Faculty/Staff Accomplishments and Departmental News 1/22/20

In this issue, we celebrate accomplishments of faculty and staff from English, hospitality management, institutional advancement, political science, and religious and ethical studies. We also share news from Institutional Advancement and Meredith College Theatre.

Instructor of Hospitality Management Michael Altman wrote an article, “Ask the Experts: Exploring the Best Travel Credit Cards,” for WalletHub, a personal finance website.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Lennie Barton spoke on a panel on January 9 at the N.C. Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) Conference at High Point University. The panel was titled “The Lifecycle of Professional Growth in Development: Focus on Major Gifts, Annual Giving, and Alumni Relations.” He also facilitated a discussion with vice presidents and senior institutional advancement staff members titled “Thorny Issues and Best Practices.” Astra Ball, director of advancement services, and Whitley Glosson, assistant director of constituent records and gift processor, also presented. Their presentation was titled, “Customizing Your System to Increase Productivity and Using Your System to Increase Your Stewardship.”

Professor of English Laura Fine’s essay, “Sexual Violence and Cultural Crime in the Country Noir Fiction of Bonnie Jo Campbell,” published in Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, has been nominated for the 2020 David D. Anderson Award for Outstanding Essay in Midwestern Literary Studies. It recognizes a scholarly article that makes a substantial contribution to exploring ideas, authors, and places related to Midwestern literature. The awardee will win a $1,000 prize and give a plenary talk at the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature (SSML) symposium, which will take place at the Newberry Library in Chicago on May 14-16, 2020.

Shannon Grimes, Professor of Religious and Ethical Studies, presented her paper “Zosimos + Theosebeia: An Erotics of Alchemical Pedagogy” at the national meeting of the American Academy of Religion in San Diego, November 23-26, 2019.

Professor of Political Science David McLennan published an op-ed in The Hill about the Republicans’ worst nightmare if Donald Trump is reelected in 2020. In addition, McLennan and two colleagues from Duke University, AnnMarie Walton and Connie Mullinix, were notified that their paper “Encouragement: The Key to Increasing the Number of Nurses on Boards” was accepted for publication by Nursing Forum. McLennan also spoke on political polling to Carolina Arbors in Durham and on his political forecast for 2020 for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s Launch 2020 event.

Professor of English Kelly Morris Roberts had an article, “Reading, Writing, Thinking in the ELA Classroom: Framing and Practicing Critical Thinking,” published in the fall issue of the North Carolina English Teachers Journal. 

Assistant Director of Alumnae Relations Lily Rosene completed her Master of Arts in University Leadership through Lenoir-Rhyne University in December 2019.

Departmental News

Meredith Featured in Fundraising Book
Beyond Strong │The Campaign for Meredith was highlighted recently in Start with the Heart The Secret Power of Emotions to Catalyze Fundraising Results for Individuals, Teams, and Organizations by author Bill Crouch, founder and CEO of Brightdot. The success of the Beyond Strong Campaign was highlighted in the book by Crouch because of its success and how the College obtained the goal of $90 million, $15 million over the goal. The chapters included how President Allen and IA worked together during the campaign including strategy sessions, goal sharing, consistent communication, and the use of emotional intelligence. President Allen, Lennie Barton, vice president for Institutional Advancement, and Cindy Godwin, associate vice president for Institutional Advancement were all quoted in the book.

Meredith College Earns NC Theatre Conference Award
Meredith College has been recognized by the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) with the NCTC Award for college/university. Each year, the NCTC Board of Directors presents the NCTC Awards to companies, schools, and individuals who are active NCTC members and have exhibited leadership roles in their community, as well as artistic, professional, or educational excellence. Other award categories include K-12 theatre arts educator, professional theatre, community theatre, distinguished career, theatre for youth, and distinguished service. The mission of NCTC is to strengthen North Carolina’s vibrant theatre industry and engage tomorrow’s artists, audiences, and advocates.