Commons Heads:
Robert & Marita Schine
Stewart Hall 217
802-443-3321
Dean:
Matthew Pacholec
Stewart Hall 216
802-443-3320
pacholec@middlebury.edu
As Dean of Brainerd Commons, Matthew Pacholec advises students on matters of academic progress, as well as social and personal issues, promotes an atmosphere of health and safety in the Commons, responds to emergencies and crises, serves as a point of contact for other campus resources, and supports the programs and activities of the Commons. Dean Pacholec also teaches one course a year in the Philosophy Department and supervises student independent projects. He earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from DePaul University in Chicago and taught there and for several years at Grinnell College, in Iowa. His areas of specialization in teaching and research are 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy, Kant, and Aesthetics. Prior to coming to Middlebury, he was on the staff at Deerfield Academy where among his responsibilities were college advising and teaching.
His recreation include walking, music of all sorts, especially the chamber repertoire, and detective fiction.
Coordinator:
Diane Burnham
Stewart Hall 214
802-443-3320
dburnham@middlebury.edu
As the Brainerd Commons Coordinator, Diane manages the commons office in its many functions, answering questions and assisting students, organizing and planning commons events, tracking student related issues i.e. dorm damage, alcohol citations, party registration, and scheduling commons spaces. She oversees the various Commons budgets, updates the webpage, advises our newsletter editor and supports the work of the Commons Council.
Diane has worked at Middlebury College for 8 years, beginning in 1999, most recently in College Advancement, and is looking forward to working with the students and staff of Brainerd Commons.
In her spare time, Diane loves to go horseback riding. She also likes to quilt, knit, bead and read mystery novels.
CRA - Stewart:
Elissa Denton
Stewart Hall 200
802-443-3326
edenton@middlebury.edu
As the Commons Residential Advisor (CRA) of Brainerd Commons, Elissa Denton lives on campus and is a resource for personal, residential life, and academic matters. She works closely with students as well as the First Year Counselors (FYCs) and Resident Assistants (RAs) to facilitate a healthy residential experience for all students. In cooperation with the other CRAs and other campus offices, Elissa responds to after-hours issues and emergencies.
Originally from Danville Vermont, Elissa began her Middlebury career as a Feb admit in 2003. She graduated in 2007 with a major in Geography and minor in Elementary Education after winding her way through her educational experience at Middlebury and taking time off to work for the National Park Service in rural arctic Alaska. She enjoys most outdoor activities and dabbles in pottery at the Frog Hollow studio.
EZRA the Brainerd mascot. Owls are nocturnal, intelligent, and feast, terrorize or perch on frogs (Atwater), pigs (Cook), rhinos (Ross), and squirrels (Wonnacott)!