Friday, May 30, 2014

Quiz: How do you grade college experience?

Erin Wissler’s commencement speech, “Quiz: How do you grade college experience?” is one I’m sure you will want to read. Erin majored in chemistry and minored in theology at The College of Saint Benedict (CSB).

This year, 495 women graduated from CSB.Check out CSB’s commencement photo gallery

The College of Saint Benedict is a women's colleges that is connected to a men's college, Saint John's University. To learn more about the college, visit the college Web site

Additional information also can be found on Wikipedia: "The College of Saint Benedict, for women, and Saint John's University, for men, are partnered liberal arts colleges respectively located in St. Joseph and Collegeville, Minnesota, USA." -- Continue reading.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Crazy Cool Commencement Caps and the Women Who Designed Them

Here's my latest HuffPost blog post: "Crazy Cool Commencement Caps and the Women Who Designed Them."

This one was so much fun to write. And I even challenged the college's Class of 2015. Learn about the challenge and/or read my blog post here.
Here's one of the caps included in the blog post.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Women's Colleges Rock!

The joy of graduating from a women's college! The painted rock, found on the campus of Hollins University, sums it up pretty well. Ah, the feeling of accomplishment!

Congratulations Hollins Class of 2014!

From Wikipedia“Hollins University is a four-year private institution of higher education located on a 475-acre campus on the border of Roanoke and Botetourt counties in the U.S. state of Virginia.”

To learn more about this women's college, visit the Hollins' Web site.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Women’s Colleges at the Forefront of Public Service

Several women’s college have joined The Women in Public Service Project in their commitment to “to building the efficacy and leadership capacity of women worldwide with the goal of achieving 50 percent representation of women in all spheres of public service by 2050 (“50 × 50”).”
 

“Mount Holyoke College, Simmons College and Smith College are proud to co-host “Reconstructing Societies in the Wake of Conflict: Transitional Justice and Economic Development,” a two-week Institute of the Women in Public Service Project (WPSP). The Institute will bring together emerging women leaders, primarily from Asia, who are working to rebuild their communities and promote sustainable economic livelihoods following political violence and human rights violations. This intensive program, in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, is scheduled for May 25–June 6, 2014.”

This is what the President of Mount Holyoke has to say about the conference:

Mount Holyoke is pleased to join with Simmons and Smith to host this Institute, which aligns so closely with the historic mission of women’s colleges,” said Mount Holyoke President Lynn Pasquerella. “We are honored to have the opportunity to bring together emerging and established leaders in politics and public service from around the world with faculty, alumnae, and students from the three institutions, and we are sure that the insights, experience, and wisdom the delegates will bring to our campuses will inform our thinking for years to come.”

Women's colleges are leading the way in all areas, isn’t it time you consider attending a women’s college?

Learn more about Mount Holyoke College, Simmons College, and Smith College.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Women’s Colleges, Supporting Your Dreams

Here's my recent Huffington Post blog post: Their Dream Becomes a Reality: 50 States in 50 Days.

Meet Madeline Carl and Meredith Jacob, two college filmmakers who are traveling 50 states in 50 days by car. Although some say this trip is impossible, these two Stephens College seniors weren't listening to any naysayers as they recently embarked on their journey. Their mission: "to collect stories and inspire people to achieve those seemingly impossible goals," while capturing their journey on film.

These college roommates are determined to prove that their trip is possible and along the way inspire others to follow their dreams. They have the full support of their college.

Continue reading.



Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Women’s College Traditions: Welcoming New Alumnae

Colleges for women are fantastic. Yes, you’ll have four great years, but the fun really starts upon graduation.

One benefit of attending a women’s college, often not recognized in the college search process, but still powerful none the less is sisterhood; life-time sisterhood.

At Mount Holyoke College, the newest alumnae are welcomed by, in this photograph, the class of 1964, receiving class-animal-print scarves. What a GREAT tradition!







Monday, May 19, 2014

Women's College Tradition: Closing of the Circle

"Alumnae and students are likely familiar with the Opening of the Circle, an event which occurs for first-year students as they begin their Saint Mary's College experience and friendships. A circle is a symbol for relationships and love. The Closing of the Circle signifies the end of students' time here. . . . There are 273 students in the Class of 2014 representing 27 states and two countries other than the U.S. (Bolivia and Peru)."

Saint Mary's College is a private women's Catholic college, sister school of the University of Notre Dame, located in Notre Dame, IN. To learn more about Saint Mary's College, visit their Web site.





Friday, May 16, 2014

Congratulations Class of 2014!


Graduating from a women’s college . . . Oh the places you'll go!


Congratulations Class of 2014!
Wishing You All the Very Best!

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Women's Colleges, Where Amazing Professors Rule!

I studied biology and loved my professors, but then again I attended a women’s college so this is to be expected.

Meet this amazing biology professor from Mary Baldwin College, a women’s college located in Staunton, VA: Eric Jones.

“Eric Jones — a field naturalist and a muddy boots plant ecologist. I have spent the past 20 years seeking out the flora of Augusta County, Virginia. At present I have photographed over 250 species of plants within the county representing over 65 families of vascular plants. These images have been optimized for viewing on the Web and have been incorporated into an e-book /Web site . Augusta County runs from the crest of the Blue Ridge across the valley to the top of Shenandoah Mountain 50 miles to the west. These ridges are sandstones and basalts and therefore do not neutralize acid rain, while the valley is limestone and therefore able to neutralize the acid runoff from the mountains. The county has everything from a wet prairie at an elevation of 1000 feet to relic forests and shale outcrops at elevations above 3,500 feet. The county contains two wilderness areas (Ramsey’s Draft and The Saint Mary’s Wilderness), a large section of the Washington Jefferson National Forest, and an extensive game management area on North Mountain. In short, I am located in an area with over 2,500 feet change in elevation, a full range of bedrock types, and every possible slope orientation.

In addition to the floral survey work, I am active in the Boy Scouts serving as the Conservation Director for the Stonewall Jackson Area Council, my primary responsibility being the 500 acre Camp Shenandoah. In this role I am working on reforestation and the establishment of warm season grasses and wildflowers. The goal of the restoration is the creation of breeding habitat for quail and other declining bird species. I also work in leadership training and serve as the program director for the summer camp. I have enjoyed working with the local ballet company, and play the Grandfather in The Nutcracker, Dr. Copellius in the ballet Copellia, and the Grandfather in Peter and the Wolf.”


Read a recent article about Professor Jones.

Meet other biology professors at MBC.

Why study biology at MBC? 


Learn about Mary Baldwin College.

If you're interested in studying any STEM field, you will want to consider attending a women's college. Recent research shows how supportive women's colleges are for women in STEM!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Top Women's College in Ohio: Ursuline College

Here’s my recent Huffington Post blog post, “Inspirational Senior Art Show at Ursuline College.” I wish I lived closer to Cleveland for I would love to see this art show. Check out my blog post for photographs. And if you’re in the area, please do consider visiting. The show ends on May 16th.

Learn more about Ursuline College or their art program or other programs/majors.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Best Professors Are Found At These Colleges

Women’s colleges are known for outstanding facility . . . really! This is one reason I feel not all colleges are created equal.

Consider these professors at Saint Mary's College: Professor Toni Barstis and Diana Vega Pantoja -- exceptional STEM scholars and dedicated mentors. Read about them on the college Web site.

This women’s college, located in Notre Dame, IN, has a small campus, but offers BIG OPPORTUNITIES to their students.

If you're looking for top-notch professors, I encourage you to investigate women's colleges. Discover for yourself which women's college is right for YOU! And I highly recommend campus visits!


Friday, May 9, 2014

Global Studies HAPPY

More HAPPY graduation festivities, this time from the hooding ceremony at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. In this Pharrell Williams inspired video you’ll see graduating seniors from the department of global studies HAPPY as they celebrate their graduation with family and faculty.


Thursday, May 8, 2014

Graduation Time = Happy Faces

Graduation time makes for happy faces and understandably so . . . hats off to all the 2014 graduates!

These soon to be graduates of Stern College for Women are happy!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Magic of Women’s Colleges


Liberty Dupuis, a first-year student at Smith College blogs about what she learned her first semester at a women’s college in Her Campus blog post, “Why You ShouldChoose Smith Because it is a Women’s College: An Open Letter to the Class of2018.”

“After a year at Smith, I can confidently say that I do not notice the absence of boys on campus. At Smith I’m constantly surrounded by intelligent, inspiring and opinionated women. I cannot adequately describe how incredible it feels to be celebrated as women on a daily basis. The connections and community I have already made here are not ones I would trade for anything in the world.”

Continue reading here.

More and more, college-bound high school girls are starting to see the benefits of attending colleges for women. Women’s colleges are the best kept secret in high education today! Read student stories from other women's colleges here.

Friday, May 2, 2014

How Women’s Colleges Set the Preppy Style

Here’s a new book I know you will enjoy reading "Seven Sisters Style: The All-American Preppy Look" by Rebecca C. Tuite. In her book, Rebecca documents (with lots of wonderful photographs) styles that were in vogue at all the top women’s colleges and how these colleges influenced the preppy style -- Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Radcliffe, Vassar, and Wellesley.
 

You can learn more about Ms. Tuite's book via her YouTube video as well as view photographs from various blog posts, including:
Or you can purchase Seven Sisters Style on Amazon here.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

A Historical Look at this Women’s College: Bryn Mawr

I very much enjoyed reading Evangeline Holland’s recent blog post Women’s Colleges & Universities: Bryn Mawr from her blog Edwardian Promenade, a blog focusing on Edwardian history. Interesting blog and interesting blog post for sure; I’m sure you'll enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Evangeline writes about the college founder:

“Bryn Mawr College was founded by Dr. Joseph W. Taylor, of Burlington, New Jersey, a man who, though a bachelor, had all his life taken a great interest in the education of women. He died January 18, 1880, leaving the greater portion of his estate for the establishment and maintenance of this institution of advanced learning.”

And she also captures one of the college’s heart-felt traditions:


“One of the oldest and most characteristic customs is the Presentation of the Lanterns. The ex-freshmen then greet the incoming girls with a song, and present each one with a “lantern to light her steps through the unknown ways of college life,” and especially through the mazes of the group system. Sometimes much sage advice is given with the light, and once the unfortunate freshmen won their lanterns only after passing an impromptu oral examination. The form of the affair differs with the character and resources of the class giving it; but as preparations for it are begun in the freshmen year, the offering is usually both clever and original.


The farewell lantern celebration is at the alumnae supper given on Commencement evening. Here a speech of welcome is made to the new alumnae, and at the close of the festivities the lights are turned low, and the lanterns, standing at each place, are lighted from one large lantern that has been burning throughout the evening at the head of the table. Holding the lighted lanterns, the alumnae sing the old college song. Then they slowly go out, leaving their bright lights still burning on the deserted board.”

 
There's much more to her blog post and I encourage you to continue reading here.

To learn more about Bryn Mawr College, visit the college Web site.