Joan Jordano was sponsored as an ARCS MWC member by Margie Shanklin in 1988. We thank Joan for her continued membership in ARCS MWC and applaud her for her ongoing commitment and many contributions to our chapter over the past 37 years! 

Joan’s commitment to volunteering led her to ARCS MWC. Joan was a Docent at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) for 20 years and through fellow NGA volunteers learned of The Hospitality and Information Service (THIS) at Meridian International. Joan became active in THIS and two ARCS MWC members who were also involved in THIS – Margie Shanklin and Evelyn Moore – spoke highly of ARCS MWC to Joan. Joan was initially intrigued by ARCS MWC’s financial awards because she went to college through a scholarship. She stayed in ARCS MWC because it is such a wonderful organization, especially how it gets young people involved in the sciences and engineering. Joan also liked the camaraderie and the dedication of the other members. 

Joan has served ARCS MWC in many leadership roles. For example, in her first year in the chapter, she worked on one of the chapter’s signature benefit events. At that time, the events were held at venues such as the Congressional Country Club or the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. She was also Chairman (and before that Vice Chairman) of social events that allowed the members to get together and catch up. 

Joan says that her work on so many projects benefitting the Scholars during her long membership with ARCS MWC ranks among her greatest achievements. She is also pleased that she is able to donate a PhD financial award given the importance of the organization’s mission. Joan would like to tell fellow chapter members, especially the newer members, that she is very glad they are all getting the opportunity to see how important ARCS MWC is for our Scholars and she hopes that they will all continue contributing their time and resources to the chapter because it helps our country so much. Joan emphasized that these financial awards are our way to invest in the future.