William Woods University Adds Two Trustees

5/25/2010 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Mary Linn ColdironElizabeth Demetra FarrisTwo community leaders, Mary Linn “Lolly” Coldiron of Atherton, Calif., and Elizabeth Demetra Farris of Branson, Mo., have accepted appointments to the William Woods University Board of Trustees.
 
“We are pleased that these two alumnae have agreed to serve their alma mater as members of the board of trustees,” Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, WWU president, said. “They are both supportive of William Woods on a variety of levels, and we know they will contribute much with their knowledge and experience.”
 
Coldiron graduated from William Woods with a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1972 and is a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She is the owner and operator of ML Coldiron Interiors and has been operating the interior design company since 1978. She served on the board of the WWU Alumni Association and has helped with student recruitment over the years.
 
She is also the president of Family Service of San Mateo County, a sustaining member of the Junior League and involved with projects at the Filoli Estate Gardens. She has one daughter, Audrey Linn Frankel, and two grandchildren. Her sister, Kathy A. Coldiron, is a 1973 graduate of WWU.
 
Farris was born in St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from William Woods with a B.S. in education. She received her master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri State University. A first-grade teacher until the birth of her first child, Farris has since devoted her life to raising her four children, growing her family businesses and working for other causes pertaining to children.
 
She’s an active volunteer and frequent officer in a number of organizations, including the Branson School District’s PTO, president of Branson School District's Gifted Parents Association, Boys and Girls Club, Taneyhills Community Library and Forsyth Chapter of the Missouri State Teachers Association.   
 
In addition, Farris is the managing member of CastleRock Enterprises, a commercial office complex, and serves as chief operating officer of her husband’s law firm, the Farris Law Group. She has also launched other businesses for sale to new owners, such as her former restaurant, the French Hen Café and Coffee House.  Farris was instrumental in bringing a William Woods site to Branson.