In addition to a sneak peak into the festival’s upcoming productions, the evening will include performances of beloved songs from Broadway hits such as “In the Heights,” “Jersey Boys,” “Gypsy,” “Follies” and many more.

Baum recently appeared in the international tour of “Cinderella” with Lea Salonga. This spring she directed “The Children’s Hour” at E.C. Glass High School.

Fitzgerald is a film director, playwright, screenwriter and actor whose work has been featured on HBO, at the Sundance Film Festival and on FX.

Millner was a New York-based actress and singer for 20 years. She is now the creative director at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville.

A portion of the concert’s proceeds will be designated to Endstation’s high school educational outreach. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students. For more information, visit endstationtheatre.org or call (434) 826-0391.

Endstation Theatre Company produces the Blue Ridge Summer Theatre Festival each summer in Central Virginia. This year’s festival includes William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” May 31 to July 7 and “Cymbeline” June 14 to July 21, as well as the musical “Violet” June 28 to July 14.

The threatening weather was nothing for the Class of 2013, as senior class president Lauren Morgan noted in her remarks at the podium.

Among the many lessons she and her classmates shared during their four years together, she said, “We learned that we can survive whatever Mother Nature throws our way including snowstorms, earthquakes, derechos and seventeen-year cicadas.”

Human rights activist and historian Allida Black delivered the keynote, “The Courage to Lead,” at Sweet Briar’s 104th commencement ceremony.

Morgan began by speaking about how much change they have experienced — changes in friends, faculty coming and going, changing political and religious views, even their feelings for the College from day to day, she said, drawing a chuckle from the crowd.

“One thing that change always brings is the opportunity to learn,” Morgan said. “My mother gave me one piece of advice before first leaving for college. She told me, ‘Never let school get in the way of your education.’ That’s one thing Sweet Briar has given us, an education. Not just a liberal arts education, but it has given us some lessons on life.”

2013 Presidential Medal winner Elizabeth Hansbrough followed Morgan at the podium, after an introduction by President Jo Ellen Parker. In a fitting prelude to the keynote address, Hansbrough encouraged her classmates to use their education not only to serve others, but to be true to their own values. She pointed to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt as an example.

“[Roosevelt] once said, ‘Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this,’ ” Hansbrough said.

“ … Remember that you have the ability to think and make your own decisions, and much power lies within that ability. Don’t waste your power; you must use it to defend your beliefs and make change where you see necessary.”

To Hansbrough’s advice, human rights activist Allida Black would add don’t be afraid to make trouble. Black, a research professor of history and international affairs at George Washington University and executive editor of fdr4freedoms Digital Resource, gave the keynote address. She also is the founding editor and chair of the editorial advisory board for GWU’s Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project, whose mission is to preserve, teach and apply Roosevelt’s writing and discussions of human rights and democratic parties.

Black set the tone for a rousing speech by asking the Class of 2013 to rise to their feet and scream at the top of their lungs. She wanted them to be heard.

Members of the Class of 2013 make their voices heard during commencement.

She acknowledged the role of parents and faculty in getting them ready to face the world, then turned to shake President Parker’s hand.

“Jo Ellen — Madame President, a title I hope to hear soon in a different arena — thank you for your work. Because if women don’t lead, we are in trouble,” Black said, with a gusto not often seen on such occasions.

Women lead every day in their professions and family life, she said, but that’s not enough. Women need to work hand-in-hand with men to set public policy, and build humane businesses and the kind of world community we aspire to.

Turning to the theme of change, she told her audience to embrace it, noting most people will have three distinct careers in their lifetimes. She never thought she’d go from running a rape crisis center to small-business owner to historian to working with human rights leaders around the world. Change requires risk-taking, but Black said they should draw courage from those who came before them, as she is inspired daily by Eleanor Roosevelt.

“She has taken me into the world to meet people that I never would have met and into arenas that I never imagined — like flying in a fifty-year-old Soviet aircraft whose radar was not really effective, landing in Roberts Airport in Monrovia [Liberia] at the end of the civil war, praying with every fiber of my being that in fact the landing gear would work,” she said. “You know, my sphincter muscles were working overtime.”

She found herself in that situation because other women who were her teachers and mentors encouraged her to take risks and that it’s OK to fail.

Nicole Lee is happy to have her diploma.

“What’s bad is not trying,” she said. “We need you to take these risks because you will be our doctors, our lawyers, our business leaders, our teachers, our community leaders, our international representatives, our artists, our performers, our reporters. Without you, we are toast.”

Black asked the graduates to think about the thing they really want to do and then what about the job scares them. “And then I want your joy to stamp out that anxiety, because it’s OK to doubt but it’s not OK to stop. … I cannot say enough that the world is in your hands.”

She said if she could impart just one thing, it is to know the power of the human spirit — because it shows us what a gift courage is and what a difference it makes. She left the graduates with a charge.

“The world can be thrilling and terrifying. No matter how many friends you have, you ultimately face it alone. You are stronger and smarter and braver than you think. Don’t be afraid. Fear will shrink your heart,” she said.

“Tackle injustice and selfishness with a boldness you didn’t know you had. It will swell your soul, bring remarkable people into your family, and show you how indescribably magical the human spirit can be.”

Following the presentation of the candidates’ diplomas and award announcements by President Parker and dean of the faculty Amy Jessen-Marshall, Alumnae Association president Mollie Nelson ’64 was invited to the podium. She implored the graduates — no longer alumnae-in-training but after today the “real McCoy” — to stay involved, support the College and, above all, visit often.

“Driving up the driveway is better than Prozac, I promise you,” she said.

Parker brought the occasion to a close with her own charge to her “classmates” of 2013 — they arrived at Sweet Briar in her inaugural year four years ago.

Observing that a liberal education might better be called a “liberating” education because it frees the human intellect, she charged them to use it to improve the others’ lives.

“Use your influence to uphold the freedoms of speech and worship for others — especially those with whom you disagree. Use your talents and skills, your professional and civic activities, to free others from want and fear. Let your work, and your example, demonstrate the liberating power of education not only for individuals, but also for communities and nations.”

— Jennifer McManamay

The Penelope Lane Czarra Award was established by Edgar F. Czarra Jr., father of Penelope Lane Czarra of the Class of 1975. The award honors the senior or seniors who best combine scholastic achievement, student leadership and effective contributions to the improvement of the quality of student life at Sweet Briar. The recipient for the Class of 2013 is Katherine Margaret Macklin.

In honor of Dr. Connie M. Guion, Mr. and Mr. J. Wilson Newman and their daughters, Clair Newman Blanchard ’60, and Mildred Newman Thayer ’61, established an award given to a member of the graduating class for her excellence as a human being and as a member of the College. The recipient of the Connie M. Guion Award for the Class of 2013 is Elizabeth Leigh Begej.

The Walker Family Award honors a senior or seniors with high scholastic standing, a cheerful, positive disposition, and who show warmth, generosity and humility. This year’s recipient is Jessica Faye Murphy.

The family of Professor Judith Molinar Elkins established a prize in her name to recognize the outstanding achievements of a senior majoring in the mathematical, physical, environmental or biological sciences who has actively participated in the College community and demonstrated the ideals and dedication to learning exemplified by the life of Professor Elkins. The Judith Molinar Elkins Prize went to Alison Michele Lifka.

Each year, the College recognizes academic achievement by conferring upon the highest-ranking member of each class the honorary title of Emilie Watts McVea Scholar. In addition, the National Council of Alpha Lambda Delta sends to each chapter a book to be awarded to the graduating Alpha Lambda Delta member who has the highest GPA. The recipient of both awards for the Class of 2013 is Katie Jane Bitting.

Melissa Gentry Witherow ’80

Witherow has served the College since 2004, most recently as the director of Boxwood Circle, the College’s leadership annual giving program.  She has also served as associate director of annual giving, and assistant and associate director of the alumnae office.

“Missy brings to this position her passion for Sweet Briar, an ability to build strong relationships, a keen appreciation for the critical importance of engaging our alumnae in supporting the College, and a strategic, data-driven and goal-oriented focus to her work,” said Heidi Hansen McCrory, vice president for development.

For Witherow, this new position offers her the best of both worlds.

“It is a privilege to be here in this new role. I am thrilled about the opportunity as it combines two passions with an institution and community I believe wholeheartedly in as a viable and relevant choice for young women,” she said. “I look forward to sharing news and successes from campus while garnering support for the College through alumnae engagement and annual giving.”

Prior to joining the College in a professional capacity, Witherow served on the Alumnae Association board and was an active alumna volunteer. Among her many roles, she was the national reunion giving chair, chair of Region VII, a member of the Centennial Committee and nominating chair.

Witherow’s numerous other civic and philanthropic duties include chairing the STAB Fine Arts Boosters at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville and participating in the Junior League.

She received her bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Sweet Briar in 1980.

Tusculum house in the 1960s

“The College has been a diligent steward of Tusculum, stabilizing, restoring, preserving and cataloging the elements of this historic property,” said Jo Ellen Parker, president of Sweet Briar College. “However, despite ambitious fundraising efforts and after consultation with our partners at the Department of Historic Resources and Preservation Virginia, it has become clear we will not be able to reconstruct the building in the time frame agreed upon when Tusculum was acquired.”

The College is seeking proposals from select individuals or organizations with the capacity and interest in reconstructing the building in a historically sensitive manner, at a location similar to its original site, and ideally for educational or non-profit use.

“Although it is not the specific outcome first hoped for, a successful transfer would serve the original goals of this project by allowing this marvelous building to be reconstructed—and seen, and used—as soon as possible,” said Parker.

The Tusculum Institute, an educational and community outreach program dedicated to preserving and studying the region’s historic assets, will remain at the College.

“While we regret we were unable to rebuild the house as once planned, the programming and public outreach that lies at the core of the institute’s mission remains unchanged,” said Lynn Rainville, director of the Tusculum Institute. The next institute-sponsored event will be the annual Teaching with Historic Places workshop on June 15. This year’s theme, “Civil Rights in Education,” will incorporate local efforts to integrate schools in Central Virginia, including Sweet Briar.

To learn more about the history of the Tusculum house project or to view the request for proposals, visit the Tusculum Institute website.

— Christy Jackson

University of Alabama photo by Anne Edwards

The University of Alabama has honored a Sweet Briar alumna, Kate Ragsdale, who was a longtime employee of the university’s library. The Library School Association of the School of Library and Information Studies has created the Kate Webb Ragsdale Endowed Scholarship in her memory.

Ragsdale graduated from Sweet Briar in 1963 with a degree in religion and earned her Master of Library Science in 1986 at UA. The Sweet Briar community was saddened to learn of her death on Feb. 24, 2013.

More information is available here and here.

Gloria Smith, 2013 Unsung Heroine, and Sylvester “Bo” Booker, 2013 Unsung Hero

Sweet Briar College’s Office of Human Resources and student organization Sweet Spirits honored staff members at the Unsung Heroes and Employee Recognition Banquet April 26 at the Florence Elston Inn and Conference Center.

“This is a time to honor you…who go above and beyond the call of duty to make Sweet Briar a better place,” said Sweet Spirits member Kelly Winer ’13. “Our campus would not be so beautiful or run so smoothly without you.”

Each year, under the leadership of the Sweet Spirits, the student body votes for non-exempt or hourly staff members to receive the Unsung Hero and Heroine awards. According to Winer, there was more participation by students this year than ever before.

Gloria Smith received the 2013 Unsung Heroine award for her “sincere love for students” and dedication to the College. Honored for his outgoing personality and willingness to help in every situation, Sylvester “Bo” Booker was named the 2013 Unsung Hero.

During the luncheon, the College recognized 12 staff members who have provided 200 cumulative years of service.

Those honored for 10 years of service were Katerina Suntseva, Indhumathy Santhana Sampath, Paulette Porter-Stransky, Toni Hudson, Linda Canode, Martha Campbell and Deborah Beaty. Deborah Powell, Jerry Allen and Tracey Garrett were recognized for 20 years of service to the College, and Elaine Hatter was recognized for 30 years. Mary “Sue” Fauber was lauded for four decades of dedication to Sweet Briar.

Front row, left to right: Paulette Porter-Stransky, Deborah Beaty, Elaine Hatter, Linda Canode and Martha Campbell. Back row, left to right: Toni Hudson, Indhumathy Santhana Sampath, Mary “Sue” Fauber, Deborah Powell, Jerry Allen and Katerina Suntseva. Not pictured: Tracey Garrett.

• Superman (all-around fantastic man): Jerry Allen
• Wonder Woman (all-around fantastic woman): Lelia Johnson
• Batman (individual willing to work nights): Joseph Litchford
• Robin (individual who works behind the scenes): Ronnie Green and Rich Meyer
• Captain America (most school spirited): Martha Campbell
• Joker (class clown): Ronnie Staton
• Green Lantern (individual dedicated to sustainability): Donna Meeks
• Spiderman (individual who always sticks with a task): John Tomlin

The ceremony marked a “new tradition” at Sweet Briar, uniting departmental awards and honors, as well as Student Government Association awards and the Presidential Medal under one umbrella.

Previously, some of the awards had been announced at events that only included members of the senior class or those who were being honored, Parker said.

“But academic achievement is the very heart of our community, the very reason for Sweet Briar to exist. The excellence of our students is a source of pride for the whole community — for all faculty members, all students, and all members of staff.”

Dean Amy Jessen-Marshall began the ceremony by announcing this year’s first-year honors and dean’s list students, asking them to stand and be recognized.

The first academic award recipient to be called to the stage was M.A.T. candidate and former chaplain’s assistant Kristie Munn, who received a one-year membership to the American Association of University Women, presented by Donna Kerley ’10, member of the association’s Lynchburg branch. Rousing applause was followed by a list of departmental awards, with each one of them handed out by the department’s chair.

Professor of economics and environmental studies Rob Alexander presents seniors Sarah Lindemann (left) and Kate Macklin with the Juliet Halliburton Davis Award.

After acknowledging Sweet Briar’s outstanding riders — most of whom were away for the American National Riding Commission Championships in Baltimore — Jessen-Marshall went on to announce the juniors and seniors who had been included in this year’s Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

Senior members of departmental honors societies were named along with those inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa before SGA president Maddie Hodges and Izzy Begej, chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, took the stage to present the SGA Excellence in Service and Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Director of residence life, Annie Jones, received the first award for having “done some really terrific things for our community in such a short period of time,” Hodges said.

“On behalf of the entire student body, we are forever grateful.”

The Excellence in Teaching Award, announced by Begej, went once again to associate professor of classical studies Eric Casey, who was unable to attend the ceremony.

Parker concluded the event with the announcement of this year’s Presidential Medalist — business management major Elizabeth Hansbrough, who, along with her fellow riders, was in Baltimore, but had been informed of the top-secret award beforehand.

“At commencement we will have the opportunity to give her a hearty ‘Holla, holla’ in person,” Parker said.

Before leaving the stage, she reminded students that the real value of awards and prizes “lies in what they symbolize, what they represent, and what they express. They articulate shared standards and values; they give occasion for celebration; they crystallize memories.”

Years from now, the trophies and plaques themselves wouldn’t be remembered nearly as well as the experiences that led to them, she added.

“If today is about anything, it is about moments like those. They are what — I hope — you will remember about Sweet Briar, and it is certainly what Sweet Briar will remember about you.”

The following departmental awards were announced during the ceremony:

• Kathryn Haw Prize in Art History: Ann Burris Roach ’13
• Sprague-Belcher Award in Biology: Julie Alissa Sharp ’13
• James Lewis Howe Award in Chemistry: Katie Jane Bitting ’13
• The Jean Taylor Meyer Memorial American Poets Prize: Ashley Elizabeth Baker ’15
• The Jean Besselievre Boley Prize for best short story: Mary Katherine Patterson ’13
• Economics Department Outstanding Senior Award: Kelly Ann Winer ’13
• Juliet Halliburton Davis Award: Katherine Margaret Macklin ’13 (environmental science) and Sarah Marie Lindemann ’13 (environmental studies)
• The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Outstanding Scholar Education Award: Emma Malone Neave ’12 (M.A.T.)
• The Tye River Elementary School “Big Sister” Award: Jessica Faye Murphy ’13
• Lawrence G. Nelson Award (English): Caden John Campbell ’13
• Shakespeare Prize: Madelyn Virginia Garnett ’14
• Marcia Capron Award (French): Marianna Victoria deLyon ’13
• L’alliance Française de Lynchburg Award: Hannah Grayson Atwood ’14
• Pauline Roberts Otis Award (Junior Year in France): Nicole Jeamin Lee ’13
• German Embassy Book Prize: Emma Marie Merritt-Cuneo ’14, Sixtine Abrial ’15 and Alyssa B. Sarmiento ’15
• Goethe-Institut Buchpreis: Hannah Rose Robinson ’13
• Anne Gary Pannell Taylor Award in History: Jennifer Marie Gray ’13
• Anne Gary Pannell Taylor Graduate Fellowship in History: Sarah Lee Woll ’13
• Mathematical Sciences Award: Emily Kate Cochran ’13 and Xingjian Yu ’13
• Leigh Woolverton Prize for Excellence in the Visual Arts: Kaitlyn Aki Holloway ’13

— Janika Carey

Weathersby is a professorial lecturer in Korean studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. She is also a visiting professor in the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul, Korea. She teaches courses on South/North Korean relations in historical context, the history of post-World War II international relations and North Korean history and politics. Following the collapse of communist rule in the Soviet Union, Weathersby pioneered research in Russian archives on the creation of the North Korean state and the Korean War, and has published and lectured widely on these subjects. She founded and directed the North Korea International Documentation Project at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and has served as a consultant for several documentaries on North Korea. Weathersby holds a Ph.D. in Russian history, with a second field in Modern East Asia, from Indiana University.

Maxine Garner taught at Sweet Briar from 1957 to 1983.

Sweet Briar professor emerita Maxine Garner died Friday, March 8, 2013, in her native Liberty, N.C., where she retired in 1984. She was born March 15, 1919, in Alamance County, N.C.

Garner is a 1939 graduate of the Woman’s College at the University of North Carolina, where she edited the student newspaper and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Upon graduation, Garner taught English and journalism in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and worked as assistant editor of the Biblical Recorder in Raleigh, N.C., but soon returned to her alma mater as director of religious activities.

Attending Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary in New York, Garner completed her master’s degree in 1946. From 1950 to 1952, she was a Fulbright scholar at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where she earned her Ph.D. Garner then taught for six years at Meredith College in Raleigh and was a deacon at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church.

In 1957, Garner began a 26-year term teaching at Sweet Briar, becoming the Wallace E. Rollins Professor of Religion. The graduating class of 1983 made her an honorary member of their class. Garner was speaker at opening Convocation in 1983.

Click here for a full obituary.