Patricia A. Choukeir
Patricia A. (DeWitt) Choukeir, who as coordinator of credit-bearing internships and project funds always demonstrated unwavering dedication to Skidmore students, died following a long and arduous battle with cancer March 31, 2022. She was 57.
Pat died peacefully and was surrounded by her loving husband and three sons. She joined Skidmore as senior administrative assistant to the dean of the faculty in August 2005 and assumed her responsibilities of administering internships for credit, student opportunity funds, and the annual Honors Convocation in 2007.
Colleagues will remember Pat鈥檚 strong commitment to students and her shared excitement when students completed successful internships or presented research at conferences. That dedication was especially evident in her work each spring on Honors Convocation, which takes months to organize, involves every academic program on campus, and was Pat鈥檚 favorite campus event.
鈥淧at was kind, generous, modest, and very hardworking. She worked tirelessly to put together the Honors Convocation each spring and then stood in the background because 鈥� for Pat 鈥� it was always all about the students,鈥� said Michael Arnush, associate dean of the faculty and associate professor of classics. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 Honors Convocation won鈥檛 feel the same without her.鈥�
Professor of Biology Corey Freeman-Gallant, who formerly served as associate dean of the faculty, spoke of Pat鈥檚 鈥渇ierce love of family and her relentless work on behalf of so many students.鈥�
"Pat was a force of nature when advocating for students, and a deep, sensitive listener who heard their stories, whether of need or success,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he never failed to stand up and take action, and we all benefited 鈥� faculty, students, and her friends and colleagues in Starbuck Center."
Skidmore colleagues 鈥� in Starbuck and across campus 鈥攚ere heartbroken by the news.
"Pat brought light, love, and strength to us every day,鈥� said Student Academic Development Coordinator Marla Melito. 鈥淚 will miss Pat's laugh, her wisdom, and 鈥攎ost of all 鈥� her friendship."
Pat joined Skidmore following 16 years of employment at SUNY Adirondack, where she also completed an associate degree. Born in 1964, Pat was raised in West Glens Falls and graduated from Queensbury High School in 1982. She married Hassan Choukeir and had three sons 鈥� Ali, Khalil, and Mustafa. Ali graduated in 2011 with a degree in economics from Skidmore; Khalil, a member of Skidmore鈥檚 Class of 2018, majored in environmental studies. Pat is also survived by a grandson, Aimon, as well as her siblings, Dawn (Ed), Frank (Pam), Jody (M), and Peter (Douglas).
鈥淟ike so many others, I will continue to remember Pat for her genuine kindness and the generosity she always displayed to everyone, especially students,鈥� said President Marc C. Conner. 鈥淟ast year, after she returned from medical leave, Pat sent me a warm note introducing herself and welcoming me to Skidmore. In it, she wrote: 鈥楢nyone who knows me knows my love for the students. I always say that my purpose at Skidmore is first and foremost serving our fantastic students.鈥� That inspires our own highest aspiration in our work, as well as how so many of us will remember Pat.鈥�