How Our 150th Year Strengthened Us

As we concluded our sesquicentennial with a joyous reunion in May, I found myself reflecting on a year of celebrations with alumnae, students, faculty, and staff. Our 150th year did more than honor the past; it gave us a reason to come together—across generations and geographies—to remember what Wellesley means to each of us.

This year reminded me, in powerful ways, what Wellesley stands for.

Wellesley means access and opportunity for all students, regardless of financial circumstance—and it always has.

Our founders, Pauline and Henry Durant, pledged to keep Wellesley affordable for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds. This year, we announced we are deepening our commitment to providing the robust financial aid that has made us a leader among our peers. Members of the incoming class whose families make less than $150,000 in total annual income will attend tuition-free. As we begin planning our next campaign, we remain wholly committed to strengthening need-blind aid and support for middle-income families, extending our historic promise to future generations.

Wellesley stands for excellence in the liberal arts.

Learning from our success in elevating STEM education by reimagining our Science Complex, in our 150th year we created a complementary vision for a living, breathing ecosystem for the arts that will bring together Jewett, the Davis Museum, and Pendleton West. Essential to this “crossroads for the arts” will be the restoration of Jewett as a site for interdisciplinary performances and dialogue—elevating the arts as an essential part of an empowering liberal arts education.

“In a world often tugged apart by division, this year we came together and shared stories about the ways alumnae across classes and around the world inspire each other.”

And, of course, Wellesley is community.

In a world often tugged apart by division, this year we came together and shared stories about the ways alumnae across classes and around the world inspire each other. I saw this clearly during my visit to Hong Kong, at the start of our milestone year. A panel of distinguished alumnae from classes spanning four decades spoke about “the power of presence” and showed the value of intergenerational bonds. In my keynote, I urged the audience to support the next generation through mentorship, opportunity, and the power of connection.

I saw that same spirit at our 150th celebration on campus in the fall, where we affirmed how tradition and history connect us. I was especially delighted to see the multigenerational joy created by the Wellesley trivia contest, where alumnae and students joined in a fun—and fierce—competition.

Another example came from U.S. Rep. Emily Randall ’08, of Washington state, who spoke at the summit of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Center for Citizenship, Leadership, and Democracy. Randall was on campus in 2016 the night the presidential run of our groundbreaking 1969 alumna came to an end—and she said that the moment galvanized her to run for office.

At a New York alumnae panel for the 150th, playwright Mfoniso Udofia ’06 shared a story illustrating lifelong Wellesley bonds. After a performance of one of Udofia’s early plays, Wini Shore Freund ’59 and Susan Dubinsky Terris ’59 excitedly approached her, saying, “We’re Wellesley. We have found you.” Since then, they have attended Udofia’s performances, no matter what city they are in.

That encounter led to a full circle moment this spring, when more than 350 alumnae and members of our campus community saw her play Lifted. Udofia’s message to fellow alumnae: “Be champions and provide soft places to land that can help [each other] grow forward.”

These stories remind us that Wellesley is more than an institution; it is a profound source of connection and inspiration—and a community that bridges backgrounds, generations, and geographies. As we look toward the next 150 years, we do so knowing that, now and ever, our bond is our greatest strength.