BenningtonWorks Admitted Students Day

Ade Bryon ’24, Rodrigo Diaz ’25, Peace Kolomba ’25, and Mia Jay-Pachirat ’25 traveled to COP28 in Dubai to participate in a protest for DeltasUNite, building capacity for youth with partners drafting a new United Nations Convention on Conserving the River Deltas (UNCCRD). They met young climate activists from around the world, learned about the climate crisis from top scientists and national leaders, and gained a world-class education on the state of climate negotiations.

Alma Reiss Navarre ’24 has studied ballet their entire life. But at Bennington their love of dance, choreography, and movement combines with work in public action, visual arts, music, and accessibility to support a wide range of “non-linear growth".

As part of a “Community Reading + Celebration” in the Student Center, BIPOC Bennington students presented their work, including the latest edition of r0ver magazine.

Bennington College’s B-Rad radio station was ranked #14 among college radio stations nationwide by the Princeton Review. Student DJs spoke about their experiences working on the station.

Shlesha Pradhan ’24 studies Biology, Neuroscience, Dance, and Music, exploring how music can enhance physical therapy experiences. She shared how Bennington’s flexible Plan Process allows her to combine her passions across disciplines.

• Students in the Fall 2023 How to Build a Forest course learned the tools and concepts needed to evaluate land from an ecological perspective. They presented their final projects across a variety of mediums, including podcasts, blogs, paintings, sculptures, and illustrated guides.
• When she arrived at Bennington, Halley Le ’25 was interested in chemistry and sustainability, specifically environmental chemistry or research pertaining to solar energy conversion and solar fuels. She is using her Field Work Terms to explore how chemistry intersects with these scientific fields.
• In Fall 2023, students presented their research experiences working with Drosophila: the common fruit fly. As varied as their research was, each agreed that fruit flies are a great model organism. 

From populist "rousings" in South Asia to resurgent civil society in Venezuela, from digital hate to photographic violence, from the question of first-person authority to Hannah Arendt’s vision of democracy, senior presentations in Society, Culture, and Thought showcase the breadth and depth of Advanced Work in SCT.

• During the class Examining Space, students learned how to shape foundry wax and prepare sand molds for the purpose of conceiving and realizing an object in iron. 
• Sawyer London ’24 has had a lifelong interest in ceramics. At Bennington, he has taken a broad range of courses— including in food studies and art history, sculpture and textiles, and environmental studies and public action—to supplement his studio work.
• Xiao (Smile) Ma ’23 discusses her experience exploring Visual Arts at Bennington.
• Recent graduate trustee Alisha Bade Shrestha ’23 discusses her experience studying Performing and Visual Arts at Bennington College and the "small nestled miracles" she found on campus.
• Learn about the new Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal Exhibition on view at Usdan Gallery.

Writing as Inquiry at Bennington with Camille Guthrie
"Write what you know" has been a common maxim in writing workshops. At Bennington, our approach to writing—creative, reflective, or critical—encourages writing about what you know and what you don't know. We use writing to ask questions, to take risks, and to engage with ideas that we're beginning to understand. To write is to think; to think is to inquire. In the critical writing course series, The Scriptorium, students read interdisciplinary texts and practice developing a thesis statement in a four-step process. Come to this workshop to learn more about critical essay writing, collaborative writing workshops, support for writing skills, and Plan writing at Bennington.

Three Knotty Questions in Economics with Lopamudra Banerjee
Arguably, the three big questions of economics/political economy of our time are: environment, recession, inequality. In this workshop, we will explore how economists think about these questions. A broad narrative of how crisis in ecology/environment is linked with the crisis in the economy, and, ultimately, people's quality of life, can be studied from various perspectives and illustrated with many examples. Our workshop will provide a glimpse of how we can do it through the disciplinary lens of economics.

Repeat Patterns with Farhad Mirza
Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. Pareidolia is a type of apophenia—the tendency to perceive a meaningful pattern between unrelated or random things. We will think, and talk, about this while we stamp our own handmade wallpaper in this workshop.

Discover Avian Mist Netting with Blake Jones
Immerse yourself in a hands-on session showcasing the vibrant birdlife of Bennington. Led by Biology faculty member Dr. Blake Jones, along with some of Bennington’s biology students, this event offers hands-on experience in the field of ornithology. Participants will learn the intricate techniques used by field biologists to safely capture, band, measure, and release birds in their natural habitat; engage with our students about their ongoing research; and observe a diverse array of avian species up close and personal. Join us to spend an hour immersing yourself in the world of birds.

Supporting Your Student: Building the Plan

A well-rounded overview of academics at Bennington, including discussions of Bennington’s Plan, Field Work Term, and how Bennington’s self-directed learning model and faculty advising and mentoring will help students develop academically and prepare them to rethink, invent, and change the culture. Presented by: Maurice Hall

Supporting Your Student: First Year Transitions

Focusing on the summer before the first year, new student orientation, and other elements of the first-year transition process, this installment in the ‘Supporting Your Student’ series will guide families on the type of support their students will have access to before, during, and after their move to Bennington. Presented by: Kate Child & Ali Tartaglia

Creative Writing at Bennington — A Reading of Student Poetry and Prose with Michael Dumanis
Eight current students will present brief readings of creative literary work they have produced at Bennington, followed by a Q&A about the Literature program.

Mathematics as a Form of Art with Andrew McIntyre
Not everyone knows that mathematics is a creative discipline, with active open questions, beautiful structures, and styles as different as Bach, Stravinsky, or Coltrane. People who didn't like math in high school sometimes find they greatly enjoy the way the research mathematicians actually work; and people who did enjoy math in high school often enjoy this even more. In Bennington College math classes, we try to give everyone a chance to work as research mathematicians; I'll try to give a sample of this in the workshop. No prior math knowledge needed!

The Body Acoustic with Dana Reitz
An opportunity to explore the interconnection of space and movement. Participants will have a chance to experience the effect of space, both by being in it and observing it from the outside. With simple movement tasks, we will change the perception of the spaces we inhabit and by changing the placement of these tasks, we will “read” the movement differently. We will create a variety of circumstances, shifting task and shifting perspective. Please wear comfortable clothing. This workshop is open for anyone interested, no matter what the disciplinary training.

Drumming - An Extension of Language with Michael Wimberly
This workshop introduces folkloric rhythms from Brazil, Africa, and the Caribbean using traditional percussion instruments. Students will learn simple rhythmic patterns while discovering the connection of language through “call & response,” and getting a glimpse into what it’s like to study music at Bennington.

3D in the Making with John Umphlett
Students are welcome to join faculty member John Umphlett (Sculpture) in the wood-shop for an interactive presentation about his work in three dimensions with students. You will learn about how this program balances the honored traditions of handicraft with new technologies. John will demonstrate this balance and ask for participation to feed this experiential event.

Supporting Your Student: Campus Safety

For many parents, campus safety and security is at the forefront of their minds while considering college options. This session provides information on how campus safety works to create a safe living and learning environment for everyone at Bennington while nurturing the individuality and rigorous creativity of our students. Additionally, the session provides information on beginning of year/ academic breaks/ end of year transportation, accessing the local area without a car, and what safety resources students can expect on campus. Presented by: Paul Baker-Porazinki

Supporting Your Student: Belonging at Bennington
What does “belonging” mean at Bennington College? This session will discuss how Bennington College builds community and support for students as well as strengthens student experiences outside of the classroom. Presented by: Li-Chen Chin, Alfredo Medina, Ali Tartaglia, Donnie Redd

Learn Daoism with Tai Chi with Ginger Lin

Tai-Chi (Taiji) is a Chinese martial art and meditation system. The symbol of Tai-Chi is the famous Chinese Yin and Yang symbol also called Taiji. In this workshop, participants will get some hands-on experience with the Tai-Chi martial art and learn a little bit about Daoist philosophy in the process.

A Crash Course in Improvisation with Shawtane Bowen
Come join writer, actor, producer, and Bennington drama faculty member Shawtane, along with some of his Advanced Improv students, as they explore the ‘Power of Yes…And.’ The improv group will guide you through a number of games and exercises followed by a brief Q&A about studying at Bennington. No prior improv or performance experience is necessary.

A Conversation About the State of American Democracy and a Bennington Education with Susan Sgorbati, Brian Campion, and Eileen Scully
Join us for a conversation about the state of American democracy, viewed through the lens of the state of Vermont and a Bennington College education. During our time together we will examine the principles and challenges that define democracy in the United States, with a focus on Vermont's contributions and the intersection of a Bennington education. The event will include participation by historian Eileen Scully, the Vermont's Secretary of State’s office and members of the State legislature.

Supporting Your Student: Bennington Graduates Land on their Feet

Bennington’s hands-on inquiry-based approach to education prepares students for a life after Bennington—as civically engaged citizens, as proactive contributors to their workplaces, and as insightful lifelong learners. This session will explore how the Plan Process, Field Work Term internships, and graduate-level academic advising prepare our graduates for success via a live Q&A with three recent Bennington alumni. Presented by: John Link, Barbara Alfano

Supporting Your Student: Health & Wellness
Featuring staff members from Bennington's health services, this session will review the resources available to students on campus and how to access them. Presented by: Ali Tartaglia

This session will focus on Field Work Term, Bennington's unique annual internship period, and how students engage with the world beyond the classroom. Presented by: John Link

Description: Join Diana Petschauer, Director of Student Accessibility Services, Kate Child, Associate Dean of Academic Services, and current students to explore the wide range of academic supports available to students at Bennington College. During our time together we will dive into the difference between accommodations in high school and college as well as the timeline and process for requesting accommodations. This session will be particularly helpful for students who have utilized accommodations or received additional academic support in high school and those who are considering a request for academic accommodations in college.

What is it like to be a student at Bennington? A panel of student life staff members and current students will discuss all things Bennington, from housing to clubs and how to get involved as a first-year student. Presented by: Jack de Loos and student panelists