Given annually at reunion by the WCAA, the Syrena Stackpole Award honors dedicated service and exceptional commitment to Wellesley. The 2024 recipient is Debra DeVaughn ’74, senior director of gift planning at the College, who retires this year after 15 years of service as a staff member and many more as a volunteer for Wellesley.

A French and philosophy major, DeVaughn earned her J.D. at Boston College and worked at various financial institutions in the Boston area. At the same time, she volunteered for the College as a Mary Elvira Stevens Traveling Fellowship committee member, an Alumnae Achievement Awards committee member, and a WCAA board member. She joined Wellesley’s development team in 2009, then transitioned to become the director of gift planning, leveraging her law degree and experience in estate and trust planning. At the College, she has volunteered with Wellesley Alumnae of African Descent, the Black Task Force, and the Budget Advisory Committee.

A colleague praised “her commitment to excellence, her astute knowledge that has yielded eye-popping returns year after year, and her devoted care and attention to Wellesley’s most loyal donors—those who placed their eternal trust in our College.”

DeVaughn is a cherished friend to many across campus and is always available to listen, offer sound advice, and share a good coupe de Champagne or cheese from Wasik’s. As she begins this new phase, she looks forward to spending more time with her precious grandson, Cameron.