CityView Magazine

14 November 2023 the best outcome for patients during and aer hospitalization. Baggett also was a sought-aer volunteer for projects such as developing an employee wellness program, Hunter says, noting she volunteered with the Child Advocacy Commission. In 2001, she became director of international programs at Methodist University. Under her watch, international student enrollment grew, Justice-Hinson noted in her nomination. Methodist has been recognized as the most diverse university in North Carolina. Baggett joined the Fayetteville Rotary Club in 1998 and became the second woman to be district governor of Rotary District 7730, leading about 2,500 Rotarians in 15 counties from 2010 to 2011. The beginning Baggett attended Catholic school when growing up in Puerto Rico. "e nuns promoted working with the poor a lot, working with the missions, things like that," she says. "If nothing else, donating your pennies. I think that started it, but what really got me into it, my father (Antonio Grillo) was a Rotary, and I saw how he and my mother (Lolita) did a lot of work for the community." Among other projects, they made baskets for new mothers and Christmas baskets for children. She also was influenced by an aunt who was a social worker. Aer marrying a soldier, the family lived in England, Germany, Hawaii, and other places around the U.S. "Everywhere we went, there was a need for help for somebody," she says. "So I hooked up as soon as we were married with Army community services, and they help military families, so I became a volunteer if we were in a post long enough." ree times, she became director of volunteers on a military post. "I'm a hands-on person. I like to get my hands dirty," she says. "I guess you can say I'm a control freak. I like to be in charge. Actually, somebody needs to be there, and many people don't raise their hands." International vision As director of international programs at Methodist University, Baggett had the best of both worlds — helping others and traveling to foreign countries. She was intrigued by "the travels that it promised and, at the same time, learning about the cultures of these students who were coming to Methodist." Baggett enjoys helping international students adjust to life in America. "I love to have students who come in as freshmen, and they're a little lost in America. And you introduce them to a Walmart, … and they go, 'Wow.' e first Russians I took to Walmart almost died and went to heaven. It's (something) that we take for granted. "ey start as freshmen or even seniors sometimes, but they're quiet and they don't have any speaking skills and they're not sure what career field they're going to go in. You see them grow, and it's just great." 910-491-0721 1617 Roxie Ave. "I truly cannot express my gratitude for the Stanton Hospitality House, and all they did for me in such a time of need. Being pregnant with twins, I knew the likelihood that my boys would spend time in the NICU and I was stressed as to how I was going to manage as we lived almost an hour from the hospital. Luckily once I had them and learned that they would be in the NICU for some time, a social worker in the hospital informed me about the Stanton hospitality house. Being in such proximity to the hospital, I was able to spend even more time with my boys and get them home even faster. I had everything I could possibly need inside the house and the staff were so kind and caring. It felt like home and felt safe. Both things I needed during such a stressful time. I can't say enough about my experience, and I am truly glad to share my experience in hopes that many other families will know about it and be able to use it in their time of need as well." – Jaclyn Alexander Dave and Magda Baggett

• Cover
• Blank Page