The Inauguration of Agnes Scott President Mary Brown Bullock '66 " EDITORS NOTE

LUMNAE MAGAZINE Summer/Fall 1996

Even occasional rain couldn't dampen the joy or drown the high hopes of Inauguration Day.

The air was full on the morning of It was truly a beautiful day. April 19; excitement and humidity The audience of more than 1 ,000 heard

made for an anxious concoction. warm greetings from students, faculty, staff,

As the prayers of the many seemed to will trustees, alumnae, as well as civic and educa-

the gray clouds back from the impending tional leaders, presented in praise of Mary

inauguration of President Mary Brown Brown Bullock '66, the first alumna presi-

Bullock '66, a sea of black robes trickled in dent of Agnes Scott College.

to the low lit cavern of Winter Theatre and President Bullock's own words, a chal-

formed a convivial pool of representatives lenge to be "more global, more local, more

from colleges, universities, learned societies interdisciplinary, more faithful," offered light

and professional organizations. More than on a morning that was occasionally damp-

200 congregated, bedecked and orderly, ened by drizzle. To a group of listeners that

awaiting a signal from earnest Grand included her missionary parents, her hus-

Marshal Michael J. Brown, Charles A. Dana band and children, and 55 members of the

Professor of History. class of 1966, Bullock spoke of the accom-

For many in the group, the events of the plishments of past presidents, of the

day were a routine part of the collegiate life. College's future, of "a destiny not yet ful-

For me, the pomp and circumstance was filled." Pushing her words of promise past a

exceptional. I had not donned a robe and lump of emotion that intermittently settled

mortar board since my own graduation from in her throat, Bullock personified the joy of

Spring Hill College some 17 years earlier the day. "Let us make a joyful noise," she

and had forgotten the sort of dignified mood said, "and let us love one another!"

academic regalia can effect. I was proud to What follows in this edition of AGNES

represent my alma mater and thrilled to be a Scott Alumnae Magazine is a special look

part of the historic event as an Agnes Scott at the inauguration of President Bullock.

employee. For those of you who were able to attend

When Mike Brown announced the deci- the ceremonies, we hope you will accept this

sion to "risk it" and proceed with an outdoor as a souvenir of the day. For those of you who

ceremony, the news was met with the first of were unable to attend, we hope you will

the day's many rounds of applause. As the savor this pictorial summary of the inaugura-

cloaked legion spilled out of Dana Fine Arts tion as we did the actual events and help us

to Berlioz's Triumphed March and flowed in our endeavor to fulfill Agnes Scott's des-

across campus, behind the rainbow of ban- tiny. As President Bullock said, "Our time is

! ners and beneath the canopy magnolia to now. We are going for the gold

Presser Terrace, I was reminded of the words

of William Butler Yeats: How hut in courtesy

and ceremony are innocence and beauty bom' Mary Alrfra Durrett

— CONTENTS ON CAMPUS

Agnes Scott College Alumnae Magazine Olympic dance, in the news, Summer/Fall 1 996 , Volume 73 , Number I a fourth bright Fulbright

"THE RIGHT collection of paintings and TO WRITE:" sculpture produced by con- THE BEAUTY temporary artists from OF WORDS Islamic and Arab cultures. "The Write to Right" was Her Majesty Queen organized by and made pos- Noor of Jordan may sible through an agreement

visit Agnes Scott College with Her Royal Highness

this fall in conjunction Princess Wijdan Ali,

with the visiting art founder of Jordan's Royal

INAUGURATION DAY exhibit "The Right to Society of Fine Arts and

A special report on the inauguration Wtite: Calligraphic Work the Jordan National of Mary Brown Bullock '66 from the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. The

Agnes Scott College's seventh and first Gallery of Fine Arts first woman in Jordan to alumna—president is ushered in with pomp Collection," on display in entet the ministry of for- and circumstance . .. and a pervading sense of hope and courage to face the century ahead. the Dalton Art Gallery eign affairs and who also

through Oct. 16. represented Jordan at

The exhibit features a United Nations meetings

unique and rarely viewed DEPARTMENTS Editor: Mary Alma Durrett Design: Everett Hullum 2 Student Assistants: On Campus Tina Backus '97 Rolanda Daniel '98 30 Danyael Miller '99 Jennifer Odom '98 Alumnae Weekend Samantha Stavely '97

31 Publications Advisory Board: Lifestyle Mary Ackerly Christine Cozzens 38 '90 "" Kim Drew Mary Alma Durrett Letters Aa Bill Gailey Ellen Fort Grissett '77 Tish McCutchen '73 Kay Parkerson O'Briant '70 W Edmund Sheehey JBaffPffl^^ ' Lucia Howard Sizemore '65

Copyright © 1996, Agnes Scott College. Published for alumnae and friends twice a year hy the Office ot Publications, Agnes Scott College, Buttrick Hall, 141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, (404) 638-6301. Postmaster: Send address changes to Office ol Development, Agnes Scort College, Decatur, GA 30030. The content of the magazine reflects the opinions of the writers and nor rhe viewpoint oi the College, irs trustees or administration.

Ai iNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SI MMER/FALL l»K> Jl J* DIRECTING THE OLYMPIC DANCE

Alvanita Hope '96 of Mobile, staff of eight in the production of the closing. This Ala., (pictured at a rehearsal in spectacular opening and which Olympic Stadium in May) was one of group directed a cast of 7,000

three Agnes Scott graduates or stu- began rehearsing May 6.

dents who served as assistant choreo- On campus this summer, Agnes 700 graphers for the opening and closing Scott played host to more than

events of the 1996 Centennial Olympic-related guests during the

Olympic Games held this summer in 17-day sportsfest. The campus was

Atlanta. Also serving as assistant temporarily draped in official and welcomed a group of Jordanian choreographers were Anne Mitchell '97 Olympic banners and its sports facili- practice athletes to campus to view "The of Chesterfield, Mo., and Brittany ties were frequently used for Write to Right: Calligraphic Works Allen '97 of Doraville, Ga. by a number of countries. The from the Jordan National Gallery of The three "Scotties" were among College also hosted a reception for a Burkina Fine Arts Collection," in the Dana the 23 part-time choreographers who delegation of athletes from Fine Arts Center. assisted the full-time choreography Faso in the Woodruff Quadrangle

The exhibit is sponsored Community Foundation, in Geneva and New York, attempt to close the gap by Agnes Scott, the Jordan and the Arab- American Princess Wijdan received between the Arab, Islamic National Gallery of Fine Business and Professional her Ph.D. in Islamic art and Western cultures the Royal Society of Association. from the School of Oriental through her paintings or Arts, Fine Arts In Jordan, Royal and African Studies at the the exhibits she has orga- The exhibit is open to Jordanian Airlines and University of London. Her nized. She is presently a the public. For more infor- Mohannad Malas, through work, found in major muse- lecturer of Islamic art and mation, contact Michael the Malas Family Fund at um collections around the aesthetics at Al al-Bayt Tinkler, ASC exhibit co- the Metropolitan Atlanta ordinator, 404/638-5039. world, represents an University in Jordan. —

GARY MEEK PHOTO ON CAMPUS

FULBRIGHT German, has traveled over- student-faculty7 ratio of 8:1 NO. 4: A seas as an exchange stu- also were factors. WOMAN dent. "I made friends from Roberts' advice for stu- WITH DRIVE all over—Slovenia, Israel, dents coming to Agnes Sweden," she recalls. Scott: "Do your best from Not unlike the three Roberts believes her the start. Know what it is Fulbright recipients field of study, philosophy, you want and why you Scholar Ann Roberts who directly precede her, is critically important: "We want it, then figure out

Ann Roberts '96 has found live in an anti-philosophy He took me to my limit." how to get there. Be realis-

"receiving the Fulbright age," she says, "even ASC has provided tic regarding the sacrifices.

and being inducted into though it is so important. Roberts ample opportunity Have a back-up plan. It

Phi Beta Kappa has "Most people seem to engage in the exchange things do go wrong, try to

changed my self-percep- unaware of the contradic- of ideas. "I get bored easi- understand what happened

tion. It's proof that hard tions in life; philosophy ly," she says. "I need a lot and simply do better. Don't

work can pay off. I have opens people's minds, ot intellectual stimulation. get emotionally wrapped

sacrificed a lot—sleep, broadens their horizons I find that in books, espe- up in what went wrong."

social life, even my health makes them deal with their cially philosophy." Upon returning from

—but it was worth it." world—helps them see life There was no question Germany, Roberts will dive

Roberts admits she is in new ways." that Agnes Scott would be head-first into graduate

"an over-achiever, disci- Roberts credits her her choice when she scout- study in modern philoso-

plined, a perfectionist. I teacher and advisor, David ed colleges four years ago: phy at Vanderbilt Univer-

consider those assets." Behan, professor of philos- "I chose ASC because the sity on a full scholarship.

For her Fulbright grant ophy, with much of her financial aid was great and As always, she knows

to study Kant and German, academic success. "Dr. it was close to home." the road ahead won't be

the Mableton, Ga., native Behan has a way of making "I only looked at wom- smooth or easy.

will be enrolled at the things interesting, fascinat- en's colleges. I feel a "You have to have

University of Mainz in ing. He pushed hard and woman gets a better educa- internal drive. I'm always

Germany from September didn't let me give up. He tion at a woman's col- going to be me ... might as

through July 1997. worked me because he lege—it's not as limiting." well be the best ot me."

Roberts, who is fluent in wanted me to do my best. Academics and the —Man' Elizabeth Zarauk

ASC IN THE NEWS

Agnes Scott College continues national as well as CASE Currents. to make news. Not only has media. The stories have included the

news of the College made it into the While the increase in first-year enrollment,

pages of The Atlanta Journal or most recent the two $1 million gifts to the

Constitution more than 3 5 times inclusion is in Money Magazine's College, the International

since the beginning of January and "Top 100 Best Buys," the coverage Celebration of Southern Literature

into numerous other local publica- has run the gamut from the New Conference and the inauguration of

tions more than 40 times, the events, York Times to The Chronicle of Higher the first alumna president.

programs, personalities and opinions Education to USA Today Magazine to Look tor more College news in a

of ASC continue to make it into the Georgia Trerui and Georgia Forestry, publication near you.

• AGNKS SCOTT COI I lilil- Sl'MMFR/FAU. IW —— INAUGURATE' DAY

Mary Brown Bullock comes home as Agnes Scott's seventh and first alumna president. welcome you, the first Agnes Scott Wealumna President of the College. You bring us special capabilities. Through your strong faith, commitment to excellence, distinguished career, and your devoted life as wife and mother, you have blended qualities which are the essence of an Agnes Scott graduate.

—Lowrie Fraser '56, immediate past president, ASC Alumnae Association

Officially beginning on April of President Mary Brown Bullock '66 17 with the Awards Day continued on April 18 with a rousing Convocation in Rehekah performance by Agnes Scott's gospel

Scott Hall and a luncheon in Evans choir, Joyful Noise (upper right). The

Dining Hall, the inaugural celebration group brought to life, the words Bullock would speak the next day,

"Let us make a joyful noise, and let us love one another!"

Photography by Paul Obregon and Mark Sandlin

_6 AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 The inauguration represented the culmi- Arts Center. Others included Martine Watson nation ot months of work by a host of Brownley '69, professor ot English and director

alumnae, students, faculty and staff. A of women's studies at Emory University; W. symposium, "Our World in Our Time" (far Burlette Carter '82, associate professor of law at left), which addressed educating women tor a Georgetown University; The Rev. Laura new century in a global community, was mod- Dorsey Rains '66, founder of Gardens for erated by Ina Jones Hughs '63, a syndicated Peace; Kitsie Bassett Riggall '83, vice president columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. The for financial communications, Turner Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal '65, justice on Broadcasting Systems; and Dr. Jean Stewart the Supreme Court of South Carolina (left) Staton '46, former chief of medicine at Wesley was among alumnae on the panel, which took Woods Geriatric Hospital. place in the Winter Theatre of Dana Fine

INAUGURATION OF A NEW ASC PRESIDENT >* _ t..

I c

^- ««*, * » is the continu- make three predictions for the future of Agnes Scott. The first one awareness. The ing move toward greater multiculturalism and cross-cultural commitment to teaching and scholarship, I second is through her valuing of and contribute immensely to Mary will again be open to diversity. Finally, Mary will communities. building bridges among us, as well as between us and our surrounding —Ayse Carden '66, associate professor of psycholo,

Despite the gray tables—Anne Schatz (left by midmorning (above). clouds that hung photo), inaugural commit- Adding to the proces- over the tee member and director sional palette that day Woodruff Quadrangle in of donor relations, was were 36 banners designed representa- the early hours of April 19, among the many who and carried by the color and exuberance lent a hand to the tives of student organiza- of the day were apparent arrangements. tions and activities at everywhere, from dozens Mildred Love Petty '61 Agnes Scott. of balloon clusters that was a hands-on co-direc- stayed aloft for two days tor of the inaugural com-

straight to the hundreds mittee from start to fin- of sunflower blossoms ish. Anchoring balloons that decked the luncheon early Friday (right) gave way to escorting the Rev.

C. Benton Kline Jr. to the processional line up

in Dana Fine Arts Center

INAUGURATION OF A NEW ASC PRESIDENT society changes, the pressures on institutions of higher education to adapt Asnot only continue—they increase. Yet we are convinced that the need for high quality liberal arts education in general—and especially for the women who will assume the leadership of the next generation—has never been greater.

Joseph R. Gladden Jr. , chair of the Board of Trustees

The faculty of Agnes Scott president of the Agnes Scott College College (right) joined more Alumnae Association (lower left). than 200 delegates from ASC Board of Trustees Chair

colleges, universities and learned Joseph R. Gladden Jr. (below) societies from the United States and presided during the ceremonies that abroad in the inaugural processional including a formal "vesting" of the

from Dana Fine Arts Center to the president with the Presidential Presser Terrace. Medallion. Designed and executed in Among those extending formal 1989 by Richard Mafong, Georgia

greetings to the president that morn- State University art professor, the

ing were Sylvia Martinez '96, presi- silver and gold medallion, was pre-

dent of the senior class (top left), sented to President Bullock by

Charles Blitzer, director of The trustees Clair McLeod Muller '67 and

Woodrow Wilson International J. Wallace Daniel (photo on page 7). Center for Scholars and president of the United Chapters of Phi Beta

Kappa (middle left), and Lowrie Alexander Fraser '56, immediate past

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 > \ ni;\\ ->>< rREfir>t:xT OUR TIME IS NOW!

By President Mary Brown Bullock Inauguration Address, April 19, 1996

we lay claim to our heritage

Todayand prepare for a new century. I

feel privileged to have known all

but one of my predecessors. We

salute them, and take inspiration from their legacy:

• from our founding president, Frank Gaines, the boldest of visions, the highest of academic standards, and a community of Christian character;

• from James Ross McCain, institutional strength and educational leadership in Atlanta, and beyond;

• from Wallace McPherson Alston, the vigorous pursuit of individual and institutional excellence, a student-oriented campus;

• from Marvin Perry, faculty governance, perse- verance, and human warmth;

• from Ruth Schmidt, a multicultural, technologically up-to-date women's college;

• from Sally Mahoney, celebration, civility, and congeniality.

Agnes Scott students and alumnae here today also salute generations of teacher-scholars: Dean Kline, Jane Pepperdene, Kwai Chang, Mike

Brown, Penny Campbell and everyone else. We are better women tor having studied with you.

ACNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 THE AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE TIMELINE 1889 Decatur Female Seminary \"%. founded 1890 School renamed Agnes

Scott Institute

1891 Agnes Scott Hall ("Main") built

1897 Agnes Scott Institute accredit- w***j0& ed as a secondary school

Aurora literary magazine first ^^ published 1898 Howard Arbuckle joins faculty

as first Ph.D.

''"It 1902

Silhouette first published

1903 Col. George Washington Scott dies

A gymnasium and classroom building are added

1905 Rebekah Scott Hall built

^m tiSm

HI . , -^ r. 1 . THE ASC CAMPUS IN THE EARLY 1900s

1906 Agnes Scott Institute renamed Agnes Scott College

First bachelor of arts degree awarded

Student Government Association organizes

13 A NEW ASC PRESIDENT . .

1907 Your quality of teaching is the cutting edge. When Main Athletic Association founded captured well by a famous returned to opened its doors in 1891, it alumna, Catherine Marshall: was an architectural master- ASC accredited by Southern Agnes Scott There were those shining piece. The talk of Atlanta, it Association of Colleges and because I moments in classes , when mind I was technologically advanced Schools, the first in Georgia to sparked mind, as a spark for its time with electricity, gain accreditation if from believe that AgneS teacher' mind fell on the dry running hot and cold water, a s Srnt~t~ has p Hestinv , .... 1908 grass of mine , and caught fire , and even steam heat. yet TUlIlllcCl. Glee Club founded How well 1 remember the HOI And so, remember this,

thrill of that and the intuitive too: Main's bell tower, our Investiture observed for first time knowledge that at that moment I had broken logo, looks forward, not backward, challeng-

through to reality ing us daily. 1909 In reading the College history, it is per- We must prepare, as our founders did, for First successful financial haps not surprising that it is President a new century. Will we build as well for the campaign launched Gaines, whom I never knew, who intrigues 21st century as they did for the 20th? Is our

me most. The Civil War was not long over. vision bold enough? I returned to Agnes Typhoid epidemic erupts; the well Decatur was a struggling community of only Scott because I believe that Agnes Scott has in original gazebo is capped

1 700. But Frank Gaines, a Presbyterian min- a destiny not yet fulfilled. First, we reaffirm 1910 ister from Virginia, had his eye on the our founding legacy—a liberal arts college Carnegie Library built future. In a town that did not even have a for women with the highest standards. And public school system, he conceived a college then we move on to tackle the educational 1911 for women that was equal to the best in the issues of our era. We must be both more Inman Hall and Lowry land. President Gaines and the first faculty global and more local, more interdiscipli- Science Hall built set in motion a multiyear plan that led from nary, and more faithful to our founding 1913 the 19th to the 20th century, from a values. preparatory school to an accredited four- First public Investiture year college of the highest standards. More Global

this: In 1907 Agnes everal summers I helped lead a 1915 Remember Scott I ago

James Ross McCain appointed became the first college or university to be . week-long workshop for Japanese and registrar accredited in the state of Georgia—before SiAmerican corporate executives at the Tech, before Emory, and before the Aspen Institute in Colorado. The course was Black Cat activities arranged as a University of Georgia. on Asian and Western social and philosophi- competition between first- and sec- Remember this, as well: Agnes Scott was cal traditions. For almost the cost of a semester ond-year students the second college in Georgia to have a Phi at Agnes Scott, 20 executives explored the Beta Kappa chapter. original texts of Confucius and Plato; Genesis Blackfriars theatrical group Agnes Scott's first buildings, as well as its and Lao T:u; John Locke and the Meiji consti- founded rigorous and progressive curricula, were at tution. Together, we discussed different cultur-

Left to tight: Rate McK'emie, professor emerita of physical education led the parade of faculty emeri-

ti and emeritae and past presidents, including Ruth Schmidt and interim Sally Mdhone\.

Student newspaper, The Agonistic, first published

1917 Agnes Scott students join YWCA Patriotic League

Drama troupe entertains soldiers at Camp Gordon

First debate tournament with Sophie Newcomb College

J4 AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 1918 al understandings of evil, justice, individuality, Founder's Day celebrated the family, and society. Their employers who for first time paid the hill—AT&T, Mitsubishi, the United Nations—recognized two things that Ameri- J.R. McCain appointed vice can higher education is still slow to grasp: president

First: To be global is not an option, it is a requirement. Knowing something of the 1919 Students give up their humanistic traditions of both western and yearbook and contribute non-western traditions is as important as funds to the war effort economics in today's business world. Second: To be more global is to integrate 1921 into the curriculum, not to assign the world Alumnae House is built, the second it a separate place. such building in the nation '81 Alumna Ila Burdette , the first woman Agnes Scott is ready to do this right. Rhodes Scholar from Georgia, led the procession Linguistically, we have become a national 1922 as a representative oj The model with our NEH-funded "Language of delegates Pi Alpha Phi, a debate society, Oxford, founded in 1249. of Mnemo- Across the Curriculum." Ann Roberts, a University of organizes with merger synean and Propylean Societies senior who works in my office, is a German/ The focus philosophy double major. She wrote her that espouses servant-leadership. providing internships or 1923 honors thesis on Kant in German and has is not just on Frank Gaines dies why Atlanta is ranked fourth just received Agnes Scott's fourth consecu- understanding cities in international tive Fulbnght scholarship. Ann will study- among American J.R. McCain elected president study changing concepts philosophy in Mainz. We are proud of Ann, trade. Students also for women, minorities and her professors, and this program which will of citizenship 1925 program challenges all lead us in globalizing our curriculum. immigrants. This George Bucher Scott for leadership alone is not Last fall we renewed our exchange agree- educators, Gymnasium built Jv^ leaders who will ment with Kinjo Gakuin in Nagoya, Japan. enough. How can we train new recruiting plan empower those with whom they live, with 1926 Last week I approved a & work to reach their full econom- Beta of Georgia Chapter for international students. Next year I am whom they ,; will answer this question of Phi Beta Kappa organized committed to working with the faculty in ic potential? We we (administra- designing and funding a more comprehen- more honestly only when League of Women Voter's staff and students) ride sive international study program. tors, faculty, chapter founded and cross the tracks to We are fortunate: The Olympics will MARTA more Cultural Decatur. jump-start these initiatives. The Founder's Day radio Several weeks ago my husband, George, Olympiad begins here in Gaines Audito- broadcast initiated I spent a Sunday rium. Agnes Scott, appropriately, will host my daughter, Ashley, and the Decatur Tourist An International Celebration of Southern afternoon following 1928 tour. As we wound through Year Literature. Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Bureau's driving Participation in a Junior Heights, Lenox Place, program approved Jordan [planned to] join us when our Dalton Glendale, Chelsea Abroad well-preserved historic resi- Gallery features an exhibit of Contemporary and Oakhurst, plant and laundry I began to understand Rogers steam Islamic Calligraphy from Jordan's National dence communities, constructed is such a wonderful Gallery of Fine Arts. why people feel Decatur to live. And I became even more con- Can you see what I see? A vision of our place Decatur must 1929 Irene Woodruff Quadrangle as a vinced that Agnes Scott and George and Practice teaching available improve the urban core lively and cosmopolitan learning center, a work together to these communities. true Global Commons? which serves 1930 occupies a strategic geo- Agnes Scott Buttrick Hall completed More Local graphical position. We anchor the south seat for be more global, we must also be more side of Decatur, the county 1931 diverse area with more than Honorary Order Agnes Scott Tolocal. We begin here at home with our DeKalb, a College (HOASC) becomes chapter identity as women, but not just Ameri- 600,000 people. make a difference. of Mortar Board recognizing can women—we are women of the world. For Here we can truly Decatur's revitaliza- achievement in leadership, the Beijing UN Conference on Women We are excited by scholarship, and service potential as a people's town. reminded us that the issues are not the "glass tion and by its doing our part. USA ceiling," but health, literacy, economic oppor- We look forward to First Alumnae Weekend a front page article on all of our children. Today recently ran tunity, and held in the fall college towns. Agnes Scott's new Atlanta semester pro- the quality of life in Decatur, a col- gram may be the only leadership program Can you see what I see—

15 INAUGURATION OF A NEW ASC PRESIDENT —

1932 lege town, Atlanta's home- Let us remember the Footstool first used as part of town, blessed with a MARTA ur work is Judeo-Christian concept of ceremony for Investiture and station; a college town with vocation. We care about the Commencement cut out for bookstores, theaters, restau- economic transition from col- us—as rants, movies, retail stores, lege to career, about preparing First McKinney Book Award offered o county governance, interna- women, as a our students for graduate 1934 tional trade offices, and, of Community, and aS school, challenging jobs, and Scott onyx ring design course, mosques, synagogues family New Agnes ' a college. We will adopted and churches? al leadership. But from the grow, we will build lives of alumnae I have met, I 1936 More Inter- and we will have been reminded of a New Carnegie Library opened; disciplinary deeper definition of vocation, in 1951 renamed to honor change. We can be global and more a calling, "discovering life's President McCain More local, and yes, more second to none. work where our heart's deep- interdisciplinary. est desires meet the world's Quarter system adopted What will college presidents say to this fall's greatest needs."

Old library building designated entering class, the class of the year 2000? I Let us evoke the need for balance and Murphey Candler Building would be surprised if most do not centrally reflective contemplation from all the reli- later known as the Hub affirm the importance of interdisciplinary gious traditions of the world. I was startled learning. We know that our students' minds, recently when Gary Thompson, president of 1937 our minds, are being challenged to think Wachovia Bank of Georgia, asked me: Louise McKinney retires after 46 across the traditional categories of knowledge. "How are you preparing your students to live years in the English department Interdisciplinary learning keeps us from more balanced lives?" He spoke of watching

becoming too narrow or pedantic, alerts us to the toll that stress takes when his employees Class cut system adopted on a trial questions of significance, and trains us for crit- try to do too much. A recent Sally Forth car- basis ical thinking in the years ahead. Interdiscipli- toon featured Hillary, about 12, consulting 1938 nary learning is what a liberal arts college is all her Day-Timer, unable to find time to play a Dean Nannette Hopkins dies about, more needed than ever. game with her father. He later muses to his Agnes Scott has strong humanistic and wife: "We owe an apology to an entire gen-

J.K. Orr dies science programs. I challenge us to bring eration of children." them together in our curriculum. Let us go In a world stressed out by busy schedules George Winship chairs the Board forward with our plan to create an "Atlanta and on a college campus with high expecta- of Trustees Science Center for Women." And let us do tions, teaching balance is a daunting task. It

so with the commitment that it will become we can't address this issue during the college Carrie Scandrett appointed dean nationally recognized as a place where years, who will? Let us take a fresh look at of students humanistic inquiry, social reality and scien- our schedules and campus life. We will cre-

tific discovery go hand in hand. ate time for intellectual synthesis, reflective University Center established contemplation, meditation and the power of

Christian Association organized More Faithful silence. as College breaks ties with the That's not easy. Agnes Scott's founders And let us not forget joy. Remem- national YWCA were staunch Presbyterian Calvinists bering last night's concert, can you hear

who believed that faith and learning what I hear? A joyful noise! It is, after all, Students were inseparable. Today, the Agnes Scott the Westminster Catechism that says, "The protest community, like the society in which we live glory of God is the chief end of all." Let us Saturday and the world that we embrace, is far more make a joyful noise, and let us love one diverse—religiously, ethnically and economi- another! cally—than the world of late 19th century Friends, we are not yet ready for the 21st

Decatur. How then can we be faithful to our century. We must prepare, and there is not founding mission? Let me begin a new conver- much time.

sation about our values. Our work is cut out for us—as women, as Let us learn about Christianity, not a community, and as a college. We will

just as a first century religion as a will will ALUMNAE GARDEN or 19th grow, we build and we change. We century American religion, but as a living can be, as Frank Gaines envisioned, second 1940 world religion. Today, China, Africa and to none. He believed in destiny, and so do Presser Hall built; $10,000 South America are the regions where we. Our foundations are tirm. We know Dogwood preserved Christianity is most dynamic. How are those where we are going.

cultures re-interpreting and re-vitalizing tra- Our time is now. ditional western concepts of Christianity? We are going tor the sold!

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 1941 Faculty pension plan introduced

War Council organized

1943 Agnes Scott students paricipate in USO, organization providing

hospitality for men and women in the U.S. Armed Services

College sponsors day-long conference on the war, increasing student awareness

1946 Art and music departments offer majors

1948 Wallace McPherson Alston appointed vice president and president-elect

1948-1951 Evans Dining Hall, Bradley Observatory, Campbell Science Hall, Walters Infirmary and President's home are constructed and dedicated

1950 Honors Day established

Smoking on campus permitted

1951 James Ross McCain retires

Wallace M. Alston assumes the presidency of ASC

Library renamed McCain Library in honor of retiring president

Black Cat becomes campus-wide celebration r 1953 Hopkins Hall built F 1954 A Man Called Peter filmed on campus

1956 Walters Hall built

1958 Fine Arts Festival held

1962

Students seek shelter in Alston

17 home during Cuban Missile Crisis

1965 THE HAZARDS Dana Fine Arts Building dedicated

First African-American student OF GOING ON enrolls

By The Rev. Wallace M. Alston, Jr. 1966 Alumnae Weekend Service Agnes Scott team wins College Bowl competition with Princeton

So Joshua, upon whom the mantle of leadership had fallen, sent out his spies to . . . for you have not passed this bring him news of what the people might way before. expect to face in the future. He charged the Joshua 3:4 — people to go forward and positioned them for the crossing of the Jordan. Then he gave owe our text and our subject this them their final instructions, in the context morning to two courageous spirits We of which we find eight little words that out of the past, separated in time belong also to us on this inauguration by some 3,300 years. Sunday: Joshua, a man who ... for you have not passed this way before. lived in the 15th centu-

ry before the birth of Joshua gives us our text, but it is Christ, gives us our SoAmelia Earhart, one of the pioneers of text. The people of intercontinental air travel, who gives us Israel were still wander- our subject. Returning from her first flight ing around in the across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart made a wilderness. And their public address in which she described her great leader, Moses, Alex P.Gaines chairs the Board of adventure over the water. And in that address, who had been denied the privilege of har- Trustees she dropped a phrase which I want to borrow. vesting the fruits of his labors, had died. The Out over the ocean, some 500 miles from the mantle of leadership had now fallen about 1974 coast of Ireland, her engine began to sputter Return to College program begins the shoulders of the successor, this Joshua, and cough as if it were about to quit. "I had to who was as able and prepared for his leader- make a quick decision," she said. "I figured the 1979 ship role as anyone could be. distance I had already come and that which I Lawrence L. Gellerstedt Jr., chairs By the way, there is a fascinating phrase had to go before I reached Ireland. I decided to the of Trustees Board at the end of the 1 1 th chapter of Hebrews go on as long as I could keep the ship in the that has some relevance both to our text 1980 air, for the hazards of going on were no greater and to the inauguration of a new president Buttrick Hall renovated than the hazards of going back." What she real- of Agnes Scott. After naming the great ly meant was that she had no choice. There leaders of the past, the writer says: "And 1981 was no going back, the hazards ot trying were

these all . .. received not the promise, God lla Burdette, Georgia's first female too great. It was the hazards of going on that having provided something better for us, Rhodes Scholar, graduates she had to identify and address. that they without us should not be made So on this impottant weekend in the his- 1982 perfect," meaning complete, whole, fulfilled. tory of Agnes Scott College, when we gather Marvin B. Perry retires No past president of this institution, in here on the verge of another Jordan to thank other words, no teacher or administrator, God for Mary Brown Bullock, for her family, Ruth A. Schmidt first woman elect- though accomplishing much during their and for that tradition of faith and learning ed president time of service, ever finished his or her task that has so bountifully provided for her and or fulfilled his or her dream. They left that Campbell Science Hall renovated this institution, I want to speak with some to us, "that they without us should not be realism about the future and particularly made perfect." That is how God deals with 1987 about the hazards of going on, "tor you have us. We are inextricably related to the men Quadrangle renovated and named not passed this way before." their the George and Irene Woodruff and women of the past, who invested So, where to begin? We begin, I think, by Quadrangle; Gazebo restored and lives in this enterprise we call Agnes Scott admitting that sometimes the past, and the relocated on the Quad College, and only by our faithfulness will prospect ot going back, are more attractive their lives find fulfillment. to us than going on. We look back to the

i\GNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 1988 or herself in a old days" with great invested him- "good Wallace Alston Campus Center hat we great social movement that nostalgia, longing for another opened; Robert W. Woodruff sought to lift life onto a higher chance at our history, believ- need if Physical Activities Building complet- plane; anyone who's ever tried ing that we would again we are ed; Presser and Dana Fine Arts build and to lead an institu- achieve all the successes we W! to Buildings renovated ideal enjoyed back then and avoid to cope with the tion with one eye on the and the other eye on the actu- 1989 all the mistakes we made. hazards of going al, is bound to become dis- Agnes Scott College Centennial The desire to go back is alto- is perspective on a turns celebrated gether human, and altogether couraged when progress life that temporary, impossible. The hazards of on out to be only Henderson Cameron '43 of jus- Elizabeth going back are much greater somehow tran- when the possibilities first alumna elected chair of the than the hazards of going on. tice and love and human his- scends and informs Board of Trustees to be limited at best, With us, as with Joshua's lit- tory seem our own dailiness. when the prophet's dream all tle band, going back is not 1989 too often dies at opening day. the way to freedom, but slav- Four full-time minority faculty hired of going on is failure, the ery. Vision is displaced by memory, the mira- Another hazard to expectations, the cle of surprise by the manacle of predictabili- inability to measure up Thomas Maier hired as first full- of being thought of as more or time director of academic computing ty, what is to be by what already has been. It experience different than one really is. There is no guar- is the practical denial of the providence and things 1990 the promises of a living God, who comes to antee that we shall succeed, or that A special gift enables us from out of the future, picks up the pieces will turn out as we want them to. To fail is hiring first full-time fall short, to be inade- of the past, and gives us a present in which to lose strength, to chaplain, the Rev. to neglect or ^Jf we are free to be who we are! quate, to become bankrupt, Patricia Snyder it is always one of the There is a sense in which we stand today leave undone. And hazards of going on. in the same relative relation to our tomor- Fund-raising suc- loss, losing, losing out, the experi- rows as the people of Israel when Joshua As is cess allows

. .. the loss of a gathered them on the banks of the Jordan ence of "being taken from," extensive renova- or of a vote long ago. person, the loss of a promotion tion and refurbish- life taken away, So before crossing over, let's take a look or even of the job itself; ing of facilities stolen as if by a grounds, as at some of the hazards of going on. love gone away, health away and night. well as opening of One is confusion. There will be questions thief in the swimming pool, is routine, a word that lit- new and issues to face in any new era and in And then there playing field and track every new presidency, and some will be so erally means "the traveled way." The excite- experienced, ambiguous and so complex that the way ment of the unknown, once Beck telescope upgraded and evident in advance. soon becomes "the traveled way" and has through will not be moved from Bradley Observatory others will retire. the power to bore one to death; life without Some of us will graduate, to Hard Labor Creek State Park challenge. I What will we do? Or, the prior question: sensation, excitement, or president of Why will we do anything at all? When we remember something a former Multiyear Centennial Campaign used to say, someone whose were young, we asked: "What will 1 do with Agnes Scott raises more than $36 million guess. used to say: my life?" Someone should have told us that identity you might He job is routine. It's the 1991 the real question is not "what" but "why." "Ninety percent of my for everyone. You do the ninety per- Linkages established: Why will I do anything at all? same percent SHARPIWomen with Atlanta Some of us may have to make a move; cent routine for the sake of the ten arts program the haz- area high schools; others may have to decide how best to relate creative." Routine is always one of with Atlanta Ballet; externships to aging parents; others may have to face a ards of going on. with community businesses and soul, diagnosis or a marital crisis. Who Then there is the dark night of the dreaded institutions knows what any of us will come up against which at some point besets us all, but partic-

ularly those in positions of leadership .. . in the days, months, and years that lie Dean of College Sarah R. Blanshei or God-dryness, the pres- ahead? One thing is for sure: we will need spiritual emptiness travels to Japan to sign agreement the absence of some sense of direction if we are to find our ence of the absence of God, for scholarly exchange between way and avoid debilitating, dissembling con- the presence of God, a feeling of futility in Agnes Scott College and Kinjo really University in Nagoya fusion, for we have not passed this way prayer, the suspicion that one might Gakuin be on one's own. before. 1992 Another hazard of going on is discourage- And there are many, many more. Seven Kinjo Gakuin students enroll ment. Anyone who holds to high ideals and confront atASC humane values; anyone who has ever caught hat we need if we are to world, in which people and cope with the hazards of going a glimpse of a better Japanese language taught on life that are healthy and whole; anyone who has ever on is a perspective on W campus for first time 19 INAUGURATION OF A NEW ASC PRESIDENT .

somehow transcends and testimony, women and men

Twenty '92 graduates first in Scott- informs our dailiness. The *o believe that are able to draw replenished Free Year-5 program providing word "perspective" comes our lives are strength with which to cope courses free to students with at from the Latin, which means with the hazards of going on. least two years of credits, as aid to in God's "to look through, to see clear- T Yet again, to believe that transition from college to work is ly," and that is precisely what hands to know our lives are in God's hands

we need .. . the ability to is to know that God can Knight Foundation grant enables that God can take look through the mundane take the old things and program for increasing Hispanic the old things and presence on campus and the obvious, to see clearly make them brand new. God that our lives are in God's make them brand can take dry bones and make 1993 hands. new. them live again. God can Trustees approve multimillion Suppose someone should take the glories of the past dollar Information Technology ask us what that means. and use them for an even Enhancement Program (ITEP) What would we say? What greater future. But even

difference does it make to more important, God can The College awards its first believe that our lives are in pick up the pieces of past master's degrees, Master of Arts in God's hands? mistakes, hurts and disappointments, and Teaching Secondary English use them to heal and to reconcile, that we

one thing, it means that the future is may not be burdened but equipped by the ASC chapter of Habitat for For finally not my responsibility to secure. If past for the journey that lies ahead. Humanity helps in construction of a house built solely by women the future is in God's hands, then surely Then finally, there is Easter. Did we not

it is out of mine. If I had to face the future sing only two Sundays ago: "Jesus Christ is

1994 with the conviction that the universe is risen today?" And is that not merely a fact

Ruth Schmidt retires devoid of God, aimless, purposeless, an acci- of history past, but a factor ... the control-

dental dance of protons and electrons, and ling factor ... of history present and yet to Sally Mahoney named interim ultimately meaningless, I could not sleep at come? Is the power of his resurrection not president night. Whereas one who believes that tomor- that which is at work even today as we mark row and tomorrow's tomorrow are in God's the inauguration of a new president of Agnes Scott and a portion of South hands can concentrate on present tasks and Agnes Scott College and look forward to all Candler Street named to National responsibilities, without always being haunted that God has in store for this institution? Is Register of Historical Places by the apprehensions of failure and doom. it not God's power at work within us to do 1995 Deeper still, to believe that our lives are far more abundantly than all that we ask or Agnes Scott enters information in God's hands is to trust that God's think? If Easter means anything at all, it highway, launches its home page purposes are being worked out, sometimes means that this power . . . his resurrection at http://www.scottlan.edu ever so gradually, sometimes in the twin- power ... is that with which we have to do

kling of an eye, in human history, in my life, this morning, that to which we bear witness, Mary Brown Bullock '66, first in the lives of those I love. "God is working even as we represent to Mary Brown Bullock alumna named president, seventh his purpose out as year succeeds to year," our faith that her life and that of this president of College according to the great hymn. That convic- College are firmly grasped and held in the tion gives a person wide horizons, long out- hands of a good and gracious God. College awards degrees to the first looks, steady hopes, and great expectations, three men to complete the so that, instead of losing heart and giving up o, let us give thanks tor the perspective College's Master of Arts in I Teaching program over some immediate disappointment, one of our Christian faith, and let us claim it still has a place to stand where she or he can sfor ourselves today as we did on the day Presser Dogwood, due to age and get a toehold for going on. we first believed, for the hazards ot going on disease, is replaced on Arbor Day Deeper yet, to believe that our lives are may be great, and we "have not passed this wav

in God's hands is to avail oneself of the before". But our lives are in God's hands; the 1996 presence of unfailing resources of inner lite of Agnes Scott College is in God's hands. Bullock inaugurated power. Fact is, we do not so much produce And there is a power at work within us to do

power as we appropriate it, witness the har- exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or Alumnae give two $1 nessing of Niagara, eating a good meal, or think. I have nothing more to say to you this million gifts to ASC

taking a walk in the fresh air. We appropri- morning. What more can I say? Except .. .

ate and benefit from what's there. to the the at work ASC hosts kickoff already Now God who by power event for Cultural To believe that our lives are in God's hands within us, is able to do far more abundantly Olympiad's is to live in the presence of an unseen love than all tluit we ask or think, to (God) be glory

Summer Festival in and care that is as real as the physical world in the church and in Christ Jesus to all genera-

June, houses of which we are a part. And from that tions, forever and ever. Olympic delegations, July-August divine companionship, if we are to trust past Amen

_20 AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996

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homes, schools, and places of worship Decatur is known as the city of play a small town that celebrates diversity as we live, work and together. We are Atlanta's hometown, a small city with small-town College and values in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Agnes Scott to the sense of all that it represents is an important partner contributing and opportu- community we all enjoy. Together we can meet the challenges open arms. nities of our future creating a community that welcomes all with Elizabeth Wilson, mayor of Decatur The already congenial group forged fast friendships in the

rain. Many shared a light- hearted moment beneath an umbrella with an old acquaintance, others made new friends out of necessity.

including Ayse PREVIOUS PAGE: Return to inaugural luncheon The crowd, The '66, professor of psy- College student Beverly in the George W. and Carden chology (above) took cover McCannon (left) leads a Irene Woodruff umbrellas, empty private moment of prayer Quadrangle got off to a great beneath McKemie amid the excitement and start and almost survived with- chairs—Kate bonnet of the noise of the day. Many no out so much as a rain droplet made a her doubt asked Divine until the dessert came 'round. spare one next to benevolence on not only About the time the group had the gazebo, the colon- or under the this joyful occasion, but also its first fork in the pie, the nade tent on the decades to come. heavens opened and rain great revival-style poured down. at the center of the quad. the first ASC graduate to lead this institution, you usher in a new era. One Asthat will bring continued growth and unprecedented achievement. We know you will remain committed to raising the level of excellence of the College and all those associated with it. We, too, are committed: committed to the ideals that the College was founded upon and committed to sustaining you as the head of this institution. We shall stand proudly beside you as you lead us boldly into a New Era.

—Maurice Byrd, Information Technology Services

After the luncheon, readings were held by alumna authors: Helen Fnedman Blackshear '31, poet laureate of Alabama;

Shirley Christian Ledgenvood '36,

poet and editor; Elizabeth Stevenson '41, biographer and winner of the 1956 Bancroft Award; Shirley Graves Cochrane '46, creative writ-

ing instructor at Georgetown University School of Continuing Education and the Writer's Center; Jeanne Addison Roberts '46, former president of the Shakespeare Association of America; and Constance Curry '55, human rights activist and author of

Silver Rights.

A few hearty souls, like Mary Duckworth Gellerstedt '46, honorary chair of the inaugural com- Along with the symposium, in mittee (above left) and Giselle Fernandez '98, committee member (second from left), rode out "Our World Our the rain in their seats. Others, such as the members of the class of 1966, huddled with the Lady Time," the events concluding of the Day, classmate Mary Brown Bullock, and relived a college-moment under shelter of the tent. the inauguration emphasized the College's academic past

and its intention effacing toward the future—a theme that resounded throughout the weekend and promises to carry Agnes Scott into the next century. .i^W*.- \im** i&- I i l m i»j»-i. ii*M i H H |H".fl|'^ '

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^V.v* welcome Dr. Bullock Weback home as our sev- -~«i enth and first alumna president. Our campus has been

energized by your presence. It is my hope that this new vision will be combined with meaningful traditions to help create the next era in the future of Agnes Scott College. We admire your commitment to academic excellence and to each member of this community: faculty and staff as well as students.

Sylvia Martinez, president of the class of 1 996

the music of Spellbound (right) and the ToPeach Trio jazz ensemble, the Agnes Scott community took the inaugural celebration into the wee hours of April 20 in the Sky Room of

Decatur's First Union Bank. President Bullock and her husband, George (below) were the honored guests. The dance was well attended by the student body, which participated in the inauguration in many ways, including naming the special drinks for the evening in a campus-wide competition. The

winners: "Downtown Mary Brown," so titled by Betsy Bilbro '97 of Warner Robins, and "Sweet Agnes," named by Rolanda Daniel '98 of East Point. Students were also the recipients of two

computers given away as door prizes that evening. w*r- J

^ "Agnes Scott College is committed to academic excellence and is serious about educating women for the 21st Century." —Mary Brown Bullock, seventh and first alumna president of ASC

inauguration of the hard work and '61, The dedication Petty as co-directors; physical plant; Anne M. Agnes Scott's seventh of the entire Committee on Andrea Johnson Swilley '90, Schatz, director of donor rela- president could not the Inauguration, headed by director of major gifts, as tions; Lucia Howard Sizemore have been possible without Honorary Chair Mary deputy director; as well as '65, director ot alumnae affairs; Duckworth Gellerstedt '46. committee members, Mary Peggy Thompson, associate A significant gift by Alverta Bond '53, secretary professor of English; Isa D. Mary and Larry emerita of the Board of Williams, director of the Gellerstedt helped Trustees; LaDonna Brown '99, Atlanta Semester program; make the inaugu- Michael J. Brown, Charles A. Olga Yiparaki, assistant profes- ration the true Dana Professor History; sor of mathematics; and Lisa celebration that it Ronald L. Burnside, Charles Frankum, inaugural co- was. Serving with A. Dana Professor of Music; ordinator. Gellerstedt were June Elizabeth Derrick '68, The College also recognizes Mary G. Ackerly, Giselle Fernande: '98, the contribution of the director of public- Rhiannon Gerald '97, Kelly Randolph Partnership, a public relations and Jennings '96, Janice B. relations agency headed by C. Mildred Love Johnson, administrative assis- Randolph Jones 70. tant to the dean of the College; Jeanne A. Maxfield,

executive assistant to the

president; Virginia F.

Moreland, College librarian; Elsa Pena, director of the . , . "PRESIDENT" KIDNAPPED-BRIEFLY

A dastardly deed foiled by two quick-thinking, intrepid alumnae

By Mary Alma Durrett

was on the third floor. was nearly 2 a.m. when IT registered with The "president" "Thank heaven for With this news, Swilley and Drew moved in ItAndrea Swilley '90, director of major gifts. the Honor Code." The "president" had been conspicuously for the rescue. the door. absent from the inaugural dance for the last They knocked at one answered. half hour. Call it a combination of maternal No

instincts and gumshoe leanings, but Swilley They tested it. It was unlocked. couldn't just let it lie. She did a 180 in her quietly and there Windstar and motored back to the First Union They opened the door "president" in the corner Bank to investigate. stood the and (gasp) The answers to a few well-placed ques- looking a bit bedraggled Swilley and tions confirmed her suspicion. missing a finger. The "president" was missing. Drew freed the captive, and the Disappeared. "president," ever poised and Probably kidnapped. fully regaled, said with her eyes, Honor The night guard at the Sky Room "Thank heaven for the remembered several students carrying her Code." (bodily) out of the elevator and through the Although backdoor but this failed to arouse suspicion FOOTNOTE: in the guard. That was 1:34 a.m. numerous requests for He thought, "Well, maybe she'd had too appearances by the life- many Downtown Mary Brown's." Even a size cutout of the "presi- "president deserves to kick up her heels dent" have been made occasionally." since the inauguration,

1 ' That was all Swilley needed to hear. She the "president is alerted her trusty sidekick, Kim Drew '90, being kept under and the two made a bee-line to file a miss- lock and key in a ing "persona" report. The police chief react- top secret corner ed promptly by falling asleep. After all, it of the catnpus was only Gatorfoam. Since there would only be a few more hours until daylight, Swilley None could deny the hero- and sidekick caught some shut-eye and ism of the two alumnae who restarted their search at dawn. rescued the "president." Inquiries to key College personnel the Indeed, their work became next day revealed a couple of important legendary among students sightings of the "president" on campus. She who were heard to mumble was believed to be in Winship Residence "Man.' They just came right Hall. The criminals' hideaway was close at in and stole her back." hand. Then Swilley and Drew took a bold Andrea Swilley '90, direc- deputy step. They surrounded the building. tor of major gifts and Yes, both of them. director of the inaugural

The two clever alums invoked the Honor committee , mugs with a Code and pressed a student in the hall for happy "president" after the the "president's" whereabouts. She cracked. ordeal (and a finger repair) A GREAT WEEKEND FOR ALUMNAE

Alumnae Weekend Alexander Fraser '56 to tour of the campus was indeed, "A Time Letitia "Tish" Young and an introduc-

to Celebrate," as it McCutcheon'73 (middle right) tion to Agnes was so inextricably tied to at the annual meeting held in Scott's World Wide Website the president's inauguration. Gaines Chapel of Presser On Sunday, The Rev.

A Fifty Year Club Dinner, Hall. ASC President Bullock Wallace Alston Jr., pastor of honoring the class of 1946, offered a greeting to the more Nassau Presbyterian Church was attended by the newly than 750 alumnae who gath- in Princeton, N.J., led invested President Mary ered that morning, including a worship service in Brown Bullock '66 (above) on Kate Durr Elmore '49 of Gaines Chapel

Friday evening. A forum with Montgomery (lower right) (Alston's sermon recipients of the Outstanding whose $1 million gift to the begins on Alumnae Awards—Carla College was announced dur- page 20.) Eidson Pierce '84, June Hall ing Bullock's inauguration. A

McCash '60, Mary Aichel second $1 million gift from Samford '49 and Margaret Patricia Butler 78 of Lajolla, Ward "Wardie" Abernethy Calif, was also announced.

Martin '59—was held on The gifts will be used for Saturday. library and student center The gavel of the Agnes expansion and renovation. Scott College Alumnae An alumnae luncheon with Association was formally faculty followed the annual passed from President Lowrie meeting, as did a guided tree

• l AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE SUMMER/FALL l »o LIFESTYLES

-telling; Giving foreign visitors a sense of America; the art of story past. ancient romance; boa baby; floor covers and uncovering the

interesting countries guide Nancy Francisco Barbour s tours "very From the Smithsonian to the Senate, visitors of many find

from all CAPITOL of Washington, Barbour Her guests are A TALE OF life, from diplo- ESCORT leads groups of up to 35 walks of TWO TALL homemakers. Italian, French, English, mats to TALKERS The National Gallery, Tour Guide Nancy Spanish or Dutch visitors of Natural Storytellers Betty Ann Barbour '49 to the Capitol, the White the Museum '63 History and the Air and Gatewood Wyhe Paris. London. House, the Lincoln, Viet- Rome. and Kathleen Stout nam and Korean memori- Space Museum are among Madrid. Since her Mainland '54 their favorite stops. The Scottie days in Decatur, als, and to Arlington National Cathedral also Betty Ann Gatewood Nancy Francisco Barbour National Cemetery. '63 yarn ranks high on their lists as Wylie spins more '49 has called these world In outings longer than Mill in its well as on Barbour's. than Scottdale capitals home. the standard four hours of whose But the piece de resis- heydey. America's capital is her most tours, Barbour, professional story- tance, she adds, is a trip to As a current home and using the husband is a retired diplo- the Capitol. "I let them sit teller, Wylie tells tales languages she acquired mat, ventures to the the Senate and House three or four times a day to abroad, she escorts foreign Kennedy Center, Embassy in ranging from chambers and I explain audiences visitors to historic sites in Row, Mount Vernon, government children attending Macy's Washington, D.C. Annapolis, Gettysburg, how our works. They find that very annual "Breakfasts with As a freelance tour Williamsburg, Georgetown of interesting." Santa," to residents guide for the Guide Service and Harper's Ferry.

31 —

LIFESTYLE

ago. Today she also shares

her talents in classroom

settings, including an annual 50-hour workshop

for teachers, and also with

her peer storytellers.

Everyone can tell a

story, Wylie emphasizes.

She urges her pupils to read

a lot. "Choose stories you

love and suit them to your

audience," says Wylie. "Use

your built-in tools: body

language—hands, eyes and

other facial expressions

Betty Ann Gatewood Wylie's storytelling skills have inspired the young and the "young at heart." your entire body. Use your

voice as an instrument to homes for the aged, to ner parties in which she was launched at chil- convey variety in your pre-

Habitat for Humanity creates a fairy tale about dren's birthday parties sentation. Speed it up. fundraisers, anniversaries the honorees. before her first child was Turn up or down the vol- and wedding rehearsal din- The storyteller's career born more than 30 years ume. Use inflection. Do

LETTERS FROM THE PAST

Editor Georgia Powell Lemmon '51

piecing together patches of a Like mother. William John Powell composed his priceless heirloom quilt, Georgia almost daily letters to his belle in Thomasville,

Powell Lemmon '49 is gathering written Ga., from his U.S. Army training posts in San treasures from 131 letters written by her Antonio, Charleston and Leavenworth, Kan. father to her mother during World War I "I wish I could meet you at the corner When Margaret Boyd McKay Powell died 12 of Love and Jackson," wrote Powell of two streets years ago, her daughters —Lemmon, Margaret in their Southern hometown. In 1918, the second "Bobbie" Powell Flowers '44 and Celetta "Leila" lieutenant's heart's desire was granted at last. The war Powell Jones '46 inherited — the boxed letters from their ended the night before his France-bound ship was sched- mother's beau-turned-husband. Two years ago the three uled to sail. Three months later, McKay collected and siblings divided up the batch and, in longhand, tran- stored her letters and began her 5 1 -year scribed a phrase, paragraph or sentence from each letter. marriage to Powell. Next, Lemmon purchased and mastered a computer Lemmon plans to self-publish and began compiling "a calendar of letters" to include the emerging book, complete with one letter portion per day. vintage photographs from her Throughout the lengthy project Lemmon has deeply parents' lite. »7< sensed her father's "constant, unwavering love" for her

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SI MMER/FALL 1996 LIFESTYLE

including some Hallmark was story- accomplish- characterizations. Use your that the event Scottie ments include scaling shops and the Green Bay imagination and your emo- telling and not music as Packer's locker room, as anticipated. But Mount Everest, descending tions. Be courageous!" she had mats sold into the bellies of volca- well as welcome Wylie's storytelling the evening of tales linoleum noes and delving deep into at K-Mart and prowess has inspired many, sparked a flame of interest covering available at hearing the psyches of wounded floor including Kathleen Stout in Mainland after children. But Martie Wal-Mart. Mainland '54- With her the featured storyteller, Lowom Moore's signature Clients approach Scottish brogue, a twist of Betty Ann Gatewood accomplishments may be Moore, a work-at-home imagination and a generous Wylie. with specif- beneath your feet. The mother of two, dose of native folklore, ideas or ask her to pro- 1978 graduate is a free- ic Mainland took a tale, sketches of lance floor covering duce thumbnail "painted it purple" and WORK must designer. potential designs. She won the 1995 Southern BENEATH The Marietta, Ga., take into account the Annual Liars Contest. The YOUR FEET the manufactur- artist's designs grace wall- material, native of Scotland reached of Designer Martie to-wall carpets in hotels, ing process, the number the pinnacle of her story- '78 size and Lowom Moore restaurants, chain stores colors, the final telling career when she of times the and office buildings, the number became the first woman in design is repeated on the six years to win the con- product. test, hosted by the

Southern Order of

Storytellers in Atlanta.

Her award-winning tale,

which as the rules dictated,

ended with "and I painted

it purple," fetched the yam

spinner a new Brumby

rocker. Mainland was

skeptical of her ability to

weave a tale, but upon

hearing the requisite con-

cluding phrase she quick-

ly associated purple with

the heather of her homeland and blended

some native tales to

capture the prize. Mainland admits

to having stumbled

into the craft when a

friend invited her to

"a concert" 13 years ago.

The Scottie at first was ter

ribly disappointed to learn LIFESTYLE

According to Moore's band, Marlin, as volunteers

clients, when they want on archeological digs to

the design to be "pretty," Jordan. Three times since

they choose her as their 1984, Marlin has accompa-

designer. For inspiration, nied Drew University

Moore keeps track of men's Archeology Professor

and women's fashion and Suzanne Richard to the

other societal trends in col- Middle Eastern city. White

ors, and furnishings. joined the crew on the last

"Everything trickles down," two trips for which she Khirbet Iskander for its ingly similar to the way

explains Moore. "Carpet is served as the site artist and conqueror—Alexander the ancient village people last, following home fur- Marlin as camp manager. Great. The ruins are 15 lived. The area is some-

nishings and clothing. It's The 25 to 30 volunteers miles east of the Dead Sea what impoverished; the conservative. What was a hail from around the and near Mount Nebo, volunteers must draw their popular color a year-and-a- world. Some are students where Moses later stood water from a stream and

halt ago is often what is or professors or people such and saw the Promised boil it. "It is another

selected for a floor as Marlin whose interest in Land, was denied entry and world," White reflects, covering." ancient pottery was eventually died. "It is adding, "It is enlightening

heightened by a class thrilling to be in such his- to see how other people Richard taught. torical surroundings," says live. It makes us realize

MOVE The workers' dig site is A White. how fortunate we are." LITTLE a pre-biblical, DIRT early For four-to-eight weeks, The mud-brick village

TO THE LEFT, Canaanite village, the the work crew camps in a with its stone foundation is length of PLEASE one-and-a-half primitive section of Jordan buried underground, on a

football fields. It is named where residents live strik- hill. Strong desert winds Archeological artist Sarah White '50 On her knees and covered in dust,

Sarah Hancock White '50,

has touched the past. "You

touch this pot and you

trace where the potters

hands have been. You see a

thumbprint, an impression

of a hand, you feel a little

indentation, and you know

you are in touch with

someone who lived in

2400 B.C."

The dust, the pot and

the connection with the

potter are forces that have

lured White and her hus- Sarah Hancock White and her husband, Marlin, enjoy digging into other people's, pasts

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE • SUMMER/FALL 1996 LIFESTYLE

viously believed." of the digs. Earthquakes were fre- assist the volunteers who White says peo- quently the cause for mov- The New Jersey-based must dig only three to four "You learn about the plans a final expedi- there, ing, she explains. "The vil- couple feet to unearth early ple who lived why findings refute beliefs tion to Jordan next year, Bronze Age knives and they lived there. The time lage leader, about the time period. It after which their primitive grinding tools. period [in which] they was thought to be the dark Richard, is scheduled to Beautiful, functional, existed, their living pat- digs. ages, and that life had begin a book on the intact, three-foot tall ves- terns, the battles they the village was ceased to exist in that loca- sels, which stored grain, fought, why — Hammett-Goad is a tion. But it was a much Leisa water, wine or olive oil, are deserted, and the causes of longer occupation than pre- freelancer in Nashville, Tenn. discovered, as are numer- their abandonment." ous shards of pottery, shat- tered by earthquakes. HER "FAVORITE SQUEEZE" White, a former high

school art and math Chiropractor Christy Cechman '90 teacher who received her hypothetical "average family" his owners when taken from his habitat. art degree from Agnes The and a cat. When "He likes being held," says Cechman, Scott, produces detailed includes two dogs '90 and husband Lewis who explains that only certain aggressive drawings of all the artifacts, Christy Cechman Chiropractic breeds of boas live up to the species' rep- including the shards, as Cone entered Texas their two dogs and utation of squeezing people and animals they are discovered. The College, they sold constric- to death. The Atlanta native adds that findings are also recorded adopted Siddhartha, a pet boa boas wrap around bodies for warmth. by a site photographer. tor. joked about, the Wise owners, such as Cechman and Before artifacts can leave Although it has been use the Columbia Cone, also know to loosely drape and the country, Jordan's couple does not plan to not wrap the boa around their necks. If Department of Antiquities Red-tailed Boa in their future profession. to realized their lifestyles the person carrying the snake were sees them and chooses Instead, they the time for trip or make a sudden motion to give which will remain and didn't allow adequate snake the sensation of falling, which can be taken out. feeding, walking and nurtur-

then it would constrict Stateside, White coming canines. Their and be deadly. As pletes her drawings with "sedentary" snake, Siddhartha grows pen. She and Marlin also named for the first toward his pre- enjoy lecturing to civic Buddha, only dicted eight feet, groups about their work requires a live his owners and assisting in restoring mouse every two plan to pur- the artifacts. This involves weeks for suste- chase larger washing, gluing, labeling, nance. At 12 aquariums logging the shards and not- months old and and eventual- ing where they were found. three feet long, ly dedicate a The Whites store numer- he subsists five-by-five- ous boxes of yet-to-be peacefully in foot room processed artifacts in their his aquarium with trees for basement. and enjoys him to climb. "You have a feeling that "snuggling" with

you are rewriting history," 35 LETTERS

Breast cancer: we are not martyrs, heroines or icons—we are women.

Last summer Agnes a disease SCOTT related to the rest tainly not a means of pre- of being included in the Alumnae Magazine pre- of the body. Personally, loss vention. package. It is deplorable. If sented me with the oppor- of a breast is hard, but the Unfortunately, the I could withdraw my work tunity to prepare an article trauma does not compare to American breast cancer now, I certainly would. on the vast and complicat- the impact of having one's mythos of "awareness" is Much of what I pre- ed subject of breast cancer. life threatened. For most more geared toward denial pared survived, but the edi- Eight years after my own women, emotional and of feeling than toward heal- tors particularly crippled

treatment for the disease, I practical adjustments are ing. Women who experi- the lead essay. From the met the challenge with a arduous and extensive. The ence breast cancer are not first paragraph, my voice is combination of gratitude cosmetic problems pale in martyrs, heroines or icons, manipulated and shackled. and trepidation. After comparison. we are women—that is our Most tellingly, the piece's extensive research and a Yet, the editors present- greatest strength. The wit was vacuumed out. good deal of soul-searching, ed Matuschka's mastectomy alumnae magazine editors' Substantive and grammati- I produced an essay a portrait and as an "icon" for decision to distort my work cal mistakes were also companion article that "breast cancer awareness." to support current cliches gtafted into the essay. presented the situation of Awareness of what? Many insulted all of us who strug- Finally, the irresponsi- the breast cancer patient of the so-called "breast can- gle with illness. Pink rib- ble comment about alleged and described women's cer awareness" campaigns bons represent girlhood, "health risks" of breast important advocacy efforts are promulgated by the not mature femininity and reconstruction is tremen- in the field. The two pieces financial interests of the certainly not the womanly dously disturbing in light of were structured to run commercialized medical depth of feeling that recov- current medical under- together, a balance of harsh industry. Women are ery calls us to experience. standing. Ignorance like reality and hope. taught that, if they only do As a woman and a pro- this is a pathetic but real It was never my inten- all the right things, breast fessional, the editor's threat to the healing tion to write about myself, cancer won't be a problem. sideshow vision of my work option ot reconstruction.

although I knew that the The truth is, we only have hurts. I worked hard to I am a woman. article would come from a some screening techniques avoid sensationalism and to Presuming to present my very personal perspective. that, when properly ad- respect my own privacy as experience as a "portrait" When the essay was pub- ministered, can find tumors best I could in presenting ot breast cancer was wrong. lished, I was shocked that earlier in some women. many devastating aspects of Something positive was the editors presented it as a Breast is cancer an my experience. The med- replaced by a vision of fear. "self-portrait," paralleling unsolved mystery. Each ical reporting 1 produced This is a great loss to me the piece with a banal fea- woman's case is different was excellent and original. and to the Agnes Scott ture article about a New and the simplistic cam- To have such careful work community. York artist named Matusch- paigns of fear are rarely compared in the headline, —Carol Wilky '80 •ka who won notoriety in helpful. They foster denial "baring the breast cancer 1993 when The New York of the real issues and place myths," to another wom- Editor's Note: Carol Times Magazine published a an unreasonable burden on an's decision to expose her Willey's article on breast defiant "self-portrait" that all women. mastectomy scar is unac- cancer was indeed "excellent prominently displays her Of course, many cam- ceptable. and original." The College is mastectomy scar. paigns for "awareness," Preparing the piece was proud to have had her work The editor's use of the sponsored by non-profit a good experience. It was a included in its publication. obsequious feature and the groups such as the Susan G. privilege to interview alum- The College regtets any photo fought with the most Komen Foundation, are nae breast cancer survivors. misinterpretation which important argument of my honestly motivated and I will not forget their wis- may have been attributed to essay. Physically, psychical- useful in raising funds for dom and bravery or the its presentation of the ly and socially, breast can- research. But there is a support of so many others information. cer is not just a disease of growing resistance among who helped in my research. If you would like a copy the breast—it is a disease of women to what has become Sadly, after what the of the original version of the whole woman. an annual pink-ribboned editors produced, I am Carol Willey's article, write Historically, medical marketing frenzy for mam- relieved that most alumnae to: Office oj Publications. progress in treatment has mography, a screening interviews did not appear. I .\gnes Scott College. been slow due to the failure technique that is not uni- wish that I also could have 141 E. College Are.. to envision breast cancer as versally efficacious and cer- been spared the indignity Decatur. GA 30030.

AGNES • SCOTT COLLEGE SI 'MMER/FALL 1 W6 GIVING ALUMNA

After an investment of 18 years, an investment in Agnes Scott's future.

len and Mary Christine Kline: "The people are the greatest thing. I want them to see someone from the old days [still] cares

C. BENTON KLINE of the faculty and professor it was worth having a little of theology at Columbia bit of a fund as a stimulus

Home: Atlanta, Georgia Theological Seminary. for this kind of exchange,"

Age: 71 Over the years, Kline Kline says. Occupation: Officially retired but teaches part-time at continued his contact with Now officially retired, Columbia Theological Seminary ASC as a visiting professor. Kline recalls his "invest- Wife: Mary Christine "Chris" Kline and his wife estab- ment of 1 8 years" at ASC Children: Two children, tive grandchildren lished the Jessie Lawrie as being an investment in

Despite his affiliation arship funds named for their Johnston Hicks Fund and people. "As dean, I hired

with institutions such mothers and to create the the Wilma St. Claire Hout many young faculty, some as Yale and Columbia Mary Christine Kline Fund, Kline Fund during the of whom are still active. My

Theological Seminary, C. a special gift that will help College's 75th anniversary wife and I also developed

Benton Kline Jr., former ASC faculty to defray the campaign. close relationships with stu- dean of faculty at Agnes costs of entertaining stu- The Klines established dents who are now alum-

Scott College, remains a dents. the Mary Christine Kline nae. The people are the strong supporter of the Kline first came to ASC Fund because they wanted greatest thing about Agnes

College. in 1951 as an assistant pro- to encourage the kind of Scott. I want them to see

This is evidenced by the fessor of philosophy and faculty-student contact they that someone from the old charitable annuity trust that Bible. In 1957, he became enjoyed—they entertained days continues to care." he and his wife, Mary dean of the faculty, a post students every Sunday —Teresa Marie Kelly '94, Christine, recently set up to he held until 1968, when night throughout the fall MAT '96, is a school augment two existing schol- he resigned to become dean and winter. "I thought that teacher in Atlanta. ott College 141 E. College Ave. Decatur, GA 30030

'"""-" «•« H.I...III....H |,|7m

The class of 1966 showed up lr force (55 members) to applaud the accomplishment of their classmate Mary Brown Bullock '66, who was inaugurated in April as the first alumna president of Agnes Scott College. The remarks of President Bullock on the occasion of her inauguration are just part of our extensive report on the historic event, beginning on page 5.

Q Printed on recycled paper

AGNES scon ALUMNAE MAGAZINE Spring 1997 Writing And Writers AtASC EDITOR'S NOTE

When hike trails are replaced by literary paths , the world expands and the journey within begins; there, as at ASC, the future replaces the past.

The love of words came to But my experience was not an me rather late. Reading was exclusive one. Many have been

a difficult task and 1 much awakened by the likes of Lee or

preferred wheeling around the pine- J.D. Salinger. Many have been

lined streets of Atmore, Ala., on my stirred by the host of writers who

bike to sitting inside and reading a have crossed the stage or graced

book. ^ the classrooms at Agnes Scott ^ of But I did enjoy hearing stories »5a through a quarter century

read aloud, especially on a late Writers' Festivals. In this edition

spring day at the close of the school of Agnes Scott Alumnae

year when the hot, heavy air rolled Magazine, English Professor

in through our Rachel Patterson Linda Hubert '62 recounts the

Elementary School window and shaping of this powerful and his-

Mrs. Van Pelt lulled the sixth grade toric "literary play" in "The Love

with the latest chapter of The of Words," page 19. Author and

Yearling. journalist Charles McNair contin-

Reading aloud or reciting verse ues the homage by harnessing the

was even harder for me—even energy of last summer's literary

more traumatic to me than sailing head-first over the convergence. An International Celebration of Southern

handlebars of my bike. Literature, in "Another Gem in the Literary Crown," page

Then Nell Harper Lee found her way into my life, or 28. His story, like many a good Southern tale, is thick

rather her book did. The author had actually arrived in my with wicker, magnolias, a breeze-swept porch and of

life about three or four years earlier, when I met her at course, a ghost.

Boo Boo and Edna McKinley's house. "Mary Alma," they Beyond the literary realm, we turn to three leading

said, "this is Nell Lee. She's a writer." As a nine-year-old 1 women's college presidents who discuss the past, present

was wholly unimpressed with her and she reciprocated. I and future of American women's education in "On the

preferred the possibilities of the bug-thick backyard to Threshold of Tomorrow," page 6. From there we travel to

chatting with some old writer in a front-room rocking the other side of the globe with Rachel Huffman '97, tor a

chair. glimpse of world religions through her "India Journey,"

A few short years later, 1 found myself reaching for page 14. In a special supplement to the magazine, we take

Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, hoping her words might some- an introspective look at ourselves and our goals in the

how rescue me from the tangle of adolescence. For the first College's Strategic Directions report, remembering as

time, 1 preferred a book to biking. Lee's words awakened Eudora Welty says, "The most daring journeys begin from

something inside me; I began to understand the depth and within."

breadth of the human experience and marvelled at how it

could be captured in ink on paper. Little did I know at

that awakening that words would become my lite. . CONTENTS

Agnes Scott College Alumnae Magazine

Spring 1997 , Volume 7^, Number 2 DEPARTMENTS

On Campus India Journal Photo-essay by Monica Nikore 32 On a Global Connections trip, ASC Lifestyle students explore the environmental context of great world religions and

discover that there is so much more 36

to learn—about faith and themselves Letters

On the Threshold 37 of Tomorrow Giving Alumna By Mary Brown Bullock, Johnnetta Cole and Ruth Simmons Photography by Paul Obregon

Three college presidents oudine the potential and the promise oj women s education in the years ahead.

Editor: Mary Alma Durrett Design: Everett HuUum, Nao Yamashita Student Assistants: Kimberly Bagley '00 Tara Hogan '97 Jennifer Odom '98 Samantha Stavely '97

The Love of Words Publications Advisory By Linda Hubert '62 Board: Mary Ackerly Photography by Gary Meek Christine Cozzens The Agnes Scott Writers' Festival continues to celebrate the Kim Lamkin Drew '90 beauty and majesty of the English ,„ lorm. but m their uking on , Mary Alma Durrett 'mcni, change They chingcd »oi and the work of Bill Galley made its particular revelation, tli 18a women and men who capture Ann Teat Gallant '68 t wortii for it But with the pa»

A Special Section describes Copyright © 1997, Agnes Scott College. Published for alumnae and Scott College's Agnes friends twice a year by the Office of Publications, Agnes Scott College. plans and goals , hopes and Buttock Hall. 141 E. College dreams, for the list century. Another Gem in Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, (404) 638-6301. the Literary Crown Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of Development, Agnes Scott 30030. The COVER: A few of the literary By Charles McNair College, Decatur, GA content of the magazine reflects the luminaries to attend the ASC Photography by Paul Obregon opinions of the writers and not the Festival: Smiley, Writers' Jane viewpoint of the College, its trustees The International Celebration of Southern Literature proved a Robert Frost, and (together) Gloria Of administration, e-mail: publica- — gathering. [email protected] Naylor (right) and Sharon Olds great literary and cultural experience a unique — ON CAMPUS

Connecting to GALILEO, ASC endowment, life for the Presser dogwood, a new sculpture on campus, of human rights and Bullock in China.

BRYAN HENDRIX ILLUSTRATION LINKED ASC RANKS TO THE SECOND IN UNIVERSE INVESTMENT RETURNS With the help of GALILEO, Agnes With endowment Scott College has become assets in excess of

the center of the universe $328 million, Agnes Scott

that is, the information College ranks second

universe. nationally in return rate on

GALILEO (Georgia investments and fourth in

Library Learning Online), endowment per student,

a statewide project to according to a National

enhance library ser\'ices Association of College and

throughout the University University Business

System of Georgia, offers a Oftkers (NACUBO).

world of research material With a return rate on

through hundreds of com- investments of 33.2 per-

puter terminals at 55 cent, ASC was second to

libraries within and outside Emor^' University's 38.7

the university system. In basic information. In addi- connections to the Library percent and well abo\'e the

1996, Agnes Scott was tion to the full text of the of Congress, Smithsonian sector's 17.2 percent aver-

among the public and pri- Encyclopedia Britannica, Institution Libraries and age rate ot return.

vate academic libraries in GALILEO contains period- U.S. Department of Since 1985, the

Atlanta to become a part ical indexes for a variety of Education Resources. College's endowment value

of the GALILEO system. subjects, newspaper Although GALILEO has grown from $60 million

Funding for the first abstracts from nearly 30 can he accessed from to $328 million as of June

three years of the state- major daily newspapers and offices, dorm rooms or 30, 1996. Over the past

wide linkup is provided by some of the most popular computer labs on campus, five years, the rate of

a grant from the Woodmff databases, including four computers at the cen- investment return has aver-

Foundation to the Univer- Business Dateline, ABI ter ot the main computer aged 18.8 percent.

sity Center in Georgia. Inform, Current Contents cluster in McCain Library "Thanks to the growth

Librarians from across and MLA Bibliography. make access to the world of its endowment and its

the state agree that Other resources on of information quicker and strategic position in

GALILEO "levels the play- GALILEO include access easier. Atlanta, Agnes Scott has

ing field" for students at all to the University System of the opportunity- to pro\ide launch institutions ot higher learn- Georgia library catalogs, To your joim\ey national leadership in through GALILEO'S world, ing—large or small. state of Georgia govern- women's higher education. point your web hvwser to Through GALILEO, all ment documents and The centun-old college is http -JIwww . Ag>\esScott . eduj have access to the same Internet resources, such as libiwy/welcome. html. planning tor significant

2 ON CAMPUS

growth, including a com- prehensive building pro- THE DOGWOOD LIVES ON gram," said Agnes Scott

College President Mary fragile rim of bark encircles a deli- Brown Bullock '66. Acate dogwood bowl the size of two Much of the fund's cupped palms. The bowl rests atop a small growth comes from signifi- pedestal inscribed "This bowl turned from cant holdings in Coca- the Presser Dogwood. Given to Agnes

Cola stock. Other factors Scott College in memory of Sherry L. include an aggressive Ellington (B. A. 1984)." investment policy (75 per- Through this unique art, the College cent in equity stocks and retains a portion of

25 percent in fixed income the Presser dog- instruments) and a low wood's beauty and a pay-out of 4 percent annu- legacy to the love of dedicated to ally. learning. Agnes Scott."

A 1954 bequest from The once-thriv- After cutting former trustee and alumna ing tree lives not the wood into

Frances Winship Walters only in the memo- workable

—often considered "the ries of family and pieces, Baxter second founder of the friends of the College, but also in the mounted it on a woodtuming lathe and College"—provided the timeless form of art. shaped bowls with hand-held gouges, College with two blocks of To create a memorial to his wife, sanded them and covered them with fin-

Coca-Cola stock valued at Sherry, an Agnes Scott Retum-To- ishing materials. nearly $2.5 million; that College graduate who died of cancer in "Dogwood is very dense and turns gift portfolio today has a May 1995 at age 50, Douglas Ellington with the lathe extremely well—very market value of more than requested some of the wood from the smoothly," says Baxter.

$196 million. Presser dogwood, the tree campus officials The largest bowl is on display at

"Our healthy endow- once spared by paying $10,000 to relocate Agnes Scott in President Mary Brown ment has enabled us to and restructure Presser Music Hall in 1940. Bullock's office, one went to Sherry control tuition increases "Initially, I only wanted enough wood Ellington's mother, Louise Laird, in Lake and, at the same time, to turn a ball-point pen for our son Jeff," Havasu City, Ariz., and one to Sherry's support our plans for says Ellington. ASC friend, Peggy Bynum '82, of Sandy enrollment growth, new Yet from the tree limb provided by Springs, Ga. faculty positions, and the Victoria Lambert, manager of campus ser- Jeff Ellington, the couple's 27-year-old expansion and enrichment vices, Ellington commissioned the creation son who lives in the Atlanta area, has of our curriculum," Bullock of four small bowls and pens to wood-turn- the fourth bowl and a pen turned from explains. ing artist Willard Baxter of the John C. Agnes Scott's Presser dogwood.

The College's 1997 Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. "Sherry was a devoted student who national rankings include a Although Baxter never met Sherry, enjoyed learning for the sake of learn-

"Best Value" designation he "had the pleasure of talking to Douglas ing," says Douglas Ellington. "She loved by U.S. News and World about his wife a number of times. Ob- Agnes Scott and its beautiful campus."

Report and "Best Buy" from viously, she was a very fine person and —Samantha Stavely '97

Money magazine. ON CAMPUS

GARY MEEK PHOTO SCULPTURE IN HARMONY WITH ITS SITE

The common image ot an artist at work is of

a person confined to the

interior of a studio private-

ly contemplating life's

intricacies with paint,

chalk or pencil.

Maria Artemis '67, the

Kirk Visiting Artist for

1995-96 at Agnes Scott,

challenges that perception

with her public sculptures. Maria Artemis '67 ai'ui her recent work, displayed on campus: Unknown Remembered Gate.

She is an artist whose

professional activities sonal experience with the on panels and symposia Her work has been

reflect her interest in and College." concerned with art in the exhibited and displayed in

involvement with art in Since 1994 Artemis has public environment, Italy and in numerous

and the public environ- been awarded two Public including the Atlanta cities in the United States,

ment. Art Commissions for the Mayor's Green Ribbon including Atlanta and

Artemis' most recent city of Atlanta. The first, A Committee, the Piedmont New York City.

work, Unknoum Remem- Memorial to Crime Victims Park Design Advisory Artemis received a B.A.

bered Gate, was unveiled in and Public Safety Officers Committee and the Art of in psychology from Agnes

front of the Dana Fine Arts Who Die in the Line of Duty, the Public Environment Scott College, an M.F.A.

Building this fall and dedi- was completed in 1995 for sponsored by the Georgia from the University of

cated to President Mary the new Atlanta Detention chapter of the American Georgia and an M.S. from

Brown Bullock '66. Center Plaza. Society of Landscape the College of Architec-

"Each piece [of artwork] The second site work, Architects and ARS Natura ture at the Georgia Insti-

is unique to its site. My Ex-Static, was commis- Magazine. tute of Technolog\\

ideas come from a growing sioned through the Cor- Artemis has received Since 1992, she has

dialogue between myself poration for Olympic many awards for her work, been an adjunct professor

and the site's history as I Development in Atlanta including the Georgia at the Atlanta College of

research it and open myself for the Civic Center pedes- Women in the Visual Arts Art, where she teaches

to what the site has to offer trian spur. This work, com- Award in 1997; an Artist Visual Studies and

my intuition and imagina- pleted in spring 1996, is Project Grant for her solo Sculpture. She has also

tion," says Artemis. "It was located on West Peachtree exhibition, Labyrint)\, in served as a Visiting Artist

a wonderful experience for and Pine streets and is con- 1994 from die Atlanta for architectural reviews in

me to create Unknoum stmcted fi^om aircraft parts, Bureau of Cultural Affairs; the Graduate School of

Remembered Gate because 1 steel pipe and stainless steel and an Artist Grant fiom Design at Harvard Uni\'er-

could connect to the site cable. the Georgia Council tor sity and at the Georgia

intimately through my per- Artemis has also served the Arts in 1993. Institute ot Technology'. MONIKA NIKORE PHOTO

AMNESTY Founded by co-presi- CHAPTER dents Rachel Huffman '97 FORMED and Nicole Sikora-Buttram '97 and faculty advisor and As students entered political science Assistant Buttrick Hall the Professor Juan AUende, week of March 10-17, they AIASC is part of a global, encountered a compelling non-affiliated movement display of black and white which advocates the prin- Amnesty demonstrates at the School of the Americas photographs, along with ciples expressed in the quotes from each person United Nations' 1948 In addition to letter- "terrorists training ground." pictured. Closer inspection Universal Declaration of writing and e-mail cam- The campus chapter has revealed these ordinary Human Rights. paigns, members of AIASC also sponsored such fund- faces as those of inmates on AlASC's first meeting have participated in death raisers as a T-shirt cam- death row. was held in spring 1996, penalty demonstrations on paign and potluck petition

Amnesty International with 15 student members. the steps of the Georgia drive and encouraged of Agnes Scott College "The campus is ripe for capitol and have travelled students to wear white

(AlASC) showcases such an organization, whose to Columbus, Ga., to ribbons in support of exhibits to increase student ideals are relevant to those protest at the School of Human Rights Awareness awareness of human rights of a liberal arts education," the Americas, which Day. issues at America's prisons. says Sikora-Buttram. Amnesty describes as a —Sarah Chapman '00

ASC'S BULLOCK OBSERVES CHINA ELECTIONS

Agnes Scott President Mary Brown Bullock '66 was The delegation evaluated elections in the provinces among a seven-person international delegation of Fujian and Hebei and held discussions with govern-

sent by The Carter Center at the invitation of the ment officials in Beijing on the electoral process and

People's Republic to observe Chinese village elections in other possible areas of cooperation.

early March. The village elections are especially important with

Bullock is recognized as an expert on China and has the death of leader Deng Xiaoping. "I came away

experience with setting up U.S. -China institutional rela- impressed by the seriousness of the effort to introduce

tions. The delegation was led by Robert A. Pastor, a choice and political accountability at the village level in

Carter Center Fellow. China," says President Bullock. "This does not necessari-

ly mean that China is laying the foundation for democ-

racy (in our sense) at the village or national level. It

does mean that this is an area of significant political and

economic complexity in a changing China."

While on the trip, Bullock visited her son Graham

and initiated plans for an Agnes Scott faculty group's

visit to China in June of this year.

Few foreign groups have had the opportunity to observe

village elections in process, but The Carter Center has

had experience in monitoring elections in 11 countries. =1 CENTER PHOTO ON THE THRESHOLD OF TOMORROW The Past, Present and Future of Women's Education

By MARY BROWN BULLOCK, JOHNNETTA COLE, RUTH SIMMONS

«t^

^y PAUL OBREGO]:^ — nticipation "an electric ener^'y field," said one participant—filled Gaines

.women's education at the college level. Gathered to present their vision were the presidents of Spelman, Smith and A^'nes Scott: "Tojj;ether we are far more than our individual lives, our respective colleges," said ASC's Mary Brown Bullock '66.

"Frankly, 1 can't imagine a more powerful women's network!" The more than 800 at the summit on women's education agreed. In an era of selfishness and self-centered- ness, women's colleges have—the audience learned—an opportunity and a responsi- hility to offer hope and renewal and values to another generation of young women.

,"V —

Agnes Scott's Mary Brown Bullock '66 REFLECTING ON THE PAST TEACHINGS

of us has been asked to reflect remembering my own student days, howev-

Eachon our Uves, our colleges, and the er, I think more about a community of men- role of women's colleges today. tors. And of the many traits, many values My own relationship to Agnes that our third millennium class shares with

Scott College and women's higher its predecessors, the one that stands out for

education spans three generations and me tonight is courage. Global learning, com- almost a century. My great-aunt Mary munities of spiritual and intellectual mentors, Global learn- Thompson finished Agnes Scott in 1905, and courage—that sums up a women's educa- and joined other alumnae who served as tion for me. ing, communi- missionaries in China. Agnes Scott is a community that cele- ties of spiritual A generation later, the second Mary brates and, yes, struggles with diversity. But my mother, Mardia Hopper, bom and raised I am convinced that as a women's college, and intellectual in Korea— left Pyongyang and arrived at with traditional and Retum-To-College stu- mentors, and Agnes Scott as a first-year student. She was dents of all ages, we may become a model of here during the tumultuous years of World a new kind of American community that is courage—that War II. learning how to live, and study, and play, A generation later, in 1962, I arrived and pray together. sums up a home-schooled from Korea via high school women's educa- in Japan—just before the civil rights move- For the 21st century graduates of women's ment and the Vietnam War convulsed the colleges, understanding other world views tion for me. nation. is critical. The Fourth International Women's

As I reflect on Agnes Scott and three Conference in Beijing graphically reminded us

generations of Marys, it is probably not sur- that global issues are women's issues, that

prising that I think first about global learn- African and Asian women have something to ing, about the tension in this century, in share with us about family, about human

this College and in my own life between rights, and about the quest for a good society. multicultural global awareness and tradition- A good women's society, a good women's

al Western-oriented liberal learning. college is comprised ot communities of As an almost-new college president mentors—faculty-, staff, families, and other students. The word mentor comes from Greek mythol- ogy—Mentor was the "wise and taithful" counselor to Odysseus and Telemachus during their long journey

after the fall of Troy in The Odyssey. Although a woman's transition from high school through college and on into the "real world" may not be as physically danger- ous as Odysseus' route,

it can be no less psy- chologically treacher- ous. Mentoring recognizes that women are on a journey and that

we all need help along the way. For me, there were spiritual and intel- ectual mentors—faculrv Most U.S. colleges and universities are designed on a Western patriarchal model. If you could scrap the whole system and start over, how would you build a college today?

members such as Ben Kline, former profes- Johnnetta Cole: My colleague, Beverly Guy Sheftall, who sor of philosophy and dean of the faculty. chairs our Women's Studies Center at Spelman and who is the He personified Agnes Scott's motto: Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women's Studies, talks about the "Add to your faith, virtue, and to virtue, three W's in American education—too much of it is Western, white, knowledge." womanless.

Were I to begin from the beginning, it would not he a college that

1 think to do so Which leads me to courage. Courage is described only the experiences of womenfolk because perceived as a kind of macho virtue is not to describe the realities of womenfolk. To center our women that we don't talk about too much. But edu- students in their own realities, it is not necessary to divorce them cating women and attending a women's col- totally from the realities of men. To center our students who are lege has always required a special kind of African-American in their realities, it is not necessary to rid their edu- courage. cation completely of the experiences, the literature, the cultures of The founders of Agnes Scott, Spelman and those who are not African-American.

Smith were men and women of courage, who So at the risk of being complicated, I think the college of the future bucked the prevailing educational status quo is a place that is not about men's studies—because that is what has because they believed in the inherent poten- dominated higher education—nor is it only about women's studies, tial of womanhood. Our graduates have been which has been the most important corrective device for womenfolk, pioneers in all walks of life. They have tackled nor is it just about African-American studies or Hispanic studies. societal problems with a kind of quiet, persis- Somehow, complicated as it is, we've got to get to everybody's tent courage. studies. That's my response.

And today it is our students who must have courage—intellectual courage and personal Ruth Simmons: I think that's exactly right. courage. They have selected a women's institu- We would look pretty silly enriching ourselves and enriching our tion because they are serious about discovering students to the detriment of this nation and to the detriment of the and acting on their deepest potential. They world. come from all walks of life. Many have come I like the task force [model used] in Princeton University's Woodrow from the most difficult family circumstances, Wilson School. In these task forces, teams of students get together as circumstances that reflect the many problems peers with a faculty member who is there to answer questions, to guide, women face in American society. But we but not to do the work. The students are confronted with a problem, a believe something very special can happen in societal problem, and they have to, in the course of a semester, solve it. their lives at a women's college. They have to do the research necessary to bring new solutions to hear, A new sculpture on our campus by Maria hut in the end, they don't have the luxury of saying, "I can't figure it

Artemis '67, an Agnes Scott graduate, is out." They must solve it. titled An Unknown Remembered Gate (see The product of the task force goes forward and often somebody page 4). It includes a "canopy (or symbolic makes use of it. shelter) of loosely woven wire cables, So if I had to construct a new college, I'm not sure that 1 wouldn't anchored by four polished wood poles, which try as much of that kind of experience in it as possible. floats over a stone path leading to a contem- plative rock garden." Inscribed on the path Mary Brown Bullock: One point 1 would make is that we may be are symbols of mathematics, astronomy, too hard on ourselves. I've spent most of my career outside the formal science, Greek and Hebrew words for wisdom, university structure in institutions that really are patriarchal and hier- and verses of poetry. This path's symbols and archical. Having now been at Agnes Scott for a little over a year, I've words reflect our shared journeys, beginning been struck by how participatory a women's college is. with T.S. Eliot's "We cannot cease from Yes, sometimes it takes a while as we talk about and wrestle with exploration..." to Italo Calvino's "like a frail the problems of consensus governance, and yet there are some wonder- emergency bridge hung over an abyss..." to ful models within the college community, within academe. We have a these final lines from Mary Oliver: "When message to those outside of academe—a message of participation, their it's over, I want to say—all my life 1 was a shared governance of communities coming together and deciding bride married to amazement." future.

That to me is what a women's college is So 1 think the quesion is a little too harsh. all about. Spelman College's Johnnetta Cole LESSONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

want to tell a story. This is about an these notes. But I want you to know that old woman who lived in a poor com- what they're looking for, I've already found." munity. She had one desire: She want- In a women's college, we've found the note. ed a guitar. Often in her prayers, she I would slip in "If 1 could have a guitar, As I thought of what it would be like to I'd be mighty happy." serve as president of a women's college,

The folk in her community decided to I remembered the woman who perhaps pool their meager resources and buy her a taught me the most about a liberal arts edu- I came .. . guitar. Can you imagine the look on her cation for women. My Latin class teacher, with a deep face when they presented the guitar to her? Ms. Moss, gone to glory years ago, would belief in the She stroked it, she kissed it, she embraced pretend not to hear as every Latin class it. Then she placed her hands ever so cor- period we chanted, "Latin, Latin, dead as can power of rectly and struck a note. be; first it killed the Rorrwm, now it's kiUing me." The people clapped. She struck the note But one day Ms. Moss decided not to turn educating girls again. And again. And again. The folk were her ear away; she explained that Latin and women convinced her striking this single note helped us get outside ourselves, mo\'e would pass, and went to bed—only to hear, beyond our own reality, come to understand to understand throughout the night, the same note. In the another people and their way. Then she more than morning, they sent a delegation to speak added, "Young girls, you are learning Latin with the old lady. because you will be young women and one themselves, Respectfully the village leader said, "It day you will think as well as any young man. to think, has given us great joy to see you embrace Latin will help you to do so." your guitar, but we suggest that a guitar is So I came to a special place called and to act. capable of sounding many notes and we Spelman with a deep belief in the power ot thought perhaps you would want to begin educating girls and women to understand playing various ones." more than themselves, to think, and to act.

The old lady replied, "I know. I've heard

them going up and down the guitar playing want to share two lessons that I have

I learned at Spelman. The first, learned in

a way that is perhaps impossible outside a

women's college, is that we womenfolk can and do hold up halt the sky. Sexism shares

with racism that it is such a per\'asive force

that its victims can come to believe its non-

sense, its stereotypes, its destructive notions about themselves. A women's college gives you that liberal

arts education Ms. Moss talked about, but it

also helps you get rid ot any doubt about

what you can do and who you can become. I look, for example, at our institution and see the ways in which our students enter fields that are traditionally identified as belonging to men. Being at Spelman shows me that women can do what they decide to do.

I am so convinced that womenfolk can

do what they set out to do that I have a

tear: One day I will return to campus and

just as 1 pull through the gates, I will see crowds looking up to the top ot Rockefeller Hall. The crowd will be staring at a group Tell us about your mothers I and how they might have influenced you and your styles of leadership.

of Spelman students who are flapping their Mary Brown Bullock: My mother is in the audience. She has red arms, ready to jump off, because they are hair and one thing about her is that when she feels strongly about genuinely convinced they can fly. something, she will say so. That's one thing that I hope 1 have learned from her. The second and the last lesson that I Another is her wonderful sense of listening. I don't think 1 knew want to share is hardly a new one. Of what in the world "active listening" was until 1 read about it in some course, few lessons are really new discover- psychology books, but now 1 know my mother is an "active listener." ies. Lessons learned are more often merely a She draws you out and doesn't try to intervene and just hears your new perspective on an old idea, or a reaffir- story. mation of a previous hunch. And that's a wonderful trait. My 10 years at Spelman have reaffirmed the commonalties and the differences Johnnetta Cole: My mom was a college English professor and regis- among us womenfolk. NX'hen 1 pulled trar of a small, historically black college; later, she became the treasurer together some exciting ideas into a reader in of our family's insurance business. women's studies called All-American Women, In thinking of all the things 1 learned from her, 1 inevitably go back

I challenged the fundamental idea that if to her message that I should "follow my passion." When I was strug- you've seen one of us, you've seen us all. gling with the views of others about whether 1 should be an anthropol-

We womenfolk share an enormous body ogist—after all, how was I going to make a living doing that— it was of experience. We indeed may have shared my mom who said to me that more than making money, my goal had visions, not only about ourselves and those to be to make myself happy and to do something good for others. If my that we love, but also about this world of passion was anthropology and 1 could manage those things with it, I'd ours. But Spelman College has reaffirmed better follow it, she said. for me that there is extraordinary diversity It's perhaps the most often advice that 1 pass on to Spelman stu- among women, particularly among African- dents: Follow your passion. American women.

Because Spelman is a historically black Ruth Simmons: 1 had very strong parents, but there's no question college for women, I have a chance to con- my mother influenced me more than any other single person. An tinue to learn the many ways that African- extraordinary woman, she completed only eight years of schooling.

American women can see and believe and She spent her life as a homemaker, rearing a large number of children, think and move and act. and being a devoted and subservient wife. After we moved to the city,

Tliis is a powerful lesson. she did "day's work," which—for those who are too young to remember that euphemism—is being a maid who worked in different homes on a

believe deeply that if we womenfolk ever day-by-day basis.

I truly come to understand not only our com- When I was young, I went with her on some of her jobs and as she monalties, but also our differences, we would went about her work, she would instruct me about walking with dignity be the most important agents—the most effec- and grace through life. She taught me, in this way she had, that what 1 tive agents—for positive social change. For was as a human being was much more important than anything else in until we can get men to start co-nurturing my life. She taught me to have consideration and respect for other peo-

and co-parenting, women will continue to ple and not to be consumed by my own selfish interests— 1 didn't suc- be the major socializers of our children. ceed very well with that one, but that's what she tried to teach me.

Of course, not all of us become, or even The trustees of my college may think that I am responding to what

wish to be, mothers; but for those of us who they want me to do, but I'm pot. I'm working as hard as I can to be the are, we are more likely than men to be the person my mother wanted me to be. So for me, my mother's influence major influence in the lives of the next gen- was to teach me how to be a person.

eration. When our students first come to Smith, some come without parents, And so when we learn in these institu- some don't have the "right clothes," and they're self-conscious, they're

tions called Agnes Scott, called Smith, uneasy; and 1 love to tell them, you know, the greatest person I've ever

called Spelman, a full appreciation of the known was a maid and she taught me how to lead Smith College. It

diversity among ourselves and indeed among doesn't matter where you come from, it matters where you're going and all of us humans—what a lesson we then how you're going to get there. pass on to the generations that will follow.

11 —

Smith College's Ruth Simmons BEACONS OF HOPE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

late Ernest Boyer offers a a teenage mother who already had a previ- Thevision of the American college ous child. And every day 5,703 American in the future. It's an institution teenagers are victimized by violent crime. that celebrates teaching and All too many of America's children and

selectively supports research, their families are in crisis.

while also taking special pride in its capacity

to connect thought to action and theory to simple premise is that the quality of practice. This new American college would Mylife for all of us depends on the quality organize cross-disciplinary institutes around of education and our capacity to place that pressing social issues. Undergraduates would education in the service of our communi- My simple premise participate in field projects relating ideas to ties. We are charged with educating and real life. Classrooms and laboratories would training society's citizens, with discovering is that the quality include clinics and youth centers, schools and disseminating new knowledge, w-ith of life for all of us and governmental offices. Faculty members monitoring, recording and analyzing the would build partnerships with practitioners, human condition, with encouraging and in the future is who would in turn come to campus as lec- engendering human creativity and intellec- dependent on the turers and student advisors. tual production through the arts, humani- quality of educa- This new kind of college is committed to ties, sciences and technology. We are tion and our improving, in a very intentional way, the charged with assisting in the search tor solu- human condition. And it may well be that tions to pressing social problems. capacity to place this will in fact emerge as the new model of Education has a responsibility, an oppor- that education in excellence in higher education in the future. tunity, to safeguard our civilization. And the service of our It's a model that would enrich college cam- historically the American educational sys- puses, renew communities, give new dignity tem, despite its flaws, has been both the communities. and status to the scholarship of service. It's a envy of the world and the hope of a nation,

model based on equity and justice and not because it was accessible to all citizens at all on occasional acts of charity. levels. Today we need to rethink and renew our understanding of our relationship to our Today, about 6 percent of U.S. chil- communities; to renew our dren—nearly 4 million—live in severe- understanding of ser-

ly distressed neighborhoods. The poverty vice and its relation-

rate among them is three times worse than ship to teaching, for other children. More than one in five research and the American children lives in poverty, a ratio communities that attributed to the number of families headed host our institu- by single rnothers, many of whom are under- tions. We must work educated and underqualified for sustaining together to redefine the jobs. The poverty rate for children living in boundaries of knowl- female-headed households continues to be edge, to create more than twice that of children in general. environments Over the past 20 years, the number of in which our

children under six has grown by less than 10 children percent, but the number of poor children can learn under six has grown by 60 percent. Too We ha\'e many children are poor, sick, dying and to be growing up abused and neglected. especial-

Every 30 seconds a baby is born into ly wom- poverty in this country. Evei^ four hours a en's col- child commits suicide. Every five seconds of leges the school day, a child drops out of public strong

school. Every four minutes, a baby is bom to and per-

il How do your institutions serve the nontraditional student, and do you believe that women's colleges are especially suited to the nontraditional student?

sistent advocates for children and especially Mary Brown Bullock: Agnes Scott's Return-To-CoUege Program for the growing number of children who are has been going on for about 20 years, probably accounting for 1 5 per- without defenses in a challenging world. cent of our student body. What I hear from faculty and other students

is how these women of all ages enrich the classes in which they partici- What about girls in particular? We must pate. They bring life experiences and by their examples, their lives, ensure that young girls in elementary their experiences, their sheer determination, they serve as models for and high school maintain every academic younger students. option open to them for the longest possible But we also need to take their needs more seriously. They come to time. Women must be educated today as if our institutions at a turning point in their lives needing academic their very lives depended upon their educa- counseling, career counseling, better study and childcare facilities. We tion, because we now know for most of need more work on these at this institution. them they will. Each of our colleges will be But certainly, the nontraditional student is an essential part of the among those who help decide the fate of Agnes Scott community and probably will be a growing community young women in years to come. We must here. care for their hopes and dreams. It is their high aspirations that will have to sustain Ruth Simmons: There are so many kinds of students today, I'm not them through a lifetime of many challenges sure if there is such thing as a nontraditional student. I don't know and much change. what that is anymore.

I believe it is increasingly important for If we're referring to students who enter college later in life, past higher education to embrace a strong and the age when most women enroll, we offer an exciting option in our enduring commitment to alleviate some of Ada Comstock [return to college] Program. Return-to-college stu- the social dilemmas that our world faces. dents are highly motivated, and there is no mistaking the fact that Most of our institutions are working hard to our institution can make a significant contribution to them and to develop new programs to achieve this. their families.

1 hope and feel very strongly that as Not everyone comes to this program the same way. Some are high women's colleges, we have to set the pace. school drop outs. Some have had a child out of wedlock—they've been We have to show the way. sidetracked by childrearing, but they still have the desire to do some- We've got to take a stand for children. thing with their lives and to do something for their children. It is We've got to take a stand for families in important for us to reach out to all of these women. We've got to look need. We have to for people's ability, we have to find out where they are, and we have to

reclaim our make education available to them. Education is the key to solving heritage as some of the problems we face. the nation's

hope and the Johnnetta Cole: In a way, I think every woman who goes to a wom-

envy of the en's college is a nontraditional student. She's not supposed to be there: world. What in the world makes her think that she can be an intellectual? So for women simply to enroll in schools like Spelman, Smith or Agnes

Scott is to do a nontraditional thing. Women's institutions are very powerful, very strong, very effective, but they are not perfect. At Spelman, we have a continuing education program, but we should do far more in terms of not only attracting, but also making comfortable and supporting women of many life circumstances, particularly those of different ages and family status. Spelman has primarily an 18-to-22-year-old student body, and although we do much to enrich the lives of these young women, their lives would be further enriched were they studying with women of many diverse and

rich life experiences. Our institutions are works in progress. We have found our "note,"

but there is so much more that we can and should do. We simply must get on with doing the work.

13 I — . NDIA OURNEY

J)n a (JloBcPI"'Cf)nnections rip, Scotties ex plore the nvironnnHH context of great ^^orld religrSH^ and discover that tiere is so vm^1 more to learn "THE GANDHI MEMORIAL (k/t) "WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE. GANDHI KEPT HIS FINAL FAST THERE. A MONUMENT bout id themselves. faid^Hf STOOD AT THE EXACT PLACE OF HIS MURDER." ABOVE: RACHEL HUFFMAN AT THE SIKH TEMPLE IN DELHI. 'hoto-es^^^l Vlonika Nikore xcerpts frorfl^^^H -lalofRachel Huffman '9 A RIDE FOR DEAR LIFE

Rachel C. Huffman '97 grabbed one of her friends from the safe confines of the YMCA,

gathered a handful of rupees, hailed a three-

wheeled taxi and hurled herself into the

chaotic traffic of Delhi. "I feel strangely adventurous,

almost invincible, ready to try something new," she noted

in her journal last January, on the first day of a Global

Connections trip to India. As they coursed through the

colorful mass of pedestrians, three-wheelers, cars, buses

and bicycles, Huffman remembered, "Vicki and I held on

^' for dear life."

A religious studies major from Baton Rouge, La.,

Huffman was one of 1 2 students to witness the burgeoning

"village of India" on Agnes Scott's first Global

Connections trip in January of 1996.

An extension of Agnes Scott's Global Awareness

Program, Global Connections allows students to visit a

w foreign country and study a specific aspect of cultural life as an additional component of an existing course of study.

The India trip followed a semester of study in World

Religions, taught by John Carey, professor and chair of the

Department of Religious Studies.

m Huffman: "/ have so many questions that Yd never think

to ask if we were studying India from a textbook rather than

from experience. Gandhi believed in experiential learning—

learning by doing and acting. So often this is a man's world

in which to do and act—women are forced to compromise to

just be. I hope this pilgrimage to India will let us do without

" inhibitions

15 .

VICKI COUCH '98 (with video camera) AT ELLORA CAVES IN AURANCARAO AT A GROUP GATHERING, A jAIN NU ALWAYS ON THE GO

We're always on the go, being whisked from place to place

in a bus that is so tall that we look down on everyone

Huffman wondered if they were being perceived as imperi-

alist Westerners as they travelled the streets.

The group journeyed to Delhi—city of temples, monas-

taries, churches, mosques; to Agra, Varanasi, down the

Ganges River to Bombay (the Elephanta Caves), then on

to Aurangabad (the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves).

They visited the University ot Pune, SNDT Women's

College, mingling with religious figures of other faiths,

listening to a Jain nun, a Buddhist monk, Sikh and Baha'i MELANIE HARDISON SHOrriNG IN .ANRANGABAD

16 " .

LIFE. ed) CHANTS IN HOLY SrAe:E; Tl IE FACE MASK KEEPS HER FROM INHALlNe : ANYTHING ORGANIC AND THUS DAMAGING ANY

holymen, delving into other's beliefs, learning the singu-

lar and the universal of human existence and experience.

At the Gautam Hotel, two Muslim women, covered

and veiled, swished past Huffman.

"The contrast between the Muslims and us reminded me

of a story Monika [Nikore, the photographer] told. A tradi-

tional woman asked her, 'What are you thinking?' Monika

replied, 'How lucky J am to be able to live my life freely, and

how unfortunate that you are bound to a family ' The

woman said, 'That's funny, because I was just thinking how

lucky I am to have a grounding and how unfortunate you

' are to have to wander through life alone It's all about

. EATING NORTH INDIAN CUISINE AT A RESTAURANT perspective

17 From ancient to modem, India captured the students' minds and imaginations.

(muMe) JESSICA OWENS (second frcm Uft), JENNY HATFIELD AND OF PUNE SARA MARTIN (right) MEET STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY MAIN PHOTO: BAHA'I LOTUS TEMPLE, OUTSIDE OF DELHI THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

The poverty of India was frightful. Jhelieaiity of India inspiring. The days were full. And meaningful.

person's hearty "I am learning that change must occur within a

and mindaivi soul in order for that person to affect, tke'mder

scope of society. In this way, each of us'Kas the pou)er

dnd inay be empowered to create change in the \

uoild If one cafi learn inner peace , then she

can teach outer peace by examj

I have so much to digest from this trip,

and am constantly contemplating

the implications of it...." —

After a quarter of a century, the Agnes Scott Writers' Festival continues to celebrate the beauty and majesty of language and the work of women meaning and purpose on paper

isi

By Linda Lent: Hubert '62 1974 IS

because it has been so

Perhapsmuch a part of the life of the College—and indeed of the region—the annual Agnes Scott Writers' Festival seems to Agnes Scott oldtimers like me to have existed for-

ever. Surprisingly, that is not so, though its roots reach deep into the foundations of a college which honors the well-written word and where close ties to special writers seem

all but taken for granted. The impact Bom of the myriad literary influences that have enlivened and enriched Agnes of the Writers' Scott from its earliest days, the Writers' Festival events Festival was fleshed out in its present form in 1972. It is now a quarter of a century old upon young and, unlike some of its fans, growing better writers—as well with age. Although the excitement on campus as old faculty reaches its brief apotheosis during two tightly-scheduled days in late March or early members—can festival events upon April, the impact of the last a lifetime. young writers—as well as old faculty members—can last a lifetime. The distinguished participants of this annual spring ritual release an energizing magic upon the campus and community. Storytellers as distinc- tive as Eudora Welty and Gloria Naylor, poets as admired as Howard Nemerov and Gwendolyn Brooks, playwrights as celebrated as Alfred Uhry and Marsha Norman '69, influential essayists like Philip Lopate and Melissa Faye Greene—such as these join with their eager, and as yet unproved, student counterparts to affirm each other's English majors, nor limited to first-year stu- voices and celebrate a collective joy in the dents who proffer battered texts for the living word. subjects of their semester's literature study to The talents of May Sarton, Marion autograph. This shared regard for letters pro- Montgomery and Michael Mott enriched vides one historical reason for the campus-

the first festival. The silver anniversary wide enthusiasm that greets the Agnes Scott event this April was enhanced by Jane Writers' Festival of today. Smiley, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of A A second reason is an enterprising facul- Thousand Acres; versatile Atlanta author ty, which began in the early decades of the Pearl Cleage; Katha PoUitt, known tor her century to attract literary luminaries to this incisive commentary; and Agnes Scott tiny Decatur college. alumna poet, Rashidah Ahmad '92. Harriet Monroe was in\'ited to speak at Agnes Scott in 1921; her magazine. Poetry, Joy in the Word regarded as the voice ot contemporarv- \-erse published the unknown T.S. Because literature has alvx'ays prox-ided in English, had common ground for Agnes Scott stu- Eliot poem, "The Love Song ot J. Alfred dents, the ample audiences at readings Prufrock" just a few years before. Vachel and lectures are not constituted only of Lindsay, another of those poets indebted to

20 5 1977 PREVIOUS PAGE: AUTHOR JANE SMILEY CAST A FORMI- DABLE LITERARY SHADOW ON THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL. LEFT: A SPOTLIGHT BATHES SPEAKER PEARL CLEAGE. BELOW: JORIE GRAHAM, CHARLES JOHNSON, MEMYE TUCKER '56, JUDITH ORTIZ COFER AT PANEL DISCUSSION. BOTTOM: ROBERT FROST IS INTERVIEWED DURING AN EARLY VISIT TO CAMPUS. The College's "high regard for letters" and its enterprising faculty are given credit for the festival's success and longevity.

Monroe's publication, visited

the College in 1922, followed by Thornton Wilder,

Louis Untermeyer, Edna St. Vincent Milky, Carl Sandburg and Andre Maurois in the 1930s. Pearl

Buck, Randall Jarrell and Katherine Anne Porter came

a little later.

And still later, Mark Van Doren, C.P. Snow, Archi- bald MacLeish and Peter Taylor. Professors Ellen Douglas Leybum and Janef Preston collaborated in the 1950s and '60s to bring writers to campus in what Professor Emerita Margaret Pepper-

21 1981 IS

dene thinks of as an early avatar of the present festival. The poet John Ciardi came at their invitation—as did a shy and not yet famous Flannery O'Connor in 1961. May

Sarton's first appointment as writer in residence occurred in the early sixties. When Sarton returned a decade later, she shared her sixtieth birthday and the launching of the newly-configured Writers' Festival with the campus. The new festival was featured with the statewide competition for student

FROST IN HIS NEW ENGLAND GARDEN. FOR MANY YEARS,

THE GREAT POET WAS ONE writers that defines it today. OF THE FESTIVAL'S MOST Professor Bo Ball, himself a prize-winning PROMINENT PARTICIPANTS. RIGHT: PEARL CLEAGE TALKS short story writer, shaped the original stu- ABOUT HER CRAFT IN A dent contest and has consistently directed CLASSROOM DISCUSSION. the competition, assisted by poetry-teacher Associate Professor Steve Guthrie and other faculty in recent years. The eminent writers constitute a panel of judges for the monetary awards made to the winners of the student contest. They select from texts already honored by their inclusion in the Writers' Festival Magazine, an annual publication of the English department. Students appropriate the visiting writers once the special guests hit campus: they eat breakfast with Richard Eberhart, lunch with

22 — uwmi Maxine Kumin, dinner with Tillie Olsen. They enjoy helping the faculty transport the writers to and from the airport, often so that they can have another private word with Charles Johnson or Carolyn Forche or Robert Coover. Some have dodged awkward petitions of the occasional undisciplined guest—like the not uncommon request for a trip to a nearby package store, served up by more than one writer who has earned almost

as much fame for liquor consumption as for deathless prose or poetry. W.H. Auden, The Memories Live On lubricated with Most of our visiting writers are remem- more martinis bered solely for their generous com-

mitments of time and counsel to stu- than coffee, dents and for readings that engage the minds proved an and hearts of enthusiastic audiences. However, a few left legacies that we savor now as irascible speaker. favorite anecdotes, although some of the living He flew onto moments were trying. If I still react with per- verse pride to the memory of Gwendolyn the stage before Brooks' complaint that I drove "like a New

York taxi driver," I have suffered sustained his cue to little humiliation at the recollection of Margaret more than a Atwood's droll response to an overly enthusiastic introduction: "Thank you. You make me "Tonight Show"

sound as if I had sprung wholly formed from the head of Zeus!" introduction One of our most notorious "struggles- "Heeere's with-great-writers" stories took place in

1971, the year before the formal festival AUDEN!!"

began. For all she tried during a pre-lecture dinner. Professor Jane Pepperdene could not get the great poet W. H. Auden to down the coffee that she ordered from one waiter as fast as he waved martinis from another. Removed to Gaines for the lecture, Auden proved irascible. He defied the efforts of Professor Jack Nelson to hold him by the coattails backstage until the appointed hour of 8:15 p.m. At shortly after 8:10, the two of them flew out from the wings, Jack having to run round Auden to make what could be little more than a "Tonight Show" introduction. ("Fieeere's AUDEN!!") Spilling his armload of books across the stage, Auden leaned on the podium, causing

the several papers he still clutched to crackle into the microphone. Apparently convinced that an agent of sabotage had

23 — — —

ROBERT PENN WARREN SPOKE AT AN EARLY FESTIVAL. CENTER: WRITER RASHIDAH AHMAD '92 GIVES A HUG AT THIS YEAR'S EVENT. RIGHT: EUDORA WELTY, ONE Another flirtation with near disaster OF THE MOST TREASURED corrupted the sound system, he protested REPEAT GUESTS, CAME FIRST the very static he continued to create—and occurred a few years later with the visit ot THE COLLEGE DURING THE TO never seemed to understand that he was the Kentucky writer and founder of the New LEYBURN, PRESTON YEARS. author of his own distractions. York Review of Books, Elizabeth Hardwick. The boozy English accent over a spitting Our excessive hospitality and miscommuni- microphone meant an unintelligible first cation almost did her in when I instructed a half Someone must have worked wonders colleague that she wished bourbon on the or at least succeeded with the coffee—dur- rocks for an aperitif. His hand was heavy ing a welcome break, for the intermission the graceful lady had wanted only a splash brought an amazing recovery. The wit and of bourbon and much water in her drink. wonder of Auden's glorious language was Truly sabotaged, she giggled quite a lot

fully articulate in his remarkable reading and danced about the stage in Dana

... her from that point on—and at its close, the before taking hold ot her wits and overflow audience, sprawled in the aisles as spirits—and delivering a charming,

well as filling every seat, leapt as one to its instructive talk.

feet. She liked Agnes Scott well enough to

24 —

festival on this occasion, Uhry was presented in conjunction with a campus-wide celebration in Gaines Chapel, complete with faculty conscripted into an academic march. The Atlanta bom and raised playwright

pleased the enormous audience with stories of his trials as a Jewish boy in a Protestant neighborhood, and, to our amused delight, recalled singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" in enthusiastic abandon with the Atlanta Boy Choir. Fresh from an Academy Awards ceremo- Despite—or ny where the film version of his Pulitzer- Prize-winning play Driving Miss Daisy because of? received an Oscar, Uhry gave us an on-site the guests' sense of his outrageous excitement at receiving this award. He also confided the tension flirtations attached to the obligation to thank every with disaster, living soul who had ever influenced the project. He particularly lamented his heart-felt the festival's failure on that occasion to thank the sixth reputation grade teacher who had fired his interest in books and writing. He said he wished for a has grown. way to make it up to her.

I was just behind him in the platform party as we marched out of Gaines. About

two-thirds of the way down the aisle, I saw him divert to greet a small white-haired lady who had oddly stepped into the path of the formal procession. We clustered and

'''immBSMSMssii^igisiK

help us negotiate a visit from her former husband, Robert Lowell, one of the few American poets of considerable note who never made it to the campus. He died in 1977, the year we planned his participation in the festival, of a heart attack in a taxi cab on the way to Elizabeth's New York apartment.

Driving Mr. Uhry Alfred Uhry's visit during Agnes Scott's Centennial provided a

moment of high satisfaction for me as a teacher. At the request of the Alumnae Association, whose weekend activities converged with those of the mmmm 25 — — imt regrouped to exit—hut only after he had being among the oldest and best known in this caught her in a bear hug. After seeing the part of the country—and, as many a distin- notices of her famous student's partici- guished guest has noted, among the most plea- pation in the Writers' Festival, Mrs. surable and worthwhile. Harrison of Highland Avenue School Gracious colleagues at local institutions had determined to attend his reading. claim that the College long since set stan- That day—on behalf of all who teach dards for hospitality and substance that they she thrilled to public accolades that are have emulated with younger programs. rare for the teacher; her resplendent Sometimes, like conference organizers at face confirmed the power of unexpected Emory who followed our lead for three years

tribute. running with invitations to poets Rita Dove, Sharon Olds and Jorie Graham, they took a Pages from ASC's Book page from our guest hook as well. Writerly events—seminars, sym- For funding, we depend on the kindness posia, celebrations, festivals, of friends. The generosity of alumna and workshops and various other former Agnes Scott Professor Eleanor excuses for bringing practicing writers to Newman Hutchens '40 makes possible the campuses around the country—have pro- prizes in fiction and poetry for which Agnes liferated in recent years. Agnes Scott's Scott students compete with college and

festival, however, has the distinction of university students throughout Georgia. Another more recent alumna and current M.A.T. student, Eulalie Drury '92, began a few years ago to contribute Alumnae Books resources for a new prize in non-tiction. The will of the late Margret Trotter, an enthusi- The literary legacy of Agnes Scott College far exceeds the 25 years of astic supporter of the developing festival the Writers' Festival and last summer's "International Celebration of while she was teaching at Agnes Scott, con- Southern Literature." The exact number of works written or edited by tained a festival bequest which has saved us Agnes Scott alumnae will never be known, but more than 300 titles are from red ink more than once. Grants from in the collection of McCain Library, and nearly 100 more are in the the Southern Arts Federation have helped a archives and in the alumnae office. The latest group of alumnae penning time or two. And ever since Wallace works: .Mston struggled to find money for that first Chor Jee Chow '54, aiithor of A River Called Beautiful, writes occasion in 1972, the presidents

an autobiographical sketch of her childhood and life in of the College have funded the Singapore. Publisher: Landmark Books 1997, 216 pages. festival at levels not flush but suf- Kathryn Helgesen Fuller '82 writes At the Picture Show: ficient. Small Town Audiences and the Creation of Moi'it' The generosity' of the writers

Fan Culture and contributes Chapter 2, themselves has often made the dif- "Movie-Made Social Science: The Enterprise ference: Many ha\-e come more for of the Payne Fund Studies Researchers," to the ove than tor moiiey. The honorari- book Children and the Movies: Media Influence um tor Robert Penn Warren, who

arid the Payne Fund Controversy. Publisher: came as our 1973 participant with Cambridge University Press 1996, 414 pages George Garrett, was scandalously

Mildred Davis Harding '38 is the author ow given his eminence. Knowing

of Air-Bi7-

Pearl Craigie (John Oliver Hobbes.) It is an historical, other way. analytical and biographical look at the American-born English author Pearl Craigie. Publisher: Associated Remarkable Friendships University Presses 1996, 535 pages. ost remarkable of the friendships Harriet Stovall Kelley '55 displays her poetry in The ArctAngc'l and discounting that extraordinars" love Other Cold Poems. Publisher: HaSk 1996, 27 pages. M aftair oi 20 years between the Collet and Robert Frost, ot course—have

26 —

been relationships with repeat visitors like Distinguished poet Richard Wilbur and Josephine Jacobsen. Michael Harper visited AUTHORS MAXINE KUMIN Wilbur proved susceptible to Professor Emerita first in 1988. He came (above) AND CHARLES JOHNSON (far left) HAVE APPEARED AT Jane Pepperdene's persuasive charms—and we again most recently as Laney WRITERS' FESTIVALS. to his—on some five occasions. A good friend Visiting Professor of Creative Writing in the ABOVE; GUESTS AT THIS of President Marvin Perry, Jacobsen was invit- spring of 1995, when he simultaneously par- YEAR'S EVENT ENJOY CASUAL DISCUSSIONS AS WELL AS ed to participate in his inauguration. She ticipated in his second festival. Steve FORMAL PRESENTATIONS. returned in 1975 to the festival; her talk "One Guthrie, who studied at Brown University Poet's Poetry" was so affecting that the where Harper teaches, was responsible for

College supported its publication. Poet, short this fruitful connection.

story writer and essayist, this extraordinary Memye Curtis Tucker '56 has been still woman came five additional times, gracing our another recurrent participant. Alumna, festival last in 1992. poet, playwright, editor and teacher, Eudora Welty, one of our most treasured Memye has gracefully moderated an interac-

repeat guests, came first to the College dur- tive panel of festival participants on numer- ing the Leyburn and Preston years. Some ous occasions. She was the inevitable inau- time later she became friends with Eleanor gural choice as Distinguished Alumna Hutchens on shipboard en route to England; Writer in 1993. neither likes to fly. That friendship—and At 25, the Writers' Festival has now one that developed with Jane Pepperdene been around long enough for student no doubt promoted her interest in Agnes competitors like Greg Johnson to return as Scott. She came enough times to the distinguished participants. There's no small

College that we felt we shared a special rela- pleasure in that recycling! And if you have

tionship with the quietly humorous and been at the College, as 1 have, during part

modestly self-deprecating writer. What a or all of the last four decades, you have a

blessing to have Eudora seated on your cam- residual satisfaction in gazing at several pus lawn—munching a sandwich from a shelves of valued volumes—autographed by white box and sharing her wit and wisdom the authors of these books, who are also the affably with those seated around her! She creators of some of your own best memories. came last to Agnes Scott as a tribute to

Professor Pepperdene upon her retirement Linda Lentz Hubert '62 is a professor of in 1985. English at Agnes Scott.

27 — —— — —

ANOTHER GEM IN THE LITERARY CROWN

The International Celebration of Southern Literature proved a great literary' and cultural experience, a unique gathering of "writers and scholars."

By Charles McNair Photography by Paul Obregon

"Agnes Scott ne could almost feel the liter- Harry Crews, Yusef Komunyakaa, Donald ary ghosts gathering, proud Harington, Mary Hood, Margaret Walker has brought and tall, on the broad, Alexander, Terry Kay, Tina McElroy Ansa great writers breeze-swept porch of and Garrett. Their catalogue of awards Rebekah Scott Hall to pose Pulitzer, McArthur, O'Connor, etc. —would to campus for Ofor photos alongside 1 3 of the most honored stretch from Decatur to literary Valhalla. living Southern writers. Why was Agnes Scott chosen for this eight decades. An International Celebration of mustering of eminent writers ? Certainly the We're proud Southern Literature, held early last June at setting, with its majestic trees and lovely Agnes Scott College, could rightly have Gothic and Victorian buildings, seemed of those been termed a homecoming. natural for such an event. "It's the only col- intellectual Robert Frost, the most famous American lege in Atlanta that looks the role, it you poet of his generation, frequently visited were casting it for a movie," said one predecessors, Agnes Scott College. Robert Penn Warren Celebration participant. But a deeper reason and pleased and Flannery O'Connor also spent time lec- is simple: Agnes Scott College earned the turing at the College, as did celebrated honor. Years before other schools recognized that the literati such as Eudora Welty, James Dickey, the value of such programs, Agnes Scott John Updike and May Sarton, among was putting creative writing efforts front and tradition has others. The legacy of such noted writers center in its liberal arts curriculum. been renewed that long literary tradition of Agnes Scott "Agnes Scott has brought great writers to formed an almost palpable backdrop for the the campus tor eight decades," says on this scale." tour days of readings, lectures and panels President Mary Brown Bullock '66. "We're that made up the Celebration. proud ot those intellectual predecessors, and A beaming George Garrett, chancellor of we're pleased that the tradition has been the Fellowship of Southern Writers and renewed on this grand scale."

author of 20 books, certainly felt the pres- Linda Lentz Hubert '62 ot the Agnes ence of the past. Scott English faculty agrees. "We started

"It's a pleasure to come to a place that emphasizing the value ot creative writing

has always had a strong tradition of readings and visiting writers long before it became a

and literary events," Garrett said. "My last general addiction ot the times," she says.

visit, I was here with Robert Penn Warren, "We've been doing it—and doing it right whose bemused ghost certainly hovers over for a long time." this place." In addition to the cream ot Southern writing, the program carried a slight inter- Lively Spirits national flavor, with participants from at Hovering ghosts are one thing, hut the least four toreign nations. Celebration marked an assembly ot Thomas McHaney, the Georgia State

one ot the most prestigious groups ot University professor who coordinated the

living writers ever brought together in the program, arranged tor four of the world's South. These luminaries—in the tlesh foremost scholars ot Southern literature to included: Reynolds Price, Ellen Douglas, be on hand as part ot the Celebration. Albert Murray, Fred Chappell, Ernest Gaines, These esteemed academics, from France,

28 29 ,

Germany, Norway and Uruguay, gained Opening night, Reynolds Price, author of 28 valuable new perspectives on the literature books, read a few of his "personal greatest

and culture of the South during their visit, hits" to a big crowd in Gaines Chapel. One helping "internationalize" the region's of the numerous high points came as Price offerings. read a hilarious letter he wrote a few years The noted scholar Lothar Honnighausen ago to Eudora Welty. The letter recounted a of the University of Bonn seemed especially car trip the pair made in younger years, with

swept up by the Celebration. "This is not their epic efforts to procure a tackily fur-

only a great literary experience," he said, nished mobile home for one night, when no

"but a great cultural one as well. In Europe, hotel in Alabama seemed to have a vacant we don't have this tradition of writers and room.

scholars appearing together. It's unique." When Price and Welty, dog-tired, finally slumped to rest on a beaten white couch in Celebration Highlights the trailer home's den, Welty dubiously pat- Agnes Scott College has nurtured liter- ted the cushions. "Reynolds," she said, "if ary moments like these in several this couch could talk, they'd have to bum

ways. Since 1972, the school has it." The line earned a full minute of side- hosted an annual spring Writers' Festival, splitting laughter from the audience.

inviting talented wordsmiths such as Margaret If Price brought down the house, then Atwood, Richard Eberhardt and Howard Atlantan Terry Kay brought out the hand-

Nemerov as teachers. (See previous arti- kerchiefs. His reading from his breakthrough

" cle , "The Love of Words page novel. To Dance with the WTiite Dog, told the 25.) The school also boasts story of Kay's father as he struggled to make a first-rate creative writ- do, old and alone, after his wife's death. A ing curriculum that bittersweet scene describing the old man's emphasizes the value of attempts to make biscuits the way his wife written expression in any once did drew sobs from some listeners.

liberal arts career. Mary Hood, author of acclaimed short A number of moments story collections and a fine novel. Familiar simply dazzled audiences. Heat, showed off her comic timing in a

LEFT TC1 RIGHT: CHARLES MCN.AIR INTERNIEWS .ALBERT MURR.AY .AND ERNEST G.MNES DURING SUND.-W BRUNCH IN EN.ANS L^INING H.ALL.

30 .

REYNOLDS PRICE ENTHRALLS LLSTENERS DURING HI series of wry, elliptical monologues between Memye ^- Pr.c^ read-aloud passages. Hood enjoyed seeing Curtis Tucker her literary colleagues read at Agnes Scott, '56, a versatile she said, because, "Writers are like preachers and accomplished poet who never get to hear preaching— it's fun to who is one of the more celebrated literary meet the people behind the books." alumnae of Agnes Scott, read on the final Margaret Walker Alexander, an Alabama day of the Celebration. "I'm very proud to native introduced as "a strong gust of a be part of this event," Tucker said. "It's an woman" and as "the most honored African- honor for Agnes Scott College and for me." American woman of her generation," delighted attendees with a reading from her Southern Tradition hest-known novel, Jubilee, and with several Sunday Writers' Brunch, complete The ASC African folk tales, retold Southern-style. with jazz combo, capped off the event. celebration She also read her signature poem, "For My A In the finest Southern tradition, People," which ends with historically and guests and writers were packed off for home, will surely politically apocalyptic lines: filled with Southern delights—black-eyed

Let a new world be bom , . peas, fried okra, chicken, pecan pie and a rank as one let a bloody peace be written dozen other sumptuous regional dishes. of the nation's across the skies. International scholar Honnighausen even Donald Harington, a brilliant but little- remarked on the floral decorations set up for most important known writer from Arkansas with nine the brunch, held in Evans Dining Hall. literary novels set in or around the mythical small "Those beautiful flowers," he remarked, town of Stay More, read selections from shaking his head in wonder. "They look like moments. Butterfly Weed. The tall tale involves a naive a Dutch still life. Very impressive. It's all country boy who teaches himself medicine, very impressive." then goes to the city to find a diploma so The scholar didn't say so, but he just that he can set up a "real" medical practice. might have been reviewing the entire Harington's droll reading drew gales of literary event—the Celebration will surely laughter from the crowds. rank as one of the nation's most important Yusef Komunyakaa, a 1994 Pulitzer Prize literary moments of 1996. winner, gave a towering reading. Gripping And it will shine as a real gem in the the lectern with both hands, he cried out literary crown created by Agnes Scott the poems in his book, Neon Vernacular, College through the years. singing lines alternately in a bird's quiet tremelo, then in a lion's roar. Dazzled —Charles McNair, author of the Pulitzer-nom' attendees raved about Komunyakaa's read- inated Land O' Goshen, is the business editor ing the next day. of South Magazine. — LIFESTYLES

From academics to rock 'n' roll; a mediator for community's disputes; a 'Joundation'' in art; planting seeds; preserving tomorrow's heritage

J SCOTT PHOTO A RECORD- and learning rock classics SETTING LIFE, by the likes of Jimi BODY & SOUL Hendrix and Led Zeppelin and studying tunes off the

Joy Howard soul label Stax. She sold Waters '91 her car, took a job working The critics who railed 20 hours each week, against Joy Howard including some manual

Waters' life-changing deci- labor, and "lived like a

sion to give up a Truman pauper." But she loved it

Scholarship and graduate because she was "working

school for the life of a rock with people who were so

'n' roll musician with non-verbal" and chasing

Seely, an Atlanta-based her dream.

hand, were silenced with For Waters, seeing the

the Oct. 15 release of "Julie finished product of her

Only," the first of a four- labor as an artist is more

record deal on the Too than a dream come true

it's Nirvana. Her trip to the Pure/American label, dis- After turning down a scholarship for graduate study, joy tributed by Warner Howard Waters has built a career as a rock and roll musician. Ultimate began this year

Brothers. when at a sold-out concert

Waters says she termi- passive. 1 wasn't using my Graduate school had she handed John McEntire,

nated her Truman Scholar- body and soul. I was tired become just another step who eventually engineered

ship and departed graduate of having to think so far along the path that had left and helped produce Seely 's

"1 school in favor of her new ahead. My life had been a her feeling unfulfilled. album, a cocktail napkin

career because she couldn't seamless narrative." Waters still had creative impulses," and a copy of the band's

continue to struggle in a put her finger on her frus- she says of her time at first CD, "Parentha See."

world strangling her with tration with academia and Emory, "but 1 was very sick Only a tew days later,

words, even though writing describes it as "people were of words. I had been study- Waters recei\ed a phone

poetry had become her blowing hot air all the ing post-structuralist theo- call from McEntire, saying

singular focus. time, and there was so ry, and it undemiined my he wanted to talk about

"I was done with people much talking and so little faith in creating only recording the band.

and done with giving peo- being said." through language." With the album. Waters

ple answers about what I For a while, her drive Then, while lea\ing has come full circle in her

was doing," she says. "I had for personal satisfaction graduate school in the struggle with words. She's

been doing academic work took her to Emory Uni- spring of 1994, Waters taken up wTiting l\Tics.

for six years, and I wanted versity, where she worked found herself attracted to "In the beginning, I had

to do something more on a Ph.D. in comparative playing bass guitar. She no desire to wxite l>Tics. I

holistic. Everything I was literature. Still, that learned her new trade wanted to lea\e language

doing was sitting down and wasn't the solution. while listeniiig to records behind—there are other

32 LIFESTYLE

ways of communicating put a name on a song, it s graduate fellowship. While the College a second time

and perceiving [the use of] an act of power over the in Africa, she began when Seely hit the road for

your body," she says. song and places it in the preparing for her literary its tour.

On the other hand, the visual and verbal world." career, taking courses in Waters is married to

experience of making At Agnes Scott, Waters literary theory and post- Charles, a jazz musician

music lends itself to words, studied political science colonial literature and trav- and composer, who is "very

she adds. and dabbled in creative eling around southern hip" on her career as a

"The lyrics came from writing; as a graduate stu- Africa making speeches. musician. They live in the

the music and the mood of dent, she studied at the She recently returned to Cabbagetown section of

the music, and they had to University of Cape Town, ASC as coordinator of Atlanta. be true to that. When you South Africa, on a Rotary student activities, but left —Dolly Purvis '89

KENT JOHNSON PHOTO COMMUNITY PEACE MAKER

Deborah-Gail Erb Manigault '89

T uvenile fist fights. Family disputes. Property rights

1 violations. They are minor cases but rampant in num-

bers, backlogging the judicial court system.

'89 Deborah-Gail Erb Manigault works as a commu- ^^P-M'-^ft flflj^^^^^^B' ~ "^hHHI nity relations specialist for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Neighborhood Development Department in Charlotte,

N.C., to ease the city's court burden citizens and enable Manigault; Empowering others to solve personal disputes. to resolve their conflicts amicably.

The psychology and Bible and religion graduate As a preventive measure, Manigault and her staff

serves as a mediator and also trains volunteer media- train neighborhoods in mediation and conflict resolu-

tors—individuals who act as an impartial third party, tion: using "I feel" versus "you did" statements and

helping disputants resolve their conflicts without legal teaching people to act versus react.

intervention. The government-funded program is also active in

The majority of disputants have a previous history race relations. Recently, in a potentially volatile case

with one another, such as neighbors arguing over a prop- involving a black woman and a white male police offi-

erty issue. If the two decide to settle out of court, they cer, the department called town hall meetings, providing

see Manigault or someone on her paid or volunteer staff. citizens the opportunity to discuss the situation and their

Or, if the case involves juveniles, the juvenile court sys- feelings about it. Although racial problems exist in the

tem may refer the disputants to Manigault. growing city of about one million people, Manigault

In mediation, the two people meet face to face. "They Delieves these programs are lessening the potential for

see the effect of their actions and hear each other describe violent outbreaks.

how they felt and the losses they may have incurred." Also the mother of a toddler, Manigault has found

Only 50 percent of the people filing court cases agree ler niche in this work. "I always wanted to be in a

to mediate. Many are so angry, they view court interven- Deace-making role, empowering people to resolve prob-

tion as their only option, explains Manigault. But those ems peacefully. I'm lucky to be working in a job I feel so

who do choose mediation often leave the process with passionately about."

skills they can use at home, she adds. —^Leisa Hammett-Goad

33 LIFESTYLE

ART AS THE pupils to "sit" with clay. To they created. That comes interim minister at WELLSPRING "center." To listen to from the expectation of Columbia Presbyterian FOR FAITH Scriptures being read. To producing something, espe- Church in Decatur. hear what the Scriptures cially something good, She began exploring

Martha Jane Morgan say to them. And then, to beautiful and pretty. What what happened to art in Petersen '57 use their hands to mold. they are creating is express- the church and what other Art can open the well- "What the artist makes ing something about them- Presbyterian churches and spring in our hearts visible comes from the selves. But this gives them seminaries were doing with

so that we can relate to invisible, the interior of our the opportunity to reflect art, plus interviewing artists

God more fully." natures," says Petersen. on their and attending conferences

In her life's story, "In the contem- on the subject. "Energy,

Martha Jane Morgan excitement" and "invigo-

Petersen '57 has played rating" are words Petersen

the part of student, nurse, uses repeatedly to describe

mother, missionary, Pres- her discoveries. Her inter-

byterian minister's wife and est led her to leave her paid

Presbyterian minister. staff position and accept an

But it was art that appointment as a parish

opened the wellspring of associate for art in the

her heart and deepened her church. A parish associate,

religious faith. she explains, is someone

In classes, conferences, who has a calling other

retreats and individual than parish ministry. Also

counseling, she also helps included in her calling are

others link their faith with spiritual formation and nur-

art. turance. In addition to

"Words can he misun- teaching people about faith

uses an derstood. They can even be Uanha Petersen and art, Petersen leads toopendoorwa:)stohelp cheap. But art offers an plative setting, prayer retreats. their faith, others deepen alternative," says Petersen. the pupil can center, play Gradually, she is incor-

"It can be used to connect and be spontaneous. It is a porating art into her prayer

with God through color, process of letting go. And lives visually, granting retreats and her work as a

shape and form. As we that carries over between them permission to put spiritual guide, which she

grow in our spiritual lives, our spiritual lives and what their hands into clay," she describes as someone who

many of us find nurture in we create. I find that very says. helps others to explore

the visual symbols and sites exciting." It was not until mid-life faith issues and discern

around us." The creation process, that Petersen embarked on how God is leading them

The Atlanta resident however, can seem risky to her unusual career. During in their lives.

has taken a few painting, Petersen's conferees. the late 1980s and early Petersen's own spiritual

quilting and fabric art class- "They're expressing their 1990s, the South Carolina guide told her, "1 don't

es. But she loves most to feelings, risking exposure. native earned masters and know if God is doing art

use the medium of clay At first, people are anxious. doctorate degrees from through you. He's definite-

when leading retreats. They don't want anyone to Columbia Theological ly doing you through art."

Petersen encourages her see the 'stupid little thing' Seminar^' and served as an —Lt'isa Hammett-Goai

34 LIFESTYLE

LAURA SIKES PHOTO PLANTING SEEDS TO GROW A LOVE OF NATURE

Elizabeth. Fortson Wells '65

Botanist Elizabeth Fortson Wells' '65 fondness for plants was kindled by her father when she was a preschooler.

Today her personal and professional pursuit has led her to rediscover the flora

that George Washington

once loved.

The professor was

recently hired to conduct a

"diversity study" on a

forested section of Wash- Cataloging plants at Mount Vernon has been one way Elizabeth Wells '65 teaches conservation.

ington's estate. The estate

is creating a nature trail in were not known to be in plant species growing in PRESERVING

its wooded area, once off- the area. While tediously the forests, hilly sections, YESTERDAY limits to the public. noting approximately 500 flat and wet lands and FOR For a year, Wells and specimens, Wells saw a coastal plains surrounding TOMORROW two of her George Wash- bald eagle and an osprey, Washington, D.C. During

ington University students perhaps descendants of their travels, the students June Hall McCash '60 and Mary Byrd spent spare time and those Washington once learn to document, collect Davis '58 weekends documenting observed. and, upon their return to and collecting the proper- Each summer. Wells the school laboratory, press Two Agnes Scott ty's plant species so they teaches an undergraduate and label approximately alumnae, both writers/

could be labeled for the course on flora of the mid- 300 plant species. editors, are devoting their

visiting public. One stu- Atlantic states. The class Wells' guiding principle careers to preserving the

dent conducted library ventures to a West Virginia and long-term goal is to past so humankind can

research to determine bog atop a mountain, down teach people, both amateur appreciate it now and in

which animals, including to Atlantic Ocean sand and the professional, about the future.

amphibians, reptiles, birds dunes and to the mouth of plants. "If we want people June Hall McCash '60

and mammals, are usually the Delaware River to to conserve and care about travels between the 12th

found in the region but study salt marshes and the plant communities, we and 20th centuries, inter-

were not seen during their southernmost coastal cran- need to teach as much as preting the roles of

visits. berry bog. The students we know about them." medieval women and their

Some of their findings also learn to recognize —Leisa Hammett-Goad central influence. And

35 — LIFESTYLE LETTERS

Mary Byrd Davis '58 is French and humanities Thank you for including come to Mary on behalf of

working to preserve ancient professor, was honored in Carol Willey's article in the ASC faculty. 1 am

your fall '95 issue. 1 feel very disappointed that the eastern forests as models for 1996 by the Agnes Scott that it placed the most role of the faculty in future conservation. Alumnae Association as an important issues facing welcoming the President McCash recently edited outstanding alumna for her women today in a light was not recorded in this The Cultural Patronage of career contributions. that will not be forgotten. historical issue. I am also

Medieval Women and an Media attention this Corporate domination of disappointed as Mary's

overview describes the decade has spotlighted the medicine, the insurance classmate because it was scam, and the inept a joy mostly wealthy women fea- ancient cathedral-like such and honor for approach our society takes me personally to welcome tured: queens and other forests of the western toward breast cancer are her. nobility, nuns and widows United States. However, those vital issues, and I have two additional of western Europe and the little is discussed about the Carol Willey showed just comments, both in rela- Byzantine empire. ancient forests of the east. how life-and-death they tion to the statement

"Medieval women had Davis is working fervently are. attributed to me on '87 to find ways to assert their to change that. Claudette Cohen Page 9. First, by taking parts of the speech and ideas in a society that The Kentucky resident juxtaposing them to didn't offer them a lot of solicited scholarly essays, I have just this moment make one statement, finished reading every you ways to do that." Women edited and compiled them lost grammatical and word (some of them were not allowed to assert in Eastern Old Growth semantic coherence. twice!) of the alumnae

political power, so they Forests ; Prospects for Thus the second predic- magazine dedicated to tion, as it is printed, asserted cultural power, Rediscovery and Recovery, Mary Brown Bullock's fails to clearly state my explains McCash. the first book devoted to inauguration. In words,

meaning. I was talking Through the patronage the topic. Davis explains pictures and format it was about my conviction a significant gift to those of writers, artists and trou- that old growth forests that Mary would be of us not privileged to be badours, she continues, often support indigenous welcoming of different there. "they dignified their fami- wildlife and are living mod- approaches to and defini- 1 was quite moved lies, making them better els for proper conservation. tions of scholarship and thank you for this gift. teaching excellence. known. They promoted Trees can be cut correctly, Good wishes in all you do. My second point con- sons and their other chil- but if all the trees are cut, Doris Sullivan '49 cerning this page is that dren's futures. And they there is no model. Tippens my title is recorded had things written for reli- Davis is co-founder of incorrectly. Thank you for your efforts gious reasons—to glorify Wild Earth magazine. Edited These concerns would in bringing us an issue we God or a saint." by her son, John Davis, the not ha\e mattered as will keep and cherish for a Contributions from this magazine is devoted to pre- much tor an ordinary long time. 1 know it must issue, this is histori- patronage include the first serving natural areas. but an have involved a lot of hard cal issue many people materials written about the The ASC English major work tor you and your (including myself) will legendary King Arthur; the also established Ygdrasil staff'. keep forever, an issue first books about animals; Institute for old growth It contains some major future historians of the disappointments for me, and the spread of vernacu- forest and other environ- college will use as a however, especially con- lar writing—materials writ- mental research. Ygdrasil is primary source. 1 wish it cerning my role in the ten in French, English and Scandinavian for the had appeared without inauguration ot the these problems. German versus Latin. mythological tree holding President. On page 10, you Ayse Ilgaz Carden '66 McCash, a Middle the world together. do not mention that 1 Professor of Psychology Tennessee State University —Leisa Hamn\ett'Goad extended the official wel-

36 . 2 GIVING ALUMNA

" "I think 1 can never repay Agnes Scott for being so good to me

FRANCES S. GARRETT '37 When The Princeton Review handed out the glowing "dorms-like-palaces" assessment of Agnes Scott's residence

Home: Atlanta, Georgia halls, the thanks were due in large part to Frances Steele Garrett

Age: 83 '37. As chair of the College's Acquisitions Committee (in antici-

Occupation: Retired pation of the Centennial Campaign and Celebration), Garrett

Husband: Franklin M. Garrett solicited, acquired and refurbished many antique furnishings for

Children: One (deceased), three grandchildren the historic campus.

Her work helped Garrett gamer the 1990 "Outstanding

Alumnae Award for Service to the College" but was a mere "tip of

the iceberg." By the time she received the award, Garrett had

served as class president. Annual Fund chair for her class, a mem-

ber of the ASC Alumnae Association's nominating, admission and

awards committees, as a career planning representative on the

Alumnae Board and on the Centennial Celebration Steering and

Exhibition committees.

Garrett's most recent contribution to her alma mater is in

endowing an unrestricted scholarship fund in her name and that of

her husband, Franklin. Garrett's gift to the College continues to be

enhanced by a two-for-one matching gift from The Coca-Cola

Company, Garrett's employer from 1956 to 1978.

An Atlanta native who grew up in Anniston, Ala., Garrett

admits a "very" soft spot in her heart for the College.

Agnes Scott has opened many doors in many ways for

me," says Garrett.

"When I went to my first job after graduation

and then when I applied with The Coca-Cola

Company, they would say, 'I see you graduated

from Agnes Scott. No problem.' They would

know the background of the liberal arts

college, and that it was a place where women

excel. For that reason, I think I can never

repay Agnes Scott for being so good to me.

This gift is one little thing we can do."

—Mary Alma Durrett

Last year matching gifts added $97,4 1

to the Annual Fund. For more information

about the matching gift program, contact Chris Pomar in the Office of Development, 404/638- 6476 or e-mail him at cpomar@asc .agnesscott.edu.

37 .

Agnes Scott College Nonprofit 141 E. College Ave. Organization Decatur, GA 30030 U.S. Postage PAID Decatur, GA 30030 Permit No. 469

'^ r Strategic ^^'[f^fggiC^I^^BIII^^^^ Directions ,^^m^^] Directions 1 '-• "I believe Agnes Scott has a AGNES ~™b: ^ SCOTT '''1 destiny not yet fulfilled. First, COLLEGE ^ we reaffirm our founding %^^^ legacy—a liberal arts college for women with the highest PV. annunciates its plans for the - next century. Discover the College's "Strategic Directions" in the ^ / special center section of this issue

• Let Us Hear From You: Lool< for the special Readers' Survey in the center of the magazine. tj ^ Printed on Recycled Paper