ICYMI: Blooming Insights: The Bell Jars

Click image to access YouTube video.

As noted in the previous post, alumnae in their 50th Reunion cycle were invited to attend join a special online presentation in April, 2024. In case you missed the presentation by Associate Professor Colin Hoag and students who curated ‘The Bell Jars: Lyman Conservatory and Sylvia Plath’s Botanical Imagination’ exhibit, it is available on YouTube, and will be repeated on May 22nd at noon ET. Click here to register for the May 22nd event.

Click image to access student essays.

Related student work: in a Spring 2023  Anthropology course, Smith College students majoring in Biological Science, English, Environmental Science and Policy, Computer Science, Anthropology, Government, and more gathered together to investigate the possibility that conservatories are relevant to our understanding of the human condition, focusing on Sylvia Plath’s (‘55) botanical encounters at Lyman in the 1950s. Student essays examine one plant species that features in Plath’s work, accounting for its ecology, geography, and taxonomy; the symbolic work it does in Plath’s writing; and the historical context in which Plath came to know it. Collectively, they demonstrate how Plath’s education in botanical science helped her to theorize the human experience, particularly for women living under the oppressive atmospheres of 1950s USA patriarchy. (The Plath Conservatory. https://sites.smith.edu/the-plath-conservatory/  Accessed 05/03/2024)

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Blooming Insights: Unveiling “The Bell Jars” Exhibit

Join us on April 9th at 12:00 p.m. ET for a 50th Milestone Reunion Cycle Special Event and discover fresh perspectives on Sylvia Plath’s life and literary inspiration through archival materials and Plath’s own writings. Associate Professor of Anthropology Colin Hoag and his students will explore the intersection of anthropology, biological sciences, literature, and women’s history in their research project. Their findings, showcased in collaboration with the Botanic Garden of Smith College, are unveiled in an exhibit titled The Bell Jars: Lyman Conservatory and Sylvia Plath’s Botanical Imagination. The exhibit aims to highlight the role that plant science played in nurturing the author’s imagination. In her journal, Sylvia Plath described life underneath a bell jar as demanding but rewarding—a site of contingent productivity. Don’t miss this virtual event!

Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/i0hMsA6/blooming-insights-unveiling-the-bell-jars-exhibit-4a3tS64yTp/overview 

 
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New Breakfast Options on Campus

photo by Jesse Gwilliam

During the January interterm, Smith Dining Services staff developed new, tasty vegan and vegetarian breakfast options. See the article written by Rachael Haney Hagerstrom ’02 on the college’s website to learn more.  The article includes links to the recipes, student and staff responses to the new offerings, and a reminder that the changes support the college’s sustainability pledge.

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2023 Year-end Campaign

from Fund Chair Gwen Mattleman: 

We have very good news. Thanks to your positive response and generosity, we exceeded our class Financial Aid Campaign challenge! According to GiveCampus, we had 41 donors who gave a total of $28,433—we were the second highest in total participation out of all classes back to the class of ‘29!

For myself and on behalf of Adele, Vanessa, and all of our class officers, heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave in this campaign, including those whose non-GiveCampus gifts are still being counted. This is a MAJOR accomplishment for the class of 1977, and you should all be very proud. KUDOS to everyone who participated. We’ll update when we have final totals from Smith reflecting nonGiveCampus gift sources. Meantime, here’s to all of you and to our class in the coming year! Cheers!

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New campus building: Kathleen McCartney Hall

Credit: TenBerke, press@tenberke.com Architect: TenBerke

A new campus building—to be named Kathleen McCartney Hall for the college’s 11th President (and our Honorary Classmate!) —will create an integrated and inclusive central hub for student leadership and career development. The new building will house both the Smith College Lazarus Center for Career Development and the Wurtele Center for Leadership. It will overlook Paradise Pond and support the college’s sustainability goals and landscape master plan. Learn more here.

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Alumnae House Renovation

Have you heard? Alumnae House has undergone a top-to-bottom renovation, and it looks great! Several classmates already have visited the space, in conjunction with President Willie-LeBreton’s inauguration. Click here to see more photos and learn more about the updated spaces.

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‘77 represents at the inauguration of Smith’s 12th President, Sarah Willie-LeBreton

Several classmates met on campus to celebrate the inauguration of President Willie-LeBreton on October 21, 2023. Thanks to Marjorie Meiman, Gwen Mattleman, Maureen Tobin, and college photographers for the photos.

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Onward To Our 50th and Beyond….

The Smith Class of 1977’s 45th Reunion was wonderful.   165 Classmates joined the celebration either in person on campus or through the magic of zoom.   Over the coming weeks we will be adding photos and memorabilia from reunion to the archives on this website.

There was considerable interest in connecting by zoom on a somewhat regular basis between now and our 50th, maybe starting in the fall.  We will message out plans here, by email (so be sure the college has your current email- smithierecords@smith.edu), and on our class facebook page)

A lot of  information is on this website… USE THE MENU BAR ABOVE TO TAKE A LOOK 

A note about privacy:  Much of the content in this site is public. Some, however, is private and intended for classmate use only. You will see a note if a particular page requires a password. A hint for the password is: a 9 letter word that describes what we all were in May of 1977 and what we still are; the first letter is capitalized.  If you need for help, email us via the contact us page.

 

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Let’s Connect and Reconnect

Hello Class of 1977!

As we approach the 45th anniversary of our graduation from Smith, we are working to plan a reunion that will allow classmates to connect and reconnect, find joy in sharing memories, and strength in friendship and lifelong learning!

USE THE MENU BAR ABOVE TO TAKE A LOOK ….

A note about privacy:                                                                                         

Much of the content in this site is public. Some, however, is private and intended for classmate use only. You will see a note if a particular page requires a password. A hint for the password is: a 9 letter word that describes what we all were in May of 1977 and what we still are; the first letter is capitalized.  If you need for help, email us via the contact us page.

 

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