Stephens Alumnae Class of '80 Alumnae E-Newsletter July 2007 - Issue 66 Joy Katzen-Guthrie, Editor/Class Agent Frank Sawyer & Barbara Johnson Geller, Co-Class Presidents
In This Issue Message from Wendy B. Libby Address Changes Update from AAB Save the Dates! Reunion 2008-2013 Host a Summer Send-off! Burrall Program Memories Okoboji 50th Anniversary Bash! Career Connection Online Class of '78 Surveys Alumnae/Faculty/Staff Updates Alumnae Club News Stephens College News Closing Comments Final Thoughts		Introduction by Joy Katzen-Guthrie, '80 Class Agent As I have been talking up the coming celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the college for Reunion 2008, a number of you have asked about my mother, who has joined me at my past three class reunions in '95, '00, and '05. I want you to know that I've already told her to put Reunion '08 on her calendar. My thanks to all who have asked about her and shared how much you enjoyed meeting her. My mom should have been a Stephens Susie. She wasn't lucky enough to attend college, as the family was so deeply affected by the Great Depression that only one child was allowed to receive a higher education - the oldest son. Each month as I put this newsletter together and read of all you do to contribute, I beam with pride to know what Stephens has given to the world. I feel deeply blessed that I was able to receive the college education that my mother and that many women of her era could not, and that it was from an institution with the degree of caring, support, and genuine love that Stephens offers. I'm thrilled each reunion when you welcome my mother as if she too is a Stephens Susie, and I'm looking forward to that opportunity again next year.  - Joy
Message from Stephens President Wendy B. Libby Dear Alumnae, It was just last summer around this time that I was touring Japan with our Board of Trustees Chair, Helen Washburn. We had a fabulous time sightseeing and shopping, but the main reason for our trip was to visit our sister colleges in Japan and revitalize our student exchange agreements with them. It is gratifying to know that our efforts paid off. This summer at Stephens, we are preparing to host more Japanese visitors on campus than we have hosted in recent years. Approximately 14 students from St. Margaret's Junior College and five from Matsuyama Shinonome College will spend three and a half weeks on campus this fall. They will take classes, live in our residence halls, stay over the weekends with Columbia families, and learn more about life in the United States and at Stephens. This fall marks the first time in a number of years that Shinonome has sent its students to us, so we are particularly excited about this reinvigorated partnership. We hope for a stronger relationship in years to come with both institutions and continue to encourage our Stephens Women to broaden their horizons and go abroad as well. With the world growing smaller and more connected, we have committed to enabling our students to understand different cultures and their art and commerce.  To that end, our reinvigorated general education curriculum has a focus on global citizenship and many courses in majors spend time studying such topics as peacemaking, government and economics, international fiction, female heroes in folktales from around the world, and more. We look forward to bringing the world to our students here on campus and the opportunity to see ourselves and others through the eyes of our Japanese visitors. Enjoy your summer! Warmly, Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. President Alumnae Address Changes UNDELIVERABLE (I have been unable to reach alumnae at the following addresses. If you know of new or alternate addresses for these individuals, please let me know at joyfulnoise@earthlink.net) Andrea Jan Trinklein '80, ajtrinklein03@bellsouth.net Patricia Bornmann Newberry '52, jnewber1@tampabay.rr.com CHANGE: The following new addresses replace previous ones: Peter Beiger, Theatre Faculty, peterbeiger@gmail.com Kayla McCormick '86, kayla.mccormick@mac.com Jackie Fleisher Wood '69, jflash@seneca.com Jennifer Kelly Wilder '94, jendavewilder@yahoo.com ADD: Kathryn Becker '87, Kathryn_Becker@adp.com Marya DeCarlen '78, mdecarlen@comcast.net Sarah (Beth) E.A. Funston '79, SEAFunston@aol.com June Johnson Rodgers '78, jjrodgers@fedex.com Julia Marie Wedemeyer '87, innervisionjmw@yahoo.com Update from Alumnae Association Board I was on campus in April for a meeting of the Alumnae Association Board and the 40th reunion of the Class of 1967. It was a beautiful Missouri weekend with the trees leafed out and tulips up. During a Saturday picnic some of us even got a little Missouri sunburn, which reminded me of those pre-SPF days when we "laid out" on the lawn or at the lake or on the roof of Tower Hall to undo our winter pastiness.    Reunion is a time of many memories but also for a reconnection with Stephens, an amazing women's college of today. I wish I could beam every one of our alumnae onto campus for just a day so everyone could comprehend what a special place it is today and how fabulous the Stephens women are. I would beam you into the seniors' fashion show, which was awesome. I would beam you into the theatre and the dance studios. I would beam you into the classrooms, where dedicated professors are still opening young minds to great literature and art, to science and business and psychology.   Since I don't have the power to beam you there, I do hope more of you will get there on your own. You will realize, as I did, how much Stephens influenced who you are, and be thankful.   At the 2007 reunion, we were thankful for three of our alumnae who have given dedicated service to Stephens as members of the Alumnae Association Board. Outgoing AAB President Mary Josie Cain Blanchard, Class of 1967, received the Alumnae Achievement Award, which is the highest honor bestowed on an alumna. The award recognizes Mary Josie's achievement in her profession - she is Deputy Director, Environmental Policy and Compliance for the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Her responsibilities are vital to the creation and enforcement of environmental policies and regulations that significantly affect our quality of life including our National Parks, fish and wildlife, public lands and water resources. She has also served her community - through performing and teaching music and gardening and has demonstrated her steadfast commitment to the Ten Ideals of Stephens. For more than twenty years, Mary Josie's service on the Alumnae Association Board, other alumnae boards and Board of Curators (Trustees) of our College is huge, and her knowledge of the College and alumnae has been very valuable especially in these turning-point years under the leadership of College with President Wendy Libby.   If you have served with Mary Josie or just want to thank her for her service or congratulate her on the award, I suggest you e-mail her at blanchardmj@aol.com.   Two other AAB members also were recognized for long and committed service to Stephens. Wendy Parish Anderson, Class of 1992, and Michael Quevli, Class of 1984, received the Alumnae Service Award. This award recognizes alumnae who have promoted Stephens College locally and nationally and have served as a leader of the College. Wendy and Michael love Stephens and have provided wisdom and guidance to the AAB in helping the College achieve its mission.   If you have served with Wendy or Michael or want to thank them for their service or congratulate them on their awards, you can e-mail them at Wendymand@aol.com and Michael.Quevli@kintera.com.   If you weren't at Reunion 2007, you missed a great time. Try for next year - a very special Reunion year, the 175th anniversary of Stephens College. All alumnae are invited back to celebrate.   In Stephens Spirit, Patty Burnett, Class of 1967 Alumnae Association Board President ________________________________________________________________________________ Alumnae Achievement Award Winner: Mary Josie Blanchard '67 AAB Past President Mary Josie Cain Blanchard came to Stephens from Texas City, Texas in 1965 on a music scholarship, graduating with honors in 1967. She earned a B.A. and an M.A. in political science at the University of Texas. She currently serves our country as the Deputy Director, Environmental Policy and Compliance, Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Her responsibilities are vital to the creation and enforcement of environmental policies and regulations that significantly affect our quality of life including our National Parks, fish and wildlife, public lands and water resources. Mary Josie's record of achievement in environmental regulation is extensive, including many years of service in the Office of Surface Mining (OSM). There, she was responsible for developing regulations for active and abandoned mine land reclamation, resulting in returning millions of acres of land to their natural state. Earlier, Mary Josie worked for the Texas Railroad Commission, where she established the permitting system for reclamation of coal and uranium mines in Texas. Her professional achievements have been recognized several times by our government, most notably the two highest awards bestowed by the Department of the Interior --the Distinguished Service Award (2000) and the Meritorious Service Award (1995), as well as the Interior Women's Distinguished Leadership Award. She also has been an important leader at Stephens, serving on the Board of Trustees, the Alumnae Development Board and the Alumnae Association Board (AAB). She is the current president of the AAB and will complete her executive term on the AAB this weekend. Mary Josie's service to the College was recognized in 2000, when she received the Alumnae Service Award. She also has played an active role in the Greater Washington Area Alumnae Club, previously serving as President and Vice President. Mary Josie is a Master Gardener and volunteer gardener at the Hillwood Museum. She also continues to perform and teach the flute. Her performance venues have included the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center and the University of Maryland. Many of Mary Josie's music students have followed in her footsteps and received college scholarships and recognition including National Symphony Orchestra Fellowship and first chair Texas All State Band. A breast cancer survivor, she actively supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband of 15 years, Bruce Blanchard. Save the Dates: Reunions 2008-2013 PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING REUNIONS: Reunion 2008              April 25-28 Reunion 2009              April 17-18 Reunion 2010              April 16-17 Reunion 2011              April 15-16 Reunion 2012              April 20-21 Reunion 2013              April 18-20 Each reunion also will include special events on the Thursday prior to celebrate members of the 50th Reunion Class and the Classic Classes. Dates originally announced for Reunion 2008 were changed slightly in order to avoid conflict with Passover. Reunion 2008 is April 25-28, with a special day for the Class of 1958 and the Classic Classes on April 24. Reunion '08 will be a special 175th Anniversary Celebration for Stephens, so please mark it on your calendar now! For further information, contact Shannon Blankenship Walls '93, Associate Vice President & Campaign Director, Office of Development and Alumnae Relations, (573) 876-7109, (573) 876-7231 FAX, sbwalls@stephens.edu Special request: Host or Sponsor a Summer Send-Off Party for Incoming Students! Dear Stephens College Alumnae Club and Class Presidents: As the Renaissance continues and enrollment grows at Stephens College, our role as alumnae club and class presidents is more vital than ever before. For incoming freshman, the bond that Stephens' Susies foster with students makes the difference between home and homesickness and academic success and failure. It differentiates Stephens from other women's colleges and larger institutions and is the reason so many students choose the Stephens' experience - for our vibrant, active and connected alumnae network. Of course we all help financially with our endowed scholarships and contributions to the annual fund, but often times it is the little things - a letter, a phone call or a lunch that makes the difference. The Alumnae Association Board and Club's Committee is calling on you to sponsor a Summer Send Off Party for Stephens College incoming freshman in your area. You can make the difference by hosting incoming Stephens' students for breakfast, lunch, tea, or dinner. Or, if you don't have incoming freshman in your area, you can adopt an area where no current chapter or class president resides and send care packages or a card to these special students - who have chosen Stephens - as you did. Here is how the program works: Consult the list - We have attached a list of student names and contact information in your area or in areas where no chapter or class presidents reside Plan together - Work with fellow alumnae in your area or your chapter board to plan the event Contact the AAB - E-mail Amanda Hellman at alytz@rice.edu or Cara Knox at caraanderic@msn.com to let us know the students you will be hosting, the event you will be having and the date, time and logistics Send invitations - E-mail or mail invitations inviting the students and their parents (immediate families) Host the event - Hold the gathering at your house, the home of a fellow alumna or a local restaurant* Please let us know if you are interested in including returning students as well to your event. Freshman and their parents really enjoy meeting returning students from their area right before school starts. Returning students can provide all kinds of insight that helps ease the fears of new students. *NOTE:  Stephens College orientation starts on August 19, so we suggest holding your event at the end of July/beginning of August to ensure a maximum turnout. The Alumnae Association Board and the members of its Clubs Committee would like to thank you for your support of Stephens' student current and future. You are making a difference! Amanda Lytz Hellman '94 (alytz@rice.edu) and Cara Stratman Knox '97 Stephens College Alumnae Association Board Clubs Committee Burrall Program Memories Marge Phillippe Kelley '52, President of the Classic Classes and a representative on the Alumnae Association Board is compiling alumnae memories of the innovative Burrall Program founded by Jessie Burrall in 1921 at Stephens College. By 1941, it was the world's largest ecumenical student religious organization and integral to the Spirit of Stephens. The Burrall Program consisted of: Burrall Cabinet    Evening Prayer 22:2 Discussion   7:22 Discussion Burrall Sunday School Class  Vespers Burrall Orchestra and Choir Concert Chorus  Ten Ideals Community service projects/activities Marge is working on an expanded 2008-175th Anniversary edition which will include more alumnae memories. Please share YOUR memories so they may become a treasured legacy for future Stephens women and a reminder of our lasting relationships with Stephens College. We hope these reflections about the Burrall spiritual legacy will enable Stephens women to reflect on the positive values of the program and how it mattered in their lives. You may also share memories of Vespers in the Chapel from 1956 to more recent Reunion Vespers. Please send memories to mkelley2@mail.win.org Marge Kelley 326 Devonshire Court Saint Peters, MO 63376, Telephone:  636-397-8871 The 2006 edition is available at www.stephensbookshelf.com.  A portion of sales goes to the Alumnae Association Board Scholarship Fund. Thanks for your memories. Marge Phillippe Kelley '52, mkelley2@mail.win.org Okoboji Summer Theatre 50th Anniversary Celebration! Okoboji Summer Theatre celebrates 50 summers of love, laughter and music on July 27-28, 2007. Plan your summer vacation to include the Okoboji Summer Theatre and celebrate 50 years of successful summer stock. The theatre interior has been renovated in honor of this milestone, and the season features nine fabulous shows! Join OST Artistic Director Beth Leonard and Stephens President Wendy B. Libby on July 27-28 for the big bash! Friday's program includes entertainment by The Spirit of Harmony, a performance of the farcical Leading Ladies, a new play by Ken Ludwig [author of Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo - tickets at $14 each], followed by a Backstage with Beth post-show discussion. Saturday's program includes a performance of The Short Three and the Bird That Could Not Sing at the Boji Bantam Children's Theatre [tickets $5 each at the door], a tour of the theatre and lot with Michael Burke '86, Director of the production, a BBQ picnic hosted by Joan Bing Kirke '63, a wine-and-cheese reception with  student/staff entertainment, a second performance of Leading Ladies, and the 50th Anniversary Gala at the neighboring Pearson Lakes Art Center. Please RSVP by July 20th to Kendra Kay '06 at 712-332-7876. For hotel accommodation information and other details, visit www.stephens.edu/okoboji, or email okobojisummertheatre@gmail.com. Ruth Ann Burke '86, Director of Marketing and Development Okoboji Summer Theatre, P.O. Box 341, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, 712-332-2875 Please Participate In Career Connection Online Services Have you heard about our Career Connection Online services for current Stephens students? The online database is a wonderful opportunity to help students with their future career goals. We are adding to the database and would greatly appreciate your participation. It will just take a few minutes to check out the site on the Stephens College website. You may sign in or sign up if you currently don't have an account. Next on the Career Connection page, select the Career Connection Addition Form and fill out you information. There is also a postcard we can send you to fill out and send back for your convenience if you choose. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at KathrynMay24@sc.stephens.edu or (573) 876-7101. We thank you for your time, participation and dedication to the future careers of Stephens' women. Sincerely, Kate Dix, Career Services, KathrynMay24@sc.stephens.edu Class of 1978 Surveys ... Still Trickling In! Send Yours Today! The Class of 1978 survey is still open. I would like to receive all responses by July 8th. Surveys are still trickling in: so far, over 20 residential students who walked across the stage in 1978 together, one SCWW alum, several members of classes surrounding ours, and one faculty member have sent their profiles to me. I'm also looking for anyone among faculty, staff, and alumnae who was on campus during the years of the late 70s when we were. Brett Prentiss sent in his survey ... I'd love to receive more faculty responses. I have begun emailing and phoning classmates directly, so you may hear from me. I am also calling to encourage you to be present at our 30th reunion and the 175th reunion of the college, April 25 and 26, 2008 ... please mark it on calendars now. Class of 1978 members and Friends of the Class of 1978, please e-mail me for a copy of the survey as a word document. I will send it to you immediately.   Thanks! Janeen Bjork, Class of 1978 President and Nudge b_janeen@yahoo.com, (203) 698-4927 Alumnae, Faculty, & Staff Updates IN MEMORIAM: HOWARD ASHLEY, Former Stephens Faculty Our deepest condolences to Jane Ellen Ashley and the family and loved ones of Howard Ashley, who made his passage on Wednesday night, June 20, 2007. To those of us who knew and loved Howard, his memory will always be a blessing. Howard's funeral was on July 1st. You may contact Jane Ellen at Haa68jea54@aol.com. _______________________________________________________________________________ BETH ACKERMAN, pbandjeli@tampabay.rr.com, Tampa, FL See pictures of Baby Grace at http://www.joyfulnoise.net/stephens/stephens79.html It's a Girl!  We are sincerely sorry for keeping everyone on hold with our exciting news.  Grace Elliot Ackerman was born on June 6, 2007 at 1:02 EST at the University Community Hospital here in Tampa. Beth and Baby Grace are doing well and were actually discharged to home this morning.  The boys are very excited about having a baby sister; almost as excited as they were to get new toy cars from Grace.  Thanks so much for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. -Beth, Pete, Jack, Eli, Grace _______________________________________________________________________________ JANELL IRVING '02, janellirving@hotmail.com Janell Irving '02 is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration. Mid-September, Irving will have a book published entitled Swimming Above the Turbulence: Self Esteem Building for the Woman of God. The book looks at Irving's past experiences with low self esteem and how she was able to overcome them through her faith in God. _______________________________________________________________________________ CATHERINE ROGERS JONSSON '77, shalimarstudio@yahoo.com, Sweden The Healing Children Through Creativity: Child Art Therapy Workshops at the University of Georgia-Athens (May 30-31) and Johns Hopkins University (June 4 & 5) were wonderful! The enthusiastic participants were teachers, school counselors, therapists, social workers, RNs and a sprinkling of students. Photos of the Johns Hopkins Workshop can be seen at www.paintedchild.com. I am planning a new round of workshops to be held in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Information about the new workshops will be posted on www.paintedchild.com. If your organization would like to schedule a workshop please contact me through the website or my artist's website: www.catherinerogersjonsson.com _______________________________________________________________________________ JOY KATZEN-GUTHRIE '80, joyfulnoise@earthlink.net, Palm Harbor, FL My deepest thanks to all who visited, voted, or commented on my entry on Public Radio Talent Quest. I was not selected as a finalist ... However, I received so many beautiful comments and several requests to create a form of the program I had in mind as a podcast or other broadcast. I am preparing several new podcasts at this time. My re-designed website continues to expand at http://www.joyfulnoise.net. Music and lyrics to samples of all of my recorded original songs along with musical excerpts from all CDs, a full promotional kit, and other new sections are on the site. I should be releasing my redesigned personal email newsletter, Joy's Net Gazette, later this week; if you'd like to subscribe, please email me, as I send that newsletter to those who have subscribed directly to it. The Net Gazette contains updates of my CDs, appearances, tours, & other news. In addition to appearances throughout central Florida, I'll be giving concerts & classes in Baltimore in October & in south Florida in January. I'd love to present a program in your area. See what's on the schedule or what's possible on the calendar and program pages of my site. Additionally, I am a member of the Pinellas County (Tampa Bay Area) Arts Council and receive their monthly bulletin by email. This publication, which is a pdf download, is chock full of information on arts opportunities (career positions, artist opps, study, seminars, organizations) of every scope throughout Florida and the Southeast. It occurred to me that some of you might enjoy seeing it. You can request to be on the mailing list from the Pinellas County Arts Council site. Let me know if you need any assistance. See the July issue of ARTSINFO at:  http://www.pinellasarts.org/pdf/arts_info.pdf. _______________________________________________________________________________ CANDACE HIBBARD LILLIE '75-'76 (Dec), zelda@brightok.net, Grand Lake, OK See Candace & her family's wonderful creative home of the arts in Oklahoma, the M.A.D. House Artists, at their new website: themadhouseartists.com. You'll see from the pictures on the site that much of the area & their yard is underwater as of today (July 4th), but Candace & her family are safe and their home is safe.  Visualize them high & dry in the coming days & weeks. _______________________________________________________________________________ ANN LITTLE '80/'07, a_little@verizon.net, Washington, D.C. This is a photo of the new ice cream shop (?) in LRW. http://www.joyfulnoise.net/stephens/stephens78.html. Ann Little   '80/'07 _______________________________________________________________________________ JEANINE WOLFENDEN MEULNER '67, whimsy@aol.com 2007 Reunion was a blast! My sis (class of '67) and I roomed together and zoomed off down south afterward to do some "ancestor hunting". Fun week! Jeanine _______________________________________________________________________________ ALANNA NASH, '72, Talkshak@iglou.com, Louisville, KY (Nashville, Tennessee) - Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America, edited by Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash and published by DK Publishing was announced as the winner of the Belmont Book Award. The award given annually by Belmont honors the writer and the editor of the Best Book on Country Music. The presentation was given on Friday, May 25th at a special awards luncheon held during the International Country Music Conference held at Belmont University. The book Will the Circle Be Unbroken is a project of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Foundation, whose photos were used extensively in this comprehensive history of country music. Founder and Chair of the Belmont Book Award, Don Cusic, states "This book joins a line of distinguished books about country music since we inaugurated this award in 1996. Will the Circle Be Unbroken represents the best of scholarly research in country music and the editors, Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash, are outstanding authors of previous books. In fact, Alanna Nash's biography of Colonel Tom Parker and the Country Music Encyclopedia edited by Paul Kingsbury were previous winners of this honor." The award is determined by a blue ribbon panel of experts. Books published in the previous calendar year are eligible and a wide variety of books on country music are considered, from scholarly studies of various aspects of country music to biographies and autobiographies. Congratulations once again to Alanna Nash for this esteemed and well-deserved honor. _______________________________________________________________________________ MICHAEL QUEVLI '84, michael.quevli@kintera.com, San Diego, CA Reunion Weekend this year for me was monumental for many reasons. I had joined the Alumnae Association Board during the Reunion 2000 Weekend. Boy, what a different time that was to Reunion 2007. In 2000, LRW was condemned and now in 2007 she is restored and completely functional and not to mention absolutely beautiful. In 2000, we were at one of our all time lows as far as attendance. In 2007, we are growing leaps and bounds and surpassing originally set goals. In 2000, the morale of the faculty, staff and students was dark and gloomy and now in 2007, the campus and the effervescence of Stephens College life is bubbling over like Dom Perrion Champagne! I have been deeply honored to have been around to see this change and know that Stephens is going to be even better. I was completely got off guard (and there are pictures to prove it) when I received one of the Alumnae Service Awards that was given out during Reunion. It is indeed an honor to receive an award for something that means so much to me and will always carry a special place in my heart. I have had eight wonderful years on the board and through my tenure have met so many marvelous alumna, students, faculty and staff.  I am planning on attending the 50th Anniversary of the Okoboji Summer Theatre on July 28.  I hope to see some of your there.  - Michael _______________________________________________________________________________ PATRICIA (PAT) BENAY SILVER '70, oneeyedduck@hotmail.com, Toronto Pat Silver took her Sphere Clown Band group to St. Petersburg, Russia in June to perform in the Red Elephant Festival as part of the White Nights Celebrations. They were the only group from North America invited to perform in this prestigious event, which featured artists from France, Belgium, Germany, and Russia. They performed in 5 cities surrounding historic St. Petersburg to thousands of delighted children - language was no barrier when it came to humor and music.  The band is celebrating its 30th year of performing internationally. Their career has included four hit albums, a best-selling book, and rave reviews. _______________________________________________________________________________ WIDDI TURNER '84, widdi@mac.com, Atlanta, GA On June 23, I won a Southeast Regional Emmy for "Dear John," a public service announcement I produced for The Mayor's Task Force to End  Child Prostitution, starring Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. This year I'm serving on the Board of Women in Film & Television Atlanta as VP of Professional Development, in charge of the 2007 PSA campaign  for the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance. Also, if your timing's right, you can catch me on a variety of episodes of Good Eats (with Alton Brown) on the Food Network, where I  play characters ranging from his stalker fan to a gypsy fortune  teller to a real estate agent to the Mother of Culinary Invention. Hope you're having a great summer! Widdi Turner '84 Alumnae Club Events  [in order by state] ARIZONA: TUCSON/SOUTHERN ARIZONA CLUB Stephens Alumnae music events (and other events) are being planned for Tucson. For further information, or to participate, please contact Mary Ann Tyrrell '78, Acting Coordinator of the Stephens Club of Southern Arizona, at (520) 760-4543 (phone & fax). CALIFORNIA: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STEPHENS ALUMNAE CLUB Hello Susies! Visit http://www.joyfulnoise.net/stephens/stephens76.html. Please see Photo of Carol Northern '81, Annie Potts, Margaret Hitzmann Horn '81, and Jane Reid '80, as a few of us went to see "Love Letters" with Annie Potts in Walnut Creek in January, and we had a chance to see her after the show. Please join us next time!!  She was fabulous!! And Stephens was mentioned in the program under Annie's bio. We just had a board meeting to plan the fall events for the club, and will announce them soon.  ~Margaret Horn '81, Club Contact, mhorn@vom.com CALIFORNIA: ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ALUMNAE CLUB The Orange County Stephens Club has recently celebrated its 50th birthday. I am President of the Orange County [CA] Stephens Alumnae Club. We meet about 3 or 4 times a year. We had a very successful potluck Luncheon in February At the Home of Sunny Tamblin '55 in Irvine. I sent a picture  and negative to the College Alumnae office, so it should be in the news bulletin. We plan another get-together later in the summer at the home of  Laura Morris in Coto de Caza. Please call Patty Bowman Evans '55, 949.496.0884 if you would like to be invited. All friends and Alums in Southern California are most welcome. ~ Patricia (Patty) Bowman Evans, '55, pbe330@webtv.net COLORADO: DENVER ALUMNAE CLUB The Denver Alumnae Club has disbanded, effective September 1, 2006. The Club disbanded once before--in the 70's when many women went to work outside the home. It reorganized in 1988 under the leadership of Ramona Adams Kemper '59, Denise Girtin Daniell ' 72, Sandy Seberg Busby '79, and Ann Willett Kingery '58. The club soon grew to a membership of 100+. During this time, the club was faithful to its mission--which included funding a $50,000 Endowed Student Scholarship. Club members will continue to serve and network among fellow alumnae in support of Stephens preparing women for the future. Alumnae are encouraged to continue supporting the vibrant Renaissance of Stephens through gifts to the Annual Fund and the Colorado Endowed Scholarship Fund. The club cookbook "Stephens Remembered--Recollections and Recipes" remains available through Ramona Adams Kemper '59, 103 Grandview Circle, Mead, CO 80542, rbkemper@aol.com. The cookbook will also continue to be available at the college BookShelf, and as advertised in The Ideal Connection. (All proceeds support the Endowed Scholarship Fund.) ~Ann Willett Kingery '58, ahkingery@excite.com, ph: 303.779.0045 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: STEPHENS CLUB OF GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C.   Six Events Planned for Upcoming Year The upcoming year promises to be an exciting one for the Alumnae Club of Greater Washington with six events planned, along with the unveiling of the club website later this year. Beginning in August, SCACGW will host a Student Send-Off Party for students beginning their college life at Stephens. Everyone is invited and current students are especially encouraged to attend. In September, Suzanne Carbery Emery '77 will host a Potluck Dinner at her home in McLean, Virginia. A visit from Shannon Watkins, Director of Alumnae Programs, will be the highlight of the September Potluck. A Pre-Holiday Gala is planned for November 17th at the home of Mary Josie Cain Blanchard '67 in NW, Washington, DC. This will be a special time of celebration for Stephens alumnae. In February, the club will host a Museum Tour in Washington, DC, and March will feature another Fashion Extravaganza, back by popular demand. Finally, the year will conclude with a Spring Potluck in May. The club also plans to launch a website featuring photos from recent events, a calendar and updates on members. Alumnae are encouraged to "stay connected" to the club by attending events and visiting the website. New Members Elected to Board The Board announced three newly elected members this summer. The new Board wishes to thank the outgoing Board members, including Secretary Lisa Shackelford, '99, Vice President Meghan Stone Thomas, '92 (meghansthomas@yahoo.com) and President Cara Stratman Knox, '97 (caraanderic@msn.com). Knox has relocated to her hometown of Washington, Missouri, where she plans to continue service to Stephens College through a position on the Alumnae Association Board.  "It has been an honor to serve as president of the Stephens College Alumnae Club of Greater Washington," said Knox.  "I am passing the gavel to a talented board who will represent the vibrant women of Washington well." Succeeding Knox as President is Sarah R. Sandberg, '97 (sarahsandberg@gmail.com), B.A. Philosophy, Law, and Rhetoric, of Baltimore, Maryland. Sandberg is a Financial Advisor for Citigroup Smith Barney Financial Services. After her graduation from Stephens, Sandberg earned a   J.D. in Law  from the University of Missouri in Kansas and a LL.M. from Temple University through their Tokyo, Japan program. She worked as an attorney in Tokyo, Japan, and in Bethesda, MD, prior to joining Smith Barney. Sandberg is an avid equestrian enthusiast and was involved in the equine program while at Stephens. "At Stephens, I experienced a sense of community, friendship, tradition and intellectual engagement," said Sandberg. "I find that these feelings are retained through staying in contact with other Stephens alumnae. Serving as President gives me a chance to reconnect and contribute to Stephens College, to the current students and to fellow alumnae. I look forward to an exceptional year for the Alumnae Club of Greater Washington." Assuming the position of Vice President is Ann Little, '80/'07 (a_little@verizon.net), B.A. English, of Alexandria, Virginia. Little attended Stephens in 1976-1978 and completed her degree online in Spring 2007. She is a photographic artist and writer. Remaining in the position of Treasurer is Michelle Stackowicz '93 (chelstack@msn.com), of Washington, D.C., who has served the Board for four years. FLORIDA ALUMNAE CLUB CLUBS http://www.joyfulnoise.net/stephens/stephens1.html Current Florida contacts are: CENTRAL FLORIDA ALUMNAE CLUB (Greater Tampa Bay Area) - Joy Katzen-Guthrie '80, 727-785-4568, joyfulnoise@earthlink.net & Sarah Greenlee Schweiger, '99, sgreenle@tampabay.rr.com ORLANDO/LAKELAND AREA, Linda Schwartz Barressi '77, 407-415-1020, lindabarr@earthlink.net SARASOTA AREA:  Heidi Griffith '56, hgrif0412@aol.com, 941-928-9510 cell, OCALA/VILLAGES AREA:  Floy Edna Leuenberger '57/'73, fcl@prodigy.net GREATER PALM BEACH AREA: Nancy Gernand '88, nangernand@gmail.com ILLINOIS: CALL TO CHICAGO AREA ALUMNAE We have not had an active Chicago group for a while. However, we have a contact person in Peotone (about 45 miles away) for a group. Her name is Helen Bieronski '47. P.O. Box 416, Peotone, IL 60468-0416, 847-256-6797. I am led to believe that Chicago was once very active. There are lots of women in the area. If anyone is interested in trying to get some folks together, we can provide lists. ~Erin Danneman '00, ered78@yahoo.com INDIANA/KENTUCKY Contact 502/244-4808 to Beth Ackerson for details on upcoming events. MINNESOTA: MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL ALUMNAE CLUB The Stephens College Alumnae Club of Minneapolis and Saint Paul features regular events and gatherings. Minnesota challenges all other clubs to do everything possible for support Stephens. For details on all club activities, contact: Jackie Jacobson Steele '66-'68, JackJoIron@aol.com MISSOURI: COLUMBIA, MISSOURI ALUMNAE CLUB The Columbia, MO (Boone County) Alumnae Group hosted the inaugural "Sweet Susie Soiree" on Saturday, March 10th. An evening of intimate dinners in wonderful private homes, followed by desserts, cocktails and dancing in LRW will kick-off a scholarship endowment drive in Stephens' home town. As the invitation said: "Since 1833 Stephens College has been woven into the fabric of Columbia - providing creativity, energy, diversity and financial support to our beloved city.  With a base of more than 1,000 Stephens alumnae living in the greater Boone County area, the Columbia Alumnae Club has, for many years, provided private scholarship assistance to deserving young local women. With the renaissance of Stephens College in recent years, the number of outstanding local Stephens students has increased. In 2007, the Columbia Alumnae Club established the Stephens College Boone County Scholarship Endowment, seeking to provide local financial assistance in perpetuity. With a fundraising goal of $100,000, the Columbia Alumnae Club is pleased to kick off this grassroots campaign with the Sweet Susie Soiree." For information on upcoming events, please call Kimberly Lakin Mize '90, 573-268-4214, kimberlylakin@hotmail.com MISSOURI:  KANSAS CITY AREA ALUMNAE CLUB For more information regarding the KC Alumnae Clubs, contact Kathleen Brandt, 816-960-1052 or stephensalums@aol.com MISSOURI: ST. LOUIS AFTERNOON ALUMNAE CLUB The St. Louis Club raises funds to provide a scholarship for a St. Louis area Stephens student and meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, September-May. For more information on any of these activities, please contact Sally at 314/968-4653 (otherwise known as 968-GOLF) or sally4653@earthlink.net regarding any of these events or joining the club. NEW YORK: GREATER NEW YORK CITY AREA ALUMNAE CLUB If you live in the New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut area and would like more information on the Greater New York Area Alumnae Club, please contact Rita Ann Jana '99 at TheatreBFA@aol.com. TEXAS: AUSTIN AREA ALUMNAE CLUB: Please contact Cecilia Hitzmann Howells '83 at chitzm@yahoo.com for information on upcoming events. TEXAS: DALLAS ALUMNAE CLUB Our Lunch Bunch group meets at different restaurants around the city each month, and the group attendees change from month to month, so if one is a regular, she will see many alums throughout the year. This year, we also have a mother/returning student event planned for the summer. ~President Virginia (Ginger) Gill '81, gingergill1@aol.com WASHINGTON, D.C.  (See DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) WASHINGTON STATE: SEATTLE ALUMNAE CLUB Officers (2005-7) for the Seattle Stephens Alumnae Club are Co-presidents Sara Jane Johnson (sarajaneorcas@earthlink.net) & Nona Barker '53 (barkerj411@aol.com), Programs Katie Marble '96 (katie.marble@nordstrom.com). Treasurer Judy Campbell '53.For information on this event or the club, call Mary Lou at 206-523-3774. WISCONSIN: MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN ALUMNAE CLUB The Stephens Alumnae Club in Milwaukee continues fund raising to increase the Carol Soik Wisconsin Scholarship payout to the recipient, Kirsten Hagedorn, a theatre major from Eau Claire, WI. So far we've raised $2200 in the past 2 years. We had our annual Christmas gathering at the home of Margaret Helminiak Gile '70 of the Alumnae Association Board with 13 alumnae in attendance plus several husbands. One of the husbands conducted a live auction of White Elephant gifts each attendee was asked to bring. Amid lots of cheer & laughs the club raised $345 that night. Having a White Elephant sale/auction is an easy way to raise money! We'll be planning a repeat next Christmas! Our spring event will be an afternoon tea in an elegant Milwaukee landmark restaurant. Date is yet to be determined. ~ Anne Ruttger Neafie '78, neafie@wi.rr.com, 262.797.6562 Stephens College News http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/06/25/writing-camp-kids/ Writing camp for kids Children mix creativity with writing at workshop June 25, 2007 | 2:00 p.m. CST, ©2007 Columbia Missourian The colored pencils are stacked neatly in their bins, the scissors and construction paper are left idle on tabletops and even the two in-class computer keyboards are silent in the Tower Hall Annex in Stephens College. Sharon Schneeberger sits with Patricia Polacco's "My Rotten Red-Headed Older Brother" resting on her leg, turning the pages of the picture book for a young audience that quietly sips bottled water and sits attentively on the carpet. Teacher Beth Crittenden, left, talks to Susan and Christopher Link, 7, about the process the ... "What do you think the narrator means when she says her brother is rotten?" Schneeberger asks. "Mean," responds one child. "Teasing," responds another. "Stinky?" one answers, and the others laugh. For the past two weeks, Stephens has hosted the Young Writers Workshop, a four-hour-a-day program aimed at getting kids entering first through sixth grades interested in creative writing. Schneeberger, co-coordinator of the program and an assistant professor in education at Stephens, began the program because she believes students don't have many opportunities to express themselves through writing during the normal school year. "We're doing this so we can provide an enrichment experience in writing," she said. Students arrive at 8 a.m. and, after a brief meeting, begin the day by interacting with a story read by Schneeberger. Throughout the story Schneeberger pauses to ask a question to the students, and she tries to relate the words and the characters to her young audience. "We try to work and give examples of things they understand," Schneeberger said of the many stories she and the students have covered in the last two weeks. "Patricia Polacco may not have a great style, but she gives the kids some great ideas." When story time ends, Schneeberger and co-coordinator Beth Crittenden lead the students in brainstorming sessions where they list ideas or experiences that could become stories. After that, the five writers get out their personal journals where they play with their ideas, expanding them into stories - some from real-life experiences, and others from the depths of their imagination. Ten-year-old and soon to be fifth-grader Reagan Dugan is the oldest student in the workshop and is steadily filling space in his journal. After he finishes his story, he'll type it up on one of the class computers and then get to work on the illustrations. "I really love to write," Reagan said. "But for me, the illustrations are more important. Without good illustrations, people can't know my story better." One of Reagan's completed stories, "The Adventures of Frogs," tells the tale of a group of frogs trying to make their way home, find flies and defeat a villainous dog with a taste for frogs' legs. "I like it when I don't have to draw people," Reagan said. The next steps in the writing process are editing and then publishing. The students often look over each others' work to give praise and advice. "They learn from each other. From there, they just get more and more creative," said Crittenden, who is working to get her master's in curriculum instruction at MU. "Publishing gives them that freedom and ownership of their work." Crittenden believes that the summer workshop has exposed students to new techniques of learning that will prove valuable as they grow older. "It's easy to produce letters and words, but if you don't ask kids to look at details or the craft of writing early, they will get bogged down with the technical stuff," she said. Schneeberger and Crittenden take the students on daily walks, often to the park, where they can learn to write in different settings. "It's great," Crittenden said. "They're free, and they're out there, trying new things." The five students, all between the ages of 5 and 10, have written, illustrated and published more than two dozen stories in the past two weeks. Trips through India, UFOs, radars, and jungle animals are just a few topics that became stories by the end of the program. At the end of the day Friday, parents came to hear their kids share their favorite selections. The stories were neatly displayed throughout the room and parents had the chance to meet each other and talk with the instructors. Tim Cundy's 5-year-old son, Ty, attended the Stephens College Children's School before going to this summer's workshop, and Cundy is proud of his son's interest in writing. Children's School is a private school for children in preschool through fifth grade, all taught in the same environment. "He really enjoys getting on the computer and writing about adventures we've been on," Cundy said. "I can't give enough credit to this school." Schneeberger is sad to see the kids go and hopes they continue to write on their own. "It's amazing what these kids can do," she said. "Their creativity, their energy, the way they think, everything." Schneeberger and Crittenden plan on continuing and expanding the workshop next summer and hope to offer a range of subjects like photography, math and science. Crittenden thinks the benefits of the summer workshop are unique from most public schooling. "It's smaller, we're able to spend the entire day on writing," Crittenden said. "We're more interested in covering their interests and their ideas, and not what's listed on the curriculum." ____________________________________________________________________________________________ http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/503dbb70-c0a8-2f11-00d6-4b9774b67a72 A Renaissance Campus June 21, 2007 KOMU-TV ©2007 KOMU VISIT SITE TO SEE VIDEO COLUMBIA - A mid-Missouri college with a 173-year history nearly shut its doors four years ago. Just five years ago at Stephens College, buildings sat empty, enrollment was down, and the music that now fills the halls could have been silenced forever. "There just wasn't that vibrancy in the classroom that existed before," Dean for the School of Design and Fashion, Monica McMurry said. The school was looking for a new president, and the empty campus was enough to scare away another candidate. "He just kind of looked at the numbers and looked at the job and realized it was a lot to try and overcome and to turn this school around," McMurry said. "I always say it took a woman to really do that." And when that woman came to campus, she did it in her own unique way. "She came and she stayed in one of the dorms the summer before she actually started," McMurry said. After quietly moving into town, Stephens President Wendy Libby made a splash by talking publicly about the college's grave situation. "By the time it was late September, we had described the worrisome situation to our faculty and our staff and students," Libby said. In a few months president Libby led a wave of changes on all levels. Construction, in many ways, was underway. "Our choice was to make a difference or to cease to exist," Libby said. Part of the rebuilding process involved cutting faculty and academic programs. Now the school has a strategic plan, reviewed every summer by Libby and her senior staff, to make sure the college builds on a solid foundation. The Renaissance Plan, as officials call it, takes a three dimensional approach: Raising enrollment, cutting expenses, and ramping up fundraising. Libby says the title fits the project perfectly. "I just believe that it's the right word because it connotes a place where art and science and performance and creativity has blossomed," Libby said. Many changes are already visible. LRW was finished earlier this year and now houses Stephens' administration. Enrollment is up, now around 650 students. The goal for 2009 is 900. "There's so much energy and vitality associated with Stephens. She's been around for 175 years and when you've got that much history and people wrapped up into the culture, she is a living and breathing entity," Vice President Amy Gipson said. Having completed her first four years at Stephens, the college gave Libby the 'Four Fold Girl' award at May's commencement. "To recognize as it did back in the 1921 when it was given, the senior who best captures and lives out the qualities of the ten ideals," Gipson explained. After four years on campus, Libby's influence is obvious. "People want to be around her and follow her," McMurry said. And Libby is loving every moment. "In student language, I say I'm having a blast," she said. The on-campus award wasn't the only one president Libby's won this year. The Columbia Women's Network gave Libby its Athena Award for saving Stephens College. Libby says the school is well on its way to meeting the goals set four years ago. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2007/ourtown/091.asp Higher Education: Stephens undergoes a revival Renovation of hall symbolic of uplift. By Jacob Luecke of the Tribune's staff Published Sunday, June 17, 2007, ©2007 Columbia Dialy Tribune PHOTO ON SITE: Admissions counselors Adrienne Cohen, left, and Kristin Lieneke take a break while helping move office materials to the lobby of the new admissions office in Lela Rainey Wood Hall at Stephens College. Employees of the college helped in the move in May 2007. Two days after commencement in early May, Stephens College President Wendy Libby was unpacking boxes in her new office on the upper floor of Lela Rainey Wood Hall. The president's office and rows of new administrative spaces inside the hall were the final pieces of the building's big remodel job. One floor down is a new room where school officials will welcome prospective students. It's an impressive space featuring a glass wall etched with the school's "Ten Ideals." Around back is what Stephens spokeswoman Amy Gipson calls the "wow room" with a large flat-panel television for presentations and other meetings. Seeing such modern sheen was virtually unheard of just a few years back at Stephens. Libby remembers the boarded-up windows and overgrown ivy around campus when she arrived four years ago. "The institution looked like a place that had not been taken care of and perhaps couldn't survive," Libby said. Likewise, the old administrative offices in Hickman Hall were functional but outdated. "We have affectionately said that people will have to give up their rolls of duct tape because they won't have to hold their furniture and carpet together anymore," Libby said as administrators moved into the new office space. The revival of Lela Rainey Wood Hall mirrors what's been going on around campus in recent years. Enrollment is up, school pride is building and the campus is much cleaner and attractive. "This is really a symbol of what's going on throughout the institution," Libby said. Students and parents have noticed the difference. Laura Eisenbaum, 22, was a freshman when Libby took over at Stephens. She graduated from Stephens this spring with a degree in fashion marketing and management and a minor in finance and public relations. "My dad was just here for graduation, and he couldn't stop saying, 'This is your school? It's so much different than when I dropped you off freshman year,' " she said. While longtime Columbia residents can see the changes, one thing that first-year students will notice is one missing element: men. Stephens is an all-women's college, and students and college leaders are quick to point out the benefits. "We get to go to class in our pajamas," Eisenbaum said. "Which is great because there are no boys to impress." Beyond that, Libby said the all-female environment encourages women to pursue leadership roles and "find their voice." "Sometimes in co-ed classrooms, even with today's modern women, they do feel inhibited and intimidated in speaking up and asking questions," Libby said. "Here, that's not an issue." The arts are big with the Stephens student body. Women planning on performing arts or design and fashion majors made up 70 percent of the entering class this year. The next most popular major is equestrian science. The school is also preparing to celebrate two major anniversaries next year. The college's Okoboji Summer Theatre, which takes place in northwest Iowa each year, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the summer. In April, Stephens will mark its 175th anniversary. School officials wouldn't divulge early plans for that party. With the school's increasing enrollment, Libby said challenges are on the horizon for Stephens. She said the college is faced with increasing the number of faculty and studying how to manage the school's growth. "We really want to think through how all the programs intersect and what are the resources to make them strong, as good as they can be," she said. Some campus buildings, such as the science facility, also need to be "freshened," Libby said. But with as far as the school has come, the future appears bright for all-women's higher education in Columbia. "Of course, you know," said Libby with a smile, "we're going to be running everything pretty soon, anyway." ____________________________________________________________________________________________   http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Jun/20070615Spor001.asp AREA SCENE: Softball player transfers to Stephens Published Friday, June 15, 2007, ©2007 Columbia Daily Tribune Sophomore softball player Jessi Allspach will transfer from Columbia College to Stephens College. Allspach, a Bevier native, is a catcher. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Cheers to a Glass Too Many: A preview of the Stephens Summer Theatre Institute's One-Act Play Festival. ©2007 Vox Magazine, June 14, 2007 http://www.voxmagazine.com/stories/2007/06/14/cheers-em-glass-too-manyem/ Cheers to A Glass Too Many By AMBER BRINKER PHOTO ON SITE: Ashley Davis prepares for her role in Class Action, one of six plays being performed by students in Stephens College's summer theater program. A dinner party for singles to mingle could be an average Friday night. But mix in a 60-year-old hostess, and this singles night becomes more mature in both guests and conversation. Here's the situation: The main character, Margaret, a lighthearted widow, gets herself into a predicament in A Glass Too Many, the feature play Stephens College will present as part of its annual One-Act Play Festival on Friday. Event Info What: One-Act Play Festival When: Fri., 7:30 p.m. Where: Warehouse Theater, 104 Willis Ave. Cost: Free Call: 876-7199     * Better late than never Local playwright Bartlett Jones, 74, was inspired to write the one-act after attending a dinner party. He says he hopes that it exposes the fallacies of American society. Race, immigration and the Iraq war are some of the highly charged topics that the play explores, says Brett Prentiss, director of Stephens Summer Theater Institute. Jones says these topics are "something never discussed at a Southern lady's dinner party." Indeed, the topics aren't something Margaret expects, that is, until everyone has one too many glasses of champagne. Unbeknownst to Margaret, some of her guests are in an ongoing feud, which ignites a discussion of controversial issues. "Alcohol has the initial effect of causing you to discard your inhibitions," Jones says. When the champagne kicks in, the party takes a turn for the worse. The tone becomes harsh as characters trade insults and yell profanities. "Prejudices come pouring out," Prentiss says. "People feel overwhelmed by the number of immigrants pouring in." In an early read-through of the play, one actor's line reveals a key point of the issue: "They are taking our jobs." Still, Jones finds humor in these heated and harsh debates pervading American life. "The idea that immigration is disrupting the Union and speaking a different language would ruin our nation is comical," Jones says. Although it explores risky subjects only appropriate for a mature audience, Jones says A Glass Too Many is a comedy because it exposes human foibles with humane suggestions and criticism. The playwright uses some mockery to show the sheer absurdity of the characters' opinions. "It was a well-written play," Prentiss says of his decision to use A Glass Too Many in the evening of one-acts. "It's an interesting topic about prejudices that are out there." Prentiss says the fact that a local author was the one tackling the controversy made the play even better. "It's a great piece of social satire," he says. One of the skits, I Need This Job!, accompanies the feature play. Set in the office of a casting director, it spotlights a group of hungry actors competing for a television job. Similarly, this class provides a glimpse into the around-the-clock life of a working performer to Stephens College theater students. Although spending their days in classes and their nights rehearsing for the productions is tough, Melody Butler, student and stage manager for A Glass Too Many, says it's a lot of fun. The program is an entrance point for freshmen interested in acting, stage management, design and other theatrical positions. It is extremely fast-paced, which is standard in the business. Prentiss says he thinks it's necessary to prepare his actors and actresses for "Go. Go. Go." situations. Students are rehearsing shows in much less time than the regular season, so not everyone makes the cut. "We like to push the limits," he says. Working on a play is a learning experience, and Butler says she's doing things she's never done before. "It's hard to juggle some stuff," says Butler. "I have to memorize lines and design at the same time." ____________________________________________________________________________________________ http://health-information.advanceweb.com/common/editorial/editorial.aspx?CTIID=1665&SEC=SC An article by Stephens' HIA director Darla Branda Distance Education: Turning Dreams into Reality  ©2007 by Darla Branda, MA, RHIA A rural Pennsylvania student has just turned her dream of earning a bachelor's degree in health information administration (HIA) into reality. In December 2006, Stephens College student Jody Kernicky completed her HIA coursework through the distance education program at Stephens. The knowledge she has gained will greatly enhance her abilities in her current job as manager of a long-term care facility. Jody made a decision to cross over from the accounting field into a career in health information about 3 years ago. She was able to complete her degree in 3 years while working full-time and raising three children on her own as a single mom. Jody credits the flexibility of the distance education program for allowing her to fulfill her dream. "Online learning is ongoing with no set times to begin and end each session," Jody said of the advantages of distance learning. "We can continue discussions and ask questions at our convenience; this allows us to learn at our own pace. It also gives students the ability to apply knowledge at work on a daily basis. It is a mutual exchange of information among the instructor, students and our co-workers/work setting that creates a meaningful learning atmosphere with the ability to directly apply knowledge." While Jody very much enjoyed the distance education experience, she did note that the most challenging aspect was "re-learning to learn" through reading, research and electronic communication, rather than verbal lectures and interaction. The knowledge she gleaned through the Stephens College distance education program is evident in her ability to view functions in her department as part of the whole in the health care system, and it has allowed her to closely scrutinize the health information functions for improvement. When asked how she was able to manage family, work and school, she said it simply came down to organizing and prioritizing. Online learning afforded her the opportunity to schedule course requirements around her children's needs and activities. It has been a positive experience for her family, too, as one of her children is considering becoming a physician after helping mom study for anatomy and physiology. Jody offers sage advice to students considering distance education in HIA: know your own strengths and weaknesses and explore all avenues of education. Choose the best program that fits your needs, either in a traditional classroom setting or through a distance education program. Darla Branda is the program director for health information administration at Stephens College and has been in the health information profession for 16 years. She can be reached at dbranda@stephens.edu. Stephens College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Administration and a Master's of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Clinical Information Systems. To obtain more information about distance education programs available at Stephens College, you may visit their website at:  www.stephens.edu/gcs, or you may e-mail Mellodie Wilson, associate director of graduate and continuing studies, at mwilson@stephens.edu. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ View other Stephens news at: http://www.stephens.edu/news/ Closing Comments Our next issue will be August 2007, and I'll send a notice to you midway through the month to let you know to send updates by the last week. Through the Constant Contact email service, you are now able to subscribe or unsubscribe below from the newsletter or from the Stephens pages on my website, but you may always reply also to let me know you wish to make a change. The service offers the newsletter in either HTML or plain text version. Please keep me updated of address changes. If you are in touch with anyone listed as undeliverable, please let me know the new address or ask that contact to let me know in order to be added back to the mailing list. And thank you for sharing the newsletter with alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends of the college.  ~Joy Final Thoughts Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.   ~Mary Tyler Moore A man who has no shoes is glad he has his feet.  ~Hindu Saying Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations. ~Ralph Charrell A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes I've always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up. ~Beverly Sills

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