Festivities kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with a spirited polo match. Players took to the field and fans gathered along the sidelines, drinks in hand, to toast the beautiful summer evening. Many reminisced about time together at Skidmore, whether as students, colleagues, parents or volunteers. Beth Payer (Skidmore Class of 1990) and Tracy Barlok shared fun and laughter with Jeannette Liebers, Emily Mastrianni, Andrea Costanzo (’86) and Pat Tuz. Nearby, President Philip Glotzbach and his wife, Marie, caught up with Don McCormack, while his wife, Judy, chatted with Margie Stribley and Michael Casey.
Event chairs Sally King and Sara Halberg Boivin (’96) mingled, encouraging everyone to bid often on the wide array of silent auction items showcased throughout the tent. Spotted amid the colorful displays were committee members Charlene Wood Courtney (’83), Marcia MacDonald and Tabitha Orthwein (’91) with her sister Mieka LeClair-Lundy. Also seen were honorary chairs Linda and Michael Toohey with Michael Fieldman and Nan Guslander, and Virginia Kraft Payson with her husband, David Cole.
As anyone who has ever attended can attest, the spotlight shines on an incredible feast prepared and presented by the college’s own award-winning Dining Services department. “This event offers a unique opportunity for our staff to display their creative culinary and catering talents,” said Skidmore Executive Chef James Rose. “The dining services team takes great pride in participating.”
And it showed. From the raw bar station of shrimp, crab, oysters and lobster rolls to the Asian-inspired duck meatballs and edamame salad, it was a buffet overflowing with creative tastes. Even the seemingly classic chicken breast and poached salmon were served with special touches like nectarine relish and lemon tarragon aioli.
Enjoying the savory menu were Lucy Tower, Bonnie Eyre, Carla Skodinski, Tom and Mary Quandt, Arik and Kristle Mathison, Joe and Mary Anne Volpe, Melanie and Brian Osterhout, Cari Endres, John Witt, Martin and Liz Brayboy, Sean Colquhoun (’78), Lisa Lavieri (’79), Harvey Turner, Conor Donohue, Jeremy Bromley and Ray Bryan (’94).
Following dinner, President Glotzbach stepped forward to recognize Mrs. Palamountain on the occasion of her 90th birthday. “The Skidmore College of today owes so much to (her) leadership and vision,” he stated.
Anne Palamountain conceived and launched the annual benefit in 1979 with her dear friend, the late Philly Dake. It was the event itself that then led to the creation of the Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund, honoring Skidmore’s fourth president and his wife for their 22 years of leadership. Joseph Palamountain served as Skidmore president from 1965 to 1987, a period that saw Skidmore’s move from Saratoga’s eastside to the North Broadway campus, and the transition to co-education. His wife was by his side through it all, strengthening the college’s relationship with the local community, alumni, parents and friends.
The Palamountain Scholarship Fund is one of Skidmore’s largest sources of endowed scholarship support, with a value of more than $5.2 million. During the 2012-13 academic year alone, 18 Skidmore students received financial aid from the fund, including Hilary Knecht, who graduated in May. Knecht closed the program Tuesday evening with gratitude.
“I would not have been able to attend Skidmore and to do everything that I have done without the assistance of a Palamountain Scholarship,” she commented.
For Anne Palamountain, a woman so dedicated to enriching the lives of young people and ensuring educational opportunity, those words may just have been the best birthday present yet.
