It’s an exciting time to be working at So Lit. With Young Southern Student Writers just around the corner, another Southbound event at the beginning of April, and some big plans for the summer and fall, we are busily preparing for a year of exciting, educational events! It’s all hands on deck in the So Lit offices, and we have some new hands to help us out!
Yesterday, we “swore in” our new Executive Director Lynda LeVan. We could not be more excited to have a new ED! Lynda graduated from University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a degree in Business Administration, focusing her studies towards marketing. She has spent the past 17 years working in nonprofit management and outreach. As an Executive Director with Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization and a Director of External Affairs at the Creative Discovery Museum, Lynda has had plenty of experience to prepare her to lead So Lit.
When asked why she wanted to work with So Lit, Lynda replied, “Like many, I have a life long love affair with books and was passionate about inspiring lives with the uplifting power of the written word.” Lynda understands the power of stories - a power that is foundational to So Lit’s unique mission. She admires the work of numerous authors, including: Jane Austen, Robert Penn Warren, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Sue Monk Kidd, and Alice Hoffman.
Similarly, Lynda feels very strongly about the importance of arts advocacy. Speaking about the power of arts education, Lynda recalled, “Arts have been a big part of my childhood and life. The opportunity to study dance, music, and painting helped me develop self-confidence and creativity. All children deserve these opportunities to develop through the arts.” We are very fortunate to have an ED who is so personally invested in arts education!
When not working at So Lit, Lynda enjoys hiking the trails of Signal Mountain. She also belongs to a book club and paints with both oils and mixed-media. When asked about her favorite spots around Chattanooga, Lynda said, “You can't beat a burger at Tremont Tavern, the baby back ribs at Steve's Landing, or the quiche at 212 Market." She also loves to have lunch in Coolidge Park and boating on the Chickamauga lake.
If you’re near the Arts Building anytime soon, stop in and welcome Lynda to the So Lit team! We look forward to working with Lynda, and we are excited to hear her vision for So Lit’s future!