"Ultimately, it's about women who love Sewanee coming together to raise money for scholarships and to help students chase their dreams."
Sewanee Women’s Alliance (SWA) Chair Sheryl Falk, C’89, and Treasurer Carol Shepherd Titus, C’81, both say that the University shaped their career paths and provided lifelong friendships. In an interview for Philanthropy and Engagement, they discussed their roles as founding members of the SWA and shared details about the group’s mission, activities, and membership process.
Sewanee has a number of philanthropic initiatives, including Tiger Tuesday and the Sewanee Parents' Council. Why create the Sewanee Women's Alliance (SWA)?
Sheryl Falk: First of all, I’m delighted to be part of the founding group of the Sewanee Women’s Alliance (SWA), and to join other women who love Sewanee and dream of giving back in a meaningful way.
The SWA’s official purpose is to provide scholarships that create opportunities for future generations, ensuring that talented, deserving students can have access to the transformative experience that Sewanee offers.
Ultimately, it’s about women who love Sewanee coming together to raise money for scholarships and to help students chase their dreams. I think it’s really powerful to see Sewanee women uniting in this way.
Carol Shepherd Titus: I totally agree. I think this is Sewanee’s first women's philanthropic initiative, and to me, it's about time!
As Sheryl said, we’re funding scholarships, which are desperately needed at Sewanee. Currently, many scholarships are funded from tuition and endowment draws. The SWA will help grow the endowment, and it will help the budget too. So, it's good in many ways.
It’s worth mentioning that the SWA has already raised over $1.2 million in outright gifts and pledges, through endowed scholarships established by founding members—and we’re just getting started!
Aside from generating scholarship funding, how will the SWA help with Sewanee’s goal of preparing students for lives of leadership and service?
Titus: Scholarships are the first step, but we’re also excited for mentorship activities, which will allow students further guidance for their studies, personal formation, and career opportunities.
Falk: Mentorship is so powerful. I am grateful to have had a Sewanee alumni network that helped me in my career, and I want to focus on helping other Sewanee students know what’s possible.
Tell us about the SWA's current Executive Board and the members’ connections to the Mountain.
Titus: Right now, our board includes alumnae, parents of alums, EfM [Education for Ministry] members, and an honorary degree recipient. Our members are geographically diverse, and the alumnae on our board are graduates from the early 1970s all the way through the 21st century.
Membership in the SWA is open to all women who can help provide and raise endowed scholarship funding—even women who have no direct connection to Sewanee. We also have a fund that’s open to both men and women.
That’s a good segue! What’s the process for becoming a member?
Titus: There are two membership levels designed to encourage women’s philanthropy. Full membership is for women who endow scholarships of $100,000 or more. Full members have the opportunity to serve on the Executive Board, but it’s not a requirement.
There’s also a junior membership level for women under 40 who provide a scholarship at the $50,000 level. Junior members are asked to increase their giving to $100,000 once they reach age 40.
We’ve additionally created the Halo Fund to allow everyone to support the SWA’s mission by making a gift of $250 or more to Sewanee’s general scholarship fund.
Falk: I’ll also note that endowed scholarship gifts can be made in a single year or over a period of up to five years—and these scholarships can be named by their donors.
What benefits can SWA members expect to receive?
Falk: One advantage of joining the Sewanee Women’s Alliance is being part of a network of accomplished women, dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy and making a meaningful impact at Sewanee.
Titus: We’ll also have special Sewanee gatherings for members, including opportunities to meet with the vice-chancellor and other University leaders. We are still developing the benefits for members at all levels.
What excites you personally about being part of the SWA?
Falk: I’m living proof of what a scholarship can achieve. When I was 13 years old, I dreamed of going to Sewanee. I’d seen a presentation at my Episcopal church, and attending the University was all I cared about through high school. I was fortunate to get accepted and to receive a scholarship.
Sewanee really shaped not only my education, but who I am. I was challenged academically and grew immensely as a person. The education and mentorship I received gave me the foundation to thrive in law school and, ultimately, in a successful legal career.
Titus: I’m grateful that this dynamic group of women are leading the charge to solve one of Sewanee’s most pressing needs. I am also excited to see the creative energy of the group supporting the growth of the endowment at Sewanee. Sewanee’s endowment is smaller than endowments at our aspirant institutions. Investing in endowed scholarships will raise the University’s profile.
