|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
09.08.05 Erskine alumna helps freshman women 'sign the book' The 82nd annual Signing of the Book at Erskine College brought the women of the Class of 2009 to the Bowie Arts Center Wednesday evening to participate in a tradition that goes back several generations, recite the honor pledge and add their signatures to a book signed by some of their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. "You are just becoming the women you're going to be, and that's fabulous," said featured speaker Mary Elizabeth Land, director of the Abbeville County Library System since 2002 and a 1990 graduate of Erskine College. Land grew up in New Jersey, just outside Manhattan, and said that when she was at Erskine she found it difficult to describe Due West to her friends back home. "I used to go home and try to explain to people just how small Due West was — I'd say, well, there's no stoplight," she said. "No one would believe me." During her college years, she became known as "Missy," the nickname her family had given her, rather than the longer "Mary Elizabeth." That nickname became part of a test her brother conducted. "My brother Mark decided he'd find out if Due West was really that small, so he addressed a letter to me using just 'Missy' and the zip code, 29639," Land recalled. "Well, the Due West post office didn't know what to do with it, so they sent it over to Erskine, and I guess I was the only 'Missy' at Erskine, and I got it," she said. "So yes, the town was so small you could get a piece of mail with just your nickname and a zip code on it." Land told the freshmen that learning to find Main Street in Due West is not enough. "You think you've learned your way around Due West, but really you haven't, because it takes a long time to learn where you fit in," she said. "Sometimes it's harder to know where you are than you think it is — it may take you four years to find out where you belong in this town." Speaking about friendships formed at Erskine, Land said a common experience among students is to find someone "who really 'gets' you — who understands what you mean even when you say it all wrong." Although such close friendships enrich college life, Land advised students against relying on them to the exclusion of other opportunities for growth. "I want to warn you against sticking too close to the people who 'get' you," she said. "It's the ones who challenge you, think differently from you, that you can learn most from. "Don't forget to reach out to those who don't 'get' you," she said. "Some of them will be professors." Land praised the Erskine College faculty. "They'll spend time to introduce you to concepts you're just not getting, they'll share their interests and concerns," she said. "And you'll complain about them!" Observing that "there's not a single woman here who doesn't like to take it easy sometimes," she challenged the freshmen to learn from "those professors who don't let you take it easy," and predicted they would later remember such teachers with appreciation. "Enjoy it, learn a lot, make friends to last a lifetime, and become the best people you can," she said. Land, who earned a double major in English and psychology at Erskine, also received a master's degree in English from Clemson University in 1992 and a master's degree in library science from Long Island University in 1999. She has been married to Chris Land since 1992. Before beginning her service with the Abbeville County Library System, she taught in Clemson's English department from 1991-97 and worked as a children's librarian in upstate New York from 1999-2002. A number of Erskine seniors assisted with Wednesday's ceremony. Caroline Williams, president of the senior class, welcomed the women; Ashley Pressley, president of the Association of Minority Students, gave the invocation; and Catherine Meggs, president of the Philomelean Women, introduced the speaker. Karen King, chairman of the Erskine Entertainment Board, led the honor pledge; Danielle Bauer, president of the Intersociety Council, and Brittany Mallard, chairman of the Student Life Council, assisted with the signing of the book; Janna Register of the Erskine Choraleers led the singing of the Alma Mater; Daphne Gossage, another Choraleer, offered a closing prayer; and Lindsey Willis, president of Omicron Delta Kappa, adjourned the meeting. Serving refreshments were Julie Hall, president of the Chi Little Sisters, Chrissy Taylor, president of the Athenian Women, and Danielle Spakes, president of the Euphemian Little Sisters. Click here to view more photos
Caitlyn Slattery, above, of Enoree. |
Search | Netnews Home | College Home | Seminary Home | Academics | Alumni | Athletics | Mission | The Gold Campaign | The Drummond Center | |
Trouble viewing this e-mail? Go to: |
