Photo by Richard Howard
“Our Lohin is beloved.”
Those four words, offered by WCAA executive director Missy Siner Shea ’89 in a tribute last fall at Alumnae Leadership Council, capture the 20-year career of Susan Lohin in the Alumnae Office. Beloved by alumnae groups around the world. Beloved by hundreds of individual Wellesley women.
Lohin retired in December, after spending many years as the WCAA’s director of clubs and, more recently, serving as director of alumnae engagement. In these roles, she traveled the world to support alumnae programs. (Need speakers for your panel, or attendee lists for your event? Lohin had the answers.) She helped struggling clubs find new officers, drove visiting faculty lecturers to far-flung alumnae events (her escapades chauffeuring the late economics professor Chip Case were legendary), and oversaw the Wellesley book award program. She once even rode a camel alongside Kathryn Wasserman Davis ’28 on a Wellesley trip to Egypt.
And apparently, Lohin also had a signature “look” that could calm troubled alumnae waters. Just ask Dolores Arredondo ’95, the current president of the Wellesley Latina Alumnae Network, who recently spoke on an alumnae panel during President Paula Johnson’s first visit to Southern California. “I was excited and nervous all at the same time,” Arredondo says. “It was quite an impressive panel of alumnae. It was a packed auditorium. I looked over at Susan, and she gave me that look. The look that only Susan can give. It gave me just the boost of confidence that I needed that afternoon.”
Over the years, Lohin has boosted the confidence of many alumnae and drawn them into the Wellesley circle.
“Susan always formed strong bonds with volunteers and encouraged them to support each other and the College,” says Marisa Shariatdoust ’09, who worked for Lohin at the WCAA. “She inspired alumnae to help with admissions and community service, to enhance area connections, and to have fun as a community.” Calling Lohin “a fundamental piece of the Wellesley network over the last 20 years,” Shariatdoust offers the highest of Wellesley praise: “She will be a lifelong member of the sisterhood and has made a difference for Wellesley.”
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