George Rodrigue's fun and whimsical Blue Dog artWednesday
Thursday
Happy Holidays To All My Red Devil Friends
Wishing you peace, joy, health and happiness
this holiday season and throughout the coming year.
Wednesday
Celebrating Old College Days
As a throwback to those days when I matriculated (like that word??) this blog is celebrating the Holiday Break and will be updated irregularly until after the holidays.
Friday
1st Semester Exams in the "'Ole Days"
If you’re old like me you "might" remember the days when 1st semester finals were taken in January after we returned from the holiday break. Fortunately for our class that only happened our freshman year then a wise person recognized it might be better if we could all go home and enjoy the holidays without finals hanging over our head. We all owe that decision maker our gratitude.
Thursday
Rector Science Center
If you haven't had an opportunity to visit the new Rector Science Center on campus I suggest you do so at some future point. What an interesting and innovative design. I took these pictures in the May prior to completion.
Wednesday
What Students Think About Dickinson
I was fascinated to read comments about the "Prep" in an online college guide, the College Prowler which professes to be "The ONLY college guides written by students for students". I'm posting that information here for others to consume as well. Can you relate??
Overall Experience:
Student Editorial
“It’s too crowded.” “DPS is too strict.” “It rains all the time.” “There aren’t enough places to eat.” “Greek life is too important.” These kinds of mediocre complaints by students on this campus are a constant. However, if you read the quotes given by random Dickinsonians, you’ll notice that not one of them have complained about the overall experience here so far. You see, like every college, this school has its faults, and kids are certainly quick to be able to rattle them off. Yet on the whole, Dickinson is generally remembered by alumni as a place that provided some of the most incredible opportunities in their lives. It’s remembered as a starting-off point not only to career success, but to lifetime happiness as well.
Kids come to school here because they are serious about their futures. Academics are always the top priority, and everything else comes second to classes and coursework. Skipping lectures is not an option for students who want to do well, and likewise neither is partying on weeknights. While these things do happen, they are not a habit of successful Dickinson students and are definitely not the norm. College is the success you make of it, and Dickinson is no exception to this rule. Thus, be prepared for Dickinson to push you to your limits academically. In addition, you’ll learn to expand your social horizons and to indulge the international community whether you study in a foreign country or not. Our motto is “Engage the World,” and nothing is more focused and concentrated on here than the importance of being able to envision the world outside of Carlisle. The liberal arts education that students receive teaches an appreciation for all aspects of academia, while at the same time allowing a person to be liberated from all previous personal ignorance and inhibitions. A Dickinson College diploma is more than just a degree—it’s a way of life. You can rest assured that after graduating from Dickinson, you’ll have the skills and confidence to be successful in whatever walk of life you should choose.
Students Speak Out
"Overall, I really enjoy being here. You can find the right groups of friends very easily. The atmosphere is friendly, and the majority of kids are very social. The academics are intense, but very worthwhile. I think this is a great school."
"I have loved my time at Dickinson. Going to study abroad was one of the most incredible opportunities I have ever experienced in my life; we have an amazing global education program. I want my kids to go here someday."
"My freshman year, I wanted to transfer to be honest, but now I am a sophomore, and I simply love it here. I think it is such a great school. It sometimes takes awhile to find your social niche, but once you find that, you are able to see all the other great things about this institution. We have an awesome academic program and terrific study abroad opportunities. I would recommend Dickinson College to anyone who wants to get a good education and have an incredible college experience."
"Overall, I have had a great experience here so far. If I had to choose a college all over again, I would still pick Dickinson. It was my number one choice and always will be. It is a great liberal arts school, and you receive an excellent education that is respected around the world."
"My overall experience has been really good. The positive things about this school definitely override the negative ones. Going abroad, the friends I have made, and the education I am receiving have made college incredible for me. Dickinson College is a good school."
Report Card
B+ Academics
B- Athletics
B+ Campus Dining
B- Campus Housing
C- Campus Strictness
B Computers
D Diversity
B Drug Scene
B+ Facilities
A- Girls
B+ Greek Life
B- Guys
C Local Atmosphere
C+ Nightlife
B- Off-Campus Dining
B Off-Campus Housing
D+ Parking
A Safety & Security
C+ Transportation
C+ Weather
Overall Experience:
Student Editorial
“It’s too crowded.” “DPS is too strict.” “It rains all the time.” “There aren’t enough places to eat.” “Greek life is too important.” These kinds of mediocre complaints by students on this campus are a constant. However, if you read the quotes given by random Dickinsonians, you’ll notice that not one of them have complained about the overall experience here so far. You see, like every college, this school has its faults, and kids are certainly quick to be able to rattle them off. Yet on the whole, Dickinson is generally remembered by alumni as a place that provided some of the most incredible opportunities in their lives. It’s remembered as a starting-off point not only to career success, but to lifetime happiness as well.
Kids come to school here because they are serious about their futures. Academics are always the top priority, and everything else comes second to classes and coursework. Skipping lectures is not an option for students who want to do well, and likewise neither is partying on weeknights. While these things do happen, they are not a habit of successful Dickinson students and are definitely not the norm. College is the success you make of it, and Dickinson is no exception to this rule. Thus, be prepared for Dickinson to push you to your limits academically. In addition, you’ll learn to expand your social horizons and to indulge the international community whether you study in a foreign country or not. Our motto is “Engage the World,” and nothing is more focused and concentrated on here than the importance of being able to envision the world outside of Carlisle. The liberal arts education that students receive teaches an appreciation for all aspects of academia, while at the same time allowing a person to be liberated from all previous personal ignorance and inhibitions. A Dickinson College diploma is more than just a degree—it’s a way of life. You can rest assured that after graduating from Dickinson, you’ll have the skills and confidence to be successful in whatever walk of life you should choose.
Students Speak Out
"Overall, I really enjoy being here. You can find the right groups of friends very easily. The atmosphere is friendly, and the majority of kids are very social. The academics are intense, but very worthwhile. I think this is a great school."
"I have loved my time at Dickinson. Going to study abroad was one of the most incredible opportunities I have ever experienced in my life; we have an amazing global education program. I want my kids to go here someday."
"My freshman year, I wanted to transfer to be honest, but now I am a sophomore, and I simply love it here. I think it is such a great school. It sometimes takes awhile to find your social niche, but once you find that, you are able to see all the other great things about this institution. We have an awesome academic program and terrific study abroad opportunities. I would recommend Dickinson College to anyone who wants to get a good education and have an incredible college experience."
"Overall, I have had a great experience here so far. If I had to choose a college all over again, I would still pick Dickinson. It was my number one choice and always will be. It is a great liberal arts school, and you receive an excellent education that is respected around the world."
"My overall experience has been really good. The positive things about this school definitely override the negative ones. Going abroad, the friends I have made, and the education I am receiving have made college incredible for me. Dickinson College is a good school."
Report Card
B+ Academics
B- Athletics
B+ Campus Dining
B- Campus Housing
C- Campus Strictness
B Computers
D Diversity
B Drug Scene
B+ Facilities
A- Girls
B+ Greek Life
B- Guys
C Local Atmosphere
C+ Nightlife
B- Off-Campus Dining
B Off-Campus Housing
D+ Parking
A Safety & Security
C+ Transportation
C+ Weather
Friday
Freshman Roommates (cont)
The freshman men's dorm back in the late 60's/early 70's was Morgan Hall. Our freshman year however, the College overadmitted men and they were faced with a dilemma - where to put all of us. Being resourceful they spread the overage to an old house on Louther Street, the old James Wilson Hotel (the "Jimmy") in downtown Carlisle and to Malcolm Hall. I landed in Malcolm Hall in a "quad" - not with 3 other freshman - but with 3 sophomores. Let the education begin..............
Wednesday
Wet & Waiting
I am borrowing this pic from the College's website. My photo skills come nowhere close to those of Pierce Bounds. This pic "grabbed me" when I saw it. Just in case you haven't been to the website to see it I'm sharing it here.
Enjoy!
Tuesday
Freshman Roommates
Remember getting the notice that summer telling you who your roommate would be in the fall? We were given a name, an address and a phone number - that's right - no e-mail addresses or cell phones back then. The mystery "was on". Will I get along?..........more on this later
Monday
Benjamin Rush Speaks
Wednesday
Friday
Why Dickinson? (continued)
Needless to say I wasn't so naive as to limit my college search to where my Principal thought I should go - in fact that was a stimulus to look elsewhere. Remember in the late 60's we were flexing our independence. So where else did I look (do you remember where you looked)?
Ursinus wanted me. They knew me because I played my high school sports just down the road. No way was I going to a school that was 20 minutes from home. Scratch Ursinus.
Connecticut contacted me as a result of basketball. Now before you jump to any conclusions about my prowess on the court I need to qualify that this was an era long before the Huskies basketball dynasties (both men and women). Their program pretty much "sucked" (pardon my French). Anyway I received a letter from the coach asking me to visit. Aside from Ursinus which I'd already ruled out this was the only advanced interest I received regarding my athletic talents. So - off to Storrs, CT I go. While flattered that they "might" be interested in me it didn't take long to rule Connecticut out. For those who visited Storrs back in the day, you'll understand.
Delaware hit my radar screen and was intriguing. Decent academics. A little bigger than I wanted. And it was hard to swallow being dubbed a "Blue Hen", but it remained on my short list.
Gettysburg - is being a "Bullet" better than a "Blue Hen"? Oh well - what's all my concern about the schools' mascots anyway. G-burg again made the short list and once they found I was interested in them the basketball coach became interested in me to the point of phone calls on a regular basis. Flattered? Damn straight!
And then came my first visit to Dickinson. I sell real estate now and no doubt you've heard the term "curb appeal". Well as colleges go D'son has amazing curb appeal. One look at the campus and I was halfway to putting my name on the four year contract. Our forefathers knew what they were doing when they laid out the campus and chose the fabulous limestone to adorn the buildings. I got sucked right in.
So - a Principal's recommendation and a visit to the campus won me over. But the financial aid package was the deal sealer. It was the icing on the cake that made my decision much much easier.
Ursinus wanted me. They knew me because I played my high school sports just down the road. No way was I going to a school that was 20 minutes from home. Scratch Ursinus.
Connecticut contacted me as a result of basketball. Now before you jump to any conclusions about my prowess on the court I need to qualify that this was an era long before the Huskies basketball dynasties (both men and women). Their program pretty much "sucked" (pardon my French). Anyway I received a letter from the coach asking me to visit. Aside from Ursinus which I'd already ruled out this was the only advanced interest I received regarding my athletic talents. So - off to Storrs, CT I go. While flattered that they "might" be interested in me it didn't take long to rule Connecticut out. For those who visited Storrs back in the day, you'll understand.
Delaware hit my radar screen and was intriguing. Decent academics. A little bigger than I wanted. And it was hard to swallow being dubbed a "Blue Hen", but it remained on my short list.
Gettysburg - is being a "Bullet" better than a "Blue Hen"? Oh well - what's all my concern about the schools' mascots anyway. G-burg again made the short list and once they found I was interested in them the basketball coach became interested in me to the point of phone calls on a regular basis. Flattered? Damn straight!
And then came my first visit to Dickinson. I sell real estate now and no doubt you've heard the term "curb appeal". Well as colleges go D'son has amazing curb appeal. One look at the campus and I was halfway to putting my name on the four year contract. Our forefathers knew what they were doing when they laid out the campus and chose the fabulous limestone to adorn the buildings. I got sucked right in.
So - a Principal's recommendation and a visit to the campus won me over. But the financial aid package was the deal sealer. It was the icing on the cake that made my decision much much easier.
Thursday
Cleaned Up and Ready for Many More Years
I had the opportunity to get "up close and personal" with our Mermaid several years ago when she was removed from Old West for cleaning and repair. We are indeed privleged to have such a unique piece of art associated with the College.Wednesday
Why Dickinson?
We all have our reasons. Some of us followed in the footsteps of parents or sibs. Some got a great deal on tuition because their parent worked at the college. Some came from a prep or high school that had funneled good students to Dickinson for years. But not me.
If your college experience predates the internet you'll probably remember pouring over the thick college guidebooks that provided snapshots of the schools of higher education throughout the country. If a particular school interested you you sent a letter to the Admissions Office requesting a College Catalog (no e-mail existed back then - you actually typed a letter and probably used carbon paper to make a copy for yourself - yes - this was the dark ages - no copiers back then either).
Well I spent hours with that guidebook and collected a decent library of college catalogs. But why Dickinson? I was strongly influenced by my high school principal. Our high school was relatively new and no one from Methacton (near Norristown, PA) preceeded me to D'son. But our principal "targeted" several of us - ultimately nudging 4 of us out the PA Turnpike to then Exit 16 (Carlisle).
I never recall the principal dropping any names on us as he talked up the College, but I finally understood the connection the first time I presented myself at Drayer Hall to visit a girl (my high school classmate and now my wife of 35 1/2 years). Our principal's name was Alpheus P. Drayer.
And now you know the rest of the story.........
If your college experience predates the internet you'll probably remember pouring over the thick college guidebooks that provided snapshots of the schools of higher education throughout the country. If a particular school interested you you sent a letter to the Admissions Office requesting a College Catalog (no e-mail existed back then - you actually typed a letter and probably used carbon paper to make a copy for yourself - yes - this was the dark ages - no copiers back then either).
Well I spent hours with that guidebook and collected a decent library of college catalogs. But why Dickinson? I was strongly influenced by my high school principal. Our high school was relatively new and no one from Methacton (near Norristown, PA) preceeded me to D'son. But our principal "targeted" several of us - ultimately nudging 4 of us out the PA Turnpike to then Exit 16 (Carlisle).
I never recall the principal dropping any names on us as he talked up the College, but I finally understood the connection the first time I presented myself at Drayer Hall to visit a girl (my high school classmate and now my wife of 35 1/2 years). Our principal's name was Alpheus P. Drayer.
And now you know the rest of the story.........
Monday
Welcome Friends and Fellow Alumni
39 years ago (late summer of 1969) I left the comforts of home and ventured west from suburban Philadelphia to the booming metropolis of Carlisle in pursuit of a dream - to be the first in my family to attain a college education. I had no idea what to expect. I had no older siblings or parents who had attended that could provide guidance. And on top of that I had probably never been away from home for much more than a week at a time.
Fortunately for me I had a mini-support network of 3 high school classmates that had followed the path to Dickinson as well. They, along with the infrequent collect calls made from the pay phone in the dorm (remember that was "BCP" - "before cell phones"), were my connections to home.
Well - fast forward to almost 2009. It's most definitely a sign of aging as I have come to reflect back on my life's experiences. And one of the most influential of those experiences was the 4 years spent in Carlisle. When I was a teen my Mom would marvel at my growth spurts as I quickly approached the 6'+ stature. But those physical "spurts" were most definitely exceeded by the intellectual, spiritual and emotional growth I experienced during my 4 years at Dickinson.
The intent of this blog is to share our collective appreciations for our experiences provided by Dickinson - to recount some of the significant and not so significant happenings and to observe the difference Dickinson has made in our lives.
I have no intention that this blog be "all about me" and my experiences. I ask you to share yours as well. I look at this blog as a "quasi ongoing Alumni Weekend" where we reminisce and intermingle among fellow alumni. I'm guessing if you're here you have an appreciation for your experience as well. Please stop back often and share your perspectives and memories and enjoy those of others.
Thanks.
Fortunately for me I had a mini-support network of 3 high school classmates that had followed the path to Dickinson as well. They, along with the infrequent collect calls made from the pay phone in the dorm (remember that was "BCP" - "before cell phones"), were my connections to home.
Well - fast forward to almost 2009. It's most definitely a sign of aging as I have come to reflect back on my life's experiences. And one of the most influential of those experiences was the 4 years spent in Carlisle. When I was a teen my Mom would marvel at my growth spurts as I quickly approached the 6'+ stature. But those physical "spurts" were most definitely exceeded by the intellectual, spiritual and emotional growth I experienced during my 4 years at Dickinson.
The intent of this blog is to share our collective appreciations for our experiences provided by Dickinson - to recount some of the significant and not so significant happenings and to observe the difference Dickinson has made in our lives.
I have no intention that this blog be "all about me" and my experiences. I ask you to share yours as well. I look at this blog as a "quasi ongoing Alumni Weekend" where we reminisce and intermingle among fellow alumni. I'm guessing if you're here you have an appreciation for your experience as well. Please stop back often and share your perspectives and memories and enjoy those of others.
Thanks.
Friday
Blog Under Construction
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