Ithaca College

Infobox_University
name = Ithaca College


motto = "Commitment to Excellence"
established = 1892
type = Private with 5 schools and the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies
endowment = US $238 million
president = Dr. Thomas Rochon
city = Ithaca
state = NY
country = USA
undergrad = 6,260
postgrad = 400
faculty = 673
staff = 989
campus = Urban area, 757 acres (3.0 km²)
mascot =
nickname = "Bombers"
free_label = Athletics
free = 23 Varsity Teams
website = [http://www.ithaca.edu www.ithaca.edu]

Ithaca College is a private institution of higher education located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. Known internationally for its communications program, the college also offers a wide blend of liberal arts education. The college is at the center of a sophisticated cultural community, with a stunning backdrop of Cayuga Lake, Cornell University, and hundreds of waterfalls and gorges. The college is perhaps best known for its large list of alumni who play or have played substantial roles in the world of broadcasting.The college has been ranked among the top ten master's universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report every year since 1996. [ [http://www.ithaca.edu/news/release.php?id=1968 "U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges" Ranks Ithaca College in Top Ten - News Release - Ithaca College Office of Media Relations ] ] In 2008, the college was ranked 7 in this category. [ [http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1univmas_n_brief.php USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Universities-Master's (North): Top Schools ] ]

History

Beginnings

Ithaca College was founded as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in 1892 when a local violin teacher, William Grant Egbert, rented four rooms and arranged for the instruction of eight students. For nearly seven decades the institution flourished in the city of Ithaca, adding to its music curriculum the study of elocution, dance, physical education, speech correction, radio, business, and the liberal arts. In 1931 the conservatory was chartered as a private college.

Modern Era

By 1960, some 2,000 students were in attendance. A modern campus was built on South Hill in the sixties, and students were shuttled between the old and new during the construction. The hillside campus continued to grow in the ensuing 30 years to accommodate more than 6,000 students.

As the campus expanded, the college also began to expand its curriculum. By the 1990s, some 2,000 courses in more than 100 programs of study were available in the college's five schools.

The school attracts a multicultural student body with representatives from almost every state and more than 75 foreign countries, but only 7 percent of its student body is not Caucasian.

Academics

The college offers a curriculum with more than 100 degree programs in its five schools:

*Roy H. Park School of Communications
* School of Business
* School of Health Sciences & Human Performance
* School of Humanities & Sciences
* School of Music
* Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies
* Division of Graduate Studies

atellite Campuses

Besides its Ithaca campus, Ithaca College also operates the following satellite campuses:

* Ithaca College London Center
* Ithaca College Washington Semester Program in Washington, D.C.
* Ithaca College Los Angeles Program, an extension of the Roy H. Park School of Communications at the James B. Pendleton Center
* Ithaca College Walkabout Down Under Program, which gives students the opportunity to experience several different regions of Australia in one semester. Students travel around the country for 20 weeks, studying at Murdoch University, University of Tasmania and La Trobe University. This program ended in spring 2008 due to financial reasons.
* Ithaca College Antigua Program, a semester program expected to launch in spring 2009.

The London, Washington and Los Angeles programs are primarily internship-based.

Media and publications

"The Ithacan"

"The Ithacan" is Ithaca College's official newspaper. The paper is written, edited and published by students. "The Ithacan" is available in print every Thursday morning and online. [http://www.ithaca.edu/ithacan] "The Ithacan" and its staff have won many major collegiate journalism awards, most notably, the Associated Collegiate Press' National Pacemaker Award for the 2004-2005 academic year. The Pacemaker has been widely considered the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate journalism.

"ICTV"

"See main entry Ithaca College Television"

"Imprint Magazine"

"Imprint Magazine: College Life’s Internet Magazine", published from Ithaca College, is published by college students, for college students, about college students. Imprint strives to inform its readers of national issues and give them the opportunity to voice their opinion and become involved in the discussion.

"Buzzsaw Magazine"

"Buzzsaw Magazine", formally Buzzsaw Haircut, was founded in 1997 and is the college's monthly alternative news magazine. It is available in print and online every month. [http://www.buzzsawhaircut.com/] The magazine is produced by the Ithaca College community and printed by Our Press of Binghamton, NY. It is funded by the Ithaca College Student Government Association, the Park School of Communication, local advertising, community support, and a grant from Campus Progress.

It has won a number of national awards, including the Campus Alternative Journalism Project's award for "Best Sense of Humor" in 2003 and the Independent Press Association's Campus Independent Journalism Awards for "Best Campus Publication with a Budget Under $10,000" and "Best Political Commentary" in 2005.

"Ithaca College Radio"

Ithaca College is also home to two student-operated radio stations.

92 WICB

92 WICB is an FCC-licensed station that operates at 7500 Watts at 91.7 on the FM band. The majority of its programming falls under the modern rock category. While broadcasting modern rock, the station is run similarly to a commercial modern rock station, with the inclusion of playlists planned by the programming and music departments that include leeway for listener requests and DJ choices.

Other programming ranges from mainstream hip-hop and R&B, to underground, downtempo, and other lesser-known genres of what is generally considered urban music. In addition to a lunchtime Jazz show, WICB broadcasts a number of other specialty shows throughout the week. These shows, which usually run 2-3 hours in length, come from genres such as blues, broadway, jam band music, and "homeless" music, that is not normally heard on the public airwaves.

VIC Radio

VIC Radio, once known as 106-VIC, is an Internet radio station broadcasting via Live 365 at www.vicradio.org [http://www.vicradio.org] . The majority of VIC's programming falls under the indie pop, alternapop, and power pop genres. The playlists are planned by the Programming Department, with leeway for on-air talent favorites and listener requests. The rest of its programming consists of specialty shows, programmed by student DJs, which are more representative of a typical college station.

The station also hosts an annual 50 Hour Marathon, where two DJs stay awake for fifty hours straight to raise money for a local charity. The marathon, which is simulcast on 92 WICB and ICTV 16, typically involves events such as concerts, scavenger hunts, and remote broadcasts around Ithaca.

"Journal of Race, Culture, Gender and Ethnicity"

Founded in 2004 by several Ithaca College students, the "Ithaca College Journal of Race, Culture, Gender and Ethnicity" is an academic journal that explores complexities of such topics and welcomes student contributions. The journal is available in print and online. [http://www.ithaca.edu/icjournal/]

Athletics

The Ithaca athletics nickname "Bombers" is unique in NCAA athletics, and the mystery surrounding its origin is almost as rare. Ithaca College's sports teams were originally named the Cayugans, but the name was changed to the Bombers sometime in the 1930s. Several possibilities for the change have been posited. It may have made reference to the New York Yankees, who are known as the Bronx Bombers, or (less likely) boxer Joe Louis, known as the Brown Bomber. The most common explanation is that the school's baseball uniforms - white with navy blue pinstripes and an interlocking "IC" on the left chest - bear a striking resemblance to the distinctive home uniforms of the New York Yankees. It may also have referred to the Ithaca basketball team of that era and its propensity for half-court "bombs." Grumman Aircraft also manufactured airplanes including bombers in Ithaca for many years. The first “Bombers” reference on record was in the Dec. 17, 1938 issue of the Rochester Times-Union in a men’s basketball article. [http://www.ithaca.edu/ithacan/articles/0012/07/sports/LSstories_swir.htm December 07, 2000 - Stories swirl around about Mascots ] ]

The name has at times sparked controversy for its perceived martial connotations. It is an occasional source of umbrage from Ithaca's prominent pacifist community, but the athletics department has consistently stated it has no interest in changing the name. The athletics logo has in the past, but currently does not, incorporated World War II era fighter planes.

Ithaca is a member of the NCAA's Division III, the Empire Eight Conference, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. Ithaca has one of Division III's strongest athletic programs.Fact|date=February 2007 The Bombers have won a total of 15 national titles in seven team sports and five individual sports.

Coached by Jim "Butts" Butterfield [http://www.ithaca.edu/icq/2003v1/sports/index.htm] for 27 years, the football team has won three NCAA Division III football championships in 1979, 1988 and 1991 (a total surpassed only by Augustana and Mount Union). Bomber football teams made a record seven appearances in the Division III national championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.Fact|date=February 2007 The Bombers play the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons for the Cortaca Jug, which was added in 1959 to an already competitive rivalry. The matchup is one of the most prominent in Division III college football.Fact|date=February 2007

Most recently, the women's crew won back-to-back NCAA Division III championships in 2004 and 2005.

Women's soccer has won two national championships in Division III and is consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally.

Ithaca is also home to more than 60 club sports, many of which compete regularly against other colleges in leagues and tournaments.

Presidents

Current president

Ithaca's current president is Peggy Williams. President Williams assumed the presidency of Ithaca College on July 1, 1997. She is the College's seventh president and its first female president. Williams came to Ithaca from Lyndon State College, where she had been president since 1989. Williams holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from St. Michael's College of the University of Toronto; a master of education degree from the University of Vermont; and a doctorate in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University. A native of Montreal, Williams has lived in the United States since 1968 and is a citizen of both the United States and Canada.

On July 12, 2007, Williams announced that she would retire from the presidency post effective May 31, 2009 following a one-year sabbatical commencing May 31, 2008. [ [http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20070712140046911 Intercom - Important News to Share ] ]

The search for a new president has been underway since the announcement of President William's departure from Ithaca College. The field has been narrowed down to three candidates, who are currently visiting the campus and meeting with members of the Ithaca College community. The top candidates are Iain Crawford, MaryAnn Baenninger and Dr. Thomas Rochon. Iain Crawford is currently the vice president for academic affairs and English professor at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. MaryAnn Baenninger is now the president at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The final candidate, Dr. Rochon is currently the executive vice president and chief academic officer of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

MaryAnn Baenninger, who was probably the first choice, has dropped out of the candidacy for president, deciding she is needed more at her current position. It was decided that there would not be any deliberations to find a replacement third candidate to replace Baenninger.

On April 11, 2008, Ithaca College named Dr. Thomas Rochon the eighth president of the college. [ [http://www.ithaca.edu/features/release.php?release=2445 Ithaca College Selects Thomas R. Rochon As Eighth President ] ]

Former presidents

Notable alumni and faculty

Following is a brief list of noteworthy Ithaca College alumni and faculty. "For a more extensive list, see main entry List of Ithaca College People."
*Jessica Savitch, first female network news anchor
*Rod Serling, screenwriter, creator of "The Twilight Zone"
*David Muir, ABC news anchor for "World News Saturday" and co-anchor of "Primetime"
*Barbara Gaines, executive producer, "Late Show with David Letterman"
*Chris Regan, writer for "The Daily Show" from 1999-2006.
*Robert Marella aka Gorilla Monsoon, World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame wrestler, former ringside commentator
*Robert Iger, president & CEO, The Walt Disney Company
*Karl Ravech, ESPN sportscaster
*Bob Kur, Washington Post Radio, former NBC News National Reporter
*Richard Jadick, combat surgeon who was awarded the Bronze Star for service in Iraq
*Steven Van Slyke, chemist, 20 patents related to Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)
*Kate Aldrich, internationally-renowned mezzo-soprano
*David Boreanaz, actor, "Bones", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel".
*David Guy Levy, film producer, August and Patriotville.
*Ricki Lake, actress (only completed her freshman year before departing).
*Scott LaFaro, influential jazz bassist with the Bill Evans Trio (1959-61).
*Dimitri Milovich, inventor of the first Winterstick snowboard in 1970.
*Michelle Federer, theatre and film actress; originated the character, Nessarose, in Broadway's Wicked 2003-2006
*Matt Cavenaugh, film, tv, and Broadway actor
*Amanda Setton, film and tv actress
*Sara Schmidt, theatre actress; originated the character, Francine Valli, in Broadway's Jersey Boys

Music Groups

"Within the Ithaca College School of Music:"
* Ithaca College Choir
* Madrigal Singers
* Vocal Jazz Ensemble
* Ithaca College Chorus
* Women's Chorale
* Symphony Orchestra
* Chamber Orchestra
* Concert Band
* Symphonic Band
* Wind Ensemble
* Cello Choir
* Trombone Troupe
* Brass Choir
* Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
* Guitar Ensemble
* Percussion Ensemble
* Jazz Workshop
* Opera Workshop

;Outside the Ithaca College School of Music
* "Ithacappella" - All-Male a cappella
* "Premium Blend" - Female a cappella
* Amani Gospel Singers
* "VoiceStream" - Co-ed a cappella
* "Five Cents Sharp" - Male Brass Quintet (2006-2010)

tudent Organizations

Some of the larger Ithaca College student organizations include:

Residence Hall Association (RHA)

The Ithaca College RHA, established in 1988, is one of the college's largest student-run organizations. RHA improves student residential life on campus by engaging on-campus students with entertainment, information, and student organization funding. Ithaca College's RHA is a North East affiliate of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, or NACURH. NACURH is the world's largest completely student-run organization by membership. RHA Members attend NACURH-sponsored conferences nationwide to exchange ideas for improving college residential life.

IC After Dark

[http://www.ithaca.edu/afterdark IC After Dark] is a student-run organization that provides free, themed late-night events for the Ithaca College community. Each event features a main attraction, food, music, crafts, giveaways and prizes. Since its establishment in 2001, IC After Dark has hosted an average of four events per semester including flagship events such as E Komo Mai (a welcome luau for first-year students), Urban Cowboy (a Western-themed event made popular thanks to the mechanical bull), the Super Bowl Party, and The Dating Game. Each event attracts hundreds of students bringing in among the largest crowds for any student-run function.

Do Anything Nice (D.A.N.)

Do Anything Nice (D.A.N.) is a student-led organization that demonstrates the importance of acts of kindness in everyday life and leads in creative strategies for people to practice kindness in their daily lives. D.A.N. members engage in innovative new methods to bring community service to educational institutions.

Bigs IC

Bigs IC [http://www.ithaca.edu/csli/orgs/directory/index.php?org_id=281] is a student-run organization that works hand-in-hand with the Big Brother Big Sister program in the Ithaca Community. The Members volunteer directly with the children of the community and assist in helping making Ithaca a better and safer place. Bigs IC runs programs at the Youth Bureau downtown on a regular basis. Children from around the Ithaca community are invited to join the college students in the craft, activity and snack they have planned. The main goal of Bigs IC is to maintain a fun and caring relationship between college students and children in need.

NSSHLA

The National Student-Speech-Language-Hearing Association [http://www.nsslha.org/nsslha/] , better known as NSSHLA, is a student-run organization to promote awareness of Speech-Pathology and Audiology professions for students within the major. This nation-wide club helps students studying the field get involved and become educated on opportunities available to them once they earn their degree. The NSSHLA club here at Ithaca College holds meetings twice a month and runs fund raisers and events to help the members get more involved within their HSHP school and Ithaca College as a whole.

Circle K

Circle K [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_K_International] is a student led organization on campus that is known for their community service and help throughout the community. It is an international club that has been around for many years and has chapters in high schools and colleges throughout the nation. The Ithaca College chapter sponsors many different events throughout the Ithaca Community including volunteering at a local nursing home and an after school program at an Ithaca middle school. Meetings are held twice a month to discuss the service done throughout the week and plan new activities. Circle K club looks for members who are willing to help and be committed to serving the people of the world.

Colleges Against Cancer

Colleges Against Cancer, CAC, [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/VOL/Content/VOL_2_Colleges_vs_Cancer.asp] is a student-run organization that is known on the national level. It is sponsored by the American Cancer Society [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp] to help fight cancer and educate the youth on prevention and finding a cure. It runs fund raisers and programs to promote the fight against cancer and raise money for survivors and a cure. Relay for life is a annual event that Ithaca College participates in and raises thousands of dollars each year to donate to the cause. Other programs include, the Great American Smokeout, Breast Cancer Walk and dodge ball tournament. Meetings are held every Monday at 7pm.

Greek Life

Historically, various independent and national fraternities and sororities had active chapters at Ithaca College. However, due to a series of highly publicized hazing incidents in the 1980s, including one that was responsible for the death of a student, the College administration removed all but four Greek letter organizations from campus, and adopted a non-expansion policy, prohibiting any new Greek houses from affiliating with the College. [ [http://www.ithaca.edu/ithacan/articles/0411/11/news/5music_frater.htm November 11, 2004 - Music fraternities break stereotype ] ] As of 2008, three recognized Greek organizations remain on campus, all of which are music oriented:
*Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Delta Chapter)
*Sigma Alpha Iota (Epsilon Chapter)
*Mu Phi Epsilon (Lambda Chapter)
*A fourth, performing arts oriented house, Kappa Gamma Psi, went inactive in 2008.

External links

* [http://www.ithaca.edu/ Official website]

References