Biologist's Breakthrough Holds Hope for Millions
  Smith biologist Steven A. Williams, one of the world's leading experts on filarial parasites, which cause the disease elephantiasis, coordinated years of international research that has resulted in an important breakthrough that will potentially affect a projected one billion people at risk in tropical regions. Williams and collaborators sequenced the genome for the microscopic worm that is carried from person to person by infected mosquitoes, causing severe damage to the lymphatic system and debilitating disfigurement. With the genome decoded, a vaccine and new drugs can be created to treat the painful disease. The discovery was reported in the journal Science and in national media. You can hear Williams, who is the Gates Professor of Biological Sciences, and others talk about the impact of their work at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14682031.
 
  Iraq Veteran Remembered
  Roselle Hoffmaster '98 died September 20 while serving as a surgeon in the U.S. Army in Iraq. A native of Cleveland, Hoffmaster received her degree in biochemistry. She later attended Case Western University and was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in 2004. She was deployed to Iraq in September. At Smith, Hoffmaster was remembered as a committed student and star athlete who competed in track and field. "Roselle was smarter and more capable than the rest of us, and she held an almost tender benevolence toward others," wrote professor Mary Harrington in a tribute to Hoffmaster. "In the way she enjoyed running track, her pleasure came from working to achieve her own personal best."
A memorial service was held in Hoffmaster's honor on September 29 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her husband and parents. For more, visit http://www.smith.edu/news/2007-08/RoselleHoffmaster-harrington.php.
 
  Accreditation Panel Endorses Strategic Directions
  "Move expeditiously and confidently forward" was the message of an eight-member visiting team of higher education leaders in response to initiatives outlined in The Smith Design for Learning, the college's new strategic plan. The team, led by Barnard College President Judith Shapiro, visited Smith as part of the college's decennial accreditation review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Read President Carol Christ's report of the visit at http://www.smith.edu/president/letters/100107.html and learn about the accreditation process at http://www.neasc.org/neasc/aboutneasc.htm.
 
  Banking on the Future
  Two alumnae are defying the odds in the banking industry. Doreen Woo Ho '68 and Claudia Slacik '79 were recently named to U.S. Banking magazine's list of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking." Ho was ranked 5th and Slacik was ranked 17th. Their honors come just as the magazine reports that women held 17.9 percent of executive positions at the 100 largest nationally chartered banks last year, an increase of only 1.9 percent since 2003. Stacie Hagenbaugh, director of Smith's Career Development Office, reports that in the past few years she has seen a decline in student interest in finance, a trend her office is working to turn around through various programs and services.
"We want to debunk myths about working on Wall Street and reinvigorate interest in this vibrant and dynamic field," she says. To that end, the CDO has hosted several Women in Finance panels featuring alumnae in the industry, and in September staff from J.P. Morgan, including three alumnae, staged a recruiting session for 104 students at the Campus Center. To view U.S. Banking's complete list, visit http://magazine-directory.com/US-Banker.htm. For information about the CDO, go to http://www.smith.edu/cdo.
 
  A Virtual Necessity
  With alumnae living all over the world and nearly 25 percent of applicants connecting with the college only through the Web site, Smith's new online tour is a virtual necessity. Now a permanent part of Smith's home-page navigation, the tour includes images of the campus, houses, community life, and the learning environment underscored by student comments about aspects of living and learning at Smith. Zooming and navigating the campus map provides panoramic views of key facilities and the ability to pinpoint accessible entryways, dining rooms, and parking areas. The Smith map links to local and regional maps, as well as clear narrative directions for visitors, and, for applicants, a direct link to the Office of Admission. For a new view of Smith, visit http://www.smith.edu/tour/.
 
  Fellow Focuses on Floodplains
  Maria Honeycutt '95 has been named the GSA-U.S. Geological Survey Congressional Science Fellow for 2007-08. In her new position, Honeycutt will work on policy initiatives for a broad range of earth and ocean science-related issues. Most recently, Honeycutt has worked as a principal geologist with URS Corporation in Maryland. There, she led efforts to develop advisory coastal flood recovery maps for the Gulf Coast in the wake of hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita. She is currently leading an analysis of storm-induced erosion, modeling of waves and mapping floodplains for the Mississippi coast as part of a follow-up study.
 
  Stories from Alumnae Authors
  Jennifer O'Connell '90's debut novel, Bachelorette #1, was called a "poolside page turner" by Cosmopolitan magazine, declared "chick lit at its most fun" by the Denver Post, and selected as a "hot book pick" by US Weekly. Since then, O'Connell has written three more novels, including Dress Rehearsal, Off the Record, and Insider Dating. You can listen to O'Connell talk about her work as part of the Alumnae Association's audio series "An Author's Voice." To get started, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu/authors/. Other writers featured include Jane Yolen '60, Ruth Ozeki '80, and Martha Southgate '82. Files are available for download in MP3 format.
 
  Developing Better Care for the Elderly
  Adele Pike '77 was one of ten health professionals recently selected as Practice Change Fellows with the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston and Affiliates (VNAB). The fellowship program builds leadership capacity among nurses, physicians, and social workers who have operational responsibility for geriatric care. As a fellow, Pike, who has a joint appointment as the director of education for the VNAB and as assistant clinical professor in community health nursing at Boston College, will receive $90,000 over two years and will focus on identifying and developing new trends and better practices in geriatric home care.
 
  How Do You Manage Stress?
  The effects of stress are wreaking havoc on women's overall health and well-being. In the latest issue of the Smith Alumnae Quarterly, alumnae discuss how they're struggling to meet the everyday demands that never seem to let up. Many share their strategies for managing stress. If you have a favorite way to relieve the pressure, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu/saq/stress.php and let other alumnae know about it. To read more from the Quarterly, including a report on Opening Convocation, visit http://www.saqonline.smith.edu. 
 
  A New Lifelong Learning Community
  Hampshire College is creating a new community adjacent to its campus for adults who wish to live in an intellectually oriented community in the Five College area. Homeowners at Veridian Village at Hampshire College will have access to Hampshire facilities, programs, and classes. Smith alumnae are encouraged to find out more at http://www.VeridianVillage.com.
 
  Lend Your Voice
 

Do you have a cappella singing experience? If so, then audition for the Metropolitones, New York City's premier Seven Sisters vocal band, Sunday, November 4, 2007. For more information and to reserve a slot, e-mail director@metropolitones.com. For the group's repertoire, member profiles, and concert calendar, visit www.metropolitones.com.

 
  A Call for Future Smithies
  The Office of Admission invites you to add the name of your granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, or neighbor to its mailing list by following this link: http://www.smith.edu/admission/forms/addtolist.php. At appropriate times during her high school career, she will receive information about Smith. We so value the Smith tradition that when your sister, daughter, or granddaughter (or great‑granddaughter) applies to Smith, her application fee will be waived.
 
  Teachers Wanted
  The Office of Admission is looking for high school teachers to add to a database of alumnae teachers. If you're a teacher, follow this link to tell us who you are and where you teach: http://www.smith.edu/admission/forms/alumteach.php. As a teacher and an alumna, you have no doubt shared your enthusiasm about Smith with your students. We encourage you to continue to spread the word. We look forward to hearing from you.
 
  *************AASC Programs and Services ***************

Space is still available on these trips:   
TROIKAS AND TRADITIONS--New Year's in Russia, December 27, 2007-January 4, 2008. 
Smith has teamed up with Vassar for this incomparable celebration. Experience Western Russia's two great cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, during the country's favorite time of year. Climb aboard a "troika," the traditional Russian sleigh, for a ride through the snow and meet the warm people of these northern cities at outdoor crafts markets, in cozy restaurants, and in the luminous halls of world-class museums.

VIETNAM, with optional extensions to Laos and Cambodia, January 15-24, 2008
Travel with Sabina Knight, associate professor and chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures. With one foot firmly planted in the ideology of Ho Chi Minh and the other taking a giant step toward the global free-market economy, Vietnam today is a fascinating study in contradictions. 

TRADITIONAL AND MODERN WOMEN IN TANZANIA, January 18-30, 2008  Join Leslie King, associate professor of sociology, and gain an intimate understanding of the daily lives of  women in Tanzania. You will meet Maasai women in the villages of the Great Rift Valley region; drive to the seldom-visited Mbulu area where you will visit Tanzania's subsistence farmers; the Olduvai Gorge, where some of the earliest remains of our species were discovered; and the vast Serengeti Plains, which contain some of the highest concentrations of animals in the world.

TREASURES AND TRADITIONS OF SOUTH INDIA, February 18-March 1, 2008
Explore the history and culture of Southern India with Andy Rotman, assistant professor of religion and Ph.D. in South Asian languages and civilizations. This in-depth cultural experience will start in Chennai and will include visits to the shore temples of Mahabalipuram; a visit to a traditional bharatanatyam dance school; and a behind-the-scenes look at a Bollywood film studio.  Rotman, who has spent six years in South Asia, specializes in the cultural history of Indian Buddhism.

ITINERARIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR LONDON THEATRE and INSIDE MOROCCO! 
For full itineraries and prices, contact Smith Travel at 800-225-2029 or e-mail alumtrav@smith.edu. For a full listing of trips and slideshows of past trips, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu/travel. Smith Travel's 2008 catalog is now available.

Benefits for Alumnae
Just because you've graduated from Smith doesn't mean you're forgotten. The Alumnae Association offers a variety of services to make your post-Smith life a little easier. Alumnae are eligible for various insurance options, including medical, life, and liability insurances, as well as a credit card that benefits Alumnae Association programs. For information on all Alumnae Association benefits and services, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu and click on a menu item under "Benefit."

Keep In Touch
The Alumnae Association's Online Directory has been expanded and improved to make it easier and more fun to connect with your Smith friends. You can now take advantage of a host of new features. Share your good times and memorable moments by creating your own personal photo album, update your information and indicate whether you'd like to be a mentor to a Smith student or fellow alumna, and create friends lists to make it easy to stay in touch with the people who made your Smith years so memorable. To get started, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu, and log in under "Alumnae Directory and E-mail."

Life Insurance
Looking for a dependable life, liability, or temporary health insurance? The Alumnae Association's insurance program offers reasonable and critical protection for alumnae. Details are available at http://alumnae.smith.edu (click "History and Mission" and then "Benefits and Services"). Or for more information, call the AASC's broker, Meyer and Associates, at 800-635-7801. Identify yourself as a Smith alumna.

The Alumnae Association of Smith College promotes association programs and services only.

For a compendium of the latest news about Smith, press releases, calendar of events, stories, and media coverage, visit Grécourt Gate, the college's news and events Web site, at http://www.smith.edu/news/
Other useful links:
Smith College Home: http://www.smith.edu
Alumnae Association of Smith College: http://alumnae.smith.edu
Smith Alumnae Quarterly: http://www.saqonline.smith.edu
Shaping the Future of Smith: http://www.smith.edu/future/shaping/
Supporting Smith: http://www.smith.edu/future