Author Archives: Kathryn Meader

Did you know that? (A new series)

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Since we’ve graduated from UVM, Ryan and I have discovered tons of things that are happening here on campus and around Vermont that we never knew about as undergrads. So, we wanted to add a new segment to the blog- Did you know that?!

Today, we’re going to do a quick run down of two things that have been a part of UVM for a long time, but a lot of the time aren’t in the headlines.

 

Did you know that… UVM has a TV show called Across the Fence?

Across the Fence is a daily TV program that has been made every day (you heard me, EVERY DAY) since 1954!

WCAX got it’s start as a radio station being run by students on the UVM campus in the 50’s, and one of their programs was a farm and home show, for 15 minutes each day. This tradition has continued as the station has grown, and UVM Extension still produces an episode of Across The Fence for every weekday. They have an amazing catalog of their episodes available online, and cover everything from slow cooker recipes for busy work days, to grain farming (and the growing interest in hemp farming) in Vermont, to the effect of road salt on fragile ecosystems.

Check out their catalog of episodes for tons of interesting subjects, talked about by professors that you might know! Across the Fence is especially wonderful because it gives all of us an access point to learn more about the University at large.

 

Did you know that… UVM runs an active sugar bush?

UVM Proctor Maple Research Center is a field research station for the department of Plant Biology in CALS, and was established way back in 1946. The center has a mission that is divided into three categories; Research, Demonstration, and Education.

They put out approximately 1,550 taps to product 750 to 950 gallons of maple syrup each year! If you’ve bought syrup through the UVM bookstore, it was created right there at the Proctor Maple Farm!

When you come back to Vermont to visit, you should definitely schedule an appointment for a visit- they won’t be able to give you a tour or a demonstration right now, as it’s the height of sugaring season between February and April. But, the rest of the year they’re happy to have visitors!

If you can’t come visit, they have several webcams that you can check out to see more of what the research center looks like!

Now, are you sitting there thinking “Hold on, I thought everyone know about Across the Fence?” or “Duh, Proctor Maple Research isn’t news”- don’t worry.  We’re going to keep digging up more fun stuff, so don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know if there’s a unique corner of UVM that we should be talking about!

 

Survey Results!

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Remember how we said we’d be calling you? Well, we collected all your answers, and have some fun facts for you all!


All of you are amazing, but we know that being out in the world after graduation isn’t always the easiest. Part of the reason we do these check in surveys is to share with your classmates that their experience is not out of the ordinary – You’re not the only one working part time, or applying for grad school. We’re all finding our way together.

Check it out! We have a sweet heat map of all the places that you guys have spread to since leaving campus, as well as some charts about what you’re all up to these days.

Not shown here are the alums that are currently based in Canada, China, El Salvador, France, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Switzerland, and the UK! You aren’t just all over the country, you’re all over the world!

We also asked about what you guys feel most connected to here at UVM. We are always curious about this.

With older alumni the answers are sometimes easier, because UVM was a smaller, different University. Now, with such a wide range of student experience, we want to know what you all identify with, and let that inform how we keep you connected with each other and campus.

Thanks for all your input, we’ll be back next week with more classic Afterword.

Eat UVM, a Vermont Themed Giveaway!

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So, in case you guys didn’t know, here at Afterword, we are very food motivated.

And we wanted to share some of our favorite local snacks and treats, with our favorite readers – you all! It turns out a lot of the local Vermont products are also directly connected to UVM alums! Our alumni are a productive bunch, and we wanted to highlight a few of the things that they’re crafting for us to eat (or drink).

To make this week even more special, we’re doing a giveaway just for you! Everything in the picture above is produced in Vermont, and most of them are UVM Alumni owned companies! So, read on for more about these products, and enter to win a Vermont Care Package!

So, lets learn about some awesome alumni made products first:

SAP!:

Do you watch Shark Tank? If you do, you might have seen SAP! on the most recent episode. They’re an alumni owned maple soda company – and they also make Maple Seltzer, as well as Birch Seltzer!

Bove’s:

We were all sad to say goodbye to the one and only Bove’s restaurant, home of the most amazing lasagna this side of the Green Mountains, but their amazing sauce is still being produced, and their family business is still going strong!

Have you heard of Dakin Farms?

We love their products, and they’re another UVM Alumni run business! Some favorites include the Summer Sausage, Strawberry Jam, Maple Syrup (of course) and, Maple Popcorn!

All of those Dakin Farm products are included in the giveaway care package!

Polar:

Feelin’ parched? Another UVM Alumni product is here to help. That’s right, your favorite seltzer, Polar, is one of ours too! (Ryan recommends the Cranberry Clementine).

My Little Cupcake:

We love when Alumni decide to grow their businesses right here in Burlington, and we especially love dropping in to My Little Cupcake for a treat every now and then.

Wilcox Ice Cream:

Speaking of sweet treats, did you know that Wilcox Ice Cream is an Alumni Product? They have all your favorite flavors, including Black Raspberry, Rum Raisin, and Rocky Road!

Jasper Hill Farm:

We couldn’t get through this post without mentioning some Vermont Cheese. Even though we won’t be able to ship it to you, we wanted to mention Jasper Hill Farms Moses Sleeper – an amazing soft cheese, just one of the many more they produce in Greensboro Bend VT!

Lake Champlain Chocolates:

Lake Champlain Chocolates is another favorite, especially their hot chocolate on a cold day down on Church Street!

Did you know that all of the products we’ve mentioned so far are crafted by UVM Alumni? But wait, there are a few more that are simply made in Vermont, that we just had to share, because we like our local stuff.

Here are a few more Vermont products that will be included in the giveaway!

 

Butterfly Bakery Of Vermont:

Butterfly Bakery of Vermont makes lots of things: cookies, mustard, granola, and hot sauces! They use all locally grown peppers, and partner directly with farmers near them! We selected the Maple Sugar Shack Sriracha, but they also have a Heady Topper Hot Sauce!

Nutty Steph’s:

Have you heard of Nutty Steph’s? They make amazing granola (including a gluten free option), chocolate confections, trail mix, and baking products! They’ve been one of Kathryn’s personal favorites, and are a Vermont based company.

Want to win some of these amazing snacks? Click through to enter the giveaway, and two lucky winners will receive a Vermont Care Package, directly from us!

(Only products pictured in the top image will be sent in the care package- we’re not wizards, we can’t ship you ice cream, cheese, or cake pops – but if you want some, come back and visit Vermont!)

Networking: Advice and Tips from Aya AL-Namee ’15

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Over the past two weeks, the UVM Alumni Association hosted networking events in cities all over the country, including Boston, NYC, and San Francisco!

If you couldn’t attend or don’t live in one of those areas, fear not. We checked in with  Aya AL-Namee ’15, who attended the networking event in Boston, and are bringing her advice to you!

As someone who’s worked in admissions, and a frequent Alumni volunteer, she’s a pro at the most effective networking approaches. Check out her advice below.

What advice do you have for recent graduates attending networking events?

My advice is to not be shy and to put yourself out there. Approach every interaction as a learning opportunity and a chance to ask for advice and you will get much more than what you expect from the networkers. Do not limit yourself to your industry! You will be amazed at what you can learn from other people who have experience in different professional fields.

Did you have an outstanding interaction with someone at the networking event? Why was it memorable?

I had many outstanding interactions and my most memorable one was with a business student who fearlessly approached the education and non-profit table and asked for general job searching advice – Should I go to grad school? Should I get a job right after? What was even more impressive is the fact that she added me on LinkedIn before any of the students who were interested in working in my field!

Any other advice related to networking and job searching for recent UVM alumni?

If you are a recent UVM grad, I highly recommend getting in touch with as many UVM alumni in your area as possible! You never know what that can lead you to. At the very least they will be a great group of friends and support system for you in your “real world” first steps.

Fall 2017: Semester in Review

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It’s the last day of finals here on campus (I know, we can’t believe it either) and that means a whole semester has passed since you graduated!

Campus has been busy with all sorts of things this semester, so we thought we’d do a quick recap so you won’t feel like you missed out on any of the good stuff.

Here are some highlights.

Torrey Hall Fire:

The Burlington Free Press captured a live video at the scene as it was handled by the fire department.

If you didn’t know, the third floor of Torrey Hall houses the Pringle Herbarium.This was a scary day for many professors on campus, as they didn’t know if the rare specimens would survive. Thankfully, there was little damage to the herbariarium. Check out the Seven days article for more info.

Student Protests / Student Demands:

During the semester, a group of students brought their concerns regarding diversity at UVM to the administration, and President Sullivan.

Seven days has an article that covers the whole conversation, as well as the list of student demands and the president’s response embedded on the page.

Dairy Bar:

THE UVM DAIRY BAR IS OPEN!

And the best part- They’re using local milk and cream from the UVM C.R.E.A.M. Program! We prefer cookies and cream or their coffee flavors. Yum!

Full Story Here.

Wellness Environment:

This semester was the first with the new and improved Wellness Environment. With a new central location in the new first year dorms, and expanded student participation, the ‘WE’ has made a big impact on campus. (As well as a bit of a splash in the news).

These Students aren’t nodding off, they’re meditating. -Boston Globe

Hudziak talks WE progress, concerns. -VT Cynic

New Buildings on Campus:

Wondering how they fit all those new WE students into central campus? Well, there’s been a bit of construction. We realize a lot of this was going on when you all were on campus, but here’s a quick update.

The Discovery Building (part 1 of the STEM Complex) has been completed, and at the beginning of this semester, Cook Hall was torn down to make room for the Innovation building, which will come next. Oh, and there’s a cool pedestrian bridge that links Votey to Discovery!

Right behind, the Central Campus Residence-Hall (yep, it hasn’t been named yet) opened for the first time, and includes a new dining hall (apparently the lines have been out the door all semester)! Oh, and there’s a cool pedestrian bridge linking it with Bailey-Howe Library. So yeah, bridges are in right now.

Still underway is the construction of Ifshin Hall (an expansion on the Kalkin Building) and they’re beginning renovations to the Taft School building, at the corner of Pearl and South Williams; a new home for Art and Dance on campus.

Faculty Features:

Missing your fave prof? Check out these super cool faculty features! They interviewed people like Yutaka Kono, Rasheda Weaver, Tina Escaja, Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst, Major Jackson and more!

They can all be found on the UVM Facebook page.

And just like that, the semester is over!