Also of Note

Congratulations go to five students (right) who participated in Je Cours Québec in October, a series of five major running events in the heart of picturesque Quebec City and the surrounding area. Anna Morrissey ’20 and Gina Trevethan ’22 both ran in the 5k event, while Sage Kampitsis ’20, Jenny Stofer ’20, and Claire O’Pray ’20 all participated in the 10k run. The students representing Marlboro College joined 8,400 other runners who followed the picture-postcard course alongside trees in their fall colors and some of Quebec City’s most iconic attractions.

Two Marlboro seniors presented on their Plan research in December at 118 Elliot, in Brattleboro, hosted by the Windham World Affairs Council. Leni Charbonneau’s talk, titled “Japan and the Ainu: A Spectacle of Sustainability,” focused on the Japanese government’s recent policies regarding the indigenous Ainus, carried out under the rubric of sustainable development. Adam Weinberg presented on “Compassion for the Inconsiderate: Local Politics, Global Values,” in which he explained how resentment and vindictiveness, not disagreement, must be dealt with in order to stop cycles of retribution, using Marlboro College’s Community Court as a case study,

In December, first-year student Darien Young Man Who Is Afraid of His Horses presented a workshop titled Lakota Ways of Knowing with her mother, Davidica Little Spotted Horse, an activist and cultural advisor on Pine Ridge Reservation. The workshop supported the theme of this year’s First Year Seminars, which studied several different approaches to “ways of knowing.” “Focus has been on how knowledge is created through community, as well as what knowledge has been buried and needs to be excavated,” said Catherine O’Callahan, assistant dean of academic advising and support, who helped organize the workshop. “This was a rare opportunity to learn about a profound culture and its history.”

In September, seniors Chris Tripp and Nick Creel gave a presentation to the community about their summer internships under the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Chris (pictured right) described his research on “linear independence of algebraic curvature tensors in the higher-signature setting,” a project at California State University at San Bernardino, and how it ties in with his Plan in mathematics. Nick, who is completing a Plan in computer science, writing, and classics, discussed his work at the University of Rochester, conducting research in the emerging field of computer audition—designing systems that can analyze and understand sounds.

Following a lapse of a couple years, the Committee on Staff accepted nominations in November for three Distinguished Service Awards, which recognize staff for their commitment to the community and to the Marlboro College mission. The winners, announced in January, were Margaret Hunt, Tanner Jones, and K.P. Peterson, who were each awarded a $250 prize. Margaret, the longtime faculty administrative assistant, was nominated based on her ability to make things happen on short notice, from providing food for faculty gatherings to shopping for gifts for children at the college holiday party. “Even when things may be frustrating, she always has a smile on her face,” her nomination said. “Who cannot help but love her?” Tanner, the director of residence life, was recognized for working tirelessly to make sure students are safe and taken care of, and for treating everyone with respect. His nomination said, “He literally does everything imaginable for this college. I truly believe this place would not be functioning without him.” Last but not least, longtime master electrician K.P. was nominated because, “Not only does she basically run this place, but she is an absolute kickass, badass person. K.P. is part of the heart and soul of Marlboro, and literally keeps the lights on here.”

Frybread Friends 
To honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October, students Karla Julia Ramos ’20 and Nicktae Marroquin-Haslett ’20 learn to make frybread from scratch using the family recipe of Lakota student Darien Young Man Who Is Afraid of His Horses ’22.

Preparing for Winter
Pranit Chand ’23 and Malaya Wright ’23 prepare to spread compost on the community garden, before planting a winter cover crop, during Work Day in October.

Brightening Up 
Menefese Kudumu-Clavell ’20 and Angie Pham ’23 explore the possibilities of tie-dyed t-shirts on a gloomy September afternoon, one of several daytime activities designed by the student life team.