Meet the Candidates: Anne Swearingen

Anne Swearingen, Class of 1973 is a floor nominee for the office of director. Anne received her B.S., in Journalism from MUW and her MA from the University of Memphis.

As one three sisters who attended The W, (Lynn Swearing '76 and Jane Swearingen '74-'76), Anne feels forwever linked to "those who came before me and those who come after me in a shared experience that has no comparison. The W gave me more than I can ever give back and continues to do so through the friends I have made from different decades as well as those from my era. We share something special that permanently binds us to one another. It is my hope that my granddaughters will choose to go to MUW. Heaven knows I'll do one heckuva PR job to make it happen! (Elizabeth went to Homecoming with me two years ago and is still talking about it. She even learned to sing sis-a-boom-sis-a-boom-rah-rah-rah!)"

While at MUW, Anne participated in Mississippi Press Women, MSCW chapter Women in Communications, Inc., MSCW chapter, Spectator, Reveler Social Club and "other stuff I don't remember".

As an alumna, she has been involved with the original alumnae association under three names: MSCW Alumnae Association, MUW Alumnae Association, and now, Mississippi's First Alumnae Association. She has served on board in the past and would like to do so again.

Anne has been with her Partner, Carla (MUW c/o 1987), for 11 years. She is the mother of two sons, Chris (28) and Matthew (27), and has three granddaughter, Elizabeth (9), Gracie (7), and Madison (2) The family also includes four dogs -- Oreo, Molly, Toby and Leftie and four cats -- Spanky, Tucker, Dickens and Sadie.

Anne is Director of Creative Services for The Sharpe Group, leading planned giving consultants. Her hobbies include cooking (and eating), reading (Southern authors), and spending time with W friends.

Her goal as a board member would be to "Be a part of the move toward re-affiliation with our alma mater and contributing in whatever way I can to the continued excellence and women's mission of MUW."

A Great Teacher of Great Books

Cathy Gillis Campagna, Mississippi University for Women Class of 1973, is one of thirteen teachers to receive a 2010 Great Books Great Teachers award, according to Mary Kent Sweeton, a vice president of the Chicago-based non-profit Great Books Foundation.

The award acknowledges Cathy’s successful teaching, her use of Great Books in the classroom, and her commitment to creating a community of teacher and student learners at Holy Name of Jesus School in New Orleans, where she has taught for over twenty-five years. Mrs. Campagna will join her fellow award recipients in Chicago on April 30, 2010 to attend an awards dinner in their honor. During their weekend visit to Chicago, the 2010 Great Books Great Teacher honorees will be the foundation’s special guests at Great Books Chicago 2010, an annual event for Great Books enthusiasts that includes attending a variety of cultural activities.

“The Great Books Foundation is thrilled to recognize these star teachers who are lifelong learners and who are so committed to innovative teaching strategies that raise student achievement,” said Mary Kent Sweeton. “All of this year’s Great Teacher Award recipients relentlessly expose their students to quality literature and encourage them to become stronger readers and learners. By shining the spotlight on these outstanding role models, we hope to make it easier for teachers around the country to learn from their best practices.”

Since 2000, the Great Books Foundation has been honoring outstanding teachers who are successfully increasing their students’ achievements by putting Great Books programs and the “Shared Inquiry” discussion model into practice. This year’s winners represent a diverse group of learning environments including elementary schools, high schools, inner-city schools, private schools, as well as special needs and gifted programs.

Great Books programs are used by more than one million students in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Great Books is proven to help students develop the essential skills of reading carefully, thinking critically, listening intently, and speaking and writing persuasively. By combining age-appropriate literature with the Shared Inquiry method of discussion, Great Books brings literature to life and helps students discover a joy of reading that they will carry into adulthood.

The 2010 Great Books Great Teachers were nominated by their colleagues and come from districts in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Washington, D.C.

Ms. Campagna will also attend an event entitled “Difficult Gifts-Advanced Leadership Institute”-the day before the awards dinner on April 29, which is also sponsored by Great Books.


You can learn more about the Great Books Foundation at their website.