The North Shore’s rich arts culture seems to make theperfect home for the only state college in New Eng-land with an accredited theatre department. With somany different programs in thearts at many different collegesand universities in the area, it canbe hard to choose which to enrollin. The Center for Creative andPerforming Arts (CCPA) atSalem State University has manydifferent options to consider,such as dance, music, theatre,creative writing, and art and de-sign.

Associate Director of Advance-ment Communications, KathleenMcDonald, has special interest inthis topic, but not only becauseher previous title was Staff Asso-ciate for the CCPA. Her interestcomes from her investment in the school itself.

McDonald received her bachelor’s degree in English atSalem State after growing up in Lynn and choosing tostay close to home for college. She then went on toearn a master’s degree in gender and cultural studiesfrom Simmons College. McDonald did make her wayback to Salem State as she now works in the AlumniHouse on South campus, writing proposals to producemore fundraising for the university.

Prior to her promotion to associate director, Mc-Donald handled much of the publicity writing, blogsand social media for the CCPA.

“We have a person starting this monthwho will only have the responsibility ofrunning our Facebook page,” she said.“It’s up and coming and hopefully havingsomeone on the social media full-timewill allow for more updates and moreinvolvement from alumni and donors.”The plan is to promote Salem State’sCCPA to perspective students as well asthe surrounding area, and in recentyears, the department has been usingdowntown Salem’s fall activities andtourists to their advantage. McDonaldsaid that there have been a few activitiesthey’ve participated in, although time isnot on their side considering the hecticschedules that include rehearsals, studio

hours and other commitments.

“We have done the Mass Poetry Festival, a yearlyDance Workshop at the Boys & Girls Club in Salem,as well as the floating sculpture exhibit behind theHouse of Seven Gables that (a professor) had hisstudents work on three summers ago,” she ex-plained. “We’re trying to get our name out therewhile having a positive impact on the community.”

(story continued on page 2 - Alumni)

The Salem SailorJanuary/February 2012 Volume 1, Edition 1

In this issue:

Salem State & its as-sociates rise to theoccasion:an insightful story aboutthe lasting impressionSalem State hopes toleave on every student

Touring Salem State:to talk or just to walk:a profile on AdmissionsAmbassador KatelynPhaneuf and upcomingevents

Salem State promotesdiversity to alums: ahighlight of events pro-moting the upcoming ef-fort to diversify thestudent and professionalpopulation at the school

Salem State seeks$15 million addition toO’Keefe Center: anews story about thenew addition that citycommittees are trying toimplement over the nextseveral years, for stu-dent and community use

Salem State helpsready students for thefuture: a discussion ofvalue, cost and network-ing and how SalemState encourages stu-dents toward their fu-tures

Page 4

Courtney Denning is a Com-munications major at SalemState University, graduatingin May 2012.

“There is

really no limit

to the things a

student can

accomplish in

the four years

they spend in

college,

especially at a

school where

there are so

many great

options.”-Courtney Denning

Salem State and its associates rise to the occasion

At Salem State, you’ll find many different types ofstudents. Some students have jobs, while others saveall summer to take the semesters off from work.Many parents have the ability to pay for school, whilesome have to take out loans, or the students find away to pay for school up front.

I’ve consistently held two jobs throughout my careerat school, sometimes working more than full-timehours, and have paid for school with loans that I’llhave to pay back after graduation. Just a few monthsfrom that particular milestone, I’m grappling with theidea of an internship that could land me a job, whilealso navigating the job search the only way I knowhow: lots of research and the internet.

With all sorts of other responsibilities, I haven’t hadmuch time to get involved in groups or clubs atschool and it’s hitting home at this point in my collegecareer that those things may be useful on my resume.In the communications department, it’s almost ex-pected that the stu-dents get involvedand more hands on,whether it be by writ-ing for Salem State’snews publication, alsoknown as “The Log”or joining a network-ing association. Theprogram grooms stu-dents to enter theprofessional worldusing internships andevents as well as aseminar class to pre-pare a portfolio ofsuccessful work.

When I first got into seminar, I didn’t realize howmuch other students had done to become involved.Then the first resume critique came around, and I no-ticed that some students had significantly more associ-ation with particular groups, as well as quite a fewawards from communications events. I could finallygrasp the idea that, being put up against some of thesestudents for a job, I might not be the one to get it.This terrifies me, knowing that the amount of loansI’ve taken out for school might double what I’d makeworking a retail job after school. But finding out soearly has allowed me to come up with a plan.

I’ve since decided to take action and get involved withthe honor society that I was inducted into last year.Rather than just saying I was in it, I made an effort tovolunteer to help out at this year’s induction cere-mony and hope to also help at other events in the fu-ture. I’ve also put forth effort to become moreinvolved in the Student Government Association in anattempt to have one more leadership quality on my

resume before pursuing the job search.

Basically what I’ve come to understand in college isthat it’s never too late to get involved. After startingschool two years late, and two changes of major, I’vefound that it’s also never too late to find somethingyou love. It’s about being well-rounded and findingyour way – that’s what all of those electives and worldliterature classes are for!

Uncertainty is something that faces all students, nomatter their financial situation or the amount of expe-rience they have. It’s a matter of what students do inthe face of that adversity that makes them a success.Am I going to be worried and scared about finding ajob in this economy? Of course, but so is the girl withthe perfect resume. My tips for those coming in afterme include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Enjoy Yourself – and I don’t mean in the stereotyp-ical way. I mean, take it all in, see the sights, be a

tourist for a day, anddon’t forget thatthese are, in fact,the best years ofyour life.2. Work Hard – tryto pay for schoolwhile you’re here ifyou can, because itwill only free youfrom stressing post-graduation. Andmake sure to stay ontop of school work– your GPA willwork in your favorlater.

3. Get Involved – dip your hand in a little of every-thing. Try something new and meet some new people.The only person you’re hurting by sitting and lettingthe time pass you by is yourself.4. Be open-minded – there are so many possibilitiesin Salem and the areas around it. There are so manydifferent people to meet and things to experience.You’re ALWAYS networking – keep in mind thatevery person you meet could potentially aid in findingyour future.

There is really no limit to the things a student can ac-complish in the four years they spend in college, espe-cially at a school where there are so many greatoptions. The only thing limiting students with anopen-mind is their own will to get involved in theirlives and their surroundings. In hindsight, I wish I hadgotten involved sooner because there are so manythings I would have liked to do to make my own last-ing impression on Salem State. But I did what I couldand what I came to do, and now it’s your turn to de-cide how you want to be remembered!

Salem State helps ready students for the future

Salem State seeks $15 million addition to O’Keefe CenterA $15 million addition that will to be two stories andinclude a large fitness center, recreational basketballcourts, a lounge and dance studios, has been proposedto a neighborhood advisory committee and will be pre-sented to the university’s boardof trustees to discuss funding andissues.

After a survey of students indi-cated that an astonishing 90 per-cent indicated that a new fitnesscenter would draw them in, theuniversity decided to take actionin order to make the on-campusexperience for students a littlemore accommodating.

“It’s nice that the school is finallytaking notice of some of thethings that the students want,”said Rehema Stroble, a sopho-more and an avid basketballplayer. “First the library and nowthe fitness center – they’re tryingto make some real improvementsand you can already see it making a difference in thecampus. It’s going to be an amazing place once every-thing is finished.”

The wellness center at Salem State in its current con-dition has been described by some as “small andtired,” suggesting that the update will shed some newlight on the aging sports center. The growing number

of resident students, some ofwhom might not use the currentfacility, shows need for a biggerarea with a more varied scheduleto gratify the diversity of some2,000 in on-campus housing. Thisgrowth to about 20 percent ofthe student body has occurred inmore recent years, and seems tobe continuing in that pattern.

The new facility will be able toprovide assembly space for up to1,000 people while providing acenter for social interaction andmuch more room for on-campusactivities that are currently heldin the campus center which can’thold even half that number.

For more information on theproperty, or how to donate, visitsalemstate.edu/wellnesscenter or call 978.542.6537.

Associate Director of Advancement Communications is enthusiatic about Salem

State’s Center for Creative and Performing Arts.

The new O’Keefe Center plans are not final, but will besometime early next year.

Central Campus’ new building, Marsh Hall, is always booming with student life.

As a student at Salem State University, there aremany different things you can become involved in:on-campus activities like sports or student-rungroups, off-campus things like shopping in downtownSalem or dinner in Boston, as well as many opportu-nities for jobs, internships or work-study, both onand off campus.

For Katelyn Phaneuf, it was the teacher-to-studentratio and the on-campus preschool that brought herto Salem State to pursue her double major in Educa-tion and Spanish, but it’s her job that allows her toshow other incoming students the different thingsthat this school has to offer.

“Being an Admissions Ambassador here is fun, be-cause I just get to be really honest with studentsabout whatever they want to ask,” said Phaneuf aboutguiding the tours on campus for prospective studentsand their parents. “I let the kids know everythingabout on-campus and off-campus life right off thebat, and answer any questions that the parents mighthave, so it’s a win-win and they get all the informa-tion they need to decide on a school. I don’t lie tothem.”

In her opinion, the tour around campus really doesneed a guide with a face, someone to walk aroundand answer questions, regardless of the distance awayfrom the other campuses. “We don’t have time totake them to the O’Keefe Center or to South Cam-pus, although we encourage them to visit both. Butthe questions that they get to ask us on the walk fromCentral to North Campus are sometimes crucial totheir decision and aren’t something you could get outof a pamphlet,” Phaneuf said. “It’s really best that theycome during the school year for a tour so that theycan see life on campus and look into the classroomsto see the real teacher-to-student ratio and the diver-sity of students that we have here.”

There are many on-campus events to attend like the“Weekend Warriors” event, where freshmen competein an inflatable obstacle course against each other aswell as against the other dorms to win prizes like giftcards, money fortheir ClipperCard and more. (continued on page3 - student life)

For example, while she was attending school here,there wasn’t one person of color in the Student Gov-ernment Association or on the Program Council.

Although that has changed significantly over time, itmight not have if it wasn’t for students like her gettinginvolved and being the change.

Frederick created an event in 2007 that, in its name aswell as its guest list, includes everyone: the Multicul-tural Alumni Soiree.

An annual event, the soiree is an opportunity for allalumni to come together to tell old stories, create net-working opportunities, and promote the diversity thatthe school has become known for.

“The majority of the attendees from the first year saidthat it was the first event they had attended since theygraduated from here,” said Frederick. “That’s huge.”

This year’s event isn’t scheduled yet, but Fredericksaid they’re aiming for an early March date and that in-vitations will be out before the New Year. Every alum-nus will receive an invitation in hopes that thenumbers will continue to grow for this event, as wellas the other events held throughout the year.

“It’s important that our alums recognize the changeshappening here and support them,” said Frederick.“It’s a different place now and it’s only growing andgetting better. The alumni support and the diversity ofthe students and faculty are proof that the mission ison its way to success.”

For more information on this and other events held atSalem State, visit salemstate.edu/alumni/events oremail Jannell Frederick directly at jfrederick@salem-state.edu.

First-Year PhilosophySalem State University iscommitted to ensuring afirst-year student experi-ence that facilitates thetransition from highschool to college and thatactively encourages stu-dents’ involvement in theentire range of opportuni-ties available in the col-lege community. The firstyear experience will laythe foundation for studentsuccess in academic, in-tellectual, social, and civicendeavors in not only thestudent’s first year but ineach year until gradua-tion.

The SalemSailorPublished quarterly bySalem State University

352 Lafayette StreetSalem, MA 01970

978.542.6000

Editor In Chief:Courtney Denningc_denning@salemstate.edu

Page 2

Page 3

“First the

library and

now the fitness

center -- they

are trying to

make some real

improvements

and you can

already see it

making a

difference in

the campus.

It’s going to be

an amazing

place once

everything is

finished.”-Rehema StrobleSophomore at SSU

Touring Salem State: to talk or just to walk

(from page 2 - student life) The school also hosts the“Snow Down,” winter’s version of a Wild West party,equipped with a mechanical bull; an auction nightwhere you can raffle off your friends for a date, as wellas sporting events just about every night when the sea-sons are in full swing. If you’d rather go off campus,there is plenty to do in downtown Salem any time ofyear, but the fall is especially active with spooky but in-formative events, plenty of different museums, as wellas the plethora of restaurants and coffee shops thatmake downtown Salem appealing all year round. The

Salem State promotes diversity to alums

(continued from page 1 - Alumni )

The department is also working on a fundraising proj-ect to raise $3.5 million to renovate the MainstageAuditorium into a fully functional theatre with logeboxes, a balcony, handicap accessibility, new soundand lighting equipment as well as a catwalk to makethings easier for the crew. These new additions willcompletely change the way that an audience can viewthe shows that the department puts on throughoutthe school year.

Along with fundraising for the huge Mainstage proj-ect, there is also the fund for the department’s grantsand scholarships program that opens up money forstudents to pursue a private project over the summerto further their experience. This way, they can comeback to the school and teach other students some ofthe things that they have learned.

“The way we see it, it’s nice to spread the wealth a lit-tle bit,” said McDonald. “We give one student the op-portunity to have the experience and then others canbenefit from it as well. Harvard has a similar programthat we modeled ours after.” The grant is specificallyfor upperclassmen who have, as McDonald put it, “re-ally learned about their craft, built some skill andhave had some experience working at it.” It recentlyallowed one particular student and his film crew toattend a major movie festival in LA this past summer,offering great networking opportunities and a well-deserved reward for winning the campus’ Movie Fest.

The CCPA at Salem State has a lot of different thingsto offer within each department, including dance,music, theatre, art and creative writing. With manyconfident and experienced professors, it’s easy to seethat the accreditation of the department is well de-served.

“We are not only the flagship of the arts North ofBoston, but we represent every state school in NewEngland as the best,” said McDonald, with confi-dence. “This is where it’s happening.”

To get involved or give to the cause, contact DonnaWholley, gift processor for Insitutional Advancementat 978.542.7551 or dwholley@salemstate.edu.

commute into Boston’s North Station is also just a 25-minute train.

With the ongoing campus renovations, new residencehalls, and university status, Salem State is making anexcellent name for itself. The fair price of tuition haskept students like Phaneuf here for all four years.“Even for me to pay out-of-state tuition, it costs lessthan the schools I was looking at in New Hampshire,”she said. “It’s a great price to pay for everything I’mgetting out of it. The value for me has been huge.”

Governor Deval Patrick speaks to graduates during the Class of 2011 commencement ceremony.

Salem State Admissions

Ambassador Katelyn

Phaneuf helps prepare

prospective students for

what they may face

during life on campus.

Salem State’s campus, faculty, staff and students are part of the ongoing mission to create a diverse learning environment where all students can flourish.

With more than 400 international students living oncampus and people from 70 countries pursuing bothgraduate and undergraduate degrees at Salem StateUniversity, it’s no wonder that many would considerthe university one of the most diverse schools in thestate.

Both the Student Support Center and the LearningCenter at the university offer services to first genera-tion students, whose parents didn’t graduate from col-lege, or those from low-income families, allowingthem to receive helpful training and student-specifictutoring to increase their chance of being successful.Regardless of situation, support is always offered toevery student.

Throughout the history of Salem State, with the upsand downs of the rest of society, diversity wasn’t alwayssupported. Many alumni of different backgroundsfaced controversy and adversity during their time incollege, and it has caused some question of whether ornot things remain the same or if they are changing.

“Many of the alumni of color spent a lot of their timehere feeling like they weren’t included,” said JannellFrederick, Staff Assistant of Institutional Advancement,and an alumna of color herself. “The school is makingstrides in diversity and we’re trying to keep them up-dated on the changes in the population here. We’re try-ing to get them to come back for more events to telltheir stories of how they supported the ongoing mis-sion.”

Frederick said that there is an automatic inhibitionwhen being invited to an event here, possibly becauseof that feeling that they didn’t belong while they werehere, due in part to what was going on in society de-pending on their time of attendance.