Features

  • An illustration depicts a woman seated at a computer looking out at a beautiful landscape.

    The Third Phase

    SPRING 2025

    Feature Story

    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.

  • Illustration of two Black students in a cozy dorm room, talking while sitting on beds with matching bedspreads

    Strangers in a Small Room

    SPRING 2025

    Feature Story

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

  • A collage of an open book with various images coming out of it: a Wellesley lamppost, a Black hand with a ballot, a baby with an arm oustretched, a strand of DNA

    Professors in Print

    SPRING 2025

    Feature Story

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

Also in this Issue

  • Photo of President Paula A. Johnson standing outside Green Hall

    Protecting Wellesley’s Promise

    SPRING 2025

    From the President

    “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.’”

  • Photo of Erin Corcoran

    Corcoran Named WCAA Assistant Vice President

    SPRING 2025

    WCAA

    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.

  • Photo of Pier Rogers

    Rogers Named Alumnae Trustee

    SPRING 2025

    WCAA

    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.

  • Photograph of a female electrician at work in Clapp Library, which is under construction

    Clapp’s Next Edition

    SPRING 2025

    Window on Wellesley

    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.

  • Photo of a fragment of a Japanese bell

    Saved by the (Dinner) Bell

    SPRING 2025

    Window on Wellesley

    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.

  • Photo of Marisa Jaffe

    College Road

    SPRING 2025

    Window on Wellesley

    Reports from Around Campus

  • Illuminating an American Artist in Florence

    SPRING 2025

    Window on Wellesley

    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.

  • Photo of a Wellesley lamppost with Lake Waban

    Alumnae Memorials

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: In Memoriam

    Tributes to members of the Wellesley community

  • A black-and-white photo of Linda B. Miller reading typewritten papers

    In Memoriam: Linda B. Miller

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: In Memoriam

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

  • In Memoriam: Rachel Jacoff

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: In Memoriam

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

  • Photo of a heron

    From the Editor

    SPRING 2025

    From the Editor

    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.

  • An illustration depicts a glowing sword.

    A Profile in Courage

    SPRING 2025

    New Works

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

  • The cover of "If the Song Doesn't Work. Change the Dress," which depicts sketches of women in colorful costumess.

    Pages & Playlists

    SPRING 2025

    New Works

    Recent publications by Wellesley authors

  • Photo of the cover of the winter 2025 Wellesley magazine, featuring a portrait of Mfoniso Udofia '06

    Letters to the Editor

    SPRING 2025

    Letters to the Editor

    Letters to the editor, spring 2025

  • Photo of the archway under Green Hall

    A Book to Celebrate 150 Years

    SPRING 2025

    WCAA

    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.

  • Carol Clingan '63 and David Towler, the North Adams, Mass., native who told her about the mural, pose for a photo as a crew moves it.

    Forgotten Art Finds a Home

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: Profile

    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

  • Nancy Langen Steketee ’68 and team members in cycling outfits

    Ministrations: Cycling for a Cause

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: Profile

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

  • A photo portrait of Lisa Lim '86

    A Landmark Dealmaker

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: Profile

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

  • Lorena Ramirez '02 reads with her daughter.

    The Power in Stories

    SPRING 2025

    Class Notes: Profile

    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.

  • Photo of a pedometer

    Stepping Up to the Challenge

    SPRING 2025

    Endnote

    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.