The Tang Museum at Skidmore College presents a Dunkerley Dialogue with exhibiting artist Mark Thomas Gibson and Skidmore history professor Jennifer Delton on Thursday, November 12, at 6 pm. 

The conversation will take place in Mark Thomas Gibson: We Are A Constellation, a survey of recent work by the self-described American history painter. Gibson and Delton will discuss art, American history, democracy, and civic responsibility. 

The dialogue takes place just over a week after the 2026 midterm elections, adding another layer to an exhibition concerned with the ways history shapes the present.

A recurring character in Gibson’s work is the Town Crier—a stand-in for the artist who rings a bell and delivers important announcements to his fellow citizens. A centerpiece of the exhibition is a monumental three-banner installation featuring an American flag transformed into choppy waves on one side and the Town Crier sounding an alarm on the other.

The Town Crier also steps out of Gibson’s artwork and into the gallery. At 2 pm each day the museum is open, a member of the Skidmore community serves as Town Crier, announcing news from the past alongside news from that day.

Gibson will be in conversation with Jennifer Delton, the Harriet Johnson Toadvine ’56 Chair in 20th-Century History at Skidmore College. Her research and teaching focus on race and ethnicity, civil rights, politics, and business in twentieth-century America.

The Tang’s long-running Dunkerley Dialogues pair Skidmore professors with artists for conversations that create connections across disciplines and spark new ideas. The November 12 program is the 82nd in the series. Dunkerley Dialogues are made possible by a generous gift from Michele Dunkerley ’80. 

Admission to the museum and to events are free. For more information, contact the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visit https://tang.skidmore.edu.

On Friday, October 23, 800 eighth- and ninth-grade students from eight Capital Region schools gathered at Hudson Valley Community College North in Malta for Career Jam™ Explore. The interactive event connected students from Saratoga County and surrounding communities with local employers, industry professionals, and educational pathways, introducing them to career opportunities across the region.

The Career Jam™ experience began in the classroom with the Student Discovery survey, developed in partnership with the Siena Research Institute. On campus, students kicked off their day with a high-energy Prep Rally featuring a DJ, trivia, challenges, and prizes. The interactive session introduced students to career clusters, encouraged them to consider new possibilities, and prepared them for the Exploration Floor, where local businesses and organizations brought career pathways to life through hands-on activities and conversations.

“At Hudson Valley Community College, we believe that meaningful career exploration should start long before high school graduation,” said Dr. Michael Brophy, president of Hudson Valley Community College. “Here on our North campus, the TEC-SMART facility provides specialized education and training in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and STEM fields. Bringing Career Jam™ Explore to this campus allows us to connect local students directly with the industries shaping our region’s future. Together with our regional business partners, we’re helping spark curiosity, inspire learning, and introduce young people to exciting career possibilities.”

“A strong community is built when we empower our youth to discover their unique potential,” said Steve Bulger, Saratoga County administrator. “Saratoga County is home to a growing and diverse economy, and Career Jam™ Explore demonstrates that students don’t have to look far to find exceptional careers. By bringing schools, businesses, and civic leaders together, we’re inspiring students early and helping them envision a vibrant future right in their own community.”

“To truly inspire students, we have to let them experience technology firsthand,” said Christine McLear, senior lead, workforce development at GlobalFoundries. “Career Jam™ Explore brings the fun and innovation of advanced manufacturing to life. With the semiconductor industry expanding in Saratoga County, we want students to realize they can build incredible careers and help shape the future of technology right here in their own community.”

“New York’s growing clean energy economy is creating new opportunities and career pathways for young people to explore,” said Holli Monroe, director, workforce development and training, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). “Through partnerships with organizations like Career Jam™ Explore, NYSERDA can engage with students early and spark curiosity about how their talents and interests can align with future careers within New York’s clean energy industry.”

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, in partnership with Saratoga PLAN, will offer “Landscapes Through Time,” an autumn walk at Saratoga County’s Graphite Range Community Forest in the Town of Wilton.

The walk will take place on Wednesday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A Wilton Wildlife environmental educator will lead participants through the history of the Saratoga PLAN-managed forest, including its 20th-century graphite mine. The program will explore how Indigenous inhabitants, settlers and miners shaped the landscape and how the forest became the community resource it is today.

Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register, or for up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org or on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. Celebrating 30 years of providing environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings.

Schuylerville Elementary School music teacher Mr. Chris Tucker was surprised with the General John Patterson–Supervisor Thomas Wood IV Saratoga Teaching Excellence Award, presented by the Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission.

For more than 31 years, Mr. Tucker has been an integral part of the Schuylerville school community, sharing his passion for music, creativity, and education with generations of students. From writing the elementary school’s songs, “On the Right Track” and “The 3 B’s,” to supporting countless concerts, assemblies, drama productions and school traditions, his contributions have left a lasting impact on the district.

“Mr. Tucker is our sunshine,” said Principal Marissa Macey. “We appreciate all that he does for our students and school!

Surrounded by students and colleagues, Mr. Tucker graciously accepted the recognition, sharing the simple reason behind his decades of dedication:

“I do it because I love the kids and love making music. I am so grateful for you all.”

The Saratoga Springs City School District is proud to announce that it has received the 2026 Pinnacle of Excellence Award, the highest honor presented by ASBO International (Association of School Business Officials International). The award recognizes innovative school district projects that demonstrate exceptional leadership, creativity, measurable impact, and stewardship of public resources. Saratoga Springs was recognized for its pioneering Participatory Budgeting initiative.

Only one school district in the United States receives the Pinnacle of Excellence Award each year, making it one of the most prestigious honors in school business management and educational leadership. Saratoga Springs City School District was selected from a national field of innovative projects for engaging students directly in school improvement and capital planning decisions.

Dr. Joseph Greco, Director of Personnel Development, accepted the award on behalf of the District during the Best in School Business Awards Ceremony at the ASBO International Annual Conference & Expo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 14.

“Receiving a national award that recognizes only one school district in the entire country each year is a truly extraordinary honor,” said Greco. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it belongs to our students and teacher leaders. They demonstrated that when students are given authentic opportunities to solve real-world problems, they rise to the challenge in remarkable ways.”

The nationally recognized project, Participatory Budgeting for High School Students, reimagined capital planning by inviting students to help shape their school environment. Students researched district needs, developed project proposals, evaluated costs and benefits, collaborated with administrators, and voted on improvements to be funded by the district.

According to ASBO International, the initiative transformed budgeting from a behind-the-scenes financial process into an authentic educational experience. Students gained firsthand experience with civic responsibility, public finance, consensus building, project planning, and democratic decision-making. The organization cited the program as a model for using school business operations as teaching tools while strengthening transparency and trust among stakeholders.

“We are very proud of our student participatory budgeting process and this innovative approach to increasing student voice and engagement in the capital project planning process,” said Dr. Michael Patton, Superintendent of Schools. “Our students were totally invested in providing feedback and exploring ways to help improve the learning environment of our high school. Participatory budgeting is an effective leadership tool for students to gain experience researching, advocating, planning, and implementing projects that will have a positive impact on our school.”

In its published project summary, ASBO International described Saratoga Springs’ Participatory Budgeting initiative as a model that prepares future community leaders while improving schools today. By connecting fiscal stewardship with authentic student engagement, the district created an experience that has now been recognized as the top school business project in the nation for 2026.

In addition to national recognition, the district will receive a $10,000 furniture award sponsored by Virco, Inc., which may help support future student-driven improvement projects identified through the participatory budgeting process.

The district hopes this recognition will bring additional attention to the value of student voices in educational decision-making and encourage other school systems across the country to provide students with meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping their schools and communities.

As part of Galway Central School District’s commitment to hands-on learning, all Galway students in grades 3-12 have now had the opportunity to visit Saratoga National Historical Park and explore the history that unfolded right in their own backyard. 

The visits are part of a districtwide effort to connect students with the people, places, and events that helped shape our nation. By stepping onto the battlefield, students experienced history beyond the classroom, gaining a deeper understanding of the American Revolution and the significance of the Battles of Saratoga. 

During their visits, students explored the battlefield grounds and learned about the strategies, challenges, and individuals that influenced the course of the Revolution. Learning where these events actually happened offered students a meaningful opportunity to connect classroom lessons with the landscape around them. 

The field trips were months in the making. Earlier this year, members of Galway CSD’s administrative team and teachers visited the battlefield to plan experiences appropriate for students at different grade levels. Learning activities were designed to engage students across grades 3-12, encouraging them to explore how the events at Saratoga helped change the course of American history.

The learning will continue this spring, when Galway CSD’s youngest students in PreK–2 will also visit the battlefield. These visits will extend the experience to students across the district, with activities tailored to their age groups and developmental levels. 

The initiative reflects Galway CSD’s commitment to helping students understand local history and its connection to the broader story of our country. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, these experiences provide students with an opportunity to reflect on the events, decisions, and sacrifices that helped shape the United States. 

With grades 3–12 having completed their visits and PreK–2 students scheduled to participate this spring, Galway CSD is proud to bring this shared learning experience to students across the district.

Empire State University’s growth continued this fall, with total enrollment increasing 15% for the Fall 2026 semester and new student enrollment rising nearly 30% over last year. 

The increase brings Empire’s enrollment to 19,000 students, extending a period of sustained growth at a time when many colleges and universities across the country are facing enrollment declines. 

The students choosing Empire reflect the changing face of higher education. They range in age from 14 to 82, live in 48 states and 49 countries, and balance their education with work, family responsibilities, military service, and other commitments. More than 60% come from households with significant financial need demonstrated through Pell eligibility. 

As New York’s first and only online public university and part of the State University of New York (SUNY), Empire was built to serve students whose lives do not fit the traditional college model. Today’s enrollment growth suggests that approach is resonating with more learners. 

“Students are looking for educational opportunities that fit their lives and help them achieve their goals,” said President Lisa Vollendorf. “Empire State University was created to meet students where they are, and we are delivering on that mission in service to more students every year.” 

The growth is evident across many areas of the university. 

Students enrolled through partnerships with employers, labor unions, and government agencies now represent nearly 30% of the student body. Empire also continues to serve and graduate more military-affiliated students than any other public university in the SUNY system. 

This fall, the university welcomed more than 500 New York City high school students through new college access programs, creating another pathway for learners to begin earning college credit and building momentum toward a degree. 

The university’s continued growth is also shaping its future investments. 

Over the past year, Empire has expanded academic offerings in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity while adding new faculty members to support students across the academic portfolio.  

“Growth creates opportunity, and it also creates responsibility,” said Vollendorf. “Our focus is on ensuring every student receives an exceptional educational experience. We are investing in innovative programs, outstanding faculty, and support services that help students succeed.” 

As enrollment continues to rise, Empire remains focused on the same goal that has guided the university for more than five decades: expanding access to affordable, flexible, and high-quality education and helping learners achieve the promise of a college degree.

Saratoga County History Center is proud to announce the upcoming publication of our latest book, Saratoga County Stories Three. This collection features articles from historians across Saratoga County, exploring the diverse histories of our local communities. Following its release on November 7, this volume will be available for sale at Saratoga County History Center and can be ordered through our website, brooksidemuseum.org. We invite the public to pick up their copies and to meet the authors at our release parties, on November 7 from 2-4 PM at Brookside Museum and November 10 from 6-7:30 PM at the David R. Meager Community Center in Malta. 

This is the third book in a series featuring articles written by local historians and published bi-weekly by Saratoga County History Center in Saratoga Today. “We initiated this project during the Covid shutdown in 2020,” said James Richmond, editor of the article series. “Probably the most rewarding aspect is to offer both seasoned authors and new writers the opportunity to publish their research and to tell their stories.” 

Within Saratoga County Stories Three, readers are invited to learn about important moments in local history. Turn the pages, and travel across time and space: visit the bedside of a tuberculosis patient in Providence, spend a summer afternoon picnicking in Vischer Ferry, or join a community celebration at Halfmoon’s Chip Hall. Encounter the lives and histories of diverse residents of Saratoga County, from “Obstinate” Becky Jones and persevering Widow Peebles to WWII heroes like Johnny Mancini.

Here is what some reviewers have said: 

“The old saying “History Happened in our Backyards” rings true, and the good folks at the Saratoga County History Center prove so with Saratoga County Stories Three. With over 70 stories relating to Saratoga County History, covering topics from the American War for Independence to WWII to unknown hamlets to an MLB pitcher to the many family stories and much more. An excellent job goes out to the writers/historians and the volunteers who put this book together.”- Brian P. Mack – Trustee of The Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park

“This medley of essays offers a deep dive into the fascinating history of Saratoga County in the eighteenth to twentieth centuries…But there is also…plenty of local color, too—essays with tempting titles allow readers to get up close and personal about a centenarian’s birthday party, a philandering physician, the “Baking Powder King,” and a manufacturing powerhouse. You will feel like an insider after reading about topics known only to longstanding residents of Saratoga County.” – Dr. Catherine Jean Golden – Professor Emerita of English at Skidmore College

“From Halfmoon to Hadley, Waterford to Edinburg, from the 18th Century to today, Saratoga County shines in these inspired, entertaining sketches. A bevy of talented writers has unearthed often obscure personalities and events that expand our knowledge and enrich our appreciation of Saratoga County.” – Mike Hare – Store Manager, Northshire Bookstore of Saratoga Springs