Meet the Student Phonathon Supervisors
By Brandon Stokes, Meredith Fund Program Coordinator
Students who work as callers in Meredith’s Phonathon play important roles in raising money for The Meredith Fund.
Click on each student’s name to learn more about Christina Mendenhall, Chloe Williams, Christie Lane, Jordan Stewart, and Katrina Kempney who are serving as The Meredith Fund Phonathon student supervisors.
The Meredith Fund would like to thank you – the faculty and staff – for your hard work and loyal support of our encouraging community. Without you, these students would not have the memorable experiences that they enjoy while at Meredith. If you would like to have a student call you, please contact Brandon Stokes, Meredith Fund Program Coordinator, at ext. 8041 or by email at stokeske@meredith.edu.
Christina Mendenhall
Class of 2012
Major: Business Administration, Economics
Minor: Finance
Hometown: King, N.C.
What has been your favorite call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
One of my favorite conversations was with an alumna who expressed her sympathy that she was unable to give at the time of my call but nevertheless spent 30 minutes on the phone with me. During this phone call she was able to paint a picture for me of what Meredith was like in the 1950s. I found this fascinating, and I think she equally enjoyed hearing about my current Meredith experience.
What has been your most challenging call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
I’m not sure if I have one call that I can say has been the most challenging, but there are two types of situations that occur periodically that are challenging. It is always hard for me to learn that the alumna has passed away. Usually it is the spouse or child of the alumna providing the news, and it is always so sad to hear. On the other hand, some calls are challenging due to a negative response from alumnae. It can be aggravating when you are not even given the chance to explain why you are calling. Being part of the Phonathon is not always the easiest job, but the successful conversations greatly outweigh the not so pleasant ones. I am truly thankful to all of those I have spoken with that have supported Meredith and/or taken the time to talk with me.
Why did you decide to apply and interview to become a student caller?
Being a student caller allows me to give back a small portion of what Meredith has given to me. I knew that by joining, I would be given the opportunity and responsibility to connect with wonderful alumnae while also assisting the College in raising necessary funds by way of The Meredith Fund.
Chloe Williams
Class of 2013
Major: Dance Studies
Minor: Double minor in Arts Management and Communication
Hometown: Asheville, N.C.
What has been your favorite call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
I love speaking to any alumnae who are as enthusiastic as I am about Meredith. It's great to know that their love of Meredith College is still well established even after graduation. I also love hearing advice from past students because I really take what they tell me to heart. It's very
encouraging to speak with alumnae who can share my interest and excitement for Meredith.
What has been your most challenging call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
It's always very challenging to speak with the family of an alumna who has passed away or with an alumna who is grieving the loss of a loved one. As a current Meredith Angel, I will always try as much as I can to care for and support my fellow Angels and their families. I personally know how hard it can be to lose a loved one. I make sure the family knows how much the Meredith community cares for their well-being and that we will always be there for them in their time of need.
Why did you decide to apply and interview to become a student caller?
I really wanted to be more involved on-campus and eventually work on becoming more outgoing. The Meredith Fund Phonathon seemed like the best program for me. Through the Phonathon, I've learned so much about the history of the College and have spoken with many knowledgeable alumnae who have given me some of the best advice I've ever received. I'm very fortunate to have found the Phonathon which not only helps provide opportunities for current and future students, but also serves as a great way to meet new people.
Christie Lane
Class of 2013
Major: Psychology
Minor: Social Work
Hometown: Knightdale, N.C.
What has been your favorite call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
I don’t have a specific favorite call because I am fortunate enough to speak on a regular basis to so many alumnae that are wonderful! There are a lot of women that I've called that are so helpful in relating stories about your potential career as well as just willing to talk to you about their experiences on campus while they were here.
What has been your most challenging call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
One of my most challenging phone calls actually happened recently, as one particular alumna that I was speaking to was so upset with me because I didn't go to church on campus. She didn't realize that students were not required to go to chapel on campus anymore. I kept trying to explain to her that I only live about twenty minutes from campus and that I go to church with my family at home, but she couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to go to church on campus. She also was dead set on the fact that the College was located in Cary, so I had to try and convince her that it was in Raleigh! She was certainly entertaining, and I always look forward to talking to every alumna – regardless of the challenge that may lie ahead.
Why did you decide to apply and interview to become a student caller?
I decided to apply and interview to become a student caller because I thought that it would be fun to speak to alumnae and get to know them better. I thought that it would be a great experience - which it has definitely turned out to be!
Jordan Stewart
Class of 2012
Major: Communication
Minor: Marketing
Hometown: King, N.C.
What has been your favorite call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
That's a tough one! It is truly difficult for me to pick out just one. I speak with so many amazing women that carry on conversations with me about anything from Meredith traditions to advice for post-graduation. I love speaking with some of the older alumnae and discussing the differences in Meredith now as compared to when they were in school here. It is a beautiful school, with beautiful history, and any opportunity I get to share experiences with an alumna is a favorite call for sure.
What has been your most challenging call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
The most challenging calls for me are always ones in which I find out an alumna has passed away recently or has become ill. It is also extremely difficult to hear of an alumna's family member passing away or becoming sick as well. Mourning the loss of a loved one is never easy, and for me, it is especially difficult to attempt to comfort someone over the phone. I tend to feel other's emotions very easily, but that's what Meredith is all about: being there for your fellow Angels, no matter what. We’re only a phone call away!
Why did you decide to apply and interview to become a student caller?
My class adviser, Amanda Oliver, suggested that I look into the Phonathon program. I was very interested in the opportunity to talk to Meredith alumnae on a weekly basis, and I love working for the college. This was my way to combine my love for people and my love for Meredith! Needless to say, this job was a perfect fit!
Katrina Kempney
Class of 2011 (graduated December 2011)
Major: English
Minor: Marketing and Professional Writing
Hometown: Clinton, N.Y.
What has been your favorite call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
I've had a lot of interesting, fun calls in the three years I've worked at Phonathon. The ones I enjoy most are those to alums from New York, since there aren't many Meredith students from my home state. Also, I enjoy speaking with those who majored in English, since I like finding out what careers they have pursued. But one of the calls I remember most was when I spoke with an alumna from the 1940s who told me that she and her friends used wire cutters on the back fence to cut a hole to sneak boys onto campus!
What has been your most challenging call since you’ve been with the Phonathon?
Calls when I've reached an alumna who is very ill or when I've reached the family of an alumna who has passed away are incredibly difficult. It's hard to know what to say, but I think genuinely offering condolences does communicate the support of the Meredith community. I also think that our practice of sending sympathy cards is an excellent touch. I've received correspondence back from alumnae and family members who are grateful to Meredith and me as a representative of the college.
Why did you decide to apply and interview to become a student caller?
I never really liked to talk on the phone and decided that the best way to become less insecure about professional phone conversations would be to work a call-based position, and I had already planned on attempting to find an on-campus job when I arrived at Meredith. There is nothing more effective at building confidence than asking someone for money over the phone. This job represented a challenge and one that also allowed me to support and to learn more about Meredith.
In this Issue:
Visioning Conference Brings Campus, Community Together
Alumna Silda Wall Spitzer to Deliver 2012 Commencement Address
Alumnae Help Prospective Students “Discover Meredith”
Meredith College to Host NCICU Ethics Bowl
Education Department to Host Beginning Teacher Conference
William Blake Scholar Presents Lecture
Meet the Student Phonathon Supervisors
Faculty/Staff Accomplishments
Upcoming Events
News Briefs
Have you presented research or attended a professional meeting recently? Has your department earned an award? Share news of these accomplishments and more with the Meredith community. Faculty and staff are invited to email items to Melyssa Allen, “Campus Connections” editor, at allenme@meredith.edu.