On May 19, the college awarded 627 undergraduate degrees and 41 graduate degrees to members of the class of 2024, who came to Smith from 45 states and 23 countries. The Commencement ceremony featured words of wisdom from five honorary degree recipients, including Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, who encouraged graduates to “embrace your uniqueness and trust your voice [and] continue to be unapologetically yourselves.” Look back on the celebratory weekend with photos from Commencement, Ivy Day, Illumination, and Baccalaureate.

Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra ’96 announced last Friday that the college will donate funds to help advance the educational mission of Northampton’s public schools. “This donation highlights the importance of community partnerships,” Sciarra said.

Beginning May 16, the classes of 1974, 1984, 1989, 2004, and 2014 returned to campus for a series of joyful activities. Highlights included a cookout on Chapin lawn, Illumination, and an address from President Sarah Willie-LeBreton. Check out this photo gallery of the festivities.

This Sunday, hip-hop artist and producer Thomas will take the stage with their three-piece band in Boston. “​​I’m honored and hope that my performance opens the door even wider for other Black queer musicians to perform at future Boston Calling festivals,” Thomas told MassLive.

During a free event tomorrow in South Hadley, Massachusetts, Cheung will discuss The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration, which he edited with Frank Abe. According to NPR affiliate WBUR, the anthology draws from World War II–era essays, memoirs, and letters.

For the latest installment of Fresh Tracks, a New York City residency and performance program, Antinozzi choreographed Third Variation and unveiled it during two May performances. She told The New York Times that her piece attempts to understand her fascination with ballet.

In a recent essay, Smith’s director of international alum relations and development shares memories from a two-week excursion where she crossed paths with Smithies in Denmark, France, Ireland, and beyond. “All these Smithie gatherings illustrate the profound joy that emerges when our community comes together,” DeFelice writes.

In conjunction with student community health organizers, Cailin Young ’24 spearheaded a harm-reduction project where students anonymously enter requests for health- and wellness-related items and pick them up later—with no questions asked. “It comes back to the basic principle of trying to support people in living their best lives,” says Young.

As part of an effort to bring more diverse perspectives into laboratories and yield groundbreaking medical research, the Prebys Research Heroes program recently awarded a $500,000 grant to Shresta. According to a statement, Shresta’s research focuses on West Nile, dengue fever, and other viruses.

In an article for the University of California, San Diego’s student-run publication, The Guardian, Maurer emphasizes that texting is a weak form of connection due to a lack of body language and an inability to read emotion. Maurer also suggests that opting for texting over other forms of communication does a disservice to all parties involved.

A global professional services firm that aims to deliver outcomes that transform businesses, Genpact announced Bessinger's appointment to a role responsible for shaping and overseeing a comprehensive, strategic investor relations program. Bessinger’s prior experience includes stints at Google and X (formerly Twitter).

Smith College  |  Grécourt Gate  |  Make a Gift  |  Alumnae Association
Smith Alumnae Quarterly  |  Submit a Class Note

Smith College Notes from Paradise

You are receiving this email because you are affiliated with Smith College.

To unsubscribe from all emails or to update your preferences, visit the link below.

Update subscription preferences
View as webpage | Update your address

{{{Organization.Address}}}
{{Unsubscribe}}