I’m also discovering that digital media is making the industry, once reserved for film school graduates, more accessible to the masses, including Jessica Gorman, a 2010 graduate who caught the filmmaking bug after earning a BFA in Theatre.

Gorman is co-founder of Hopeful Studio Productions and has made three films, two of which were made using her iPhone 4 (now I kinda want an iPhone 4–and I’ve never wanted an i-anything).

Her latest film, The Rule, is now being featured by the International Mobile Film Festival sponsored by S. Botello Productions™. And it’s really fun, featuring three single women who stick to a very strick dating rule.

But it’s only 3 minutes long, so I can’t tell you much more without spoiling it. So take a few minutes and check it out here.

Well, actually, she’s not that normal. She’s absolutely beautiful. But she is a normal size.

And then a big-named swimsuit company had the audacity to put her in a bikini and use her photos in its campaign without even labeling it as anything other than “beachwear.”

Here are the headlines:

“H&M break new ground by using size 12 model”

“H&M quietly debuts ‘Beachwear’ collection using plus-size model”

“H&M’s new Beachwear collection has groundbreaking approach to swimwear for curvy girls” (warning: click on that one and a “Weight Watchers” ad pops up.)

Amidst all the media attention, Jennie—who was a model before she attended Stephens, where she earned a creative writing degree in 2011—decided to share her own thoughts. She wrote this commentary for BBC News Magazine. Jennie writes:

“I had no idea that my H&M beachwear campaign would receive so much publicity. I’m the quiet type who reads books, plays video games, and might be a little too obsessed with her cat.

So, suddenly having a large amount of publicity was an awkward surprise at first. I found it strange that people made such a fuss about how my body looks in a bikini, since I don’t usually give it much thought.

When my Facebook fan page gained about 2,000 new likes in 24 hours, I decided to use the attention as an opportunity to make the world a little nicer by promoting confidence. I’ve since been receiving lots of messages from fans, expressing gratitude.

Some even told me that my confidence has inspired them to try on a bikini for the first time in years. This is exactly the kind of thing I’ve always wanted to accomplish, showing women that it’s OK to be confident even if you’re not the popular notion of ‘perfect.’

This message is especially important for teenage girls. Being a teenage girl is incredibly difficult. They need all the help and support they can get.

When our bodies change and we all start to look totally different, we simultaneously begin feeling pressured to look exactly the same. This is an impossible goal to achieve and I wish I had known that when I was 13. …

Seriously.

Read more about her experiences here, but she goes on to write:

Having finally survived it, I feel compelled to show girls who are going through the same thing that it’s acceptable to be different. You will grow out of this awkwardness fabulously. Just focus on being the best possible version of yourself and quit worrying about your thighs, there’s nothing wrong with them.

What an inspiring message. I hope her young fans take it to heart.

Like Jennie, I can’t wait for a society that stops obsessing over size. But I’m kinda a hypocrite because sometimes I obsess, too. I hate running into people who knew me in high school or college—I know the first thing they’re going to notice is I’ve grown out! But I’ve also grown up, and unfortunately what they can’t see is that my confidence has grown just as much as my waistline.

In the meantime, models such as Jennie will be the pioneers leading us toward that nirvana.

You can learn more about her by becoming one of the 3,477 (as of Wednesday morning) people who “Like” her page on Facebook.

Actually, make that 3,478. Because I’m definitely a fan.

And it’s seriously a career highlight. Not to brag (OK maybe a little) but past recipients have come from USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the Chronicle of Higher Education. Me? I come from Doolittle, Mo.

With the flurry of congratulatory phone calls and emails, I paused for the first time since I left the Columbia Daily Tribune to come to Stephens. Did I do the right thing?

The pause didn’t last long.

I loved being a reporter, and working for the Tribune was a dream job.  That the AAUP recognized my reporting is seriously amazing.

But Stephens is, too (both a dream job and amazing).

And I’m not the only reporter (or former/future reporter) to recognize it.

Lauren Hill from the Columbia Missourian discovered it when she covered Stephens this past semester.

From her recent entry on the Missourian’s J4450 blog:

“During my reporting this year, I have learned a lot about the Stephens College community. And I have to say, it’s pretty awesome. Their graduation ceremony showed that. The girls had on these crazy high and fabulously decorated shoes. I kind of wanted to do the story about the shoes! They also each decorated their graduation caps with rhinestones and tons of glitter …

I took a lot away from the ceremony. I was able to get a peek into the world of Stephens, and I wanted to show everyone how cool and unique I thought Stephens was. So I wrote a piece that was at least 20 inches. It was ridiculous. And it was cut in half. I had to part with my lovely words.”

She’s right, Stephens is cool and unique (and for so much more than shoes and glittery caps, too!).

The best part of this job? I can go on and on and on about Stephens. Because, believe me friends, it takes more than 20 inches to explain how cool and unique Stephens is.

So maybe I won’t win any more reporting awards in the future, but being part of this amazing, creative and unique environment is reward enough for me. (But don’t get me wrong—I’m still totally excited to go to Washington, D.C., next month and get my AAUP award.)

I knew from my first month at Stephens that Sandie Heckman is a special woman. I told you about her–she’s the staff member who’s made spreading random acts of kindness her life’s work. She was also one of a handful of employees honored at our employee recognition ceremony. This past Saturday, she was a proud Mom, too, watching her daughter, Sarah, walk across the stage and receive her Stephens College degree.

Yesterday, I found out that a personal story Sandie’s wrote is now a finalist in the Victorious Women Project’s annual short story competition.

While I read through some of the entries, and all of the women should be very proud, Sandie’s stands out. In “Strength and Awakening During Tough Times,” we read about tragedy that Sandie, armed with faith, turned into triumph.

Good news. You can not only read the story here, but you can also vote during the public phase of the contest. You have to sign in using Facebook (Sorry, Mom–see, this is why you need a Facebook account!) but after that it simply takes a click and you can send Sandie’s story on to the judges.

Congrats once again Sandie. I’m so proud to call you a colleague.

It’s a short film called “Choosing for Happiness” shot, in part, on the Stephens College campus by Henry Bowman, who taught a marriage course here in the 1930s through early 1950s. The video, part of Bowman’s Marriage for Moderns series, is from 1950.

I won’t give away too many spoiler alerts because this is really entertaining and gives such an interesting glimpse into life in that era. In the video, our lead character, Mary, is confused as to why her friend, Eve, is single. I mean, Eve’s a lovely young woman who is committed to her diet. But then we find out that Eve might be just too darned picky.

Having been a little too darned picky back in my day, I say “good for you Eve!” Waiting for the just-right husband is so much better than marrying the wrong one (or at least I assume it is because, thankfully, I never did the latter).

Some of the advice is dated — we’ve come a long way, ladies — but the main message that “you can’t change other people” still applies today. What you see is, indeed, what you get, so make sure it’s what you want! Eve, we find out, doesn’t want a man who’s too popular, too book smart or too much of a handyman. But now I’m just giving away spoilers.

Although some of the buildings shown in the video might not exist on campus today, you might recognize some Stephens signatures (like our stables).

Enjoy!

I’ll start with Laura Knox, an education instructor at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. Knox was recently selected Faculty Member of the Year by her peers! That’s a huge honor, so kudos to Laura!
Before Arkansas State University got her, Knox earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations at Stephens. She  earned her master’s certification in elementary education K-6 at the University of Colorado-Denver. Read more about her on the KAIT-TV website.
My next informant is The Star Gazer, the online news source of McCluer North High School. Staff Reporter Brandon Woods tells us that Stephens alumna Sharon Bartlett is retiring after a 29-year career with the Ferguson-Florissant School District. After earning her associates degree in arts here,  she later attended the University of Kentucky to major in elementary education, Woods tells us.  Also from the story, we learn that “over the course of her hardworking years, she has built a solid rapport with many of the staff members here.”Congrats to Sharon–sounds like she is well deserving of retirement!

And, finally, former Stephens student Tiffany Green is making her Muny debut this season and will play Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables, BroadwayWorld.com tells us. After attending Stephens College, Green made her feature film debut in Hairspray, starring John Travolta. According to BWW, the Muny’s Les Misérables was a “highly anticipated cast,” so kudos to Tiffany!

Well, that’s not entirely true. I covered the event for the Tribune in the past, but mostly, I would stay through the keynote speaker, then get the heck outta there before the name reading began. As the higher education reporter in College Town USA, May was not a fun month. I’d typically swing by three or four MU commencement ceremonies, as well as Stephens and the three other main colleges in Columbia and Fulton. That’s a lot of Pomp & Circumstance, my friend.

But the ever-so-annoying-when-you-hear-it-eight-times-in-one-month march wasn’t the only commonality. Most of the keynote speakers…while very respected…well, let’s just say it’s very difficult for anyone to come up with an original and entertaining graduation speech.

Instead of keynote, Stephens put together a video compilation of faculty members and students reflecting on their time together in college. And when I say Stephens, I really mean our videography Corey Ransberg, who did a fabulous job making the video sad, witty and fun. Although I assisted in the scheduling, I really only claim credit for one part of it—the two fashion students dancing, one wearing the giant star costume.

I met Heather Johnston and Ellie Keebler in the elevator at Lela Raney Wood while I was holding the giant gold star mascot. Heather had an awesome 1980s era bow on her head and a bright yellow jacket. Both had perfect make-up and awesome shoes.

I recognized them from the senior photo book I was putting together—but, unfortunately, they had no idea who I was, making for an awkward conversation.

Me: “Hi. Will you wear this star costume and dance for our video?”

Them: *blank stares*

Me: “Oh! Hi. I’m Janese from marketing.”

Anyway, they were great sports, as you know if you saw the video. If you didn’t see the video, well, here’s a little glimpse of what you missed. That’s Ellie in the Star:

But an awesome video in lieu of a keynote speaker isn’t the only thing that makes Stephens commencement standout. It doubles as a footwear and cap fashion show.

Our students come wearing the craziest, highest, most bedazzled shoes. And they spend hours making sure their caps are equally glam. Some random samples:

The name reading, by the way, was great—especially seeing the several seniors I’ve gotten acquainted with over the past five months. Heather Johnston even introduced me to her family as the woman who asked them to wear the star costume in the video and not as the creepy lady in the elevator.

And President Dianne Lynch’s comments had so much more meaning to me now than when I was listening in as a reporter. I was able to truly appreciate and understand what she was saying. And, man, I felt so grateful to be a part of this extraordinary community.

“The [insert local paper name here] is great! It’s wonderful for lining bird cages/starting fires/packing dishes!”

The comments were intended to offend me, but they really didn’t. I was glad they were finding multiple uses for their papers, and let’s face it, newspaper really does make great packing material.

Our clever Stephens students, along with other area college students, have found a new use for newspapers when you’re finished reading them.

This year’s Little Black Dress competition, part of a larger fundraiser for True North, challenged students to create fashions using recycled copies of the Columbia Tribune. Check out this photo taken by Lushan Sun and courtesy of Jana Hawley, chair of MU’s textile and apparel management department:

The model second from left is Holly Hmielewski (I’ve told you all about her), modeling the first-place dress designed by Stephens graduate (as of Saturday) Allia Rahman, standing behind her to the left.

Stephens student Meredith Morrow took second place in the design competition, and MU’s Nathan Roberts took third.

OK, so I’m not sure wearing a cut-up Tribune would be practical, but what a great way to show off design talent! Kudos to all of the participants.

I only got to know a handful of our graduating seniors in my five months here, but those I have met are absolutely amazing women.

I’ve been so impressed by the level of maturity, professionalism and confidence these young women possess. They are by far so much more advanced, prepared and ready for the real world than when I was graduated from college (14 years ago?!).

The thing I really love about Stephens—and I think we’re unique in this regard—is that the students I’ve met here don’t have this impression that college is and was going to be the best three or four years of their lives. (Notice I said “three or four,” not “five or six!”)

They came here to get real-world experience in their fields of choice. Equestrian students worked and studied in our horse stables. Education students worked and studied in the Stephens College Children’s School. Our fashion students studied and worked in design labs, as did our graphic design students. Our business students worked on branding and advertising campaigns with real clients. Our film students learned by making films. Our biology and psychology students conducted research that many students don’t experience until graduate school. Our English/Creative Writing students wrote and got published. And, of course, our dance and theatre students worked and studied on stage.

Students, I’m discovering, come to Stephens because they are committed to their chosen professions and want to start working right away—and not wait until after college to see how classroom studies apply in the real world.

Our graduates have, no doubt, received intensive training at Stephens, and that’s going to ensure that—while I’m sure they have great memories here—their best days are ahead of them. And, really, that’s what college should do.

I’m really looking forward to hearing more about these women and the successes they’re going to have in the future.

Congrats to the Class of 2013!

It dawned on me today at a new employee luncheon. Fortunately, I’m not so new that I don’t realize why I have the best job on campus.

On my left were admissions folks. They’re the ones who work  hard to find the high school women who would thrive at Stephens. And it’s not a numbers game; they get to know these young women to make sure that they’re prepared and ready for the intensive and  rewarding work they’ll do as Stephens students.

Sitting next to me on my right was Sady Mayer (Hi Sady!). She works in the Student Success Center to make sure that when those new students arrive—and as they progress through the years—they have the tools they need to thrive, be it quiet study spaces, extra help or—as she recounted today—extra batteries for a student whose scientific calendar dies during a math final. (Sady, by the way, is one of the outstanding Stephens staff members recently recognized at our employee recognition ceremony).

Just right of Sadi sat Jessie Kwatamdia from philanthropy. She’s one of our amazing directors of philanthropy who makes sure Stephens stays in touch with students once they graduate.

And also in the mix around the table were employees from our stables, health center, IT and our director of leadership and diversity—all of whom play starring roles to make Stephens the most awesome place in the world (or at least Missouri since my world travels are limited).

So why do I boast the best job on campus?

Because all I have to do is play a supporting role.

I get to write about Stephens to let potential students discover what we’re all about, then our admission team can take it from there.

I get to write about all of the student successes that Sady—and stables’ staff and professors and health center workers and the IT crew and facilities workers, etc. etc.—play a role in creating.

I get to write about all of the amazing students, and then I get to write about them when they become amazing alumnae, with the help of Jessie and her team.

So basically, my colleagues work hard to make Stephens what it is. All I have to do is write about it.