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Highlights

The Stephens College Alumnae Association is an organization of former students of Stephens College which supports the mission and needs of Stephens College and those of its alumnae. The Association: 1) serves Stephens through alumnae leadership, volunteer commitment, financial support and communications, 2) serves alumnae by networking with one another, providing connections to Stephens College and to other alumnae and by offering appropriate activities and services and 3) maintains an effective operating structure to deliver services through the Alumnae Association Board, in cooperation with the College.

 

The Alumnae Association Board (AAB) is the governing body of the Association whose elected members are ambassadors for all alumnae by shaping alumnae policies, programs and activities throughout the world. Specifically, the AAB provides volunteer board oversight and direction for all constituency groups of the Stephens College Alumnae Association. We strengthen connections among alumnae by encouraging activities of alumnae classes, clubs and the Former Alumnae Association Board. We work with the Office of Admissions for recruiting and help in strong career development to aid in student retention and career growth. We also assist with public relations and our members serve as ambassadors of Stephens.

 

 

The Executive Committee of the AAB provides leadership to establish and oversees implementation of policies, long range planning and strategic direction of the AAB. We also exercise all of the powers of the AAB when the AAB is not in session. Our Executive Committee members include the President, Executive Vice President, Leadership Development Committee and the Committee Chairs.

 

President

Patty Burnett 1967

paburnett@aol.com

Greenwood Village, CO

Executive Vice President

Amy McGill Higgins,  Class of 1994
ahiggins@tektronix.com or ahigglium@comcast.net
Portland, OR

 

Updates on AAB Committee Work
May 2008


Leadership Development Committee

Amy McGill Higgins,  Class of 1994
ahiggins@tektronix.com or ahigglium@comcast.net
Portland, OR
 
Anne Newtown, Class of 1967
anewtown@amreit.com
Houston, Texas
 
Silissa Uriarte- Smith, Class of 1998
Politicallatina@aol.com
Long Beach, CA

Rachel Gross, Class of 1993
rachel.gross@corp.aol.com
New York, NY

Leadership Development Committee Highlights

This committee reviews candidates to receive the Jean Clinton Roeschlaub Alumnae Service Award and the Alumnae Achievement Award at Reunion . We also work on special events, like the 2008 Reunion and the semiannual leadership conference. Members of The Leadership Development Committee work as liaisons to each committee of the Board and serve on the Executive Committee of the AAB.
 
New AAB members: We welcome our newest board members Sara Monks, Julie Mitchell-Barney, and Pennie Hutton von Achen.

Seeking potential AAB members: Leadership Development is continually looking at quality, commitment, and diversity to fulfill and enhance the purpose of the AAB. If you are interested in getting more information about the AAB or being on the AAB, please contact Amy McGill Higgins, ahiggins@tektronix.com.

Marketing Committee Highlights
Chair, Jennifer Stout Brinkmann, Class of 1995
jenniferbrinkmann@yahoo.com
Villa Ridge, MO
 
The marketing committee is focused on helping to activate and promote the Stephens community through the following initiatives:
 
Online networking.  The Stephens web site is a critical tool for its students.  For alumnae, it can be the primary tool for finding new like-minded Stephens women and for connecting with old friends.  A lot of information and opportunities to connect exist on the site.  Alumnae are encouraged to visit the “Alumnae” section of the site regularly…reconnect via the online community…read the blogs of some fascinating younger alumnae…submit your own personal news for the next issue of the Ideal Connection…volunteer to participate in the Career Connection.

 Couture for the Cure. Last year, AAB members worked with the fashion department at Stephens to find a prominent location to display some very special designs by students. The designs, made from nontraditional materials and a lot of pink, each carried a message about breast health. They were displayed at Nordstrom in Charlotte , N.C. , in conjunction with a promotion that benefited the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The local newspaper also carried a mention of the dresses and their designers. The committee is taking this success and is working to build on it for 2007-2008. 

We are working to find a new location for the display as well as to organize an alumnae event for those in the area.  We also are working to develop a kit for clubs to use to form their own Komen race teams in their areas. The goal is to activate the Stephens network to raise money for breast cancer research and in the process, demonstrate the collective power of Stephens women.
 
Who's Who. Cookie Sears (1973) has compiled a list of accomplished alumnae, including those in government and politics, art, aviation, business, communications, dance, education, equestrian, fashion, law music, science and theater. The college already has used these lists for multiple projects. The committee will focus this year on developing brief bios for individuals to be included in the college’s marketing activities, allowing the college to highlight many, many successful alumnae.
 
Alumnae Marketplace. We are investigating the possibility of an Alumnae Marketplace on the web. Alumnae can describe their products and services and provide links for sales, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the college.  

The Marketing Committee also serves as AAB liaison to FAB, Former Alumnae Board Members. For information on how FAB is assisting the College, please see
http://www.stephens.edu/alumnae/aab/faab.php.

Career Committee Highlights
Chair, Cynthia Redel, Class of 1979
credel@lhr-its.com

Mattapoisett, MA


This committee works with the Director of Career Services, Coordinator of Student Leadership and Programming and Director of Alumnae Relations and Special Events to provide alumnae volunteer support for the efforts of the Office of Career Services. It helps produce career-related events, such as networking opportunities with alumnae. It encourages participation in the Career Connection website, where students and alumnae can find mentors, internship opportunities and people with information in their fields.
 
Alumnae Showcases during the Spring '07 Reunion showcased the variety of career paths that Stephens alumnae have taken. Neel Stallings, ‘67,  led an interviewing workshop for students that taught behavioral interviewing techniques.  Leah Neese, ’94 and Patty Burnett, 67  joined current and former faculty members Dr. Linda Taylor and Dr. Bennie Ruth Gilbert to  lead a workshop on stress management.  Angela Cremeens Quinn, ‘86, led a power walk followed by instruction on nutrition and exercise.  Mary Josie Cain Blanchard, ’67,   moderated  a lively panel discussion of current political issues.  She was joined on the panel by Pam Corsin Byrnes, ‘67, retired professors Dr. Gene Schmidtlein and Dr. Don Scruggs. 

Career Networking Day will be held in October 2007  when students will have the opportunity to receive resume advice from AAB members and to hear about their careers and leveraging the Stephens alumnae network.
 
An interviewing workshop led by Neel Stallings took place at Reunion 2007 and may be repeated in the future.
 
Finding internships for Stephens students is always a priority. If you or your company has a possible job opportunity, please contact Karen Shelton.
 
Speakers Bureau – We are looking for alumnae in the Columbia region who would be willing to talk to classes during the school year. If you are interested in volunteering for this project, please contact Leah Neese.

Highlights from the Classes Committee
Chair, Neel Stallings, Class of 1967
Charlotte, NC
 neelstallings@earthlink.net

The Classes Committee works with the class president(s) and/or co-presidents, who are elected at their 5th (10th, 15th, etc.) reunion, to foster stronger relationships between alumnae and the college, in hopes that a stronger bond will result in greater alumnae volunteerism, financial support, networking, and new student recruitment. Ongoing projects include:

  • Class letters. Each class president is asked to write two letters each year to their class. The Committee works with the officers to ensure the letters are sent and to write those classes that currently do not have a president.
  • Class notes. The most-read section of the alumnae newspaper is the "class notes" section where we learn about each other's personal lives and professional successes. If you have any news to provide, please contact Kathy Adams
  • Lost alumnae and missing e-mails. How can we locate our 10,000 lost alumnae (and find volunteers to do so)?  How can we collect e-mail addresses from alumnae so the college can save postage costs yet keep in touch? We have e-mail addresses for only 15-20% of the alumnae, and many of the e-mails change each year. We need your help finding these lost alumnae, so if you have contact information for yourself or other alumnae, please provide that to the Director of Alumnae Relations,(not sure whom to put here – Kim Boothe Ritten and her title?).    You can also request a list of your class members from Kathy Adams in the Alumnae office.  Click here for Tips  in locating lost alumnae.
  • Encourage reunion attendance. Your class reunion will be more fun if you have lots of friends attending. Plus, alumnae who reconnect with Stephens by attending reunion tend to be/become more avid supporters and volunteers. Our committee has been brainstorming ways to improve attendance. In the past we've posted a list of those who have signed up to attend Reunion on the College website in hopes that their friends will see their names and come. We also encourage class officers to start phone trees. (Contact your class president or Kathy Adams if you'd like a list of classmates you can call.) 2008 is the 175th reunion of our college, so let’s make it BIG! Click here for reunion details, including a full agenda and hotel information (This will need to be updated on the Web site).
  • Recruit class officers. Reunion attendance is usually higher if a class has officers, so one of our tasks is filling open positions. If you would like more information about serving as class president or co-president (to share the duties), please contact Neel Stallings at neelstallings@earthlink.net.
  • Focus on Classics Classes. Marge Phillippe Kelley ’52 , our representative of the Classic Classes (classes out of school 50+ years), hosts the Classics Tea at Reunion. She has published a wonderful book of alumnae Vespers and other Burrall memories, which is available for purchase from the Bookshelf online at www.stephensbookshelf.com . A portion of the sales goes to the Alumnae Association Board Scholarship Fund.  If you left school over 50 years ago and would like to reconnect, please contact Marge at mkelley2@mail.win.org. 
  • Focus on graduate and non-traditional students. The Graduate and Continuing Studies (GCS) representative is Carol Davidson.  She has received positive feedback from her previous newsletters with students saying it is a wonderful way for them to stay in touch with each other and Stephens. Please contact Carol at Dan1carol@aol.com if you were or are a GCS student and are interested in connecting with others.
      

Alumnae Clubs/Chapter Committee Highlights
Chair, Amanda Lytz Hellman, Class of 1994
alytz@rice.edu
Houston, TX
This committee works closely with clubs/chapters around the country on projects relating to fund-raising, enrollment, and spreading goodwill among alumnae.

  • Ten Ideals Chapter Program. This committee serves as a resource in the launch and promotion of the new Ten Ideals Chapter Program. This new program will help Alumnae groups reach out to new members, provide additional networking opportunities for alumnae and students, and provide a special incentive programs such as website management, local event mailings, special event funding and scholarships to area students.  Watch you mail and email for official program launch information in October 2007!
  • Club/Chapter newsletters.  The Star Report newsletter will be distributed 3 times a year. This informative newsletter will keep alumnae posted on the new Ten Ideals program as well as area club/chapters, Stephens College and Alumnae Board highlights.
  • Recognize clubs. The Clubs/Chapter Committee collaborates every year in the fall to create a newsletter asking alumnae clubs and networking groups to keep the AAB apprised of alumnae group happenings. The committee likes to hear about any alumnae gatherings whether it is just to meeting for cocktails or to organize Stephens activities in the local community. In the spring, the Clubs/Chapter Committee reviews all alumnae efforts and decides on Club Awards and special recognitions that are presented during the annual club awards luncheon and other alumnae recognition that occur during Reunion weekend. Please send information on your group's activities to Kathy Adams .
  • Summer Send-Off program.  The Clubs/Chapter Committee will work with the Admissions Office and local alumnae clubs to encourage support of local student “send-off” events. Would you like to host a Summer Send-off activity for Stephens students in your city heading back to campus in the Fall 2007? Contact Cara Knox, ’97 at cara_knox@was.bm.com.
  • Attend college fairs. The Clubs/Chapters Committee encourages local clubs and networking groups to volunteer to represent Stephens College at local college fairs in their communities. If a representative from a local club or group would like to get involved, please contact Kathy AdamsKathy Adams  about how to get started.
  • Special Admissions project. We are also looking for clubs/chapters that are interested in hosting small private events with Admissions officers and prospective families. Please contact Penny Hutton von Achen, ‘65.
  • Provide opportunities for new clubs and other networking activities. No alumnae clubs in your area? Do you like the idea of interacting with other Stephens College alumnae within your community but don't want the fuss of group elections and by laws? Why not start your own Stephens group and make it whatever you want it to be. The Clubs/Chapter Committee can help you create a local alumnae network that fits your expectations! The committee can work with the Alumnae Office to get the list of local alumnae. We can help you plan your first event/gathering and give you lots of ideas for planning for future events. To learn more, please contact Kathy Adams.
  • Provide ideas for events. Do you have an existing alumnae club/chapter or networking group that needs new event ideas or are you part of a club or group that would like to share event ideas that you've had fun participating in? Let The Clubs/Chapter Committee know so we can share events for those who need inspiration and those who would like to share it. Keep those ideas coming: contact Kathy Adams.


 
Enrollment Committee Highlights
Sally Wibbenmeyer Gregory, Class of 1998
sallywibb@gmail.com
Chicago, IL
 
High school research. The Volunteer Enrollment Committee is embarking on a research project to identify high schools across the country that would be good outlets for the admissions office to reach out to for recruiting new students. Private and public schools along with deeper research into specialty high schools focused on performing arts (dance, theater), equestrian, digital media/film making, etc. If you are interested in taking time to research local high schools in your area please send background information (see below) to Sally Wibbenmeyer Gregory ‘98.
• School name
• Address
• Phone, website
• Indication of Public, Private and/or Specialty
 
Last year’s committee boasts the following statistics:  from the over 300 schools identified as part of the High School Research project, the Admissions Office obtained 20 applications from young women interested in Stephens College.  Of those, four students have deposited for future enrollment.

Pizza Party!  During the 2007 Fall AAB meeting, the Volunteer Enrollment Committee will host pizza parties in each of the residence halls on campus.  Volunteer Enrollment committee members will participate in the parties by attending as the hostesses.  Pizza and beverages will be provided for the students, who will have the opportunity to engage with alumnae board members.
   
Calling prospective students. Would you call prospective students and encourage them to choose Stephens?  Contact Dean of Enrollment David Adams.
 
Student support. The Volunteer Enrollment takes the opportunity throughout the school year to remind students of the strong alumnae network.  Alumnae board members will write short personal notes with a Fall theme to the students as kind words of support and encouragement from the alumnae with a sweet treat. In addition, the Volunteer Enrollment Committee will prepare a finals-week treat to deliver to students during their last week of classes in December.
 
Senior gifts. This year's senior gift was extremely successful and will be continued into the near future. The printed, laminated Stephens contact card includes a list of things to do when you move: gas, telephone, cable, election registration, and a reminder to let Stephens know your new address. The card is extremely useful to our graduates embarking on new horizons and encourages young alumnae to remain in touch with the College.
   
The AAB is here to serve you as alumnae. Let us know if you have any ideas that you think we could use to help serve you.