By Logan Monteleone
News Editor
Ahead of the Enchanted Bayou-themed celebration where students danced among floral vines and blow-up reptiles, George Washington’s birthday weekend began on campus with the Spring Convocation ceremony on Friday evening, where members of the WC community recognized one another for accomplishments both in and beyond the classroom.
The contributions of late Emeritus Professor Nate Smith were recognized in Interim President Bryan Matthews’s opening remarks, and SGA President junior Zach Tipton and Chair of the Board of Visitors and Governors Rick Wheeler ’86 reflected on George Washington’s legacy and commended the resilience and critical thinking skills of the College community.
The Cromwell Award for innovative teaching and learning at the College was awarded to Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Dr. Shaun Ramsey.
The Joseph L. Holt Distinguished Service Award that recognizes WC staff for leadership and service contributions that improve College programs was presented to Hilary Bateman, the Assistant Dean of Advising and Academic Advocacy; Nanette Cooley, the Executive Director of the Center for Career Development; and John Ruth, WC’s Sports Fields Manager.
L. Myrton Gaines II ’78, Pat McMenamin ’87 P’16, and Debbie McMenamin ’88 P’16 the Washington College Alumni Service Award in recognition for their ongoing support for and involvement with the institution.
Recognizing individuals and organizations for advancement of the College and the larger Chestertown community, The President’s Medal was awarded to Executive Director of the Kent Cultural Alliance John Schratwieser and to Shore Rivers for its work in protecting the local natural environment.
Ranger Angela Crenshaw ’04, Director of the Maryland Park Service, delivered the keynote address and was presented with this year’s Washington College Award for Excellence. Crenshaw reflected on her experience as a WC undergraduate, discussed her career journey, shared words of encouragement, and shared appreciation for the institution.
Senior Stevie Lyles sang the National Anthem and the Alma Mater to respectively open and close the ceremony.
After the formality of Birthday Convocation, students and alumni let loose with Saturday’s ball, held in the JFC and organized by the Student Events Board.
SEB came up with the theme, first by looking at Pinterest boards for ideas about party themes during one of their meetings, members said. SEB member sophomore Cora Weymes came up with the Enchanted Bayou theme, which was characterized by greens and purples, floral vines, large spherical “bistro” lights, and sheer white curtains.
President of SEB Sierra Lear-Wecht said that all of the decorations were well-curated to match the theme, which leaned into vines and floral decorations to emphasize the magical portion of the wetland environment.
“We had a photo booth that was really cute, and it had like lanterns and a grass wall, and then we also had a gazebo which really encased the enchanted vibe, and then a lot of our other decor matched it,” Lear-Wecht said.
Of the four inflatable alligators also incorporated into the decorations at Birthday Ball, only two made it out alive on Sunday.
“We had Ally the Alligator, who was our 11-foot crow-surfing alligator, and we had Michael and Brigid up front, and then we had Phil at the Photobooth,” Lear-Wecht said, adding that one gator was taken by attendees. Ally popped during her flight above the crowds.
Freshmen Amelia Rockwell and Teagan Buss said that the work they put into setting up and taking-down Birthday Ball was well worth it.
“It was worth all the hard work of the two days putting it all together,” Rockwell said.
“And even today, of doing takedown,” Buss added.
Rockewell and Buss both decided to join SEB because they wanted to meet new people and be a part of something that improves the student experience.
“We saw the energy that all of the [SEB executive members] put into everything, and we decided that we wanted to be involved in that and we wanted to help bring that energy to the students and connect everybody and meet new people,” Buss said.
Despite not having been to a Birthday Ball before they put in so much time to make it possible, Buss said seeing the excitement of upperclassmen for the event made her eager to help out.
“For me, it was seeing all of the passion and the excitement of the upperclassmen who have been to a Birthday Ball. Seeing how excited they were about really made me want to help them,” Buss said.
Student Affairs reported on Monday that over 800 people attended the dance, which involved volunteer support from groups across campus.
Photo Caption: From left, SEB executive board members senior Sierra Lear-Wecht and juniors Kaitlyn Mankevich and Posionettá Fowler.
Photo courtesy of Sierra Lear-Wecht