Wesleyan Alumnae Magazine 2015 Winter

2015·33.5 MB·English

by  Wesleyan College

'flte Golden Heart Class of 2019 (first year sl111ie11ts) showed plenty of love for Wesleyan during the Georgia Giws
Day olor Rush, topping the list for most donors from a singe class. Pirates were tlte overall winners with a total
of 92 donors from all classes, a11d the College finished 3rd in the state 011 Georgia Gives Day with a total of3 3-1
parti ipm1ts. 'fltn11ks to everyone who donated to this successful Annual F1111d event!
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings from Wesleyan! and we thank each of you who Joined in
that effort. We salute the Red Pirates -
As we anticipate the holiday season (and representing classes from 1957 to 2017
final exams), we are delighted to bring - who made a late surge to win our online
you the winter issue of the Wesleyan Color Rush. Wesleyan College, however,
Magazine. In these pages we salute was the big winner, and we are grateful
alumnae who across the years have for all your gifts. We are particularly
devoted their lives to public service. We pleased that 52 current students were
think you'll enjoy reading the stories of among the donors, with many of them
women like Leila Anderson from the Class making their first ever charitable gifts
of 1904, who served during World War that day. As a matter of fact, the Golden
I as a Red Cross nurse in France; cyber Hearts of 2019, our first year students, had
defense expert Lt. Col. Joy Mastrangelo the most donors of any class!
Kaczor '96, deputy group commander for
the 67th Cyberspace Operations Group, In addition to contributing so generously
who teaches cyber security and defense; with financial gifts, our alumnae find all
and Mary Euyang Shen '46, who used her manner of ways to give back to our alma
journalism talents in service to the U.S. mater. Because we want to expand the
Department of State, including as an early avenues for alumnae to become involved,
leader in the Voice of America program. the Alumnae Association is hosting
These and all the other extraordinary Leadership Day on campus on January 23,
women we feature are proud to be 2016. Mark your calendars now and make
Wesleyannes - and we are proud of them! plans to join us for a fun and informative
day. All alumnae are welcome! See page
This issue also contains our Annual Report 73 for a tentative schedule of events or visit
in which we highlight the wonderful our website at www.wesleyancollege.edu/
alumnae and friends who contributed so LeadershipDay to learn more. You'll find
generously to the College during the past current class notes on the website, too.
fiscal year. We appreciate each of you for
making Wesleyan College one of your The pages of this issue show once again
priorities. In this season of thanksgiving, that service and loyalty have been and
we recognize that our loyal and generous continue to be integral to the Wesleyan
alumnae are among our greatest experience. How blessed we are to
blessings, and we thank you! be part of this great institution whose
alumnae live out our mission to be
Giving for the current fiscal year "forever first for women's education -
received a boost in mid-November with striving for excellence, grounded in faith,
Wesleyan's participation in Georgia Gives and engaged in service to the world "
Day, a statewide effort to raise funds Hail, Wesleyan!
for Georgia's nonprofit organizations.
Wesleyan College placed third for the
number of donors who contributed,
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Many people in the state of Florida know held two consecutive terms, from 1996 Even though she was recognized as
Toni Jennings as a leader of leaders. to 2000. In 1998, former Governor Jeb Bush's preference as his successor in
Her story dates back to 1948 when her Bush wanted her as his running mate. 2006, Toni declined to run for governor.
father established a family owned and "Governor Bush tried to talk me into In 2007 she returned to her roots,
operated construction business, Jack running with him a couple of times, becoming chairwoman of Jack Jennings
Jennings & Sons, in Orlando, Florida. but it just wasn't the right time. I was in & Sons, Inc. She and her brothers
That same year, Jack and his wife the Senate and I was scheduled to be Jeff and John continue to maintain
Margaret also started a family. As his Senate president and that was a better the business reputation dedicated to
children grew, he stressed to them the thing for me to do. As I later pointed out personal service established by their
qualities of his business ethic -hard work to Jeb, I was a lot more useful to him father in 1948. Toni spends much of her
and honesty. as the Senate president when he was time "paying civic rent," something
governor than I probably would have her father taught each of his children.
After graduating from Wesleyan cum been as a running mate." She has chaired the Florida Chamber
laude with a major in elementary of Commerce and Workforce Florida,
education, Toni began her career While Toni was president of the Inc., both statewide organizations.
as a fifth grade teacher at Killarney Florida Senate, a proposal to add an Currently, Toni serves on the boards
Elementary School in Winter Park, exceptional education component of two nonprofit organizations, the
Florida. She spent only two years to the planned University of Central Nemours Foundation and the Winter
teaching before joining her father's Florida Teaching Academy was Park Health Foundation. She also sits on
business. "I learned on the job with my submitted to the Florida Legislature. the boards of three public companies,
father as my teacher. I started at the The center would provide information, Brown & Brown, Next Era Energy, and
front desk answering the telephone. It resources, and opportunities for Post Properties.
was wonderful to learn the principles of lifelong learning and support for
business from my father." people with exceptional needs and As for returning to politics, Toni said,
their families. Under Toni's leadership, "I love politics and I love doing it, but I
Toni's entry into politics was purely by the proposal became part of the can't tell you how much I love not doing
accident. She lived in an apartment 2000 budget, and that August the it! I hope I did a good job while I was
complex with several young women institute was named the Toni Jennings there. I tried really hard, but I leave it to
who worked for Florida legislators. Exceptional Education Institute (T JEEI) others to do today."
As a campaign volunteer, she was in recognition of her efforts. Every
approached about running for office academic year the TJ EEI funds six Toni said Wesleyan prepared her for
herself, so she ran for a Florida House University of Central Florida doctoral life in many ways such as teaching her
seat as a Republican in 1976. In keeping student fellowships, three education the critical thinking, negotiating, and
with her background in the construction doctoral students and three counselor visioning skills needed in today's world.
industry, her first campaign slogan was education doctoral students. The small classes, she added, afforded
'Build government better, not bigger.' the opportunity for students to know the
When term limits forced Toni out of professors and, maybe more importantly,
"Probably the Republican Party had the Florida Senate, Bush called her for professors to know the students.
thirty percent of the registered voters again. "Florida Lieutenant Governor Toni and her roommate Carolyn Berger
back then. I had three opponents. Frank Brogan was leaving his position Krutoy '71 were part of the first resident
Everybody that was a Republican was to become president of Florida Atlantic advisor program when Wesleyan
running for office that year! I won in the University. Jeb called me and said, changed from house mothers in 1970.
general election in 1976 and the rest, as 'I've got a deal for you, will you come "We were the RAs for Jones Hall, which
they say, is history." now? Don't say no, think about it, we'll was the junior dorm at the time. We
call you back."' In 2003, Toni became were two seniors taking care of a dorm
Her political career included many Florida's first female lieutenant governor, full of students only one year younger.
"firsts." In 1976, she was the youngest serving until December 2007. During her It was fun and they paid us for it!" Toni's
woman ever elected to the Florida tenure, Toni worked on issues including advice to students is to "find something
House of Representatives, which also education, healthcare, hurricane meaningful, something you love to do,
made her the youngest woman ever preparedness, disaster relief, and and something that gives you a sense of
elected to the Florida Legislature. In business and industry. Governor Bush purpose and accomplishment. Don't be
1980, she was elected to the Florida said he was fortunate to have Toni as his afraid to try. Don't be afraid of failure.
Senate, and in 1996 she was elected lieutenant governor. "She is a leader. Don't take no for an answer. Have faith
president of the Florida Senate, making She has humility. She is smart as all get in yourself! Goals and dreams evolve
her the first female Republican leader of out. She is principled and tough, but in a and change over time. That's the best
either house of the Legislature. She is way that draws people toward the cause, part of life!"
also the only Senate president to have not away from it."
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2015

When Jessica Seale '10 was a little girl, mom become the first in our family to In late 2013, Jessica was asked to
she would tell people she wanted to be graduate from college. Wesleyan allowed interview for the digital director position
a bureaucrat when she grew up. Having me to attend classes and accompany her to at the House Oversight and Government
spent five years in a career that revolves the library. Ultimately, the reason I returned Reform Committee under Chairman
around politics, currently on Capitol Hill, to Wesleyan after her death was because Darrell Issa. "I had been following
Jessica now says that public service is her navigating college by yourself is hard, and I the Committee's investigations from
primary focus. Preferring to work behind knew Wesleyan would help me." the start and was flattered just to be
the scenes using politics and policy to asked. Chairman Issa and the Oversight
effect change, Jessica has no interest in After graduating from Wesleyan with Committee set the bar for innovation
running for office. "I am less interested a degree in political science, Jessica and leveraging digital communication to
in power and more interested in problem returned home to Panama City and engage Americans on important issues,
solving. Problem solving happens through spent the summer working as a full- so when I received the job offer, I knew
policy changes, and the bulk of those time volunteer for Steve Southerland's it was a chance I couldn't pass up. Once
changes take place in the nation's capital. congressional campaign. Using a new again, I found myself packing my car to
If I can play a small role in improving the digital communication strategy that move across country. I arrived in D.C. on
future of our country, I consider that a Jessica devised, Southerland won the New Year's Day, 2014."
worthwhile endeavor." primary and hired Jessica as a member of
his campaign staff. Southerland went on At the beginning of the 114th Congress,
Jessica grew up as the only child of to win a seat in Congress (2011-2015). the Oversight Committee got a new
Carolyn ReVonda Seale '96. ReVonda, chairman, and Jessica accepted a job
a non-traditional student, had been "Winning the 2010 Congressional as Digital Director for her former client
introduced to Wesleyan by Sally Bone election was a big deal, but because the Senator Cornyn, who became the Senate
Fay '65 and her daughter Susan Fay campaign season is short, I immediately Majority Whip in January 2015. As part
Flowers '89. Susan said, "I first met began looking for my next job. While of Cornyn's communications team,
ReVonda when I was in college. She making calls and networking, a friend Jessica has a range of duties that include
was a friend of my mom's, and they sang asked if I'd be interested in doing digital proofing press releases and speeches and
in the choir together. When I met her, work for a U.S. Senate campaign based working with reporters on technology and
she was working three jobs in order to in Fort Worth, Texas. I had no intention internet-related topics. But her primary
provide for herself and Jessica, as well of moving to Texas but figured I could duties involve online communication
as taking classes at our local community use the interview experience. A couple of (social media), analyzing analytics to
college. ReVonda wanted to finish her weeks later, I found myself packing my car understand the feedback, and compiling
bachelor's degree, but none of the local for the cross-country move to Fort Worth. the broad information for the Senator.
programs offered what she was looking I arrived on a Friday night, worked twelve She also maintains his website, serves as
for. Mom called Wesleyan's admission hours on Saturday, and spent Sunday primary photographer at notable events,
office and explained ReVonda's situation. looking for a place to live. I was almost and produces videos.
Soon Mom, ReVonda, and eight-year-old asleep Sunday night when the news broke
Jessica were on their way to Wesleyan to that Osama bin Laden had been killed. So After losing touch for a few years, Jessica
have a look around. The Seales moved to I was thrown into the deep end from the and the Fays recently reconnected.
Macon in time for ReVonda to attend fall start. It was exhilarating." During Alumnae Weekend 2015 Jessica
semester that year." (fifth reunion), Sally (fiftieth reunion),
When her candidate transitioned to a U.S. Susan, and other family members
Jessica remembers tagging along with House race, Jessica left the campaign celebrated a magical weekend and
ReVonda as she went about her work and joined the digital consulting firm stayed together at the 1842 Inn. On
study job in Willet Library. Jessica learned Upstream Communications, working reunion Friday, Jessica spoke to Dr.
to type and use the Internet while her exclusively with campaigns and political Barbara Donovan's political science class
mother was working. "I helped re-shelve action committees. She continued to about her journey to a career in politics.
books, made seasonal displays for the work with the candidate from Ft. Worth
front desk, and hung out with (librarians) and added several other U.S. House races Jessica tries not to plan her future in
Tena Roberts '60 and Betty Shewfelt." to her portfolio. By the 2012 election too much detail. "When I was a student
ReVonda had other part-time jobs while cycle, the digital era was transforming hoping to work in politics and policy,
at Wesleyan but still found time to serve the way political campaigns were run. there was no such thing as a digital
on the Council for Judicial Affairs, serve Upstream and Jessica's clients gave her director. Tomorrow may bring a new
as president of the Off Campus Student the latitude to experiment aggressively position or opportunity that doesn't
League, and play the lead role in STUNT with new technologies and approaches to exist today, so I don't get hung up on
her senior year, helping her class win the engage voters. Over time, her portfolio the details of what's next. I hope always
STUNT cup. expanded to include several statewide to work in a public service-oriented job,
candidates, including Senator John whatever form that takes."
ReVonda died on May 9, 2000, when Cornyn, the senior U.S. Senator from
Jessica was fifteen years old. "The non Texas since 2002.
traditional program helped my single
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2015
THE GRAND LADY OF MICROBIOLOGY
MNHA
Among Wesleyan alumnae who have contribution in a lifetime of scientific Both of Sara Branham's grandfathers
served in the public sector, no name achievements was the development had served on the faculty of Wesleyan.
has been more heralded over the years of a successful treatment for spinal Wesleyan Professor George W. W Stone,
than that of Sara Branham Matthews meningitis. her mother's father, went on to teach
from the Class of 1907. In 1950, when applied mathematics at Emory. Her
the Wesleyan Alumnae Association Born in 1888, a time when higher paternal grandfather Walter R. Branham
began recognizing individual alumnae education for women was rare, Sara taught history at Wesleyan and fell in
for their distinguished achievement, Branham was blessed to be part of a love with Elizabeth Flournoy there In
it was no surprise that Sara Branham family whose members believed strongly addition, she had aunts, great aunts, and
Matthews was among the alumnae so in the value of women's education. When "more cousins than I can name" who
honored that first year. In 1992, the newly she graduated in 1907, Sara became the attended Wesleyan.
formed Georgia Women of Achievement third generation in her family to graduate
(GWA) chose from among hundreds from Wesleyan College. Preceding While the Branham family was committed
of accomplished women in Georgia her were her mother Amanda Stone to education, professional opportunities
history to include Sara in its first class Branham from the Class of 1885 and her for women, even bright college
of honorees. A newly released video by paternal grandmother Elizabeth Flournoy graduates like Sara Branham, were
GWA highlights the contributions of this Stone, one of the nine members of severely limited in 1907. Teaching was
daughter of Wesleyan whose greatest Wesleyan's first graduating class in 1840. one of the few careers open to women,
6
and Sara spent the next ten years in the of Health (NIH), where she would remain was a diplomat of the American Board
classroom, first in Sparta, then Decatur, for the rest of her professional career. of Pathology in the field of Clinical
and ending as teacher of science and While on a leave of absence from 1932 Microbiology and of the National Board
English in Atlanta's Girls' High School. to 1934, she completed her medical of Medical Examiners. She was named
A desire to expand her own education degree at the University of Chicago and Woman of the Year by the American
took her to the University of Colorado in served an internship at the Municipal Women's Medical Association in 1959,
Boulder for summer study in 1917. In just Contagious Disease Hospital in Chicago. and in 197 4 the genus Branhamella
a few weeks, however, the combination (catarrhalis) was created in her honor.
of Sara's keen intellect and the dearth At the NIH Sara was tasked with
of men at the University because of the addressing a recent health menace. In spite of her demanding professional
war led to an invitation to work as a lab A new strain of microbe was causing life, Sara Branham Matthews found time
assistant and then to teach bacteriology a virulent form of meningitis, one to be a devoted Wesleyan alumna and
in the medical school. "When I had had that was unresponsive to the serums supporter, returning for class reunions,
about six weeks of bacteriology, they that previously had been effective. serving as alumna trustee from 1936
offered me a job to teach it!" she later Sara's rigorous research and tireless until 1939, and sharing her expertise as
told the Wesleyan Magazine. While at experimentation ultimately led to a a featured speaker on several occasions.
Colorado she was elected to Phi Beta successful treatment - a combination of In 1960, just two years before her death,
Kappa and continued her studies in serum and the new drug sulfanilamide. she traveled from her home in Bethesda,
biology and chemistry, earning a second Sara continued her research over the Maryland, to Wesleyan College to deliver
.. ~HG KILLED MILLIO~ Of KILLEKSf'
"GEORGIA-BORN WOMAN DOCTOR UNCOVERS CURE
FOR THE DREAD GERM OF MENINGITIS"
- ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. MARCH 6. 1939
A.B. degree in 1919. Sara's professional course of her career and became two lectures under the sponsorship of
course was set. "When the war was a renowned authority on the the National Science Foundation and the
over," she wrote, "I was too deep in meningococcus. Her knowledge was American Institute of Biological Science.
bacteriology to ever get out again." described as "encyclopedic," and she
was sought as a consultant nationally When interviewed for the Georgia
From Boulder Sara entered the and internationally. She had published Women of Achievement's new video
University of Chicago for graduate eighty papers and had contributed to about Sara's life, President Ruth Knox
study. While pursuing her Ph.D., Sara several textbooks at the time of her '75 observed, "One of the things I most
was appointed to an assistantship in retirement as Chief of Bacterial Toxins admire about Sara Branham Matthews
bacteriology. Her research focused Section, Division of Biologics Standards is the manner in which she developed
on the study of influenza, the disease at the NIH. A bound volume of her her vocation, her sense of calling. She
that had killed perhaps as many in collected published works can be found found what she loved, yes, but that was
1918-1919 as the Black Plague had in Wesleyan's Willet Library. just the beginning. She worked hard,
killed in the Middle Ages. She earned got an education - and lots of it - and
her Ph.D. in bacteriology in 1923 and, In addition to the distinguished took advantage of every door that was
while completing her first two years of achievement award from the Wesleyan opened to her including that first job
medical school, was also an instructor College Alumnae Association, Sara teaching bacteriology while the men
in the Department of Hygiene and received a distinguished service award were at war. When the NIH called her
Bacteriology. In 1927 she left Chicago from the University of Chicago Medical to help solve a medical threat affecting
to become an associate in the Medical School Alumni Association and was countless lives, she was more than ready
School of the University of Rochester presented with an honorary doctor of to answer. Sara herself once said of her
in New York. After only a few months, science from the University of Colorado. work at the NIH, 'I think one reason I
she was asked to join the United States In 1930 and in 1936 she represented am so happy in my work is that I like
Public Health Service in its research the United States at the first and the feeling I am doing something that
institution, then called the "Hygienic second International Conference for really needs to be done.' That is the very
Laboratory," now the National Institutes Microbiology in Paris and London. Sara definition of calling."
Image from the History of Medicine, U.S National Library of Medicine
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2015