Summer 2024, Volume 49, Number 2

Meredith College Names Aimee Sapp its Ninth President

By Melyssa Allen 

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Features

Four portraits of students with a maroon overlay and the text "I am Meredith".

I Am Meredith.

Telling the Going Strong Story

Produced by the Meredith College Marketing Department in partnership with Horizon Productions

For more than 130 years, Meredith College has educated strong women who go on to have a powerful impact in their communities and around the world. Our students and alumnae are known for being smart, confident, ethical leaders who work hard and know how to make things happen. 

Meredith Autism Program

Videographer: Charlotte McKinney | Writer: Gaye Hill

The Meredith Autism Program (MAP) provides early intervention for autistic preschoolers in the Raleigh area using Applied Behavior Analysis. With a highly personalized program and expert staff, MAP builds on the strengths and interests of each individual child and provides guidance and support for family members. MAP also offers Meredith undergraduate students a clinical experience rarely available to undergraduate students.

A teacher looks over the shoulder of her preschoolers in the Meredith Autism Program.
Seven headshots with the text "Putting your best foot forward".

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

How to Strengthen Your Personal Brand – and Why It Matters

By Gaye Hill

Personal brands have been having a moment of late – so we checked in with some of our faculty and staff experts and asked them to reflect on the concept of personal branding through their particular professional lens. Their insights might surprise you – and provide ideas for how to think about and strengthen your own brand.

News

Two students moving their tassels to the left.

By Melyssa Allen

Meredith College held commencement for the Class of 2024 on Saturday, May 11. Two ceremonies were held in the courtyard behind Johnson Hall to celebrate more than 490 undergraduate and graduate members of the class. 

A student in a hijab answers questions about her poster presentation on C S A day.

By Melyssa Allen

Meredith College held its annual Celebrating Student Achievement (CSA) Day on April 18, 2024. The all-day conference is a showcase of student research and achievements in academics and arts.

Dr. Allen receives the Long Leaf pine award plaque.

By Kristi Eaves-McLennan

Dr. Jo Allen has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor for service in the State of North Carolina. The Office of the Governor grants the award to individuals with 30 or more years of service to North Carolina.

Alumnae Business Directory

Are you a Meredith alumna who owns a business? The Office of Alumnae Relations is seeking to provide the Meredith community with a list of STRONG alumnae business owners from all over the country in a wide variety of industries. 

Alumnae owned business sticker in front of johnson hall.

Poslusny Reflects on Role as Meredith’s First Provost

By Melyssa Allen

In 2013, Matthew Poslusny was named provost and senior vice president at Meredith, becoming the first person to serve in this role in the College’s history. After 11 years, he is leaving the provost position and returning more fully to the classroom.

Matthew Poslusny teaching in a class.
Dr. Walda Powell delivering her distinguished faculty lecture.

By Melyssa Allen

Professor of Chemistry Walda Powell presented “Life in Chemistry,” the 2023-24 Faculty Distinguished Lecture, on March 19, 2024. The lecture emphasized how chemistry affects every person’s life.

Jean Jackson speaking at a podium with the Alice background on stage.

By Melyssa Allen

Every four years since 1924, Meredith College faculty and staff present a performance of Alice in Wonderland as a gift to students. To help mark its 100th anniversary, the College held a Woman of Achievement event on January 25, showcasing this beloved tradition’s history.

An old image of a woman working in a lab with a wikipedia article overlayed.

By Rocio Antelis

In fall 2023, students in BIO-204 (Women in Science), taught by Assistant Professor of Biology Natasha Butz, sought to correct gender bias on Wikipedia by nominating pages for women scientists.

A group of students posing in front of a beautiful sicilian landscape.

By Gaye Hill

Meredith graduate students’ experiences are enhanced by study abroad programs that help them thrive in multicultural work environments.

A graphic of Johnson Hall with "Alumnae Owned Business" over the bottom edge.

Have You Joined Meredith Mentors?

​​Meredith Mentors is an online platform that fosters relationships between members of the Meredith community. Are you trying to connect with graduates who are in your field? Are you looking to launch a new career or business or thinking about returning to school and needing some advice or guidance? Meredith Mentors may just be the tool you need.

Overview of Johnson Hall.

Meredith College Board of Trustees Approves New Nursing Program

By Melyssa Allen

The Board of Trustees at Meredith College has officially approved the establishment of a new nursing program, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s history in response to the critical shortage of nurses in N.C. and the nation.

The meredith seal on the fountain.

By Melyssa Allen

Meredith’s Board of Trustees has approved the following faculty members for promotion and tenure.

Andrea Bocelli and a Meredith person smiling.

By Melyssa Allen

Meredith music faculty members performed with renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli when he appeared in concert at the PNC Arena on Valentine’s Day 2024.

Donors and Dr. Allen smiling together.

By Emily Parker

Meredith Alumnae Reunion Weekend was held May 17-19, 2024, with more than 600 people attending. The weekend was full of opportunities for alumnae to reconnect and celebrate their time at Meredith. 

A variety of cups and bags you can buy from the Meredith Market.

Shop the Meredith Market!

Show your Meredith pride and see what is new in the Meredith Market!

To order online, please visit meredithmarket.com.

Meredith Experts in the news

Meredith College experts have recently been featured in media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The News & Observer, WTVD (ABC-11), The North Carolina Literary Review, and HuffPost.com.

Associate Professor of Political Science Jeff Martinson was interviewed for a WTVD (ABC-11) story about escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The story ran on April 15, 2024.

Professor of Political Science David McLennan wrote an op-ed for The News & Observer on the electability of Republican nominee for governor Mark Robinson. The piece was published on March 13, 2024.

Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition Rebecca Hagedorn-Hatfield was interviewed for a Huffpost.com article, “The Hidden Mental Health Impact Of Cultural Food Insecurity.” The story was published on February 26.

Professor of English Rebecca Duncan had two reviews published in The North Carolina Literary Review on Marjorie Hudson’s Indigo Field and Susan O’Dell Underwood’s Genesis Road. Both novels explore the imprint of place and time on family dynamics, intercultural encounters, loss, and the possibility of renewal. 

Professor of Economics Anne York had a Letter to the Editor published in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, March 18. Her letter was a response to an editorial concluding the gender pay gap is caused by women’s own free will choices to work in lower-paying occupations. York’s letter aimed to correct that conclusion and noted there is evidence of discrimination against women as a key cause of the gender pay gap.

Strong Stories

Emma Brooks, ’24

Exploring the Intersection of Math and Computer Science

Writer: Gaye Hill | Videographer: Charlotte McKinney

“I really enjoyed math in high school with AP calculus, and I knew I wanted to continue pursuing that. As part of my math major, I had to take a computer science course, and I found that I really enjoyed coding, too. So I decided to add it on.

Through my connections at Meredith, I was able to secure an internship at Truist. I was able to see how my computer science skills are actually used in industry because it is a little different than how we learn it in school.”

Emma Brooks smiling.

Show Your Pride with a Meredith License Plate

It is a great way for North Carolina drivers to show their Meredith pride wherever they drive and to promote the College to future angels!

A Meredith College license plate.

Making an Impact.

Alumnae Connection

An iris during summer.

Save the Dates

The Office of Alumnae Relations has many upcoming events and trips scheduled for alumnae and friends! More information about each of these events and trips will be made available as the dates get closer. In the meantime, please save these upcoming dates on your calendar. 

Courtney Duncil smiling.
By Rocio Antelis

When Courtney Duncil, ’99, was a student at Meredith, she was unsure of what career path to pursue. Now, as a discovery counsel at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, N.C., she realizes how her time at Meredith prepared her for a successful career.

Johnson Hall in the evening light.

See what your class has been up to! Updates have been compiled by the Office of Alumnae Relations from November 12, 2023 through April 5, 2024.

Eiko Sato Kodama smiling.
By Rocio Antelis

Eiko Sato Kodama’s, ’82, career trajectory has taken unexpected turns since her time at Meredith. She first heard of Meredith from a North Carolinian classmate as a high schooler attending an international school. Upon visiting, she fell in love with the beautiful campus and knew it was the right college for her.

Meredith College Ring

Need to Order a Class Ring? Repair a Ring?

In March 2024, Meredith College began a new partnership with Balfour & Co. to produce the College class rings, graduation products, and regalia. Founded in 1913, Balfour is well known for its long and successful history in delivering exceptional quality products that last a lifetime. Balfour is the leader within the industry and manages nearly 75% of all ring programs for colleges and universities.

Meredith Magazine

Volume 49, Number 2
summer 2024
Kristi Eaves-McLennan, '14, MBA

Kristi Eaves-McLennan, '14, MBA

Executive Editor

Melyssa Allen

Melyssa Allen

Managing Editor

Gaye Hill

Gaye Hill

Assistant Editor

Emily Parker

Emily Parker

Writer

Vanessa Harris

Vanessa Harris

Art Director

Katie Bryant, '07

Katie Bryant, '07

Senior Graphic Designer

Charlotte Claypoole McKinney

Charlotte Claypoole McKinney

Videographer and Photographer

Jimmy Boston

Jimmy Boston

Videographer and Multimedia Designer

Liza Bunce

Liza Bunce

Web Designer and Developer

Rocio Antelis

Rocio Antelis

Writer

Hilary Allen, '01

Hilary Allen, '01

Alumnae Connection Editor

Homepage Photographs by:

Jimmy Boston
Liza Bunce
Christopher Ferrer
Flyboy Photo & Media
Tatyana Kiahra
Matthew Lester Photography
Abbey Marie Photography
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Michelle Renee Photography
Kaylin Tsukayama
Meredith College Students, Faculty & Staff

Kristi Eaves McLennan smiling at the camera

Kristi Eaves-McLennan, ’14, MBA

Executive Editor

Melyssa Allen smiling at the camera

Melyssa Allen

Managing Editor

Gaye Hill smiling at the camera

Gaye Hill

Assistant Editor

Emily Parker smiling at the camera

Emily Parker

Writer

Hilary Allen smiling at the camera

Hilary Allen, ’01

Alumni Connection Editor

Vanessa Harris smiling at the camera

Vanessa Harris

Art Director

Charlotte McKinney smiling at the camera

Charlotte Claypoole McKinney

Videographer and Photographer

Jimmy Boston smiling.

Jimmy Boston

Videographer and Multimedia Designer

Katie Bryant smiling at the camera

Katie Bryant, ’07

Senior Graphic Designer

Liza Bunce smiling at the camera

Liza Bunce

Web Designer and Developer

Rocio Antelis.

Rocio Antelis

Writer

Homepage Photographs by:

Jimmy Boston
Liza Bunce
Christopher Ferrer
Flyboy Photo & Media
Tatyana Kiahra
Matthew Lester Photography
Abbey Marie Photography
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Michelle Renee Photography
Kaylin Tsukayama
Meredith College Students, Faculty & Staff