Music professor chops hair for cancer
Ringwall raises money to honor fellow faculty member
by Sandi Tatum
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
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"This is a generous thing she is doing personally," says Mellichamp. "It really means a lot."
Dr. Lauren Ringwall, assistant professor of music, has been growing her hair for three months. Ringwall says that she didn't want to completely shave her head, like some members of the music department. She will donate her ponytail instead.
Sophomore Maghan Holmes and freshman Phillip Slusser are competing to collect the most money. Whoever wins the comtest gets to cut off Ringwall's ponytail on April 28.
The money students collect will be donated to the American Cancer Society. The proceeds will first be given to Molly Davis, director of Habersham County Chapter Cancer Society. Then they'll be passed along to the American Cancer Society.
"I want to cut off Dr. Ringwalls ponytail," says Slusser. "I also want to help out people who have been through chemo therapy."
Slusser says that on the first day, he collected just over $69. While he passed out programs at a music performance last week, he also asked for donations.
Even music department students who aren't collecting money support the cause.
"It's a great way to boost support and morale in the music department and on the college campus," says junior JP Jordan. "Also, the incoming community can see that we are actually doing something for the community."
Ringwall's hair will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. The company makes wigs for women who are losing or have lost hair due to cancer treatments.
The foundation requires that a person donates at least eight inches of hair. Ringwall says she will donate nine inches, just to be safe. After her hair is cut, she'll mail it to the company. Ringwall's hair will make one-sixth of a wig.
Ringwall says that she won't miss her hair and the knots that come along with it.
Ringwall, Slusser and Holmes are collecting money until April 25. On April 28 in Brooks Hall at 12 p.m., Ringwall will lose her ponytail. She says that everyone is welcome to watch.
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