缅北禁地

2025 Alumnae Award Recipients

Dr. Jean Jackson, 鈥�75 鈹� Distinguished Alumna Award

Jean Jackson is a graduate of the Class of 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religion. Immediately following graduation from Meredith, Jackson earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jackson returned to Meredith in 1983 to teach in the Department of English and create a program then called Professional Communications. Given Meredith鈥檚 focus at the time on literature and creative writing, this was a much-needed addition to the curriculum. It crossed all disciplinary boundaries, offered highly valued skills for all students, and is still in place today. Through the years, she has taught British literature, American literature, African American literature, and a course in women鈥檚 studies. As a faculty member, she has overseen student research projects and more than 100 student internships. In her current position as Vice President for College Programs, Jackson teaches a class on English poetry and balances teaching with her administrative responsibilities as a member of the College鈥檚 Executive Leadership Team.

One of Jackson鈥檚 colleagues remarked that she has the reputation for always giving students the benefit of the doubt and encouraging the team to truly listen to students. When dealing with issues important to students, her approach often is to ask, 鈥淲hat is the lesson here?鈥� instead of trying to jump to a staff-driven answer. Her perspective and collaborative approach to problem solving are valued by her colleagues. In addition, her experiences as an alumna, coupled with her many years as a professor and administrator, enable her to put the students鈥� needs first.

As a member of Meredith鈥檚 faculty and Executive Leadership Team, Jackson is a reliable sounding board and trusted advisor, especially when changing times call for starting new methods or traditions to meet the current needs of the Meredith community. Many of her peers consider Jackson to be the 鈥渒eeper of the culture of the College.鈥�

Dr. Anne Carroll Baird, 鈥�60 鈹� Career Achievement Award

Anne Carroll Baird graduated from 缅北禁地 in 1960 with a degree in sociology. Dr. Leslie Syron was her mentor, encouraging her to pursue graduate work in sociology and to participate in its professional organizations as an undergraduate student. After graduating from Meredith, Baird earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from Emory University.

In 1971, Baird started what would become a 44-year career as a member of the faculty at Morehouse College, an HBCU. As a faculty member within the Sociology Department, Baird鈥檚 research interests included incarceration rates in rural and metro areas, gentrification and crime, the effects of high incarceration rates on the African American community, and intimate partner violence: implications for public policy. In addition to sociology courses, Baird taught about discrimination and the consequences of discrimination, medical sociology, and founded the criminology major.

As a member of the faculty at Morehouse College, Baird respected and cared so much for her colleagues and the student body. She draws a parallel to her student experience at Meredith, one in which a small community and committed, caring faculty provided women with the opportunity to grow and develop both inside and outside of the classroom.

Classmate and friend Emily Campbell Tuck, 鈥�60, noted that Baird was ahead on her time. 鈥淐onsidering the racial divide that is still present in our country, Meredith can point to one of its graduates who has been working tirelessly for this cause for decades.鈥�

Ginger Mims Alexander Neustadt, 鈥�05 鈹� Meredith Memorial Philanthropy Award

Ginger Mims Alexander Neustadt graduated from Meredith at age 65 through the adult education program, now known as Wings, which serves students 23 years old and older. The high point in her education was the 12 weeks she studied abroad in Italy and England with traditional students. She bravely and enthusiastically lived dormitory-style with them and described that time as one of the best in her life. As a result of that experience, Neustadt created the Ginger Mims Alexander Neustadt Wings Endowment for Study Abroad to provide scholarship support to help adult students gain the valuable experience of living and studying in another country.

Neustadt鈥檚 early professional life included working for Western Electric Company and Wachovia Bank in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After moving to Lincoln County, she launched her civil and political careers. In 1972, she became Secretary of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women and was a delegate for the organization. Over the next 12 years, she worked as the manager of Lutherhaus, served on the board of the local hospital, and was active in both the PTA and the Chamber of Commerce. She managed Bob Dole鈥檚 campaign and was elected to the NC Republican Party鈥檚 Hall of Fame and received the Ninth Congressional District Grassroots Leadership Award. Ginger eventually moved to Raleigh, where she served in Jim Martin鈥檚 administration as Director of North Carolina Juvenile Detention Service, committed to improving the lives of juveniles. Ginger was honored by the State of North Carolina as a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Neustadt, always a passionate proponent of Meredith, served on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees. Prior to her death, she named the Player鈥檚 Lounge in the Estes-Speight Family Athletic Center, which will provide training space for student athletes on the softball, tennis, and golf teams. It was important to Neustadt that students have a place to gather, socialize, and create their own fond memories.

Neustadt鈥檚 award was accepted by her husband, Bill Neustadt.

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