Letters to the Editor

Wellesley welcomes short letters (300 words maximum) relating to articles or items that have appeared in recent issues of the magazine. Send your remarks to the Editor, Wellesley magazine, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02481-8203, or email your comments to magazine@wellesley.edu.

Café Hoop History

I was pleased to see Café Hoop rated a mention in the notable events of Wellesley’s history (“150 Things You Should Know About Wellesley,” fall 2025). Amy Reece ’83 and I spent our senior year working hard to get it realized—convincing the student government to reallocate funds that had been designated for the spring concert to a promise of a new gathering space—and convincing the administration that it was a good idea. The convincing part was Amy’s most significant contribution, and it was no small task. It took most of the fall semester for us to be able to move forward.

Most of the original construction was done by College employees. We had a special opening party for them, and it was great to see the pride in their work as they showed it off to their family and friends.

My sister, Alice Schell ’79, came up with the name and designed the original logo.

However, Café Hoop did not open until the second semester of our senior year, 1983. I realize these events were hard for you to research, but I’m not sure where 1981 came from. And there were no nachos in the original iteration—though we did have the (at the time) radical feature of a Ms. Pac-Man machine.

Thanks for a great issue.

Cynthia Schell ’83, Woodbridge, Va.

From the Editor: Thanks so much for the background information, Cynthia! I spent many happy hours in Café Hoop’s original location as a student and thank you and Amy for bringing it to life. We appreciate the correction on the founding year, too! —Lisa Scanlon Mogolov ’99

A Memorable Visit

I was looking for, but didn’t find, Robert Frost’s visit to Alumnae Hall in the amazing list of 150 glimpses of Wellesley history (“150 Things You Should Know About Wellesley,” fall 2025).

I think it may have been my first year. It was very eye-opening and inspirational and, not surprisingly, I appreciated it a lot more as I gained some life experience. :)

Joanne Coombs Shipley ’64, Tigard, Ore.

From the Editor: I’m happy to say that his visit is mentioned within item No. 10 on the list: “In 2010, Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall, home of the Theatre Studies Program and the location of major public events (such as visits by Robert Frost and Janelle Monáe), was renovated by award-winning architect Ann Beha ’72 and named for the College’s 12th president.” Robert Frost visited Wellesley the evening of Oct. 7, 1960. At the same time, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon held their second televised presidential debate, but many members of the College community packed Alumnae Hall to see Frost instead. —Lisa Scanlon Mogolov ’99, editor

Summer Science

Re: No. 49 (“150 Things You Should Know About Wellesley,” fall 2025)—I was a National Science Foundation intern with Prof. Emily Dudek in the summers of 1967 and 1968. The campus was very empty during the summer, and I lived with a few other students on the “alley” in Cazenove during that first summer. I loved the work with Mrs. Dudek, but it was a bit lonely! The second summer I shared an off-campus house with some other interns—much more friendly.

Sandra Perry ’70, chemistry major, Cohasset, Mass.