s e i l i m fa BRIDGEWATER N E W S L E T T E R F O R PA R E N T S O F B C S T U D E N T S FA L L 2 0 1 4 A Day in the Life of Abby Blair '15 Greetings On behalf of the Bridgewater Family Council, let me welcome you to another exciting school year at BC! By now your student is fully engaged in the fall semester and hopefully taking advantage of all that BC has to offer. The renovations to Nininger Hall are complete, and a dedication ceremony was held on September 9. Ask your student what they think about the “new” building! Family weekend is October 3-5 this year, and we hope to see you on campus then. This fall we will have two night football games – a first for BC – and we are all looking forward to games “under the lights!” Please take a few minutes to read our newsletter, and let us know if we can be of any assistance to you or your student. Sincerely, Suzanne Bushman Chair, Family Council Presidential Spouse 10 a.m. Abby heads to her first class of the day, English literature with Dr. Christian Sheridan. Abby is an English major, with a minor in communication studies. She can’t believe it’s already the fall of her senior year at BC. Bridgewater “was such a perfect fit for me,” she says. 11 a.m. The next class is logic, in the philosophy and religion department with Dr. Jacob Graham. After that, she heads to lunch, either catching up with her friends in the KCC or heading back to her room in Heritage Hall where she is a senior resident advisor (SRA). SRAs work with the area coordinators to mentor and train the other resident advisors on campus. 1 p.m. Abby attends Spanish class. After this, she has an hour or so to relax and make her to-do list for the rest of the day. 3 p.m. Abby often spends time in the pottery lab in the afternoon. She’s taking a pottery class this semester and says, “It’s an awesome stress reliever!” After this she’ll go to the library, to work on homework and grab coffee. If she’s on duty in the dorm, she’ll head back to her room. 5:15 p.m. As a convocation program intern, Abby often meets with visiting speakers to do their tech check for the evening and make sure they get to where they need to be. If there’s a dinner with students, she’ll host the dinner and facilitate conversation. In addition to a full class schedule and serving as an SRA, Abby is the Honor Council chair for the College; occasionally writes for Veritas, the College newspaper; plays “a little” Ultimate Frisbee; and loves to work as a babysitter in the local community. She also rode on the equestrian team for the past three years. “I have a great resume because of all the opportunities here.” She’s looking forward to spending her Interterm on a course in South Africa with Dr. Jamie Frueh and attending a job conference in New Orleans in March. Her goal is to work at a college while obtaining her master’s in higher education administration. Student Resources Chip Studwell, Director of Academic Support John Manson, Director of Mediation and Conduct Services cstudwel@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5370 jmanson@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5324 Paige French, Director of Health Services Ed Huffstetler, Director of Academic Advising pfrench@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5384 and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Randy Hook, Director of Counseling Services ehuffste@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5332 rhook@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5358 Stephanie Wilson, Director of the Center for Sherry Talbott, Director of Career Services Cultural Engagement stalbott@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5369 swilson@bridgewater.edu, 540-828-5749 1 E A G L E FA M I L I E S | FA L L 2 0 1 4 Spotlight: Nininger Hall The pride of BC this fall is the newly-renovated Nininger, home of the College’s athletic programs and department of health and human sciences. Features include: • Fully renovated gym • Updated classrooms and laboratory for health and human sciences • Renovated offices for faculty and coaches • New building façade and lobby • Renovated locker rooms, training/rehab center, strength/conditioning facility and team room • New Hall of Fame gallery Be an ACE Parent CHIP STUDWELL, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES I remember coming back to Bridgewater for my sophomore year, feeling pretty familiar, comfortable and confident about my environment and ability to handle it. After all, I was knowledgeable and experienced! I found out later that the Latin meaning of sophomore is “wise fool”. Familiar, yes, but I certainly didn’t know it all! There was far more to acclimate to, and course numbers increased as I progressed to my senior year. Those higher course numbers brought with them an increase in difficulty, complexity and expectation. Simultaneously , the developmental process of figuring out who I was and what career path I was taking was ongoing. I distinctly remember feeling that the closer graduation came the further I felt from achieving this knowledge. While each of our students is unique, they all share a developmental process in the backdrop of their college experience. The process of sorting things out and decision-making consumes a lot of mental and emotional energy, and the insight from these experiences is often realized later. The question for parents is often, “How do I support my student amidst times of change and uncertainty?” Be an ACE parent: Affirm, Challenge and Encourage your student. Affirm. Acknowledge your student’s gifts, strengths and the times they have exhibited them. “You are a strong person. The way you handled having your leg in a cast for six weeks and the discouragement of missing the season shows your determination. You stayed with it!” Challenge. College is about becoming an effectively functioning adult. Learning, stretching, adjusting and putting ourselves out there is important. Challenge your student to try new things and face “hard” situations. Personal strength and confidence comes from these experiences! Encourage. Encouragement, when conveyed in a genuine way, is hope. It opens a possibility and perspective that didn’t previously exist. “You are ready for a leadership role with that group,” “You have already made it more than two-thirds of the way, and there are only three semesters to go” or “You would be great at doing ____” are powerful statements of encouragement. Be an ACE parent! 2 OCTOBER FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Open Classes and/or Academic Appointments Experience BC as a student by attending a class. Please have your student notify his/her professor of your attendance. Academic appointments may be arranged by having your student contact faculty members. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All Administrative Offices Open Appointments are not necessary. Come with your questions to any of the College offices, such as the finance office, financial aid and department of student life. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Campus Store Open Stop in to purchase all your BC gear! 4-6 p.m. Family Weekend Registration, KCC Lobby Please come by to pick up game tickets. The first 150 families registered receive the Eagle Family Fun Pack. 5-6:30 p.m. Habitat for Humanity sponsored Chili Cookoff, Boitnott Room Don’t have dinner plans? Come to the Boitnott Room where the BC chapter of Habitat for Humanity will be sponsoring a chili cookoff to raise money for its annual spring break trip and other initiatives in the local community. Cost per person of $7 includes chili samples, baked potato bar and a drink. Payment can be made through the online registration process. Families are welcome to enter the contest, but preregistration is required. For more information, please contact Robbie Miller, Habitat for Humanity advisor at 540-828-5383 or rmiller@bridgewater.edu. 5:30 p.m. Senior Class Ring Ceremony, Main Dining Hall All seniors welcome, reservations required. Invitations sent via BC email. Call the department of student life for more information at 540-828-5380. 7 p.m. Cross Country Team sponsors a BC Family Glow/Twilight 5K Fun Run/Walk, Nininger Hall Bring your family and compete in this fun run/walk through the town of Bridgewater. Cost is $20 per individual registration or, for 2 or more, cost is $15 per each individual registration. Prizes will be 3-5 2014 | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS awarded for the top mother/son team, top father/daughter team, and the overall fastest. Preregistration and prepayment is required. Proceeds benefit the Bridgewater College Cross Country Team. For more information, please contact Brian Flynn, cross country coach, at bflynn@bridgewater.edu or 540828-5777. 9:30 p.m. Eagle Productions Presents: Dueling Pianos International – Main Dining Hall Back by popular demand! Dueling Pianos is provided by Dueling Pianos International: a high-energy, all-request, sing-along, clap-along, rock and roll comedy piano show, where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers. This show covers music from Lady Gaga to Elvis and every music genre in-between. Free music, food and good times are guaranteed! For more information, visit duelingpianoshows.com. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Family Weekend Registration, KCC Lobby Please come by to pick up game tickets. The first 150 families registered receive the Eagle Family Fun Pack. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Campus Store Open Stop in to purchase all your BC gear! 10:30-11:30 a.m. Coffee with the President, tent on the campus mall An informal welcome and opportunity for students and families to visit with President Bushman. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Eagle Productions Presents OCTOBER FANFEST, tent on the campus mall Be dressed in your BC best and be ready to rock with your family and friends as we get fired up for the football game. You won’t want to miss this spirited lunch that will include cotton candy and chances for BC door prizes. Lunch is $8.50 per guest, payable at the door with cash or checks payable to Parkhurst Dining Services. No charge for BC students with meal plans. 1 p.m. Family Movie at Nininger Pool Join us for free family pool time as we watch “Frozen”. Lifeguards provided, bring your suits and towels, no charge. 1-3 p.m. Art Studio Open Stop by Rebecca Hall to see what’s being created. 3 p.m. Music Concert – Carter Center for Worship and Music 5 p.m. Campus Mass – Stone Chapel, Carter Center for Worship and Music 5 p.m. Dining Hall Open Pay at the door with cash or checks payable to Parkhurst Dining Services. No charge for BC students with meal plans. 7 p.m. Football vs. Shenandoah University, Jopson Field Come cheer on your BC Eagles! Complimentary football tickets are available for immediate family members with a completed registration (maximum of 4 tickets). Tickets can be picked up at the Family Weekend Registration Table. 7 p.m. Residence Hall Student Association hosts the Banner Contest Each residence hall creates banners to welcome families to campus, which will be displayed during the football game. Vote for your favorite banner to help your favorite residence hall win a cash prize. The winner will be announced at halftime. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 7 a.m. Dining Hall Open Pay at the door with cash or checks payable to Parkhurst Dining Services. No charge for BC students with meal plans. 11 a.m. Campus Worship – Stone Chapel, Carter Center for Worship and Music An ecumenical worship service for all students and their families. 1:30 p.m. Civil War Club hosts local New Market Battlefield tours Join the Civil War Club and advisor Nicholas Picerno, campus police chief and Civil War historian, on a guided tour of the New Market Battlefield. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss! The cost for the tour is $10 per person. Please preregister and prepay to reserve your spot. Transportation is not provided, but the group will caravan from the college. Space is limited. For more information, contact Chief Picerno at 540515-3758 or npicerno@bridgewater.edu. Register online: BridgewaterAlumni.com/familyweekend2014 3 E A G L E FA M I L I E S | FA L L 2 0 1 4 Visit the NEW BC campus store 2014-15 Bridgewater College Family Council Board Find all your Bridgewater apparel and gear! Located on the lower level of the KCC. HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Hours subject to change. Suzanne Bushman, Chair Presidential Spouse Beverly & Cornelius Brown Forest Hill, MD Adrianna Cowan-Waddy Rhoadesville, VA Karla and Brad Hallock Frederick, MD Rhonda and Randy Harris Weyers Cave, VA Judith Hasty Carrsville, VA Anita (Bush) Helm Woodbridge, VA Karen Cadell-Lee and Mike Lee Glen Allen, VA Suzy Shober Sauerwald Roanoke, VA Acquenetta and Robert Thurston College Park, MD 10% rents for Pa News tudents S of BC bridgewater.edu Non Profit Organization Postage & Fees Paid Bridgewater College