I first drove onto the campus of Southern Vermont College when my older brother went there. There were no dorms. There was also no gym, dining hall, student activities center, etc.. It really didn’t look like a college campus at all. There was just a horribly bumpy dirt road flanked with a sign that read “the road to learning is a bumpy one.” This was the first time I ever heard of frost heaves and the bumpy road leading up to the mansion was full of them. The road to learning is a bumpy one resembled the character of the school perfectly.
In 1989, right after I finished High School, I found myself with no four year college to attend. I was, as SVC would put it, someone who did not rise to my potential in HS. I watched as all of my good friends went on to these amazing institutions. I even helped a few move in. During the summer before the fall of 1989 I had remembered that bumpy road leading to the mansion and to the college my brother loved so much. He wasn’t an honors student either. I wondered if I could get in there as well.
Toward the end of the summer, I got a call from Southern Vermont College. The person on the phone asked me to come for an interview and to take the placement test. I was rather curious, because most of my friends will already be at their colleges by the time my proposed interview date. I shakily asked, “do you realize I’m applying for this fall? When is your first day of classes?” To which the kind person replied: “Yes we realize you are applying for this fall. Classes start the next day and based on how you do we will let you know if you can stay or not.” WHAT?
I arrived on the SVC campus, with my brother to show me around, for my interview on the day before classes starting. By this time, the college had built dorms A-E, the dining hall, and a small student activities center. I did well on the placement test and the interview. They told me to come back at 3pm and ask to speak to Ann Madden-Kirvin, then Director of Admissions, and she will have my answer.
I arrived at 3pm and asked for Ann Madden-Kirvin. They asked who I was and replied, “oh Kyle you go pay in that line over there.” I went over, waited in line, and paid. I met Carol Margozian (registrar) and signed up for my classes. Then went to the dorms to get my room assignment. My roommate had already moved in and setup all his stuff. Kids were in the lounge acting like they had known each other for years. They had the benefit of meeting at summer orientation. I unpacked what little I brought, since I had feared them saying “have a safe trip home, you didn’t make it”, and went into the lounge to try and fit in with these people who all knew each other already.
I quickly learned that fitting in at Southern Vermont College was easy and by the evening I was invited to go eat and then go to a party. That night, I met so many wonderful people who I still talk to today. I came back to my room that night and by the time I finished vomiting the next day I had missed all of my classes.
My first semester was amazing and one perpetual party. I thought this school is the most amazing party school. Except, after that first semester, I learned a lot about academic probation. I did not do well in my classes and was put on Academic Probation. I met with the adviser for my major frequently, as well as, an academic probation adviser.
It was at this time that I realized the true magic that is SVC. I learned what truly makes SVC a special place. Although, they let me in, they were certainly not going to let me coast through it. They put the supports in place, figured out what I needed to achieve my potential, and never gave up on me. At that time, the Academic Dean, Dr. Christine Nevada Michael worked with an amazing team of people who pushed students to reach their potential with an amazing support system in place. Chris Michael, as we called her, truly cared about the success of every student at Southern Vermont College and it showed.
I graduated from Southern Vermont College in 1993 and went on to earn my master’s degree from Columbia University. I was very well prepared for Columbia University because of what I learned at Southern Vermont College.
Southern Vermont College is really just that special. My SVC story is not at all unique. My SVC story is thematic of what that institution does for so many students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend and graduate college. This is a remarkable institution that gave me my only chance at college. I took that chance and it paid off. I am forever grateful for this amazing institution.
-KJG