Featured Stephens student singers (in order of first video appearance): Natalie Irlmeier ’20, Shawnee Fierros Casas Richberger ’20, Colleen O’Brien ’20, Fiona Bolte-Bradhurst ’20 and Julia Bailey ’20.
Graduating seniors in the Stephens College Musical Theatre program performed the Stephens Hymn, a long-cherished College tradition, at the end of the Stephens Senior Toast, which was held virtually via Zoom on May 9 — the originally scheduled date for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. (Commencement was postponed until Aug. 29 due to the coronavirus pandemic (get more details.)
Colleen O’Brien ’20, who was among the featured seniors, said that singing the Stephens Hymn at college events is an important tradition because it allows current students to connect through song with the thousands of women who came before them.
“It’s a simple reminder of who we are and what we stand for as Stephens women,” she said. “Originally, we were thinking of doing it live but because Zoom and Wifi is so unpredictable we decided to tape the hymn and I put it together. Definitely a team effort!”
Other event highlights included toasts by Stephens President Dianne Lynch and faculty as well as a special guest visit by Brandon Maxwell — Project Runway judge, acclaimed fashion designer and friend of Stephens — who zoomed in to wish the senior class well.
Read More
Fashion designer Brandon Maxwell joins Stephens College Senior Toast (Columbia Missourian)