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Off-Campus Events Build Buzz
A spring season of admitted-student receptions kicked off Sunday, April 1, in Hartford, Conn., and concluded Thursday, April 19, in Albany, N.Y. From Pittsburgh to Seattle, San Francisco to Chicago and many places in between, admitted and enrolled students took advantage of a record number of opportunities to experience Dickinson in their home regions. They connected with area alumni, trustees, current students and parents and Dickinson administrators and enjoyed good food, engaging conversation and discussions of Dickinson pride.
“The interest and energy at these events signal such support for Dickinson, and admitted students and parents were complimentary of this support as a signal of strong institutional health and demand,” says Stephanie Balmer, vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications and dean of admissions. “Many suggested how distinctive these were as time with members of our community came at a critical point in the college-decision process. Students were able to affirm their decision to attend Dickinson or strengthen the possibility given this important connect. We are deeply thankful for the extraordinary success of these special events celebrating the class of 2016.”
Dickinson College Photographer Carl Socolow ’77 attended the Baltimore-area reception on April 17 at the home of George and Jennifer Ward Reynolds ’77, chair of the board of trustees, and captured that energy and excitement in the pictures below.
- Greeting Guests
- Welcoming Students
- Entryway
- Lovely Patio
- Discussing Dickinson
- Mother/Daughter
- Animated Conversation
- Small Group Chats
- Families Meet Alumni
- Student Meets Alumnus
- Dean Balmer Welcome
- President Durden Welcome
- Listening Intently
- Round of Applause
- Critical Conversations
- Enjoying the Company
- Chatting up the President
- Twilight Talk
“My wife and I always enjoy meeting prospective Dickinsonians,” said Steven Gallen Edersheim ’75, who hosted the Westchester, N.Y.-area reception with wife Elizabeth. “This year’s students were especially engaged and enthusiastic. They are bright, wonderful people: an aspiring eco-architect, a budding international-relations scholar, a promising entrepreneur. It was exciting for us to hear them tell one another why they chose Dickinson. In one case just a few moments with Professor Moffat inspired one of them to be in her class; for another, something intangible in the crisp fall campus air just felt right (and B. Rush may have slyly winked at them). If this group is representative of the whole, the incoming class will be terrific.”
Alan Paynter, assistant director of admissions and coordinator of multicultural recruitment, who attended the Westchester, N.Y.-area reception at the Edersheim home, noted, “The excitement among the families was fantastic. Those who have already committed to attend were recruiting those who hadn’t committed yet!”
Another host, Laurie Dubchansky P’14, who opened the doors of her Los Angeles, Calif., home along with husband Scott, noted just how much they enjoy these events: “Our son’s great educational experience at Dickinson motivates us to support the school and provide opportunities for other students in the Los Angeles area to learn more about Dickinson. It gives us great pleasure to watch the admitted students, and some talented high-school juniors, ask good questions, consider their educational options and engage in conversation with so many different Dickinson connections in the room. It is obviously a priority for Dickinson to provide a warm and welcoming environment, and we are happy to make that happen in Los Angeles!”
See the full list of April receptions and get additional information on the incoming class of 2016.