Employee Profile: Cristan Trahey, Admissions Director
By Stefanie Gregory, ’09
There is a new addition to Meredith’s Admissions Office this year, and if you’ve met Cristan Trahey, you’ve probably sensed the pride she has in her work.
After working for a year on Capitol Hill, Trahey had spent enough time there to know that it wasn’t the place for her. It was then that she turned her attention to finding a position in college admissions.
“The majority of my professional career has been involved in college admissions,” said Trahey. She began in admissions through an internship she held as an undergraduate at Colgate University.
When asked why this field is for her, Trahey recalled that she is a first generation college graduate and said, “I was especially grateful to what [Colgate] provided me in financial aid to make my dream of attending that school possible. I wanted to find a way to give back and admissions provided that outlet.”
As far as life outside of work goes, Trahey said of hers, “It isn’t too glamorous. I really revel in the simple things.” She admits to being quite the movie buff who also enjoys cooking, writing in her spare time, and watching more Food Network than her schedule permits.
Trahey’s hometown is Augusta, Maine, and she says she’s “a very proud Mainer.” She added, “living in Boston and having a father who hails from there also means that I’m a big Boston Red Sox fan, so I hope folks won’t hold that against me too much.”
After moving to Raleigh for family reasons, Trahey said what drew her to Meredith was “its similarities to [her] own undergraduate experience.” She didn’t attend a women’s college, but she did attend a small liberal arts college where the faculty and staff were immensely caring and supportive.
While she’s always enjoyed representing the schools for which she’s worked, they’ve always been bigger schools, so she describes her position at Meredith as a sort of homecoming. Interactions with students at her previous positions with larger institutions were more limited, but here at Meredith, Trahey said she’s already gotten to know several students.
“The very best part of my job, and what gets me up every day, is knowing that I help to enable high school students to open their minds to greater possibilities,” Trahey said. “I enjoy making college something that’s a reality and something that’s accessible for students and their parents.”
Trahey enjoys being “a voice of calm and guidance for prospective students” through what can be a confusing and stressful process of choosing and getting into colleges of their choice.
< page 2 page 4 >
Changes in Belk Dining Hall for Fall 2008
By Stefanie Gregory, ’09
Many changes have been implemented in Belk Dining Hall this fall. With the alterations in menu offerings, serving hours, and some updated equipment, Belk has a new atmosphere for the 2008-09 academic year.
There are new menu selections available at areas known as the grill, comfort station and exhibition. These new options include more made-to-order and prepared “out front” selections.
There has also been an increase in fresh fruits and vegetables at all meals. If you happen to be a vegetarian, you’ll be happy to see that the vegetarian selections have increased as well.
For all those who head straight to the middle of the cafeteria for the fresh greens of a crunchy salad, you now have the option of getting a sandwich or wrap made at the new sandwich/salad/wrap station. The meals-to-go during lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Thursday will also be continued for those of you who just don’t have time to stay and eat in Belk. These are also available for faculty and staff.
Belk Dining Halls hours have also been amended this year. Most will remember that in previous years, Belk closed at 1:30 p.m. Late lunch is now being served throughout the week from 1:30-2:30 p.m. with soup, salad, and deli options.
“This option is extremely popular with students who were missing lunch in previous years because of class conflicts,” Dining Services Director Thad O’Briant said.
Other changes in the dining halls hours include an early opening at dinner. Monday through Thursday Belk now opens its doors at 4:45 p.m.
O’Briant says “this has reduced the initial line rush at 5 p.m. which we were experiencing last year.”
A new ice cream machine, to replace the 22-year-old one in the dining hall now, should be arriving shortly. Desserts are being served at every station now, however, so you may want to look around before making a final decision.
Another change in Belk this semester is the move to trayless dining. This is a water conservation effort. According to O’Briant, Meredith is saving .15 gallons of water for every tray that does not have to be washed. Styrofoam and plasticware in the cafeteria have also been replaced with utensils made from cornstarch and compostable plates and cups.
For all other dining hall information, refer to www.meredith.edu/student-life/dining.htm.
Carlyle Campbell Library Receives Gift from Dean Emerita
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College has received a deferred gift of nearly $1.1 million from the late Janet Freeman, dean emerita of library information services.
The gift created the Janet L. Freeman Library Special Projects Endowment Fund. The spendable income from the fund will be used to support Carlyle Campbell Library. Freeman served as Meredith’s dean of library information services from 1984 until her retirement in 2001.
Endowment decisions will be made by Meredith’s dean of library information services, in consultation with the vice president of academic programs and appropriate library staff.
“With Janet’s gift, Carlyle Campbell Library will be able to extend library resources and services in ways that we cannot within the current budget,” said Laura Davidson, dean of library information services. “The endowment income is sufficient to explore a variety of possibilities, such as reorganizing the collection to make it more accessible, refurbishing neglected spaces to make them more comfortable and inviting, and purchasing special resources to enhance collection depth in selected areas.”
Freeman was an admired library leader at Meredith College and beyond. She received the Laura Harrill Presidential Award from Meredith for outstanding contributions to the College and its programs. She was active in the North Carolina Library Association, serving as president from 1991-1993, and was a gubernatorial appointee to the North Carolina Public Librarian Certification Commission. Other honors include membership in Beta Phi Mu (the national library science honorary society) and North Carolina's Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor given by the state.
“Many people on campus who knew Janet share fond memories of her dedication, talents and humor,” said Davidson. “The library faculty and staff look forward to honoring our time with her by developing careful, thoughtful plans for this generous gift.”
Visit www.meredith.edu/library for more information on library information services. For information on deferred giving, contact Harold West, senior director of gift planning, at westh@meredith.edu or (919) 760-8372.
