Town and Gown of USC honors the women who have served as President by including them in the Past Presidents’ Council.  These women have distinguished themselves with their service, leadership, and devotion to our mission, history, and traditions.  We proudly share their names with our membership and encourage everyone to meet these remarkable ladies.  Past Presidents are invited to attend Board Meetings as guests.

  • Jane Bensussen
  • Yvonne Bogdanovich
  • Paula Ciaramitaro
  • Hilary Crahan
  • Sally Edwards
  • Carol Fox
  • Linda Givvin
  • Carol Greenhalgh
  • Carol Mollett
  • Beth Petak-Aaron
  • Judith Pohlmann
  • Colleen Malone Stroyke
  • Elizabeth Tanner

In Memoriam:

Town And Gown of USC has most recently lost five (5) past presidents who dedicated their time to the organization. They will be missed but their legacy continues.

Ali Solum

Ruberta Weaver

Thelma Orr

Patricia Whitman

Jo Ann Conley

Our Memorial Garden
Jane Bensussen, President 2014-2016

I was inspired by the song chosen for Pat Whitman’s memorial service – In the Garden. Today we are going to share the garden together. I am a gardener at heart and flowers amaze me with their colors and habits. We are stepping into our memorial garden to visit with dear friends we have lost recently. Our Past Presidents are each unique flowers in our garden.

First, we come to a forget-me-not, waving in the wind with a big smile – hello Ruberta! A forget-me-not is a keepsake flower which means holding our loved one in wonderful memory. Ruberta Weaver is truly a keepsake in all of our hearts. Her favorite memory was restoring civility as President. That sounds just like Ruberta.

Now we come to a magnificent bird of paradise flower, looking curiously like some Hawaiian bird. Surprise, it’s Alli enjoying the tropical climate and showing her mischievous grin. This flower suggests something wonderful is going to happen. Alli Solum always had something new up her sleeve. Her favorite memory was all the friendships she made. Aloha, Alli!

A few more steps and we find ourselves surrounded by a bed of bright purple iris. It’s Thelma and her friends. Iris flowers convey a message of hope and Thelma sure knew how to hold onto hope. She faced many losses but never once lost hope and joy. Her favorite memory was how fascinating the women of Town and Gown are! You are a true inspiration, Thelma Orr.

Next door we are greeted by a huge magnolia tree with giant white blossoms. Behold, it is Pat in her gardening gloves. Pat wanted to be a rose but magnolias stand for dignity and perseverance and Pat was certainly that in life. Her favorite memories – writing administrative policies and procedures! Brava, Pat Whitman for always staying true to your beliefs.

Our last flower bed is surrounded by a pool of water lilies. We find dear JoAnn as a white lily which means perfect beauty. Always devoted, always gracious, always looking so young – that was our friend JoAnn Conley. We miss her dearly.

These women take us back forty years in Town and Gown of USC. JoAnn became President in 1984, Ruberta in 1990, Alli in 1996, Thelma in 2000 and Pat in 2016.

We all celebrate the memory of these colorful and interesting Past Presidents who now give us a beautiful bouquet of flowers to cherish.

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known
Bless them all