If you haven’t kept up with GIIP/Everett news, then you might be wondering what’s up with the name change from GIIP to the Everett Prgoram. Understandably, you probably have a few questions. Is the program the same? Does it stand for the same things? Who the hell is Everett? Do I need to get my GIIP tattoo removed? The answers are to these questions are. Yes, yes, an inspiring woman, and that’s up to you.
Let’s explore why the name of the program was changed, how the fellows went about deciding what to do, and who our new namesake was.
Despite the affinity for the name “GIIP” by all of us in the program, it presented issues to everyone else.
For starters, the acronym is confusing. When the first letter of your acronym is ambiguous (is it g as in “good” or g as in “gin”) and is followed by a double vowel of likewise ambiguous pronunciation, you’ve got a recipe for poor branding.
I think it’s safe to say that we all have stories about people looking at us confusedly, trying to sound it out, “Jipe? Jip? Geep?”
Beyond phonetic challenges, that second “I” for “Internship” was a dog whistle to funders, partners, professors, and anyone who wanted something that sounded like, “Free Labor”. We expended significant effort to undo this expectation and it was just a massive headache.
“How do you pronounce that? Jipe? Gip? Geep?”
—Everyone Reading “GIIP” for the First Time
The Opportunity
In 2013, Mark Headley, a former student of Paul’s and long time supporter of GIIP, decided the time was right to make a substantial contribution to the university for the benefit of GIIP. Mark would eventually donate $750,000 to establish an endowed chair at UCSC. This would provide a source of sustainable funding to the program and cement our place in the university.
Thus came the opportunity to name the endowed chair and our rename GIIP with it.
We discussed it at the 2012 Spring Fellows Retreat and everyone was on board. Thus began an hour-long brainstorming session that produced a plethora of contrived acronyms like ASLAN or GEARS.
The following school year, we consulted with Mark regarding what his wishes were regarding the naming of the endowed chair. Mark, ever humble, told us about Dorothy E. Everett, a lifelong friend of his family and a major influence on his life.
Dorothy Everett was born in 1920 and educated at the University of Wisconsin. During World War II she joined the US Women’s Army Corps and achieved the rank of Captain. After returning from her station in occupied Japan working on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur, she earned her Masters in Counseling Personnel and went to work at the UC Office of the President. During her 30 years at the Office of the President, Dorothy worked with four UC presidents. In 1975 she was named assistant president, an office created specifically for her.
Dorothy was a trailblazer for women in service, women in the workforce and women in the halls of power. Upon hearing her story, the Fellows were enthusiastic to rebrand GIIP to The Everett Program. And in 2014, it became official.
So we fixed the branding issue and get to carry on the legacy of a truly inspiring figure, but what do we call ourselves? Those in GIIP were “GIIPers”, but the best we’ve been able to come up with for students of Everett is “Everatti”.
What do you think? What should folks go by now? Everatti? EEPers? Please help us settle the question of our time.
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