By Dawn Medley

It is becoming a tradition, one that werelish. Not only did choosing the top10 stories of the year give us theopportunity to think about thestandout events and moments of2008–09, but it also meant that we gotto hear from you, the readers, aboutwhat you thought was compelling.

This is the third year that we havechosen 10 stories that defined TheCupola’s year in print. The assignmentis a tough one each time. During thisacademic year, the economy and anhistoric presidential election capturednational headlines and those in thisnewspaper as well. Rather than domi-nating headlines themselves in ourcampus coverage, civic and globalengagement continued to be infusedthroughout nearly every article. Werealize there are several significantitems that did not make it on this list,but we believe the top 10 representswhat people were talking about —and will continue to — during anotherexciting academic year.

GOING, GOING … GREEN

It may be no small coincidence thatthis wrap-up is being written on EarthDay 2009 and that MBC’s green

efforts emerged as the most talked-about topic from The Cupola’s top 10.From the Clean Plate campaign andrecycled paper products in HuntDining Hall to a continued push torecycle paper, plastic, cardboard, andmore through RecycleMania 2009,green practices are all around us oncampus, and readers took notice.

“Whether it was saying goodthings about what MBC is doing forthe environment, or talking about what the college could do better, I definitely heard people having conver-sations about going green,” said

Cassandra Comardelle ’12. The collegerecycled more than 10,500 pounds inthe RecycleMania period, and morethan doubled its ratio of recycledmaterials to landfilled waste from 2008.

A special green section in Marchreinforced the “reduce, reuse, recycle”mantra with an article by environ-mental advocate Lily Stejskal ’09, anupdate from MBC’s Green Council,and news about the formation ofStaunton Green 2020, an organizationthat includes Mary Baldwin facultyand staff. The MBC community’s

n e w s F O R M A R Y B A L D W I N C O L L E G E F A C U L T Y , S T A F F , A N D S T U D E N T S

thecupolaReaders Rate the Year in Words: The Cupola’s Top StoriesHeadlines Highlight Environment, Economy, Election

(See TOP 10, Page 12)

This spring, discussions about innovative ways toreduce the college’s budget shortfall and conserveenergy led to the decision to observe a four-daywork week in June and July. David Mowen, vicepresident of business and finance, estimates thatMBC will save $50,000 through the Turn It Offcampaign — introduced by President Pamela Foxin March — and by reducing cooling and elec-tricity use in most campus buildings during thesummer. Further savings could be realized byshutting off a chiller that cools King and MemorialResidence Halls and Wenger, and turning off thehot water supply for the summer, said SharonCampbell, former director of auxiliary services.

For some employees, helping the college withenergy and funds conservation will be a simpleschedule shift, coming in earlier or leaving laterMonday through Thursday to leave offices dark

on Fridays for a long weekend. For others, thetransition involves more details and planning, but, as Grafton Library Director Carol Creagernoted about her staff, everyone is “movinggraciously” toward accommodating the temporaryschedule change.

The four-day week will mean significantchanges for some Physical Plant administratorsand their employees. Several decisions still needto be made about exactly when and how to turnoff air conditioning units to maximize energysavings while keeping employees comfortable,said Campbell. When those plans are set, it willbe clearer what additional duties will be requiredof Physical Plant staff, who will, with someexceptions, work 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MartyWeeks, director of building services, said one ofthe biggest challenges will be coordinating times

when air conditioning can be turned ontemporarily in buildings for the intensive house-cleaning effort his staff is responsible for duringthe summer. He also noted that Adult DegreeProgram Summer Week will take place oncampus, but students will be housed in a nearbyhotel, not in un-airconditioned residence halls.

Robert Richardson, director of security, isworking out a way to give security employees theoption to take advantage of the four-day workweek without compromising the department’sround-the-clock presence on campus.

“We want to be part of the overall programand to feel like we’re contributing members of thelarger MBC community,” Richardson said. Headded that security guards take seriously their task of switching off lights, printers, and

Four-Day Weeks During Summer Could Help Save MBC $50K in Energy

(See FOUR-DAY, Page 3)

The presidential election and inauguration, Smyth Textbook Initiative, and introduction of new dean CatharineO’Connell (clockwise, l-r) were among the stories that defined the 2008-09 academic year. Readers sent intheir votes for these stories and more in The Cupola’s annual top 10 round-up.

May 5, 2009

Vol. 4 No. 9

The white gloves have come off atMary Baldwin College. Members ofthe college community are not onlywilling, but relish talking about moneyand fundraising in straightforwardterms, says Claire “Yum” LewisArnold ’69, former chair of thecollege’s Board of Trustees. And weneed to, she said, because that is whengreat things happen.

Arnold is confident that one ofthose great things will be generating$200,000 for MBC’s Annual Fund bythe end of June through the ReunionChallenge. Not only did Arnoldincrease her own contribution toMBC, she also convinced four otherwomen of varying ages and givinglevels who celebrated Reunion thisyear to collectively contribute up to$100,000. Then they challenged allother alumnae/i in 4 and 9 Reunionyears to raise $100,000. Arnold,Beverley Estes Bates ’64, Ann BowmanDay ’74, Cynthia Luck Haw ’79, andHolly Vitullo ’89 will match thosedonations for a possible total of$200,000. And Arnold is not done yet;she has a list of alumnae to call to askfor their donation to the challenge,and she does not plan to let it linger.

Contributions toward the$100,000 Reunion Challenge totaledapproximately $23,000 in late April,according to Jen Hagen, director ofannual giving.

“I was so pleased to be asked tospeak about money at Mary Baldwin,especially during Reunion,” saidArnold, who thought about what shewanted to say in her address at theweekend’s gala dinner, but did notprepare remarks. “I thought it wouldbe more sincere that way.”

It worked. Attendees cannot stoptalking about the story she relatedabout a speech she gave to theAlumnae/i Association Board ofDirectors several years prior that

included a reference to “taking offthe white gloves” while she literallydid exactly that to illustrate her point.Arnold also made a memorableimpression by confirming that shebelieves her contributions go fartherand are better stewarded at MaryBaldwin than they would beanywhere else.

“When enrollment at privatecolleges and women’s colleges wasdropping, we were forced to be, andable to be, entrepreneurial, and whatresulted were ADP, PEG, VWIL, andMLitt/MFA, programs that are notonly unique, but also benefit every

student on campus,” Arnold reiter-ated. “During 19 years on the Board,five of those as chair, I was privilegedto see how the finances of thiscollege are stewarded with wisdomand leverage.”

Beverley Estes Bates ’64 followedin her grandmother’s footsteps atMary Baldwin College. She said she isready to contribute additional fundsfor the matching challenge because shebelieves in the liberal arts concept and“felt that it was time to rally to ensure

that that college is here for our grand-children and great-grandchildren.”

Bates also gained knowledgeabout how MBC manages its money as a member of the Alumnae/iAssociation Board of Directors and a Board of Trustees member for 14 years.

Arnold paid for college withloans, a scholarship, and studentemployment as an Eta Beta — one ofthe highest paid student positions atMBC at that time. Now she is gratefulto be in a position to give back gener-ously, and, more than that, to inspireothers to do the same.

2 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

NEWSAlumnae Challenge Classmates to Match Funds, Fervor

May Term

Mural

Students and communitymembers spent a morning in

April prepping the brick walloutside the Spencer Center fora mural to be painted during aMay Term course led by MBC

Artist-in-Residence ClaudiaBernardi. The course, titled

“Building Peace,” continuesmomentum Bernardi estab-

lished when she led students inthe creation of a community

mural in downtown Staunton in2007. Watch the wall transform

with their effort during MayTerm April 29–May 19. Visit

www.mbc.edu/spencercenterfor a slideshow of more pictures. PH

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In 2009–10, Mary Baldwin College’sVirginia Women’s Institute forLeadership (VWIL) faces the mostserious funding situation in its 14-year history. During its 2009 session,the Virginia legislature reduced statefunding to the program by $264,000,a decrease of nearly half from its2008–09 appropriation.

“We need to be clear that thesefunding cuts are difficult, but there isno way we would abandon theprogram,” said Crista Cabe, associatevice president for Communication,Marketing, and Public Affairs.

VWIL is a public-private partner-ship funded by a combination of statesupport and the college’s operatingbudget. During its existence, fundingfor the program — the only one of itskind in the world — has been threat-ened several times. Until recently, thecollege received about $200,000 inUnique Military Activities funds, anappropriation that supported theoperational costs of military programsat Virginia Military Institute andVirginia Tech as well. Staff in theVWIL office was reduced to compen-sate for its discontinuation.

The 2009-10 cuts reduce themaximum state tuition assistance perenrolled VWIL student from Virginia.The state budget bill allows cadets toreceive about the same financial awardas non-VWIL undergraduates (RCW aswell as ADP) who are Virginia residentsand qualify for the state TuitionAssistance Grant (TAG). Previously,since VWIL was established as apublicly supported program within aprivate college, the VWIL grant washigher than TAG. As in previous years,next year’s state grant — whether theVWIL grant or TAG — will be but onecomponent of an individual student’stotal aid package, which takes bothneed and merit into account.

Despite the cuts, the MBCcommunity is grateful to many whowrote letters, made phone calls, sente-mails, and visited the GeneralAssembly to make the case forongoing VWIL funding.

“VWIL is a model partnership,leveraging a small amount of publicfunding to achieve results not demon-strated by other public programs,”Cabe said. “We continue to make thecase for restoring funding in the nextbudget cycle.”

VWIL Program Will Feel Crunch ofState Budget Cuts

“We were forced to be, and able to be, entrepreneurial, and what resulted were … programs that are not only unique,

but also benefit every student on campus.”

—CLAIRE “YUM” LEWIS ARNOLD ’69

This academic year has been aremarkable one. At mid-point in our10-year strategic plan, ComposingOur Future, we have exceeded ourexpectations. As we opened our 167thyear, Mary Baldwin College celebratedrecord enrollment. We created 16 newand enhanced academic programs andinitiatives. We exceeded the BertieDeming Smith Challenge, raising more than $18 million as the foundation forThe Campaign for Mary Baldwin. Wehave dared to make a difference.

As we navigated through theturbulence of the global economiccrisis over the past few months, weonce again have demonstrated theconfidence, courage, and compassionthat is the Boldly Baldwin ethos. We

have made our community ourpriority, through compassionate initiatives such as the Smyth TextbookFund and the Boldly Baldwin RCWStimulus Package. As an entrepre-neurial liberal arts college, our spirit of innovation and dedication toleadership at all levels drives ourmomentum as we create our way forward.

And, most significantly at thistime of year, we celebrate the amazingaccomplishments of the Class of 2009as they prepare to descend the curvedsteps on May 24 to the Commencementplatform on Page Terrace. Each day Ireceive joyous updates about seniorsand graduate students being acceptedinto law school, doctoral programs,

the Peace Corps,teaching posts incountries aroundthe world, and somuch more. Ourgraduates are notonly creating theirway forward to thenext chapters oftheir successful and significant lives,but they are poised to create theanswers and solutions necessary tolead our world forward as confidentchangemakers. I am so proud of eachof our graduates. Truly our hoperesides in them.

Let us continue to Live Boldly.

Pamela Fox, president

The Cupola May 5, 2009 3

Commitment to Continue Living Boldly

Alice Araujo, associate professor ofcommunication, a paper, “Shouting Intothe Void: Responses (or Lack Thereof) toPublications on Women in Academe,”Southern States CommunicationAssociation, April 2009.

Amy Diduch, associate professor ofeconomics, a paper, “PovertyMeasurement and the ConsumerExpenditure Survey,” Eastern EconomicAssociation meeting, February 2009.

Karen Dorgan, professor of education, asession, “Gotcha Covered! Activities toBuild a Foundation for UnderstandingArea,” Virginia Council of Teachers ofMathematics, March 2009.

Carrie Douglass, professor of anthro-pology, a paper, “Thomas Jefferson:Kinship, and Horse Trading with the FFVs(First Families of Virginia),” SouthernAnthropology Society, March 2009.

Sara Nair James ‘69, professor of arthistory, lectures, “Art in Orvieto: Faith,Festival, and Civic Identity,” “RenaissanceDrawing,” and “Researching Signorelli’sFrescoes in Orvieto: Serendipity andDiscovery,” Shenandoah University, April2009.

Kenneth Keller, professor of history, alecture, “The Valley Turnpike,” Phi AlphaTheta state banquet, 2009.

Claire Kent, associate professor ofbusiness administration, a presentationon sexual harassment from a businessand organizational perspective,Department of Psychological and BrainSciences, Indiana University, March2009.

Judy Klein, professor of economics, alecture, “Engineering the ObservationProcess: Sequential Observations inPolicy Space,” University of Amsterdam,March 2009.

Rick Potter, adjunct assistant professorof history, a paper, “Neville Chamberlain:An Unlikely Influence in Post-War BritishPlanning,” at the conference Front toRear: Architecture and Planning DuringWorld War II, March 2009.

Katherine Turner, assistant professor ofEnglish, a paper, “Philip Thicknesse andthe Economics Invective,” AmericanSociety for 18th-Century Studies, March2009.

(continued on Page 5)

baldwinboldly

Scott ‘Catches Comet By the Tail’ as Interim DeanThe following message is an amendedversion of Dr. Edward Scott’s finalannual Board of Trustees report in April.

* * *This final year of my service as deanof the college has made me morewistful than I could have imagined.From the beginning, I dared not tobelieve that I might do any better thansimply to do no harm. Had I thoughtI might star gaze for a year I wasquickly and alarmingly made tounderstand that Mary BaldwinCollege could least of all abide thewill to simply watch a comet. Shewould prefer to catch it by the tail.President Fox is a comet chaser andhad determined that the chiefacademic officer of the school mustchase the comet too.

Throughout my ride I have beenmore boastful than modesty willpermit of all that we have birthedthrough the Spencer Center for Civicand Global Engagement. I remainresolved that it captures our bestinstincts and molds our finest

impulses for sustaining local andglobal relationships ordered by sharedconcerns.

I have watched too, with growingadmiration, collective ambition togrow an intentional program toaddress the needs of first-yearstudents. I am especially grateful toco-directors, Dr. Carey Usher andstudent life staff member LynnGilliland ’80, who assume responsi-bility for fostering the success of thisnew initiative. The search to find alocation for the Center for First YearExperience is underway.

The remaining areas for which the dean exercises supervision, fromgraduate programs to libraryresources, amplify my earlier sentimentabout the comet. Each embodies amomentum achieved even in thecrucible of devastating economicdistress. It has been my good pleasureto mark the headlong flight of theMLitt/MFA program, to relish the tale that is woven by the ascendancyof our athletic program, and to

honor the stirringresearch of ourundergraduates.

In the end, Iam blessed amongmen to have livedwithout regret,though my visionmay have been onoccasion impaired by the dust of ourcomet. I am grateful for these pastthree years and the grand view theyhave afforded of a college headedtoward a future uncertain but a futureit shall surely master. I trust I did smallharm during that time, and greatergood than I might have hoped. I havefastened my grip upon the comet’s icycore and wait for the relief that newdean, Dr. Catharine O’Connell, bringsafter spring has run its course andsummer brings the uncommon heat ofour comet so near the sun.

Edward Scott, interim vice president for academic

affairs and dean of the college

wordspoken

other electrical devices (exceptpersonal equipment such ascomputers) during evening rounds.“Any little way we can contribute is agood thing.”

Roberta Palmer, director ofadmissions, and others in theAdmissions Office will not see muchof a change during the summermonths, although Palmer is trying tooffer some type of modified schedulefor staff. The Administration Buildingwill continue to be cooled and elec-tricity usage is permitted on Fridays

during June and July, as will PearceScience Center, where animals andheat-sensitive equipment and materialsmust be housed.

“It is not feasible for recruitmentand college visits to stop on Fridays,and all the departments we need towork with to keep things runningsmoothly have been more than willing to help us out,” Palmer said.“That kind of cooperation makes me proud of the people with whom I work.”

Grafton Library’s summerschedule will be modified to accom-modate longer hours Monday through

Thursday — open 8 a.m to 5 p.m.instead of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. —but director Carol Creager knowssome patrons will be inconveniencedby the library’s closure on Fridays.One unique concern for the library ishow to adjust air conditioning andlighting for three-day weekendswithout damaging books and othermaterials, Creager said.

“Most of our patrons in thesummer are graduate students, andmany of them work, so extendedhours will benefit them. It helps thatthis is a collective effort acrosscampus,” she said. �

“FOUR-DAY” Cont. from Page 1

4 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

Student News

By Kara Jenkins ’11 SGA Vice President 2009–10

Becoming vicepresident of theStudentGovernmentAssociation atMary BaldwinCollege is a greathonor, and I amlooking forward to

the school year ahead and workingclosely with executive committee andSenate board. This year’s Senate leaderstook the organization to another level.They are some of the most dedicatedyoung women I have ever met. Theytook their duties seriously and intro-duced new ideas and events for Senate.

Among many other initiatives, Iwas proud to see that student Senatewent paperless by placing importantdocuments on Blackboard and intro-duced Hot Topic Tuesday, brief lecturespresented by faculty and staff abouttimely topics.

The new Senate board is eagerly

planning for next year. You were intro-duced to myself and Linde Bischak ’10(Senate/ SGA secretary) in the Aprilissue of The Cupola, and we are joinedon the Senate board by junior KellyRose Spessard (Senate parliamentarian)and Shannon Epps ’11 (Senatetreasurer). I have already asked theboard to think of goals that they wantto fulfill next year.

For me, the top priority forstudent Senate is student involvement.Attendance at Senate is often low, sonext year we plan to increase publicityabout our meetings and encourage hallpresidents and Senators to hold small-group Senate meetings in their halls atleast twice a month. We want thestudent body to know they can have asgreat an impact on the school asstudent leaders and that their opinionsare vital when discussing matters inSenate.

I also look forward to inspiringSenate members to be involved incommunity service projects. We are alldetermined to achieve and exceed theambitious goals we will set.

Join Us Online!Commencement 2009www.mbc.edu/commencement

MBC Pandemic Preparedness Planwww.mbc.edu/docs/admin_docs/pandemic_influenza_plan_042809.pdf

Spencer Center Mural Slideshowwww.mbc.edu/spencercenter

The Catalogwww.mbc.edu/college/catalog.asp

Women for Women Internationalwww.womenforwomen.org

At Your Service!MAY TERM HOURS

Bookstore (in Pannill Student Center)Monday–Friday: 9am–4pm Grafton Library

Monday–Thursday: 8am–10pmFriday–Saturday: 8am–6pmSunday: noon–10pmHunt Dining Hall

Monday–Friday: 8-9am, 12–1pm, 5-7pmSaturday–Sunday: 12–1pm, 5-7pmPhysical Activities Center

Monday–Thursday: 7am–7pm Friday: 7am–5pmSaturday: 12–5pmSunday: 5–9pmPost Office (in Pannill Student Center)Monday–Friday: 9am–4pm Saturday: 9am–12pm Pub (in Pannill Student Center) Monday–Thursday: 11am–2pmDinner 5/3 and 5/10: 5-7pmClosed after dinner May 10Building Hours: Monday–Friday: 6am–midnightSaturday–Sunday: 7am–midnightWenger Computer Labs

7am–midnight

Hours will change after May 19. Please check individual locations.

www.mbc.edu/cupola

May 5, 2009Vol. 4 No. 9

To submit items for Boldly Baldwin andMovers & Shakers, e-mail msmith@mbc.edu.To submit ideas for news stories and briefs, e-mail dmedley@mbc.edu. Deadlines forsubmissions are the 15th of each month. TheCupola can also be reached at 540-887-7009.

The editor reserves the right to select represen-tative submissions and edit material accordingto AP and MBC style and available space.

EditorDawn Medley

Assistant EditorMorgan Alberts Smith ’99

DesignPam Dixon

The Cupola is published on the first Tuesday ofeach month, September to May, for the faculty,staff, and students of Mary Baldwin College bythe Office of Communication, Marketing, andPublic Affairs. For more news about MaryBaldwin, visit MBC News online at mbc.edu/news.

Mary Baldwin College does not discriminate on thebasis of sex (except that men are admitted only asgraduate and ADP students), race, national origin,color, age, disability, or sexual orientation in its educa-tional programs, admissions, or co-curricular or otheractivities, and employment practices. Inquiries may bedirected to the Director ofHuman Resources, P.O. Box 1500, MaryBaldwin College, Staunton, Virginia 24402;phone 540-887-7367.

thecupola

SGA Gavel: Senate Board ‘Eagerly Planning’ for 2009–10

� Linde Bischak ’10 was awardeda Research Experiences forUndergraduates (REU) fellowship from CarnegieMellon. REUs are competitiveawards funded by the National Science Foundation;awardees receive a stipend for10 weeks of hands-on summerresearch experience.

� Katherine-Jo Galayda ’10 andRuth Siboni ’09 received fellowships for the ResearchExperiences for Undergraduatesprogram. Galayda will work with Peter Ruiz-Haas,assistant professor of chemistry,at James Madison Universitythis summer, and Siboni willtravel to San Jose StateUniversity to work in the area of molecular biology.

� Cytha Stottlemeyer ’09 wasrecognized as MBC’s StudentEmployee of the Year for herdedicated work as a researchassistant for Laura vanAssendelft, professor of political science. Stottlemeyerwas vital to van Assendelft’sproject tracking women in local politics, and the pair spent hours analyzing data, writing a paper, andpresenting it at conferences.Stottlemeyer’s name appearswith van Assendelft’s in thebyline of the journal articleabout their research in VirginiaSocial Science Journal,published in April 2009. “What makes Cytha’s contribu-tion unique is her ability totranscend the professor/studentworker relationship and emerge as a professionalcolleague and researcher,” van Assendelft said.

� Psychology students AnnaLauth ’09, Laura Taylor ’09,Mary Ann St. Amour ’09, Ruth Siboni ’09, and AlannaWarnick ’10 presented theiroriginal research at theCarolinas PsychologyConference in April. For moreinformation and the titles oftheir presentations, visitwww.meredith.edu/psych/cpc/default.htm.

Students in Motion

Mary Baldwin College raised morethan $15,500 for the AmericanCancer Society during Relay for LifeMarch 21. Approximately 167 MBCstudents, faculty, staff, friends, andfamily members — including morethan 25 survivors — cheered eachother on through the chilly evening toraise awareness for the fight againstcancer. Opening ceremonies includeda moving survivor story shared byStephanie Ward ’10 and a perform-ance by Baldwin Charm. Katie-JoGalayda ’10 cut her hair for Locks ofLove to kick off the survivors lap,along with a handful of others

including MBC students and staff.Special recognition goes to MatthewGilliland, son of Lynn Gilliland ’80,director of First and Second YearExperience and cancer survivor.Matthew raised $2,301 and MBCsenior Amanda Feinstein raised $2,191,the top two fundraisers.

You can still help MBC raisemore for cancer research. Donationswill be accepted until August 31 bycash, check, or credit card bycontacting American Cancer Society,1920-H Medical Avenue,Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22801, or bycalling 800-416-8847.

MBC Friends and Family Rally at Relay

Students, faculty, staff, and community members encouraged each other in the fight against cancer duringMBC’s 2009 Relay for Life, during which participants raised more than $15,500.

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The Cupola May 5, 2009 5

Gordon Bowen, professor of politicalscience, two chapters, “Foreign Policy ofthe United States” and “Israel and theUnited States,” The Nineties in America,Salem Press, 2009.

Sarah Kennedy, associate professor ofEnglish, a book, Home Remedies,Louisiana State University Press, 2009.

Daniel Métraux, professor of AsianStudies, an article, “The Soka Gakkai inCambodia,” Japan Studies Review, 2009.

Rick Potter, adjunct assistant professorof history, two articles, “June 1922:David Lloyd George is accused of selling honors” and “July 1973: Policearrest architect John Poulson for briberyand fraud,” Modern Scandals, SalemPress, 2009.

Adrian Riskin, associate professor ofmathematics, a co-authored paper withMarisa Debowsky ’00, “A system for thesimulation of simultaneous movesbetween two noncolocational players,”Journal of Irreproducible Results: theScience Humor Magazine.

Peter Ruiz-Haas, assistant professor of chemistry, a paper, “Monitoring ofredox state in a dechlorinating culturewith immobilized redox indicators,”Journal of Environmental Monitoring, Vol. 11, Issue 4, 2009.

Jim Sconyers, assistant professor of art,a piece of work, state license,showcased in the portfolio IdentificationPlease, Global Implications SouthernGraphics Council Conference, March2009. Sconyers also taught twoworkshops introducing new techniquesin lithography and intaglio printing,Wheaton College Department of Art.

Mary Hill Cole, received the 2009–10Karl F. and Patricia H. Menk Award forFaculty Support and Development, whichwill aid her in her sabbatical research thatfocuses on the issue of family forElizabeth I of England. “While historiansoften emphasize the familial isolation ofElizabeth, I am interested in exploringhow she referenced the memories of herimmediate family and how she formed akinship network of extended familymembers as part of her personalmonarchy,” Cole said.

achievementsnotable

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baldwinboldly

artsfine

wordwritten

Phi Beta Kappa

Lucy Billiter, Michelle Binger, DevonBurke, Brittany Clark, Mary KateCowher, Yurie Gunji, Aja Harvey, DeniseKinsinger, Aileen McLaren, CasbyStainback, Robyn Stegman, Rhea Vance-Cheng, Hannah Vargason, LindeBischak, Kathryn Polak

Global Honors Scholars

Study Abroad Stipends

Michelle Binger, Linde Bischak, DevonBurke, Elisabeth Maddrell, AlisonPresswood, Sterling Shelley, RobynStegman

Richard S. Reynolds Foundation

Scholarships for Study Abroad

Kathryn Reyna, Hannah Scott, RheaVance-Cheng

Adult Degree Program

Loyalty Fund Scholarship

Katrina Braford, Jeanette Burke,Jacqueline Coleman, Diane Hollins,Catherine McWhorter, Hollie Nase,Kathryn Reyna

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Lanell Jarvis

The Ulysse Desportes Award

for Outstanding Achievement

in Art History

Aubrey de Cheubell

The Ulysse Desportes Award

for Outstanding Achievement in

Studio Art

Aubrey de Cheubell, Lindsey Gwaltney,Deidre Hiner

The Eric Matthew Brown

Award for Outstanding Achievement

in Graphic Design

Kelly Rose Spessard

Scholar-Athlete Awards

BASKETBALL: Christie Hamilton and Kara Hawkins

CROSS COUNTRY: Holly Breen, Christina Diette, Kristen Messina, Kathryn Stephens

SOCCER: Elizabeth BaxterSOFTBALL: Jaime Edwards, Christie

Hamilton, Carolyn Majchszak, Casey Starry

TENNIS: Gretchen Domaleski, Ania Grazynska, Karen Torres

VOLLEYBALL: Linde Bischak, Jaime Edwards, Christie Hamilton, Kara Jenkins, Colena Roberts

Mary Jane Donnalley Award

Linde Bischak

Alice McCaa Class of 1976

Biology Award

Meghan Corrigan-Cummins

Biology Outstanding Student

Ruth Siboni

Business Administration Residential

Program Outstanding Senior

Danielle Rovira

Business Administration Adult

Degree Program Outstanding Senior

Angie Pollard

Hammock Award

Alicia Bortone

Charlotte Forten Grimké Award

Janell Henderson

Outstanding Communication

Senior Award

Elizabeth Dattilio

Benn Creative Writing Award

Jael Cooper

George C. Marshall

Foundation Award

Hannah Guarendi, Molly Smith

First Year Calculus Award

Kate Polak, Michelle Vaisman

Chemistry Outstanding Student

Katy Jo Gileda

Donald D.Thompson

Memorial Scholarship

Kendall Henry

Dorothy Mulberry Award

Brittanie Bailey, Mariead Hines, Sara Duffy

Melissa Mitchell Award for May Term

Study Abroad

Christie Hamilton

Melissa S. Mitchell Award for

Excellence in Asian Studies

Devon Burke, Aja Harvey

President’s Award

Alicia Bortone

Student Leadership Award

Janaire Jackson

Honor and Integrity Award

Cynthia Rodriguez

Unsung Heroes

Aubrey de Cheubell, Aja Harvey

Global Citizenship Award

Robyn Stegman

Organization of the Year

Circle K International

Organization Service Award

Circle K International

Mary Baldwin’s annual Honors Convocation gives the college a chance torecognize outstanding work of many of its students. Hundreds were lauded thisyear for making the Dean’s and Honors lists for grade point averages of 3.5 to3.74, and 3.75 and above, respectively. For a full list of those students, see arecent article on the Mary Baldwin College news site at www.mbc.edu/news.

Each department also grants awards — many named in honor of influentialprofessors and students in the college’s history. Nearly two dozen individualawards — which were a surprise to recipients — were given to students whoexcel in specific academic areas.

In addition, several awards are given at the annual Student GovernmentAssociation banquet, where new leaders take their oaths. Congratulations to eachof the MBC students whose accomplishments shine boldly here!

Take Note of These Names: Dozens Earn Awards and Honors

Adult Degree Program students were recognized by MBC President Pamela Fox during a special receptionthis spring.

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Student News

6 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

NEWS

CAPSTONEF E S T I V A L

A student explains her thesis project to MBC President Pamela Fox, right, and another attendee at the2008 Capstone Festival. This year’s 25 participants will vie for awards in three categories.

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May 14, 2009Selected students will present thesis projects.

1:30–5pm, Hunt West, Nuthouse, Hunt Gallery, and Miller Chapel.

Celebration Reception and Awards Presentation.

5–6pm, Hunt West.

Welcome and Opening

1:30–1:50, Hunt West. Dr. Edward Scott

Multi-Media Presentations, Nuthouse

� 2–3pmMANAGING THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF A GLOBAL SOCIETY

Brittanie Baughman-Rovira: An Analysis of MicrosoftAlicia Bortone: OlayBrooke Lohr: Restless Leg Syndrome: The Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Mirapex and its Effects on the Prevalence of the Condition. Hannah Vargason: Helping People Help Themselves: Policy Options that Promote a Higher Personal Saving Rate.

� 3:15–4:45 CULTURAL CHANGE AND ENDURING CULTURE

Laura Dean: North African Immigration and Its Political and Social Effects on FrancePamela Mendoza: When Did South Korea Get This Cool? Korean Pop Culture’s Influence on Japanese Opinions of KoreaChelsea Smith: A Time for Change: The Transformational Roles of Modern U. S. Foreign Assistance and the Challenges Faced in Reform.Denise Kinsinger: Creating Opportunities for Civic Engagement in a Global Context by Reading Chaucer AloudAubrey de Cheubell: Abstract Expressionist Ceramics: A Catalyst for a New Dialog Within Ceramic Art

Delivered Papers, Miller Chapel

� 2–3pmCONFLICT AND RESOLUTION

Samantha Hudson: The Gullah: A People’s Resistance to Cultural Domination. Catherine Kammer: Words for Weapons: The Success of the Nineteenth Century Non-Violent Irish Independence MovementRobyn Stegman: For the Dalai Lama’s Consideration: Civic Engagement and the Tibetan Peace MovementSarah Wisecup: Women at War

� 3:15–4:45 CHANGE AND CONTINUITY IN AMERICAN LIFE

Casby Stainback: A Political Perspective on Hunting with Hounds in Virginia. Elizabeth Dattilio: “I’m So Sorry”: Communicating Bereavement Support Messages Cytha Stottlemeyer: Making News and History: Race, Gender, and the Media in the 2008 Presidential PrimaryHannah Vargason: An Unlikely Exburb: The Meaning of Changing Preferences in the Housing Market in Frederick County, Virginia

Posters, Hunt West

� 2–3:15pmSOCIAL SCIENCES, NATURAL SCIENCES, & HUMANITIES

Lucy Billiter: Factors in Decision MakingElizabeth Gifford: Stabilization of Lipase in ChitosanSkye Hartman. HA-NEH-AL-ENJI: CLA-GI-AIH NE-AHS-JAH GLOE-IH AH-JAH GAH NA-HASH-CHID AH-JAH TSE-GAH YEH-HES TSAH BE GLOE-IH BE-LA-SANA AH-LOSZ (Communication: Power Behind War)Mary Elizabeth Schwab: Skepticism within the European Union about Monetary Policies and Foreign PoliciesAbigail Turner: A Spectroscopic Study of Cucurbit[7]uril Host-Guest Recognition PropertiesAlanna Warnick: Effects of Horses on Self-Esteem and Locus of Control

Visual/Audio-Visual, Hunt Gallery

� 3:30–4:45pm

Aubrey de Cheubell: Crafting ContentLindsey Gwaltney: EggshellsDeidre Hiner: Voices of Small Town Business: Portraits of Monterey, VirginiaMcKenzie Taylor: Cocoa and Daisy Go to the Fair, A Children’s Book

The Cupola May 5, 2009 7

NEWS

CongratulationsTO ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATINGIN THE 2009 CAPSTONE FESTIVAL

With the increasingly global outbreak of H1N1 influenza A making dailyheadlines, Mary Baldwin officials are monitoring the situation verycarefully and are prepared to act swiftly if needed. The college has forsome years had plans in place for dealing with a potential flu pandemic.In the meantime, we are stepping up awareness on campus and urgingstudents, faculty, and staff to take general flu-season precautions to staywell and protect our community:

� Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20seconds. When that’s not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer gelsare effective.

� Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth.

� If you cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue and then throw it away. Ifyou don’t have a tissue, use the elbow of your sleeve instead of yourhand.

� Sanitize frequently-touched surfaces such as door handles.

� If you are in an area where there have been confirmed cases of flu,avoid close contact (including hugs and handshakes) with others, aspeople can be contagious before they feel sick.

� Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,headache, chills, fatigue, and, in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.

� If you feel sick, stay home to avoid exposing others. If you must bearound other people (hard to avoid in a residence hall!), be consid-erate of others by following the steps above.

� If you begin to experience severe symptoms, contact your doctor orother health care professional without delay. Several anti-viralmedications are effective against this strain of the flu, especiallywhen taken early. However, please contact your health care profes-sional by telephone beforehand to ask for advice on how tominimize possible exposure to others in the health care setting.

MBC’s updated Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan is available fordownload at www.mbc.edu/docs/admin_docs/pandemic_influenza_plan_042809.pdf.

MBC officials are communicating with local and state health officials,who are coordinating with and following the lead of the national Centersfor Disease Control. We are also coordinating with other private collegesin Virginia.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONThe Centers for Disease Control provides the most detailed and up-to-date information including what to do if you get sick:www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

The Virginia Department of Health posts information specific toVirginia: www.vdh.state.va.us/

The World Health Organization monitors the outbreak on a global scale:www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Keep an eye on your e-mail and the MBC Web site for updates.

College Urges All to TakePrecautions Against Flu

“The Capstone Festival is a day when professors learn much from theirstudents,” says Judy Klein, professor of economics. Launched in 2006, thecollege’s Capstone Festival — an event for public thesis presentations duringMay Term — has become the premier showcase for student academic work atMBC. As the event becomes more established, more students are thinkingabout being selected for Capstone while they work on their projects, but mostoften it is still their professors who first see a project’s potential to be broughtto a wider audience.

This year, 25 students accepted nominations for an outstanding seniorproject, Honors thesis, or special undergraduate research project and will viefor prizes in three categories. The top paper, poster presentation, and visual oraudio-visual projects will be awarded, and the faculty and staff members whonominated each participant will be pulling for each of them to do their best.Here is what a few nominators said about the students they selected:

— � � � —

� “In her senior economics project, Hannah addressed the very importantissue of people not saving enough for retirement. She tackled challengingtheoretical concepts (such as hyperbolic discounting) and made solidconnections between data, recent insights, and policy prescriptionsemerging from behavioral economics.” Judy Klein, professor ofeconomics, nominator of Hannah Vargason ’09

� “As the Russell Scholar for 2008–09, Denise did a wonderful job ofpresenting her project for a public audience prior to the CapstoneFestival. In addition to richly deserved recognition, the event will allowher to polish her presentation and more fully incorporate into her talk avideo she made of students performing Chaucer’s “Nun’s Priest’s Tale.”By participating in the festival, she will highlight both the RussellScholarship and the integration of community in engagement at MaryBaldwin.” Terry Southerington ’72, professor of theatre, nominator ofDenise Kinsinger ’09

� “Sarah’s project [which examined the reactions of females at variouslevels of military experience to the movement to introduce women intomilitary combat situations] is not only an excellent example of socialscience research methodology, it also examines an important issue for allwomen — not just those with military aspirations. The experience ofsharing and disseminating her exciting research and knowing that othersare learning from her own work is an experience that cannot bematched.” Carey Usher, assistant professor of sociology, nominator ofSarah Wisecup ’09

� “Abby worked like crazy all year and deserves the attention! Her projectrequires great care in her experimental techniques (extremely smallconcentrations and volumes as small as 1/1000th of a liter) and a greatdeal of time invested. The experiments have relevance for devices thatdetect small traces of specific chemicals and may have implications forselective drug delivery. The Capstone is her opportunity to explain inter-esting and important science to non-scientists.” Karl Zachary, assistantprofessor of chemistry, nominator of Abigail Turner ’09

Professors Praise Students withCapstone Nominations

8 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

COMMENCEMENT AWARDSThe following awards will be presented atCommencement, most of which are a surpriseto the recipient until they are announced at theceremony:

ALGERNON SYDNEY SULLIVAN STUDENT AWARD,recognizing unselfish service, noble character,and spiritual qualities — and the accompa-nying Mary Keith Fitzroy Award.

ALGERNON SYDNEY SULLIVAN NON-STUDENT

AWARD, recognizing unselfish service, noblecharacter, and spiritual qualities.

MARTHA STACKHOUSE GRAFTON AWARD, given to the graduate with the highest cumulativegrade point average.

ADULT DEGREE PROGRAM

OUTSTANDING STUDENT

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING STUDENT

OF THE YEAR

ARIEL AWARD, given to an MLitt or an MFAstudent whose generous hard work has made anoutstanding contribution to the ideals and goals ofthe college’s graduate program in Shakespearestudies and who exhibits the power of collabo-ration between student and teacher.

Robyn Stegman is one of several MBC seniors who will continue their civic and global engagement after graduationMay 24. Here’s a glimpse at a few more graduates with ambitious plans:

� Hawaii native Rhea Vance-Cheng co-founded the Mary Baldwin Global Initiative with Stegman and was instrumental whileattending two Clinton Global Initiative University conferences. Vance-Cheng is a theatre major who, also like Stegman, completeda minor in the relatively new field of peacemaking and conflict resolution. After graduating at age 18 through the Program forthe Exceptionally Gifted, she will pursue a master’s degree in peacemaking and conflict resolution at Georgetown University.

� Pamela Mendoza and Devon Burke have signed on to teach abroad through the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET)program. Although they do not yet know where they will be placed in schools, both are encouraged that the positions willopen doors for their international career aspirations. Mendoza and Burke were also members of the first “class” of MBCGlobal Citizens, recognizing that they made international travel and cross-cultural events and understanding a priority while atMary Baldwin.

� During her senior year at Mary Baldwin, Monica Roberts created an informational video about the study abroad experiencesof MBC students and faculty, a piece that Director of International Programs Heather Ward hopes to use when promotingopportunities at the college. On a study abroad trip to Cyprus during her freshman year, Roberts got a glimpse of life inLondon, and she plans to return there for graduate studies in industrial organizational psychology.

� � �

MAY 24, 200910 a.m. Page Terrace/Rain location: Expoland, Fishersville, 10:30 a.m.

167th commencement

For some MBC students, seeing theworld is just the beginning — theyare compelled to action, saysHeather Ward, director of interna-tional programs.

One student in particular has“redrawn the profile of global citi-zenship” at MBC, Ward said whenpresenting Robyn Stegman ’09 withthe college’s Global CitizenshipAward for the second consecutiveyear. “Mary Baldwin is fertileground for new leaders, and Robynhas emerged as a leader for globaland civic engagement.”

Stegman chose Mary BaldwinCollege based on its strong interna-tional relations program and theincentives offered to her as a GlobalHonors Scholar. By the time shegraduated from high school inMichigan, she had already traveledto nearly a dozen overseas locationswith her father and younger sister,and she sought a college that wouldbuild on that experience.

“I had a collection of interna-tional items as a kid — a Barbiefrom Argentina, a mat from Mexico,things like that. My dad wanted toshare the world with us, and I neverstopped wanting to learn,” she said.

After her freshman year atMBC, Stegman felt the itch to travelagain, and she started looking for aprogram that would introduce her toHindi culture, in which she had a

growing interest. She was notdeterred by the fact that MaryBaldwin didn’t offer such a program,and instead coordinated a plan tostudy abroad for a year in Indiathrough Antioch University, whichhas a headquarters for internationalstudy in Ohio. The journey was truly transformational, and includeda stay in a monastery where Stegmantook the vows — and shaved herhead — to temporarily become aBuddhist nun.

“Travel alone does not make onea global citizen,” Ward said. “Robynacts on what she sees and learns.”

Stegman connected her experi-ence in India to MBC when she andseveral other students created theMary Baldwin Global Initiative toraise awareness of human traffickingand other at-risk young girls aroundthe world. A commitment tosupport Dhamma Moli girls schoolin Nepal, founded by nuns Stegmanmet while in India, is the product ofher attendance — along with 14other Mary Baldwin students — atthe inaugural Clinton GlobalInitiative University. She also volun-teered to mentor a student fromJapan when she returned, becomingthe college’s first MBC Ambassador,which is now a growing program.

This year, she served as theresident advisor for the InternationalHall Living-Learning Community,

and took advantage of breaksduring the academic year to teachcomputer literacy in Uganda andlearn about the peace process in ElSalvador with MBC Artist-in-Residence Claudia Bernardi. Shewas one of the first students toenroll in the college’s Semester ofService, and through that practicumshe organized a social entrepre-neurism speaker series, interfaithdialogues, and MBC’s first GlobalAwareness Week. Not surprisingly,Stegman recently became one of thefirst to be inducted into the college’sGlobal Citizens Society.

She hopes each of these piecescontribute to her legacy at MaryBaldwin College. After a month ofsummer work with the PhoenixProject engaged in social entrepre-neurship as a strategy to addresspoverty in Virginia, Stegman willstart a year-long placement as anEnglish teacher in South Koreathrough English Apple.

“My goal is to be a part-timeworker or student and a full-timetraveler,” said Stegman, who isapplying for a Rotary scholarshipfor graduate studies in social entre-preneurism in Mumbai, India.

“Mary Baldwin has beenRobyn’s laboratory for a lifetime ofglobal citizenship. I can’t wait tofind out what she will do and whereshe will be next,” Ward said.

Graduates Will Be Confident, Compassionate, Cross-Cultural Changemakers

� Registration and Welcome. 4-6pm,May 22 and 9am-2pm, May 23.William G. Pannill Student Center.

Saturday, May 23

� Commissioning Ceremony. 11am.Page Terrace.

� Ajani Ceremony. 12:30-2pm. Rose Terrace Lawn.

� Reception with Live Music on thePresident’s House Lawn. 5:30-7pm.

� Commencement Ball. 9pm-midnight. SAC, Pannill Center,Tyson Terrace.

Sunday, May 24

� 167th Commencement. 10am. Page Terrace.

Selected events. For a complete schedule of Commencement 2009 events,visit www.mbc.edu/commencement

COMMENCEMENT

SCHEDULE 2009

� Two of the biggest national storiesthis year were the presidential electionand inauguration of President BarackObama, and Mary Baldwin seniorswere in the thick of the coverage.Casby Stainback supportedRepublican presidential candidateSen. John McCain, but she had thelast word in an Associated Pressarticle that was picked up in morethan 160 national and regional mediaoutlets with a nonpartisan partingline. “The more people who partici-pate, the better off we’ll be,” saidStainback, MBC Student GovernmentAssociation president. She was inter-viewed by Chicago AP reporterMartha Irvine for a piece that ran justa week before the election.

� Stephanie Ragland gave local media anup-close view of the January 20 inau-guration when she attended severalevents in connection with the inaugu-ration as an alumna of the Presidential

Classroom program. She shared amemorable story with The NewsVirginian in Waynesboro, Virginiaabout then-Senator Obama shakingher hand and calling her by name.

“‘How do you know my name?”she remembers asking,” read thearticle. “‘Your name tag,’ he said,laughing and shaking her hand. ‘Aswe see on TV, he loves to communi-cate,’ Ragland said.”

� Senior Robyn Stegman was also partof a local news story about electionissues discussions at MBC, but herinterests also shone in two laterpieces. She spoke passionately onHarrisonburg television stationWHSV-TV3 in February about herattendance at the second annualClinton Global Initiative Universityconference and the college’s commit-ment to help young girls who are atrisk. In March, she contributedjournal-type entries to the online

publication Diverse: Issues in HigherEducation while in El Salvadorworking with MBC Artist-in-Residence Claudia Bernardi on amural in a community that wasdevastated by civil war.

� Coverage and reviews of MBCtheatre and community productionswere filled with regulars on stage such as seniors Katelyn Scott andShae Armstrong. Scott had a co-starring role in MBC’s production ofthe musical comedy Wonderful Town,and Armstrong grabbed headlines asthe lead in ShenanArts spring showThe Secret Garden, keeping Mary Baldwin’s presence in thecommunity’s thriving fine arts scene.

� Students were key to putting a faceon the college’s March announcementof a Student Stimulus Package forthose in the Residential College forWomen. Senior Hannah Barrowappeared in television and print piecesto explain how the parts of the plan— Julia’s List, changemaker intern-ships, and Leadership Gatewaysscholarships — would benefitstudents, specifically her sister SarahAnne Barrow ’12.

The Cupola May 5, 2009 9

COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND CEREMONIES

Ajani12:30 p.m. May 23Rose Terrace Lawn (Rain location: Dance Studio in PAC)

Speaker: Tiffany Jackson ’07

This ceremony is considered a rite ofpassage for graduating seniors whoare women of color and have demon-strated exceptional commitment tomulticultural campus life. Eachreceives a kente stole hand woven inAfrica. The senior minority studentwith the highest grade point averagedelivers a response to the speaker; this

year’s responder is Janell Henderson ’09. Awards to be presented:

RAFIKI (“FRIEND” IN SWAHILI) AWARD STILL I RISE AWARD

HARRIETT JACOBS WITNESS AWARD AJANI ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

Phi Beta Kappa Initiation5 p.m. May 23Francis Auditorium in Pearce Science Center

Speaker: Dr. Thomas Berger, MBC visiting professor in MLitt

Mary Baldwin College is one of only a small percentage of colleges to house a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, widely considered the most prestigious of academic honor societies. Students who werenotified of their selection this spring and will be official members at the ceremony:

VWIL Change of CommandReview2:30 p.m. May 23Parade Ground at Physical Activities Ctr(Rain location: Physical Activities Center)

Speaker: Brig. Gen. Arnold Gordon-Bray,deputy commanding general, U.S. Army cadet command

The achievements of Virginia Women’sInstitute for Leadership graduates will be saluted as they pass their sabers to next year’s seniors. The event includes afull parade by the world’s only all-female cadet corps and the MBC/VWILBand, which is made up of cadets and non-cadet students.

VWILCommissioningCeremony11 a.m. May 23Page Terrace(Rain location: Physical Activities Center)

Speaker: Army Captain Mei-Ling Fye ’05

Seven of this year’s 13 VWIL graduateswill accept a commission in the UnitedStates armed forces to serve in the AirForce, Army, Marines, Navy, or CoastGuard. The commissioning ceremony

represents the culmination of four years of academic and physical workas students receive their first salutes as new officers in the armed forces.

Karen Shermanhelps “strongerwomen buildstrongernations” asexecutivedirector forglobal programsat Women forWomenInternational.The phrase, used frequently by thesocial entrepreneurism organizationthat Sherman has been a part ofsince 2003, is not a hollow promise.

As Mary Baldwin College’sCommencement speaker, Shermanwill share how Women for WomenInternational has given hope towomen in conflict zones inAfghanistan, Bosnia andHerzegovina, the Republic ofCongo, and many other countries.Founded in 1993, Women forWomen provides job and leadershiptraining, small business developmentassistance, emotional support, andrights education to encouragewomen to support their families andcontribute to their communities andto society.

“We are committed to workingwith the most socially excludedwomen in those populations becausethey are not being served by otherorganizations,” Sherman said in apresentation for the World AffairsCouncil. “We are motivated to movethem from victim to survivor toactive citizen in their communities.”

Sherman has an integral role atWomen for Women International,coordinating program leaders ineach country where the organizationoperates. She has more than 20years experience in internationaldevelopment, including managementof technical and financial aidprograms for women, entrepreneurs,and non-governmental organizationsworldwide. She is proficient inRussian and launched and operateda small business in the former SovietUnion, identifying entrepreneurialopportunities and finding partner-ships in that region.

Prior to joining Women forWomen International, Sherman wasexecutive vice president atCounterpart International, a globaldevelopment organization thatoperates in more than 60 countries.She earned a BA at Oregon StateUniversity and an MA in Russianand Eastern European studies atGeorge Washington University.

Speaker DeliversMessage of Hope toWomen Worldwide

LUCY BILLITER

MICHELLE BINGER

LINDE BISCHAK

DEVON BURKE

BRITTANY CLARK

MARY KATE COWHER

YURIE GUNJI

AJA HARVEY

DENISE KINSINGER

AILEEN MCLAREN

MELANIE PINO-ELLIOTT

KATHRYN POLAK

CASBY STAINBACK

ROBYN STEGMAN

RHEA VANCE-CHENG

HANNAH VARGASON

Several seniors demonstrated their media savvy during the 2008–09 academic yearby offering opinions, expertise, and heartfelt stories for members of the local andnational press. Whether they stepped up when called on by Mary Baldwin’s mediarelations and publications team, or they were simply in the right place at the righttime, one of the many ways MBC seniors will be remembered is for the ways theyboldly represented the college on television and in print.

Seniors Show Bold Character in Local, National Media

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

‘CRAFT’ED MEMORABLE CAREERHer office nameplate should have read “ShirleyCraft: Private Investigator.” For more than 20 years, she scoured newspaper clippings, courtrecords, institutional databases, Lexis Nexis, andcountless other sources for information about people who were potential contributors — financially or otherwise. She did it all while main-taining high standards for confidentiality and thesubject’s privacy.

Craft had already had a fruitful career beforeapplying as administrative assistant to the directorof development at MBC in 1987. She had heldseveral positions at General Electric, worked in alaw office, and been an administrative assistant at aschool in Augusta County before applying for a jobat Mary Baldwin.

In January 2009, Craft left her position asdirector of prospect research and records with more experience and opportunities than she couldhave imagined.

“I was already pretty adept at genealogyresearch — just through my own curiosity andteaching myself how to do it — so performingsearches for people the college was interested in wasan extension of that, like putting a puzzle together.The position took me beyond the routine and I wasable to trace family histories and relationships and Idiscovered the influence of MBC on Staunton andthe wider area,” she said.

One of the accomplishments in her late careerwas obtaining up-to-date or new research for 350fundraising prospects in 2004–05, a task shecompleted with Joan Clark, former researchassociate. She also supported the cause during twomajor fundraising efforts, the SesquicentennialCampaign and Leadership Initiative.

Craft has not left Mary Baldwin completelybehind — she probably never will. Since her retire-ment, she has worked diligently on a project for theMBC Magazine and archives that started with aninnocent trip to an estate sale. Craft frequently picksup Mary Baldwin memorabilia and artifacts at estatesales in the area. More than a year ago, she wasexcited to place the winning bid on a Mary Baldwinhistory book, but when she started flipping throughit, she found the real treasure.

“I was overwhelmed, just overwhelmed,” saidCraft, describing the handwritten notes she foundscrawled in the margins on several pages of thebook. Notes about Mary Julia Baldwin hostingstudent gatherings, climbing a ladder to paint abuilding on campus herself, and other anecdoteswritten by Augusta Bumgardner, who graduatedfrom Augusta Female Seminary in 1893. While atthe seminary, she was in personal contact with MissBaldwin and interviewed her about running theschool during the Civil War, Craft said.

Craft did not have time to focus on the noteswhile she was still employed, but she got to work ontranscribing them this spring. She recently handedthem over to Carol Larson, director of mediarelations and publications, for publication in afuture issue of The Mary Baldwin College Magazine.She has also talked with the college archivist

about the value of the book and its contents to thecollege archives.

“Mary Baldwin offered me so many benefits inthe past 20 years — from the professional develop-ment seminars I was encouraged to attend, to thetuition exchange and employee enrollment benefitsthat helped put two of my five children throughcollege and allowed me to experiment with a freecourse here and there,” she said. She also can’t helpbut brag that two of her daughters-in-law are MaryBaldwin graduates.

— � � � —

JACKSON WAS DEPENDABLE, PERSONABLE AS

MAILROOM SUPERVISORAubrey Jackson had talked for years about retiringfrom his post supervising the delivery of about3,500–4,000 pieces of mail that pass weekly throughthe MBC campus mail system. In December 2008, atage 75, he made it official.

Jackson followed his brother — James “Action”Jackson — to work at MBC in 1977 in the securitydepartment. His enduring legacy at the college willundoubtedly be as a friendly, smiling, white-hairedbearer of letters and inter-office correspondence. It was during 26 years of activeduty in the U.S. Air Force that Jackson becameacquainted with the federal mail system when hewas assigned to work in the United States PostalService. “I’ve always loved working with mail,” he said.

“It’s rewarding to me to know that I’m helpingstudents receive word from home or a packagethey’ve been looking forward to,” Jackson said in2006, when he first started thinking about retire-ment. The busiest days for campus mail areValentine’s Day and Halloween, he added.

“People depend on the mail system, and I hope Ihelped them feel that they can rely on the campussystem,” said Jackson, who trained Billy Coffey totake over his role as mailroom supervisor at thebeginning of spring semester.

Jackson’s wife, Betty, worked intermittently as amailroom clerk at Mary Baldwin, and she joinedhim in retirement.

Although he does not play an instrument,Jackson is a bluegrass enthusiast who travelsfrequently to see live shows in the area. As a

longtime member of the Augusta Lions Club, hehelps organize a popular annual Bluegrass andGospel Festival in Fishersville. Cupola readerslearned in his 2006 interview that if he had tochoose another profession, it would be to have hisown bluegrass band, in which he would play thedoghouse (upright bass) or banjo. Looks like he now has plenty of time to get the instrumentstuned up.

— � � � —

MONIQUE JOHNSON, a dedicated member of thehousekeeping staff for 23 years, also retired inAugust 2008.

10 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

NEWS

Saying Good-Bye: Three Retirees Served Collectively Nearly 75 Years

In addition to those who officially retired, theMary Baldwin College community will feel thespaces left by these faculty and staff members:

MARY ALTIZER, housekeeper, 2005-2008. Altizerpassed away this year after saying goodbye toMBC in December 2008 due to health.

PEGGY (PEROZZO) ANKNEY, associate professorof physics, 2001–2009

CARRIE DOUGLASS, professor of anthropology,1988–2009

VLADIMIR GARKOV, associate professor ofchemistry, 1992–2009

JULIE GARKOV, instructor of Spanish, 1993–2009

ANNE HANGER, visiting professor of art,2002–2009

EIKO MAUZY, housekeeper, 1988–2008. Abeloved fixture in the Administration Buildingfor many years, Mauzy was on campus toreceive her 20-year service award, but retired inJune 2008 and passed away shortly after. Thehousekeeping staff honored her with theplanting of a Japanese cherry tree and plaquenear the college greenhouse on Coalter Street.

CRAFT JACKSON

PHO

TOS

BY D

AWN

MED

LEY

They’ll Be Missed

The Cupola May 5, 2009 11

NEWSWhere in the world is … Susan Thompson Timmons ’64?An occasional feature mapping our alumnae/i around the world

A

B

C

Mexico

LeisureVisited Mayan archeological siteson the Yucatan peninsula.

Canada

LeisureTrips to several provinces

Costa Rica

MBC May Term ornithology trip Susan and her husband, Tim, werenot officially enrolled as students inMBC’s neo-tropical ornithologycourse, but they were invited toenjoy the privileges and instructionas full-fledged members of thegroup. “It not only opened theworld of birds (beyond mybackyard) to me, but also rein-forced my passion for plants. I havesince given presentations aboutplants of Costa Rica and volunteeras a horticulture educator in inner-city schools.”

Bermuda and the Caribbean

Leisure

Europe (Italy, Austria, Switzerland,Germany, Spain, Ireland, France,England, Scotland, and more)Leisure travel and MBC May Termtrip in international business Timmons’ first May Term trip withMBC students was with professorsDan Dowdy and Claire Kent for abusiness class that took place inFrance, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

South Korea

Marketing work for Max Factor, Inc.“My first and most life-changingexperience abroad was two yearsliving and working in Seoulbeginning in 1967. I have gratifyingmemories of the lovely Koreans Imet, worked with in my job andvolunteer activities, and befriended.I recall an especially heartwarmingoccasion when I served as a judgefor an oratory competition and wasoffered a window into the heartsand minds of bright and caringyoung Korean students who werelearning to speak and write inEnglish.”

Timmons traveled frequently toTokyo for business meetings andhad the opportunity for an extendedtour of the Far East, including HongKong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia,and Singapore. She returned toKorea and Japan as a tourist 20years later and was astounded bythe sparkling river, five-star hotels,and other amenities of the modernworld that were nowhere to befound in the 1960s.

A

B

C

Profession: I have been enjoying retirement (although not slowing down much,it seems!) since I left my most recent position as vice president for InstitutionalAdvancement at MBC in spring 2008. My career highlights include foundingand serving as the first president of LEAD VIRGINIA — for which I continueto serve on the board of directors — and various administrative roles andteaching posts in higher education, including those at University of Virginia,Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, and Averett University. Soon after collegegraduation, my position with Max Factor, Inc. was the one that really ignitedmy desire for international travel.

MBC studies: I didn’t study abroad while at MBC, but my liberal artseducation opened my mind, and that’s the greatest gift MBC could have givenme in preparation for travel and work abroad. I studied hard to graduate inthree years, but if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t be in such a rush and would certainly study abroad. MBC gave me the desire (no, a craving) tolearn about our world and the people who inhabit it — and to be a person ofthe world.

On travel abroad: This zeal for learning and travel just keeps weaving a varietyof interests into the rich fabric of my life over time. I’m coming full circle frommy experience in South Korea with a mission trip to Malawi in May 2009. Ilook forward once again to being in a small village, where despite subsistenceliving in one of the poorest countries in the world, the people are the “warmheart of Africa,” a phrase used frequently to describe Malawi.

My experience in Costa Rica with MBC students encouraged me to focus onbirds and flora around the world, and I’m already dreaming of visitingKirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa. The CostaRica trip also gave me insights into conservation and wise use of our naturalresources on a global scale, reinforcing and updating my work in the 1970s withVirginia’s Council on the Environment. Similarly, a cooking school I attendedlast year in France led by classmate and celebrity chef Paula Lambert under-scored the nutritional, aesthetic, and taste value of locally grown fresh seasonalfoods, another one of my passions. The connections go on and on.

After our work in Malawi in May, we plan to visit Cape Town SouthAfrica, Victoria Falls in Zambia, and Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana. Laterin the summer, we will tour Spain, Scotland, and England with two of our sonsand other family members. We’ll be in Edinburgh for The Gathering 2009, andwe’re getting our tartans ready!

Employee Service Awards7:30 a.m. May 26, Hunt WestFrom MBC’s regional center for adultand graduate studies in Roanoke tobusiness and finance, grounds, diningservices, and many other departments,28 staff members celebrated servicemilestones this year. Faculty and staffare invited to recognize these colleagueswho have served a collective 350 yearsand to honor recent retirees Shirley Craft,Aubrey Jackson, and Monique Johnsonat the annual appreciation breakfast.

30 YEARS Patty Davis, BUSINESS AND FINANCE

25 YEARSJoyce Franklin, ADULT AND GRADUATE

STUDIES (ROANOKE)

20 YEARSBecky McCray, BUSINESS AND

FINANCE

Beverly Askegaard, LEARNING SKILLS

CENTER

Lucy Crews, LIBRARY

Anne Holland ’88, ALUMNAE/IRELATIONS

Lydia Petersson, SPONSORED PROGRAMS

AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

15 YEARSJeff Bennett, GROUNDS

Donna Bowyer, FACULTY RESOURCE

COORDINATOR

Donna Crowe, HOUSEKEEPING

Tina Kincaid ’93, ALUMNAE/IRELATIONS

Sue Howdyshell, SUPPORT SERVICES

10 YEARSDeborah Fisher, DINING SERVICES

Lori Johnson, MASTER OF ARTS IN

TEACHING

Kay Rexrode, BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Sylvia Strother, DINING SERVICES

Lonnie Wallace, DINING SERVICES

Michael Bissell, VWIL

Debra Camden, ADULT AND

GRADUATE STUDIES (STAUNTON)Nelson Sanchez, WORLD LANGUAGES,

LITERATURE, AND CULTURES

5 YEARSAngela Alltop, PSYCHOLOGY

Richard Arnold, DINING SERVICES

Melinda Brown, RESIDENCE LIFE

Dedra Johnson, ADMISSIONS

Carol Larson, COMMUNICATION,MARKETING, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Kim Robinson, REGISTRAR

Heather Ward, SPENCER CENTER

Roger Wilborn, ADULT AND

GRADUATE STUDIES

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PRESIDENTIAL POSITIONING

It is no surprise that the election andinauguration of President BarackObama was frequently ranked as oneof readers’ top choices. Involvementand interest in presidential campaignsbegan to crop up as early as the firstissue of The Cupola this year. ByOctober, there were stories aboutelection issues discussions in theSpencer Center and a bus triporganized to see Obama campaigningin Harrisonburg. Discussion was livelywithout being partisan. Severalstudents, faculty, and staff werequoted about the election in themedia, the most cited being a non-partisan line from Casby Stainback’09, “The more people who partici-pate, the better off we’ll be,” whichwas included in an Associated Pressreport that appeared in more than 160media outlets nationwide.

The January 20 inauguration,too, was a major event for the MBCcommunity. “I will never forget sittingin Francis Auditorium watching agroup of truly engaged students,” saidTerri Walker, administrative coordi-nator of academic affairs, reflectingon the group that gathered to watchPresident Obama take his oath. “Iwas proud of Mary Baldwin forencouraging us to take time to witnessthis historic event and truly feel a partof it.”

Stephanie Ragland ’09 andKimberley Parker ’11 gave us, and thewider community, eyes on the scenewhen they reported back about theirattendance at the historic event inWashington DC, and other students,faculty, and staff shared stories, too.Truly, these are events that we willlook back on to say, “I was at MaryBaldwin when …”

A TEXTBOOK CASE OF

GENEROSITY

Sure, it would have been nice to haveanother visitor like tennis superstarVenus Williams — who spoke oncampus in 2007 — through thegenerosity of Mary Beth Smyth ’47and H. Gordon Smyth. But thelongtime MBC benefactors had a morepractical, and ultimately more mean-ingful, idea. In light of the nationalfinancial crisis, the Smyth TextbookInitiative redirected funds that hadbeen used in previous years to bring aspeaker to campus toward a 10

percent discount on all textbookspurchased at the Mary BaldwinBookstore for spring semester.

More than $20,000 in discountswere recorded at the Bookstore, andthe effort put MBC on the nationalradar as an example of a college withan innovative way to help studentsthrough tough times, including anarticle on CollegeBound.net, an onlinesite for prospective students.

“It is difficult to watch a studentgive up on an education because offunding. Even a small step like payingfor a portion of even one book willhopefully make students feel that wetruly want to aid in their success,” saidTerri Walker, administrative coordi-nator of academic affairs.

STUDENTS SAVE WITH STIMULUS

Another story that made the top 10adapted a national initiative MaryBaldwin-style. The Residential Collegefor Women (RCW) Student StimulusPackage generated conversations byoffering students increased financialaid during a recession that was alreadyaffecting the college’s bottom line. Itwas hard for Cupola readers to missthe fact that Mary Baldwin holds thesuccess of its students as a top priority.

“I am so impressed with thestimulus package. It is an excellentexample of our college’s visionaryleadership and its commitment to ourstudents and our community as awhole,” said Jen Hagen, director ofannual giving.

Questions from current studentsabout how to apply for one of the 50paid changemaker internships andwho would be included on Julia’s Listfor additional aid reached PresidentPamela Fox almost immediately afterthe announcement. The 250 awards of$2,000 each for first-year studentswho choose a Leadership Gateway toguide their first year and possiblybeyond — the third component of thestimulus package — was on the mindsof many during Future FreshmanFriday in March. We are justbeginning to see how the initiative willshape MBC, making this a story we’llcontinue to track in 2009–10.

NEW DEAN ON THE SCENE

There are some instances where thewait is worth the result. The three-yearsearch process that ended with Dr.Catharine O’Connell’s selection as vicepresident for academic affairs anddean of the college is one of these, asreaders voiced with their votes. BruceDorries, assistant professor of commu-nication, posed the question, “Whendid we last have a woman in thisposition?” and it is clear that many in

the campus community are eager tosee what the working relationshipbetween President Fox and DeanO’Connell will generate.

After several visits to MBC thissemester — including a warm andpersonal reception in theAdministration Building — O’Connellwon’t waste time; she’s getting startedon the 2009–10 school year with afaculty retreat right after the annualOpening Reception in August.

In a recent letter to faculty,O’Connell offered “Best wishes for aproductive and smooth conclusion tothe academic year, and thank you toall who have already done so much towelcome Matt and me to thecommunity.”

COLLINS CONNECTS WITH

COMMUNITY

Another visitor was only on campusfor one weekend, but that was enoughto make a lasting impression onfaculty, staff, and students alike.Leading genetic expert Dr. FrancisCollins’ presence at Mary Baldwin’sAlumnae/i College was cited by severalreaders as a top story because of therecognition that his association bringsto the college and the Valley. “It is justgreat that someone of his caliberknows people here by name andcontinues to have a relationship withthe college,” said Marion Hart,administrative assistant for advance-ment services.

Collins has maintained the familyconnection to MBC established by hisparents, Dr. Fletcher Collins, Jr. and

Margaret Collins, a dynamic pair thatshaped the performing arts landscapeat Mary Baldwin and in theShenandoah Valley beginning in the1940s. Fletcher retired from MBC asprofessor emeritus of theatre afternearly 30 years of service. In additionto homeschooling her children,Margaret led classes at MBC andelsewhere. We are proud to callFrancis Collins part of the MaryBaldwin family; he will always be abig story.

A GLOBAL VIEW

Each time the college solidifies a newinternational educational relationship,it is newsworthy; taken as a group, theglobal partnerships set up at MaryBaldwin this year are remarkable. Twocadets in the Virginia Women’sInstitute for Leadership departed inAugust to become the first officialambassadors in MBC’s new exchangeprogram with Lady Doak College inMadurai, India. In January, wewelcomed to Staunton two cadets

12 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

NEWS“TOP 10” Cont. from Page 1

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(top) Cassandra Comardelle ’12 posts updated numberson one of several boards set up on campus to chartthe college’s progress toward recycling more andsending less to the landfill during RecycleMania 2009.(bottom) World-renowned Francis Collins entertains ata musical session at his family’s home in Staunton,The Oaks, following his Alumnae/i College address.

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The Cupola May 5, 2009 13

Janet Ewing, associate professor ofbusiness administration, was invited toserve as a Boren Scholarship Panelist bythe Institute of International Education.Boren Scholarships are funded by theNational Security Education Program, aU.S. government program which focuseson geographic areas, languages, andfields of study deemed critical to U.S.national security.

Lynn Gilliland ’80, was recognized atMBC’s Student Government Associationinstallation as Advisor of the Year.

Carole Grove, director of MAT and MEdand professor of education, received theCommitment to the Teacher EducationProfession Award 2009 from the VirginiaAssociation of Colleges for TeacherEducation in recognition of heroutstanding service and contributions toteacher education.

Marlena Hobson will employ her recent$2,000 Mednick Fellowship Award fromthe Virginia Foundation for IndependentColleges to continue research for a bookshe is planning on the Novecentomovement in Italian art. During her spring2010 sabbatical, Hobson will visit theMuseum of Modern Art, Fritz Museum,the Library of Congress, and other sitesspecifically to find information about N.G.Fiumi, a member of the Novecentomovement and her grandfather.

Lallon Pond, associate professor ofbusiness administration, was acceptedinto a Fulbright Hays Seminar AbroadProgram to study Chinese history, culture,and economic development for fourweeks in China this summer.

Rod Owen, professor of philosophy andSpencer Center faculty fellow, wasselected to participate in a faculty seminarthis summer at Calvin College entitledDeliver Us from Evil: Genocide and theReligious World.

T. Lowell Lemons, associate professor ofeducation, “Splitting Up,” The NewsVirginian, Waynesboro, Virginia, 4/5/09.

Carey Usher, assistant professor ofsociology, “MBC Hosts Meeting onCommunity Garden Expansion,” WHSV-TV3, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 4/7/09.

Nancy Krippel, dean of adult andgraduate studies, “MBC adds master’s ineducation degree,” The News Leader,Staunton, Virginia, 4/8/09.

MBC Shakespeare graduate students,“There’s a lot to like in ‘As You Like It,’” TheNews Leader, Staunton, Virginia, 4/9/09.

Hannah Scott ’09, “Scott’s scoop is atMBC,” The News Leader, Staunton,Virginia, 4/14/09.

baldwinboldly

newsin the

from Lady Doak’s program, whoparticipated in many campus events,including the spring InternationalFestival. The connection was furtherstrengthened by a week-long visit byDr. Valliammal, a professor from Lady Doak.

In October, the signing of anagreement with Sungshin Women’sUniversity in Seoul, South Korea,opened more exchange possibilitieswith the Far East. Heather Ward,director of international programs, ispleased to report that at least eightstudents from Sungshin will attendMary Baldwin in 2009–10, and shehopes our students will soon studythere and that faculty see another opendoor for teaching and researchingabroad. With established partnershipsat Doshisha Women’s College andTokyo Jogakkan University in Japanand growing relationships withexchange programs in NorthernIreland and the Middle East, Wardexpects the number of international

students at MBC to jump from 21 in2008–09 to 30 next year. In addition,several Baldwin students are alreadyplanning for study abroad in Japan,India, Northern Ireland, and Australia.

“New international exchangeshave the potential to really impact thedemographics and day-to-day feel ofMBC as well as open incredibleopportunities for our students,” saidSteve Grande, director of civic engage-ment and Ward’s colleague in theSpencer Center.

ACADEMIC INNOVATION

CONTINUES

Last year, issues of The Cupola werefilled with announcements about newprograms and academic initiatives,many the result of President PamelaFox’s “call to innovate” and supportin the form of an Innovation Fundcreated by a generous alumna donor.Two new minors, a new graduateprogram, and a refocused businesscurriculum announced during this

academic year are significant inshaping the Mary Baldwin College ofthe future. Eyes and ears will betuned in next year — and evensooner, in some cases — when thefirst students enroll in the Master ofEducation program and othersdiscover what is required to earn aminor in civic engagement or business administration. And anyonewho takes a business course at MBCwill recognize that department’semphasis on sustainability and onbuilding a better world while buildingbetter businesses.

CHALLENGES MET AND POSED

Readers went all the way back to thefirst issue of the 2008–09 school yearto vote for the final story in this year’stop 10: the $17.9 million impact ofmeeting and exceeding the fundraisingchallenge issued by Bertie DemingSmith ’46 in 2005. A regular supporterof the college’s Annual Fund for manyyears, Smith’s initial large donationcame in the form of $500,000 in2004. It was matched in 2004–05 by$1 million from other donors.

Inspired by that outcome, Smithpledged an additional $6 million andcalled for the largest matchingchallenge the college had everattempted. The college raised over and above Smith’s original match, andan additional donation from Smithherself boosted the Challenge total to$17.9 million, according to AngusMcQueen, interim vice president forInstitutional Advancement.

To ensure that funds raisedthrough the Smith Challenge — as itwas later named — benefited all areasof the college, it was divided into threecategories: endowment, capitalimprovements, and Annual Fund.Despite a weakening nationaleconomy, fundraisers at the collegekept the momentum going andgrowing in 2008–09. Just recently, agroup of motivated alumnae led byformer Board of Trustees chair Claire“Yum” Lewis Arnold ’69 challengedthose who celebrated Reunion in 2009 to raise $100,000 for the AnnualFund, which the group members will match with $100,000 of theirown funds.

“The remarkable success of theSmith Challenge is a testament to thecommitment of Mary Baldwin’salumnae/i, parents, and friends to thecollege’s mission and to our students,”said Jen Hagen, director of annualgiving. “The amount of money raisedis a truly transformational gift that hasallowed us to enhance our campus,enrich our community, and supportour students.” �

NEWS

MBC President Pamela Fox, left, and other MBC administrators celebrate with, Hwa Jin Shim, thepresident of Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea, after the recent signing of a partnershipbetween the schools. The exchange agreement with Sungshin is one of the college’s growing portfolio ofinternational connections.

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Stories to Watch in 2009–2010:

� New Dean Catharine O’Connell’s first year

� Study abroad and international presence fostered by new internationalexchange agreements

� First students following the paths of Leadership Gateways

� New minor in American Studies

� Students participating in changemaker internships on and off campus

� Heart, the college’s third annual college-wide theme

� MBC’s continuing commitment to find innovative ways to cope witheconomic uncertainty

In September 2009, The Cupola’s“Mapping Who We Are” featurewill transform into “The Heart ofWho We Are,” highlightingexamples of how the MBCcommunity is integrating the2009–10 theme, Heart. Plans are

already formulating about how to use the theme to guide activities such asWeekend of Welcome and Orientation and how it will be incorporated intothe Student Handbook as a way of distinguishing the 2009–10 academicyear from others. Until then, let’s take a look back at the quirky, theimportant, and the touching ways Maps was incorporated throughout this year:

� Students in Money and Banking, a May Term economics course taughtby Professor of Economics Jane Pietrowski, are mapping the nationaland international financial market meltdown. (April 2009 Cupola)

� Beginning in fall 2009, freshmen will be introduced to a new way tomap their MBC experience. First-year students will choose one of sevenLeadership Gateways — scholarship, leadership, health, career, culturalidentity, civic engagement, or radical acceleration — to guide their firstyear of studies and activities and beyond. Find out more about howGateways shape the MBC learning environment atwww.mbc.edu/admission/gateways. (March 2009)

� The fourth annual Wellness Walk and Health Fair, organized in part byAssociate Professor of Health and Physical Education Irene Sarnelle and

mappingwho we are

14 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

NEWS

It is one of the must-have publicationsfor every student. It comes out everyyear. It is ponderously long and filled with requirements … until now. Professor of Theatre VirginiaFrancisco ’64 and Director ofPublications and Media RelationsCarol Larson are working on a major overhaul of the 2009–10academic catalog that will make itmore user-friendly, succinct, andenvironmentally responsible.

“We rethought the function ofthe catalog and focused on providinginformation students need tograduate efficiently and faculty needto help them: general educationrequirements, undergraduate andgraduate degree requirements, majorand minor requirements, pre-profes-sional programs, course listings, andacademic regulations,” Franciscosaid. The team added the followingpoints to explain the changes readerswill see:

� “We put the catalog on a diet byusing only brief introductions formany topics and by introducing aWeb directory for much of the infor-mation that is already availableonline,” Francisco explained.

� “Courses will be listed alphabetically under each disci-pline with condensed coursedescriptions for easier reference,”Larson said, adding that“Readers will be directed todepartment Web sites for more information.”

� Lest anyone assume that the newversion is a wholesale condensa-tion: “We have lent visibility tosome attractive programs thathave been lost in the welter ofthe catalog and so seem to belittle known among students,such as consortium exchange,”Francisco said.

� “Acknowledging that manypeople, particularly students,seek information online, the2009–10 catalog — now referredto and searchable simply as The Catalog — will be availableonline,” Francisco said. SupportServices will again offer todownload and print additionalcopies, if needed, at a low cost.

What will you find in TheCatalog? Matters of public record

and information mandated bythe Southern Association ofColleges and Universities: the college calendar, president’sletter, mission of the college,brief statement aboutadmission requirements,declarations page, responsible parties (Board of Trustees, faculty emeriti, currentfaculty including ongoingadjunct faculty andadministrators withfaculty status) and — new this year — only names of heads of administrativedepartments.

“In hard economictimes, acknowledgingthe high cost of printpublications, espe-cially those that arequickly outdated, wehave made earnest effort tocondense while making the publication more functional. Theupdated version offers more informa-tion via the new Web directory, andwe hope every user will benefit fromthis labor,” Francisco said.

The Catalog will beavailable on June 19, the college’sfirst summer registration day, atwww.mbc.edu/college/catalog.asp.

Megan Tucker ’09, introduced participants to downtown businesses,gave them motivation to stretch their legs, and a chance to win prizes.(March 2009)

� “I don’t think I could have gotten along without them,” said SharonKemmerer about the maps she used while studying abroad at one ofMBC’s sister schools, Doshisha Women’s College in Kyoto, Japan.Maps became an important part of her day as she navigated the trainsystem, Doshisha’s campus, and the city. “Although I couldn’t alwaysread everything on the map, I could figure out where I was and where I was trying to go,” she said. (February 2009)

� A Japanese cherry tree was added to the Mary Baldwin landscape near the greenhouse adjacent to Coalter Street marking the map ofmemory of longtime housekeeper Eiko Mauzy this fall. Mauzy passedaway as a result of cancer, and the housekeeping staff honored her with a plaque and planting of one of her favorite trees. (January 2009)

� The history department skillfully employed this year’s theme to acquirea collection of new maps of North America, Europe, and Africa forclassroom use, said Ken Keller, professor of history. (November 2008)

� MBC’s artists-in-residence Srinivas Krishnan (India) and ClaudiaBernardi (Argentina) helped the college community map peace andprogress with discussions of Indian films, an international concertensemble, and a conversation about how artists serve as peace practi-tioners. (September 2008)

Academic Catalog Goes On Diet, Gets Enhanced Web Directory for 2009–10

The Cupola May 5, 2009 15

May 7

� BPB Event: TOTTS. 5-9pm

� Student Event: Senior Transitionsfor Juniors. 1-2pm, Miller Chapel.

May 9

� Student Event: Trip to KingsDominion. 8am-11pm, leave fromSAC parking lot.

May 12–24

� Art Exhibit: Capstone Exhibitions.Hunt Gallery in Hunt Dining Hall.

May 14

� Capstone Festival. 1:30-6pm, HuntWest, Hunt Gallery, Nuthouse, andMiller Chapel. Opening ceremony,1:30-1:50pm, Hunt West.Presentations, 2-5pm, variouslocations. Awards ceremony, 5:45-6pm, Hunt West. See story andcomplete schedule, pages 6 and 7.

� BPB Event: Thursdays on TysonTerrace. 5-9pm

May 16

� BPB Late Night Series: 9pm-1am,Nuthouse in Hunt Dining Hall.

May 19

� May Term ends/May Term ExamDay

� Adult Degree Program SpringSemester ends

May 20

� Residence halls close for non-graduating students: 10am. Only graduating seniors andstudents working Commencementare allowed to remain in on-campus housing.

May 21

� Faculty Meeting: 2pm, Hunt West.Note day and time change.

May 22–24

� Commencement Weekend. Selected events. For more informa-tion, see pages 8 and 9 or visitwww.mbc.edu/commencement.

� May 23: Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Induction. 10:30am, Francis.

� May 23: VWIL Commissioning Ceremony. 11am, Page Terrace.

� May 23: Ajani Ceremony. 12:30pm, Rose Terrace Lawn.

� May 23: VWIL Change of Command Parade. 2pm, Upper Athletic Field.

� May 23: Reception to Honor PEG Graduates. 3:30pm, Hunt.

� May 23: Phi Beta Kappa Induction and Reception. 5pm, Francis.

� May 23: Commencement Ball. 9pm-1am, SAC.

� May 24: Commencement. 10am, Page Terrace.

� May 24: Residence halls close. 4pm.

May 23

� Staunton Contra Dance: 7:30pm,beginners’ workshop, 8-11pm,dance. PAC Dance Studio.

May 25

� Memorial Day, college closed

June 19

� Summer Registration Day

June 22–25

� ADP Summer Week. ADP studentson campus.

July 6

� Fourth of July holiday observed,college closed

July 11

� Summer Registration Day

calendarcollege

MAY ’09S M T W TH F S

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 3031

Unless otherwise noted, all phone numbers begin with 540-887- � Need a campus map? www.mbc.edu/college/mbcmap.asp

May 13–17 MBC theatre will continue a much-loved May Termtradition, a student-directed one-act play festival. Directors rangingfrom those new to MBC theatre to those who have treaded theboards for four years will present eight unique one-act plays.

� Dan Moyer’s Here I Go, Boys. Wish Me Luck is directed bysenior Stori Ayers. The realistic play is set in the near future,when a military draft is reinstituted in the U.S. “I stumbledacross this one-act when I was a sophomore and fell in lovewith it, and I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to direct it. Thecharacters are realistic, the story is valid, and the plot is intense,”said Ayers.

� Junior Rin Barton will direct Kung Foolery by Brett Hursey, ashow about a man who is convinced he is a ninja and that hehas a deadly rivalry with his mother-in-law. “Underneath thesilliness, it’s about the ability to choose your own reality, and nothave to be serious just because you’re an adult,” Barton said.

� The shows are filled out with Ariel Howard ’09 directing Beforethe Bell, Junior Tanisha Tyler’s Killeen, Lily Kerrigan ’09presenting Turtle Beach, freshman Michelle Brandt’s directorialdebut Cosmic Goofs, Alana Patrick ’12 directing That Afternoon,and Miranda Uphoff ’10 adding Bardo — First Time Around.

The eight plays are split into two bills. One group will perform at 7:30p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday, and the second billtakes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Ticketsare $5 for students, faculty, and staff. For more information and toorder tickets, call ext. 7189.

START PLANNING FOR

FALL 2009

� Opening meeting for faculty andstaff: August 26

� First day of classes: August 31

� Fall Break: October 16-20

� Fall semester exams: December 7-11

� Winter Break: December 12-January 10, 2010

{ {

16 May 5, 2009 The Cupola

Seventeen years into her career atMary Baldwin College, Lallon Pondrelishes the fact that she has experience with both traditionalundergraduate students and those in the Adult Degree Program. Shealso considers herself “extremelyfortunate” to have had an integralrole in shaping the business department’s shift to a focus onsustainability, which she sees as areflection of the faculty’s commit-ment to social responsibility. Thediscipline’s restructuring, whichincludes a new minor in manage-ment, is a hallmark of the college’sinnovative spirit and growingemphasis on social entrepreneurism.

“I hope that by teaching youngwomen — and students of all ages —to be responsible for themselves andtheir world, we will end up with amore hospitable social, economic, and environmental place in which tolive,” Pond said.

The first 10 years of Pond’stenure at MBC were split evenlybetween teaching in ADP and theResidential College for Women.Although she officially segued to afull-time position in ADP severalyears ago, she continues to “feel alle-giance to both programs,” and worksclosely with on-campus colleagueswhile she serves as director of theStaunton and Blue Ridge CommunityCollege ADP offices.

Between her professional work,advising the SOULS student organiza-tion, yoga classes, meetings as amember of MBC’s Green Council,and volunteering at the communitygarden on campus, Pond took time tolet us get to know her a little better.

What I do: Some days I feel like abetter question would be what I don’t

do! I advise about 80 Adult DegreeProgram students, which requiresfrequent contact. As director of theStaunton/BRCC regional office, Imake sure that we are serving ourconstituency and that we adequatelydetermine how college-wide policiesaffect our students. I also teach social science statistics on campusonce a year and five times a year forADP. I co-chair the business depart-ment and serve as a divisioncoordinator, which is a group offaculty who serve as a liaisonbetween administration and faculty.

Who’d play you in a movie? Why?

Kathy Bates. Because I want to run into a car like she did in FriedGreen Tomatoes.

What is in your home CD/tape

player? Sometymes Why, IrisDement, Chris Smither, Beausoleil

People would be surprised to

know: I love to dance, I hate to weara bra, and I know I’m fat.

What is your favorite word?

Serenity. It implies peace within andthe calmness than ensues; I wouldlike to live my life serenely.Sometimes I’m able, but mostlythings are a bit chaotic.

What is your least favorite word?

Can’t implies you haven’t tried, oryou’re unwilling to learn by makingmistakes. Mistakes are a great teacher,so when you say you can’t, you’regiving up an opportunity.

What sound or noise do you

love? Church bells ringing on a warmspring evening. In my backyard, I canhear bells from a nearby church and it

reminds me that I live in a small town(I like that, most of the time).

What sound or noise do you

hate? My cell phone ringing in thewee hours of the morning. It doesn’thappen often, thank goodness.

What profession, other than

yours, would you like to partici-

pate in? I’ve always wanted to be adoctor, but I also dream of being onDancing with the Stars, or being aprofessional knitter, or a veterinarian,or a philanthropist. The list goes on… my latest kick is to own andoperate a sustainable farm likePolyface Farm in Augusta County.

What is your favorite MBC

tradition and why? Is debating theacademic calendar like we can actuallychange the structure of time considered

a tradition? On a more conventionalnote, I love the end of graduationwhen students come up the hillsidestairs and the memories comeflooding. It’s such a hopeful time.

P.O. Box 1500Staunton, VA 24402

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 106STAUNTON, VA

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

movers&shakersKristin Dulaney was named an ADP adjunct instructor of education. Sheearned a BS from Longwood College and an MEd from University of Virginia.Dulaney is an adjunct instructor at John Tyler Community College and areading specialist for Prince George County public schools.

Brent Douglass recently joined the Aramark staff as director of auxiliaryservices at Mary Baldwin. Douglass earned his BA at Dartmouth College and iscertified in executive management from University of Norte Dame. He hasprevious experience in facilities operation at Wintergreen Resort, LongwoodUniversity, and Randolph-Macon College. His wife is MBC alumna CarterMoffett Douglass ’72.

Have a favorite person on campus who needs a littlenudge into the spotlight? The Cupola will accept nominations for Third Degree profile subjects throughoutthe year at cupola@mbc.edu. Send along their name andwhy you think it would be great to read about them here!

thethird degreeLallon Pond, associate professor of business administration for ADP

Several of the abovequestions are courtesy of the

questionnaire invented byBernard Pivot, used on Bravo’s

Inside the Actors Studio.