SPRING 2025

Around the world, people are retiring later. How do you decide when it’s time? And what comes next? We talked to Wellesley experts to find out what they are thinking.

We explore the paths from first-year roommates to lifelong friends through the stories of alum roomies across the decades.

From how to fix democracy with math to what twins teach us about improving humanity, Wellesley professors are tackling timely topics in recent books.

“Our endowment allows the Wellesley community to be socioeconomically diverse and makes us a place where students can discover, in the words of our second president, Alice Freeman Palmer, ‘the wealth that lies in differences.’”

Professor of Art Jacqueline Marie Musacchio ’89 talks about the artist Francesca Alexander and her circle as if they were her own friends. It is a familiarity born out of years of research, culminating with her book The Art and Life of Francesca Alexander 1837–1917, published in February by Lund Humphries.

Erin Corcoran ’13, a longtime volunteer for the College, left her career in public service at the Pentagon to return to Wellesley as assistant vice president of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association.

Following her nomination by the Wellesley College Alumnae Association Board, the Wellesley College Board of Trustees has elected Pier Rogers ’75 to serve a six-year term as alumnae trustee from 2025 to 2031, succeeding Suzanne Frey ’93.

Reports from Around Campus

When the Clapp Library renovation was originally planned in 2022, it was conceived as a critical repairs project. But as the project unfolded, it became clear that Clapp’s future could be even brighter than initially envisioned.

The College Archives includes fragments of the Japanese bell that was used as a fire alarm in College Hall, alerting residents to the 1914 fire.

Rachel Jacoff, Margaret E. Deffenbaugh and LeRoy T. Carlson Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature and Italian Studies, died on Jan. 24.

Linda B. Miller, professor emerita of political science, passed away on Jan. 19.

Tributes to members of the Wellesley community

For the past year, in addition to my regular gig as editor of this magazine, I’ve had the pleasure of editing Now & Ever: 150 Years of Making a Difference, a book published by the College on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

Recent publications by Wellesley authors

"The Purposeful Warrior" by Jocelyn Benson ’99 addresses the courage we need during these challenging times.

A new commemorative book, Now & Ever: 150 Years of Making a Difference, offers a compelling look at Wellesley College’s history and the trailblazing alumnae and faculty who have shaped the world.

Letters to the editor, spring 2025

Lorena Ramirez ’02 created WipalaBox, an adventure activity box for children ages 5 to 11. Each box comes with a book, stickers, hands-on activities, and a keepsake crafted by Indigenous women artisans.

Lisa Lim ’86 has had a legal career defined by landmark real estste deals that transformed New York City’s landscape.

For nearly two decades, Nancy Langen Steketee ’68 has been riding a bike to raise funds for multiple sclerosis (MS) research and support.

Carol Clingan ’63, through years of effort, saved a historic Jewish mural hidden in a disused synagogue in North Adams, Mass. It now hangs in the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Mass

Eighteen years ago, I became a grandmother, opening depths of emotion I had never experienced before. A year later, when I saw the announcement of a 10,000-step-a-day challenge in the Portland [Maine] Press Herald, I decided to apply, writing an essay explaining that I wanted to extend my life so that I could see my grandson grow up.