WELCOME TO VIXEN WATCH WHICH INCLUDES NEWS AND ARTICLES ON SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE, LIBERAL ARTS, STEM, STEAM, COLLEGE FINANCE, AND MORE.
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ONCE AGAIN A SWEET BRIAR VIXEN NEEDS YOUR HELP TO FUND A SUMMER MEDICAL INTERNSHIP IN AFRICA. PLEASE CHECK THE “VIXENS HELPING VIXENS” SECTION AT THE BOTTOM.
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A NEW EDITION OF THE BRIAR WIRE IS OUT.
IT INCLUDES AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS AND ITS FOCUS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, AN UPDATE FROM SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE ALUMNAE ALLIANCE AND HOW THE RECIPIENTS OF THE OUTSTANDING ALUMNA AWARD WERE ANNOUNCED.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO ACCESS THE BRIAR WIRE.
http://sbc.edu/alumnae-development/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/the-briar-wire-october-2016.pdf
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PLEASE WATCH THIS NEW VIDEO MESSAGE FROM SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE PRESIDENT STONE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOKMUB1uIKQ&feature=youtu.be&list=PLqcrIIuAPc-ENL4GM9W4WeQ7hJyZ0pz0T
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YOU CAN FIND A FEW VERY INTERESTING LINKS AND ARTICLES ON SWEET BRIAR ALUMNAE IN THE ‘SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE SWEET BRIAR COMMUNITY‘ SECTION.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
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A NEW EVENT HAS BEEN ADDED FOR NOVEMBER 8 – IN THE ‘EVENTS‘ SECTION
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SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE IS STILL HIRING
FOR INFORMATION AND A LIST OF POSITIONS PLEASE VISIT
http://sbc.edu/human-resources/faculty-staff-job-openings/
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND START SAVING!
REUNION IS GOING TO BE JUNE 2 THROUGH 4 2017.
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PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO ALSO CHECK THE “EVENTS” SECTION AT THE BOTTOM.
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ARE YOU PLANNING A TRIP TO SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE? DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE EVENTS CALENDAR
http://sbc.edu/featured-events/
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IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR
SWEET BRIAR GO TO:
HTTP://SBC.EDU/ALUMNAE-DEVELOPMENT/VOLUNTEER/
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IF YOU PLAN A FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT SWEET BRIAR PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED APPROVAL FROM THE COLLEGE. ALL FUNDRAISING EVENTS ARE TIED TO OUR ACCREDITATION PROCESSES AND THEREFOR NEED THE APPROVAL. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO ENTER THE SYSTEM:
HTTP://SBC.EDU/ALUMNAE-DEVELOPMENT/GEOGRAPHIC-CLUBS-AND-EVENTS/
AND
HTTP://SBC.EDU/ALUMNAE-DEVELOPMENT/FUNDRAISING-FOR-SWEET-BRIAR/
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTION PLEASE CONTACT DONNA DODD WHO IS THE CONTACT FOR ALL FUNDRAISERS DDODD@SBC.EDU
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FOR MORE FABULOUS INFORMATION ON SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE, ITS STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, ALUMNAE VISIT THE FACEBOOK PAGE
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SWEET.BRIAR.COLLEGE/
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IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO POST PLEASE SEND YOUR DETAILED REQUEST TO THE COMMENT BOX. DON’T FORGET TO ADD LINKS, FLYER, AND/OR PHOTOS. THANK YOU. 
SWEET BRIAR NEWS
A new message from President Stone
Sweet Briar riders compete at Bridgewater
Sweet Briar College professor earns teaching award
VMDO architects win third award for Sweet Briar library renovation
Sweet Briar gets electro-acoustic studio
Reviving an Amherst County tradition
Sweet Briar revives Amherst County Day tradition
Amherst County Day recalls past with an eye to the future
National book award winning children’s author to read at Sweet Briar
Lynchburg-area ghost stories and urban legends to get you in the Halloween spirit
Sweet Briar riding caps successful weekend, looks ahead to SWVHJA horse show on campus
SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE SWEET BRIAR FAMILY
Posted on Facebook by Jane Dure
A women colleges that almost closed last year was just named one of the country’s best
These are the top 20 women’s colleges across the country
Submitted by Deirdre Conley
Sweet Briar College Cochran Library dedication
Posted on Facebook by Marilen Crump
I am very excited to announce this! AND there is also an E-book that you can get for FREE called “Living in Everyday Grace” (These tips are short and to the point because we know you have a full and busy life. Use them often to enhance your personal life experience.) Co-Written by me and other authors of “The Gifts of Grace & Gratitude”.
Click here:
http://graceandgratitudebook.com/freeebook/
Thanks for all the support and encouragement! 
Posted on Facebook by Sabryna McClung Roberson on Harpreet Kaur Bedi’s documentary “Under The Turban”
Greg & I travelled to Palo Alto today to view my ’93 Sweet Briar College classmate Preet and her husband Satinder’s documentary called “UNDER THE TURBAN.” This film was one selected by the United Nations Association Film Festival — out of approximately 700 entries. This year’s theme: “Compass for a Better World.”
The idea for this film was hatched when Preet & Satinder’s oldest daughter, Zara, asked what it meant to be Sikh (the 5th largest religion in the world); her parents did not know how to answer her question. The filming had them embarking on a journey to meet Sikhs around the world — from cheese makers in Italy to a group of North American Harley-Davidson riders outfitted it brightly hued turbans…
We met incredible people and are delighted to help spread the word of UNDER THE TURBAN!!
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/undertheturban
UNDER THE TURBAN – Description: A young, modern Sikh family travels the globe meeting with diverse communities of Sikhs to explore their roots and identity in Sikhism, the world’s fifth largest religion. ‘What makes me a Sikh?’ This question posed by nine-year-old Zara Garcha starts a family’s journey to learn about their religion. The Garcha family explores Sikhism, by visiting diverse Sikh communities around the world. Visiting with maharaja’s, cheesemakers, fashionistas, farmers and scholars to glean a better understanding of the world’s fifth largest religion. Their journey begins in Parma where they meet Sikhs who have a hand in creating Italy’s iconic Parmesan cheese. From there the Garcha family heads east traveling to The Golden Temple in Sikhism’s holy city, Amritsar, learning about the historical foundations and social history of the religion. Lived experience blends with academic insight as the family travels to the United Kingdom, Argentina, Canada and America gaining a better understanding of these modern Sikh communities and the fundamental aspects of this often misunderstood religion.
UNAFF (United Nations Association Film Festival), which was originally conceived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was founded by Stanford educator and film critic Jasmina Bojic with the participation of the Stanford Film Society and the UNA Midpeninsula Chapter, a community-based nonprofit organization.
Watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/ondemand/undertheturban/132119217
Posted on Facebook by Jane Dure
Sweet Briar graduate Verda Colvin ’87 Superior Court judge in the Macon Judicial Circuit, has been named to Georgia’s law enforcement task force. Congratulations!
Gov deal announces law enforcement task force
Posted on Facebook by Tara Lynn
9 beautiful college campuses around Virginia
ALUMNAE ALLIANCE
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNAE ALLIANCE
Critical need at Sweet Briar! We need your help!
The tennis courts at Sweet Briar were last resurfaced 12 years ago, but best practices among collegiate facilities call for resurfacing every 7 to 9 years. Maintenance was limited to patching any problem spots, but patching is not proper maintenance for the long term. As a result, water has penetrated many of the courts as far below the surface as 12 inches. This has caused foundational cracks, surface cracks, dead spots, and separation between the topcoat and the foundational layers of the courts. The courts now have to be rebuilt.
Rebuilding the tennis courts is a critical need for Sweet Briar not only for ODAC intercollegiate play but for rebuilding auxiliary revenue through camps and clinics in the off-season. Sweet Briar hosted a condensed version of Dennis van Der Meer’s adult tennis camp this summer; however, any expansion of the camps is in jeopardy due to the condition of the courts. The total sum needed for this project is $275,000. We have already received a $50,000 challenge gift from an anonymous donor to complete the rebuilding of the courts, and other donors have provided an additional $9,000 to date. Former tennis teammates are reaching out to each other to raise the remaining $216,000, but gifts are welcome from all of our Sweet Briar alumnae and friends. Work on the courts must begin before the winter months so that competitions and camps can resume in the spring; therefore, we must reach our goal by October 1, 2016. If the courts are not rebuilt in time for the spring season, our tennis team will have to hold its home matches at one of Amherst’s public schools.
If you have questions about this project or would like to make a gift of $10,000 or more, please contact Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 at 434-381-6131. Click on the link for photos of the tennis courts in the latest Briar Wire.
BREAKING + BREAKING + BREAKING + BREAKING + BREAKING + BREAKING
When the College launched a campaign to resurface its tennis courts this summer, Sweet Briar graduate Amoret Thissell Jorgensen ’82 jumped into action. Sparked by an idea from Cindy Conroy ’74, she had already teamed up with Jane Sullivan ’78 to fund the perfect item: paper cocktail napkins bearing the Vixen logo, designed years ago by late athletics director Jennifer Crispen.
A package of 50 napkins sells for $20 each, and all proceeds will benefit the tennis courts. Jorgensen and Sullivan’s order of 720 napkin packages could raise $14,400 towards the $275,000 price tag — wow!
The Vixen napkins are available at the Book Shop now and online here:
http://shopsweet.sbc.edu/products/cocktail-napkins-50-count-with-crispen-vixen
Debra Elkins ’93 and Sarah von Rosenberg ’72 Co-chairs of the Alumnae Alliance Council awarded with 2016 Outstanding Alumna Award. Congratulations!
| DO YOU SHOP ON AMAZON? DID YOU KNOW A PORTION OF YOUR PURCHASE COULD GO TOWARD SBC? SIGN UP FOR AMAZONSMILE AND SELECT “SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE” AS YOUR CHARITY! HTTPS://SMILE.AMAZON.COM/GP/CHPF/ABOUT/REF=SMI_SE_ABTPO_R_ABOUT_SMI |
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN MAKE A MONTHLY GIFT TO SWEET BRIAR?THE COLLEGE CAN SET UP A RECURRING CREDIT CARD PAYMENT FOR YOU OR YOU CAN EVEN SET IT UP THROUGH YOUR BANK. CALL 1-800-381-6131 TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED!
TO MAKE A GIFT NOW, VISIT SBC.EDU/GIFT.
To get the most out of Sweet Briar’s alumnae network go to
https://sweetbriar.alumnifire.com/
LIBERAL ARTS
Academic realignment stirs controversy, debate
Higher education should be a public good, not a private commodity
Truth in Liberal Arts – Kearns Goodwin guests as PC symposium
Princeton – Professors stress the value of a liberal arts education
Dylan Miner – art and activism
Once more the value of humanities
‘A liberal arts education is threatened by students’ narcissistic views about what is relevant’
What is the importance of liberal arts in the digital age?
How a liberal arts education reformed a young white nationalist
Review – ‘Fail U: The false promise of higher education’
Aerospace dean – UND’s liberal arts core helps aerospace school
Triple your options – Customize your education with the CLAM
What can you do with that (useless) liberal arts degree? A lot more than you think
The value of liberal arts colleges
Hunting for soft skills, companies scoop up English majors
A liberal arts education informs entrepreneurship
Liberal arts eyes revamping general education
Public liberal arts colleges – you won’t find these schools on ESPN
Science is a key part of a good liberal arts education
STEM AND STEAM
11 myths about IoT engineering
LAEF donates $30,000 to media center/STEAM programs
New children’s book sparks curiosity and encourages interest in STEAM subjects
Coast Guard teaches STEM skills at K.C. Coombs school
Students design products to solve real world problems
Energy company collaboration gives 15,000 students a leg up on STEM education
Engaging students with the novel and old-school
WOMEN IN STEM
Women in computing to decline to 22% by 2025, study warns
Stem the loss of tech talent with women
Here’s how to triple the number of girls who code
Women in tech – Why the small victories matter
Beyond Ada – The future of women in STEM
Author speaks of women in science
Full STEAM ahead – Tapping into our full potential
4 role models who inspire girls to pursue tech careers
Dell MD – Diverse, inclusive workplaces deliver stronger business results
How is the gender pay gap the result of life ‘choice’?
Marita Cheng takes on the male-dominated STEM sector
Presence of women in tech expected to shrink even further by 2025
Million women mentors event kicks off
Pink power at girl STEM conference
Ada Lovelace Day shines light on women in the sciences
Dell Technologies back girls who code
Women’s disparity, dearth in STEM
WOMEN Unlimited, Inc explores attracting and retaining female talent in the STEM fields
3 genius ideas to get more women in STEM jobs
A few encouraging words can change the lives of female STEM students
Support girls in STEM through Vision to Share
Move over boys….Hackensack girls scouts can rev up for fast track races
UAE – STEM industries not a male only domain
Stem the loss of tech talent with women
Preparing girls for a bright future in STEM
Helping girls realize the scope of STEM careers
Smart girls rock – Exploring STEM careers
Science community must embrace gender equality
Supporting prospective women in STEM starts with accessible mentors
Helping women realize the potential in STEM careers
Girls growing curiosity and confidence in science (and so much more)
UK- We need to combat outdated stereotypes to attract more women into STEM careers
As tech gender gap widens, what can be done to reverse it?
Female students pursue STEM study in Red Bank Regional Academy of Engineering
Young women show interest in STEM
7 important facts about the global gender gap
STEM gender gap – See how Kindergarten teachers play a vital role
Women motivated to play key role in New York’s effort to be the next American Tech Powerhouse
STUDENT RECRUITMENT, ENROLLMENT, ETC.
Concordia gained thousands of new students – and a federal inquiry
College expert – Degree is not ‘Golden Ticket’
Latino success story can help all students
Colleges to reach out to high school students in Tucson
To attract students, colleges offering loan debt insurance
4-year schools hit back after county college bans recruiting
UCF seeks out more students from overseas
China – As China enrolls more overseas students to build soft power, locals find the process unfair
UK- Overseas student crackdown could hit LSE, Kings College London, and SOAS
Education dean creates committee to recruit students
Opinion – City upon a hill – Buying higher education, admission’s shady side
Attracting international students – How Australian higher education stays ahead of competition?
“Now I know I’m going to college” A day changes lives for CPS students
COLLEGE SUSTAINABILITY AND AGRICULTURE
Onlinecollegeplan.com releases its 2016 ranking for the top 20 greenest colleges
F&M women’s volleyball team champions first sustainable uniform to away games
NC colleges lead way in healthy farming
Sac State is one of the world’s most sustainable campuses
Publication highlights Guilford sustainability
Berea College ranked among best in the nation
COLLEGE FINANCES, GRANTS, ETC.
5 misconceptions about college aid
Why is students’ debt so high for New Hampshire College Grads?
College costs drive US students to British universities
Free college short-circuits complex issue (opinion)
6 best sources for college grants and scholarships
Hendrix announces $110 million campaign
$15M in donations to Hendrix propel fundraising campaign
WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Pakistan – Pakistan’s women-only university are ‘progressive’ spaces
Europe – European research needs both women and men
Syria – Supporting women’s leadership for a post-conflict Syria
Studies – Women face bias in higher education
Women entering professions in unprecedented numbers
Higher education gap between men and women shrinks
Opinion – Access to education can empower women, young girls around the world
Oman – Word on the street – Gender equality at work
Wonder Woman earned her United Nations post, no matter what protesters say
170 years from now, women will earn as much as men
India – Girl Power – Single sex colleges are giving a career boost to women
Gender wage gap has many causes, one big solution
Engaging the conversation about gender equality in the workplace
Women in the workplace struggle for gender equality
Just 20% of superintendents are women, proof of a stubborn gender gap
OTHER
Here’s a new college ranking based entirely on other college rankings
How much graduates earn drives more college rankings
More programs – and more men – at traditionally women’s Mary Baldwin
EVENTS
Sweet Briar alumna and artist Jill Steenhuis will be touring the US this Fall. Here is her schedule:
November 8
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VIXENS HELPING VIXENS
A request posted on Facebook by Natalie Tacke
Lovely ladies!! My beautiful adopted vixen this year is trying to raise money to support a summer internship to Africa to help further her dreams of becoming a surgeon! She has created a go fund me page in an attempt to raise the funds necessary to make this happen!! Let’s show her some love and help make her dreams come true!!!
https://www.gofundme.com/fund-for-africa-medical-internship-2vku6qs
vixenwatch 