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UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE WINTER 2018
NCPR
WINTER 2018
ncpr WSLU—North Country Public Radio—
celebrates 50 years on the air
winter18-slumag-cover-with-spine-output.indd 1 12/20/17 12:21 PM
Winter ’18
2 Message from the President
4 Letter from the Editor
8 On Campus
15 Sports
22 North Country Public Radio Turns 50
Going with the Flow
32 Philanthropy in Action
Saints men’s and women’s Nordic ski teams prepare for their season at
Higley Flow State Park, Colton, New York. Last March, seven skiers from
36 The Pub Cookie: Inside or Out?
our Nordic and Alpine ski teams were awarded National Collegiate All- On the cover: 38 Class Notes
Academic Ski Team honors by the United States Collegiate Ski Coaches Shelly Pike ’96, operations 76 In Memory
Association (USCSCA). manager, at the NCPR studio. 80 From the Archives
stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 |1
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Freedom of Speech
at St. Lawrence University
WILLIAM L. FOX ’75 philosophical framework and should be allowed to suppress speech with an unfair tilt. They would Holmes once argued in his
distinctions about rights and that is potentially offensive, argue the necessity to correct this compelling ideas about “clear and
(Remarks at the Board of Trustees principles are often lacking in particularly to minority groups. By imbalance; that we should not present danger.”
meeting, Oct. 21, 2017) clarity or tolerance for ambiguity. comparison, only 12 percent of their tolerate speech that risks insidious College presidents today must
The paradox that incivility and free grandparents would be comfortable harm to minority groups think about an analogous question
Issues of the day in higher education speech must co-exist together, that with such government regulation of historically kept silent. Th is is the of institutional “security” as the
abound, overlap, and impinge on free speech may have no speech. In 2016, a Gallup study origin of “speech codes” that have boundaries of “clear and present
our future: external economic forces, prerequisite of politeness, a discovered that 78 percent of become a whipping post that taints danger.” As a private institution, we
curricular relevancy, social capital’s realization that sometimes causes traditional-age students believe all of academe. We do not have have every right, for instance, of
acceleration, diversity and inclusion, excruciating personal pain, is colleges should expose them to all such restrictive policies at refusing space and voice to outside
campus safety, athletic activity, extremely difficult in an institution kinds of differing perspectives. And St. Lawrence. I am not hearing groups to demonstrate on our
financial aid resources and student so deeply committed to building a yet, 69 percent went on to say that from individual advocates who campus, especially if we have
debt levels. All of these topics positive community. they favored limitations on campus favor doing so, though I assume determined likely harm to capital
receive frequent public attention. My abiding hope is that our speech that slurred or offended others. some at St. Lawrence may entertain assets and violence to people. We
None are easy to understand, students grasp a significant More than half of these young people this option. extend those rights of protest and
manage, or explain. None are probability of their lives: that it’s in the survey also contended that the demonstration on campus, however,
A
perhaps more complicated and highly unlikely that they will ever charged atmosphere on campus question i am sometimes to our own community members,
difficult than the topic of free again live in a place and prevents some people from speaking asked hypothetically is about but with an expectation of non-
speech, a principle in our American community like this one, and that up and speaking out, a hesitancy the special circumstances of violence and the hope of peaceable
society that has an important and somehow this campus and its born of fear that they would risk outside speakers and, in particular, civility. We would probably be
I ask myself some questions in peculiar place in the academy. liberal arts experience become their social standing or a hostile backlash. would there ever be reason to somewhat damaged without the
I wish to share a condensed version guiding-star for getting it right in I ask myself some questions in the “disinvite” someone from speaking? latter, but we would survive.
the context of national data: of my “midterm notes” on freedom of community life; that this lasting context of national data: have our I would be opposed in near-absolute In many ways the shape of the First
speech at St. Lawrence. I do so, not impression of a good community St. Lawrence students concluded terms to taking action that would Amendment at St. Lawrence appears
have our St. Lawrence students because we are now facing a critical will travel with them in their that civility, which ought to be prohibit a high-risk provocative very healthy, in our curriculum, our
test of the issue or that we should careers and future homes. everyone’s preference, also requires speaker from our campus, though University governance, and in our
concluded that civility, which anticipate one anytime soon as our I am coming to terms with anchor some added institutional guard or as a private institution we have the campus culture, but I would not say
turn to witness a dramatic clash of beliefs of my life that are no longer protection from controversial ideas? right to decide the question in ways we are out of the woods in our effort
ought to be everyone’s preference, resistant mutual polarities, though if self-evident to others. The liberal So far, I don’t believe there is such a that are not always the same for to avoid traps, such as the false
such disruptive moments can occur at arts philosophy itself has been demand on our campus. Are people public universities. dichotomy between freedom of
also requires some added sister liberal arts colleges, we have no questioned and even rejected by on campus adept enough at The First Amendment is a speech and the priority values of
grounds to claim an exemption. some smart people. The dismissive weighing and distinguishing the boulder-like touchstone, but I said inclusion. In fact, it feels like we’ve
institutional guard or protection There are, naturally, currents of word “irrelevant” was popular in the competing tensions that exist if presented with a choice of just entered the woods both as a
discussion on campus about freedom ’60s and ’70s, but I never imagined it between equality and freedom? accommodating a challenging, society and as a liberal arts university.
from controversial ideas? of speech, more frequently and might one day include habits of There is a mix of views about this at disturbing speaker or not, I was in The admonition that Justice
intensively than in prior years. This is learning that make life so St. Lawrence. the “near-absolute” camp. The First Holmes made at the end of his life
a sign of the times and requires all of intrinsically happy. Nevertheless, we On other campuses, an argument Amendment protects speech; it does was the imperative call to a
us to think together about its nature can’t take for granted that the liberal has gone forward that rights of free not protect violence as a surrogate principle of free thought, whereby
and how perceptions of free speech arts are unassailable. speech are at odds with equality, of speech. I recognize that hate he also came down unusually hard
are bending. Similarly, the First Amendment is and that equality ought to get the speech takes the question to the in his attachment to a particular
Freedom of speech is a difficult also receiving not only fresh measures edge in the end. The logical brink of an activity resembling form of freedom: yes, the freedom
issue for at least three reasons: the of scrutiny, but also skepticism; its extension of this line is that because violence. And while there is no of thought and expression, but
times are divisive and controversial; future may not be in doubt, but it the “marketplace of ideas,” to use bright line of discernment or without exclusions—“not free
emotions that are often raw usually may change. A 2015 Pew Research the term coined by Oliver Wendell unequivocal defi nition, there are thought for those who agree with
sweep the head away from the heart Center finding was that 40 percent of Holmes, falsely assumes fairness of guiding principles, though I also us but freedom for the thought we
like a flash flood; and the millennials think the government trade, the marketplace is flawed believe there is a line somewhere, as hate.”—WLF
2 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 |3
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
We Should’ve Known
I love the phrase, “you don’t know built the gardens seeded atop the in Bangladesh that a Bangladeshi
what you don’t know.” It has always Gate A entrance of Boston’s Fenway investor wanted to finance.”
VOLUME LXVII NUMBER 1
been my go-to mantra whenever I Park. (see Fall 2017, pgs. 36-37) Prior to the company’s launch,
need to alleviate the guilt of having Winterer and Shea are the Winterer and Shea each acquired
missed something important in an founders of Recover Green Roofs, a years of experience in industries
VICE PRESIDENT FOR article. Of course, the University company of green roof professionals, focused on responsible leadership
UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
Communications team works very landscape designers, horticultural and business practices, innovative
Thomas R. Pynchon
hard to know what we need to specialists, and craftsmen who technologies, and sustainable
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF know in order to inform and transform low-use sites into engineering and construction
Deborah Dudley
connect alumni and provide working green spaces throughout practices. By 2009, their combined
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS important news and information to the Northeast. talents were formidable.
Ryan Deuel all of our readers. But, sometimes They met at St. Lawrence in 2000 “Brendan called me after I
ASSISTANT EDITOR we miss things. And, when those through the Outdoor Club, building graduated from business school and
Meg Bernier Keniston ’07, M’09 things are revealed, they often seem giant sleds for the annual Snow Bowl asked me to help him start a green
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
so obvious. We should’ve known. Extravaganza and became friends roof business in Boston,” says
Ed Lemire I honestly appreciate when while living in the Outing Club Winterer. “Eight years later, we’ve
readers contact us to let us know theme cottage. They continued to be made the Emerald City greener and
ART DIRECTOR
Jeff Macharyas
what we don’t know. Like roommates after graduation before have ten full-time and ten part-time
everything else in St. Lawrence, Winterer departed for graduate employees!”
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR
what we missed in the last issue has school in Nashville. Since starting Recover, Winterer
Tara Freeman
everything to do with Laurentian “While I was in school, Brendan and Shea have been transforming the
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR connections. In this case, the used to bounce ideas off of me,” says urban landscape one building at a
Susan LaVean connection between Fenway Farms Winterer. “He helped me put time and their team has been
CLASS NOTES MANAGER and two St. Lawrence alumni, together a business model for involved in the design, build, or
Anna Barnard Mark Winterer ’02 and Brendan composting toilets maintenance of more than 100 green
Shea ’04, who designed and roofs and walls throughout the
Northeast. The company works with
Photo by Pete Ellis
commercial, residential, and
St. Lawrence University Magazine (ISSN 0745-3582) is
published by St. Lawrence University four times per
institutional clients from elementary
year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Winter 2018, schools to universities and hospitals
volume LXVII, number 1. Periodical postage paid at
to private residential developments
Canton, NY 13617 and additional mailing offices.
helping each of them capitalize on Brendan Shea ’04 and Mark Winterer ’02
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Lawrence the engineering, energy savings and
University Magazine, 23 Romoda Dr., Canton, NY 13617.
harvests of green installations. Connect-Boston program article story of two Laurentians who met
All opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the Opened in 2015, Fenway Farms is a and kept asking ourselves, “What’s in Canton, New York, building
author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors
and/or St. Lawrence University. Editorial offices: Office
good example: Managed by Green the connection?” giant sleds as students and who
of University Communications, St. Lawrence University, City Growers, the garden is a I was a fan of the garden shot went on to build an innovative
23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617, 315-229-5585,
ddudley@stlawu.edu. stlawu.edu/magazine
7,000-square-foot rooftop farm because it showed how students business that is out in front
providing 4,000 lbs. of organic were getting a behind-the-scenes of urban gardening, green
St. Lawrence University does not discriminate against produce to Fenway Park’s EMC look at Fenway operations and the architecture, and engineering
students, faculty, staff or other beneficiaries on the basis
of race, color, gender, religion, age, disability, marital Club restaurant. innovative business model of having and sustainability.
status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in I had to laugh when Winterer a rooftop garden and farm-to-table When I hung up the phone after
admission to, or access to, or treatment, or employment
in its programs and activities. AA/EEO. For further
called about the photo of the supply in such an iconic facility. hearing Mark and Brendan’s story, I
information, contact Community & Employee Relations, gardens. The magazine staff had What we missed was that the real couldn’t help but think, there is
315-229-5656, lcania@stlawu.edu.
been back and forth about whether story was the behind-the-scenes of always a Laurentian connection. ■
PRINTED IN USA or not to use it for the SLU the behind the scenes. It was the DEBORAH DUDLEY, EDITOR
4 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 |5
LAURENTIAN REVIEWS NEWS & NOTES
In Winter’s Kitchen
Eight Students Attend Model African Union
Growing Roots and Breaking Bread in the Northern Heartland
By Beth Dooley ’75 , Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Since the appearance of Barbara staples of the winter pantry north of For the second year, St. Lawrence University students participated in the New York Six Model African Union conference
Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle the Mason-Dixon line: apples, hosted by Hamilton College. The event brought together African students as well as African-studies students and faculty from
in 2006, books and articles on local potatoes, carrots, cranberries, and the New York Six which includes: Colgate, Hamilton, Hobart and William Smith, Skidmore, Union, and St. Lawrence.
eating—a popular culinary trend chestnuts, for example. These foods
known as “locavorism”—have become leaping-off points for webs
appeared with such regularity that of stories and memories about
they’ve spawned their own subgenre. settling down to make a life in the Laurentians Peak at 88,000 Vertical Feet
Part memoir, part gastronomy, and part Northern Heartland.
ecological appeal, locavore memoirs I spent some time in the Midwest for On Sept. 26, 2017, more than 300 miles and 88,000
focus on the farmers, chefs, and graduate school—kind of—if Ann vertical feet were hiked, more than 15 gallons of trail
artisanal food providers in the writer’s Arbor counts. I know that many mix were consumed, and all of the Adirondack High
locale. They celebrate these people, Midwesterners will say, “Uh, no,” but I Peaks had Laurentians at the top of them. Get a
drawing connections between the must have at least been on the edge of glimpse through this video by Will Millerchip ’21 at
kitchen table, the local soil, and the the region, because I learned the gentle bit.ly/2zST3KC. (case sensitive.)
concept of home as something physical, jokes and backhanded compliments
which a person actually ingests. aimed at Midwestern cuisine: bland,
I’m also a dedicated locavore., and bombed with pasta and cream-of-
as someone who lives, writes, and eats mushroom soup, and always in the
in the North Country, I often felt a form of a casserole. Here, too, Beth
tinge of envy when I read such books Dooley defies expectations. She attends
by my fellow food writers. Many of to the region’s traditional foods, but she
them are set in places where local also mines deep into research on the
eating seems easy—California, or forgotten culinary traditions that avoid
Texas, or, in the case of Kingsolver, cliché, and so intrigue us, as she does in
Each chapter is an homage to Virginia. One sign that you’ve lived in “Wild Rice” and “Apples.” Dooley
a cold climate for too long is an wants us to see that the foods of the
some of the humbler—and, yes, unwillingness to be impressed with winter pantry are not at all uninviting;
someone’s crop of January lettuce. In with her sense of history, practical
hardier and uglier—vegetables the North, cabbage is our lettuce and knowhow, and encouragement, they
beets our tomatoes. We know that become compelling possibilities
that comprise the staples of the optimism and creativity only add
more savor to a delicious dish.
wherever one lives.
Food and memory are, of course,
St. Lawrence Receives
winter pantry north of the Funding Award for Energy Plan
Power of Pink Raises
This kind of philosophy is what deeply intertwined. Even those
makes Beth Dooley’s In Winter’s Laurentians who live in year-round
Mason-Dixon line: apples,
Awareness and Funds
Kitchen (Milkweed, 2015) warmth will see, in Dooley’s pages, The University has been awarded $112,500 from the New
remarkable. Dooley, a cookbook (she herself is a Laurentian), a York State Energy Research and Development Authority
potatoes, carrots, cranberries, writer and James Beard Award familiar glimpse of their North (NYSERDA) with an additional $4,000 to support a
nominee, lives, writes, and eats in Country home in her descriptions of student internship to fund the University’s first-ever energy The Saints Athletic Department and the Student Athlete
and chestnuts, for example. Minneapolis, and she makes an the snowy fields, the cold, brilliantly master plan. The project will be managed by Ryan Kmetz, Advisory Committee partnered once again with teams
evocative, well-researched, and clear November skies, and the assistant director of sustainability and energy management. across the Liberty League to raise money for the battle
emotionally engaging case for eating glowing windows and set tables, It will allow St. Lawrence’s Office of Sustainability to against breast cancer during the Power of Pink weekend
locally, even in the northern climes. awaiting the arrival of guests. ■ provide a dynamic foundation for continuous reassessment Oct. 7. Saints Volleyball (dark pink) and Rochester
Her structuring device is clever: each and review of utility infrastructure life-cycle strategies in Institute of Technology (light pink) joined in the effort
chapter is an homage to some of the BY PAUL GRAHAM ’99 concert with comprehensive academic and facility planning during the weekend competition. St. Lawrence’s Power of
humbler—and, yes, hardier and Professor and chair of English and author objectives. It will also complement the University’s facilities Pink events have raised more than $37,000 over the past
uglier—vegetables that comprise the of In Memory of Bread: A Memoir master plan. eight years.
6 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 |7
ON CAMPUS ON CAMPUS
Orienteering in the North Country Laurentians in Residence Fall 2017
Nature Up North and the skills. Participants—students, includes an “encounter feature”
St. Lawrence GIS Program faculty, staff, and families from the designed to encourage people to post In any given academic year,
launched a new orienteering course, community—were invited to tour pictures and narratives about St. Lawrence University will host
a competitive international sport the course at their own pace. experiences and observations they’ve thousands of visitors. Prospective
that combines racing with Enrollees begin at the had in the natural world. students, visiting athletic teams,
navigation skills. Wachtmeister Field Station and “By collectively putting all of the guest artists, lecturers, local
An orienteering race is a timed explored the interesting and diverse encounters together into our master community members and most
event, where individuals use geologic features surrounding the Kip database we are starting to build a importantly, alumni. It is a proud
specially crafted maps with Trail. Depending on the individual, it reference library of what species we day for St. Lawrence to see each
topographic details of the area they may be enjoyed as a race or as a see at different times year,” says graduating class cross the stage, but
will navigate. Racers select their pleasant walk in the woods. Barthelmess “and this database allows it is equally thrilling for the campus
route and navigate through diverse Orienteering is just one of many us to monitor change over time.” to have Laurentians come back.
and often unfamiliar terrain with opportunities to engage with nature Beyond taking the orienteering The Laurentians in Residence
only the aid of a map and compass, through Nature Up North, a course, students, faculty, staff, and program is a collaboration between
visiting designated control points community-based organization at community members are also Career Services, University From left: Meg Goldthwaite P’19, Jennifer Johnson Eddy ’82, Andy Cring ’92, P’21,
described on the map. St. Lawrence University. invited to participate in Nature Up Advancement, and the Student David Scott ’75, Lauren McFarlane ’84
Made possible with the support of “At Nature Up North we really try North’s other community programs Alumni Association, with support
an Innovation Grant, this new to expose people to a wide variety such as their Citizen Science from the Alumni Executive Council. came to campus to interview shared her leadership skills in
course serves St. Lawrence and the of interacting with nature and programming. By helping The program brings alumni and parent St. Lawrence students, who filled four branding and communications for
larger community by giving recognize that people see the natural Barthelmess and her team identify leaders to campus for classroom of the 10 positions. this major media player. Previously,
participants an opportunity to world through a range of different and collect data about North presentations, an interactive panel “We wanted well-rounded students Goldthwaite was chief marketing
explore the campus property and lenses,” says Erika Barthelmess, Country plants, birds and animals, discussion, and networking and with a strong background in finance officer at Conservation International,
develop basic navigation skills. It professor of biology and Nature individuals are contributing to mentoring opportunities. and analytics, coupled with great an organization dedicated to
debuted on Nov. 3 with a brief Up North project director. important scientific research that is In October, the program communication skills and a strong protecting nature.
overview of orienteering and The website, natureupnorth.org, is going on across the country. ■ welcomed leaders from industry and desire to succeed,” Cring said. “When Lauren McFarlane ’84 is the
provided basic map and compass a Virtual Nature Center, which BY DEBORAH DUDLEY public service. Once again, the we started to define the type of founder and president of Act First
panelists shared their expertise with students we wanted for these roles, I Safety and Dental Practice Safety,
the students offering them insight knew we had to include St. Lawrence which she launched in 2005 after
into the twists and turns of their in our list of campus visits.” leaving a successful career in
careers as well as the wider circle of Jennifer Eddy ’82 is the founder magazine advertising sales.
Laurentian connections. and chairman of the board for Root McFarlane shared her strategies for
As vice president of global financial NS, Inc., a nonprofit aimed at staying ahead of the curve and
planning and analysis at eBay, Andy providing at-risk youths a path out developing new ways to help keep
Cring ’92, P’21, is responsible for of poverty through life and work- workers safe while addressing the
driving continuous improvement in readiness skills, case management, needs of employers.
the analysis of business results, health and nutritional education and David Scott ’75 shared insights on
developing short and long-term the social capital to ensure that all a 40-year multifaceted international
financial estimates and consulting on students leave Root prepared for legal and business career, including
eBay’s capital allocation strategy. success in the workplace. consulting for startup and large
Andy graduated from St. Lawrence Parents of current students are companies in the biotechnology field.
with bachelor’s degree in economics integral to the Laurentian family and Students learned how Scott’s degree
and knows first-hand how a liberal are critical to the Laurentians in in government and work for The Hill
arts degree gave him an advantage in Residence program. Chief Marketing News translated into a rich career in
the world of finance. Cring was Officer for National Professional the legal and business world after his
instrumental in creating an eBay Resources, Inc., Meg Goldthwaite undergraduate years. ■
internship in finance and analysis and P’19 joined this semester’s panel and BY DEBORAH DUDLEY
8 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 |9
ON CAMPUS ON CAMPUS
Students Finish in Fed Challenge Top 12 Thirty Years of Alexander String Quartet
BY RYAN DEUEL BY KELSEY MATTISON ’18 classes, or the rigor of ballet when living in the Arts Annex, a campus
they visit the dance studio to work theme house composed of residents
St. Lawrence University’s Fed The Alexander String Quartet with students. with a shared interest in the
Challenge team, for its second time, returned, in October, once again for The members of the Alexander performing arts. According to Arts
advanced to the semifinal round of the campus performances and their String Quartet, who received Annex alumnus Luke Matys ’15 of
competition held in November 2017 at annual artist residency—a more honorary degrees from St. Lawrence New Bedford, Massachusetts, the
the Federal Reserve Bank of New than 30-year tradition at in 2000, also value coming to the residents developed a small, but
York. This year, 43 teams competed in St. Lawrence University—inspiring North Country since it is very significant tradition inspired by the
the preliminary rounds, and only 12 the community in different ways. different from performing in more Alexander String Quartet’s annual
teams advanced to the semi-finals. The San Francisco-based quartet populated cities such as New York or visits. The event is called the Fancy
The College Fed Challenge is a formed in New York City in the San Francisco. “We value the Party, and it has been taking place
competition hosted by the Federal early 1980s and is described by The discussions that takes place in our since 2011.
Reserve Bank and is designed to Los Angeles Times as, “a group deep classroom performances, and we “Basically, we get all dressed up, go
bring real-world economics into the in its element, firm in its stride.” learn quite a bit from talking with to the Quartet performance, and then
classroom. Teams are judged on The quartet’s residency at students and professors,” says Lifsitz. have a classy cocktail party afterwards
their analysis of economic St. Lawrence includes performing for Visiting artists of all disciplines at the house with our friends,” says
conditions and their policy audiences and attending classes for are a regular part of the St. Lawrence Annex resident Ethan Collins ’18,
recommendations. Leading up to more intimate concerts and experience for all students, faculty from Avon, New York. Abby Leathers
the competition, New York Fed staff discussions involving the music and and staff, and community members. ’19, from Rochester, Vermont, says
also host orientations and a half-day careers in the arts. As Julia For the residents of the Arts Annex, she looks forward to the Fancy Party
boot camp for students. Pomainville, the University’s arts however, the Alexander String every year. “I love that we get to hang
Out of the 12 students enrolled in programming coordinator explains, Quartet is an essential part of their out like we normally do, but there is
Professor of Economics Cynthia “the musicians are experts at catering semester, and an evening they have an artistic and cultural aspect added
Bansak’s Fed Challenge course, five to the classroom, and their presence adopted as their own. to it. It makes it feel like more than
went on to compete in New York is valuable to both the students and The Quartet has inspired students just a party.” ■
City: Zane Belden ’18 of Queensbury, the professors.
New York; Michael Zunkeler ’18 of “We tell them what the classes are
Baltimore, Maryland; James Schibli looking for because their skill really
’18 of Ridgefield, Connecticut; John is making connections,” says
(Jack) Martin ’18 of Syracuse, New Pomainville. “If they can touch just
York; and, Garnet Remillard ’20 also one life every time they visit, then it
of Syracuse. From left: Zane Belden ’18, Michael Zunkeler ’18, James Schibli ’18, John (Jack) Martin is valuable for the University to
“This is not about the competition, ’18, and Garnet Remillard ’20 bring them.”
about who wins,” says Cynthia “It is special to be able to work in
Bansak, professor of economics. “We also served as a senior official of the 15-minute policy proposal, advising music, as well as other disciplines,”
have looked at course evaluations Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve on current says Fred Lifsitz, the Quartet’s
over the years, and there is no helped prepare the students in economic conditions and where we second violinist. Lifsitz and the
question students believe that this partnership with several St. Lawrence believe the target federal funds rate others feel that they learn a lot
kind of cooperative learning is more alumni working in finance. Students should be,” Zane says. “After about subjects they are not as versed
effective than traditional classroom were able to practice their presenting, we participated in a in, like the work of Jane Austen or
learning. And we continue to hear presentations with six different 15-minute question and answer other authors, when they spend
from former students that this alumni groups at six financial session based on our proposal.” time in special topics literature
Photo by Pete Ellis
course had significant long-term institutions and receive feedback on This was only the second time they
impacts on their careers.” their oral presentation skills and their have made it to the semi-final From left: Zakarias Grafilo, violin;
Lynn Smith Fox, spouse of understanding of monetary policy. rounds since St. Lawrence began Frederick Lifsitz, violin; Paul Yarbrough,
President William L. Fox ’75, who “We spend time creating a competing in the Fed Challenge. ■ viola; Sandy Wilson, cello.
10 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 11
ON CAMPUS
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and
to-morrow: 25 Years of Shakespeare
BY DEBORAH DUDLEY workshops that explored all facets of an audience’s perspective,” says
Shakespearean theater in a Hilary Caldwell, one of the actors
This season’s American Shakespeare contemporary context. The ASC who plays numerous roles in each
Center’s 2017-18 Wicked Folly Tour artists worked with students in production. Caldwell points out
presented “The Taming of the Shrew,” Visiting Assistant Professor Sara that this is consistent with the
“MacBeth,” and “Sense and Schaff ’s playwriting course to demands in Shakespeare’s time
Sensibility” in the Peterson-Kermani examine the staging clues embedded when actors took on multiple roles
Performance Hall. For 25 consecutive in the author’s texts and with in each production.
years, the American Shakespeare Assistant Professor Ann Hubert’s “There are still fans from over the
Center (ASC) has made St. Lawrence Shakespeare class, delving into border who travel down to see the
The Peace Begins with Me, taught by Elizabeth Margaret Vilas Professor of History Donna Alvah, takes in the exhibition. University an annual destination for rhetoric and word play. The troupe productions each year,”
its traveling ensemble performances, also hosted open workshops says Coppola, who explains that in
workshops, and residency. examining the research, the past, their visit to the North
“We have visited places for 10 or development, and construction that Country included performances in
“I am large, I contain multitudes” 15 years running, but 25 consecutive
years” says Thomas J. Coppola,
touring troupe manager and director
goes into costuming Shakespeare’s
plays during the Elizabethan period
as well as a session learning about
Canada. The ASC has been touring
since 1988 and was previously
known as the Shenandoah
BY POONAM SIDHU ’18 critic, Edward Said. She also focused Pennsylvania, after viewing the of the ASC traveling shows, “that is the special effects for the Early Shakespeare Express before changing
on the media’s problematic different works of art that speckled really remarkable. It shows how Modern stage using basic tools with its name in 2001.
Saima Akhtar prefaced her Oct. 23rd representations of the Middle East and the gallery. “The definition of St. Lawrence has a unique limited technology. Coppola believes that
lecture on “Multitudes: An Art Islam and what’s at stake now. Akhtar ‘American’ is constantly changing. appreciation for what Shakespeare “It’s so important for students to Shakespeare is meant to be heard
Exhibition in the Age of the presented art as a way to counter the We have to be willing to adapt to it.” brings to a learning environment.” see all of us building these worlds and seen in order to be understood
#muslimban” with the following predominantly negative stereotypes Other students mentioned how art The troupe’s four-day residency together, operating in multi-faceted and enjoyed. With 25 years of
statement: “The whole idea is to about Muslims in the U.S., and when can be employed to send a certain schedule this year, combined positions and taking on roles immersion, it is clear that
deconstruct the images that we see asked what she wanted St. Lawrence message to the people. “I didn’t performances with student-centered regardless of gender that challenge St. Lawrence University agrees. ■
around us and critically digest them.” students to take away from the think art could be used for
“I am large, I contain multitudes,” exhibition, Akhtar responded that she resistance,” says Losångela Batista From left: Students Marisol Ramirez ’18 and Devin Guilfoyle ’18 work with ASC’s Ally Farzetta during a costume workshop.
is a quote from Walt Whitman and wanted people to realize how “we are ’18 from Dorchester, Massachusetts.
was the inspiration for the title of the all connected through the human “I’m more interested to look at art
exhibition, according to Akhtar, who experience.” She wants students to now as a political statement.”
co-curated the show at the Richard know that there are more similarities According to the exhibition
F. Brush Art Gallery with Mona than differences between people who organizers, “Multitudes” seeks to
Damluji. Akhtar told the audience at may not all necessarily come from the draw attention to the complex
the curator’s talk that identity is a same walks of life. nature of ethnic, religious, and
multidimensional and layered The exhibition brings together racial identities and introduce
concept that is complicated. She seven artists and an artists’ themes of solidarity and intersection
explained the purpose of the title collaborative from diverse Muslim within Muslim, black, brown,
“Multitudes” is to challenge the and non-Muslim backgrounds, whose gender-based, refugee and
notion that identity is something work challenges and transcends immigrant communities as well
that can be understood through a narrow representations of people from as highlight the impossibility of
single picture or narrative. Muslim-majority countries. defi ning any region, culture, or
Akhtar’s presentation highlighted “I hope students from other identity through a singular
the negative consequences associated backgrounds see that Muslim- understanding. Visit the gallery
with Orientalism, a termed coined by Americans have the same aspirations archives to learn more about
the late Palestinian-American as any other Americans,” commented the artists in this exhibit at
academic, political activist, and literary Sahar Delawar ’19, from Scranton, www.stlawu.edu/gallery. ■
12 | St. Lawrence University Magazine
ON CAMPUS
Leading the Herd
Celia Diller ’20 confers with Otto
St. Lawrence Designated Leadership in
(a.k.a. Single Malt) before the Nov.
18-19 competition at the Elsa
Gunnison Appleton Riding Hall.
as Bicycle Friendly University Studying Abroad
The St. Lawrence riding team has
amassed 227 points through thesix
fall shows, and has a 35-point lead
The League of American Bicyclists recognized Nearly three-quarters of St. Lawrence in Region II competition. If the
St. Lawrence University with a bronze-level designation University students study abroad during Saints hold on to the lead through
as a Bicycle Friendly University (BFU). their undergraduate experience, with the two spring shows (Feb. 24-25,
St. Lawrence has joined a group of colleges and nearly two-thirds of students studying 2018), the team will claim its
universities across the United States that are working to abroad for a semester or longer. eighth consecutive Region II title.
transform their campuses and the communities around According to the 2017 Institute of
them. There are now 182 Bicycle Friendly Universities in International Education’s annual Open
45 states and Washington, D.C. Doors report, St. Lawrence was listed as
St. Lawrence first launched its Green Bikes Program No. 15 in the “Leading Institutions by
in 2004, making bicycles available for loan to students, Institutional Type-Baccalaureate”
faculty and staff during the spring, summer and fall. The Green Bikes category, with 382 students studying
Program is an initiative to make bikes readily available to the campus abroad in the 2015-16 academic year. IIE
community while encouraging healthy and sustainable modes of estimates that number translates into
transportation. It provides a carbon-neutral way to get around campus, town, 74.3 percent of the student body
and to explore the many bike-friendly trails in St. Lawrence County. studying abroad during any portion of
In addition, a 2013 Innovation Grant funded the installation of two bike their enrollment at St. Lawrence. It also
“Fix-It & Go” stations for community use: one located outside of the Owen represents a jump from ranking at No.
D. Young Library and the other located outside of Launders Science Library 27 just five years ago. The top study
in Madill Hall. ■ abroad destinations for St. Lawrence
To learn more about sustainability eff orts at St. Lawrence, visit the Green Pages students in 2016-17 were London, New
at www.stlawu.edu/green. Zealand, Kenya and a tie between
Austria, Denmark, and New York City. ■
Jobs, Grad School
Placement Increasing
According to a recent Career Services
survey, members of the Class of 2016
had a total career outcome rate of 97.1
percent, an increase of 0.2 percent over
last year’s survey. Of those, more than
78 percent were pursuing a career and
nearly 19 percent were attending
graduate school. The return rate on this
year’s survey was nearly 77 percent, and
the number reporting that they are
satisfied or very satisfied with their
employment remained strong at 94
Photo by James Chandler ’15
percent. According to the National
Photo by Jason Hunter
Association of Colleges and Employers,
the nationwide career outcome rate for
all 2016 graduates was 81 percent, and
for institutions comparable to
St. Lawrence was 91 percent. ■
14 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 15
SPORTS SPORTS
Legends of Appleton Global Architectural Firm Selected for Appleton Study
BY BETH SPADACCINI ’11 tradition at St. Lawrence through for four consecutive Stanley Cup BY RYAN DEUEL intramural sports while also necessary funding to complete the
their play, commitment, and impact wins in the early 1980s. He was improving the spectator experience renovations, the project is estimated
Men’s hockey alumni Brian on the programs and on the hockey inducted into the Hockey Hall of One of the premier architectural both in the arena and through to take approximately 18 months, but
McFarlane ’55 (left) and Bill world in the U.S. and Canada. Fame in 1995. companies for designing sports online livestream. would not cause any disruption to the
Torrey ’57 were honored as the McFarlane still holds the men’s “I often say, the best single venues in North America has been Chief Facilities Officer Dan teams’ game schedules in Appleton.
inaugural Legends of Appleton on program scoring record with 101 decision I ever made in my life was selected by St. Lawrence University Seaman said that the architects will “When you have a company that
Oct. 21. They were presented with career goals and was a long-time to come here,” McFarlane said in an to conduct a comprehensive study work to preserve the interior’s “old has designed some of the top
commemorative scarlet jackets host of CBC’s “Hockey Night in interview with The Watertown Daily for enhancing Appleton Arena. barn look” while making significant facilities at the professional and
during a presidential reception Canada.” He was awarded the Foster Times. “It’s nice when a St. Lawrence In 2017, St. Lawrence received a improvements to the entranceways, highest collegiate levels,” Durocher
prior to the Saints’ game against Hewitt Memorial Award, which was guy makes the NHL, but that’s not private planning gift to begin a study press box, overhead lighting and live said, “I am confident that we will
UMass Lowell. presented at the Hockey Hall of the purpose; really, it’s to give them for renewing and enhancing streaming capabilities. come away with preserving the best
The University launched the Fame in 1995. an education and a foundation to get Appleton Arena, home to the Saints’ “Preserving the heritage of of Appleton Arena with
Legends of Appleton program in the Torrey, known around the NHL out in the real world. They certainly NCAA Division I men’s and Appleton was a number-one priority enhancements that will provide us
fall of 2017 to celebrate individuals as “The Architect,” was the general did that in our cases—and dozens women’s hockey teams. In for the campus, and HOK is very with something truly special.”
who helped strengthen the hockey manager of the New York Islanders and hundreds of others.” ■ November, the campus finalized a excited about working with us to Micheal Day, vice president and
contract with HOK, a global design preserve the old character of the senior project manager at HOK,
From left: Bill Torrey ’57, Brian McFarlane ’55, Randy Sexton ’82, Ray Shero ’84, Scott Lasky ’05, and Tom O’Connor ’75. firm that has designed stadiums for arena,” Seaman said. “Having a firm added, “We’re looking forward to
professional and collegiate teams, with so many people that have working with St. Lawrence
including the recently opened Little worked on professional and University on this milestone project.
Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit collegiate stadiums, they can bring a Appleton Arena is a special place
Red Wings. lot of ideas to the table and always with a rich heritage. We look
“To have the opportunity to work seem a step ahead of the game.” forward to preserving the character
with the caliber of company like HOK plans to wrap up its design and charm of the venue while
HOK puts us at the ‘top of our study by April 2018, Seaman said. modernizing the fan and athlete
game,’” says Athletic Director Bob Once the University secures the experience.” ■
Durocher M’94, P’13. “Their
experience, wisdom, and professional
attitude is second to none.”
HOK will conduct a
comprehensive study of Appleton
and deliver its findings to the
University’s Steering, Planning, and
Oversight Committee as well as its
Campus User Group. The company
has already made a visit to campus
and presented preliminary concepts
to the two groups.
Originally opened in 1951,
Appleton Arena is regarded as one of
the University’s significant “heritage”
facilities. A gift from alumnus Tom
Dolan ’74 and the Dolan
Family Foundation made the study
possible in order to benefit student-
athletes in the hockey programs as
well as other intercollegiate and
stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 17SPORTS SPORTS
Pride of Place: Laurentian Track and Field
BY LAUREN WEEKS ’18 saying, ‘Wow, look at this place; I how important it is to get people on coordination for the event. Canton community and local “Being selected to host the
wish I knew this place existed when our campus to experience “We received tremendous support colleges and high schools in the area. championships in 2015 speaks
St. Lawrence University Head I was looking at colleges,’” says Head St. Lawrence in person.” from so many areas of campus, “The North Country rallied to be as volumes to the experience that
Women’s Track and Field Coach Kate Men’s Track and Field Coach John Due to the greatest number of including the President’s Office, receptive and hospitable as possible student-athletes, coaches, officials,
Curran M’11 has attended every Newman ’94, who believes that participants, the outdoor track and facilities and grounds, dining and and made lots of accommodations to and spectators enjoyed in 2003,”
NCAA Division III championship in hosting a championship event puts field championship is the largest conference services, residence life, handle the large number of visitors.” says Curran.
cross country as well as indoor and the University’s name in front of a championship the NCAA sponsors IT, safety and security, and of course Both coaches are proud that the “Th is event really put
outdoor track and field since she lot of people from around the world at a single site. The influx of visitors almost every member of the athletic campus offers their teams the St. Lawrence and our program on
began coaching at St. Lawrence 10 who might be unfamiliar with to the area creates a greater need for department,” Newman says, also advantages of its facilities, grounds the map as a top-level hosting site,”
years ago. Without fail, she says, she St. Lawrence. “That really galvanized logistical planning and expressing his gratitude toward the and regional terrain every season. adds Newman. ■
has been asked by coaches, student-
athletes, officials, and administrators,
“When is St. Lawrence going to host
the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field
Division III Championships again?”
“This is the true testament of the
tremendous experience that
St. Lawrence provides visitors to our
campus,” says Curran, who is eager
to host again.
In 2003, and again in 2015,
St. Lawrence University earned bids
to host the championships, providing
student-athletes, coaches, visitors, and
alumni unforgettable experiences in
this remote corner of the country.
“Hosting the NCAA track and
field championships are a
tremendous honor,” says Curran.
“Hosting events of this magnitude
were opportunities to show off our
outstanding facilities, which
included our athletic venues as well
as our campus and community.” To
date, St. Lawrence is the only school
(of any division) in the state of New
York to host the championships.
“I overheard a conversation
between two athletes who were
Divya Biswal ’15, from Ottawa,
Ontario, was the fourth individual
in St. Lawrence women’s track and
field history to earn an individual
championship with a 2014 win in
the triple jump.
18 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 19Gunnison Memorial Chapel
North Country
Public Radio
Making Waves for 50 YearsMARCH 7, 2018 MARKS THE
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
NORTH COUNTRY PUBLIC RADIO,
AND IT ALL STARTED WITH A
LOCAL DONATION.
“We begin our history in the mid- and transmitter tower location.
60s,” says Ellen Rocco, NCPR On March 7, 1968, their
station manager. Rocco notes that persistence paid off, when the station
many mistakenly tie the station’s went live from Payson Hall. WSLU
history to early radio at St. Lawrence was on the air for the first time.
University, when a 50-watt With a staff of two professionals
experimental station was set up by (Hutto and Murphy) and a small
St. Lawrence Professor of Physics cadre of students, WSLU aired a
Ward C. Priest and Stanley Barber, a few hours of programming each day,
local mechanic in an old pig barn consisting of locally hosted music
near campus in 1921. However, it programs, talks with St. Lawrence
was with President Lyndon B. University professors, and brief
Johnson signing of the Public recordings of international news
Broadcasting Act (in November broadcast from Europe and Asia.
1967), along with a gift from a local The University’s license and
businessman, that North Country commitment to radio was secured
Public Radio’s history begins. and, in 1971, WSLU became a
As John B. Johnson Jr., Chairman charter member of National Public
of the Board of the Johnson Radio (NPR), increased its
Newspapers Corporation explains, broadcast day to 18 hours, and
the family’s foray into FM radio in began receiving support from the
the 50s and early 60s was proving to Corporation for Public Broadcasting
be a losing venture. His late father, (CPB). (See full summary of
John B. Johnson, was at the helm of station’s history at www.ncpr.org.)
the family company which owned It was also in 1971, just after her
local radio and television stations as graduation from St. Lawrence
well as The Watertown Daily Times. University, that Jackie Sauter ’71
Ellen Rocco
In 1965, after shutting down their joined the staff after seeing an ad in
FM radio operations, the elder Mr. the paper for part-time office work.
Johnson, who was a St. Lawrence “At that point, I hadn’t even heard
Station Manager trustee at the time, donated the FM
transmitter to the University. With
this gift, WSLU was conceived, but
of the station,” Sauter says, “I
intended to stay only the year, but
one thing led to another.” Before
not yet born. long, Sauter became an on-air
Lawrence Reiner, an instructor of announcer and eventually began
radio and television at St. Lawrence, producing innovative programming,
labored for two more years, heading such as “Women’s Voices,” which
the effort to establish a University was distributed nationally via NPR.
radio station. With the engineering That was one of the first of many
assistance of Francis Murphy and locally produced segments to reach a
Richard Hutto, a consultant from national audience from this young
Florida and later WSLU’s first North Country station.
station manager, Reiner persisted “The early mission was to bring
against myriad problems, including high-quality programs to the
local television signal interference residents of the North Country,
24 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 25pretty simple,” says Rocco. The bulk work expanded the coverage beyond
of the format was classical music and St. Lawrence County and fulfilled
some non-commercial news coverage requests for service that the station
like NPR’s All Things Considered. had been receiving from
In 1975, another announcer, communities in the Adirondacks
Martha Foley ’74, now the station’s and around the North Country.
news director, joined the station. By “It is a big neighborhood,” says
the early ’80s, when she returned to Foley, “but we have a lot of common
the station after a stint as editor at a concerns and strengths and
local newspaper, Foley’s talent for weaknesses. You can look at a map
storytelling and audio editing was and see this big shoulder of New
an immediate game-changer and the York State. It’s huge.”
station began expanding content to In 1984, WSLU officially became
include original regional news and North Country Public Radio when the
documentaries. first remote transmitter was built in
“Those of us who got into the local Saranac Lake. This was followed by 32
station news business that early were more in the following decades and by
kind of inventing the wheel all over the early ’90s, the station had added a
the country,” says Foley. “It was technological mission— to reach the
really exciting and really fun. We entire “Adirondack North Country,” a
just didn’t know a whole lot, but we geographic term popularized by Rocco
were willing to try anything.” in her numerous grant proposals to
With the addition of Rocco in expand coverage.
1980 as development director, the “If you looked at a FCC coverage
trio of Sauter, Foley and Rocco map back in those days, one of the
represented the station leadership or big gap areas was Northern New
what Rocco calls the station’s York including the Adirondack
“founding mothers.” mountains, so we almost always got
“We all came out of the ’60s, and help. And if we didn’t, we figured
we were community-oriented,” says out a way” says Rocco. “Bob really
Rocco. “We wanted to have an worked miracles. He is the real hero
impact and add to the community in that story.”
we were living in, and we saw our “We realized, we could do this
Martha Foley ’74
work as serving the public.” technically,” adds Foley “but you
“It might sound trite,” Foley says, have to follow the facilities with
“but we try to knit the whole region actual expressions of interest in that
together in some way and discover
the common ground and bring that
forward.”
community. Even with our limited
resources we try to be attentive to
the whole geography.”
News Director
With a listening community
TRANSMITTING A geographically defined, a more
REGIONAL IDENTITY cohesive Adirondack North Country
Shortly after Rocco joined the identity emerged. “We felt that a
station, Bob Sauter was hired. As a regional take on the news was
modern broadcast engineer, Bob’s critical and we showed how the
26 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 27stories of peoples’ lives in Newcomb us to what is going on in the rest of
or Old Forge or Morley are all the country. But more than that, we
connected,” says Rocco. knew that there are great stories
In the ’80s and into the ’90s, the across the region, really important
standard operating wisdom across the stories that can connect the North
NPR system was to create seamless Country to the whole nation.”
programming by taking the highest As Foley said earlier, knitting the
caliber programming from national North Country together is exactly
sources. However, Sauter, Foley and what NCPR did during the ice storm
Rocco went against the grain. of 1998, when staffers slept at the
The trio made a very conscious station and kept filling generators in
decision: They believed the best way order to continue broadcasting
to serve the region was to provide information to the region, telling
news and information and made listeners to turn off their battery-
sure that part of that service focused powered radios to save power and
on the region. turn them on at the top of the hour
“We began to seriously invest in a for updates. For a while, NCPR was
news department,” Rocco continues, the only news organization able to
bucking the trend of using cover the storm in-depth and get
predominantly purchased critical emergency information out
programming. “It is the reason we to isolated communities.
have such a high standing in the In fact, NCPR news staff have
system as a great news department. been integral in the national
We have been doing it longer than coverage of recent stories ranging
most stations,” adds Rocco. “We got from the high-profile Dannemora
really good at it. Now, first and prison escape and the Lac-Mégantic
foremost, we see ourselves as a train disaster in Quebec, to
news organization.” Northern New York communities
Over the past 35 years, Sauter, navigating the inclusion of refugee
Foley and Rocco have built a team populations, issues of homelessness,
of nationally recognized and award- and heroin addiction, to reporting
Jackie Sauter ’71
winning journalists that includes on the changing political landscapes
Brian Mann, David Sommerstein, of the nation related to green energy
Todd Moe, and the more recent projects, medical marijuana, prisons,
Director of Broadcast additions of Zach Hirsch, Laura
Rosenthal and Amy Feiereisel, who
farming, immigration and more.
Mann, who has been NCPR’s
and Digital Content round out the station’s multiple
generations of reporting and
storytelling.
Adirondack Bureau Chief for 18 years,
has been consistently enlisted by
NPR to report on national stories,
“Part of our job is to enrich the including most recently covering the
experience of the people who live aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in
here,” says Rocco. “Obviously Houston as wells as the tragedy of last
bringing interesting people, great October’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.
thinkers, great musicians, artists on Last fall, Mann officially
air enriches the region and connects expanded his role to include serving
28 | St. Lawrence University Magazine stlawu.edu/magazine Winter 2018 | 29You can also read
