The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to offer many ways for alumni to stay in touch with each other, and with Colgate! E-mail me with questions or concerns at tmansfield@colgate.edu. — Tim Mansfield, associate vice president, institutional advancement and alumni relations Questions? Contact alumni relations: 315-228-7433 or alumni@colgate.edu
Protecting the forcibly displaced
L to R: Michael Kershow ’77 and LeRoy Potts ’85 with Joseph Sebarenzi, exiled former member of the Rwandan parliament. Photo by Sam Levitan
For the past 10 years, I have spent the third week in February watching Colgate students in my course ALST 290: Model African Union participate in a simulation exercise hosted by Howard University, drawing students from more than 30 institutions nationwide. This year, the trip was enhanced by an alumni event hosted by Michael Kershow ’77 at the University Club in downtown Washington, D.C., on February 19.
Michael, a lawyer who does extensive pro bono work, was joined by U.S. State Department veteran LeRoy Potts ’85, a research chief in the Department of Homeland Security. Both Michael and LeRoy work with people applying to the United States for asylum from a number of African countries.
LeRoy brought along Joseph Sebarenzi, exiled former member of the Rwandan parliament and author of the book God Sleeps in Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation. Joseph now works with LeRoy and the State Department on cases in which refugees may have entered the United States while under indictment for war crimes.
Michael, LeRoy, and Joseph all described the difficulties faced by vulnerable populations fleeing political and economic persecution and seeking asylum in the United States. The massive influx of Muslim refugees attempting to find a haven in Europe or America may be coming from Eritrea, Libya, Mali, or Syria. They have little in common beyond their shared religion, yet they are often treated as an undifferentiated whole. Michael and LeRoy must fit thousands of individual stories into a limited range of categories.
Hearing from Joseph was particularly exciting for my 20 students because Rwanda is one of the three countries they represented at the Model African Union this year. They also enjoyed meeting a range of D.C.-area alumni and parents who attended.
My students and I are so grateful to Michael for financing and hosting the event, and to LeRoy and Joseph for their generous engagement. We hope there will be many such opportunities in the future as Model African Union students make their annual trek to Washington.
— Mary Moran, professor of anthropology and Africana and Latin American studies
Exploring health care
Dr. Michael Wolk ’60 talks with students about the challenges facing the American health care system.
Kicking off the 2016 Michael J. Wolk ’60 Conference on Medical Education last month, the nationally renowned cardiologist and conference namesake spoke of the difficult problems American health care providers will face in the years to come.
Wolk returns to Colgate every two years to help current students explore the industry on which he has made an indelible mark. Alumni and parents — including dentists, genetic counselors, orthopedists, nurses, and physical therapists — also returned to Colgate to share their experiences and insights with current students. Panelists included Dr. Jashodeep Datta ’06, Dr. John Marzo ’80, Dr. Ellen Larson ’94, nurse practitioner Alison Rhodes ’07, and Dr. Sharon Space ’86.
“The conference brought a lot of issues into perspective and [let us know] how we, as Colgate students, can better equip ourselves for the future,” said medical school applicant Julia Fisher ’16. “Throughout the lectures and panels, there was a clear focus on a patient-centered model for health care delivery.”
The medical school acceptance rate for first-time applicants from Colgate is approximately one and a half to two times higher than the national average.
“Here at Colgate, we are surrounded by mentors and support,” Fisher said. “This includes the entire Health Science Advising Committee, the physicians in the Health Sciences Shadowing Program, and our dedicated professors.”
Committee chair Julie Chanatry said that the Wolk Conference is about providing a broad picture of the health sciences industry.
“We want students to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of the system and what they are going to be facing,” she said. “It’s not just about love for the career, but also looking beyond that and examining the health care system and what their role in that system may be in the future.”
Professional Networks Online
Colgate alumni are hard at work in cities around the world, and not everyone can attend networking events in specific locations. This spring, professional networks went online, making it possible for hundreds of Colgate grads to interact and exchange leads from the comfort of their own desks. The Scene put an ear to the screen, and we heard countless exchanges like this one:
Find out more about professional networks and upcoming events — both online and in person. Visit colgate.edu/networks.
Winter Heat
The Alumni of Color (AOC) organization launched its 30th anniversary celebration in Miami with a two-part event, January 5 and 6. On day one, Professor John Palmer met with alumni in the magic city to discuss campus issues and answer questions. On day two, Daniel Green ’06, account executive with the Miami Heat, helped to welcome alumni and friends as the Heat took on the New York Knicks. The alumni enjoyed the team’s pre-game shoot-around, a greeting on the Jumbotron, and pictures at half court after the game. The AOC anniversary celebration continues through reunion this June.
Current meets vintage
Current Colgate Thirteen members with Bill MacIntosh ’44, a founding member. Back row (L to R): Mike Rapaport ’18, Michael Zeitler ’17, Micah Bower-Kaiser ’17, Sean Maguire ’16, MacIntosh, Casey Konys ’16, Warren Dennis ’16, and Danny Foussard ’16. Front row (L to R): Alex Weig ’17, Evan Fireman ’17, Drew O’Hara ’19, Ben Newman ’16, Alex Drakos ’16, and Joe Baez ’17.
When the Colgate Thirteen performed the final concert of their “JanTour” — on January 13 — they were joined by members of the Vintage Colgate Thirteen. The event honored a founding member of the a cappella group, Bill MacIntosh ’44, at his church, First Congressional Church of Western Springs in Illinois.
The group performed for a crowd of approximately 300 people at the Colgate Club of Chicago–sponsored event.
“Somehow, after six days on the road singing alumni concerts, the Thirteen put on a really entertaining show. It was outstanding,” said Ed Hines ’63, one of the Vintage Thirteen founders, who organized the event. With Bud Hedinger ’69 as emcee, the performance was followed by a reception where new and old members could bond over their shared experiences.
“[The students] could not have been more courteous, engaging, and helpful!” Hines said.
The current members were excited, grateful, and a little bit nervous to meet their predecessors — primarily members from the ’60s, but also a few from the ’50s and ’70s.
“Meeting Bill MacIntosh really made me think about how lucky I am to be a part of such an incredible brotherhood that spans generations,” said Casey Konys ’16. “We, as a group, have changed so much over the decades, and while each new generation of Thirteeners puts its own twist on the group, it’s incredible to see a common thread among all of us. The gig in Chicago was by far my favorite part of our JanTour.” And, it raised $1,000 for the Thirteen’s treasury.
— Emma Loftus ’16
