HOOD COLLEGE IN ANNAPOLIS: Hood’s presence was felt in the Maryland capitol this month, when President Ronald J. Volpe and students visited the legislature to bolster support for independent colleges in the state.

Next year Hood will receive some $1.6 million in funding from the state legislature under the Joseph A. Sellinger State Aid Program formula, which grants money to each of Maryland’s 18 independent colleges and universities. President Volpe testified for continued funding from that program on behalf of those schools Feb. 1 at a Budget and Taxation Committee hearing. You can read his written testimony here.

A week later, on Feb. 8, Volpe was joined by Hood seniors Andrea Blonder and Ashley Peddicord, and Blue & Grey Today student newspaper reporter junior Michelle Horst, during Maryland Independent Higher Education Day. Each year the Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association, which represents the state’s independent colleges and universities, organizes a day of lobbying by students and school officials who spend the day in Annapolis visiting with legislators to thank them for their support of the Sellinger funding and to ask for their continued support. Read more about that day here.

KUDOS: Carole King Heine ’84 was recently named the new board chair for Heartly House, Inc., in Frederick. Hood has a long history with Heartly House, Inc., helping to prepare its professional staff as well as providing interns and to the volunteers. Heartly House, Inc., provides comprehensive services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, rape or sexual assault and child abuse. For more information about Heartly House, Inc., click here.

CHEER THE BLAZERS ON TO VICTORY AT OUR PRE-GAME RECEPTION: Friday, March 2, 4:30 p.m., Virginia Wesleyan College. Join students, faculty, staff and other alums as we cheer the men’s basketball team on to victory against Hampden-Sydney College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Game time is 6 p.m.  For ticket information, contact Julie McNeill at (301) 696-3499. For reception information, contact the office of alumnae and alumni programs at (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO HOOD RING RECIPIENTS: Junior class members received their Hood rings Saturday, Feb. 24 at the annual Ring Dinner. During the early years of the College, the Hood ring took on a few different styles. It was in 1925 that the Alumnae Association adopted a standard design chosen by a joint committee of alumnae and students. Look for additional information on legacy ring donors and a picture gallery of the event in a future Inter(net)actions issue.

HOOD COLLEGE DAY AT BREWER’S ALLEY AND G. HUNTER’S: Tuesday, March 6, Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery, 124 N. Market St.; and G. Hunter’s Restaurant and Raw Bar, 5903 Old National Pike, both in Frederick. Dine anytime on March 6 at these two restaurants and 20 percent of the proceeds will go toward the Hood’s Annual Funds. Thank you to Phil Bowers ’83, president and brew master, for his generous and continued support. Have a meal at Brewer’s Alley (www.brewers-alley.com) or G. Hunter’s (www.ghunters.com) and support Hood. For additional information on the Annual Funds, click here.

YOUR PHONES MAY BE RINGING: Hood’s spring phonathon began Tuesday, Feb. 20 and students are calling alums, parents and friends to ask for support for the 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. You may also make your gift online by visiting www.hood.edu/giving.

ARE YOU A HOOD ALUM ENTREPRENEUR: The office of alumnae and alumni programs is looking for stories of aspiring alums who have started their own businesses to pursue their personal career dreams. Send your stories to Linda Hoffman, associate director of alumnae and alumni programs, at hoffmanl@hood.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

REUNION 2007 IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER: Don’t miss this chance to reconnect and reunite with classmates at Reunion Weekend, June 1-3. The College has many events planned, including Alumnae and Alumni College sessions, all-class dinners, campus tours, the Alumnae and Alumni Luncheon and the Strawberry Breakfast. As a reminder, you can make your reunion gift by calling (301) 696-3700 or by going to www.hood.edu/giving. Remember that corporate gifts made through your own business or your employer’s matching gift program count toward your class’ gift total.

To R.S.V.P. or for information on upcoming events, e-mail us at alumoffice@hood.edu, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900.

HOOD ALUM HAPPY HOUR SERIES: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6-8:30 p.m., The Dubliner Irish Pub, 502 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, D.C., www.dublinerdc.com. Come mix and mingle and make new connections at this popular event. The Dubliner is accessible from the Union Station Metro stop and parking is available at the Union Station Metro parking garage. For more information, or to respond, send an e-mail to alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Note: The Senate Library tour portion of this event is sold out.

BRADENTON AND SARASOTA, Fla., Saturday, March 10, 11:30 a.m., luncheon at the Bradenton Country Club. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe for lunch and conversation. Jeanne Zimmerman Gearey '52 will host the event. The cost of the luncheon is $20. For more information, or to respond, send an e-mail to alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please R.S.V.P. by March 2.

TAMPA AND CLEARWATER, Fla., Sunday, March 11, 12:30 p.m., luncheon at the The Belleview Biltmore Resort. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe for lunch and conversation. The cost of the luncheon is $22. For more information or to respond, send an e-mail to alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please R.S.V.P. by March 2.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Wednesday, March 14, 5:30 p.m., Casablanca Café, 3049 Alhambra St, (A1A-on beach) Ft. Lauderdale, www.casablancacafeonline.com. Enjoy a casual gathering, catch up with old friends, network and make new connections at our Hood Happy Hour. The evening will include a cash bar and appetizers provided by the office of alumnae and alumni programs. For more information, or to respond, send an e-mail to alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please R.S.V.P. by March 5.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Thursday, March 15, 11:30 a.m., luncheon at the National Croquet Center. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe for lunch and and conversation. The cost of the luncheon is $22.  For more information, or to respond, send an e-mail to alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please R.S.V.P. by March 5.

FABULOUS WOMEN PANEL: Thursday, March 22, 1 p.m., Whitaker Campus Commons. Come celebrate Women's History Month and learn from the experiences and advice of Hood alums as they share their career pathways and their suggestions for women who are following in their footsteps.

WASHINGTON, D.C.,Wednesday, April 11, 12:30 p.m., brown bag lunch at Amgen, Inc., 555 13th Street, NW, Suite 600 West, Washington, D.C. Please join area alums for an informal lunch get-together. The event is hosted by Jewel Smith '96. R.S.V.P. to Jewel Smith at (202) 585-9625 or jewels@amgen.com.

Save The Date events are scheduled, and we will continue to keep you updated as plans become firm. If you have any questions about the upcoming events, e-mail us at alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900.

LIBERATION OF THE BLACK MIND WEEKEND 2007: Friday-Sunday, March 23-25. The weekend’s activities will include programs on The Black Family, Reconstructing the African-American Image and Keeping the Faith. For more information, contact the office of student activities at (301) 696-3575.

HOOD COLLEGE JOB FAIR 2007: Wednesday, March 28, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Whitaker Campus Commons. Numerous recruiters, who are actively seeking candidates and are ready to hire you for jobs and internships, will be on hand. Professional attire is requested. Bring your résumé and references and be prepared to meet potential employers. Your professionalism and polished appearance will pay off, so if you need help preparing, contact the career center today! For more information click here.

HILLWOOD MUSEUM AND GARDENS TOUR FOR HOOD ALUMS: Saturday, April 14, 1 p.m., Hillwood Museum and Gardens, NW, Washington, D.C. Hillwood Museum and Gardens is the former estate of visionary collector, philanthropist and businesswoman Marjorie Merriweather Post. The revitalized estate now provides a superior showcase for Hillwood’s world-class art collections, including an improved museum-quality environment, renewed plantings and restored sculpture in the surrounding gardens and enhanced public facilities. Please join alums for an exclusive tour of the mansion followed by a Royal Tea at 3 p.m. The cost for the tour and tea is $20. For more information, or to respond, send an e-mail to alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please R.S.V.P. by April 4. More details will follow.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Sunday, April 15, 1- 4 p.m., pot luck luncheon and business meeting at Crosslands Farmhouse, Kennett Square, Pa.  Please join area alums and welcome Robert Funk, Provost, for lunch and conversation.  Ruth Ridgway Vaurio '40 will host the event. More details will follow.

CENTER FOR HUMANITIES COLLOQUIUM: A SPECIAL CULINARY EVENT: Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Whitaker Campus Center. Al Spoler and Jerry Pellegrino, hosts of WYPR/WYPF 88.1 FM’s “Radio Kitchen,” will explore how American cooking has changed from the 1950s to today, with a specific focus on Maryland cuisine, in a lecture and culinary event entitled “Growing Up in the Kitchen: How America Learned to Cook.” More details will follow.

HOOD COLLEGE CAREER SERVICES: Take advantage of free lifetime services. We can help you with your résumé, give you advice on your job search, 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.

JOB FAIR AND RÉSUMÉ PREPARATON: Tuesday, March 6, noon-1 p.m., Career Center. Learn how to write an effective résumé in this one-hour workshop. Find out about résumé formats, dos and don’ts, common mistakes and more. Participants should bring a copy of a current or old résumé.

INTERNSHIP INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, March 8, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Multicultural Suite, Whitaker Campus Center. Internships are your ticket to gaining work experience and improving your résumé. Learn how to secure an internship and get the most from your experience!

WE NEED YOUR HELP: Recently the Hood College Career Center and Office of Service Learning switched to a new service provider for its online mentor program.  The new provider, Opportunities Network (OpNet), allows students and alums to interact with increased flexibility. Please update your account soon. Click here to update your information or to register for a new account. Thank you!

HODSON GALLERY DISPLAY: Jan. 26-Mar. 9, Hodson Gallery, Tatem Arts Center. Stop by the Gallery to see artist H.I. Gates' display "Eastern Icons," and join us for the opening reception Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Click here for more information about the artist and his works.

GAZING AT THE STARS: Hood is offering everyone the chance to get up close and personal with the stars. The Williams Observatory will be open free of charge from 8:30-9:30 p.m. each Wednesday through May 2 for the exclusive use of the observatory and portable telescopes. Ken Howard, lecturer in astronomy at Hood, will be available each evening to answer questions. For more information click here.

HOOD ALUM FACILITATES TRAINING SEMINAR: Tuesday, March 6, 8:30-11 a.m., Frederick Community College Conference Center. Samantha D. Servey, M.B.A. ’96, Transaction Manager at Tyler-Donegan Real Estate Services, Inc., will facilitate a seminar and interactive session discussing the pros and cons of your current marketing plan and ways to make improvements. For additional information, contact the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce at (301) 662-4164 or visit www.frederickchamber.org. Space is limited; R.S.V.P. today.

A DAY FOR DARFUR: Tuesday, March 6., Whitaker Campus Center. The career center and office of service learning will sponsor “A Day for Darfur.” The day’s events will include an information fair at 11:30 a.m., a documentary, “Darfur Diaries: Message from Home,” at 12:45 p.m., and a panel discussion at 6 p.m. For additional information on the series, click here or contact Yvette Webster, coordinator of the Bonner Scholars Program and service learning, by phone at (301) 696-3751 or by e-mail at webster@hood.edu.

HOOD FACULTY MEMBER HOLDS BOOK-SIGNING: Wednesday, March 7, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Marx Center. Hood faculty member Hoda Zaki, Ph.D., professor of political science, director of the African-American Studies Program and co-chair of the Honors Program, will hold a book-signing for her new book, “Civil Rights and Politics at Hampton Institute: The Legacy of Alonzo T. Moron.” The book focuses on one of the preeminent private institutions of black higher education and how it came to play an important role in the struggle for full racial equality in the mid-20th century. The book-signing is sponsored by the history department and the African-American Studies and Honors programs. For additional information, contact Anne Derbes, professor of art and co-director of the Honors Program, by phone at (301) 696-3937 or by e-mail at derbes@hood.edu.

CENTER FOR HUMANITIES COLLOQUIUM: The 2007 Colloquium series, “Acquired Tastes: Food, Drink and Culture,” will continue Thursday, March 8 with a dinner and movie series, featuring the film “Strawberry and Chocolate.” The movie and dinner will be in Hood’s Coblentz Dining Hall. This event will be co-sponsored by the office of student activities and the Teaching, Education and Acceptance student organization. Click here for additional information about the series.

FACULTY RECITAL: Sunday, March 25, 3-4:30 p.m., Coffman Chapel Wayne L. Wold, associate professor of music and College organist, will present his annual recital. For additional information, contact Noel Lester at nlester@hood.edu.

CERAMICS LECTURE: Friday, April 13, 7-9 p.m., Tatem Arts Center. A lecture by Jayne Shatz, Ph.D., will chronicle the history of Middle Eastern ceramics, beginning with the coiled pots of 700 A.D. Mesopotamia, up to the modern era. For additional information, or to check on other upcoming lectures, contact Joyce Michaud, assistant professor of art and director of the M.F.A. and graduate certificate in ceramic arts programs, at jmichaud@hood.edu.

ALUM SCHOLAR SPEAKS AT HOOD: Monday, April 16, Marx Center. Leslee Michelsen '97, a former art history major and Honors Program scholar, will conduct a seminar entitled "Figural Imagery in Early Islamic Central Asia." Michelsen has spent months working in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a consultant for the Turquoise Mountain Foundation to preserve Afghanistan's cultural heritage. This event is co-sponsored by the Honors Program and the department of art and archaeology. For more information, please contact Anne Derbes, professor of art and co-director of the Honors Program at Hood, at derbes@hood.edu.

MEN'S BASKETBALL (21-7, 12-4 CAC): In just its fourth season of intercollegiate competition, the Hood men's basketball team became one of only 18 schools in the country to secure at at-large bid to the 2007 NCAA Division III Tournament. The Blazers will travel to Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach, Va. to take on Hampden-Sydney College Friday at 6 p.m. Hood advanced to the championship game of the Capital Athletic Conference tournament and hosted the second-seeded Catholic University Cardinals. Despite holding a seven-point edge at halftime, the Blazers fell victim to the hot-shooting Cardinals who connected on 60 percent of their shots in the final 20 minutes and went on to win, 85-75, in front of what is believed to be the largest crowd on record (1,250) at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School. Junior Jesse Gutekunst led all scorers with 28 points and corralled 18 rebounds for his 33rd career double-double. Sophomore Ryan Junghans has recorded 552 points on the season, the second-highest single-season total in school history.

MEN'S LACROSSE (0-2, 0-1 CAC): The Virginia Wesleyan College men's lacrosse team downed Hood by a final score of 33-5 Saturday afternoon in a nonconference game. Jason Anderson registered a pair of goals for the Blazers, while Alex Tkacz, Sofaine Lazar and Blake Rust each added single tallies. The Blazers return to action Wednesday at the University of Mary Washington for a Capital Athletic Conference matchup at 3:30 p.m. Hood's home opener is scheduled for Saturday against Christopher Newport University at 1 p.m. at Thomas Athletic Field.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE (0-0, 0-0 AWCC): The women's lacrosse team opens its 2007 season on the road Sunday in a game originally scheduled for Thomas Athletic Field. Due the inclement weather, the Blazers will now travel to local rival Villa Julie College for a 1 p.m. contest. Hood finished second in the Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference regular season standings in 2006. Five Blazers earned All-AWCC honors last season, including sophomore attack Liz Rakowski, who was selected as the conference's "Newcomer of the Year."

SOFTBALL (0-0, 0-0 AWCC): The defending Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference champion softball team was set to begin its 2007 season this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. However, due to inclement weather, those contests have been postponed. Hood will now host Villa Julie College March 10 at 2 p.m., and Messiah College March 30 at 2 p.m. Hood posted a record of 27-16 last season and earned the conference's automatic berth to the 2006 NCAA tournament. The Blazers return 10 letterwinners from that championship squad.

MEN'S & WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD (0-0): After competing for two seasons as a club sport, the Hood men's and women's track & field teams are set to travel to Goucher College for their first intercollegiate competition. The Blazers are coached by Brent Ayer whose squad was elevated to varsity status in June 2006. Hood's track & field roster consists of 14 women and 20 men who will journey to Towson Saturday for the Goucher College Winter Warm-Up meet at 1 p.m.

To read all the Hood College Athletic news and events, please visit the athletics Web site.

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Inter(net)actions, Feb. 27, 2007: This edition of Inter(net)actions is also available on the Hood College Web site. Click here to view Inter(net)actions on the Web.