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January 15, 2008

Hood Highlights | Alumnae/i Events | Career Opportunities | Campus Events | Make a Gift

Alums Find Their Niche Excelling in the Arts
The most recent issue of Hood Magazine focuses on the arts at Hood College, highlighting the growth in Hood’s theater, music and studio arts programs. Also featured in the Class News and Notes section of the Magazine are profiles of artists Marcia Myers Adams ’71, Laura Hickman ’75 and Denise DeLaurentis ’79—three alumnae with successful arts-related careers. Below is the profile of another alumna thriving in the arts—opera singer Jane Ezzard Ingalls ’77.

“Becoming an opera singer took me completely by surprise,” Jane Ezzard Ingalls admitted. First came the daily practicing, studying and weekly voice lessons to find out if she did, indeed, have a voice “sized for opera.”

Next came the opera workshop at The George Washington University to learn about auditioning, interpreting and performing opera. Now, 13 years later (and counting), Jane has sung mezzo soprano in nearly 30 productions in eight different languages.

Jane, who currently resides in Chevy Chase, Md., always had a passion for singing, even as an undergraduate. “At Hood, I sang in every group I could find,” she said. “We had a wonderful time putting together variety shows and coffeehouses. Language study and a semester abroad in Spain helped me tremendously in opera. Even the modern dance class I took was useful!”

Jane’s first audition led to a chorus position in “La Bohème” with Opera International, and she has had several small roles singing with the Washington National Opera. Jane will perform in two operas this spring at The Kennedy Center—“Elektra” and “Cavalleria Rusticana.”

If you haven’t already received it, look for the latest edition of Hood Magazine in your mailbox soon!

Hood Highlights

Hood Alumna Endows Dean of the Chapel
Dr. Christine L. McHenry ’73, who served on Hood’s board of trustees from 1997 to 2005, recently established the College’s first-ever dean of the chapel in honor of her parents, Gloria Schmitt McHenry ’42 and Thomas McHenry III, M.D. Read more about Dr. McHenry’s gift.

Board of Associates Member Elected to New County Position
Congratulations to Daryl A. Boffman, a member of Hood’s board of associates, who was recently elected as president of the Board of Education of Frederick County. Daryl has served on the Board of Education since 2000 and was the vice president from 2001 to 2002. He has been a member of Hood’s board of associates since 2004.

Longtime Board of Associates Member Passes Away
Frederick K. Price of Frederick, who served for more than 40 years on Hood’s board of associates, died Jan. 5, 2008. Fred provided leadership and support to Hood, working with seven of Hood’s 10 presidents, beginning in 1967, the year his daughter, Virginia Price Bracken, graduated from Hood. Fred served as chairman and played an active role in the work of the board.

Alumnus Named Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Scholar
Kenneth Kerr ’81, Ph.D., professor of English at Frederick Community College, was recently selected by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society of the Two-Year College as a 2008 Faculty Scholar. Ken was one of about 20 Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisers and regional coordinators chosen from a pool of international nominees. He was also chosen to receive the Parnell Scholarship, which provides funds for an adviser to attend the June International Honors Institute in San Francisco.

Event Photo Gallery Coming Soon
Want to keep up with the happenings of alumnae and alumni events throughout the country? Want a glimpse of Beryl Pfizer '49 and CBS writer, correspondent and producer Andy Rooney visiting with President Ronald J. Volpe, Ph.D., in New York City? The office of alumnae and alumni relations will make it easier for you to do just that with a newly created photo gallery page coming soon to the alumnae and alumni relations home page. Look for the photo gallery to see what’s new at Hood or in a city near you!

Your Phones May Be Ringing
Hood’s Spring Phonathon begins Feb. 25, and students will be calling alums and parents to ask for support of Hood’s Annual Funds. Your yearly gifts to the Annual Funds help provide the enriching academic environment and distinctive programs for which Hood is known. Please take the time to chat with the students to find out what is happening on campus today as well as to make your gift to the College. Visit the annual giving Web page to make your gift online.

Alumni Executive Board Hard At Work
The Alumnae and Alumni Association Executive Board is hard at work making your association stronger than ever. Executive board president Dorothy Van Steinburg ’96 and fellow board members have established a 10-member task force that is exploring the best ways to represent the alumnae and alumni of Hood, while enhancing and streamlining the committee structure. Stay tuned for more information on ways to volunteer and become part of the team.

Alumna Earns Commission, Licensed As Special Agent
Congratulations to Mandy Stevenson ’02, who graduated from The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs in May 2005 with a master’s degree in security policy. Mandy was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in March 2007 and was licensed as a special agent for the Air Force in September 2007.

Alumna Named to New Position
Congratulations to Shelli Dronsfield-Craig ’90 who was recently named executive assistant to the president of Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Alumna Featured in Magazine
Congratulations to Tina Wells ’02 who is featured in the January 2008 issue of Black Enterprise magazine in an article titled “The Next Generation.” Tina is the founder and CEO of her own New Jersey-based market research firm, Buzz Marketing Group, where she spots adolescent trends and passes that information on to interested companies. To read more about Tina’s company, visit Tina’s Web site.

Hood College Day at Brewer's Alley and G. Hunter's
Dine anytime on Tuesday, March 4 at these two restaurants and 20 percent of the proceeds will go toward Hood’s Annual Funds. Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery is located at 124 N. Market St., and G. Hunter’s Restaurant and Raw Bar is at 5903 Old National Pike; both are in Frederick. Thank you to Phil Bowers ’83, president and brew master, for his generous and continued support. Have a meal at Brewer’s Alley or G. Hunter’s and support Hood. Visit Hood’s Web page for additional information on Hood’s Annual Funds.

Do You Own Your Own Business?
Or do you work for a business that supports philanthropy? If so, consider making a corporate gift to Hood through the Businesses for Hood program. Hundreds of businesses and foundations across the region and the nation give their philanthropic support to Hood to help provide an innovative learning environment and experiential opportunities that prepare students for lives of leadership and service. For more information on the Businesses for Hood program, contact the office of institutional advancement at (301) 696-3700 or visit the Businesses for Hood Web page.

It Is Time To Nominate Some Great Alums
The Alumnae and Alumni of Hood College is accepting nominations for three awards: Excellence in Alumna or Alumnus Service Award, Distinguished Alumna or Alumnus Award and Outstanding Recent Alumna or Alumnus Award. Each year, three distinguished alums are honored at the Alumnae and Alumni Luncheon during Reunion Weekend for their service to the College and for their career achievements. Visit the Awards Web page for additional information about the awards and to access the nomination forms. Send completed forms to Linda S. Hoffman, director of alumnae and alumni relations, or e-mail your nomination to hoffmanl@hood.edu.

Interested in Reconnecting with your Classmates for Reunion via E-mail?
The classes of 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 2003 have the opportunity to join a Yahoo! e-mail loop exclusively for their classes. This is an excellent way to find out what is going on with your classmates and their plans for Reunion. If you don’t already have a loop for your class and are interested in starting one, all you need is an active e-mail account; you do not need to have an e-mail account through Yahoo!. This opportunity is available to all classes as well as Reunion groups. Contact the advancement services office at services@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 1.

Alumnae and Alumni Events

R.S.V.P. for Events
To R.S.V.P. or get information on upcoming events, e-mail us at alumoffice@hood.edu, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please continue to check the alumnae and alumni relations Web page for updates on future events.

A Gathering in Denver, Colorado
Sunday, Jan. 27, 3 - 5 p.m., Denver Country Club, 1700 E. 1st Ave., Denver, CO. Please join area alums and welcome Nancy Gillece ’81, vice president for institutional advancement, who will deliver greetings and share news of the College. To R.S.V.P., please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at alumoffice@hood.edu, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. The deadline to register is Jan. 23.

Reception in Phoenix, Arizona
Friday, Feb. 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m., The Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa, Cholla Room, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ. Please join President Ronald J. Volpe, Ph.D., and area alums for conversation and an update on the college. To R.S.V.P., please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at alumoffice@hood.edu, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. The deadline to register is Feb. 6.

Join Us in Tucson, Arizona
Saturday, Feb. 9, noon, The Board Room, Skyline Country Club, 5200 E. Saint Andrews Drive, Tucson, AZ. Please join Ellen Perry Croll ’60, Elly Clark Robbins ’58 and area alums for a luncheon and welcome President Ronald J. Volpe, Ph.D., who will deliver greetings and share news of the College. The cost of the luncheon is $18. The deadline to register is Feb. 3. To R.S.V.P., contact Elly Clark Robbins at elly@ellyrobbins.com or call her at (520) 349-1250.

Career Opportunities

Hood College Career Services
Take advantage of free lifetime services. We can help you with your résumé, give you advice on your job search and talk to you about career options and much more. Contact us by phone at (301) 696-3583 or by e-mail at careers@hood.edu to schedule an appointment.

Campus Events

Financial Aid Seminar
A free seminar on ways to pay for college—including financial aid, scholarships and budgeting strategies—and information on college costs will be held in Hood’s Campus Commons Room in the Whitaker Campus Center Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. The seminar will be led by John Baworowsky, a nationally renowned expert on college financial aid strategies and the vice president for enrollment management at Hood. For more information or to register for the event, visit Hood’s Web site.

Annual Crèches Display
The annual exhibit of nativity sets, or crèches—a holiday tradition at Hood—is now on display in the library’s lobby. This year, you can see more than 75 crèches as well as a Christmas tree decorated entirely with crèche ornaments, representing the work of artisans from more than 30 countries on four continents. The crèches are from the collections of Beulah Munshower Sommer ’44, the Rev. Richard Kukowski and Jan Samet O’Leary, director of the library. The exhibit will be on display until Friday, Jan. 18.

"The Vagina Monologues"
As part of the 10th anniversary of V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, a staged reading of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in Hood’s Hodson Auditorium in Rosenstock Hall. The event will be directed by Jennifer Plants, Hood’s assistant professor of theater and director of Hood College Theatre, and will include a Hood College and Frederick community cast. General admission tickets are $12, and students' are $6. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Hood’s Student Activities Office. Proceeds will benefit Heartly House, Inc., of Frederick.

Athletics News

Men's Basketball (2-10, 1-5 CAC)

Last Week
Jan. 7 Defeated Penn State University-York 102-55
Jan. 9 Defeated Marymount University 92-88
Jan. 12 Defeated Wesley College 70-64

This Week
Jan. 19 vs. Villa Julie College 8 p.m.

Hood has won seven of its last eight games and is 5-0 on the road this season. Hood recorded its third win when trailing at halftime with a 70-64 come-from-behind victory over Wesley Saturday. Junior Ryan Junghans (above) netted a season-high 36 points in Hood’s win over Marymount Wednesday and broke his school record with nine three-pointers.

Junior Anthony Bennett scored a career-high 21 points vs. the Saints and classmate Tim Abercrombie reached a season-high with 18 points in the Wesley triumph. Hood connected on a season-high 14 three-point baskets in the Penn State-York win. The Blazers sit atop the Capital Athletic Conference standings and host Villa Julie College (4-10, 2-3 CAC) Saturday.

Women's Basketball (2-10, 1-5 CAC)

Last Week
Jan. 7 Defeated Penn State University-York 92-39
Jan. 9 Lost to Marymount University 79-49
Jan. 12 Lost to Wesley College 74-48

This Week
Jan. 15 at Lebanon Valley College 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 vs. Trinity University (Gambrill Gymnasium) 7 p.m.
Jan. 19 vs. Villa Julie College 6 p.m.

Sophomore Jen Willison netted a career-high 32 points in a lopsided 92-39 win over Penn State-York Monday. Freshman Allyson Lethbridge tallied a career-high 26 points in that victory. It marked the first time since the 2004-05 season that two Blazers netted 25-plus points in a game. The win over the Lions was Hood’s most decisive victory since a 94-30 win over Wilson Jan. 30, 2006.

Junior Sara Wastler (above) grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in the win. The Blazers have another busy week ahead with three games slated. Hood travels to Lebanon Valley College Tuesday before hosting Trinity University at Gambrill Gymnasium Wednesday and CAC rival Villa Julie College Saturday at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.

Men's Swimming (0-3, 0-3 CAC)

Last Week
No meets scheduled

This Week
Jan. 19 at Gallaudet University 2 p.m.

Hood was idle last week but Matt Haynes (above) and the Blazers return to Capital Athletic Conference action Saturday when they travel to Gallaudet University for a 2 p.m. dual meet.

Women's Swimming (1-3, 0-3 CAC)

Last Week
No meets scheduled

This Week
Jan. 19 at Gallaudet University 2 p.m.

Hood was idle last week but Leah Chomlek (above) and the Blazers return to Capital Athletic Conference action Saturday when they travel to Gallaudet University for a 2 p.m. dual meet.

Why I Give

Office of Alumnae and Alumni Relations | Hood College
401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, Maryland 21701
(301) 696-3400 | (800) 922-1599 | alumoffice@hood.edu

Tammy McElroy, Associate Director of Alumni Relations
Linda Hoffman, Director of Alumni Relations
Adrienne Gonzales, Sports Information Director