Club Meeting – April 10th, 2014

Today’s program was provided by Nancy Oliver Gray, President of Hollins University.  She became Hollins University’s eleventh president in January 2005.  She brought to Hollins a strong belief in the liberal arts and sciences and the need for women’s colleges in higher education.  Under Gray’s leadership, Hollins has embarked on a strategic plan, Connecting Liberal Arts Education and Experience to Achieve Results, which is focusing the university’s efforts through 2017.  President Gray shared with us some of the recent accomplishments achieved by the students at Hollins University in a myriad of areas.

Just recently Hollins Theatre’s production of Decision Height was recognized with national honors in production, direction, performance, and playwriting by the 46th Annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

We also learned of the working relationship Hollins has developed with Mill Mountain Theater.  To view YouTube video click here.

Earlier this year Hollins won the 15th annual statewide collegiate Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl, sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC).  Hollins competed head-to-head against other student teams from Virginia’s independent colleges and universities, debating a variety of case studies highlighting ethical dilemmas. The theme of this year’s event was “Ethics and Health Care.”

The list of awards and recognition achieved in all aspects of academia and community outreach is impressive.

President Gray concluded by reviewing four myths about a liberal arts education.

• Myth #1: An institution has to be big to be good.
• Myth #2: Liberal arts education is too expensive.
• Myth #3: A liberal arts graduate can’t get a job.
• Myth #4: A liberal arts education is a poor investment.

Click here to read PDF on why these are myths.

Perhaps the most important conception to rebut is that getting a quality education is unaffordable in today’s world.  Click here to read a recent essay by President Gray on the subject.

Hollins University is lucky to have President Gray’s leadership and our Club fortunate to hear from someone with her talents and enthusiasm.  Please visit the Hollins University website to learn more about how this institution enriches its student’s lives and that of our valley community.