Message from Stephens President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D.
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Dear Alumnae,
The 2007-08 academic year has officially begun!
In late August, we welcomed back alumna Rebecca Dunn Shaw '72 as our keynote speaker for Opening Convocation. Having earned a degree in business from Stephens, Rebecca is now executive vice president for Spaeth Communications in Dallas. She shared her insight into this fascinating world of communications (and the effect that Facebook, You Tube and text messaging have on all of us) in classes with our mass media and our business students.
We also welcomed approximately 285 new freshmen and transfer students to Stephens. Overall, our total on-campus population is 684 students - a 7% increase over last year's 640 students. While we are pleased with this growth, it's worth sharing that we originally budgeted for a larger population of students and are still analyzing why we fell short this fall.
A summer rain cooled things down so that on move-in day (August 19) temperatures weren't the unbearable 100-degrees-plus they had been the previous week. We are now back into the swing of things and I found myself thinking this morning at how fast our May commencement comes!
Of course we had many things to celebrate besides the weather - on August 20th, we re-opened Wood Hall on the Historic Quadrangle. Renovated using historic tax credits, Wood features updated interiors with modern amenities (e.g. cable, Internet, great lounge furniture) for students occupying new one- and two-bedroom suites. Its twin, Columbia Hall, will be finished in January 2008.
As we analyze and make adjustments in our budget and our recruitment and retention strategies, there are things YOU can do immediately to help introduce Stephens to potential students in your area:
- We would love for you to tell parents and their high school students about Stephens.
- Share Alumnae Referral Scholarship Cards with bright, young women you know.
- Take an information packet to a high school counselor in your area.
- Partner with our Admissions office and learn how you can become involved in the recruitment process and turn more exceptional women into Stephens Women. Our Admissions counselors can send you all the materials that would support your efforts.
Thank you for all you do for Stephens!
Warmly,
Wendy
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Alumnae Address Changes
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http://werasdf;lkjasdfq[qweporitmgmv.ckkas≤
CHANGE:
The following new address replaces a previous one:
Karen Schmidt Hanner '78, randyandkaren112206@hotmail.com -or- realcreativeinc@yahoo.com
ADD:
Christine Caryl Jean '78, cjean@astound.net
Sameera Khan '87, khansamy@hotmail.com
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Search for New Vice-President of Academic Affairs
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Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Rex Stevens, is retiring and Stephens is seeking applications for the VPAA position. The position and requirements are below, and Stephens encourages all who are interested to contact the college. We wish Rex continued success in all his endeavors.
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Stephens College has experienced unprecedented growth and positive change over the last four years as defined by virtually every measure. Senior leadership has united with the Stephens and Columbia communities in bringing about a renaissance at this 175-year-old women's college that is characterized by unique academic programs, an innovative spirit, a supportive alumnae network and a nearly 50% growth in overall enrollment over the past four years. Upon the retirement of our VPAA, we now invite applications for his successor. The VPAA is the College's chief academic officer and provides leadership for its academic endeavors. There are 55 full-time and 55 part-time faculty serving 700 traditional undergraduates and 400 graduate and continuing studies students. The appointment begins July 2008, although the successful candidate may choose to begin as early as January 2008.
Historically committed to meeting the changing needs of women, Stephens, founded in 1833, is the nation's second-oldest women's college. We are a selective, residential college focused on pre-professional fields and the performing arts and grounded in the liberal arts. We also offer co-educational degree and non-degree programs through our School of Graduate & Continuing Studies. We are located in Columbia , Missouri , a vibrant and progressive three-college town of 100,000, ranked by Money Magazine as one of the best cities in which to live.
The VPAA is a member of the senior management team and reports directly to the president. The VPAA is vested with primary responsibility for recruiting, developing, supporting and evaluating the faculty; for assessing and enhancing the quality of academic programs; and for overseeing the curriculum, advising program and academic budget. The ideal candidate has an entrepreneurial streak and the ability to plan for the future and deliver on those plans.
Requirements:
Candidates must possess a doctoral or terminal degree, commitment to the values of a women's college, a record of academic achievement that merits appointment to the rank of Professor, and excellence in teaching and advising. Also essential are evidence of leadership via collaboration and consensus building, demonstrated effectiveness in academic administration, outstanding communication skills, and a willingness to be creative and collegial, allowing others to use their vision to develop unique and innovative programs.
Submission by email is required. To be assured full consideration, nominations and applications must be received by October 15, although materials will be accepted until the position is filled. Please include a cover letter addressing the requirements noted above, vita and names of five references with contact information. The identity of applicants will be kept strictly confidential.
Send all correspondence to:
Professor Michael Bowling
Chair, VPAA Search Committee
Stephens College
Columbia , MO 65215
VPAA@stephens.edu
Stephens College is an equal opportunity employer. A diverse community on campus is valued.
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Expanding Alumnae Photo Collection
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The Alumnae Photo collection on my website is expanding and is now some 85 pages. The Class of '78 just hit the jackpot, because Janeen Bjork just sent me scans of all her Alumnae Class of '78 Reunion photos from 1983-2004. Check them out at http://www.joyfulnoise.net/stephens/stephens80.html. There are three pages of those photos, so you'll want to scroll through them via the links on the bottom of each set of photos on each page. Additionally, you can see numerous photos from alumnae of all classes and Reunion Photographs from alumnae of all classes attending reunions from 2000 forward, photos of the Stephens Campus, and much more. There are a number of Class of '80 reunion photos, and I was so inspired by Janeen's '78 class reunion photos that I started pulling out my photos of '80 class reunions prior to 2000 as well as my years at Stephens, which I'll begin scanning at the earliest opportunity. I'll be letting you know when those are up.
You can start the alumnae album photographic journey here:
http://www.joyfulnoise.net/stephens/stephens1.html |
Careers Committee & Career Connection Online
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As a member of the Careers Committee of the Stephens AAB Board, I am inviting Stephens Alumnae to share their expertise with current Stephens students by participating in "Alums in the Classroom." If interested, alums can contact Karen Shelton directly at kshelton@stephens.edu. All career fields are welcome. We could especially use more alums who are in the field of fashion.
Thanks, Leah Neese '94, lneese@sbcglobal.net
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
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Please Update Class & Club Information
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Stephens' new Director of Alumnae Relations, Kathryn Adams is handling all Class, Club, and Reunion activities for Stephens. Her email is kadams@stephens.edu.Stephens continually seeks the most up-to-date information on class and club presidents. If there have been recent elections or changes in officers for clubs and classes, please contact the college so they can update the database with the most current information. All class and club presidents are here:
http://www.stephens.edu/alumnae/classpres/ (Classes)
and
http://www.stephens.edu/alumnae/clubs/ (Clubs)
(You will need a password for the alumnae site to be able to access the links. You can register for that here: http://www.stephens.edu/alumnae/account/signup.php)
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| Save the Dates: Reunions 2008-2013 |
UPDATED REUNION INFORMATION:
Reunion 2008 April 25-26 - 175th Anniversary Celebration
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
In addition to the dates above, each reunion will include special events on the Thursday prior to celebrate members of the 50th Reunion Class and the Classic Classes. For further information, contact Kathryn Adams, Director of Alumnae Relations, 573-876-7110, Fax 573-876-7231, kadams@stephens.edu |
Alumnae, Faculty, & Staff Updates
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BARBARA GUILFORD COLVERT '65, barbarafc@perspectives5.com, Cody, WY
I am a contract writer/editor and have managed two magazines from a home office in Cody, WY, for five years. This affords me time to work as a freelance writer; I have published two books, both of which are in the Stephens Library.
Harvest of Hope Family Farming and Farming Families was published by the University Press of Kentucky in 1995. It chronicles in poetry and prose my 20+ years on a family farm in Kentucky accompanying the findings of two rural sociologists. Resolutions: A Story of Transformation Through the Process of Loss was published by Pronghorn Press in 2005. It contains the end-of-life stories in poetry and prose of my mother-in-law and both of my parents who all passed away within the same year and led to my work as a Hospice volunteer. With both books, the poems have always been written at the time of the events, which was ten years or more with both books. My poetry has earned national and regional recognition and has appeared in small presses and anthologies.
Basically, I have invented my career as I went along, beginning with a Bachelors Degree in Art Studio, which led to work as a graphic designer, then as a journalist (award-winning newspaper editor and columnist), freelance writer, advocate for rural and mental health issues, with 15+ years in publications and advertising for the Department of the Army. I have worked in all areas of print management as a project manager and managing editor from project conception, to writing and design, quality control, and print processes.
My two years at Stephens were the most defining and formative time of my life, without which I would never have attempted any of the steps I have taken. The first person to recognize let alone encourage my writing was Professor Betty Littleton with whom I took English in my second year. This QUEEN OF LATE BLOOMERS is still stepping into the unknown!
Barbara (Guilford) Colvert '65
PERSPECTIVES
1302 Alger Avenue
Cody, WY 82414-3725, PH/FAX 307-527-7458
EARL COLEMAN, Former Music Faculty, coleman_earl@colstate.edu, Columbus, GA
I had a busy summer. I judged both the Miss Missouri and Miss Maryland Pageants. I had a chance to meet some AMAZING young women who were intelligent, talented and disciplined. This summer I travelled to MO, KS, ME, MN, MD and FL. It was great to see family and friends and to have some R and R time.
In May in St. Louis, I was presented the "Earl Coleman Music Scholarship" at the University of Missouri-
Columbia. An endowed scholarship presented to me by three former Hickman High School students and a former colleague: Gayle Grissum Stratmann, '74, Jeanine Chapman Bequette, '74, Nancy Maxwell
Walther, '76 and Shirley Williams Bynum Smith. I was in the weddings of each of the three former students. Family, friends and former students have contributed to the scholarship. They also presented me
with a Proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives and a memory book of letters from friends, family and former students.
If any former Stephens would like to contribute they should make a check payable to the University of Missouri and write Earl Coleman Music Scholarshipon the memo line. It may be sent to University of Missouri, College of Arts and Science, 110 Lowry Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Needless to say I was surprised and speechless. This was in honor of my turning 60 in April.
Take care.
Love, Earl
Associate Dean, Fine and Performing Arts
William and Isabelle Curry Distinguished Faculty Chair in Voice-Schwob School of Music
Columbus State University College of Arts and Letters
The Yancy Center at One Arsenal, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907
Phone: 706.507.8042 (office), 649.7375 (studio)
KARITH FOSTER '96, Karith@hotmail.com, New York City
Karith continues to receive accolades for her wonderful work. In Missouri, she appears Sept 10-11 in Kirksville and will speak to a Truman State University Mass Comm class on the topic of Stand-Up Comedy. On Sept 12-16th, Karith headlines at Sanford and Sons Comedy Club in Kansas City. For Karith's full schedule or to contact her, check out her site at http://www.karith.com.
Karith also is seeking investors for her television project Girls du Jour, a stand-up comedy show featuring women of all ages and backgrounds. Karith writes: "My catalyst for this project was to promote the under represented group of smart, funny and talented comedians - and yes, they also happen to be women. It's so funny when I'm get off stage doesn't matter if it's in New York City or elsewhere, people wukk come up to me after a show and give one of two backhanded compliments. It's either 'Wow, you're really funny for a girl!' or 'I didn't think women were funny - but you changed my mind.' Like my many peers who this happens to, I smile and say thank you and hide my disappointment in their ignorance. But I've come to realize it's not their fault. Nowhere on the airwaves or in comedy clubs are female comics truly being represented - and it's not 'cause we're not out there. The world just needs to know we exist. So I've taken matters into my own hands in true Stephens fashion and I'm making it a win/win situation for everyone involved including the public. Thus, I am reaching out to you all: other women who I feel could get behind my mission. I am seeking investors at varying levels - with possibly a producer credit in the end. If this interests you at all or if you would like more information please don't hesitate to contact me at Karith@hotmail.com or call me (917) 533-5990."
JOY KATZEN-GUTHRIE '80, joyfulnoise@earthlink.net, Palm Harbor, FL
I am so excited to announce that I will lead a return Jewish Heritage Tour to China for March/April 2008, which you can read about at http://www.joyfulnoise.net/tours/china7.html. If you are interested, or if you know anyone who might be, please forward the link or let me know and I'll email the full itinerary. I am already receiving requests for information from around the country, so am delighted to bring together a varied and fun group.
This tour is a 14-day visit to Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou/Old Shantang Town and Shanghai/Pudong. Additionally, I will lead a one-week extension from Shanghai to Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang. Tour dates are March 25-April 7, 2008 for the main tour, April 7-15 for the extension. It is possible to customize a tour to include portions of the two.
I have updated my itinerary to include many new sites and activities in China, a wonderful new and traditional experience of China and Jewish history in China. Though I have been to China five times in recent years, I am so looking forward to returning. The country is so rapidly changing that every visit is in many ways like visiting a new world, and it is exciting to be visiting during the Olympics Year. Please let me know if you'd like to receive an itinerary or if I might send one to someone you know.
Joy
joyfulnoise@earthlink.net
CATHERINE ROGERS JONSSON '77, shalimarstudio@yahoo.com, Sweden
I'm in the final stages of planning the Winter 2008 tour of Healing Children through Creativity Workshops. This series of child art therapy workshops is a continuation of the 2007 workshops held at the University of Georgia and Johns Hopkins University. The Winter tour will host workshops in Portland OR, Seattle WA, Vancouver BC and Anchorage AK. More info about the workshops can be found at www.paintedchild.com.
LAUREN KINGSLAND '77, QuiltQueen@aol.com
http://lombardi.georgetown.edu/about/LCCCupdate/2007/08/3BlesQuilt.html
See Lauren & her quilt displayed on the Lombardi Cancer Center site
Nurses on 3 Bles Create a Quilt
Working with Lauren Kingsland, a quilter and visiting artist in the Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program, the nurses of 3 Bles created a quilt. They chose a water theme to start with and Lauren brought in a series of fabrics filled with underwater creatures. Working together, all of the nurses participated in the creation of the quilt - whether cutting out fabric fish or creating the design. The Nurses on 3 Bles showed off their handiwork. Quilter Lauren Kingsland is holding the left side of the quilt. Lauren presented the finished quilt to the nurses on Thursday, August 9th, and the piece will hang in the unit on 3 Bles. PHOTO ON SITE: Lauren Kingsland explains the quilt-making process and displays the finished product.
JULIE OBERDORFER LEIBEL '80, julieleibel@yahoo.com, Atlanta, GA
My oldest daughter, Lauren, just left for IU in Bloomington. Hard to believe she's that old already (guess that means I'm getting there too!) My twins are now 15 and getting ready to go back to high school. ~Julie
CANDACE HIBBARD LILLIE '75-'76 (Dec), zelda@brightok.net, Grand Lake, OK
Please check out our site at http://themadhouseartists.com for our artist of the month series. This month, the artist of the month is one of my closest friends and an activist for Gay Rights and consciousness. Or meet Whiskers, the Cute Furry/Feathered Creature of the Month. ~Candace
BETH SHIPPERT MYERS '99, beth_ann_77@yahoo.com, New Orleans, LA
Having completed coursework for my Master's Degree in Arts Administration, I am now working full time at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and invite you to come visit whenever you are in the New Orleans area. We are in the throes of planning an amazing fundraiser for this October: O What a Night. If you are in the area, and would like to help support an amazing museum with a great national reputation, here's the skinny: The Ogden will host its annual gala on Saturday, October 20, 2007. This year's event is bigger and better than ever with art, music, cocktails, a seated dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Individual tickets start at $300, with Patron and Sponsor tickets available. Call 504.539.9614 for more information. Lots of amazing things are in store here, and as the Ogden is dedicated to the task of rebuilding for our arts community, it will need the help of this fundraiser to make sure it can keep up the demanding pace it has set for itself. Hope to see some smiling Stephens faces! If you can't attend, think about joining this amazing museum, with the largest collection of southern art in the world. Learn more about membership benefits and more at www.ogdenmuseum.org.
And if you're in the area, please feel free to drop me a line!
My best to all, Beth Shippert-Myers '99
GEORGIA C. OTTERSON '66, GAMOON2@aol.com, Napa, CA
Georgia C. Otterson continues to work full time as Administrator of Napa Nursing Center and completed her Masters in Arts at the Sophia Center (Holy Names University) in May 2007 in Culture and Spirituality.
JANE BOONE PELLEY, Boonecom@aol.com, Darien, CT
I've recently moved with my family to Darien, CT, about 35 miles outside of NYC. We loved our life in McLean, VA and moved there so that my husband, Scott Pelley, could cover the Clinton White House for the "CBS Evening News." Of course, that was 10 years ago, and now that he's traveling the world with "60 Minutes," we no longer needed to keep watch on Washington, DC.
Our son who is a sophomore has loved high school (so far) and our 7th grade daughter has already bribed me to take her to Broadway for "Legally Blonde" which I thought was fantastic -- she loved it. So .. I'm a "newbie" here, and am trying to figure out what a "Nutmeger" is. So if you're in this area, do let me know. ~Jane
MICHAEL QUEVLI '84, michael.quevli@kintera.com, Los Angeles, CA
I was re-elected to the APRA Board for a second term. APRA is the largest prospect research/management organization in the world. The board meeting in Chicago was followed up my our 20th Anniversary Celebration and Conference. I spoke and helped re-write a 2 day symposium designed for new prospect researchers. I spoke one of those days and being "on stage" for over 8 hours felt like doing "Angels in America" without an intermission. It was the highest attended conference ever which was a great achievement and feeling. I left the conference early (6am Saturday July 28) to fly to Mpls and then drive down to Okoboji for the 50th Anniversay of the Summer Theatre. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing the theatre looks. It was wonderful seeing old friends and being a part of this extraordinary event. I took a "holiday" from chemo this summer, which was delightful. I begin treatments again on Sept 7. For now this is an ongoing process and I am fortunate that my chemo is the least toxic of all the different chemos you can have. For the most part, I feel lousy 1 week a month. I consider myself lucky and celebrate chemo by going to one of my favorite restaurants following treatment. I say if the world is going to give you lemons then you make awesome lemonade and scrumptious lemon bars!! By the way, I am still living in Los Angeles even though my closing line has my company's work address.
Michael Quevli
Solutions Strategist, Kintera, Inc.
9605 Scranton Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121
818 760-9979 Tel · 818 301-0458 Fax
JANA ROBBINS '67, Janasline@aol.com, New York City
Jana Robbins just finished doing a new play, AND SOMEWHERE MEN ARE LAUGHING in the NY Fringe Festival and is Overseeing Producer for the new musical UNLOCK'D playing at the NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATER FESTIVAL, which premieres Mon., Sept. 17th at 8 p.m. at the TBG Theater and runs through September 30th. Classical meets pop in this screwball musical set in a world where beauty is everything. Hear musical samples, see the schedule & buy tickets at http://www.nymf.org/Show-700.html.
For more information to to: http://www.nymf.org/Show-700.html.
Jana also just finished filming on the new 2008 remake of the 1939 classic movie, THE WOMEN, with Annette Benning, Meg Ryan, Eva Mendez, Candice Bergen, Debra Messing and Jada Pinkett Smith. She writes: "My scene was primarily with Eva Mendez, Meg Ryan and Annette Benning. THE WOMEN by Claire Booth Luce was the first play that I ever did my freshman year at Stephens and I played Sylvia Fowler!"
Jana Robbins
Better World Productions
Actress/Director/Producer
212-222-7297 www.janarobbins.com
Grab your scissors and prepare to be UNLOCK'D http://www.nymf.org/Show-700.html
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE www.iloveyoubecausethemusical.com
LITTLE WOMEN www.littlewomenonbroadway.com
LAURA KATE SHIPPERT superpezgirl@hotmail.com, Monroe, WI
I've just started a new position teaching K-12 general and choral music in Orangeville, IL. It's a small district and between K-7 general music and 7-12 choir I have about 250 students. Just a week in and I'm loving it. Still plugging away at my master's degree at Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee but finished up my teaching certification in time to find this great job. I'm now living in Monroe, WI - "The Swiss Cheese Capital of the World" so they claim! Cheese factories abound and there's a brewery less than a block from my back door - it's like a Wisconsin postcard!
Laura Kate Shippert - Dec. '03/Class of '04
JEANINE WOLFENDEN MEUNIER '72, whimsy@aol.com, Waltham, MA
Jeanine Wolfenden Meunier, class of 1972, won second prize in a world-wide photography magazine contest. Hosted by What Digital Magazine, the contest solicited outdoor portraits from all over the British Isles and other countries. Meunier's photo was of her 88 year old father cheek to cheek with her dad's great-grandson, 2 year old Vance Hranek. Meunier, a casual photographer in years past, became a serious shooter when she was invited into an art show. Guest comments were much more focused on her photos rather than hand-created jewelry. She now has a side business and hands out business cards with abandon!
June 4, 2007
"I'm Jeanine Meunier, from Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Almost two years ago, I was invited to show my jewelry at an art show at the college where I work. As an afterthought, the coordinator asked me to bring some photos displayed on my wall. My jewelry, which often gets rave reviews, was practically ignored. I decided to get serious real fast about my photography, and have become a confirmed "class-a-holic" about digital workshops. I have also driven my local camera shop staff absolutely insane with my questions. Thank you, PhotoQuick! I soon realized that portraits were my real passion! My family and neighbors have now refused to sit; they practically hide out when they see me coming to the door! I shoot with a Canon 30D, which I dearly love. I usually have the Canon 17-85 IS lens on. A few weeks ago, I had my camera at work with me. Some very large students were also on the elevator, and were teasing me about stealing it. I thought to myself, "You'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands!"
Photo information:
CONNECTION My father, Terry Wolfenden, had just come out of the hospital in Los Angeles, California from his third, and successful, throat cancer surgery. He had not believed that he would survive. We organized a picnic in the ocean-side park to celebrate. He hugged his great-grandson Vance Hranek with great emotion. My dad, 87, and Vance, 2, are 85 years apart and love each other very much.
Jeanine Meunier '72
33 Miriam Road, Waltham, MA 02451, 781-899-8361
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Alumnae Club Events [in order by state]
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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
To be on the email list for the Northern California Stephens club or to receive the most recent club newsletter or membership form, please contact Margaret Hitzmann Horn '81 at mhorn@vom.com.
We are in our 11th year as an active alumnae chapter dedicated to the College and its mission and goals at the same time preserving what we all hold so dear about Stephens College. We are collecting dues of $25 currently for 2007-2008 from Now through October 12. Dues are a basis for our expenses i.e. postage, printing, events. The dues are not a replacement for your individual contribution to the College. Your name will be included in a directory if dues are received by the October 12 deadline. To be on the email list for the Northern California Stephens Club or to receive the most recent club newsletter or membership form, please contact Margaret Horn '81 at mhorn@vom.com. Please send the membership form and your $25 check made payable to Stephens College Alumnae Club to: B. Lou King 775 South Eliseo Drive Unit One Greenbrae CA 94904-2137. Thank you for your support.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: Holiday Gathering, Sunday, December 9, 2007, Usually about 4:00 to 6:30 P.M. at the home of Marsha Raulston & Marge Boric, San Francisco, California. Alumnae will be asked to bring something to share. Guests welcome. Invitations with more details will be sent in November to club members.
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. 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. 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.
"The Stephens College Alumnae Club of Greater Washington announces that they are online with their new website, www.stephensdc.org. We also want to issue a challenge to the New York Club and Los Angeles Club to come up with a site of their own that's better than ours!! Feel free to use video or any other media files, and show us what you can do!" ~Ann Little, SCACGW, a_little@verizon.net
Events Planned for Upcoming Year
The upcoming year promises to be an exciting one for the Alumnae Club of Greater Washington. In September, Suzanne Carbery Emery '77 will host a Potluck Dinner at her home in McLean, Virginia. A visit from Shannon Watkins of the Stephens' Alumnae Office 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.
For club information, contact President is Sarah R. Sandberg, '97 (sarahsandberg@gmail.com) or Vice President is Ann Little, '80/'07 (a_little@verizon.net).
FLORIDA ALUMNAE 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
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.
SPECIAL THANKS TO RACHEL & VOLUNTEERS: Special thanks to Rachel Gross for donating 256 beautiful laptop bags to the new Stephens students! We are also so grateful to the alums who volunteered their time at the last minute to help box and ship the bags to the incoming students. NEW ALUMS IN THE CITY: If you know any new alums that have moved to the NY/NJ/CT area, please let me know. Our alumnae club is a wonderful way to network and connect with local alumnae.
TEXAS: AUSTIN AREA ALUMNAE CLUB:
Please contact Cecilia Hitzmann Howells '83 at chitzm@yahoo.com for information on upcoming events.
TEXAS: DALLAS ALUMNAE CLUB
The Dallas Club's Presidency is vacant, and if anyone wishes to contact the club please email Ginger Simmons at ginger14@swbell.com, or Mildred Patterson, Treasurer, at anniemsp@aol.com.
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.
SAVE THE DATE: The Stephens College Alumnae Club of Dallas Fall Luncheon and Raffle, October 13, 2007, 11 am - 1:30 pm (Invitation mailing takes place in September). SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Stephens Alumna Mary 'Mel' French '58, Chief of Protocol during the Clinton Administration, The Park Cities Club, 5659 Sherry Lane, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75225
For details contact Barbara Leath, bleath@verizon.net or Charlotte Massey, chmassey@sbcglobal.net. Ladies interested in helping to underwrite this event can contact Melinda Kardon, kardo1225@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. So far we've raised $2200 in the past 2 years. For future event information, contact Anne Ruttger Neafie '78, neafie@wi.rr.com, 262.797.6562
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Stephens College News
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http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Jul/20070708Ovat002.asp
Break some legs: Going strong at 50, Stephens' famed Okoboji theater boot camp tempers fledgling actors on a crucible-like stage.
By Annie Nelson of the Columbia Daily Tribune's staff
Published Sunday, July 8, 2007
PHOTOS ON SITE: Show goers convene outside the Okoboji Summer Theatre before a Friday night performance of "Boeing, Boeing." · See the Slide Show on the site
OKOBOJI, IOWA - In the 50 years Stephens College's summer stock theater has been in operation, only one show did not go on. "We did have a blackout one year on the opening night of 'Mice and Men' when we had one of those monster, biblical storms Okoboji is famous for," said Lamby Hedge, associate artistic director at the Okoboji Summer Theatre program. "We got through half of the show and tried to do it without power, but we couldn't go on." Artistic Director Beth Leonard estimates the theater has put on 450 plays, 3,500 performances for 1.4 million patrons, trained more than 1,000 students and given nearly 1,500 theater professionals summer jobs.
Each summer, about 35 students join about 45 professionals and work day and night to produce nine main stage plays and four children's plays in 10 weeks. The theater is located just a few miles south of the Minnesota border in a resort area in northwestern Iowa. To celebrate its 50th birthday, the company renovated the interior of the theater, but the exterior still gives away the building's origin. The Okoboji Summer Theatre is housed in the 1930s airport of Okoboji and Spirit Lake, Iowa. By the 1940s, the airport was out of service, said Mike Burke, director of production at Okoboji.
Summer stock theater
A summer stock theater produces plays only in summer reusing "stock" scenery and costumes, which is part of what enables Okoboji Summer Theater to put on so many shows in such a short amount of time, said Michael Burke, director of production. Eventually the area arts group, the Lakes Education Association, had had enough and took over ownership of the lease, he said. The group placed ads in area papers advertising the theater, and a Stephens College recruiter in Minneapolis saw the ad in a local paper. "He knew the theater program was looking to expand," Burke said.
Department Director Bill West seized on the opportunity and secured the lease in 1957. It was too late to hire on a company, Burke said, so the first summer stock season at Okoboji didn't happen until 1958. There were only six students in the company then. Today, its artistic directors say the primary mission of the program is as a training ground for students, not just a commercial endeavor; but earning their keep is still a must. "We've always had a self-sustaining model. We could only do it if it didn't cost the college money. It's all funded through tuition and ticket sales and gifts of community property," Burke said.
Not only were Okoboji's about 15 acres eventually donated to the school, so were the buildings that house students and staff every season. The grounds of the theater - called "the lot" - are covered in a hodgepodge of rustic one-room cabins, lake houses and 1950s trailers donated by farmer Roy Smith, on whose land the theater sat until 1976. At 9 a.m. on a typical day, the lot is still relatively deserted. Rehearsals start in an hour. Then, like the theater equivalent of a rooster, the band saws begin screaming in the scene shop - a pole barn located on the side of the theater.
The day begins with the sound of saws but doesn't end until the audience is clapping as the curtain falls around 10 p.m., even later on some nights. Actors and crew are given a daily break from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to sleep, memorize lines or run errands, but most of them just head back to work. Their only time off is between Saturday's matinee performance and Sunday's evening performance. "This is like theater boot camp," said John Keitel, a professional member of the company and a Stephens' alumnus. Keitel spent two years at Okoboji as a student and has been back five times since graduating. He's currently acting in New York City, he said.
Keitel said he comes back to "Boji," as company members call it, not only for the intensity and discipline it creates, but because it also allows him easy access to great roles he doesn't normally get in New York. Stephens drama students are required to spend their second summer at Okoboji, so professors know months in advance which students will be part of the company and auditioning for the season's plays in March. The first step in planning the season is choosing the nine plays of the summer. Plays are selected based on the number of female roles, as Stephens is a women's college and the majority of its students are female, but also for their diversity of material, Hedge said.
Next week "The O'Conner Girls" opens, followed by "They're Playing our Song," "Leading Ladies," "Present Laughter" and "The Gin Game." "Cabaret" closes out the season. After auditions, professors gather to cast the plays. The process can last as long as two days, Hedge said, and is impossible to imagine without seeing. "It's trigonometry," she said. Using a giant grid, the professors write all the names of students and professionals on one side and all possible roles on the other. No student is given back-to-back "juicy" roles, she said.
Except for the first play of the season - this year it was the musical "Godspell" - each crew and cast get two weeks to rehearse their play and build a set. Actors rehearse in the mornings and afternoons. Tech, sound, lighting and costume crews work 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone helps staff the performance at night. Any time an actor doesn't have something to do, he or she is sent to one of the shops to work on another part of the production. Hours before she'll play Judith in "Boeing Boeing," a farce about a bachelor who uses airline timetables to schedule three love affairs with international stewardesses, Chelsea Christensen is helping build a set for "Ah, Wilderness!"
"We really want all students to be theater people, not just designers or technicians," said Patti Doyle, resident costume designer. "There is so much specialization today that doesn't work in the real world, except in big regional theaters like on Broadway" in New York City. The 2007 Princeton Review Best 361 College Rankings placed Stephens' theater program as sixth in the nation, just behind Yale University. Okoboji is a big reason why Stephens earns such high praise for its theater program, Hedge said. Theater students graduate in three years because of its two summer programs, the Summer Theater Institute and Okoboji. Students earn a full semester of credit for their summers of work.
Stephens' three-year, two-summer program was a big draw for student Christina Sidiropoulos, who said the faster she can get to New York and start auditioning, the better. "You get bone tired, but we love this, this is what we live for," Sidiropoulos said of Okoboji. Drama professor and 30-year company member Rob Doyen said blending students into a core group of professionals that returns every year is the only way Okoboji could be successful; otherwise it would get too expensive, and the learning curve would be too high each season. "This is old-fashioned stock theater. A lot do a four-five production repertory and rotate them throughout the summer. We don't. It gives students more opportunity to work with professional directors they've never worked with, and it's really a taste in preparing them for the business. It's a tough business," Doyen said.
Each production is cast with a blend of students and professionals. The production shops are staffed the same way. The students don't just learn from their instructors and professional company members, they are also constantly learning from the audience, the cast of "Boeing Boeing" told a group of audience members after their performance June 29. "We have the best audiences in the world," Hedge said, "because they are so responsive." Student Rachel Ellersieck, who played the part of French sexpot stewardess Jacqueline, said that throughout the week the audiences' responses helped them work out the timing of the play, which involved a lot of slapstick comedy and slamming of doors. "If you're of the theater, you need to work in front of a live audience ... there is a wave of electricity, of sensation that goes on between an audience and the actors," said Peter Byger, a professional member of the company in the '70s and '80s.
Two of the theater's lifelong fans are Bob Dare and Trudy Hopton. Dare saw his first show at Okoboji at the age of 12 and has had a love of the theater ever since, he said. Hopton said she remembers going to the theater in its early years, when the seats were still donated kitchen chairs. "You could look up and see bats flying around in the rafters," she said. "When that awning goes down" Aug. 19, "that's the end of the summer, as far as I'm concerned," Hopton said. The six cast members of "Boeing Boeing" performed to a packed house that Friday and had audience members shouting with laughter. In a day and age when TV, film and the Internet are dominating American entertainment, Burke considers Okoboji's continued success a near miracle.
"For the theater program, I think Okoboji is the highlight of our program," Leonard said. "What they learn here is - 'invaluable' doesn't do it justice - they learn not only so many things about the theater but about themselves as artists and as people."
Piecing together a cast: Aspiring actresses gather at the Stephens College campus for a chance at short film stardom in "Pieces Parts"
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/07/09/piecing-together-cast
PHOTOS ON SITE: Rajvir Singh, left, was one of dozens of women who auditioned Sunday at Stephens College for a part in the coming short film "Pieces Parts." Producer Paula Elias, center, and writer Rosanne Welch will make the film this summer at the college's Summer Film Institute.
Deb Stover, who auditioned for the parts of both Rita and the Dean, studies her script in anticipation of her audition Sunday for a spot in the short film "Pieces Parts." Stover attended Stephens College as a drama major but opted to pursue business.
By CAROLINE GALLAY
July 9, 2007 | 2:00 a.m. CST · ©2007 Columbia Missourian
Whether armed with head shots and resumes, or simply coming on a lark, nearly 40 hopefuls trickled through Stephens College's Helis Communications Center on Sunday afternoon to audition for roles in an original short film, "Pieces Parts." The film, written by Rosanne Welch and directed by Jennifer Wynne Farmer, will be created during this year's Stephens Summer Film Institute. The project, which will star "The Office" and "West Wing" actress Susie Geiser, is based on the true story of a Los Angeles art teacher who helped young, at-risk women piece their lives back together through the art of mosaic.
Welch, who wrote for television shows including "Picket Fences" and "Touched by an Angel," discovered the story while interviewing women for her alumni magazine. "The idea stuck in my head. That's an interesting woman who is accomplishing something in her life," she said. Welch said women in film too often play the role of a love interest or sidekick. "We don't do a lot of investigating women's lives and the complexities of them," she said.
The prospect of changing that drew a diverse group of women with varying levels of experience. Leila Leija, 18, auditioned for the role of Jacqui, a teenage girl who witnesses the slaying of her gang-affiliated boyfriend. She said she funded the trip by working at a neighbor's construction company in her hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., and by getting a little help from her mother. The Karn sisters, Kay (Karn) Wood and Irene Karn, came on the spur of the moment. Coming out to audition was "strictly frivolity," said Irene, who was coaxed into auditioning by her sister. Neither woman had any prior experience in theater, so they opted to audition for the roles that suited them best. Practicing attorney Irene auditioned for the part of the judge, while retired Harvard professor Kay auditioned for the part of, well, the professor.
"We didn't have anything better to do," Irene said, laughing. Vicki Staub, 63, said she also came out to audition on a whim. Staub had limited experience in theater in her high school days, but she decided to try out after reading about the audition in the paper. "It looked like it could be fun and I thought, 'I want to do this,'" Staub said. "I encourage people to try things they've never tried before." Once filming has wrapped up, Welch said she plans to take the project to film festivals and see if it generates enough interest to be expanded to a feature-length piece.
View Stephens news at:
http://www.stephens.edu/news/
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Closing Comments
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Our next issue will be October 2007. Please keep me updated of address changes and any news by September 25, 2007. Thank you for sharing the
newsletter with alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends of the college.
~Joy
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