Meredith College Finalizes May Commencement Speaker
By Kelly Jones, '05
On Sunday, May 15, Meredith's McIver Amphitheater will be filled with excitement from the class of 2005. As the college holds spring commencement, National Public Radio correspondent and co-host Renee Montagne will deliver the commencement address. (Click here for more information on Renee Montagne.)
Last January, senior class president Christi McKee, '05, sent an email to the class of 2005 requesting suggestions for the graduation speaker.
McKee said she received many suggestions, including political figures and celebrities. It was Sarah Margaret Tulloss, '05, who suggested Montagne.
Montagne has co-hosted NPR's Morning Edition since 2004, after serving as correspondent since 1989. Montagne has covered a wide-range of topics throughout her career from National Guardsmen in Iraq to Toni Morrison's novels.
"It is evident that Renee Montagne embraced each previous position as an opportunity to learn and grow since new doors have repeatedly opened for her. This path exemplifies a foundation that is vital for us to form as we begin the next stage of our lives," said McKee.
Montagne was invited to speak early in 2004. Earlier than normal, McKee contacted President Hartford's office and spoke with Jeannie Morelock, assistant to the president for communications, about the possibility of asking Montagne to speak at graduation.
"They were shocked that we already had a suggestion, but excited about the opportunity," said McKee. The 2005 May Commencement speaker was secured last spring.
"Renee Montagne will not only enlighten us in sharing the wisdom gained in her numerous experiences, but she will more importantly serve as an inspiration. She will challenge Meredith graduates to live to our full potential as we prepare for our future careers, education and families," said McKee.
For more information, visit www.meredith.edu/commencement.
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Meredith to Celebrate 100 Years of Student Governance
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith's Student Government Association (SGA) is celebrating a major milestone this year and the entire Meredith community is invited to help mark the occasion.
The SGA is celebrating its centennial in 2005, with an event on Saturday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in Weatherspoon Gym. The event will bring together former SGA presidents and executive board members. All students, faculty, staff and alumnae are invited to attend.
SGA President Mary Hemphill, '05, calls the event a "time of reflection and rededication" for Meredith, during which former SGA members will also answer such questions as "What is leadership?" and "What has the SGA meant to Meredith?".
Meredith College's Student Government Association was established in 1905, making it one of the first student governments in the southeast.
Three former SGA presidents, Patsy Bland Rose, '54, Yvette Brown, '90, and Kelly Conkling Scott, '98, will deliver the event's keynote speeches, representing the past, present and future of Meredith. Jean Jackson, '75, vice president for student development, who is herself a former SGA president, will also speak.
The evening will also feature a slide show of photos of former SGA presidents and music from many of the eras covered by the 100 years of student governance at Meredith.
All Meredith faculty and staff are invited to attend the SGA event. RSVPs should be made to the SGA Executive Board. Look for more information as the event approaches.
"Our World, Our Responsibility" Theme Announced for 2005-06 Events
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith will focus on the theme of "Our World, Our Responsibility," in 2005-06. Through a yearlong "Our World, Our Responsibility: Contributing to Positive Change" series, Meredith will sponsor speakers and events that will offer the campus community a global perspective on issues such as equality, human rights and the environment.
The series is designed to expose the community to individuals who have been recognized for their work to improve the status of others, to provoke campus-wide discussion about issues of global importance, and to encourage people to develop their own ways to address these issues in their communities.
"This theme fits in very well with the work of our Tsunami Relief Committee and with our new general education focus," said President Maureen Hartford.
The events scheduled as part of a new Presidential Speakers' Series will fit the year's theme. Events that will be a part of this new series include the Summer Reading Program author lecture, a fall semester public lecture and a Founders' Day speaker.
"Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor, Jimmy Carter, former President and Nobel Laureate; names like these drove the conversation at the newly formed Major Events Committee (which began the process to establish the themes)," said Becky Bailey, dean of the School of the Arts. "Maureen Hartford has made it a personal priority to assure that the Meredith community has access to people of this stature every year. Our students will be so privileged to have this speakers' series in addition to the convocations presently scheduled."
The proposed theme for 2006-07 is "Our Futures, Our Responsibility." Using the theme "Our Futures, Our Responsibility: The Status of Women In the World," the College plans to sponsor a yearlong series of speakers and events that will examine the status of women from political, economic and social perspectives and provoke dialogue about our roles – as individuals and as a community – in advancing the position of women in these arenas.
"We are also working on developing a pool of funding that will be available for Meredith departments or groups to bring a speaker or event to campus that complements that year's theme," Hartford said.
Hartford encourages the campus community to email her at hartfordm@meredith.edu in order to give feedback on the proposed theme for 2006-07 and to make suggestions of potential speakers who fit into the theme for 2005-06.
