This is Vassar...December 2008

Business Week Publishes Op-ed by President Hill

Looking for an affordable college education in tough economic times? Don't count out the privates. In spite of the turmoil in financial markets and the increasing concerns about recession, we know that families continue to look for the best higher-education match for their children, even as they worry about how to pay for that education. With the financial stakes feeling so much higher, families should be sure to look beyond a college's "sticker price" to the net price they could pay after scholarship aid. Not applying to schools with high sticker prices that offer significant financial aid could actually lead families to pay more for their children's education, not less. And, in the process they might rule out great college options for their son or daughter. (Excerpted from original article.)

President Hill has weighed in on this topic several other times in the past few weeks. On November 20, she was interviewed live on WNYC public radio's Brian Lehrer Show. She discussed how colleges are responding to the economic decline, including schools' commitments to financial aid and their budget strategies. And in a New York Times article on November 17, "Tough Times Strain Colleges Rich and Poor," President Hill commented about Vassar in a broad national story about how colleges are managing their finances during the economic decline.

Meet Senior Class President Luis Hoyos ’09

When Luis Gabriel Hoyos ran for president, he promised his classmates that he would focus on creating events to bring the class together. This promise got him elected, and Hoyos and his Class Council have spent the fall semester following through on that promise. Events have included: Middle School Mug Night, a dinner at Alumnae House, and weekly happy hours at the Dutch Cabin. They also held a Night Out in Poughkeepsie at the Platinum Lounge downtown, which attracted more than 300 members of the senior class.

The Council has also chosen the Daisy Chain and African Violets, and is working closely with the Council of Black Seniors (CBS). A representative from the CBS now serves both on the Class Council and the Executive Board, and their collaboration on many projects and events has been another central focus for Hoyos. “We wanted to present a united front with the CBS,” he says. They co-sponsored the Halloween dance and karaoke night, both of which raised considerable funds that will finance Senior Week events.

Plans are also well underway for the 2009 Class Gift. The class elected gift chairs and a committee, and accepted ideas from the entire class. “We want to make sure the gift is self-sustaining and physical,” says Hoyos, to ensure that future classes could enjoy it without Vassar having to spend more money to maintain it. Some choices include a refurbishing of the old bookstore space or a fund for winter internships. “We want to make life better for students,” says Hoyos. He also wants to focus on getting 100 percent of seniors to donate, regardless of dollar amount.

In addition to serving as class president, Hoyos is a double major in economics and political science with a French correlate. He hails from Bogotá, Colombia, and is writing a political science thesis on the rise of LGBTQI human rights movements in post-authoritarian Argentina and Chile.

Queens’ College Choir Concert to Benefit Community Works

On Wednesday, December 10, the Choir of Queens’ College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, will come to Vassar to perform a concert to benefit Community Works.

Queens’ College was first founded in 1448 by Queen Margaret of Anjou (wife of Henry VI) and was re-established by Queen Elizabeth Woodville (wife of Edward IV) in 1465. The college boasts the oldest building on the river at the University of Cambridge, the President’s Lodge (ca. 1460), the famous Mathematical Bridge, and such illustrious alumni as Desiderius Erasmus.

The Queens’ College Choir, a mixed-voice ensemble comprised of students from across the University of Cambridge, is known for its wide repertoire and innovative performances. The British choristers will be joined by Vassar’s Madrigal Singers for part of the program, which will include both sacred and secular music for the season.  President Catharine Hill and Lord John Eatwell, President, Queens’ College, will host the concert and make introductory remarks.

The concert will take place in Skinner Hall at 6:00 p.m. and will be open to the college and Poughkeepsie communities. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be available in the college’s South Lot.

Voluntary contributions at the door will benefit Vassar’s 2008/2009 Community Works Campaign. Since its inception in 2001, Community Works has raised more than $500,000 in contributions from Vassar students, staff, faculty, and administration in support of not-for-profit organizations that meet the pressing needs of people in the Hudson Valley community. 

Inquiries may be directed to the College’s Office of Regional Programs at programs@vassar.edu.

African American Alumnae/i Celebrate Triennial IX

African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC) serendipitously chose an exciting weekend for their ninth Triennial Program, which took place from November 7-9 — three days after Barack Obama’s presidential win. This historic and joyous occasion set the tone for the event, which brought 53 alumnae/i and their families back to campus for a social and intellectual reunion and a return to the classroom. The classes of 1964 to 2008 were represented in the best turnout in many years.

AAAVC was founded in 1984 by black alumnae/i who wanted a chance to connect with each other and advance the interests of Vassar, and the group has returned to campus every three years since then. This year, many of their members stepped up to lead new fundraising efforts and reinvigorate the group. Events included a reception with student leaders and a career-mentoring lunch with more than 60 current students, a forum with professors titled “Imagining Obama: Historical and Political Reflections on the Promises and Problems of an Improbable President,” and a conversation with President Catharine Hill, her senior officers, and five members of the Board of Trustees. Overall, the program was a great success, says attendee Yolanda Sabio ’73: “For me, it is Vassar for a lifetime! This weekend makes me want to go back to school and confirms why I continually encourage young people to consider Vassar. I am confident that the vision and structure laid out this weekend will come to fruition and be a ‘win win win’ for the Vassar community.”

Photo credit: Courtesy of Yolanda Sabio ’73

AirCappella: All-Whistling Music Group

“I had always assumed that most people could whistle, but I'd say that around half of the people who I tell about AirCappella mention to me that they can't whistle themselves,” says AirCappella member Ben Creed ’09. AirCappella, Vassar’s co-ed whistling troupe, is known on campus and beyond for their unique ability to transform pop songs into whistled harmonies, sometimes to very unusual crowds. “We were hired to perform for a pharmaceuticals company in Atlanta this past January,” says Creed. “They flew us down, paid us, and gave us each a room with a king-size bed, all to whistle "Eye of the Tiger" once at their sales/marketing meeting.”

Creed says that to the best of their knowledge, there are few other whistling a cappella groups out there besides AirCapella. “We’ve heard there is a whistling group at Brown called Lip Service, and one person said she might once have heard of a group somewhere in England. That's all we know of besides us,” he says.

AirCappella's end-of-semester concert is December 9 at 8:00 p.m. in Rockefeller Hall, Room 200. The group will be doing their annual holiday caroling outside ACDC and around campus in the days leading up to it.

Other of Vassar’s a cappella groups are gearing up for an exciting holiday season: Measure 4 Measure’s final concert is December 13 at 9:00 p.m. in Rockefeller Hall, Room 300. The Vassar Devils will perform their annual winter concert on Friday, December 12 at 8:00 p.m. in Taylor Hall, Room 102. “We'll be introducing our six freshmen, and debuting some brand-new songs in addition to many old Devils favorites,” reports Mary Beth Alexander ’09. And The Vastards will host their end-of-semester concert December 10 at 7:15 p.m. in Taylor Hall, Room 102.

Artful Dodger Lecture Series

November marked this school year’s return of the Artful Dodger Lecture Series at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center (FLLAC). To be an “artful dodger” at the FLLAC does not mean to lead a gang of child criminals in a Dickens novel, but rather to duck out of the office to attend an informal lunchtime lecture. The talks are held in the galleries on Wednesdays at noon and feature a Vassar faculty member who is not an art historian. The featured professor discusses a work or group of works that he or she finds inspiring and shares personal experiences and interpretations that draw from that work.

Assistant Professor of Religion Marc Epstein discusses works in the FLLAC collection.

The idea for the Artful Dodger came from the museum’s Anne Hendricks Bass Director James Mundy ’74, who listened to a BBC radio program called “Men of Mark” while he was living in London. The program hosted public figures (diplomats, authors without a formal background in music) who told their life stories through music. He and the Office College Relations adapted the idea for the setting of the FLLAC. “The goal is to have a professor from outside of the art department share their personal reflections of a work of art in the collection,” said Coordinator of Public Education and Information Nicole Roylance. “It is an opportunity to leave the formality of the classroom and see the collection and a member of the faculty in a new light.” Personal reactions and experiences with art are rarely vocalized in a gallery setting, so the lectures give listeners a chance to consider a new perspective on a work of art.

The Artful Dodger draws loyal campus employees, faculty, and students, and each professor draws his or her own fan base. This month’s series will be kicked off by Assistant Professor of Education Colette Cann on December 3.

Alumnae/i and Their High Schoolers Come to Campus

Last month marked the eighth annual Vassar College Sons and Daughters Program. On November 2-4 and 23-24, approximately 120 parents returned to campus with their high school juniors for the program, which is designed to familiarize alumnae/i parents and their children with the college admission process. Students and parents heard from Director of Admissions David Borus, Director of Athletics and Physical Education Sharon Beverly, and Director of Financial Aid Michael Fraher about various aspects of the application process, which can be daunting. They also participated in a Mock Admissions Committee exercise, which familiarized them with the application review process and showed what qualities stand out on a successful application. “It was a wonderful program, eye-opening for my daughter,” says Marsha Gisser Shyer ’81. “I am hoping to attend next year with my son.” Attendees went on a campus tour and met with current students to gain their perspective on college life and their application experience. High schoolers also had the chance to attend classes from a choice of several departments and meet other children of alumnae/i. The alumnae/i themselves got the chance to attend a mini-reunion of sorts and connect with other parents facing the admission process with their children.