™S HERALD
September 30, 2015
“Going Strong” Continues to Succeed
Sarah Kiser, Staff Writer
MEREDITH | Going Strong
Photo Credits Meredith College Marketing Department
From billboards on 40 to Pandora,
the marketing department at Meredith
College has utilized many advertising
channels to promote Going Strong.
The Going Strong campaign was
created in the spring of 2013 to
“increase perceptions of our academic
rigor and awareness of [Meredith] as
well as increasing enrollment,” said
Karen Dunton, Managing Director
of Marketing. Also, “Marketing is
working to enhance fundraising” and
“we are also focused on promoting
Meredith’s 125 year anniversary,” said
Kristi Eaves -McLennan, Executive
Director of Marketing.
According to Dunton, an external
group was brought in to conduct
qualitative and quantitative research
about the awareness and perceptions
of Meredith. A creative firm then
interviewed current students,
alumnae, faculty, staff and parents to
see what image of the college needed
to be presented.
The campaign was created as a multi
year strategy, and is currently in the
beginning stages. “In a couple of years
we will redo the research and see if
we’ve gone ahead,” said Dunton. The
biggest challenge for creating more
awareness of the college is not having
enough budget to reach all the desired
audiences.
The phrase “Going Strong” is
considered the brand platform. “It has
come across as very authentic. We’ve
had a great response from alums,
students, and parents” and “Going
Strong has helped the college and
will continue to do so,” said Dunton.
The different teams making up the
Marketing Department, including the
writing and design teams, regularly
make small changes to the creative
outlet depending on the feedback they
receive, but Going Strong is here to
stay.
Big picture advertising such as
billboards have been most effective for
increasing awareness and perception.
For recruitment, digital marketing
and email has been most successful.
“This year will see an increase in
digital marketing and ad targeting,
but a decrease in television ads,” said
Dunton.
The Going Strong campaign has
increased “what our peer institutions
think of us, which effects rankings,
and the value we bring to the
community.” By improving the
perception of Meredith “we are
showing our strength, and hopefully
strengthening the community around
us,” said Dunton. “It has also helped
raise the visibility of wings, the
College’s program for adult students,”
said Eaves-McLennan.
For example, the class of 2019 is
one of the largest freshman classes
in Meredith history. “I definitely
think that the campaign has helped
Meredith stand out and has helped
young women, and in the case of the
grad program, some young women
and men, take note of us differently
than they might have a few years
ago.” Also, the graduate and post
baccalaureate programs had a 40%
increase in enrollment this year.
“As we enter the third year of the
branding campaign. Going Strong still
had a great deal of life in it and will
be used as long as it remains effective
and rings true with the College’s
audiences,” said Eaves-McLennan.
“I think that so far Going Strong has
been a successful campaign that we
look forward to continuing for the next
few years to see what more we can do
with it” said Dunton.
Meredith Taking Steps Avenging Angels Back
Towards Suicide Prevention in Action
Caroline Garrett, Staff Writer
During the week of September 14-
18, Meredith College began its first
Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Week. That same Monday, an NC
State student jumped to his death,
bringing the issue of suicide close to
home. In the wake of the tragedy,
NCSU students came
together, encouraging
counseling for those who
needed it, ensuring that
no one was alone, and
reminding everyone
of the power of
community.
Mental illness is
common, especially
among college students. It
is estimated that one in four
college students suffers from
a mental illness and that over forty
percent of college students show some
signs of depression. Statistics show
that suicide is the third leading cause
of death among college students, and
four out of eveiy five who consider
suicide show signs of depression.
This issue is so widespread and those
struggling shouldn’t feel ashamed to
reach out for help from the Meredith
community.
At Meredith College, students have
access to resources that can provide
support to those in need. Suicide
Prevention and Awareness Week was
the first step towards bringing light to
such a sensitive subject and erasing the
stigma surrounding mental illnesses,
such as depression, which is a high
risk factor for suicide. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health,
some common signs of depression
include loss of interest in
previously enjoyed activities,
isolation or withdrawal
from others, difficulties
with concentration or
sleep, and feelings of
worthlessness or guilt.
Counselors suggest that
if you notice yourself
or any of your friends
experiencing any of these
signs, reach out to someone you
trust, or make an appointment with
the counseling center on campus. Beth
Meier, the Director of Counseling at
Meredith, says that suicide awareness
in the Meredith community can help
the campus be engaged and lead to
difficult, but necessary conversations.
“Challenging the cultural biases and
judgments about mental illness [can
end] the stigma of getting help. It
doesn’t have to be that different from
getting help for a physical illness,”
said Meier.
Photo Credits suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Julia Allisbrook, Staff Writer
The three Avenging Angel fall sports
teams are back in action, kicking,
spiking and running their way to re
peat championships. Meredith was
the recipient of the 2015 USA South
Women' s President’s Cup last Spring,
naming Meredith the top women’s
athletics program in the conference.
This could not have been done without
the help of the cross-country, soccer,
and volleyball teams.
The cross-country team is three races
deep into the season, placing high in
all three. The Angels started the sea
son against William Peace were Mer
edith clinched the first eight finishing
spots and defeated the Pacers. As their
Catawba College invitational was can
celled, the ladies picked back up at the
Barton College invitational on Sept.
11. The Angels placed second out of
eight teams. Leading the pack in this
race was freshman Macy Brinson and
senior Allie Gallagher. The next race
was the Addidas Cross Country Invita
tional, where the Angels placed third
out of 10 teams. Point contributors in
cluded, Brinson, Itzel Gonzalez, Galla
gher, Kierstyn Horton and Mary Kate
Morgan. The next race for the Angels
is the Hagan Stone Cross Country
Classic on Saturday Oct. 3 at Pleasant
Garden
The soccer team is ten matches into
the season and currently holding a
6-4 record overall; however, 4-0 in
conference. Offensively leading the
Angels is freshman Jessica Wallace
with 8 goals on the season, along with
sophomore Sam Litt and freshman
Celena Greer both with 3 assists. De
fensively, sophomore Jaisa Loch has
recorded 39 saves. Last year’s regular
season champs are currently tied with
Piedmont in the conference both with
4-0 records. The next match for the
angels is Wednesday Sept. 30 against
Greensboro College.
Finally, the Avenging Angel volley
ball team is also on the road to success
as the ladies are currently 10-6 overall
and 5-1 in conference. The reigning
North Division Champions are look
ing for a hopeful repeat and confer
ence championship. The angels are led
offensively by junior Karlie Long who
is averaging about 4 kills a set, and has
accumulated 181 kills overall. Long
also just recently marked 1,000 kills in
her career here at Meredith. Helping
Long out at the net is sophomore Han
nah Blaylock who is averaging 8 as
sists a set. Defensively, junior Emery
McGee has recorded 182 digs on the
season so far. The Angels’ next match
is this Wednesday, Sept. 30 against
William Peace. Come on out and sup
port our fall sports teams as they fall
right back into success.
STAFF
Editors: Cody Jeffery, Editor in Chief. Rachel Pratl, Assistant Editor. Emily Chilton, A & E Editor and Copy Editor. Cheyenne Williams, Editorials Editor. Laura Douglass, News Editor.
Kristen Lawhorne, Online Editor. Olivia McElvaney, Online Editor and Layout Editor. Savanna Matthews, Layout Editor. Dr. Rebecca Duncan, Advisor.
Staff Writers: Sarah Kiser, Caroline Garrett, Julia Allsbrook, Kaity Melvin, Abigail Ojeda, Brooke Mayo, Katherine Soost, Kat Bonner,
Brook Boatright, M’beyanna Robinson, Bryana Woods.
The Meredith Herald is produced by the College throughout the academic year. The paper is funded by the College and through independent advertising. The opinions expressed in the edito
rial columns do not necessarily reflect those of the college administration, faculty, or student body. The policy of this paper requires that submissions be made by 5:00 p.m. the Thursday before
publication and that contributors sign all submissions and provide necessary contact information. The editors and staff welcome submissions meeting the above guidelines.