April 27, 2016
Photographer(s):
A Farewell From the Editor: New Beginnings Over this past semester as Editor-in-Chief, I’ve realized that in order for the paper’s reach on campus to grow, The Herald staff must also grow. We need to draw in all the talent our community has to offer. So, Meredith students: no matter your major, we need you next semester. Also, note that it’s possible to work with your advisor to earn internship or experiential credit for your work with us. Here’s what we need:
Attend events and take photos for print issues and online.
Advertising Manager(s):
Pursue new advertisers from the local Social Media Manager(s): area (think Jasmine, across the street), Update and maintain The Herald’s coordinate design and publication of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. advertisements, follow up on payments.
Copy Editor(s):
Proofread articles for print and online articles.
Photo Credits: Abigail Wilson Last Friday, April 22, the senior class gathered in dressy casual outfits in celebration of being only 16 nights away from being graduates of Meredith College. This event included writing letters to themselves to read at their five-year reunion, a slideshow of pictures and videos from the last four years, and also trivia questions that only Meredith’s Sweet Sixteens would know the answers to.
The Final Tradition Brooke Mayo, Staff Writer
An excerpt from “Class Day to Feature Monday Program” from May 28, 1932: “The friends and relatives of the graduating class will assemble in the grove, where the exercises will take place. The Sophomore class will carry the daisy-chain, singing the traditional class-day song of the even classes and the Seniors will march down to their places. The program will consist of songs by the Sophomore class… and the Senior class; the reading of the class history, poem, and prophecy, and the presentation of the gift to the college… the president of the incoming Senior class will receive the cap and gown from the Senior president… and also the traditional shepherd’s crook, which will this year still be wearing the Senior colors. As a conclusion to the program the Seniors will march back through the daisy-chain aisle, while their little sisters sing the Alma Mater. The Sophomores will them form a huge ’34 with the daisy-chain on the steps of Johnson Hall, signifying that they as a class have taken fully over the customs and traditions of the even classes.” Ask any average student here at Meredith, and she’ll tell you that our traditions stand out and set us apart
from any other college. However, the traditions have changed over the years, and many have either stopped completely or has recently evolved. For instance, did you know that we used to celebrate May Day and that we used to have a May Queen? (She was comparable to a Homecoming Queen from our high school years.) And of course 16th Night (and 15th Night and 14th Night and etc.) is new. I’m curious as to how long this tradition is going to last. Will there be a 50th Night? I doubt it, and, if we do, then it definitely won’t have the same effect as it currently does for the seniors. And yet, Class Day has stayed. Class Day is undeniably one of our most important and memorable traditions at Meredith College. How often does any other college have half of their student body dress up in beautiful white dresses to represent unity and love? As one of this year’s senior Class Day co-chairs, I, along with my other co-chair Sarah Haseeb, have made it my mission to make this event one of the best memories that the Classes of 2016 and 2018 will have of their years at this school. In doing so, we recognize the importance of keeping tradition, but we are also comfortable with switching things up a little bit.
Eighty-four years ago, in 1932, one of 2016’s very own grand-sister classes was in the same shoes as we are in now: about to step away from the comfortable bubble that Meredith allows us to grow in and also trying to figure out where we fit into this world. It’s a nerve-racking experience, but it’s also reassuring to know that we will always have our Meredith community to support us. The Class of 1932’s Class Day was very different than what this year’s will look like, especially in regards to the fact that the sophomore class spelled out their own year – not the graduating class’s year! Sophomores no longer need to go to daisy fields to pick daisies, but the picking of ivy in the wee hours of the morning has remained the same. The classes do sing to each other, but we have incorporated the Bathtub Ring into the events since the early ‘30s. We now hold the whole event in the amphitheater, and the poem and prophecy is no longer a part of the program. However, we still talk about our history, present our Class Gift, give the junior class president a cap and gown from the senior class president, and – yes – this year’s crook will also be looking extravagant with our class colors adorning it! As much as we’re slightly dreading it, we know that the
formation of “16” in the amphitheater will be a stunning (and tear-jerking) sight. The Classes of 2016 and 2018 are in for a treat: Sarah Hasseb and I have been working tirelessly all year with Cheryl Jenkins in SLS to make this event the best that it can be. We’ve had a lot of help, too! The 2018 Class Day co-chairs, Emily Chilton and Katelyn Espenship, have worked hard to represent the sophomore class, and they’ve made being in charge of one of Meredith College’s biggest annual traditions a lot easier! We’ve also recruited seniors Langley Kelly, Caitlyn Corbett, and Tess Coleman to coordinate the Class Day picnic details, which has divided the responsibilities out that this event has built up over the years. Class Day has gotten a lot bigger since 1932, and it usually only involves the classes and families of those that have a part in the event. Nevertheless, the whole Meredith community is a family, and Class Day is an open invite for anybody that wishes to attend and say farewell to the graduating seniors the day before commencement.
STAFF
Rachel Pratl, Editor in Chief. Emily Chilton, Assistant / A&E Editor. Cheyenne Williams, Op-Ed Editor. Laura Douglass, News Editor. Faith Rogers, Layout Designer. Olivia McElvaney, Online Editor. Instagram Manager, Sarah Kiser. Twitter Manager, Valerie Bobola. Sarah Haseeb, Website Designer. Staff Writers: Katrina Thomas, Brooke Mayo, Caroline Garrett, Niki Bell, Kat Bonner, Kayla Kushner, Alexa Ianuale, Sarah Kiser, M’Beyanna Robinson, Katie Murphy, Baileigh Jones
News NASA Chief Scientist to Speak at 2016 Commencement Rachel Crawford, Staff Writer On Saturday, May 7th, NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan will add one more accomplishment to her already-long resume: delivering a commencement speech for Meredith’s class of 2016. Dr. Stofan is an alumna of Brown University’s graduate school and William & Mary’s undergraduate school. Today, as the top scientist at NASA, Stofan studies the geology of Venus, Mars, Saturn’s moon Titan, and our own planet. She has participated in technological missions to explore
these parts of our solar system, and her contributions to the field of geology have been critical to understanding the planets and moons of our galaxy and beyond. In addition to her work at NASA, Stofan has worked in private research and in college academics in the field of geology. Dr. Stofan has published professional research in several formats, chaired committees like the National Research Council Inner Planets Panel, and received
Seniors’ Favorite Memories
Staying up all night picking ivy before Class Day! * Getting to live with my favorite Meredith girl for half of my college experience: EVEN though you’re ODD, I love you and will miss you very much Alexandra Baker! * Staying up all night for our final Cornhuskin practice. * Going to Guardian Angel with my dad and Tea for Two with my mom! * Even though it rained during corn practice we had some of the best laughs. * Getting
my onyx! * Cornhuskin’! * Meeting my Little! * Getting my ring! * Getting to be with all my sisters when we got our onyx. * Bonding with all 2016ers during Senior Corn. * Freshman orientation week. * Ring Dinner! * Fire and Water Dinner. * Attending Capital One and shadowing a VP of Operations (Broyhill Business Fellows). * Joining Wings as a freshman! * Senior Cornhuskin’ and successfully hiding the crook from the Juniors! * Winning Stunt BACK
honors like the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. In delivering the commencement speech for Meredith’s graduating class, Stofan joins the ranks of many successful business executives, politicians, activists, philanthropists, authors, journalists, and our very own President Allen. Dr. Stofan’s message to the class of 2016 is sure to be one like no other, not only because she has the unique ability to
genuinely tell students that they can reach for the stars, but also because her involvement in STEM gives her a perspective that many other community leaders can’t provide. Her incredible accomplishments at NASA will undoubtedly inspire those of the class of 2016 who are receiving diplomas in STEM categories, but Stofan’s success in her career can inspire any Meredith alumna to pursue her goals without fear or hesitation, whatever those goals may be.
TO BACK. (But no big deal) * Being a varsity basketball player (Specifically sweeping Peace this year). * Meeting my freshmen roommate who happens to still be my best friend. Shout out Jordan Lassiter! * Onyx! * Long hours in the English Department and working for the most delightful professors you can imagine. * My lifetime friends! * Presenting my honors thesis research in Seattle. * Performing my senior recital! * Experiencing Class Day as
sophomores with our Big Sis class! * Fire and Water! * My friends’ and I late night ranting/discussion/just talking sessions. * Being in the welcome skit for the Class of 2019. * Seeing “Alice in Wonderland” as a senior! * Study Abroad! * Every moment spent in A&P I and II with Dr. Mecham! * Receiving my onyx! * Senior Spring Formal. * Waiting in line to see “Alice in Wonderland” literally all day!
Leaving our Mark: Seniors Suggest Classes at Meredith All the classes I took during both Study Abroad trips that shaped my love for Central American culture and fueled my love of traveling and serving others. * I owe so much to the English and Business Departments, but the one class that has truly changed my life is African American Literature with Dr. Johnson. I’ll never be able to look at the world the same again, and I’m thankful for how eye-opening this class was about the American society! * My retail buying class taught me principles I will use in every job I have in the fashion field. * Learning how dance can be used as a power means of activism in Dance as Aesthetic Activism with Dr. Shapiro! The lessons I learned in this class formed the basis of my Honors Thesis! * Apparel design and development is where I learned to put everything I learned in fashion all together. * Exploring careers in Psychology because it helped me polish my professionalism. It also taught me how to present myself on paper. * The lessons I learned in Practice with Individuals led by Professor Amanda Jones has been the most meaningful and taught me how to be a Social Worker. I’m already
using those skills in my current field placement. * The skills I learned in my Social Work Practice with Individuals class taught me the necessary skills to interact with people. I learned how to spot many different red flag behaviors and how to be a better listener and a more understanding and culturally competent person. * Dr. Ellis – Enough said! * My Writing of fiction class was one of the best experiences for me. I got to be creative and let people read and be receptive of my work. * Intro to Sociology: I learned how the world and people work. * The way Dr. Hurt teaches Business Strategy has left me feeling very prepared to enter the real world. * Honors Colloquium Omnivore’s Dilemma with Dr. Landis definitely helped me visualize the importance of healthy eating and living a better lifestyle. * The class that has had the biggest impact on me is Managerial Accounting because this class instilled in me the ability to find information within an annual report which I have used in multiple classes since. * Business Operations! * The class that left the most impact on me was Individuals in SWK with Amanda Jones. She taught us real practice
concepts that I used while interning. * Public Speaking because it gave me skills that I can use in the “real world” after graduation. * Anything with Dr. McNamee – He is so kind and passionate about making his students feel important! * My honors colloquial about the perfect drug came in handy during my pharmacy school interviews. * Biomedical ethics with Dr. Benko. This is because I was able to speak my mind about female rights and dominance throughout the health field. I felt empowered and he was an awesome teacher! * The Great Food Debate. I changed all of my life goals after learning about biotechnology and the potential to feed more people and save lives! * Global Slavery in a Historical Context. Dr Fountain is truly intelligent, articulate, and inspiring. * Senior exhibition! * The type of analysis demanded by Popular Culture Studies (that’s the course) exemplifies the ideal thought process that a liberal arts education should impart and analyzes popular culture requires that makes the strange the familiar. In the words of David Foster Wallace, “What is Water?” * The lessons I learned in my student teaching were
Women of MC Katie Murphy, Staff Writer
“In high school I would never ask for help. I did everything myself. When I came to college, I was super confident that I did not need anyone else’s help. Meredith has helped me realize that it is okay to ask for help. It’s hard to be vulnerable and admit to needing someone else’s help, but it’s a valuable skill. I think that I would not be going to graduate school at Auburn, much less have a full ride, if I hadn’t gone to my professors and talked to them and asked them for help. And I certainly would not have succeeded as an RA without asking for help. I think we are lucky at Meredith to be in a community that supports people who are vulnerable enough to ask for help, and I don’t think we would have that at a larger university.”
invaluable for my future career as a music educator. * The connections I made during CD-335 really helped to shape my future and career choices. * The art department as a whole made such a positive impact on who I am and who I want to become. * I thoroughly enjoyed the Social Justice class in the Social Work department. It truly helped me see the world through brand new, and sometimes critical, eyes. * What I learned in Sin, Satan, and Evil about how we consider those three ideas is incredible. * Media, Culture, and Society taught by Doug Spero in Communication. It taught me a lot about American history, and the history of my career field. It sparked interest in me that led to my thesis research! * I really enjoyed theories of counseling because we learned many important aspects of treating people fairly. * Business Law – Wow! * My Gender Communication class because I loved my professor. * The real life applications I can make due to Microbiology and Medical Parasitology. * Geoscience because we were able to take a field trip to the beach!
Arts & Entertainment Angels on a Mission Sarah Kiser, Staff Writer This summer Meredith students have a variety of plans. Internships and summer jobs abound. But instead of working in an office some students have different plans. They will be travelling abroad participating in summer mission trips. One such student is Melissa Lincoln, Meredith c/o 2017, lifeguard, Environmental Sustainability major, friend to all, and missionary. Lincoln will traveling to North Africa for two months this summer, with an organization called Pioneers Mission Organization. Her exact destination is undisclosed because of safety reasons, but it is in North Africa where they primarily speak Arabic, along the Mediterranean. She and three other women will be ‘short term missionaries’ teaching English in high schools and middle schools, and learning Arabic while they’re at it. Pioneers also has long term missionaries who have lived there for 8 years and with whom they’ll stay. “We’ll be building relationships with the families and learning their culture, really embracing that. We’ll do some prayer walks and evangelizing.” Upon arrival, Lincoln and her teammates are going to take a camel trek through the Sahara and visit a bunch of the towns. They’ll spend the first few days getting a feel for the culture and customs. Then their goal is open ended. They are going to
meet whatever needs are there. Lincoln explained, “Every missions team is different depending on what the need in an area is.” There might be need for medical missions, or maybe they need help building a church. But she continued “regardless of what the mission is the teams all have the same heart. You go not with the intention to change the world, but just with a heart of humility and a heart of service.” She said “that’s the coolest part-your mission is more love than anything else and it falls into place naturally.” This is Lincoln’s third time out of the country and her third mission trip abroad. In 2013 and 2014 she travelled with a missions team to Jamaica. “I know that at some point missions will be a long term thing for me. I can see myself in a lot of different countries doing a lot of different things. I’m like a rolling stone, I have to keep moving wherever God leaves me,” Lincoln said. On a warm Sunday, sitting near the strawberry patch Lincoln said, “When I was 16 years old, I went to a super cool conference in the mountains and at that point I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, and I think it was that trip that I really developed a heart for missions and a heart for God and from that point on I knew at some point in my life I was going to be
doing missions abroad for the rest of my life.” Lincoln’s passion for God is amplified by her passion for organic gardening. When asked about how she could use her major to do God’s work Lincoln said, “Environmental sustainability covers a lot of things, but what gets my heart going is sustainable agriculture and organic farming, being safe with the land and treating it with respect, treating the animals with respect, too. I’m a vegetarian so if I had animals they’d be companion animals and pets and maybe chickens for eggs. Using that and learning to share with people and build relationships because farming is a heart language to them, farming and learning together.” Initially, Lincoln was headed towards Fiji, but “[her] heart wasn’t in Fiji, but in the middle Eastern, Northern African regions.” However, she choose Fiji because her “parents were fearful of [her] going anywhere there was a lot of political discord.” But that did not sit right with her. Soon God pushed her towards her current destination, North Africa, and she is at peace with that. Now that she is headed to North Africa, Lincoln has a lot culture and adventure on the way. She is most looking forward to “being immersed in other cultures and learning their values.”
“Being able to go to North Africa I’ll be able to get a feel of what living I their shoes is like and be able to taste a whole other side of the world that I’ve never even thought of living in,” Lincoln said. She is also thrilled to learn Arabic and teach English. But with any venture there are some worries. “I’m concerned that I won’t come back because I’ll fall in love with it so much, and end up staying,” she said excitedly. “I’m not concerned by the safety,” she said “That doesn’t bother me at all, but I guess I’m concerned about how adequate of a teacher I’ll be and how adequate of a learner I’ll be.” With any all-encompassing project such as this there is the question of ‘what I do versus who I am. Lincoln says that she does consider herself a missionary. She said smiling, “It’s not just missions abroad that we often think about being a missionary in context. Being on a college campus is like being a missionary. Sharing love with people who may be feeling hopeless during exam week or dealing with stuff at home. You could be a missionary if you’re a teacher, a student, in the United States or across the seas. I consider myself to be a missionary in training.”
Seniors Display Immense Promise and Originality in Senior Art Exhibition Alexa Ianu, Staff Writer A bird’s nest made of rusty nails, cotton embroidered breasts, and a surfboard hanging from a wall, the Senior Art Exhibition has it all. On Sunday April 10 the Frankie G. Weems Gallery held its opening reception for the Senior Art Exhibition. Each artist had their own section of the gallery to display multiple works that they had accomplished in their academic career here at Meredith College. Through various artistic platforms these artists created a wide range of works such as paintings, sculptures, graphic designs, and interactive pieces as well. The works that these students created and displayed in their exhibition
were vibrant, original, personal, and ultimately impressive. They showcased many different techniques and media. While one could find a recognizable self-portrait of an artist in one corner, the next corner featured drawings of human bodies with animal skulls substituted for human heads. One wall is adorned with an original calendar highlighting days such as “Bubble Bath Appreciation Day” and another wall features an interactive piece resembling a gong. Despite the wide array of media and works featured in this gallery, they all appear very balanced and harmonious among one another.
There were multiple pieces that were inspired by the female anatomy; not a surprising muse for a room of female artists. What was surprising was the way the female anatomy was portrayed in some of these works. Jessie Taylor’s Juicy Bits were cotton embroidered female body parts that are often sexualized; lips, breasts, and pubis. Taylor had each displayed in frames on the wall the way they would be on the female body. Having only the lips, breasts, and pubis displayed with names such as Juicy Bit and Juicy Bits alludes to the over-sexualization of the female body while also showing appreciation for its
beauty. Artist Mars Williams had the female form as inspiration to her work as well but dissected it in a different way. Williams had prints of female bodies with the heads of animals replacing those of human heads. The figures are posed confidently and have strong animals, such as a wolf and a lioness, mounted on the necks. With such strong female animals on strong and confident female bodies Mars conveys strength, confidence, and pride of all female beings both animals and humans alike.
Sleep in the library! Start a study group with the people who have the highest grade in the class! Unless, you study better by yourself and hate people. Use academic probation as motivation to help you study. Watch your favorite shows on Netflix and HULU, just make sure your study break does not last for 3 days or longer. TAKE A SHOWER! Do not let the despair of exams interfere with your hygiene. The funky smell will affect you and everyone else’s ability to do well. Exercise! It relieves stress and you’ll
feel better. Plus, what better way to get that summer bod than by hating the last week of school. Cry. It’s necessary that you pick a public place for your emotional breakdown, like The Cate Center, the door that leads to Financial Aid, by the fountains etc. Wear something comfortable to your exam. Bring extra pencils, pens, and highlighters! This is your last time to shine girl. GO ALL OUT! Good Luck! May the curve be ever in your favor.
Meredith Hacks: Final Exam Tips M’Beyanna Robinson, Staff Writer So, it’s the last week of school and final exams have arrived to ruin your life. You know what that means: cram sessions, endless coffee and late nights filled with emotional breakdowns and Netflix breaks. It’s funny, every semester we know finals are coming and it still hurts our hearts to know the end is near. Somewhere far off in the distance, summer is approaching and all you can think about is your awesome plans! Snap back to reality you’re stuck in the library awkwardly staring at the girl next to you who is going strong for her bio final because she’s not trying to take the class again. Here are some tips to help you during
this dreadful time: Drink water and eat real food. You can’t live off skittles and coffee. YOU’RE GONNA DIE FAM! Do not cram! Why would you do this anyway? Don’t you love yourself? Go to the learning center. Those girls stay ready to take on your questions. Ask your professor questions before the day of the exam. Don’t walk in at 1 pm on Monday talking about, “Could you please explain…” Just no. If you show up to the exam and the first 3 questions look like a foreign language, just leave. JK. Skip them and move on! Also, check to see if you’re in the right exam.
Editorials