"I walked into a room full of Stephens women during the interview process and I thought, this is it!' The energy, the intelligence, the commitment to the learning that goes on, the commitment to the women and the future of women's education were palpable in the room. And I thought this is something I really want to be a part of. So, I knew right away!"
Lynch says although Stephens has become more of a regional institution over the years, she hopes to reclaim its tradition as a nationally recognized institution of learning for women."The higher education marketplace is changing and institutions that are nimble, responsive, have a clear vision, an absolutely clear market niche, I think, will leap frog other institutions that perhaps don't enjoy all of those characteristics. Stephens is one of those intuitions."
She says while Stephens is ready to commit to moving forward nationally, it has always had a commitment locally."It also, however, has a history of intense commitment of the people in the institution and the community who have struggled and weathered the storm and they've come through that storm together. They're proud of it, and they recognize the value of what Stephens has to offer. You can't buy that, you can't find that, that has to happen organically and naturally out of the hearts and commitment of the people in the community."
About 150 Columbia residents attended the welcoming at the Walton Building on Providence Road, including resident Mike Grelner who works for Plaza Real Estate as a commercial real estate broker. He says he attended the reception to show his support."Well, Stephens College is a big part of this community and just want to make sure the leader of that sort of institution feels welcome here."
Columbia resident Nancy Fey of Mary Kay Cosmetics also came to greet the new president. Fey says she attended in order to take advantage of a time when she and other residents could come together and be introduced to Lynch."I think this is a great opportunity for us in the community to meet her because normally, I would probably never get a chance to meet her."
Lynch says she's excited about working with her new community and thrilled at how compatible she and Columbia residents are."In my life experience, I tend to be the sort of most gregarious person in the room. Not here! That's not true here! I just told somebody, I feel like I'm home!' I feel like, Oh my gosh, everybody here is just like me!'"
Lynch says Stephens College is ready to move forward and she realizes that she needs the community's help because she can't do it alone. © Copyright 2009, KBIA
