Emma Gomes, Staff Writer
Two decades have passed
since the last renovation of
Meredith College's fitness center.
On Aug. 28, 2017 the grand
opening of the new Lowery Fitness
Center revealed a 5,400 sq. ft.
expansion.
Ms. Ann Lowery 74,
co-chair of Meredith’s Beyond
Strong Campaign, is the Angel
responsible for funding the project.
Her contribution, as well as several
other helping hands, brought this
highly anticipated facility to life.
Erica Roelofs, director of
the Fitness Center, acknowledges
the hard work put into the project
by stating, “This renovation could
not have been possible if it weren’t
for everyone who had come
together to make it happen.”
The expansion has made
room for more equipment including
over 30 cardio machines, free
weights, kettlebells, and all
purpose gym mats. These will
prove to be beneficial not only to
students and athletes, but physical
education classes as well.
Although Meredith College
no longer funds a program to
obtain student trainers, the staff
at the Lowery Fitness Center
are knowledgeable about the
equipment and are
adequately trained
to assist students.
Roelof notes,
“In the past, many
students had gym
memberships out in
the community, but
since the remodel,
the usage rate has
quadrupled.”
The new
space allows for
students to stay
active in a variety
of ways with a sick soundtrack
to keep them motivated. For the
Photo Courtesy of Meredith Marketing Department.
beginner, for the athlete, for the
determined, the Lowery Fitness
enter is for everyone.
New Year, New Dean [of Arts & Humanities]
Tishya Raberfsan, Staff Writer
The new academic year at
Meredith began with new classes
and new faces, including the new
Dean of Arts & Humanities, Dr.
Sarah Roth.
Roth explains that the
duties of a dean include acting
as a liaison between faculty and
upper administration, attracting
prospective students, and helping
current students seek prospects
after graduation.
Dr. Roth jokes that being
at a women’s college is a lot more
fun than being at a co-ed one. She
believes that because of Meredith,
“women are poised to advance
and be real leaders in society.”
Roth elaborates that the emphasis
of having women in leadership
roles is necessary at both women’s
colleges and co-educational
institutions, enabling women to
“break through the glass ceiling.”
She encourages students
in the School of Arts & Humanities
to be proud of their majors
because Meredith degrees are
extremely valuable; 93% of
Meredith alumnae are employed or
attending graduate school in just a
few months after graduation.
The 2017-18 school year
will bring more of Meredith’s
mission to life. Dr. Roth is working
on a strategic plan to “expand the
mission in exciting ways.”
Dr. Garry Walton, the
previous Dean of Arts and
Humanities, is confident in the
college’s selection of Dr. Roth.
Walton said, “I think
Meredith’s Arts and Humanities
departments are fortunate to have
as the new dean someone who
has experience in administration,
is a respected and published
scholar, and has already forged
strong working relationships with
Meredith's provost and president
through her previous work in
academia. We are all looking
forward to her new ideas for
making the heart of Meredith even
stronger.”
Here are some fun facts about Dr.
Roth:
She is from Pennsylvania.
She loves the cheese straws in the
dining hall.
She recently tried Cheerwine and
is sharing it with her friends in
Pennsylvania.
Did you know that Meredith’s
School of Arts & Humanities
offers 16 different majors and
23 different minors?
For more information, please
visit http://www.meredith.edu/
academiGs/schools/arts,_and.„
humanities.
The Purr-feet Cup of Coffee Prepares to Pour Into Raleigh
Laurie Diggett, Staff Writer
Coffee shops have been
a popular hang-out space for
college students for years now.
Let’s face it, college students
need their caffeine along with a
place to escape the sometimes
stress-inducing environment that a
college campus can produce.
Whether you’re looking for
the “hole-in-the-wall” vibe that Cup
of Joe gives off or the eccentric
artwork and organic baked goods
that Lucky Tree offers, a local
coffee shop can be a unique spot
for anything from fun group outings
to study groups during exams.
Now imagine a type of cafe
that has not yet emerged in the
Raleigh area; one that combines
the liquid energy boost that college
students often crave and the
opportunity to take a breather and
spend some quality time with a
few furry friends. That’s right. Purr
Cup Cafe is going to be in Raleigh
in the spring, and the pun in the
name is no accident.
“If you love cats and coffee
as much as we do, this is the
place for you,” says the Purr Cup
Cafe Facebook page.
Although the idea of a cat
cafe may be somewhat absurd to
a Raleigh local, it is pretty common
in popular travel destinations like
London and Tokyo.
In fact, there are hundreds
of themed cafes in Tokyo that have
been around for years, featuring
decorations themed around an
Anime, a place for Pokemon
players to compete, maids or
butlers that wait on you and, of
course, cats to cuddle.
Last Sunday, the Raleigh
School of Ballet hosted a Pop-up
Cafe to help raise funds for the
construction of this unique addition
to the Raleigh area (the permanent
location is expected to open in
Spring 2018). There were raffles
with cat related prizes, beverages,
and a separate room for people to
spend time with kittens. All of the
kittens available for cuddles were
either adoptable or had already
been adopted. The prospective
owners of Purr Cup Cafe, Sarah
Newton and Arthur Hailey, have
partnered with Meow House Cat
Rescue to help cats find a forever
home with cafe customers.
“Our mission is to create
a haven for cat-lovers to enjoy a
quality beverage or locally made
treat in the company of adoptable
cats looking for love and forever
homes,” says the cafe’s Facebook
page. “Get excited and help us
make this dream a reality for all
the triangle area’s cat and coffee
lovers!”