Pacific Lutheran University

March 16, 2007

The 11th annual Inspirational Women’s Banquet celebrated women from the PLU community and honored their accomplishments.

Five women were recognized at the banquet for being an inspiration to others and working towards community, justice and equity. Nominated by the campus community, the women included students Becky Mares and Jennifer Henrichsen; Oney Crandall, director of the Center for Public Service; Alison Stephens, associate director of Student Involvement and Leadership; and Barbara Temple Thurston, professor of English.

The banquet’s program included citations about each woman, written by the person who nominated her. Excerpts from each citation follow:

• Mares was hailed as a genuine person and an individual who dedicates herself “wholly and selflessly” to social and environmental justice. A leader of PLU’s Garden Club, Mares organized meetings, activities, work parties and made lasting connections with local organic gardens.
• As the director of the Center for Public Service, Crandall manages and oversees a complex program that includes the student-run Volunteer Center, helping to develop service learning opportunities with faculty, supporting organizations at East Campus and serving on a number of community organization boards. Crandall excels at her job while keeping a “positive, supportive outlook” and being “a gracious, generous, and compassionate person."
• During her time at PLU, Stephen’s citation said she has demonstrated commitment, creativity and passion. She has worked to improve the New Student Orientation program, played a “monumental role in developing a very successful Relay for Life campaign,” and infused her energy and creativity into health and wellness initiatives on campus.
• Temple-Thurston was commended for bringing healing and cooperation to the English department when took over as the department chair, and for creating a well-crafted study away program in Trinidad and Tobago. The program teaches students “how to contribute wherever they go, for the rest of their lives, and in a way that is peaceful and in respect of the local culture.”
• Henrichsen was described as having “a vision and a passion for peace” and “the determination, talent, and commitment to make a difference on the world stage.” Through a number of study away opportunities in Norway and Geneva, Henrichsen has learned to adapt to a variety of cultural environments and “used this adaptation to inform her journalism and her scholarship.”

This year’s banquet also featured a fashion show that explored how fashion reflects the broader culture. The clothing was designed and modeled by PLU students on three themed runways: Camo Nation, Modeling War and Visions for Peace.

For more information, visit www.plu.edu/~womencen.