The Miscellany News
Volume CXLIX | Issue 23
May 28, 2017
Since 1866 | miscellanynews.com
Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
Congratulations to the Vassar College Class of 2017 One Hundred and Fifty-third Commencement
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Courtesy of Karl Rabe
Talya Phelps
Outgoing Design Editor
his Senior Week, Ian Snyder ’17 discovered something he never expected to. In an email, he reported from his trip to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary: “I learned that the little bulging protuberation [sic] on a turkey’s forehead is called a snood!” Snyder, a veteran Sanctuary volunteer, utilized the tour this past Wednesday, May 24, as an opportunity to better acquaint himself with the hundreds of animals housed on the farm. For students with an interest in veganism, which the Sanctuary advo-
cates, or those who simply wished to spend an afternoon interacting with pigs and chickens rescued from factory farms, the trip offered an excursion to the idyllic Catskills and a chance to become more educated about animal rights. Summing up her reasons for attending the trip, Kaitryn Doyle ’17 said, “I’m not really big on drinking, I’m not really big on formals, I’m not really big on bowling, and I really like animals.” For Doyle, the Sanctuary trip filled a lacuna left by the other Senior Week events offered, which that day consistSee SANCTUARY on page 3
Courtesy of Gelsey White
Sanctuary welcomes VC animal enthusiasts Seniors take final T VC bows On May 24, the second day of Senior Week, 11 Vassar students enjoyed guided tours of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Here, students pose with Sanctuary tour guides and Vassar graduates Rocky Schwartz ’15 and Kaden Maguire ’16.
Science students trek Graduates pay tribute to ‘land of fire and ice’ to sports community Laila Volpe
hile some may think of Iceland as just an island with a misleading name, 15 Vassar students are currently taking advantage of its rich, diverse terrain to conduct research. The Environmental Studies Program (ENST) often organizes field trip courses to allow students observe the relationship between a culture and its environment. The students take a credited class during the semester that is followed by a two-week adventure. This trip generally takes place over See ICELAND on page 4
This finals week, students travelled to Iceland for the Environmental Science in the Field class. This year’s two weeks of research are part of the ninth iteration of the class.
Sports Editors
F
rom school records to big upsets, 2017 has one impeccable senior class of student athletes. In the 36year history of Division III Vassar athletics, this year’s graduating class is arguably one of the most accomplished and decorated. This Sunday, approximately 95 student-athletes will walk across the stage in front of Sunset Lake to receive their diplomas. In honor of these student-athletes, The Miscellany News would like to highlight just a few of their Brewer memories.
Elijah Winston, of Gilbert, AZ, was a four-year member of the Vassar men’s basketball team and a two-year member of the track and field team. In the final meet of his career on May 17, Winston put his name in the record books with a school’s best time of 49.67 in the 400-meter dash. “It is important to focus on your sport and be dedicated,” Winston expressed in an email when asked what advice he would give to future Brewers. “[Having] a goal or ‘why’ can give people the drive and focus necessary sometimes. At the same time, it is D3 See ATHLETES on page 8
Arts Editor
T
heatre is an inherently collaborative art. The final product on opening night is a team effort, the combined vision of dedicated directors, designers, actors and stage managers. Here at Vassar, we can proudly claim that this collaboration goes beyond the rehearsals and design meetings; it is a spirit deeply rooted in the vibrant student theatre community. Every May brings about a new group of integral members involved in student theatre who graduate after four years See THEATER on page 7
Courtesy of Lily Wang
W
Mack Liederman & Robert Pinataro
Courtesy of Gentry Laughlin
Assistant Features Editor
Matt Stein
Seniors Lukas Sarnow and Becky Wilson starred in FWA’s production of “Into the Woods,” marking one of their last performances of four years of Vassar student theatre.
Inside this issue
6
Wise alums act as advisors for college survivors
13
Through successes and tears, seniors look back on four years
19
Gain a Vassar perspective with our Misc retrospective