Meredith herald
Volume XI, Issue 1 August 25, 1994 Raleigh, North Carolina
New vice president for student development steps up to bat
by Christina Peoples
There is a new vice president up to
bat, but she is not your typical admin
istrator. In feet, there is nothing typical
about Dr. Jean Jackson who was ap
pointed vice president of Student De-
vetopment effective July 1.
In addition to her new role as ad
ministrator. Jackson has hit several
homeruns in other significant roles at
Meredith College. She has been an
excellent student, a student leader, an
English department feculty mend>er
for 11 years, and she was offered the
chair of the department this same year
priorto her appointment as vice presi
dent.
These varied roles are evident by
tiie AmeriestivLitetatiH'e books^on her
de^ among the piles of administrative
papers and the boxes upon boxes of
English books yet to be unpacked and
placed on Jackson’s non-existent book
shelves, which she hopes to get soon.
There is also an apple on her desk ina
typical teacher feshion and a piaure of
her dog, Willie.
“The school mattered absolutely to
me as a student. It was exactly the right
place for me, but it is not for every
one," said Jackson. “Meredith is the
kind of place that invites investment of
self. I have found that the nK>re I have
given, 1 have gotten lots more in re
turn."
Jackson
graduated
magna cum
laude from
Meredith in
1975 with
degrees in
religion and
EngUsh. She
continued
her studies
at the Uni
versity of Il
linois where
she received
4ier master’s-
and Ph.D.
degrees in
English. She
then taught
at the University of Illinois from 1976
to 1982 before joining Meredith’s fec-
ultyinl983.
The duties of Jackson’s role as vice
president of Student Development are
as follows; coordinating and directing
the offices of the Campus Minister,
Personal Growth and Counseling Cen
ter, Dean of Students, Student Activi
ties and Leadership Development, Resi
dence Life and Career Services.
“Dr. Jackson brings to this position'
experi'
e n c e ,
strength,
warmth,
creativ
ity and a
1 a: r g e
dose of
human
ity. I
think
she will
offer the
kind of
effective
leader
ship our
sti^ents
d c -
serve,”
said Meredith College President John
Weems.
Willie (the dog) thinks the hours
Jackson works are quite long, and he
does not enjoy being reprimanded for
jumping on his owner’s new profes
sion^ clothes. Jackson said she brought
Willie to orientation events twice, and
Dr. Jean Jackson steps up to bat in her new starting
position as vice president of student development.
Students slide into their new home at Meredith
by Claiky Lucas
Freshmen and transfers experi
enced their first taste of life at Meredith
during orientation this past week.
They arrived by carloads under the
balloon rain bow on Ai^ust 18 to begin
a new adventure in their lives.
“A League of Our Own" was the
theme of orientation, which pitched
out information to help the new stu
dents learn about their surroundings.
Their days were filled with meetings,
meals and new bees.
Students touched base with stu
dent advisors throi^out the week to
discuss choosing classes, exploring
campus and registering for courses.
“Student advisors were able to
welcome the new students and give
them a good taste of the Meredith
community and a glance of a new
beginning," said Joi Williams, junior.
Students spent time with their fec-
ulty advisors who gave them insight on
what classes they might be interested
in taking.
“Havinga feculty advisor has helped
because 1 have no idea what 1 want to
do, and having someone who can help
me decide what courses to take has
been beneficial,' said Susan Jenkins,
freshman.
Other aaivities through the week
helped break the ice. Movies and
picnics in the Courtyard gave the stu
dents a chance to relax after the meet
ings and tests.
“Pizza parties late at night on the
hall has helped us to get to know
everyone," said Hettie Nelms.
lUm Littlefield, assistant for First
Year Experience and Leadership De
velopment, has assisted in making the
freshman transition from home to
school a little easier. She has taken on
a position that is focused solely on
fi'eshmen and first year concerns.
“A compilation of ideas Irom mi-
ous staff members within the division
of Student Development made orien
tation a real team effort. Woiking with
the committee generated more ae-
ativity which resulted in a positive
orientation experience," said
Littlefield.
Now that classes have begun, it is
time to see if all of that coaching during
the past week on Meredith’s rules,
regulations, classes and opportunities
will prepare the new students to play
the academic game and come out win
ners.
the students played fetch with him
when the movie in the courtyard was
not able to be shown. He is enjoying
that aspect of campus life.
Jackson said the decision to leave
the English department ms a difficult
one because the two jobs are so differ
ent, but she hopes to teach in a differ
ent way outside of the traditional class
room In the future she plans to teach
a few classes in the English depart
ment whenever she can because she
will still remain a faculty member.
'1 was teaching summer school in
Hunter, and my class was taking their
midterm exam on the day 1 wrote my
letter to the department about my new
job," saidjack^. ‘I became so upset
that I had to go out to the hall, just as
Nan Miller was comiog down.the hall
to congratulate me after hearing the
news. Itwas funny because Nan was so
happy for me, and I was standing there
weeping.
“I 'm thrilled over my hew position.
It is my instina to want to do more.
The work is exciting, and I expect to
love it, but 1 could say the same thing
see Jackson page seven
What's inside
the Herald?
Orientation 1994
center spread
Okay, I know it isn't
much, but it is only the
first issue.
Next week look for us to
be back to press with an
eight- page issue on
Wednesday.