Happy Birthday, Stephens!

Throughout 2008, Stephens alumnae have attended birthday parties across the nation to celebrate the College’s historic anniversary year and to connect with alumnae in their area. To assist with the party planning, the Stephens Alumnae Association Board (AAB) mailed out free Birthday Boxes that included items such as a DVD of Stephens’ 175th birthday party, a CD containing templates for a party invitation and table topper, and more!

Alumnae Celebrations Throughout the Country

• On Sept. 7, the Northern California Chapter of Stephens College-celebrated Stephens’ 175th birthday at Tyme for Tea in Fremont, Calif., where 28 alumnae and their guests enjoyed a Grand Victorian menu of scones, tea sandwiches and petits fours. They also took a train ride through the Niles Canyon near Fremont, where Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton filmed their early movies.
  
  
  
• The Portland Alumnae Club held a luncheon in celebration of Stephens’ 175th anniversary at Embassy Suites on Oct. 18. Pictured (L-to-R): Jane Kayser Depew ’49 of Portland; Kay Derra Halverson ’63 of Salem, Ore.; Beverly McClurg Shoger ’68 of Beaverton, Ore.; Amy McGill Higgins ’94 of Portland; Stephens trustee Beverly Ward Fogle ’55 of Vancouver, Wash.; Dr. Jennifer Crown ’02 of Walla Walla, Wash. Not pictured: Jennifer’s mom, Julynne Pang.
  
  
  
• The Greater New York Alumnae Club held a birthday celebration on Sept. 16. Pictured (L-to-R): Lizette Palacios ’03, Stephanie Sherga ’03 and Andrea Rutherford ’04.
  
  
  
• The new Carolinas Chapter of Stephens College held a 175th birthday bash on Oct. 11 at the home of Katherine Llamas Finley ’85 in Tega Cay, S.C. Party-goers shared memorabilia from Stephens as they reminisced about their college days. They also watched the College’s 175th DVD and, of course, ate birthday cake. Neel Stallings ’67 of Charlotte, N.C., a Stephens Alumnae Association Board member, and Anne Ramsay Saunders ’67 of Salisbury, N.C., had a “grand time catching up,” as they had not seen each other since 1967!
  
  Pictured: (front row, L-to-R): Carolyn Smith Decker ’72, Sue Christopher Parrish ’56. (Middle row, L-to-R): Katherine Llamas Finley ’85, Tonia Teasdale Fuller ’60, Anne Ramsay Saunders ’67. (Back row, L-to-R): Nance Schuster Presson ’57, Neel Stallings ’67. If you are interested in joining this new chapter, please contact Neel Stallings at (704) 364-7655.
  
  
  
• On May 13, more than 20 alumnae and guests in the Greater Washington Club gathered at the home of Dianne Maffia ’71 for a “Happy 175th Birthday!” champagne toast to Stephens. Friendships were made and rekindled at this potluck dinner in northwest Washington.
  
  
• A Stephens 175th Birthday party was held on Oct. 26 at the home of Cynthia Redel ’79 in Mattapoisett, Mass. The group spanned five decades of Stephens alumnae, ranging from the Class of ’48 to ’80. Cynthia gave a short talk on the state of the College, and they watched the 175th DVD and enjoyed birthday cake and coffee (complete with the singing of “Happy Birthday!”). Pictured (L-to-R): Anne Meissner White ’63, Liz Croll Atkinson ’50, Joyce Chatham Bukaty ’53, Lynn Perry Zervas ’73, Anne Pedersen ’80 and Lee Frank Henson ’69.
  
  
  
  
• A Stephens 175th party, organized by Cookie Turchick Sears ’73, was held at the Curtain Call Theatre in Latham, N.Y. Wine and cheese was served during a meet-and-greet hour before the showing of “Tom, Dick & Harry,” a comic farce. Other attendees included Gwen Mitsche ’78, Aileen Decker ’78 and Janet Cooper ’73.