Wellesley Welcomes Classes Ending in 4 and 9 Back to Campus for Reunion 2019
Wellesley’s campus was dotted with balloons, banners, water stations, and white tents over the weekend as the College welcomed classes ending in 4 and 9 back to campus for reunion 2019. More than 3,000 alumnae, representing the classes of 1939 through 2014, and their guests descended on Wellesley from across the country and the world to reconnect with friends and former classmates and take part in the weekend’s many traditions, such as Stepsinging and the Sunday parade. The three-day celebration included faculty lectures, social hours, dinners, walking tours, and departmental open houses to allow alumnae to reminisce, revel, and see what’s new at the College since the last time they visited campus.
On Friday night, members from each returning class congregated in the Academic Quad for a “Dance Your Class Off” dance party. Saturday featured an open house at the Butler Boathouse; a tour of the Alexandra Botanic Garden and H.H. Hunnewell Arboretum; a conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69, Madeleine Korbel Albright ’59, and Wellesley President Paula A. Johnson; and the 139th annual meeting of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association. Sunday, as always, featured the beloved alumnae parade.
Below are some scenes from the weekend’s festivities.
Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69 and Madeleine Korbel Albright ’59 sat down with President Paula A. Johnson for a conversation about what they have learned, what comes next, and the enduring power of a Wellesley education.
“You are well equipped…think about what means the world to you, and figure out how you are going to make that world more like what you aspire to and what you dream of,” said Clinton at the end of the event. “I think Wellesley set us all on that path.” (Photo: Joshua Touster)
Every year for almost 100 years, alumnae have processed through campus as part of the reunion parade, which features alumnae riding in classic cars, banners representing each class year, and accessories that match each class color. The members of the class of 2019 were also represented, carrying a banner for the first time as Wellesley alumnae.
Saba Sulaiman ’09 tweeted, “Walking amongst such passionate, formidable women at today’s alumnae parade was truly humbling, and I’m so proud to be a part of this trailblazing community.” (Photo: Richard Howard)
Following the parade, alumnae gather at Hay Outdoor Theater for Stepsinging. This year featured a special appearance by Louise Tibbetts Smith ’39, celebrating her 80th reunion. Tibbetts Smith wrote “Ballad of a Bold Bad Man,” which chronicled the outcome of the 1939 Hooprolling race, when a Harvard student infiltrated the race and won; when his identity was revealed, appalled Wellesley students threw him in Lake Waban, marking the start of a tradition still bestowed upon the winner today.
“Attending our 5th-year reunion at Wellesley College this weekend was a beautiful experience,” Grace Roberts ’14 posted on Instagram. “And while it was great to see familiar faces and catch up with old friends, so many of our classmates were missed! It was powerful to see how far we have come since first year and graduation. The best is yet to come! Here’s to the next five years, Class of 2014!” (Photo: Richard Howard)
