Stern College for Women - Kochaviah Yearbook (New York, NY)

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It is rare that we tind a person who is a true Aishet Chayil ; one whose devotion to an impor- tant cause or institution is sincere and outstand- ing. As we entered Stern College in 1977 so too did Dr Karen Bacon accept the position of dean of this school. Her dedication to the improvement of this college has been immense. As a Stern Col- lege for Women alumna, and the first woman ap- pointed administrative head of the unit, Dean Ba- con has been a model for us to respect and admire The graduating class of 1981 would, therefore, like to dedicate our yearbook with love to Dean Bacon. Dr. Bacon graduated from Stern College as valedictorian of the Class of 1964, and obtained her doctorate in Microbiology from the University of California in 1968. She has been a National Institute of Health Predoctoral Fellow (1966- 1968). and a United States Public Health Service Postdoctoral Trainee (1968-1970) Her studies continued as a research associate at Indiana Uni- versity, Department of Microbiology (1972-1975). In December, 1978. as Dean of Stern College for Women. Dr. Bacon was appointed Acting Universi- ty Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. She has recently been appointed as a Fellow in Academic Administration of the American Council of Education. Along with her scholarly background in Sci- ence. Dean Bacon has brought an administrative talent to Stern College. She has helped formulate various programs which have proven to be benefi- cial to the standard of education here at Stern. Among them are, the Judaic Studies Core Pro- gram, and new career oriented majors like Nursing and Accounting. Dean Bacon has also served as the lead person in new joint programs with the undergraduate and graduate divisions of this Uni- versity. As we leave the hallways of Stern we take with us many fond memories, one of which is that we have gotten to know a superb individual who has taken an interest in acquainting herself with the student body, and greeting each one of us with a warm smile. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dean Karen Bacon, and wish her hatzla- cha in all her future endeavors.

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M d : D Our years at Stern are something never to be taken for granted. We have a small student body which has enabled us to receive a more individualized education. We have been given the chance to study diversified topics from fencing to Jewish Medical Ethics. We have had yahadut served to us on a silver platter, and anytime or anyplace we reached out to it has been there. Most of us probably will not appreciate any of this until one day we will turn around, and find ourselves in a community outside of this University. Something we must never forget is that Stern has given us the ability and knowledge to become Jewish leaders. So what stands out about the class of ' 81 in particular? We were the first class under the new universitywide departmental structure. We were the first class for new and exciting majors like information science, business, accounting, economics and a wide variety of shaped majors. We started intramurals. We are the 26th graduating class of Stern College for Women. As our days of Stern life draw to a close at 245 Lexington avenue, we can look back with pride that we have graduated from Stern College for Women as independent Jewish women. We are into a new decade, and it is a new era for us. We are the leading Jewisses for the future. Never forget the path we have taken nor the friends we have made. And in ten years when we take this yearbook down from some dusty shelf to reminisce our years here, let us hope that some small spark of youth can be brought back to us, and make us smile.

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Each year as I greet the incoming class at Stern College for Women I share some of my thoughts on the qualities of a successful college career. These thoughts clearly reflect a bias that the college years are a time for academic achievement and personal growth. In a sense I see these years as a somewhat selfish period, when one should concentrate primarily, though not exclusively, on oneself. But, each year as the time comes for me to say farewell to the graduating class of Stern College for Women, I hesitate to offer thoughts about what characterizes a successful future. In this area I have fewer biases, though the options seem clear. As reflected in the theme of this yearbook, many members of the class of 1981 have prepared themselves for professional careers. This trend follows directly from the years of quality education that have instilled a feeling of personal expectation and confidence. The traditional view of Judaism that has placed the woman within the home, not as a caretaker but as a builder and spiritual leader, may no longer seem sufficent. No matter that this career when pursued with dedication, inspiration, and intelligence can lead to success, and no matter that career combined with community service can fill a lifetime with personal satisfaction. Yet the attraction of a professional career is compelling. Four years at Stern College have taught you that Torah U ' Madah. as an experience and as a weltanschaung, is both intellectually and physically demanding. The future will teach you that a family career combined with a professional career makes demands that are intellectual and phys- ical, as well as emotional. The difficult decisions you will make as you meet these demands will be personal ones, of course, and yet I hope they will be colored by your collective experience at Stern College. I wish all of you the wisdom to know the right decisions, the courage to follow through, and the peace of mind to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I feel truly privileged that you have dedicated this yearbook to me, and I will always look back on this occasion with pride. May you go from strength to strength in all your undertakings.