Wellesley Tradition Brings the Community Together for Halloween Fun at the President’s House
Hundreds of Wellesley students took a break from their studies last night to enjoy a beloved tradition: trick-or-treating at the President's House. The event, which happens once every four years, brings the campus community together for a spooky good time.
Creativity was evident everywhere, beginning with decorations chosen and placed by student senators, house council presidents, Davis Scholars, and President’s office staff. A zombie butler and tombstones stood sentinel at the door, with a grim reaper on the terrace. Inside, spiders, eyeballs, skulls, carved pumpkins, and strobe lights completed the holiday décor.
As guests arrived, members of the Shakespeare Society helped set the mood for the evening by performing a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and, later, a scene from Macbeth.
The event was made even more festive by the costumes of students, who dressed as ghosts and ghouls, superheroes, elements of the periodic table, political figures, the “emotional” characters from the Disney/Pixar movie Inside Out, and even one as “student loans.”
President H. Kim Bottomly and members of the senior staff also came in costume and warmly greeted revelers as Marie Curie (President Bottomly), Mr. Peanut (Kathryn Lynch, dean of faculty affairs), a Minion (Joy St. John, dean of admission and financial aid), and others.
Students enjoyed hot apple cider and cupcakes, and took photos with their friends in the on-site photo booth. President Bottomly joined students for selfies and encouraged everyone to post them on Twitter using #HKBoo.
Trick-or-treating at the President’s House is a decades-old rite of passage that’s on the list of 50 things students should do before they graduate.
President Bottomly said she was delighted with the turnout, as were guests, who enjoyed a scene from Hamlet as they left the President’s House and headed off, some to enjoy Rocky Horror Picture Show—an annual tradition—later in the evening in Jewett.
"It was great to see so many students trick-or-treating this year," Bottomly said. "I was glad to get together with them to eat, drink, and be scary!"
She said she looks forward to more opportunities this semester to connect with students, including a study break before finals.
Those looking for a bit more fall fun, are invited to enjoy spooky music at 2 pm on October 31 in the Galen Stone Tower when the Guild of Carillonneurs will hold its annual Carillon Halloween Open Tower. Also on Saturday, the Shakespeare Society will present Haunted House from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Shakespeare House. Tours will run approximately every 20 minutes.