College Programming Team Vies With The Best in Regional Collegiate Computing Competition

On Nov. 11, 2000, Washington College's first computer programming team competed in the 25th International Collegiate Programming Contest sponsored by the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) and IBM. Vying with 137 teams from the Mid-Atlantic region, Washington College finished 38th, tying with several schools, including Duke University, University of North Carolina, and University of Delaware.

More than two thousand teams worldwide participated in thirty regional competitions of the ACM's International Collegiate Programming Contest. During the five-hour competition, teams had to design various programs, such as a word processing grammar check and an airplane collision detection system. The contest provides college students with an opportunity to demonstrate and sharpen problem-solving and computing skills in a competitive, time-sensitive environment.

Washington College was represented by seniors Chris Klimas, an English major and computer science minor from Randallstown, Md.; Colleen Hick, a double major in mathematics and computer science from Levittown, Pa.; and Chris Lawrence, a computer science major and president of the Washington College Computer Club from of Narberth, Pa. The team's faculty advisor, Austin Lobo, assistant professor in mathematics and computer science says, "Though this is the first year Washington College has offered a computer science major, our students have emerged as motivated, knowledgeable, and our best and brightest are able to compete with peers from the top schools in the field."

Susan Stobbart Shapiro Named Alumni President

Susan Stobbart Shapiro '91 has been elected President of the Washington College Alumni Council. Ms. Shapiro is an attorney with the firm Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A., in Annapolis, Md.

Ms. Shapiro was a double major in English and business management at Washington College. After completing her bachelor's degree, she attended the Villanova University School of Law where she received her J.D. in 1994. Ms. Shapiro's practice has been devoted primarily to civil litigation, including emphases on employment law, family law and corporate law. She is active in many trade associations, including the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, where she serves on the Board. She joined Washington College's Alumni Council in 1995 as co-president of the Annapolis chapter.

"As president of the Washington College Alumni Council, I hope to increase alumni involvement in the life of the College and to promote support of the strategic plan set in place by President Toll and the Board of Visitors and Governors," said Ms. Shapiro. "To that end, the Council recently revised its goals and strategies for the next five years. The council hopes to build on the success of the annual Alumni Birthday Toast to George Washington and the very successful 'Life After Liberal Arts' seminars, in addition to creating new traditions for the college and its alums."

Author Ray Bradbury to Speak at 2001 Commencement

Author Ray Bradbury will address Washington College's Class of 2001 at the 219th Commencement on May 20, 2001. The College will present Bradbury with an Honorary Doctor of Letters.

The best-selling author of over 500 published works including short stories, novels, plays, film and television scripts, and verse, Bradbury is best known for his works The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451. In his work, Bradbury confronts themes such as racism, censorship, nuclear proliferation, and technology's effect on human values through the medium of fantasy and science fiction. Critics credit Bradbury for having a greater moral and humanistic range than the label science fiction implies, saying his use of science fiction is mere stage setting for a deeper understanding of the enduring reality of human nature.

Born in Waukegan, Illinois, in 1920, Bradbury began writing in his youth and published his first story at age 20. He entered the professional writing life through the numerous science fiction and fantasy pulp magazines of the period and by 1947 had published his first collection of short stories, Dark Carnival. Bradbury's numerous awards include the O. Henry Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Bradbury lives in Los Angeles, California.

"We are honored that Mr. Bradbury accepted our invitation to speak," said Dr. John Toll, president of Washington College. "His long record of literary achievement will be an inspiration to our students."

For more information on the life and work of Ray Bradbury, visit:http://www.brookingsbook.com/bradbury/index.htm

Amick Selected For Who's Who Among America's Teachers

Chestertown, MD, November 28, 2000 — H. Louise Amick, assistant professor of mathematics at Washington College, has been selected for inclusion in Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2000. Teachers honored in the publication represent the top five percent of the nation's educators.

Teachers included in Who's Who are nominated by former students. Only high school and college students who have been cited for academic excellence themselves in Who's Who Among American High School Students and The National Dean's List are invited to make nominations. Each student was asked to choose one teacher "from your entire academic experience who made a difference in your life by helping to shape your values, inspiring interest in a particular subject and/or challenging you to strive for excellence."

A graduate of both Washington College and the University of Delaware, Professor Amick has taught at Washington College since 1990. She lives in Newark, DE, with her husband, State Senator Steve Amick, and their son, Paul.

President Toll Honored As Distinguished Marylander

Chestertown, MD, November 17, 2000 — Dr. John S. Toll, President of Washington College, has been honored as the Distinguished Marylander of the Year by the University of Maryland Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. The award is presented each fall to a prominent Marylander who has contributed significantly to the improvement and success of education in the state.

"Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest and largest collegiate honor society in the country representing all academic areas," said James Newton, president of the University of Maryland Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. "The nomination of John Toll for our annual award was unanimously endorsed by our executive board. He truly represents a life of tireless commitment to enhancing higher education."

"This award is both unexpected and humbling," said Dr. Toll. "I am deeply grateful to Phi Kappa Phi for this great honor."

Each year Phi Kappa Phi inducts seniors and select juniors from the top ten percent of their class. In honor of Dr. Toll, two University Service Award scholarships will be given in his name. Dr. Toll will present the scholarships during a ceremony on December 3, 2000 at the Baltimore County campus of the University of Maryland.

Former Denver Bronco to Speak at Washington College

Anti-Drug Message Emphasizes Spirit of Individualism and Self Respect

Chestertown, MD, November 13, 2000 — Steve Fitzhugh, former NFL defensive back for the Denver Broncos and current Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Washington, DC, will use comedy and rap to spread his drug-free message on Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. in Tawes Theatre at Washington College.

While playing for the Denver Broncos, Fitzhugh began talking to youth about drug and alcohol prevention. He uses rap and humor to connect with his young audiences, and they listen because he is speaking from personal experience. In 1995, he watched his mother, a smoker of 40 years, suffer and die from inoperable brain tumors. In 1997, he endured the death of his older brother from alcohol and cocaine abuse.

Fitzhugh recognizes that it can be challenging to maintain a Christian ethic in today's world, but parents can use today's sports and media celebrities as examples of people making good or bad decisions. "Although our kids don't admit it," he says, "they have an awful lot of common sense and wisdom. They just fail to use it." In his motivational talks, Fitzhugh encourages youth to sacrifice peer approval, if necessary, to achieve self-respect.

This talk is free and open to the public. Following the presentation, there will be a pizza and soda reception for two dollars, payable at the door. For further information, contact Dave Knowles at 410-778-7789.

Concert Series Hosts Award-Winning Lyric Soprano

Chestertown, MD, November 9, 2000 — The Washington College Concert Series will host lyric soprano Laura Danehower Whyte on Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 8:00 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theatre. Ms. Whyte was recently honored as the 1999 first place winner of the Amici Vocal Award.

Ms. Whyte has distinguished herself for the ability to bring a warm and distinctive elegance and purity to wide range of repertoire, from the soubrette and lyric roles to oratorio and lieder. Her recent singing roles include Mimi in La Bohéme, the title role of Magda in La Rodine, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. In addition to her 1999 Amici Vocal Award, Ms. Whyte is the 1999 first-place winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the District of Connecticut and a finalist in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's American Artists' Auditions. For her Washington College performance, she will be accompanied on piano by Douglas Dickson of the Yale School of Music.

The Washington College Concert Series is now in its 49th season. Single admission tickets are available only at the box office during performances and are $12.00 for adults and $5.00 for youth 18 years of age and under. Season tickets cost $40.00 per person and can be purchased at the box office on performance nights or by mail from the Washington College Concert Series, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620-1197. For further information, call 410-778-7839.