Fall Weekend 2023
Friday, September 29–Sunday, October 1, 2023
Come spend some time in your student's new home and share the Bennington experience together. Please see below for a schedule of events and to register.
Questions?
Contact fallweekend@bennington.edu or call 802-440-4330.
Schedule of Events
(All sessions are subject to change)
Friday, September 29
1:00–6:00 pm - Registration and information
Location: Flagpole
1:00–5:00 pm - Exhibition at Usdan Gallery
Location: Usdan Gallery | View the current exhibition, Connected Diaspora: U.S. Central American Visuality in the Age of Social Media.
1:00–6:00 pm - Exhibition at Crossett Library
Location: Crossett Library | See the current exhibition, Kitakata & Khichdi: Artists’ Books from the Crossett Library Collection.
2:00–5:00 pm - Open Office Hours
Academic Services, Career Development and Field Work Term Office, Financial Aid, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Student Life.
5:00–5:10 pm - Welcome
Location: Tishman Auditorium | President Laura Walker offers welcome remarks with an introduction by Vice President and Dean of Student Life Dr. Li-Chen Chin.
5:15–6:00 pm - Field Work Term Experience
Location: Tishman Auditorium | Wonder what your student goes through as they organize their Field Work Term (FWT)? How would they find, prepare and budget for and reflect on their experience? Join the Career Development and Field Work Term team led by Associate Dean Dr. John Link, and Assistant Director of Field Work Term, Sarah Krinsky, for a deep dive where you can navigate the FWT process first hand!
5:15–6:00 pm - Supporting Your Students’ Academic Success
Location: Dickinson 232 | Join Director of First-Year Forum Dr. Barbara Alfano, Associate Dean of Academic Services Kate Child, and Associate Dean of the College Noelle Murphy to learn more about the ways the college supports your student’s academic success. The conversation will include an overview of First-Year Forum and faculty advising, as well as the many ways that Academic Services supports students as they strive to achieve the goals of their Plans; the session will conclude with time to answer your questions.
5:15–6:00 pm - Supporting Your Students’ Mental Health and Wellbeing
Location: Dickinson 209 | Come hear about the integrative resources, services, and supports that are available to students on campus and in the community. Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Wellness Dr. Ali Tartaglia, a representative from Counseling and Psychological Services, and Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support Steven Young provide guidance and ideas for identifying and responding to your student’s needs even from afar.
6:00–7:00 pm - Dinner
Location: Commons Dining Hall | Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $20 per person; 4-12 years old $10; may pre-register or pay at the door.
Saturday, September 30
8:00 am–6:00 pm Exhibition at Crossett Library
Location: Crossett Library | See the current exhibition, Kitakata & Khichdi: Artists’ Books from the Crossett Library Collection.
9:00 am–4:00 pm - Registration and Information
Location: Flagpole
9:00–10:00 am - Bennington Bird Walk Meet
Location: Flagpole | Enjoy a leisurely stroll around campus to meet some of our favorite feathered friends and learn more about studying biology at Bennington. Hosted by Biology faculty member Blake Jones. Binoculars will be provided.
10:00 am–noon - Purple Carrot Farm Workday
Location: Purple Carrot Farm | Explore Bennington College’s Purple Carrot Farm, a small-scale organic vegetable farm practicing regenerative agriculture and providing produce to the Dining Hall. Tour the farm and lend a hand. Comfortable attire suggested.
11:00 am–noon - Conversation about First-Year-Forum
Location: Tishman | Join Provost Maurice Hall, Director of First-Year Forum Dr. Barbara Alfano, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Shelton Walker, and First-Year Forum Co-leaders and students discussing their experiences with the new students.
11:00 am–1:00 pm - Brunch
Location: Commons Dining Hall | Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from local farmers and producers provided by Executive Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $14 per guest; 4-12 years old $7; may pre-register or pay at the door.
1:00–2:00 pm - Campus Tour with Admissions Interns
Location: Meet at Andrew Schwartz Parlor, Barn
1:00–5:00 pm - Exhibition at Usdan Gallery
Location: Usdan Gallery | View the current exhibition, Connected Diaspora: U.S. Central American Visuality in the Age of Social Media.
2:00–3:30 pm - Visionary Leadership Award Presentation
Location: CAPA Symposium | Presentation by Souleymane Badolo MFA ’13, master dancer, choreographer and current professor at Bard College who has embarked on a massive project to bring water and develop a sustainable farming system to supply food for the village of KYA in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
2:00–5:00 pm - Lawn Games for Students
Location: Commons Lawn (Rain site: Lower Student Center) | Enjoy outdoor games amid the stunning autumn backdrop of the Green Mountains.
2:00–5:00 pm - Craft Fair
Location: Commons Lawn (Rain site: Student Center) | The fair features handmade craft by students.
2:00–5:00 pm - Card Making and Photo Booth for Students
Location: Flagpole | Students are invited to make cards for themselves and their loved ones, and have their photo taken.
2:00–4:00 pm - Faculty Workshops
Locations: Dickinson 148, 232, 239, Tishman | TBA
5:00–7:00 pm - Harvest Dinner
Location: Commons Dining Hall | Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from Purple Carrot Farm as well as other local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $20 per person; 4-12 years old $10; may pre-register or pay at the door.
Sunday, October 1
11:00 am–1:00 pm - Brunch
Location: Commons Dining Hall | Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $14 per guest; 4-12 years old $7; may pre-register or pay at the door.
1:00 pm–3:00 pm - Honey Making
Location: Robert Frost Stone House Museum | Explore the art and science of honey making over live music.