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Associated Press
4 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Norma Patteson Mills '60 Presented with Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Sweet Briar College
Norma Patteson Mills '60 receives honorary degree at Sweet Briar's 116th Commencement for a lifetime of generosity, leadership, and service. 'Norma Mills has a deep appreciation for the value and benefit of art and culture on the spiritual well-being, creativity, and intellectual lives of the people in the communities she serves.'— President Mary Pope M. Huston '83 SWEET BRIAR, VA, UNITED STATES, May 30, 2025 / / -- During Sweet Briar's 116th Commencement ceremony on May 17, Norma Patteson Mills '60 received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the College. In its 124-year history, this is an honor that the College has rarely bestowed on an individual. Following a lifetime of extraordinary service and generosity to many arts and cultural organizations, Norma is truly deserving of this special title. A native of Amherst, Va., Norma was interested in attending Sweet Briar from childhood. She entered the College in the fall of 1956 as a proud member of the Class of 1960, pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. She left Sweet Briar at the end of her junior year to marry the love of her life, Olan Mills, and move with him to his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn., although she never forgot Sweet Briar. She completed her psychology degree at the University of Chattanooga and earned a degree from the Education for Ministry Program at Sewanee: The University of the South. Throughout their lives together, Norma and Olan have been philanthropic leaders and visionary donors to numerous nonprofits and institutions, including Sweet Briar College. They have joined others in transforming the city of Chattanooga through their service and commitment to their community. In recognition of their extraordinary generosity to the College, which has supported a variety of vital purposes, Sweet Briar's Memorial Chapel was renamed the Mills Chapel in 2021. In addition to her generosity, Norma has also dedicated her time to inspiring others to give by serving on several campaign cabinets for Sweet Briar. She served on the Sweet Briar College Board of Directors and is also a former member of the Alumnae Board. She and Olan have been regular attendees at events supporting the College. Furthermore, Norma was honored with the College's Outstanding Alumna Award in 2005. As an active civic and church leader in her community, Norma's philanthropy and dedication have benefited Sweet Briar College and touched many lives. She has served on several church search committees and on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Chattanooga Children's Hospital Foundation, the Tennessee Aquarium, the AIM Center of Chattanooga, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, the Episcopal Media Center, Sewanee, and the Hunter Museum of Art. Norma is the former president of the board of the Bright School, vice chairman of the Campaign for Sewanee, and co-chair of the Visiting Committee of the School of Theology of Sewanee. For their extraordinary service to the Chattanooga arts community, Norma and Olan were presented with the Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award by ArtsBuild in 2024. 'Clearly, Norma Mills has a deep appreciation for the value and benefit of art and culture on the spiritual well-being, creativity, and intellectual lives of the people in the communities she and her husband are part of,' President Mary Pope M. Huston '83 said while presenting the degree during Commencement. Norma's enduring connection to Sweet Briar is a powerful testament to the lifelong impact of a Sweet Briar education. Her story reflects the values of leadership, service, and community that define the Sweet Briar experience. As our students graduate and go on to shape the world, they do so, standing on the shoulders of alumnae like Norma. To learn more about Sweet Briar College and how you can become part of this extraordinary legacy, contact Admissions at [email protected] or call 434-381-6142. Communications and Marketing Sweet Briar College +1 434-381-6262 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
18-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Nascent Sweet Briar College Farm Winery strikes gold (and silver) in Virginia Governor's Cup
Historic successes for college's first three entries in nationally renowned wine competition SWEET BRIAR, Va., April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweet Briar College Farm Winery has rapidly become a rising star in the Virginia wine industry. After bottling its first independent vintage from the 2023 harvest, the Farm entered its first-ever wine competition, achieving a remarkable three medals – one gold and two silvers – in Virginia's prestigious Governor's Cup. The gold medal entry, Earned the Rosé, is named for the institution's motto honoring all Sweet Briar graduates, 'She who earns the rose may bear it.' The new variety delighted the senses of six judges who conducted single-blind tastings over three days. They knew the grape or category of each wine, but not its vintage, winery or name. A 12-judge panel subsequently assessed the highest-ranking wines, sampled all and assigned final marks. Those scoring 90 to 100 were accorded gold medals and are included in the Virginia Gold Medal Wine Trail, where wine enthusiasts flock each year to discover the Commonwealth's finest offerings. Silver medal winners were Leading the Way Chardonnay and Meadow Merlot. 'Our wines are named to honor and celebrate Sweet Briar College's traditions, academic excellence and core curriculum dedicated to women's leadership, and to highlight our sustainability initiatives,' noted Professor Lisa Powell, Ph.D., who heads the school's agriculture and sustainability programs. Grapes for the award winners were grown on the College's campus, overlooking a wildflower field that provides superb forage for both native pollinators and honeybees from Sweet Briar's apiary. The wines are made in collaboration with Michael Shaps Wineworks and are bottled in Charlottesville, Va. 'Students learn about viticulture and the wine industry both through courses and a variety of experiential opportunities. Several honors students have conducted research inspired by our vineyards, including work on marketing and designing traps for invasive pests. Since we planted the vines, groups of students have learned how to prune, how to estimate yields, how to sample to assess readiness for harvest, and bottled some of our wines,' said Powell. Information on visiting campus for tastings and purchases is available at ABOUT SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE Sweet Briar College is an institution for women's education in Sweet Briar, Virginia. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sweet Briar College
Associated Press
02-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sweet Briar College Names Dr. Lisa J. Powell as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College
Dr. Lisa Powell appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, and Chief Sustainability Officer, continuing her leadership at Sweet Briar. 'Dr. Powell is uniquely qualified as the next Dean of Sweet Briar College as an outstanding academic leader with a national reputation who is dedicated to the liberal arts.' — President Mary Pope M. Hutson AMHERST, VA, UNITED STATES, March 2, 2025 / / -- Sweet Briar College's new dean will be familiar to many: Dr. Lisa Jordan Powell will assume her new role as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, and Chief Sustainability Officer on July 1, 2025. She was selected following an internal application and interview process in January and February. The college's current vice president and dean, Jeffrey E. Key, Ph.D., will resume his role as an associate professor of political science. 'Dr. Powell is uniquely qualified as the next Dean of Sweet Briar College as an outstanding academic leader with a national reputation dedicated to the liberal arts,' said President Mary Pope M. Hutson. 'Her focus on sustainability is central to Sweet Briar's strategic plan and the College's ethos. She has consistently shown dedication and commitment to education at Sweet Briar, increasing auxiliary revenues through excellent produce and creating and enhancing partnerships across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Accolades like our recent announcement of Sweet Briar College Farm's earned the Rosé, earning gold in the Virginia Governor's Cup, speak to the quality of Dr. Powell's work and her ability to ensure our college's full potential is realized.' 'I am committed to the areas of focus Sweet Briar has set for the coming years, including building academic excellence, raising the profile of the College, and establishing financial sustainability,' said Dr. Powell. 'I am eager to bring my energy and experience to sustain, grow, and move the college forward. I have learned so much from those I've met through Sweet Briar—the amazing students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends of the College—and I look forward to continuing to learn from and work with our community.' Dr. Powell serves as STEM Division Head, Director of the Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability, and a tenured environmental science and agriculture faculty member. She holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Harvard University, an M.S. in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in American Studies with a Sustainability portfolio from the University of Texas at Austin, where she also completed a Graduate Certificate in First-Year Instruction. Before coming to Sweet Briar, Dr. Powell held faculty and administrative appointments at universities in British Columbia, Canada, where her research and knowledge mobilization efforts focused on strengthening regional food systems, agricultural land use policy and planning, adoption of new agricultural technologies, crop diversification, and food literacy education. Dr. Powell officially joined Sweet Briar's community in January 2020. In her time at the College, Dr. Powell has affirmed the Center for Human and Environment Sustainability as a unit combining academic programs and entrepreneurial initiatives that prioritize hands-on coursework and employment experiences for students, such as the community-supported agriculture (CSA) program and produce markets, wholesale produce distribution, apiculture, and wine sales. She developed and secured buy-in from internal and external stakeholders for the Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Certificate, and with the generous support of the Willits Foundation, she has built and leads the Willits Food Systems Summer Fellows program. Dr. Powell has also worked alongside student leaders to grow the Sustainability Club, one of the largest clubs on campus. In addition to supporting sustainability efforts at Sweet Briar, Dr. Powell has helped to strengthen relationships with partners such as the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, regional wineries and other businesses, and local government. Dr. Powell has extended Sweet Briar's reach by speaking at national, state, and local events on Sweet Briar's work to prepare future leaders in sustainability and agriculture, as well as partnering with the College's admissions department to recruit students interested in sustainability to Sweet Briar. 'Dr. Powell is well-known by faculty and very capable,' said search committee member Dr. Dwana Waugh, Associate Professor of History and Social Sciences & Humanities Division Head. 'She also has a keen sense about the future direction of the college.' Throughout her time at Sweet Briar, Dr. Powell has continued and expanded her research programs to include collaborations with faculty across Virginia and work centered around her students' interests. She has supervised numerous senior honors theses and Honors Summer Research Program projects. Her work has been published in journals such as Agriculture and Human Values, Food, Culture, and Society, Urban Climate, The Geographical Journal, The Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Teaching and Teacher Education, and The Journal of Rural Studies, among many others. 'Dr. Powell has been remarkably successful doing what she was hired to do at Sweet Briar,' said search committee member Dr. Brent Shea, Professor of Sociology. 'Lisa's administrative background in food and agriculture is ideal for supporting Sweet Briar's commitment to sustainability. Beyond that, Professor Powell has numerous peer-reviewed publications. Lisa exemplifies the teacher-scholar model for college professors to maintain credibility over one's career as a professor of one's field of knowledge. Professor Powell's qualifications compare favorably with deans who have prevailed at Sweet Briar after national searches here in recent decades.' Dr. Lisa Powell's appointment continues a long tradition of excellence among Sweet Briar's administrators, particularly among those who have come to those positions having already served as faculty or staff. Her service to Sweet Briar has extended from the classroom to the greenhouse, apiary, vineyards, forests, and even the wine shop and tasting room in the Wailes Center. In her new role, Dr. Powell will continue teaching selected courses, directing the College's sustainability and agriculture academic programs and initiatives, and serving as a co-leader of Sweet Briar College Farm. 'Dr. Powell will elevate academic excellence at Sweet Briar along with our distinguished professoriate for years to come, as already evidenced through strengthened sustainability and environmental science programs,' said President Hutson. 434-381-6240 X TikTok Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
09-02-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Sweet Briar College Hosts National Engineers Week Banquet Featuring NASA's Europa Clipper Project Manager
Sweet Briar College celebrates engineering excellence with NASA's Jordan P. Evans, highlighting innovation, leadership, and hands-on STEM opportunities. AMHERST, VA, UNITED STATES, February 9, 2025 / / -- In collaboration with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Sweet Briar College is proud to announce the annual National Engineers Week Banquet, scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Upchurch Field House on the Sweet Briar campus. This esteemed event gathers engineers, students, educators, and community members from Lynchburg and the Shenandoah Valley to celebrate regional engineering achievements and foster professional networking. As one of just two all-women ABET-accredited engineering programs, Sweet Briar College is uniquely positioned to inspire and empower the next generation of female engineers. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, leadership development, and real-world problem-solving, preparing graduates to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields. Sweet Briar's commitment to innovation and excellence in STEM education is reflected in its dynamic curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and supportive learning environment designed to foster bold, confident leaders in engineering. Keynote Speaker: Jordan P. Evans This year's banquet features Jordan P. Evans, an accomplished aerospace engineer and project manager for NASA's Europa Clipper mission —the largest planetary spacecraft in NASA's history. Launched on October 14, 2024, the Europa Clipper is designed to conduct a detailed survey of Jupiter's moon, Europa. Mr. Evans will share insights into the engineering challenges of exploring Europa and discuss efforts to answer the profound question: 'Are we alone?' Attendees will have the unique opportunity to journey beyond Earth without leaving their seats as Mr. Evans dives into the fascinating world of space exploration. From navigating the harsh conditions of deep space to designing technology capable of withstanding Europa's icy environment, his presentation will highlight the incredible feats of engineering that make interplanetary missions possible. It's not every day you get to hear firsthand how engineers are helping humanity reach for the stars—and maybe even discover life beyond our planet! Event Details Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025 Location: Upchurch Field House, Sweet Briar College Schedule Hors d'Oeuvres and Cash Bar: 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. Dinner and Program: 6:45 – 8:30 p.m. Ticket Information General Admission: $65 College Students with ID: $35 High School Students with ID: $25 Reserved Tables (seating for eight): $600 Reserved tables receive priority placement near the stage, custom table signage, and recognition on sponsor boards. The event is complimentary for current Sweet Briar students, faculty, and staff with valid IDs; however, advanced registration is required. Registration Advanced registration is mandatory, and early ticket purchase is recommended due to anticipated high demand. Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025. Payments must be received before the event, as tickets will not be available at the door. Exhibit Your Engineering Projects During the banquet, local industry, government, and academic institutions are invited to showcase their engineering achievements from the past 12-18 months. To participate, please submit your organization's project by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025. Join us for an evening celebrating engineering excellence and innovation in our region. Sweet Briar College X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube TikTok Legal Disclaimer:
