Summer 2025, Volume 50, Number 2
Defining “Meredith Stronger”
President Sapp’s Inaugural Celebration Looks to the FutureVideographer: Charlotte McKinney | Writer: Melyssa Allen
Features
You Have Made It Count for Meredith
Celebrating 10 Years of Giving Day
By Emily Parker
Ten years ago, Meredith College started our annual Make It Count for Meredith Giving Day with a goal of $125,000. This year, $1.6 million was the final total. The amount raised has grown each year, as have the competitions, the memories, and the fun. The excitement this day brings for the College and alumnae is immeasurable.
Learn More About Nursing at Meredith College
Hear from the Director of the Nursing Program
Videographers: Charlotte McKinney and Zorah Olivia | Writer: Rocio Antelis
Meredith College recently announced a new nursing program that will provide students with valuable opportunities to pursue rewarding careers while addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in North Carolina.
SAVE THE DATES
The Office of Alumnae Relations has many upcoming events and trips scheduled for alumnae and friends!
Defining “Meredith Stronger”
President Sapp’s Inaugural Celebration Looks to the Future
Videographer: Charlotte McKinney | Writer: Melyssa Allen
When the Meredith College community gathered on April 4, 2025, to celebrate the inauguration of President Aimee Sapp, the College’s new leader took the opportunity to share her vision for how a strong college can become even stronger.
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.
News
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College held commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 10. Approximately 520 degrees were conferred in the 10 a.m. undergraduate ceremony and the 2 p.m. graduate ceremony.
By Melyssa Allen
Professor Emerita Betty Webb, ’67, received the Meredith College 2025 Woman of Achievement Award during a special event on April 28, 2025. She was interviewed by Vice President for College Programs and Professor of English Jean Jackson, ’75.
Shop the Meredith Market!
Show your Meredith pride with new items in the Meredith Market Inauguration Collection.
To order online, please visit: meredithmarket.com.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College mourns the loss of faculty member Darren Masier, who passed away on April 28, 2025. Masier served as an assistant professor of organizational development in Meredith’s School of Business beginning in 2017. He taught human resource management courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and also served as MBA director.
By Emily Parker
Meredith Alumnae Reunion Weekend was held May 16-18, 2025, with more than 500 attendees. The weekend was full of opportunities for alumnae to reconnect and celebrate their time at Meredith. Alumnae traveled from 23 states and Washington, D.C., representing 35 class years from 1951 to 2022. In North Carolina, 96 counties were represented. Classes ending in a zero or five celebrated a special class reunion.
By Melyssa Allen
Anita Thomas has been selected to serve as Meredith College’s senior vice president and provost. She joined Meredith’s Executive Leadership Team on April 7, 2025.
By Melyssa Allen
In the 2024-25 Faculty Distinguished Lecture, Professor of Music Kent Lyman shared vignettes that explore the life and work of musicians from the past. In the lecture-recital, held on February 27, 2025, Dr. Lyman showed the power of music to connect people across time.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College held its 23rd Annual Celebrating Student Achievement Day on April 10, 2025. The day-long event, known on campus as CSA Day, showcases student research presentations, posters, performances, creative projects, awards, exhibits, and more. The 2025 event featured more than 80 submissions.
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. Students and alumnae can expect artisan craftsmanship and excellent customer service from both the company and our campus representative.
By Rocio Antelis
Fifty-two Meredith College students participated in the two-day 2025 Entrepreneurial Challenge, hosted by the School of Business.
By Melyssa Allen
When the early rounds of the 2025 men’s and women’s March Madness basketball tournaments were held in Raleigh, Meredith College student Cambria Chandler, ’26, got to experience these major athletic events up close.
Meredith’s FreeWill partnership empowers alumnae to plan ahead with confidence
Through the Meredith’s partnership with FreeWill, alumnae can create a legally valid will online — completely free of charge.
By Melyssa Allen
Ten Meredith College students traveled to Washington, D.C., during spring break, March 11-15, 2025, to meet with congressional officials and tour nonprofits that address food insecurity.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College student Lilly Koonce, ’25, spent her spring break gaining valuable experience through the CBC-UNC News Media Multiplatform Fellowship.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith’s Board of Trustees has approved the following faculty members for promotion and tenure, effective August 1, 2025.
Meredith Experts in the news
Meredith College experts have recently been featured in media outlets including Triangle Business Journal, Private University Products and News, Newsweek, The Guardian, and The News & Observer.
Meredith’s new nursing program was featured in The Triangle Business Journal on March 11 and in a story on WRAL.com on March 15. Both stories, which featured interviews with Nursing Program Director Michelle Hartman, emphasized that Meredith’s program will help address the nursing shortage in North Carolina.
Meredith’s Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences program was featured in Private University Products and News, a trade publication about higher education facilities. HESS faculty member Heather Sanderson was interviewed for this cover feature about how Meredith’s CHESS Building and the Lowery Fitness Center support student learning.
Professor of Economics Anne York was interviewed for a February 2025 story about the gender pay gap in Raleigh for an article published by The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer. York discussed factors that impact pay.
The Meredith Poll, with commentary from Professor of Political Science David McLennan, poll director, made headlines during the 2024-25 academic year in outlets such as The Guardian, Newsweek, The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer, WRAL, WTVD, and WUNC radio’s Due South podcast.
Have You Joined Meredith Mentors?
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.
Strong Stories
Trina Zazarine, ’25
Adding Academic Knowledge to Practical Experience
“I have been a serial entrepreneur for years, navigating every aspect of running a successful business. However, I lacked formal training and only had a few earlier jobs related to accounting. I wanted the academic knowledge to complement my practical experience.
I chose Meredith because of its reputation, campus, small class sizes, and the fact that it was a women’s college. The first few weeks of my first semester, I felt so welcomed and supported that I knew I had made the right choice.”
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.
Making an Impact.
Alumnae Connection
Show Your Meredith Spirit Year-Round
Looking for a unique gift for an Angel in your life? Need to refresh your Meredith gear? Head to the campus store! Shop in-person or online and
check back often – we’re getting new arrivals all the time!
By Rocio Antelis
Driven by her strong commitment to community involvement, Kellie Falk, ’85, has been a trailblazer since her time at Meredith.
Class Notes
See what your class has been up to! Compiled by the Office of Alumnae Relations from November 12, 2024, through April 4, 2025.
By Rocio Antelis
Self-described serial entrepreneur Julia Davis, ’01, recently began a new venture. Davis, a certified pilates instructor, and her business partner, Marina Kaydanova, opened BK Pilates in Raleigh, N.C.
Meredith Magazine
Volume 50, Number 2
Summer 2025
Kristi Eaves-McLennan, '14, MBA
Executive Editor
Melyssa Allen
Managing Editor
Emily Parker
Writer
Vanessa Harris
Art Director
Katie Bryant, '07
Senior Graphic Designer
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Videographer and Photographer
Zorah Olivia
Videographer and Photographer
Liza Bunce
Web Designer and Developer
Rocio Antelis
Writer
Hilary Allen, '01
Alumnae Connection Editor
Photographers:
Liza Bunce
Marissa De La Cruz, ’21
Flyboy Photo & Media
Matthew Lester Photography
Abbey Marie Photography
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Zorah Olivia
Meredith College Students, Faculty & Staff
Kristi Eaves-McLennan, ’14, MBA
Executive Editor
Melyssa Allen
Managing Editor
Emily Parker
Writer
Hilary Allen, ’01
Alumni Connection Editor
Vanessa Harris
Art Director
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Videographer and Photographer
Zorah Olivia
Videographer and Photographer
Katie Bryant, ’07
Senior Graphic Designer
Liza Bunce
Web Designer and Developer
Rocio Antelis
Writer
Photographers:
Liza Bunce
Marissa De La Cruz, ’21
Flyboy Photo & Media
Matthew Lester Photography
Abbey Marie Photography
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Zorah Olivia
Meredith College Students, Faculty & Staff