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Amy Cheng Vollmer

Retirement Celebrations 2022

Contribute to The Amy Vollmer S3P Summer Opportunity Fund

Retirement Celebrations: April 29-30, 2022

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Professor Amy Cheng Vollmer is retiring!  We are excited for her as she embarks on the next chapter of her journey.  This moment presents an important time to commemorate and celebrate her work as an educator, scientist, biologist, mentor, advocate, and amazing human being.

Amy has chosen to mark this occasion by inviting a panel of her former students to speak on career paths, research, education, and inclusion.  Amy is choosing to mark her celebrations with the focus on students, former and current, and the journeys before all of them. Barring any unforeseen changes, we plan to host a two day, in-person event at the conclusion of spring semester classes, April 29th and 30th.  This will include panel discussions, research presentations and roundtable discussions from Alumni, a reception, a dedication of the Biology “Porch” to Amy, and (of course) informal tours of our new and wonderful department facilities in the Maxine Frank Singer '52 Hall.

For those who cannot join us in person, but would like to congratulate Amy, you can do so with a FlipGrid video. If you would also like to donate, consider doing so to the new S3P Summer Opportunity Fund, which was established in Amy's name.

Alumni Weekend is another opportunity to greet Amy and see Singer Hall should you be unable to join us April 29-30.

We urge you to send Amy a video greeting via FlipGrid.

Schedule of events:

Friday, April 29, 2022

1:00pm: Informal Tours of Singer Hall, Biology’s new home.

2:00-3:00pm in Singer 033: Alumni Career Panel - Adam Fagen '93, Gael McGill '95, Karama Neal '93, and Melinda Yin '96.

3:30-4:30pm in Singer 033: Alumni Career Panel - Kyle Barnett '97, Tinsley Davis '98, Steve Laubach '96, and Tari Suprapto '96.

4:30-5:00pm on Singer 3rd Floor: Dedication - The Singer Hall "Biology Porch" to Amy.

5:30pm in Singer Atrium: Formal Reception Sponsored by Swarthmore Advancement.

Saturday, April 30, 2022

9:30am:  Informal Tours of Singer Hall, Biology’s new home.

10:30-11:30am in Science Center 199: Alumni Research Presentations: Graduates from the 2010's - Roxanne Morris '15, Ariel Parker '15, and Natasha Weiser '10.

11:45-12:45pm in Singer Atrium : Buffet Lunch Sponsored by the Biology Department and the Provost's Office.

11:45-12:45pm in Singer 034/035: Alumni Roundtable Discussions: What is your terminal degree? What are the differences and where do they lead?  - BA/BS, MS, MBA, MPH, MD, MD-PhD, PhD, JD    Any alumni attending the weekend events is welcome to participate in these informal sessions. Current students are invited to learn about some possible non-linear career paths after Swarthmore. 

1:00-2:00pm in Science Center 199: Alumni Research Presentations: Graduates from the 2000's - Meagan Bolles '06, Aaron Strong '06, Elizabeth Wilbanks '08.

2:00-3:00pm in Singer Atrium: Light Refreshments Sponsored by the Swarthmore Summer Scholars (S3P) Program.

2:30-3:30pm in Singer 034/035: Alumni Roundtable Discussions: So then what? Career path opportunities you may not have thought possible. - Research, publishing, patent, pharma, government, academics, administration, finance, law enforcement, NGO, entrepreneur, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and more.   All attending alumni are welcome to participate. We encourage current students to take advantage of these opportunities to learn about diverse career trajectories.

4:00-5:20pm in Science Center 199: Alumni Research Presentations: Graduates from the 1990's - Elizabeth Campbell '92, John Connor '94, and Steve Vokes '97.

5:30pm in Singer Atrium: Light Refreshments Sponsored by the Biology Department.

Travel Plans:

Here are some local hotels to keep in mind when making your personal travel plans:

The Inn at Swarthmore At this time, Swarthmore Inn is fully booked for Friday night 4/29/22.

Courtyard by Marriott - Philadelphia Springfield

Hampton Inn & Suites - Philadelphia/Media