Content s Hollins Hollins Magazine Vol. 67, No. 4 April - June 2017
EDITOR Cecelia Crow crowch@hollins.edu Hollins University Box 9657 Roanoke, VA 24020 www.hollins.edu
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By President Nancy Oliver Gray
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Musings on Hollins University President Nancy Oliver Gray
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The Right Leader at the Right Time Nancy Gray is quick to credit teamwork for the long list of achievements during her presidency. But it’s because of her distinguished leadership that “Hollins stands as strong as the famed campus ‘rock.’” By Beth JoJack ’98
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How Hollins Evolved During the Gray Era The twelve and a half years Nancy Gray has presided over Hollins have been a time of stability and innovation for the university, a particularly remarkable feat considering Gray reigned during the Great Recession and at a time when both women’s colleges and liberal arts colleges faced distinct challenges.
ADVISORY BOARD President Nancy Oliver Gray; Vice President for Institutional Advancement Audrey Stone; Director of Public Relations Jeff Hodges M.A.L.S. ’11; Executive Director of Alumnae Relations Nikki Johnson Williams ’98, M.A.L.S. ’13
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
A Privilege To Serve
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Reinventing in the Middle of Navigating Life Sometimes the path to professional fulfillment—or just fulfillment—doesn’t directly lead from Point A to Point Z. Things happen, and life events alter the best laid plans. And then there is the pesky life event called midlife. By Sindhu Hirani Blume ’93
Ann Atkins Hackworth ’82, M.A.L.S. ’95; Mary Ann Harvey Johnson ’67, M.A. ’71; Lucy Lee M.A.L.S. ’85, C.A.S. ’03; Linda Martin; Brenda McDaniel HON ’12; Sharon Meador; Kathy Rucker; Kate Stackpole
CLASS LETTERS EDITOR Olivia Body ’08
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Groundhog Press Rears Its Head for Poetry Since he was a teenager, Professor of English R.H.W. Dillard has wanted to be a publisher. Groundhog Poetry Press fulfills his dream, offering “the best poetry we can find” and welcoming writers “who’ve given me of their intelligence and energy for years.” By Martha Park M.F.A. ’15
DESIGNERS Sarah Sprigings, David Hodge Anstey Hodge Advertising Group, Roanoke, VA
PRINTER Progress Printing, Lynchburg, VA Hollins (USPS 247/440) is published quarterly by Hollins University, Roanoke, VA 24020. Entered as Periodicals Postage Paid at Roanoke, VA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hollins, Hollins University, Box 9688, Roanoke, VA 24020 or call (800) TINKER1. The articles and class letters in Hollins do not necessarily represent the official policies of Hollins University, nor are they always the opinions of the editor. Hollins University does not discriminate in admission because of race, color, religion, age, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation and maintains a nondiscriminatory policy throughout its operation. For more information, contact the director of human resources/title ix coordinator, (540) 362-6660 or hollinshr@hollins.edu.
Cover: Nancy Oliver Gray in 2004.
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Revitalizing Our Small Cities Hollins, Roanoke College, and Virginia Tech have joined forces to create the Small Cities Institute, an innovative collaboration that’s tackling the crucial issues facing small urban areas around the globe. By Jon Bohland
D E P A R T M E N T S 3 5 6 27
In the Loop Focus on Philanthropy Alumnae Connections Class Letters
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