Alumna wins major grant for kinesins research

One of our alumnae recently won a major grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue her research on the inner workings of crucial proteins inside every human cell.

Susan Pond Gilbert ’72 received a Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) grant from NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The $2 million grant will support her research for an additional five years, with the potential for another 3-5 years of funding. Her research has continued with NIH grant funding for 19 years.

“These MERIT awards are really terrific,” Gilbert said. “They provide long-term sustained support for one’s research program and the freedom to explore cutting-edge scientific ideas that may involve more risk.”

Gilbert majored in chemistry at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and later earned advanced degrees in microbiology and cell biology. Today, she is professor and head of the Department of Biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

Her research focuses on kinesins, microscopic proteins that transport cargoes by moving around on microtubules, known as the highways of the cell. She specifically has focused on the way kinesins interact with the microtubules. Among other interactions, kinesins can actually remodel the microtubules to create a spindle apparatus, which helps ensure that chromosomes are copied accurately when a new cell is formed. Understanding kinesins is important for pharmaceutical companies that need to test new drugs, Gilbert said.

Gilbert chose to major in chemistry because of a quantitative analysis course that required independent experimentation. She enjoyed working independently on research projects to answer basic questions using chemistry. “The chemistry major had really infused the curriculum with independent inquiry that nobody really talked about at that time, but now it is considered the way to teach,” she said. “Having the faculty directly in the lab and having the low student-faculty ratio was incredibly important.”

Randolph continues to offer the same student-centered environment that Gilbert experienced, offering the Summer Research Program and Randolph Innovative Student Experience grants to encourage students to work on research independently or with professors.

Gilbert added that the broad-based curriculum emphasizing strong writing and analytical skills was also beneficial to her career. “I represent what one gains by going to a smaller liberal arts college where one can do hands-on research, and it was at R-MWC where I learned the thrill and passion for discovery through scientific research” she said.

Randolph College Announces New Sports Information Director

Randolph College is pleased to welcome Jeremy Field as the new sports information director. Field will play an important role in the growing athletics program by promoting the accomplishments of student-athletes.

“We’re thrilled to have someone with Jeremy’s breadth of experience join our team,” said Tina Hill, director of athletics. “He has hit the ground running and will do an excellent job promoting Randolph College and WildCat Athletics.”

Field comes to Randolph after three years of serving as the assistant sports information director for Goucher College. At Goucher, Field was instrumental in initiating the use of Facebook, Twitter, live video and live stat feeds to share news from the athletics program during and between games. His work helped Goucher increase alumni participation and athletic department fundraising by more than 40 percent during his tenure there.

Field also gained experience in public relations and marketing through internships with the Philadelphia 76ers and ESPN Radio. He earned his bachelor of science in sport management, with a minor in economics, from the University of Delaware. This spring, he completed his master’s degree in education with a concentration in athletic administration.

“I am very excited to join this staff as we continue Randolph’s development into one of the prominent athletic departments in our conference and in the country,” Field said. “I look forward to working with our student-athletes as they become successful on and off of the playing field.”

Lyric Opera Internship gives student experience in nonprofit management and fundraising

This summer, Melissa Halka ’14 seized an opportunity to work in an internationally renowned opera house and also explore the arts and cultural events in Chicago. It has been a fun journey that allowed her to explore her interest in public art and nonprofit management.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I want to do,” Halka said.

Melissa Halka ’14 poses in front of a collection of shoes used in costumes at the Lyric Opera of
Chicago. Her internship has allowed her to learn many aspects of managing and raising money for
nonprofits and art organizations.

Halka was chosen for the Donald P. Baiocchi Lyric Opera Internship, which alumna Amanda Fox ’67 and her husband, Matthew Fox, sponsor each summer. The 10-week internship allows Randolph students to gain hands-on experience in arts management and nonprofit fundraising.

Halka has been working to support projects organized by the Lyric Opera’s chapters, organizations in the community that help raise money for the opera house. Those projects include Operathon, a radio broadcast that includes opera music and interviews with performers, and Fantasy of the Opera, a winter ball. Her daily tasks have ranged from marketing to public relations to special events and database management.

“The most valuable thing I’ve learned is time management and the importance of a lot of forethought when planning events,” said Halka. “I’ve done events with clubs at the college, but my boss is really good at keeping a calendar in her head. The events I’m working on now aren’t happening until March of next year. That forethought is something I want to apply in my own life as I plan events.”

She added that she has learned many ways to use software such as Microsoft Excel to track information that an arts organization needs to keep up with.

The internship was an incredible opportunity that Halka recommends to other students. “In this internship, you hit the ground running. You really get to know what it’s like to work in an opera company. You figure out how all the pieces fit together into an arts organization.”

“A huge plus is living in Chicago,” she added. “It’s an amazing place to live.”

During the internship, which continues until mid-August, Halka has lived close to Chicago’s Millennium Park, which hosts numerous arts-related events throughout the summer, including music concerts each Monday and movie screenings on Tuesdays. She enjoyed having the opportunity to experience that atmosphere, something she hopes to create in her future career. “I’m really interested in working with public art projects,” she said. “It’s good to have art accessible everywhere.”

Randolph starts new leadership programs this fall

New programs at Randolph College will allow students to learn about leadership and service in a variety of settings, ranging from workshops on campus to inner-city food banks hundreds of miles away.

Amanda Denny, Randolph’s director of student involvement, is designing the new leadership development programs and service opportunities to help students at each stage of their experience at Randolph. Most of the programs will start in September.

For the past five years, Denny worked as the director of student activities, but the Dean of Students office created her new position to consolidate service and leadership programs under one supervisor. Denny, who has a master’s degree in student development focusing on leadership and service, is excited about the opportunity. “I want to help students realize their leadership styles,” she said. “Also, there are many service learning opportunities related to their academic course study, so they can learn while reaching out to populations they might enjoy.”

Donald Saltmarsh-Lubin '16, a participant in the Davenport Leadership Institute,
plays pool with a local high school student during a summer program this year.

Denny’s plans include programs that will help first-years, sophomores, and seniors get involved or stay involved in the Randolph community and develop their leadership abilities. Each of these programs will require students to apply.

The first-year program is designed to help students start exploring their leadership styles. The sophomore experience will aim to help students tackle the challenges that come with the second year of college. The senior program, titled “Keystone,” will use the analogy of building an arch to help students realize how to apply what they have learned at Randolph to build a successful future.

(There is not a separate program for juniors because they will be encouraged to investigate career options by visiting the Experiential Learning Center and pursuing internships, Denny said.)

Denny plans to continue the Leadership Challenge Program, a series of workshops she has organized in recent years. This is open to all students. She also will continue involvement with the Davenport Leadership Institute, a summer program that builds leadership skills and prepares participants to lead orientation for new students in the fall semester.

Students will be encouraged to participate in service projects throughout the year, beginning with the Day of Caring during orientation. But Denny will organize alternative fall and spring break trips to give students the opportunity to participate in larger projects. “Students can opt to be connected to the college throughout fall break and spring break by doing something really cool, whether that’s helping inner city youth in Harlem or going to Washington D.C. to serve at the central D.C. soup kitchen,” she said.

Denny looks forward to seeing Randolph students build and strengthen their leadership skills, as well as accomplish more academically as a result of these skills. “It’s important for students to have communication skills and to be well-rounded outside the classroom, and also take the knowledge that they’re learning in a co-curricular environment and apply it in the classroom,” she said.

Forbes ranks Randolph as one of America's Top Colleges in 2013

Forbes magazine has again named Randolph College as one of America’s Top Colleges.

The magazine released its annual college rankings in late July, ranking Randolph as one of the best private colleges in Virginia. Forbes’ profile of Randolph College includes details about the College’s students, faculty, and academic program, as well as a reference to a recent study that declared that Randolph’s professors are among the best in the country.

Randolph College President Bradley W. Bateman was pleased that the College continues to be recognized by Forbes, one of several national publications that notes Randolph’s excellence. “While one should never put too much weight on a singular college ranking, Randolph College is proud to continually be mentioned as one of the nation’s top colleges,” he said.

Forbes partners with the Center for College Affordability and Productivity to gather data on student satisfaction, graduate success, student loan debt, graduation rates, and other measures. “What sets our calculation of 650 colleges and universities apart from other rankings is our firm belief in ‘output’ over ‘input,’” Forbes explains in its rankings article. “We’re not all that interested in what gets a student into college, like our peers who focus heavily on selectivity metrics such as high school class rank and SAT scores. Our sights are set directly on ROI: What are students getting out of college.”

Randolph honored as a College of Distinction

Randolph College has been named a 2013-2014 College of Distinction, one of only 10 colleges and universities in Virginia to be granted that honor.

“Randolph was chosen for its continued commitment to the Four Distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes,” Colleges of Distinction founder Wes Creel said in a letter to the College.

Randolph’s profile on CollegesofDistinction.com highlights the College’s reputation, including accessible professors, successful students, a strong academic program, and a vibrant campus life.

Read more of Randolph’s profile here.

Alumnae and alumni fundraising participation rises again, helps Randolph surpass goal

Randolph College continues to receive important financial support thanks to friends of the College who are giving in increasing numbers.

In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013, the College surpassed its annual fund goal of $2.15 million. Most significantly, the College saw a 2.5% increase in the percentage of alumnae and alumni who are financially contributing to the College. Since 2009, the alumnae and alumni participation rate has climbed 8.5%.

“We are thankful for the generous contributions we receive from alumnae, alumni, and other friends of the College,” said Jan Meriwether, vice president for Institutional Advancement. “Their increased giving reflects their generosity and their confidence in the College’s faculty and staff who use these contributions to provide an excellent education to a growing student body.”

“It is exciting to see our percentage of giving increase again this year,” said Heather Ayers Garnett ’86, director of alumnae and alumni. She said this increase has come thanks to the commitment of dedicated trustees, alumnae, faculty, staff, and students who have worked together with the R-MWC Alumnae and Randolph College Alumni Association. “Our alumnae and alumni are making a difference in the life of the College and we are very grateful.”

“Financial contributions to Randolph College help us to further our mission of preparing students to experience life abundantly,” said Bradley W. Bateman, president of Randolph College. “They allow us to reach more students, provide more educational opportunities, improve our facilities, and support initiatives to make the college experience more meaningful and educational. I extend thanks to the friends of Randolph College who continue to make this possible.”

We recently asked students to thank the financial supporters of the College and talk about how those donations have benefited them. This video presents their responses.