Since its debut in mid-November 2001, the new Meredith web site has attracted the attention of thousands of off-campus users.

In the one month period from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31, 2001:

• the Meredith web site had more than 150,000 hits from off-campus;
• the 2000-2001 undergraduate catalogue was downloaded 4,621 times; and
• visitors accessed the site from several countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Taiwan, Australia, Spain and Germany.

To continue attracting new and repeat visitors, new sections and features, such as "Meredith Responds" and a new "Employment Opportunities" page, have been added since the site’s debut.

Recent additions of special interest to faculty and staff include "Headlines," a section that contains the week’s top campus news stories, and a link to an on-line version of "In a Nutshell" from the e-news page. A site search function, powered by the popular "Google" search engine, will also be added to the web site in the coming weeks.

The Office of Marketing and Communications plays a key role in developing and maintaining the main levels of the web site as part of its responsibility to promote the College.

Web Designer David Timberlake, who joined the marketing and communications office in September, will continue to improve the web site design and user navigation tools during the spring semester, said Jeannie Morelock, director of marketing and communications.

Web Editor Andrea Weaver, also a member of the marketing and communications office, was hired in November. She will focus on content enhancement with sections for prospective students taking top priority, Morelock said.

The Office of Technology Services has worked closely with Marketing and Communications to support the technical and programming aspects of the new web site design.

Webmaster Lori Hare and Web Programmer Diane Davis serve on the Web Development Team with Morelock, Timberlake and Weaver. In addition to her other duties, Hare will continue to manage campus e-news postings.

For more information about planned revisions to Meredith’s web site, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications, ext. 8455, with questions.

NEW BUILDING TO HOUSE STATE SCIENCE ASSOCIATION OFFICE

he North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS) will locate its office in Meredith’s Science and Mathematics building beginning next year.

The NCAS office was previously located at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina.

The 100-year-old statewide association is dedicated to the advancement of all areas of science. There are three organizations within NCAS: the Senior Academy for graduate students and senior scientists, the Collegiate Academy for undergraduate students (CANCAS), and the Student Academy for middle and high school students (NCSAS).

The academy has one paid staff member, Executive Secretary Dr. Susan Stephenson, and a membership of representatives from academic institutions, corporations, and organizations throughout the state. NCAS also publishes a quarterly scientific journal.

According to Biology and Health Sciences Department Head John Mecham, the academy’s relocation to Meredith "has broad implications for Meredith as a leader in science and in the state."

"Virtually all colleges in the state are sponsoring members of the academy," he said. "It is beneficial for Meredith to have them on our campus."

Mecham also said that the College hopes to make arrangements to house similar non-profit groups.
Mecham serves as executive director of CANCAS, the academy’s division for undergraduate students, and Biology Professor Janice Swab is chairperson of the academy’s education committee.

MEREDITH STAFF MEMBERS NAMED TO OPERATION TOY BOX BOARD

hree Meredith staff members have been named to the board of directors for Operation Toy Box (OTB), a local non-profit that was founded in 1995 by Meredith alumna Christy Sanderson, ’01.

Marisa Campbell, director of Meredith’s Paralegal program, Kelly Conkling, ’98, assistant director of student activities, and Melyssa Allen, projects writer in Meredith’s marketing and communications office, began their three-year terms on the Operation Toy Box board in January.

The mission of Operation Toy Box is to provide new and gently used toys to young people affected by disaster.

"Operation Toy Box has been blessed with having many special Meredith College connections," said Carol Sanderson, board chair and OTB vice president. Sanderson is Meredith’s associate director of financial assistance.

Of OTB’s 14 board members and two staff members, 10 have Meredith connections. Meredith students Erin Aldredge, ’02, and Meghan Griffith, ’04, are board members, and Erin Engler, ’05, serves as board secretary. Meredith’s Food Service Director Thad O’Briant and alumna Tammy Bridges, ’01 (MBA) are also board members.

According to Carol Sanderson, Meredith College’s support of Operation Toy Box extends far beyond these board members.

"Faculty, staff and students throughout the existence of OTB have delivered toys to my office, have helped in preparing disaster shipments, and organizing fund raising efforts."

Recent Meredith College efforts include the Office of Campus Ministry contributing the majority of gasoline costs for OTB’s trip to Battery Park City at Ground Zero in New York, where more than 5300 toys were distributed to children affected by the World Trade Center disaster.
"The Student Development Division chose OTB as their charity this year and members brought in nearly 200 toys, books, games and puzzles - each of which will translate into 200 smiles on the faces of disasters' youngest victims," Sanderson said.

Janet Freeman, retired Meredith dean of library information services, supports OTB by "transporting dolls to and from Brookridge, an assisted living center in Winston-Salem, where residents there bathe, dress and groom them, preparing them for shipment to disaster sites across the country," Sanderson said.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Operation Toy Box, I want to express sincere appreciation for the support that has been shown by the Meredith community during 2001," Sanderson said. "Operation Toy Box has brought smiles to the faces of tens of thousands of children over the years - and with continued support, locally and nationally, we will continue to do so well into the future."

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Nutshell Archives:
October-November 2001