I distinctly remember the day I found out that I had been accepted to Meredith College. My family and I were driving through Raleigh on our way out of the state and we pulled through the main gate as I admired the picturesque campus. I had been to visit campus numerous times before and it did not seem strange when we pulled through campus for another peek. However, it was on this particular visit that I learned that I had been accepted into the Class of 2008. I jumped up and down, we took pictures in front of Johnson Hall, and I frantically called my family and friends to express my good news. The excitement that I felt that day about Meredith College never really died down. My four years at this fine institution were perhaps the best of my life, and I often find myself wishing, even if just for a moment, that I could relive just one more day, or even hour of my time there.
But instead, I do the next best thing. I serve as Vice Chair of the Meredith College Young Alumnae Board. The board was established to promote active involvement of recent graduates of the past ten years in the life of the College. The Young Alumnae Board is filled with other recent graduates that have a strong passion for Meredith College. None have identical experiences, but we all have something in common. We all love Meredith College. It is a part of us, not only our past but our present and future as well.
The Young Alumnae Board is in existence to keep recent graduates together, communicating, networking, socializing, and bonding just like we did throughout our four years at Meredith College. There are two members of each class from the last ten years. This year’s board consists of graduates from 2011-2003. Together we host a fall social and a spring social to encourage fellowship and fun. Some of our past events have included socials in downtown Raleigh, tours of the new Meredith College Oaks Apartments, couponing events, wine tasting at the President’s home, manicures and pedicures, cooking demonstrations, jewelry making and more! We also realize that many of our Meredith alumnae have moved on to be Meredith mommies! We want to keep you and your little ones involved as well! So, in addition to the regular young alumnae events, we also host a fall and spring mother’s event. Past events have included pumpkin painting, Lil Cornhuskin, Wee Stunt, an Easter egg hunt, and a scrap exchange.
Let’s face it, we have grown up. We are in the big girl world now. Time is tight and we are busy. But we should never be so busy that we can’t reconnect with our fellow alumnae to honor the institution that taught us so much about life. We want you to come back to campus, to stay connected to your classmates, to remember the excitement of Cornhuskin’, and to always feel the thrill of slipping that onyx on your finger. We want to help you do this.
Stayed tuned for future postings regarding Young Alumnae Board events. I will continue to blog about our events and serve as the guest contributor to Beyond the Back Gate on behalf of the Young Alumnae Board.
If you have fantastic ideas regarding socials or mother’s events, please feel free to email oliveram@meredith.edu.
We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon.
-Nicole McGuinness Hines, ’08
Nicole McGuinness Hines
beyondthebackgate.com 
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