Meredith Community Shows Strong Support and Engagement

Meredith College extends its appreciation to alumnae, friends, faculty, and staff for their ongoing commitment to the College during the first half of the fiscal year. Through generous gifts and dedicated volunteer efforts, alumnae and friends of the College continue to make a meaningful impact on Meredith students and the campus community.

“Our donors consistently demonstrate how deeply they value Meredith College students,” said Lennie Barton, vice president for institutional advancement. “We are grateful that donors choose to support areas they are passionate about, knowing their generosity directly benefits students. Every gift strengthens the College, and we are truly thankful.”

The Meredith Fund, our annual giving program, has raised $962,889 so far this fiscal year.  This represents a 20% increase from the same time last year.

• Meredith’s Greatest Needs has received $285,800, providing vital support for every student and allowing the College to direct resources where they are needed most. (51% increase from the same time last year)
• The alumnae fall appeal letter has generated $53,282 from 154 donors. (58% increase from the same time last year)
• The Parents and Families Project has raised $3,775 as it launches its initiative to upgrade student study spaces in the Cate Center, with a fundraising goal of $30,000 by June 30.
• Angels Connect, Meredith’s student callers, have raised $14,135 with 111 gifts, and have completed 581 thank you calls and 509 thank you videos for donors.

Student philanthropy awareness events were held this fall. These events included a Sizzlin’ September booth, a campus-wide Gift Ribbon Hunt, and Gratitude Bingo. Over 45 student participants joined in the fun and learned about donors and gifts to the College.

The Senior Class also revealed that they will be raising money for the Campbell Corner in the library for their senior class gift. Campbell Corner gives students access to personal hygiene items. 

Alumnae and Student Events

The Office of Alumnae Relations coordinated six welcome events for President Aimee Sapp in the following cities: Atlanta, Ga., Williamsburg, Va., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Raleigh, N.C., at The Cypress and Hayes Barton Place retirement communities. Two additional events are already scheduled for the start of the new year; welcome events will be held in Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla., in January. The welcome events provide an opportunity for alumnae and friends to meet President Sapp and hear an update from the College. 

Throughout the fall semester, the office hosted several on-campus events to engage and support current students. From August to December, the office coordinated 14 student events. On Move-In Day, the Office of Alumnae Relations started a new tradition by hosting a legacy pinning ceremony and reception. The event celebrated students whose mothers or grandmothers attended Meredith. 

Events were also held to celebrate the First Day of Class, Ring Dinner, Ring Week, Halloween, Corn, and the Last Day of Class. The Ask an Alumna series features a panel of alumnae experts, and topics have included: Health and Wellness, Time Management and Organization, Financial Literacy, and Resumes and Interviews. The office hosts two sessions per semester, and the series concludes at the end of the academic year with a networking event. Launched last year, the Alumnae Association continues to expand on the success of Onyx Connections, which is a more informal gathering. Facilitated and staffed by alumnae volunteers, Onyx Connections allows alumnae to return to campus to offer students baked goods, flowers, animals to pet, a listening ear, and much more. 

In total, the Office of Alumnae Relations coordinated 53 outreach events and two Angel Adventures trips to Ireland and New York City. The outreach events included in-person and virtual events, such as the MC Votes Series with Professor of Political ScienceDavid McLennan, virtual Alumnae Book Club, a Religion Series with Dr. Judy Yates Siker, ’73, Trick or Trot, an Author Chat with Chris Sweeney, author of The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne, and paint parties with local artists.  

Thank you to everyone who has supported Meredith College and continues to show our campus community how much our students and their education truly matter.