March is a very interesting month.
We are in the middle of working with our current applicants, and all of our admitted students as they narrow their college options and prepare to make enrollment decisions. May 1st (the deposit deadline) is quickly approaching. Simultaneously, we are working with sophomores and juniors in high school. They are just beginning their college searches. For admissions officers, this time of the year is a balancing act.
During the course of a day, we are asked hundreds of questions. Admitted students have concerns about financial aid, housing, and orientation. Applicants want to know if their applications are complete and when they can expect decisions. And students just beginning their college search, want to know everything else.
Which brings me to Nicole. Nicole recently emailed me to ask a few questions. Her last question took a little more time to answer. It was short question but very thoughtful, and for me thought provoking.
Dear Mr. Tweed..."what would you say is your favorite thing about Lasell?" Nicole wrote.
Nicole, my favorite thing about Lasell College isn't a thing at all. Let me explain.
I knew from my first moment on campus (over 6 years ago) that Lasell is where I wanted to work, and that commitment grows stronger everyday.
Ironically, my favorite part of Lasell College has nothing to do with the location. Although, Newton, MA (right outside of Boston, is a "best of both worlds location" to attend college).
In fact, my favorite aspect of Lasell has little to do with the physical structure of the campus either. Although, Lasell's campus is a beautiful, unique blend of historic Victorian mansions and new state-of-the-art classroom and residential facilities.
Nor is the affection I have for Lasell influenced by the academic programs we offer. Even though, Lasell has over 30 undergraduate and many graduate offerings to choose from. All taught through a unique Connected Learning approach to education that combines practical, hands-on professional experience with the comprehensive, liberal arts.
And my Laser pride doesn't waiver with the ups and downs of our 13 varsity athletic program's records. Although, last nights men's basketball double over-time loss in the GNAC tournament was tough to take.
My favorite "thing" about Lasell College is the people. The Lasell College community (the current students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and staff).
The Lasell College community makes the location relevant and fun. Lasell students, administrators and staff turn-on the physical campus so it glows with excitement and energy. And the Lasell faculty infuse the curriculum with their global experience, and yet take the time to make individual connections with students that are lifelong lasting.
Lasell's people are what make the College such a special place to work, live and learn.
Nicole, I hope this answered your question. Keep 'em coming!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Please pardon our appearance while we renovate.
If I had a dollar for every time I've said this to a student visiting Irwin House (the Office of Admission) over the last two months, I could have generated my own stimulus package.
All kidding aside, for those of you new to Lasell's campus, Irwin House is on the corner of Cheswick Rd. and Commonwealth Ave., and is one of the College's many Victorian homes (27 to be exact, dating back to the 1800's) that now serve as either student housing or faculty/administrative offices. Lasell's campus is really quite spectacular, uniquely mixing historic mansions with new high-tech, green constructed residences and facilities.
To all of the students and their families who visited and toured campus last week (during school vacation) - thank you for coming to see us, and for your patience. The construction can be a distraction, and at times, an inconvenience. However, Irwin's renovations will add additional office space for our growing team - including Lou, our new Associate Director of International and Multicultural Admission. Lou won't have a chance to get too comfortable in his new office, as he "takes off" (literally) on a recruiting trip to Florida, China, the Middle East, and Turkey beginning next week. Meet Lou and the rest of the Admission Team and see if their upcoming spring travel plans include your area.
In Irwin, our expansion projects have not been limited to just new offices and staff. Last month we launched our new student portal, an online way for our undergraduate applicants (nearly 3700 last year) to regularly check the status of their applications, connect with our admission and financial aid teams, and receive Lasell news and updates electronically. Tyler (one of our Admission Counselors) did an amazing job getting this service up and running. Early feedback has been extremely positive. Our fall applicants enjoy being able to access their individual admission accounts and determine if their applications are complete or if certain credentials are missing. If you have any questions about accessing the Lasell portal, check-in with Tyler. Also, high school Juniors - stay tuned for our next tech initiative. Lasell will be participating in CollegeWeekLive (the worlds biggest virtual college fair).
Back to the hammers and nails in Irwin. One of the members of the Blue Key Society (our Student Admission Ambassadors) who lives in McClelland Hall told me, "he was use to construction at Lasell." "It seems like every year, Lasell is putting up a new building or renovating an older one." Now that I think about it - he's not exaggerating. In the 6+ years that I've been Director of Admission, the College has built 3 residence halls and the campus center; expanded the Dining Hall, opened a cafe, renovated the auditorium, the athletic center, and countless classrooms on campus. So I guess it was just a matter of time before the construction crews found Irwin.
Speaking of McClelland Hall. The past few weeks have given me a glimpse of what the students currently living in McClelland and Van Winkle Halls must be experiencing, as they endure the construction of Lasell's 2 newest student residences just feet away. These 2 new residence halls will house approximately 150 new students, and will include underground parking and a courtyard. Unlike the renovations in Irwin, the 2 new residence halls are going up on schedule, and are due to open fall 2009. To the students living in McClelland and Van Winkle Halls - thank you for your cooperation and for your understanding. On schedule or not, I'm sure you've had to overcome your share of construction woes.
Well, back to work tomorrow and to Phase 1 of the Irwin renovation project (scheduled to be completed by the end of the month). By the look of things last Friday, and I think Eddie (the Irwin project manager) would agree - we're making progress, but for now I should probably get use to saying "please pardon our appearance while we renovate."
All kidding aside, for those of you new to Lasell's campus, Irwin House is on the corner of Cheswick Rd. and Commonwealth Ave., and is one of the College's many Victorian homes (27 to be exact, dating back to the 1800's) that now serve as either student housing or faculty/administrative offices. Lasell's campus is really quite spectacular, uniquely mixing historic mansions with new high-tech, green constructed residences and facilities.
To all of the students and their families who visited and toured campus last week (during school vacation) - thank you for coming to see us, and for your patience. The construction can be a distraction, and at times, an inconvenience. However, Irwin's renovations will add additional office space for our growing team - including Lou, our new Associate Director of International and Multicultural Admission. Lou won't have a chance to get too comfortable in his new office, as he "takes off" (literally) on a recruiting trip to Florida, China, the Middle East, and Turkey beginning next week. Meet Lou and the rest of the Admission Team and see if their upcoming spring travel plans include your area.
In Irwin, our expansion projects have not been limited to just new offices and staff. Last month we launched our new student portal, an online way for our undergraduate applicants (nearly 3700 last year) to regularly check the status of their applications, connect with our admission and financial aid teams, and receive Lasell news and updates electronically. Tyler (one of our Admission Counselors) did an amazing job getting this service up and running. Early feedback has been extremely positive. Our fall applicants enjoy being able to access their individual admission accounts and determine if their applications are complete or if certain credentials are missing. If you have any questions about accessing the Lasell portal, check-in with Tyler. Also, high school Juniors - stay tuned for our next tech initiative. Lasell will be participating in CollegeWeekLive (the worlds biggest virtual college fair).
Back to the hammers and nails in Irwin. One of the members of the Blue Key Society (our Student Admission Ambassadors) who lives in McClelland Hall told me, "he was use to construction at Lasell." "It seems like every year, Lasell is putting up a new building or renovating an older one." Now that I think about it - he's not exaggerating. In the 6+ years that I've been Director of Admission, the College has built 3 residence halls and the campus center; expanded the Dining Hall, opened a cafe, renovated the auditorium, the athletic center, and countless classrooms on campus. So I guess it was just a matter of time before the construction crews found Irwin.
Speaking of McClelland Hall. The past few weeks have given me a glimpse of what the students currently living in McClelland and Van Winkle Halls must be experiencing, as they endure the construction of Lasell's 2 newest student residences just feet away. These 2 new residence halls will house approximately 150 new students, and will include underground parking and a courtyard. Unlike the renovations in Irwin, the 2 new residence halls are going up on schedule, and are due to open fall 2009. To the students living in McClelland and Van Winkle Halls - thank you for your cooperation and for your understanding. On schedule or not, I'm sure you've had to overcome your share of construction woes.
Well, back to work tomorrow and to Phase 1 of the Irwin renovation project (scheduled to be completed by the end of the month). By the look of things last Friday, and I think Eddie (the Irwin project manager) would agree - we're making progress, but for now I should probably get use to saying "please pardon our appearance while we renovate."
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