Adrian Nicole LeBlanc '86 awarded MacArthur Fellowship
Adrian Nicole LeBlanc ’86 has been named a MacArthur Fellow for 2006. The $500,000 award, often referred to as “the genius award,” is given to “talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction.” LeBlanc is the author of Random Family, which chronicles the life of a number of residents in an impoverished Bronx neighborhood. [For an interview with LeBlanc, visit http://backissues.saqonline.smith.edu/index.epl?id=25.] Recipients of the fellowship may use the award to advance their expertise, engage in bold new work, or, if they wish, to change fields or alter the direction of their careers. A profile of all the fellows, including LeBlanc, may be found in the gallery at http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.2066195/k.3C63/2006_Gallery.htm
Addressing the shortage of women in mathematics
Smith College will use a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a Center for Women in Mathematics that will run two programs aimed at increasing the number of women at the top of the field. The five-year grant will support the nation’s first post-baccalaureate mathematics program and a junior-year-at-Smith program to assist women in attaining undergraduate and graduate degrees in the subject. Smith will enroll women in each program during the initial 2007–08 academic year. “Talented women continue to leave the mathematics pipeline,” said Ruth Haas, professor of mathematics and statistics, and one of the program’s chief architects. “By shoring up the holes that cause women to drop out and giving women the opportunity to do advanced math together, we hope women maintain the motivation and determination needed to reach their goals.” For more information about the Center for Women in Mathematics go to http://www.smith.edu/newsoffice/releases/06-014.html
Powerful alumnae
Forbes magazine’s “most powerful” list just wouldn’t be complete without a couple of Smith alumnae. This year, the magazine ranked Marilyn Carlson Nelson '61, chief executive of Carlson Companies Inc., at number 64. She was recognized not only for her business acumen but her charitable work with organizations such as the World Childhood Foundation and the Mayo Clinic. Rochelle (Shelly) Lazarus '68, chief executive of advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather, came in at number 87 and was cited for her “clever work” on the company’s award-winning campaign for Dove, in which real women are used instead of models.
A quiet opening to the fall semester
Kevin Quashie, associate professor of Afro-American studies, was able to accomplish something very few speakers at Opening Convocation have been able to do: he got the rowdy students to actually listen to what he had to say. To find out how he did it, and more about Opening Convocation, visit the Smith Alumnae Quarterly online at www.saqonline.smith.edu.
Report of campus diversity study now available
Results are in from a two-year project, titled Common Ground, that asked faculty, staff, students, and alumnae to reflect on a number of diversity measures at the college, from race and ethnicity to sexual and political orientations, socioeconomic status, disability, and religion. More than 340 people participated, and though Smith has been widely recognized for its commitment to providing access to underrepresented groups, more work could be done, according to Director of Institutional Diversity Naomi Miller. Chief among the report’s recommendations is increasing diversity among faculty and staff. Regarding race and ethnicity, for example, while 32 percent of the student body declares itself to represent a minority group, only about 16 percent of the faculty and 10 percent of the staff currently do so. President Christ described the Common Ground study as an ambitious, timely, and important project and commended the students, faculty, staff, and alumnae who informed it. A summary and recommendations of the Common Ground report is available online and as a PDF at http://www.smith.edu/oid/commonground/ .
A new fund leader
Karen Boehnke ’99 has been named director of annual support and volunteer engagement in the Office of Advancement at Smith. “Karen brings tremendous talent, energy, and commitment to working with Smith volunteers and staff to increase support of the college,” said Debra Romero Thal ’77, chair of the Alumnae Fund. “We are delighted to have found an alumna with both strong volunteer and professional experience in annual giving.” Boehnke comes directly from the University of California, Berkeley, College of Engineering, where she was the director of the annual fund and development operations. She has also served as an annual fund volunteer for Smith.
Stories from alumnae authors
Curious how author Ruth Ozeki ’80 develops her characters, or what mystery writer Robin Hathaway ’56 thinks about murder as a plot device? Check out the Alumnae Association’s new series of audio interviews with alumnae authors, “An Author’s Voice.” Featured so far are interviews with Ozeki, author of My Year of Meats; Hathaway, who created the Dr. Fenimore mystery series; and romance novelist Judith Arnold (Barbara Keiler ’74). To start listening, go to http://alumnae.smith.edu and look under the “Audio Transcripts” section. Files are available for download in MP3 format.
Working for a 'more just world for all of us'
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), New England’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal rights organization, continues to expand its legal staff with the recent hiring of Nima Eshghi ’87 as GLAD’s newest staff attorney. “Nima brings to GLAD a broad range of professional and volunteer experience, and a deep commitment to LGBT rights and the rights of people living with HIV,” said Lee Swislow, GLAD’s executive director. “She will be an invaluable asset to the GLAD team.” Eshghi began her work at GLAD earlier this month. “GLAD’s mission is very close to my heart, and I’ve experienced firsthand how GLAD’s thoughtful advocacy creates a more just world for all of us,” she said. Eshghi most recently was director of professional development at Edwards, Angell, Palmer & Dodge, LLP. Prior to that, she was a staff attorney and clinical instructor at Harvard Law School’s Legal Services Center, where she represented low-income families living with HIV/AIDS in a wide range of civil legal matters.
Jill Syverson-Stork '75 named to board of Quepasa
Jill Syverson-Stork '75, a professor of Spanish at Wellesley, has been named to the board of directors of Quepasa, considered the most important Hispanic online community in the world. Dr. Syverson-Stork was raised in Santiago, Chile. She received her B.A. in Hispanic studies from Smith and her master’s and Ph.D. in romance languages from Harvard. Quepasa is committed to providing entertaining, enriching, and empowering products and services to millions of Hispanic and Latino users throughout the United States and certain areas of Latin America. For more, visit http://www.quepasa.com.
Deductive reasoning, set to music
Delicious Rivers , a unique collaboration between Marjorie Senechal, professor of mathematics and history of science, and OBIE Award–winning writer/composer Ellen Maddow, will make its New England debut at Smith in late October. Directed by Paul Zimet, associate professor of theatre at Smith and OBIE Award–winning director of The Talking Band, the musical, set in a New York City post office, follows the intertwining lives of four postal workers and three neighborhood apartment dwellers. In a funny, touching way, the play explores the pleasure of deductive reasoning, finding the solution to a mystery, the link between order and the unexpected, and the delight in the discovery of pattern and meaning. In conjunction with the play’s opening weekend, the mathematics department at Smith will present a symposium, titled “Mathematics and the Arts,” which celebrates and explores the unexpected connections between the two. Symposium events are free. For more information, please visit www.smith.edu/smitharts. The performance will be held at the Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall Center, October 27–29 and November 1–4, at 8 p.m. A 2 p.m. matinee will be performed on October 29. Tickets may be ordered by calling 413-585-ARTS (2787).
A book club for alumnae
One thing all alumnae share is a love of reading and talking about good books.To celebrate this favorite pastime during its 125th anniversary year, the Alumnae Association has developed a unique worldwide book club for alumnae. Here’s how it works: Smith clubs and Smith book clubs are invited to select a book from an online list and then schedule the appropriate faculty member to lead a discussion exclusively for club members. Don’t worry if you don’t belong to a club; faculty will be hosting online discussions throughout the year. To select a book and find out more about the reading program, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu and look for the “Read With Us” link.
Zipcars debut at Smith
Smith College has partnered with Zipcar to offer the campus community a cost-effective alternative to car ownership. Since August 28, Smith students 18 and older—along with faculty, staff and local residents 21 and older—have had the opportunity to become members and reserve the use of a car by the hour or day. Two cars, a Honda Civic and Toyota Matrix, are available. Gas and insurance are included in the hourly rate of $7 and the daily rate of $55. “Giving students another reason to avoid bringing a car to campus is a win for the college and Northampton, and a natural next step in our sustainability efforts,” said Smith President Carol T. Christ. For information about the Zipcar concept and locations, visit http://www.zipcar.com/.
Join Smith's strategic planning process
Visit “Shaping the Future of Smith,” download a copy of “Reimagining a Liberal Arts Education,” and join the dialogue at http://www.smith.edu/future/shaping/.
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Plan a Vacation with Smith Travel

The Smith Travel Program has a full roster of trips planned for the year. Here are some highlights:

  • Last call for TREASURES OF THE PHARAOHS:EGYPT AND THE NILE aboard the premier riverboat Sun Boat III, October 17–30, 2006. We still have cabins available on this once-in-a-lifetime trip with Smith guest professor Karen Pfeifer, expert on economic development and social change in the Middle East. This comprehensive itinerary includes behind-the-scenes access to current archaeological research with Egyptologist Sonya El Masri.
  • COLONIAL CITIES OF MEXICO, November 6–12, 2006. There is still time to register. Explore the abundant cultural and artistic heritage of Mexico’s Colonial Period in the magical cities of Morelia, Patzcuaro, and San Miguel de Allende. Dana Leibsohn, associate professor of art and director of Smith’s interdepartmental program in Latin American and Latino studies, will share her expertise and enthusiasm throughout.
  • TIMBUKTU AND THE RIVERS OF WEST AFRICA , January 26–February 20, 2007. Join Elliot Fratkin, Smith professor of anthropology, and Wayne Mones, National Audubon tour leader, on this exciting trip that combines one week of visiting Timbuktu, Segou, Dejenne, and Mopti with a week aboard the 34-guest yacht Callisto cruising the inland waterways of Senegal and the Gambia.
  • GOLFING IN SCOTLAND FOR WOMEN, July 29–August 6, 2007. This trip combines the Weetabix Women’s British Open Championships at St. Andrews with a variety of golfing opportunities at some of the most magnificent golf courses in the world, including an “introduction to Links golf” at the Colin Montgomerie Golf Academy, and a round at the Turnberry Ailsa course (host to the 2009 British Open Championship), Ladybank, and Crail Balcomie links.

For full itineraries and prices on the above trips, contact Smith Travel at 800-225-2029 or e-mail alumtrav@smith.edu . If you have not yet received the 2007 Smith Travel catalog, send us your mailing address and we will send you one immediately. For a full listing of next year’s trips you may also go to http://alumnae.smith.edu/travel .

Exclusive content at SAQ Online
The online version of the Smith Alumnae Quarterly offers a variety of content you won’t find in the print version of the magazine. Online now are stories about this year’s Opening Convocation and the first-year orientation. Be sure, too, to check out “Stories From Our Past,” which features articles from the Quarterly’s vast archive. The newest addition is Pauline Kael’s 1973 Commencement address.

Benefits for Smith 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 browse the drop down menu under "Benefit."

Keep in touch
Wondering whatever happened to that Smith housemate who used to keep you company while you studied all night for a midterm? The Alumnae Association’s Online Directory makes it easy for you to catch up with your Smith friends. You can search by name, location, profession, and even Smith house. Just visit the Alumnae Association’s Web page at http://alumnae.smith.edu, and click on “Alumnae Directory and E-mail.” While you’re there, be sure to update your personal information. The directory is most effective when the information is kept up to date. To ensure that your information is correct, log into your alumnae directory account at https://smith.alumnae.net/login.asp and then click on “Personal Information” at the top of the screen.

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 on "Life Insurance Services" under "Benefit"). 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.

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