15 years of creative leadership
鈥淲e will continue to reaffirm that Skidmore is a place where Creative Thought Matters, both today and in the years ahead.鈥�鈥� President Glotzbach
For 15 years, 91抖淫 President Philip A. Glotzbach has embodied the College's vision of making no small plans. He has set big goals and dreamed of a bright future. He has listened and learned. He has been a voice of change, taking a stance on issues important to the College and constantly reminding the Skidmore community that we are "in it" together.
Under Glotzbach's leadership, the percentage of U.S. students of color at Skidmore has doubled to 25 percent, and international students now account for 10 percent (from 1 percent). The financial aid budget has increased to $49 million from $15 million, and the percentage of science majors has risen to 33 percent from 22 percent.
Following are highlights of Glotzbach's 15 years of leadership at Skidmore:
2003
Welcoming Skidmore's seventh president
A philosopher, academic administrator and spokesperson on issues of higher education, President Philip A. Glotzbach joins Skidmore following 11 years at the University of Redlands in Southern California.
鈥淭oday, I formally and most enthusiastically accept the responsibilities of this office. I do so with relish, with energy, with profound respect for the achievements of so many who have created the Skidmore we know today, and with unfailing optimism for the Skidmore of the future.鈥� 鈥� President Glotzbach
2005
Transforming the First-Year Experience
The new First-Year Experience (FYE) helps first-year students adjust to college life through integrated coursework and personal development opportunities.
A hallmark of the program is the Scribner Seminars, small-group studies designed to immerse new students in college-level learning alongside mentors dedicated to their success.
Altogether, the program ensures students receive a comprehensive welcome to college 鈥� intellectually, emotionally and socially.
2006
Opening the Northwoods Village
With 380 beds in 100 apartments, Northwoods Village is the first step in a phased replacement of Scribner Village.
The furnished three- and four-person apartments encourage more seniors and juniors to live on campus. They also become popular among alumni and guests during summer programs and Reunion.
The Village is the first geothermally heated and cooled facility on campus, setting a precedent for future construction.
Celebrating student-athletes
The Thoroughbred Society, introduced by Athletics Director Gail Cummings-Danson, honors student-athletes who succeed in academics and athletics. Varsity athletes who earn a grade-point average of 3.67 or better are honored each semester.
Since its start, more than 2,400 students have joined the society.
2008
Committing to sustainability
Skidmore hires its first campus sustainability coordinator.
The position will become a permanent fixture on campus with a portfolio that includes strengthening campus stewardship of the 300-acre North Woods, advising members of the student-run organic garden, growing the use of renewable energy sources on campus and running popular student-focused programs like the 鈥淏ikeMore鈥� bike-share.
2009
Promoting Creative Thought Matters
By 2009, President Glotzbach has taken our declaration on the road.
His message: more than a slogan, Creative Thought Matters is a philosophy and a promise. Here, whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, you are empowered to think differently and open your ideas to be bigger, better and more inclusive.
2010
Proclaiming bold creativity
President Glotzbach and Marie Glotzbach head Skidmore鈥檚 most ambitious fundraising campaign at the time 鈥� Creative Thought, Bold Promise. Completed in 2010, it raises $216.5 million, $16.5 million over its goal.
More than 18,000 individuals contribute to the campaign, more than doubling the total of any previous fund-raising effort at the College.
The campaign helps fund the new Arthur Zankel Music Center and other key priorities, including financial aid, the endowment, sustainability and academics.
Adding an acoustic marvel
The new 54,000-square-foot Arthur Zankel Music Center gives the Music Department much-needed classrooms and rehearsal space and its 600-seat Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall becomes a resource for the entire region.
Today, the award-winning acoustic marvel has hosted countless performances and master classes featuring world-class artists of all genres.
Campus-wide renovations
Visitors are amazed by the dramatic physical changes to campus as several projects are completed, including renovations to the Saisselin Art Building, Scribner Library, Filene Hall, athletics fields and a broad cross-section of classrooms, laboratories and gathering places.
The Murray-Aikins Dining Hall also receives a dramatic redesign to highlight its growing menu of healthy and award-winning food.
2013
Improving the residential experience
Replacing the smaller, outdated Scribner Village apartments, the new Sussman Village ushers in an era when nearly 90 percent of students choose to live on campus.
The Village features furnished three and four-bedroom apartments where students enjoy their own kitchens, single bedrooms and private living rooms.
Expanding on Skidmore's green-energy initiatives, the new apartments use geothermal heating and cooling.
2014
Amping up our promise
Skidmore unveils its photovoltaic solar array, one of the largest solar arrays in New York state at the time. It will generate 2.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to meet 12 percent of Skidmore鈥檚 needs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking more than 400 cars off the road each year.
One week later, Skidmore finalizes an agreement to generate 18 percent of its electrical demand from a refurbished hydropower facility. Up to 4.1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy will be generated annually, further reducing Skidmore's carbon footprint and providing predictable, low-cost power.
Together, the two projects make it possible for 30 percent of Skidmore鈥檚 electrical demand to be met by renewable power. Future projects and renovations will raise the number to 40 percent.
Icing out ALS
Skidmore students urge President Glotzbach to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge. He willingly dumps a bucket of ice water over his head to promote awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and encourage donations to research.
Ensuring access
President Glotzbach, in a group of more than 100 leaders, joins President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House to discuss ways to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for a quality college education.
鈥淎s important as it is to give admission, financial aid and counseling to promising students, there鈥檚 more we must do. We need to ensure that they can take advantage of the full range of programs we offer to help students explore new academic interests and establish trajectories toward successful careers.鈥� 鈥� President Glotzbach
2015
Skidmore Cares turns 10
Led by Marie Glotzbach, Skidmore Cares celebrates its 10th anniversary. The fundraiser shows that, as a community, we are stronger together and our collective caring can make a remarkable difference for local nonprofits. Skidmore faculty, staff and their families gather during the holiday season to give in meaningful ways to dozens of local causes.
By 2018, the program raises over $90,000 and distributes more than 28,000 items.
2017
Creating our Future
President Glotzbach leads the launch of Creating our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore, calling it 鈥渁n extraordinary moment in Skidmore鈥檚 history.鈥�
The goal is ambitious: raise $200 million by 2020 for strengthening Skidmore's signature brand of creativity, collaboration and community to prepare students for lives of achievement and purpose.
A key priority is the construction of the new Center for Integrated Sciences, which will gather all 10 departments and programs in the physical and life sciences into a facility designed to foster collaboration across disciplines.
The campaign will also support scholarships and financial aid, career development and experiential learning, the Tang Museum, athletics and the Skidmore Fund.
Being a leading liberal arts college in the nation
Applications for the fall 2017 class top 10,000 鈥� the largest group the College had seen yet, and its most diverse. By increasing financial aid, attracting more U.S. students of color and recruiting more international students, Skidmore is more pluralistic and welcoming to all than ever before.
With rankings recognition from U.S. News and World Report, Forbes and others, the year also set a new precedent for Skidmore as a best liberal arts college in the nation.
Rubbing elbows with Simon and Winfrey
Paul Simon, the 16-time Grammy winner who helped create the soundtrack of American life, visits campus for a songwriting masterclass for a group of music and English students and an on-stage conversation with President Glotzbach.
Awarded a doctorate of letters, Oprah Winfrey speaks to the graduating Class of 2017. The philanthropist, producer and education advocate shares a hope and dream that graduates 鈥渂e able to make the right choice based on the truth that is you.鈥�
2018
Welcoming his 15th class
President Glotzbach welcomes the Class of 2022 to Skidmore and challenges them in a way many recent graduates may recognize:
鈥淭his project of going to college 鈥� and asking the big questions 鈥� takes courage, resolve and persistence,鈥� he says. 鈥淪o, take to heart the advice of Eleanor Roosevelt, who said, 鈥楧o something every day that scares you.鈥欌��
Breaking ground on CIS
In a ceremony that features Neil Shubin, a noted paleontologist, the Skidmore community celebrates the official groundbreaking of the Center for Integrated Sciences.
"CIS will give students and faculty access to cutting-edge technology and pedagogical tools and create a space in which intellectual passion and curiosity will be encouraged to roam freely across disciplinary boundaries." 鈥� President Glotzbach
Timeless
Over the past 15 years, the Skidmore community, with President Glotzbach at the helm, has come together to celebrate and commemorate, dig in, imagine and inspire.
For every time the greater world swept into campus with change, uncertainty or sadness, President Glotzbach encouraged the Skidmore community with hope and kindness.
Inspiring our future
A note from President Glotzbach:
鈥淲ithout a doubt, we have seen impressive change at 91抖淫 since Marie and I joined the community 15 years ago.
"Back then, we were impressed by this community鈥檚 focus on creativity, its welcoming attitude and its forward-looking spirit. And, while there is a growing list of physical and intellectual evolutions we鈥檝e gone through together, the part we are most proud of is that the energy and promise of Skidmore remains true to our core: Creative Thought Matters.
鈥淎s I said in 2003, no one will work harder for this college than I will. With 15 years behind us and a bright future ahead of us, I set forth a new challenge. Let us rededicate ourselves to developing the bright, ambitious young people who are the leaders for tomorrow our world so desperately needs. As each one fullfils their promise, we will celebrate our greatest achievements, time and time again.鈥�
