Stories from Meredith 23+ graduates
The Meredith College 23+ Program web site includes stories about some of the women who are going through that program.
Here are some additional comments from recent students in the program about their life after Meredith and their plans:
Julia Leggett - This is a 23+ student plan after graduation: A professional internship working on disability rights activism in North Carolina. “I will be doing legislative tracking and assisting with a new American Sign Language bill that will be working its way through the state legislature during the long session. I have also applied to [Washington, D.C.’s] Gallaudet University graduate school, where I hope to earn a Master’s degree in deaf studies with a focus on cultural studies.” [She [is] confined to a wheelchair but is about to go out of here to become a superstar. She can tell you how. (She took the GIS course here and is planning on taking courses at State for her certificate in GIS. She has investigated her career opportunities with her BA in Political Science and her GIS knowledge, and found that she can make $60K now and even more with the certificate. If she shows you her project, prepared to be amazed. It is an analysis of voting by precinct in Wake County and what can be understood from it. ]
Jackie Manning -
While attending Meredith College my life has been completely overhauled
and I am grateful to the many professors and students who impacted
my life. There have been a number of serendipitous and synchronistic
occurrences that prove nothing happens by chance. Every part of my
experience at Meredith - from the Learning Center to PE classes and
everything in between, has given me the confidence and focus necessary
to do anything I set my mind to doing, always with the support of others.
I am proud of what I have accomplished at Meredith including three
scholarships (Carolyn Peacock Poole, Anne C. Dahle, and Meg Conners),
induction into Silver Shield and Sigma Tau Delta (English) Honor Societies,
having spoken at the 2006 Honor Code Ceremony, being chosen to introduce
Amy Sedaris [at a Meredith reading]. I chose to attend Meredith College for
its size, the fact that it is a woman’s college, and most of all because of
the sense of belonging I experienced when I first walked around campus
that had me hooked, long before I ever filled out the application.
When I found out about the 23+ program, I was convinced and committed,
heart and soul. What I value most about my Meredith education is the
opportunity to meet so many wonderful people that I may not have had the
opportunity to meet anywhere else. The small, private woman’s college
atmosphere was just what I needed at the time when I needed it most.
I am a happier, calmer, more content, better focused and well-rounded Mom.
While attending Meredith College I became single, bought my house, and
am raising a wonderful young daughter, Elizabeth. Meredith has helped me
see her through 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade and 1/2 of 5th
grade and now we can say: “We DID IT!!” In fact - I’d like to quote
<>Elizabeth who wrote me this poem for my graduation: “Roses are red.
Violets are blue. College is over, done, finished, WE’RE through!!!”
We did it together and for that and so much more, I am eternally grateful.
THREE - While in attendance at Meredith, I got married (April 2003), 3 years later, I got pregnant. She will be born March 2007. My first child and I’m very excited and looking forward to being her mom. In Fall 2005 I had the opportunity to attend full-time and I made the Dean’s List. I’m very proud of that accomplishment. I’ve always wanted to make the Dean’s List. I’ve met and made some wonderful new friends that I hope will be a part of my life for the rest of my life.