We’re celebrating the HC Chatham team members who graduated in December 2014. Here’s our tribute to Shannon Ward.
Shannon Ward arrived at her first Halloween Dinner clad in handmade pop tab chainmail: a costume prophetic of her work as a dedicated advocate of creative reuse. Her inspiring artistry earned her a spot as HC Chatham’s second Campus Celebrity after the chapter’s launch in November 2011.
Between crafting a wearable octopus puppet and a fearsome dragon mask, Shannon found time to share her talents with HC Chatham. Over the next four years, Shannon became a frequent contributor:
– A talented photographer, she often sent in her work for us to share on the site.
– She told us why Chatham orientation rocks and offered advice to incoming students in our New Cougar guides.
– She shared her childhood media memories during our campaign with WQED, Pittsburgh’s PBS affiliate.
– She gave us the scoop on what to expect at a Women of the World (W.O.W.) Retreat.
– She showed us the history of sexism in advertising after presenting at the Media & Social Change Conference.
– A beloved resident assistant, she told readers why they should apply for the job. We even featured her as an RAngel.
– Most recently, she taught us what it’s really like to be in the Women’s Studies program in our first installment of Major Intelligence.
Of course, that barely covers it. Shannon always offered to share her thoughts and contribute to the chapter. An example of her giving spirit: On several Saturday nights, Shannon swooped in to help us meet deadlines by tracking down last-minute Campus Cuties. She embodies the spirit of sisterhood at Chatham: endless dependability, extraordinary generosity, and exceptional kindness.
We spoke with Shannon after graduation to learn what she loves about Chatham and what’s next for her.
HC Chatham: Why did you choose Chatham?Shannon Ward: During my college search, my high school teachers selected me as a recipient of the Rachel Carson Book Award. Chatham University offers this award to female students with skill in writing and science who are about to graduate high school. It was a small, $1,000 scholarship and the first sign that I was meant to attend Chatham. When I scheduled a tour, I fell in love with the campus, the safe community, and Chatham’s missions.What will you miss most about Chatham?Without a doubt, the thing I miss most about Chatham is the community. It’s hard to imagine finding someplace more safe and welcoming than Chatham’s campus as I knew it. Nothing compares to the unique environment of the “Chatham bubble”—being surrounded by intelligent, funny, and wonderful women and faculty who know you and genuinely care about you.What advice do you have for the incoming Class of 2019?My best advice for the class of 2019 is to be prepared for a lot of change and the madness that can sometimes accompany change. You’re going to be living in the most transitional period that Chatham University has ever seen. It’s hard to know what to expect now, but if your experience is anything like mine, you’ll be grateful for every second you spend at Chatham University.What is your dream job?I used to think that my dream job was to be a novelist, but now I think I’d be happiest as a kind of handywoman. I love making and repurposing things, from dragon masks to DVD cover notebooks. It would be great to do that for a living!What do you love most about being a Chatham alum?The thing that I love most about being a Chatham alum is the way I can look back at my education and know that it was time and money well spent. Not only did I get a Bachelor’s Degree in two majors that I love, but I made connections that will last for a lifetime. Even after you graduate, your ties to the school will take you places that you could never imagine.
Thank you, Shannon! We’ll miss you, but we’re cheering you on!