Virtual Reunion 2021

Service of Remembrance
Rev. Matilda Rose Cantwell, M.S.W. ’96, Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and College Chaplain

Reunion is a time to celebrate our connections to Smith and to each other. Take a few moments to reflect on these connections, the impact a global pandemic has had on our lives and those of our classmates, and the spirit of healing that is found in collectively honoring those who are no longer with us.

Faculty Showcase

The Meridians Project: 20 Years of Showcasing Women of Feminist Knowledge

Ginetta E.B. Candelario ’90, Professor of Sociology and of Latin American & Latino/a Studies
This presentation will address transnational feminist research as an interdisciplinary field of scholarship and as an avenue for coalition building and organizational justice. Ginetta will discuss her experiences as Meridians editor and the role of staff working through a variety of tasks to promote the journal and the intersectional knowledge production it showcases. By identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with publishing and distributing work by and about women of color, particularly making such information accessible across borders, Ginetta will illuminate the ways their work contributes to transnational feminist scholarship and provides possibilities for how we can move forward toward justice.

Faculty Showcase

How can we achieve 100% clean energy?

Judith B. Cardell, Professor of Engineering
Wind power, solar power, hydroelectricity—we can use these to eliminate carbon emissions from the electric power and transportation sectors. But at what cost? Electricity rates could increase. And there would also be a cost in easy access to energy: What happens on cloudy days with no wind, during times of drought? This talk will review options we have for cleaning up our energy supply and the impact these options could have on our energy bills as well as on our lifestyles. As society moves toward clean energy, just how much are we willing to pay?

Faculty Showcase

Life Lessons from Hungry Ghosts: An Ethical Reading of Buddhist Stories and Images

Andy Rotman, Professor of Religion, Buddhist Studies, South Asian Studies
The realm of hungry ghosts is one of the unfortunate realms of rebirth in the Buddhist cycle of existence, and those reborn there are said to have led lives consumed by greed and spite. But hungry ghosts know the error of their ways, and they sometimes appear among humans, like the ghosts that haunt Ebenezer Scrooge, as augurs of what may await. Join me, and find out what they have to teach.

Celebrate Smith Poets

The Boutelle-Day Poetry Center
Founded in 1997, The Boutelle-Day Poetry Center at Smith College has a core mission to bring poets of national and international stature to inspire students and the Smith community. Smith poets Ayesha Bhattacharjee Chatterjee ’91, Miles Collins-Sibley ’16, Rebecca Hart Olander M.A.T. ’96, Emily Wojcik ’01 share poems—some originals, some poems by writers who inspire them—to celebrate their milestone Reunions.

Conversation with Smith Students

Julianne Ohotnicky, Associate Dean of the College and Dean of Students
Hear a conversation between Associate Dean of the College and Dean of Students Julianne Ohotnicky and four Smith seniors to learn more about the student experience, and the value of a liberal arts education from a student’s perspective. Students will share their Smith stories—why they chose Smith, their intellectual passions and aspirations, and hopes for the future. This program was previously recorded at a recent event.

Grécourt Society Reception

You are invited to watch our recorded “Grécourt Society Reception” to honor all who have made planned gifts to Smith, such as gifts through their estates or life-income gifts. This program also includes information about planned giving vehicles alums may wish to consider for their future support of the college. Even if you’re not already a Grécourt Society member, please join us! You’ll have an opportunity to meet Grécourt Society Chair Kate Mulhern Johnson ’72, current student Caitlin Greene ’22, Grécourt Society members Deborah (Deb) Lans ’71 and Melissa Buttaro ’96, and the college’s Gift Planning staff. Thank you to everyone who has supported Smith by making a planned gift.

From Tree to Table: The Life Cycle of One American Elm at Smith College

The Botanic Garden of Smith College
In this short program you will learn about Smith’s tree collection, the American elm tree, and the path of one tree to becoming beautifully custom-crafted furnishings in the new Neilson library. Narrated by Sarah Loomis, Manager of Education at Botanic Garden of Smith College.

Class Program

Class of ’71—50th Milestone
Making Waves: Then and Now—Brief presentations from the Reunion team, followed by small group discussions on topics of the times—topics from our years at Smith and today.

The New Neilson: First Experiences
Since it opened in 1909, Neilson Library has been the academic heart of Smith College. A comprehensive renovation has now transformed the library into a technology-infused hub filled with active learning areas, the right balance of print and digital resources, and flexible spaces that support the entrepreneurial spirit of our students. Join Dean of Libraries Susan Fliss, along with other members of the library team, for a glimpse of how students are experiencing the new library in these first months and learn about new services planned for the fall.

Faculty Showcase

Imperfect Alchemist: Changing the Canon Through Historical Fiction
Naomi Miller, Professor of English Language & Literature
Professor Miller’s course on “Shakespeare’s Sisters” focuses on Renaissance women writers who were long excluded from the literary canon. Her talk shares how the course inspired her to change the canon outside the classroom in her own series of historical novels, to introduce these extraordinary women to a wider public.

Class programs

Class of ’61—60th Milestone
We have an exciting  program ahead of us organized to connect us with Smith today and with our friends and classmates. Class meeting led by our dedicated and spirited President Betsy Carter, a report on our class questionnaire by Deborah Heller, a class tea, and an illustrated talk, A Brush with History, given by our distinguished classmate Carolyn Kinder Carr about the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, where she served for many years as deputy director and chief curator. 

Class of ’76—45th Reunion
In keeping with our theme, “Women of Wonder,” six classmates will share thoughts on wide-ranging topics of interest, reflecting different directions our lives have taken, the passions that animate us and our continuing curiosity as we come together to celebrate our 45th Reunion.

Class programs

Class of ’51—70th Reunion
Your class Reunion team has planned a memorable program.

Class of ’66—55th Reunion
Class of 1966 Panel. Theme is No Stopping Us Now: New Horizons.  
Speakers on Life Off the Grid; Relocation: A New Life;  Inspiration and Creativity; and Memory, Health and Wellness as We Age.

The State of Smith
President Kathleen McCartney reflects on the past year, the leadership of Smithies around the world and the key initiatives that are driving Smith forward. 

Virtual Friday Tea
Join your classmates for Friday Tea, a cherished Smith tradition. Spend social time with your classmates and connect in smaller breakout groups.

Sounds of Smith, A Virtual Concert
A curated series of short performances by faculty, staff, alums and students—a joyous celebration of music at Smith. Senior Lecturer and Director of Orchestral & Choral Activities Jonathan Hirsh and other members of the music department will be on hand for Q&A following the performances.

Virtual Reunion Parade
Watch a virtual Reunion parade that includes photographs of your class and your class parade signs.

Class Programs

Class of ’56—65th Reunion
We are the Eldernauts celebrating our being together and exploring our future.

Class of ’96—25th Milestone
We’re excited to announce that Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, President of Prairie View A&M University, will be our guest during Reunion 2021. As her first graduating class at Smith College, we had a front row seat to her rise to being a national thought leader and visionary university president.

Class Programs

Class of ’86—35th Milestone
Join your classmates to celebrate our 35th milestone Reunion!

Class of ’01—20th Reunion
Join the class of 2001 to see How It Started and How It’s Going ... a trip down Smith memory lane with a special slideshow, Smith Memorabilia Bingo, and a class turn-of-the-millenium dance party.

Faculty Showcase Live Q&A
Alums are invited to watch on-demand faculty lectures available in the Attendee Hub or on this page, prior to joining faculty members for this live Q&A with:

• Ginetta E.B. Candelario ’90, Professor of Sociology and of Latin American & Latino/a Studies

• Judith B. Cardell, Professor of Engineering

• Andy Rotman, Professor of Religion, Buddhist Studies, South Asian Studies

Smithies of Color Reunion Social
Spend social time with reuning alums of color and connect in smaller breakout groups. Reuning alums of color are invited to come together for social time and connection. Smaller breakout groups will be provided to nurture conversation.

Virtual Reunion Throwback Dance Party
The Virtual Reunion Throwback Dance Party combines your yearbook photography with a top-40 dance hit from each class’s senior year. We hope you enjoy this visual and musical trip through time, from 1941 to 2016! The playlist of 16 songs is available on Spotify.

Visual Art in a Virtual World
Meet Jessica Nicoll, Director and Louise Ines Doyle ’34 Chief Curator of the Smith College Museum of Art ’83, for an insider glimpse at how the museum’s creative staff has adapted this year to connect people to art, ideas and each other in the virtual space.

During a year of physical closure, the SCMA found amazing new ways to be true to its mission in the virtual world, recognizing how broad its reach truly is. Museum staff developed new skills and used new tools to reach audiences all around the world, at a time when people needed the special kind of inspiration that art can provide. This program will offer some of the highlights of this past year, as well as a chance to view and appreciate some works in the collection.

Class Programs

Class of ’81—40th Reunion
Shaped By Smith: Sharing Our Stories. Our class will share treasured and formative memories from our time at Smith.

Class of ’91—30th Reunion
Your class Reunion team has planned a memorable program.

Class of ’11—10th Reunion
Hear stories of how your classmates are working for social justice followed by a discussion on how you can learn more, get involved or further the work you’re already doing.

Class Programs

Class of ’06—15th Reunion
At Reunion, join the class of 2006 as we Reflect and Reconnect! Share your memories and updates, enjoy some laughs and catch up with friends old and new, including a surprise guest.

Class of ’16—5th Reunion
We will kick off our exciting program with Farah Pandith ’90 to hear about her book, How We Win, and her position under the Obama administration as the first-ever special representative to Muslim Communities. Bring your art supplies and eye for design for when Gabrielle Peterson ’16 leads us in creating artwork and stationery to send to a fellow Smithie friend. Get ready to roll on the floor laughing with Rohita Kadambi MHC ’11. This event is an opportunity to connect, reflect and look ahead to what the next five years might hold.

Class Programs

Class of ’71—50th Milestone
A participatory talking circle inspired by the Broadway play about Gloria Steinem, will be led by its author, Emily Mann, and introduced by her sister Carol Mann ’71.