A publication for Champlain College families

Meet our Students

Champlain College student Jeremy Ellis of Old Mystic, Conn., was nominated as one of 10 finalists for The Vermont Teddy Bear Company's 7th Annual Vermont Student Citizen Award.

Ellis was recognized for his volunteer work with the DREAM Mentoring Program. He is one of the founding mentors in the Champlain College – Birchwood neighborhood DREAM program. Through this program, he and other Champlain students made a weekly, multi-year commitment to mentor young adults in Milton, Vermont.

Through DREAM, which stands for Directing through Recreation, Education, Adventure, and Mentoring, the students are working together with children to help them recognize their options, make informed decisions and achieve their dreams. In addition to weekly gatherings, Champlain DREAMers have taken their mentees skiing and snowboarding, on trips to Boston and New York, and on winter and summer camp getaways.

“DREAM has become a part of my life,” said Ellis. “It feeds my energy and inspiration.”

In addition to working with DREAM, Ellis has helped build a culture of service at Champlain College. He founded a student program called Food Fight, which brings students together with Sodexho food service staff to prepare soup for 100+ homeless neighbors each week. Additionally, he was among students who organized Champlain's first Alternative Spring Break trip to the 9th Ward of New Orleans, where they helped with cleaning and rebuilding.

Created by The Vermont Teddy Bear Company in cooperation with Vermont Campus Compact, Vermont Higher Education Council, and Vermont Life Magazine, the Vermont Student Citizen Award recognizes the outstanding community service contributions many Vermont college students make in the community.

The award carries a reward of $1,000 to the student, a corporate gift of $1,000 to the non-profit organization where the student serves, and $1,000 to the institution the student attends. Students also receive a complimentary Vermont Teddy Bear Graduation Bear.

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is deeply rooted to the State of Vermont and takes pride in its mission to help people make meaningful connections with one another. By recognizing service learning as an important component of a young person's education, the company hopes to reinforce caring and service to others, key elements of both a good corporate citizen and a Vermont citizen.

Ellis is a graduate of Fishers Island School and he is a Multimedia and Graphic Design major at Champlain College. He is the son of Carl and Jessica Ellis.

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Champlain in the News

College attracts 30 first-generation college students in inaugural year
of Vermont First Scholarships

Michaela Fortin is one busy freshman. The Graphic Design & Digital Media major from Hinesburg is engrossed in her first-semester courses at Champlain College, including her favorite drawing class. She’s set her sights on owning her own business—perhaps designing a screen-printed clothing line—and she’s singing with Champlain’s a cappella group, the Music Makers. Beyond her high level of engagement, what makes Fortin’s experience notable is that she is among the first 30 students to be awarded a Vermont First Scholarship at Champlain College.

Champlain College’s new, need-based scholarship program broadens access to a bachelor’s degree to qualified, academically talented students whose parents did not attend college. “It’s nice to be able to get this scholarship and to be able to come to the college I selected and not have to worry so much about money,” Fortin said.

The 17-year-old said Champlain’s programs and career-building track record attracted her, and the scholarship sealed the deal. “I was excited that a Vermont college cares about Vermont students,” she said.

The 30 Vermont First Scholarship recipients hail from all over the state—from West Dover to Highgate and West Rutland to Barton. Peter Czekaj of St. Albans is studying Criminal Justice, with his eyes on a career in the FBI. “I was very grateful to receive this scholarship. With two other brothers also attending college, my family needs every dollar we can get,” he said. Between his classes and studying, Czekaj hits the College’s fitness center and serves as the vice president of the Student Republicans club.

Targeted at college-bound high school seniors, Vermont First Scholarship applicants must present a record of strong academic achievement in high school, qualify for admission to Champlain College, plan to enroll as a full-time, undergraduate student, and be eligible for the Pell Grant Program. The scholarship, in combination with expected family contribution, federal and state programs to include work-study, student loans, grants and other gift aid, provides funding for up to the full cost of attendance at Champlain College. The Vermont First Scholarship is renewable for a student’s four years at Champlain and varies in amount from student to student.

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Champlain ranked a top-tier college in U.S.News America's Best Colleges 2008

U.S.News America's Best Colleges has again ranked Champlain College in the top tier of the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North.

The national publication placed Champlain at Number 19 in this field of colleges that emphasize undergraduate education and represent the northeastern United States. This year the publication ranked 320 baccalaureate colleges across four regions of the country.

According to U.S. News, the rankings published in August 2007, use six broad categories of measures to capture various dimensions of academic quality at each college: peer assessment, graduation and retention rate, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

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College celebrates new study-abroad campus in Montréal

Champlain College has established a study-abroad campus at 525 rue Sherbrooke Est in Montréal, Québec, in the heart of the city. Starting this semester, Champlain students can choose to spend a full academic semester in Montréal taking Champlain College courses.

The College celebrated its new academic center with a ribbon-cutting event on September 28, 2007.

Champlain’s study-abroad site is believed to be the first American campus in Montréal. Thirty students are enrolled in eight courses there this fall; the courses are identical to those offered on campus in Burlington, which is a 90-minute drive to the south. In the future, students from other American colleges will be able to apply to study at the study-abroad site.

The College has contracted with l'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) to offer student housing in a UQAM residence hall on rue Saint Urbain. The University offers Champlain students the opportunity to live with francophone students from Québec and Canada, as well as a variety of other countries. Champlain College has also hired several Canadians to teach courses and coordinate academic and student activities in Montréal.

“With our new campus in Montréal, Champlain students can make the most of the many international business, multicultural and learning opportunities that are available in Greater Montréal,” said Champlain College President David F. Finney. “The Montréal campus is another way for our students to internationalize their educational experience.” In addition to study-abroad programs at partner colleges in Europe and a host of international internship offerings, Champlain also operates a satellite campus in Mumbai, India.

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Surprise Someone!

Sodexho Dining Services has an easy way to surprise your special student with a gift package of goodies for any occasion.  Call 802-860-2719 to place an order.

• Nature’s Basket:  Fresh seasonal whole fruit, Gourmet cheese, crackers, spring water or juice
• Pizza Pie:  A large 16” pie with choice of toppings.  Served with a two litre soda
• Cookies:  One dozen fresh ‘Otis Spunkmeyer’
• Chocolate Therapy:  A half dozen truffles served with sparkling cider.  Add flowers and wisdom if you like
• Let them Eat Cake:  For birthdays, congratulations, or to say “we miss you”.  Choose from a variety of flavors
• Giant Rice Krispie Treat:  Everybody has a sweet tooth when it comes to these.  A whopping 12” by 15” treat cut to share
• Make A Request:  Put our staff to the test.  We’ll help you create a customized delicacy to your specifications.

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Academic Calendar - Spring 2008

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Words from a Champlain Parent

“I was intrigued by Champlain College’s creative approach to recruitment and impressed by the personal attention my daughter received as she went through the Admissions process. She is now a Resident Assistant in Second Year. All her experiences over the past two years have confirmed that Champlain is truly a wonderful school that challenges and supports students to pursue their best aspirations. I could not be more pleased with my daughter’s choice of college and we look forward to her next two years at Champlain with great enthusiasm.”

Jim Campbell
Parent of Emilia Campbell ‘10    

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Supporting Champlain College

Since its founding in 1878, Champlain has benefited from the continued financial support from alumni, parents and friends of the College. Every gift makes a difference to students and the College. For information on ways to support Champlain, please visit www.champlain.edu/support/index.php

GIFTS OF TIME AND TALENT

Champlain College offers volunteer opportunities for parents both on and off campus.  Parents who volunteer help further the mission of Champlain College through their efforts.  It is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and foster bonds that may last a lifetime!  For more information, please email us at parentprograms@champlain.edu

 

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR TEAM!

For more information on making a gift to the College or volunteering, please contact

Susan Moses
Director of Parent Programs
Email: parentprograms@champlain.edu
Direct line:  802-865-5428
Toll free:  800-570-5858

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If you do not wish to receive the Parent E-newsletter, please send us an email at parentprograms@champlain.edu.