History from the Bottom Up at Skidmore

December 17, 2024 Will Bryce

A recovered image from the Black Chronicles exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, taken 125 years ago in England. Image courtesy of *The Standard*.

Through my experiences as a history major at Skidmore, it has become clear to me that the college places an importance on exploring history “from the bottom up.” Within the Skidmore History and American Studies Departments, the voices so often ignored and overlooked throughout history are thrust into the limelight.

Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Sparks Online Criticism of U.S. Health Insurance Companies

December 17, 2024 Oliver Tymann

Luigi Nicholas Mangione, suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Image courtesy of *NBC News*.

On December 4, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside an entrance to the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel on West 54th Street in New York City. The suspect, now believed by authorities to be Luigi Nicholas Mangione, age 26, shot him multiple times in the back and legs and fled on an e-bike.

North Korean Involvement Adding to Tensions to Ukraine-Russia War

November 20, 2024 Miles Geiger

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and Russian President, Vladimir V. Putin, conversing. Image courtesy of The New York Times.

As of late June, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin have revived a peace of history dating back to the Cold War. Putin and Kim Jung Un signed a mutual defense treaty during a summit in Pyongyang in June, with Putin mentioning that this would be a “breakthrough” in solidifying bilateral relations.

The JKB Premieres Black Super Hero Magic Mama

November 18, 2024 Elena Chawla

A world premier of Black Super Hero Magic Mama, performed at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2019. Image courtesy of the Geffen Playhouse.

Black Super Hero Magic Mama, written by Inda Craig-Galván and based on a true story, is coming to Skidmore on November 22. This is the first play by a Black playwright to be presented as a seminar production by the college. During this past month, I sat down with the cast members and asked their thoughts and experiences working on this production and why its story is important to them.

The Trapped Spirit of Cecily Rowe

November 17, 2024 Emrah Jusufoski

Cecily Rowe (fictional), wandering the halls of Skidmore College. Image courtesy of Meta AI.

Most students at Skidmore College have heard the whispers that a ghost haunts the campus. But few know her name—Cecily Rowe—and even fewer know why she remains here, wandering the corridors, unable to leave.

Natasha and Towa Come to Skidmore

November 15, 2024 Ashley Narsu and Jake Gordon

Natasha Bedingfield (left) and Town Bird (right), posing together for a picture backstage. Image courtesy of the Skidmore Student Events Council.

Big Show was a hit this October! With performances by Natasha Bedingfield and Towa Bird on October 26, Skid Kids were delighted to attend the festivities in the Williamson Sports Center gym. Eager to hear Natasha and Towa, students lined the front of the stage as soon as the doors opened.

Skidmore Athletics Raises Over $380,000 in Record-Breaking "All In to Win" Campaign

November 14, 2024 Remy Poisson

Skidmore students enjoying a game of frisbee. Image courtesy of Skidmore College.

From October 2-6, Skidmore Athletics held its eighth annual All in to Win campaign, a fundraising initiative focused on supporting and enhancing all of Skidmore’s athletic programs. The effort brought together alumni, parents, and other Thoroughbred supporters to contribute financially toward the success of Skidmore’s athletic teams and facilities.

Voices of the Future: Insights from Skidmore's SGA Elections

November 8, 2024 Emrah Jusufoski

The current serving members of the Student Government Association. Image courtesy of Skidmore SGA.

The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived: the Fall 2024 Elections results are in! It’s time to celebrate your newly elected student representatives for the 2024-2025 academic year. This year, we have a dynamic group of leaders stepping up to represent you, each bringing unique perspectives and ambitions to the table.

Results of the 2024 Presidential Election

November 7, 2024 Elena Tittel

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and former President and President-Elect Donald Trump (right). Image courtesy of Foreign Policy.

After a grueling election season, The Associated Press declared Donald J. Trump the 2024 Presidential Election winner at 5:34 a.m. EST on November 6th. His victory came upon his successful capture of key swing states—North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—bringing him to 277 electoral college votes, enough to secure his future position as the 47th President of the United States of America.

The Dance Department's Celebration Weekend Performance

October 31, 2024 Audrey Goldberg

Two students, dancing as part of the Senior Coda performance, “She Echoes in Silence,” choreographed by Eliza Barba-Wheelock ‘24. Image courtesy of Allie Pape ‘27.

Celebration Weekend 2024 was full of family reunions, joy, and dance! Among the many showcases and events the college offered during the weekend, the Skidmore Dance Department presented its annual show at the Dance Theater to highlight the department's versatility and talent.

Raise Your Wands: Dame Maggie Smith

October 31, 2024 Casey Byrne

Oscar, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress Maggie Smith. Image courtesy of Kirsty Wigglesworth, Associated Press.

On September 27, 2024, the great actress Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, colloquially known as Maggie Smith, passed away. She was best known for her roles in Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. As a result of her numerous accolades for works in movies, television, and plays, in 1990, Queen Elizabeth named her a Dame for her services to the performing arts.

I Wish I Had Seen His Face at the Funeral Yesterday... Did You See It?

October 30, 2024 Emrah Jusufoski

An individual with his face covered, crouching by a gravestone. The rain falls around him. Image generated using Meta AI.

It was raining, of course. The kind of rain that doesn’t fall but sinks into you, deep into the marrow, until you feel as if your bones are heavy with it. The funeral procession moved in slow, stilted steps, a stream of black umbrellas bobbing like oil slicks under the bleak sky. I kept my distance, partly because I didn’t know the man well and partly because something wasn’t right.

Our Picks: Essential Courses to Take at Skidmore

October 30, 2024 The Skidmore News Staff

2k Design’s Center for Integrated Sciences renovation brochure. Image courtesy 2k Design.

Course registration for the Spring ‘25 semester will soon be upon us, and there are so many courses to choose from. To help you pick, our staff has compiled their thoughts on which classes they deem essential to the Skidmore experience. Whether this is your second semester as a freshman or your last semester as a senior, consider taking one of these classes; you won’t regret it!

This is Halloween: Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom

October 21, 2024 Ellie Brogan

A production at the Skidmore Black Box. Image courtesy of Sue Kessler Photography.

On October 18th, less than 2 weeks before Halloween, Skidmore’s Blackbox Theater opened Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley, a psychological thriller about teenagers addicted to a video game that becomes increasingly unnerving and surreal. To learn more about the show and the process behind it, I talked with director Dennis Schebetta.

Skidmore's Lack of Recognition on Indigenous People's Day

October 18, 2024 Will Bryce

A display, featured as part of the temporary exhibit, “First Saratogians",” at the Saratoga Springs History Museum. Image courtesy of The Saratoga Springs History Museum.

October 14th is designated as Columbus Day, a federal holiday celebrating the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. Despite the growing national movement towards greater recognition of Indigenous heritage, however, Skidmore College, unfortunately, has remained silent.

Is Skidmore Truly Connected to Our Local Community?

October 17, 2024 Emrah Jusufoski

Bullet, a cat at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. Image courtesy of Emrah Jusufoski ‘28.

As students at Skidmore College, we often find ourselves immersed in the academic bubble. Between classes, clubs, and campus events, it can be easy to lose sight of the community that surrounds us. But when I was assigned to volunteer at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, I knew this would be doing more than checking off a box for my grade.

A Conversation with President Conner: Campus Planning, Current Events, and Goals

October 16, 2024 Sruti Ramaswamy

The Skidmore College entrance sign. Image courtesy of Bella Lenarduzzi ‘26.

On a sunny September afternoon, I sat down with President Connor in his office on the fourth floor of Palamountain. As we discussed the academic year ahead, I asked him key questions about his hopes, goals, current and planned campus renovations, and current events.

Sabrina Carpenter at the VMAs: Serving Viral Hits and Stealing Madonna's Crown

October 10, 2024 Emrah Jusufoski

Sabrina Carpenter performs onstage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. Image courtesy of Christopher Polk/Billboard.

The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) may have been filled with memorable moments, but few left as lasting an impression as Sabrina Carpenter’s explosive performance and her unforgettable red-carpet fashion.

Ode to a Natural Wonder

October 2, 2024 Lucia Wiegert

Glass Beach, California, during midday. Image courtesy of Medium.

You are a force like Victoria Falls,

Named for the Queen, yet more aptly,

Called Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke that Thunders.”

Diving into Skidmore: A Newcomer's Take on Traditions, Values, and Vibes

October 1, 2024 Emrah Jusufoski

If you told me a year ago that I’d be getting my first real taste of Skidmore College through a summer academic institute, I’d have laughed. But here I am, fresh off the plane from North Macedonia, basking in the energy of this campus I’ve dreamed about for months. This article isn’t just a love letter to my future alma mater; it’s an exploration of what Skidmore represents.