First Series of Scholar Sips Events Feature Meredith Experts

In spring 2021, the Department of History, Political Science, and International Studies, the School of Arts and Humanities, and the Office of Alumnae Relations wrapped up the inaugural year of Scholar Sips.

Inspired by the Corporate and Community Engagement initiative and born out of conversations in the History program, Scholar Sips represents our commitment to sharing scholarship and engaging with community experts. We were especially interested in teaming up with Raleigh Brewing Company (RBC), not only because they are across the street from campus, but also because RBC has the distinction of being the first woman-owned brewery in NC. As a women’s college, we recognize the potential in joining forces with Kristie Nystedt, the owner of Raleigh Brewing, who represents women in business and also a small, but growing, number of women in the craft beer industry.

This partnership has inspired exciting conversations and opportunities for learning. These were hybrid events, with an in-person opportunity at RBC and a livestreamed option for a broader audience of alumnae, friends, and campus community. We teamed Meredith experts with community experts like Nystedt to bring the following quality programming to alumnae and the public:

• Prohibition and its Repeal, featuring Professor of History Dan Fountain and Associate Professor of History Angela Robbins 
• Home brewing, featuring Associate Professor of Spanish Kevin Hunt and special guest Todd Earnhardt from Atlantic Brew Supply, RBC’s home brewing supply store
• Women in the craft beer industry featuring Kristie Nystedt, who is committed to promoting and recognizing the work of women in the industry and amplifying their voices, with special guests Lynn Auclair, ’09 MBA, of Deep River Brewing Company and Celeste Beatty of Harlem Brewing Company, who shared their experiences and, of course, their beer! Alumna Brittany Cooper,’06,  whose family is in the craft beer industry, facilitated the discussion.
• Black History Month program, featuring Cheryl Williams from the Friends of Oberlin Village
• Vaccine Hesitancy: Echoes of Distrust, a brief history of vaccines and a Q&A on COVID, featuring colleagues Assistant Professor of History Amy O’Keefe and Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Carolina Perez-Heydrich
• Italian Cuisine and Beer Pairings, featuring Instructor of Italian Sandra Pesoli, with special guests Neal McTighe, formerly with Nellino’s Sauce, and Scott Craddock, head brewer at RBC

We had a small contingent of guests on site at RBC, observing COVID safety precautions, for each Scholar Sips program last year. This year, we will continue to connect via Zoom but are also excited about the opportunity to see more faculty, staff, alumnae, and the general public in person.

Scholar Sips will pick up again in September. Along with our partners at RBC, we will continue to offer programming relevant to the craft beer industry and women in business. Upcoming programs will also take inspiration from Meredith’s anti-racism initiative to address various relevant and timely topics such as systemic racism, critical race theory, and the contested history of Confederate monuments. If you have ideas for a program and/or would like to give a talk, please contact Dan Fountain fountain@meredith.edu or Angela Robbins aprobbins@meredith.edu.