Contacting former dean Ellen Futter

<p>I’m arranging a little Barnard '11 get-together (through facebook, of course. love) to take place at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Turns out my mother informed me a week ago that the current president of the museum is a former Barnard dean – hers, actually. I thought it would be a really nice idea to try and get in touch with her, tell her of the cause, and maybe get a chance to have her say hello to us, but unfortunately her contact information is unavailable anywhere on the world wide web, it seems. I contacted the alumnae committee through the Barnard website and haven’t gotten any response, so I’m wondering if any current students or alumnae have access to an e-mail address, phone number, or something like that. My mother, who is involved in approximately zero alumnae organizations or functions, is of little help. (: Thanks much, if this is possible!</p>

<p>Sorry, I cannot help with your specific request. I do suggest that you post this on the Barnard LiveJournal forum...It's pretty active and quite a few alumnae post there.</p>

<p>Tell your mom to sign up for the online alumnae directory. :-P Everyone should be in it!</p>

<p>Ahhh, okay, alumnae records replied to me. Just one other question: how do I address this woman?? Hahaha, Mrs. just seems so wrong...</p>

<p>Dear Ellen Futter?</p>

<p>Well, I meant in a conversation, if we do in fact get to meet up with her. I still feel like some sort of title is in order..</p>

<p>Call her "Ms. Futter" -- if she wants you to call her "Ellen" she'll let you know. No older person ever feels offended when a young person uses a title... but sometimes they do feel offended when it is the other way around. You could technically call her "Dr. Futter" but I checked online and see that she has a JD degree (law degree) -- and even though that is "Juris Doctor", most lawyers I know consider it really pretentious when a lawyer asks to be called "Doctor" - so I would stick with "Ms." or "Mrs.". (I think "Mrs." should be used only if you know there is a Mr. Futter -- if you are not sure of her marital status or if Futter is her maiden name, then stick with "Ms.")</p>

<p>Yeah- call her like Miz Futter. </p>

<p>Miz wraps up both Ms. and Mrs. into one, so you can't offend her. :)</p>

<p>Ellen Futter is president of the American Museum of Natural History in NYC and she was President of Barnard College.</p>

<p>That's like, really awkward though.
No worries. We didn't end up meeting... she never responded to my e-mail. :/</p>