快猫短视频

Members of the Skidmore and local communities gathered to support scholarships and honor Alina Bazarian 鈥�14 and philanthropist Marcia MacDonald during the 46th annual Palamountain Benefit.

Held July 15 on the lawn of 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 Skidmore.

The Anne T. Palamountain Scholar Award is presented each year to a Skidmore student or graduate who has demonstrated leadership, service to others, and a commitment to the larger good of society. This year鈥檚 award recognized former scholarship recipient Bazarian, now a resident physician through the Saratoga Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, whose story is marked by a series of firsts. She is the first in her family to attend college, earn master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees, and become a physician.

鈥淭he Palamountain Scholarship was life-changing,鈥� Bazarian said in accepting the honor. 鈥淚鈥檓 currently in the position that I once dreamed of, and I didn鈥檛 think it would be possible for me at one point in time. And I have the generosity of donors and the Palamountain family to thank for it.鈥�

The education she received as a neuroscience major at Skidmore helps her to approach her patients鈥� needs holistically, she said. 
  
鈥淚 have found so far in my medical training that the motto Creative Thought Matters is ever applicable. Medicine is not black and white. There are a lot of gray areas and a lot of humanities involved. Skidmore prepared me for that.鈥�

Physicians are made in their communities, she continued, expressing gratitude to the Skidmore community for welcoming her with open arms. 
  
鈥淪kidmore has always been there for me,鈥� Bazarian said. 鈥淚 want Skidmore to know that I love you and I鈥檓 here for you too. I hope one day to be able to repay that generosity and fund someone鈥檚 education 鈥� it is, in my opinion, one of the most honorable things you can do. It means so much.鈥� 

Marcia MacDonald, the inaugural recipient of the Palamountain Community Service Award, was celebrated for her nearly two decades-long commitment to Skidmore鈥檚 scholarship mission. A pillar of the Saratoga Springs community, she is known for her volunteer work across many organizations.
  
President Marc Conner also offered special thanks to the Palamountain Benefit Committee and the event鈥檚 co-chairs, Tamie Ehinger and Laura Bradigan, and Skidmore鈥檚 Dining Services team, led by Chef Michael Hinrichs. 
  
In addition to the award presentation, the benefit featured a gourmet dinner prepared by Skidmore鈥檚 award-winning chefs, as well as silent and live auctions featuring items gifted by local businesses, partners, and donors within the Skidmore community.