Sophomore Summit: Alumni Volunteers

6–8 PM  
Etiquette Dinner  
 

10:00-10:45 AM
Summit Kick-Off and Keynote

• Welcome by Dr. Renée Cramer, Provost and Dean of Dickinson College
• Keynote: "Talent Forward: The Future of Work and Learning"  — Jesse McCree, CEO SCPa Works

Noon–1:30 PM  
Lunch with the Class of 2029  
Enjoy lunch in the dining hall with members of the class of 2029.  

1:45–2:45 PM  
Choose Your Own Adventure Workshops  
Alumni are invited to attend these Career Center led programs for students.

• LinkedIn Deep Dive  
• Telling your story 
• Budgeting and making a living wage  
• Four Year Plan Design  
• Graduate School 

3–4 PM  
Networking 101 
Alumni are invited to join students from their career networks to hear networking advice and best practices.  

4:30-5:45 PM
Alumni Welcome Reception 
Connect with fellow Dickinson alumni and college leadership at the John M. Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center.  

6-8 PM  
Sophomore Summit Kick-Off Dinner  
Celebrate the first annual Sophomore Summit during dinner with alumni and the class of 2029.  

8–9:30 AM  
Breakfast 
Breakfast is available in the dining hall.  

10-10:45 AM  
Finding Work that Fits  
Enjoy this panel of fellow alumni reflecting on building careers with their values, interests, personality and skills in mind.  

11 AM–noon  
Facilitated Networking  
All alumni are asked to join these networking opportunities for each career network.   
 
12:15–2 PM  
Lunch 
Enjoy a casual lunch in the dining hall.   

Noon–2 PM  
Opportunities & Options Fair + Career Studio 
The sky is the limit for Dickinsonians. Alumni are asked to join the Opportunities & Options Fair to share the wide variety of career options outside of the limestone walls. Industry tables will be set up throughout the HUB to aid conversations between students and alumni. Come prepared to explain your daily work, requirements of your field, and challenges and opportunities within your area. Visual aids and leave behinds are welcome but not required.  

OPEN BOX: Alumni will be grouped with fellow alumni from similar fields at the Opportunities & Options Fair. Please describe your specific field within your industry so we can most accurately assign your table.  

2 - 3 PM
Public Speaking: Secrets of Persuasion from the Classical Tradition
Christopher Francese, Asbury J. Clarke Professor of Classical Studies, will discuss some ancient (and a few modern) principles on how to tailor an argument to an audience, craft a message at the word and sentence level, and deliver a speech effectively. Based on a course of the same name.

2–3:15 PM  
Industry Panels 

Speakers will be announced this fall. 

 3:30–4:45 PM  
Industry Panels 

Speakers will be announced this fall. 

5–7 PM 
Closing Celebration  
Help students practice all they have learned during this final celebration! Join us for heavy hors d’oeuvres and mocktails as we celebrate the end of the weekend. Remarks will be provided by Pres. John Jones and Steve Smith ’92, chair of the Board of Trustees.  

No. There are activities for alumni on each day of the summit, but alumni may attend as much or as little of the Sophomore Summit as they wish. 

All alumni attendees are encouraged to attend the Friday dinner, the Industries and Options Fair and the industry-specific and general networking events. Alumni will serve as table hosts and industry representatives throughout the weekend. Students will greatly benefit from hearing from alumni from across industries, class years and majors. 

Alumni activities are scheduled throughout the summit. Additionally, the first floor of the John M. Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center will serve as an alumni lounge throughout the weekend. Stop by for snacks, workspace or a chance to connect with fellow alumni attendees. Dickinson’s Kline Athletics Center is available for alumni use throughout the weekend as well.  

Please be aware that the Sophomore Summit is held before the official start of the semester so the campus will be quieter than during the regular academic year.  

The Sophomore Summit is a donor-funded program and is free for all sophomore and alumni attendees. Alumni must register to let us know you're coming. 

Smart casual attire is recommended throughout the weekend.  

Some events throughout the weekend are intended for student audiences only. All events listed on this schedule are open to alumni. Click here to view the full student schedule.  

The following meals are provided:  

• Thursday: dinner (space is limited)  
• Friday: breakfast, lunch and dinner 
• Saturday: breakfast and lunch 

Many meals will be provided in the dining hall during regular mealtimes. Denim Coffee and other campus options will also be open during limited hours. Alumni are also welcome to explore the many restaurants within walking distance of campus.  

Dickinson is unable to cover the cost of transportation or housing. However, free shuttles will be available from the Harrisburg Amtrak station and from the Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). 

A hotel block has been reserved at the Comfort Suites in downtown Carlisle, but alumni are responsible for the cost of their hotel rooms.  

On-campus housing is not available to alumni during the academic year.