Summer campus rhythms ease back as pandemic wanes

With so many aspects of Saint Michael’s College campus life altered by the diminishing but still present pandemic, summer this year will have a different look and feel compared with past years, though mixed in will be a few familiar old rhythms and programs.

College leaders recently shared information about new, returning or paused activities across their specific domains for June, July and August.

Academic Affairs: Student researchers are back

Jeffrey Trumbower, vice president for academic affairs, said about 25 students will be on campus for student/faculty research this summer. “This is the revival of a program that went dormant for summer 2020,” he said.

Jeffrey Trumbower, vice president for academic affairs

“Many summer student workers are also living on campus, unlike last summer,” said Trumbower. “A number of other students have been authorized to live on campus because they have an internship or a job in the local area that is related to their course of study.”

Most of those students are living this summer in the newer residence halls– Cashman, Pontigny, Canterbury and Cronogue. Also on the academic side of things in a carry-over of this past academic world’s virtual focus, at least 10 students are doing virtual internships with companies or agencies in Vietnam, in connection with the College’s longstanding Freeman Foundation-sponsored program for summer internships in Asia, Trumbower said, adding that Political Science Professor Jeffrey Ayres will oversee those internships from the Saint Michael’s side.

However, the long familiar summer campus stays for many years by cohorts from schools in Colombia and Japan will not happen this summer, nor will the previously large numbers of students from the Middlebury College summer language program who used to take an oath to only speak the language they were learning while enrolled in the program, and would fill the Green Mountain Dining Hall in Alliot on summer days.

As far as summer school, Trumbower and all summer undergraduate courses are virtual this year, as are most graduate courses, though some graduate courses will still be in-person. “Summer undergrad courses are very well-enrolled,” the VPAA said.

Alex Colletta ’18

Alex Colletta ’18, assistant director of operations (online and non-traditional programs), gave more details: “In terms of the Accelerated Summer College, we are 100 percent virtual this summer. We have two sessions (May 24 – July 2 and July 5- Aug 13) and 27 courses (www.smcvt.edu/asc). Also of note, we partnered with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) for a course-share consortium (CIC-OCSC) and currently have 11 students enrolled in courses that we don’t offer within our own summer program (including American Sign Language, Microbiology, Spanish 2, and more!).”

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A new summer group: Chamber Festival musicians

The College’s Director of Special Events John Hill said that while the main quad dorms will not have Middlebury language students this year, “we WILL have 160-plus Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival guests with us from June 27 through July 30, staying in Ryan and Alumni Halls. Daily practices/instructions will take place in McCarthy, Saint Edmunds and Jeanmarie rooms. Private performances will be held in the McCarthy Recital Hall. Public performances will be by ticket only, to be held at Elley Long Music Center on North Campus/. Fort Ethan Allen. Part of the preparations by facilities crews for this group including moving pianos to the third floor of Jeanmarie Hall!

Kevin Lawrence

The Festival’s Artistic Director is Kevin Lawrence, a widely acclaimed musician and violinist of international reputation and a graduate of Julliard School. He shared details about the musicians who are coming to campus for the festival and the programs they will present:

“We’re delighted to be at St. Mike’s this year!” says Kevin Lawrence. “This summer GMCMF will have more than 170 students and about 30 faculty from major conservatories and music schools such as Juilliard in New York, Juilliard in Tianjin in China, Cincinnati College Conservatory, Harvard, Vanderbilt, DePaul, the Universities of Michigan, Oregon, Texas, North Texas and South Florida. We’ll have six concerts on our artist faculty series; these events will be held at Elley-Long:

Wednesday, June 30: Age of Romanticism, with guest artist Chad Hoopes — Music of Brahms, Schumann and Dvořák

Friday, July 2: Streams of Sunlight — Music of Montgomery, Harbison and Schumann

Wednesday, July 7: High Spirits — Music of Schulhoff, Benjamin and Mozart

Friday, July 9:  Mysterious Beauty — Music of Takemitsu, Tailleferre and Brahms

Friday, July 16:  Cries from the Soul, with guest artist Matt Haimovitz — Music of Josquin, Mendelssohn and Arensky

Tuesday, July 20: Russian Visions — Music of Glinka, Auerbach and Prokofiev

All student performances will take place at the recital hall of the McCarthy Arts Center; these include concerts each Tuesday and Thursday evening, plus four master classes by eminent guests:  Tuesday, 6/29 at 7:30 p.m.:  Solo violin class by renowned violinist Chad Hoopes; Saturday, 7/3 at 1:30 p.m., Chamber music class by Philip Setzer, violinist of Emerson String Quartet; Thursday, 7/15 at 4 p.m., Chamber music class by distinguished cellist Matt Haimovitz; Monday, 7/19 at 7:30 p.m., Chamber music class by Lawrence Dutton, violist of Emerson String Quartet.

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Alliot dining: Mellower than usual

Brian Roper of Sodexo, the campus food service provider, reports that “Alliot is open for the summer to on-campus guests only. It is still all take-out, but will transition to all in-person dining around August 1.” He said the Chamber Music Festival group will be able to eat in the dining hall in late June into July. “As for summer sports camps, we will be feeding them at Tarrant this summer.” Catering is event by event, based on what is requested, he said. “I don’t have a catering department anymore so the events need to make business sense for us to take them on over the summer.

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Athletics/Sports Camps: Full speed ahead

Chris Kenny, director of athletics

A highly visible and audible presence on campus this year after a summer off in 2020 will be the return of summer sports camps for kids in a wide range of sports, coached by Saint Michael’s College athletics staff as in prior years. Says Director of Athletics Chris Kenny, “We had to postpone our Purple Knights Golf Classic again this spring – looking forward to bringing it back in 2022. We are in the process of preparing for 2021-22 and hoping for a much more ‘normal’ experience for our student-athletes, staff and community,” he said.

Upcoming camps on the schedule weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. as of late May assuming sufficient enrollment numbers included:

• Women’s basketball camp 1 for grades 2 through 12, from June 21 through June 25
• Women’s Basketball II for grades 2 through 12 from July 5 through July 9;
• Men’s soccer camp for grades 2 through 12 from June 21 through June 25
• Field hockey day camp 1 for grades 8 through 12 from July 12 through July 16
• Field hockey day camp II for grades 2 through 9 from July 19 through July 23
• Men’s basketball camp 1 for grades 4-12 from July 19 through July 23
• Men’s basketball camp II for grades 4 to 12, July 26 through July 30
• Women’s soccer camp 1 for grades 2 to 12 from July 5 through July 9
• Women’s soccer camp II for grades 2 to 12 from July 26 through July 30
• Coed volleyball camp 1 for grades 5 to 12, June 14 through June 18
• Knights Total Sports Camp (basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, hockey and others activities), August 2 through August 6
• Men’s lacrosse camp I for grades 2 to 12, June 14 through June 18
• Men’s lacrosse camp II for grades 2 to 12, August 2 through August 6
• Women’s lacrosse camp I for grades 2 to 12, June 28 through July 2
• Women’s lacrosse camp II for grades 2 to 12, July 12 through July 16
• Baseball camp I: Little League for grades 3 to 6, (9 a.m. to noon) July 19 through July 23
• Baseball camp I: Middle/High School (12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.), July 19 through July 23

As noted, these campers will be fed in Tarrant Recreation Center with Alliot bringing lunch to them.

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Saint Michael’s Summer Playhouse

Chuck Tobin ’80, producing artistic director of the Saint Michael’s Playhouse, earlier this year when he needed to make a decision on the 2021 season, sent this note to patrons, after the 2020 season also was canceled during the pandemic:

“Dear friends,

The safety of our Playhouse audience members and employees, and our communities both local and global are our greatest concern. So, we are Playing it Safe at Saint Michael’s Playhouse this summer. Although the vaccine rollout is underway and COVID-19 numbers are on the decline, we believe that this summer is still too soon for a completely safe reopening of a full four-show summer theater season in our 350-seat theater with a company of nearly 60 theater professionals. The good news is we are looking at some exciting and safe ways to entertain and enrich this summer with smaller theatrical options performed on an outdoor stage on the grounds of the Playhouse with small casts, reduced audience capacity, socially distanced seating, and all other necessary safety protocols in place. Keep in mind, we will only pursue reopening this way if sanctioned by the Governor’s Office, Saint Michael’s College, Actors’ Equity Association, and the CDC. And, please be aware that these events will not be determined until well into the spring as we wait for more information. If we can do so, rest assured these smaller entertainments will be produced with the same great quality you have come to expect at Saint Michael’s Playhouse.

For those of you who purchased subscriptions to the 2020 season your subscription packages will automatically be rolled over into a patron account for our 2022 summer season. Patron accounts may also be used in 2021 if we are able to safely reopen this summer with alternative theatrical entertainment options. If you feel you are unable to attend future productions, no worries. We would greatly appreciate you converting your ticket payment to a Playhouse donation which will be an immense help to us as we struggle to survive this unparalleled challenge. You may also request a refund of your 2020 ticket purchase. For more information on how to donate or receive a refund please click here.

We are excited to announce that we have recently embarked on the planning phase of our full season of shows for summer 2022. We know we would not be as successful as we are today without your loyal support, and we are certain that once we are looking at COVID-19 in the rearview mirror, big, bold, live professional theater at Saint Michael’s Playhouse, and around the world, will come roaring back. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy and continue to care for yourselves and for those around you. See you at the Playhouse!

Best, Chuck Tobin, Producing Artistic Director

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Busy summer at the Shrine

Fr. Brian Cummings, SSE ’86

This summer as in past years, the spiritual focus of the Edmundites, and by extension, the Saint Michael’s community, turns to St. Anne’s Shrine in Isle La Motte up in the beautiful Champlain Islands, about an hour from campus. Fr. Brian Cummings, director of Edmundite Campus Ministry and of the Shrine, shared this year’s major activities there as also posted on the Shrine website.

Regular Masses during the Shrine’s summer season are SUNDAY at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and SATURDAY, 7 p.m. There also will be an 11:15 a.m. daily Mass in July and August.

5-Day Directed Retreat

The Society of St. Edmund will be conducting a 5-Day Directed Retreat in the Ignatian tradition from Sunday June 20 to Friday June 25, 2021 at St. Anne’s Shrine in Isle La Motte. Using principles from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, retreatants are invited to contemplate scripture passages in a silent environment, celebrate daily Eucharist and meet with a Spiritual Director each day. Spiritual Directors are specifically trained for this type of retreat and will serve as companions and co-discerners of the Spirit during the retreat. Applicants should be comfortable maintaining an atmosphere of silence and be able to share their prayer experience with a Spiritual Director in a daily meeting of about forty-five minutes. The retreat begins at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 20 and concludes with lunch on Friday, June 25. The cost is $525 per person which includes private room and all meals. A $250 non-refundable deposit is due with application which can be obtained by calling Nancy Dulude at (802) 928-3362 or via email at ndulude@sse.org. Space is limited due to private bedroom accommodations and married couples will likely be assigned to separate cabins unless space availability permits otherwise. Please note all participants are required to follow the State of Vermont COVID-19 guidelines regarding travel protocols for fully vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons.

As the principle center for devotion to St. Anne in the Diocese, the Shrine offers a full range of devotional activities, culminating in the solemn observance of the Feast of St. Anne on July 26.

The open-air pavilion for Mass at St. Anne’s Shrine.

Summer Reflection Series

The Reflection Series returns! Beginning July 7th and running through August 25th, members of the Society of Saint Edmund and Diocesan Priests will present the Summer Reflection Series every Wednesday (except July 21). The programs begin with 11:15 a.m. Mass followed by a presentation. Lunch is available for purchase in the café, or you may bring your own picnic lunch to eat outside. All are welcome! Reservations are appreciated though not necessary and can be made by calling (802) 928-3362.

Topics and presenters will be posted soon.

Other notable summer dates at the Shrine:

May 2021
Masses Begin: Please see the schedule for days and times

June 2021

5-6: Blessing of Automobiles and Travelers (following Mass)

13 Anniversary of Ordinations at 10:30am Mass: Fr. Marcel Rainville, S.S.E. & Fr. Richard Myhalyk, S.S.E., celebrating 50 years and Fr. Brian Cummings, S.S.E., celebrating 25 years. Reception following Mass.

20 Cafeteria season opening for Sunday breakfast buffet and light lunch.

20-25 Silent Retreat. Call office for application.

July 2021

11: 12:15 p.m. Family Mass with Bishop Christopher Coyne, Diocese of Burlington.

18: New York Knights of Columbus Pilgrimage.12:15 p.m. Mass with Bishop Terry LaValley, Diocese of Ogdensburg.

26: Feast of St. Anne Mass at 11:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Mass followed by Candlelight Procession.

August 2021

14: Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at 7 p.m. followed by Candlelight Procession.

15:  Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Fatima statue is displayed at 10:30 a.m. Mass.

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Summer Mass Times on Campus

Mass in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel on the Colchester Campus for summer will continue to be at 11 a.m. for Sunday Mass all through the summer. Daily Mass will continue to be at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday in the back altar area.

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Durick Library

Summer hours at Durick Library on the Saint Michael’s campus are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Summer 2021 exceptions:  According to the Durick web page, “The Library may close early due to unexpected staffing circumstances. Notice of early closures will be posted on the Library website and on the entrance doors. We apologize for any inconvenience if such closures do occur.” The library will be closed Saturday, July 3, Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5 for the long Independence Day weekend.