Simonsays April 30, 2007

April 30, 2007— 2nd Anniversary Issue

NASDAQ CEO ROBERT GREIFELD TO GIVE 38TH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT SIMON'S ROCK COLLEGE OF BARD

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA.—Simon's Rock College of Bard is pleased to announce that Robert Greifeld will deliver the keynote address at the 38th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 19. Mr. Greifeld is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., the nation's premier equities market.

Greifeld has a 20-year history of leadership in business and technology and created one of the first electronic stock order matching systems. Since his appointment at NASDAQ in 2003, Greifeld has been an outspoken advocate for efficient capital markets, pursuing effective regulation and working to ensure that the U.S. market continues to support business growth and innovation. Under Greifeld's leadership, NASDAQ was cited by The Wall Street Journal as the top performing stock in the United States in 2005. NASDAQ has maintained 10 consecutive quarters of growth and has had its most successful financial performance in its 36-year history.

Greifeld holds a Masters in Business Administration from New York University's Stern School of Business and a B.A. in English from Iona College. His graduate school thesis was on the operation of NASDAQ. Mr. Greifeld is a past member of the Board of Trustees of Iona College and his wife Julia is a current member of the Board of Trustees of The Darrow School. Bob and Julia Greifeld share a core belief in the transformative power of education.

Greifeld is also Chairman of the USA Track & Field Foundation. He is a board member of the Partnership for New York City, an organization devoted to enhancing the local economy.

In a statement released on May 2 Greifeld said, "It is an honor to be speaking at such a distinctive institution that is setting a national agenda in education."

Simon's Rock College's Provost Mary B. Marcy remarked that "Robert Greifeld's leadership on an international stage and his personal understanding of this institution through his son, Greg's experience as a Simon's Rock student make him an ideal commencement speaker. The graduates and the community are looking forward to his remarks."

Mr. Greifeld will address the graduating class of 2007, their families and guests, as well as Simon's Rock faculty, staff, and community members from the Berkshire region. The ceremonies are open to the public and will take place on the Daniel Arts Center Lawn on the campus of Simon's Rock College. 84 Alford Road in Great Barrington.

Ken Burns Lands at Simon's Rock

Beginning at 12:30 on April 6th the largest public audience in the history of Simon's Rock began to assemble in the lobby of the Daniel Arts Center.By 1:30 the 300+ McConnell Theater didn't have a single empty seat. News crew camera personnel from PBS and Channel 13 panned across the crowd, and as journalists from more then seven regional publications took out their note pads, a crowd of more then 60 waited in the lobby and eagerly anticipated last minute arrangements for overflow accommodation in the Liebowitz Studio theater. Something huge was happening.

At 2 pm in an address observed by nearly 400 community members, faculty, staff, filmmakers, veterans and students, Simon's Rock Provost Mary B. Marcy introduced documentary filmmaker Ken Burns who presented more then an hour of selected footage from his newest body of work about World War II.

His visit to campus was documented widely on News Channel 13, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, PBS, The Berkshire Record, The Berkshire Eagle, Chronogram Magazine, The Advocate and The Albany Times Union.

WAMC's South County Bureau Chief Carrie Saldo was on campus during Ken Burns' Master Class. To listen to the full story, clickhere . (Photo of Ken Burns Master Classs by Julie McCarthy)

Students walk candlaria from Blodgett House to the steps of The Kellogg Music Center in preparation for a vigil to honor those lost in the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Alumni Art Exhibition Launches!

E. Elizabeth Peters '87 speaks with students about her work
during a gallery talk as part of the 40th Anniversary Alumni Art Exhibition.
(Photo by Lezlie Lee)

Michael Flower '75 speaks with students about his work
during a gallery talk as part of the 40th Anniversary Alumni Art Exhibition.
(Photo by Lezlie Lee)

Tanya Marcuse '81 speaks with students about her body of work entitled, "Fruitless"
during a gallery talk as as part of the 40th Anniversary Alumni Art Exhibition.
(Photo by Lezlie Lee)

40th ANNIVERSARY REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

FRIDAY MAY 25
2-7 pm	Registration/Welcome Reception
9:30 pm	Simon's Rock Bowling Night at the Cove!
SATURDAY, MAY 26
1:30-3 pm	The State of Politics with Jim Monsonis and Peter Cocks
4-6 pm	40th AnniversaryAlumni Art Exhibition & Wine Tasting Celebrating the professional work of alumni artists in photography, painting, sculpture, and ceramics, this show includes works by Gwen Qi Aranya '83,Ian Bennett '81, Diane Cherbuliez '81, Stephan Fowlkes '88, Michael Flower '75, Bean Gilsdorf '90, Guy Mangiamele '76, Tanya Marcuse '81, Shilo McCabe '92, Antonia Munroe '68, E. Elizabeth Peters '87, Curt Richter '73, Cedar Bough Saeji '89, Jan Staller '70, Ben Stern '87, and Catherine White '75. Alumna, noted speaker, writer and educator in the wine field, Jennifer D. Pereira '87, AIWS, CSW lends her expertise to the selection of wines from around the world for your pleasure. Great art, palatable wine and excellent company—don't miss it! The Gallery At the Liebowitz Building. Located across the road from Main Campus.
6:30-9 pm	40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Gather with alumni across 40 years, beloved faculty members and staff to mark this important milestone. Celebrate Simon's Rock style casual & fun. An evening of live music, dinner, and dancing
9:30-11:30 pm	Late Night Dance at Livingston Hall Student Union Groove the night away. Our DJ will crank out the tunes in the Alumni Performance Center. Shake it, Baby!
10 pm	Campfire Under the Stars Reminisce, tell tall tales, reconnect. Tom Coote '86 organizes the blaze. It's all happening at the Firepit near Crosby House.
SUNDAY, MAY 27
2 pm-3:30 pm	Look Who's 40! Looking Back Told through the perspective of students, alumni and endearing faculty members who have guided the college, this multi-media retrospective will feature a diverse retelling of some of the most humorous, memorable, infamous and inspirational moments in the College's unique 40 year history. McConnell Theater, Daniel Arts Center. Followed by a reception.
7:30-9 pm	The Accompanied Literary Society Evening at the Rock Blodgett House Brooke Geahan '94 has made a career of infusing New York's literary scene with excitement and verve by creating venues for like-minded individuals to gather, hear authors read from their works, and share a love of literature, language, and art. To mark the 40th Anniversary, Brooke creates, with fellow alumni, a convivial evening celebrating the beauty of this extraordinary place.
9:30 pm	Film & Float in the Pool at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center Come on in—the water's fine! We're turning the lights down low, the temperature up, and projecting the movie on the wall while you float in the pool. Lifeguards, drinks, refreshments, and flotation devices are all part of the deal. Relax!

VOTE THE FILM AND FLOAT!!!Participate in the democratic process by sending us your preference for a movie to watch in the pool! The nominees are:

Tomorrow Never Dies
Splash
Jaws

You can also make another recommendation! Send your votes to skatzoff@simons-rock.edu by May 21st. For a complete listing of all reunion activities and events, please view the full brochure by clicking here.

Senior Profile: Meet Marianne L.S. Dologuin

Concentration: Psychology & Politics, Law, and Society.

Thesis: Marianne is writing on trait anxiety and media's cumulative effects on post-traumatic stress disorder. Her thesis is partly influenced by the current era and the increased attention on terror and war in a post September 11 world. Her interest is focused on post-traumatic stress disorder and is inspired by an acquaintance with the disorder that she wanted to understand further.

Post Graduation Plans: Marianne is currently looking into communications programs in various psych grad schools across the US. She is also applying for legal secretary and campaign positions and would like to spend time traveling as well!
(Photo by Sara Katzoff)

Award-Winning Author Kris Holloway-Bidwell Discusses Memoir

On April 30th the Simon's Rock College Women's Center in partnership with the South Berkshire Social Justice Outreach Series, and UNIFEM hosted a conversation with award winning writer Kris Holloway- Bidwell about her experiences working as a Peace Corps volunteer. The presentation included excerpts from Holloway's award winning book "Monique and The Mango Rains: Two Years With a Midwife in Mali".

Using letters, journals and her own personal experiences, Holloway shares the inspirational and true story of Monique Dembele, a brave midwife and her unquenchable passion for a better life in the face of poverty. Monique's incredible story of life and her tragic death is told through the eyes of Holloway who worked side-by-side with her, birthing babies and caring for mothers in a remote West African village.

The relationship that grew between Holloway and Dembele during Holloway's two year term as a Peace Corps Volunteer became a decade long friendship that stretched across the globe. The vividness of Monique's story unites her world with our own and opens up a powerful awareness for the potential of cross-cultural exchange.