Join the Herald and Seneca Scene, beginning May 29th, as they trace one of the most altering times in America and its effect on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Beginning in 1968 and continuing until 1972, Tommy Tongyai went to campuses all across upstate New York, riling up students and inciting violence. It wasn’t until he arrived on the HWS campus that … Continue reading Tommy the Traveler: Trailer
For the final episode of in the first season of The Seneca Scene, our guest is Alex Kerai who will be covering the Year in Review and discussing topics including the presidential search, the coordinate system, diversity and inclusion, student activism, and graduation. Alex is a member of the class of 2019 and will be graduating with honors in English. He is a double major … Continue reading Year in Review with Alex Kerai
For our closing State of the Colleges for the 2018-2019 academic year, we welcome Interim President Patrick A. McGuire, William Smith College Dean Lisa Kaenzig, and Hobart College Dean Khuram Hussain to the studio for a wide-ranging conversation on the year and their plans for the future. This is a fascinating continuation of our three-part State of the Colleges from the beginning of the academic … Continue reading State of the Colleges with President McGuire, Dean Kaenzig, and Dean Hussain
On this episode of The Seneca Scene, we welcome Professor Justin Rose, from the political science department and Africana Studies. Professor Rose talks with us about the inspiration for his new book – The Drum Major Instinct: Martin Luther King, Jr’s Theory of Political Service – and discusses his work on the Presidential Search Committee, along with many others, and diversity on campus. This is a … Continue reading Professor Justin Rose on his new book, activism, and campus
On Friday, April 26, 2019 the Herald published an extensive 14-page section on race, diversity, and equity at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The viewpoints examine all aspects of campus life and come from students spanning across different socioeconomic, sexual, international, religious, and educational backgrounds. We did not discriminate on any basis and were accepting new names for viewpoints up until the print deadline – in … Continue reading Race and Diversity on College Campuses
By Henry Duerr ’21 Herald Staff Food. Something so simple, yet so vital to life. Here at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, food comes through the Sodexo corporation. Sodexo is a French food service and facility management company that operates on 13,000 sites in North America alone. Founded in 1966, Sodexo states that “wherever we work, our dedication to making every day a better day … Continue reading Real Food Challenged?
By Olivia Rowland ’21 Copy Editor & Herald Staff Have you ever wondered where exactly your tuition money goes, or wished that you had more control over how the school spends your money? One group of students is addressing these concerns by working to increase students’ control over the Colleges’ budget. Eva Catanzariti ’20, president of William Smith Congress; Nuzhat Wahid ’22, WSC vice president; and … Continue reading New Participatory Budgeting
By Reed Herter ’22 Herald Staff Emergency Medical Services is a Basic Life Support agency on campus made up of trained medical professionals. They are all volunteers, trained to be able to do everything EMTs in ambulances can do. They act as first responders for any medical emergencies on campus no matter how small, helping anyone who is on campus and is injured. As Chief … Continue reading EMS Keeps Campus Safe
By Ani Freedman ’22 Chief Photographer & Herald Staff If you’ve used any of the bathrooms in the library, Scandling Center, Stern Hall, or many other buildings, then you’ve probably noticed the containers with a bold “Aunt Flo” label and array of menstrual products free to the public. Around midway through this semester, the menstrual product pilot project was implemented after William Smith’s first-year Class … Continue reading WSC Provides Menstrual Products
By Alex Kerai ’19 Editor-in-Chief On Monday morning, April 22, 2019, spray-painted words were discovered across campus. The words noted “Make America Great Again,” the campaign slogan of President Donald Trump, and included “Trump 22” and the campaign chant “Build the Wall.” This was only the most recent in a string of incidents in the last few weeks on the campus of Hobart and William Smith … Continue reading Context: Race and Diversity at HWS
By Valerie Cuellar ’20 Diversity is always a point of reference when having conversations about inclusivity. In HWS, it is all about appearance and image. This institution brings in groups like POSSE, HEOP, and other organizations that bring in that diversity they want to showcase. Once those students are on campus, any discrimination or oppression they face gets pushed onto the back burner because of … Continue reading Viewpoint #1
By Lin Yi Wei ’20 The other day, I overheard something in passing in the library. Two students, one standing and the other seated, were having a casual conversation that went a little something like this: “Why didn’t you say hi to me the other day,” asked the female student. “What do you mean? I did say hi,” is his response. “No, you looked at … Continue reading Viewpoint #2
This piece was written by an anonymous student who identified as: “I am a woman of color, an athlete and a non-citizen.” Before writing my piece, I would like to thank the Herald for giving us this opportunity to share my thoughts on diversity on this campus. At the same time, I wonder at the strategic timing of this article in its effort to change … Continue reading Viewpoint #3
This piece was written by an anonymous William Smith junior who is heavily involved on campus. My experience as a POC on campus has been that I am not a POC on campus. Even though I am half Puerto Rican, I do not fit in with cultural clubs at HWS. I know that I have a very white lived experience – I do not speak … Continue reading Viewpoint #4
By Shaamar Samuel ’19 Fall, 2016 at Hobart and William Smith. Yik Yak. An anonymous mobile app. I remember it being a Wednesday or Thursday night in the fall of my very first semester of my freshman year. I was sitting in the second floor common room of Sherill Hall scrolling on my phone and hearing lots of gossiping and loud chattering echoing from down … Continue reading Viewpoint #5
This piece was written by a William Smith student. Being a student of color at HWS feels like being a speck of dirt on a blank, white canvas: unwanted, undesirable, outcasted, the list goes on. It’s apparent that this institution, as well as many other collegiate environments, never intended to accommodate for students of color. The systematic disadvantages translate to the social dynamics surrounding diversity … Continue reading Viewpoint #6
By Hamdan Ahmed ’20 3 years ago, when I came to HWS, I was the only international student from Pakistan along with a couple other Pakistani-Americans. In 17 years of my life, I was never discriminated against because of my color and, since it was just my second time in the States, I was very new to racism. I did not even know what a … Continue reading Viewpoint #7
By Donovan Hayden ’19 This piece was conducted as an in-person interview with a single question asked: “What has been your experience at HWS as a person of color?” The student’s response was transcribed and approved by the interviewee prior to publication. In terms of my experience as a black person on campus, it’s been through a lot of changes throughout my four years. In … Continue reading Viewpoint #8
Written by a student under the label of “good minority”, “minority”, “diversity factor to the power of 100”, “person called by the name of the two other people on campus that happen to be the same race” and/or a female student of William Smith college that entered her first year recently. Plural monoculturalism. Were it not for attempt at education in the field of comparative … Continue reading Viewpoint #9
The following piece was submitting by a first generation woman of color at HWS. Your commentary on how you think black people are inherently inferior, loud, and ghetto, and how black people should be nicer to the police if they don’t want to get shot all the time don’t really have a place in my college experience. Now, don’t get scared away too quickly. When … Continue reading Viewpoint #10
A student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. As a first year William Smith student of South Asian background, the sheer whiteness on campus was a shock to me. Think about your reaction of ordering a chocolate cake with rainbow icing and instead receiving a vanilla cake with vanilla icing. Exactly. The truth is that if you are not an athlete or white on this … Continue reading Viewpoint #11
“I am an active person of color on campus.” I stand at the lonely intersections of different worlds. I can never fully be a member of either one. I am a traveler, one with no home or community to return to. I do not know where to go so I keep moving forward and adapting to whatever place I find myself in. Fitting in means … Continue reading Viewpoint #12
By Carolin Martinez Diaz ’19 This piece was conducted as an in-person interview with a single question asked: “What has been your experience at HWS as a person of color and international student?” The student response was transcribed and approved by the interviewee prior to publication. I think my experience as a Dominican Latina immigrant, those are my identities, the main ones, I think that … Continue reading Viewpoint #13
This piece was written by a current student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Coming from a diverse place, much of what HWS has introduced to me is outside of the bubble that I called home. It never occurred to me of my position as a person of color on campus until my first few months at the colleges. When I first came to Hobart and … Continue reading Viewpoint #14
By Nhung Nguyen Recently, the first ever image of a black hole was released. Prior to this, scientists have been able to visualise stars, moons, planets, solar systems, galaxies, and more. This achievement marked a milestone in scientific advancement and general understanding of our universe. The imaged black hole was at the center of another galaxy, 53.49 million light-years from our own. With this image, … Continue reading Viewpoint #15
By Pamela Icyeza ’19 This piece was conducted as an in-person interview with a single question asked: “What has been your experience at HWS as a person of color and international student?” The student’s response was transcribed and approved by the interviewee prior to publication. My experience as a student of color here has been overall positive. I have had the pleasure of being deeply … Continue reading Viewpoint #16
“I am a person of color and a first-generation college student.” This piece is written from all of the conversations I’ve had on campus and speaking for some others who may not have the energy to speak up. As people of color on campus, we feel isolated and alone most of the time. We are an accessory to the white student’s experience, to supplement their … Continue reading Viewpoint #17
This piece was written by a sophomore in Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Being a person of color on this campus makes me automatically stand out in comparison to my white peers, no doubt about that. But what makes my position even more unique is that I don’t fall under the racial binary of black or white. Falling into the middle spectrum, my own racial … Continue reading Viewpoint #18
Written by a student under the label of “good minority”, “minority”, “diversity factor to the power of 100”, “person called by the name of the two other people on campus that happen to be the same race” and/or a female student of William Smith college that entered her first year recently. To me, the shifting skies were always a turncoat- for the purples and blues … Continue reading Viewpoint #19
By Daniel Pedemonte ’20 Currently I’m a third year Economics major at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. When I first think of diversity at HWS I think of the illusion the colleges try to portray. As a Posse Scholar I had a vague idea of what I was coming to. Before stepping foot on campus Posse Scholars undergo a “Pre-Collegiate Training” program where they begin … Continue reading Viewpoint #20
“I am someone who values the opinions of others and believe in having a voice.” This piece was conducted as an in-person interview with a single question asked: “What has been your experience at HWS as a person of color?” The student’s response was transcribed and approved by the interviewee prior to publication. As an international student I feel like we don’t have enough support … Continue reading Viewpoint #21
“I am a rising junior at HWS. Although I was raised in a predominantly white state, I attended schools where a majority to all of my friends and colleagues were people of color. I am passionate about social change and believe in the power of allyship. I understand that it is impossible to entirely destroy the barriers constructed by socialization and experiences; however, I do believe that others … Continue reading Viewpoint #22
Written on the behalf of a student on her lived experiences and shared perspectives. Peeling yellow paint decorated the top half of the house, mismatching the ill-chosen brick brown paint of its bottom half. The hallow halls lined with cracking wall paper and lively insects gave way to ill-fit utilities and molding furniture. The sounds of laughter and conversation are weighed down by the penetrating … Continue reading Viewpoint #23
By Stacy A. Maceda ’19 In my perspective piece as a student of color I want to attach the email I sent out to administration when there was vandalism found on campus on April 22nd ,2019. This email is exemplary of what a student of color must face every time they don’t know where to turn for answers when an incident like this happens. … Continue reading Viewpoint #24
This issue of the Herald contains 24 viewpoints written by current students at Hobart and William Smith Colleges who identify as people of color. This process began on April 8, 2019 when the Herald began reaching out to students. Emails were sent based on student involvement and recommendations by faculty, staff, and other students. (We recognize that these research methods do not include every student … Continue reading A Note on the Issue
By Ryan Skinner ’19 Herald Staff Bartlett Theatre, built in 1900 as an integral part of Coxe Hall, may see new life next semester as Hobart Student Trustee Albright Dwarka makes plans to create a student center. Dwarka, who was elected in March on a platform that included a promise to create a new student center in Bartlett Theatre, confirmed that this initiative is underway. … Continue reading New Student Center Proposed
By Tayah Payne ’22 Herald Staff The Herald recently had a conversation with Sarim Karim ’22 about the current accommodations for Muslim prayer on campus. Sarim is a student from Pakistan hoping to study international relations and economics, and is also a member of both the South Asian Student Association (SASA) and the debate team. He and the South Asian Student Association are working together … Continue reading Muslim Prayer Space
The Student Art and Architecture Exhibit begins on Friday, April 26th at Houghton House and around the Arts Campus. The gallery celebrates the work of student artists on campus and includes “Visual invention in color and in black and white, in silkscreens and in photographs, in charcoal and in paint, in sculpture and digital media from students in studio classes,” according to the press release. … Continue reading Student Art Exhibit Begins
By Yellie LaBare ’19 Special to the Herald Our annual Earth Week celebration is in full swing! Led by the EcoReps and Campus Greens, it is a weeklong celebration of our planet. This year, the week kicked off with Earth Day on Monday, April 22, which featured more Saga options for Meatless Monday as well as the planting of new grape vines in the campus garden. … Continue reading Earth Week Wrap-Up
Army Sergeant Rachel Reve McKay ’18 passed away unexpectedly at the United States Army’s Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia on April 8. The death is under investigation and no immediate cause of death was provided. Rachel was twenty-three years old. McKay graduated from Marblehead High School, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, prior to attending William Smith in the fall of 2014. She graduated from William Smith last … Continue reading Remembering Rachel McKay ‘18
On this episode of The Seneca Scene, we welcome Michael Amadori, the Sustainability Manager at HWS. Michael is on the Climate Task force and is the advisor and coordinator for the EcoReps program on campus. Michael has created and led many programs and events involving sustainability and is coordinating the earth week events. Listen to the full episode below and be sure to subscribe to The … Continue reading Michael Amadori on HWS Sustainability Initiatives
On this episode of The Seneca Scene, we welcome another special guest back to campus…over the phone. President Emeritus Mark D. Gearan currently the Director of the Harvard Institute of Politics and was formerly the President of Hobart and William Smith for 18 years. With the release of Robert Mueller’s impending, we chatted last week, on Friday, about the role of media in this changing … Continue reading Mark Gearan on Politics, the Media, and Getting Involved
On this episode of The Seneca Scene, we welcome Professor Tom Drennen. Professor Drennen is a member of the Economics department and serves as the chair of Environmental Studies as well as Entrepreneurial Studies. He has helped launch and fosters several sustainability initiatives here at the colleges. Professor Drennen gives insight into sustainability as well as his views on climate change and entrepreneurship. Listen to … Continue reading Professor Tom Drennen on Entrepreneurship and Climate Change
By Grace Ruble ’21 News Editor Hobart and William Smith Colleges value history. Students waiting in line to matriculate are quizzed by the Orientation Team on fun facts like the founding dates of each college. Every admissions tour involves a stop at the Elizabeth Blackwell statue, and anyone who’s taken a Women’s Studies class knows how close we are to historic Seneca Falls. However, there’s … Continue reading This Land Is Not Your Land
By Niki Russell ’19 Herald Contributor The arts campus seems like a faraway, mystical place to many students here at HWS, but for 21 percent of the student population it is a very real part of each week. Anyone who has taken a class there knows that it is not at all mystical and, indeed, very far away. The campus consist of three buildings: Houghton … Continue reading Arts Campus Has Real Issues
By Ani Freedman ’22 Photography Editor & Herald Staff As students approach fall 2019 registration time, panic begins to set in — concerns arise about what classes to take next semester, fulfilling majors and minors, and whether or not students will get into the classes they want or need. With this sense of uncertainty comes the newfound uncertainty of the new academic day schedule that … Continue reading New Academic Day Schedule
By Olivia Rowland ’21 Copy Editor Anonymous social media accounts are commonplace at schools, and HWS is no exception. While most of these accounts are primarily focused on entertainment, there is one anonymous Instagram account at HWS with a more serious purpose: @bossbitchtheory, which has been posting about feminist theory and feminist issues on campus since the fall of 2017. The Herald met with the … Continue reading Feminist Activism on Campus
By Wren Andrews ’21 Arts & Entertainment Editor Welcome back to the Geneva Music Series – a column focused on illuminating the musical venues, artists, histories, and opportunities across Geneva, both on and off campus. This issue, we interviewed Brady Leo, one of two members of the local band Shrimps. Shrimps has been a prominent part of the Geneva music scene over the years, playing … Continue reading Geneva Music Scene: Shrimps
By Elise Donovan ’22 Herald Staff After a close runoff election, it was decided that Hobart student Albright Dwarka ‘21 and William Smith student Audrey Platt ‘21 would be the newest student additions to the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Board of Trustees. The Student Trustee position consists of aiding the Board of Trustees in decision making and voting and acting as a student voice … Continue reading New Junior Student Trustees
By Ryan Skinner ’19 Herald Staff It is official: the College Store will be closed as early as June 1 and replaced with Barnes and Noble College. BNC, which operates hundreds of campus bookstores nationwide, is tasked with renovating the HWS store and updating its website, as well as managing merchandising and day-to-day affairs. Interim President McGuire maintains that the Colleges’ partnership with Barnes and … Continue reading Barnes and Noble Moves In
By Ryan Skinner ’19 Herald Staff The search for a new chaplain and dean of Spiritual Engagement has been in full swing in the months since Chaplain Maurice Charles left his position to be with his partner, Cliff Chan, who accepted a position at Emory University. Professor Nan Crystal Arens, who co-chairs the search committee with Julianne Miller, director of the Abbe Center for Jewish … Continue reading Search for New Chaplain Nears End
By Will Fuller ’22 Herald Staff ** This article was updated on April 5, 2019 following performances of Fraternal Forever and the April 5 issue of the Herald. ** March 8th and 9th the Phoenix Players presented their new play, Fraternal Forever, written and directed by Donovan Hayden and produced by the Phoenix Players. Countless others worked toward creating and putting the play out to be seen … Continue reading “Fraternal Forever”
By Grace Ruble ’21 News Editor The Davis Gallery’s current exhibit Now What?! Advocacy, Activism and Alliances in American Architecture since 1968 is a departure from the paintings and sculptures usually on display. This gallery, which is the first architecture focused installment the Davis Gallery has hosted, is an interactive exhibit which invites visitors to fill in the gaps on a timeline of the history … Continue reading Now What: Davis Gallery Exhibit
On this episode of The Seneca Scene, we welcome Professor Melanie Conroy-Goldman Hamilton. Professor Hamilton has served as chair to the English department and helped create the Trias program. Talking about creative writing on campus, Professor Hamilton showcases the various outlets and resources for writers. Listen to the full episode below and be sure to subscribe to The Seneca Scene on iTunes and on Spotify to … Continue reading Creative Writing and Trias at HWS with Professor Melanie Hamilton
On this special episode of The Seneca Scene, we welcome Josh Horowitz ’98, former Editor-in-Chief of the Herald, who is a current MTV News correspondent and host of the TV show After Hours and the podcast Happy Sad Confused. Josh talks with current Herald Editor-in-Chief Alex Kerai ’19 about his time at the Herald and the long-lasting impact of that experience on his career in entertainment. Reflecting on his time at HWS, … Continue reading “The Herald” Welcomes Back Josh Horowitz ’98
This week on The Seneca Scene, Leslie Colunga and Sergio Perez talk about William Smith and Hobart Honor Societies. The two of them share their personal tales and passion for campus leadership. Students, be sure to listen for inside tips on how to gain entry to the societies! Make sure to subscribe to stay updated on all events and happenings on HWS campus. Listen to … Continue reading Honor Societies at HWS
This week on The Seneca Scene, Eva Catanzariti of William Smith Congress (WSC) and Grant Emerson of Hobart Student Government (HSG) talk about their roles as Presidents of the WSC and HSG. Both of them give an exciting look into precisely how the meetings, elections, and budget allocations work for each community. Be sure to listen for the new changes that have been made to … Continue reading Inside Look at Student Government
This week on The Seneca Scene, we explore two organizations that have a massive impact on student life, yet are relatively unknown. First on is Denzel Degollado ‘19 to talk about the Judiciary Board at HWS. Next is Lorena Robelo Lara ‘21 who was recently elected president of the Campus Activities Board. If you want to get involved, CAB open board meetings take place from 1:30 pm … Continue reading Inside Look: HWS Judicial Board & Campus Activities Board
By Alex Kerai ’19 Editor-in-Chief Hobart and William Smith Colleges announced today that the 2019 Commencement Address will be delivered by Dorothy Wickenden ’76 L.H.D. ’14. Currently the Executive Editor of The New Yorker, Wickenden is an accomplished novelist, journalist, and editor who has an extensive career covering national news and has been noted as one of the most influential women in journalism. Wickenden has … Continue reading Commencement Speaker: New Yorker Executive Editor Dorothy Wickenden ’76
By Alex Kerai ’19 & Grace Ruble ’21 Editor-in-Chief & News Editor Dr. Joyce Jacobsen was announced on Friday, Feb. 8 as the 29th President of Hobart College and the 17th of William Smith College. The introduction took place on campus in the L. Thomas Melly ’52 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts to a standing-room only crowd. Jacobsen comes to the Colleges after serving … Continue reading HWS Announces Next President
By Alex Kerai ’19 Editor-in-Chief On Friday, Feb. 8, just hours before she was announced as the next President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Dr. Joyce Jacobsen sat down for an interview with the Herald. In a wide-ranging interview, Jacobsen discussed how she learned about HWS, her cat Putters, and her academic career. Dr. Joyce Jacobsen comes to HWS after 26 years at Wesleyan … Continue reading Introducing President Jacobsen
By Alex Kerai ’19 Editor-in-Chief On the morning of the presidential announcement, the Herald spoke by phone with John Isaacson, the founder and Chair of search firm Isaacson, Miller. Mr. Isaacson was integrally involved in the presidential search and answered some of the Herald’s questions about the process and what it was like to work with HWS. Mr. Isaacson and his firm have been assisting … Continue reading Deeper Look into the Presidential Search
By Wren Andrews ’21 Arts & Entertainment Editor Walking into the Welcome Back Concert was something I had not anticipated doing this year. After reviewing last year’s concert featuring A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, I was reluctant to take my chances on Jay Sean and Jay Critch. Comments from last year describing “the entire room [as] a gross mosh pit” are, for obvious reasons, effectively … Continue reading Welcome Back Concert
By Olivia Rowland ’21 Copy Editor & Staff Writer Saga food isn’t the greatest. At least, that’s what everyone says in continual complaints about dining on campus. But what about Sodexo — the company that runs Dining Services and Buildings and Grounds? Although I won’t argue that complaints about food aren’t warranted, there are many reasons that students should be more concerned about the company … Continue reading Sodexo: History & Concerns
By Ryan Skinner ’19 Herald Staff In November 2017, the Young Americans for Freedom invited its first speaker to campus. Nonie Darwish, the founder of Arabs for Israel, was widely accused of Islamophobia during her remarks in the Sanford Room, prompting a debate among students over how the campus community should balance free speech with its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The … Continue reading Free Speech on Campus
By Reed Herter ’22 Herald Staff #TheBallantineDays, directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Heather May, is one of the spring Theatre Mainstage productions. It is one that theatre students have been writing and helping to make as they go along. The three main playwrights are May, Thomas Perry ’19, and Izzy Ingram ’19 – though the idea came from last year’s devising class. It all … Continue reading The Tech Behind “#TheBallantineDays”
By Elise Donovan ’22 Herald Staff Ever since I could walk, my Dad would constantly remind me that the fastest way to get between two places is in a straight line. This idea is partly why Nuzhat Wahid, previous William Smith Class of 2022 president and current William Smith Congress vice president, decided to construct and establish a walkway up the infamous William Smith Hill. … Continue reading Walkway for William Smith Hill
By Reed Herter ’22 Herald Staff Student Trustees are an important part of our school’s system, and a role not enough people vote for. With the upcoming election for the new junior Student Trustees (see the timetable above), the Herald met with Gavin Gross ’19 and Caitlin Lasher ’19, our senior Student Trustees to learn more about their role at HWS and on the Board … Continue reading The Student Trustees’ Role at HWS
By Will Fuller ’22 Herald Staff On Jan. 29, Hobart’s student government proposed and passed a long list of changes to the Hobart Student Government Constitution. The changes passed with 75 percent of the vote by Hobart students. The Herald met with Ryan Skinner, Hobart Student Government’s vice president at the time of the constitution revisions, to find out more about the changes. Ryan explained … Continue reading New HSG Constitution
By Wren Andrews ’21 Arts & Entertainment Editor Welcome to the Geneva Music Series – a column focused on illuminating the musical venues, artists, histories, and opportunities across Geneva, both on and off campus. For this issue, we interviewed Dylan Bennett, who gave us a unique perspective on music at HWS – as a member of one of HWS’ student bands, St. Clair, and a … Continue reading The HWS Music Scene
By Yellie LaBare ’19 Special to the Herald In 2007, HWS President Mark Gearan signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which charged the Colleges with a new task: carbon neutrality by 2025. Although bold, this act was crucial in the forward momentum of the Colleges’ sustainability, and 12 years, two solar farms, and countless program initiatives later, the Colleges are well on … Continue reading Sustainability at HWS
By Ani Freedman ’22 Chief Photographer & Herald Staff With housing selection season underway, students are buzzing with excitement, nerves, and questions regarding where they will be living in the 2019-2020 school year. Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors are most likely looking to upgrade their living situations, but rumors have been stirring on campus regarding the possible uncertainty of off-campus housing, overcrowding, and the mystery of … Continue reading ResEd & Housing Updates
By Grace Ruble ’21 News Editor On Feb. 1, the Davis Gallery celebrated the opening of its new Art and Labor Collection. The exhibit features works from HWS’s own collection. Art and Labor is Visual Arts Curator Anna Wagner’s first collections curation project at the Colleges and features works by artists such as Kara Walker, Käthe Kollwitz, Arthur Dove, Frank Romero and Stacey Robinson, as … Continue reading Davis Gallery: Art & Labor Collection
By Tayah Payne ’22 Herald Staff The Herald recently sat down with Taylor Brorby to discuss his role as a new TRIAS Post-Graduate Teaching Fellow in the English Department and what projects he has been working on. He is teaching Creative Writing and is offering a course in Advanced Environmental Nonfiction Writing this semester. A graduate of Iowa State University originally from North Dakota, Brorby … Continue reading Meet Taylor Brorby: New English Faculty
This week on the Seneca Scene Zahra Arabzada tells her story of her life as a runner, starting in her home country of Afghanistan, and how her advocacy has impacted women in the United States as well as her home. Recounting her reasons for running in hijab in the U.S. and her work to advocate for female sports in Afghanistan. Zahra shares her incredible tale, … Continue reading Zahra Arabzada on Activism and Triumph from Geneva to Afghanistan
Hobart and William Smith Colleges announced today the next person who will serve as the 29th President of Hobart College and the 17th of William Smith College. Joyce P. Jacobsen was named to the role at a ceremony on campus in the L. Thomas Melly ’52 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. Jacobsen will be the first female president of Hobart and … Continue reading HWS President Announced
Discover the team of college students working around the clock for your safety in this interview with Ryan Klimkewicz. As the chief of EMS here at HWS, Ryan oversees more than twenty students and liaises with various community resources. Taking some time from his sleepless schedule, Ryan gives us some insight into what life is like juggling the responsibilities of college and EMS. He also … Continue reading EMS Chief Ryan Klimkewicz: Keeping HWS Safe
Behind every Welcome Back Concert, Brett Pasternak is working tirelessly to bring the entertainment and excitement to campus. In this interview, Brett discuses the joys and challenges of music management and the unique opportunities that working at HWS has provided him with over the years. There are also some crazy insider stories and advice for aspiring musicians! Listen to the full episode below and be … Continue reading Brett Pasternak on Organizing the Welcome Back Concert
Before the beloved duo in the Chaplain’s House – Chaplin Maurice Charles and his partner Cliff Chan – left campus in January to move to Atlanta, The Seneca Scene sat down with both of them to discuss their time at HWS, spiritual life and engagement, fond memories, and what’s in store for them next. In this long and wide-spanning interview, the two of them managed to … Continue reading Chaplain Maurice Charles & Cliff Chan Reflect on HWS
This week The Seneca Scene visited Associate Director for the Center of Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) at the Colleges: Jeremy Wattles. In one of his final interviews before departing the Colleges for Colgate University, to serve as the Director of their Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education, Wattles discusses the work he has completed at HWS and the influence of Emeritus President Mark D. Gearan … Continue reading Jeremy Wattles on Community Service & Learning
This week The Seneca Scene hosts a conversation with two student leaders who are on the boards of political groups at HWS: Alex Dubin ’20 from Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) and Josh Harper ’19 from Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). This episode was recorded before any of their recent events this semester and focuses on their groups’ missions and ideals. The Herald and Seneca Scene maintain their commitment to … Continue reading A Discussion with Political Groups on Campus: YAF & YAL
By Grace Ruble ’21 News Editor A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a friend in the library and she looked over at me and said “You know what the Herald should cover? The culture of exhaustion on this campus.” She continued to explain to me that she felt a good number of students at HWS faced pressure from a myriad of … Continue reading Culture of Exhaustion
By Olivia Rowland ‘21 Copy Editor Almost a month after the midterm elections, students had the opportunity to vote in another election, this time for the executive board of William Smith Congress. But the atmosphere surrounding both opportunities for civic participation was unmistakably different. The HWS community put a lot of effort into mobilizing for the midterm elections. By Nov. 6, HWS Votes and the … Continue reading Voting on Campus: From U.S. Congress to William Smith Congress
By Ryan Skinner ‘19 Herald Staff Last spring, amid a flurry of emerging vacancies at the colleges, it was announced that Interim Chief Diversity Officer Solomé Rose would be leaving the position she had held since March of 2016 to join Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York. Her exit prompted a series of emails from more than a dozen faculty members congratulating Rose … Continue reading Chief Diversity Officer Search
By Ani Freedman ‘22 Photography Editor Over the past year or so, HWS has had some noticeable administrative changes across various offices and departments, including a new interim president, professors joining and retiring within various departments, and of course new additions in the Dean’s Office. A notable aspect of these changes for Hobart College students is the appointment of Interim Dean Khuram Hussain and Interim … Continue reading Hobart Deans Envisioning Change
By Alex Kerai ’19 Editor-in-Chief What do three random strangers, locked together in a room for eternity, have in common? In Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1944 classic No Exit they are there to torture each other in the afterlife. On Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m. the play will be performed in Williams Studio (located in Williams Hall) with all-student actors and a student production team. It … Continue reading ‘No Exit’ Comes to HWS
By Elise Donovan ’22 Herald Staff Through correspondence with Gib Shea ‘22, the newly elected Hobart class president as of October 2018, I was able to gain a greater perspective about his background, as well as his outline for the future of the class. As a student and active community member, Gib talked about the different roles he plays on campus, as well as his … Continue reading Gib Shea: First-Year Class President
By Will Fletcher ’20 Herald Contributor For two weeks this past June, Professor Gabriella D’Angelo, William Smith sophomore Carly Shiever, and I were able to travel to Japan free of charge to participate in an international exchange program. The trip included interactive workshops at Technos College, which is outside of Tokyo, a three day stay at a traditional Japanese onsen (a hot spring with baths), … Continue reading HWS-Technos Exchange Program
By Wren Andrews ’21 Arts and Entertainment Editor Geneva overtly touts itself as “The Lake Trout Capital of the World,” home to the Geneva Panthers, the quintessential college town surrounding Hobart and William Smith Colleges. As students, we are exposed to Geneva in a more intimate view than most ordinary onlookers, but many may be surprised to find out that Geneva is also a city … Continue reading The Geneva Music Scene
By Reed Herter ‘22 Herald Staff This year was the second time that a drag show has taken place on campus. This year, it was hosted and headlined by The Vixen, from Rupaul’s Drag Race, and was in the Bartlet Theater. It was headed by the LGBTQ+Resource Center. Drag shows are often seen as a part of queer culture. The performances consist of people dressed … Continue reading Drag Show: A New Tradition
The students in the Studio Art senior seminar completed a major part of their capstone experience with artist talks and a gallery opening on Thursday, November 29. The students – Niki Russell ‘19, Caroline Mackin ‘19, Bradley Grayson ‘19, Rachel Geiogamah ‘19, and Katherine Dymes ‘19 – collected pieces that were representative of their artistic journeys. In a short presentation, they each discussed their evolution … Continue reading ‘Art Now’ Exhibit
This week The Seneca Scene welcomes senior Makayla Pydych who is majoring in English and Education, and pursuing the Masters of Arts in Teaching, for a discussion on her work in the Geneva community throughout her four years at HWS. Join us for this chat where we learn more about Makayla’s work with Geneva 2020 – and Geneva Reads and the newly launched Geneva Writes – … Continue reading Makayla Pydych ’19 on Community Service Involvement and Engagement
This week The Seneca Scene welcomes senior Sarah Walters who is majoring in Genocide, Human Rights, and Peace Action for a discussion on taking action and how to remain committed and involved through both campus and global life. Join us for this chat where we learn more about Sarah’s work with PLEN and the Genocide and Human Rights Symposium and how they relate to the arc … Continue reading Sarah Walters ’19 on Varied Interests at HWS and Beyond
This week The Seneca Scene welcomes senior Psychology major Dianna Paige for a discussion on mental health and how to help others both on campus and off. Join us for this chat where we learn more about the resources available on campus, the various signs of depression, how to discuss trauma, and the purpose of trigger warnings. You can also watch all of Dianna’s TED talk for … Continue reading Mental Health Awareness with Dianna Paige ’19
By Alex Kerai ’19 Editor-in-Chief When, William Smith gave about $475,000 to the Trustees of Hobart for the founding of William Smith College for women on December 13, 1906, the college was to be coordinate with the “men’s department” and under Hobart’s Board of Trustees. The coordinate agreement is unique among American colleges; it is touted by the Colleges as being in place for exploration and … Continue reading The Coordinate System: History & Context
By Noah D. R. Feeman, Class of 2016 “What does Coordinate mean to you?” How many HWS students (alums, staff, faculty, passers-by, families, friends, neighbors, invested local businessmen, the stranger on the street) come and gone, have been asked this question? How many different pieces of school promotional material have contained some version of this phrase; how many of us have had it sprung on us … Continue reading Coordinate System Viewpoint #1
By Kels Veeder, Current Student Though it occurred well over a year now, my most prominent memory at HWS is still the first day of Orientation. Walking through the Hobart matriculation tent alone was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life; being ignored by the Alumni Association and having to endure questioning side glances made it immediately clear that I did not belong … Continue reading Coordinate System Viewpoint #2
By Grace Ruble ’21 News Editor On Oct. 4, the voices of HWS students chanting “Kava-what? Kava-no!” over the South Main Street overpass joined the voices of those across the country who participated in the #CancelKavenaugh Walkout Against Patriarchy. The walkout protested Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court in the wake of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s sexual assault allegations and offered support for Dr. … Continue reading Kavanaugh Walkout
This piece was written by a student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. I walk across campus alongside 5-10 other families on my first tour as a prospective student of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In the first few steps the coordinate system and the “four main differences of The Colleges” are mentioned. It sounds really cool that women have unique opportunities, but for some … Continue reading Coordinate System Viewpoint #3
This piece was written by a sophomore non-binary student currently enrolled at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. When I decided to come here, I was in the process of accepting my identity as a non-binary person. I struggled with the idea that I was not, in fact, a woman, despite knowing deep-down that I did not fit into the binary idea of gender. Being a … Continue reading Coordinate System Viewpoint #4
