Thursday, April 14, 2011

Good News On State Funding Requests





Dear Alumni,
 The 428th session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned at midnight last night, and I am pleased to report that the legislature maintained funding for the Sellinger Program of direct aid to independent colleges and universities at the fiscal 2011 appropriation of $38.4 million.  Washington College’s allocation under the Sellinger Program will be $1,364,424.  As important, the Fiscal 2012 Capital Budget awards $10 million for four construction and renovation projects at independent colleges and universities.  Washington College’s allocation will be $2.5 million for the renovation of the Clifton M. Miller Library.  Washington College is contributing the difference to upgrade the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system; to create spaces for group study, distraction-free testing and study skills instruction, an expanded College Archive, and additional offices for instructional technology staff.

Up until this past weekend, there was grave concern that the College’s request for assistance in renovating Miller Library would be reduced to $1.5 million, effectively delaying the opportunity to begin the project this summer.  The $2.5 million is less than the requested $3 million, but it will permit the College to begin phase one of the project immediately following Commencement in May.  It also means that a planned $1 million renovation of the basement of the Cain Athletic Center will be able to proceed as planned this summer.

There are many individuals to thank for the success of our state funding requests in these trying economic times.  First and foremost, we thank the members of the General Assembly who were our champions:  Delegates Norman Conway, Adrienne Jones, and Melony Griffith of the House Appropriations Committee and Senators Edward Kasemeyer, James DeGrange, and Richard Colburn of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.  In addition, Senators Barry Glassman ’84 and Joe Getty ’74 were persuasive advocates on behalf of their alma mater.  Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize and salute Tina Bjarekull, President of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), and her staff for their diligent work throughout the 90-day legislative session to make the case for independent higher education before the members of the General Assembly.  We could ask for no better representation in the halls of the Maryland legislature than Tina and her staff.

I hope you will join me in thanking members of the Maryland General Assembly with whom you come into contact for supporting MICUA institutions through the Sellinger Formula and the State Capital Budget.
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Thursday, April 7, 2011

"There's no place like home."





"There's no place like home."
That was certainly the case for our varsity student-athletes this weekend. Saturday marked the first time in school history that nine varsity sports competed at home on the same day - and all nine came away winners. The men's and women's rowing teams hosted Division II Philadelphia University and won five of the six races. The men's tennis team won two matches, while the women's tennis team remained unbeaten at 10-0 with a win over Muhlenberg. Our men's and women's lacrosse teams each posted important conference wins over Muhlenberg. On the diamond, baseball swept adouble-header against Ursinus, winning game two in walk-off fashion in the 11th inning, while softball split a pair of games against Muhlenberg, winning game one in walk-off fashion in the 10th. Finally, the sailing team hosted a conference championship-qualifying regatta this weekend and put the finishing touches on its first-place finish Sunday morning. It was a truly remarkable weekend on the fields, on the courts, and on the water and was representative of the continued success our teams are bound to enjoy. There are plenty of games left. For further sports information and schedules, go to washingtoncollegesports.com. Please come to the College and join Elisabeth and me in supporting them!

"War on the Shore"


Enjoy "War on the Shore" at the Stadium, on Television or Online
The "biggest little lacrosse game in America" is just five weeks away and Washington College alumni are encouraged to cheer on the Shoremen as they do battle against archrival Salisbury University in the "War on the Shore," Saturday, May 7, on Kibler Field at Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO WATCH THE GAME:
  • See it at the Stadium
    The best, of course, is in person. The "War on the Shore" has an atmosphere unsurpassed in Division III athletics. The game routinely draws more than 2,000 fans, and Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium will be a packed house - not to mention the hundreds of Washington College students who will be enjoying the game from just outside the north end of the stadium between Sassafras and Chester Halls. There will be a special alumni and friends BYOB pre-game tailgating section set up outside the stadium beginning at 11:00 am. (Note: There will be no skybox seating available during the game due to the television broadcast.)

  • Watch it on TV If you live in the greater Baltimore media market, you can watch the game live on WMAR-TV, ABC 2. For the first time ever, the "War on the Shore" will be the station's featured Game of the Week.

  • Catch it Online
    You may also be able to watch the broadcast live online on ESPN3.com. ESPN3.com is available free on college campuses and military bases and via most major Internet service providers, including Atlantic Broadband, Bright House, Cavalier, Comcast, Cox, TimeWarner, and Verizon. For more information on ESPN3, find out if your Internet provider carries it.

Coverage of this year's game will begin at 1:00 pm, with face-off scheduled for 1:06. The winner of the game will be awarded the Charles B. Clark Cup. Clark, a 1934 graduate of Washington College, was an educator and lacrosse coach at both Washington and Salisbury and led both programs to national prominence.

Be an Ambassador for Washington College


Sponsor a Washington College Book Award at a secondary school of your choice this spring!  Recently, you should have received a mailing about the Book Award, the WC program that recognizes high school juniors across the country who have produced outstanding written work in the field of history.
Supported by the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, the Admissions Office, and Alumni Relations, the program depends upon alumni who volunteer to become Book Award sponsors. 
TO BECOME A SPONSOR: 
1) Complete the online sponsor form on the Book Award web site.
2) WC will mail an information packet to you that you may use to approach the school(s) of your choice.
3) Once a school agrees to participate and you help underwrite the program with a $50 gift, WC will send the award to the recipient.  You may choose to appear in person for the award presentation.
To find out more about the program or to see past award presentations, visit the Book Award web site.  You may also email or call 410-778-7880 for more information.