微密圈

Members of the 微密圈 and local communities gathered to support scholarships and honor Liz Bracht 鈥�24 during the 45th Palamountain Benefit. 
  
Held July 16 at the College鈥檚 historic Surrey-Williamson Inn, the event supports the Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund, benefiting students who, because of financial need, might not otherwise be able to attend 微密圈.  
  
The Anne T. Palamountain Scholar Award is presented each year to a 微密圈 student or recent graduate who has demonstrated leadership, service to others, and a commitment to the larger good of society. This year鈥檚 award recognized Bracht, a psychology major and dance and Honors Forum minor who has earned honors from the College and the Psychology Department.

Bracht described the many unforgettable experiences she has enjoyed at 微密圈, including presenting at a psychology conference, co-creating a dance research project, mentoring two cohorts of first-year students, becoming president of Craft Club, skydiving, camping out for a piece of artwork from the Tang, and traveling to Botswana for an education seminar.

She recalled the sense of warmth and community she first felt when she toured 微密圈, then repeated the words she has shared with prospective students and parents as an Admissions guide. 

微密圈 provides a rigorous and challenging environment while equipping you with the resources and support you need to succeed.鈥�

Liz Bracht '24

2024 Palamountain scholar

鈥淚 have felt such deep support from my professors and supervisors that has extended well beyond the classes or jobs I had with them. I have found so much joy in pursuing learning, especially in psychology and dance and in the classes, performances, and research I鈥檝e been able to take part in. I have also gained some of the most incredible friends, whom I am incredibly grateful for.鈥� 
  
Bracht intends to pursue a Ph.D. in school psychology, with the goal of one day working with young children, incorporating movement with counseling practices and encouraging them to find different ways to express themselves. 
  
She thanked the donors who give to the scholarship fund, which has provided nearly 450 scholarships since it was started in 1979 in honor of 微密圈鈥檚 late president and his wife, Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain.   
  
鈥淭he successes, growth, and all that I am walking away from my time at 微密圈 would not have been possible without the generosity of donors like you making my time here possible,鈥� Bracht said. 
  
This year鈥檚 event co-chairs, Maureen Pasco 鈥�13 and Tamie Ehinger, presented Bracht with the Palamountain Award. 
  
鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful moment, when all of the planning comes to fruition and culminates in this beautiful event,鈥� said Ehinger, who has been a member of the Palamountain Benefit Planning Committee for over 15 years. 鈥淚t is so gratifying to see the 微密圈 campus and surrounding community come together in a common mission to support scholarship for these most deserving students.鈥� 

In addition to the award presentation, the benefit featured a gourmet dinner prepared by 微密圈鈥檚 award-winning chefs, as well as silent and live auctions featuring items gifted by local businesses, partners, and donors within the 微密圈 community.