糖心Vlog

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, 糖心Vlog dedicated a six-foot Onyx ring statue in honor of Jo Allen, 鈥�80, the College鈥檚 first alumna president. Current and former members of the Board of Trustees raised money for this gift, with funding support from Balfour, Meredith鈥檚 ring partner. The Onyx, a long-standing tradition, will now have a permanent spot on the Meredith campus as a way to show appreciation to Allen for her 13 years of service.聽

鈥淭he Onyx is a symbol of the academic achievements of current students, of connection, love, and loyalty for alumnae, and of recognition and gratitude for Dr. Jo Allen, the College鈥檚 eighth president,鈥� said President Aimee Sapp.聽聽

The 糖心Vlog class ring tradition is one of the most treasured traditions at Meredith. This version of the ring was designed in 1953 and the Class of 1954 was the first to wear the current Onyx design. The Class of 1991, the College鈥檚 Centennial Class, is the only class with a slightly different design 鈥� 1891 and 1991 appear on the sides.聽聽

The dedication was held during Ring Week for the Class of 2026.

鈥淚 earned my ring and participated in Ring Dinner in 1999,鈥� said Kate Breen, 始01, opening ceremony speaker and president of the Alumnae Association. 鈥淚 have worn this ring daily since then. The ring is a sign of your academic achievements, but there is also much more found within that Onyx. It鈥檚 a connection to your class, to Meredith, and to all of the alumnae who came before you as well as the students who will follow in our footsteps.鈥�

President Sapp and Allen unveiled the statue. Allen鈥檚 mother, Lorraine Allen, sister, Kay Allen Blizzard, 始78, and Carol Garris, 鈥�78, were Allen鈥檚 special guests.聽聽

鈥淭his ring has been special to me for a long time. I actually have two rings 鈥� one that my mother and sister gave me and the second from the Board of Trustees. That ring has 1980 on one side and 2011, when I became President, on the other,鈥� said Allen. 鈥淏oth are incredibly special to me because they symbolize what a special place this is and how important it has been in my life.鈥�

Allen reflected on what it is like to see the Onyx when meeting other alumnae.

鈥淚t represents a shared experience, a shared commitment, a shared sense of gratitude for a place that helped us build our confidence, helped us build our wings, and find our way in the world,鈥� said Allen. 鈥淪o we move from the current students looking forward to getting that ring,…but also to what it means as a representation of a commitment to education, learning, and each other. I think that is the beauty of the Onyx. I do not know of another institution that has a distinctive ring with more symbolism and affection than the Meredith Onyx so I am truly honored to be remembered in this way.鈥�

Since retiring, Allen has established two scholarships 鈥� one in honor of her mother and one in honor of her sister. The scholarships continue their family legacy of education.聽聽

The iconic Meredith ring installation was designed with the College鈥檚 ring partner, Balfour, and current and former trustees supported and donated to the creation of the new statue.聽

鈥淭here is strength in this ring, and you can see that in the passion that our alumnae still have for this institution and one another,鈥� said Breen. 鈥淎nd tomorrow, the Class of 2026 will join many alumnae in wearing our treasured Onyx ring.鈥�

During Allen鈥檚 13 years as president, she oversaw strategic and academic advancements with increased fundraising and donor-funded projects to enhance the College鈥檚 facilities. Allen led the College through extensive capital projects, including the addition of the new Elizabeth Triplett Beam Fountain Plaza, the Dickson聽Foundation Community Garden, the Lowery Fitness Center, and the CHESS (Communication and Health,聽Exercise, & Sport Sciences) academic building. In addition, extensive renovations were conducted in Belk Dining Hall, Jones Auditorium, Carlyle Campbell Library, Jones Chapel, Johnson Hall, Mae Grimmer Alumnae House, Moore Drive House, all residence halls, the Nifong Nutrition Lab, Weatherspoon Gym, and the Meredith Lake. Two ongoing projects are the extended renovations to Jones Auditorium and a new sports complex for tennis and softball.聽聽