Brainerd, Cook welcome new Deans

Author: H. Kay Merriman

Few people could sum up their college experience from what they have eaten off the ground. New Cook Commons Dean Matt Carluzzo is an exception. Carluzzo tells the story of walking around Dartmouth College when he noticed thousands of acorns on the ground. After scooping one up, he walked into the English Library, took a bite and called it "the most disgusting thing." The experience typifies Carluzzo's undergraduate education.

The latest addition to Cook Commons, Carluzzo hopes to become fully integrated into the College community, encourage the curiosity of the College's students and indulge his own sense of curiosity.

Carluzzo graduated from Dartmouth in 1997 with a Religion degree before continuing his studies at Georgetown Law School. He then worked as a corporate lawyer in Washington, D.C. for three years for a law firm that he says was "founded in the spirit of nonconformity."

Last year, Carluzzo came to Middlebury to work as a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) in the Alliance for Civic Engagement (ACE) office. Vistas work through Americorps to help low-income individuals and communities with the goal of ultimately helping them out of poverty.

"I had always wanted to do some type of service work. I love this area of the country. I wanted to be on a good college campus," Carluzzo said.

Middlebury met all three of these requirements for a place to work.

"The time that I got to indulge in everything was in college," Carluzzo said. "My mentor, Mr. Santarelli, once told me that all my important learning would happen outside the classroom."

In keeping with that advice, Carluzzo said that he did most of his learning from his friends during late-night discussions. He particularly enjoyed learning about and participating in the traditions of Dartmouth, including acting as President of his fraternity, Psi Upsilon.

Carluzzo's desire to uphold current College traditions is apparent.

"Matt has struck me as being really excited about taking over as Dean of Cook, and he is particularly enthusiastic about learning the traditions that are part of Cook Commons' exceptionally strong identity," said Cook First Year Counselor Dave Ozimek '09.

Carluzzo certainly already understands the importance of the Cook motto, "Pleasure and Intelligence."

"I'd like to think that that could be my own personal motto. I do embody pleasure and intelligence," he said.

Across campus, Brainerd also welcomes a new Commons Dean with a similar name who seems to typify his commons already. Matthew Pacholec, who wishes to be called "Dean Pacholec," is the new dean of Brainerd Commons.

Coming from DePaul University in Chicago with a doctorate in Philosophy, Pacholec found it easy to represent the ancient symbol of philosophy, wisdom, and wit: the owl is Brainerd's mascot. A portrait of Immanuel Kant is prominently displayed in Pacholec's office as a reminder of the importance of philosophy to both the Dean and the Commons.

However, Pacholec wishes to be seen as anything but an unreachable philosopher.

"I would like to get to know each of you individually," he told the assembly of Brainerd first-years.

Direct contact with students is one of Pacholec's highest values in academia. After his time at DePaul, Pacholec taught at Grinnell College in Iowa where he "enjoyed the few opportunities to meet with students outside of class." Seeking to become more intimately involved in students' lives, he then became a College Advisor at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts.

Now at Middlebury, he hopes to "work closely with students in a variety of settings." Pacholec described the Commons Dean position as a "third way that is not simply faculty and not simply administrative," and it is this "third way" that he says as his way to direct interaction with students.

"Dean Pacholec is very open, accessible, and eager to integrate into Middlebury life. I'm looking forward to working with him this year, and I think Brainerd now has what it needs to best address student life needs," said Brainerd Program Coordinator Kris Wilson '08.

Pacholec plans to be continually accessible to students by participating in Brainerd Upper Redfield Proctor Supper (BURPs) on Wednesdays and also by holding occasional Dean's lunches during which students can meet with him. "It is important that students look upon me as a resource in their neighborhood," Pacholec said.

Outside of their work in the commons, both Deans have varied interests.

"After work, I am either running or doing something on iTunes," Carluzzo said.

"I enjoy reading, listening to chamber music and walking, the typical 'egg-head' things to do," said Pacholec.

In or out of the office, the two new Commons Deans seem to fit comfortably in their new roles at Middlebury.