This is Vassar...May 2009

Vassar Celebrates Founder’s Day, Saturday, May 2

Founder’s Day began in 1866 as a campus-wide surprise party for Matthew Vassar’s 74th birthday. It was, according to the online Vassar Encyclopedia, “a meticulously planned event including piano solos, lectures, and poetry readings” — one that so overwhelmed the college’s founder that “Vassar, with tears pooling in his eyes, could manage but a single sentence: ‘This one event has paid me for every cent I have spent for the college.’”

One can only imagine his reaction had that day’s festivities had something to do with Donkey Kong. This year, the annual 5K Fun Run kicks off a Nintendo-themed Founder’s Day. Cross country coach James McCowan ’99 says that coach Ron Stonitsch started the race in the mid-eighties. Since then it has grown into an all-campus event with more than 100 runners — some from Vassar’s cross country teams, but many other students, faculty, and staff, as well as quite a few alums hoping to demonstrate that they can still tear it up on the course. McCowan says that a friendly student-alumnae/i rivalry has developed over the years, which only adds to the excitement of the competition. “Back when I first came to Vassar as a student in the mid-nineties, you didn’t see a lot of students out running on a Saturday morning,” says McCowan. “The recent success and overwhelming turnouts just show that the Fun Run is providing an outlet for a much more physically active and healthy student body.”

After the run, Walker Field will come alive with kids’ activities, carnival rides, live music, local food vendors, and, in the Brewer tradition, free beer for those 21 and up. Megan Habermann, assistant director of campus activities and advisor to the Founder’s Day Committee, helps oversee the logistics of the day; thankfully, she says, current financial difficulties haven’t curtailed plans for the festivities.

Illustration credit: Logan D. Stagnitto '10

Sarah E. Brown ’09: Field Work: Building Bridges

This semester, my last at Vassar, I have had the unique opportunity to intern at the City of Poughkeepsie Planning Department through Vassar’s Office of Field Work. Each year, Field Work places about 500 students in community organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, human-services organizations, and businesses. Most of these placements are in the Poughkeepsie area, but the office also places students in New York City (particularly students interested in publishing, the fashion industry, or entertainment) and Albany (particularly those students interested in government and public policy).

My internship has focused primarily on two of the city’s most important current projects. The first is the Walkway over the Hudson campaign, which involves preserving the old Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge and transforming it into what will be, when finished in the fall of 2009, the largest pedestrian walkway bridge in the country. 6,767 feet long and 212 feet high, the reclaimed bridge will allow visitors to run, walk, bike, or skate from one side of the river to the other, all while taking in a spectacular view of the scenic Hudson Valley. The walkway will also be an important link in the regional bicycle network, connecting existing and planned facilities on both sides of the river. If all goes according to plan, it will be finished in time for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the river that bears his name. Poughkeepsie also plans to redevelop the land surrounding the waterfront, making more available park space for visitors and community members to enjoy. From meetings with the sign designers to learning about budget proposals, I have been inculcated in many aspects of this very exciting project. It will definitely be something current students and visiting alums can enjoy!

The second project I am currently involved with is the reworking of City of Poughkeepsie zoning codes. My field work faculty adviser, geography professor Susan Blickstein, is working in partnership with River Street Planning on this project. Zoning helps to determine responsible urban growth, promote sustainable design practices, and ensure that residential areas are adequately shielded from high-volume traffic. I am learning that good city planning means answering tough questions: What will benefit a community most? How are we making sure that homeless, low-income, or historically underrepresented populations are being taken into account when making policy changes? The ways in which city planners answer these questions is incredibly important in terms of how it will impact the lives of local residents.

This internship has shown me the value of broadening the scope of my Vassar education through applying skills learned on campus to the world beyond Vassar’s gates. Because — let’s face it — for myself and the other members of the class of 2009, we will be using our Vassar education in this way for the rest of our lives.

Photo credit: Tiffanie Duncan

Alumna Bronwen Pardes ’95 Addresses the Class of 2009

On Wednesday, April 29, the Vassar faculty and senior class, clad in their academic robes, as well as many other members of the Vassar community, all gathered to mark the official end of the academic year at Spring Convocation. President Hill offered welcoming remarks; Professor of French Elisabeth Cardonne-Arlyck gave a speech entitled “Far From Algeria.”

The Class of 2009 also heard an address by Vassar alumna Bronwen Pardes ’95 (pictured), who presented ’09 with its class banner. After graduating from Vassar, Pardes went on to receive her Masters in Human Sexuality from NYU. She is now a sexual health educator in New York City, where she has taught at local middle schools, high schools, and colleges, and also works as an HIV counselor in major hospitals. She has recently published her first book, Doing It Right: Making Smart, Safe, and Satisfying Choices About Sex. Pardes aimed to offer the Class of 2009 some sound advice before their commencement, encouraging them to take advantage of the network of alumnae/i available to them.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Tamar Thibodeau

The Powerhouse Theater’s 25th Season

Vassar and New York Stage and Film have recently announced the lineup for the 25th anniversary season of the Powerhouse summer theater program, beginning on June 26 and running through August 2. Over the past 25 years, the partnership of these two institutions has contributed enormously to the development of hundreds of new plays, allowing artists an opportunity to escape commercial pressures each summer and explore, experiment, and create.

This summer, audiences can look forward to witnessing the development of 16 new plays and musicals, including the latest works by Pulitzer-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley (pictured) and Tony-winning composer Duncan Sheik, as well as free performances of classics Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Trojan Women by the Powerhouse Apprentice Company.

In addition to the usual array of performances, premieres, and readings, there will be a special gala celebration on June 27 marking the silver anniversary of the program. The gala will include a benefit concert, featuring songs and selections from 25 years of Powerhouse productions as well as some special — and, as of this writing, still secret — guest artists.

Beginning May 20, season subscriptions may be purchased online at powerhouse.vassar.edu. Single tickets can be purchased beginning June 3, either online or through the box office, which may be reached at 845.437.7235.

Photo credit: Monique Carboni

President of Doctors Without Borders USA to Give 2009 Commencement Address

Matthew C. Spitzer, President of Doctors Without Borders USA, has accepted Vassar’s invitation to deliver the 2009 commencement address on Sunday, May 24. The invitation was made by President Hill, after hearing the advice of the senior class officers; Summer’s-Grace Green ’09, student assistant to the dean of the college; and psychology professor Carol Christensen. “As a leader of one of the world’s most honored and impressive humanitarian organizations, Spitzer will be in a position to challenge and inspire the members of the Class of 2009,” said Hill. “I look forward to hearing his message and celebrating the day with the class and their friends and families.”

Doctors Without Borders, founded in 1971 as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) by a group of French physicians, provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people threatened by violence, natural disaster, and malnutrition. It currently has sections in 19 different countries, governed by an international board of directors in Switzerland. In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize. Spitzer, who has served as president of MSF’s U.S. section since 2006, graduated from Yale University with distinction in philosophy and obtained his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1995. While on campus, Dr. Spitzer plans to meet with students who are involved with or interested in humanitarian programs.

Photo credit: Doctors Without Borders website

Fashion-Forward Style on Campus: Contrast Magazine

The sartorial sweet tooth of many Vassar students has been satisfied with a new on-campus fashion magazine called Contrast. The publication was founded last year by three members of the class of 2010, dedicated to embracing and showcasing the diverse styles found on campus as well as celebrating the world of fashion outside of Vassar. Published twice a year, the magazine launched its first issue in the fall of 2007. It has continued to be an extremely popular publication with each new release every semester. Featuring student photographers, models, stylists, and writers, each edition of Contrast showcases an array of seasonal fashion spreads, editorials, and snapshots of the street style of fashion-forward Vassar students. “When we started Contrast we really had no idea what went into making a magazine, so we are really proud of how far it has come over the last three issues,” explains cofounder Selina Strasburger ’10. “And what’s even more exciting is knowing how much farther we can take it, how much potential it still has.”

Contrast celebrates the release of its fourth issue this month, and will be marking the festivities with a party on May 5, where attendees can celebrate the last day of classes with music, snacks, and copies of the new issue.

Alumnae/i interested in obtaining a print copy of Contrast can email sestrasburger@vassar.edu.

Photo credit: Vassar College/Ben Rutkowski '09

End-of-the-Year Concerts

Spring has finally sprung in Poughkeepsie, resulting in a marked increase of blankets on the quad, papers to fret about, and, of course, final concerts. In the week before exams, Vassar students can count on a study break nearly every evening in which one of the many on-campus a cappella groups will perform their final concerts of the semester. On the last day of classes, May 5, students can celebrate with The Vastards, who will perform their final concert that evening. Vassar’s very own Broadway A Cappella group will present their final showing on May 7th, followed by both Measure 4 Measure (pictured) and Matthew’s Minstrels concerts on May 8th. The next night, May 9th, will feature the Vassar Devils’ final show, and on May 10th, the Night Owls will perform. The a cappella marathon concludes with AirCappella, whose whistling musical stylings will be showcased in their last show of the semester on May 11th.

And for those looking for a laugh, many of Vassar’s comedy groups are also concluding the semester with a final performance. Happily Ever Laughter, The Limit, and No Offense, three sketch comedy groups, will all perform on the night of May 1. Students can also look forward to a whole 24 hours of fun when Vassar Improv presents its annual 24 Hour Improv Marathon, performing non-stop in the Retreat from 9:00 p.m. on May 8 to 9:00 p.m. on May 9.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Measure 4 Measure

Vassar Students on Jeopardy!,
America’s Got Talent

Speaking of AirCappella, as we finished preparing this installment of the eNewsletter, we heard two great pieces of news: First, that current first-year Greg Lichtenstein ’12 (pictured) will be competing against fourteen other students in the Jeopardy! 2009 College Championship. This is, according to the CBS press release, the first time a Vassar student has competed. Lichtenstein’s first (and perhaps only? — contestants, alas, are sworn to secrecy) appearance will be on May 6.

Secondly — but no less significantly — Vassar’s one and only all-whistling a cappella group (which you may have read about in our December eNewsletter), says that they’re going to appear on America’s Got Talent on June 23.

Mark your calendars; set your TiVos — and tune in!

Photo credit: Courtesy of "Jeopardy!" Productions, Inc.