WELCOME BACK STUDENTS: The campus is once again alive with students—the most the College has seen in its 114-year history. Hood welcomed more than 2,500 students to campus, which includes a record 1,451 undergraduates and 1,073 students seeking master’s degrees, certificates or certifications.

Hood’s second largest ever first-year class of 297 students was greeted at Convocation, the official opening of the academic year. The college also welcomed 108 transfer students and 53 new adult students. For more information about this year’s enrollment, read the full news release.

HOOD IN THE NEWS: President Ronald J. Volpe, Ph.D., current students, faculty and alumnae were recently interviewed about Hood’s growing enrollment, the campus’ transition to coeducation and the Hood community’s thriving atmosphere in an article that appeared in The Baltimore Sun Aug. 25. In the article, President Volpe also spoke about Hood’s continually high student profile and admissions standards. For more information, read the complete article.

COLLEGE RANKED HIGHLY BY NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS: Hood ranked second among more than 160 regional schools in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” in the Universities-Master’s category of its 2008 edition of “America’s Best Colleges”—one place higher than last year’s third place ranking—and was highlighted as one of 222 outstanding colleges and universities in the northeast 2008 edition of The Princeton Review’s “Best Northeastern Colleges” publication. For more information about Hood’s rankings, read the full news release.

CAMPUS RECEIVES SEVERAL FACELIFTS: In preparation for the students’ return, changes aplenty took place on campus this summer, including the renovation of Rosenstock Hall Auditorium with new carpeting and seating. Coblentz Dining Hall also received a facelift with the addition of new tables and chairs, new flooring and a fresh coat of paint, along with a new dining services provider, Aramark. Directional and building identification signs were placed around campus and new parking spaces were added near Gambrill Gymnasium.

STAFFING CHANGES IN INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT: The division of institutional advancement is pleased to announce Linda Hoffman as its new director of alumnae and alumni relations. Linda had previously held the position of associate director. Tammy McElroy ’05 has joined the institutional advancement staff as the associate director of alumnae and alumni relations. Tammy, a native of Church Hill, Md., previously worked in Hood’s marketing and communications office for four years as a student worker beginning in her freshman year, and immediately after graduation was hired as a communication specialist and assistant editor of Hood Magazine.

ALUMNA FEATURED IN COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE: Tina Wells ’02 was one of eight young women featured in the September 2007 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine in an article titled “Fun Fearless Phenoms 2007.” Tina runs her own New York City-based company, Buzz Marketing Group, where she spots adolescent trends and passes that information on to interested companies such as Candies, American Eagle and Interscope Records.

NEW APPOINTMENTS: Larkin Hohnke M.S. ’85 was appointed director of operations for secondary schools in Frederick County.

Janet Tomb Newcomb ’71 was appointed executive director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Charleston, S.C.

DOCTOR PERFORMS LESS INVASIVE PROCEDURE: Dr. Shawn Ramsey ’99, a physician with Gynecology & Obstetrics Associates of Tallahassee, recently performed a less invasive and groundbreaking procedure using the da Vinci surgical system.

CASA COLINA NATIONAL AMBASSADOR AWARD: Margaret Dunkle ’69 received the Casa Colina National Ambassador Award for her dedication to children’s welfare.

ALUMNA JOINS PEACE CORPS: Sarah Fuhrmann ’97 was recently accepted into the Peace Corps and will spend two years in Guatemala.

PUBLISHED ALUMNA: Chris Vitabile ’85 recently published a book about St. Michaels, Md.

JOHNSTOWN MAGAZINE FEATURES ALUMNA: Sally Lou Taylor ’55, a native of Johnstown, Pa., was featured in Johnstown Magazine’s “Living Legends” series.

INTERESTED IN RECONNECTING WITH YOUR CLASSMATES FOR REUNION VIA E-MAIL? The classes of 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 2000 have the opportunity to join a Yahoo! e-mail loop exclusively for their class. This is an excellent way to find out what is going on with your classmates and their plans for Reunion. If you don't already have a loop for your class and are interested in starting one, all you need is an active e-mail account; you do not need to have an e-mail account through Yahoo!. This opportunity is available to all classes as well as Reunion groups. Contact Bonnie Lightcap for more information.

To R.S.V.P. or for information on upcoming events, e-mail us at alumoffice@hood.edu, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. Please continue to check our Web site for continuing updates on future events.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.: Sunday, September 23, 4-6 p.m., The Balboa Bay Club and Resort, 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Join President Ronald J. Volpe, Ph.D., for a wine and cheese reception and an update on the College. Martha Hearn Shimano '86 will host the event. For more information, or to respond, please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900.

FREDERICK, Md: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1-4 p.m., Historical Society of Frederick County, 24 East Church St., Frederick, Md. Join alums for this exciting opportunity to tour Frederick's historic district, with an emphasis on the history of Hood and the significance Hood played in Frederick's development. Following the tour, a wine and cheese reception will be held at the Historical Society's Heritage Gardens. The cost for the tour and reception is $10. To R.S.V.P., please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. The deadline to register is Oct. 9.

HAGERSTOWN, Md., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m., Fountain Head Country Club, Club Road, Hagerstown, Md. Please join Martha E. Church, Ph.D., L.L.D. '95, chair of the board of trustees and president emerita, for conversation, dinner and a slide show of her travels to Madagascar, which features Patricia Chapple Wright, Ph.D., Class of 1966. The cost for the dinner is $15. To R.S.V.P., contact Rebecca Fishack '03, or call (240) 291-3049. The deadline to register is Oct. 12.

HAGERSTOWN, Md., Tuesday, Oct 23, 4:30 p.m., Evening at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, Md. Join alums for an evening at the museum. Enjoy a tour of the latest collections followed by a wine and cheese reception in the Bowman Concert Gallery. The first of the Waltersdorf-Henson Scholarship recipients for a deserving Washington County student will be announced at the reception. To R.S.V.P., please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations, or call (800) 707-5280, option 2, or (301) 696-3900. The deadline to register is Oct. 18.

HOOD HAPPY HOUR SERIES CONTINUES IN VIRGINIA: Thursday, Nov. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Union Street Public House, 121 South Union St., Old Town Alexandria, Va. Gather with area alums to catch up with old friends, network and make new connections at one of our most popular events. More details will follow.

NOEL LESTER AND NANCY ROLDAN IN N.Y.C.: Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., YASI Salon, 689 Fifth Ave., New York. The Lester and Roldan duo will be playing an arrangement written especially for them, in honor of their 30th anniversary tour, at the YASI Salon in New York City. Don't miss this exciting event! For concert ticket information, contact Noel Lester, or call (301) 696-3429. Join area alums for a reception preceding the concert at 6:30 p.m. More details on the reception will follow.

HOOD COLLEGE CAREER SERVICES: Take advantage of free lifetime services. We can help you with your résumé, give you advice on your job search, 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.

PLEN INFORMATION SESSION: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 12:30-2 p.m., Whitaker Campus Center, Multicultural Suite. Public Leadership Education Network is dedicated to increasing women’s participation in public policy and politics. Join us for an information session that will provide you with an opportunity to learn about the Washington, D.C.-based PLEN seminars.

WE NEED YOUR HELP: Recently, the Hood College Career Center and Office of Service Learning switched to a new service provider for its online mentor program.  The new provider, Opportunities Network (OpNet), allows students and alums to interact with increased flexibility. Please update your account soon. Click here to update your information or to register for a new account. Thank you!

“ZERO GRAVITY” EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY: Artist Chul-Hyun Ahn, whose paintings express a chaotic space of non-gravity, will display his work in Hood’s Hodson Gallery in the Tatem Arts Center until Saturday, Sept. 29. For more information about Ahn’s exhibit, read the full news release, send an e-mail Youngmi Organ, curator of the Hodson Gallery, or call (301) 696-3471.

CENTER FOR HUMANITIES COLLOQUIUM: The 2007-2008 Colloquium series will focus on the plight of those who are abused and the suffering that is endured when human rights are ignored. For more information about the fall Colloquium series, read the full news release.

CONCERT SEASON BEGINS WITH PIANO PERFORMANCE: Pianist Sun-A Park, the 2006 winner of the Young Artist Division of the Garrison International Piano Competition, will open Hood’s concert season Thursday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. in Hood’s Brodbeck Music Hall with a performance of works by Bach, Beethoven, Szymanowski, Ravel and Liszt. Read the full concert release for more information about the performance.

GRADUATE SCHOOL PANEL DISCUSSION: Is graduate school in your future? Attend a panel discussion on what to consider in selecting and applying to graduate school Thursday, Sept. 27 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. in Hood’s Whitaker Campus Center Commons. Find out what graduate and law schools are looking for, and the ins and outs of the application process. To register for the event or for more information, visit the Graduate School Web site.

FALL FAMILY WEEKEND: Enjoy events in the Hood and Frederick communities during Fall Family Weekend, Sept. 28-30. The weekend will include brunch with President Volpe, athletic events and a musical performance on campus, as well as a tour of historic Frederick and various events downtown. For more information, visit the Fall Family Weekend Web site.

LIBRARY ANNIVERSARY AND MUSEUM GRAND OPENING: Join us for the 15th anniversary celebration of the Beneficial-Hodson Library and the grand opening of the Hood History Museum Thursday, Oct. 11. For more information send an e-mail to Jan Samet O'Leary or call (301) 696-3934.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY (0-0, 0-0 CAC): Hood was idle last week but returns to action Saturday at the McDaniel College Green Terror Challenge. Among the squads participating in the invitational are Goucher College, Shenandoah University, York College (Pa.) and Gettysburg College.

FIELD HOCKEY (1-2, 0-0 CAC): Hood held the advantage on shots and penalty corners but failed to score against Bryn Mawr College, falling 1-0 Friday. The Blazers overwhelmed Rosemont College Sunday, 5-1, for their first win of the fall. Junior Julie Schnitzker (left) registered four points on two goals and two assists. Hood outshot Rosemont 36-5 in the game and 27-2 in the second half. Hood’s five goals are the most in a single game since Oct. 2, 2001 when the Blazers amassed 13 against Trinity University (D.C.). Schnitzker’s four points are the most since Karrie Reckley '02 had two goals and two assists against Wilson in 2002.

MEN'S SOCCER (1-2, 0-0 CAC): The Blazers secured their first win of the fall Wednesday after defeating Valley Forge Christian College 4-1. Senior Marcelino Rabara scored two goals and assisted on two others in the win. Senior Tom Noonan and freshman Quinn Miller also netted one goal apiece for the Blazers. Hood makes its home debut Thursday against nonconference foe Mt. Aloysius. In the previous two meetings, the Blazers have outscored the Mounties 12-0.

WOMEN'S SOCCER (0-4, 0-0 CAC): In its Capital Athletic Conference debut Wednesday, Hood held No. 18 York College (Pa.) to its lowest goal total of the season in a 2-0 loss. Freshman Rachelle Buhrman (left) was superb in the net, making 13 saves on the day. Hood had the advantage in shots and corner kicks in both contests last week but was unable to cash in on the offensive end. The Blazers continue their six-match road swing Monday at CAC rival St. Mary's (Md.).

VOLLEYBALL (1-6, 0-0 CAC): Seniors Lindsey Nagy and Jamie Bussey continue to climb Hood's career charts in numerous categories. Nagy now ranks third all-time in kills with 641, trailing former teammate Ashley Cook '05 by 10 for second place. She is also sixth in career aces with 178, four back of Robin Deniker '01 for fifth place. Bussey lists fourth all-time in digs with 671. She is 68 behind Mandy South '02 for third place. Hood makes its Capital Athletic Conference debut Wednesday at St. Mary’s College (Md.).

To read all the Hood College Athletic news and events, please visit the athletics Web site.

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Inter(net)actions, September 13, 2007: This edition of Inter(net)actions is also available on the Hood College Web site. Click here to view Inter(net)actions on the Web.