A sea of 130 colorful hats swirled throughout the Top of the Turf clubhouse Tuesday as members of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Meridian Society and their guests celebrated Kentucky Derby style at Fairmount Park Race Track in Collinsville.
“These women of all ages come together for the collective good, and that makes a difference for children and families,” said Dr. Venessa Brown, assistant provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and professor of Social Work. “This is what happens when a diverse group of women come together. It certainly made an impression on me, and the array of hats made this so much fun!”
The Meridian Society recently awarded nearly $25,000 in funding to community oriented projects ranging from sustainability to music programs. The Society also brings international speakers to the area to promote diversity initiatives affecting area families. The projects were backed by University entities, such as the Schools of Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering and Pharmacy, the College of Arts and Sciences and The Gardens at SIUE.
“I was impressed to learn that 100 percent of what is given by the women in this organization is returned to the community through its projects,” said SIUE alumna Donna Wilkerson, ’78, who lives in Glen Carbon. “It seems to be a very worthwhile organization.”
The organization was founded in 2003 under the leadership of a few women who were devoted to SIUE and inspired by Harold Melser, who has since retired from the SIUE Foundation.
“He gave me the idea for this and I said, ‘Let’s do it. It sounds like fun,’” said Kay Werner, first lady emeritus, one of the founding Meridian Society members and wife of Chancellor Emeritus David Werner. “It just made sense. The turnout today is wonderful. Even if the people who attended today don’t join, it’s so nice that they are now aware of what we’re doing.
“I didn’t envision this event being this big. Being aware of an organization like this—it’s good for the organization, and it’s good for the group.”
“The Meridian Society is a wonderful group of women who are completely dedicated to both the University and the community,” said Patrick Hundley, SIUE’s vice chancellor for University Relations. “They demonstrate philanthropy throughout the greater community.”
The “Best Hat” award for the day went to graduate school alumna Gloria Parker, ’76, of Alton. It was a vintage hat worn by her late mother. The hat was black and white, sitting perfectly to the right side of her head with swirls of black and white beading reaching high on the left.
“My mother would never show up to church without a hat,” said Parker, whose mother died in 2009. “I used to tell her she was just jazzy. She’s with me every day; especially when I put this hat on today.”
Parker said she received invitations to two other Meridian Society events in the mail recently. The invitation to today’s derby made her decide to find out what it was all about. She brought four friends with her.
“I’m so pleased with this incredible turn out,” said Elizabeth Keserauskis, Meridian Society president and SIUE’s assistant vice chancellor for University Relations. “This event is such a wonderful way to cultivate relationships among women. The collective giving power of women is clear – since its inception in 2003, the Meridian Society has given 84 awards totaling over $207,000. We are making a difference in our community.”
“Biggest Hat” award went to Sharon Schlaefer who was the guest of Meridian Society member and SIUE Police Chief Gina Hays. The original creation was a sun hat with tufts of light purple encircling it coming to a tail at the end. She made it for a church derby day and decided it was the perfect accessory for the Meridian Society function.
“Our mom was a very inspirational person in terms of having us perform skits and wear costumes and hats,” Schlaefer said.
“This event was extremely successful,” said Julie Babington, SIUE Foundation director of annual giving. “We were able to secure some donations and even a few new members. We were delighted to see participants all decked out in Derby style.”
Kay Werner and Mary Sumner show off their hats at the annual SIUE Foundation Meridian Derby at Fairmount Park Race Track.