican experience gave me new case, Wyoming. Thanks to the efficiency It didn't teach me about business or perspectives on the people and their of Sue McLuckie in St. Mary's academic resource management or how to handle culture. My colleagues and I discussed services office, I was able to fulfill this people effectively, but it gave me what I the contributions of Latin American requirement quickly. I then had to pass needed most in Mexico — the ability to writers and debated politics and social ITESM's version of the Graduate Record learn and adapt. Somehow, while I was issues to a degree that found me longing Exam in order to qualify for the master's learning, I influenced others and came to be a literature student once again, degree program and, therefore, the posi­ to recognize and deal with cultural spending my time on the relevance of El tion. Back at St. Mary's College, profes­ prejudices — those held by Mexicans, ingenioso don Quixote en la Uteratura de sors Jorge Rogachevsky, Larry Rich, and Canadians, Europeans, and me. Early in Latinoamerica. I found myself questioning Israel Ruiz in the Spanish department will my job, when my only expertise was the if this was really the road I wanted to be happy to know that my highest score Guadalajaran bus system, I amazed stu­ follow for the rest of my life. was in the redaccion or editing section. dents with an extensive knowledge of In an effort to increase efficiency and street slang. Girls valued my advice on I started work two days before foreign- customer satisfaction at the institution, dealing with the Mexican male's "appre­ student orientation began. With 50 the consulting department organized my ciation" of young foreign girls, especially students from the U.S., Canada, Europe, office into mandatory groups focusing blondes. Others came to me for advice in Puerto Rico, Panama, and Chile, I on what needed to be better. At our first avoiding conflict with their host families. undertook a sink-or-swim method of meeting, my group of 20 was told that it I even developed a Mexican accent — training. Imagine answering questions was under-performing and needed to a great advantage in my day-to-day life. about every aspect of life and studies at concentrate on pleasing clients (students While at St. Mary's, I had lived in the ITESM from new students, without and their families). Suddenly I realized Spanish Townhouse with Claudia having the slightest clue yourself. As I that ITESM defined itself as a business, Valdez, a communications graduate from searched for answers, I discovered that not an educational institution, and Culiacari Mexico. Claudia's patience my new department was one of the most everything became crystal clear. My pro­ concerning my rambling Spanish gave disorganized on the growing campus. gram had no parent clients, only student me the confidence I needed to overcome clients — less than half the number of Fortunately for me, I had the most speaking anxieties. I like to think that I other programs. At the second meeting, sympathetic and wonderful co-worker. passed this on to my students. we were told that, to become more His name is Afer Reyes, and he was in Working with students was one job perk. efficient, all we needed was a better charge of the Mexican students who Working with teachers was another. Six attitude. At that point, my attitude took went abroad. Under Afer's wing, I flour­ full-time employees stuffed into one 10 x a sharp downhill turn. ished. When our boss responded to my 15 cubicle get to know each other well. complaints by drawing management When I announced that I had been We shared stories about family, school, charts, Afer explained the procedures offered an assistantship at the University students, and dating. At one point, I was and ways around them. He knew when of Wyoming Spanish department, my responsible for developing the next others were too busy to help, and sttessed boss was upset, but my co-workers gave semester's schedule, becoming aware of the real purpose of our office instead of me nothing but the most heartfelt the needs of part-time teachers in the the minutiae that so often swamped us. despedida, allowing my memories to be process. They all genuinely needed more He showed me how to head off foreign overwhelmingly positive. My Mexican working hours. Since the school routine­ schools when their requests for tran­ adventure had not been paradise, but ly advertised classes that had never been scripts came at inopportune times. He many of the problems that plague available, I proposed that we open some taught me to deal with host mothers Mexican businesses exist in ours. In of them to increase profits and developed (who housed our students) with great essence, working full time is less fun than a schedule that also allowed teachers tact. Most importantly, Afer taught me being a student. My ITESM experience time to study for their master's degrees at always to remember my own experience taught me that creative and critical night. Despite honendous classroom as a student at a Mexican university. A thinking is often lost on those with no space issues, we achieved our goals. For lesson from my St. Mary's philosophy such experience, but my four years at St. the first time, all four teachers taught class also helped — in order to under­ Mary's taught me not to give up. I can 15 hours per week. This was one of my stand someone, don't sympathize with never regret the wonderful St. Mary's greatest achievements in Guadalajara, their situation, put yourself into their education that helped me to be sensitive because I really helped these women earn situation with their problem, and fight to cultural issues and to avoid stereotyp­ a decent wage. It was a win-win situation through it with them. ing an entire society or its people. My because they got more hours and my new problem is the simple one bothering Gradually, I came to realize that my St. students got more choice. most graduates. What do I do after I Mary's College education had given me a finish my graduate work in Wyoming? $ ion

'67JC Joanne Thompson retired in June 2000 after 30 years of teaching second grade at Oakville Elementary School in St. Mary's County.

'74 Jane Sypher writes that she has been manied to Larry Tierney for 23 years. Her daughter, Shannon, graduated from Great Mills High School in June 2000 where she was the senior class president. Jane has recently been promoted to dean of the College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus and continues to serve on many local boards and commissions. Jane notes that she was the Remember to let the Alumni Office know of any "contact" information that has first woman president of the Lexington changed: address, phone number, e-mail, employment. The Alumni Office can be Park Rotary. reached by phone at 800-458-8341 or 301-862-0280; by e-mail: [email protected]; '74 Margaret Nails Davidson writes or facsimile at 301-862-0484. that she teaches technology education classes at a public high school in Centreville, Maryland. She still owns Pre-1960 and operates her graphic arts business '42HS Kathryn Sasse Thompson's from her home. She and her husband marriages husband, Judge Byron W Thompson, have five children. died March 2000. '75 Donald F. Hammett received his '46HS/'48JC Betty Baldwin Kennedy master of science in management from '85 Linda Jean McNish to Roger T. Root went to China last spring and saw the University of Maryland University on March 17,2000. Great Wall of China. She also cruised College. the Yangtzee River and saw the eighth '76 Denise Doerer Sharp, her husband, '94 Deborah Lynne Craten to Charles wonder of the world, the Great Dam. Grant Dawson on May 27, 2000. Chuck, and their son, Alan, are busy '58HS Lillian Boyce Wray writes that farming in Howard County, Maryland. '94 Christine Jean Morgan to Lance she spent most of the summer and fall of Each summer and fall, school and camp Charles Miller on May 27, 2000. 2000 in Virginia working in her country children visit their farm for agricultural '94 Karen A. O'Neill to Andrew Toland antique shop, The Captain's Collection. and environmental tours. She's still active with her Annapolis on September 30, 2000. '78 Mary Alice Williams Shaw and her shop, as a longtime occupant of the husband, Chris, moved back to their '95 Glenn Humphrey and Michelle Annapolis Antique Gallery. She still hometown of Carlinville, Illinois. Mary Goodwin '98 on May 13, 2000. serves on the steering committee and Alice notes that Carlinville was listed handles all the weekly advertising for '96 Kristoffer M. Crosby to Ann L. in the best 100 small towns in America, the Gallery. Truelove on September 1, 2000. and to her it seems to be about 35 years or so behind the rest of the world. Mary '97 Steve Michelotti to Kimberly R. 1960-1969 Brown '99 on August 19, 2000. Alice writes that she is pursuing her '62JC Carol T. Vansickel recently retired interest in Scotland. She toured there '98 Vicki A. Campbell to Robert Bradeen from nursing. last year for two weeks with Scottish singer Alex Beaton and is the co-chair '66JC Sue Ann Waters Kellam writes of the Springfield Highland Games and '98 Benjamin C. Wilreker to Melissa L. that she retired early from a career in Celtic Festival. Mary Alice writes that Wiener on August 6, 2000. human resources management to be a her husband, who was once a member of stay-at-home mom for son, Robert, age 9. '00 Beth Shelton to Bruce Demarest on the SMCM faculty, is diligently pursuing Her husband, Lloyd, is completing his August 12,2000. his interest of "life master of bridge." She 45th year as a pharmacist. birth i

notes that he earned the most points in '86 Earl Chambers, DDS and his wife, '83 To Catherine Gravlin Kelly and Tim the Midwest, which earned him the title Beverly Jimenez, DDS, both practice Kelly, a daughter, Katherine "Kit" Cecilia, "rookie of the year." Mary Alice is proud dentistry and pediatric dentistry in the on May 23, 2000. to announce that her 11 year-old grand­ Annapolis area. They are cunently '87 To Mitch Baumann and Lynn Loftier son won the county spelling bee. He was building a family home on the Eastern Baumann '92, a daughter, Olivia Grace, one of 750 fifth graders who competed. Shore of Maryland. on August 23, 2000. '79 Nick Orlando and his wife, Julie '86 Holly Ann Giesen writes that she '87 To Michael Santini and Jennifer Arrogancia-Orlando, cunently make is happily working as a writer/editor for Larsson Santini '93, a son, Alexander their home in Catonsville with their the Office of the Scientific Director for Nicolas, born on June 11, 2000. two daughters, Allison Anne, 10, NIMH Intramural Program, NIH. and Caroline Ferma, 6. Both girls are '88 To Kimberly Talbert Myers and Bob '86 Mark C. Hannan, his wife Claire, very active in Catonsville Lacrosse Myers, twin daughters, Allyson and their son Conor and daughter Aileen are Recreation Program. Alexandra, born March 18, 2000. "living large" in Rockville, Maryland. '90 To Melissa Harren Fisanich and 1980-1989 '86 Catherine J. Pell writes that she is a Forrest Fisanich '91, a daughter, Tabitha senior compliance engineer at a network '82/'83 William and Christina Pierelli Jane, on September 6, 2000. Duck live in Forest Hill, Maryland company making DSL equipment. She is '90 To Tracy Silbersack Seiss and John with their three children, Mike, 16, manied and lives in Northern California Seiss, Jr., a daughter, Morgan Ashley, born Stephanie, 15, and Taylor, 7. and has a son who is three. on January 26, 2000. '82 Elizabeth Purcell Leskinen and her '87 Anne Marie Ballenger received a '90 To Craig Stine and Tracy Stine, a husband, John, were manied in 1996. master's degree in cultural anthropology daughter, Hollis, born on October 12, She is a program manager for an IT firm and is cunently working toward her Ph.D. 2000. in Dahlgren, Virginia and is pursuing in medical anthropology. She is vice- chairperson for the Society for Applied her Ph.D. in public administration. '90 To Kurt J. Weiss and Beth Weiss, a Anthropology Student Committee. Elizabeth and her husband now live son, Hunter, born on February 24, 2000. in Leonardtown, Maryland. '89 Laura Mitchell writes that she '91 To Michelle Larson Stevens and received her second master's degree, con­ '82 Kathleen Tewey Sheridan, her Doug Stevens '91, a son, Michael John, centrating in plant ecology and wildlife husband Rick, and their nine-year-old bom December 19, 2000. daughter Colleen, have been living in management, from Cornell University '92 To Jeannette Nahas Mazraani and Cary, North Carolina for the past eight in May 2000. She has started a new Tony Mazraani '96, a son, Nicholas years. Kathy writes that she completed a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Joseph, born in July 2000. Pharm.D. degree at UNC Chapel Hill a Service, serving as a fire ecologist for the few years ago and is cunently working National Wildlife Refuge System in the '93 To Carla Maranto Arnold and as a consultant in a new field called Northeastern U.S. She has been manied Thomas Arnold '93, a son, Samuel pharmacogenomics. Kathy and her to Daniel Stotts, a wildlife biologist with Travers, born on March 18, 1999. daughter are taking horseback-riding the U.S. Geological Survey, since 1997. '94 To Jennifer Page DiGuiseppe and lessons together. They live in Queenstown, Maryland. Lawrence J. DiGuiseppe, a son, Jack, bom '84 Justin Erie Babendreier has earned '89 Tricia Hergan Matthews and Bill on February 4, 2000. Matthews '90 write that they were both a doctorate in civil and environmental promoted to vice president within JP '94 To Elizabeth Pickard and Kurt engineering from Virginia Tech. He Morgan Investment Bank. Bill is now Thoroughman, a daughter, Phoebe Janine, was awarded a four-year post doctoral vice president in Morgan's Corporate on August 26, 2000. position with the National Exposure Internal Audit Division and Tricia is Research Laboratory of the Ecosystems vice president in Morgan's Private Research Division, U.S. Environmental Banking Trust and Estates Division. Protection Agency. He and his wife When you notify the Alumni Office Both groups are located in Morgan's Martha have a son, Jacob, and live in of your new baby's birth, we'll Operations Headquarters in Newark, Athens, Georgia. Delaware. In addition, Bill and Tricia are list your new addition in the Births '84 Carlos M. Coro writes that he is happy to announce they are expecting section and send you an SMCM alumni cunently a maxillofacial surgeon. their first child August 10, 2001. They baby magnetic photo frame! are cunently making their home in Hockessin, Delaware. Call the Alumni Office at 1-800-458-8341 continued on page 26 or e-mail [email protected] Sailing Coach Adam Werblow (left), Melanie Jubb Kirwin '92 26 Spring 2001 (center), and President Jane Margaret O'Brien (right) at the SMCM Hall of Fame induction in _! October. p

z 1990-1999 '90 Gus Larsson writes that he and Jenny Vanderbos were married in 1993. He received an MS in computer and Preston in Baltimore. She lives in Art. He works as a Web developer and science from UMBC in 1996 and they Catonsville, Maryland. database administrator for a bicycle tour company. Lorin, Rich, and Calvin live had a son, James Carl, in 1999. '92 Jeannette Nahas Mazraani writes in Fort Collins, Colorado. Gus has been a software engineer/ that she and husband, Tony Mazraani systems administrator with Allied '96, live in Reston, Virginia with their '93 Melissa M. Deckman Fallon earned Signal/Honeywell/GE since 1990. son, Nicholas Joseph, who was born in her Ph.D. from American University in '90 Katy Bielenberg North writes that July 2000. Jeannette worked as IVF 1999. She is an assistant professor of she is working on the Web site of a major coordinator and sonographer to a private political science at American University. doctor in Virginia. She is cunently a British science magazine. She is manied '94 Krista Gruhl is working in Northern "professional mother" to their son. to an Englishman and lives just outside California as an arborist assistant. She is London with their two daughters, Sarah, '92 William Mish Jr. recently received a also developing a business in outdoor bom 9/27/97 and Olivia, bom 10/24/99. bachelor's degree in ocean engineering, adventure travel. She explains that '90 Chris Seigh earned an MBA in summa cum laude, from Virginia Tech. she loved working as a ranger and is cunently designing her dream job. marketing from Western Carolina '92 John "Ted" Sonsenbrenner University. recently completed his MBA at '94 Leslie Dionne Simms writes that '91 Mary Lynn O'Neill Bowers recently Salisbury State University. she is a school psychologist with the Prince George's County school system received a master's degree in guidance '92 Eleni Xenofondos writes that she is in Maryland. and counseling from Loyola College. an economist at the Bureau of Labor She is cunently a first grade teacher with Statistics at the U.S. Department of '95 Barbara J. Weaver writes that she the Harford County Public Schools. Labor. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia. was manied to Heather E. Rhoads on July 1, 2000 in Seattle, Washington. '92 Melanie Jubb Kirwin was inducted '92 Lorin Spangler Young writes that Other alums that attended the wedding into the SMCM Hall of Fame during she and Rich Young '92 were manied in ceremony were Mary Bergstrom '93 homecoming weekend in October 2000. 1993 in the Garden of Remembrance. Kumar Mohabir '94, Elise Maccubbin She was one of the College's first two They have a son, Calvin, born May '95, and Steph Karpinski '97. Since the female sailors who made All-American, 1999. Lorin is a part-time bilingual ele­ wedding, they have legally changed their helping to lead the sailing team to mentary school teacher. Rich recently last name to Rhoads-Weaver. She and national prominence. Melanie is cur­ received an AAS in Web site adminis­ Heather moved to Washington state rently an attorney for Whiteford Taylor tration from the Colorado Institute of from Washington, D.C. in 1998. They in memonam 7HS Sara Lore Malone died 6n '38HS Phyllis Burch Mollett Barry Elise Fleeharty, and son, Walter December 18, 2000. She was age 94 and died January 6, 2001 from an aneurysm Renshaw; two sisters; two grandchildren; made her home in Paradise, California. at age 80. She lived at the Brighton and one great-grandson. Gardens Assisted Living Community in '30HS Sue Gelston died. '44HS Elizabeth Anne Naylor Grant Riderwood, Maryland at the time of her died in October 1999. She lived in '32HS Harriett Adams Crowell died death. She is survived by a daughter, Oakland, Maryland. February 22, 2000. She lived in Tudor Marini of Ocean City; two sons, Glassboro, New Jersey. Richard C. Mollett of Taneytown, '85 Julia Ann Walker died. She lived and J. Burch Mollett of Vail, Colorado. in Leonardtown, Maryland at the time '32HS Esther L. Pearce Palmer died Both her first and second husbands, of her death. December 24, 1997. She was living in John P. Mollett and Gil Barry, preceded Sterling Heights, Michigan at the time '86 Stephanie Altoz Whitlow died her in death. of her death. She left three children October 26, 2000 from a rare form of and two grandchildren. '41HS Mildred Hoke Renshaw died cancer called leiomyosarcoma. She was living in Homeland, Maryland and is sur­ '34HS Jean Tenney Gray died in January 5, 2001 at Genesis Eldercare, vived by her husband, Greg Whitlow, and October 2000. She made her home Annapolis, Maryland at the time of her their son James; her parents, Frank and ° in Salt Lake City, Utah at the time of Marian Altoz; a brother and two sisters. her death. death. She is survived by her daughter, Spring 200) 27

bought their first home in 1999 and wed in 2000. Barb started law school at Thomas "T.K." Kingston '86 Francis "Bud" Stringer '61JC f Seattle University School of Law in the President Treasurer fall of 2000. She hopes to find a career doing civil rights work with a particular Donna L. West '76 Francine Galiano Hughes '66JC interest in civil rights of lesbian and gay Vice President Secretary citizens. In Barb's spare time, she enjoys rafting on the many rivers around Puget Sound. If any of Barb's classmates would Maureen Auld '81 like to get in touch with her, they may President, Southern Maryland Chapter e-mail her at [email protected] '95 Tamara K. McCrae received a mas­ Paul Dongarra '92 President, Baltimore Alumni Chapter ter's degree in psychology (counseling) in 1997. Kristi Jacobs Muniz '97 President, Western Maryland Chapter '96 Jonathan A. Mickle was awarded a law degree from Duke University Law Susan Kary Owings '74 School. He is now an associate with President, Anne Amndel/Howard County Chapter Caudle & Spears, PA., in Charlotte, Jesse J. Price '92 N.C. where he practices in the areas of President, Black Alumni Chapter corporate taxation and estate planning. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, Amy. Michelle Larson Stevens '91 President, Metro Area Alumni Chapter '98 Renny Babiarz taught English at Fudan University in China under the Holly Stewart '92 St. Mary's/Fudan exchange program President, North Carolina Chapter in 1998-99. He has been accepted by the master's degree program of the Mary Alice Waesche Benson '50 Leigh Kessler '95 International Studies Program at the Donny Bryan '73 Brian A. Porto '92 University of Hawaii and is waiting to Virginia Bumside Cox '49JC Catherine Ann Hernandez Ray '78 hear from the SAIS of Johns Hopkins Peg Duchesne '77 Terry Snyder '72 University. He cunently teaches middle Andrew S. Fraser '90 George W. Watkins '78 school in Baltimore, Maryland. Mathew T. Gulick '98 David A. Weiskopf '93 James C. Harvey, Jr. '83 '98 Benjamin C. Wilreker writes that he is working for the Network and Telecommunications Department of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. He and his wife, Any alumni interested in joining the Council or learning more about the Melissa, cunently live in Fairlawn, meetings, please contact the Alumni Office at 1-800-458-8341- The Alumni New Jersey. Council meetings are open to all alumni, and your participation is welcomed and encouraged. The places and times of the council meetings are also listed '99 Katie Church recently returned from on the Web at the alumni site under alumni events. Mongolia where she spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. Katie lived in a countryside region where there were no modem luxuries. She worked as a health volunteer and in community develop­ Mark your calendar for June 8-10, 2001. A few exciting events include ment. She also taught English to 12- and the annual Alumni Golf Tournament, a Cocktail Cmise, Crab Picnic, and 13-year-old students. She gave a talk in dancing on the waterfront. This year we will recognize classes ending in January 2001 at SMCM about her Peace "1" and "6." Keep checking your mailbox for more details. To join your class Corps experience. reunion committee, please call 1-800-458-8341 or 301-862-0280 or e-mail [email protected]. '99 Nicole J. Kennedy has been accepted to the physical therapy graduate program at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. 28 Spring 2001 alumni clormeciti on

dates to remember

Commencement, Class of 2001 May 12 Reunion Weekend 2001 June 8-10 River Concerts (6:00 to after dark) June 29 July 6 July 13 July 20 July 27 Governor's Cup Yacht Race August 3 On October 7, 2000, the annual John R. Petruccelli Memorial 5K Walk/Run was held. Runners started on the waterfront, ran through Historic St. Mary's City, around campus, and finally back to the waterfront. Fall Semester Classes Begin Through the efforts and generosity of the participants, approximately $550.00 was raised for this fund. August 27

Homecoming Weekend Do you need money for October 19-20 important numbers graduate school? Read on... College Switchboard: 301-862-0200 College Web Site: http://www.smcm.edu If you are a St. Mary's College of Alumni Office: 301-862-0280 Maryland alumnus or alumna, and College Relations: 301-862-0380 have been accepted to graduate or professional school, you are eligible to silent auction apply for a $5,000.00 graduate studies scholarship. Made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor, St. Mary's College is offering a $5,000.00 post-graduate scholarship to one SMCM alum. Applicants must have earned a degree from St. Mary's College of Maryland (or its predecessor institutions). They must also have been accepted by or be attending a full-time, degree-seeking graduate or professional program. Graduating seniors from the class of 2001 are also eligible if they fit these criteria. For more information and an applica­ tion, please contact Anne Marum, director of alumni relations, at 1-800- 458-8341 or [email protected].

The SMCM Silent Auction was held to benefit the alumni scholarship fund on November 4, 2000. Above are (from right to left) David Stevens '92, Doug Stevens '91, Jim Harvey '83, and Angie Stocksdale Harvey '83 participating in the 50/50 raffle. Many thanks to the volunteers and to those who came out and bid on items. When the last bid was counted, approximately $10,000.00 had been raised for the scholarship fund. Spring 200 i 29 rrom reunion 2000 Annapolis: Susan Kary Owings '74 ? 7 Sharpe Road Annapolis, MD 21401 410-757-4603 (home) 410-757-2543 (work) [email protected] i Baltimore: Paul Dongarra '92 715 Pleasant Hill Road Ellicott City, MD 21043 410-203-9384 [email protected]

Black Alumni: Jessie Price '92 1207 Potomac Avenue, SE Above left: Artist Sally-Heath Fahnestock Lloyd '62 (center), with -^V Washington, D.C. 20003-4115 Stu Wilkinson Egeli ^oHS/tolC^ 202-547-2529 and Peter Egeli at the Contain the [email protected] Object Art Show.

M^:Sm New England: Catherine Hernandez Ray '78 Above right: Mildred b Wilson '55 36 Pleasant St. i Plainville, MA 02762 •JBpfefi 508-699-6753 [email protected]

North Carolina: Holly Stewart '92 1686 Deer Run Court Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Above: From left to right, Rick 336-643-2994 Hyman, Don Behrens '87, Dirk [email protected] Griffith '7% and David Baker are ready to serve beverages to thirsty alumni. Southern Maryland: ' Maureen Auld '81 24025 N. Patuxent Beach Road Left: Alumni from the '90s enjoy the California, MD 20619 sunset cruise. 301-737-7871 (home) 301-753-4091 (work) [email protected]

Washington, D.C. Area: Michelle Larson Stevens 91 7016 Needwood Road Rockville, MD 20855 301-258-7811 (home) [email protected]

Western Maryland: Kristi Muniz Jacobs '97 Right: Members from class years 12360 Liberty East Terr. ending in "0" pose for a class photo. Union Bridge, MD 21791 301-898-8185 [email protected] ; n ...... 30 Spring 2001 alumni c?onnec£io i p i 2

Be n w

Meghan Rudisill 'oi wears a Big Play® navy hat with SMCM logo ($11.95), JanSport® gray 50% polyester/50% cotton hooded sweatshirt with logo ($32.95), and PTM Sports® navy cotton drawstring sweatpants with logo ($24.95). Katy Mclntyre '04 holds a Storm Duds® blue and gold umbrella imprinted with SMCM logo ($12.99) and wears a PTM Sport® navy tattered hat with SMCM logo ($12.95), a Rugby Wear® cotton navy and gold striped rugby shirt with logo ($54.99), and Cotton Exchange® 80% cot­ ton/20% polyester navy sweatpants with logo ($24.95). Alexa Andersen '01 wears a Big Play® white visor with logo ($12.95), a PTM Sport® white cotton long-sleeve T-shirt with logo ($19.95), U-Trau® cotton navy and green boxer shorts with logo ($14.95), and a Gear® yellow rain slicker with logo in poly­ ester/cotton with polyurethane coating ($54.95). Jenni James '02 wears a Big Play® SMCM Crew hat in navy ($14.95), a Gear® yellow nylon windbreaker with logo ($39.95), and PTM Sport® nylon pants with stripe in navy with logo ($31.95). All clothing offered in S - XL.

These items and much more are available at the new bookstore in the Campus Center. Or, shop from home at the "virtual" campus store, online at: www.smcm.edu/stulife/campstor

Mail orders to:

St. Mary's Campus Store St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, MD 20686 ApriLprili shsriower( s couldilcmn t ddampe< n th (please include $4.95 postage and handling per order) spirits or these SMCM students wn o Or call 301-862-0420 work in trie campus store. tk<

It's all coming together, I think to Bates, Beloit, Carlcton, Haverford, college. The two institutions became myself, as I sit at my favorite table in Middlebury, Mount Holyoke, Oberlin, self-occupied in their separate pursuits the cafe of the brand new Campus Pomona, Reed, Swarthmore, Vassar, and, unfortunately, grew away from Center. Friends and colleagues run into Wellesley, Whittier, William and Mary. each other. each other here and pause to chat Is St. Mary's really so different? Today, it's all coming together. before hurrying on to their destinations. When we started off, way back in Following the formal affiliation Really, it's more like a sidewalk cafe, 1840, as a state-supported girls' board­ (not union) between the Historic City and here on the ground floor one looks ing school, we were meant to be a and St. Mary's College in 1997, the out through floor-to-ceiling glass win­ "living monument" to the lost city of Maryland legislature just this past year dows and surveys the duck pond below, St. Marie's, Lord Baltimore's 1634 gave the go-ahead — and the funding the wide expanse of river beyond, and colony. Along with Trinity Episcopal — for the two institutions to work cre­ even the original Seminary campus Church, we were alone on this isolated atively together on projects that are his­ across the road. and historic peninsula. There was no torical, educational, and archaeological Most enjoyably, one can watch "the archaeological park (no Historic St. in nature. College students will be able path," that people-busy, single artery Mary's City Commission) because to study historical archaeology with the winding through the "new" (that is, archaeology had not yet really been best of the best. City archaeologists and north) campus. On any given day, in invented. The 1840 school was the College professors will soon share office front of these windows and along this designated caretaker for the old space in Anne Arundel Hall so that main route, may pass the president her­ colonial site — and very proud of its they can work side by side. Planning for self, a student rushing off to his molecu­ mission as such. In the 1920s, three of all these renovated offices is what the lar biology lab, the sailing coach and the school's living heads were members College architect is thinking about as he his black Lab, a maintenance worker of the Daughters of the American makes his way up along "the path" to a lugging a ladder, a group of students Revolution (one of the three a direct meeting in the Campus Center. heading out on a community service descendant of Leonard Calvert), and I watch him pass by, blueprints tucked project, a computer technician on her because the D.A.R.'s mission has under his arm, and finishing up my cof­ way to a distress call, and — from always been to protect historic monu­ fee I think how very special St. Mary's Historic St. Mary's City across the road ments, it often helped our "monument is to have what most other good — a team of archaeologists. This path school" in difficult economic times. liberal arts colleges don't — an old and connects all points on the new campus But all this changed abruptly in the exceptional history. It has all begun built since 1965, which means that 1960s when, quite by coincidence, two to come together now: the original it binds together the last 30 years events transformed the peninsula. First, colonial enterprise, the 1840 monument in which we have become a much in acknowledgment of recent archaeo­ school honoring that enterprise, and the admired four-year liberal arts college. logical unearthings at Old St. Mary's collaborative work of the College and Sometimes I wonder that I should care City, the state of Maryland created the the Historic Commission to bring those so much about this little liberal arts Historic St. Mary's City Commission early American values to life. college that I didn't even go to. After and endowed it with 823 acres of land. Maybe I'll just have a little more coffee. all, there are similar liberal arts colleges The Commission's mandate was to scattered all over the United States, "preserve, develop, and maintain" the each of us doing pretty much the same old colonial city as a state monument. JBH thing: working closely with students to This had been almost precisely the give them a strong academic founda­ mandate for the 1840 school. But, also tion and the skills of analysis that will in the 1960s, St. Mary's Seminary give them an edge at whatever they Junior College asked for and received take on later in life. I compare St. permission to become a four-year liberal Mary's with the two liberal arts colleges arts college. No longer needed as I went to (Bryn Mawr, Barnard). Then a caretaker for the old City, St. Mary's I think about similar, free-standing, College now turned its attention away small colleges that many of our faculty from "monument school" language and went to as undergraduates before going focused instead on building a faculty on to university for their doctorates: and board of trustees for the four-year

32 arsJ ': summary:

Brigid Cahill

Checking in to the state psychiatric hospital for 48 hours is just something that comes with the territory: that is, if you plan, as Brigid Cahill '94 does, to become a clinical psycholo­ gist. And for Brigid, that's been her lifelong dream. After years of study, research, and clinical work — including her two-day stint as a mock patient — her dream is finally within reach.

Last spring Brigid became the first Felicia Harris winner of a competitive scholarship established by an anonymous donor Felicia Harris 'oi was awarded a Gates When asked about her awards, Felicia through a gift to St. Mary's College of Millennium Scholars Program scholar­ explained, "I am grateful to receive the Maryland. The scholarship provides ship, sponsored by Bill Gates, chairman award from the foundation. I owe the $5,000 for post-graduate studies to of Microsoft Corporation and benefac­ award to my mother who taught me the one SMCM alum each year. tor of the Bill and Melinda Gates value of hard work." Foundation. With this scholarship, the Brigid completed pre-professional Those close to her know Felicia embod­ Gates Foundation covers tuition, books, ttaining at the Devereaux Foundation ies the characteristics required for the and living expenses for one year. To be in Philadelphia, then spent a year award. Carol Locke-Endy, director of eligible for this scholarship, applicants as a research assistant in Boston at internships, field studies and services at must be from a minority group, have a Massachusetts General Hospital prior the College, says of Felicia, "Leadership cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better (in an to beginning the clinical-community is already a reality for Felicia: she has undergraduate or graduate program in psychology doctoral program at the outstanding academic ability, a strong math, science, engineering, education competitive spirit, and the skills needed University of South Carolina. She or library science), have financial need, to work with others toward clearly is now in her sixth year there and and have demonstrated ability in leader­ defined goals." She continues, "[Felicia] expects to complete her degree in ship and participation in community has a clear sense of her strengths, August 2002. service. Of more than 62,000 applicants, the motivation to use them to excel Felicia was one of 4,106 winners. When asked how she plans to use the academically, and the tenacity to follow scholarship money, Brigid explained Felicia Hanis graduated valedictorian through on all the hard work needed that she'll use it to defray travel costs to reach her goals." associated with interviewing for a year­ of her high school class in Largo, long internship opportunity as a clinical Maryland. She cunently has a 4-0 GPA psychologist: "I can now interview in at St. Mary's College of Maryland. places that I couldn't even consider Playing basketball, she received the Coaches' Award in 2000 and helped the before, simply because this scholarship st allows me to travel to places that before team to AU-CAC Conference 1 Team I could not afford." She also remarked, slots in 1999 and 2000. She has been "I only wish I knew who the donor was, the basketball team captain for two so that I could thank them personally!" consecutive seasons. She volunteers as a tutor for local middle school students. THE PUBLIC HONORS COLLEGE

Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage P iltl 1 !r». StMary^ College Permit #1 of Maryland St. Mary's City, MD at Historic St. Marys City

It made me gladsome to be gfettingf some education. It beingf like a bigf window openingf.

MARY WEBB, ENGLISH NOVELIST (1881-1927)

THE ANNUAL FUND

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