Dear Editor,
I am writing to protest the conspicuous absence of Washington College from the recent launching festivites for the schooner Sultana. While it is true that faculty and students were active in the project, they participated more as citizens of Chestertown than as representatives of the college community.
On an occasion when the regional, state, and some say even the international, press was on hand to witness the spectacular success of financing, building and launching a replica 18th century schooner, the most visible representation of Washington College, an institution touted as the "First College of the New Nation," was the Public Safety Officer at the corner of High and Water Streets. This is a poor showing for an institution which was founded a mere fifteen years after the original Sultana took to the high seas.
Why was the conveniently located Custom's House not used to advertise the college? How difficult could it have been to hang a banner stating, for example: "Historic Custom's House restored by Washington College and future home of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience"? In this way the institution could have participated in and benefitted from the momentous occasion and, at the same time, tightened ties with the town.
Recent events on campus illustrate that Washington College faculty are pressured to parallel their excellence in the classroom with ever continuing scholarly activity. Granted, one aim of this policy is to keep faculty members up to date in their fields. Another objective, however, is to ensure the name of Washington College is seen in as many places and scholarly publications as possible. During my undergraduate studies at this institution, an often repeated slogan was: "Washington College, the best kept secret in Maryland".
Unfortunately, on Saturday, Washington College seemed to be the best kept secret in Chestertown, except of course, for those who caught a glimpse of Dr. Toll in the Custom's House window.The administration, which employs professionals to push Washington College in the mass media, clearly missed a unique opportunity to promote this wonderful institution. It is truly unfortunate that the administration does not hold itself to the same high standard it demands of the junior faculty.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Coale
class of 1983
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782