Smith College Enews - Notes from Paradise

NEWS FROM SMITH COLLEGE :: MAY 20, 2020


			Nancy Pelosi: ‘The World Needs Your Leadership’

			Addressing the first virtual commencement in Smith College history on May 17, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi told members of the class of 2020 that they have the power to shape the future. The college awarded 671 undergraduate degrees and 50 advanced degrees.


Yansi Murga ’20: Headed for a Career in Social Work	Get Ready for Smith’s First-Ever Virtual Reunion	Ketty Munyenyembe ’20: STEM Researcher



Los Angeles native Yansi Murga ’20 majored in English language and literature and was very active in the Latin American Students’ Organization, including as a board member and co-chair. She hopes to pursue a career in social work. “I know I want to do something working directly with people,” she says. “And social work includes not just clinical practice but also research and policy.”	Smith College will hold its first virtual Reunion May 22–24 for classes celebrating their reunions this year. On tap are various slideshows and videos, a state-of-the-college address from President Kathleen McCartney, remarks from a member of the class of 2020, lectures and other intellectual content from Smith faculty and staff, and private class Zoom get-togethers. The virtual Reunion is free of charge.	While a student at Smith, Ketty Munyenyembe ’20 discovered a passion for STEM. This fall the AEMES scholar will start a Ph.D. program at Yale, where she’ll investigate the evolution of microbial pathogens, including COVID-19. “It’s the idea of discovery!” Munyenyembe exclaims. “You’re reading things and then trying to find the answer. You have no idea what you’re going to find!”


			In Case You Missed It: Experience Global Illumination Night 2020

			More than 2,000 members of the Smith community submitted images of lights for the first-ever Global Illumination Night to honor the class of 2020. No surprise, the submissions reflected Smithies themselves: creative and unique, as they vibrantly displayed their love of Smith. Here is just a small sample.

Join the New Virtual Alumnae Book Club

Smith is launching a virtual Alumnae Book Club on June 1. It's a fun way to meet other alums while reading exceptional books about strong female characters, personal growth, leadership and more. Plus, you can connect with fellow alums for career advice or just socialize and engage in some great conversation. Best of all, you can participate from anywhere in the world when it is convenient for you. We'll kick off the club with Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown, a guide to leading change with courage and heart.

Smith Juniors Receive Prestigious Awards

Three Smith juniors have received highly prestigious national awards to support their academic work. Katie McGarry AC ’21 has won a 2020 Truman Scholarship, which supports graduate education. Dayln Gillentine ’21 and Marva Tariq ’21 have received Goldwater Scholarships, given to outstanding sophomore and junior STEM students.