Smith Alumnae Quarterly
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ALUMNAEALUMNAE Special Issueue QUARTERLYQUARTERLY TriumphantTrT iumphah ntn WomenWomen for the World campaigncac mppaiigngn fortififorortifi eses Smith’sSSmmitith’h s mimmission:sssion: too educateeducac te wwomenommene whowhwho wiwillll cchangehahanngge theththe worldworlrld This issue celebrates a stronstrongerger Smith, where ambitious women like Aubrey MMenarndtenarndt ’’0808 find their pathpathss Primed for Leadership SPRING 2017 VOLUME 103 NUMBER 3 c1_Smith_SP17_r1.indd c1 2/28/17 1:23 PM Women for the WoA New Generationrld of Leaders c2-50_Smith_SP17.indd c2 2/24/17 1:08 PM “WOMEN, WHEN THEY WORK TOGETHER, have incredible power.” Journalist Trudy Rubin ’65 made that statement at the 2012 launch of Smith’s Women for the World campaign. Her words were prophecy. From 2009 through 2016, thousands of Smith women joined hands to raise a stunning $486 million. This issue celebrates their work. Thanks to them, promising women from around the globe will continue to come to Smith to fi nd their voices and their opportunities. They will carry their education out into a world that needs their leadership. SMITH ALUMNAE QUARTERLY Special Issue / Spring 2017 Amber Scott ’07 NICK BURCHELL c2-50_Smith_SP17.indd 1 2/24/17 1:08 PM In This Issue • WOMEN HELPING WOMEN • A STRONGER CAMPUS 4 20 We Set Records, Thanks to You ‘Whole New Areas of Strength’ In President’s Perspective, Smith College President The Museum of Art boasts a new gallery, two new Kathleen McCartney writes that the Women for the curatorships and some transformational acquisitions. World campaign has strengthened Smith’s bottom line: empowering exceptional women. 26 8 Diving Into the Issues How We Did It Smith’s four leadership centers promote student engagement in real-world challenges. The campaign overcame a recession, weathered a presidential transition and ended by shattering 28 records, raising $486 million to set a bold new course. Courses Without Borders 16 Breaching the walls between academic disciplines Joining the Circle sheds light on complex problems. In a testament to the power of women’s philanthropy, 30 key alumnae formed a giving circle to collectively Learning to Be Innovators contribute more than $100 million to the campaign. Programs in entrepreneurship and problem solving 18 enrich a liberal arts education. Game-Changing Gifts 32 The campaign is enabling ambitious projects that will Opening the Door for Promising Women make a difference to every Smith student and every aspect of the Smith experience. Financial aid makes a Smith education accessible to talented, diverse and ambitious students. 33 LEAH FASTEN First Course: Sustainability Smith signs on to a national sustainable food initiative and introduces a gluten-free dining facility. 34 Great Expectations Bricks-and-mortar projects on campus and beyond keep pace with student demand. 36 A Culture of Ideas Grants support research collaborations among faculty and students. 2 Smith Alumnae Quarterly Spring 2017 c2-50_Smith_SP17_r1.indd 2 2/28/17 12:46 PM • WOMEN FOR THE WORLD • WHAT LIES AHEAD 44 Leveraging the Power of Liberal Arts Five themes frame Smith’s new strategic plan: face-to-face education; inclusion, diversity and equity; experiential and applied opportunities; emerging methods, fields and pedagogies; and complex, urgent problems. 48 The New Neilson—Smith’s Next Big Thing Construction of the new Neilson Library is set to begin in the spring of 2018. View a timeline of the project, learn about Maya Lin’s design plans and see a rendering of the new north and south wings. Burton Lawn Terraced Amphitehater Alumnae Gym Roof Garden Neilson Library South Lawn South Jewel Box North Jewel Box ANDREA ARTZ Sun 38 Seizing Their Moment ELIM CHAN ’09 becomes the first woman to win a Seelye Lawn prestigious conducting competition. AMBER SCOTT ’07 helps low-income first-generation students succeed in college. MARIE MCLANE ’08 braves icy-cold Greenland to collect data on climate change. SHAHARZAD AKBAR ’09 dreams of bringing 51 Class Notes democratic values to her Afghan homeland. 80 Obituaries AUBREY MENARNDT ’08 urges countries rich in 86 Beyond the Grécourt Gates natural resources to spread the wealth. 88 Smith in My Life Spring 2017 Smith Alumnae Quarterly 3 c2-50_Smith_SP17.indd 3 2/24/17 1:08 PM WOMEN HELPING WOMEN We S e t Records, THANKS TO You $486,000,000 $224,300,000 $118,000,000 2010 2012 2014 2016 4 Smith Alumnae Quarterly Spring 2017 c2-50_Smith_SP17_r1.indd 4 2/28/17 12:46 PM Campaign strengthens Smith’s core purpose: empowering exceptional women BY KATHLEEN McCARTNEY I write from a place of the campaign. By raising almost $130 million profound gratitude. for overall financial aid, we are making sure It seems only appropriate that Smith remains accessible to outstanding to open this special issue—a students, regardless of their economic back- PRESIDENT’S celebration of the impact and ground. Since the campaign’s beginning in PERSPECTIVE power of our Women for the 2009, we have awarded close to $400 million in World campaign—with this scholarship support. As a college student who sentiment. I am overwhelmed by the generosity relied on financial aid, I am particularly proud of the 37,250 donors who helped us surpass even of our success in this area. Indeed, it should our boldest expectations. make all of us proud. Women helping women— $486 million. it is what Smith has been all about since our That is what we raised over the past beginning. seven years, thereby breaking Smith’s own The curriculum, too, is growing and changing. fundraising records as well as those of our sister New courses in Middle East studies, design colleges. Ours is the largest and most successful thinking, data sciences and film studies campaign of a women’s college. are advancing our curriculum to meet the Smith is stronger—and its future more interests of today’s women and address areas of secure—because of the unwavering belief that importance in today’s world. Our commitment alumnae, parents and friends of our college to transforming the liberal arts for the 21st have in the value of women’s education and the century will ensure that Smith is the best place role Smith plays in producing the artists and for any smart, ambitious woman seeking a high- activists, thinkers and doers, innovators and quality education. entrepreneurs, organizers and leaders the world In the years to come, one thing that will so desperately needs. distinguish Smith is our ability to connect the Every area of campus has been touched by curriculum to cocurricular activities. In this Spring 2017 Smith Alumnae Quarterly 5 c2-50_Smith_SP17.indd 5 2/24/17 1:08 PM complex and ever-changing world, tirelessly to fund new initiatives, such a degree alone is not indicative of as the Lewis Global Studies Center. a well-rounded college graduate. Elizabeth Mugar Eveillard ’69, We need to provide students with former chair of the board of trustees, unique opportunities to complement was both a leader and role model in their classroom work with real- defining what it means to be a woman world experiences. From day one for the world; it was my great honor to of my presidency, I’ve wanted present her with the John M. Greene Smith to be home to a women’s Award, one of the college’s most leadership program. This campaign— prestigious honors, at our campaign specifically, an anonymous $10 celebration on March 4. million gift—is allowing us to develop I also want to recognize the hard one. I am confident that the program work of the Campaign Steering will be a defining element of the Committee. Its 12 members, led by Smith experience; importantly, it chair April Hoxie Foley ’69, were will be open to all students from the terrific thought partners who rolled moment they enroll through their up their sleeves and did the work senior year. alongside the Smith development Beyond these remarkable team, led by Beth Raffeld, vice advancements and achievements, president for development. Beth there were so many personal directed the campaign with energy moments throughout the campaign and vision, forging important that moved, inspired and motivated partnerships on behalf of Smith. me. One, in particular, stands out. Women for the World: The During the first summer of my Campaign for Smith has brought out presidency, I had the privilege of the very best in our community. It meeting with Viola (Vi) Spinelli ’47, has reminded us all of the good work a longtime Smith supporter, to thank we do—from inside classrooms and her for a gift that then-President Carol labs to beyond the Grécourt Gates—to Christ had finalized with her. When I empower exceptional women to lead arrived at Vi’s home, I told her how I change. was looking forward to thanking her Our work is important. Our work for a transformational gift. She took is neverending. As the campaign my hand, held it and said, “No, thank powerfully demonstrated, Smith you. Thank you for this philanthropic College is a vast and diverse opportunity. This is my legacy.” A few community of women helping years later, we lost Vi; however, just women. There is nothing we cannot as she had hoped, her legacy lives on do together. in the Spinelli Center for Quantitative Learning, which provides resources for students engaged in quantitative work across the curriculum. THE WOMEN FOR THE WORLD CAMPAIGN has This successful campaign is the result of the dedication and hard brought out the very best in our community. work of so many, and I am grateful It has reminded us all of the good work to each and every volunteer, from club members to Reunion chairs and we do — from inside classrooms and labs to Smith Fund volunteers.