Meredith Magazine Spring 2014

A Publication for Alumnae and Friends of Meredith College

Spring 2014, Volume 39, Number 1

M A G A Z I N E

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

BRINGS SOCIAL ISSUE

INTO FOCUS

Meredith Magazine Volume 39, Number 1 Spring 2014 Executive Editor Kristi Eaves-McLennan Managing Editors Melyssa Allen Karen T. Dunton Assistant Editor Gaye Hill Writer Meaghan Bixby Art Director Vanessa Harris Designer Lauren Sumner Alumnae Connection Editors Hilary Allen, ’01 Sarah R. Terrell, ’12 Contributing Writers Wendy Jones Leslie Maxwell, ’01 Betsy Rhame-Minor, ’01 Editorial Assistant Kaye Rains Photographers Charlotte Claypoole Christopher Ferrer Shannon Johnstone Gary Knight Aaron Schettler Lauren Sumner

Meredith Magazine exists to serve the Meredith community by providing readers with insight and information about the news, activities, events, programs, plans and people of the College. Meredith Magazine is published three times a year by the Meredith College Department of Marketing. Questions or comments may be submitted to marketing@meredith.edu. © 2014 Meredith College. The Meredith name and word mark are registered trademarks of Meredith College and may not be used without permission. All rights reserved. 14-017

CONTENTS FEATURES 20 PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A CHANGING WORLD

Meredith expands offerings in health programs.

26 ART & ACTIVISM

Meredith associate professor draws attention to homeless dogs.

32 THE ART OF NEGOTIATION

Reaching goals, one negotiation at a time.

NEWS 3 Avenging Angels Win USA South Women’s Cross Country Championship 8

Uncharted Play Co-Founders Bring the Story of Their Success to Meredith

14 Meredith Helps Connect Students to Careers 16 Meredith Forever: Strategic Plan Highlights

IN EVERY ISSUE 1

Meredith Campus News

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Letter from the President

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Meredith Experts in the News

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Newsmakers

35 Alumnae Connection

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NEWS The Meredith Autism Program (MAP) is an early intervention program serving children who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. One of the activities MAP students recently participated in was a visit from firefighters during Community Helpers Week. The children explored the fire truck, became comfortable near firefighters, and tried on the firefighting gear themselves.

Katie Riggs, ’14, assists a MAP student as she explores the fire truck. Riggs is one of the Meredith students who participates in the autism practicum course.

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NEWS Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors

CAN ART 2013 Can Art is a newer addition to Meredith’s Cornhuskin’ tradition. Hundreds of cans are collected and used for the themed designs created by each class. The competition requires design ability, creativity, and teamwork. After the event, all the designs are disassembled and the cans are recycled. The seniors were this year’s winners with a Hakuna Mere-tata design, a nod to The Lion King.

Visit Meredith’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/meredithcollege, to view video highlights from Can Art.

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Avenging Angels Win USA South Women’s Cross Country Championship

By Wendy Jones, Sports Information Director

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ed by USA South Conference Runner of the Year Allie Gallagher, ’16, and Rookie of the Year Ann Chapin Meekins, ’17, Meredith’s Avenging Angels cross country team won the 2013 USA South Women’s Cross Country Championship, earning the program its first conference title.

In celebration of the season’s success, Meredith’s Department of Athletics sponsored a send-off for the team prior to the conference meet, a show of support that was meaningful for the athletes.

“I have never been more proud to be a student-athlete at Meredith than when the athletics department arranged for faculty, staff, and students to recognize the team before conference and then to be able to return home with a tangible result,” said senior Lara Pantlin.

The conference championship meet was held on November 2 at Greensboro’s Hagan Stone Park. Head Coach Amy Olsen garnered Coach of the Year honors to complete the sweep of individual conference awards.

Senior Lourdes Camacho earned Meredith’s All-Sportsmanship selection and posted a top-25 finish. Gallagher crossed the finish line second among the pool of 77 women, with a career best time of 25:13.81. Meekins followed

Coach Amy Olsen (right) and the top seven Avenging Angels Cross Country runners who earned USA South All-Conference honors and helped the team earn its first conference championship.

her one second later in third. Freshman Itzel Gonzalez set a 6K personal best with a time of 25:17.65 for a fourth-place finish.

Caitlin Dorantich, ’15, and Illa Jones, ’15, rounded out the top-seven performers, all who earned USA South All-Conference first team honors. Pantlin earned second team honors and sophomore Jessica Browning finished the race in 20th to garner placement on the All-Conference third team. The final four

Avenging Angels, Katie Burnet, ’16, Megan Keesee, ’15, Katie Riggs, ’14, and Molie Schrull, ’14, recorded a top-50 pace for Meredith.

Pantlin is proud of the improvements her team has made during her Meredith career.

“The difference between the team that I started on four years ago and the team we have today is astronomical,” Pantlin said. “I can’t wait to hear the excellent accomplishments of our runners in the coming years.”

See Meredith College in Action on YouTube

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eredith’s videos are showcased on the College’s YouTube channel. New videos include a Meredith MBA promotional piece, ads for graduate programs in education, and one featuring Meredith community members sharing what makes them strong.

Videos are added to the channel regularly. Don’t want to miss one?

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/meredithcollege.

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Exhibition Puts Meredith Employees’ Creative Spirit on Display The creativity of Meredith faculty and staff is on display in “The Creative Spirit,” an exhibition featuring the work of faculty and staff from departments across campus. The exhibition, which runs through March 23 in Johnson Hall Rotunda Gallery, was curated by student Beverly Taylor Mecum, ’15. “There is a creative spirit in each one of us; it just manifests itself in different ways,” explained Mecum. “I want the viewer to feel the artists’ passion, and be inspired to release their own creative spirit.”

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Image shows two works

by Meredith Art Instructor Holly Fischer.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fresh Perspectives at 123

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ou can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This adage might be true of some slightly stodgier institutions, but it doesn’t reflect the way we approach education here at Meredith College.

In spite of our distinguished history (and some might say because of it), we’re guided by a commitment to innovation and fresh perspectives. Indeed, women most frequently succeed by creating new approaches to old problems, advocating for change, and living in ways that are true to themselves regardless of what others might say.

At Meredith, of course, we hold true to our liberal arts roots – perhaps better articulated as 21st century skills – and we particularly prize the ways such skills strengthen whatever new intellectual pursuits and corresponding careers come along. For Meredith, the development and implementation of new academic programs are essential as we prepare our students to compete in the global workforce, and they build on the academic Meredith’s Introduction to Public Health course is already proving popular. The College will foundation we’ve been providing for more begin offering a public health major in Fall 2014, one of the many ways Meredith prepares than a century. students for healthcare careers.

Meredith’s new focus on healthcare programming, responding to the surging de- As we all know, diet, exercise, and posi- a better place. In that sense, it is with great mand for all kinds of health-related careers, tive outlooks are great steps toward healthier pleasure that we also feature the work of our draws on robust enrollment and interest in living, and “quality of life” is one of the six faculty member, Shannon Johnstone, whose our nutrition programs, exercise and sports pillars of our strategic plan. Committed to photographs of “landfill” dogs inspire us all to science program, and ensuring the best value these wonderful creatures who bring so science programs that “For Meredith, the develop- life for all our con- much joy to our lives. As the grateful “mom” have led students to stituents – students, of a rescue dog, Bachelor, I can attest to the ment and implementation various types of health staff, faculty, and our incredible health enhancements of having a of new academic programs careers. Now, the adcommunity beyond canine companion. dition of a new public are essential as we prepare the borders of our So, whether we are talking about new our students to compete in health major allows campus – Meredith health-related programming or the benefits students to pursue the global workforce, and proudly pursues qual- of loving a dog, this issue’s focus on exciting careers in the science, they build on the academic ity of life as a primary innovations at Meredith connects our wellsocial science, or pol- foundation we’ve been goal of education and established roots to some refreshing new pericy aspects of public a primary contribu- spectives … and a wonderful reminder that providing for more than a health. And our posttion we make to each Meredith, even at 123 years, is still eager to century.” –Jo Allen baccalaureate program learn “new tricks.” other and our society. helps students make As such, quality the transition from their undergraduate major of life extends beyond what we do for ourtoward any health-related studies. selves and into the ways we make the world S p ring 2014 | M E R E D IT H M A G A Z I N E

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Sue Monk Kidd

Notables on Campus

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eredith College has welcomed three best-selling authors to campus during the 2013-14 academic year. The College community learned about the writing careers of Pat Conroy, Sue Monk Kidd, and Nancy Peacock who shared their latest works.

Pat Conroy

Pat Conroy Best-selling author Pat Conroy read from his latest work at Meredith College on December 12, 2013. The sold-out event was sponsored by Friends of the Carlyle Campbell Library and Quail Ridge & Books and Music. Well known for The Prince of Tides and South of Broad, Conroy returned to Raleigh with a memoir, The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son. Conroy told stories from his family life, including some of their reactions to his books. He also shared humorous anecdotes from his experiences at readings across the country.

Sue Monk Kidd Sue Monk Kidd, author of the best-seller The Secret Life of Bees, presented her newest novel, The Invention of Wings, at Meredith on January 14, 2014. Inspired by the abolitionist Grimke sisters of 1830s Charleston, this is a novel of hope, daring, and the quest for freedom.

The novel has earned rave reviews, and has been selected for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0. This event was co-sponsored by Meredith’s Friends of the Carlyle Campbell Library and Quail Ridge Books & Music.

Nancy Peacock North Carolina author Nancy Peacock read from her work during a November 12, 2013, visit sponsored by Meredith’s Department of English. Peacock is the author of A Broom of One’s Own: Words on Writing, Housecleaning, and Life. Part writing guide and part memoir, A Broom

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of One’s Own is a collection of personal essays recounting Peacock’s transformation from maid to writer and teacher. Her novels include Life Without Water, chosen as a New York Times Editor’s Choice Book, Home Across the Road, and most recently, The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson. Peacock answered student questions about her work and the writing process.

By the Numbers: Avenging Angels Athletics

123 Avenging Angel athletes in 2013-14

243

100%

Meredith athletes have

Graduation rate of Meredith student-athletes in the Class of 2013

been named to the USA

7

South All-Academic team since Meredith joined the conference in 2007

Varsity sports offered at Meredith

90%

Retention rate of student-athletes from 2012-13 to 2013-14

Meredith Experts in the News Meredith faculty and staff served as experts in a wide variety of news articles in media outlets such as ABC News, The Christian Science Monitor, and USA Today.

“Right around age 7, you see fine motor skills taking off. Anything that helps them to use those hands together, left and right, helps to develop those areas of the brain and the muscles themselves.”

— Professor of Psychology Cynthia Edwards, in an Associated Press article about the developmental benefits of the Rainbow Loom crafting craze among kids.

The story ran in 114 media outlets, including ABCNews.com, The Christian Science Monitor and The Detroit Free Press.

“The trend I am most interested in is the percent who say they have no gender preference [in supervisors]. That percentage has unfortunately been getting smaller recently. I am hopeful that we as a society will eventually get to a point where 100% of the workers have no preference because they view their bosses as individuals and not with a gender stereotype.”

— Associate Professor of Economics Anne York, in a MainStreet.com story about the results of a Gallup Poll about whether employees prefer to work for a female or male boss.

“Corporations think, perform in their playpen.

You’ll attract them. The advertisers will be happy.

And whether it’s legit or not, that takes a backseat to ratings.”

—Associate Professor of Mass Communication Doug Spero in a USA Today College article on news media efforts to reach younger audiences.

“All they want is to be with people.

We breed them to be companions, and then we turn our backs on them. This is an easy problem to fix.

So why do we have this problem?”

— Associate Professor of Art Shannon Johnstone, in an Associated Press article on her Landfill Dogs photography project, which draws attention to animals in need of homes. The story ran in 35 news outlets around the country. The project has also been featured by ABC World News with Diane Sawyer. Learn more about Landfill Dogs on page 26.

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Uncharted Play founders Jessica Matthews (left) and Julia Silverman shared their success story with Meredith students during the fall convocation.

Uncharted Play Co-Founders Bring the Story of Their Success to Meredith

By Melyssa Allen

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ncharted Play Co-Founders Jessica Matthews and Julia Silverman, who turned a college assignment into a business, presented Meredith’s Fall 2013 Convocation on October 2, 2013.

Matthews and Silverman shared the story of Uncharted Play’s beginnings. As juniors at Harvard, they co-invented a soccer ball called the SOCCKET that generates energy with each kick as part of an assignment in an engineering course for non-engineers.

Bringing the SOCCKET from good idea to actual, sustainable business has taken more than four years. The SOCCKET is in production now, and has been distributed in developing countries, where it can power reading lights, cell phones, and water purification devices. Harvard named them “Scientists of the Year” in 2012, and the SOCCKET has earned attention from the Clinton Global Initiative and The Colbert Report.

Uncharted Play is a for-profit social en-

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terprise dedicated to improving lives through play. Matthews said “we have to create a sustainable system in order to really have an impact with our company and product … we are in the business of impact.”

A desire to create a lasting, sustainable business drove their decision to form Uncharted Play as a for-profit rather than nonprofit organization. “In order to really have an impact, [the business] needs to be a true, honest part of people’s lives, as part of the economy,” Matthews said.

Silverman and Matthews hope their story inspires other college-aged women to take risks.

“Taking a risk at this stage of life is less of a life and death issue than it may be later. This has been an adventure, believing that we’ll make these opportunities happen,” Matthews said.

Silverman emphasized the importance of women supporting other women. While sexism exists in the corporate world, “we need to feel confident enough as women to draw

Matthews demonstrated the company’s next invention, a jump rope that generates energy.

attention to those things when they happen, so we can change them,” Silverman said.

The Uncharted Play founders showed their support of Meredith women following their visit. Holly Mills, ’14, introduced Silverman and Matthews at their Meredith lecture.

This meeting led Uncharted Play to hire Mills for an internship with the company.

The fall convocation was made possible by the Meredith College Convocation Committee, the Meredith Environmental Sustainability Initiative, and the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation.

Newsmakers President Jo Allen was named one of

East Carolina University’s “Incredible ECU Women” in 2013. The award was presented by the Women’s Roundtable at East Carolina University. Allen received a master’s degree at ECU in 1983 after earning her undergraduate degree from Meredith. She was one of ten women in the 2013 class, joining the 106 existing members.

Meredith Board of Trustees Chair Maureen O’Connor was named one of the Triangle

Business Journal’s 2014 People to Watch.

O’Connor was featured in the publication for her work as chief strategy officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Professor of English Rebecca Duncan

was inducted into the Achievement Hall of Fame at her former high school in Howland Township, Ohio. She was recognized at a halftime ceremony at a high school football game, then presented with the award at a dinner attended by school board members and current and former teachers.

Instructor of Mathematics Julie Kolb was

presented with the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) W.W. Rankin Award at the organization’s State Mathematics Conference on November 1, 2013. The Rankin Award is designed to recognize and honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to NCCTM and to mathematics education in North Carolina.

The award, named in memory of W. W. Rankin, professor of mathematics at Duke University, is the highest honor NCCTM can bestow upon an individual.

Professor of Art History Beth Mulvaney received the Southeastern College Art Conference’s (SECAC) Award for Exemplary Achievement - the organization’s most prestigious award - given in recognition of personal and professional development as well as long-standing service to SECAC. Mulvaney has been the secretary/treasurer of SECAC since 2004. She was co-director of the 2003 annual meeting of SECAC and the sole director of the 2012 meeting.

SECAC is a non-profit organization that promotes the study and practice of the visual arts in higher education on a national basis.

Meredith College and Town of Cary to Host 2017 NCAA Division III Tennis Championships The NCAA has awarded Meredith College and the Town of Cary the 2017 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s National Tennis Championships. The Cary Tennis Park will serve as the championship site for the three-day event in May. “We look forward to collaborating once again with the expert staff at Cary Tennis Park and with the Town of Cary,” said Athletic Director Jackie Myers.

This selection marks the second time in five years Meredith will partner with the Town of Cary to host the national tennis finals.

“Meredith College gained valuable exposure within Division III as student-athletes from across the nation gathered here for the 2012 championships,” Myers said.

Meredith Mourns Passing of Betty Heilman, Wife of Fifth President Bruce Heilman The Meredith community mourns the passing of Betty Dobbins Heilman, wife of Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, former president of Meredith College.

Betty Heilman died on December 12, 2013, at age 85. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Heilman, who served as the fifth president of Meredith from 1966-71. Dr. Heilman is former president and current chancellor of the University of Richmond.

The Heilmans, who met as students at Campbellsville Junior College, were married for 65 years. The couple has five children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Daughters Bobbie Heilman Murphy, ’73, and Nancy Heilman Cale, ’74, graduated from Meredith.

In his memoir, An Interruption that Lasted a Lifetime, Heilman wrote of his wife’s service to Meredith College: “Betty served in the role of first lady at Meredith with a calm that belied the stresses of meeting the demands of five children, as she shouldered a continuous string of responsibilities connected with the college … throughout my career, her constant support of my endeavors bolstered my career effectiveness and ultimately benefited our family, as well as the institutions I served.”

Meredith President Jo Allen, ’80, paid tribute to the important roles both Heilmans played in the history of Meredith, and offered condolences on behalf of the College.

“The Heilman family has been an ongoing force in the life of Meredith College, even though it has been over 40 years since Bruce Heilman served as president of Meredith College and his wife, Betty, served as distinguished ‘First Lady,’” said President Allen. “Despite having left Meredith in 1971 for another successful presidency, the Heilmans have continued to contribute both financially and otherwise to Meredith College. Their scholarship fund makes possible an exceptional education for deserving undergraduate women. The College’s ongoing gratitude to the Heilmans is matched only by our mourning the loss of this distinguished First Lady.”

Daughter of Carlyle Campbell Passes Away Virginia Campbell Stanford, ’48, daughter of Carlyle Campbell, Meredith’s fourth president, died on November 16, 2013. Stanford was born on December 30, 1926, and spent her childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from Meredith College in 1948 with a B.A. in Music and went on to earn a master’s degree in music from Syracuse University.

Carlyle Campbell served as Meredith president from 1939 until 1966.

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Meredith, N.C. School of Science and Mathematics Partnership Benefits Both Schools

By Melyssa Allen

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partnership between Meredith College and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is proving beneficial for both schools.

The partnership provides opportunities for students from the high school for academically gifted students to work with Meredith College faculty and students on research.

In 2013, Meredith research teams paired with six NCSSM students on environmental sustainability research. Meredith faculty members Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Karthik Aghoram, Professor of Biological Sciences Francie Cuffney, Professor of Nutrition Bill Landis, and Assistant Professor of Geoscience Matt Stutz led research proj-

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ects with four Meredith undergraduate students. Topics included the effects of drought stress on crops, stream flow and erosion, and an analysis of vitamin levels in organic versus non-organic plants.

The research teams worked together for five weeks, averaging 40 hours of work per week.

“The [NCSSM] students were very engaged in their work and made significant progress. This was really evident when each of the groups gave a final progress report of their work,” said Professor of Chemistry Walda Powell, who coordinated the partnership with Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Erin Lindquist. “The faculty and

the students expressed satisfaction in the amount of work that was accomplished in the five weeks.”

Meredith students gained the opportunity to work in a larger research team along with a faculty mentor. Another benefit, especially for those who plan to teach, was the opportunity to train younger students in research methods.

In addition to the research partnerships, Meredith faculty members have presented at NCSSM as part of the school’s colloquium series, providing additional opportunities to introduce students at NCSSM to Meredith.

Plans are in place to continue the partnership in Summer 2014.

STRONG STORIES

A strong student welcomes a challenge

By Meaghan Bixby

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olly Mills, ’14, isn’t afraid to take risks or face challenges. She came to Meredith to pursue a degree in social work. The two years she spent living as a missionary in Mexico affirmed her interest in the discipline. Mills immersed herself in opportunities to prepare for a career in social work, which included traveling with a group from Meredith to the Beacon House Orphanage in Ghana in 2012.

But when she saw artist and sustainability advocate Chris Jordan speak on campus, things changed. Finding herself motivated and inspired by his message, Mills decided to change her major to environmental sustainability – a move that’s typically considered risky for students well into their junior year.

Mills was always interested in the environmental sustainability major, but she had been intimidated by the prospect of upperlevel science and math courses. Once she changed her major, she found that she thrived studying what she loved and enjoyed the challenges presented by these courses.

Mills now uses her strengths to encourage others to make sustainable choices.

While studying abroad in Sansepolcro, Italy, she was appointed the palazzo’s recycling guru. Back on campus, she advocates for sustainability as a member of Angels for the Environment. She also delivered a presenta-

HOLLY MILLS, ’14 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY MAJOR tion about sustainable food systems at Meredith’s TEDx event in January 2013 and researched the carbon footprint of commuter students.

Her reputation on campus as an environmental steward provided her with a big opportunity. When the sustainability-minded founders of Uncharted Play delivered the Fall 2013 Convocation, Mills was selected to introduce them. That opportunity led to another – an internship with the company.

As a campus ambassador program liai-

son for Uncharted Play, Mills manages five students from around the country (including one from Meredith) as they spread the word about Uncharted Play on their campuses and in their communities.

Mills will graduate from Meredith in May – on time despite changing her major – and is looking forward to what will come next.

“I cannot wait to see all that 2014 will hold for me,” said Mills. “I will leave Meredith as a strong, independent, and experienced woman capable of leaving my mark on the world.”

Meredith College is Going Strong. And the best evidence of that strength lies in the success of our community – our students, alumnae, and our faculty and staff. We’ll be sharing strong stories in each issue of Meredith Magazine. You can share your strong story, too! Find out how on the back of this issue, or visit meredith.edu/goingstrong.

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Rumley Gazebo, renovated with improved landscaping by the Meredith Grounds Department (top), including a new swing (bottom left).

Campus Improvements

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any areas of Meredith’s campus have gotten a facelift this academic year. Refurbished projects have been completed in Johnson Hall, Belk Dining Hall, Cate Center, Carswell Hall, and Jones Hall. Several of these projects have been supported by alumnae donors. For their 50th reunion, the Class of 1963 raised funds to renovate the first floor bathrooms and the alcove areas in Johnson Hall. The Class of 1977 funded improvements to the landscaping of the Rumley Gazebo, located on Meredith Lake. The gazebo was their senior class project in memory of their classmate Ellen Rumley.

New, more energy efficient windows were added to Jones Hall, which houses the music and theatre programs.

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Improvements to Johnson Hall include a renovated bathroom and new seating areas in the alcoves of the Rotunda. Both projects, funded by the Class of 1963, make Meredith’s main administration building more welcoming.

The art in the alcoves depicts botanicals found on Meredith’s campus.

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Meredith Helps Connect Students to Careers

By Melyssa Allen

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eredith students are well prepared to pursue their career goals after graduation, and the College provides many ways for students to make early connections with professionals in their chosen fields.

In the current academic year, these opportunities have included a globally-focused career fair, classroom visits by journalists and law enforcement professionals, and a panel discussion with graduate program officials.

CSI Week The Sociology and Criminology programs sponsored CSI Week in October, welcoming a wide variety of law enforcement professionals, ranging from a private investigator to the director of the Raleigh/Wake CityCounty Bureau of Identification, the local crime scene investigation unit. Others represented included U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, and Raleigh Police.

“We hold CSI Week to highlight the Criminology major and possible careers,” said Professor of Sociology Lori Brown.

“Agencies often come to us to recruit women and by having speakers on campus, we help facilitate internships and networking in this very close-knit community of law enforcement.”

News Professionals Offer Career Advice Students in the Communication 100 course have numerous opportunities each semester to learn about the journalism field from local news professionals. Recent visitors to the class, taught by Associate Professor of Mass

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Communication Doug Spero, were Rob Elmore, news director at WTVD (ABC11) and Rick Willis, news director at Time Warner Cable News, a local 24-hour news station. The two professionals shared their expertise in the journalism field, as they have done for Meredith classes for the past eight years. The stations are also internship partners for Meredith.

Health Professions Graduate Representatives Share Insights Students interested in health professions were able to listen to perspectives from six North Carolina health professions schools during a recent event sponsored by the PreHealth Professions Advising Committee and Meredith Association of Pre-Health Profession Students (MAPPS).

The November 11, 2013, panel discussion and networking event featured deans or admissions directors from Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, School of Dental Medicine at ECU, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University’s Physical Therapy Program, Methodist University Physician Assistant Program, and Duke University School of Nursing. The panelists shared information with more than 50 Meredith prehealth students, provided advice regarding strategies for success, and answered student questions.

All Things Global Career Fair Students from all academic disciplines were able to explore job and graduate school opportunities with an international focus at the All Things Global Career Fair. Held in Cate Center, students met representatives from more than 20 organizations and schools. Participating organizations included the Peace Corps, Credit Suisse, and World Teach.

“All class levels were represented and students explored their majors, made career connections, furthered their career planning to include graduate studies, and practiced the fine art of networking,” said Amy Losordo, assistant director of Academic & Career Planning (ACP).

In addition to the All Things Global Career Fair, representatives from the State Department visited campus in the fall, attending two classes to share professional opportunities. ACP also sponsored a MajorMeetUp event, which brought professionals to Meredith to talk in small group settings with students.

Brown says these types of events are beneficial to students and to the College as a whole because they raise Meredith’s profile with those who make hiring decisions.

“Students get to understand more about the perspective of those in the field, the realities as well as the types of career possibilities some have never thought about.” Brown said. “The professionals enjoy interacting with students and remember us [after visiting campus].”

Meredith Commemorates Veterans Day with U.S. Air Force’s First Woman Fighter Pilot

By Melyssa Allen

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eredith College held its 2013 Veterans Day commemoration, Honoring Women Veterans, on November 6, 2013, in Jones Chapel. Featured speakers were Meredith President Jo Allen and U.S. Air Force Col. Jeannie Leavitt.

President Allen said it is fitting that Veterans Day takes place in November, during a season of gratitude. Meredith’s Veterans Day event was “presented in a spirit of gratitude for the service of so many who preserve our freedoms,” Allen said. “We are proud of the honor they’ve bestowed on us as worthy of their service.”

Allen noted that Meredith’s event had a special focus on women veterans, who have been called “invisible soldiers, because their service went largely unrecognized until the 1970s.” Allen emphasized that the College honored all veterans for their service. Men and women veterans and active duty military

who were in attendance were asked to stand and be recognized.

Keynote speaker Jeannie Leavitt is Commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, N.C. She was the first woman fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Leavitt leads one of the largest

fighter wings in the United States Air Force, consisting of nearly 5,700 officers, enlisted corps, and civilians. She reviewed highlights from women’s service throughout history, and shared stories of some of those who serve at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Meredith’s Veterans Day commemoration included music by Vice President for Business & Finance Craig Barfield, organist, and the Meredith Chorale, under the direction of Professor of Music Fran Page. Millbrook High School Army JROTC Color Guard presented the colors and Enloe High School’s JROTC presented a drill at the event’s conclusion.

As part of the observance of Veterans Day, the Meredith community participated in service projects that support active duty military.

These included creating holiday cards for troops serving overseas and collecting used cell phones that were donated to an organization serving the military.

Honors Trip Takes Advantage of Learning Opportunities

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eredith College Honors students recently spent a weekend of learning in Williamsburg, Va., during the 2013 Honors Trip. Thirty-six students and nine faculty members took part in this year’s program, which was planned by a student committee.

Honors Program Director Brent Pitts said the Honors trip provides students with the opportunity to “learn together while exploring a new locale, having fun, and making friendships among Honors students.”

Honors trips are an opportunity for students to study the “city as text.”

“It’s hands-on, up-close learning about culture, history, literature, and science,” said Pitts. “They can visit the places they are learning about, and they can talk to guides, interpreters, and others who know the sites inside-out.”

Students were able to choose from eight mini-courses taught by Meredith faculty members in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The location in Williamsburg lent itself to a wide range of topics, including a fashion course on colonial women’s clothing, a look at amusement park physics, and a comparison of mental health treatment in colonial times and present day. The mini-courses met for two sessions on Friday and Saturday, and students presented to the full group on Sunday.

Lindsey Wilcox, ’14, who served on the planning committee, took a mini-course on courting and relationships that was taught by Assistant Professor of Sociology Amie Hess.

“We learned about John and Abigail Adams and the letters they wrote to each other,” Wilcox said. “Also, we read tweets about relationships now. It was interesting

to compare John and Abigail’s love letters to tweets from celebrities.”

Jessica Williford, ’15, took the minicourse on colonial fashion.

“We learned about how a ‘proper’ colonial woman would have dressed and compared this to ways that other classes would have dressed,” said Williford. “In addition, we talked about how fashion evolved over the different time periods, and the aspects of colonial fashion that we still have in our clothes today.”

Williford, like other Honors trip participants, appreciated the opportunity to explore a topic in-depth, and get to know a faculty member outside of class. Because of the students’ interest in the topic, minicourse instructor Diane Ellis, professor of fashion, went with the group window shopping in Williamsburg.

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CAMPUS

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Meredith Forever: Strategic Plan Year One Highlights

M

eredith College is on the move.

With a rock-solid foundation that’s based on a powerful combination of broad liberal arts education and effective professional preparation, Meredith is a testament to the lasting power of education.

We are led by a commitment to honor our strong history as we plan for an even stronger future. We are inspired by our 19,000 graduates who are living lives of impact and distinction across the country and around the world.

And, Meredith is becoming even stronger, thanks to a focus on the Meredith Forever strategic plan.

“The first year’s accomplishments provide wonderful evidence that the plan not only articulates clear direction for the future, but also, and just as important, that it has earned the goodwill and buy-in of the faculty and staff charged with its implementation,” said President Jo Allen.

The Meredith Forever strategic plan is a rolling, three year plan, consisting of six pillars: Educational Excellence, Enrollment, Financial Strength, Facilities and Technology, Visibility, and Quality of Life.

PILLAR 1

Educational Excellence • Built innovative StrongPoints™ advising model • Established Certificate in Health Informatics – MBA • Partnered with Campus Kitchens – a new outreach effort for feeding children in after-school programs • Created Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Health

• Enhanced academic quality of incoming class

• Designed enrollment pathways for transfer students

• Developed faculty workshops – part of the Think Strong critical thinking initiative

• Created Impact Raleigh program

PILLAR 2

• Created Meredith Teaching Fellows program

Enrollment • Graduated largest 4-year class in history • Expanded recruitment territory • Enhanced alumnae engagement in recruiting • Strengthened retention rates

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• Expanded global diversity to 42 countries

• Exceeded enrollment targets for freshman class • Enhanced academic profile of entering class • Celebrated 4-year graduation rates that surpass national averages

PILLAR 3

PILLAR 5

PILLAR 6

Financial Strength

Visabililty

Quality of Life

• Launched largest campaign in Meredith history, Beyond Strong

• Launched new branding campaign,

• Enhanced benefits and salaries of faculty

• Increased annual fundraising total by 27% in 2013

• Launched new website and increased

• Increased annual giving donors by 68%

Meredith College | Going Strong

website traffic, with 75% more unique visitors in the first two months

• Raised level of faculty/staff giving to annual fund to 50%

• Extended advertising on web, television,

• Leveraged financial resources for capital improvements

• Enhanced sports teams’ visibility

• Earned highest possible rating for financial responsibility from U.S. Department of Education • Enhanced percentage of alumnae giving • Enhanced growth of endowment value by 12% over 2012

newspapers, magazines, and billboards

• Released Status of Girls report • Increased positive media coverage, with approximately 1,800 media hits in 2012-13 • Enhanced visibility of faculty and staff media experts in outlets including

and staff • Commenced study on work schedule flexibility • Committed to strengthening health and wellness for faculty, staff, and students • Continued modified summer and holiday schedules • Enhanced commitment to sustainability with realized energy savings • Promoted professional and student development through StrengthsQuest™ • Strengthened community relations and celebrations

CNN, U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post

PILLAR 4

Facilities and Technology • Renovated and enhanced spaces across campus, including Belk Dining Hall, the Ellen Rumley gazebo and gardens, Cate Center, seating nooks in Johnson Hall, Carswell lobby

• Increased social media engagement by 11% since brand launch • Hosted new program, Honoring Women Veterans

To learn more about how Meredith is Going Strong, download the full Strategic Plan Year One Highlights at meredith.edu/about_meredith/office_of_ the_president/strategic_plan.

• Re-landscaped Joyner, Martin, and The Oaks • Restored historic Heck Fountain • Moved and enlarged Meredith Community Garden • Upgraded technology infrastructure, including enhanced cabling for reliability and security of information technology network • Invested in energy savings and sustainability plan • Resurfaced tennis courts and improved gymnasium/stadium equipment

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CAMPUS

NEWS

Consul General of Mexico in Raleigh Formalizes Partnership with Meredith College

By Melyssa Allen

T

he Consul General of Mexico in Raleigh Javier Díaz de León visited the College for an event celebrating the success of Meredith’s Latina students. The Consul General and members of his staff participated in a luncheon on November 18, 2013, with Meredith President Jo Allen.

Representatives from organizations including the NC Society of Hispanic Professionals and local education-focused programs also attended, along with Meredith administrators, staff, and students.

President Allen talked about the College’s efforts to “ensure that the composition of Meredith College’s student body is representative of the state’s population.”

Nearly 10 percent of Meredith’s incoming freshman class in 2013 are Latina students.

There are 135 Latina undergraduate students at Meredith.

“North Carolina’s largest emerging population is from Hispanic backgrounds, and as a women’s college, we are committed to ensure success of all of our students, including our Hispanic and Mexican students,” Allen said.

“Meredith believes strongly that all qualified

students ought to have the opportunity for college regardless of background or personal circumstance.”

Meredith has established many recruitment strategies to reach the Latina student population. One of these is a college planning tool kit for families that explains the college admissions and financial assistance process in both English and Spanish. To download the tool kit, visit meredith.edu/ admissions/college_planning_toolkit.

Latina students are finding success at Meredith. The Latina freshman to sophomore retention rate exceeds the cohort rate and the

four-year graduation rate for the Fall 2008 Latina student cohort was nearly four points higher than the total cohort rate.

The Consul General praised the College for its efforts, and praised the Latina students in attendance.

“Meredith College is setting an example,” de León said. “No state’s Latino population has grown as dramatically as North Carolina’s in the last ten years. This is a source of tremendous opportunity but also enormous challenges. Meredith students are setting an example by becoming a part of this community.”

At the event’s conclusion, President Allen and Consul General de León signed a memorandum of understanding, formalizing a partnership between Meredith College and the Consulate of Mexico in Raleigh to support education of students from Mexico.

The agreement includes an IME-Becas Scholarship funded in part by a donation from the government of Mexico. Nine Meredith students have received the IME-Becas Scholarship, which is open to students of Mexican-origin who have strong records of academic achievement.

Meredith College to Offer Public Health Major

By Melyssa Allen

M

eredith College will begin offering public health as an undergraduate degree option in Fall 2014 and students are already expressing interest in the new program. The new interdisciplinary academic program was approved by the College’s Board of Trustees at its fall meeting.

The program will provide a core curriculum that spans multiple disciplines to prepare students as public health generalists in a rapidly growing field. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand

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for public health professionals continues to rise in response to global concerns such as emerging diseases, bio-terrorism, infectious disease surveillance, and water resource issues. Employment opportunities in many public health fields are expected to grow in the coming decade.

“Public health takes a holistic approach, blending basic science with social and behavioral sciences to prevent disease and promote health in entire populations,” said Carolina Perez-Heydrich, Meredith’s public health program coordinator.

In addition to the core curriculum, specific tracks within the public health major will provide students with opportunities to specialize in particular areas of public health. Students can choose to complete one of three tracks: Policy and Ethics; Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Biological Sciences.

“The major reaches across many disciplines and allows a student to combine numerous interests into one academic program,” Perez-Heydrich said.

Read more about Meredith’s health care programs on page 20.

STRONG STORIES

CYNTHIA MOSLEY, ’14, M.Ed.

Strong teachers meet their students where they are

By Gaye Hill

C

ynthia Mosley is a lifelong learner potential. Although she has always been whose enthusiasm for education has committed to the teaching profession, her led her to pursue multiple graduate desire to work with students of all abilities degrees – and she’s not done yet. She alhas evolved over time. ready has a master’s degree in mathematics “As an undergraduate student, I wouldn’t education, and will receive a master in educahave been as open to working in the spetion (M.Ed.) with a specialty cial education field,” said in special education from “I have developed a Mosley. “I have developed Meredith in May 2014. Her passion for reaching a passion for reaching all plans include pursuing her types of children. For me, all types of children. doctorate. it’s not about teaching to the Mosley was drawn to For me, it’s not about middle, it’s about touching the small classes and indi- teaching to the middle, each child in a special way.” vidual attention at Meredith, it’s about touching each Mosley wanted to purand the fact that professors child in a special way.” sue her M.Ed. in special edteach the “whole person.” ucation to better meet the –Cynthia Mosley She currently teaches comdiverse needs of her stumunications and math to dents. For example, several 2nd through 6th graders. Mosley emphaof her students with special needs are also sizes meeting her students where they are gifted in mathematics. Teaching these stu– and then helping them reach their fullest dents allows her to use her graduate-level

knowledge in both special education and mathematics education.

Mosley uses her strong listening and communication skills when addressing the sensitive subject of whether a child needs to be assessed.

“I always listen to the parents’ story first.

As a parent myself, I can share parts of my own story to help put them at ease,” said Mosley. “I tell them there’s nothing wrong with saying ‘My child needs assistance.’ It can be a great source of anxiety for parents, and part of my job is helping them through the process.”

Next, Mosley plans to pursue her doctorate so that she can educate tomorrow’s teachers.

“I never thought I’d want to work with adults, but now I’m thinking I’d like to help others learn how to teach,” said Mosley. She laughed, “My professors were all for it, but they said I have to take at least a semester off.”

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Jaimie Seawell and Alexandria Patterson, students in Meredith’s pre-health post-baccalaureate program, work with program director Andrea Marritt, an assistant professor of biological sciences, in anatomy class.

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PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A

CHANGING

WORLD Meredith expands offerings in health programs.

By Betsy Rhame-Minor, ’01

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I

n fall 2013 the Meredith College Board of Trustees voted to enhance the way Meredith prepares students for one of today’s most dynamic fields: health care.

Meredith leaders stay on the pulse of employment trends and student interest to best prepare students for the job market.

“It really has to do with student demand.

Our students are asking for programs that are health-related,” said Liz Wolfinger, dean of the School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences and a professor of biological sciences.

“We have an aging population [in the U.S.].

We’ve had a tremendous change in our health care system. There’s a lot of movement in the health care field and our students are interested in being part of that change.”

Wolfinger and other College officials have been working the past three years to identify areas where Meredith could expand academically. The group looked at Meredith’s mission, location, prospective students’ interests, employment trends, and other factors to find programs that would fit students today and students 10 years from now.

“We have to constantly be … scrutinizing and assessing our quality and relevancy,” said Wolfinger. “Our understanding of people’s learning changes.”

Meredith’s new and expanded programming includes a public health major and minor, a pre-health post-baccalaureate certificate program, and a graduate certificate in health informatics offered as part of the MBA program. All will provide students with more opportunities

and prepare them for careers after Meredith.

“Health care is one of the areas that has continued to see growth,” said Francie Cuffney, a professor of biological sciences and biology department head. “There’s a lot of need out there. It’s pretty new for liberal arts schools. We’re ahead of the trend.”

The new public health major and minor are in the academic catalogue for 2014-15 but some of the classes are already being offered.

The post-baccalaureate pre-health graduate certificate program is in its second year, and is already exceeding initial enrollment goals.

Health informatics will become an option for MBA students in the coming months.

“There’s a lot of movement in the health care field and our students are interested in being part of that change.”

– Liz Wolfinger, dean of the School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Public Health Major and Minor One reason public health is so appealing for students is because it attracts students who want to work in the health industry but from a social sciences perspective rather than a traditional, clinical approach to medicine.

“It’s really interdisciplinary. It draws a lot from the social sciences as well,” said Carolina Perez-Heydrich, assistant professor of biologi-

cal sciences and public health student advisor.

“It’s appealing for lots of students. [It’s a] wellrounded education experience. Public health fits with liberal arts.”

Three tracks, Policy and Ethics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Biological Sciences, will help students determine what they’ll do later. “Students can focus on a specific aspect of public health,” said Perez-Heydrich.

No matter which area of focus a student chooses, she will be prepared for a variety of entry-level positions in community health, community outreach, or in developing and implementing programs. Health information specialists communicate ideas. Health data analysts manage databases, analyze, and track trends. Health outreach and education is popular for graduates of an undergraduate public health program.

So far Meredith has had a great response to the new major and minor.

“The interest of students in the public health major has been exciting,” said Cuffney, who has reviewed applications from all over the country. “[I like] that we can get Meredith’s name out there in health sciences.”

Many alumnae are already working in the public health field, though a major in public health wasn’t available to them at the time they were enrolled at Meredith.

Deborah Smith, ’06, majored in social work at Meredith and knew all along that she’d want to use those skills in the health care field. Today she’s full time with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and works mostly in teenage pregnancy, and

Sarah Baker is among the second cohort of students in Meredith’s pre-health post-baccalaureate program, which launched in 2012. The first cohort completed the program in spring 2013, and have had a 100% acceptance rate into medical schools or Ph.D. programs.

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Meredith’s newly announced public health program will begin in Fall 2014. Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Carolina Perez-Heydrich serves as public health student advisor.

part time with Wake Medical Center as a social worker in maternity, neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, and pediatric intensive care.

“The cases I have been involved in range from adoptions, child abuse, domestic violence, and mental health concerns all the way to helping a new mother find her way through the available community resources,” Smith said. “Given the high demands of my health care profession, I have to be able to appropriately utilize crisis intervention and other skill sets effectively.”

Lauren Thie, ’07, is also at work in public health after majoring in biology at Meredith with a pre-medical focus. She is an epidemiologist at the N.C. Division of Public Health.

“My main role is as principal investigator of the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects grant,” she said. “I assess, prevent, plan for, and respond to health impacts from weather and climate such as heat-related illness, water-borne disease outbreaks, extreme weather-related injuries, and asthma. I manage the day-to-day grant operations, perform epidemiological investigations, conduct emergency department visit surveillance, and work with state and federal agencies to prevent illness from climate.”

Thie always knew she’d work in the health industry but originally wanted to be a veterinarian or physician. Once at Meredith she was exposed to several public health topics: mosquitoes, AIDS, parasitology, and medical ethics.

“Socially, public health is really important.

Meredith always takes into consideration the social good.”

– Amanda Puckett, ’01, program manager at IntraHealth International

“When I studied abroad before my senior year, I went to Kenya with the School for Field Studies program where I continued to be exposed to public health through research and class time spent studying community wildlife conservation,” said Thie. “By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to get a master’s in public health. Once I finished my master’s [degree] at UNC, I felt I had the education I needed to do the public health work about which I was so passionate. Meredith gave me

a strong base in the biological sciences and public health topics.”

Amanda Puckett, ’01, is a program manager at IntraHealth International, a global public health nonprofit in Chapel Hill.

“Public health is everything from helmets and seatbelts to a child with malaria to Obamacare. Public health is important whether you are doing it at home or in another country,” Puckett said.

Puckett is pleased that more Meredith students will be prepared for her field of work. “Socially, public health is really important,” she said. “Meredith always takes into consideration the social good.”

Preparing More Students for Medical School Andrea Marritt, assistant professor of biological sciences, has joined Meredith as director of the pre-health post-baccalaureate program, a one-year graduate certificate program for men and women who may need more science work or required prerequisite courses for medical school. It’s one of only two such programs in North Carolina.

“We help students gain the prerequisites for any post-medical field,” Marritt said.

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“Given the high demands of my health care profession, I have to be able to appropriately utilize crisis intervention and other skill sets effectively.”

– Deborah Smith, ’06

It’s an individualized, full-time program designed for each student that includes 75 hours of clinical and service work. Some students shadow a physician or dentist. Others volunteer at health clinics. Last year, some of the students offered CPR certification courses for Meredith students, faculty, and staff.

“It’s very competitive. We have tons of applicants,” Marritt said. “[Students] from all over want to come to school here. We are pre-health not pre-med so we can attract all health students.”

Meredith graduated its first cohort of nine students last spring. Those who applied have had 100 percent acceptance into medical

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schools or Ph.D. programs.

“They’ve done very, very well,” said Marritt.

There are 19 in this year’s cohort, and numbers will grow as large as 30 students for the third cohort late this year.

One of the graduates of this first cohort is Alex Foster, who majored in sociology as an undergraduate student but decided later to become a physician. He needed to complete several science courses that he never took as an undergraduate student. Foster came from Alaska to spend a year in Meredith’s prehealth program.

“I just felt that Meredith would give me the opportunity to apply where I wanted

and I’m now in my top choice [of medical schools],” Foster said.

Foster is in his first year of medical school at the University of Washington’s medical program in the satellite location in Anchorage, Alaska. It’s a program where medical students from four underserved states study and train in their home state with the hope they’ll remain there to practice later. Foster hopes to become either a cardiologist or an orthopedic surgeon and remain in Alaska.

“The courses I took at Meredith are comparable [to my medical school classes],” he said. “I’m a good student this year because of the work I did at Meredith.”

Before applying to the post-baccalaureate program, Foster first applied to 30 medical schools and didn’t get accepted. While in Meredith’s pre-health program he applied again, this time to 15 schools, and was accepted to all three of his top choices.

“As competitive as getting into medical school is, the [pre-health] post-baccalaureate is a feather in your cap,” Foster said. “You show your seriousness [by completing the program]. The post-baccalaureate program is typically for the student who comes from a nontraditional background but is still willing to put in the effort.”

According to Marritt, the pre-health program has been created out of many classes already offered at Meredith.

“We’re using the resources we already have but are able to help different students,” she said. “It is in incredible demand at the moment. We can serve a whole new group of students without changing what we were already doing. We’ve had a very high caliber of students coming in.”

MBA Concentration in Health Informatics Meredith’s new MBA concentration in health informatics is also in response to the demands of the workforce.

“When we talked to employers in the industry it seemed like there was a high demand for people who knew the health industry and who can understand how to collect and use data to make informed decisions,” said Dean of the School of Business Denise Rotondo.

Students coming out of the MBA program with a health informatics focus will

understand the business of health operations, and data collection and organization.

Through a partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, students will be able to earn an MBA with a graduate certificate in health informatics. Later, a dual degree MBA and professional science master’s degree will be available.

“The demand for a person with these skills is new,” said Rotondo. “We have to be responsive to employers’ needs. We have a strong MBA program. Now we will attract a different kind of student with a broader set of skills.”

Many public health professionals, like alumna Amanda Puckett, ’01, use health informatics each day. At IntraHealth, Puckett supports, retains, educates, and trains health workers, and creates policies, all in Sub-Saharan Africa. She works on USAID’s CapacityPlus project mostly in Nigeria. Puckett takes a social science approach to her work through gender equality and equity, anthropology, and sociology. She does informatics work through a human resources information system that tracks health workers and processes, and analyzes data.

At Meredith, Puckett was a French and international business major, and she studied abroad in France.

“A lot of my job is business,” she said. “My classes at Meredith prepped me to do my job.

The way global health is going you need to know business. It was a very strong foundation of business skills and language.”

“The health sciences concentration prepared me for the classes I took in PA school. I had such a good, well-rounded education.”

– Brittany Taylor Womble, ’07

Building on Meredith’s Traditional Strengths Providing a foundation for students in the health field is something at which Meredith has long excelled.

“We’ve always prepared students in traditional ways: psychology, biology, chemistry, food and nutrition, and exercise and sports science,” said Wolfinger. “These are all strong undergraduate programs.”

One example of an existing Meredith program that will work well with the new public health coursework is food and nutrition. Several Meredith nutrition grads have gone on to get a Master of Public Health. Sometimes students use the nutrition major to get into physician, physician assistant, or nursing professions.

“I think we’re integrally involved in pub-

lic health. Nutrition is changing treatment to prevention,” said Associate Professor of Nutrition Susan Fisher, who believes public health would be an ideal minor for a nutrition major.

Bill Landis, professor of nutrition and MS in Nutrition program director, also sees nutrition as an integral part of making an individual or population healthier.

“What we eat and other factors influencing wellness are inescapable when it comes to developing a healthy society,” said Landis.

Graduates of Meredith’s health programs will be ready as the world’s changing health needs expand the health care field.

Future graduates will find success, just as alumnae have.

Brittany Taylor Womble, ’07, is now a physician assistant at Fast Med Urgent Care in Garner. Womble majored in biology with a health sciences concentration and conducted undergraduate research, which prepared her for physician assistant school at Methodist University and for her profession.

“I tell everybody that [Meredith] really prepares you,” Womble said. “The health sciences concentration did prepare me for a lot of the classes I took in PA school. I had such a good, well-rounded education.”

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Tom Thumb in his portrait taken by Associate Professor of Art Shannon Johnstone as part of her Landfill Dogs project, which she began in 2012. Tom Thumb was adopted in January 2014, after 146 days at the shelter.

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ART &

ACTIVISM Meredith associate professor draws attention to homeless dogs.

By Leslie Maxwell, ’01

O

n a Sunday afternoon in late December at the North Wake Landfill Park in Wake County, Shannon Johnstone crouches on the ground to snap photos of Tom Thumb, a chocolate brown-and-white pit bull mix. Her husband, Anthony Corriveau, holds the end of the dog’s black training leash. Tom Thumb sits for a bacon-flavored treat. Two college students sitting on a bench scratch his head and neck. “He’s cute,” one says. Johnstone, associate professor of art at Meredith College, explains that he lives at the Wake County Animal Center and that he’s at the park for a photo shoot.

Tom Thumb doesn’t know it, but Johnstone may be the key to his finding a home. He has been at the animal shelter for 117 days. And on this day, Tom Thumb is the latest subject in Johnstone’s “Landfill Dogs” photography project.

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Behind the scenes of the Landfill Dogs project, as Shannon Johnstone and a volunteer take a dog name Bumpy out for his photo session.

The dogs also get to enjoy a car ride and time playing in the park.

“Landfill Dogs,” begun in 2012, is part of Johnstone’s 2013-14 academic year sabbatical.

The project draws attention to homeless animals and to the problem of animal overpopulation. At least once a week since October 2012, Johnstone has photographed a shelter dog at the North Wake Landfill Park, which opened in 2010 on the site of a closed landfill.

Her choice of the landfill park is purposeful. Most county animal shelters, Johnstone notes, are part of the same division that deals with waste management. And if animals are euthanized, she adds, their bodies end up in the municipal landfill.

“Landfill Dogs” isn’t Johnstone’s first proj-

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ect focusing on shelters. “Breeding Ignorance” on the reality of the animals’ everyday lives. and “Shelter Life” draw attention to unwanted And though the “Landfill Dogs” photos animals, animal overpopulation, and respon- depict dogs running, jumping, playing, and eating treats, Johnstone sible pet ownership. Some of doesn’t see anything spethe images from these proj- “We’re taking the cial about these dogs. ects depict animals not just dogs no one wanted The idea, she says, is living in the shelters but dythat any dog from any aniing—euthanized—in them. and showing how mal shelter can play and For the second half of great they can be.” be loving. The ones feaher sabbatical, Johnstone will tured in “Landfill Dogs” continue “Landfill Dogs” – Anthony Corriveau are no different. and plans, as part of the North Carolina Shelter Project, to travel to ev- Corriveau, Johnstone’s husband, said, ery county animal shelter in North Carolina to “We’re taking the dogs no one wanted and photograph animals in their kennels, focusing showing how great they can be.” In other

Johnstone hopes her photographs of dogs like Bumpy help these pets find homes. The Wake County Animal Center receives an average of 35 new animals each day.

words, the dogs in Wake County are no different from the dogs in Mecklenburg or Ashe or Bladen or Hyde counties.

Though the project has an activism angle, Johnstone’s photographer’s eye is never lost.

She is constantly looking for the best shot.

Seeing a large puddle (it had rained earlier in the day), she says, “Oooh, a puddle! Maybe we can do some nice reflection shots!” On the small, dark, wispy clouds low in the sky: “The clouds are beautiful!” On the pink light from the setting sun: “Oh, look at the color! The sunset will be great.”

As a professor, Johnstone teaches the use of art as a platform for activism to Meredith

students. For the past three summers, she has taught an art course called “Who Let the Dogs Out?” During the six-week course, students learn how to take appealing photographs of shelter animals for shelter websites. They spend at least seven hours each week taking and editing photos for the web, most of them at the Wake County Animal Center, which receives an average of 35 new animals each day. The goals of the class, says Johnstone, are to get Meredith students into the community, to educate students on animal overpopulation, and to give students a chance to apply concrete skills.

Pauline Ro, a Meredith senior majoring

in studio art, took the class in the summer of 2013. “I’d always loved animals,” she said.

“And I thought this class would be a perfect opportunity for me to help in a creative way.”

Ro didn’t know just how much the class would impact her. For starters, after she took the course, she and her family fostered and eventually adopted Stella, a pit bull, from the Wake County Animal Center. Ro began helping Johnstone with the weekly “Landfill Dogs” photo shoots. And what’s more, Ro says, the class helped her realize her own passion for giving back to her community.

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A volunteer helps a dog named Akimbo show his personality during a photo shoot.

said. “Before, I had mostly thought about the personal and aesthetic experience of art.”

In the summer of 2012, Sara-Anne Averett, a Meredith junior majoring in graphic design, took “Who Let the Dogs Out?” online from her home in Winston-Salem, volunteering at the nearby Yadkin County Animal Shelter. Part of the draw of the class, Averett said, was knowing that she’d have Johnstone as a professor.

“She’s so passionate,” Averett said.

From the class, Averett learned about pet overpopulation. “I didn’t realize it was that big of an issue, and it’s not because there’s not enough homes – people don’t spay and neuter their pets.”

Beth Mulvaney, art department chair at

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Meredith, notes that the qualities that Johnstone brings to her art are the qualities that make her an excellent Meredith professor.

“Students are influenced by her integrity, compassion and passion, and dedication to teaching and to educating others not only about art but also about pet overpopulation,” Mulvaney said.

Johnstone’s dedication to her mission has inspired local and national media coverage of “Landfill Dogs.” ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, the News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), the Associated Press, BuzzFeed, and the Huffington Post, among other outlets, have featured “Landfill Dogs.” In January

and February 2014, Artspace, an art gallery and studio in downtown Raleigh, showcased a selection of the photographs from “Landfill Dogs.”

With this kind of attention, Johnstone’s “Landfill Dogs” project and her “Who Let the Dogs Out?” course have drawn awareness locally and nationally to Meredith College.

“It’s important for Meredith to offer the class because it’s making students go out and serve the community,” Ro said. “It helps our reputation as a school.”

At least one of the dogs in Johnstone’s series found a home with a Meredith alumna.

Margeaux Spiegel, ’11, adopted Harry, an au-

Meredith alumna Margeaux Spiegel, ’11, adopted her dog, Harry, from the Wake County Animal Center in November 2013.

burn-colored lab mix, from the Wake County Animal Center in November 2013. Though Spiegel didn’t know it, Harry was one of Johnstone’s “Landfill Dogs” (called Harold then).

When Spiegel and Harry were settling in at home, Johnstone contacted her about doing a follow-up photo shoot. That’s when Spiegel, who’s now pursuing her master’s degree at Meredith, learned about “Landfill Dogs” — and when she and Johnstone discovered their Meredith connection.

Johnstone does not take credit for the “Landfill Dogs” that have been adopted. She praises the efforts of the staff and volunteers at the Wake County Animal Center. And she notes

that not all of the dogs in her series have been adopted: some are still waiting for homes, and others, though fewer, have been euthanized.

Back at her photo shoot with Tom Thumb, Johnstone holds the tennis ball in her right hand and her camera up to her face with her left hand. Tom Thumb sits, posing for her camera. The tennis ball falls from Johnstone’s hand, hitting the grass below, and Tom Thumb runs toward the ball. “That was my fault,” Johnstone says. “I dropped the ball. Literally.” She laughs.

Tom Thumb doesn’t know that Johnstone might be the key to his finding a home. All he knows is that today, he is outside, the sun is shining, and bacon-flavored treats are coming his way.

HOW YOU CAN HELP • DONATE: Donate money or time to your local animal shelter.

• PURCHASE: Purchase prints of the “Landfill Dogs” photos at landfilldogs.info.

• ADOPT: Adopt your own Landfill Dog at your local animal shelter. Ask for the dog (or cat!) that has been at the shelter the longest.

• SHARE: Stay up to date with “Landfill Dogs” and Johnstone’s next project on Facebook: facebook.com/landfilldogs.

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me re d i th.e d u

S

M

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

T 1 8 15 22 29

W 2 9 16 23 30

T 3 10 17 24

F 4 11 18 25

S 5 12 19 26

THE ART OF

NEGOTIATION

By Leslie Maxwell, ’01

Reaching goals, one negotiation at a time.

W

hen Brittany Morrison-Brown, ’11, received an and Career Planning, notes that she has never known of an offer being offer for her first out-of-college job, everything rescinded because someone reasonably asked to negotiate, even if the sounded great — except the salary and the pos- answer is “no.” sible relocation from Raleigh. Brown, a business Meredith President Jo Allen sees one reason that women are relucadministration major, thought about what she tant to negotiate: “Women are often considered to be poor negotialearned in her coursework at Meredith. She weighed the pros and cons, tors because of their perceived tendencies to have difficulty saying ‘no,’ and she talked it over with mentors at Meredith. She wanted the job, while men have relatively little trouble saying no.”

Perhaps we need to recalibrate our definition of negotiation. but she also wanted to know that her needs would be met.

“Negotiation is closely related in many people’s minds to conflict,” First, Brown negotiated an increase in her salary. Then, after thanking the recruiter for the opportunity, she said that she’d accept the offer Barnes said, “and many people try to avoid conflict.” Rather than approaching negotiation as a battle, Barnes looks at if she were guaranteed a return to Raleigh after her training.

“Ask yourself, ‘What are how both parties can get something they want.

And negotiations aren’t just for big-ticket “When I hung up, my heart was racing,” we both looking for?’ items. According to Langenderfer, negotiating is Brown said. But two minutes later, the phone rang — with a “yes.”

Once you get that com- something that people do every day, even “something as simple as where to go to lunch with a Brown’s racing heart isn’t unusual. But the mon ground, then you’re friend.” fact that she negotiated was. Women in particuDespite these misperceptions and discomfort, lar are hesitant to negotiate, according to Jane not in conflict anymore.” negotiation is critical. Said Langenderfer: “If you Barnes, associate professor of business.

– Jane Barnes, associate professor of don’t [negotiate], you’re likely to get the short “It’s been shown that women make, on av- business end of every transaction.” erage, about 70 percent of what men do,” said Barnes and Langenderfer are working to Barnes. “One reason for that is that women are reluctant to negotiate. They are afraid that if they get offered a job and help Meredith students develop negotiation skills. In addition to other courses, Langenderfer teaches Strategies for Effective Negotiation, a ask for more money, the offer will be taken away.”

Jeff Langenderfer, head of Meredith’s School of Business, puts graduate-level class in the business school, and Barnes teaches courses Brown’s negotiation into perspective: “Almost every employer expects for graduate and undergraduate students that, in part, help build nethat a prospective employee will negotiate, and they do only 15 to 20 gotiation skills.

Not all alumnae can take one of these classes at Meredith. So what percent of the time.”

Dana Sumner, associate director in Meredith’s Office of Academic can alumnae do to get better at negotiating?

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1. Do your homework.

“The key to negotiation is to be prepared and to have done your homework,” Barnes said.

For job-related issues, Sumner encourages alumnae to understand what they have to offer employers. She advises researching salaries in similar locations, fields, organizations and positions, enabling alumnae to make informed decisions about how and what to negotiate.

Langenderfer notes that understanding the context of the negotiation is important: “If you are negotiating for something where there is an ongoing relationship” with another person or a business, such as a job offer or salary increase, “then money is not the only outcome” — a healthy, continuing relationship is also important.

5. If negotiation isn’t second nature, you’re in good company.

Even expert negotiators don’t necessarily enjoy the process. Yet negotiating isn’t something you need to enjoy. Rather, it’s something that Meredith alumnae should feel as if they have the right to do.

“If you don’t seize that opportunity [to negotiate],” Brown said, “someone else will.”

2. Find common ground.

6. Practice.

“Ask yourself, ‘What are we both looking for?’” Barnes said. “Once you get that common ground, then you’re not in conflict anymore.”

Meredith Morovati, ’13 (MBA), has seen firsthand the importance of finding common ground in negotiations. In her job as a vice president at the American Society for Echocardiography, she works with committees across the organization to reach consensus.

“I try to spend a lot of time figuring out what both sides want,” Morovati said.

In her training program with Lenovo, Tierra Morrisey, ’13, negotiates with her colleagues often. She has found that hearing from colleagues has helped the negotiation process: “Everyone needed to be able to voice their opinions.”

For those alumnae who could use some practice negotiating, Langenderfer suggests a visit to the closest flea market. “Offer half price and aim for three quarters,” he said. “It’s a low-stress environment, and if you end up walking away, it’s no big deal.”

Barnes suggests starting small, such as deciding what TV show your family might watch, as a way to practice. Overall, Barnes said, stay flexible. “Look at the negotiation outcome as what you’ve gained, not what you’ve lost.”

Brown said that negotiating for her first job gave her confidence: “Moving forward in my career, I feel more confident talking about what is challenging me, what will help me grow in my career.”

President Allen believes that Meredith is well-positioned to help current and future students develop these skills: “All of this comes back to what Meredith College does best: helping students build on their strengths to reach their goals.”

3. Take the emotion out of the negotiation.

As a real estate agent, Susan Lampley, ’73, helps buyers and sellers negotiate contracts and offers, and she often encounters clients whose emotions cloud the negotiation.

“When I list somebody’s house, I tell them upfront that they need to start detaching themselves from it,” Lampley said.

Morovati said that Langenderfer’s negotiation course helped her take a step back in negotiations: “The class helped me look at negotiation more objectively.”

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4. Money isn’t the only negotiation point.

Just as Brown negotiated her job location, money isn’t the only thing to consider in job offers or other negotiations.

“I am open to negotiation,” Ashley Parr Henderson, ’97, a photographer in the Raleigh area, said of her price list. Instead of negotiating price, she said, clients often negotiate some other element, such as the number of hours that Henderson stays at an event.

“When they’re thinking about a job offer, people tend to over-focus on salary as the most important element,” Langenderfer said.

Sumner notes that negotiating could also include start dates or vacation days.

Need more help with your negotiation skills?

Alumnae have lifetime access to support and information at the Office of Academic and Career Planning. Call (919) 760-8341 or email career@meredith.edu.

ALUMNAE

GREETINGS, FELLOW ALUMNAE: You know the saying you can’t pick your family but you can pick your friends.

Thankfully, this saying rings true for our experiences while students at Meredith.

For most, it’s where we found our best friends.

Nora Beane, Yahoo Contributing Editor, wrote a great article on reasons to attend your college reunion. These certainly apply to Meredith’s Alumnae Reunion Weekend.

Pick yours and we will see you in May! 1. Re-connecting with old friends.

2. Immersion in the Past. Sleep in your old residence hall, eat in the renovated Belk Dining Hall or visit your classrooms. These places will take you back to those very special years of college life.

3. Taking a Look at Today’s College.

Explore Meredith’s development and growth. You will be proud and impressed by changes on campus.

4. A Good Excuse to Travel. If you don’t reside in Raleigh, Reunion is a great reason to visit. It’s a good excuse to have a girls’ weekend!

5. A Chance to Meet Someone New. I have met several new friends who were in my class at reunion!

6. Get Out of Your Rut. Since graduating from college, your life may have some “rut” aspects. Reunion is a nice treat to shake things up and take the plunge. Mixing with new and old friends can give you a new perspective and move you dramatically out of that little rut.

7. You Might Learn Something, Again.

Meredith is offering lots of continuing education opportunities. From classes and behind the scenes tours, to trips with alumnae, the College is ready for you to come back, get engaged, and continue your lifelong learning.

8. Another Networking Nook. If you are looking to expand your business, change jobs, or relocate, attending Reunion gives you a chance to effectively network.

Life is short and unpredictable, so it’s important to take the time to attend reunions. So many of these people were important to you at one time; it’s nice to go back and rediscover that importance.

Andrea Oakley Fox, ’95 President, Meredith College Alumnae Association

CONNECTION Class notes and news for Meredith Alumnae 1931 Anne Simms Haskins celebrated her 102nd birthday on November 1, 2013. She spent her birthday surrounded by family and loved ones.

1934 Jewell Ballentine Stephens, one of the College’s old-

est alumnae, was honored on her 100th birthday by the town of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

1947 Nancy Resch Clemmons celebrated her 66th wed-

ding anniversary on December 20, 2013. She has two children, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her passion is going on mission trips. She has gone on 16 so far.

1963 Jerrie Preston Oughton, an award winning author, was presented the 2013 Alumna of the Year Award at Mars Hill University. For over a quarter of a century she has visited schools, churches, and civic organizations sharing inspiration and creativity.

1967 Brenda Vaughan Lawson travels the state to visit her

new grandchildren. She still enjoys being in the classroom as a substitute teacher.

1968 Janice Sanford Scott participated in Meredith’s Tuscan photography and Photoshop intensive course this June in Sansepolcro, Italy, with her college roommate Dudley Barbee Howard. Jane Waller Smith retired at the end of 2013. She and her husband have traveled to Austra-

lia, New Zealand, and the Greek Islands recently. After her husband retires, they plan to continue to travel and spend more time at the beach and visiting their sons.

1969 Kelly Knott Cobb will serve as president of the Top Producer Council of Long and Foster. She will lead a rewards trip to Barcelona, Spain, in 2014.

1973 Ann Harden Whitford, of Morehead City, N.C., has

been elected chairman of the committee formed by the N.C. General Assembly to study the state’s community college audit procedures. She has been a member of the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges for four years. She had previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Carteret Community College for 16 years.

1974 Theresa Herrin Bowles and her husband traveled to Italy to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

They were thrilled to meet Meredith faculty emeriti Becky Bailey and Maureen Banker and the Meredith students in Sansepolcro, Italy.

1978 Gay Parks Brogden continues her work conducting es-

tate and tag sales in Greensboro, N.C., where she and her husband have resided for 27 years. Her son is a junior at NC State and her daughter got married in September.

1981 Becca Correll McClendon has been on work sab-

batical since January 2013. Her daughter graduated

Compiled by the Office of Alumnae & Parent Relations from August-December 2013.

Information may be edited for space limitations and content restrictions. Submit class notes to your class agent, online at meredith.edu/alumnae, by email at alumnae@ meredith.edu, by fax (919) 760-2818, or by phone to the Office of Alumnae and Parent Relations at (919) 760-8548. Deadline for the Summer 2014 issue is March 21, 2014.

Submissions received after this date will appear in the Fall 2014 issue.

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ALUMNAE

CONNECTION from the University of the South in May. McClendon spent the summer touring college campuses with her youngest daughter and then took a week-long family vacation at her home in Nags Head.

1983 Connie Castranio Mooney recently celebrated 30

years with IBM. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, daughter, and son. Her daughter is a sophomore at Meredith and spent the fall semester abroad in Sansepolcro, Italy. Mooney stays busy with her family and pets. The family enjoys their season tickets to the Carolina Hurricanes as well as the occasional NCSU football and basketball games. Frances Jennings Teter lives in Charlotte and serves on Meredith’s Board of Trustees.

1988 Dorothy Bass Burch has been chosen as a “Leader in

the Law” by the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. Only 25 North Carolina legal professionals are selected based on a rigorous nomination and review process.

1991 Carmen Elliott Nunalee began a new position as

general counsel at Edgecombe Community College.

She lives with her husband in Rocky Mount.

1992 Lesley Williams Faulkner is now a broker with Li-

lac Realty in Charlotte, N.C. Alecia Baucom Hayes remarried in October 2012 and now has five children. She works at Cisco as a program manager and lives in Wake Forest. Martha Hornthal celebrated 20 years with her partner this year. They are foster parents to two girls, whom they hope to adopt next year.

Jacqueline Dato Mawyer is now an assistant principal in Chesterfield County Public Schools in Richmond, Va.

1993 Holland Coward Muscio celebrated her 15th wedding

anniversary with a European vacation. Her event decor and design business is growing and thriving. Kimberly Caldwell Wagner has moved to Newark, Del., because of her husband’s job. She has been there for over a year and loves the area. She is happily working as the mother of four and is involved at school and church.

1999 Katie Hardersen King is a partner at Wake Family

Law Group in Raleigh. She is a board-certified family law specialist and was listed as a “Rising Star” in the publication Super Lawyers in 2012 and 2013.

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2002 Beatrice Guadalupe Zepeda has completed her fel-

lowship at Duke University in pediatric critical care medicine. She is now an assistant clinical professor at East Carolina University.

2003 Lara Stroud Dick completed her Ph.D. in mathemat-

ics education at North Carolina State University. She is employed as a postdoc with Project AIM at NC State. Allison Rowe Edwards is the college readiness coordinator at Craven Early College High School. She lives in New Bern with her husband and son.

2004 Karen Bobinyec completed her Ph.D. in applied

mathematics at North Carolina State University. She is employed as a Research Scientist at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Amanda Smith Browning received her master’s degree in physical education from East Carolina University July 2013. She is in her tenth year teaching Physical Education in Guilford County.

Whitney Crowder is now a vice president at BB&T.

2005 Holly Schmidt Akkerman was promoted to creative

director at Telfair Museums in Savannah, Ga. Paige Avery Barnes is an assistant principal intern at River Dell Elementary School. Krystal Drewyor Campos is vice president of Natural Solutions. Sarah Wilson Collins received her JD from Campbell University School of Law and passed the Bar exam to be licensed in North Carolina. Julia Pollard Eubanks is an operations support manager for Cary Oil Company, Inc. Stenisha Green is an employee relations specialist at Headway Workforce Solutions. Meagan Matt Maddox is in radiology sales at Raleigh Radiology.

Zenaya Davis Marsh is an account implementation manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Anna Hester Martin is a senior clinical project coordinator at Quintiles. Carmella Blakney Melton is a human resources communications manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Meredith Robertson Monday is a legal affairs associate at Bronto Software, Inc. Amanda Strawbridge Richardson was promoted to product coordinator at Genworth Mortgage Insurance in Raleigh, N.C. Leslie Scott van den Berg is a kindergarten teacher at Morrison Christian Academy in Taichung, Taiwan. Amy Beattie Wilkinson is a kindergarten teacher at Washington GT Magnet Elementary in Raleigh, N.C. She also received her master’s degree in executive leadership with principal licensure from Gardner-Webb University.

2006 Kelly Beth Smith Hapgood is living in Houston, Texas,

and practicing business and commercial litigation at the law firm McGuireWoods, LLP. Satina Smith was nominated as Teacher of the Year at Timber Drive Elementary.

She has taught there since she graduated from Meredith and has since received her Master of Education.

2007 Breeanne Baker graduated from Lehigh University

with a Ph.D. in mathematics. She now works as an assistant professor of mathematics at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Christina Nash is an elementary school teacher in Henderson.

2008 Keri Rehm completed her Ph.D. in applied math-

ematics at North Carolina State University. She is a postdoc in the Center for Research in Scientific Computation at NC State.

2009 Samantha Price graduated from Midwestern Univer-

sity Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine. She has started a three-year foot and ankle surgical residency in Lima, Ohio.

2010 Jodi Binkley received the 2013 SAES Outstanding Graduate Student Award from NC A&T University and graduated in December with a master’s degree in teaching family and consumer sciences. She teaches at a middle school in Raleigh, N.C. Jessica Prescott has begun volunteering with the education department at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida.

Amanda Casper Siedlecky purchased her family’s business in 2012. She is the third generation family owner of Mimi’s Tanning Shak in Knightdale, N.C.

MARRIAGES 1979 Julia Smith to Al Terrell, 06/21/13.

1983 Cheryl Dean Steele to Fabio Burattini, 03/23/13.

1996 Virginia Hargett to Edward Rochelle Jr., 10/12/13.

2005 Ashley Amey to John Alrich-Altman, 04/20/13.

Krystal Drewyor to Jimmy Campos, 05/01/13.

Karoline Grant to Allen Moore, 07/05/13. Amanda Hatfield to Justin Moore, 09/14/13. Anna Hester

to Samuel Martin, 10/04/13. Meredith Robertson to William Monday, 10/04/13. Mandi Troutman to Alton Whitley III, 06/15/13.

[ALUMNAE GOING STRONG]

2006

DANIELLE LETOURNEAUTHERRIEN, ’00

Julia Adams to Neil Scheurich, 07/04/13. Kristin McNeill to Patrick Smith, 09/07/13.

2007 Christen Crouch to Brian Ware, 06/01/13. Terrin

Active Leader

Lawrence to David Beitler, 10/12/13. Lenna Segreti to William Finch, 11/02/13.

2008 Jenna Burnham to Ryan Radford, 10/26/13 Deanna Rehnlund to Rich Brancaccio, 03/09/13.

2009 Ashley King to Ned Bahor, 09/14/13. Leigh Keyser

to William Miller, 08/10/13. Alecia Overton to Brandon Benware, 07/27/13.

2010 Amanda Casper to Chris Siedlecky, 06/27/10. Amber McClure to Matthew Johnson, 09/28/13. Mandy Thompson to Michael Wilson, 05/25/13.

By Melyssa Allen

As executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County (Mass.),

Danielle Letourneau-Therrien, ’00, is willing to roll up her sleeves and do what needs to be done. She believes that’s what makes a good leader.

“We can’t all just sit

around being big picture thinkers, we have to get things done. I can do that.

I can hustle,” LetourneauTherrien said. “Working in non-profits for 12+ years,

2011

you learn that it is essen-

Anastasia Gates to Adam Rhyne, 09/28/13. Halie

tial that everyone pitch in.

Sue Smith to Colton Clifton, 09/28/13.

Sometimes, the executive

2012

director has to pick up the

Jenna Cameron to Payton Craddock, 10/05/13.

Kimberly Gray to Joshua Fien, 04/28/13. Barbara

mail.”

Her work, in the most

Maloney to Michael Riccardi, 11/02/13. Morgan

impoverished county in

Reece to Trevor Nienke, 09/28/13.

Massachusetts, is challenging. The organization

BIRTHS 1992

finds adult role models for children in need of mentors.

“These kids may be

Kelli Craig Snyder, a son, William Daniel, 05/28/13.

having difficulty in school or

1997

they may have a lot of siblings and not get that one on one attention, some are

Jeanne Hubbard, a daughter, Josie Overton

being raised by grandparents because their parents lost custody, some suffer

Stafford, 11/01/13.

from abuse or neglect. We match these children with a mentor in one of our three

1998

programs,” Letourneau-Therrien explained.

Meredith Carr Maddox, a daughter, Charlotte

Francis Galvin, 06/29/13.

1999 Katie Hardersen King, a daughter, Laurel Gray,

02/10/13.

As executive director, she supervises professional case managers and coordi-

nates with the national office of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is the public face of the organization and is in charge of development and fundraising.

“I am constantly changing gears,” she said. “We only have six employees,

including me, and we serve about 150 kids.”

Letourneau-Therrien has high expectations for herself, which she learned at

2000

Meredith.

Maxine Ellis Zanfardino, a son, Anthony John, V,

10/21/13.

thing you may not be good at on the first try … revise, rethink, and don’t settle.”

“I gained confidence in my abilities, and I learned that it is good to try some-

2001 Ashley Nance Navarro, a daughter, Aliyah Shea, 08/08/13.

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CONNECTION

[ALUMNAE GOING STRONG]

2003 Sarah Shelton Lawrence, twins, a boy and girl, Henry

Alexander Sears and Anne Rives, 10/25/13.Renn Baker

NICOLE FERNANDEZ, ’99 World Traveler

By Melyssa Allen

Nicole Fernandez, ’99, grew up traveling around the world as part of a military

family. Now she makes international travel to exotic locations possible for others.

Fernandez is the senior travel consultant for Uncharted Outposts and OutsideGo. She has been with the company for 15 years, providing customized travel opportunities. The company places an emphasis on wildlife conservation by maintaining partnerships and supporting programs that are environmentally friendly.

“The emphasis is around the

smaller, more exclusive properties to create a more intimate experience for our travelers,” Fernandez said. “Much time is spent on the phone discussing ideas, details, and logistics of individual and customized trips.”

Her work requires her to use

McMurray, a daughter, Elliott Ann, 09/10/13. Courtney Little Shelton, two daughters, Elizabeth “Ellie” Mae, 02/15/12 and Hadassah “Haddie” Lucille, 09/30/13.

Maggie Harvell Soles, a son, James Hunter, 8/30/13.

2004 Kacie Miller Teeter, a daughter, Charlotte Abigail, 08/28/13.

2005 Chambliss Hill Barrow, a daughter, Frances Hawks, 04/19/13. Cindy Currin Burke, a son, David Robert, 11/25/09; a daughter, Eva Maria, 08/27/11; a daughter, Rachel Catherine, 09/11/13. Margaret Hudson Cameron, a daughter, Avery Kate, 01/18/13. Hannah Pollet Edens, a daughter, Heidi Elizabeth, 10/28/13.

Rachel Chilcot Findley, a son, Benjamin Carter, 09/29/13. Melissa Pipes Lehman, a daughter, Emery Jane, 06/30/13. Alana Brantley Liles, a daughter, Rebecca Ann, 06/21/13. Zenaya Davis Marsh, a son, Torian “Trey” Maximus, 10/09/13. Allison Clapp Marth, a daughter, Samantha Abigail, 07/18/13.

Carmella Blakney Melton, a daughter, Camryn Christine, 02/07/13. Amanda Strawbridge Richardson, a son, Landon Straw, 03/10/13. Erin Dinwiddie Smith, a son, Parker William, 09/15/11. Christi McKee Standley, a son, Reid Joseph, 05/09/13. Catherine Maher Taggart, a daughter, Tierney, 09/02/12.

many skills gained at Meredith.

2006

“Dealing with multiple

Kirby Cain Dibb, a daughter, Avery Grace, 10/07/13.

classes, projects, and exams

Sarah Lynn Joyner Davis, a daughter, Audrey Mae,

is very similar to dealing with

05/21/13. Talley Rouse Evans, a son, Thomas Hayes, 08/27/13. Mary Elizabeth Shytle Peacock, a daughter, Allie Sutton, 08/26/13. Catherine Miller Smith, a daughter, Eloise Lockwood, 07/31/13. Nikki Deal Thigpen, a son, Bodie Davis, 08/30/13.

a variety of clients and situations … At Meredith, I learned how to manage tasks, prioritize projects, problem solve, handle stress, and face challenges – all key factors in the real world.”

2007

Rachel Forshee Thomas, a son, Zachary Alexander,

Like many alumnae, Fernandez praises the faculty/student mentoring found

at Meredith. Janice Swab, now professor emerita of biology, was an important

06/20/13.

influence.

2009

“She was truly my anchor and guiding light … she cared and dedicated her

time, energy, and passion to many,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez earned a degree in environmental science from Meredith. With

Swab’s encouragement, she then studied wildlife management and conservation in Kenya through the School for Field Studies. Fernandez calls this experience the foundation of her current work.

“The diversity of courses, the intimacy of classes, the compassion of faculty,

and the exposure to programs in and outside of Meredith was dynamic and defining throughout my college years.”

Erin-Elizabeth Russell Hamlett, a son, Thomas

Yates, 09/29/13.

2010 Lindsey Roberson Cyrus, a daughter, Sadie Carol,

09/03/13. Amanda Casper Siedlecky, two sons, Christopher Lane, 10/22/11 and Colton Paul, 10/30/13.

DEATHS 1928 Eloise Greenwood Litaker, 10/19/13.

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1934 Betsy Senter Wooden, 11/22/13.

1939 Miriam Doub Gregory, 10/13/13. Lucile Aycock McKee, 11/24/13.

1942 Anne Barrow Maness, 11/03/13. Betsy Johnson Wicker, 09/26/13.

1944 Elsie Stewart, 09/18/13. Mildred Jennette Thorne,

02/28/13.

1947 Sallye Carraway Claussen, 08/07/13.

1948

ALUMNAE

REUNION

WEEKEND Save the Date!

May 16-18, 2014

Virginia Campbell Stanford, 11/16/13. Zella Dew Woody, 06/23/13.

1951 Beverly Batchelor Cooper, 11/30/13.

1954 Sylvia Deans Peabody, 11/25/13.

1957 Eleanor Clark Adcock, 10/09/13.

1958 Chizuko Yoshimura Kojima, 05/22/13.

1961 Ann Hutchins Young, 09/23/13.

Save the date to relive your Meredith days! All alumnae are invited to attend Alumnae Reunion Weekend, but classes ending in a four or nine will be celebrating a special class reunion. The weekend’s fun festivities will include a Friday evening party in the Courtyard hosted by President Jo Allen, ’80, and featuring the Band of Oz, the Annual Meeting of the Alumnae Association and Alumnae Awards presentation, class luncheon, campus tours, class events, and an Alumnae Worship Service.

1979

Information about Alumnae Reunion Weekend as well as registra-

Mandy Mitchell Dozier, 10/03/13.

tion is available online by visiting meredith.edu/alumnae. Or, contact

1981

the Office of Alumnae Relations at (919) 760-8548 or alumnae@

Janet Beryl Lynch Sullivan, 05/19/13.

meredith.edu for additional information.

2001 Katherine Lynn Reedy, 10/31/13.

SYMPATHY 1946 Marjorie Blum Gentry in the death of her brother.

1947

Please consider nominating a fellow classmate or alumna for one the Alumnae Awards. The categories for consideration are: Distinguished Alumna, Career Achievement, and Recent Graduate. The Alumnae Awards will be presented during the Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 17. Nominations for Alumnae Awards are due by March 17, 2014.

We look forward to seeing you back on campus in May!

Dorothy Cooper Oliver in the death of her husband.

1949 Betty Brooks Fuller in the death of her son. Dorothy White Rascoe in the death of her husband.

1950 Winnie Fitzgerald Smith in the death of her husband.

meredith.edu/alumnae

1953 Joyce Brown McIntyre in the death of her husband.

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CONNECTION

[ALUMNAE GOING STRONG]

1954 Anne Clark Dahle in the death of her sister.

1955

PAMELA VANIAS, ’10

Joan Allen Rainey in the death of her husband.

Catalyst for Change

Lynne Oliver Martin in the death of her father.

Linda McKinnish Bridges in the death of her father.

Pamela Vanias’ Meredith education has taken her to Asia and Africa, and she

is just getting started.

A 2010 graduate with a degree in family and consumer sciences, Vanias is an

Karen Oliver Johnson in the death of her father.

1976 Cathy Rollins Davis in the death of her mother.

experienced educator who spent three years teaching first grade in Shanghai. While

1977

she loved the school and the children, Vanias realized her heart was set on having

Jo Ann Marks Trethaway in the death of her father.

an impact on more than one

1978

classroom.

“My passion lies in edu-

cational development, and assuring educational equality

Elizabeth Black Johnson in the death of her mother.

Vanias at the Great Wall of China.

1979 Diane Bauer Hadley in the death of her brother.

and accessibility to all children

1980

worldwide,” Vanias explained.

Texie Camp Marks in the death of her father.

1983

To bolster her teaching expe-

rience, she decided to spend an

Elizabeth Maness Kelley in the death of her mother.

academic year volunteering. She

1984

selected an education organization in South Africa, a non-profit in Kenya that supports women with AIDS, and a school in Uganda.

Vanias works toward change

when she sees challenges. While teaching in China she recognized that school

Elaine Jolly Davis in the death of her mother. Ann Thomasson Parker in the death of her father.

Margaret Overton Vaughan in the death of her mother.

1985 Kim McCall Whitley in the death of her husband.

mealtimes were generating a lot of wasted food, so she took action.

1988

Terri Marks in the death of her uncle.

“After seeing snacks being trashed day after day, I [decided] to do something

about the waste,” she said. “I passed out the snacks to the street cleaners, the disabled, and the homeless persons around the city.” By the end of the year, she was passing out hundreds of snacks each week. Her example led her coworkers and students to become more mindful of food waste.

Vanias took on another challenge at a primary school in South Africa, where

she identified the need for an improved reading curriculum, and worked with volunteer teachers to develop one.

“I went into teacher overdrive and began taking notes, pulling common core stan-

1989 Susan Holec in the death of her father. Jennifer Horton McIntyre in the death of her mother.

1990 Tammy LaVerne Holder in the death of her mother.

Mary Beth Smith in the death of her father and sister.

1992

dards, and writing a new program that focuses on fluency and uses practical materials

Amy Thompson Barfield in the death of her mother.

to write relevant lessons,” said Vanias, whose efforts resulted in a promotion.

Mischa McKeown Mangum in the death of her father.

1993

Vanias plans to attend graduate school in Washington, D.C., for a master’s

degree in international educational development. “I will focus on accessibility and

Cynthia Hawke Capps in the death of her father.

equality as it relates to primary school education in the developing world.”

Dawn Simpson in the death of her father.

Vanias credits Meredith with setting her on this path.

“While the faculty was opening my eyes to international experience, the

2006

coursework broadened my horizons and encouraged me to become a more aware global citizen, global ambassador, leader, and catalyst for change.”

40

1975 Mary Lee Womble Bailey in the death of her mother.

By Melyssa Allen

1974

me re d i th.e d u

Natalie Chesson Pope in the death of her mother.

2012 Hadley Willis Fulcher in the death of her father.

ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH FOR

MAYHEM? The Class of 2012 won Meredith Mayhem in 2013. Will your class win this year?

Strong women love to compete.

Know what they love even more? WINNING. As a Meredith graduate, you understand the power of competition.

Meredith Mayhem is a friendly challenge between classes honoring the competitive spirit that is a time-honored tradition among Meredith Angels.

This year’s Mayhem kicked off on Founders’ Day and will run through June 30, the end of the fiscal year. Your class has a unique participation goal based on your past giving record. That means every class has a great chance to win – if you work together!

Check out your class standing at meredith.edu/mayhem Good luck – and may the best class win!

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SHARE

YOUR

STRONG. There’s no doubt about it – Meredith College is Going Strong. And as a member of the Meredith community, your strength is our strength!

That’s why we’re asking our alumnae to share your strong stories.

What’s a strong story? Your strong story can take any number of forms. You can submit a photo, make a video, or write it down. You can also join the strong conversation on Twitter using #mcgoingstrong.

Be creative! Show your strengths, your Meredith affiliation, and how you’re Going Strong.

Find more details, including examples and tips for strong submissions, at meredith.edu/goingstrong.