Notable Alumni of Mary Baldwin University: Shaping History and Inspiring the Future

Mary Baldwin University (MBU), since its founding as Augusta Female Seminary in 1842, has been a transformative force in higher education. Located in Staunton, Virginia, MBU has evolved from a seminary to a university, maintaining a strong focus on liberal arts, leadership, and community engagement. This article explores the accomplishments of several notable alumni who have left indelible marks in various fields, reflecting the diverse and ambitious spirit fostered at MBU.

A Legacy of Academic Excellence and Leadership

MBU has consistently produced graduates who excel in their chosen fields. The university offers a range of undergraduate degrees through the Mary Baldwin College for Women, University College, and MBU Online, as well as fast-track degrees and professional school preparation. This commitment to academic diversity and excellence is reflected in the achievements of its alumni.

Trailblazers in Education and Activism

Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis Otey (Class of 1900)

Born in Lynchburg in 1880, Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis Otey was renowned for her work as an economist and women’s suffrage activist. Otey attended R-MWC and Bryn Mawr College, becoming involved in social work. She also studied at the University of Chicago and the University of Berlin, where she earned a doctorate in economics.

In 1911, Otey helped found the Lynchburg Equal Suffrage League with her mother, Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis. She later marched in the national suffrage parade in Washington, D.C. After voting for the first time in 1920, Otey became a politician herself. In 1921, she sought and won the Republican nomination as superintendent of public instruction, becoming the first woman nominated by a major party for statewide office in Virginia. Later in life, Otey worked for the Social Security Administration and the Foreign Economic Administration and published a book on her family’s genealogy.

Mabel Lee Walton

Born in Shenandoah County in 1884, Mabel Lee Walton was a philanthropist and president emerita of the Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) national sorority. Tri Sigma was founded in 1898 at the Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia (now Longwood University). Walton was initiated as a charter member of the Gamma Chapter at R-MWC and served as Tri Sigma’s national president from 1913-1947. According to a historical marker erected in her honor in Woodstock, Virginia, Walton “promoted ideals of integrity and service.” Walton’s family home in Woodstock, called the Mabel Lee Walton House, served as the national headquarters for the Tri Sigma organization for 50 years.

Louise Jordan Smith

Born in 1868, Louise Jordan Smith served as R-MWC’s first art professor and played a crucial role in developing the College’s art collection. A fervent believer that firsthand study of the art of one’s time was central to a liberal arts education, she devoted 35 years to the College’s art program. In addition to her work in the classroom, Smith established the Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art on campus in 1911, which was believed to be the first exhibition of modern art held on a college campus anywhere in the United States. Smith, who was the cousin of founder and first President William Waugh Smith, created the College’s permanent art collection in 1920, which focused on American paintings. Smith studied art at the Art Student’s League in New York and at the Académie Julian and Beaux Arts (the National School of Fine Arts) in Paris. She spent a sabbatical leave in 1924 in Europe to study art in Spain, particularly at the Prado Museum.

Meta Glass

A highly regarded educator, Meta Glass was most known for her work as Sweet Briar College’s president. That school underwent a period of significant development under Glass’s leadership. Entering her role as president just before the Great Depression and working with limited resources, Glass was credited with keeping Sweet Briar financially viable and ensuring no faculty members were laid off or went without pay during the economic downturn. Prior to her teaching and administrative career, she attended Cornell University, earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She later earned honorary degrees from the University of Delaware, Mount Holyoke College, D.C.L. (the University of the South), Brown University, Williams College, Wilson College, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. During World War I, she served as secretary of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in France and later as the dean of a training school for European women in Paris, working with the World’s Community YWCA. In 1920, she was awarded the Reconnaissance Francaise (Medal of French Gratitude) from the French government for her efforts. She served on the National Committee on Education and Defense from 1940-1942, and during World War II served as a member of the advisory education council of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, helping establish standards for the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES).

Susie May Ames

Born in Accomack County in 1888, Susie May Ames was a renowned historian and author. She majored in English and minored in Latin at R-MWC and went on to hold several teaching jobs in Virginia as well as Maryland and Kentucky. According to the Library of Virginia, Ames was one of fewer than 500 women to earn a doctorate in history during the years 1920-1940. In 1954, the American Historical Association published Ames’s work, County Court Records of Accomack-Northampton, Virginia, 1632-1640, and in 1944, she was appointed to the Virginia World War II History Commission, which was charged with documenting the state’s involvement in the conflict.

Contributions to the Arts

Theresa Pollak Stovall

Born in Amherst County in 1887, Theresa Pollak Stovall is known as a great American folk artist. Despite her artistic talents, she didn’t begin painting until she was already a great-grandmother. According to the Lynchburg Museum, she and her husband, a traveling salesman, were married in 1908 and had nine children. In 1949, at the age of 62, Stovall’s domestic responsibilities had lessened, allowing her to take up new hobbies. That’s when her brother encouraged her to enroll in art classes at R-MWC. Stovall took a class taught by art professor Pierre Daura, who liked her natural style of painting so much that he advised her to stop taking his classes so that she could develop her own unique style without influence. Stovall was best known for her work depicting everyday events and activities in the lives of both white and black families in Amherst County. Her paintings have been featured in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the American Embassy in Paris. Though Stovall’s art career was somewhat brief, she is remembered among all-time great folk artists, such as Grandma Moses and Clementine Hunter.

Elizabeth Nottingham Day

Known professionally as Elizabeth Nottingham, Day was born in 1907 and raised in Culpeper. She was a teacher and nationally recognized artist, and many of her paintings were inspired by her hometown. According to the Library of Virginia, Day returned to Virginia permanently in the 1930s, when she was commissioned to paint a series of historical panels for a school in Winchester. In 1936, she became director of the Big Stone Gap Federal Art Gallery. Later that year, she served as director of the Lynchburg Federal Art Gallery, leading exhibitions, as well as classes in painting, composition, interior and costume design, and handcrafting. According to a 2010 edition of the Amherst New Era Progress, Day painted numerous watercolors of Virginia landscapes, and those works, as well as drawings and oils, have been shown in exhibits extensively on the East Coast. Her pieces have appeared in at least 20 exhibitions at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and have been included in exhibits on several occasions at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Horace Talmage Day, joined the faculty at what was then Mary Baldwin College in 1941, where they co-directed the art department for several years.

Rosa V. Morgan

Rosa V. Morgan was born in Campbell County in 1869 and is regarded as a beloved educator and one of Central Virginia’s most accomplished artists. She entered R-MWC in 1899 to study painting and art under the tutelage of the College’s first art professor Louise Jordan Smith. After graduating from R-MWC, Morgan continued her studies at the Académie Julian in Paris. Morgan returned to Lynchburg committed to pursuing a career in painting and teaching. In 1915, she joined the art department at what is now the University of Lynchburg, where she taught studio art and art history for 30 years. Morgan was a co-founder of the Lynchburg Civic Art League in 1932, and helped establish the city’s Federal Art Gallery in 1936. Both groups promoted arts education and exhibition for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Pioneers in Aviation

Evelyn Greenblatt Kent

Born in 1908, Evelyn Greenblatt Kent is remembered as one of the first female flight instructors in Virginia who trained more than 2,000 future military pilots to serve in World War II. According to the historic marker dedicated in her honor in Lynchburg, Kent began teaching meteorology, navigation, and civil air regulations at E.C. Glass High School in 1939. When the United States entered the Second World War, she was a ground school director in the Civilian Pilot Training Program in Lynchburg, which then became the War Training Service. According to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Kent also qualified as an instructor on the Link Trainer flight simulator, teaching pilots how to use navigational instruments.

Recent Graduates: Continuing the Tradition of Excellence

As Mary Baldwin University prepares to bid farewell to its graduating class, it is important to celebrate the achievements and future plans of these remarkable students. Each story embodies the vibrant, diverse, and ambitious spirit that thrives at MBU.

Olivia Gagne

Olivia Gagne, from Nokesville, graduates with a bachelor of science in applied mathematics and a minor in computer science. A leader at heart, Gagne’s most memorable MBU experience was her role as a lead orientation leader during the 2023-24 academic year. Her senior thesis on “The Effects of Kernel Functions on Support Vector Machines for Handwritten Digit Recognition” not only earned her the Best Q-Award at MBU’s Capstone Festival but also underscored her academic prowess. This summer, Gagne will enhance her academic journey at St.

Gerardo Escalera Cardoso

Gerardo Escalera Cardoso, hailing from Harrisonburg, graduates with a BA in political science and economics. His active engagement in Quest, an interfaith dialogue initiative, demonstrates his commitment to fostering community and understanding at Mary Baldwin University. Escalera’s academic pinnacle was his senior thesis, “When Logic Trumped Anger,” which not only earned him a presentation spot at the 2023 Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Research Conference but also publication in their journal. As he prepares to attend the University of Richmond Law School in Fall 2024, Escalera credits his MBU education with honing the critical reasoning, writing, and interpersonal skills essential for his future legal career.

Read also: William and Mary Law

Katelin Whitcomb

Katelin Whitcomb, from Montrose, Colorado, graduates with a BS in chemistry, with minors in criminal justice and leadership. For Whitcomb, MBU’s annual Apple Day stands out as a cherished tradition. Notably, she has consistently earned the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership’s “Top Gun” award for outstanding cadets.

Jackeline Peraza

Jackeline Peraza of Woodbridge, graduates with a bachelor of arts in business with an emphasis in sustainability. Her most memorable MBU experience was the 2024 Kwanzaa Celebration, which was marked by laughter, challenges, and unforgettable friendships. Peraza ‘s leadership was recognized with the Campus Leadership Award in 2022-23.

Quentin Hart

Quentin Hart, from Herndon, is graduating from Mary Baldwin University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications, and a minor in business. Notable for founding and leading MBU’s first men’s basketball team to a conference championship, Hart also excelled academically, being nominated for the annual Capstone Festival for his marketing campaign for a local nonprofit. Post-graduation, Hart will pursue an MBA at MBU and intern at the National Reconnaissance Office, ready to tackle future challenges with the leadership skills and professionalism developed at the university.

Trenise “Nise” Turner

Trenise “Nise” Turner, a standout graduate from Mary Baldwin University, is receiving her family nurse practitioner and doctorate of nursing practice degrees. service members, veterans, and their families. Turner’s dedication extends beyond academia into her role as a Navy Reservist, where she plans to leverage her advanced nursing skills to enhance her service.

Nina Copeland

Nina Copeland, from Stuarts Draft, graduates from Mary Baldwin University with a degree in English and history and a minor in sociology, enhanced by an honors degree from the Baldwin Honors Scholars program. Her academic journey is marked by notable achievements including writing two theses and serving as honors scholars’ president and co-editor-in-chief of the Outrageous Fortune literary magazine. Copeland’s roles as a tutor, tour guide, and peer mentor have all contributed to her comprehensive development. She will continue her academic pursuits by studying for her master’s degree in English at the University of Virginia this fall.

Lauryn Faulkner-Sitton

Lauryn Faulkner-Sitton, originally from Durant, Oklahoma and now residing in Staunton, is graduating from Mary Baldwin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology. Faulkner-Sitton’s memorable study abroad experience in Costa Rica, led by Dr. Paul Callo, deepened her passion for ornithology and ecological conservation, enhancing her understanding of diverse ecosystems and cultures. A highlight of her academic journey was winning Best Oral Presentation in Microbiology at the Association for Southern Biologists conference for her thesis on Cryptosporidium infection in Angus cattle. Faulkner-Sitton’s ambition extends to attending veterinary school to specialize in large animal care, including cows, elephants, and rhinos, driven by her desire to research and improve wildlife welfare.

Amanda McComas

Amanda McComas, hailing from Raphine, achieves a significant milestone as she graduates with her doctor of nursing practice (DNP), specializing as a family nurse practitioner. McComas’ journey at MBU is highlighted by deep connections with faculty and staff, which she describes as pivotal to her success. Her doctoral project, which placed second at the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners event, marks a proud achievement as she was the first DNP student representing Murphy Deming at this level.

Mary Baldwin University: A Tradition of Innovation and Transformation

Mary Baldwin University has a rich history of adapting to meet the needs of its students and the wider community. Key milestones in its evolution include:

1842: Founded as Augusta Female Seminary by Rufus William Bailey.
1895: Renamed Mary Baldwin Seminary in honor of Mary Julia Baldwin.
Mid-1970s: Men began to be admitted as day students and graduate students.
1977: Became the first college in Virginia to launch an adult degree program.
1995: Established the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership (VWIL), the only all-female cadet corps in the nation.
2015: Mary Baldwin College officially became Mary Baldwin University.

The Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL)

Founded in 1995 at the request of the Commonwealth of Virginia, VWIL is an all-female cadet corps and four-year program that prepares participants for both military and civilian leadership. The program focuses on academics, fitness, military training, practical experiences, and co-curricular activities. Cadets also participate in co-educational ROTC training.

Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG)

The Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) at Mary Baldwin University is an early entrance college program for girls who have completed 6th-10th grade and have not yet completed, or in some cases not yet started, high school. Critically, the program accepts young women between the ages of 12 and 16. Applicants of later ages are encouraged to apply for early admission instead. The program was founded in 1985 with a class of 11 students and now enrolls up to 30 new students each year. Early success of the program was greatly boosted by the women-only residential campus, which eased parental concerns, as well as exceptionally strong participation and attention by faculty in providing extra challenges and opportunities to the gifted students. Participants ("PEGs") reside in a PEG-specific dorm building named for past president Cynthia Tyson, but attend classes with traditional-age students with the exception of a mandatory, PEG specific, introductory philosophy course named "Knowing the Self" (Phil 112).

Traditions and Community Engagement

MBU celebrates several annual traditions with the surrounding community. Every autumn, Mary Baldwin University commemorates Apple Day, during which students and faculty glean apples at a Virginia orchard. The "Mary Baldwin College Fight Song" is sung to the tune of "Blue and Gold."

tags: #mary #baldwin #university #notable #alumni