January 2010 Meeting Minutes

The winter meeting of the Alumni Council of the Alumni Corporation was held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in Hamilton, New York.

The meeting was called to order at 10:46 a.m. by Mr. Gus P. Coldebella ’91. President.

A silent role call was made by the Executive Secretary, RuthAnn S. Loveless MA ’72. The following officers, and directors and life member(s) were present: Pater K. Anglum ’77, A. Paul Bradley ’67, John Brennan ’81, Christine J. Chao ’86, Bruce C. Clayton ’89, Gus P. Coldebella ’91, Sarah J. Compter ’04, Amy L. Dapot ’96, Thomas W. Dempsey, Jr. ’72, Kathleen A. Dill ’89, Robert S. Dorf ’80, Theresa Donahue Egler ’77, Linda U. Feuss ’78, William H. Freeborn, Jr. ’76, Christine Cronin Gallagher ’83, Geoffrey A. Gold ’86, Sandra Braddy Hall ’76, Linda Havlin ’72, John W. Hoagland ’78, Scott P. Hoekman ’98, Johanna M. Hunter ’82, William A. Johnston ’73, John M. LeFevre ’41, Amy Hargrave Leo ’03, RuthAnn S. Loveless MA’72, Joseph P. McGrath, Jr. ’85, Jung H. Pak ’96, Lynn Plant ’77, Heidi Bulow Parsont ’90, Christine M. Quirolo ’00, Robert P. Quitzau ’55, Robert B. Raiber ’68, Peter W. Rakov “”54, Kevin R. Rusch ’85, Christopher M. Schweighart ’97, Peter A. Sears ’60, M. Gerald Sedam ’64Stephen W. Solomon ’76, Anna Steel ’91, Karl B. Stewart ’91, Howard E. Sutliff ’50, William J. Sweeney ’01, Tracy R. Tanner ’00, Christopher J. Wolyniak ’01, Sandra Drucker Wright ’96

The following directors and life members were present for committee meetings but unable to attend the General Session:

The following directors were absent: Arthur L. DuBois ’55, Juan Flores ’80, Michael J. Herling ’79, Thomas F. Kirkpatrick ’61, Scott A. Meiklejohn ’77, Edward A. Ryan ’67, Devon M. Skerritt ’00, James A. Smith ’70, Joanne D. Spigner, Jason A. Whitt ’96

The following life members were absent:

 Douglas G. Campbell ’50, John E. Gillick, Jr. ’67, Clifford L. Heaslip, Jr. ’50, Ronald A. Joyce ’73, Haskell P. Mac Cowatt ’53, Fred C. Meendsen ’54, C. Bruce Morser ’76, Pamela Odeen-LoDato ’81, Gerald D. Quill ’60, G. Gary Ripple ’64, Bruce F. Wesson ’64

It was established that a quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE FALL MEETING

Mr. Coldebella asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the fall meeting held in Hamilton, New York, in September 2010, which were previously distributed by mail. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

ELECTIONS

Ms. Christine Cronin Gallagher ’83, Vice President, reported that the Executive Committee nominated RuthAnn Loveless MA ’72 for her nineteenth one year term as Executive Secretary. Ms. Gallagher opened the floor to other nominations, of which there were none. The motion was seconded with no discussion. The motion will be voted on at the April council meeting.

LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT

Mr. Michael F. Morrone ’68, Legal Counsel, reported that the District Clubs Committee is in the process of reviewing the possibility of restructuring the Regional Vice President role to be determined by club size rather than club geography. Any changes voted by the District Clubs Committee may result in a bylaws change as well.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Ms. Kathleen Dill ’89, Treasurer, reported that the Alumni Affairs and the Alumni Council accounts were in good order. The Career Services Committee made a motion for $3,000 from the Alumni Council commission account to be used for software to support the Maroon Advantage webinars and events. The motion was so moved, seconded and approved unanimously. Ms. Dill also reported that the money designated from the fall meeting for the senior career services booklet was not used due to the preferences of the senior class.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REPORT

Ms. RuthAnn S. Loveless MA’72 gave the following report.

 Thanked everyone in attendance for all of their time contributed to the senior class for a very successful Real World program in its 14th year.
 Announced that Reunion Weekend planning is moving along on schedule. A diverse and varied reunion college program is coming together nicely, under the leadership of Lorie Riedl. Council members are asked to encourage class members to attend.
 Announced that the Alumni Affairs Office is sponsoring the pilot program for Summer on the Hill, a summer alumni college program, this summer. Some of the best Colgate faculty will offer courses over the four day intensive study program.
 Reported that Family Weekend featured a legacy breakfast for Colgate students and their legacy family members. The breakfast received an overwhelmingly positive response for the second year in a row.
 Discussed that the Alumni Affairs Office supported the English department with their Living Writers program, offering the author book readings and discussions online through Livestream.
 Reported that alumni club events are continuing at a strong pace likely to reach 300 events this year, far outnumbering Colgate’s peer schools. Presidential events will be held in five cities this spring.
 Announced that Jeffrey Herbst will be at the April Alumni Council meeting. He will plan to do alumni events next fall, with his formal inauguration happening in October.

TRUSTEE REPORT

Mr. Gerald Sedam ’64 reported that the Colgate Board of Trustees last met in the fall and will meet again in January. The trustees will be focusing their time on the Campus Climate Survey, responding to A Better Colgate, hearing from incoming president Jeffrey Herbst, and creating the next fiscal year budget.

FSAI REPORT

Ms. Sarah Compter ’04 reported that the FSAI committee met with the new assistant dean for campus life, Fouad Saleet, who will be leading Greek Life. They also discussed the appointment of Jeffrey Herbst as the new president. The committee also heard from student leaders about the Greek Assessment program sponsored by the Greek Life Advisory Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

Ms. Christine Cronin Gallagher ’83, Vice President, reported that the committee met twice since the fall meeting. The committee heard previews of the committee agendas from the committee chairs.

ADMISSION COMMITTEE

Ms. Anna Steele ’90 reported in the absence of Ms. Christine Chao ’86, Chair, that the committee heard from Lynn Holcomb ’90, senior associate director of admissions, and Gary Ross ’76, vice president for admissions and financial aid, about the signature programs offered to incoming students. The Benton Scholars program, Alumni Memorial Scholar, Summer Institute, and Upstate Medical Program were all discussed. Mr. Ross also gave an update on the current application pool.

ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Mr. Geoffrey Gold ’86, Chair, reported that the committee heard from Sara Groh, co-director of the annual fund, and Jen Abelson, associate director of the annual fund, about their progress this year. Ms. Abelson also discussed the new 1819 Circle, a gift recognition program designed to honor consecutive donors. Murray Decock ’80, vice president for advancement, also reported on the campaign and new capital projects, including the new fitness center.

ATHLETICS COMMITTEE

Mr. William H. Freeborn, Jr. ’76, Chair, reported that the committee heard from head football coach, Dick Biddle. After Coach Biddle discussed the past season and the recruiting prospects, Mr. Freeborn presented a formal citation to him in honor of his dedication and loyalty to Colgate and its football program, as well as his many successes. The committee also heard from Shondell Reed, acting director of athletics, about the Patriot League issues and negotiations for football scholarships.

CAREER SERVICES

Mr. John B. Brennan ’81, Chair, reported that the committee heard from Career Services about the successes and progress of the Maroon Advantage career advising program. Since the fall meeting, one event and one webinar were held for the Maroon Advantage program. Additional events and webinars are being planned for the spring. Career Services also expressed a sincere need for internships for students.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Mrs. Theresa Donahue Egler ’77, Chair, reported that the committee heard from Charlie Melichar, vice president for communications, and Rebecca Costello, editor of the Colgate Scene, about the recent Scene survey. They also reported that communications is continuing to develop ways to reach alumni through the use of mobile devices. Mr. William Sweeney ’01 also reported on the progress of the ad hoc committee to keep former Alumni Council members involved in volunteering for Colgate.

DISTRICT CLUBS COMMITTEE

Mr. Stephen Solomon ’76, Chair, reported that the committee discussed strategies to ensure the success of club events and broaden their appeal. The committee also discussed the district club report structure to prepare for determining awards at the April meeting.

UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Mr. Paul Bradley ’67, Chair, reported that the committee heard from a panel consisting of Charlotte Johnson, vice president and dean of the college, Carolyn Hsu, associate professor of sociology, and two students about the findings of the recent campus climate survey. The panel also discussed the campus’s response to the survey.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Gus Coldebella ’91 encouraged council members to keep the Colgate conversations going throughout their networks to help spread the news of the good work of the Alumni Council and provide up-to-date information on campus issues.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Council moved to executive session to discuss awards.

AWARDS COMMITTEE

Mr. Coldebella reminded those present that there was a process by which award recipients were informed and asked that confidentiality of the winners be kept until notified that the recipients had been formally congratulated.

Johanna Hunter ’82, Chair, gave recommendations for the following slate of alumni awards:

Maroon Citations
Julia B. Bergeron ’75
Robert P. Burke ’85
Stephen B. Burke ’80
Robert S. Dorf ’80
Mark G. Falcone ’85
G. Bruce Knecht, Jr. ’80
Christine M. Quirolo ’00
Robert P. Quitzau ’55
Kevin R. Rusch ’85
Gabriel T. Schwartz ’00
Peter A. Sears ’60
Devon M. Skerritt ’00
James A. Smith ’70

Non-Alumni/Employee Citations:
Carol Baker – Gift Records Associate
Richard Biddle – Head Football Coach


Wm. Brian Little ’64 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service
Daniel C. Benton ’80
Lee Woltman ’65
Paul H. Jenkel ’60

The Ann Yao '80 Memorial Young Alumni Award
Joanna E. Allegretti ’05
Katie G. Finnegan ’05

Humanitarian Award
Glenn A. Langer ’50, Founder and Director of “The Partnership Scholars”

Distinguished Teaching Award
Kenneth Berlanger – G. Kirk Raab ’59 Associate Professor of Biology
Karen Harpp –Associate Professor of Geology

The nominations were moved, seconded and unanimously approved without discussion.

Mr. Coldebella thanked everyone for their attendance; hearing no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:06 p.m.