Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Carson-Newman looks especially beautiful with a covering of snow!

Winter at Carson-Newman

Many of you will remember this year and the "Blizzard of 2016."  While your local area may or may not have been affected by the January snowfall, Carson-Newman was closed for several days because of slick roads and lots of snow. The Eagle Alumni Facebook page asked for alumni memories of snow during their college days and received over 40 comments recalling the fun on campus during winter snows. Of course, those of you who are graduates from many years ago, made it very clear that you NEVER got out of class "back in the day" for snow. 

This picture from the 1971 CN Yearbook highlights the dubious campus organization know as the Bluebirds. Check out the short skirts in the snow. It was all about fashion back in the day! The yearbook lists the purpose of the Bluebirds as "absolutely nothing."

Young Women of Promise Mentors Needed

Want a special relationship with a precious young lady?

Have you ever thought about having a more personal relationship with one of  Carson-Newman's Young Women of Promise? If so, WOV may have an opportunity for you!

Several of the YWOPs have expressed an interest in having a "mentor"--someone to lend a listening ear and perhaps provide some guidance from time to time.   

What would a mentor do?

Basically, you would be establishing a relationship with a student.  By sharing your life and career experiences, you may be able to provide guidance or answer burning questions in a student's life!  You might begin with a casual lunch or telephone call to get to know the student.  After that, your mentoring support could include such things as listening to concerns or providing encouragement or advice from "someone who's been there."  You might even provide advice as the student begins searching for a job in her senior year, and your friendship could possibly continue after the student graduates. It's really up to you and the student to decide what kind of relationship would be most beneficial to the student!  Mentoring would not involve giving money directly to the student, although you might choose to support a special cause that the student is involved with, such as a mission trip, etc. This kind of support would be entirely optional and never solicited, only a result of your interest in knowing about your student's activities.

This semester, Young Women of Promise with the following career goals have expressed an interest in having a mentor:

  *   Christian Counselor
  *   Graphic Designer
  *   Media Psychologist or Social Psychologist
  *   PK-3 Teacher
  *   Working with Animals (Biology/Environmental Studies Major)
  *   Attorney (Political Science Major
  *   Pediatrician (Biology/Pre-Med Major)

If you are thinking "What do I have to offer?" - the answer is plenty!  The girls are eager to connect with someone who has "been there" or who simply cares about investing in their college experience. It is not necessary to have experience in the career fields listed above-- all you need is a willingness to participate in the life of a student. If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions, or would like to learn more about the opportunity, please contact Kathy May, WOV Liaison to Young Women of Promise, at kathykmay@comcast.net

Women of Vision Gathering ~  Saturday, April 9         Featuring Rachel Lovingood 

Our 2016 Gathering of Friends promises to be a fun and inspiring event! This year’s annual event will feature Rachel Lovingood as our keynote speaker.  

An author and compelling speaker, Rachel Lovingood feels that God has blessed her beyond measure through her family and friends. She and her husband Jeff (a C-N grad and current Trustee) have been involved in student ministry for the past 27 years, presently serving First Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN.  . 

Rachel enjoys every opportunity to share with women across the country how the Word of God applies to their everyday lives. She uses her sense of humor and practical wisdom to connect daily situations with truths from Scripture. Rachel’s relevant teaching and real faith as well as her fun personality make her a favorite for woman of all ages and stages. 

Be sure to mark your calendars for April 9.  Rachel is challenging and great fun ~ you must not miss this special time to celebrate Women of Vision @ Carson-Newman! 

Don't miss this year's Gathering on Saturday, April 9. More information coming soon to you!

 Read more about Rachel at:

http://rachellovingood.com

Getting to Know the WOV Council

Anya Piotrowski

Anya holds the position of Council Historian. She is a whiz at technology and is responsible for updating the Women of Vision website as well as documenting Women of Vision projects through the creation of both online and physical scrapbooks.

Anya's "day job" is overseeing the Bonner Center's Service Corps and Community Connections programs. She hails from Wisconsin and came to Carson-Newman via the AmeriCorps VISTA program.  Anya has a passion for working at the intersection of higher education and community development. Her hobbies include reading, interval running, gardening, and crocheting. Anya is Brazilian and lived for a year with her grandmother and other relatives in Brazil, where she learned Portuguese and got to know her Brazilian cultural roots.

Debbie Bean

Debbie Bean is a woman who can only be described as a "go getter." Her work on the Council as Events Coordinator, keeps her busy working with the Event Chair on each major Women of Vision event. Her background as an educator  (39 years in the Knoxville City and Knox County Schools) makes her a perfect fit for this job. 

 Debbie is married to 1972 CN grad Skipper Bean.  They have two daughters and three boxers.  Debbie's dream is to see Women of Vision continue to grow and reach out to more of our CN family who are not yet involved in Women of Vision.

2016 Project Preview- Coming in February

The word is out! Women of Vision get things done, and there is evidence of that all over campus. The Council received more than twenty project proposals for 2016. To complete  all of them would cost in excess of $770,000!!! Unfortunately, we must pick and choose which projects will have the most impact and benefit the most students and staff on campus.Stay tuned for next month's blog post detailing the projects with some "before" pictures of the spaces Women of Vision hope to enhance and beautify during 2016.