This Blog Is Currently On Hiatus

The blog is currently on hiatus as the alumnae and alumni associations determine how to move forward with shared communications tools.

A message from Ruth:
I've enjoyed my time working on this blog but like all good things, that time has come to an end.  As we move forward, let us remember the good times and work for even better.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord

Mary Addie Gilliland Geiger, MSCW class of 1947,  died peacefully at home on Friday, April 29, 2011. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as a supportive and inspiring friend. She touched many lives with her unconditional love, caring attention and zest for life.

Born on April 30, 1926, in Cedar Bluff, Mary was the daughter of the late Charles Thomas Gilliland and Lucille Harkins Gilliland. She graduated in 1947 from Mississippi State College for Women with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology. She began her career in medical technology in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she met and married her husband John Carlton Geiger. They built their lives together as John worked for IBM and Mary raised their four children. They have been in Raleigh for the past 46 years where Mary was a founding member of Capital Quilters Guild and a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church. She’s best known by her family and friends for her gracious hospitality, holiday and family gatherings, and baby quilts for her grandchildren.

In addition to John, her husband of 60 years, Mary is survived by her children, Patricia Geiger of Boone, Margaret Chesson and husband Earl of Chapel Hill, John Carlton Geiger Jr. and wife Barbara of Raleigh, Janie Schaeffer and husband John of Raleigh; nine grandchildren; Elizabeth Hutchison and husband Don; Win, Mary, and Tricia Chesson, Robert and Margaret Geiger, Steven, Richard, and Chris Schaeffer, and four great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Oliver, Charles and Ella Hutchison.

MFAeA Welcomes 2011 MUW Graduates to the Long Blue Line

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association would like to welcome all 2011 graduates of MUW to the Long Blue Line.  Being a MUW alum is special.  We have bonds through the years that while perhaps not unique in the whole universe of colleges and universities, are certainly special.  Those of us who graduated at our about the same time all know (or at least know of) the same people.  We have so many clubs and organizations that are unique to MUW and which bind those who graduated years ago to recent graduates current students.  We have all had the honor of attending a very special university and as alums we try to support each other.

We, the current members of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association (and I'm sure I speak for the members of the MUW Alumni Association as well) welcome you, the new graduates, to our number.  If you aren't familiar with our blog (http://mfaea.blogspot.com) I invite you to take some time to peruse it and learn about some very ordinary and very extraordinary alums.  We'd like to get to know you as well.  Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey, which will be used to create blog posts about you.  Who knows, your future employer may meet you here.  The form is embedded on the blog post.  If you are reading this on facebook, you can access the form at https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDlUMHVIM3J3NjRVUW1JbUNueV9wQkE6MQ  Please participate and invite your graduating friends to do so too!

Photo of the Week

Front Campus from the back.  Thanks to Donna Bridges for the photo.

Amy Johnson Davis Remembers Her Girl Scout Days.

Amy Johnson Davis '93 was a Girl Scout for three or four  years in elementary school in Hernando, MS.   "I remember the camaraderie between most of the girls, and between us and the leaders. I was impressed when one of our leaders brought in HER Girl Scout badges....I never got a lot of badges, but I did get some pins going from year to year.  I bet they got stolen a few years ago when someone broke into our house and took (along with a lot of other things) both of my jewelry boxes - because that is where I kept them."

Like most Girl Scouts, Amy has some fond memories:  "I know we did a day camp, but I can't remember anything about it! I remember "crossing the bridge" from being a Brownie to being a Girl Scout. We had a ceremony and actually had a wooden shipping pallet that was our "bridge" we crossed over as each of us completed our part. My little sister was 2 or 3 years old, and my mom somewhere has a picture of me doing my oath, and Anna standing next to me! Cute!"

While Amy has not been involved with Girl Scouts since that time, now that she is a mother of girls she tell us "My eldest is 8yo and I'd love for her to get involved "  You know Amy, the best way to make sure there is a troop for your daughter to join is to volunteer to lead it.    

Gold Award Girl Scout Sarah Hickox

Sarah Hickox, Mississippi University for Women Class of 2008 was a girl member of Girl Scouts for for 11 years and is now a Lifetime Girl Scout.  She tells us " I started Girl Scouting in Florida as a Brownie and continued once I moved to Mississippi. Most of my years were spent in Troop 807 in Meridale Girl Scout Council, which later became Gulf Pines. I earned my Silver Award for doing repairwork to an obstacle course at Camp Meridale (Meridian, MS) and my Gold Award for compiling a Council History. I did research on Camp Meridale, Camp Iti Kana and Girl Scouting in the area. I did a presentation, made badge boxes, and had fundraisers for facilities to display memorabilia which I had collected at camp. I also created a website, which is mostly in still working order and can be visited here. It's funny to be on this side of the survey. I've spent years asking others to tell me their favorite memories and now I find it's difficult to choose what to share!"

Sarah continued: "My earliest Girl Scout memories are of my Brownie investiture ceremony and wearing my Brownie sash. I remember we had a nurse come to one meeting and she couldn't find my pulse. That's quite a scary experience for a 5 year old. I thought I didn't have a heartbeat at all! My Mom was always my troop leader and she was a great one. We did all the classic crafts--sit upons, potato stamps, string art, weaving, beading...tons of things! Camping was probably my favorite and we had the best camp. Camp Meridale is special, because in addition to tents we also had Covered Wagons and Treehouses. The Brownies stayed in the Covered Wagons, Juniors in Treehouses and older girls in the tent unit. I quickly stepped into the role of song leader and became known as "Tweety" at camp because I was always leading songs. I became a Program Aid, CIT and Counselor all a bit earlier than I strictly should have because I was homeschooled and was a grade ahead. I do miss camping and being a counselor! I hope I'll be able to do that again one day. My last year at summer camp I ran a unit called "Footlights by the Firelight" and we put on a shortened version of The Wizard of Oz. I went on to be a Theatre major at MUW and am pursuing a degree in Theatre Outreach at University of London this Fall. Girl Scouting really gave me a lot of great tools that I still use today. I haven't had the chance to be a Troop Leader yet, but I hope to return to Girl Scouting as a leader someday."

I looked at Sarah's website, and if you are at all interested in the history of Girl Scouts in Mississippi, or in general Girl Scout history I think you'll find it fascinating, I know I did.

Photo of the Week: Lancer Reunion Homecoming 2011

Ricki Garrett, Tammy Niles, Jane Dearing Dennis, Allison Shelton Ross, Donna L Bridges, Kathy Dyess, Debbie Tate, Sally Reid Forrest, Jennet Lacey, Carol Mead

Do you have pictures of your social club reunion?  Leave a link so we can all look for old friends.  Thanks to Donna Bridges for this photo.