Association Newsletter College of the Atlantic November 1983 Vol. 2, No. 2 The College of the Atlantic Association (COAA) is an organization of people interested in COA. It includes former students, faculty, staff, parents, and anyone else who asks to join. It is also the formal alumni association of the college, is incorporated, has a constitution and by-laws, and will soon be granted tax exempt status. COAA was started by former students for three primary purposes: 1. To allow us all to keep track of each other 2. To stay informed about goings-on at the college 3. To help support the college This newsletter is published three times a year to help us keep track and stay informed. This issue is devoted to the changes and progress that have been made at the college since the fire. REPORTS FROM COAA DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and interested in human ecology. She feels By Greg Stone that others have been intimidated by this and plans on making the application shorter and On October 1st the COAA board met at the col- more geared toward people who do not already lege. The meeting focused on the progress of have an ecological commitment. COA since the fire and how the association can best aid in the rebuilding efforts. The board discussed a letter by John March in which he proposed a forum entitled "Whither Judith Swazey commented on the financial COA?" The board decided it was a good idea, situation of the college and expressed her but not an immediate priority and perhaps concern that the college has had to use a could be combined with a social event later portion of the endowment to meet operating this year. Bill Ginn followed up on this expenses. suggestion by proposing a one week course for alumni to come back and get reoriented to the Catherine Kiorpes reported for an advisory college. committee of faculty, staff and support staff which was formed to address the college's The board discussed class correspondents and financial situation. This group and the decided that their duties could include, 1) entire faculty and staff worked hard to come working on a fundraising telethon in up with guidelines for reducing operating February, 2) helping the Communications costs. After hearing the advisory group's Committee in contacting alumni, and 3) suggestions, the Board of Trustees meeting annually as a group. unanimously and enthusiastically accepted the staff and faculty's offer of voluntary pay Carole O'Donnell reported that donations have cuts. been arriving from alumni since the fire and a complete list of needed items will be Judy Knudson talked about admissions and the compiled and published in a future need to bring the present enrollment of 120 newsletter. No book purchases will be made students to 200 or more. In the past, the for the Davis Memorial until the library student search process and application have staff has processed and inventoried the many been geared toward people already sensitive donations that are still pouring in. REPORT FROM THE GIVING COMMITTEE calling your old friends, please let Bill know. The telethon is tentatively scheduled Bill Ginn for either Boston or New York, and the cost of the long distance calls will be considered Last October 1, members of the Giving part of the campaign. Committee of the COAA met to discuss how to encourage alumni to give financial support to the College in the upcoming year. Discussion centered on both the need to preserve contributions to the general operating fund REPORT FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE of the college, while at the same time, to raise a major amount of money for the Phoenix Nancy G Fund. Members of the Communications Committee have There was strong feeling among committee been scattered across the continent, but we members that alumni support of the Phoenix have managed to meet at odd intervals to Fund will be a crucial element in its discuss the newsletter and other success, not so much from the standpoint of communications issues. total dollars given, but from the perspective of morale and spiritual support. Many The response to questionnaires sent to foundations and potential givers look to the classes of 1976, 1979 and 1982 was scant to college's alumni as one indication of how say the least. Of the 118 people in these 3 committed the community is to supporting the classes, only 16 responded. We hope that college. more people respond to this issue's questionnaires. Classes of 1974/75, 1978, With this in mind, the focus of the drive for and 1981, we want to hear from you. this year will be on the Phoenix Fund. However, the association hopes that the We also need your money! As of the October operating needs of the college can be met at 1st board meeting, only 53 people had paid the same time by utilizing the percentage of their $5 dues. Because of this low showing givers to the Phoenix Fund to match the (perhaps it simply slipped your mind, maybe $10,000 challenge grant which was issued to your August newsletter was lost in the mail?) alumni at our annual meeting last June. That we have decided to send this issue of the challenge grant was contingent upon at least newsletter to all alumni. We hope more of 50% of the College's alumni making a you seize this opportunity to maintain your contribution to the fund. This will require membership in this illustrious organization. an increase of approximately 10% in the Barbara Sassaman has designed a form to make number of people giving to the college over it easier for you. It appears at the end of previous years. Frankly, the Giving this newsletter. The new deadline is Committee hopes that well over 75% of alumni December 31, 1983. If there is a specific of the college will make a special effort to reason why you are choosing to not pay the $5 contribute this year in light of the dues, please let us know. college's urgent needs. We are considering running a personals Alumni with a particular interest in helping column. Any interested people can send ads the Giving Committee should contact Bill Ginn to me at my new address: 109 Ledgelawn Ave, at Hawk Ridge Farm, Pownal, Maine 04069, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. (telephone 207-688-4468). We will need extra alumni power this year because we hope to conduct a telethon fund raising drive in the spring to reach all alumni personally, in addition to the regular mail solicitation efforts of previous years. If you have an interest in spending an evening of fun 2 NEWS FROM CAMPUS A REPORT ON RECRUITMENT Nancy G. NOTES FROM THE BUILDING COMMITTEE To keep the college operating, enrollment Ted Koffman must increase. Admissions is studying prospective students at large and how COA can Architect Dan Scully of Equinox Inc. is best fulfill their needs while maintaining helping the college reassess its needs and its own integrity and uniqueness. wishes for new facilities. Dan recently spent the day interviewing faculty, staff, The problems we face in our recruitment and students and conducting an open meeting endeavors were recently clarified in a study to discuss various building/function done by First Market Research Corporation. configurations for the campus design. Those They found that very few high school guidance present at the meeting agreed that the campus counselors or students know about COA. design should: Financially, it is better for COA to have people who remain here for 4 years. If we 1) Be condusive to the want to attract 4 year students as opposed to interdisciplinary style at COA which connects 2 year transfers, we need to spread the word us in a common mission. Current among high schools. buildings-Turrets, Ryles, Seafox, etc. -would be blended with new structures creating a JOY KNOWLTON (82) now holds a temporary campus fabric undivided by the walls and position as a recruiter for the college. She barriers left from the summer estate days. is travelling to various high schools and college fairs representing COA and acquiring 2) Leave the north end of campus as a sense of what the new generation of open space (from the shrine area to the north students expects and desires from a college property line). education. 3) Locate new buildings on or near the She writes: Kaelber site. "My personal perceptions of COA are 4) Preserve and enhance the terraces undergoing constant change as I glean ideas and other beautiful landscape features on the and information from high school students and Kaelber site and other areas of campus. their parents, guidance counselors, and representatives from other colleges. If 5) Take advantage (where appropriate) there is one word that sums up people's of the view of Frenchman Bay, a campus asset. interpretation of COA it's 'special'. What makes us so, in most people's eyes, is our Building committee also circulated a space location and size. Most people perceive us needs questionnaire to add new perspective to as a college of environmental studies; most the planning effort. The results of the of the students I speak to are drawn to COA questionnaire have been tabulated and people because of our work with marine studies. ranked the following spaces from highest Whales!!! are the key attraction. In line priority to lowest: library, labs, with this emphasis on marine studies, we are kitchen-dining, auditorium, faculty-staff perceived of as being highly specialized. offices, classrooms, museum, studios, housing, social spaces, parking/safe entry, In my efforts to stress the cross play areas and pier. In the next few weeks, disciplinary nature of study at COA, I have Dan will return to the campus and make some become aware (sometimes painfully so) of how preliminary design recommendations to the COA concerned the majority of students are with community. the issue of specialization. The overwhelming majority of high-school students I speak with appear guided, and sometimes 3 burdened, by their future marketability. Anyone interested can contact Judy Knudson at They face so many varied and complex choices; the college. Please give this serious behind this myriad of options a pressure to consideration. settle on one field prevails. As a school of human ecology and liberal studies, COA is up against a formidable task in its efforts to recruit. COMINGS AND GOINGS In many ways we are much more traditional than the more specialized programs that exist Carole O'Donnell today. Most people consider us 'alternative' or 'progressive;' some are skeptical about Of the 16 Information Sheets returned, 7 were the value of a COA degree. But I've from members of the class of '76, 5 were from encountered very few, if any, who doubt the the class of '79, and 4 were from the class need for or importance of schools like COA. of '82. I suspect there will always be a relationship between the number of responses Most students do appear considerably more and the time removed from COA; the longer conservative than those of the last ten people are away, the more motivated they may years, but I feel the key word is appear. be to re-establish contact with the college. Beneath the physical appearance of (By class, we mean last year enrolled; not conservatism exists an acute awareness of the all of our alumni are graduates.) problems they, as a generation, face. While the students I speak to may not be concerned News from the class of '76: with political activism--in fact most of them are indeed preoccupied with When BRUCE BENDER (76) is not performing his self-preservation, they are not complacent. duties as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the COAA, he works as a self-employed I do not intend to imply that COA is boat-builder, a housefather, and an environ- unmarketable. While attending these fairs, I mental planning consultant. He and his wife, was struck with the realization that Barbara Simon, reside in Jamestown, RI. admissions recruitment is, in effect, sales promotion. To be effective in such forums, FRED DAVIS (76) is owner and president of we must define our 'product' (a degree in Urban Pioneers in Boston, MA. The firm acts human ecology), highlight our strengths, and as a manufacturers' representative for lines define a creative promotional package which of innovative energy products including such appeals to a variety of prospective things as Arrow Woodstoves and energy students.' conserving light bulbs. Fred and his wife Lucinda Fite have a 100 year old home on the Concord River in Billerica, MA. KATE DARLING Joy's views reinforce the First Market (76) and her husband Tim Kennedy visited COA Research Corporation's findings that students this fall; it was the first time Kate had interested in COA are a small and widely been back since graduation. She and Tim scattered group. Reaching these people can still reside in Ester, Alaska where they have be costly and time consuming. Alumni can their own carpentry and cabinetry business. help by volunteering as recruiters in their areas. We have to correct an error printed in the last issue of the COAA News. JOHN MARCH (76) The duties of alumni recruiters may include is not a student at the Harvard Business attending college fairs in their areas or School, but he is Associate Editor of the following up (by phone or letter) students Harvard Business School Bulletin, a position who have shown an interest in COA. Your help he has held for some time now. would be invaluable to the college, as every new student enrolled is a step towards COA's From the class of '79 financial stability. 4 PAUL BELTRAMINI (79) and ROBIN LEWIS (80) books this year: Three American One Act were married this fall and spent 7 days Monologues by Dan Domench and Women Who Marry cruising in Bermuda. Paul continues to work Houses, poems by Jo McDougall. The author of as a architectural designer and carpenter for the Telegram article states that " the Cornerstones in Brunswick, ME, and Robin has books are extremely handsome and well-made in graduated from Pace University with an RN, a their sturdy paper dustjackets with lettered master's degree in nursing, and certification spines, much more 'real books' than standard as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is small-press publications. Very likely, the seeking employment in her field in the books' excellent production will set a new Brunswick area. standard for Maine small presses." PRISCILLA BRIGHT (79) has begun a master's Other news program at Boston University School of Public Health and is the owner and director of JAKI ERDOES (80) and TERRY GOOD (80) are Holistic Health Education, a program that living in Berkeley, California with Eden and offers two 4-month long courses on preventive their new son Jeffrey who was born on May health care for health care professionals. 28th. Terry works full-time in a BILL CREIGHTON (79) writes that after leaving custom-cabinet making shop and Jaki worked COA, he received a degree in architecture and last year as an aide for a multi-handicapped civil drafting, is working for a large child in a private kindergarten. She is architectural firm in CT, and playing drums currently running a home day care program and for a New Haven punk band called is registered for up to 6 children. "Disturbance." Although we haven't heard directly from KEVIN From the class of '82 TIMONEY (78), who we think is still studying ecological systems in the wilds of Alberta, After leaving COA last year, LIZ BARNET (82) Canada, we have noticed that he has an returned to St. John's College in Santa Fe, article published in Canadian Field NM where she is pursuing her bachelor's Naturalist entitled "Island Biogeography of degree. KATHY MASSIMINI (82) is working in Seed Plants in Lake Nipignon, Ontario.' the Ellsworth area as a freelance editor and indexer. ANNE PATTERSON (80) is enrolled in a 2 year program at the National Technical Institute GEORGE BENINGTON (82) has been extremely busy for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of in the Portland area, so much so that his Technology. She is one of three COA alums activities were written up in a feature who moved to Rochester this fall. CATHY article in a September issue of the Maine JOHNSON (80) is studying graphic design at Sunday Telegram. George is the Executive RIT and BILL MCDOWELL (80) is studying Director of the Maine Writers and Publishers photography. Speaking of people in school, Alliance and is responsible for the KAREN ROY (77) is in her second year at UVM organization's sales and distribution of over School of Natural Resources and is involved 400 titles from 100 "mostly Maine" small in a project that monitors acid presses. He is also the founder and editor percipitation. In February, JOHANNAH of Coyote Love Press which has published two BERNSTEIN (83) will begin 5 a political intern program through Northeastern University. She will spend all of spring term working and studying with SUCH A FRAIL BARK members of Parliament in London. During the fall of 1982, the COA Oral History HUGH MACARTHUR (77) sends his regards from Workshop collected and prepared oral history Hartland, VT and invites any who are passing interviews documenting COA's founding and that way to pay him a visit. Hugh is doing early years. For her senior project, BETHANY carpentry for Domus, a design-builder company ARONOW (83) edited these interviews into a in Hanover, NH, and he and Rhea have booklet entitled "Such a Frail Bark". The purchased a chunk of Vermont woods and field book is fascinating and contains photographs for a future home. They are both active with of Kaelber Hall and people instrumental in the Friends Society. ELLEN SEH (75) is COA's birth and life. living in New York City and working for United States Satellite Systems in the area Anyone interested in a copy can send payment of communications technology. She reports of $2.50 (to cover printing and postage that the hustle of NYC is made more bearable costs) to me (Nancy Gunnlaugsson) c/o COA. by the fact that she can periodically escape to property she has bought on the shore of Cobscook Bay in Lubec. I just received a brief note from RACHAEL SILVESTON (81) and JEAN MCHUGH (81) to inform me that they have just formed the COAOAAC, or, for those needing interpreters, the COA Overseas Alumni Association Committee. Their first reunion was in Switzerland and they invite all wandering COAers to join. Another overseas note came from SUE PERRY (83) who is studying Hebrew and religion in Jerusalem. Her letter, too long to quote here, is filled with love and enthusiasm for what she is learning and discovering about her heritage. Although they are too numerous to name, we want to acknowledge all the COA alums who are hanging out in Bar Harbor, Boston, New York and California waiting to find their fortunes. APPLICATION TO BE A MODEL ALUMNI Enclosed please find my check for $5.00 as I wish to be a NAME model of true-blue alumni-ism CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS Send to: Sally Morong, COAA Treasurer, 18A Cumberland Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011 ZIP