WBTN Bennington: Tim Thompson Interviews SVC Cross Country Captain

Thompson & Captain Alisha Somero take a break during an interview about SVC's successful 2002 cross-country season.

 

Mountaineer Pride: The 2002 SVC Women's Softball Team

Lady Mountaineers ready to take the field. Spring, 2002.

 

'Toilet Talk' Was Newsletter to Be Read on the Can - Southern Vermont College Dorms

 

In a pre-smart phone era, SVC students caught up with campus news during their most vulnerable moments.

College students have always been busy, so the SVC Residence Life Department came up with an ingenious way to keep everyone up to date on campus happenings: posting a newsletter directly across from the toilet!

Toilet Talk dates back to the early 2000s, before the days of smartphones, tablets, and social media. Back then, a trip to the bathroom offered a rare moment free from digital distractions, making it the perfect opportunity for the Residence Director to share important news with students living on campus.

The topics reflected everyday life in the residence halls. One issue tackled the SVC fire extinguisher policy, while another outlined spring break housing guidelines. Students were also tempted with free food and phone cards if they volunteered for the annual Phone-a-thon. 

Whether it was reminders, campus policies, or upcoming events, Toilet Talk made sure students stayed informed—even in the most unexpected place.

Publications like Toilet Talk have largely disappeared in today's connected world, replaced by emails, text messages, and social media posts. Still, it's hard not to smile when looking back on those simpler days at the foot of Mt. Anthony, when life moved at a slower pace and the evening's biggest decision might just have been choosing between a Bud Light and a Busch.

Bennington, VT Mansion - Mount Anthony

2002 Southern Vermont College Track & Field | Williams College Relays Results

A piece of Mountaineer athletic history detailing team achievements at Williams College.

What Southern Vermont College lacked in size, it more than made up for in skill, perseverance, and sheer grit. 

One glance at the championship banners hanging in the Fieldhouse—or the trophies and plaques lining Athletic Director Scott Kilgallon's office—offered all the proof anyone needed. Together, they told the story of countless SVC teams that rose to the top through talent, teamwork, and determination.

This media handout from April 13, 2002, details the results for the Southern Vermont College Track & Field team at the Williams College Relays. Key highlights include:

Women:

1500M

Stephanie Kopala, 5:36.10.

Amanda Laird, 6:10.00, personal best by 8 seconds.

800M      

Stephanie Kopala, 2:48.17, new SVC record (record Laird, 2:57, 2001).

*Shot Put  

Bree Spaulding, 26'02.00", new SVC record (record Spaulding, 24'06", 2002).

10,000M

Alisha Somero, 51:29

Men:

200M

Greg Glanville, 25:90, great 1st race!

400M

Greg Glanville, 62.1, personal best!

800M

Brandon Canevari 3:49:00

1500M

John Brady, 5:02.00

10,000M

Dan Dix 34:09.8, 1st place, strong kick.

*Long Jump

Matt Dubois, 21'05.75", new SVC record, 2nd place. (Record, 21'03.5", Dubois, 2001).

Shot Put

Dan Dubois, 37'07"

Matt Dubois, 37'05"

Nick Roman, 31'06"

Joe Rheaume, 25'05.75", personal record.

Weight Mans 4 x 100 Relay

Matt Dubois

Nick Roman, 1st place, 49:25

Joe Rheaume

Dan Dubois

High Jump

Matt Dubois, 6'0", 3rd place.

Dan Dubois, 5'10"

Rob Wise, 5'4"

*New SVC school record.

Highlights:

Spaulding, Kopala & Dubois: new SVC records.

Dix great kick to win 10,000m.

Men's Weight Man Team defended their 4 x 100M relay title.

Men's High Jump Team defended their HJ team title.

 

SVC, Bennington, VT Estate - Mount Anthony T-Shirt

Brushstrokes of Bennington: Memories of Professor Winterhalter’s Watercolor Class

Painted on the tiled patio of the Everett Mansion during a crisp Bennington autumn.

Nobody will mistake it for a masterpiece, but this is my watercolor interpretation of the Southern Vermont College campus.

It was my sophomore year, and my course load was looking pretty intimidating. Hoping to balance things out, I enrolled in Introduction to Watercolors as an elective, taught by the legendary Professor Greg Winterhalter.

The start of the fall semester always meant long lines in the basement SVC bookstore.

I knew I was in for a treat when manager Wanda handed me paints, brushes, and a palette—but no textbooks. At last, a class where I could relax while learning a new skill.

Of course, it wasn't all fun and games. Greg's trademark slide presentations taught us the fundamentals of watercolor technique and color theory.

Once we had mastered the basics, he gave us a demonstration of his own. The class watched in amazement as he transformed a blank sheet of paper into a stunning watercolor in just a matter of minutes.

After a few sessions painting fruit and still lifes, we graduated to bigger and better subjects: the great outdoors.

Armed with jackets, coffee, and the occasional cigarette, we gathered on the Everett Mansion's tiled patio, where sweeping views of Bennington and the Green Mountains served as our classroom.

Stone walls, fiery autumn leaves, stately evergreens, and the Battle Monument rising in the distance—an aspiring artist couldn't have asked for a more inspiring landscape.

More than 20 years later, this watercolor still brings a smile to my face.

Life at SVC wasn't always easy. Between demanding classes and a part-time job, there was rarely much time to slow down. But Introduction to Watercolors offered a welcome escape from those daily pressures.

Sitting on the Everett Mansion patio on a crisp autumn afternoon, paintbrush in hand, surrounded by good friends and spectacular scenery—that's the kind of college memory that stays with you for a lifetime.

Bennington, VT Vintage Map

Southern Vermont College 2002 Honors Convocation: Awards & Scholarships Program

The 2002 SVC Honors Convocation recognized student achievement and advancement.

I can't remember whether Friday, May 3, 2002, was a beautiful spring day, but I'm sure there was a sense of excitement in the air as President Barbara Sirvis welcomed students, faculty, and staff to the 2002 Southern Vermont College Honors Convocation at 1:30 p.m.

SVC’s Top Scholars: The 2002 Alpha Chi Vermont Delta Induction Ceremony

Vermont Delta Chapter number 351 was installed at SVC in 1999.

Southern Vermont College was home to a active chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society, and this 2002 program details the new member induction ceremony.