Happy Mountain Day!

If you have a wonderful mountain day memory please leave us a note in the comments section. In anticipation of reunion, we are beginning to collect photos from while we were in school, so if you have a scanned version of a mountain day photo please email it to us so we can add it to our collection.

The alumnae association is also collecting memories at the Mountain Day Alum Blog.

Ford Hall

A new building will be going up at Smith very soon. Ford Hall will be the new home for engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and computer science. It was sad to see the old mail room and bookstore gone, but this will (hopefully) replace the now long term temporary building that was attached to Bass Hall to house engineering.


Smith.edu Introduction to Ford Hall
"Capitalizing on a four-decade legacy of leadership and innovation in science education, Smith College has approved plans for a science and engineering facility that will intentionally blur the boundaries between traditional disciplines, creating an optimum environment for students and faculty to address key scientific and technological developments of our time. Both a structure and a symbol, the new home for the Picker Engineering Program, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology will be a compelling, visible statement of Smith’s public identity as the women’s college with the strongest programs in science and engineering. The first building in the multi-phase complex is Ford Hall, named in honor of the lead donor to the project, the Ford Motor Company Fund. Through its Advanced Education Program, the Ford Fund supports programs that emphasize diversity in engineering and business and linking classroom learning with real-world projects and issues."

Check out all the details at Smith College: Ford Hall

Commencement Address 2007

Commencement address to the Class of 2007
by Gloria Steinem '56

Feminist leader and Smith alumna Gloria Steinem took the stage to a standing ovation from the audience at the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2007 on May 20 inside the Indoor Track and Tennis (ITT) facility.

To Carol Christ who leads Smith College (and does the most amazing introductions); to the faculty who create its purpose and the staff who give it daily life; to the honorary degree recipients in whose presence I am so very proud to be; to all the families and friends and partners and children who have sustained today's graduates -- especially those of you who have performed the miracle of guiding children through an experience you could not have -- and most of all, to you, the beloved, brave, tired and now headed-for-the-world graduates of the Class of 2007:

The first generation of Facebook and YouTube Smithies; the class to shape and survive the most changes in the way Smith lives; the second class of the Iraq War, and the most diverse class in the history of Smith College, from Adas -- who made sure that Class (economic class) Is Never Dismissed, and to all those who help Smith College look more like the world:

I thank you for including me in your historic day.

It's historic for me, too, because I was sitting where you sit today exactly fifty-one years ago.

I wasn't sure I should bring up this half-century fact. For one thing, I feel connected to you, not distant. For another, I feared you might go into as much age-shock as I did when I woke up after my seventieth birthday, and thought, “There's a 70-year-old woman in my bed! How did this happen?!”

But then I realized that fearing separation by age was probably more my generation's problem than yours. If I conjure up my own graduation day, for instance, even life after thirty seemed a hazy screen to be filled in by the needs of others – and there were not yet even Adas to show us that life and growth continue. In our age ghetto, we pretty much accepted the idea that women were more valued for giving birth to others than for giving birth to ourselves.

Read the Rest of the Speech

Webcast of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness The Dalai Lama spoke yesterday morning at Smith and received an honorary doctor of letters degree. Only students, faculty and staff from Smith and Hampshire were giving access to the live presentation, but they aired a live webcast of the speech. To watch the speech click on the image below.


There is a link to download Quicktime at the linked to page if you need it for viewing.

Press Coverage about the Visit:
Dalai Lama eyes retirement - CNN.com
Dalai Lama gives cheery speech at Smith College - boston.com
Dalai Lama brings message of compassion - The Republican
Photos of the Dalai Lama at Smith College - masslive.com
Dalai Lama Speaks At Smith - WBUR Boston
Smith College Welcome Dalai Lama

Students Speaking out about House Community

This past Monday a group of students at Smith held a demonstration on campus and presented a list of issues to the administration concerning the perceived downward slide of housing and house community at Smith. Below is the introductory paragraph to the letter they presented with a link to the full document. If anyone is interested in connecting with these students or has questions for them, please contact Amanda Belden '07, Tamar Malloy '07, or Katie Chase '07.

This is an issue that I have been paying attention to over the last few years since I was sitting on the AASC Board of Directors at the time the changes began. Sadly, it seems that many of the fears concerning house community and tradition that were expressed during those early meetings are happening. There is a lively discussions taking place on the issue at the Alum. Daily Jolt and I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue.

*****

May 7, 2007

Dear Smith Community,

Smith is housing.

We are Gold Key, we are Committee Members, we are House Presidents, Heads of New Students, SGA members, we are singers, writers, we are student workers, and we are organizers. As student leaders, as Smith seniors, and soon to be alumnae, and above all as members of our house communities, we are writing out of our love for Smith.

In the past four years, we have witnessed a transformation. We applied to many colleges that offered strong academics, a diverse community with a commitment to equality, grant funding for internships, alumnae networks and libraries. What set Smith apart was housing. We knew it would give us a community with a natural support network and a sense of home that other top colleges could not offer. Yet even while many of Smith’s other, less unique, programs are poised to receive increased funding and attention, our sense of home has fallen apart.

Rest Of The Letter

YOUR BEST LIFE
A Symposium on Women's Health and Well-Being
June 21 - 24, 2007

The Alumnae Association of Smith College invites you to join Smith faculty and prominent alumnae in the medical and health professions for a comprehensive program that will focus on your most precious asset—you.

Over 3 Days you will Learn
* Strategies for living a more balanced life
* Simple—but effective—ways to exercise your body and mind
* The latest on medical issues important to women’s health

• Full Schedule
• Fee Information
• Online Registration

The event is not cheap, but they are offering scholarships up to $200. If you would like to request financial assistance, please contact Betsy Baird by e-mail.

129th commencement ceremony

Hi All!

Sorry for blog silence, but its been crazy few weeks at work. I have been meaning to post details about commencement this year for a while. Commencement is May 20 at 10am. This year's graduation speaker is the wonderful Gloria Steinem, class of 1956. Ivy Day and the Alumnae Parade will be the morning of the 19th, with parade line up at 8:30am. All classes, regardless of reunion year, are welcome to walk in the parade

We haven't seen Ms. Steinem speak since she was on campus for the Sophia Smith Award celebrations in 1997, so we will be driving over to attend. If anyone else is planning to attend commencement this year and wants to meet up drop me a line at the class officers email. We would love to connect!!! For those too far away to make it to Northampton, I promise to take pictures of all the festivities.

Have a great weekend!
Tiffany

Smith's Press Release Below


Editor, journalist and political activist Gloria Steinem, a tireless promoter of equality for women around the world, will be the speaker at Smith College’s 129th commencement ceremony, at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 20, 2007.

Steinem’s lifelong career as a writer and journalist began when she graduated from Smith in 1956. Her early freelance articles include an investigative piece for Show magazine on the working conditions of Playboy bunnies. By the 1960s, Steinem had gained national attention as the outspoken leader of the women’s movement. In 1971, she co-founded Ms. magazine, which became an influential forum for feminist issues. Around that time, Steinem and several other leading feminists -- including Betty Friedan, Smith Class of 1942 -- also founded the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Steinem received an honorary degree from Smith in 1988 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y., in 1993. She has twice before delivered the commencement address at Smith, in 1971 and 1995. During the latter address, Steinem noted, “Trusting our own experience...may be the single most revolutionary thing we can do.”

More details and a list of those receiving honorary degrees is located at the Smith Commencement Site and at the Reunion Resource Center.

Rally Day 2007!

HAPPY RALLY DAY

For the first time this year Smith is hosting a Rally Day Carnival to celebrate at the Campus Center. The carnival will feature games, prizes and temporary tattoos, karaoke, beading and make-your-own picture frames, an open mic, and snacks. During the day medalists will be holding discussions.

This year's medalists include:
Sarah Chasis ’69 - environmental lawyer
Mary Ann Hoberman ’51 - children’s author
Carolyn Kaelin ’83 - physician
Amy-Jill Levine ’78 - feminist biblical scholar
Trudy Rubin ’65 - journalist.

Some more info from the Smith site:
A history of Rally Day
Rally Day traditions
About the Smith College Medal

Smith & Hampshire colleges prepare for visit by the Dalai Lama

Smith College, Hampshire College and the Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts will welcome the 14th Dalai Lama to the Pioneer Valley on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. This momentous visit by the leader of the Tibetan people and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize recognizes the colleges’ thriving exchange program with exiled Tibetan scholars in India. Years ago, Hampshire began the Five College Tibetan Studies in India Program, and since then the Dalai Lama has followed its growth as Smith collaborated with Hampshire to sustain the annual academic exchange.

Smith President Carol T. Christ and Hampshire President Ralph J. Hexter will host the daylong visit, during which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is expected to deliver a talk to thousands of students, faculty, staff and invited guests from the two colleges and the Tibetan community. That talk will take place at Smith’s Indoor Track and Tennis facility (ITT). Although the audience will be restricted to members of the two college communities, the event will be broadcast live on local television and accessible to anyone in the Pioneer Valley.

During the visit, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will also address an audience of invited members of the area’s strong Tibetan community.

Further information about the visit >>

Big End of Week News Post

Smith Athletics Receives Jostens/NADIIIAA Community Service Award

Northampton, MA: Smith College was honored this as a recipient of this year’s Jostens/National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) Community Service Award at a reception held during the NCAA National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Smith student-athletes were recognized for their impressive community service project performed during the 2005-06 academic year.

Rest of Story >>>

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Movie patrons say sad goodbye

NORTHAMPTON - The ghosts were out in force last night for the last picture show at the Academy of Music.

Although the audience for "Casino Royale" occupied just a fraction of its 804 seats, the theater seemed haunted by the spirits of the performers who have appeared on its stage and screen and the people who have worked there over the academy's 117-year history.

The board of trustees announced this week that the academy would stop showing films after last night and remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Rest of the story >>>

I am so sad to see that the Academy of Music is closing. One of my fondest memories from Smith is stumbling down there during finals for a study break movie and being greeted by the Kids In the Hall movie. We laughed so hard we cried and totally feel in love with this unique place. Anyone else have fond Academy memories?

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Smith Art Museum Exhibit: Godless Communists - Soviet Antireligious Propaganda

On view November 10, 2006 - February 11, 2007, Godless Communists: Soviet Antireligious Propaganda features graphic posters that were used to promote a harshly antireligious agenda between 1918 and 1939.

The exhibition includes 17 recently conserved posters given to Smith in 1964 by Mrs. D. Spencer Byard (Margaret Mather, class of 1933), in addition to loans from other public collections.

Recent Press on the exhibit >>>
Smith Museum Site for the exhibit

This seems like a really interesting exhibition and it is getting a lot of press. If you are in the area it may be something to check out. Also the Smith Museum is a must stop if you are in the area and have not checked out the art building since the remodel. It really is amazing and beautiful what they did and so much nicer than when we were on campus.

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Does anyone know what this refers to? I got this little tidbit from my google news feed and I'm just really curious.

Get Naked. Get Married. Get on TV.

The WE channel will be airing three competition-esque shows: A swimsuit makeover show, a lingerie makeover show and a wedding dress special. Flummoxed by their inability to cast the show entirely from Smith College, the casting directors asked FBLA to lend a hand. More

Today is Julia Child Day

Today the Smith campus celebrates the third annual Julia Child Day! Smith is serving a sampling of Child’s in dining rooms around campus and a faculty panel is happening tonight titled “What I Learned in the Kitchen.”

Julia Child '34 donated her home in Cambridge, MA to Smith, and in 2002 proceeds from the sale of the home were used to help fund the Campus Center. Her name is etched in honor on a window of the Campus Center Café.

The best part is that Smith has published a few of Julia's recipes on their website. Everything looks so tasty and is making me really hungry!

Julia Child Day
The Recipes

"Life itself is the proper binge." - Julia Child