Remembering Aggie

The Sage Colleges community mourns the death on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 of Agnes C. Aggie Stillman, Associate Professor of Library Science and Director of Archives, who was affiliated with Sage for 37 years.

At a gathering celebrating Aggies life in Bush Memorial on May 21, Jeanne Neff announced that the multipurpose room in Robison Athletic and Recreation Center will now be known as the Agnes C. Stillman Multipurpose Room, or more affectionately, as The Aggie.

Connections is privileged to share the following tributes to Aggie, contributed by members of her extended Sage family.

In Memoriam Agnes Stillman Jeanne Neff, President Emerita

After earning a bachelors degree in physical education from the University of Massachusetts and a masters degree from Smith College, Aggie taught high school before coming to Russell Sage College in 1971 as an instructor in physical education. She was promoted to assistant professor and associate professor and coached RSCs softball and tennis teams. In 1987 she earned an Ed.D. in exercise science from Teachers College of Columbia University. She became transfer student coordinator for RSC and later, coordinator of admission for the then-Sage Evening College. In 1994, after the physical education major closed at RSC, Aggie was appointed Associate Professor of Library Science and Director of Archives and earned an M.L.S degree from the University at Albany.

Aggie received Sages distinguished service award in 1990. For more than 20 years she was an academic advisor for physical education and undecided majors and she served as a first-year mentor since 1990. She was a member of the former RSC faculty senate and community council, and recently chaired the associate degree committee for Sage College of Albany and the RSC academic standards committee. She taught introductory writing classes in the English department and during a sabbatical in 2001, she wrote a history of the Physical Education department at Sage. Aggie shared pieces of Sages rich history in the popular Ask Aggie column in Connections. She was especially interested in Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, Russell Sages wife, and contributed to her recently published biography.

But this chronology fails to capture the essence of Aggie as we knew her.

When she came to Russell Sage in 1971, it was love at first sightAggie for the College, and students for Aggie. Physical education majors from those early years will never forget her classes in bowling and folk dancing. For Aggie, being a first-year mentor to a class meant a lifetime relationship with each of its members. She received honorary rings from the Classes of 1979 and 1991 and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society in 1996. She served repeatedly as a class advisor, including the Golden Horseshoes of 2004 and 2008. She was an honorary Sagette and her favorite song (next to the alma mater) was Seven Daffodils.

Aggies reach extended beyond campus. She was associated for many years with the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, serving at various leadership levels. She served as a member of the executive board of the Capital Area Archivists from 1995-1997 and was a member of the board of trustees of the Rensselaer County Historical Society.

In 2001, Aggie completed a certificate in bereavement studies at Maria College and contributed to the bereavement ministry at St. Marys Church of Clifton Heights. She was a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Marys and had entered into an associate relationship with the Sisters of Mercy.

Face of the Library Kingsley Greene, M.L.S., Director of Libraries

What a gift it was to have Aggie come to the libraries in 1994. What a gift it was to have her part of us, every day.

Her favorite seat was at the mouth of the public computer cluster on the first floor. She didnt like to spend time in her basement office, where the students couldnt find her. When she wasnt eating lunch in Buchman Pavilion, her spot was at a table behind the reference desk, so often that we had a sign made up: Aggies Restaurant.

We were so lucky to share her with the College and her other interests. What a joy it has been.

Campus Champion Kristin Gleason 89, Associate Dean of Campus Life

I knew of Aggies kindness before I arrived at Sage in 1985, when she let my non-athletic sister, Cheryl Gleason Holley 85, take bowling three times. When I became a student, I learned valuable skills from her including how to defend myself should I be challenged to a fencing duel and how to perform an African Scarf Dance.

My classmates always ask me the same questions after we havent spoken in a while: How are things at Sage? and What is Aggie up to these days?

As a colleague of Aggies, I knew of her work with students through the mentor program and that once you were a mentee of Aggies, she always kept track of you.

Aggie helped at admission events, attended as many athletic events as she could, came to class activities, Rally Day events, spoke at our campus-wide Relay for Life eventsthe list can go on and on. As long as she didnt have to bowl or golf, she was there.

If a question came up about RSC or SCA history, we would just say, Call Aggie, shell know. Many times, a question became a history lesson. Aggie wanted to be sure we were all life long learners, as she was.

She believed in each of us, and always pushed us to do our best. I am certain she will still find a way to do that. Well just have to look for the signs.

Inspiring Teacher Gladys Craig, Professor Emerita

I want to talk about Aggie in terms of her insight and empathy. Its part of what made her a wonderful teacher, inside and outside the classroom.

She could see what was happening with the mechanics of your swing, your run, or your throw, and analyze how to make it better. She could see what was happening with your attitude and figure out how to make you feel more positive. She did this not by intimidation or threat, but by helping you see.

One day she showed me an article she had written for a physical education journal. It was about her not yet approach to students, as they learned new skills.

When students became discouraged and said they couldnt do something, she asked them to say they couldnt do it yet, but they would keep trying. Eventually, those students were able to do what they set out to do.

Perhaps we at Sage cannot see how we will bridge the gap left by Aggies passing. Perhaps we can see it as an opening: To be better than we are, to know what true teaching is, and to do something every day to make Sage a better college.

Devoted Friend Laurie Kropkowksi Davis 80

I never had Aggie as a professor. It was after graduation that she started to teach me.

Aggie taught me about persistence as I watched her pursue her doctorate. When I went to RPI to get my masters 15 years after graduation, I drew on those lessons when the going was tough. Juggling work, two children, and RPI was nearly impossible. But I had Aggie in my corner, cheering me.

Patience is a virtue that Aggie had in buckets. I cant say Ive learned patience, but Aggie had the patience to stick with me.

Now, pride is a whole different matter. Not the kind of pride that makes one arrogant. I mean the ability to show your pride in someone else and make them better for it. The day her niece was born, a whole new world of pride opened up for Aggie. We heard about Colleens achievements, saw pictures that documented her life. As my friends and I started families, Aggies pride grew and grew. When my son was born, Aggie was the natural choice to be his Godmother she would be able to give him a kind of guidance that would elude me. Aggie adored him, and when my daughter came along, her love and pride doubled. She went to every soccer game, dance recital, school concert, and play, and had the kids autograph the programs like Hollywood stars, because in her world, thats what they were.

But mostly, I learned about friendship from Aggie. We didnt always agree, even had arguments, but she was a steadfast friend. All I had to do was pick up the phone and say Aggie, I need you and she would be there. Thats the kind of friend that Aggie was to me and many others. She laughed with me, cried with me, scolded me, talked me down off ledges, lifted me up on pedestals, mentored me, and loved me and my family.

True Fan

Lisa Gallagher Assistant Athletic Director and Womens Volleyball Coach

Those of us working in the Robison Athletic and Recreation Center felt a special bond with Aggie because of her love for sports and fitness.

There were few things that could keep Aggie from her spot in the gym or along the sidelines with Russell the Gator beside her. The library reference desk and her ministry duties were about the only things that came between her and her Gators.

The first time I met Aggie, during my interview, she asked my why I wanted to coach at Russell Sage. Being a little cocky, I said Im looking forward to building the program to make it my own. They havent won more than seven games within each of the past five seasons.

Aggie smiled and said something I will never forget. The women on the teams have actually won more than what you are giving them credit for. They have learned to work as a team, to hold their heads high in a defeat, and they knew that each time they stepped on the court, they had a chance to do better than the last time. Never giving up will make them winners in life.

Aggie never saw wins and losses. She never saw the difference between good players and great players. To Aggie, talent was simply a gift that made the games a little more exciting. It wasnt what brought her into the gym or made her cheer her Gators night after night. For her, the only thing that separated student-athletes or coaches was their effort, their passion, and their character before, during and after the game. Wins were nice. Losses were okay. Just getting out there and doing it was most important.

That is just a glimpse of what made Aggie so special to Sage and why Sage students returned that unconditional love over the course of four decades. She loved Sage for the opportunity it provided women to become better and stronger than they thought they could be. We are so lucky to have known her and been the recipients of her devotion. Aggie, we are all your biggest fans.

Ask Aggie Melissa McConville 09

Aggie Stillman, librarian and archivist extraordinaire.

When you had a question, she was right there.

If you had something to ask about Sages past,

Aggie knew the answerand knew it fast.

A sage of Sage is what she was,

Known and loved by everyone.

Aggie was always at Sagefest and Rally Day,

Showing her love for us in every way.

Attending club events and games for sports,

Aggie never failed to show her support.

Sagette concerts, theater shows, activity fairs,

You name it and Aggie was there.

Colleague, mentor, supporter, friend

Aggies legacy will never end.

She exemplified the spirit of Sage,

And well never forget her through all of our days.

Aggie, youve taught us all the most valuable lessons

As you patiently answered all of our questions.

But now we have one last question to ask you:

Dear Aggie, without you herewhat are we supposed to do?