Women’s auxiliary board bakes and decorates for NGU
Posted by The Skyliner on September 17th, 2008Rachel Ham
Staff Writer
From birthday cakes to extension cords, the North Greenville University Women’s Auxiliary Board shows Christ’s love to NGU students every day in many different ways. The women do many things for students behind the scenes around campus.
The Board is made up of friends and alumni of the university and was started by Gretchen Epting, Barbara McCormick, and Deborah Tingle. Some of the female faculty and staff of North Greenville are also members of the Board. There are approximately 76 members.
Several of the women are gifted in interior design and are using their talents to benefit the school. They have already redecorated the mountain cabin off Chinquapin Road and the Crusader Room in Hayes Gymnasium. The lobby of the Donnan Administration Building is presently being redone.
Students can directly benefit from other ways the Board has served our campus. For the past two years, the extension cords given to new students at orientation were supplied by the Board for use in the resident halls. The Board also funds two or three commuter luncheons during each school year.
To honor one of its founding members, Dr. Barbara McCormick, who is also the wife of former Vice President for Academics Dr. J. Lee McCormick, the Women’s Auxiliary Board has recently started a scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving female student.
Providing a yummy surprise to students on their birthdays is another thing the Board does on campus. Partnering with the Office of Advancement, the Board mails out flyers to student’s homes at the start of each semester. If parents wish, they can fill out the form, choosing between yellow or chocolate cake with icing, brownies, or cookies to send to their student. The women take turns baking the goodies for each birthday request.
The Board asks for a small donation of $15 for the homemade cakes and sweets. This money goes towards future projects.
On the student’s birthday, he or she will receive a call from Laverne Howell, who is the representative for the Women’s Auxiliary Board, to come and pick up his or her gift in the Office of Advancement. On the form that the parents fill out, there is also a space for a birthday message.
A few students have already received gifts this semester. Alex Smith, freshman outdoor leadership, got cookies and a card for his birthday back in August. “If I could tell them thank you I would say thanks for the cookies that you made for my roo[m]mates … because they ate most of them! But thanks to my mom who ordered them and the ladies that made them,” said Smith.
This year’s alumni luncheon will once again be sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary Board. The luncheon, scheduled for Oct. 24 during Homecoming Week, is primarily for alumni, the homecoming court, and special guests.
In order to additionally benefit North Greenville during the school year, the current women on the Board want to grow the membership into the hundreds. “They … have a membership tea/brunch and fashion show in the spring to recruit new members. This year they are trying to put together a cooking demonstration luncheon to feature the father of Food Network Chef and Greenville native, Tyler Florence,” said Howell, Associate Director of Public Relations for North Greenville.
“For the decorating they are doing and have already done around campus, help keep things looking nice and new,” said Howell. If they are having a meeting on campus, take a minute to stop and say thanks.
If you have received a cake or cookies on your birthday or would just like to say thanks to the women on the Board for all they do, you can write them a note and drop it by the Office of Advancement.
These women stay busy serving North Greenville University because they love the students, the university, and its mission.
Tags: Fall 2008, Vol. 108 Fall - Issue 2