The Guilfordian
February 20, 2015 | 3
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Strickler to leave after successful tenure
BY ZACHARY LINDSEY
Staff Writer
“Andy’s departure from Guilford is even more devastating
to the community than to me personally,” said sophomore
Mara Stern. “He has brought so much to the campus, and
his presence will be missed. Andy is so passionate about his
job, and that is evident in his relationships with students.”
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Administration
Andy Strickler is nearing his last semester at Guilford
College. Stickler is leaving for Connecticut College, where
he will take on the position of dean of admissions and
financial aid.
“I’m going to miss the students, faculty and staff and the
admissions team,” said Strickler.
Since September 2011, Strickler has enrolled some of the
most diverse classes Guilford has seen. As he finishes off his
remainder of the semester, he will remain to bring in the
class of 2019.
“It has been an honor to know Andy,” said sophomore
and President of Community Senate Jose Oliva. “I have had
the opportunity to work with him as a colleague, as well as
a friend. His passion for students is something to admire.”
During Strickler’s tenure at Guilford College, he has
provided a strong budget management and reputable budget
procedures. In 2013, he enrolled the largest freshman class
at Guilford since 2009.
According to Guilford College’s website, 97 percent of all
students receive financial aid.
With Strickler’s success, Guilford is listed in the top ranks
of its class in diversity according to the U.S News College
Compass. Not only is Guilford ethnically and geographically
diverse, but students also range in age and come from a vast
array of backgrounds globally.
“I thank Andy for his dedication to our students and
look forward to completing the spring semester enrollment
events with him,” said Jane Fernandes in an email to faculty
and staff
Director of Admission Erin Kelly, a previous colleague of
Strickler’s in Northeastern Ohio, remarked that Strickler is
Andy Strickler meets with Alex De Lia on a Friday afternoon. Many students will miss Strickler's mentorship when he leaves in May.
a dependable person to go to for anything.
“Andy in general is a very positive human, and he is
so caring — its all for the students, families and Guilford
community,” said Kelly. “He has been a really influential
member of the community. People know it is a good
opportunity for Andy to move on, but to say that he hasn’t
done great things for the institution, for his students, for
athletic events, will leave an Andy Strickler-sized gap.”
“There is a cohort of students that I wanted to make sure
get through this place (Guilford),” said Strickler.
“Andy’s departure from Guilford College leaves a
significant disadvantage in the admissions office,” said
sophomore Cristy Samaniego.
Roger Kieffer will be serving as interim vice president of
enrollment.
Strickler shared ideal characteristics for the future dean
of admission.
“I want someone go who understands the Quaker values,”
said Strickler. “Someone who is going to buy into our
diversity ... the manner in which we approach diversity.”
The Element poetry slam
amplifies student voices
MONOLOGUES
Guilford students (clockwise) Teresa
Bedzigui '16, Ani Roberts '18,
and Ady Allred '16 perform at the
Element poetry slam event on Feb. 13
in the community center.
Give your vagina a voice
Continued from page 1
recited “The First Kiss.”
The crowd anxiously awaited the first performance, a hush lingering amongst them.
The performance began with what Bedzigui called “the non-traditional way” reciting
one of her original poems, titled “Black Girl Fly.”
Performance after performance, everyone in the audience seemed affected by these
anecdotes.
“Each monologue was hitting a little harder towards our emotions,” said junior
Rebecca Van De Beek, who attended the performance.
For two monologues — “Blueberry Hill,” recited by sophomore Juliet Smith, and the
last act, “Celina,” recited by sophomore Elena Robles — the audience was completely
silent.
“We chose to do the Vagina Monologues because of the impact it has,” said Bedzigui.
“The production of the monologues is a space for people to heal, and at the same time,
it informs the ignorant and heals the broken.”
The production transformed the actresses and made them seem like they were the
women in the monologues that were speaking to the audience.
“Every cast member became close and everyone worked very hard to be great,” said
Bedzigui.
The monologues, beyond their original purpose, connect to Guilford’s core values.
“One of the core values is integrity,” said senior and attendee Moriah Shapiro. “This
production showed integrity by having the cast expressing their true emotions and (by)
being devoted to the monologue. It takes true integrity (to be) saying what you actually
experienced and (express) the emotions that convey those experiences.”
The Vagina Monologues captures and addresses moments in Guilford’s anti-sexual
harassment campaign.
“Hearing stories that are unheard ... empowering different voices, hidden with
tragedy and how they behave towards their tragic experiences can make a difference to
the audience’s perspectives by letting' them know that each monologue (is a) real hfe
experience,” said Robles. “So, it gives the audience a perspective through the different
views of different women that have experienced, sexual harassment, rape, and abusive
relationships, and that these sorts of things happen everywhere.”
Vagina Monologues participants stand on stage after completing their pieces on Feb. 15.