Starring Stephens

Saturday, I attended my first Stephens College graduation.

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 semester is over and tomorrow, Stephens will bid ado to 148 graduating seniors.

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!

Move over Reese Witherspoon, there’s a new Elle Woods in town.

No, seriously. Stephens Senior Shinah Brashears IS Elle Woods. OMIGOSH You Guys! She was absolutely amazing in Stephens’ production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.

It was the first theatre production I’ve been to since I started here, but that’s going to change after Friday night when I was absolutely blown away by the show. Thanks to Marissa Todd in Philanthropy for giving me the extra ticket she ended up with and exposing me to the amazing people who make up our theatre faculty and students.

Shinah is what those over in the department refer to as a “triple threat.” She can act, sing and dance and do all at the same time incredibly well. She made me laugh, made me sad and made me cheer.

Actually the whole show showcased our “triple threat” students. Senior Breanne Pickering was so incredibly entertaining as Paulette, Senior John Lampe was great as Emmett. Senior Emma Carter stood out as a leader among the Margo, Serena and Pilar characters. Professor Rob Doyen played Professor Callahan and Brian Dresner played Warner, and I did not like those characters at all…which means they played them very, very well.

I know some of the performances were selling out, but if you get a chance, go see Legally Blonde: The Musical this week at Macklanburg Playhouse. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Like, seriously, you guys.

It only took a month.

In March, I mentioned on this blog that the Missourian was going to graciously publish whatever I sent them in their From Readers section. You might recall, I asked Editor Joy Mayer how often I could submit stories and she told me they never had a need to set a submission limit.

Challenge accepted, I replied.

Today, I’m told the Missourian has set a submission limit.

DRATS!

So unfortunately, those five stories you’ve enjoyed from me in the Missourian over the past month will be restricted to two in the future.

Only two chances a month to tell Missourian readers about all of the great things happening at Stephens?

Now THAT will be a challenge.

In the meantime, enjoy my latest submissions on our amazing staff and faculty members and Earth Day events.

Stephens celebrated Earth Day today with an adorable ceremony featuring children from the Stephens College Children’s School.

The school has been collecting recycled goods to donate to Women of the Earth, our student environmental group.

The group, with the help of Campus Facilities, then constructed a tree sculpture and let the kiddos hang hand-made ornaments on it this morning.

All of this was followed by my favorite part of the ceremony, the children singing hilarious little songs about a favorite tree at risk of being axed down and another about a battle with a big pile of garbage. Spoiler alert: The tree won; the garbage lost.

Anyway, I especially enjoyed the event because it was my first opportunity at Stephens to show off my photography skills—which essentially means putting the camera on an “auto” setting and letting it figure out lighting, etc. for me.

Check out the tree, our little singers and the Stephens College marketing office camera’s mad photo-taking skills: