Jump the navigation

Life Skills Series offers Hands-On Learning

Kennedy
Jamie Kennedy ’96 instructs students on the finer points of meal preparation

Whitman facilities staff member Gary “Dag” D’Agostino wants students to get their hands dirty.

Though liberal arts students are not typically exposed to vocational training as part of their academic experience, Dag is empowering students to solve typical household problems on their own.

“Knowledge is power,” Dag said. “Life skills are every bit as important as academic skills. In fact, one amplifies the other.”

Dag spends one afternoon every other week teaching a group of Whitman students how to change tires, lubricate a car’s locks and plunge toilets.

He conducts his hands-on workshops as part of the new Life Skills series, a weekly opportunity for Whitman staff to share their skills and personal passions with students, who can sign up for free classes on mending, meditation, cooking, plumbing and other everyday skills.

“The focus of the program is to give students the basic skills they need to confront everyday tasks that arise outside of the classroom,” said Katharine Curles ’07, student activities and orientation program adviser. “The series is aimed at teaching students skills they may not necessarily gain in the classroom.”

The Life Skills series emerged from the work of Leann Adams, assistant director for student activities, and Colleen McKinney, former student activities and orientation program adviser. They organized a baking workshop at a local bakery – the Colville Street Patisserie – and a student-led mending workshop in spring 2011.

“The response has been incredibly positive,” Curles said. “I am thrilled to see how this young program matures and grows.”

The program also offers staff and students a unique opportunity to interact outside their usual campus roles.

Jamie Kennedy ’96 is director of planned giving, but it was his culinary passion that he shared with students who came to his home last October.

“Working in a staff position focused primarily on alumni relations does not allow me to spend much time with students,” Kennedy said. “Teaching a lesson about roasting a chicken and vegetables was a fun and productive exchange.”

Rachel Hoar ’12, a classics major from Eugene, Ore., participated in Kennedy’s cooking class. She not only learned how to use thyme, sage and fennel, but later used her new skills to prepare a dinner for her housemates.

"Skills like cooking help me feel more confident about getting by on my own," Hoar said.

Life Skills Series: 2011-2012

Fall 2011

Jamie Kennedy ’96, director planned giving and swim coach: Chicken roasting
Dona LaFran, administrative assistant for Penrose Library: “More Than Mending”
Chanel Finnie, administrative assistant in the Development Office: Cross-stitching Sonja Aikens, administrative assistant for the intercultural center: Meditation
Dag D’Agostino, boiler technician/plumber, joined by other physical plant staff: Diagnosing and treating common household problems.

Spring 2012

Michele Hanford, fitness facilities director: Lifelong fitness
Susan Brick, director of off-campus studies: Chinese cooking
Rebecca Thorpe, merchandise and marketing specialist: Stress relief
Jamie Kennedy ’96, director planned giving and swim coach: BBQ
Mara Sorkin, events coordinator in the president’s office: Chocolate appreciation.

For more information about the Life Skills series, visit http://www.whitman.edu/student-life/student-activities/life-skills-series.

 

Published on Nov 30, 2011
beaker duck hiker icon-a-to-z icon-arrow-circle-down icon-arrow-circle-up icon-arrow-down icon-arrow-left icon-arrow-right icon-arrow-up icon-calendar-no-circle icon-calendar icon-camera icon-clock icon-cv icon-dot icon-down-triangle icon-email-circle icon-email icon-external-link icon-facebook icon-flickr icon-generic-blog icon-google-plus icon-home icon-instagram icon-library icon-link-circle icon-link-inverted icon-linkedin icon-lock icon-magazine icon-map-pin icon-map2 icon-menu-hamburger icon-menu-mobile-a icon-menu-mobile-b icon-menu-x icon-mywhitman-cog icon-news icon-phone icon-pinterest icon-play icon-quote icon-search-a icon-search-b icon-search-mobile-a icon-search-mobile-b icon-share icon-snail-mail icon-tumblr icon-twitter icon-vimeo icon-youtube logo-whitman-nc-flat logo-whitman-nc-stacked logo-whitman-no-clocktower slider-category-arrow-2px slider-category-arrow-no-line slider-category-arrow-solid slider-category-arrow slider-category-line-2px slider-category-line-solid slider-category-line tc_icon-filmstrip-fl tc_icon-filmstrip-ln tc_icon-play-fl-closed tc_icon-play-fl-open tc_icon-play-ln-closed tc_icon-play-ln-open wifi