Welcome to this issue of the Wright State Magazine.
I was especially pleased to discover that the cover story of this publication is the “Year of the Woman.” With a record number of women now serving in the U.S. Congress, this seemed like the perfect time to celebrate the contributions of the female members of our Wright State University family.
Every day, women are making their mark at Wright State. Our faculty, staff, and students are teeming with brilliant, talented women who are innovators and leaders in our campus community. We can also take pride in the achievements of our Wright State graduates, as tens of thousands of alumnae excel in their professions and make a difference in our world.
In this issue, you will meet some of our most accomplished female faculty, university leaders, students, alumnae, and friends. Each of these women has helped shine a spotlight on Wright State through their groundbreaking research, exemplary public service, and unwavering commitment to our students.
Serving as Wright State’s first woman president has been one of the great honors of my life. And it’s a joy to lead this university alongside our first female provost, Susan Edwards. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Edwards in person, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about her in this issue. I have no doubt that her enthusiasm for Wright State’s students will immediately jump off the page!
Like me, Dr. Edwards is a firm believer in mentoring and empowering women. We know what it’s like to work in fields that have historically been dominated by men. Creating a network of support for women—and all populations that are underrepresented—is incredibly important if we are to flourish as a university and as a nation. Every individual in our society matters. We all have a voice that deserves to be heard. And we all have a right to take our seat at the table.
I will close with a fun fact that you might find interesting. The year 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of women receiving the right to vote. But did you know that Ohio voted in favor of the 19th Amendment as early as June 1919? I was proud to discover that Ohio was helping to lead the way for women’s suffrage!
Warmest regards,
Cheryl B. Schrader, Ph.D.
President