Randolph graduates final all-female class

By Christa Desrets

Published: May 11, 2008

The former Randolph-Macon Woman’s College’s class of 2008 honored its single-sex roots at commencement Sunday while congratulating the 148 women that comprised its final all-female class.

The school’s 111th class is its first since becoming the coeducational Randolph College.

“Speaking your mind is nothing new here,” said commencement speaker Suzanne D. Patrick, an alumna from the class of 1977. “… We are well-known for being made of stern stuff.”

Patrick, the former deputy under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, shared stories of alumnae she had known over the years.

She said the school has shaped the lives of 12,000 alumnae who held focus, discipline, femininity, strong minds and charm.

Those attributes also are the right combination of “Macon magic,” she said, to catch men off guard.

“I think the young men who come to this campus could do much worse (than) to stand shoulder to shoulder with Macon women,” she said.

She urged graduates to continue to seek knowledge even outside of school, and to never outgrow the boldness they learned at R-MWC.

“Make learning your life’s core curriculum,” said Patrick, who was nominated to speak by graduating senior Aleksandra Bojarska.

Patrick also requested that the school reinforce its honor code and continue to educate women “even as men join the student body.”

As the graduates walked onstage to receive their degrees, patches of students showed their support for single-sex education.

A few students wore the yellow R-MWC ribbons they had adorned during protests held the week of the coed decision in 2006. Others wrote out R-MWC on their graduation caps. One simply had the “W” on her cap.

Sunday, they received degrees that read “Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.” Another set of degrees that read “Randolph College” will be sent to the graduates’ homes.

Two graduates were given special recognition for their roles on campus in the past four years.

Kacey Meaker was awarded the Maude Huff Fife Award for her perfect 4.0 average while earning her degree in physics.

Stacey Lantz, who earned a degree in psychology, was awarded the Mary Jean Wellford Volunteer Leadership Award.

After graduating, members of the class of 2008 had plans as Fulbright Scholars, Peace Corp volunteers, interns and world travelers. Others had been accepted into graduate or law school.

“Over the past year, I’ve watched as members of the class of 2008 received honor after honor,” President John Klein said as he addressed the audience. “… Each of you is capable of reaching the high aspirations you have for yourselves.”