News and Views from the Alumni House
Lorraine K. Polvinale '69 P'98
An Evening with the Reisses
At the first of many welcome receptions for President Mitchell B. Reiss and his wife, Elisabeth, held at the Annapolis Yacht Club on
July 29, I was fortunate to have the job of escorting the President and First Lady that evening and introducing them to more than 200 guests-our Annapolis, DC and Talbot County alumni, incoming students of the Class of 2014 and their families, and friends of the College.
I admit to being a little nervous at first, thinking, "How should I address him? How should I introduce him? President Reiss? Dr. Reiss? Ambassador Reiss?" There are many titles from which I could choose. He squelched my anxiety immediately when he shook my hand and said, "Call me Mitchell."
Both Mitchell and Elisabeth were approachable, warm and charming. Elisabeth practically danced around the room greeting folks in her cheery British accent, telling them that she was excited about opening Hynson-Ringgold House for the many events they have planned this year. One of Elisabeth's first projects is to re-introduce the "Alma Mater" to the College community. As an opening to the evening's program, Beth Anne Langrell, director of student development, sang the musical tribute to Washington College. I could hear the whispering among the alumni, "I never knew we had a school song." Well, we do, and you can hear the Washington College Consort's rendition
here.
President Reiss, too, moved easily around the room. He greeted everyone with the same grace, kindness and interest he had shown me. Mitchell listened to friendly chatter about how pleased they are that he is here, to complaints about past issues, and to suggestions as to how we could do things better. He devoted his evening to learning what matters most to us.
President Reiss also had the opportunity to publicly address the guests. The audience broke into spontaneous applause as he outlined several new initiatives that you'll be hearing more about soon. It was clear to everyone that evening that, just 30 days into his presidency, Mitchell B. Reiss is making strides in raising the profile of Washington College. Washington College is in very good hands. If you have not yet had the pleasure to meet Mitchell and Elisabeth Reiss, I hope you will attend one of the upcoming chapter events we have planned for the year ahead (see "Alumni Events" column at right). Click
here to register for an event near you.
Mystery Photo
Do you remember any of these lovely ladies from your college days? The first person to correctly identify all five wins a fabulous prize. Send your answers to
Alumni Relations today.
New Lacrosse Coach Brings Great Expectations
The Shoremen lacrosse team will have some new faces on the sidelines next season with the hiring of new head coach Jeff Shirk and assistants J.L. Reppert, Andrew Delaney and Ian Shure. The incoming staff brings a wealth of experience and high expectations to a storied program that has struggled in recent years.
"I'm looking forward to getting the guys back on campus, meeting everyone and seeing what we have, how we can help develop these players, and how far we can go this year," Shirk said.
The school's 11th men's head lacrosse coach, Shirk comes to Chestertown after four years as head coach at Division I Virginia Military Institute. A four-year short-stick defensive midfielder at the University of Maryland, Shirk's first coaching job out of college was at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Assistant J.L. Reppert, a former player for the Naval Academy and a nine-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, also brings a military background to WC. "The experience of coaching at a military school really helps shape you to be more organized in everything you do within the program and how you run the program," Shirk said. "It's helped me become a better coach."
Without the strict rules that govern life at a military school, Shirk says there will be a greater emphasis on educating players about the right things to do off the field. "I know they're 18-to-22-year-old men who are going to make mistakes, but they will understand that they are a representation of me and of Washington College at all times - over the summer, at night, on the field, over the weekend, in the classroom. It's important that my guys always represent us well," he said.
Shirk plans to raise the expectations for his players, off the field and on. "They're going to be held to a higher standard," he says. "In the short-term, I'm focused on getting back on track right away and developing a mentality among the players of working hard, all the time, at everything we do," he said. "Long-term, I want to get back up to the top five teams in Division III where we're competing for a national championship every year," he said.
To reach those goals, Shirk will rely on the strengths of his assistant coaches. "The staff that came together is an older, experienced staff, which sets us apart from a lot of our competitors," he said. "J.L. was a very good midfielder for Navy, and he's going to bring that offensive mindset. I trust him with developing the offensive side of the field," Shirk said. "Ian is really entwined in the Baltimore recruiting circles from coaching at the high school level, so he'll bring that aspect in addition to working with the offense," he added.
Rounding out the staff, Delaney will work primarily with the defenders. "Drew's been in defensive coordinator positions recently so I expect him to help me there," Shirk said. "I prefer to oversee everything and have guys in place that I can trust."
With his hard work mentality, high standards and will to win, Shirk's the guy Washington College is going to trust to bring its lacrosse program into a new era, and he's been embraced by the college community since he took the job.
"The alumni have been overwhelmingly welcoming," he said. "I've spoken with some of them or exchanged e-mails, and I'm really looking forward to developing those relationships. They're very, very excited about the program, and that makes me excited to be a part of it," Shirk said.
Lifelong Career Assistance for ALL Alumni
The Center for Career Development provides lifelong career assistance for all Washington College Alumni. Career transitions are natural results of growth and change in work life. Call on us, your professional career services staff for:
- Individualized career assistance by telephone, video, or in person
- Access to "JOBS by George!," an online database for job opportunities (Visit http://career.washcoll.edu to create your free account.)
- Help with resumes, cover letters, job search tips, and interviewing skills
- Alumni contacts and events for networking via the Center for Career Development or Alumni Relations Office
- Graduate school advising
- Referrals to online career resources
We are here year-round,
Monday through
Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
E-mail us at:
career_center@washcoll.edu or phone us at
410-778-7890.
A Reunion Like No Other
These music production team volunteers spent many hours coordinating the alumni musical talent for Reunion 2010.
These are the drama production team volunteers who made the alumni drama and dance production possible.
WC turned the spotlight on its talented alumni this year to create a Reunion like no other!
Reunion 2010: Back by Popular Demand brought alumni thespians, dancers, artists, musicians, brewers and poets back to campus to share their talents on the WC stage once again.
There was no shortage of artistic talent on display at Reunion this year.
Alumni musicians of all ages performed onstage during the Red Carpet Party at "Andy's Revisited."
Jim Graham '81 hosted a photo show of his work in the Miller Library.
Erin Murphy '90 performed a reading of her poetry at the Lit House. The new Gibson Center for the Arts served as an outstanding backdrop for the
alumni dance and drama production, and Martha Washington Square transformed into a stage for the
alumni musicians' showcase.
Fun was had by old and young alike. Professors from days gone by came back to present
one more class in Bill Smith. Professor Emeritus Robert Day even distributed a quiz, or rather, his trademark "quizzy-poo" on the
ABC's of Enlightenment. Children rode on ponies and slid down inflatable slides while families ate at the
All-Campus Picnic. After having a bite to eat, a crowd headed to the Alumni House for a
beer tasting hosted by alumni brewers from 16 Mile Brewery in Georgetown, DE.
While some alumni who returned to WC did not come to celebrate a milestone Reunion, there was no shortage of parties for those who were honoring a special year. The classes of
1960 and
1985 celebrated their 50th and 25th Reunions, respectively, and the classes of '05, '00, '95, '90, '80, '75, '70, '65, and the Older and Wiser Society returned for their important reunions as well. Representatives from all classes presented their
Reunion class gifts at the dedication of the Livingood Terrace by the Class of 1959.
Washington College thanks all of its alumni volunteers-the Reunion chairs, the Reunion committee members, and all of the production volunteers-for their hard work and enthusiasm in making Reunion 2010 an incredible success! WC is searching for Reunion volunteers for 2011: if you are interested in volunteering, please contact the
Alumni Office.
About Your Alumni Board
The Washington Fund Committee
One of the key committees of the Alumni Board is The Washington Fund Committee. Ably led by Linda Ayres '69, this committee works closely with College Advancement staff who oversee The Washington Fund. The primary goals of the committee are to:
- improve alumni education about The Washington Fund
- increase alumni participation in The Washington Fund
- educate alumni about giving options at Washington College. Examples include The Washington Fund, The 1782 Society, the George Washington Society, the Sho'men Club, capital campaigns, etc.
- encourage the Alumni Board to set an example for our alumni by supporting The Washington Fund
- officially recognize those alumni who give to the Washington Fund
What is The Washington Fund?
The Washington Fund is the first fundraising priority for Washington College every year because it provides dependable, recurring, budgeted support for the College's highest priorities and greatest opportunities. Gifts to The Washington Fund directly and immediately impact our students. Thousands of alumni, parents, and friends choose to support WC through The Washington Fund because it has both immediate and enduring effects.
Gifts made without restriction to The Washington Fund are directed to the most expensive and pressing priorities. Recent history shows these gifts most often support student scholarships. This type of support reaches a wide audience-every single student on campus, to be exact-by offsetting the annual cost of offering a personalized liberal arts education. Your generosity to The Washington Fund will be put to immediate use, addressing real needs and having real impact.
In summation, the goal of the Washington Fund Committee of the Alumni Board is to increase alumni awareness and participation in The Washington Fund. If you have questions about The Washington Fund, please contact Rebekah Hardy '05, Director of The Washington Fund, or one of Linda Ayres' dedicated committee members: Bruce Alexander '94 M'00, Linda Sheedy'69 or L. Wayles Wilson '03.
To make your gift to The Washington Fund online, visit
give.washcoll.edu.
ISO Washington College Veterans
Do you know of Washington College alumni who served in a foreign or domestic war? The Alumni Board's Awards Committee is undertaking a project to recognize Washington College veterans. Currently, we have a list of nearly 135 veterans but we know there are more. We need your help finding those men and women who are an important part of our history and deserve recognition.
If you know of any Washington College alumni who lost their lives in battle, served in past wars or are currently serving in military combat units overseas, please contact Judie Barroll in Alumni Relations at
jbarroll2@washcoll.edu or by mail at Alumni Relations, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620. We are seeking military photos, details of service, and any other biographical information you may have.
