Letter from Elizabeth Anne McHale to Annette Chappell, 1986

[Return address redacted] June 8, 1986 Annette Chappell Dean of The College of Liberal Arts Towson State University Towson, MD 21204 Dear Dean Chappell: I am a recent graduate of the General Studies program with a concentration in Women's Studies and a minor in English. At commencement exercises last month I was surprised to hear individual students recognized according to their concentration in the major of Psychology. I knew in advance that Women's Studies would not be mentioned when I walked across the stage, but if the concentration can be given credit within the discipline of Psychology, isn't it possible to have that credit given within General Studies? As an undergraduate I was very involved in Women's Studies. I completed more Women's Studies courses than were required for the major. I worked as student assistant to the coordinator of Women's Studies, and served on the Women's Center Board of Directors. You may recall I received a student research grant to investigate 19th century women's diaries under Dr. Hedges. But since that grant was received in my junior year, my work was not recognized at my commencement. In addition, because of what I assume to be a clerical error, my Magna Cum Laude honors were not listed on my name card. Having never been through commencement exercises before, I did not know they needed to be. They were listed in the program, so I whispered to Dr. Wood to announce my honors as I handed him my card on stage. I had expected that commencement exercises would be a ritual in which I, as a member of the graduating class, would be recognized for the achievements of my work at Towson. Instead, unfortunately, my commencement was personally disappointing and frustrating. I felt it necessary to express by disappointment and frustration in this letter to you. Thank you. Very Sincerely Yours, Elizabeth Anne McHale Class of '86