A Crucial Conversation: Donating Blood to Support Communities Afflicted by Sickle Cell Anemia

The AIC, in partnership with our colleagues in the Center for Student Engagement and Service Learning (CEESL) and the American Red Cross, held a community conversation on the need to donate blood and the barriers that we often need to overcome.  Robert Cotter, American Red Cross Biomedical Services, shared with those attending his organization’s Sickle Cell Anemia initiative and emphasized the impact blood donations have on alleviating the communities afflicted by it.   Jacob Lees, director of HWS Recreation, shared his own experiences as a frequent blood donor and urged students to give blood when the American Red Cross comes to campus – after all, a blood donor is equal to a lifesaver!

Informing the Campus Community about the Meaningful Work Big Brothers & Big Sisters of West Rochester do for our Youth!

The Stine Room at the AIC provided an ideal setting for Big Brothers Big Sisters to host an orientation and information session for prospective college Bigs. Kevin Dorsey, the program manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester and an HWS alum, engaged students in learning more about the program and the potential to become mentors and friends for Littles in the Geneva community. Eager students attended the session, expressing their excitement for contributing to the development of healthy youths by becoming positive adult contacts as they aim to enhance protective factors for positive behavior, including academic success. During the meeting, one Big shared their commitment, saying, “I hope I could truly be a positive change for my Little… I will bring him to athletic events on campus since he loves sports.”

Closing The Semester On A Fun Note!

The HEOP and POSSE programs marked the end of programming at the AIC for the semester.  During the last week of classes, students were invited to stop by to play games and enjoy each other’s company.  As students were gearing up for Reading Days and Finals, having a good time was exactly what they needed.  It is wonderful to have been able to provide space for students to have a good time – they built community through fun and games and we were honored to provide a comfortable space for them.

Thank YOU For A Successful “Comeback” Of Our Center!!

This semester, students, staff, faculty, and community members turned the dream of a new Center into a very successful reality its first semester of ‘life’. We are forever grateful for everyone who made the AIC their home away from home — whether for a program, club event, meeting or just to hang out. This space is yours and we’re looking forward to picking up where we left off this Spring. See all of you soon!!

Once Again, HWS’ Cultural Clubs Enriched Our Lives!

Our kudos (and gratitude) to the Cultural, Global and Social Justice Clubs whose cultural programs and events this semester fostered cross-cultural understanding, a sense of belonging, and global and social justice awareness – helping the HWS community live up to their commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice. Here are some highlights of their Fall 2023 programs!

The Asian Student Union Mid-Autumn Festival

Sankofa Field Days

The Latin American Student Organization’s Fall Welcoming BBQ

Caribbean Student Association’s Holiday Celebration

Model African Union’s Recognition Ceremony,  the Southeast Model African Union Conference, Kennesay State University, Georgia.

The Muslim Student Association’s Dinner and Talk: Being Muslim on an American Campus

Three Global Perspectives; Three Global Cafes

The collaborative bond between the AIC and Global Education is stronger than ever!  We were thrilled to host three Global Cafes organized by our wonderful colleague, Hanna Matthews, Pre-Departure and Re-Entry Programming Coordinator @ Global Education.  The students who facilitated these conversations took us all on a tour to Denmark (we learned from Alex Davidson ’24 about hygge  — a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality – in the comfort of our own cozy Vincent lounge. Then, in the spaciousness of the Stine Room, we traveled to New Zealand with Maddi Meyer ’24, who shared her passion for rock climbing while we did rock painting & enjoyed pavlova (dessert named after the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova— a meringue cake made of whipped egg whites and sugar) & did rock painting – all within the spaciousness of the Stine Room.   Our last stop was Italy and its cinematic history – as Yashi Drummond ’24 facilitated a conversation with the famous Italian actor Haroun Fall on Black representation in the Italian film industry – after the virtual connection (successfully done thanks to our Stine Room’s state-of-the-art technology) we all savored bruschetta and cannoli!  We hope to embark on more trips with students and our colleagues in Global Education!

Terry Smith ‘80 Paid Us A Visit And Connected With Students And Their Families!

The AIC was honored to welcome Terry Smith ’80 back to campus during Family Weekend this past fall.  As part of our Alum Connection Initiative, Terry shared his experiences as a student at Hobart College and his rich perspective on life after HWS. He also encouraged students to sign up for ALAAs (the Afro-Latino Alumni Association) mentorship program (open to all students) and wisely (and enthusiastically)  connected with students and their families who attended his presentation.  It felt like Terry had never left our campus! 

Some students in attendance shared:  “I feel validated by Terry Smith’s experiences,” “I learned about the meaningful experiences of an alum,” and “Life is meaningful if you put meaning into it.”

Fatim Cisse ’23 Provided Traveling Advice And So Much More

As part of our Alum Connection initiative (and thanks to the magic of Zoom), Fatim Cisse ’23 ‘returned’ to campus to share her experiences in India as part of Global Education’s Study Abroad Program.  In detail, and with a great sense of humor, Fatim shared step-by-step her traveling experiences, peppering them with pivotal information for our students as they consider (which they should) going abroad during their years at the Colleges.  She also provided sound advice on the application process of the prestigious Gilman Scholarship for traveling abroad.  Fatim addressed her audience’s questions and concerns and we are hopeful that among those who attended, many will be traveling abroad in the near future.  Thank you, Fatim, and we hope to bring you back!

15th Year Of Our Annual Trip To The Commemoration Of The Canandaigua Treaty

As in the last 14 years, the AIC organized a trip to the Commemoration of the Treaty Of Canandaigua.  As described by the organizers’ statement “The annual commemoration serves to “polish the chain of peace and friendship” between the Hodinöhsö:ni’ (Six Nations Confederacy) and the young United States. The treaty was signed by Colonel Timothy Pickering—official agent of President George Washington—and sachems from the Six Nations Grand Council. It signified peace between the two and recognized the sovereignty of the other as distinct nations to govern and set their own laws.”

This year’s trip was especially meaningful because two of the Colleges’ Fulbright Teaching Fellows (Lenora Kergal and Cristiana Tonon) joined students and our staff.  The comments of those in attendance say it all!

“Having representation from the actual tribes telling their story carries a lot more weight than just reading about it and we all gained a greater appreciation of the rich indigenous heritage of this area and of the great events which took place here.”

Alum Sam Calderon ’23 Comes Back To Share His Peace Corps Experience

During the last week of classes, HEOP Alum Sam Calderón ’23 returned to campus to do a presentation on his experiences as a Peace Corps Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, a country that embraced him and one he lovingly embraced back.  Through photos and narrative, we accompanied Sammy on the path that led him to a community where he solidified his belief in social justice and self-advocacy, values he cherished as a student at the Colleges.  Our many thanks to our HEOP colleagues for organizing Sam’s visit and presentation – his return to campus reminded us that when students interact with alums, the path to their academic and professional success becomes more ‘real’ and meaningful.    

Renée Grant, HEOP Director, said “It was a great program and I’m really glad that we had the opportunity to have Sam come back and talk about his experience. His experience can be so helpful to others that are looking to, not only go into the peace corps, but live internationally, and engage in different communities and cultures around the world.”