• The first girl to attend classes at Denison was Fannie Parker Currier, a student at the Young Ladies’ Institute (later renamed Shepardson College) in 1866.
• Bessie Jones is believed to be the first black woman to graduate from Denison in 1906.
• Dr. Laura C. Harris ʼ16 established a lecture series to carry on the pioneering spirit of women students at Denison.
• Considered a trailblazer in the expansion of women’s college-level athletics, Helen Barr served as director of Denison’s Department of Physical Education for Women for 25 years, from 1924-49.
• Thanks to a nearly $50,000 donation by Mrs. Charles F. Whisler, Whisler Hospital was founded in 1929 in memory of her daughter, Helen Whisler ʼ20.
• Denison’s first two female trustees, Prudence Sherwin and Harriet Hunt Richards, began their terms in 1936.
• In honor of Jeanne Vail ʼ46, Mary and Foster McGaw fund the Vail Series, which brings well-known performers to Denison every year.
• Mary Jane McDonald ʼ59 was Denison’s first female vice president.
• In 1972, Ann Fitzgerald and Joan Straumanis, with help from Peggy Gifford ʼ75, began Denison’s Women’s Studies Program.
• Nan Carney-DeBord ʼ80 was hired as the first female athletic director at Denison.
• Denison’s first female president, Michele Tolela Myers, served from 1989-1998.
• Denison’s first female provosts were Janet Hyde (acting provost, 1985) and Barbara Hill, who served from 1986-90.
• In 2020, Sue Douthit O’Donnell ʼ67 gave a transformational gift for the Denison Libraries.
• Denison Trustee Sharon Martin ʼ65 provided support for the Eisner Center’s 400-seat proscenium theater, Sharon Martin Hall.
• Teckie Shackelford ʼ56, along with husband Don ʼ54, created a $21 million endowment to help Columbus City Schools students attend Denison.
• A 2023 gift from Marilyn P. McConnell Pʼ92 transformed Denison’s planetarium, featuring state-of-the-art technologies and expanded programming.

Kathryn Correia ʼ79 Pʼ20
President and CEO, Legacy Health
Denison Trustee

Why are you involved in Four Forward?
Lots of reasons, but mainly because it is a continuation of a story that started in 1975. I came to Denison post-Roe v. Wade, and during the years of the quest for the Equal Rights Amendment. I was admittedly naive about the biases I would face as a young female, especially in the work world. The women faculty and staff that I met at Denison helped open my eyes, but importantly, they simultaneously supported my growth and courage. Four Forward is a dynamic program that will create supportive avenues for Denison women to harness our superpowers.

What appeals to you about working with — and giving as part of — a larger group?
I have been fortunate to have been professionally involved in successful foundations. I know that philanthropy can serve as a strong platform to grow capacity for people, their organizations, and ultimately our communities. Denison is an incredible organization that pulls us toward each other through shared experience. I love considering the possibilities of our collective impact.

What excites you about Denison’s future?
Just about everything. I have seen how Denison, under President Weinberg’s leadership, has evolved in ambitious, but thoughtful, ways. I have seen simple gifts from individuals, combined with bigger grants, nurtured by top-notch faculty, turn something small into something big. The value of my degree has appreciated, and we have every opportunity to continue to propel the college.

Michelle Warner ʼ88
Executive Director, CEO Perspectives
Member, Denison Board of Advisors

What is special about Four Forward?
Four Forward benefits recipients, and members, at different points in their Denison journey. We must get someone to Denison for them to benefit from Denison. Once they are at Denison, we want them to explore the world through internships and/or study abroad. This is where they will find their future selves. And then we need to support them as they launch into the world. How amazing will it be to have a diverse group of mentors and advisors to share experiences, provide guidance, and make connections? Four Forward will create a virtuous circle, while inspiring future Four Forward members.

Why do you give back to Denison?
I received an incredible education at Denison, and it opened my eyes to a world beyond the one I grew up in. It revealed opportunities I would not otherwise have had. I also believe in the value of a liberal arts education as a differentiator in enabling long-term success and creating the types of people who can solve difficult problems, navigate different opinions, and see beyond where they are now. The new majors and practical skills that Denison is offering in support of and as a supplement to a liberal arts education are very smart, and set Denison apart from other liberal arts colleges.

What appeals to you about creating a community like Four Forward?
We can do so much more collectively than we can do individually. While our goals are primarily financial, they create a snowball effect that means so much more. When women come together, it creates a unique energy and a call to action for many who might not otherwise engage. If we can harness that energy, we can collectively do so much more for the college than we could do individually.

Vivian Quaye ʼ03
Director, Public Funds & Taft-Hartley Plans, Northern Trust Asset Management
Denison Trustee

Why did you choose to become involved with Four Forward?
Denison played a pivotal role in shaping the course of my life. The invaluable support and guidance from the women faculty and staff during my years as a student were instrumental in helping me overcome challenges. This support didn’t cease after graduation. My decision to become involved with Four Forward stems from a deep resonance with its mission and my personal journey. My engagement allows me to be a part of something impactful.

What drives your philanthropy and motivates you to give back?
From an early age, I learned the importance of giving whenever possible, with the guiding principle of leaving the world better than I found it. My commitment to philanthropy is firmly grounded in the desire to contribute to the welfare of others and the broader community. I place a high value on scholarship, influenced greatly by my upbringing and the transformative collegiate experience provided by Denison. When there is a personal connection to a cause or a clear understanding of how it directly impacts individuals, it becomes more compelling and natural to contribute.

When you look ahead and think about Denison, what do you see?
I am enthusiastic about Denison’s future due to its proven resilience and ability to adapt to an ever-changing world. Contributing to this institution at all levels has yielded numerous positive outcomes, from enhanced programming to campus development, all while establishing a strong reputation. These initiatives have generated lasting benefits that extend far beyond our own lifetimes.

Kathleen Shelton ʼ85
Senior Advisor, Impact Philanthropy, World Resources Institute

Biography coming soon!