Social Clubs celebrate Gold & Platinum Anniversaries
by Lynne Schneider
Social Clubs are a part of the W's fabric, like Magnolia Chain and Old Maid's Gate. Homecoming activities are always a highlight for social club alums.
This year, four clubs will mark special anniversaries. Troubadours and Highlanders turn 50 this year, and MUW's two oldest four-year social clubs, Lockhearts and Rogue, are turning 70. All four clubs continue a vibrant presence on campus, offering students the opportunity to form bonds of friendship and sisterhood and explore opportunities for leadership and community service.
All four of the clubs will host their alumnae and celebrate these "birthdays" from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. on April 19 at various locations on campus.
When you hear, "Like a tiny spark of fire." being sung, you know Troubadours can't be far away. Formed in 1958, Troubadour colors are blue and white, and their symbol is an old English T inside a triangle. The club, which does not have a sister club as most social clubs do today, was the first at MUW to have Big Brothers. Some well-known Troubadours include former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Kaye Cobb '63, nationally known artists Sandy Sanders McNeil, '71, and Sally Phillips Buffington, '74, and Sharon Ray Ross, '79, wife of Mississippi legislator and congressional candidate Charlie Ross.
The girls in the kilts of red and black you see around MUW are the Highlanders. This social club, also formed in 1958, is known by MUW students for its fabulously fun theme song and its spirit of fun. The Highlanders' mascot is the Scottish terrier and its symbol is the eight-sided coat of arms. Famous Highlanders include former MUW coach and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Samye Johnson, '71, book illustrator Monica Vandenbranden Abner '84, who also designed Ody Owl, and the late Diane Spitler, '67, an exercise physiologist who developed cardio exercises for astronauts to use in zero-gravity space.
The Lockheart Social Club, formed by 20 MUW sophomores in 1938, is easily recognized today by red interlocking hearts and, of course, its mascots, Raggedy Ann and Andy. For many years, it has been one of the largest and most active social clubs on campus, with many of its members active in a number of organizations. Lockhearts' philanthropy includes HEART, a faith-based organization that focuses on tutoring kids in grades K-4. Some notable Lockhearts are National Teacher in Space Finalist Joanne Arnold Reid '60, and a number of Lockhearts who won the Miss W crown, including Jan Reid Bunch '87, Denise Potter '91, and Miss W 2008 Amanda Crumbley. Charter Member Edith Ruff Thomas, '41, was the first Miss Tupelo, and has won many volunteerism awards, as well as an Alumnae Achievement Award.
Rogue Social Club was also formed in 1938 by 13 "fun-loving cavaliers," and was fortunate to claim the one and only Mrs. Helen Perry Hopkins as its first sponsor.
Rogue's symbol is the ball and chain. The ball represents unity and the chain stands for the sisterhood that binds members of Rogue to each other. Rogue colors are black and white, and its mascots are the panda and the zebra. Well-known Rogues are Trudy Fisher, '82, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Karen Stachowski, '88, Tennessee's Assistant Commissioner of Environment and Conservation, the late Evelyn Fondren, '66, who created a walking tour of the historic Castro district of San Francisco and became known worldwide as tour guide Trevor Hailey, and retired MUW professor and tennis coach Dr. Barbara Garrett, who is known and remembered by W alums everywhere.