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 Senior Assistant Director of Admissions Tonki Downs
'96 stayed in the North Country almost from graduation
day. When an opening in the admissions office
offered her the chance to serve her alma mater, she jumped and
has created a full and rewarding life here. What
does she like best about her job? Reading application essays.
Maybe it's because hers, to St. Lawrence, was on a very personal
subject: her unusual name.
Downs followed her father, a 1962 graduate, and her older sister, a
1993 graduate, to St. Lawrence. While her "real" name is
Barbara, she's always been called Tonki, after her sister's imaginary
friend. The unlikely moniker formed the basis of her essay theme: What
is it like to grow up with such a different name and how does a distinction
like this shape personality? Downs, who went on to earn her University
degree in English, says that she enjoyed writing essay, and
also enjoys reading those of prospective students. Downs' responsibilities in
admissions including maintaining contact with a group of 22 private
day and boarding schools in Massachusetts; organizing an annual event
where guidance and college counselors are brought to campus; managing
a group of student workers called Admissions Management Assistants
and maintaining an "arsenal" of articles and information
that can be sent out to students based on their interests.
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