Eye on the Storm: The Official Undergraduate Admissions Blog of the National Leader in Experiential, Hands-on Learning

For eleven years, the SIFE team at Keuka College has been active in educating our local community. One of our longest running projects is our Global Economy Fair. This fair takes elementary children on a fun, interactive tour of the globe. SIFE members guide groups of young students to different “Nation Stations” where they learn about imports, exports, currency exchange rates, and other cultures. The students take notes on special passports that we have created for them. Their teachers later reinforce the material and see how much the students have learned.
This year we were fortunate enough to have our project sponsored by Syracuse Blue Print Company. We now have all new posters, making our project even more successful and sustainable.

Last week, our team had the opportunity to test out the new materials when we visited our 3rd and 5th grade friends at St. Michael’s elementary school in Penn Yan.

The crowd favorite seemed to be either Switzerland or South Africa. I, on the other hand, represented the fine country of Poland. I had to do a lot of preparation before the fair this year because realized that I was not too familiar with Poland myself – and I know how inquisitive 3rd graders can be. Nonetheless, we all were able to learn and have a great time. We plan on bringing the fair to two other local schools this year, amidst our other SIFE projects. This is just more proof that SIFE is more than just a business club.

I am probably telling my friends about Pierogies in this picture

Last week, I grabbed a flip camera and walked around campus with Admissions Counselor Lindsay Cohen and asked people what they’re thankful for. Watch the video below to see what Keukonians had to say!

A talented student and athlete, Megan McGowan had plenty of choices coming out of Batavia High School.

In addition to Keuka, she looked at Gannon, Scranton, D’Youville, Misercordia, St. Francis University, and Ithaca College. Three factors led her to choose Keuka: the Board of Trustees Scholarship, the occupational therapy program, and the chance to make an immediate impact on the tennis team.

“I was impressed by Keuka’s OT program and the overall atmosphere at the College,” said McGowan. “I also believed I had a good chance to play on the tennis team as a freshman.”

Not only did McGowan play her first year, she earned All-North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) first team honors in doubles and was a second team selection in singles.

She followed that up the following season by being named conference Player of the Year, earning All-NEAC first team honors in singles and doubles, and leading the Storm to its first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.

In addition to establishing herself as the top women’s tennis player at Keuka and in the NEAC, Gowan has served as a tutor and student ambassador. And let’s not forgot her freshman year Field Period in China.

All in all, it’s been a full—and successful— two years at Keuka College for McGowan, who will graduate from Keuka with two degrees in OT: a bachelor’s in 2011 and a master’s the following year. And after that?

“I still have the travel bug and I’m thinking about going into the Peace Corps,” she explained.

McGowan’s ultimate career goal is “to work in a rehabilitation setting.” Her sophomore year Field Periods helped her decide what kind of clients she would like to serve.

“In OT, we are required to conduct two, sophomore year Field Periods,” she explained. “I thought I wanted to work with kids, so I worked at an elementary school for two weeks. The other two weeks I spent at a nursing home and I discovered that I liked working with adults more.”

McGowan recalls the satisfaction she received from “helping comfort a woman who was very upset.

“That was one of the things I read about in a textbook but had the opportunity to actually do at my Field Period [site].”

Growing up on a farm and being homeschooled provided Andrew Anderson with unique perspectives.

“I gained good common sense and self-motivation,” said Anderson, who helped his father to produce a hearty tomato crop this year despite it being a rainy season that contributed to diseased tomatoes for many other farmers.

His good sense is what led him to Keuka College.

“I looked at a few other colleges further away, but when I visited Keuka, I realized how knowledgeable the professors were and I liked what was being taught so close to home,” said the Rushville resident who commutes back and forth to campus.

Furthermore, the management major holds to the notion that “you don’t need to go into debt for things. Often times with interest, you end up paying twice or more what something is worth.”

So, the Transfer Scholarship recipient—who holds an associate degree in business administration from Finger Lakes Community College—saw Keuka as a good value, too.

“Attending Keuka was something I could do on my own, without asking for help from people,” said Anderson, who aspires to become a pilot in the Air Force after earning a bachelor’s degree.

Don’t misunderstand King Swank.

The freshman organizational communication major was honored to receive a George H. Ball Achievement Award to attend Keuka College.

But the fact is he had his sights set on spending the next four years of his life by the shore of Keuka Lake before the good news about the Ball Award reached his home in Rochester.

“Keuka was my No. 1 choice,” said Swank, an organizational communication major who also considered Buffalo State, Brockport State and St. John’s University. “I liked Keuka’s focus on experiential learning, [in particular] the Field Period program. It fit who I was.”

The same could be said for the Ball Achievement Award, which is offered to “high school seniors with solid academic records and involvement in co-curricular activities/programs who have demonstrated the importance of social responsibility.”

Part of his impressive, pre-Keuka record of social responsibility includes serving as an assistant basketball and softball coach at the South Avenue Recreation Center.

In addition, the 2009 graduate of John Marshall High School:

• was a member of Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy’s Youth Advisory Council;
• donated his time and talents to Youth Voice One Vision, a council that encourages youth interest in civic planning, developing partnerships with adults, building skills to interact with public officials, and creating activities to educate one another on the importance of civic involvement; and
• was active in Youth as Resources, “a community-based youth philanthropy and voice program.”

His commitment to service didn’t wane after he enrolled at Keuka. He became involved with two student organizations early in his first semester: Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Up ’till Dawn, which raises funds for, and awareness of, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

He will conduct his first Field Period with the City of Rochester Department of Parks and Recreation.
Said Swank: “I like to be hands-on.”

Alexandria Allen is the first member of her family to attend college but if she has her way, she won’t be the last.

“I see myself as a role model for my younger brothers,” said Allen, a recipient of the Leading the Way First Generation Scholarship.

Allen has two brothers—ages 8 and 14— and while being a role model for them suits her fine, she isn’t hesitant about backing that up with some sisterly words of wisdom now and then. She has been particularly emphatic about the importance of getting good grades with the oldest, a ninth-grader.

“He recently told me he wasn’t doing too well in school,” recalled Allen. “I told him that he needed to work on that.”

And sometimes, she is a bit more subtle.

“I was talking to him on the phone and he wasn’t thrilled that I had to hang up, but I made it a point to tell him why,” recalled Allen.

And that was?

“I had to do my homework.”

Allen has the full support of her father to employ any method that will encourage her brothers to follow her on the path to college.

“My father was unable to go to college but he always wanted the best for me. He is proud that I took [my education] a step further.”

A sophomore unified childhood/special education major from Mayfield, N.Y., Allen balances a full course load with plenty of extracurricular activities. She is president of B.A.K.U. (Bearers of Ancient Kultures United), a club that promotes culturally diverse programs and activities on campus and in surrounding communities. She serves on the Intramural Advisory Board and is a member of the dance team and Rotaract, a Rotary-sponsored service club.

Allen’s career goal is to teach in a fluent-Spanish classroom, but you can expect her to keep one eye on her brothers as they follow her lead toward a college degree.

Keuka College isn’t located in the heart of a big city, nor is it minutes away from a sprawling mall with more than 100 stores. Instead, Keuka is located near many other attractions sure to fulfill just about anyone’s desire to get off campus for awhile.

From taking in the campus’ spectacular lakeside view to visiting nearby flea markets, pick-your-own-fruit spots, and countryside diners & restaurants, there’s always something for you to do. Here are nine of my favorite things to do during the weekend.

The Windmill

Located on N.Y. Route 14A about 15 minutes away from Keuka’s campus, the Windmill is a quick ride away and is one of those places you could spend hours. They have live entertainment and all sorts of vendors who sell many different things for you to buy and eat.

You’re sure to run into a couple Keuka students any given weekend, and the fact they’re open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. every Saturday makes it easy to discover something new.

Keuka Sporting Events

There are always teams in season playing on campus or nearby. Grab a couple friends and head up to the Weed Physical Arts Center or the Jephson Athletic Complex and support our teams.

Intramural Games

Intramurals at Keuka are always a big draw. You and your friends can easily get in on the action.  Students go head-to-head against each other playing flag football, soccer, dodgeball, kickball, softball and even participate in special events such as the annual Keuka Olympics.

Campus-Wide Club Events

We have more than 50 clubs and organizations, and many hold weekend events. Events range from dance parties, bonfires, festivals (sometimes with live music), arts and crafts nights, and fashion shows to off-campus events such as paintball games, cycling events and white water rafting.

Our Campus Activities Board works in association with the Office of Student Activities to bring events to campus such as game shows, magicians, hypnotists, Bingo, comedians, and casino nights.

Off-Campus Excursions

Offices such as Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs work in conjunction with Campus Safety to put together Saturday trips to malls and local attractions.

While they often go places such as the Waterloo Premium Outlets and Eastview Mall, on occasion special trips are planned to places like the Corning Museum of Glass, Niagara Falls, museums, and state parks. Dahlstrom Student Center is the best place to check for trip announcements and schedules.

Point Neamo

The Point, as some students refer to it, is a great place to go and take in a great view of the lake and catch some fresh air – if it’s not too cold, of course.

Located just behind Norton Chapel, Point Neamo is just a 3-5 minute walk from nearly anywhere on campus. Bring a book or a couple of friends and hang out on the deck or walk down to the waterfront. You’re sure to see at least some Keuka students running by or a friendly neighbor kayaking or ice boating in the water.

Pick Your Own Fruit

Just up the road from campus—and many other places not too far from here—you’ll find many farms that allow people to come in and pick produce.

For a small fee, you and your friends can walk around an apple orchard or a grape vineyard and pick fruits to take home and enjoy. It’s one thing to go over to P&C to buy a fresh apple, but it’s a totally different experience to go out and pick it yourself. Try it sometime; it’s a lot more fun than you might think.

Movie and Game Nights

One thing Keuka has quite a bit of is accessibility to comfortable lounges and TVs. Got a large group of friends and you need a place to watch a good movie or TV Show? Grab some DVDs and head over to your nearest lounge.

It’s a sure-fire way to meet new people and have a good time. There are also tables and chairs, so you can bring out board games too! In some lounges you also have access to pool, ping pong and air hockey tables.

Penn Yan, New York

There wouldn’t be a list without the town that Keuka’s campus is closest to. Penn Yan may be small, but there are quite a few things you can do there. There’s a bowling alley, go karts (in season), mini golf and ice cream, various restaurants at cheap prices, a movie theater and even a place to rent movies.

There are certainly more things that you can do not too far from Keuka in other towns and cities, but here’s what you can find right around in the Keuka Park community. Don’t be afraid to go exploring because you never know what you may run into along the way.

During the fall, high school students have the chance to visit college fairs in their schools and neighborhoods. Admissions representatives from colleges all over the country travel to college fairs to meet future students. Why do we come to your high school? To talk to you! If you are a high school student, all it takes is 5 minutes to approach an admissions counselor, introduce yourself, and ask a question about the college. What should you ask? The possibilities are endless. You could ask about a major you are interested in, a particular club or sport, or you could ask about what types of scholarships the college offers. Chances are the admissions counselor you approach will be thrilled to talk to you and you will get important information directly from the source.

The bottom line here is this- take advantage of college fairs at your high school and in your community. Attend the fairs, approach the college tables you are interested in, ask good questions that will help you learn more about the college, and make sure you introduce yourself to the admissions counselors. It’s your chance to make a good first impression and get all the information you need to make a good choice about where you will attend college.

The Rev. Dr. George Harvey Ball founded Keuka College and Institute on Feb. 18th, 1890, and he served as our first president until his death in 1907. A baptist minister, his vision was to provide a high-quality education to all deserving students, regardless of their economic background; that’s a mission our 18th and current president, as well as the Ball Family, still champions. The College’s original building, which was renovated in 2007, bears his name.

In keeping with Ball’s vision, Keuka College has been cited numerous times by U.S. News and World Report as having graduates who carry some of the least debt loads when compared to the baccalaureate colleges in the north. George’s mission stays alive through the George H. Ball Achievement Award which recognizes high school seniors with solid academic records and involvement in the school and community who demonstrate the importance of social responsibility.

We thought you’d like to get to know George–who he was in 1890 and what his legacy is today. The admissions team will be posting to our Facebook app wall in George’s name to keep his voice alive, honor our past, and remind you why his 120-year-old grand plan is so important today.

And as for the bizarre-looking hat, well, it was just the style back then.

Mid to late October is the time when many students begin to complain about the weather being too cold or class work being too much of a hassle. Being New Yorkers, we know what cold is and October is nothing compared to the December or January frigidness. It is true that midterms are tough, but students need to take the time to breathe and readjust before becoming too overloaded. Here are some reasons why the fall season should help relieve stress:

1. We Are Located on Keuka Lake

Neamo’s Point is beautiful during any season and by just taking ten minutes to look out at the lake and the scarlet and golden leaves surrounding it, stress should be lifted off of your shoulders almost instantly.

2. Search for That Last Pumpkin

Even though pumpkin season is nearing its end, it’s never too late to search for a good pumpkin. Take an hour or so to forget about your schoolwork and find that remaining pumpkin.

3. Attend a Haunted House

This is the time for Haunted Houses and Hayrides. Nothing says stress-relief better than a good scream.

4. Be a Kid – Roll in the Leaves

Take time to be a child again and roll around in a pile of leaves! Keuka has big, beautiful trees so why not take advantage of what they produce. Bring some friends along and be a kid again.

5.  Take a Relaxing Walk

Bundle yourself up in a hoodie and scarf and walk around campus. If you are one of those efficient students, bring a few note cards along with you and glance at them once and a while.