The Quill » Inauguration

Inauguration Week- Inaugural Gala

adviser — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:40:52 +0000

On Friday, October 23, 2009, The Sage Colleges hosted an Inaugural Gala at the new Rensselaer Banquet and Conference Facility at the Hilton Garden Inn on Hoosick Street. In attendance were trustees, alumni, students and faculty.

The night began with a performance from The Sagettes singing “The Alma Matter.” Donna Robinson Esteves, RSC ’70, introduced the newly inaugurated President Susan Scrimshaw, who emceed for the night. The President began by premiering a special presenation about Sage, and what has happened in the past year. It highlighted student leaders, speakers, and events that occurred in the past year. The presentation was put together by Fox 23 Station and the Communications Department of Russell Sage.

Along with the presentation, the President reiterated her three themes also mentioned in her inaugural speech- Excellent, Relevant, and Engaged. She stressed the importance of education and outreach to the community within a small soon-to-be university.

The President proceeded with recognizing the trustees. The trustees were recognized in the following areas: Annual Leadership Donors, Sage Ring, and the Founders Society.

The President encouraged guests to not only socialize amongst other tables, but also to dance on the dance floor, which they all did, including President Scrimshaw’s father, Nevin Scrimshaw, who was in attendance along with her mother, Mary Ware Scrimshaw, her daughter Mary Corey March, and her husband Allen Stern.

President Scrimshaw Inaugurated as 9th President of The Sage Colleges

Shannon Hunter — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:11:09 +0000

Friday October 23, 2009 marked the official Inauguration of Dr. Susan Crosby Scrimshaw as the ninth president of The Sage Colleges. The inauguration ceremony took place at 1:30pm in Bush Memorial on the Russell Sage College campus in Troy, NY, after a week filled with inauguration activities and celebrations, including volunteer events and a celebration party on the Captain J.P. Cruise Line. The event had limited indoor seating, however, a tent with televisions showing a live broadcast of the event was available directly outside in Sage Park.

The event was attended not only by Sage faculty, students, and alumni, but also by presidents from surrounding institutions including Syracuse University, as well as by local elected officials including Harry Tutunjian, the Mayor of Troy, and Gerald Jennings, Mayor of Albany. President Scrimshaw’s mother, father, daughter, and granddaughter (who also celebrated her 1^st birthday on that day) were all in attendance.

The two hour inauguration began with a procession starting at The Rensselaer County Historical Society on 2^nd street in Troy that was led by three Sage students playing bagpipes. The stage party was led by student Marshals Amanda Levesque and Hussnain Hussain, while the rest of the procession was led to their seats by student Marshals Tess Carstensen, Mara Serven, and Daysha Brown.

Donna Esteves, Chair of the Board of Trustees, opened the proceedings, remarking that the inauguration was a “celebration of the entire community.” She was followed by “America the Beautiful,” sung by The Sage College Singers. Michael E. Bird, past President of the American Public Health Association, gave the Invocation for President Scrimshaw, and The Sagettes followed with the Russell Sage College Alma Mater. Greetings were subsequent to the Alma Mater and began with Dr. Patricia O’Connor, Professor of Psychology and Mace Bearer of the ceremony, reading the greetings of New York State Governor Patterson. Troy’s Mayor, Harry Tutunjian, welcomed President Scrimshaw to the Troy community and congratulated her. Commenting on Sage’s involvement in Troy, the Honorable Tutunjian said, “We (Troy) look forward to having Sage Engaged for years to come”.

Mayor Jennings, who had canceled his appearance earlier that morning, was able to attend and greeted President Scrimshaw as well, offering a similar message about Sage’s involvement in the Albany community, joking that “When you are talking about Sage you can’t just talk about Troy.” He was followed by William Kahl, sixth president of The Sage Colleges, and then by Lynette Robinson, Executive Director of The New American Colleges and Universities, a consortium of small, selective colleges which includes Sage. Robinson, too, congratulated President Scrimshaw and professed, “[President Scrimshaw] has used education to make the world a better place, a safer place, and certainly a healthier place.”

Donna Esteves greeted President Scrimshaw on behalf of the Board of Trustees, exclaiming, “Susan, you’re not just good, you’re the best, and The Sage Colleges deserves nothing less.” History professor, Andor Skotnes greeted President Scrimshaw on behalf of the faculty, Erin Menzer, RSC E-Board president, greeted President Scrimshaw on behalf of Russell Sage Students, and Alexander Milkman, SCA E-Board president did so on behalf of Sage College of Albany Students. Other greetings came from Hollis Dorman, President of the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association, James Kellerhause, alumnus from SCA, Carolyn Jones, alumna from Sage Graduate School, Mary Ellen Tedesco, Sage Graduate School student, and Richard Naylor, Director of Articulation Agreements for The Sage Colleges. Naylor stated that with President Scrimshaw in place, “The best is yet to come.” After Erin Menzer spoke, The Sagettes performed “Seven Daffodils”, and after Richard Naylor spoke, The Sage College Singers, joined by President Scrimshaw and her husband Allen Stern, sang “The Road Not Taken” and “Choose Something like a Star,” two Robert Frost poems set to music, both chosen by President Scrimshaw to be performed.

After the official Investiture of the President by Donna Esteves, President Scrimshaw began her Inaugural Address. She spoke of both her personal history (both her grandfathers were college professors and her grandmothers both held advanced degrees) and the history of Sage and how it came to be. Lastly, she addressed where she wants The Sage Colleges to head in the future. Working with The Sage Colleges Motto, “To be, to know, to do,” President Scrimshaw proposed a guide for The Sage Colleges. “To be excellent in academics, to know relevant skills for the 21^st century, and to do – be engaged in our local and global communities,” was her proposed outlook for the future. She continued, “These concepts will guide us through our 100^th anniversary and beyond.”

Her inaugural address brought the audience to their feet, with applause filling Bush Memorial for several minutes. President Scrimshaw and her husband Allen Stern again joined The Sage College Singers to perform Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living,” after which the procession moved out into Sage Park where cider doughnuts, hot cider, apples, and pears were provided.

The crisp fall day marked a day of history not only for The Sage Colleges, but also for the local communities and the capital district. A positive feeling and a sense of hope filled the park as students, faculty, and important community figures mingled. With so much positive change at The Sage Colleges in the past year under the direction of President Scrimshaw, the Sage community cannot help but feel excited about the success of Sage during its upcoming centennial celebrations and beyond.

Congratulations President Scrimshaw, on behalf of The Quill!

Sage Celebrates Down the Hudson

Shannon Hunter — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:05:51 +0000

On Tuesday, October 20^th from 6-9pm students and faculty from Russell Sage and Sage College of Albany, as well as their guests, gathered together on the Captain J.P Cruise Line in Troy to celebrate President Scrimshaw’s inauguration as the 9^th president of The Sage Colleges. The boat party, just one of several inauguration week activities, was filled with dancing, socializing, and eating and drinking.

Upon boarding, professional photographs were taken of all parties. An array of hors d’ oeuvres

including classics such as vegetables, rolls, and cheese were supplied as well as heartier options which included meatballs, chicken wings, and a carving station of 37 pound turkeys and equally as large roasts of beef. A cash bar allowed those 21 and over to pay for alcoholic beverages, while all sodas, juices, and water were served free of charge.

Sage attendees and their guests filled multiple indoor decks to sit at tables, eat, drink and mingle. Later, the outdoor decks were filled by people looking for fresh air and by those who appreciate the view of the Hudson as the boat travels south to Albany for the first half of the cruise and then turns back north towards Troy. The clear skies and warmer weather allowed attendees to travel freely throughout the boat, enjoying both the indoor and outdoor settings offered.

An indoor live band catered to an older crowd with classic hits and party songs; however the younger crowd was a big fan of the band as well, gathering in a large group to dance the night away. In addition, a DJ on the outside upper deck catered to the younger crowd, playing recent hits and radio tunes as well as some 90’s favorites. Both the band and DJ’s were taking requests.

Sage faculty, including Dean Robinson, Dean Milford, Professor Eileen Brownell, and Russell Sage Coordinator of Student Events, Diane Angrisano, joined students in dancing and singing during this celebratory event. President Scrimshaw and her husband, Allen Stern, were also seen dancing and mingling among students, enjoying the festivities which highlighted the Sage community’s excitement regarding the newly appointed President.

“One of President Scrimshaw’s major goals in her presidency at The Sage Colleges is to have RSC and SCA students and faculty work together to utilize each other’s strengths, making The Sage Colleges the best they can be both individually on each campus and collectively as a whole. The unification and joined celebration of both campuses at the boat party was an encouraging and exciting start to President Scrimshaw’s goal”, said Alex Milkman, junior and E-Board President at Sage College of Albany.

As the attendees of the boat party left the boat to return home (or in some cases, to continue celebrating elsewhere!) smiles, chatter, and a buzz of enthusiasm were abundant. Many were surprised by the success of the party, having passed three hours on the boat without a moment of downtime in music or dancing. As Russell Sage junior Meghan Abbott put it, “I never expected to have so much fun hanging out with our deans and faculty, but I guess it just goes to show that they are just as excited as we are about President Scrimshaw and the atmosphere she is bringing to Sage.”

President Scrimshaw’s Inaugural Speech

adviser — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:30:52 +0000

Dr. Scrimshaw Delivers Inaugural Speech

Sage: Excellent, Relevant, Engaged

On October 23, 2009, Dr. Susan C. Scrimshaw delivered her inaugural address, as she was installed as The Sage Colleges’ ninth president.

It is an honor and a privilege to be standing here today as the ninth president of The Sage Colleges. I want to thank everyone here and the many of you who are listening today for your support of the Sage Colleges, and of our work. I want to thank our elected officials who are here for your support of our mutual goals for our communities.

Thank you, Mayor Jerry Jennings of Albany, Mayor Harry Tutunjian ofTroy, and Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino. I would like to acknowledge the support of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees, and the Deans, faculty, staff and students of The Sage Colleges. A very special thank you to the members of the President’s cabinet, who have worked tirelessly to make Sage successful.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge my family. Both of my grandfathers were college professors and my grandmothers also held advanced degrees. They are represented here today by my parents, Nevin and Mary Scrimshaw, also both scientists and academics, who encouraged me in thinking like a scientist and a scholar from the very early days of my childhood in Guatemala. Appropriate to the origins of The Sage Colleges in Russell Sage College for women, there are four generations of women in my family here today: I am joined by my mother, an anthropologist, my daughter, an artist, and my granddaughter, Elise, who celebrates her first birthday today (no pressure, Elise). Finally, I want to acknowledge my husband, Allan Stern. I could not lead Sage without Allan’s support and partnership.

The history of the Sage colleges begins with the story of women’s pursuit of education. Interestingly three educational institutions in Troy are linked by this history. We begin with the story of Emma Willard, who first established an educational seminary for women at her home in Middlebury, Vermont in 1814. She had hoped that the young women in her school would be able to sit in on classes at Middlebury College, but this was forbidden. She relocated her school to Waterford, New York and in 1821 moved it to Troy after prominent citizens of Troy actively pursued bringing the school to their town. The Troy Council raised $4,000 for a building, which was supplemented by $5,000 from private citizens.

I find it quite remarkable that the officials and citizens of Troy believed so firmly in the education of women that they would take these steps to create a women’s school in their community. One man, Amos Eaton of Williams College, was the sole college professor who supported Emma Willard in her quest to establish the school that became the Troy Female Seminary. He taught at the Female Seminary, and advised Emma Willard regarding the curriculum for her school. He went on in 1824 to co-found the school in Troy that became the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Thus, Amos Eaton had an important role in the creation of three educational institutions in Troy.

In 1847, Margaret Olivia Slocum graduated from the Troy Female Seminary, where she was a great admirer of Emma Willard. For the next 22 years, she lived frugally as a teacher. In 1869 she married Russell Sage, then one of the wealthiest men in America. It was not easy to persuade Mr. Sage to part with any of his money, but one important exception for the future of Russell Sage College was his gift of Sage Hall in 1895 to the Troy Female Seminary, which by then had been named the Emma Willard School. He took great interest in this building, and became personally involved with the architectural and construction details.

He died 11 years after it was finished, and Mrs. Sage began the final 12 years of her life during which she gave away the millions he had left her. In 1910, she funded a splendid new campus for the Emma Willard School, but then began to worry about what would happen to the former school buildings abandoned in downtown Troy, particularly Sage Hall, which had meant so much to her husband. She asked the headmistress of the Emma Willard School, Miss Eliza Kellas, for advice on what to do with the buildings. Mrs. Sage wanted to ensure that the buildings, particularly Sage Hall, would continue to function to provide education. Miss Kellas suggested a college for women. Mrs. Sage agreed, on two conditions: One, that Miss Kellas agree to administer the new school, in addition to continuing her responsibilities at Emma Willard. Two, that Miss Kellas open the school, complete with students, in September of 1916, which at the time was only nine months away.

We are here today because Eliza Kellas achieved the nearly impossible. In nine months, she had the buildings prepared, recruited a faculty, developed a curriculum, and recruited 117 students from 14 states and two territories. Russell Sage College was launched. It is important to note that Russell Sage College was intended from the beginning to be “a college of the practical arts.” Its students were to study the liberal arts, but were to focus on acquiring professional skills that would allow them to have careers. Mrs. Sage never forgot her years as a teacher or the influence of the women’s suffrage movement in this region. She believed that women should be able to work and be independent. At the same time, she expected academic excellence.

The college thrived, and received many distinguished visitors during its first half-century. One of those was Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt – the wife of President Franklin Roosevelt — who received the first honorary degree awarded by the college, in 1929. Mrs. Roosevelt would later serve as a trustee from 1945 to 1948. Among the many noted writers and scholars who lectured at Russell Sage was the poet Robert Frost, who is buried in nearby Bennington. It is also noteworthy that the strong relationship between Troy and Russell Sage College continued. The Presbyterian church which once occupied this hall, now called Bush Hall, served as the college chapel, and as a lecture and performance hall as needed. It was finally purchased by the college in 1973 when the congregation built a new church. The original three buildings of Sage Hall, Gurley Hall and the Plum Building were quickly supplemented as citizens of Troy donated or willed their homes on First and Second Streets to the college, another indication of the strong support for education on the part of this community.

Sage began as an institution of higher education to provide educational opportunities for women, but then transformed into an institution that extends these opportunities to men, adult learners, and diverse populations. This began with adult education classes on the Troy campus in 1941. An evening division in Albany for both men and women was started in 1949. In 1957 the Sage Junior College of Albany was created and the evening division was eventually moved to a shared campus in Albany in the University Heights area. In the fall of 2002, the Junior College became a four-year college, Sage College of Albany.

As noted in the Robert Frost poem you heard in a musical setting a few minutes ago, “Two roads diverged”….Russell Sage College had some choices:

• a woman’s college?……a coed college?

• Troy?…….Albany?

Two roads diverged, and Russell Sage College took them both: A coed college in Albany and a woman’s college in Troy, each with a distinct personality.

In addition to being inspired by a New England poet, I am reminded of the words of that great Yankee philosopher, Yogi Berra, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

Well, we did.

Just as the people of Troy were involved in the founding of Russell Sage College, the Albany community, led by then Mayor Erastus Corning, was supportive of the founding of a junior college in Albany. Years later, when a four-year college was contemplated, another Albany mayor, Jerry Jennings, provided encouragement and support.

Graduate programs at Sage began in 1949 with a Masters degree in education and have now evolved to the point where graduate students comprise the largest single student body of The Sage Colleges. Next week, we will formally announce another step in the evolution of The Sage Colleges. We have restructured the Sage Graduate School around three key areas of strength and expertise to create the School of Education, School of Health Sciences, and School of Management. The newly formed schools capitalize on Sage’s leading professional degree and certificate programs at the post-baccalaureate, master’s, post-master’s, and doctorate levels. The schools will also support the bachelor’s programs at our two undergraduate colleges.

The past of the Sage colleges was rooted in a struggle to overcome the denial of education to one segment of our society, women, and later the desire to provide education to adults who had not had that opportunity previously, and to youth who would benefit from the nurturing environment of a junior college.

Sage was born in the cradle of the suffrage movement which emerged from this region of New York. Sage was born in the context of the abolitionist movement which thrived in this region and which was extremely active in the very building in which we are now gathered. Sage was born as a result of money earned in the early industrial age of this country. Sage was born out of the devotion of a small group of women and afew men who believed in education for women. Nearly a century later we begin a new chapter of the Sage colleges.

The Future of Sage

I chose the first Robert Frost poem we sang because Sage did in fact make an unusual choice when confronted with two paths. I chose the second Frost poem, “Choose Something like a Star” because it always made me think of science and of learning, but also because of the lines:

“It asks of us a certain height,

so when, at times the mob is swayed

to carry praise or blame too far,

we may choose something like a star

to stay our minds on,

and be staid.”

We are living in a time when it is easy to be swayed by the pressures of our financial environment, of our challenges to provide an affordable education to those who seek to learn, with our concern with the future of our physical environment, and our concern with the tremendous inequities in the world. It is all too easy to become distracted, even paralyzed by these concerns. Frost urges us to choose something like a star to stay our minds on, and for our academic world, I interpret this as the pursuit of excellence.

At the Sage Colleges our motto is

Esse Scrire Facere.

To be, to know, to do.

Today, I would like to propose three words based on our motto to guide the Sage colleges for this next stage in our development.

The first word is “excellent”

To be: Excellent in academics

The second is “relevant”

To know: Relevant skills for the 21st century

The third is “engaged”

To do: Engaged in our local and global communities

The strategic plan just completed by the Sage community and approved by the Board of Trustees in June of this year provides the blueprint for these goals. Together we will hone our academic programs in the continual pursuit of excellence. Together we will continue to develop innovative learning strategies which prepare students for the 21st century. Together we will provide educational opportunities for traditional college students and adult learners of diverse economic, social and ethnic and national groups. Together we will engage in contributing to our local and global communities as we educate students who will consider improving the lives of others a part of their life’s work.

To our elected officials and to the representatives of other colleges and learned societies who have joined us in celebrating today, we commit to partner with you in our common missions of education and of civic responsibility.

To be: Excellent in academics

To know: Relevant skills for the 21st century

To do: Engaged in our local and global communities

Excellent, Relevant, Engaged.

These concepts, based on our motto first created in 1916 will guide us through our hundredth anniversary in 2016 and beyond.

I chose the third song that you will hear in a few moments because it is a song about work that is more successful because it is done together. It also reflects the beauty and productivity of the area surrounding the capital region. It is a song about harvest and about community. Education is all about these things: working together, and producing the harvest which is knowledge, and is also graduates who are prepared to not only thrive in the world, but to make it a better place.

That is education. That is The Sage Colleges.

Thank you.

The Road not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Choose Something Like a Star

O Star (the fairest one in sight),

We grant your loftiness the right

To some obscurity of cloud – It will not do to say of night,

Since dark is what brings out your light.

Some mystery becomes the proud.

But to be wholly taciturn In your reserve is not allowed.

Say something to us we can learn

By heart and when alone repeat. Say something!

And it says “I burn.”

But say with what degree of heat.

Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.

Use language we can comprehend.

Tell us what elements you blend.

It gives us strangely little aid,

But does tell something in the end.

And steadfast as Keats’ Eremite,

Not even stooping from its sphere,

It asks a little of us here.

It asks of us a certain height,

So when at times the mob is swayed

To carry praise or blame too far,

We may choose something like a star

To stay our minds on and be staid.

The Promise of Living

The promise of living

With hope and thanksgiving

Is born of our loving

Our friends and our labor.

The promise of growing

With faith and with knowing

Is born of our sharing

Our love with our neighbor.

The promise of loving

The promise of growing

Is born of our singing

In joy and thanksgiving.

For many a year I’ve know these fields

And know all the work that makes them yield.

Are you ready to lend a hand?

We’re ready to work, we’re ready to lend a hand.

By working together we’ll bring in the harvest,

the blessings of harvest.

We plow plant each row with seeds of grain,

And Providence sends us the sun and the rain.

By lending a arm

Bring out the blessings of harvest.

Give thanks there was sunshine,

Give thanks there was rain,

Give thanks we have hands

To deliver the grain.

O let us be joyful,

O let us be grateful to the Lord

For his blessing.

The promise of living

The promise of growing

The promise of ending

Is labor and sharing and loving.

Horace Everett

Inauguration Week

adviser — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:44:16 +0000

On Friday, October 23, 2009, The Sages Colleges inaugurated Dr. Susan C. Scrimshaw as our 9th President.

For a Webcast of the Inauguration Ceremonies, go to: http://www.sage.edu/inauguration
For a photo slideshow of the ceremonies, click here.
For The Quill’s feature article on President Scrimshaw, click here.
For a list of the week-long events of inauguration, click here.
For a feature on Allan Stern, the First Gentleman of Sage, click here.

We hope you all enjoyed the many events of Inauguration Week. The Quill and its staff members would like to extend its congratulations along with the rest of the Sage community to Dr. Scrimshaw on her inauguration.

Below is the listing from the Inauguration Program of the events of the day:

Inauguration Ceremony of Dr. Susan C. Scrimshaw

as the Ninth President of The Sage Colleges
October 23, 2009

Procession

Opening of the Proceedings
Donna Robinson Esteves ‘70

Song
“America the Beautiful”
Led by the Sage College Singers

Invocation
Michael E. Bird, MSW, MPH
Past President of the American Public Health Association

Song
“Russell Sage College Alma Mater”
Performed by The Sagettes

Greetings
Dr. Patricia O’Conner, Professor of Psychology
Hon. Harry Tutunjian, Mayor, City of Troy
Hon. Gerald Jennings, Mayor, City of Albany
William Kahl, Ph.D., Sixth President, The Sage Colleges
Lynette Robinson, Ph.D, Executive Director, The New American Colleges and Universities
Donna Robinson Esteves ‘70, Chair, Board of Trustees
Andor Skotnes, Ph.D., Professor of History, The Sage Colleges
Hollis Dorman ‘74, President, Russell Sage College Alumnae Association
James Kellerhouse ‘98, Alumnus, Sage College of Albany
Carolyn Jones ‘92, Alumna, Sage Graduate Schools
Erin Menzer ‘10, Student, Russell Sage College
Alexander Milkman ‘11, Student, Sage College of Albany
Mary Ellen Tedesco ‘11, Student, Sage Graduate Schools
Richard Naylor, Ph.D., Director of Articulation Agreements, The Sage Colleges

Songs
“The Road Not Taken”
Performed by the Sage College Singers

“Choose Something Like a Star”
Performed by the Sage College Singers

Investiture of the President
Donna Robinson Esteves ‘70

Inaugural Address
Susan S. Scrimshaw, Ph.D., President

Song
“The Promise of Living”
Performed by the Sage College Singers

Recessional

President Scrimshaw's Inauguration in Bush Memorial, Oct. 23, 2009

Sage Celebrates the Inauguration of Dr. Susan Scrimshaw

adviser — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:53:30 +0000

Sage Engaged: A week of community related events in recognition of Sage’s Ninth President

The Sage Colleges will hold an inauguration ceremony to formally induct Susan C. Scrimshaw, Ph.D as Sage’s ninth president on Friday, October 23 at 1:30 p.m. at Bush Memorial Hall. The ceremony will complete a week of community-focused events designed to highlight Sage’s excellence in academics, arts, athletics, community services and health sciences. The theme of “Sage Engaged” – in learning, in the community, in the world – will run throughout the activities of the week, as well as the entire Inaugural year.

Sage welcomes the media to attend any and all of the events listed below. For a complete list of events please visit: www.sage.edu/inauguration

Monday, October 19

Albany Campus Library – Ribbon Cutting
11 a.m.
Celebrate the opening of the new Cafe a la Cart, the renovation of the library, and welcome the
Academic Success offices to the building.
For more information please visit: http://library.sage.edu

Community Service Projects
1 – 4 p.m.
In Albany: Clean-up in Washington Park
In Troy: Clean-up in Prospect Park
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take time and give back to the community during the school and business day.

Art exhibits
Lina Puerta: Natura at the Opalka Gallery
For more information, please visit : www.sage.edu/opalka/

Artwork from the 2009 BFA Show at the Little Gallery
For more information please visit: www.sage.edu/academics/visualarts/galleries/little_gallery/

Tuesday, Oct. 20

Renaissance Baccalaureate Info Session
10:00 a.m.
Russell Sage College
Presented by Dean Sharon Robinson
Learn about this new three-year interdisciplinary degree centered around the Hudson River.
For more information please visit: www.sage.edu/rsc/academics/ren_bacc/

Inaugural Ball (aboard the Captain J.P. on the Hudson)
5:30 p.m. Check-in
6:00 p.m. Cruise departs the dock
A chance for students, faculty and staff to mingle.

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Inaugural Health Conference
The Human Condition: Journey Toward Health Equity
8 a.m. – Registration
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Conference
Bush Memorial Center & Buchman Pavilion, Troy
Renowned speakers, Byllye Avery, women’s and social rights activist, and Terry Weiner, interim dean at the Sage College of Albany, will address the global health care crisis.
For more information please visit: www.sage.edu/healthconference

Women’s Volleyball match
6 p.m. – Tail “Gator”
7 p.m.
Neff Athletic Center, Troy
The 3^rd Annual “Crankin for the Cure” volleyball match, an annual spirited contest against Union College for a good cause.

Thursday, Oct. 22

i.Think Demo & Student Art Reception
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sage College of Albany, Rathbone Hall Learn about Innovation Thinking from students and see the BFA ’09 grad’s artwork.
For more information please visit: www.sage.edu/sca/academics/ithink/

Friday, Oct. 23

Inauguration Ceremony
1:30 pm
Bush Memorial Center
Russell Sage College, Troy
A procession of more than 100 people will convene in front of the Rensselaer County Historical Society and march down Second Street, led by bagpipers to Russell Sage College.

Simulcast & Reception
In Troy: Tent in Sage Park (outside Bush)
In Albany: Opalka Gallery
Online: www.sage.edu/inauguration/

Scrimshaw had been the Sage Colleges’ interim president since July, 2008 and on March 25, she was announced as president. A graduate of Barnard College in New York City, Scrimshaw obtained her M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Columbia University, where she was a student of the famous cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead. Scrimshaw has held numerous leadership positions in higher education institutions across the United States. Most recently, she served as president of Simmons College in Boston. Prior to her post at Simmons, she served 12 years as the dean of the School of Public Health and professor of community health sciences and anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to those roles, she was associate dean of public health and professor of public health and anthropology at the University of California at Los Angeles.

For more information about President Scrimshaw, please visit her website: www.sage.edu/aboutsage/president/

Introducing President Scrimshaw

Shannon Hunter — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:30:34 +0000

After serving as the Interim President of The Sage Colleges from July 2008 to March of 2009, Susan C. Scrimshaw was announced the ninth president of The Sage Colleges. Since that time, her presence on campus has been apparent. While her impact is felt directly through her voluntary attendance of campus events, ranging from traditions, sporting events, freshmen orientation, and even classes, her efforts have improved the Russell Sage Campus in less obvious ways as well. For returning students, the newly painted classrooms in Gurley Hall added excitement and color to even those dreadful 8:00am classes. In addition, the newly landscaped McKinstry courtyard has further improved the beauty and appeal of our historic campus.

With an undergraduate degree in Latin American Studies and Anthropology from Barnard College and an M.A. and PhD in Anthropology from Columbia University, President Scrimshaw brings an international and cultural perspective to the Sage community. Along with her various involvements in the public health field, President Scrimshaw is a vital resource to The Sage Colleges in a time where public health is a pressing and important issue, particularly in light of the H1N1 pandemic.

Donna Esteves, class of 1970 and Chair of the Board of Trustees stated upon President Scrimshaw’s selection, “In Susan we have a leader of extraordinary talent and achievement. Her tireless efforts to address global healthcare issues and her ability to turn innovative concepts into successful applications ensure that Susan will enable The Sage Colleges to be a prime example of a 21^st century institution.”
Just a few of President Scrimshaw’s accomplishments before starting with Sage were serving on the Chicago Board of Health, receiving a gold medal from former President Vicente Fox of Mexico for her work on the health of Latino populations, and serving as president at Simmons College, another all women’s college in Boston. However, though her accomplishments are profound and honorable, perhaps what Sage students find most respectable about President Scrimshaw is her desire to put the needs and goals of the student body first. As mentioned earlier, her voluntary attendance at numerous campus events has not gone unnoticed and has often been praised by students and faculty alike.

President Scrimshaw’s belief in the success of Sage’s programs and students is convincing and contagious. Her positive ideas and statements about Sage’s success, both now and in the future, are uplifting and motivating for the entire Sage Community and have made in impression not only around Sage, but in the Capital District. Scrimshaw stated in March 2009 upon her appointment of President, “With its blend of programs and facilities, Sage has a ‘diversified portfolio’ that makes it a strong ‘buy.’ Add our location in the state capital and Tech Valley, and our network of graduates and broad opportunities, and the facts speak for themselves.” She added, “Having the unique opportunity to be a part of this vital community during a period of transformation completely sold me. I am honored and pleased to have the opportunity to lead Sage as we continue this exciting trajectory.”

Though President Scrimshaw’s journey with Sage has just begun, the changes which have already taken place have left Sage students excited about what the future will hold. One can only hope that many years after graduating from Russell Sage College, they can return to find a campus both recognizable, and improved, sustaining its traditions but modernizing and updating where necessary. With President Scrimshaw in place, that hope seems very plausible.

President Scrimshaw’s inauguration will take place Friday, October 23^rd at 1:30pm in Bush Memorial. Seating will be very limited; however, there will be a simulcast in Sage Park. The preceding week is filled with activities, including an Inaugural Ball on the Captain J.P. boat. The ball takes place from 6-9pm (begin boarding at 5:30pm) on Tuesday, October 20^th. Thanks to a generous donation from Student Government, students can attend the semi formal ball for free, however, spots are limited and non-Sage student guests pay $10. An online RSVP is available on MySage as well as a complete list of the inauguration week activities to honor Dr. Scrimshaw, the ninth president of The Sage Colleges.

The First Gentleman of The Sage Colleges: Mr. Allan Stern

nunesv — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:52 +0000

You may have seen him alongside President Scrimshaw at college-wide events, in the gym, or even at Class Night. But how well do you really know Mr. Allan Stern, the president’s husband and school’s first gentleman?

Allan Stern and his wife, Dr. Susan Scrimshaw first came to Russell Sage in July, 2008. He immediately connected with the students and shows his love for Sage by going to sports events and other events on campus. He loves being right on campus amongst the students, and he enjoys interacting with both the students and faculty on a daily basis. It didn’t take long for Allan to find his place in the Russell Sage community. The students here thoroughly enjoy Allan’s presence. Erin Menzer, president of E-Board states “He is a great asset to Russell Sage. He is more than the President’s husband–he is a friend.”

Allan grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He attended Williams College, majoring in Political Science. After completing his BA Degree, he went into the Peace Corps and worked in Sierra Leone, West Africa. There, he trained teachers in math and science and also taught French. He fell in love with teaching and upon returning to the United States after two years with the Peace Corps, went on to earn his Masters degree in Teaching at the University of Chicago. He taught for 22 years in Chicago, beginning with Math and Social Studies, then moved into training teachers in computer technology. In 1994 he moved to a private school to be the tech coordinator.

In 2000, Allan hit a road block in his life when his father passed away. With that life-changing event, he reevaluated where he was in his own life, and realized that he needed to do something he had never done before. He and his son, then 24, decided to fly to Italy and buy Ducati motorcycles. They traveled for 5 months on their bikes and explored all over Europe. Allan kept a journal of his travels. In his writing he stated, “friends have called it an ‘adventure’ or ‘the trip of a lifetime’ or ‘a flight from reality.” “It’s been all of that — and more.”

Along with Europe, Allan has traveled the United States on his motorcycle. He describes the feeling as “liberating” and that “it involves complete concentration. It is mentally exhausting when you are done riding.”

In 2001 on Easter Sunday, Allan met Susan Scrimshaw at church in Chicago. They hit it off right away- having many common interests such as traveling and education (Susan at the time was the dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago). In 2006 they were married.

Along with riding his Ducati motorcycle (Susan is learning to ride also!), his other passions include digital photography (which he is currently taking a course in at SCA), history, and singing. He thoroughly enjoys listening to music, especially big band jazz, as well as playing the clarinet, sax, and piano.

With all the excitement about the inauguration in October, the soon-to-be First Gentleman has a lot on his plate, such as attending events alongside his wife, supporting her, and even attending his 8 o’clock class on time. But by keeping his focus on those goals, he is ready to be the next First Gentleman of The Sage Colleges.