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Celebrate Dickinson Counselor Tour


Twenty-three high-school counselors from schools across the country visited Dickinson during a special Celebrate Dickinson Counselor Tour March 28 to 30. At the invitation of Stephanie Balmer, vice president for enrollment and marketing & communications and dean of admissions, these counselors had an all-access pass to all things Dickinson, enabling them to promote Dickinson to their students, seek out students with potential “fit” and gain a better understanding of what a small, liberal-arts college in the northeast has to offer.

The counselors toured the certified-organic College Farm, sat in on classes, learned about Jewish life and athletics initiatives, toured one-of-a-kind facilities like the art gallery and archaeology lab, explored downtown Carlisle, heard from a panel of students and more. [Story continues below.] 
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  • Peter Morgan (The Northwest School, Wash., left) and Jamie Stone (Santa Fe Prep, N.M., center) chat with Tara Fischer '02, on-campus programs coordinator.
    Mingling
  • Ellen Rostker (Chicagoland Jewish High School, Ill.)  enjoys meeting Brian Atkins, director of international admissions (center), and Will Nelligan '14.
    Engaging Conversation
  • Cathy Davenport '87, executive director of admissions (foreground, left), chats with Jean Jordan (Holy Innocents, Ga.) while Director of Athletics Les Poolman (background, left) and Dean of Admissions Stephanie Balmer catch up.
    Senior Staff
  • Director of Financial Aid Rick Heckman (left) discusses financial-planning opportunities with John Boshoven (Community High School, Mich.).
    Financial Discussion
  • From left: Michael Dolan (University Lake School, Wis.), Dave Frohman, director of admissions volunteers, and Professor of English Carol Ann Johnston discussed the ways alumni and parents collaborate with the admissions office.
    Vital Volunteers
  • An overhead view of the Thursday-evening reception in the Waidner Admissions House.
    Birds-Eye View
  • The program also was an opportunity for high-school counselors to meet and network with their peers. From left: Britton Nelson (University Prep, Wash.) and Brad Jackson (San Domenico Upper School, Calif.).
    Networking
  • President William G. Durden '71 (left) talks with Hector Martinez (Webb School, Calif.).
    President Durden
  • Stephanie Balmer, vice president for enrollment, marketing & communications and dean of admissions, welcomes the counselors to Dickinson.
    Welcome
  • Greg Moyer '06, associate director of admissions, introduces the members of the student panel prior to the start of the Q-and-A session. The students are (from left:) Emily Pryor '14 (Texas), Nick Leon '13 (Maryland), Will Nelligan '14 (Maine), Eller Mallchok '15 (Tennessee) and Evan Dubchansky '14 (California).
    Student Panel
  • The counselors posed a variety of questions to the student panelists, covering topics like diversity on campus, being a recruited athlete and the options available to Jewish students.
    Posing a Question
  • Ed Graf (Isidore Newman School, La.) listens as one of the students who joined them for lunch introduces himself.  
    Ed Graf
  • In her closing remarks to the group, Balmer encouraged the group to keep the lines of communication open and continue the conversation.
    Closing Session
  • The counselors gathered on the steps in front of the admissions house for a group photo to commemorate their visit.
    Group Photo
  • Each of the visiting counselors received a leather folder with the Dickinson wordmark on it as a sign of gratitude for their attendance and great enthusiasm.
    Parting Gift
Peter Morgan (The Northwest School, Wash., left) and Jamie Stone (Santa Fe Prep, N.M., center) chat with Tara Fischer '02, on-campus programs coordinator.Prev ImageNext Image

While it’s certainly easy for these counselors to learn about Dickinson by visiting the Web site, leafing through brochures or talking with members of the admissions staff, bringing them to campus gave them firsthand experiences that left strong impressions and forged a stronger relationship with the college. 

“The farm was amazing,” said Tara Walker from Archbishop Mitty in California. “It was my favorite part of the trip. I had no idea how research-oriented a farm could be. And the students are teaching the community how to be better and more efficient.”

For John Boshoven, representing Community High School in Michigan, it was President William G. Durden ’71 who most stood out to him. “I appreciated how outspoken and honest the president was and enjoyed some lively back-and-forth with him,” he says. “He encourages the students to challenge him, which is unusual.”

Brad Jackson from San Dominico Upper School in California was most impressed by the students. “It's obvious that the college's main focus is on the students,” he said.