Newsletter The Smith College Club of Atlanta, Inc. Spring 2010 The Secret Life of Isaac Newton, Alchemist: an evening with Professor Douglas Patey Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the home of Anne Harper ’70 Is there more to the story of Sir Isaac other interdisciplinary programs, including study and teach a variety of subjects. His Newton than his explanation of the laws Landscape Studies and Linguistics. He favorite courses to teach are entitled “What of gravity and motion? He built the first holds an A.B from Hamilton College, and Jane Austen Read” (on the origins of the practical reflecting telescope, removed any advanced degrees - masters’ degrees in English novel), “History of the English remaining doubts that the sun was at the philosophy and English and a Ph.D. in Language,” and “The Technology of center of the solar system, and shares the English - from the University of Virginia. Reading and Writing” (on the history of credit for the development of calculus (an A self-described “18th-century person by literacy). accomplishment for which we may love or training,” he attributes his wide range of Dr. Patey has written several books, as hate him). But from the time Newton died academic interests to the opportunities well as numerous essays on the origins of in 1727 until the early 20th century, only a afforded by Smith’s liberal arts focus to modern disciplinary distinctions between few of his intimate friends were fully aware the arts and the sciences. We can be of his interest in alchemy, despite the fact confident that his talk will appeal to those of that he actually produced more writing us who consider ourselves squarely in one on the subject than he did on physics and camp or the other, along with those of us optics. Newton knew that the facts about who may (still) be undecided. his work could ruin his reputation, or worse The Smith College Club of Atlanta would - it is reported that at one point during like to thank Anne Harper in advance for his lifetime, those found to be studying hosting this event for Atlanta Smithies and unauthorized alchemy could be subjected to their adult guests at her Garden Hills home. public hanging on a gilded scaffold! Douglas Lane Patey, Sophia Smith WHERE: 179 Bolling Rd. NE, Atlanta 30305 Professor of English and director of Smith’s WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. Program in the History of Science and RSVP: by April 2, online at Technology (which he helped to develop http://tinyurl.com/scprofessor10 or to in the 1980s), will be making his first trip Nancy Gallagher at 404-327-7888 to Atlanta in April to reveal some of these Jupiter enthroned. Newton’s drawing with his copy of (attending only, please - leave a short mes- secrets to us. Dr. Patey also works with John de Monte-Snyder’s Metamorphosis of the Planets. sage with your name and phone number) Smith College Club of Atlanta Spring Social - March 18 WHAT: WHERE: RSVP: Happy Hour! Reconnect with old friends, Café Lily by March 16, online at make new ones, meet the club’s officers, 308 West Ponce de Leon Avenue http://tinyurl.com/scspring10 or to Nancy find out about upcoming events, and Decatur, GA 30030 Gallagher at 404-327-7888 chat with local Smithies over select hors WHEN: (attending only, please - leave a short mes- d’oeuvres and a cash bar at Café Lily in Thursday, March 18, 2010 sage with your name and phone number) downtown Decatur! 7:00-9:00 p.m. young alum social - march 6 save the date: smithnic july 11 WHAT: Coffee break! An informal opportunity for conversation WHAT: Smith College Club of Atlanta’s first annual picnic cel- with other Atlanta-area young (or young-at-heart) Smithies. ebrating all Georgia Smithies past, present and future: first-year WHERE: Bakeshop - 903 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta 30309 students who are about to embark on their Smith journeys, current WHEN: Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 11:00 a.m. students, prospective students, and alumnae. Families welcome. RSVP: Email Caitlin Gill at [email protected] by March 4 WHEN: Sunday, July 11, 2010 WHERE: Home of Cara Saylor for more information or to RSVP. Polk ’65. More information to come! Officers Letter From the President Smith College Club It was fantastic seeing so many of you at Horowitz, and Ann Leone, and this spring, the Holiday Tea in January. Over 60 local the college and the club are pleased to of Atlanta Smithies attended, the largest number to invite you to hear Professor Douglas Lane 2009-2010 come to a tea in several years. Thank you Patey share his studies of “The Secret Life again to Amy Murphy ’80 for generously of Isaac Newton, Alchemist,” on Saturday, President: inviting us into her spacious loft with its April 10 (see cover story for details). Anya Martin ’85 panoramic views of downtown Decatur. Thanks to Anne Harper ’70 for hosting! [email protected] At the tea, many of you expressed your In addition, we’re creating a summer desire for more opportunities to meet up event which we hope to make a new club Treasurer: with other alumnae, and we’re pleased to tradition: the Smithnic. We’ll be inviting all Jenny Miller ’96 announce a number of activities this spring Georgia incoming first-years, and there’s no [email protected] and summer. First, everyone had so much need for a babysitter. Bring your families! fun at the Fall Social that we’re going to do Secretary: Thanks to Cara Saylor Polk ’65 for the idea our best to make these informal gatherings a Erika Treu ’04 and offering her home (which has a pool!) seasonal event. Please join us on Thursday, [email protected] and refreshments. Save the date for the March 18 from 7-9 p.m. at Café Lily in afternoon of Sunday, July 11 and look for Communications Chair: Decatur for drinks and conversation with more details later this spring. Kristin Halloran ’02 extraordinary women. We’ll be providing Next, a huge thank you to everyone [email protected] light hors d’oeuvres, but the Mediterranean- who has paid dues. We never could have inspired cuisine is delicious in case you organized multiple events this year and Technology Chair: don’t have time to grab dinner before or supported the Book Awards without your Colleen Giannotta ’06 after. financial assistance. Alas, a big part of that [email protected] Young Alumnae Event Coordinator money has had to go to communication Caitlin Gill has organized a coffee break/ expenses. It costs nearly $500 to print and Event Coordinators: brunch for Atlanta-area young (or young-at- mail this newsletter to the approximately Nancy Gallagher ’87 heart) Smithies on Saturday, March 6 at 11 600 alumnae in the state. We hope to mail [email protected] a.m. at Bakeshop. And the Book Club meets an invitation card or summer newsletter monthly (see page 4). Nikki Radford ’04 with Smithnic details and other news, but One of the pleasures of being at Smith [email protected] our ability to do so depends on collected was the opportunity to take classes with dues. Just a humble reminder that what Book Award Coordinator: some amazing professors about topics we’re able to do to support Smith locally is Mary Hinkel ’73 which had nothing to do with our ultimate dependent on your generous support. [email protected] careers but gave some insight into the Finally, to ensure you receive all club human condition. One of the perks of communications, don’t forget to update Alumnae Admissions Coordinator: being a Smith alumna is that we still get your email address at http://alumnae.smith. Kamina Pinder ’93 the opportunity to hear amazing professors edu/. And if you’re on Facebook, join the [email protected] speak - the college generously provides Atlanta Smith College Facebook group. funding for professors to give lectures at Thank you and I look forward to meeting Jr. Alumnae Admissions Coordinator: local clubs across the country. In the past, you soon at a Smith College Club of Atlanta Charlise Lyles ’81 the Smith College Club of Atlanta has event! [email protected] enjoyed listening to Pat Skarda, Daniel -Anya Martin ’85 Young Alumnae Event Coordinator: [email protected] Caitlin Gill ’02 [email protected] Luma Mufleh ’97 receives Smith Medal Public Service Coordinator: Congratulations to Luma Mufleh, who wonderful and terrifying journey.” The Cara Saylor Polk ’65 received the Smith Medal on Rally Day, organization has grown to run multiple [email protected] February 17, 2010. Luma, a native of academic and athletic programs intended Jordan, is the founder of Fugees Family, to help refugees succeed. Luma and the Legal Advisor/Bylaws Review: Inc., a non-profit organization devoted Fugees have recently been featured in the Liz Dinsmore ’91 to working with child survivors of war. New York Times and Sports Illustrated [email protected] A lifelong soccer player and experienced and on ESPN, NPR, CNN, and “The Book Club Coordinator: coach, Luma discovered a group of boys Today Show.” Their story is also the Cynthia Schlag-Morneweck ’90 playing soccer in the streets of Clarkston, subject of Warren St. John’s recent book, [email protected] GA, and asked if she could join them, Outcasts United. For more information, beginning what she now describes as “a visit http://www.fugeesfamily.org/. thank you to all Book Award Volunteer! 2009-2010 club members!* Mary Hinkel, Book Award Coordina- The Smith College Club Margaret Mitchell Circle tor, and the rest of the officers would like Gretchen Nail Blackwell ’85 to thank everyone who contributed to the of Atlanta needs you! Leslie Graitcer ’66 Book Award fund.