Salem College..........a room filled with Girl Power!

I am always so impressed by annual visit to Salem...........young women that know what they want and where they are going. Last nights program was a lot of fun. I was excited to talk about things that are a little different than my usual presentation. A huge thanks to Susam and Beth for organizing this weeks events. All the classes have gone great and outside of the 22 degree temp it has been a perfect week.
Cathy

UNC School of the Arts........

Wow what a morning I had with the students at UNC. First off it was 22 degrees this morning and I left Florida with nothing but my sandals! But there were several Florida folks in the crowd with their sandals on too. Both sessions were a lot of fun and I really felt like we connected. We must have because by the time I got to my computer I had 9 friend request on my facebook. I had a really nice lunch at a little cafe that Steve and I had eaten at a few years ago. I didn't remember having been there til Susan and I were talking. Not sure how I could forget it because Steve managed to spill not one but 2 glasses of tea while we were there. Tonight I will be at Salem College and then I will be at Wake in the morning so I still have a busy schedule..........

Salem Academy..........girls that know they need a plan

Today was a fun day. I spent most of it at Salem Academy with some seriously bright high school girls. Some of them are going to have a hard time sleeping tonight because for the first time in their life someone......(that would be me).....told them that their parents and grandparents still have sex.................oh the horror of it all. Several thought their Mom's were way to old for that......their Mom's are 39.......if I could have had it on tape to send to them on their big 40's it would have been priceless.
I spent lunch at Salem College with some premed students talking about meds and compliance. That was a lot of fun too and the food wasn't bad. Tomorrow is really busy... 3 classes at UNC School of the Arts and then a night time program at Salem College so I am going to call it an early night.
Take care!
Cathy

Fried chicken and sweet tea at Winston Salem State

Now they know how to treat a southern girl when she comes to visit!! This was my first visit to Winston Salem State but I sure hope it won't be the only one. First I have to give cudos to Justin he was the only male in the house last night and boy was he a good sport. Tiffany did an awesome job setting up the program and feeding everyone. Students laughed, cried asked questions and learned together. I had such a nice time with these very empowered young African American women!! Thanks again to all the powers that be that made the night possible.
Cathy

Tornado winds instead.................

Let me first start this blog by saying I am so sorry for all the losses last weeks storms created. The students at Union are so lucky admist all the damage to be alive!!
When I woke up to head to the airport Wednesday morning most of the destruction had happened while I slept. My initial feeling was maybe I should rent a car and drive to ABAC instead of trying to fly......because as those of you from the south know you can't get anywhere without going through Atlanta......much to my regret I didn't listen to that little voice. When I landed in Atlanta I was stuck. So I rented a car and drove 4 hours back to Tifton in horrible rain....it would have been no more than 5 hours from the house..lolol. The program that night was great. All the "Rowdy's" in attendance were on target. The girls softball team was there in full. We had a neat time. The party packs the school handed out were really great too. Bernice is the best. She is definately the reason ABAC is on my schedule every year no matter what.
We had a fabulous dinner full of things I shouldn't eat and got caught up on all sorts of things.
I made it back to the hotel about 11 and was wipped.
Thursday morning I woke up and headed to Albany State University. This was my first visit to their campus but I sure hope it isn't my last. Mrs. Hayslip is awesome. She had everything ready. It was African American HIV Awareness day and ASU is a traditionaly all black college. There was initial attention paid to the fact that I wasn't black................kids never realize I hear really well. But the program went off without a hitch. They had lots of press there that stayed too. The health center was offering free rapid testing that day and I have a feeling they had a lot of takers. They have a great group of students involved in HIV issues and they were really excited with ideas of things they could do now.
Mrs Hayslip and I had a fast but delicious lunch then I was off to the sirport to head for Pittsburg. My program there was at 8 and I landed at 6:26 and it was snowing. I know Kelly was afraid my cab deiver wasn't going to get me there on time but we made it with 15 min. to spare.
This was my first time at Chatham. What a gorgeous campus!! Again a great turnout. Lots of questions and emotions that night. the cool thing for me was I got to visit my old friend Kelly. We had a great dinner and I spent the night at his house.
As I was flying home from this trip I was struck by the week. Three amazing schools, one full of country folks.....one traditionaly African American and one almost entirely girls......all three engaged and wanting to make a difference in their students lives with education that could save their life one day. It struck me one again...............how awesome it is to be involved in higher ed!!
Cathy

World Wind Trip...........

Hi everyone. I know I have not been good at the blog lately. December was a really busy month with World AIDS week events all over the country!! Colorado, Boston and Florida all the events went really well.
Then it was time for the Friends-Together Christmas party.........it was a blast. Thanks to all the folks that collected gifts, cooked food and wrapped gifts to make Christmas an exciting time for all of our families.
Christmas was a big deal at our house this year. Any of you that know me well know I hate to cook but I cooked for the whole family, my folks and Troy's folks came for the holiday.
December 29 Troy and I were married. It was a simple ceremony with our families, in Ft. Myers. We had beautifull weather and held the ceremony at the Manatee Park and had a small get together at his house there. Then the real vacation started as we took a week long cruise. We slept and ate and slept some more.............that's what you do when you get old on vacation.
This month has been really busy at my Florida Southern office. We suffered the loss of a student who was returning to campus from the holiday break and then last week we suffered the loss of another student to an accident. So as you might imagine most of my time has been spent around helping folks deal with all the issues grief brings up.
I am very excited about the next few days. Tomorrow night I will be at ABAC in Tifton. Definately one of my top 3 places to go! Wednesday morning I will be speaking at Albany State in Albany, Ga. This will be my first visit to their school.............then I will hop on a plane and Thursday night I will be a Chatham in Pittsburg! It's going to be a fast and furious trip but I can't wait. I will keep you all posted and up to date!
Cathy