In this post we recognize Kathy Jewett, Senior Associate in Science Instruction in Chemistry/ Biochemistry, for her 25 years of service to Middlebury. Kathy shares her joys and interests outside of work, as well as her future plans, both of which involve volunteer work. “A close community” is just one way that Kathy has described Middlebury College, read on to learn more about Midd from Kathy’s point of view.

What did you do prior to work at Middlebury College and where were you located?

Having been raised in the Midwest (with detours to Colombia and Argentina), after college I did R&D in Illinois. When my husband Steve and I moved to Northeast Vermont 36 years ago, we were starting our family (Sara and John), he pastored a small church, and I eventually taught at St. Johnsbury Academy.

What job titles have you held while working at Middlebury?

I’m a senior associate in science instruction in Chemistry/ Biochemistry, with senior being applied recently.

Take us back to your first year as an employee at the College. What were the most significant things happening in your life outside of work then?

When Steve accepted the call to be the pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, our children were eleven and eight. I walked into the old science center, and into this job. Our lives were so busy!
 
What are the most significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like to share)?

There is more time to read, Skype, spend time with family and friends, kayak, bike, etc. Being rigidly flexible is a good axiom to live by.

Have your interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any of these been influenced by your work at the College or due to your association with others who work here?

Changes have mainly been influenced by the changes in our nuclear family – children growing up, going off to college, getting married, having children of their own, but right now I’m enjoying singing in the college community chorus.
Our family enjoyed having students over to our home for meals, and over the years developed many special relationships. Our volunteer work is more a reflection of our involvement with Middlebury and our church, but the students participation in the volunteer efforts always encourages us.

What is your fondest memory or experience that you’ve had while working at Middlebury?
 
I’ve always appreciated that our students want to learn, and the wonderful colleagues who generously share their knowledge, enthusiasm for learning, and participation in life.

Many people change jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?
 
We are a close community which respects and understands differences, yet we come to an accord on the essentials.

What are your plans for the next 25 years?

I plan to keep on working, but after I retire do more volunteer work, and spend time with Steve; Sara, Tielman, and Lincoln who are at present in South Africa; John, Laura, Joseph and Daniel in Tucson; my mom, and friends.

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
 
I never tire looking out windows in BiHall , especially 5th floor in the Great Hall.

Is there any person on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped you grow into your job, grow to enjoy your work and your time at the College?
 
Initially Bob Gleason took me under his wing, but over the years I have been encouraged and felt respected by my colleagues; I have loved working here.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new employee at Middlebury, what would it be?
 
Find people with your passions, and enjoy the beauty of this place.

In this post we recognize Tom Corbin, Assistant Treasurer and Director of Business Services, for his 25 years of service to Middlebury. Tom shares with us how his career has grown and changed over the years, while his hobbies and interests have stayed the same. Read on to learn more about Midd from Tom’s point of view.

What did you do prior to work at Middlebury College and where were you located?

I was the Executive Vice President of the National Bank of Middlebury and lived here in town.

What job titles have you held while working at Middlebury?

Assistant Treasurer

Assistant Treasurer and Director of Human Resources

Assistant Treasurer and Director of Business Services

What are the most significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like to share)?  

Gearing up for retirement.

Have your interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any of these been influenced by your work at the College or due to your association with others who work here?

They really have not changed- fly fishing, cooking and travel.

What is your fondest memory or experience that you’ve had while working at Middlebury?

There are two- the completion of the first wage and salary program for staff.   The day we took the all Middlebury picture at the Football stadium for the bicentennial.

Many people change jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?

The great people who work here and the very changing challenges of a career in higher education administration.

What are your plans for the next 25 years?

Retire and spend time in the warm sun and warm water of North Carolina with my wife Marguerite, and travel.

Do you have a favorite place on campus?

Sitting on the deck at Kirk Alumni Center on nice fall day.

Is there any person on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped you grow into your job; grow to enjoy your work and your time at the College?

There are two people- David Ginevan who hired me and helped me transition into higher education, and George Whitney who I could always count on for advice or just to listen.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new employee at Middlebury, what would it be?

Never stop learning new things and meeting new people.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about your time at Middlebury?

I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of Faculty, Staff and students over the past 25 years. Middlebury is a great place to work.

In this post we recognize Pat Manley, Professor of Geology for her 25 years of service to Middlebury. Pat shares with us her current activities in Geoscience beyond the College, her hobbies, and the experience of becoming a grandmother. Pat’s declaration that the “Geology Department rocks!” describes her time at Middlebury. Read on to learn more about Midd from Pat’s point of view.

What did you do prior to work at Middlebury College and where were you located?

I was in graduate school at Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University. We lived in Rockland County, near Palisades NY.

What job titles have you held while working at Middlebury?

I have worked my way through tenure. So I started as an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and finally Full Professor. I also served the college as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Research for 4 years (2006-2010).

Take us back to your first year as an employee at the College. What were the most significant things happening in your life outside of work then?

I would have to say, raising my two young children at the same time while trying to teach 5 new courses my first year here. I also became part of a group of families that met (and still meet) every Friday night – Pizza Night group. These people have become my extended family here in Middlebury and our children all grew up together and we celebrate holidays and special events together (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas – a progressive dinner, Easter brunch, Chili bowl (Superbowl Sunday), birthdays, Baby showers, Bridal Showers, camping trips to name just a few).

What are the most significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like to share)?

I am actively involved at the National level in two organizations: Council on Undergraduate Research where I am Chair of the Geoscience Division and the Association of Women Geoscientist where I Chair the Outstanding Educator Award. On a more personal level I play piano for a local church, continue with my hobbies of hiking and knitting, and just became a Grandmother for the first time.

Have your interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any of these been influenced by your work at the College or due to your association with others who work here?

My hobbies have been music and knitting which I continue to do. I have turned from playing tennis and running to now learning to play golf, but I still water ski every summer at our camp in upstate NY. I learned to water ski when I was 5 years old and haven’t missed a summer yet.

What is your fondest memory or experience that you’ve had while working at Middlebury?

There are two: 1) I am most proud of starting the Undergraduate Research Office and initiating the Student Spring Symposium. The very first Symposium in 2007 was small but very special in my heart as it was the fulfillment of a dream I had since I first arrived at Middlebury College. 2) The arrival of the RV Folger in Lake Champlain. Having spent two+ years writing the grant, planning the boat design, seeing it built and then finally standing on her deck for the first time was awesome.

Many people change jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?

That’s easy, it is teaching wonderful, talented, and interesting undergraduate students and a wonderful department with great colleagues. Geology Department rocks!

Do you have a favorite place on campus?

Bicentennial Hall

Is there any person on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped you grow into your job, grow to enjoy your work and your time at the College?

Ray Coish hired me, mentored me and has been a good friend for the past 25 years. We all know that Ray is someone special.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new employee at Middlebury, what would it be?

Enjoy the ride. Don’t get so wrapped up in the politics of the place that you forget the reason we are here: teaching and learning from our students.

In this post we recognize Matthew Dickerson, Professor of Computer Science and director of the New England Young Writers Conference at Bread Loaf, for his 25 years of service to Middlebury. Matthew shares with us his recent successes in writing, his other passions and interests outside of work, and his new upcoming role at the College.  Read on to learn more about Midd from Matthew’s point of view.

What did you do prior to work at Middlebury College and where were you located?

I was in graduate school at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

What job titles have you held while working at Middlebury?

In addition to being a faculty member in the department of computer science (assistant professor, then associate professor, then professor) I am also the director of the New England Young Writers Conference at Bread Loaf.

Take us back to your first year as an employee at the College. What were the most significant things happening in your life outside of work then?

I was newly married. I got married in the summer of 1988 and started work here in summer of 1989 (and bought my first house).  Our first child was born in the summer of 1990.  My first novel was published in 1991.  So it was four years with lots of fun developments, and life changes.

What are the most significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like to share)?

Involvement in my church (Memorial Baptist Church in Middlebury) is very significant. We recently hired a new pastor, and it’s exciting to see what is happening there. I recently celebrated my 25th anniversary. Marriage has always been a very significant part of my life. Watching my sons grow and fly the nest has been exciting and significant. That last few years have been excellent for writing. I had an historical novel published earlier this year (The Rood and the Torc), and I have a book on trout, fly-fishing and ecology due out later this year (Downstream: Reflections on Brook Trout, Fly Fishing, and the Waters of Appalachia) along with a new fantasy novel (The Gifted.)

Have your interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any of these been influenced by your work at the College or due to your association with others who work here?

Playing in a band with one of my colleagues helped me grow as a musician. Music is now more important to me than it was 25 years ago (and I hope I’m a better musician and songwriter). Last year I was able to record an album in Nashville with some really talented musicians.  Being in a community with a lot of great writers has also helped inspire my writing; some colleagues like John Elder and Bill McKibben and Kathy Skubikowski and those who have worked with me on the New England Young Writers Conference have been very encouraging to me in my writing endeavors.

What is your fondest memory or experience that you’ve had while working at Middlebury?

It is not so much one single event, but more all of the times when former students have come back to visit.

 Many people change jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?

I’ve had great colleagues in the computer science department. I find teaching itself to be worthwhile. I love Vermont, and its rivers and forests and abundance of outdoor activities from fishing to gardening to cross-country skiing and hiking and canoeing.

What are your plans for the next 25 years?

I’m excited to be taking on the role of faculty head of Cook Commons for the next three years. I hope to continue to teach for many years. My list also includes playing and writing more music, and writing several more books.

Is there any person on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped you grow into your job, grow to enjoy your work and your time at the College?

John Elder has been a wonderful friend and encouragement and inspiration to me as a teacher and writer. I’m sure there are many people who could say that about him.

Congratulations to the 25 Year Club inductees!

Janis Audet, Academic Affairs

Mireille Barbaud-McWilliams, French Department

Cheryl Burnham, Theatre Department

Robert Cluss, Chemistry/Biochemistry Department

Thomas Corbin, Assistant Treasurer’s Office

Patti Dapsis, College Store

Matthew Dickerson, Computer Science Department

Kathleen Jewett, Chemistry/Biochemistry Department

Kyle Kelton, Facilities Services

Scott Lee, Dining Services

Patricia Manley, Geology Department

Thomas Manley, Geology Department

Howard McCausland, Library and Info. Services

Cynthia Packert, History of Art & Architecture

William Peterson, Mathematics Department

Joy Pile, Library and Info. Services

Crysta Rainey, Dining Services

James Ralph, History Department

Elizabeth Rheaume, Facilities Services

Paula Schwartz, French Department

Brent Simons, Dining Services

Kathleen Skubikowski, English & American Literatures

Dawn Sumner, Dining Services

Stay tuned for future articles recognizing these individuals for 25 years of service to Middlebury.