MARY ELLEN RANDOLPH (1919-2005): We regret to inform you that on Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, Mary Ellen Randolph died in Frederick, Md. Mary Ellen, associate professor emerita of art, was a vital part of the Hood community from 1960 until her retirement in 1989. During her 29 years at Hood she taught art history, modern art, printmaking and other studio art classes. Mary Ellen was an accomplished artist in her own right. She exhibited her painting, prints and drawings regionally and nationally. Upon her retirement, she took up photography and focused on her love of nature. The Frederick Arts Association established a Web site for Mary Ellen. Click here to read and share memories of Mary Ellen. There will be a memorial celebration for Mary Ellen on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, at 1 p.m., in Hood's Hodson Gallery in Tatem Arts Center. Please join us in remembering her and honoring the influence she had on her students and the entire Hood community.

RELATIONSHIP FORGED BETWEEN UNITED KINGDOM AND HOOD COLLEGE: On Wednesday, Oct 19, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI), located on the campus of Hood College, celebrated the opening of the UK Investment and Technology Office. The new office will seek to establish trade and technology partnerships in Frederick, Md., and the United States. FITCI's mission is to provide a supportive environment, including infrastructure, mentorship and a network of service providers to help entrepreneurs achieve success by encouraging technological innovation and accelerating the development of commercially viable technology-based entities.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVE RECOMMENDATION FOR NEW RESIDENCE HALL: President Volpe and the administration have been charged with designing, financing and constructing a new facility to house between 200 and 300 students. While discussions about a new residence hall have gone on for a few years, serious consideration has occurred only in the last year as a result of increased enrollment. Currently the College has more 1,100 undergraduates, 95 percent of whom live on campus.

IT IS TIME TO NOMINATE SOME GREAT ALUMS: The Alumnae and Alumni Association of Hood College is taking nominations for three awards: Excellence in Alumnae and Alumni Service Award, Distinguished Alumna and Alumnus Award and the Outstanding Recent Alumna and Alumnus Award. Each year, three distinguished alums are honored at the Alumnae and Alumni Luncheon during Reunion Weekend for their service to the College and for their career achievements. For further information and a nomination form, click here. Send completed forms to Peggy Bull Larsen ’74, M.S.’79, assistant vice president for alumnae and alumni programs, or e-mail the information to larsen@hood.edu.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS OF THE ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI OF HOOD COLLEGE: We are now accepting nominations for the positions of president-elect and second vice president of the Alumnae and Alumni of Hood College. Click here for more information.

KATRINA EMERGENCY RELIEF ACT 2005 COULD BENEFIT HOOD: The Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 provides the opportunity for a taxpayer to claim a deduction for qualified charitable contributions of cash donations made between Aug. 28, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2005. This applies to gifts made to most non-Katrina related charitable organizations as well, including Hood College. This is an excellent opportunity to complete a pledge to Hood, support the Annual Funds at a new level or explore new giving options. Click here for more details about this new tax benefit.

To R.S.V.P. or for information on the upcoming events, e-mail us at alumoffice@hood.edu, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900.

WEST CHESTER, Pa., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, 1-4 p.m. Join the Hood College Club of Philadelphia for its Fall Rally Potluck Brunch at the home of Judy Howe '76 and Jane Olsen '76.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, 3-5 p.m., Ford's Colony Country Club. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe, who will deliver greetings and share news of the College. Host and Hostess: Ed and Rose Del Giorno P'95.

HOOD ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI "MESSIAH RECEPTION": Sunday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m., Alumnae House. Please join alums as we gather for light refreshments before the Sunday performance. We will have reserved seating for the performance and tickets must be ordered through alumnae and alumni programs for the reception and reserved seating. Tickets are $15 per person. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 14 by calling (800) 707-5280, option 2.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, 11:30 a.m., brunch at the Madison Hotel, One Convent Rd., Morristown, N.J. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe, who will deliver greetings and share news of the College.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, 4-6 p.m. Please join area alums for a Holiday Cheer Party at the home of Beth Rittenhouse '74, P '07, Conshohocken, Pa.

HAGERSTOWN, Md., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2006, Please join the Hagerstown Hood Club for its holiday dinner at the Fountain Head Country Club. R.S.V.P. to Virginia Gambrill Hendrickson '44 at (301) 739-5815.

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz., Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, 5-7 p.m. at the home of Janet Hobbs Cotton '59. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe, who will deliver greetings and share news of the College.

TUCSON, Ariz., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, noon, Skyline Country Club. Please join area alums and welcome President Volpe, who will deliver greetings and share news of the College.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Sunday April 23, 2006, 1-4 p.m., Potluck luncheon and business meeting at the home of Kathie Zale Myhre '70, West Chester, Pa. Please join us in welcoming President Volpe, who will deliver greetings and share news of the College.

Save The Date events are scheduled and we will continue to keep you updated as plans become definite. If you have any questions about the upcoming events, e-mail us at alumoffice@hood.edu or call (800) 707-5280, option 2 or (301) 696-3900.

HOOD COLLEGE CAREER SERVICES: Take advantage of free, lifetime services. We can help you with your résumé, give you advice on your job search and talk to you about career options and much more. Contact us by phone at (301) 696-3583 or by e-mail at careers@hood.edu to schedule an appointment.

LAW SCHOOL INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, 5 p.m., Career Center. Thinking about law school? Learn how to prepare and organize your applications with Andrea Hilton Howe ’80, director of admissions, Washington and Lee University School of Law. Hood alums who have gone to law school will also be on hand to answer questions.

NETWORKING WORKSHOP: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, 7 p.m., Whitaker Campus Center Commons. It is true that whom you know may be your best lead for securing a job. This workshop will introduce you to the best techniques for meeting people and working a room.

CVC TEACHER FAIR: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005, 2-6 p.m., Gettysburg, College, College Union Building, Ballroom Gettysburg College Student Union. Representatives from more than 50 school districts and private schools are expected at this annual event. Job seekers must have a résumé in order to enter the fair. Free for college students and alums from the CVC member institutions, of which Hood College belongs.

THINKING OF A CAREER CHANGE? Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005, Career Center, 7:30 p.m. Looking for a new job? Exploring your options? Making a career switch? Whether you are just now starting to think about "doing something different" or you are in the midst of a professional shift, join us for an enlightening workshop.

"THROUGH THE EYES OF CHILDREN" PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: Nov. 1-30, Beneficial-Hodson Library, 2nd floor reading porch, open during library hours. The exhibit will display the photographs taken by Rwandan children who captured images of their war-torn country on camera. This exhibit will coincide with the Nov. 1 social visionary lecture featuring Kesra Hoffman, project coordinator for "Through the Eyes of Children." Hoffman will speak to the Hood College community about this remarkable project and reflect on the tragedy of the Rwandan genocide. Click here for more information.

BLACK HOLES, BIG BANGS AND COSMIC STRINGS: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, 5 p.m., Hodson Science and Technology Center, Room 131. Deborah Konkowski, professor of mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy, will lecture about the three phenomena that are the most famous predictions of general relativity.

HEALTH EQUITY: AFRICA IN THE ERA OF HIV: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, 8 p.m., Hodson Science and Technology Center, Room 131. Dr. Barbara Burtness, former associate professor of medicine at Yale University and currently a member of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa., will discuss her recent experiences in Tanzania, where she taught a course on cancer medicine. Her lecture will focus on such issues as health inequity between first and third world countries, the vulnerability of women and children to global health problems and the research and development opportunities currently being explored. The lecture is part of the William J. and Wilma M. Haines Biennial Lecture in Biomedical Ethics.

EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE FALL CONCERT: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, 8 p.m., Brodbeck Music Hall. Hood's Early Music Ensemble, under the direction of William Simms, will present its fall concert.

58TH ANNUAL HANDEL’S "MESSIAH": Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, 3 p.m., Coffman Chapel. Enjoy the annual performance of Handel's "Messiah," featuring a professional orchestra and soloists, the Hood College Choir and U. S. Naval Academy Men’s and Women's glee clubs under the direction of Hood's Brenda J. Weiser. Tickets are available beginning Oct. 1 by calling (301) 696-3964.

MOLIERE’S "TARTUFFE": Dec. 1–3, 2005, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, 2 p.m., Avalon Performing Arts Studio, Tatem Arts Center, $7 for general admission; $5 for non-Hood students; free for Hood students. "Tartuffe," presented by Hood College Theatre, follows the outrageous activities of a penniless scoundrel and religious pretender. Invited to live in his benefactor’s house, he wreaks havoc among family members by breaking off the daughter’s engagement, attempting to seduce his hostess and resorting to blackmail and extortion. A discussion panel will follow the Friday night performance.

STARGAZING AT HOOD: Each Wednesday (when the College is open) through Dec. 7 the Williams Observatory will be open free of charge from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for stargazing. Ken Howard, lecturer in astronomy at Hood, will be available to answer questions, and the observatory telescope and the portable telescopes will provide views of the planets and other popular celestial sights. Click here for more information.