Women's History Month 2011

Throughout her twenty-five years teaching in the COPHS, Jeanne has been an active member of the Butler community, through her service on numerous college and university committees and her leadership on many of those committees.  She brought her inspiring skills of even-handedness, consummate organization, and thoughtful deliberation to the leadership she provided as Chair of Faculty Senate and co-chair of the Gender Equity Commission.  I continue to be impressed with her commitment to reminding fellow faculty and administrators of the important findings of the Gender Equity Commission, a work-group she dutifully served on and which produced an amazing report documenting the nature of gender inequities on this campus and their effects on campus climate.

Throughout my various interactions with Jeanne-on the senate, and in the Center for Faith and Vocation Workshop, just to name a couple of venues-I've always been impressed with Jeanne's clear headedness, her poise, her eloquence, her compassion, her interest in hearing and understanding other points of view, and her willingness to speak her mind. I've also always been awe-inspired by her dedication to her students, and particularly her advisees. For those who know some of the specifics about all that she does with and for her advisees, including administering a Myers-Briggs psychological assessment, you know that she goes above and beyond the call of duty (although I know she doesn't see it that way) to make sure that her students are successful learners, and find paths in life that are both personally and professionally fulfilling.

Rather than giving you more of MY thoughts about Jeanne, I'd like to close with a short passage that was provided by one of Jeanne's colleagues in a letter of support of her nomination:

"Jeanne reaches out to others around her in many ways.  She volunteers her time to provide free healthcare to the uninsured.  She assists students and faculty in need.  She gives freely without expecting things in return.   She is certainly not afraid of tackling difficult situations, she faces challenges head on, and most importantly, she truly works to improve sub-optimal situations.  Many people just complain about challenging/frustrating situations; she works to correct them.  Jeanne carries herself in a professional and caring manner.  She is a solid role model.  The last part of the definition of a Woman of Distinction talks about living a life based on integrity and love.  I believe there is no one on this campus with a bigger heart than Jeanne.  She loves our students and truly cares about their wellbeing, not just about their academic performance."

With this Award, we include Teri Amberger as an example of how  those Butler attributes are embodied.  Teri has a history of contributions to our campus community.  She truly "reaches out to others," helping all to find a home at Butler.  Her regular work touches majors and non-majors, faculty in the department and advisors across the university, the Board of Visitors, alumnae, and guests.

• She is a welcoming presence and asset in acclimating new faculty and students
• She provides assistance with scheduling and departmental business to keep Math and Actuarial Sciences running smoothly
• Terri eases transitions to Butler with an open mind, a willing ear, and encouraging words:  as Zach Lovall writes,  "She asks, …she  listens,… she remembers,… she shows genuine compassion."
• Dr. Mary  Krohn describes her as "an unofficial but indispensible liaison between students and faculty"
• Across campus, she is always a positive and helpful presence to academic advisors and the vast majority of math-reluctant students in need of core guidance.
• Teri encourages students to take on leadership roles - as with Katie Wainwright, who credits Terri with welcoming her to the math department, encouraging her to take a leadership position, and reinvigorate the math club and department pride.
• She maintains contact  with Alumnae,
• Facilitates visits from the Board of Visitors,
• Contacts high school math teachers for the Math scavenger hunt  and High School Math competition, and
• Facilitates the Undergraduate research conference.

She persists through  even the most difficult events, as with creating a memorial and assisting students with their grief following the death of Mackenzie Stuart this semester.  Clearly focused on the needs of others and the department, Terri approaches her work with energy and love. 

Britlynn exemplifies a Woman of Distinction because of her dedication to feminism and to improving the Butler community.  Throughout her four years at Butler Britlynn has been a constant force in promoting the issues of the LGBTQ community and feminists on campus. She is one of the people who has provided consistent assistance to others who may have found the  campus environment less supportive than they would have liked.  Britlynn is the poster person for the student who came to a university and quickly found her niche and has flourished and become a competent and empowered individual. 

Britlynn has worked tirelessly in DEMIA and the Butler Alliance to make sure there is a voice and place for feminists and LGBTQ students.  Besides providing a welcoming environment and a friendly face to other students, Britlynn has helped in programming various campus-wide events such as the Women's Fest concert, fundraisers for the Julian Center, Proud to BU week, Sex on the Mall, Vagina Monologues, the AIDS walk, and the Drag Show.  She has also been part of organizing or presenting various educational programs on LGBTQ and feminism issues.  Britlynn has been president of both organizations and there is no doubt she has helped keep both organization active and visible on campus.

Besides all of her co-curricular activities, Britlynn has been a consistent volunteer with Girls Rock, a non-profit organization that empowers young women through music and Planned Parenthood.  She has also been very involved in Gender Studies program and promoted said program to other students.

Britlynn will be remembered on campus for how she has grown and flourished into a strong and outspoken woman who helps others and sets a path for others to follow.