Thursday, December 22, 2005

Mela Dutka Appointed New Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs

Chestertown, MD, December 22, 2005 — Washington College is pleased to announce the appointment of Mela Dutka as the new Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs. Dutka, who previously served as Dean of Students for Smith College, brings more than 20 years of experience in the management of student residential life and activities with a special focus on the needs of liberal arts institutions. She starts her new position July 1, 2006.

"Even among the exceptionally strong group of candidates that the Search Committee brought to campus, Dr. Dutka stood out," Washington College President Baird Tipson said in announcing the appointment to the campus. "Students, faculty, and staff praised her wisdom, her approachability, and her long experience in the various areas that comprise a contemporary student life office. I am delighted that she has agreed to join the Washington College community."

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Dutka holds a master's degree in student personnel services from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. in curriculum, instruction, and administration from Boston College. Prior to overseeing the student life departments and programs for 2,800 undergraduates at Smith College in Northampton, MA, Dutka served as Dean of Students at Columbia College in Columbia, SC, from 1995 to 1999, Director of Housing at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA, from 1987 to 1992, and Director of Housing-Residential Life at Menlo College, Atherton, CA, from 1985 to 1987. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Boston College between 1992 and 1995, Dutka was responsible for developing and implementing a Freshman Assistant Program and supervising 125 student volunteers to support the college's new student orientation.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Washington College community," Dutka said in accepting the appointment. "I am impressed with what the College offers in terms of its overall educational quality and its strong sense of community. Even in my short time on campus, what stands out is the high quality of the students, staff, and faculty and their remarkable degree of engagement in the life of the College. All of this helps create a vibrant educational experience for students and a wonderful place to accomplish good work. I'm looking forward to working with the entire College community-and especially those in student affairs-in their on-going efforts to develop an outstanding student life program."

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Washington College Announces Spring 2006 Graduate Courses in English, History, and Psychology

Chestertown, MD, December 15, 2005 — Students, educators, and mental healthcare professionals are invited to register for Spring 2006 graduate courses at Washington College. The College offers master's degree programs in English, history, and psychology, as well as graduate courses in education, which can help to meet requirements for advanced professional certifications. The Spring 2006 graduate term begins the week of January 30 and ends the week of May 1. Final Exams are scheduled for May 8-11.

The following graduate courses will be offered during the Spring 2006 semester:

  • ENG 518-10 Victorian Literature, Monday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • ENG 599-10 Special Topic: Jewish American Writers, Tuesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • HIS 598-12 Special Topic: Teaching and Learning U.S. History, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • HIS 599-10 Special Topic: Europe in the Age of Reformation, Thursday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • HIS 599-11 Special Topic: History of Freedom in Western Culture, Wednesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • HIS 599-12 Special Topic: Modern Jewish History, Tuesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • PSY 502-10 Biological Foundations of Human Behavior, Monday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • PSY 508-10 Research Methods & Advanced Statistics, Wednesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
  • PSY 599-10 Special Topic: Sports Psychology, Tuesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.

All graduate classes are held on Washington College's Chestertown campus unless otherwise noted. Students must pre-register prior to January 6, 2006, to guarantee texts. The Washington College Bookstore will be open for students to purchase texts on Monday, January 30, and Thursday, February 2, 6-7:00 p.m. Graduate tuition is $825 per course, plus a non-refundable course registration fee of $65. A late payment fee of $150 will be added to any account with an outstanding balance beyond the second week of classes. Pre-registration forms are accepted at the Registrar's Office in person, by mail, by phone at 410-778-7299, or by fax at 410-810-7159.

For complete information on Washington College's graduate course offerings, including detailed course descriptions and registration forms, visit http://grad.washcoll.edu.

Education courses are scheduled on an ongoing basis at a number of Maryland locations. Information is available at www.RegionalTrainingCenter.org.

The College's graduate education course schedule and registration materials are available online at www.RegionalTrainingCenter.org, or by calling the Regional Training Center at 800-433-4740 between the hours 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

$1 Million Gift Establishes New Endowed Chair in Art and Art History at Washington College

Chestertown, MD, December 15, 2005 — Washington College is pleased to announce that Chestertown resident and friend of the College, John Underwood, on behalf of his late wife, Nancy L. Underwood, has given $1 million to establish the Nancy L. Underwood Chair in Art and Art History. The gift will be matched by The Hodson Trust to create a $2 million endowment for the Chair.

"Nancy took a life-long pleasure in the study of art and art history," said Mr. Underwood. "A descendant of the Chappell family, she built her own collection and preserved treasures passed down in her family through generations. She took comfort that she had found in Washington College a venue to foster in others her passion for art and to preserve favorite pieces from her collection. Nancy could not find a better match for her interests than Washington College."

In addition to establishing the new Underwood Chair to support the study of art and art history, the Underwoods are donating to Washington College several heirlooms from the Chappell family, including a 17th century chest-on-chest, a sterling silver tea service, two 19th century Paris vases, and three early portraits.

Mrs. Underwood was born in Wilmington, Del., and graduated with honors in 1950 from the University of Cincinnati. A retired engineer, Mr. Underwood is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio and holds a Master of Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. The Underwoods were married at Old St. Paul's Kent in 1960 and after frequently vacationing in Chestertown during the past several decades returned to the area permanently to retire.

"The generosity of the Underwoods will enrich art education for generations of Washington College students to come," said Baird Tipson, President of the College. "We are truly grateful for their gift and for their belief in the College's mission to transform and inspire young lives through the liberal arts."

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

635 Years and Counting: Annual Luncheon Honors Staff and Faculty for Long Years of Service to Washington College

Chestertown, MD, December 14, 2005 — In an annual holiday tradition, the President's Office of Washington College hosted a luncheon Friday, December 9, to recognize staff and faculty members for their years of dedication to the College. This year, the 37 Washington College employees honored represented a collective 635 years of service.

Honored for 10 years of service were Dina du Pont Beck, Information Services Manager; Kathleen Bennett, Director of Concert Fund; Jennifer Bershon, Registrar; Rhonda Boyer, Dining Services; Judith Chaitoff, Director of Human Resources; W. Whaland Clark, Grounds Supervisor; Deborah Gannon, Internal Auditor; Cynthia Gerres, Faculty Secretary; Susan Haines, Director of Bookstore; Barbara Kimble, Dining Services; Drema Kinser, Housekeeping; Diane Landskroener, Director of Creative Services; Rebecca Marshall, Housekeeping; Tammy McGinnis, Dining Services; Barbara Miller, Housekeeping; H. Louis Stettler III, Senior Vice President of Business and Management; and James Wright, Business Manager of Dining Services.

Honored for 15 years of service were Louise Amick, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Michael Davenport, Head Men's and Women's Rowing Coach; Lucille Lanahan, Housekeeping; Joseph Lill, Supervisor of Dining Services; Ruth Shoge, Director of Miller Library; and Darrold Smith, Loss Prevention Officer.

Honored for 20 years of service were Cheryl Brooks, Dining Services; Barbara Heck, Associate Vice President for Development; James Locker, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Randy Reynolds, Carpenter; Rachel Scholz, Lecturer in Education; Peggy Thomas, Housekeeping; and Kathleen Verville, Associate Professor of Biology.

Honored for 25 years of service was Joachim Scholz, Provost and Dean of the College.

Honored for 30 years of service were W. Michael Bailey, Professor of Economics, and Richard DeProspo, Professor of English.

Honored for 35 years of service were: Robert Day, Professor of English, and Thomas J. Finnegan, Professor of Physical Education.

Special recognition was extended to two of the College's longest-serving employees, Thomas Pabon, Professor of Spanish, and Alice Wickes, Housekeeping, who have each given 40 years of service to the College.

"I applaud and sincerely appreciate the hard work, ongoing dedication, and the example that these staff members set for the College," said Baird Tipson, President of the College. "All have contributed—each in his or her own unique but significant way—to improving our campus community and to making Washington College one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges."

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Distinguished Statesman, Senator Birch Bayh, Joins Washington College's C.V. Starr Center

Chestertown, MD, December 7, 2005 — Washington College is pleased to announce that Senator Birch Bayh, one of the most respected elder statesmen in American politics, will join the Washington College community as a Fellow of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience during the Spring 2006 semester.

As U.S. Senator from Indiana between 1963 and 1981, Sen. Bayh won national renown as a champion of civil rights and education, helping to draft the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act. He authored two successful amendments to the U.S. Constitution—the 25th and the 26th—as well as the Equal Rights Amendment, which was not ratified. No other lawmaker since the Founders has authored two constitutional amendments. Sen. Bayh was the architect of Title IX, which ensured equal opportunity for female college students, faculty, and student athletes.

"Not only is Sen. Bayh a legendary figure in American public life, he's also someone whom all American colleges and universities may rightly call a hero—both as the architect of Title IX and as the author of the 26th Amendment, which gave college-age citizens the right to vote," said Adam Goodheart, acting director of the C.V. Starr Center. "We're very honored that he has chosen to join us at the Center and Washington College."

Sen. Bayh will teach a Senatorial Colloquy on American History and Politics for interested Washington College students. During the non-credited, extracurricular seminar, the Senator will lead discussions on such topics as women's rights, civil rights, the Supreme Court, and electoral politics as well as share firsthand stories from a career in which he worked closely with everyone from John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bill Clinton. Applications will be required from students who wish to enroll in the Colloquy.

Additionally, Sen. Bayh will give a free public lecture, "Church and State: 18th-Century Principles, 21st-Century Politics," on January 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theatre, Gibson Performing Arts Center.

"Sen. Bayh, along with Mrs. Bayh, visited campus informally earlier this fall and spent hours chatting with students about current events and his past experiences in politics," Goodheart said. "It was clear that he has a special rapport with young people, and that he is an exceptional mentor and teacher."

Sen. Bayh's fellowship is sponsored by the College's C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience. Drawing on the special historical strengths of Washington College and Chestertown, the C.V. Starr Center is dedicated to exploring the early republic, the rise of democracy, and the manifold ways in which the founding era continues to shape American culture.

News about upcoming events sponsored by the Center is available online athttp://starrcenter.washcoll.edu.

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Monday, December 5, 2005

Hodson Trust Awards $2.5 Million to Washington College for Science Scholarships, American History Center

Chestertown, MD, December 5, 2005 — Washington College has been awarded $2.5 million in grants from The Hodson Trust to establish merit scholarships for science majors and to support the College's C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, officials of the College have announced.

"For many decades, The Hodson Trust has played a critical role in the growth of our institution and the success of generations of our students," said Baird Tipson, President of the College. "The Trust's generosity has leveraged our success in academics and recruitment. We are grateful for its special commitment to private independent higher education in Maryland."

In its current grant to Washington College, The Trust has designated $1.25 million to establish a merit-based tuition scholarship program for students intending to major in the sciences. An additional $1.25 million is targeted for the College's C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, which opened in 2000. Drawing on the special historical strengths of Washington College and Chestertown, the C. V. Starr Center is dedicated to scholarship and programming that explore the nation's founding era, the early republic, the rise of democracy, and the manifold ways in which the founding era continues to shape American culture.

The Trust also has announced the naming of Hodson Foundation Minority Scholarship awards in memory of the late James H. Gilliam, Jr., an attorney, private investor, consultant, philanthropist, and former trustee of the Hodson Trust, executive vice president and general counsel at Beneficial Corporation, and member of the company's Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Mr. Gilliam was an alumnus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md., and a graduate of the Columbia University School of Law and the Wharton School's Advanced Management Program.

Hodson-Gilliam Scholarships are presented by Washington College through the generosity of The Hodson Trust to entering students from ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in higher education. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic and personal achievement.

A grade point average of 3.5 or higher, a rank in the upper 20 percent of the graduating class, a minimum SAT score of 1140, or a minimum ACT score of 25 is required for scholarship consideration. Awards range from $12,500 to $17,500 annually.

The Hodson Trust was established by the family of Colonel Clarence Hodson, founder of the Beneficial Corporation, to support excellence in education. Since 1920, The Hodson Trust has given more than $166 million to fund academic merit scholarships as well as research grants, technology improvements, facilities, library expansion, athletic programs, faculty salaries, and endowment funds at Johns Hopkins University, Hood, St. John's and Washington colleges.

For information about The Hodson Trust, visit www.hodsontrust.org.

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Thursday, December 1, 2005

Bookstore Hosts Twelve Days of Christmas

Chestertown, MD, December 1, 2005 — In celebration of the holidays, the Bookstore is offering special promotions the first twelve days of December.

DECEMBER 1

20% off Keep Warm Wear
Jackets, hats, gloves and scarves

DECEMBER 2

20% off Tradebooks and Magazines
Everything you like to read for fun!

DECEMBER 3

School Spirit Saturday Savings!

DECEMBER 4

A day off for the Bookstore staff
And a day for baking and cooking for you!

DECEMBER 5

25% off All Non-Imprinted Gifts
Pictures frames, plush, boxes, posters, games, etc.

DECEMBER 6

20% off All Infant/Toddler and Youth Wear
Sweatshirts, t-shirts, bibs, booties and onsies

DECEMBER 7

25% off All Imprinted Gifts
Mugs, keychains, etc. with the Washington College imprint

DECEMBER 8

25% off Greeting Cards, Gift Wrap and film

DECEMBER 9

25% off ALL T-shirts
Long sleeve, short sleeve, kids and adults.

DECEMBER 10

School Spirit Saturday Savings!

DECEMBER 11

A day off for the Bookstore staff
And day for wrapping for you!

DECEMBER 12

20% off ALL Sweatshirts
Hoods, crews, and zips—kids and adults.