Despite needing to go virtual, I Love IC Week was a rousing success.
Despite needing to go virtual, I Love IC Week was a rousing success.
This past year has presented myriad challenges for Ithaca College students, faculty and staff. That’s why the college’s 9th annual I Love IC Week, held last week, felt even more impactful than normal.
Hosted by the student alumni association Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), I Love IC Week promotes school spirit and spreads awareness about the impact of philanthropic support to the college.
“What better time to pause and thank someone for helping contribute to your learning and experience, or someone who has had a positive impact on your life?”
Kristin Van Ormer, associate director of alumni and family engagement, STAT faculty advisor
“What better time to pause and thank someone for helping contribute to your learning and experience, or someone who has had a positive impact on your life,” said Kristin Van Ormer, associate director of alumni and family engagement, and STAT faculty advisor. “It’s a great opportunity to share those moments with others and feel great about yourself, too.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s celebration put a virtual spin on many of the events, which allowed STAT to create spaces for students to learn from alumni and connect with each other.
The week kicked off with an Ithaca-themed trivia game. Students took part in a Jeopardy-style event where they answered questions about the college and its alumni, as well as the City of Ithaca.
“An event like this, that teaches me about the college’s culture, really helped me feel more like a part of the college.”
Jay Barrett ’24
Jay Barrett ’24 was excited for the opportunity to bond with other students and learn something new.
“Most of our class missed out on these chances to learn about the school and community,” Barrett said. “An event like this, that teaches me about the college’s culture, really helped me feel more like a part of the college.”
Students got the chance to learn about the college and the town during a trivia night.
Students got the chance to learn about the college and the town during a trivia night.
The next day, students took part in an alumni panel titled “Adulting, Networking, and Reconnecting: Lessons Learned from IC Alumni.” STAT worked with the college’s Office of Career Services and Hillel to curate a panel of distinguished alumni — Lisa Broida Baily ’89, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein ’89, Ed Alpern ’78 and Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr ’93 — each of whom was a member of Hillel during their time at IC.
Other Hillel alumni Leza Raffel ’89, Andrew Casper ’13 and Jessie Tonjes ’12 came to the event and shared their advice as well. Moderated by Kira Singer ’19, the panel provided students a chance to gain insight on the varying career paths of the panelists.
“The event was a great way to see the lasting impact IC can have on people. Even though you are generations apart you have a shared connection with so many people in the world just because you all attend IC.”
Madelynn Thompson ’22
“I wish someone had told me that there is so much growth that happens after graduation,” said Einstein-Schorr. “Just take opportunities to continue to learn and to try new things. I took the skills that I gained at IC and knew I could rely on them to branch out of my comfort zone. It’s okay to redefine yourself multiple times, we are not meant to be static, we are meant to learn.”
Attendees were then split into breakout sessions with alumni in their respective fields.
Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr ’93 spoke about how the skills she learned at IC have helped her since graduating.
Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr ’93 spoke about how the skills she learned at IC have helped her since graduating.
“The event was a great way to see the lasting impact IC can have on people,” said Madelynn Thompson ’22. “Even though you are generations apart you have a shared connection with so many people in the world just because you all attend IC.”
Kindness Day was an opportunity for students to send positive messages during I Love IC Week. Across campus and online, posters affixed with QR codes allowed students to send encouragement and appreciation to other members of the IC community.
Students like Sara Boschwitz ’22 sent virtual thank you notes during the “Get the Scoop on Philanthropy” event.
STAT Vice President Julia Shuman ’22 believes that events like Kindness Day are especially important due to the current challenges so many people are facing .
“Everyone needs extra kindness right now,” she said. “Now more than ever, people need activities to support each other and boost our spirits.”
Another highlight was the ice cream social event “Get the Scoop on Philanthropy,” which gave students a chance to thank donors to the college’s annual fund. This year STAT created an interactive picture collage to allow students to share what they were thankful for on social media. While there wasn’t ice cream available this year, students who shared their message of thanks could win a Purity Ice Cream gift card.
Sara Boschwitz ’22 recognized the importance of acknowledging the generosity of those who give to the annual fund.
“With their support, students like me are given the opportunity to use resources that help us grow in our field of study,” she said. “Access to resources such as lab equipment, instruments, and so much more, is a fundamental part of our education at Ithaca and it helps us prepare for our futures.”
Shuman also feels that the reciprocity shown during I Love IC Week is critical.
“I wouldn't have known that important things like financial aid or club funding comes from the annual fund if it wasn’t for my work with I Love IC Week,” she said. “It really spreads a message to students about how important donors are to the student experience and how important it is to thank them.”