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Former registrar, tour guide dies March 3 Alvena (Vena) Mullen died March 3. In 1962, she began her career at MUSC as a secretary in the Office of the Registrar and Director of Admissions, rising through the ranks as admissions counselor, assistant director of admissions, and admissions and recruitment supervisor.   Many South Carolina physicians continue to express their gratitude for her wise counsel and assistance in their quest to enter medical school.   Alvena Mullen After retiring from that position in 1985, she joined the staff of the Office of Public Relations where she worked as a tour guide until her second retirement in 1997, exposing some 30,000 students to health careers and educational opportunities at MUSC. While working in the Public Relations office, she had the opportunity to meet American feminist and journalist Gloria Steinem who said, “Vena would be my role model and inspiration for maintaining optimism, compassion and faith in spite of personal tragedies.”   She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick Lloyd in 1969; by her son, Patrick Emmett in 1987; and by her daughter Cherie Mullen Hastie in 1998. Surviving are her daughter-in-law, Barbara Mullen of Columbia; her son-in-law and wife, William and Donna Hastie of Flat Rock, NC; her half-brother Mitchell Dean Proctor of Newport, VT; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and many devoted friends. Vena’s sweet countenance drew you to her and her warm and gracious manner held you fast—once you met her, you wanted to be her friend forever....and you were !  Even in recent times when she had visual difficulties and was a bit slower, she conveyed to all her inner grace and peace.  She was an inspiration to me and a joy to know and remember.  —Mary Elizabeth (M.E.) Canaday, R.N., Ambulatory Care Services I was very saddened by the loss of my great friend Alvena. She was the finest ambassador that the Medical University ever had.  She served as Registrar and as our tour guide following her retirement.  She was loved and admired by everyone on campus, from students to faculty.   Alvena was a woman of deep spirituality and a source of strength and inspiration for me and for everyone around her. During several personal tragedies in her life, she always kept her faith and remained optimistic.    There is a passage in the Old Testament from the Book of Proverbs that I think best describes her, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she rejoices at the time to come.”  I think that was Alvena.   I’m deeply saddened by her passing, but I know she is in a far better place. My life has truly been enriched by having known this wonderful lady. —James B. Edwards, DMD, MUSC president emeritus     Losing a husband, son, daughter and one’s eyesight would destroy the strongest among us. But Vena endured her grief, remaining optimistic and devoting herself to her faith, her family and wide circle of friends. Vena was the epitome of compassion and tolerance. Those of us fortunate enough to have known her have a role model for facing the adversities of aging with grace and dignity.  —Ellen Bank, Public Relations     Friday, March 17, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.