Pine Manor College is pleased to announce that the Solstice MFA Program was recently ranked number fourteen out of fifty Low-Residency programs by Poets & Writers Magazine.

• See the rankings
• Read the methodology for determining rank

Dr. Sandra McElroy, Director of PMC's Education Programs, was the Massachusetts Association of College Teacher Educators representative for the National State Leaders Institute in Washington, DC this summer. State leaders from twenty-three states gathered to discuss and examine teacher preparation, data collecting for teacher effectiveness, and professional policies in education. Dr. McElroy was also a delegate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the Day on the Hill, where representatives from different states gathered, advocating for federal support for teacher preparation programs. This two-day event included a congressional reception and visits to the Hill with congressional leaders and staff. Dr. McElroy, also a member of the Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators Board attended a retreat, sponsored by Wheelock College, the goal of which was to develop and work on state-wide early childhood initiatives.

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Diane Mello-Goldner, presented a poster entitled "Monitoring Self-Efficacy and Goal Attainment in a Community-Based Research Course" at the American Psychological Society's conference held in Boston.

Cynthia Miller, Assistant Professor of Social and Political Systems, lectured "The Eyes Have It: Adaptations of the Third Eye in Literature and Film" at the 27th International Literature and Psychology Conference held in Pécs, Hungary. Ms. Miller's recent publications include her foreward appearing in James Bond in World and Popular Culture: The Films Are Not Enough from Cambridge Scholars Publishing; her essay "The Sunshine Boys of Smut: The Films of Sonney and Friedman" in From the Arthouse to the Grindhouse: Highbrow and Lowbrow Transgression in Cinema's First Century from Scarecrow Press; and two of her essays in Sounds of the Future: Essays on Music in Science Fiction Film entitled "Seeing Beyond His Own Time: The Sounds of Jerry Goldsmith" and "It's Hip to be Square: Rock and Roll and the Future" with A. Bowdoin Van Riper.

Assistant Professor of Communication, Jason Tocci, had an article entitled "Arcadian Rhythms: Gaming and Interaction in Social Space" published in Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture. Read the article in its entirety.

The Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program of Pine Manor College is pleased to announce the addition of four new $1,000 fellowships for writers: The Dennis Lehane Fellowship for Fiction; the Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction; the Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent; and the Sharon Olds Fellowship for Poetry.

All fellowship awards are based on the quality of a writing sample.

Fellowship applications are due October 15, 2010 (not a postmark date; materials must be received in our offices before or on October 15). Fellowship applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Notification letters will be mailed to winners only on November 1, 2010. Awards must be applied toward the winter residency/spring semester directly following acceptance; fellowships cannot be deferred or applied toward a summer residency/fall semester start.

About our donors

(underwriters of the Sharon Olds Poetry Fellowship wish to remain anonymous)

• A former staff writer for HBO’s The Wire, Solstice MFA writer-in-residence Dennis Lehane is author of eight novels, including Mystic River, Shutter Island, and Gone, Baby, Gone —each of which has been made into a feature film— and the fall 2008 release, The Given Day.
• Solstice MFA writer-in-residence Michael Steinberg is a memoirist, essayist, and founding editor of the literary journal, Fourth Genre: Explorations in Nonfiction. His memoir Still Pitching was named the 2003 Independent Press memoir of the year.
• Solstice consulting writer Jacqueline Woodson is author of numerous books for children and young adults, including Feathers, a Newbery Honor Book; Miracle’s Boys, winner of the Coretta Scott King Award; and Locomotion, winner of the Horn Book Award.

“Writing for Stage & Screen” will take place on the Pine Manor College campus from October 29–30, 2010. Participants will learn playwriting or screenwriting basics, generate new material, and revise newly created scenes for a staged reading. In addition, participants will attend a play in nearby Boston, and enjoy a screening of a film with commentary by special guest Richard Wesley.

Playwriting faculty member Anne-Marie Oomen has written and produced seven plays, including the award-winning “Northern Belles.” Her most recent, “Whaddaya Give,” a play with music, continues her dramatic series inspired by Michigan’s history. Anne-Marie is also author of a new collection of essays, An American Map, as well as two memoirs and a collection of poetry.

Screenwriting Faculty member Lesley Alicia Tye’s film and television credits range from Costume Designer for the feature Two Coyotes to Casting Assistant with Apryl Prose Casting and Below-the-Line Agent with Casala, Ltd. She has written several feature length screenplays, was co-writer for the television pilot Devin’s Chronicles for Caspian Sea Entertainment, and was the recipient of the Stephen C. Gentry Award for Excellence in Screenwriting.

Guest Director Bob Owczarek has taught theatre at Pine Manor College, Dean College, the Boston Conservatory, and Boston University. He has appeared on stage, film, radio, and television. He is a member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, the Screen Actors’ Guild, and Actors’ Equity Association.
 

Special Guest Richard Wesley, Associate Professor in Playwriting and Screenwriting at New York University, is currently the Chair of NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing. He is author of the plays The Black Terror and The Mighty Gents, and his big screen credits include Uptown Saturday Night, Let's Do It Again, Native Son, and Fast Forward. He has written extensively for television, most recently as the co-writer (with Jacqueline Woodson) of the teleplay for Miracle’s Boys, directed by Spike Lee.

For more information, visit www.pmc.edu/mfa.

BOSTON, MA – Courtney Wallace, a four-time First Team All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference catcher and the valedictorian of the Pine Manor College Class of 2010, has been named 2010 GNAC Woman of the Year, the league announced Monday afternoon.

“Through community service activities, I have learned the importance of social responsibility and that helping others only strengthens the community,” Wallace said. “Through athletics I have learned some of the most important values: teamwork, accountability, hard work, mental toughness and confidence. Without these lessons I would not be the person that I am today.”

One of the most prolific hitters in Pine Manor and GNAC history, Wallace was equally adept at the plate as she was in the classroom and community from the moment she arrived on Chestnut Hill. As a freshman in 2006-07, Wallace ranked eighth in the nation in runs per game (1.31) and eleventh in slugging percentage (.879), beginning a string of eight consecutive semesters as a dean’s list student and member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

A two-sport student-athlete who joined the cross country team starting her sophomore year, Wallace led Pine Manor softball to a first-place finish and 31-11 record in her second season. She ranked in the Top 25 nationally in slugging (19th, .826) and on-base percentage (21st, .546) in taking the Gators to the conference finals. Meanwhile, she also began her work as a teaching assistant in biology as a sophomore, volunteering in speaking to the board of trustees, coaching an Under-14 softball team and making the first of three consecutive GNAC All-Academic Teams.

Wallace earned her third consecutive All-GNAC First Team selection as a junior, volunteering for “Coats for Kids” clothing drive, “Walk for Hunger” fundraiser, "Pink Zone" cancer awareness effort (right) and showing leadership on-campus as a residence assistant for a second straight year. She earned the Pine Manor Scholar-Athlete award and was named to the GNAC Cross Country All-Sportsmanship Team in 2008-09, both honors she would renew a year later.

As a senior, Wallace undoubtedly etched her name in Pine Manor athletic and academic lore. On April 17, Wallace became the school’s all-time hits leader in a win over Emmanuel, surpassing the 200-hit milestone later that evening. She finished fifth nationally in slugging at a robust .910 slugging percentage and finished 41st in the nation in doubles, at 0.39 per game, earning Pine Manor’s Henry K. White Award for career achievement in athletics.

She also served as vice president of the science club and volunteered as a peer writing tutor for international students. Academically, the senior biology major and English minor was named valedictorian of the Pine Manor Class of 2010, graduating last month with a 3.98 grade point average.

This marks the second time in under a year that a Pine Manor student-athlete has received a league wide honor. Wallace’s softball teammate Kayla Nielsen was named 2009 GNAC Sportswoman of the Year last August.

Wallace is now a candidate for NCAA Woman of the Year. According to NCAA.org, the award “honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service and leadership.”

Ten finalists from Division III will be named by the NCAA in August. The national winner will be announced at the Woman of the Year Awards Dinner on October 17.

Classes are open to serious writers working at all levels; auditors are encouraged to complete the advance preparation requirements for any MFA class they wish to attend. The registration fee is $35 per course; the deadline for enrolling as an auditor for the summer 2010 residency has been extended to July 7, 2010.

For course descriptions, our audit policy, and registration form, go to www.pmc.edu/mfa.

July 2010 MFA classes that are open to the public include:

Fiction

• What Is Historical Fiction?
• The Read-Aloud Novel
• Rewriting From The Sentence To The Book
• Act Your Age

Conducting and using interviews

• Testimonies: The Art Of Listening, Processing, And Rendering Interview To Story

Graphic novels

• Writing & Reading The Nonfiction Graphic Novel

The business of writing

• I Love It, But....The Author/Editor Tango
• Why Write For Magazines?

Poetry

• Layering Narrative, Lyric, And Meditative Elements
• The End…. Right? Right!

The deadline for enrolling as an auditor for the summer 2010 Residency is July 7, 2010. For course descriptions, our audit policy, and a downloadable registration form, go to: www.pmc.edu/mfa.

The Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program of Pine Manor College is pleased to announce that acclaimed essayist Phillip Lopate will serve as commencement speaker for its July, 2010 graduation ceremony. The commencement—open to Solstice graduates, family members, friends, and members of the press—will take place Saturday, July 18, at 5 p.m. in the Founder’s Room of Pine Manor College, located at 400 Heath Street in Chestnut Hill.

Widely considered one of the foremost American essayists and a central figure in the recent revival of interest in memoir writing, Phillip Lopate is the author of three essay collections, Bachelorhood (winner of the Texas Institute of Letters Award); Against Joie de Vivre; and Portrait of My Body (a finalist for the PEN Best Essay Book of the Year Award); and the recent Getting Personal: Selected Writings. His work has been included in The Best American Essays and The Pushcart Prize series. His most recent book of nonfiction prose is the urbanistic meditation Waterfront: A Journey Around Manhattan.

Phillip has been awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, a New York Public Library Center for Scholars and Writers Fellowship, two National Endowment for the Arts grants, and two New York Foundation for the Arts grants. After working with children for twelve years as a writer in the schools, he taught creative writing and literature at Fordham, Cooper Union, University of Houston, and New York University. He currently holds the John Cranford Adams Chair at Hofstra University, and also teaches in the MFA graduate programs at Columbia, the New School University, and Bennington College’s MFA Program.

The Lee Hope Fellowship for Diverse Voices is offered once annually to a promising writer of diverse background who starts the Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program during the summer residency/fall semester. Fellowship recipients receive a $500 award toward their first semester’s tuition.

A founding supporter of the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program, Lee Hope Betcher serves on the Board of Directors of the Solstice Writers’ Institute, a nonprofit organization in the service of creative writers, and is Executive Editor of the organization’s literary magazine, Solstice: A Magazine of Diverse Voices. The Institute is an informal “sister” organization to Pine Manor’s MFA Program.

Jacquelyn Brown is a recent graduate of Louisiana State University’s BA in Creative Writing Program. She is also a long-time employee of LSU, currently working as administrative coordinator in Residential Life. She has been active in her local writing community both on and off campus. Most recently she served as Assistant Poetry Editor of the LSU Delta Undergraduate Journal where —prior to her work with the journal— she published poems in 2001 and 2003. Additionally, she works with and encourages young athletes regarding literacy and the importance of reading on education. She currently resides in Baton Rouge with her husband, Michael and two children, Michael and Brianna.

For most of its 100-year history, Pine Manor College enrolled women who were almost all white and wealthy. But following a decision in the mid-1990s to change its mission, the liberal arts college in an upscale Boston suburb consistently ranks as one of the most diverse institutions in the country.

The trustees and alumni supported the new direction, which grew out of an institutional focus on social responsibility, said President Gloria Nemerowicz.

In 1998, not long after the mission changed, PMC lowered tuition by 35 percent so that it would be more affordable for low-income students. It remains at the low end of costs for private, four-year liberal arts colleges, Nemerowicz said.

To keep tuition down without a large endowment, officials seek revenue streams that support the undergraduate program. For example, the college offers English-language programs, Nemerowicz said.

To recruit students who might be a good fit for PMC, officials visit students at schools and at their churches and synagogues, said Barry Ward, vice president for enrollment and strategic connections.

They also work with access organizations to encourage officials to refer students. Since those organizations mentor students to develop a college-going expectation, the students often are more likely to persist. “We envision them at our graduation four years later being embraced by their family,” Ward said.

PMC officials build relationships with high school teachers and staff in part by providing free workshops in the public schools through the Center for Inclusive Leadership and Social Responsibility, Nemerowicz said.

Recruitment is particularly successful at certain high schools in the Boston area, said Bill Boffi, dean for recruitment and retention. Getting students to visit PMC is the best encouragement for them to enroll. The high school counselors suggested that providing transportation really helps the students attend events, so PMC has arranged that for some occasions, he said.

PMC also hosts admissions days when students can visit campus and get instant admissions decisions. Although the college has also offered instant admissions events at high schools, the on-campus events offer the added advantage of encouraging students to visit, Boffi said.

When officials speak with families, they stress the value of a private liberal arts education.

Once students enroll, they go back to their communities and talk about how much they like PMC and how well their studies are going, Ward said.

Many institutions want to attract low-income and first-generation students, but their admissions standards exclude many students in these categories, Ward said. “Most institutions only address the need and make education available to high-achieving students,” he added. PMC committed to giving more of these students a chance, admitting those who might be “diamonds in the rough,” Ward said.

Once students enroll, retaining them is a priority, Boffi said. “Our success is simple,” he said. Faculty and staff members get to know students and engage with them.

PMC provides academic, financial, social and emotional support, Boffi said. An early-alert system identifies struggling students, and PMC offers a strong learning center.

A financial outreach ombudsperson is available to all students. The ombudsperson, who is not officially part of the financial aid or business office, helps students determine the best way to pay for college, he said.

To share ideas about what works at PMC and elsewhere, the college recently hosted a conference of colleges with similar missions. Institutions that were invited enrolled Pell-eligible students as at least 50 percent of their total students. The students’ SAT average was 1,050 or below. The institutions enrolled 2,000 or fewer students, and their graduation rates exceeded the average for their student demographics.

“We really think a little college in Chestnut Hill can impact on a national level,” Nemerowicz said.

Eighty Degrees Awarded at Ninety-Ninth Commencement Exercises

Pine Manor College conferred 12 master’s degrees and 65 bachelor’s degrees at its 99th commencement on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at 11 AM, in Chestnut Hill. It also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Trish Karter, CEO and Founder of the Dancing Deer Baking Company; Cornelia Kubler Kavanagh ’60, noted sculptor; and Gloria Reuben, actress, singer, and social activist.

In her remarks to the graduating seniors, Pine Manor College President Gloria Nemerowicz said, “The joy, the pride, the exuberance of spirit that we feel today affirms our mission to educate women for inclusive leadership and social responsibility. Today is a celebration of the potential for people to transform their lives and to break the boundaries that separate us. It is a celebration of the power of respect and collaboration to overcome obstacles and differences and move forward together for the common good.”

She then went on to say, “I know as you graduates move on, you will apply the values and the skills you have learned here to your work, family and community, and the world will be better because of you. You, dear graduates, bring us hope and optimism. Your willingness to honestly engage with others who may seem different from you—to learn with them and to solve problems collaboratively—demonstrates to others the power of inclusion to improve our lives.”

Senior Class Speaker Helena Makor pointed out to the graduating class that “Pine Manor gave us the opportunity to explore our options and interests. What we learned in this diverse atmosphere is that we don’t have to lose our identity to blend into the majority…we learned to be who we are: women who will leave an impact on the world! Nothing is impossible with determination and fight.”

Honorary Degree recipient Trish Karter said that she had been on campus in April and met with many of the graduating seniors. She was impressed that approximately 60 percent of them were the first in their families to attend college.

“In preparing for today,” Karter said, “I read Pine Manor’s mission statement and found concepts I care about deeply: ‘preparing women for roles of inclusive leadership and social responsibility in an environment that celebrates diversity and respects the common good.’ How fantastic would it be if every one of you took those ideas and built your lives around them? I have the sense that you are already there. It doesn’t get much better.”

Pine Manor College alumna and noted sculptor Cornelia Kubler Kavanagh ’60 told graduates that although she had always wanted to be an artist, she did not begin sculpting until she was in her mid-forties. “I began late and was self taught, but I am living my dream and have accomplished what I set out to do.” She encouraged the graduates to “never stop dreaming…never stop growing. Find your dream, find your voice, and make a difference.”

Gloria Reuben, actress, singer, and social activist, urged graduates to “connect with your interests and passions and set out with extraordinary possibilities. Remember that there will be times when forward movement is difficult but if you keep your hearts strong, your vision clear, and your heads high, you will achieve your goals.”

This year’s Pine Manor graduates received the following degrees: 12 Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, 14 Bachelor of Arts in Biology; 12 in Psychology, 11 in Communication; 10 in Management and Organizational Change; 8 in Economic and Financial Systems; 4 in Visual Arts; 3 in Social and Political Systems; 2 in Liberal Studies; 1 in English; 2 Associate of Science in Biology and 1 in Health Sciences.

The community focus on health involves work to assess the health needs of a community, and to design and implement programs to improve community health. Community health professionals work with educators, public health officials, clinicians, and community leaders to tackle problems that affect groups. For example, community health workers might seek to design and implement surveys to assess the level of HIV awareness and knowledge in a community; then to create and implement a program to improve HIV awareness; and finally measure the degree to which awareness increased.

Preparation for Community Health involves developing both knowledge and skills. This new major contains two parts:

• A core of courses for learning foundational principles of community health, and
• The freedom to select a minor “Focusing Area” that defines the individual student’s knowledge, skill set and approach to the practice of community health. This might be Psychology, Counseling, Management, Sociology, or Human Health

The Community Health Major also emphasizes experiential learning. The learning goals of the major are rooted in the overall goals of the College and are related to “core functions” which have been defined for all professionals working in community health.

For Wallace, the honor marks a record fourth consecutive season as the league's best backstop. Perhaps the GNAC's dominant offensive force of her era, the catcher ranked among the Top 5 in the conference with a .461 batting average, eight home runs and a robust .910 slugging percentage.

On Tuesday, Wallace, who also spent time at third base and center field as a senior, became Pine Manor's all-time hits leader in a 10-3 win over Emmanuel. Later that night, she passed the 200-hit milestone, ending her storied career in Chestnut Hill with 201 hits.

Nielsen, meanwhile, enjoyed a breakout sophomore season. After missing the entire non-conference schedule with a foot injury, the catcher-infielder emerged as the perfect compliment to Wallace in GNAC play.

In 20 league games, Nielsen tallied 20 hits, 12 of which went for extra bases, good for a .698 slugging percentage. Her six home runs place her in the Top 5 in the league and came in only 63 at-bats, which was enough for placement among the GNAC's best according to the league's coaches.

Rivier College won the league championship Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Emerson.

The segment about PMC begins around 6:40.

PMC Students Dorosella Kaluma, Amy Fraser, Laura Guillermo, and Marie Odney.

Nestled in a leafy section of Chestnut Hill, Pine Manor has an incredible distinction: For the last two years, the private liberal arts college has been ranked #1 for its campus ethnic diversity by U.S. News & World Report.

The school’s diversity is an asset that Aneesah Cameron, Amy Fraser, Dorosella Kaluma, Marie Odney and Laura Guillermo have grown to appreciate and value.

The five young women have different backgrounds but share a common bond as Pine Manor students that they believe will last a lifetime.

Senior Marie Odney is from Dorchester and attended John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science. Four years ago, Odney was a quiet, shy freshman. Now she stands tall and is unafraid to share her strong opinions on a variety of topics. She has undergone a complete transformation.

"When I first arrived at PMC I only associated with people I felt comfortable with," Odney said. "What I mean is [I associated with people] I had the majority of my classes with or [ones that] had come from the same neighborhood or high school."

Then she began joining clubs and student groups, which she admits helped her grow both socially and culturally. Odney now serves as a resident assistant and president of the Campus Activities Board.

"The benefit of attending a diverse school," Odney said, "is that you are less culturally ignorant and more socially responsible with what you say and how you treat people."

In 2008-2009, 47 percent of the Pine Manor student population identified as black/non-Hispanic; 18 percent Caucasian; 14 percent Hispanic/Latina, six percent international; five percent Asian of Pacific Islander, one percent American Indian and nine percent other or unreported.

The ethnic breakdown assures the statistical likelihood that every student will interact with others from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

There are now 480 students enrolled in the undergraduate program and the average class size is 14. The school offers both two-year and four-year degrees.

For these girls, the colors of their skin are a good thing. Their college experience revolves around the connections they are building and their commitment to inclusive leadership and social responsibility in their workplace, families and communities.

"Diversity has been positively correlated with learning," President Gloria Nemerowicz said. "Employers tell us they are looking for individuals with multi-cultural understanding and team building skills. At Pine Manor, we are in an environment that resembles the emerging nature of the demographics of our country."

Before entering the career world, Pine Manor students demonstrate their social responsibility by tutoring and mentoring one another. They also form community partnerships by volunteering their time at various agencies.

The fact that Pine Manor is ethnically diverse and offers lots of opportunities on- and off-campus opportunities convinced Cameron to leave her home in Providence to attend the small college.

"It [diversity] allows a person who goes in closed minded to open up," said Cameron said. "You really get a chance to learn more about people."

Fraser, a senior who hails from Marlborough, Mass., was accustomed to a diverse school setting after attending Marlborough High School and Assabet Valley Vocational High School.

She says she embraces the school’s diversity and said many of the girls she's come across at Pine Manor have really become like family to her.

Fraser also lacked confidence when she first stepped onto the Pine Manor campus.

Now, four years later, Fraser said, "This school gave me confidence to be a leader. They really strive to make us the best leaders we can [be]. If I hadn’t come here, I would still have been someone in the background."

Unlike Fraser, Kaluma's high school – Oliver Ames in North Easton, Mass. — was not made up of a diverse student population. Kaluma, now a junior, is from Rhode Island and admits that it is the family feeling that made her want to return to campus after her freshman year.

"The support of teachers, staff and sisters keeps you motivated," she said.

Guillermo, a junior from Lowell, Mass., also said that she’s found "an amazing group of people" at Pine Manor College.

The girls described Pine Manor as a laid back, tight knit community. "They really are friends," Fraser said. "When you meet someone [new on campus], you automatically feel connected."

All the girls said that they’ve learned so much from their peers and couldn’t imagine their college experience anywhere else but Pine Manor College.

"I’ll be leaving [graduating in May], but I know I can always call Dora," Odney said, "I’m never too far away from them."

Interview: Pine Manor President Gloria Nemerowicz Talks with Step Up About the School's Commitment to Diversity

Q. What motivated Pine Manor to increase racial diversity in the student body?

A. In 1998 the College adopted a mission to educate women for lives of inclusive leadership and social responsibility in their workplaces, families and communities. We saw a need to create an environment that celebrates diversity and respects the common good — not only in the Boston neighborhood, but throughout the entire country. That educational mission required more diversity on campus, particularly among the student body.

Q. Does this policy also extend to the recruitment of a diverse faculty? If so, how is that accomplished?

A. Absolutely — a diverse staff is a critical component of a good education and part of a college’s responsibility. It is important for our teachers to bring different perspectives to the classroom so students learn from their varied viewpoints. We continue our efforts to hire a more-diverse staff each year, actively recruiting in different locations, using various methods and finding new pools of candidates.

Q. How many different ethnicities and minorities are represented at Pine Manor?

A. We have more than 20 ethnicities at Pine Manor — from African American to Puerto Rican to Native American to Hispanic to Cape Verdean to Haitian to Asian/Pacific Islander to Dominican and many, many more. In addition, 7 percent of our undergraduate population is international! For five of the past six years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Pine Manor as #1 in diversity among all liberal arts colleges in the country. We have 500 students and 200 employees.

Q. What is the dropout rate, and what is the greatest reason for students leaving before graduation?

A. The national graduation rate for the students we serve is 25 percent. Our rate is 53 percent. Last year Washington Monthly ranked Pine Manor College as #1 for “actual vs. predicted” rates of graduation. Students sometimes leave before graduation because of financial problems, personal life conflicts or physical health issues. However, many of them do return once these issues have been resolved.

Q. How are students who did not perform at the highest level in high school evaluated for admission? What is the enrollment process?

A. We evaluate students for admissions holistically — we consider their high school grades and their standardized test scores but we also give considerable weight to a student’s community involvement, the thoughtfulness of her essay and third party recommendations. Most importantly, we conduct substantial interviews and measure factors such as realistic self-appraisal, adaptability, long-range goals, the ability to deal with adversity, and motivation — all of which are related to “grit,” which we believe is a predictor of success.

Q. How are financial problems resolved? What steps did you take to make college affordable for the students?

A. In 1998, we reduced tuition by 34 percent and we continue to be the most affordable four-year private college in the area. In addition, 94 percent of our students receive some combination of financial aid and 21 percent of the college’s operating budget is directed toward financial aid for our students.

Q. What do you see as the benefits for students from learning in a racially-sensitive academic environment?

A. The increasing globalization of all sectors of our environment, from the home to the workplace, demands that all citizens be able to draw on the rich resources of a multicultural environment. At the same time, simply living in a diverse environment does not necessarily promote cultural sensitivity. To this end, PMC has established multicultural competency as one of the key learning outcomes. Through curricular and co-curricular programming, and a variety of opportunities for reflection, the college encourages students to learn from the diversity of their environment.

Q. Pine Manor sponsored a summit of education leaders to explore ways to increase minority college attendance. What do you expect to result from the Summit?

A. The “Yes We Must Summit” brought together private colleges from across the country that are successfully educating, through graduation, students from underrepresented populations. We hope to strengthen the work of these individual colleges by joining together and gaining more resources to serve more students. This sector of higher education is essential to meeting President Obama’s goal of once again having the United States produce the highest percentage of college educated citizens.

These articles originally appeared in "Step Up" from The Bay State Banner.

The senior catcher hit .538 for the week and clubbed her way to a whopping 1.461 slugging percentage. In addition to her seventh-inning home run in a tied game at Simmons, Wallace secured the final outs of the sixth and seventh innings on collisions at home plate in Game 2 against the Sharks.

Wallace is second on the team in hitting, with a .438 average, hitting .542 in eight conference games with all of her team-best four of her home runs in league play. She leads the team with 16 RBI's, five doubles and an .875 slugging percentage and is perfect in 80 chances in the field.

A First Team All-GNAC catcher in all of her first three seasons, Wallace's Gators are in action Tuesday afternoon, playing host to Emerson College at 3:30. After hitting the road on Friday and Saturday at Norwich and St. Joseph's (ME), Pine Manor returns home Sunday at noon against Johnson & Wales.

Boston, MA - A coalition of private colleges from across the U.S. warned of a growing crisis in higher education during the first “Yes We Must” Summit held in Boston. The Presidents and representatives of 11 private colleges and universities, which serve mostly low income, first generation and students of color , urged Congress to pass legislation that would increase financial aid to students in need.

College officials expressed concern about the country’s ability to regain global leadership in college attainment unless lawmakers and the philanthropic community significantly increase support for small colleges and universities that are currently struggling to give access to new populations of college students.

“The only way for our country to meet the educational goals that have been set by President Obama, is for more schools to reach out to those students who are currently not in the college pipeline,” said Gloria Nemerowicz, President of Pine Manor College. “We are successfully doing that work. We are affordable, private colleges that serve the public good. But our students and our institutions are often overlooked.”

On Thursday Congress passed legislation that will increase the number of Pell Grants and increase the amount students can borrow for their college education. The measure was included in the health care reform "Reconciliation" bill.

"This legislative victory, though less than what is needed, will play a critical role in our fight to broaden the population of students who have access to college education," said Nemerowicz. "With only 27% of our population holding a college degree, we have a long way to go. We must remain vigilant in our efforts if we are to see progress on a national level– we cannot afford to do otherwise."

The 11 colleges, which have proven track records of guiding their students to graduation and entrance into the economy as productive citizens, formed a new coalition committed to raising awareness of the crisis facing the country and the challenges facing their schools.

Pine Manor College, which is focused on making graduation a reality for low-income students and is ranked the nation’s most diverse campus by US News & World Report 2010, convened the Summit to create a national discussion about President Obama’s declared goal of having the world’s largest share of college graduates by 2020.

The Summit brought together key leaders within the sector of higher education devoted to opening up college access to lower-income level students. Speakers at the Summit included Greg Darnieder, special assistant and Advisor to the Secretary of Education and David Warren, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The Presidents and the representatives of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and women’s colleges were among the participants. Representatives from organizations such as the College Summit and the United Negro College Fund , both recipients of Obama’s Nobel Prize money, that promote access to higher education attended as well.

Participating colleges included: Berea College – Berea, KY; Bennett College - Greensboro, NC; College of Saint Mary - Omaha, NE; Metropolitan College of NY - NY, NY; Nyack College - Nyack, NY; Our Lady of the Lake University - San Antonio, TX; Paul Quinn College - Dallas, TX; St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn, NY; Thomas University - Thomasville, GA; Dillard College – New Orleans, LA; Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, MA.

Following are reflections by former and current students of the three retirees. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts to be added to those below. To submit a thought, reflection, or meaningful story, please fill out this form.

Reflections of Mahala Tillinghast Beams '66

Yuki Asaka '05: Mahala was my best teacher. She supported me as a teacher, musician, and mother. I could not have completed college life without her, and she is always in my heart. I am pretty sure we can be connected by music anytime. That is and always will be our language. The best memory that we have is all the songs that we practiced together in Ellsworth. I especially appreciated that she accompanied all songs I sang at my graduation solo concert. Best wishes for many more years of success as she begins this new stage of her life.

Tracy Fogler Busyn '89: I worked with Professor Beams for four years doing musicals. Although I never took one of her classes, those of us who worked with her putting on the shows felt that we were part of a family. She was so much fun to be with, particularly as she taught us our dance routines. I particularly remember her work on Guys and Dolls; I was one of the "hot box girls" and she had to spend a lot of time with us because of the number of dances we had to learn. She was encouraging, energetic, and always enthusiastic.

Keri Ann Marcouillier '07: Professor Beams is a lovely woman who is passionate about what she does, and does a great job of sharing that passion with her students. She is a great teacher who embraces the talents of her students, and pushes them to be their very best. She was always available to lend me support in any way possible. I'm sure that she will be sorely missed by the entire PMC community. I wish her the very best retirement has to offer.

Tammy Smith '01: I am honored to write about Mahala Beams. There are so many things I want to say, but I can't find all the words that express how much Mahala Beams means to me. She is such an inspiration, a ray of light and unconditional support. Mahala was always there for me when I was a student at PMC. When I was feeling down her kind words and strength lifted me up. I was lucky enough to not only have her as a professor but also as a dance teacher. I loved dancing her choreography. She is truly a remarkable woman, a gift to the world. I am truly grateful that our paths crossed. Not only was she my mentor and dance teacher; now she is my friend.

Jushea "Shea" Rose '98: Professor Beams was one of the first people in my life who helped me tap into my gift as a writer. For this, I am so very grateful. Her encouragement, gentle nature, compassion for the human condition, and understanding of how we can express it through words, prose, poem, and song set the foundation for the artist, musician, and writer I am today.

Reflections of Robert J. Owczarek

Tracy Fogler Busyn '89: I don't think that I could come up with enough words to explain the impact that Professor Owczarek had on my life at Pine Manor. He was a teacher. He was an advisor. He was a director. He was a friend. He was a father figure. I would do anything for him. While I was at PMC, I worked with him on many of the musicals and plays, and I also actually worked for him as his intern on the work-study program. Whenever I needed advice, I knew that I could always go to him. He most definitely will be missed at Pine Manor.

Nadege Manigat '05: I remember when I was in high school I always wanted to audition for the school plays but was always afraid that I was not good enough and thus never auditioned. I made a vow that when I went to college, that, no matter what, I would audition. My freshman year audition for A Comedy of Errors, was one of the best moments of my life because of Bob Owczarek. He made me feel so comfortable and confident. For the next four years, Bob was a very important part of my life and fostered my love for the theater arts. His passion for theater and teaching inspired me every day. I miss him and those days very much.

Kathryn Gracey '88: Professor O, a fellow Michigander, is not just an influential teacher in my life but he is also a good friend. I had the pleasure of studying and working with him during my years at PMC, from my first play, Crimes of the Heart, to numerous acting classes. He was a great influence on me. Even after graduation he continues to support my acting, attending my productions in NYC and even writing articles on my theater company. Sadly, incoming students will not have the opportunity to learn from a truly fine teacher who gives so much to his students.

Enku Gubaie '96: What I remember the most about working with Professor Owczarek is the way he directed each actress. He had a way of helping you bring a character alive without demonstrating or telling you how it should be performed. He knew exactly what information you  needed to know about the character so you understood how it should be performed. This really helped bring out the best of your performance. He really helped me feel comfortable on stage and I had a great experience working with him.

Lori Sylvia '93: Bob Owczarek has been a teach, a mentor, and a dear friend for over twenty years. He taught me how to speak persuasively and publicly, which serves me well as my company's chief spokesperson. He mentored me in starting a chapter of Alpha Chi and serving as student president of PMC's Women in Communications, fostering my leadership ability and entrepreneurial spirit, which prepared me for my career in high-tech start-ups. He let my then boyfriend, Mark sit, sometimes not so quietly, through film class with me, and later celebrated with us at our wedding. Through the many lunches and dinners and Christmas cards since, he has enriched my life with his guidance and friendship. I feel so lucky to have remained friends with him through the many stages of our lives, and I wish him all the best as he enjoys this well-deserved next stage.

Keri Ann Marcouillier '07: What can one say about Bob Owczarek? I'm one of the lucky people who is glad to call him a friend and mentor. He was probably the most important part of my college experience. Bob O. (as many lovingly call him) has always pushed me to do my best and grow on both artistic and academic levels. I'm not sure that he will ever know exactly what an important he has played in my life thus far. He is an incredibly caring and talented being who is sure to continually make the world a bit brighter with his laughter and passion for the performing arts. I am forever in his debt. Bob, thank you for making me a better actor, and for pushing me to pursue my dreams and my vision.

Robin Cain Strickland '93: When I stepped foot on the beautiful campus of Pine Manor, I knew that I was home. At the end of the tour I told my mother that this is where I wanted to attend college and she said “Honey I’m sorry but we can’ t afford it.” My guidance counselor Dr. Robert Sutfin of Brookline High School said that we needed to investigate scholarships. Shortly after, I was awarded a full tuition scholarship and took out loans to pay for my room and board. When I walked on campus I was a seed that was ready to be watered, a seed that was waiting to be nurtured to grow into something amazing.

There was one person that was more than just a professor. He was a guide, a teacher in life, a coach that made you believe you could do anything. Of course every person that came into contact with him was drawn to his silver beard, sweet smelling cologne and his contagious smile. He is our Professor Owczarek.

Professor O talked about a musical that he was doing, “A My Name is Alice.” It sounded intriguing but I wondered if I could live up to something that seemed larger than life. Professor O convinced me that I could. Almost 19 years later I remembered my opening line, “A My Name is Alice and I…” In the musical, I was in love with a loser named Frank and in my monologue I wanted to kill him. After the opening night my father stood in amazement and said how proud he was of me.

19 years later, this is my monologue, my real life story…

A My Name is Alice…

and I beat all of the odds. I was the first in my family to graduate from a 4-year college. I broke the generational curse and was not a teenage mother. My mother fought for me and I knew that I had to fight for myself.

On the first day of college I met my good friend Gloria and realized that we grew up 5 minutes from each other in Dorchester, MA. During school we leaned on each other often cramming for exams, driving off campus in the middle of the night for our favorite exam treats (remember we used to put our dollars and scents together to get one order!). We encouraged each other after graduation and we have the best laughs to this day.

My real life “Frank” is David who is the most amazing husband of 16 years. We’ve built an awesome life together and are best friends. I’ve been able to accomplish so much knowing that he supports me all the way. When I’m at my lowest, he is there to wipe the tears and when I’m flying high, he is in the clouds with me celebrating.

My passion for special events has afforded me a perfect and adventurous career that has lead me to breaking the glass ceiling with the Ritz-Carlton (a 90’s term), working for exclusive clubs, traveling to Bangkok and Hong Kong to become more familiar with the Asian culture to better equip me for my dream job with the Mandarin Oriental. When I was a catering assistant for the Ritz-Carlton climbing the corporate ladder, I wrote in my journal that I wanted to be a Director of Catering for a 5-star 5-diamond hotel with outside space. When that dream came true at the Mandarin Oriental I realized that I had to dream another dream.

My current dream is to start a family, ensure that my time is my own and find myself in my oceanfront beach house summering and laughing with friends and family. Thank you Professor O for watering this seed and nurturing it knowing that something amazing was on the inside.

Here is to you and all of the lives and hearts you have touched. What an amazing human being you are. We love you!

Reflections on Joan R. Weinstein

Shou-An Liu '07: Professor Weinstein is always availbe for her students and has wonderful teaching skills that make it easy for her to explain hard subjects, such as Statistics. She supplies plenty of opportunities and resources for students to explore new information outside of the classroom so that they can apply what they have learned from the textbook and lectures to real-world situations. She is a wonderful professor who really cares about her students.

Lindsey Segal-Bator '12: For any incoming college student, the first year can be the most overwhelming time of your life. There are so many new challenges, experiences, friendships, and education topics you must adhere to in order to be successful. In college, math is no exception to this list and Professor Weinstein is the best math teacher I have ever had in my life. Unlike many professors, she goes above and beyond the textbook topics and individualizes the lessons in the chapter to relate to a student's daily life. These lesson plans that she teaches may, for some students, be challenging, but life is the ultimate challenge. Furthermore, she shows compassion and understanding to her students that go beyond the classroom. On behalf of Professor Joan Weinstein's current and previous students, I would like to thank her for everything she has done for the students at PMC. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors and hope that she gets to travel and explore the world!

Debbie Tribley-Shuman '75: Joanie's a wonderful person - so much more than a professor to me. We both began our PMC experiences in September of 1973, she as a professor and I as a freshman. She became my mentor, friend, and inspiration at Pine Manor, and long after. In addition to teaching math courses, Joanie helped me through so much more during my years at PMC. She has always been available for her students for extra help and advice at any time and has always been willing to give all that she can for her students. After PMC, I became her babysitter for her first son, Seth, who still holds a special place in my memories. I wish Joanie lots of relaxation and enjoyment in her retirement.

Playwright Lydia R. Diamond visited Pine Manor College on Monday, March 15, in honor of Women's History Month. Lydia engaged in an open conversation with the cast and crew of the PMC spring show, "Urban Antigone," in which she candidly discussed her work as a playwright, teacher, and mother. Lydia is a Huntington Playwriting Fellow and a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists; she has recently been the subject of articles in both the Boston Globe and New York Times, in which her work has been compared to that of August Wilson. Her hit play "Stick Fly" is currently in production at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston. The students and attendees asked a wide range of questions about Lydia's work, her process as a playwright and role as a black female theatre artist.

M. Evelina Galang is the author of two books of fiction, Her Wild American Self, a collection of short stories; and the novel One Tribe. Her creative nonfiction has appeared in numerous publications, including The Philippine Star; Calyx; and Ms magazine. She is also editor of the nonfiction anthology Screaming Monkeys: Critiques of Asian American Images. A recipient of the 2004 Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award for Advancing Human Rights, the 2004 AWP Prize in the Novel, and the 2007 Global Filipino Award in Literature (for One Tribe), Evelina has been researching the lives of the women of Liga ng mga Lolang Pilipina (LILA Pilipina), surviving Filipina “Comfort Women” of WWII, since 1998. Based on this research, she is currently writing Lolas’ House: Women Living with War.

David Yoo is the author of the novels Girls for Breakfast, which was named a NYPL Best Book for Teens and a Booksense Pick and Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before, a Chicago Best of the Best selection, of which author Jonathan Lethem wrote, “David Yoo's voice is so witty and charming it only seems fair to give warning: he’ll break the hearts of teenage readers of all ages with this bittersweet love story.” His forthcoming collection of essays, The Choke Artist, documents the experience of growing up as a Korean American with characteristic humor. David has published fiction and nonfiction in various journals and anthologies, including The Massachusetts Review and Who Can Save Us Now?, and he has a regular column in Koream Journal.

Jaime Manrique is a Colombian born novelist, poet, essayist, and translator who writes both in English and Spanish, and whose work has been translated into many languages. Among his publications in English are the novels Colombian Gold, Latin Moon in Manhattan, Twilight at the Equator, and Our Lives Are the Rivers; the volumes of poetry My Night with Federico García Lorca and Tarzan, My Body, Christopher Columbus; and the memoir Eminent Maricones: Arenas, Lorca, Puig, and Me. His honors include Colombia’s National Poetry Award, the 2007 International Latino Book Award (Best Novel, Historical Fiction), and a Guggenheim Fellowship. A Trustee of PEN American Center, he is currently at work on Cervantes Street, a novel.

More information about the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program and complete bios of our authors can be found at www.pmc.edu/mfa.

Pine Manor College announced today it will host the "Yes We Must" Summit on March 19-20. The invitational Summit is for private colleges and organizations that promote the national goal of increasing the number of underserved students who graduate. Pine Manor College, which focuses on making graduation a reality for low-income students and is ranked the nation's most diverse campus by US News & World Report 2010, organized the Summit to create a national discussion about President Obama's declared goal of having the world's largest share of college graduates by 2020.

One of the Summit's goals is to bring together key leaders within the sector of higher education devoted to opening up college access to lower-income level students. Speakers at the Summit will include Greg Darnieder, special assistant and Advisor to the Secretary of Education and David Warren, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
"One of the primary needs in this country is to make higher education accessible and affordable to a wider demographic of students," said Gloria Nemerowicz, President of Pine Manor College. "If we are going to fulfill President Obama's mission of raising graduation rates to achieve global leadership in the higher education arena, we must reach students who have the potential, but not the resources to earn a college degree."

The Presidents of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and women's colleges are among the invited participants. Representatives from organizations that support access for the underserved student population will also attend.

Although statistics indicate an increasing number of students are enrolling in U.S. colleges, many of them do not graduate. Low-income and minority students enroll in and graduate from four-year colleges and universities at disproportionately lower rates than other high school graduates. Only 25% of low income students actually earn college degrees.

"The consequences of ignoring the degree gap are severe," said President Nemerowicz. "There is a direct relationship between a college education and the well-being of individuals, families and communities, as well as the leadership of our country in the global economy."

The Summit will address topics including:

1. Finances: How Can Students Pay for College and How Can Our Institutions Thrive Financially
2. Effective Learning Practices In and Out of the Classroom
3. Access to College Movement: A Discussion About How Colleges Can Connect More Directly and More Effectively with Access Organizations
4. What the Media Might Do to Raise Awareness of the Issues

Facilitators will include:

• Alma Clayton-Pedersen, Vice President for Education and Institutional Renewal, Association of American Colleges and Universities
• Ann. S. Coles, Senior Fellow, ACCESS
• Greg Darnieder, Special Assistant and Advisor to the Secretary on the Secretary's Initiative on College Access, U.S. Department of Education
• Bob Giannino-Racine, Executive Director, ACCESS
• Paul Glastris, Editor in Chief, Washington Monthly
• Wendell D. Hall, Associate Director, Congressional Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance
• Estela Lopez, Senior Program Advisor, Excelencia in Education
• Joyce E. Smith, CEO, National Association for College Admission Counseling
• David Warren, President, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

The "Yes We Must Summit" is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Nellie Mae Foundation. Please visit www.pmc.edu/yes-we-must for more information about "Yes We Must" and for a detailed schedule of events.

Wright hit the game-winning buzzer beater and secured the GNAC rebounding title with her monstrous 26-point, 22-rebound, four-block effort in Saturday's 75-73 win. Her tip-in as time expired sealed the Gators first road win of the season as the forward broke a three-way tie atop the league rebounding charts. In addition to her 22 boards, Wright also set career highs with 14 free throws in 17 attempts.

Nelson exploded for career- and game-highs of 28 points on 7-13 shooting from three-point range, playing all 40 minutes Saturday. The forward also pulled down seven rebounds while shooting 7-8 at the charity stripe. Her seventh three-pointer tied the game at 68, capping a late ten-point comeback in the final minutes.

Wright's accolade marks the first time a Gators basketball player has earned Player of the Week honors since former center Amanda Dennis earned the award on February 16, 2009.

An affordable, high impact, and low time-commitment alternative for busy working writers, the Solstice Seminars are designed to build upon and expand the concentrations of the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program by focusing on one aspect or sub-genre of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or writing for young people.

Participants in “Writing for Stage & Screen” will learn playwriting or screenwriting basics with faculty members Anne-Marie Oomen and Lesley Alicia Tye; rehearse newly created scenes with guest director Bob Owczarek; attend a play in nearby Boston; and enjoy a screening of a film with commentary by a special guest.

About our faculty:

Anne-Marie Oomen has written and produced seven plays, including the award-winning “Northern Belles,” inspired by oral histories of women farmers; “Wives of An American King,” based on the James Jesse Strang story; and “Recovering Ruth.”

Lesley Alicia Tye has written several feature length screenplays, was co-writer for the television pilot Devin’s Chronicles for Caspian Sea Entertainment, and was a recipient of the Stephen C. Gentry Award for Excellence in Screenwriting. Her film and television credits range from Costume Designer for the feature Two Coyotes to Below-the-Line Agent with Casala, Ltd.

Bob Owczarek has taught theatre at Dean College, the Boston Conservatory, and Boston University, and Pine Manor College. He has appeared on stage, film, radio, and television.  He is a member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, the Screen Actors’ Guild, and Actors’ Equity Association.

The groundbreaking children’s writer Louise Meriwether acted as commencement speaker, emphasizing the power of the pen to effect social change and highlighting her own experience as an African-American writer born during the Depression. Class speaker Karima Grant offered some words of encouragement and praise to current students and fellow graduates, while Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Nia Lane Chester toasted the achievements of the program and its students. A reception followed in the Moncrief Room, where more than 75 guests mingled in honor of the graduates.

The Solstice Low-Residency MFA Program offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and writing for children & young adults. The application deadline for our summer residency/fall 2010 semester is April 26. For more information, visit www.pmc.edu/mfa or call (617) 731-7684.

Soccer forward Alicia Grenier was featured in a recent edition of South Coast Today, the daily newspaper serving the Somerset and Swansea, MA areas.

"I feel really good and accomplished about my first two seasons," the sophomore told the paper. "I've made amazing friends and, because of how close we've become off the soccer field, it shows on the field."

To read the entire full-length article, click here.

The leading scorer for Gators soccer again in 2009, the Swansea native has scored 20 or more points in both of her seasons in the Green and White.

On December 2nd, the College honored the 2009 senior interns and their site supervisors at a Reception in the Moncrief Room. Interns enthusiastically spoke of how meaningful and transforming their internships had been, and of the wonderful mentoring they had received. Site supervisors praised PMC interns for the knowledge, skills, and the positive work ethic they contributed to their organizations. Several of the site sponsors have hosted PMC interns for a number of years.

Senior Internships, which are required of all students, take place in the fall and include 16 hours a week at a site related to the student’s major, as well as an on-campus weekly seminar led by a faculty member. This year students developed and practiced their skills at an amazing array of organizations, including the Danforth Museum, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Codman Square Health Center, WHDH TV, Herman and Herman CPA, The Home for Little Wanderers, Mason Rice Elementary School, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Sweet Tomatoes Pizza, Converse, and EPOCH Hospice Care.