People at KSC

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 »

She may be slight of stature, but she has excelled as a triathlete and bike racer.
by Stuart Kaufman

Over the years, the question, “Who do you want to become?” has frequently appeared in Keene State’s admissions materials. While some students enter college with clear career goals, others need a little bit of time to sift through the numerous majors and opportunities.

As a self-made athlete, Kerry Litka ‘99 subscribes to the same theory when it comes to sports. After sampling a variety of athletic pursuits, she finally found her calling as a professional bike racer and triathlete. “I don’t know what it was that made me want to do this,” she said. “I can’t figure it out!”

Read the rest of this entry »

KEENE, N.H. 1/4/10 – Keene State didn’t have a women’s basketball game scheduled on Thursday, but that didn’t stop Kristin Degou from accomplishing something that has never been done at the College – becoming KSC’s first two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic District All-America.
Degou, a first-team selection, will now have her named placed on the national ballot. Scott Jensen, a former cross country and track standout at Keene State, earned national academic All-America honors in 2000.
Degou, a senior guard from Newburyport Mass., is just as proud of her numbers in the classroom as the ones on the court. “I just try to put the same attitude and effort into my academics as I do with basketball,” said Degou, a biology major with an impressive 3.87 GPA. “The hours in the library and on the court add up. I set goals and really work hard to accomplish them. It feels great when the hard work pays off.”
Keene State Head Coach Keith Boucher said he wasn’t surprised to hear about Degou’s honor. “Kristin goes about everything with an unbelievable passion,” he said. “She has an incredible work ethic. That’s why she excels in all facets of her life.” Read the rest of this entry »

This KSC basketball star meets Bill Walton and finds professional success in California.
by Stuart Kaufman

Jamie Smith: why it pays to spend time on the basketball court.

Like many Keene State basketball alums, Jamie Smith ‘99 wasn’t quite ready to give up the game once his Owl playing days were over. A hard-nosed forward who beat opponents with toughness and intelligence during his four-year (1996-99) KSC career, Smith missed that adrenaline rush that comes from beating someone down low or going in for an uncontested layup. Read the rest of this entry »

Hometown: Milford, N.H.

Major: Safety Studies

Faculty mentor: Tony Dubois showed an unconditional interest in me and helped me very much.

Favorite professor: Larry McDonald

Activities: Hiking, kayaking, fishing, and Jeeping

The one thing I’m proudest of: Building homes for three years

Personal and career goals: My personal goal is to climb Mount McKinley and provide a comfortable living for my family and myself.

KSC has changed me in this way: It made me want to learn in ways I never knew.

What I like about my major: It’s applicable in the fields that I’m interested in - the hands-on kind of work.

Chris Langille

Hometown:

Amherst, N.H.

Major: Safety Studies

KSC Internship: My internship was a diesel particulate study. We went to various locations and monitored diesel emissions. The internship brought me to Ground Zero, where we monitored the clean up and construction equipment.

My current professional pursuit: I’m a research associate at Keene State, currently working on a state of the art project combining private industry, Keene State College, and the City of Keene.  We are working to bring a biodiesel refinery to the area that will be able to process waste grease into biodiesel. This project is very important to me because it’s removing a waste stream and converting it into usable fuel for the city and college fleets.

Why I recommend KSC: Keene State has state of the art facilities and amazing faculty. It’s a smaller campus with a big campus feel. And it’s surrounded by the city of Keene, which is also a great place. It’s a total package.

The one thing I’m proudest of: The variety of work I’ve been able to do at KSC is amazing. From my first internship that brought me to Ground Zero, to working on a grant from the Department of Justice/ Homeland Security that trained our first responders on hazardous materials, to my latest project that is bringing Biodiesel to the community. Every project that I’ve worked on has special meaning to me, that’s what I’m proud of.

Irissa Mary Plouff

Hometown: Enosburg Falls, Vt.

Major: Safety Studies

Mentor: Every professor I have come in contact with has been a mentor to me. I would especially like to thank Chris Langille.

Favorite professor: Wayne Hartz

Activities: American Society of Safety, Engineers Executive Board Secretary

Favorite book: My Sister’s Keeper

Favorite film: Love and Basketball

Favorite music: Tragically Hip

Things I do with my friends: Snowboard at Jay Peak, anything outdoors

The one thing I’m proudest of: Being on the dean’s list

Internship: VIA Cheese in Swanton, Vt.

I recommend KSC because: I would recommend Keene State to a friend based on all of the great people and the exceptional education I’ve had.

Michael Grotton ‘09 and Irissa Plouff ‘08 played crucial roles in the biodiesel team and presented their work in the creation of a community partnership for a closed loop biodiesel system at the 2008 KSC Academic Excellence Conference.  The team traveled to Washington, D.C., where they won honorable mention in the national P3 sustainability competition sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Michael Grotton

Hometown:

Swanzey, N.H.

Major: Safety

What I like about my major: I like everything there is about my major. I like the work and I like the opportunities that I will have once I get out of school.

Favorite website: www.espn.com

Co-curricular activities: Ice Hockey

Internship: Entergy Nuclear Power Plant

Favorite book: The Natural

Favorite film: Miracle 

Academic Excellence Conference: My independent study project about Bio Diesel was an absolutley great experience. I would suggest a special project to anyone who is up for the challenge. It definitely requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it is awesome to look back and see how much work you have completed and how much you can accomplish in a semester.