'Spanx' Entrepreneur Launches Foundation
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‘Spanx’ entrepreneur launches foundation Sara Blakely By Bayard Stern the national debate championship, Managing Editor belonged to the Delta Delta Delta sorority, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of tarting with an idea born out Communication in 1993. of sheer necessity and a pair of “My experiences on the de- scissors, Florida State University bate team taught me how to view alumna, philanthropist and TV issues from all angles, and this has personality Sara Blakely invented, helped me run Spanx,” Blakely patented and now produces body- said. “Almost daily I have to make shaping undergarments and big decisions where it’s critical to pantyhose she named “Spanx.” strategically think about both With no business training or sides of all the issues.” experience in the clothing indus- Blakely credits her college try, Blakely, a Clearwater, Fla., na- friends with helping her launch tive, started Spanx in 2000 out of the business. her Atlanta apartment with only “A lot of my sorority sisters $5,000 in savings. Seven years helped me out when I was start- have passed, and her business has ing,” she said. “They sent out tons flourished. It now boasts more of e-mails and talked about Spanx than $150 million in retail sales. to anyone who would listen. We She said her FSU education all went to many department and the relationships she formed stores and told people about it and during college helped her to suc- modeled it. I believe this effort pro- ceed. Blakely was a member of the vided our first loyal network of debate team at FSU when it won (Continued on page 15) Spanx.com FSU chemist uses light-activated molecules to kill cancer cells a branch of chemistry known as photochemistry, in which the in- teractions between atoms, small molecules and light are analyzed. “When one of the two strands of our cellular DNA is broken, in- tricate cell machinery is mobilized to repair the damage,” he said. “Only because this process is effi- cient can humans function in an environment full of ultraviolet ir- radiation, heavy metals and other factors that constantly damage our cells.” However, a cell that sustains so much damage that both DNA strands are broken at the same time eventually will commit sui- cide — a process known as apop- tosis. November 2007 “In our research, we’re work- ing on ways to induce apoptosis in cancer cells — or any cells that Igor V. Alabugin have harmful genetic mutations — by damaging both of their FSU Photo LabDNA / Bill Lax strands,” Alabugin said. Non-Profit By Barry Ray — think of the brute-force ap- “We have found that a group of Organization U.S. Postage FSU News and Public Affairs proach of chemotherapy, for in- cancer-killing molecules known as 1600 Red Barber Plaza, Suite 104 PAID stance. To address this challenge, lysine conjugates can identify a Florida State University Permit #1884 Florida State University re- damaged spot, or ‘cleavage,’ in a Tallahassee, FL 32310-6068 Little Rock, AR key challenge facing doc- searchers are investigating tech- single strand of DNA and then in- tors as they treat patients suffering niques for using certain molecules duce cleavage on the DNA strand from cancer or other diseases re- that, when exposed to light, will opposite the damage site. This sulting from genetic mutations is kill only the harmful cells. ‘double cleavage’ of the DNA is that the drugs at their disposal of- Igor V.Alabugin is an associ- very difficult for the cell to repair ten don’t discriminate between ate professor of chemistry and bio- and typically leads to apoptosis.” healthy cells and dangerous ones chemistry at FSU. He specializes in (Continued on page 15) 2 / November 2007 November 2007 / 3 Remembering FSU President Emeritus Bernard F. ‘Bernie’ Sliger By Jill Elish versity acquired three supercom- istration and then organized the Assistant Director, puters. He put the establishment Louisiana Coordinating Council FSU News and Public Affairs of the FAMU-FSU College of En- for Higher Education, becoming gineering high on his list of major its executive director from 1969 to Florida State University Pres- achievements, and the acquisition 1972. ident Emeritus Bernard F. Sliger, of the Panama City Campus was An economist and scholar in who served as the university’s also a point of pride. In addition, the special field of economic theo- 10th president, will be remem- FSU rose to the pinnacle of inter- ry and public finance, he frequent- bered as much for his easygoing collegiate athletics and joined the ly served as consultant to private nature and love of students as the Atlantic Coast Conference; fund- and public commissions and or- forward-thinking leadership he ing was approved for the multi- ganizations. Sliger served as chair- provided during a long period of million-dollar University Center; man of Florida Gov. Reubin unprecedented growth at the uni- and the idea for the College of Askew’s Economic Advisory versity. Medicine was first explored. Council in 1976-77 and was ap- Sliger died Oct. 10 in Michi- Following his retirement, pointed by the Florida Legislature gan. He was 83. Sliger served at FSU as the direc- as a member of theAcademic Task “Dr. Sliger was one of FSU’s tor of the GusA. Stavros Center for Force for Review of the Insurance most outstanding presidents,” the Advancement of Free Enter- and Tort System in 1986-88. He said FSU President T.K. Wetherell. prise and Economic Education served as a member of the Board “He promoted higher academic and as a professor of economics. of Directors of the Federal Reserve standards and the growth of each Earlier this year, FSU hon- Bank of Atlanta from 1983 to 1988 faculty member, staff person and ored Sliger at its Heritage Day cel- and was a member of the Ameri- student. But for Bernie Sliger, FSU ebration with a special video trib- can College Testing Board of would not be the institution it is to- ute and the unveiling Trustees from 1981 to 1987, serving day.He was a special person with of a bronze statue of Bernard F. Sliger as chairman from 1985 to 1987. a unique combination of intelli- him created by FSU In addition to dozens of state gence and enthusiasm. There will alumna Melinda Cooper. and local organizations, he served never be another Bernie.” Best known simply as as a member of many national or- Sliger served as president “Bernie,” Sliger was much loved ganizations, including the South- from 1977 to 1991 after serving by the university community. His eastern Universities Research As- LEARNING ALL DAY, four years as the university’s exec- self-effacing manner belied a keen sociation; Universities Research utive vice president and chief aca- intellect and a serious scholar Association, Executive Committee demic officer. The popular leader highly regarded as an economist. and Board of Trustees; National was asked to return to the helm as Sliger was famous during his pres- Association of State Universities FSU Photo Lab LAUGHING ALL NIGHT. interim president after his succes- idency for his walks across cam- and Land Grant Colleges; Ameri- sor, Dale Lick, resigned in 1993. pus and his casual appearance — ball or Frisbee with them and the institution.” can Council on Education, ACE Sliger served in that capacity until a linen shirt and trousers — that students just loved it,” Edwards He started the named profes- Labor/Higher Education Council; Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte be- matched his easy-going manner said. “They were going to Bernie’s sorships for faculty as a way to in- International Association of Uni- WE REMEMBER COLLEGE came president in 1994. with students, faculty and staff. house.” crease salaries and boost morale. versity Presidents; Council on “Bernie was my friend before “He was probably the most Edwards, who served on the A native of Trout Creek, Competitiveness; and the Joint I worked for him,” D’Alemberte amiable person I ever met,” said Faculty Senate Steering Commit- Mich., Sliger held three degrees — Council on Economic Education said. “In all my dealings with him, Professor of Physics Emeritus and tee when Sliger first came to FSU a bachelor’s, master’s and doctor- Board of Trustees. LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. I knew him as a very smart man former Dean of the Faculties Steve as an executive vice president, re- ate—fromMichiganStateUniver- In 1987, Sliger was appointed without pretensions, rare enough Edwards. “He was extremely membered that meeting with the sity, all in economics. to a four-year term on the NCAA around a university, but rarer still easygoing.Rightawayyoufeltlike committee was one of the first Born Sept. 30, 1924, he began Presidents Commission. In 1989, WAIT. IT WAS YESTERDAY. was his great humanity and love an old friend of his.” things he did. his educational career as an in- he was named chair of NCAA Di- for people. He was a great presi- In fact, Sliger was widely re- “It was obvious he was really structor in Michigan’s Interior vision1-A,chairofthePresidential dent of FSU, a man without ene- garded as a friend of students and afriendofthefaculty,andhemade Township Schools in 1947. He Nominating Committee of the mies, and everyone who knew faculty alike. He started the Presi- that clear later when he became taught at FSU, Michigan State, Presidents Commission and a him will be sad.” dent’s Ice Cream Social, a tradition president,” Edwards recalled. Louisiana State and Southern uni- member of the NCAA Special During Sliger’s tenure, stu- that continues today as a way for “Making sure the faculty versities. Committee on Cost Reduction.