Anne Mitchell Morgan ’57

Anne Mitchell Morgan ’57, who served as the executive director of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association for 20 years, passed away on Oct. 17, 2024. For many of us, Anne simply “was” the WCAA. She was the embodiment of our mission to connect alumnae to one another and the College in support of Wellesley’s institutional priorities. For two decades, the corridors of Green Hall echoed with the sound of her rapid footsteps and joyful laugh as she visited campus partners and made connections on behalf of our alumnae.

The worldwide network of Wellesley alumnae owes much to Anne and her unwavering dedication to the College. To serve as the executive director of the WCAA, you have to really love alumnae. And love alumnae, Anne did. As then President Nan Overholser Keohane ’61 commented upon Anne’s retirement in 1992, Anne’s “gentle assurance about the priorities of the Alumnae Association and her sensitive awareness of the interrelationships between the association and the College have made a significant difference to our fortunes.”

When rotary phones were our main communication tool, and voicemail, email, and social media were futuristic imaginings, Anne found meaningful ways to connect us to one another and stay informed about Wellesley. Whether it was having local alumnae meet with students or checking in with club leadership, Anne was making connections for Wellesley.

Born in Albany, N.Y., Anne spent her childhood in Schenectady until her family moved to Marblehead, Mass., in 1945. After working in Boston, Anne moved to New York City, working at the Kenyon & Eckhardt advertising agency for 10 years. She returned to Boston and married Vance Morgan in 1971 and became the WCAA’s executive director in 1972.

Classmate Toni Harkness said, “Anne was a star of the class! Bright, outgoing, compassionate, dedicated, well- spoken, and inclusive. She provided excellent leadership to alumnae and exemplified Wellesley’s motto: Non Ministrari sed Ministrare.” Toni added that Anne’s husband, Vance, became a well-loved honorary member of the class of 1957, attending all of their reunions and gatherings.

After leaving Wellesley, Anne went on to lead the Wellesley Students’ Aid Society and remained active in her classes activities. For her devotion to Wellesley, she was the recipient of the Syrena Stackpole Award in 1992. The only bright spot in our loss of Anne is the rekindled connections amongst her Wellesley devotees and fond reminiscences that have resulted. I’m certain she would be delighted by that.