One of Mary Baldwin’s Firsts Returns for Its 10th Reunion

By Dawn Medley 

2009-02-25

Mary Baldwin College’s commitment to make meaningful changes in the world will connect students, faculty, staff, and alumnae/i this spring during Reunion Weekend 2008. The event theme, Changing the World, pairs outreach, service, and innovation with familiar MBC Reunion events to take attendees through inner discovery and hands-on activity. Here is one highlight:

Their arrival at MBC in fall 1995 was heralded by satellite trucks that broadcast directly from campus and dozens of local, regional, and national reporters who wanted to be first to cover the pioneers of the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL). VWIL would introduce a new class of leader into the military and civilian landscape.

Fourteen years later, Mary Baldwin College and the world have learned the potential of women who are prepared to lead in military and civilian roles. Many of the members of the VWIL Class of 1999 were our teachers. They instructed in their deeds and words, and many will return to the place that fueled their dreams for their 10th Reunion in March.

“I wanted to be part of growing something that no one else had done,” said Karen Zeliznak Bailey ’99, who plans to attend Reunion. “As the first class, we had the opportunity to literally write the book.”

And they did. From designing marching formations to the cadet Code of Conduct, the first VWIL corps took cues from Virginia Military Institute to create a system that was its own. It is hard to dispute the evidence that it was successful. The Class of 1999 includes Bailey, a former Washington DC lobbyist and director of public affairs for Penn National Gaming; Sherri Sharpe, a decorated Chinook helicopter pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan; Trimble Bailey Spitzer, an Air Force captain who earned a medical degree and is finishing her residency at George Washington University Hospital; and many more accomplished women.

Reunion Schedule

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to register and participate with alumnae/i. Selected events: see www.mbc.edu/reunion for more detials.
Registration:March 26, 4-7:30pm; March 27, 9am-4:30pm; and March 28, 9am-1:30pm at Alumnae House.
March 26

• MBC Spring Concert: 7:30pm, First Presbyterian Church.

March 27

• Go Back to Class: 8am-noon, various academic buildings on campus.


• Community Service: 8:30-11:30am, Spencer Center.


• Greetings and Welcome from the President: 2:30-3:30pm, Francis Auditorium


• Kuumba Players presents The Women of Brewster Place (with alumnae cast): 8:30pm, Francis Auditorium.

March 28

• Hike with President Fox and Mr. Layman: 8am, meet behind Hunt Dining Hall.


• VWIL Reunion Parade: 2pm, upper athletic field.


• Alumnae/i basketball game and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction: 2pm, PAC.


• VWIL Military Ball: 8pm, Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center

March 29

• Alumnae/i Chapel and Memorial Service: 10am, Miller Chapel.

Although VWIL was a major part of their MBC experience, those returning for Reunion are eager to catch up with their non-cadet classmates, too, said Allyson Hatfield, Class of 1999 VWIL class agent. “Our class has done a great job of staying in touch,” Hatfield said. “VWIL took a lot of our time while we were on campus, but we always felt like part of the larger Mary Baldwin community, and I’m glad it worked out so we can participate in specific activities with members of the corps and Reunion events for our class as a whole.”

In addition to traditional Reunion events such as a community service project, a welcome from President Pamela Fox, class meetings, and class dinners, VWIL alumnae are invited to be special guests at several events. Hatfield is particularly excited about her class being asked to join VWIL Commandant of Cadets Gen. Mike Bissell and other administrators in the line as the corps passes in review during its Reunion Weekend parade. The Military Ball, held this year during Reunion Weekend, will feature a chance to meet guest speaker Anita Blair, assistant secretary of the Navy.

“The chance for them to interact with current cadets is not to be missed,” Bissell said. “Cadets today recognize many alumna’s names and their accomplishments, and when they meet, you can just see them grabbing every word.”

Front image:the VWIL Class of 1999 celebrates as it nears graduation, setting an example for the next decade.