People at KSC

It’s nice to have some support from the outside. Dave Wenhold does just this for Keene State College. As a Keene State College alumni he understands the importance of building connections with the outside world. He’s helped create opportunities for Political Science majors in Washington D.C., where he works as a top lobbyist.

To read more about David Wenhold, visit his full article at Keene State Today.

Riley, Samantha, and Jackie share at least two things in common; their family and their love of sports. The three Benson children have been playing sports since a very young age, and it shows. They are also lucky to have the support of their athletic parents, who rarely miss any of their three childrens’ games.

Visit Keene State Today online to read the full article on the Benson Family.

Recently retired Larry Benaquist was a gem at Keene State College for over forty years. Originally a professor of literature, Benaquist paved the way for the creation of the film department. He also found many film artifacts that helped to put Keene State on the map in the film community.

If you’d like to read more about Professor Benaquist, visit his article at Keene State Today.

The Smiths have led rich fulfilling lives since graduating from Keene State College. Former teachers, farmers, bakers and store owners, the Smiths have never stopped doing what they love. As one might imagine, it was no surprise when they became world travelers five years ago.

You can read more about Bruce and Joanne Smith and there travels here at KSC Today.

If you’ve ever wondered where Keene State College gets all of it’s beautiful plants, Joe Britton is your answer. He is the KSC gardener and he bring in anywhere from 45,000 to 70,000 from his greenhouses in Westmoreland.

If you’d like to read more about Joe Britton, you can find a full article here, at KSC Today.

Ollie Dorr has had a love of life, music, and people since she was a little girl. Starting from her humble roots singing for the choir in Lincoln, NH, Ollie has gone on to lead a full and inspiring life. Though she lives alone in New London, NH, it would be far from the truth to say she is lonely. Ollie has kept connections that last her a lifetime.

Read the article on Ollie Dorr here at Keene State Today.

Kevin Cahill ‘79 approaches every aspect of his life with an artist’s eye. Construction work, raising chickens, hiking, skiing, you name it, he loves a life that gives  him room to grow his art. In 2008 he has his own solo show at New England College to display his artwork.

Read the article on Kevin Cahill, and his art, here at Keene State Today.

Kristen Porter-Utley, associate professor of biology at KSC, has used her love of botany to inform her choices in life. From her study of passionflowers, to her lab work with undergraduates, the research she’s dedicated her life to truly enriches the educational experiences of all around her.

Read the article about Kristen Porter-Utley here at Keene State Today.

Meet Selleck Scofield, a nonagenarian who loves being a student.

by Shawna-Lee I. Perrin ‘94

If you’re lucky enough to sit down and talk with Selleck Scofield, you will have met the epitome of “perpetual student.” He has been learning whatever the world teaches him for nearly 90 years, in fact, and shows no signs of hanging up the ol’ notebook, even though he’ll be receiving his associate’s degree in sciences in December 2007. Truth be told, I wish I were still a student at Keene State, if only to have the chance to be in a class with Scofield. His passion for learning and critical thinking is positively contagious.

Scofield and his wife, Susi, first met in New York, where Scofield was working for the city. “I met her at work, and …” he pauses and chuckles, “she wasn’t the first girl I’d gone with, but there was just something about her. You know how that is; everyone does. And my judgment was very good.” They have been married for 54 years and have a quiet understanding of each other that is only possible through such time and shared experiences.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Bannon ’87 keeps the Iowa sand prairies healthy.

by Lara Skinner

Every three years Joe Bannon ‘87 gets to show off a little during a public field day at Big Sand Mound nature preserve in Muscatine, Iowa. He gets to teach people about the remedial sand prairie at Big Sand Mound, which is normally off limits to the public, by talking about everything from nature photography to the endangered yellow mud turtles that make their home there. Bannon’s work as the manager of environmental training, performance, and support for MidAmerican Energy helps to ensure that the prairie remains a vibrant and protected part of Iowa’s natural heritage.

When he started working for MidAmerican six years ago, he didn’t have anything to do with the preservation of Big Sand Mound. A personnel change put him at the head of the company’s efforts. It’s the best “accidental assignment” he’s ever received, he said.

Read the rest of this entry »