How did Sandra Critzer Close, '86, celebrate her 75th birthday? Her special day became even more memorable when several of her friends in the Meredith community joined Close for The Sandra Critzer Close Scholarship endowment signing on June 16. Close, an alumna of the Meredith "23+ Program" and former director of this conditional admissions opportunity for adult students, pledged to establish her fund along with Ginger Alexander Neustadt, '05, Anne Dahle, '54, and Jamie Bunn O'Briant, '93.

 

Neustadt and O'Briant are former students of the 23+ Program who had Close as their advisor. It was their wish to establish the scholarship in her name. Dahle, a former member of Meredith's Board of Trustees and a former director of the 23+ Program, also pledged to fund the endowment for Close, her dear friend and fellow alumna. The new fund will provide scholarship support for undergraduate 23+ students who possess excellence of character, leadership experience, and an orientation towards community and service.

 

To help raise money for the scholarship, Neustadt and O'Briant began a letter campaign. Alumnae, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College are giving to help grow the endowment. To date, more than $18,000 has been raised. The goal of the fund is $50,000.

 

"This scholarship means the world to me," Close explains. "I want each donor to be as proud of being a part of this project as I am, and hope that the 23+ students who benefit will become exemplary alumnae of Meredith College. Meredith was a life changing experience for me when I returned as a 23+ student, and through this scholarship, I hope to help other women become Meredith graduates."

 

If you wish to support The Sandra Critzer Close Scholarship, please contact Jane Mitchell, director of The Meredith Fund at x8060 or mitchelj@meredith.edu.

 

In this Issue:

Jo Allen, ’80, Reflects on Her First Week As Meredith President
Presidential Lecture Series to Have Dual Funding for 2011-12
Interior Design Students Win Awards in Two Competitions
John Creagh Scholarship Endowment Fund Signing Held
New 23+ Undergraduate Scholarship Honoring Sandra Critzer Close, '86
Meredith Named to Presidential Service Honor Roll
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.