Spring has Arrived!?!?

I can't believe that this will be my last blog post of the Spring 2013 Semester. I honestly don't know where the time has gone. As I reflect on the last ten months I am amazed at all we have done here at Threshold in such a short time and though our time together is winding down there is still so much more that students will do before departing for their summers off campus. This blog post will focus on just that. It is such a busy time of year that I thought it would be good for all of the readers to see just how grandly we end our year together at Threshold.

Threshold End of the Year Social Events 

April 13 - Field Day - This event is for all current and alumni Threshold students. We meet in a local park and spend the morning playing football, baseball, relay races, and sometime there is a water balloon fight.

April 15 - The Boston Marathon - Current students have the opportunity to join one of our former GRA's for a day full of Boston tradition. Students will depart and watch the Boston Marathon Parade and some of the race itself.

April 16-21 - Lesley University QUADFEST - All week events are hosted by Lesley University's Campus Activity Board ranging from bands, comedians, carnivals, and movies. Threshold students will be aware of the events and are invited to attend. In the past the Saturday's Quad Carnival has been quite popular.

April 20 - Threshold's Annual Semi Formal - This evening is as glamourous as any red carpet event and nearly as famous. Over 150 current and alumni students will dine and dance at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge. This event is one of the most anticipated events that Threshold sponsors by both students and faculty!

April 22 - Boston Red Sox- This is our annual trip to see the Boston Red Sox take on the Oakland Athletics. This is personally one of my favorite events of the year!

April 25 - Evening of the Arts - A night of student talent and artistic display! Threshold students share writings, dances, a theatre performance, and art pieces that they have been working on in their elective courses. Also, students have a chance to prepare their own routines and share them with the audience during the second half of the show.

April 26 - End of the Year BBQ - Students share one last meal all together and reflect on the memories that have been created since we started way back in September. Please send positive thoughts for a warm evening with no rain. Don't worry though, we have a back up plan if the weather isn't on our side.

April 27-28 - 'Real Life' - Threshold students have been working diligently with our Drama Therapy interns developing, writing, casting, and rehearsing a play that addresses social communication and peer conflict mediation all with a comedic twist. The play promises to bring laughs and insight for all who attend.

April 29 - Second Year Student Banquet - Threshold honors the Class of 2013 with a special banquet held at the Tavern in the Square in Porter Square. This is where second year students receive their yearbooks and have the opportunity for them to get them signed by peers and Threshold faculty and staff.

May 3 - Graduation -  We will send 25 Threshold students onto a new chapter in their lives this year. While we are so proud of our graduates' accomplishments, we will be very sad to see them go.

After I write down all these events, it is even harder to believe that we are at the finish line. One thing is for certain, we will certainly be keeping ourselves very busy. I have highlighted the 'main events' for the end of the semester, but regular Residence Life programming will still continue (Girls Group, Trivia Club, and movie nights) until the semester ends.

Please look for an update in late May with a lot of pictures of all of these happenings! It will be exciting to share them with all of the readers. Also, I will update the blog throughout the summer with news about 2013-2014 school year. As always, please share any comments, suggestions or questions with me.

I hope you all are having a wonderful and very happy Spring!!

February Update

Tyree and Casey enjoy some fun in the snow

We certainly have had quite an interesting February so far! Threshold has made it through a second severe weather incident, Winter Storm Nemo (without loosing power or good attitudes!!). It was nice to see several students outside enjoying all of the snow, sliding down the large snowbanks, and having snowball fights. It is amazing how good energy can really turn an intense and potentially scary storm into a wonderful and positive memory. 

  

Conner, Madison, and Charlie enjoy ice skiing in Harvard Square

While the storm was certainly an adventure, Threshold students have ventured on other endeavors around campus and the city. Students have gone ice skating, attended the musical Jersey Boys and are now getting ready for Director Jim Wilbur's annual trip to see the Boston Bruins play at TD Garden next week. Also, second year students are gearing up for a whirlwind day trip to New York City where we will see the Lion King on Broadway. 

Alex and Mike are trying to explain to me what in the heck is going on.

Threshold had its famous Super Bowl Party earlier this month and it was very well attended and VERY fun! We had a a split of students routing for either team, so it made the game exciting (and a little loud at times). I was also very happy that I learned a thing or two about football thanks to some of our very football savvy students. 

Students route for their favorite teams, and enjoy some snacks! 

Now that the Spring Semester is well underway, so are weekly student activities. Girls Group, Guys Group and the new Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy club are among some of the things we do to help take much needed breaks after long days of classes, internships and studying. Many Threshold students attended the Student Club Fair that was held for all students who attend Lesley. As of now we have Threshold representatives in Lesley University's Dance Team, Community Service Club, Gospel Choir, Meditation Club, and a student on Lesley University's Mens Track and Field Team. It is so nice to have so many students reaching out and taking advantage of what the college has to offer.

It is just unbelievable that soon students will go on their Spring break and then return for only six weeks before graduation and the beginning of the summer. Looking ahead though, there are still so many things to look forward to and to get excited about. The Semi-Formal and Evening of the Arts in April, the End of the Year BBQ, and continued creative programing that is prepared by the amazing GRA staff are just some of the activities that will continue to make this semester fly by.

Thank you all who make these experiences happen! Without all the help, support, and dedication that Threshold is lucky to have, none of these rich social experiences and memories would be possible.

As usual, please let me know if you have ideas, questions or comments. I can be reached at malden@lesley.edu.

Thanks for reading!!

A Happy 2013 to All!

Hello to All!

It is certainly quiet around here without students and faculty around, a bit too quiet. Here in the office we are so excited that everyone will be returning very soon. I hope that this post finds all the readers happy, healthy, and relaxed as 2013 begins to unfold. I am very excited about what this year will bring for Threshold's Residence Life calendar and the activities that will be available to students.

Already this year I have been able to travel to Disney World with current students. This trip was made possible by Cara Gorham's (Director of Threshold's new Alumni Center) leadership and dedication to expanding travel opportunities offered to current and alumni students. 20 current and alumni students attended the trip and it was an absolute blast! Whether it was laughing and dancing during a Disney parade or riding a roller coaster, we all enjoyed our time together very much. Below are some pictures of our trip.

All students who attended the trip get ready to depart

Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom 

The spectacular light show at Disney Studios 

The staff enjoy some quality bonding time with Rafiki from the Lion King

Getting ready to watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom

Students (or is that Donald Duck?) enjoy Downtown Disney

Cara, Chelsea, and David pose in their new T-shirts 

If you think that this trip looks like fun, please keep in mind that Threshold will continue to travel with students. Alumni students will travel to Italy this May and current students will have a chance to travel to Paris in May of 2014 (more details to come), not to mention other smaller scale trips that will happen throughout the semester. 

Current students will return to campus on Sunday, January 20, 2013 and classes and internships will resume on the 22nd. Students will be given their schedules on Monday when they return. As the semester begins students can look forward to Jersey Boys, a trip to New York City, a ski trip, and continued weekly activities such as girls/guys group, workout club, dance, and brunch club. Also, this semester students will have a chance to lead their own activities with guidance from  Residence Life staff. For those that choose to lead an activity they will have a chance to win prizes at the end of the semester for their leadership efforts. 

Well, I think that is about it for now. As always any questions, suggestions, or comments are welcomed and encouraged! 

I will see most of you on the 20th! 

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to All!

It seems like not too long ago we were checking students in and they were moving boxes into their dorm rooms. Time certainly did fly by and now that Thanksgiving has passed we now are all looking forward to the upcoming Holiday Season.

Earlier this month we celebrated Threshold's 30th Anniversary with a spectacular gala held at the Copley Place Marriott Hotel. The celebration was a huge success with more than 500 attendees and the official announcement that some of Threshold's facilities will undergo some extensive and well needed renovations. The night was filled with great food, company, and of course, a lot of dancing. For more information and photos about the gala please visit:

http://news.lesley.edu/2012/11/threshold-program-celebrates-30-years-looks-to-future.shtml

Threshold students and alumni recently went to the BLINK! Festival in Boston. BLINK! is a spectacular light show outside of Faneuil Hall and is decorated with thousands of lights that blink to holiday music preformed by the Boston Pops. Several students reported that they had an amazing time and would be returning to see it again.

Residence Life staff look forward to hosting more holiday activities to keep our spirits and motivation up as we finish the last month of the semester. If you have any ideas or would like to help with a holiday activity, please send me your suggestions. 

Parents of current students, please send me your students' check out plans for the holidays when you know of them. I like to keep track of students and their departure times as sometimes we can create traveling groups going to the same destination. Knowing plans also helps me remind and help students who may be confused about how they are getting home. I thank you in advance for this information. 

To all readers of this blog, I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a very happy 2013.  

October News!

Greetings!

I am happy to report that Threshold and the rest of Lesley University have all braved Hurricane Sandy safely and in good spirits. We were very lucky that we did not loose power and students spent most of their day off watching TV and hanging out in our dormitory lounges. Our thoughts and best wishes are with those who were more greatly effected by this powerful and damaging storm!

On a lighter and happier note, we are proud to announce that on Sunday October 28, 2012 Threshold Students Hana Adams and Philip Murray ran the Superhero 5K Road race. All runners dressed like a superhero and joined thousands of runners in Cambridge, MA. Race officials stated, "Come dressed as a superhero, leave feeling like one!" Hanna and Phillip, dressed as Wonder Woman and Superman got into the spirit thanks to classmates Caroline Greenfield, Michael Sheehan, and Sarah Hay-Smith who cheered them on. (Press Release submitted by Cynthia Adams). 

(Hana and Philip as Wonder Woman and Superman)

As October comes to an end, Threshold is now thinking about our upcoming vacation, November 20th-November 25th. Students are expected to be checked out of the dormitories by 2:00 pm on the 22nd and should plan on arriving after 12:00 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012. Students will not have access into the dormitories until after noon on the 25, so please plan accordingly. If Residence Life can assist in any travel plans or arrangements, please contact Matt and we will help in in any way possible. 

Until our break arrives, residential programming will continue in full force! On Friday, November 4, 2012 Threshold and Lesley's Campus Activity Board will co-host Redline. Redline is an award winning a cappella group. We will also be having a Halloween Party, continue with Girls Group and Running Club, and of course, the very exciting Threshold 30th Anniversary Gala. Several students have already purchased very nice suits and dresses for the occasion. As the time comes closer I will give students directions and ways to get to the Copley Marriott Hotel - the venue for the gala. 

As usual, if you have any ideas for our programming here at Threshold, don't hesitate to contact me! I welcome ideas and fresh perspectives! 

Exciting Program Updates

Greetings! 

As we round up our first month together here at Threshold, I am so happy to announce that our social programming is expanding and students are taking part in other clubs offered to all students at Lesley. I am excited that we are now offering a running club, a book club for current students and alumni, a girls group, and an extra dance/fitness class. It is great that we have so many people willing to offer these enriching experiences to our students. 

I have also been working with other clubs and organizations around campus to help bridge the gap between Threshold students and other Lesley students through social programming. I am pleased to share that on November 2, 2012 Threshold and the Lesley Campus Activity Board will be hosting Redline - a well known Boston a cappella troop as a collaborative event with both the undergraduate and Threshold student bodies. I have also been presenting to student clubs around campus about Threshold and the programming that we offer students. Several undergraduates have expressed interest in attending some of our events to learn more about the program and become more involved.

Also coming up is one of the first trips of the 2012-2013 academic year. Second Year and Bridge students will have the opportunity to travel with Threshold Alumni to Disney World in January. This is very exciting as it is the first trip that Threshold has offered for current and alumni students together. I have partnered with Threshold's Alumni Center Director, Cara Gorham to make this trip possible. We are so excited that we have another chance to travel with Threshold students. 

As usual, readers, please do not hesitate to contact me with any suggestions, comments or questions. I look forward to posting pictures from this upcoming weekend, as it promises to be a very event-filled weekend. Students have the chance to go see the Harvard vs. Cornell football game, attend the Oktoberfest celebration in Harvard Square, listen to the great music at Honk! Fest in Davis Square, and hopefully catch up on some homework, sleep, and laundry!

Welcome Back!

WELCOME CLASS OF 2014!!

We have made it through our first week at Threshold! Students have been very busy getting to know the area, each other, and the faculty! We had a great first weekend that featured events like a volunteer project, a duck tour, brunch and several other adventures! Below are photos of some of thing things we have done. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make this first weekend such a wonderful success! How wonderful it is to have the students back!

Tyree and Jesse volunteering at the Greater Boston Food Bank 

 Students gather to watch our almost famous weekly basketball game on Saturday. 

Duck Tour Fun!! 

Coffee in Harvard Square