Wild Weather Will Clear for Sunday's Alumnae Parade

Undaunted by Tropical Storm Andrea, balloons are flying in class colors, white tents are offering festive shelter, and phalanxes of golf carts stand ready for action.

Throughout the weekend the Alumnae Association offers a variety of faculty lectures, open houses, yoga sessions, meals, Stepsinging, campus and campus building tours, and class-specific programs. Weather is expected to clear for Sunday, when alumnae walk in the traditional parade to Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall, where the annual meeting of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association takes place.

The Alumnae Association’s mission—to connect alumnae to the College and to each other—is fully realized at reunion. Wellesley President H. Kim Bottomly says, “One of the best parts of my job as president is having the opportunity to meet and engage with alumnae—either on the road or here on campus. I have learned how exceptionally loyal Wellesley alunae are to their alma mater, and I always enjoy hearing about the ways in which the College has—and has not—changed over the years.”

Returning alumnae will notice a few physical changes if they have not visited Wellesley since their last Reunion. Three years ago, Wellesley opened the doors of the newly renovated and LEED-certified Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall. On the east side of campus, the Whitin Observatory has been renovated and is sharing the expanded space with the Geosciences Department. Alumnae may also see evidence of sustainability initiatives on campus, and will be invited to join in Reunion’s efforts to reduce the event’s carbon footprint (for example, by using the reusable water bottles all attendees will receive).

Chair of the Alumnae Association Board of Directors Karen E. Williamson ’69 points out: “Reunion would not be possible without the hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm of class volunteers, and I extend [the Board’s] deepest thanks to all these dedicated individuals.”