Meredith College Devotes Day to "Celebrating Student Achievement"
By Melyssa Allen
Let the Mudslinging Begin: A Critical Analysis of the 2004 Presidential Election.
Obesity Among America's Poor Women: Solutions to the Problem.
Women and Religious Healing.
Familial Structure in the South: Dysfunctional Daughters.
These are just a few of the topics discussed by Meredith College students during the College's third annual Celebrating Student Achievement Day, an annual event focusing on the academic, artistic and leadership accomplishments of students.
A small sample of Celebrating Student Achievement Day programs include:
An early morning Navaho Blessing Ceremony, presented by students in Native American History and Cultures course; "Tide of Hope: Images and Personal Reflections from Tsunami Affected Sri Lanka," presented by students who visited Sri Lanka in March; and "Celebrating 100 Years of Student Government," Leadership Awards Ceremony.
Three Meredith students welcomed visitors to interact with their work, "Looking Back, Moving On: The U-Haul Project," so called because it was an art installation inside three U-Haul trucks. The three installations represented the past, the present and the future.
Rebecca Gorman, '05, made her installation representing the present an interactive piece because, "The present is an abstract idea. I wanted to represent the idea that you are able to evaluate where you are and change."
The majority of the day was dedicated to student research presentations. More than 100 presentations were held, exploring topics touching all academic disciplines. Student researchers presented their work, while fielding difficult questions from faculty members and others present.
In addition to the formal research presentations, the day also featured poster presentations and art displays, during which students were able to hold one-on-one discussions with visitors.
One example was "The Scanning Electron Microscope and the World of the Very Small: A Merger of Science and Art," a display of independent projects by students in the Scanning Electron Microscopy Course.
One student presenter, Tatiana Quintero-Varca,'08, said her microscopy project "opens you up to a huge new world in front of your eyes."
For more information on "Celebrating Student Achievement Day," visit www.meredith.edu/achievement/.
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Graduation Draws Near for Class of 2005
By Allison Ladd, '05
As graduation draws near, seniors are rushing about trying to get final projects, research papers and tests finished. All too soon May 15 will arrive, and approximately 329 students will gather with faculty, staff, family and friends in McIver Amphitheater for commencement.
This year's speaker is Renee Montagne from National Public Radio (NPR). Montagne has been co-host of Morning Edition since 2004. Montagne had previously served as a correspondent and occasional host on Morning Edition since 1989. She has worked for NPR's science, national and foreign desks. For two years, she served as co-host with Robert Siegel on All Things Considered.
Graduation will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, with a picnic lunch following the ceremony in the courtyard.
For more information and to read profiles of members of the Class of 2005, visit www.meredith.edu/commencement.
Greenway Opening Celebration Held
By Melyssa Allen
On Saturday, April 16, approximately 1,000 people helped to celebrate the opening of the pedestrian bridge which spans the I-440 beltline and connects Meredith College with the North Carolina Museum of Art.
The celebration featured a parade led by members of the Paperhand Puppet Intervention, along with kids, parents and others on foot and on bicycle. The parade began at Meredith, crossed the new bridge and ended on the NC Museum of Art's campus.
A number of Meredith art students helped to bring additional flair to the celebration, from designing special decorative flags for the occasion to serving as living sculptures along the route.
Following the parade, the celebration continued with a puppet show and craft demonstrations on the museum's campus.
The Greenway project has received the Federal Highway Administration's 2005 Environmental Excellence Award in the Non-motorized Transportation category.
Click here to view photos from the Greenway opening.
Alumnae Reunion Weekend
By Allison Ladd, '05
Meredith's annual Alumnae Reunion Weekend will be held May 20-22. The weekend's theme will be Milestones and Memories.
Although it is a special reunion for the Class of 1955, as they will be inducted into the Golden Oaks Society for alumnae who have graduated 50 or more years ago, the weekend is also a reunion for any class that ends in a five or zero. All alumnae are invited to attend.
The weekend will begin on Friday with the Alumnae Awards Ceremony, where the Distinguished Alumna, Career Achievement, Young Alumnae and Philanthropy awards will be presented. Following this ceremony is a reception in the Massey House when alumnae can mingle with other classes and President Maureen Hartford.
On Saturday, the Annual Meeting of the Alumnae Association will take place. The schedule includes President Hartford presenting an outline of the current and future state of the College, Peggy Beale, '77, will officially become the new Alumnae Association president and funds raised by each class will be presented. Ann Williams, '75, will lead the worship service on Sunday and then a brunch will be held in the Science and Math Building Atrium.
For a full schedule of events, visit http://www.meredith.edu/alumnae/reunion-weekend.htm.
Because this is the class of 1955's 50th reunion, they will have two special events in their honor. Frank Grubbs, professor emeritus of history, will be giving a lecture on history and archives, which will show how much Meredith has changed since 1955. They will also have the Golden Oaks Society induction.
Hilary Allen, director of alumnae & parent relations, said, "Alumnae Reunion Weekend is a special time. It allows friends and former classmates to return to campus to reminisce, receive updates on both the College and the Alumnae Association, meet current and former faculty, and celebrate all that makes Meredith special."
Faculty and staff are invited to be guests for the weekend, particularly during breakfast on Saturday morning when they can visit with alumnae.
For more information, call the Alumnae Office at ext. 8391.
