Amazing Women

Now's your chance to speak up and be heard: How's the food?

This just in from our Aramark partners (PLEASE take the time to tell them the same things you're telling your friends, your neighbors, your parents....and me!):

To the Campus Community:

We are conducting a survey to better understand your campus lifestyle and preferences. By sharing your thoughts, we will gain valuable insight to help improve your overall campus dining experience.

This online survey will take 5 to 10 minutes and your responses are confidential.

Click on this link to begin the survey:
http://www.college-survey.com/stephens

If you cannot click on the link, copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser address bar and hit enter.

We appreciate your time and thank you for your assistance!

Red shoes, red dress....what's not to love? (See you there!)

In the "Even Mickey gets wet once in awhile...." category...

So one minute you're in sunny Florida....and the next minute.... you're not:

A view from the 26th floor, just as things started to get interesting:

And now it's raining.  Pouring.  Deluging. And the lightning is flashing, up here on the 26th floor....

Wish I were there. (Only one more day!) 

So here we are, just me, Mickey, and a couple of Stephens fairies (in tutus, of course....)

Yes, it's true.

There are some of us who would do anything for Stephens.

And I do mean anything.

Take Angie Phiffer and Jennifer Deaver, for example.  They're on our GCS Admissions/Advising staff, and I am with them here in Orlando to attend the national American Health Information Management Association conference -- an event that draws an estimated 5,000 health information professionals every year.

It's a good place for us to meet people and talk about our amazing Health Information Administration degree.

It's also a good place to pull out the fairy costumes and the magic wands....we are a stone's throw from the Magic Kingdom, after all....and who could resist Angie and Jennifer, waving their candy wands, swishing their cotton-candy-colored tutus, and granting our new friends their every wish...

Now that's what I call a recruiting event:

(And yes, the lady on the right is wearing a balloon hat...who knew AHIMA could be so much fun!?!)

 

If it's Friday, it must be the beginning of.....another week of health and wellness!

(from cartoonstock.com)

So yesterday, I was standing in the basement of LRW, and yes, I admit it, I was waiting for the slowest elevator on the planet. 

I know, I know, we're walking these days...but I was carrying all kinds of heavy bags and books and... (whine whine whine....)

And sure enough, up comes one of our amazing Stephens employees (who shall not be named since I didn't ask her permission), and she looks at me, standing there.

And the doors FINALLY open and I'm about to step in....and she shakes her head at me and says, "uh, uh, uh....." (you know the sound, your  mom used to make it when she was shaking her finger at you and making it clear that you were NOT going to do whatever it was you were about to do....)

Sheesh.

So I turned around and, lugging all of those books and bags, walked (and then staggered) up FOUR FLOORS to the top (the very tippy-top) of LRW. 

And now that I'm up here, I am glad she said it.

And wherever I am, I'm glad to know we're all in this together.  (Our wonderful committees are doing such a fabulous job!)

And every single day, I'm glad to know that somebody is watching my back (or whatever) and making sure I am either walking the stairs or feeling darned guilty if I'm taking the elevator.

And all of that said,  could I please tell you that I actually GAINED a pound this week, even though I have been eating incredibly well (no longer skipping breakfast and lunch, I swear), AND I have been exercising (at least some of the time...)

Tiffany tells me that it's because muscle weighs more than fat. I tell her that I am going to get used to all of this grain and fruit and  pocket-sized portions...but a little PAYBACK on that weight thing would sure make it easier to swallow.... 

Don'tcha think?

 

 

Dance: It's an art, it's a science, it's a SPORT! (And you can join!)

You're fabulous. Let us teach you how to prove it.

There's this option (from ThinkTalk):

Or (better yet), there's this one:

The Career Development Committee of the Alumnae Association Board will be hosting an
Effective Resume Workshop
Thursday, September 23rd from 3:30-6 p.m. 
Windsor Lounge
OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS
 
Join us as we give you tips on how to write an effective resume, specifically things you can put into your resume to land that interview!  You will see several examples of resumes that have gotten applicants the job and we will even have a little time to review your resume.  More importantly, there will be alumnae from all industries available and you will get the chance to mingle with them and gain some contacts that might help you in the future.

Happy BIRTHDAY, dear Stephens Children's School, Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUUUUUUUU.....

It's an "Easy A": Find Stephens woman Roxie Geering in the new film

Stephens student Roxie Geering is an extra in the new film, "Easy A," which hit theaters this weekend.

 

Here's Roxie at Stephens:

Now go find her on the big screen near you!

Congrats, Roxie!

Racing for the Cure: A little spirit, a little lightning, a lot of rain....and an amazing group of Stephens women....

This is amazing: Stephens women gathered at 7 a.m. -- in the pouring rain! -- this morning to join more than 4,000 Columbians in Mid-Missouri's very first Race for the Cure.  It was chilly, it was WET, it was lightning-struck....and it was awesome.  Thanks to all of our amazing Stephens women (and a few good men) who braved the elements to be there and make a difference.  

And just fyi, our very own extraordinary Brenda McSherry got to ride in the snazzy convertible pace car because she is one of the founding members of Komen Mid-Missouri.  If it's important, if it's valuable, if it's for the good of women everywhere....somehow, it's also always about Stephens.

Team Stephens: Let's walk for the cure (and our own health!)

So maybe you're like me....

Maybe sometime today you had this flash of a moment when you thought, "Oh! I have to register for our Stephens team that is walking for breast cancer on Sunday morning...."

Maybe you went to the Race for the Cure website and got out your credit card...

And maybe you found out that online registration is closed (seriously!? It's only Wednesday, for cryin' out loud....)....

Well, not to worry.

I'm going down to register and pick up my race packet on Saturday morning, and if you wanted to do that, you could, too.

We could join all of the rest of the Stephens community in walking for breast cancer research and for our own Health and Wellness Challenge.

As team captain Brenda McSherry explained in an email to our community:

The 5K Race is Sunday, September 19, 2010, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Remember, one person can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by one sister making a promise to another sister. You can be a part of this worthwhile effort! Our promise of a world without breast cancer does not just rest in the hands of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  It is up to our community of survivors and co-survivors, to stand united until the promise is fulfilled and the cures are found.

I'll be there.  Please: join us.

Big Sisters: Be that special person in a little girl's life

The story made the Columbia Tribune today: Stephens hosted a special event last night for Big Sisters/Big Brothers (yes, it's true: that's what I call it...I AM the president of a women's college, after all....)

It drew more than 100 women from all over Columbia to campus to watch some of us present a fashion show (you should have seen my red earrings!) and talk about the impact that Big Sisters can have on the girls in our community.

It was inspiring, it was informative, and it was hilarious (I didn't say I was a GOOD model....).

And at the end of the evening, those in attendance understood why the program is so important and what they can do to help.

Six of our freshmen Stephens women are joining the program and will be mentoring young girls in local schools and through one-on-one partnerships. We're going to basketball games, plays, dance recitals...you name it, we're planning on it.

Want to join us?  Just imagine what a difference you could make......

 

Run, Kelsi, Run!

Stephens College’s Kelsi Simpson has been named the American Midwest Conference’s cross country runner of the week. Simpson was honored on Monday for the week of September 13.

Simpson, a junior theatre major from LaGrange, Ky., grabbed 31st place at the University of Missouri Cross Country Challenge held on Saturday. Simpson covered the five-kilometer course in a time of 26:06.

“Kelsi did a great job last weekend,” Stephens cross country coach Bill Bixon said. “Running in a race against three NCAA Division-I schools, she really focused on establishing a good personal time to beat for the rest of the season. I know it was a challenging course and she focused on a time and was close to achieving the mark she set. It was solid start for her and she will continue to work hard to improve her time after every race."

Congratulations, Kelsi.  (Now that's what I call a personal best!)

 

LA: The Land of the (Stephens) Stars...

So here I am, writing to you from sunny Santa Monica.

I got here Wednesday afternoon, just in time to have lunch with Don and Peggy Petrie (parents of our own amazing Emily Petrie).

    
Don directs what he call "rom-coms" -- romantic comedies -- which happen to be the movies my daughter Annie and I insist upon watching when we curl up on the couch for movie night (while Annie's Dad goes off to watch "action adventure" in the other room....).

Don's directing credits include some of our favorites, including "My Life in Ruins," the sequel to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding,"; "Welcome to Mooseport" with Ray Romano; "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"; "Miss Congeniality" -- which I have seen so many times that Annie and I can recite the dialogue, in perfect sync; "Grumpy Old Men"; and "Mystic Pizza," Julia Roberts' first "real" movie.

That was on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, we had breakfast with Judy Taylor, Disney's vice president of casting and talent relations -- the woman who brought you Miley Cyrus,  Zac Efron, Demi Lovato, Miranda Cosgrove, Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers.  Oh, and she happens also to be a Stephens woman, of course.

 
We were joined by Judy's husband, Mark Taylor. You'd recognize Mark in an instant from his many (many many) roles on television in shows like Saving Grace, Ghost Whisperer, Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, Summerland, Malcolm in the Middle, The Practice, Providence, Boston Public, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and on and on and on....not to mention he was in High School Musical 2 and just directed the new Disney movie airing TODAY: Den Brother.  Oh, and he happens to be a Stephens alum, too, of course.

On Saturday, we had lunch with one of Hollywood's most glamorous and renowned leading ladies, Patricia Barry, whose career included more than 2,000 television appearances on nearly every major series of the past four decades--from Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, 77 Sunset Strip, The Untouchables, and Maverick to Three’s Company, Dallas, Thriller, Hunter, Hitchcock, Columbo, Knots Landing, My Three Sons, Providence and several episodes of Twilight Zone and Murder She Wrote. In daytime television she starred in long running roles on Days of Our Lives (5 years number one daytime poll as Addie); All My Children (as Peg English – alias The Cobra); Guiding Light (as Sally Gleason, a role that was created for her); and Loving (as a matriarch, Isabelle Alden).

Oh, and yes, of course, she, too is a Stephens woman (and one of the five recipients of our most prestigious award in theatre, The Maude Adams Award).

And Saturday tonight, we had dinner with actress and Broadway star Annie Potts, whose credits include Ghostbusters, Designing Women, and most recently,  God Of Carnage on Broadway.  Marybeth Snyder-Rehman, vice president of clothing powerhouse BILA, joined us, too -- and and yes, it's true: they are both Stephens women.

LA: It's home to the (Stephens) stars.....

 

 

Graduating? A successful Stephens woman wants to mentor you into your professional future.....

Hello December ’10 and May ’11 graduates,
 
It’s hard to believe it’s your senior year, right? Between the stresses of your final semester(s), job search, and the transition from student to professional, the best advice can come from those who have been in your shoes—Stephens alumnae.
 
Full Circle, a pilot mentorship program, offers a select number of seniors the opportunity to connect with an alumna mentor as they prepare to transition from student to professional. The program allows alumnae to take stock of their own accomplishments, stay connected to their alma mater and build their professional/social networks. Protégés may seek advice from mentors on several issues including the transition to the professional world, balancing work and personal life and job preparation.
 
Vision
Full Circle establishes the link between students, alumnae and the college by providing an opportunity to foster the lifelong relationship to Stephens. The program prepares students to become successful, contributing alumnae who return full circle to give back to their alma mater.
 
Full Circle accomplishes this vision by:
•              Connecting students to alumnae through mutually beneficial relationships
•              Encouraging personal and professional development
•              Preparing students to contribute their time, talents and resources to Stephens and their communities
•              Promoting traditions among students and alumnae
 
You can find additional information including the application process online at http://www.stephens.edu/alumnae/stayconnected/full_circle/
 
Application deadline is Friday, September 24 at 5 p.m.
 

Two for Two: When One of Us Wins, We ALL Win! (Thank you.)

Twice in the past month or so, I (and several others) have asked all of us to do something special for one of us.

In early August, sophomore Samantha Galati got in touch to tell us that she had been involved this summer in an amazing (and very competitive) film camp sponsored by Skintimates, and her film was in competition with another team for the grand prize of a New York premiere and scholarships for the team members.

We asked you to stop what you were doing, that first week in August, and support your fellow Stephens woman.

And you listened.  You answered. You responded.

And you did it.

Here's the latest from Samantha:

First off, I want to say thank you to every single person who voted and supported Team SOS! It means so much to me and I am so grateful to be able to go to a school that truly cares about every single student individually. I am very lucky!

There was a total of over 229,334 votes cast and my team won by a mere 600. That means that every single vote mattered, right until the very end!
Both teams will be headed to New York City on September 14th and Team SOS's movie "Save Our School" will be shown in a private movie premiere! Afterward, there will be an after-party with tons of surprises and we were told there will be a special guest! I can't wait to find out who that is. Also, each girl in my team will receive a $500 scholarship.
Again, thank you to every teacher, student, anyone who cast even just one vote. I am so very grateful and blessed in this whole situation!
Lots of Love,
Samantha Galati

A week later, on August 18, we heard from one of our alumna's dads, Don Zachritz:  Jane Zachritz, '09, was a finalist in a design competition in St. Louis.  The winner's work was to be showcased in the "Project Design" fashion show during the city's Fashion Week.

One more time, we asked you to vote.  And vote.  And vote.

And once again, you came through for one of our own.

Jane's collection was among the top three vote getters, earning her a place in the fashion show line-up.  And clearly we weren't alone in choosing her work as the best of the best: Jane's work won the "People's Choice Award" at the show, selected by the audience as its favorite!

Congratulations Samantha and Jane -- and hurrah for Stephens.  We know what it means to be a community -- and we know that when one Stephens woman wins, all Stephens women win.

We rock, don't we?

(Yes, in fact, we do.)

Vroom, Vroom...my NEW (RED!) Prius, thanks to Machens Toyota and our own amazing Shannon Walls

So here I am (could I be smiling any bigger? No, I could not) in my BRAND NEW, fabulously red, entirely green Prius.  Thanks to Machens Toyota and our own wonderful Shannon Walls, VP of Philanthropy, who made it happen.

It's great to be the SC Prez....in a red rocket instead of a boat!

The Today Show: If you missed it.....

More than 6 million Americans watched the Today Show's story about Stephens' Pet Central program on Labor Day.

Unfortunately, none of them live in Columbia.

The local NBC affiliate preempted regular programming to air the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon -- a wonderful and worthy cause and a great program. 

In case you missed it -- or want to watch it again -- you can find it on the Today Show web site (or click on the image here). You'll find puppies, kitties, students, and a great story about Stephens. 

Very cool.

When Everything Changed: How we got here, and where we're going...

The Voice of God: Harry Morrison, 1928-2010

On August 18, a local journalist referred to him as "The Voice of God." 

On Saturday evening, Harry Morrison -- one of Columbia's best-loved citizens and most inspirational teachers -- passed away after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.  He was 82. 

I didn't know Harry well, though I had met him soon after my arrival at Stephens.  But his reputation and his commitment to music -- from the Missouri Symphony Society to the University of Missouri's Music School to his countless voice students at Stephens -- was legend.

Our community celebrated Harry in August, coming together to entertain and be inspired -- once again -- by him. 

Here's what Bill Clark wrote about that lovely event (with thanks to the Columbia Tribune):

The “Voice of God,” at age 82, remains strong, vibrant, full and powerful. Oh sure, even the Voice of God might not reach the occasional high note, but no one notices when it is accompanies by the strength and enthusiasm of a singer 60 years younger.

“The Voice of God?” Harry Morrison!

For 50 years, Harry has been a voice teacher at the University of Missouri and Stephens College and a mentor for hundreds of singers of all ages, genders and interests who have passed through his private studio. His voice has been heard often in local theatrical productions from kids’ show to opera — a booming, deep voice also heard and never forgotten as a director.

A native of the southeast Iowa community of Keosauqua, he misses few musical and theatrical performances in our town. ’Twas in the spring after a Metropolitan performance on the big screen at Forum 8 Theatre that Harry mentioned in passing he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. With that announcement, he went on with his daily schedule, adding a few rounds of chemotherapy but always there to enjoy whatever was on stage.

On Sunday afternoon in Stephens College’s Senior Hall, Harry was on stage as the honored guest, not allowed to be usual silent observer and occasional critic.

Jill Womack, one of his students from a quarter-century ago and the artistic director of TRYPS, one of Columbia’s two youth theater programs, called a group of Harry’s friends, peers and former students for an afternoon honoring “The Voice of God,” which he had actually been in a TRYPS play a few years ago.

Before Harry took the stage to sing ands swap stories with all, he was serenaded by seven who had been as much a part of Harry’s life as he had been of theirs.

Trent Rash, Sydney Ringdahl and Ellen Tucker Thieme were recent students who sang Harry’s favorite Broadway tunes. Jennifer Black Cone brought down the house before joining with Curtis Shaw for a duet from “Pippin,” telling how she and Harry discovered they both enjoyed a good off-color story and had contests to see who could tell the best one.

Mike Straw, who was a Morrison student and now has a huge private voice studio of his own, sang “When I Was a Lad” from “H.M.S. Pinafore” and had Harry direct the audience during each chorus. Tom Andes did a jazz medley from “Kiss Me, Kate” on the piano, which brought a comment from Harry, not a great jazz fan: “I actually recognized a couple of the tunes.”

Pan Ellsworth Smith, the voice teacher at Stephens, closed the preliminaries with a love song by Richard Strauss, then the Voice of God came to the stage.

Helped to the piano by three of his daughters, he introduced Kelly Archer, Harry’s longtime accompanist at MU and Stephens, then announced, “You’re not getting off with just one song from me.”

The chemotherapy has made walking a bit unsteady, but Harry didn’t need to walk to sing.

Harry was never better than in his first number — a Scottish folk song. Then came “Home on the Range” and a closing aria from Mozart’s “Magic Flute.” The standing ovation was tremendous — and deserved.

Afterward, Harry admitted he had been working to master the accordion, and when he is reasonably successful, he plans to play it and sing under Irene Haskins’ bedroom window.

Harry also agreed to help the Missouri Theatre by appearing in Sutu Forte’s “Vaude Squad No. 2” in November.

In the works will be a duet matching Harry with Irene, also an octogenarian and cancer survivor and the Tribune’s humor columnist. With Sutu on the piano and Jake Clayton’s fiddle as accompaniment, vaudeville can’t get any better.

The community owes Jill Womack a debt of gratitude for giving us this afternoon with one of Columbia’s all-time theatrical treasures — Harry Morrison, “The Voice of God.”

Harry will be missed -- not only by the students he instructed but by the colleagues and friends he inspired.  He was, indeed, a Columbia treasure.