Expanding Ties to Asia
On her first trip to Asia as president of Smith College, Kathleen McCartney hosted events for alumnae, parents and friends in Hong Kong, Kyoto, Tokyo and Seoul. In addition, her trip encompassed a number of public appearances focused on issues of women’s leadership, women in STEM and business and the power of liberal arts education.
McCartney’s visit extends a legacy of engagement with Asia that began in the early 20th century and has been deepened by the college’s presidents, faculty, students and alumnae ever since, bringing Smith to the world and the world to Smith.
Points of Pride
- Smith’s memorandum of understanding with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology creates a partnership in executive education for women and an undergraduate exchange program.
- Smith has 183 alumnae currently residing in China and Hong Kong, 129 in Japan and 169 in South Korea.
- Of the 700 new students in the class of 2019, 97 come from outside the U.S., including 62 from Asia.
- Smith offers nearly 80 courses in East Asian languages and literatures and East Asian studies.
- Smith teaches Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages.
Schedule Recap & Photo Galleries
Special Appearances
Featuring Smith College President Kathleen McCartney
HONG KONG
NOVEMBER 10, 2015
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Photo Gallery
NOVEMBER 11, 2015
The Asia Society
Photo Gallery
NOVEMBER 12, 2015
The Women’s Foundation
TOKYO
NOVEMBER 17, 2015
Grew Bancroft Foundation
Photo Gallery
NOVEMBER 18, 2015
American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Photo Gallery
NOVEMBER 18, 2015
Media Interviews
Photo Gallery
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
Japan Women’s University, with Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Japan
Photo Gallery
All-Constituent Events
HONG KONG
NOVEMBER 12, 2015
Hong Kong Maritime Museum
KYOTO
NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Garden Palace Hotel
TOKYO
NOVEMBER 18, 2015
Yasuda House, Historic House Tour and Reception
SEOUL
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
Grand Hyatt
President McCartney in the Media
- Asahi Shimbun Globe, March 5, 2016: Is a Women’s College Needed? (PDF)
- Nikkei Dual, January 29, 2016: Still a “Glass Ceiling” for Women
- Hong Kong Economic Times, December 28, 2015: Women Receive Less Favorable Treatment In Workplace
- Ming Pao, December 21, 2015: Women in Leadership Can Bring Society Benefits
- The Korea Herald, December 7, 2015: Liberal Arts Education Translates Into Better Jobs
Supporting Smith
International gifts are important for maintaining the excellence of a Smith education. Alumnae, parents and friends across East Asia are rallying to support the Women for the World campaign.
Here are some special gifts received from East Asia to the campaign so far:
- An endowed scholarship fund
- Multiyear support for summer intensive language study in non-European languages
- Multiyear support for Korean studies
- Funds to purchase a Korean artwork for the Smith College Museum of Art
- Artworks from Japan and China
- Multiyear support for international scholarships
The campaign offers many opportunities for alumnae, parents and friends to invest in exceptional women who can transform the world. If you would like to discuss a special gift for the campaign, please contact Director of International Advancement Kim Albright.
Sample Giving Opportunities
Gifts to the Smith Endowment
- Endowed professorships in Asian languages, art, history, government and Buddhist Studies
- Endowed scholarships for students from China, Japan and Korea
- Endowed intensive language study fund
- Endowed funding for international internships
Gifts for Current Use
- International Financial Aid Fund
- International Programs Fund
- The Smith Fund