Wednesday, March 24, 2010

You're Invited to the 2010 "American Pictures" Series



We invite you to explore some of the great works of American art, seen through the eyes of some of America's most insightful cultural commentators.

On April 10, Washington College will launch the third annual "American Pictures" series, a unique partnership with National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The series pairs great works of art with nationally renowned speakers, offering a highly original approach to history and the visual arts. All talks will take place on Saturday afternoons at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Galley, located at 9th and F Streets, NW, in Washington, DC.

This year brings a trio of Pulitzer Prize winners who, at each event, will unravel the meanings of a single image from American art.

*   April 10: James McPherson, (Civil War historian and author) on Alexander Gardner's Confederate Dead by a Fence on the Hagerstown Road, Antietam"

*   April 17: Jules Feiffer, (cartoonist and author) on Bob Landry's "Fred Astaire in 'Puttin' on the Ritz'"

*   May 1: David Hackett Fischer, (cultural historian) on Emanuel Leutze's "Washington Crossing the Delaware"

To reserve free tickets for any of the three talks, please contact Lois Kitz, lkitz2@washcoll.edu; 410-810-7165. All talks will begin at 4:30 pm. For full details on the program, visit http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/events_programs/american_pictures.php

"American Pictures" is sponsored at Washington College by the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and the Department of Art and Art History, with generous support from the Starr Foundation, the Hodson Trust, the Hedgelawn Foundation and other donors and friends.

We look forward to seeing our alumni at these exciting events!

All best,

Jill Ogline Titus
Associate Director
C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Services for Edward L. Athey '47

The following information was given to us by the family of Ed Athey '47:

A service will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Christ United Methodist Church, 401 High Street, Chestertown, MD.  A reception will follow at the Casey Academic Center, Washington College.  

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 401 High St, PO Box 262, Chestertown, MD 21620; Washington College, Office of College Advancement, 300 Washington Ave, Chestertown, MD 21620; or the Chester River Home Care & Hospice, 6602 Church Hill Rd, Suite 600, Chestertown, MD 21620




Edward L. Athey '47
1921 - 2010


    Edward L. Athey '47, a beloved professor and coach who served as athletic director at Washington College for 38 years, died at his Chestertown home on February 28, 2010.
    Born in Moundsville, WV, on October 26, 1921, Ed Athey was one of three boys raised during the Great Depression by the late Edward W. Athey, a railroad policeman, and his wife, Alice. When he was old enough, Ed took on part-time jobs to help the family stay afloat, but he always found time to play sports. 
    A natural athlete who excelled at basketball, baseball and soccer as a youngster, Edward L. Athey honed his athleticism by playing semi-professional basketball right out of high school. A year later, he began his collegiate career at Frostburg College, playing basketball, soccer and baseball. With the encouragement of coaches Tom Kibler and Fred Dumschott, Athey transferred to Washington College in the fall of 1942. Not surprisingly, the basketball team won the conference championship that year.
    In 1943, just after he was called into military service, Ed Athey married his college sweetheart, Rachel Lovell, with whom he would raise three children: young Ed, Ron and Patty. Mr. Athey spent the next two years flying missions in China with the U.S. Air Force. He returned to Washington College in 1946 for his senior year.  On a whim, he took up football-Coach George Ekaitis played him at the quarterback position. 
    Intent on a teaching career, Mr. Athey earned a master's degree in education at Columbia University. A few months later, in August 1948, he would be back in Chestertown again, earning his stripes as "Coach."
    In his first year, Coach Athey taught physical education classes and served as chair of the department, was head coach for the basketball, soccer and track programs, and helped out as a scouting coach for football. After one year on the job, Coach Athey added "Athletic Director" to his collection of hats.
    In a career that spanned five decades, Ed Athey coached six varsity sports-baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and track, as well as JV lacrosse. On the soccer field sidelines from 1949 through 1981, Coach was named Division II-III Soccer Coach of the Year in 1980. But the baseball program has always been his special love: he was assistant and later head coach of baseball for 49 years, continuing to coach the Shoremen squad even after he retired from his post as AD in 1987.  Last spring, Washington College dedicated the new ballpark on campus to honor the longtime baseball coach.
    As director of athletics for 38 years, Ed Athey played a leading role in the activities of the NCAA, the Middle Atlantic Conference, the Mason-Dixon Conference and the United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. He also instilled in Washington College coaches and athletes an appreciation for the life lessons students learn through sports competition. Widely respected as a champion athlete, coach and administrator with a gentle, easy-going manner, Coach Athey has been enshrined in Athletic Halls of Fame at Washington College, Frostburg State University, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame.
    Remembering his mentor, coach and predecessor, Bryan Matthews, the current Athletic Director of Washington College, remarked, "Coach Athey has embodied the spirit of Washington College more than anyone in the last 60 years, he has touched more lives in the Washington College family than anyone in half a century, and he will be missed by more people than can be counted."
    Predeceased by his first wife Rachel and his son Edward M. Athey '67, Coach Athey is survived by his wife, Marge McCorkel Athey, his son Ron and daughter-in-law Julie Crew Athey '93, daughter Patty and son-in-law Patrick Grieb; daughter-in-law Cathy Athey; step-son Don McCorkel and his wife Laura McCorkel; grandchildren Carolyn Athey Harms '93 M'97 and her husband Kevin Harms '96; Lisa Athey Clarke '96 and her husband J.B. Clarke (the head lacrosse coach at Washington College); Charlie Athey '01, Eddie Athey, Tricia Athey, Marcia Grieb Fellows and her husband Jon Fellows '02 M'04, Andy Grieb '07, and Nia and Joel McCorkel; and six great grandchildren: Logan, Jenna, Paige and Parker Archie Harms, and Jessica and Samantha Clarke.


Friday, February 26, 2010

The Buzz about Reunion 2010

In case you haven't already heard, Reunion 2010: Back by Popular Demand is going to be an event like Washington College has never seen before!  Dozens of alumni artists, performers, and authors are coming back to campus to put on a weekend of incredible entertainment.  Former professors are returning to campus to give short lectures, new events are on the schedule, and dorms are available for reservation.  This is the Reunion you won't want to miss!


May 14-16, 2010









Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Hike in the Footsteps of the Great Romantics

Kiplin Hall Trip -June 26-July 4, 2010- Now Offered to Alumni!

Kiplin Hall is the ancestral home of the Calvert family, the founding family of Maryland, located in North Yorkshire, England. This summer, Dr. Richard Gillin, Director of the Humanities program, and his wife Barbara, will accompany a group of 12 Washington College alumni to Kiplin Hall to study literature in connection with a variety of landscapes.

HOUSING
We will be housed in the Study Centre. These facilities, upgraded last year, offer dorm-like housing. Each room has four bunk beds and a private bath. The upstairs area, formerly an apple loft, has 8 trundle beds and a private bath, with two showers and two toilet facilities. Please understand that the accommodations are basic, but clean.

MEALS
Each evening, four participants will help Mrs. Gillin prepare dinner. Yes, you'll be cutting, paring, slicing and stirring when it's your night in the kitchen. Meals are nutritious but simple. There are restrictions on alcohol at Kiplin Hall, but you are welcome to visit the local pub each evening if you wish. Food is available to make your own breakfast and packed lunch.

EXCURSIONS
We will travel by van each day to various sites (we're usually on the road for an hour and a half each way) where we'll hike the lakes, the moors and the cliffs along the North Sea. We'll spend a day at Bolton Abbey and take a hike to Rievaulx Abbey.

WHAT TO BRING
Neither rain, nor snow, nor nasty windy conditions will keep us indoors, so waterproof (not water resistant) boots and attire are a must. Plan to dress in layers since the weather is so changeable. Laundry facilities are limited so the Gillins suggest quick-dry clothing.

You may only bring one small suitcase and a small day-pack. Pack carefully since we have very limited space for luggage.

COSTS
Participants need to purchase their own airline tickets to Manchester, England. Plan to arrive before 10 a.m. on June 26. Your return ticket should be booked for July 4 (unless you plan to stay on and travel on your own). But, please, DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS UNTIL YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE TRIP IS CONFIRMED.

Program cost is $1,500 and includes:
   -Food
   -Ground transportation in England
   -Housing

JOIN US!
The trip cannot proceed with fewer than 12 people. E-mail Dr. Richard Gillin at: rgillin2@washcoll.edu by March 1, 2010, if you're interested. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Once 12 people have signed up, they will be notified about payments. If fewer than 12 payments are received, the next person (or persons) on the list will be notified.

Your Invitation to Reunion 2010

Don't miss Reunion 2010: Back by Popular Demand!  View your invitation for Reunion Weekend- May 14-16, 2010.


If you enjoyed last year's Reunion weekend, you're in for even more excitement this year! They're back by popular demand!  Join Washington College in welcoming back the artists and performers you knew and loved from the college days.

Whether you're celebrating your Reunion year or not, see your favorite bands, musicians, actors/actresses, dancers, authors and artists as they reunite at WC for one weekend only!

Friday, February 5, 2010

February Alumni News

 
Read our February Alumni Newsletter to learn more about Reunion 2010, President-Elect Reiss, and more.