(Please
click on images for enlarged versions. Place mouse over images for captions.)
Connecting the Liberal Arts with Careers
Seniors graduating from colleges and universities
this year are facing the same competitive job market that has been characteristic
of the last several years, says Nancy B. Karpinski, director of career
development services at Wells College.
"Computer skills are very important, even for liberal arts graduates; and
there is job growth in the technical area. Students with language skills
are in demand as we move into a global workplace," she says.
In order to help Wells students prepare
for the challenges of careers in the 90s, Karpinski has utilized the resources
of the college's Leadership Connection - a network of alumnae around the
globe working in a variety of fields. With the help of this college-supported
program, alumnae offer internships and career mentoring. They return to
campus to meet with students in and outside the classroom and serve as
leaders-in-residence.
On April 18 and 19, alumnae who work
in a variety of different areas returned to campus for the From Wells to
Work program. The visitors included a vice president with Pitney Bowes,
a vice president with J.P. Morgan & Company, and a legal recruiter.
The program addressed the job search
process. Students were able to seek advice about careers, participate in
mock interviews, and attend a business luncheon that emphasized personal
presentation. Throughout the event, they had a chance to see how a liberal
arts education translates into a profession.
Alumna Donna Maltzan says, "I interviewed
five students, and it was really fun. It was rewarding for me because I
could see the light bulbs turn on. In most cases, it would start out as
an interview and then I would provide feedback about their interviewing
techniques. Then I gave them a chance to ask questions."
Alumnae contacts helped legal recruiter
Dina Johannemann find her first job shortly after graduation in 1990. "I
would never have been able to make those connections had it not been for
the networking. I wanted to come back for this program to repay and continue
that tradition because it makes such a difference," she says.
Johannemann interviewed six students
during the From Wells to Work program. "I think the interviews are an excellent
way to prepare. When you're comfortable and confident about your interviewing,
you interview better," she says. "After the students go through this process,
and then actually start interviewing for jobs, they'll feel a little more
relaxed and a little more confident."
Students who participated were enthusiastic
about the program. "This is one of the things that's great about Wells.
These alumnae were willing to come from far distances because of the Wells
Connection. It shows that they still care about us," says Wells senior
Amy Hamaker.
Senior Michele Russo says, "Most businesses
would like you to have two to three years of work experience. Graduates
who want to go into their fields right away might find that difficult.
I think internships give us an opportunity to test different fields. Wells
has taught me to be more confident in myself, and I will carry that into
the future."
May 17, 1996
Pettibone House Restoration Project Receives
Historic Preservation Award
Wells College has won a 1996 Historic
Educational Building Award from the Preservation League of New York State
for its restoration of the 19th century Pettibone House located on campus.
"The efforts which Wells College and its alumnae made to restore Pettibone
House certainly deserve to be recognized," said architect Mark Thaler who
was a key member of the restoration team. "The Preservation League of New
York State is the foremost private preservation agency within the state."
Thaler works with John G. Waite Associates, an architectural firm in Albany,
New York.
The renovation was done by McGuire
& Bennett, Inc. of Ithaca, New York. Work began in September 1991 and
was completed by the dedication ceremony on October 3, 1992. According
to Diane Hutchinson, Wells' vice president and treasurer, the total cost
of the project was $1.5 million; and generous gifts from alumnae and friends
of the college made it possible. Alumnae and friends also donated antiques
to furnish the building in accordance with its history.
Architect John Waite, widely known
in the field of historic preservation, calls Pettibone House "an architectural
masterpiece, an outstanding example of 19th century Gothic Revival domestic
architecture."
The Preservation League presents awards
annually, and this year's competition was specifically designed to recognize
outstanding efforts to preserve historic educational buildings and continue
their use as educational facilities.
Pettibone House History
Pettibone House was built in 1857 for
the enigmatic George Pettibone, who probably never lived there. Historical
documents in the college archives speculate about his exploits as a gambler,
his dealings in New York City's financial world, and his stormy marriage;
but little information about his life has been substantiated.
The property was adjacent to the mansion and grounds of Henry Wells' estate
in Aurora which became the campus of Wells College. Henry Wells, founder
of the Wells Fargo and American Express companies, bought Pettibone House
in 1869 as an addition to the college for women he had recently established,
and it was first used as the home of the president.
Pettibone served primarily as a residence
hall for generations of Wells students, and it also housed the college
infirmary during the 1920s and 30s. The house is the backdrop for a number
of ghost stories that have been a part of college lore for decades.
New state building codes in 1984 caused
the college to close Pettibone as a residence hall. In 1990, the trustees
announced plans for the restoration and launched a campaign to raise the
funds. Alumnae interest in the future of the building that they remembered
so fondly contributed to the successful drive to raise funds.
The Restoration Process
Researchers delved into the college archives
for historical information that would help them restore the house to its
original appearance. Partitions were removed which had divided grand rooms;
layers of paint were stripped in order to find original features.
Workers restored marbleized fireplaces
and replicated those that had been removed. The asphalt roof was replaced
with a wood shingle roof to match the original. Additionally, much structural
work was done and an elevator was installed.
Local Support for the Award
The nomination for the award was supported
with strong recommendations from two local residents: Randi Shaw Zabriskie
of Aurora and Ezra Cornell III of Ithaca, both of whom have a special interest
in area history and Wells College.
Zabriskie graduated from Wells in 1974
and lived in Pettibone House. "The building had an intimate, homelike atmosphere
not found in large residence halls," she says. "The restoration of such
a beloved building stirs up memories in the hearts of many and creates
new memories for the people who now work there."
Ezra Cornell, whose involvement includes
teaching economics at Wells, is impressed with the historical accuracy
of the renovation. He says, "The early presidents of the college conducted
most of their business in Pettibone's first floor study. I have no doubt
that the room's spectacular view of Cayuga Lake provided a great deal of
inspiration. The building now houses vital college offices that will also
benefit from this setting."
The awards ceremony will be held at
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York on Saturday, June 8 during the Preservation
League's 23rd annual conference. A Wells College representative will be
present.
Pettibone currently houses the Office
of Alumnae Affairs, Career Development Services, the Office of Development,
and the Office of Public Relations.
May 3, 1996
Other Articles
in Wells College News:
| September,
2002 |
September,
2000. - May.,2001 |
May,1998 |
May - June,1997 |
| August, 2002 |
September,
1999 - August, 2000 |
April,1998 |
March - April,1997 |
| September,
2001. - May.,2002 |
August,1999 |
March,1998 |
February,1997 |
|
May,1999 |
February,1998 |
November - December,1996 |
|
April,1999 |
January,1998 |
October,1996 |
|
February -March,
1999 |
December,1997 |
September,1996 |
|
January,1999 |
November,1997 |
June - Aug.,1996 |
|
Fall,1998 |
October,1997 |
May,1996 |
|
August,1998 |
September,1997 |
April,1996 |
|
June -July,
1998 |
July - August,
1997 |
February - March,
1996 |
Last updated 01/22/2003
|
