VI V I E W F R O M T H E TOP | FA LL 2 021
2020-2021
ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHTS NOREEN GILLILAND ‘04
DEVYN BAKEWELL ‘16
UNITED STATES ARMY
NOVELIST
Noreen Gilliland graduated from Flintridge Sacred Heart in 2004. She went on to Sonoma State University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Noreen knew serving her country and doing her part was something very important and something she wanted to do as the United
A recent graduate of Howard University, Devyn Bakewell ‘16
She completed her Bachelor degree so she would enter the US Army as a commissioned making historic gains toward equality in service and excellence in leadership and she wanted to be a part of that change, and she just did that. As a Lieutenant, Noreen served as a TransporUnited States and in Iraq (2010). As a Captain, she Division both in the United States and in Afghanistan. As an Airborne Company Commander in 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, she was deployed to Afghanistan (2018) with 101st Airborne Division headquarters under the leadership of General Nicholson, United States Forces Afghanistan Commander. After 10 years, in 2019, Noreen left the United States Army as a Captain. She and her husband are a proud dual service/dual military family as her husband, David, served in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the 1st Marine Division. She now lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons and is a Project Coordinator and Logistics Analyst for Science Applications International Corporation, Aircraft Armament Arm Indiana. We cannot thank Noreen, and all of our alumnae who are and have served in the United States Military, enough.
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“Greater Love,” was released this past December. In the debut of her series, readers get to know aspiring screenwriter Ryan and football player Devyn, who face respective trials and tribulations in a way that is authentic, funny, serious, and relatable. The L.A. Sentinel News says, “Devyn Bakewell gives everyone a glimpse into the ups and downs, challenges and triumphs of today’s students through the eyes of young African Americans as they navigate between adolescence and adulthood.” In an interview given to So Booking Cool, Devyn said “...I think a lot of readers will be able to see themselves in both characters. And I think that they’re gonna be able to relate to them in a way that they need to, a way where they can feel connected and know that it’s okay to be imperfect and it’s okay to learn to grow past, you know, what this world has given you, if it’s hurt or struggle. And just make it better, and learn how to love and be happy through that.”
SCAN WITH YOUR PHONE TO WATCH AN INTERVIEW WITH DEVYN ABOUT HER NEW BOOK!
