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Kohlmeier Honored

Associate Director of Alumni Relations Pat Kohlmeier had a surprise waiting for her at the March 16 Town and Gown luncheon. But she almost missed it because she was so busy working backstage to ensure the program went smoothly.

The Town and Gown board voted to recognize Kohlmeier, along with nine other women already slated to be honored during the luncheon.

"They knew that if they asked her, she probably wouldn't let us do it," said Sharilyn Bailey, Alumni Relations Director. "So, they actually decided to do it all behind her back. It was fun."

Because Kohlmeier serves as the lead university liaison for the event, her surprise was a logistical nightmare for Bailey and others involved.

Bailey told Kohlmeier that several members of the Bailey family would be coming to the event. But, the seats were actually set aside for Kohlmeier's entourage. Coordinators also had to order an extra medallion, gift, corsage and centerpiece without explaining the addition to Kohlmeier.

"I never had any idea what was going on," Kohlmeier said. "They did such a good job of keeping it from me - I am shocked."

Kohlmeier actually missed the beginning of the speech President Jim Appleton , the event's emcee, made about her because she was so busy doing her job.

"I was focused on trying to make sure that everyone had what they needed and that they were positioned where they needed to be," she said, laughing. "I heard him saying something about a surprise, but I didn't listen until (event chair) Julie Shuler actually pulled my script out of my hand. I was fighting to get my script back until I realized what was happening."

Kohlmeier said she was touched by the board's decision to honor her.

"They are a wonderful group of people," Kohlmeier said. "The idea that they would think I was deserving is one of the greatest honors I can imagine."

She is a member and former president of the Redlands school board and currently serves as president of the United Way of the East Valley. She has served as volunteer chairman for the Boy Scout Grayback District Membership Drive, co-chairman of the 1990 School Bond Election Campaign Committee, Get Out the Vote coordinator for the 1993 School Bond Election Campaign Committee, state convention chairman for the Fifth District PTA, and president of Redlands Council of PTA's. She also has been involved with the Girl Scouts, Saint Adelaide's Church in Highland, Redlands Kiwanis Club, the Redlands Bicycle Classic and a variety of political campaigns.




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Sheroes Celebrated

Nationwide, March was recognized as Women's History Month. But at the University of Redlands, faculty, staff and students celebrated: "Sheroes: Womyn's Herstory Month."

Event chair Sara Foulkes said students wanted to take a light-hearted, upbeat approach to the month.

"We just wanted to have fun with it," said Foulkes, a junior from Big Bear Lake who chaired the month's activities. "We wanted women to feel empowered and to celebrate their achievements."

Each week of March had a theme, with categories including international and American "womyn's herstory" and "womyn's herstory" in the arts, religions and health.

Dorothy Reina, adjunct professor of history, presented "Womyn's Roles in Hitchcock Films" on March 12. Later in the month, the illustrated lecture "Carry A. Nation," was presented by Fran Grace, assistant professor of religious studies and author of a book on the well-known prohibitionist.

Katherine Ng's "Origami Pop-Ups and Accordions, A Book of Arts Extravaganza," was on display throughout the month at Peppers Art Gallery. The Los Angeles elementary school art teacher presented books as art pieces in the show, with some of the books featuring pop-up art.

The month concluded with a "Phenomenal Womyn's Dinner" at the University Club. The event was designed to celebrate and raise awareness of women's accomplishments.

"I was impressed by how many people turned out for the different events," Foulkes said. "I hope it was empowering for the people who participated. In most history classes you are not taught what women have done. The focus is on who the first women were to do this or that. But you don't really get a clear understanding of how important women really have been in history. I hope we helped people to get at least a little bit of that perspective."