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Family and friends from the Skidmore community and beyond filled the Wyckoff Center on Sept. 20 for a momentous portrait dedication celebrating the legacy of Linda Jackson-Chalmers 鈥�73, a longtime trustee, educator, activist, and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The portrait, the first of a person of color from the Skidmore community to be displayed on campus, serves as a powerful expression of Skidmore鈥檚 ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate the impact of underrepresented voices.

鈥湻�茄直播 is truly an amazing institution that has impacted my life from the first time I set foot on this campus some 55 years ago,鈥� Jackson-Chalmers said to those gathered for the tribute, part of this fall鈥檚 In It 9 programming. 鈥淚 was a first-generation student from Albany鈥檚 South End neighborhood who was able to attend this storied college as a student in the first class of the Academic Opportunity Consortium program, now known as the Opportunity Program.

鈥淎s you can imagine, it was not easy being one of very few students of color in the early 1970s. You had to take a stand during that time. As tough as it was, Skidmore took a progressive approach to student affairs, even way back then.鈥�

Jackson-Chalmers, a studio art major, helped to make political and cultural activism part of campus life. She was involved in the use of Grove House on the downtown campus as a Black Cultural Center, planting an early seed for the Wyckoff Center.

Twenty years later, while serving as principal of Arbor Hill Elementary School in Albany, she was visited by then-Skidmore President David Porter, who asked her to serve on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees. 鈥淚 said yes because I felt indebted for this excellent education I received here and I felt the need to give back,鈥� Jackson-Chalmers recalled.  

That visit kicked off a more than 30-year chapter for Jackson-Chalmers, who served the College as a trustee from 1992 to 2023. She continues to serve as chair of the Board鈥檚 DEI committee. Jackson-Chalmers has also volunteered for numerous capital campaigns and was part of the most recent presidential search. She received a Skidmore Outstanding Service Award in 2008 and the 50th Reunion Service Award in June 2023.

鈥淭hrough it all, I was made to feel that my voice counted, was welcomed, and encouraged,鈥� said Jackson-Chalmers, who also thanked current President Marc Conner for making social and racial equity a priority as he stewards the next phase of campus growth and academic excellence.

Prior to the unveiling of her portrait, created by , a Caribbean American multimedia artist based in Plattsburgh, New York, a video tribute presented heartfelt messages to Jackson-Chalmers from Steele and longtime friends and colleagues.

鈥淵our substantial merits and unwavering commitment ensure that your community is supported, and I am a reflection of that,鈥� said Steele, who was personally selected by Jackson-Chalmers to paint the commissioned work.

鈥淚 am astounded,鈥� Jackson-Chalmers said of her portrait. 鈥淭hank you, thank you.鈥�

Young Alumni Trustee Nigel Smith 鈥�19 was among those in the video to honor Jackson-Chalmers鈥� Skidmore journey. 鈥淵ou are the epitome of what it means to not only matriculate, graduate, from such an esteemed institution, but to leverage the experience and use that to create a pathway for others that I can say I have personally benefitted from. Thank you for all that you鈥檝e done not only for me but for so many.鈥�

CBS 6 News Anchor Liz Bishop, who was the weekend sports reporter when Jackson-Chalmers began her career as a weekend weather forecaster for WRGB-TV before graduating from Skidmore, said, 鈥淢y admiration for Linda鈥檚 generous spirit has only grown over time, her commitment to her profession, and the impact she鈥檚 had on so many young lives. My love and congratulations, Linda 鈥� no one deserves this moment more.鈥�

After graduating from Skidmore, Jackson-Chalmers became an art teacher at Arbor Hill Elementary School while earning her master鈥檚 degree in education administration at the University at Albany, and she was chair of the school district鈥檚 elementary and middle school art programs for nearly 10 years. She then became principal, converting her school into one of New York state鈥檚 first community schools and forging partnerships with Parsons Child and Family Center, Urban League of Albany, the Albany Boys & Girls Clubs, Arbor Hill Community Center, and YMCA, among others. She would eventually become assistant superintendent for human resources and community relations, working with parents and diversifying the teaching workforce before retiring in 2012 after 38 years of service to the Albany City School District.

Jackson-Chalmers has received numerous honors recognizing her outstanding commitment to students, families, and community, and she and her longtime husband, Bill Chalmers, remain active in the Capital District. Linda is a member of the Albany District Chapter of The Links and the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, both of which honored her during the Wyckoff Center event. She also sits on the American Institute of History and Art Board of Directors, had a leadership role with The Albany Promise, and is a former trustee and president of the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region.

The portrait dedication ceremony was led by Wyckoff Center Director Mariel Martin and Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity Joshua Woodfork, and the event was co-sponsored by Skidmore鈥檚 Opportunity Program and Office of Advancement.

The idea of commissioning a portrait of Jackson-Chalmers originated a few years ago when, in the wake of the national racial reckoning, Woodfork proposed honoring her significant contributions and ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Skidmore. 

The In It suite of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs is designed to raise cultural fluency and strengthen the Skidmore community.

In closing her remarks, Jackson-Chalmers expressed her profound appreciation. 鈥淢y deepest gratitude, not only for this special day, but for all those ways that Skidmore College has impacted my life and has allowed me to play a role in its history and its mission of empowering students to become global citizens and leaders of the future.鈥�