Meredith Hosts Sonya Kovalevsky Day to Keep Girls on the "Math Path"
By Kristen Scott, '05

On February 20 and 27, Meredith College hosted the 11th annual Sonya Kovalevsky Day. Both days were filled with educational events for middle school female students participating in the Women & Mathematics Network's (WAM) Math Mentoring Program and their mentors.

Women & Mathematics Network's (WAM) Math Mentoring Program is a program administered by both Meredith College and North Carolina Central University that serves eighth grade girls from public middle schools in Wake and Durham counties. Its goal is to encourage girls who have an interest in mathematics to stay "on the math path." A woman who uses mathematics in some way in her career mentors students from January to May. Sonya Kovalevsky Day, or "Sonya K" Day is one event that is held for this program.

Sonya Kovalevsky was a world-renowned woman mathematician of the 19th century. As the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics and to hold a university position, Kovalevsky is considered a wonderful role model for young, female students interested in mathematics.

Meredith students are involved with this event by serving on a committee that organizes speakers and different activities for the participants as well as designing T-shirts for the day. One of the five members of the 2004 committee is Alison Trask. Trask is a junior at Meredith majoring in Mathematics with a 6th-9th grade licensure and concentrating in reading and English as a Second Language. This is her first year on the committee.

"I have really enjoyed working with this program. I think that this is a great opportunity for middle school girls to get better acquainted with math. It is so exciting to see other girls, especially middle school girls, get excited about math. I feel honored to be a part of this program with everything that it does for these students," Trask says.

Participants this year attended two interactive workshops conducted by individuals who use math/science in their jobs every day, heard from a panel of mentors to learn more about career possibilities, had lunch with mentors and fellow students and participated in a mathematics competition.

Kristen Watkins, an instructor of mathematics and computer applications specialist at Meredith, helps to organize this event.

"This is an amazing program that allows Meredith to showcase itself as a place where young women can pursue their math and science interests. The participants of Sonya K Day get to have fun while they learn about the possibilities for a future built on math and science. Hopefully, this program encourages them to stick with their math and science curriculums," says Watkins.

For more information on the Math Mentoring Program, please contact Virginia Knight, Dean of the School of Natural and Mathematic Sciences, at (919) 760-8481.

Founders' Day was a Medieval Treat
By Erin Hege, '04

On Monday, Feb. 16, students, staff and faculty gathered in Jones Auditorium to attend the final convocation of the year. The European group Rondellus entertained the audience with medieval music, and Meredith Dance Theatre performed two modern routines inspired by Rondellus.


Rondellus is a four-person singing and instrumental group from Estonia. They have been performing for over 10 years and recently released their fourth recording, Sabbatum, which won the 2003 Estonian Music Award for the Best Classical CD.

Dr. Rosalind Reichard stated in her opening address to the convocation, "Meredith College cherishes traditions and celebrations. In fact, celebration is a tradition at Meredith." To honor the final convocation the faculty walked in wearing their academic regalia, and graduating seniors followed in the processional wearing their own caps and gowns.

Graduating seniors gathered before the convocation to reflect on the purpose of Founders' Day and to look forward to wearing their robes again on May 9.

Reichard quoted former President Richard Tillman Vann by saying, "If you ask about the beginning of Meredith, no one can answer you. It is the incarnation of an idea. Events may be dated and chronicled, but who can trace the genesis of an idea?"

The convocation was held in honor of Founders' Day, which was celebrated on February 27. That day signifies the 113th anniversary of the granting of Meredith's institutional charter by the North Carolina Legislature in 1891. Students, faculty, staff, administration and trustees all joined together for birthday cake in Belk Dining Hall.

In the Classroom: Family Business Issues
By Erin Hege, '04

The School of Business has given a new meaning to family enterprises this semester with the new course "Family Business Issues."

This is the first course in the new program at Meredith, "Family Business and Entrepreneurship." This introductory class to family business covers topics such as business formation, growth, expansion, succession, family dynamics, conflicts and business relationships.

Dr. Tony Bledsoe, associate professor of business and economics, developed the program through his work and research in conjunction with students in the Undergraduate Research program.

"Women are starting to become the owners and managers of their own or family owned businesses. Many of them are Meredith graduates and this program will better prepare them for their future jobs," Bledsoe said.

The program is housed in the School of Business but is open to all Meredith students. The program consists of different aspects of business, sociology, psychology and English studies.

Bledsoe said, "nearly one third of our students come from families that own a business. The class "Family Business Issues" gives students the opportunity to learn the functions of a business academically as well as from a practical point of view."

This program is a combination of all aspects of business and geared towards women who will run their own businesses. The curriculum of "Family Business Issues" requires students to form a partnership with a Meredith alumna who either owns or works in a family business. Students will have the opportunity to visit family businesses on site and have presenters brought into the classroom.

Blair Briggs, '04, who is in the "Family Business Issues" course, said, "The partnerships we are forming with business owners enables us to work one-on-one with a family business owner. We are able to network more efficiently and explore how our textbook is applicable in their business."

Briggs, a business administration major, added, "This course is enabling me to learn all essential aspects of owning my own business one day."

In the Classroom is a new occasional series about new or unusual courses at Meredith. To suggest a course for In the Classroom, email In A Nutshell co-editor Melyssa Allen at allenme@meredith.edu.

Local Novelist and Artist to Speak at Friends of the Library Dinner
By Erin Hege, '04

Novelist Margaret Maron and her husband, artist Joe Maron, will speak at Meredith College's Friends of the Carlyle Campbell Library Annual Dinner Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23.

Margaret Maron is an accomplished author of mystery novels, many set in the countryside near Raleigh. Her detectives, Sigrid Harald and Deborah Knott, are fascinating women who inspire readers to learn more about them with each new book. Her most recent book, Last Lessons of Summer, features Deborah Knott. Bootlegger's Daughter, the novel in which Deborah Knott debuts, won all the major mystery writing awards when it was published in 1993.

Joe Maron, faculty emeriti at Meredith, is an artist who has shown his work in public and private viewings and collections. He taught in Meredith's art department from 1972-1987.

Reservations for the Friends of the Library Annual Dinner Meeting can be made at ext. 8531. Visit the Friends web site for more information. Tickets cost $15 for Friends members and $18 for general public.

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