Meredith Staff Members Experience Study Abroad in London
By Sterling Winslow, '05

As part of the College's commitment to global education, staff members Cathy Allen, Alysia Davis, LeNelle Patrick and Charletta Sims participated in a week-long study abroad trip to London this summer.

The trip, which was partially funded by Meredith College, is designed to provide a travel abroad opportunity to staff and faculty who have limited experience traveling outside the United States. This was the second year of the initiative.

The four staff members stayed a week at the Maria Assumpta convent in London with the Meredith Abroad students and faculty members. During the trip, they went on a bus trip to Canterbury with the group and did lots of sight seeing.

"I applied to go on the trip because everyone encouraged me to apply and see how wonderful being out of the U.S. was," said Alysia Davis, who has worked in Meredith's Post Office for 15 years. "I had never been anywhere and it was nice to see another culture." Davis's favorite part about the trip was seeing all of the sights and taking tours.

LeNelle Patrick, associate director of the 23+ program, wanted to increase her travel experience.

"I applied for the London trip because I have only been to the British Virgin Islands and wanted to (experience) more countries abroad." Her favorite part of the trip was watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. She also "loved the British strawberries and the diverse cultures that were in London."

Charletta Sims, director of commuter life and diversity programs, also found observing the cultural differences to be very interesting. The trip has sparked her interest in future travel – she would love to go to Italy and would love to go back to Paris.

Sims said her favorite part was, "touring and learning about Parliament, witnessing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, the day trip to Windsor and visiting Paris."

Alysia Davis encourages other staff and faculty to apply for the trip next year.

"It was an experience that I may never have again, and I enjoyed every minute of it, Davis said. "Meredith is very lucky to have Betty Webb and John Rose in the Meredith Abroad program, they are they best and (they) truly care about their students abroad."

Volunteer Services Fair Held at Meredith
By Allison Ladd, '05

Meredith College held a Volunteer Services Fair on August 25 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in Belk Dining Hall. Over 45 different volunteer organizations were present to talk with students and faculty about the different ways to help in the local community.

Some widely known groups like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army participated. Others – including the N.C. Museum of Art, Neighbor to Neighbor, and the Charlie Gaddy Center for Children – were also in attendance.

Volunteers at the N.C. Museum of Art help educate visitors about art and help with the children's programs. The museum brings in pieces of art that normally you would have to go to New York or Paris to see.

Neighbor to Neighbor is a literacy program that helps children in grades 1-12. Mentors work with people at least one hour a week. On average reading levels are increased one and a half grade levels over a year. The organization also holds adult and student classes teaching English.

The Charlie Gaddy Center is a small group run through Easter Seals UCP. They work with disabled children and adults, providing education, speech, physical and occupational therapy. They work with 30,000 families and children across the state. Their representative Sabrina Scott sums up their mission as, "We help you to become all you can be".

The Meredith Volunteer Service Organization was present as well. They help students make connections in the community and help the community meet its needs. Students are encouraged to create their own service projects on and off campus. One volunteer opportunity is MeredithReads. Meredith students are trained by MotherRead and have four partner sites where they work.

Lynne Wheatley, Meredith volunteer services coordinator, said, "It is important to get involved in community. You can make a difference in the lives of other people."

Nutshell Notes

• Jane Barnes, assistant professor of business, presented a paper titled "Top Management Team Experience and Firm Performance: A Comparison of the Resource-Based View and Upper Echelon Theories" at the Academy of Management annual conference held August 7-11 in New Orleans.

• Fitness Classes Offered for Faculty/Staff – Meredith faculty and staff can take advantage of three fitness classes. Aerobics will be held from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday in the Movement Lab in Weatherspoon and Resista-balls will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 1 p.m. in Kresge. Meredith alumna Lillie Caltis, who manages Raleigh's Ladies Fitness and Wellness Center, will teach both classes. In addition, Yoga will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Claire McCullough, associate vice president for graduate and professional studies and a certified yoga instructor, will teach the Yoga class. Participants should bring their own mat, dress comfortably, and be prepared to relax for an hour.

• Chapel Choir Begins for Fall Semester – Chapel Choir is open to all students, faculty and staff who are interested in singing. There is one rehearsal per week, typically on Mondays at 10 a.m., and the Chapel Choir will sing during Chapel Services at least once per month. Advanced conducting students and Lisa Fredenburgh will conduct the choir. Contact Lisa Fredenburgh at fredenburghL@meredith.edu for more information.

• Meredith License Plates Close to Reality – Only five more applications are needed to complete the Meredith College license plate program. To get an application contact Emily Gupton, interim assistant director of the Meredith Fund, at x8392 or email guptone@meredith.edu.

• Volunteers Needed for La Fiesta del Pueblo – Students, faculty and staff volunteers are needed for the Meredith College information table at La Fiesta del Pueblo, on September 11 and 12 at the N.C. Fairgrounds. Volunteers will work two-hour shifts between 12-8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. If you are interested in helping, please contact Marlena Everett at ext. 8103 or everetma@meredith.edu. Training will be provided.

Newsletter Staff
Editor - Melyssa Allen
Contributing Writers - Melyssa Allen, Sterling Winslow, '05, and Jane Mitchell
Web Designer - David Timberlake
Photographer - David Timberlake
Production Assistant - Kaye Rains
Interns – Kristen Scott, '05, Kelly Jones, '05 and Allison Ladd, '05

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