Skidmore College
Creative Thought Matters
Creative Thought at Work. Skidmore College

Who They Are...

David Levine '91: David Levine '91 believes in hakarat hatov, "recognizing the good," and feels strongly about repaying—and paying forward—his blessings.In 2000 Alan Mark '76 introduced Levine and wife Julie to the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco....Read more

Johanna Barr '10: Johanna Barr '10 is busy these days. The English major and government minor is a full-time news editor at the Huffington Post, a leading online news aggregator, while also studying for a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University....Read more

Tina Olsen '65: In our very competitive world, Tina Garber Olsen '65 believes that "working together as equals feels more humane." Her distaste for competition dates back to grade school and contrasts starkly with childhood visits to her Mennonite uncle's family farm in Pennsylvania, where Olsen was drawn to the sense of community and "the seeming lack of tension as they worked very hard but peacefully together," she recalls....Read more

Zach Gage '07: Zach Gage '07 isn't content to make art that invites audience interaction. His creations demand it....Read more

Jill Durovsik '78: Jill Holler Durovsik '78 has held several corporate management positions for Merrill Lynch and other companies in the Northeast, and in 1988 she founded her own business, Corporate Concierge Inc. But after becoming a mother in 1991, she wanted more flexibility with her time, and she was moved by the isolation that her mother felt when dying of cancer in 1986, so she started working with the Philadelphia Wellness Community, now called Cancer Support Community....Read more

Sharon Anglum-Storrs '71: Sharon Anglum-Storrs '71 describes her new business as "mommy boot camp."  She and her partner will provide labor and lactation coaching, nutrition and childbirth education, and referrals to doctors and counselors....Read more

Andrea Roman Alfaro '12: Participation in decision-making is a key priority for business professionals ranging from politicians to educators to corporate partners. It's also a priority for Andrea Roman Alfaro '12, Skidmore student and 2011 United Nations youth delegate....Read more

Andrea Roman Alfaro '12: Participation in decision-making is a key priority for business professionals ranging from politicians to educators to corporate partners. It's also a priority for Andrea Roman Alfaro '12, Skidmore student and 2011 United Nations youth delegate....Read more

Ann Kahl '51: This summer Ann Hammel Kahl '51 started storing away some of the 500 trophies and medals that were overrunning her Florida home. While she was at it, she retired a T-shirt her son had given her when she turned 80 in favor of an updated version that reads "You have just been passed by an 83-year-old....Read more

Josh Nassar '95: Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5....Read more

Creativity

Has creativity mattered in what you've done? How so?

Majors:

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David Levine '91 (Economics)

David Levine '91"Creativity ... life would be so boring without it. I am so fortunate to be able to have a day job that allows me to moonlight as an Artist, a Student, a Teacher and a Marathoner. If I was not able to take on these other "hobbies", the day job would be very boring."

Posted: 08/10/2012

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Johanna Barr '10 (English)

Johanna Barr '10"Yes. I did four journalism internships and freelanced for several publications before starting my job in March 2011. I went from working as a research assistant to a legendary political investigative reporter at the Village Voice, to prepping segments on topics like food, theater, books and the environment for a daily radio show on WNYC, to interviewing celebrities for NBC New York. Needless to say, it was important to be flexible and think on my feet. I've also had to be creative when pitching story ideas. A journalist needs to be able to find a new and interesting angle to take, especially if a topic has been written about extensively in the past."

Posted: 08/06/2012

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Tina Olsen '65 (Art)

Tina Olsen '65"As an art teacher and arts therapist I was able to use my talents to help others grow and find their own voice. My own experience with painting as a language gave rise to being able to help otherwise voiceless people have the courage to speak through art. Finding my voice and helping others express themselves through creative thought and endeavors continues to sustain me."

Posted: 08/06/2012

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Zach Gage '07 (Art)

Zach Gage '07"I'm an artist, so creativity and problem solving are the basis of my career."

Posted: 08/06/2012

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Jill Durovsik '78 (Government)

Jill Durovsik '78"Absolutely! My fondest memories at Skidmore revolve around the arts and the creativity of the entire campus environment. That includes the city of Saratoga Springs and the "old campus" which had such a wonderful, creative vibe. My home today is filled with works of art and designs from Skidmore graduates who became important creative voices. I have been very active with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, have studied at the fabled Barnes Foundation and serve on the Advisory Board of Skidmore's Tang Teaching Museum."

Posted: 08/06/2012

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Sharon Anglum-Storrs '71 (Foreign Language)

Sharon Anglum-Storrs '71"Creativity is the basis for everything. It's the basis for enjoyment and for appreciating creativity in others, including children."

Posted: 08/06/2012

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Andrea Roman Alfaro '12 (Sociology, Government)

Andrea Roman Alfaro '12"Creativity always seems like a really overwhelming word to me. However, here at Skidmore I have learned that creativity transcends boundaries. It is not only related to art, music, but creativity applies to everything! Creativity is a tool used for adaption. In that case, creativity always matters in anything you do.

For my experience in the UN, I think adapting, finding ways to make ideas go through, discussing major world issues are some of the things creativity has helped me to do. I had to think fast, be aware of my surroundings all the time, and respond to all the different inputs around me. I think that without creative thought I would not have been able to do such things. Being creative is exhausting, but it provides you with unique and meaningful experiences.

When I heard about Skidmore’s “Creative Thought Matters” for the first time I was unsure of that meant. I thought it was one more of those catchy phrases that colleges use to attract students. I still think it is and there is obviously a lot Skidmore has to reinforce and make better to achieve that motto. Nevertheless, in such a competitive world like the one we live in, it is good to stop for a second and think what being creative really means. Skidmore offers you the tools to discover your own space in that creative world and promotes the improvement of that thinking."

Posted: 08/05/2012

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Ann Kahl '51 (Art)

Ann Kahl '51"It's been my life, my world. Everything that I do is based on that, even coaching people in trying to get them to walk more. I taught second grade for a while, and you talk about how teachers need to be creative in the classroom. Because how do you keep children interested? That's more than just a lesson plan or giving assignments. You have to be creative. Creativity is the number one thing in my entire life."

Posted: 08/01/2012

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Josh Nassar '95 (Government)

Josh Nassar '95"Not taking no for an answer. You have to continually ask yourself how to figure out a problem. You have to have an open mind and not be rigid. You have to improvise over and over again. You need to be quick on your feet or you’re dead."

Posted: 05/31/2012