Washington College's Rose O'Neill Literary House Explores Blogosphere

Chestertown, MD, August 23, 2007 — Washington College's Rose O'Neill Literary Housecelebrates its renovation with events both classical—a vintage printing-press demonstration—and cutting-edge—a presentation on the blogosphere—on Tuesday, September 4, and Thursday, September 6.

The Rose O'Neill Literary House underwent a renovation this summer and is inviting the public to an open house and print-shop demonstration on September 4 at 4:30 p.m. It is an opportunity to see the literary hub's new look, meet the staff, visit the new publishing lab and partake of refreshments. The College's master printer will be on hand to give demonstrations on the century-old letterpress.

From the communications technology of yesteryear to the Internet hegemony of today, the Rose O'Neill Literary House continues its semester-opening offerings with "The End of the World As We Know It: How Blogs, Social Networking and Digital Media Are Changing Everything About How You Communicate, What You Create and Who You Are" at the John S. Toll Science Center on September 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The lecture will be presented by Noah Robischon, managing editor of Gawker Media, the New York-based publisher of Gawker.com and other trendy sites. Gawker Media is considered one of the most visible and successful blog-oriented media companies today. Robischon's talk is free and open to the public.

The event kicks off "Storytelling in the Digital Age," a semester-long theme jointly presented by the Rose O'Neill Literary House and the Office of Information Technologies. For more information, visit lithouse.washcoll.edu and oit.washcoll.edu/storytelling.php.

Fall Convocation Welcomes 326 Freshmen, Honors Senator Miller, Philanthropist Griswold, August 23

Chestertown, MD, August 16, 2007 — On Thursday, August 23, 2007, Washington College will welcome 326 new freshmen and their parents during the college's annual Freshman Convocation. The Convocation also will honor Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., President of the Senate of Maryland; and Jack S. "Jay" Griswold, former Chairman of the college's Board of Visitors and Governors. Miller will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the college, and Griswold will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service. Ceremonies will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Cain Athletic Center.

Representing the citizens of Prince George's and Calvert counties for more than 35 years in the Maryland General Assembly, Senator Mike Miller is concerned with issues relating to education, health, transportation, the environment and the economy and how they affect Marylanders. He has been active in Democratic Party politics since his early teens and has served in positions of influence in both the Maryland Democratic Party and National Democratic Committee.

Miller has held his current position as President of the Senate of Maryland—Maryland's second highest office—for 20 years, making him the longest serving Senate President in the entire country. He is the recipient of the William P. Coliton Community Service Award from the Johns Hopkins University, the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of Maryand, the Tyser Medallion from the University of Maryland Alumni Association, and the John R. Hargraves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award from Salisbury University. A native of Prince George's County, Miller received both his bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Maryland. An avid reader, he is especially interested in Maryland and Civil War history.

Jay Griswold is Director and Senior Advisor of Brown Advisory and Trust Company, and a seasoned philanthropist. The Baltimore executive and Washington College parent has been on the College's Board of Visitors and Governors since 1993 and served as Board Chair for the last six years. In 1997 he agreed to chair the College's $72 million capital campaign, pledging a leadership gift and one day a week of his time—a commitment he far exceeded. The Campaign for Washington's College concluded with $103.4 million raised.

In recognition of his work leading the largest capital campaign in the College's history, the Maryland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals named Griswold the 2005 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser in Maryland. A graduate of Gilman School, Princeton University and University of Pennsylvania, Griswold has also been active with the Maryland Historical Society, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Living Classrooms Foundation.

Entries Sought for 1st Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta

Chestertown, MD, August 15, 2007 — Organizers for the Waterfront Festival are taking entries for the 1st Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta to be held along the Chester River at the Lelia Hynson Pavilion on September 22, 2007 at 4:30 PM. Entries are limited to the first 30 boats registered. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Washington College may participate. Registration costs $5 in advance or $15 on the day of the event. Total awards and prizes are valued at $1,125.

A cardboard boat regatta challenges participants to build a human-powered boat made of corrugated cardboard and a few other approved materials that is capable of completing a lap around a 300-meter course. The idea is to have fun on the water and be as creative as possible in designing, building and decorating the rafts. Points are also garnered by wearing costumes appropriate for the theme of the vessel. Every boat must have a captain, and there can be up to six people on a team.

John Seidel, Director of the Center for Environment & Society said, "We're expecting a great turnout for the regatta and hope to make this an annual event for the campus community." Seidel said he's already heard from several students hard at work building some very creative boats.

Every boat will be an original work of art. Awards recognize creative use of cardboard and brave mariners will be competing for prizes in the following categories:

• Cape Horn Award - 1st around the course - $300
• Captain Cook Award - 2nd best circumnavigator - $150
• Robert Peary Award - 3rd across the finish line - $75
• Horatio Nelson Award - best overall design, name, costumes - $300
• Cutty Sark Award - best design & construction - $100 gift card to Subway
• Kon-Tiki Award - best theme & costumes - $100 gift card to Old Mill Cafe
• Linda Greenlaw Award - most team spirit - $50 gift card to Imperial Hotel
• Titanic Award - spectacular sinking - $50 gift card to Play It Again Sam

According to John Wagner, Director of Waterfront Programs, "It will be a surprise to see what people come up with, and even more fun to see which boats will remain 'seaworthy' out on the river."

Wagner suggests checking out boatbuilding tips on the college's website or Google "cardboard boat" if your team is having trouble coming up with a great design. "Hopefully, people will find something that stirs their imaginations and they'll be inspired to join us on September 22," he said.

The College is offering a free Cardboard Boat Building Demo on August 30 at 5:30 PM on Miller Library Terrace (or Hodson Hall in case of rain). On the day of the Festival, there will be a comprehensive Cardboard Boat Building Workshop from 12 noon to 4:00 PM at the Pavilion. The $15 workshop fee includes materials and instructions for those last-minute mariners who want to enter the competition.

Each team must have a captain and all regatta participants must be members of the Washington College campus community (student, faculty, staff, or alumni). Participants agree to abide by Washington College waterfront policies and other rules that govern these events. A complete list of rules and approved building materials can be found through the online registration.

Spectators are welcome to enjoy the bluegrass music of Chester River Runoff and watch the Waterfront Festival activities—including the "survivor kayaking" competition, sailfest, volley ball and tug-o-war tournaments, and the card board boat regatta—in Wilmer Park from 12:00-5:00 PM on September 22.

Immediately following the activities, Student Affairs is hosting a picnic in the park with the music of Ewabo, a Caribbean Steel Drum band. The music is free for all to enjoy. Students on the meal plan are covered and the picnic cost for faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the College is $10 per person. Reservations must be made in advance. R.s.v.p. by September 17 to broy2@washcoll.edu.

In case of foul weather, waterfront activities will regrettably be cancelled but Chester River Runoff will perform at the Student Center in Hodson Hall. The picnic and Steel Drum band will move to the Dining Hall on the main campus. For information, contact JoAnn Fairchild at 410-778-7295 "oar" Beth Anne Roy at 410-778-7277.

Events are sponsored by the Washington College 225 Anniversary Committee, Student Affairs, and the Center for Environment & Society. Student Affairs orchestrates a range of programs, workshops, and other offerings for student development and enrichment. The Center supports interdisciplinary research and education, exemplary stewardship of natural and cultural resources, and the integration of ecological and social values.

Washington College Foursome's Continent-Crossing Bike Trek Concludes Sunday

Local Bicyclists Invited to Accompany Last Lap to the Atlantic

Chestertown, MD, August 9, 2007 — A quartet of Washington College students and alumni—Jamie Beaber, Katherine Wilson, Brian Gamble and Spencer Case—embarked on an epic trek for a good cause this summer: bicycling across the United States, more than 3,500 miles in nine weeks. That's a lot of pedaling—and it all comes to its conclusion this Sunday, Aug. 19, with a long last lap from Chestertown to Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Attention, local bicyclists: you are cordially invited to join these trans-American travelers on the final day of their continental crossing, and be with them for the victorious dipping of weary feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

The team, which has been dubbed "the Awesome Foursome," has been making the journey as a fund-raiser and awareness-raiser for the American Lung Association, as part of the ALA's "Ride for the Future" campaign. The stalwart cyclists' motto is, "If WE can ride across the country, YOU can quit smoking!"

Chestertown is a long way from Washington State, which is where the Awesome Foursome began the bicycling feat in July. Slated to arrive in Chestertown this Saturday, they will head off Sunday morning for the final 70-mile run to the coast. Any bicyclist interested in accompanying the Sunday "Victory Ride" should gather in the parking lot in front of Washington College's Casey Academic Center at 8:30 a.m. this Sunday. For more details, call 303/513-9946.

Before and during the cross-country journey, the Awesome Foursome got smokers to sign a pledge to kick the habit. Upon completing Ride for the Future, "We want to keep our vision alive by setting up a fund that will allow dedicated students to pursue their adventurous dreams while impacting the world in a positive way," said Case.

"We want not only to ride for a good cause, but also to spread the word of the fine institution to which we belong. We believe that we will show people across the nation that this college can provide circumstances for its students to impact the world."

To learn more about the Foursome's journey, go to http://rideforthefuture.org.

Hodson Trust, Washington College Award Scholarships to Veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan Conflicts

Chestertown, MD, July 31, 2007 — In an effort to honor Maryland military personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Hodson Trust and Washington College have established the Hodson Trust Star Scholarships. The first three recipients, two from the Iraq conflict and the other from the Afghanistan campaign, will begin classes at Washington College this fall semester.

The undergraduate and graduate scholarships will meet 100 percent of Washington College's annual tuition, room, board, books and mandatory student fees not otherwise met by federal, state and outside assistance.

Washington College's student body this fall will include three young men who, rather than arriving on campus with fresh fond memories of high-school senior year, come to this haven of learning from the tough, grim front lines of a protracted conflict in far-flung parts of the world. Lance Corporal James H. Schelberg, of the 4th U.S. Marine Division's 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, recently returned from service in Haditha, in Iraq's Anbar Province—seat of the insurgent resistance and center of some of the fiercest hostility faced by coalition forces. Arriving from the same theater of operations is Corporal Charles P. Grigg, likewise of the 4th Marine Division. Rounding out the initial three is Wilhelm Gundlach, a Psychological Operations Specialist with Detachment 900 of the U.S. Army's Airborne Rangers, who performed dangerous missions in Afghanistan.

"This is a huge opportunity that the Hodson Trust and Washington College have given me and the other veterans," said Corporal Schelberg, a Baltimore Countian. "I look forward to throwing myself back into the academic community after a few years of being in its absence."

Corporal Grigg, who hails from the Annapolis area, said, "I just want to express my gratitude to the Hodson Trust for providing such a great scholarship. I look forward to attending Washington College to finish my bachelor's degree. I'm especially looking forward to experiencing all the college has to offer, and hope that the experiences I have will help me better serve and influence those around me."

"I'm extremely enthusiastic and excited to be able to study at Washington College," said Specialist Gundlach, a Chestertown resident, "and I'm equally extremely grateful to the Hodson Trust for making this opportunity possible."

Three other Maryland schools—the Johns Hopkins University, Hood College and St. John's College—also are participating in the Hodson Trust Star Scholarship. In addition to Washington College, veteran-recipients currently are slated for Hood College and Johns Hopkins University.

"We are delighted to be able to support these American stars, who have served our country in harm's way and now will contribute even more as they continue their education," said Finn Caspersen, Chairman of the Hodson Trust. "The Hodson Trust is proud of these first scholarship recipients and pleased to assist in repaying our country's debt to these fine servicemen."

"Washington College is honored that these three distinguished young men will join the student body this fall, and grateful to the Hodson Trust for making this wonderful scholarship possible," said Washington College President Baird Tipson.

Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts and sciences college 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.

Washington College Establishes Scholarship in Honor of Sheryl V. Kerr

Chestertown, MD, July 12, 2007 — Washington College is pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship in honor of longtime College supporter and former Board member Sheryl "Shery" Kerr.

An emerita member of the College's Board of Visitors and Governors, Kerr served as a member of the Board of Visitors and Governors from 1997 until 2003, and is an honorary degree recipient.

The Sheryl V. Kerr H'04 Scholarship will provide financial aid to non-traditional students, that is, students who attend college at a later point in life than the typical high-school-to-college track. The scholarship will give support to its first recipient in the 2007-2008 academic year.

"It is a real pleasure to create this scholarship in honor of Shery Kerr," said Washington College President Baird Tipson. "Her leadership has played an important role in shaping the direction of the College, and we are especially pleased that she has inspired us to make opportunities for study available to non-traditional students. Many of them would not be able to return to college while balancing the demands of work and raising a family without this kind of support."

Kerr received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the College in 2004. In awarding her the degree, then-Washington College President John Toll praised her as "a woman of purpose whose philanthropic aim is to elevate the human spirit and to shape a world in which that spirit can flourish. Shery Kerr understands what makes our nation great. With the extraordinary commitment that she and her husband Breene have made to this institution, she has helped us to recognize how great we might become. Her faith in the power of education, her affection for our students, and her business acumen have brought us to this moment."

Washington College President Tipson Joins Nationwide Effort, Signs Climate Commitment Pledge

Chestertown, MD, July 9, 2007 — As part of a nationwide incentive to further the cause of environmental sustainability, Washington College President Baird Tipson has joined with leaders of more than 300 institutions of higher learning in signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the Presidents Climate Commitment provides a framework and support for America's colleges and universities to go "climate neutral." With 319 signatories to date, it is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse-gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.

Launched in December 2006, the Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility that colleges and universities have as role models for their communities and in training the people who will develop the social, economic and technological solutions to reverse global warming.

Washington College's signing of the Commitment reflects the increasing momentum of its environmental initiatives, spearheaded by the Center for Environment & Society. Located in the historic Custom House along the Chester River, the Center supports interdisciplinary research and education, exemplary stewardship of natural and cultural resources, and the integration of ecological and social values. Ecologically minded students are active in the Student Environmental Alliance, and the College is gaining renown both regionally and nationally for its "George Goes Green" environmental-sustainability campaign.

In addition to Washington College, other Maryland schools that have signed on to the Commitment are Frostburg State University, Goucher College, Howard Community College, McDaniel College, Mount St. Mary's University and the University of Maryland, College Park.

"When Washington College was approached about participating in this Climate Commitment, we were eager to take part," Tipson said. "With campaigns such as 'George Goes Green,' the students and staff at our Center for Environment & Society had kept the campus community focused on environmentally friendly initiatives, and the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors and Governors had already decided that future campus buildings would meet strict environmental standards. By banding together with colleges and universities across the country, the College becomes part of an initiative that can help direct everyone's attention to the importance of addressing the challenge of global warming."

By signing the Commitment, Tipson has pledged that Washington College will eliminate its greenhouse-gas emissions over time. This major undertaking is fivefold: 1) completing an emissions inventory; 2) within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral; 3) taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions; 4) integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience; and 5) making the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available.

"We, the undersigned presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities, are deeply concerned about the unprecedented scale and speed of global warming and its potential for large-scale, adverse health, social, economic and ecological effects," the Commitment reads. "While we understand that there might be short-term challenges associated with this effort, we believe that there will be great short-, medium- and long-term economic, health, social and environmental benefits, including achieving energy independence for the U.S. as quickly as possible."