Just a quick update on the Kolkata India trip - I have been following their blogs and have also had emails from my friend/colleague Sue Kuntz - they have now just about completed two weeks of their three week volunteer experience in India. Sue reported that they had a cyclone the other day - she relates that the people are incredibly nice, very giving and curious about our volunteers. It has been an amazing experience and the student blogs give such a great "feel" for what they are experiencing. I am looking forward to talking with them when they return in another week.
Last night I drove to South Hero where the staff of Camp Ta Kum Ta had gathered for their staff development weekend. This Camp has been in existence for 25 years with 24 of those years spent at Holy Cross Camp in Colchester. They had to find another place and were fortunate to secure over 100 acres in South Hero - this Camp is a place for kids, aged 7 - 17 who have cancer. There has always been a close connection between TKT and Saint Michael's College. The camp takes place for a week in August with over 60 kids who are living with some form of cancer. The volunteers (over 100+) are an amazing group of extremely committed people who give of themselves so that these kids can have a unique experience. There are several SMC folks who have been involved with Camp over the years including Don Sutton who is retired from SMC where he worked in many, many different positions over his years at the College. Don is also active in the Knights of Columbus and they gave Camp TKT a gift of $45,000 this past week for construction of cabins on the new site. Pat Gallivan, Seth Cole, some current and some former students also take an active part in making this such a special place. I had been asked to do a workshop for the volunteers on how to take care of yourself while taking care of kids with cancer. They also asked that I address how to deal with change and transition as they move to a brand new home. It was a privilege for me to be with these wonderful people.
I head out tomorrow for a quick visit with my sister and brother-in-law in Otis, MA before heading to Mystic, CT for meetings of the NE-10 on Monday and Tuesday. This will be the first time that FAR (Faculty Athletic Representatives), Athletic Directors, Senior Women Administrators and Compliance Officers of all 16 schools that make up the NE-10 will meet together. There are many challenges that all colleges/universities face these days with the current economic situation and while Saint Michael's College is fortunate that we have NOT had to cut any of our athletic programs (we continue to field 21 varsity teams) others have not been as lucky. It will be a good opportunity for us to review the Strategic Plan of the NE-!0 and Division II of the NCAA.
Several of our very recent graduates have been in touch with me. Unlike many years in the past however, these contacts have NOT been to tell me that they have all found great jobs. The current economic situation has made it even more difficult for anyone to find employment. Many of them have said how much they miss SMC already and while they struggle to find that first job, they are grateful that they DID utilize the services of the Student Resource Center where they found assistance in writing their resumes, developing job search strategies and establishing a network of alums of the College who are always willing to help out our students.
I have written here in the past about my friend and former student Alan who is a recent veteran fo both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is coming to the College this week for an interview for OUR Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology. It will be good to see him. I also did a letter of recommendation for another student the other day and sent it off to Kathmandu, Nepal as she is applying for a Masters in Buddhist Studies - I love the diversity of our student choices...................
Take care, be well, and as I always ask, please keep our soldiers, their families and all of our veterans in your thoughts and prayers.
Dave
I always enjoy your posts, Dave! Safe travels. Buff
Posted by: Buff | June 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM