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March 6, 2007 Vol. 2 No. 7 thecupola news FOR MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS Indian Fulbright Scholar to Offer Art, Women’s Studies Lessons Sen adds MBC to impressive list of host venues Cultural historian Dr. Geeti Sen has lectured at University of Chicago, Berkeley College, and Columbia University, and spoken to audi- ences in England, SEN India, Canada, and Spain. She held a residency at Mills College and completed fellowships for the Asian Cultural Council and Smithsonian Institute, among many other projects. She has taught Indian art and architecture at six major institu- tions in Bombay and Delhi, India. And later this month, Mary Baldwin College will be the site for Sen’s very first turn as a Fulbright Visiting Specialist. “This Fulbright project to offer talks on Muslim culture and the arts will help me come to a better under- standing of perspectives in the U.S. (See SEN, Page 10) PHOTO BY LYNN GILLILAND ’80 LYNN BY PHOTO Reunion Boasts Firsts (and Fifths, and Fiftieths, and Many Years Between) It may be their fifth or their 50th year On March 29, participants can celebrate since graduating from Mary Baldwin the last half-century at a luncheon at the College, but all attendees at Reunion President’s House and hear how the 2007 will experience at least a few college’s vocal music tradition has been firsts during this year’s celebration. carried on in a concert featuring Here are some of the highlights of the Madrigals, Anointed Voices of Praise, and weekend that kicks off Thursday, Baldwin Charm. Then it’s off campus to a March 29 — for more information and Staunton landmark, The Dixie Theater, the full schedule, visit for a members-only showing of Witness www.mbc.edu/reunion. for the Prosecution, and back to Mary Baldwin for tea with student leaders. A Special Day to Kick Off the 50th Reunion Class Leadership Elections The Grafton Society was established Alumnae/i have become familiar with years ago to give special recognition to lining up and grinning for class photos, the alumnae who graduated at least 50 and this year they will have even more years ago. Before they officially become time with classmates and make Mary members of the Grafton Society on Baldwin College history by electing ARCHIVES OF MBC COURTESY PHOTO alumnae/i class officers and taking care of Rose Chu Beck ’92, left, and Dori Ackerman ’92 celebrate at the 20th anniversary of the Program for the March 30, members of the Class of 1957 Exceptionally Gifted, held during Reunion 2006. This year’s event includes celebrations for the 10th anniversaries of are invited to several events just for them. (See REUNION, Page 10) Quest and the Office of African American and Multicultural Affairs. 2 March 6, 2007 The Cupola NEWS Army Aviation Hall of Fame Welcomes MBC’s General There is something inspiring about being in the presence of Brigadier General N. Michael “Mike” Bissell. He does not have an imposing stance or a gruff, booming voice for intimidation, yet the cadets he guides as commandant of Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership recognize his influence and acknowledge it with genuine respect. His colleagues recognize it. The Mary Baldwin College community recognizes it. And recently the recognition reached him from the elite Army Aviation Hall of Fame at Fort Rucker, Alabama, into which he will be inducted in May 2007. “Such a small percentage of people Brig. Gen. Bissell are selected for this honor, I am just beside myself,” Bissell said. Opened 1974, there More Positions are only about 110 people, not including and Awards Bissell and other recent inductees, __________ currently memorialized in the Hall. One doesn’t make it to the Hall of Commander, 17th Fame without an impressive military Aviation Group career, a commitment to service in the civilian sector, and many stories to tell. Commander, Joint Republic of Bissell is no exception, although he is Korea Army and the U.S. Army unlikely to flaunt his military accolades. ARCHIVES OF MBC COURTESY PHOTO Combined Aviation Force Brig. Gen. N. Michael “Mike” Bissell, right, has counseled cadets in VWIL since 1999. His position as A graduate of Virginia Military commandant of cadets is the latest in his long career, which included 26 years of service as an aviator Director, U.S. Army Institute and University of Missouri, he in the U.S. Army. He will be inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in May. Flight Training served two tours as a combat helicopter Deputy chief and acting chief of pilot in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he Bissell’s last assignment with the focus recently has been on targeted was nominated for the Congressional saff, 101st Airborne Division U.S. Army was as executive officer for recruiting at military preparatory (Air Assault) Medal of Honor for rescuing a severely the Assistant Secretary of the Army. programs around the country, such as a wounded American advisor in a landing After retiring, he became program recent trip to Chicago. Executive oficer to the director zone under heavy fire. On Bissell’s second manager for the U.S. Army’s new stealth “It is not only relaxing and enjoy- of operations, Joint Chiefs of of three rescue attempts, machine gun fire helicopter (Commanche) for the Boeing able, but it is just absolutely Staff at the Pentagon crippled the helicopter, killed his gunner, and Sikorsky Team. When that team heartwarming to personally see the and wounded him in the neck. He was Special assistant to superintendent won the contract with the Army in 1990, results,” he said. “Every year, I see (responsible for assimilation of ultimately successful, and received the he returned to VMI to be commandant students reach out for the world and find Distinguished Service Cross. He also women into the corps and of cadets. out what they can do. I often wish I had support of VWIL), VMI earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, In August 1999, after four years as had someone with experience to talk to and the Air Medal. Bissell was selected acting commandant for VWIL, he left during that stage in my own life.” Distinguished Service Medal by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army to VMI to become VWIL’s first full-time Even with such a resumé, Bissell did Defense Superior Service Medal be the Senior Army Fellow at Harvard in commandant of cadets. After all he has not believe a place in the Army Aviation 1985. He is also a graduate of the U.S. accomplished and witnessed, Bissell Hall of Fame would come his way. A Legion of Merit Army Command and General Staff said helping lead VWIL is quite colleague from years ago surprised him College and the U.S. Army War College. possibly his most rewarding post. His with the nomination. MBC Seniors Ready to Cap Off an Instructive Year at Annual Festival It’s not too early to think about the Petersson, director of sponsored college’s second annual Capstone Festival programs and residential development. — the event doesn’t occur until May 10, Although classes will not be but the deadline to nominate outstanding cancelled for the festival, Petersson senior projects is Thursday, March 15. hopes that faculty will encourage Designed to allow a wider MBC students to participate and view proj- audience and people from the commu- ects by allowing flexible class schedules. nity to see and hear senior She also anticipates seeing more parents undergraduate projects, the Capstone at the event as the result of a special Festival grew out of the college’s Save the Date notice that will be sent to strategic plan, which includes emphasis them later in the semester. The festival on the senior experience. Nominated by will not be specifically advertised off their academic advisors, student’s proj- campus this year — although that is a ects are divided into four categories for long-term goal for the committee — but judging and viewing: poster presentation community visitors are certainly (all subjects), delivered paper (all welcome while event organizers focus subjects), live dramatic reading or first on participation by the MBC performance (music, theatre, creative community, Petersson said. writing), and visual art project (studio “It was an uplifting and reinforcing PHOTO COURTESY OF MBC ARCHIVES OF MBC COURTESY PHOTO art, graphic design, film). Awards will be experience last year,” she said. “We’re Participants in the 2006 Capstone Festival — the first of its kind at MBC — pose for a group photo at the given at the end of the day for the top hoping that momentum continues to build close of the event. entries in each category, said Lydia as we continue to improve the event.” The Cupola March 6, 2007 3 SGA Accomplishments Inspire Entire Campus edgeon the The recent elections of next year’s student Church. Then, we processed across Frederick And, most impor- leaders for the Residential College for Street to form a huge circle on the hill between tantly, each has grown Women offer an opportunity to reflect upon Hunt Hall and Grafton Library, and along the on a personal level and and celebrate the significant accomplishments curving steps. By candlelight, all sang A Hymn demonstrated poise, spoken of the 2006–07 student leaders. for Mary Baldwin. Spontaneously, the chant responsibility, judg- word This year’s executive committee (EC) — “2010! 2010!” rang out. It was a meaningful ment, and compassion. Daniel Dowdy, associate President Alison Kaufmann ’07, Vice President and deeply moving moment in which new I am proud of each professor of business administra- Belena Stuart ’08, Secretary Lacy Wood ’07, students became part of the college community.

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