Given annually at reunion by the WCAA, the Syrena Stackpole Award honors dedicated service and exceptional commitment to Wellesley. The 2015 recipient was Shirley Young ’55, who served as a College trustee from 1988 to 1998 and was one of the founders of Wellesley’s Business Leadership Council.

Young was recently instrumental in conceiving and implementing Women World Partners, a Wellesley initiative to collaborate with leading institutions around the globe. The inaugural partnership was between Wellesley and Peking University—a student academic program held in conjunction with the Women’s Leadership Conference two years ago in Beijing. Young’s volunteer efforts in Asia and beyond have promoted Wellesley as the place for young women who understand the value of an outstanding liberal-arts education. She has been a valuable partner to the Alumnae Office as well as the Office for Resources and Public Affairs in engaging alumnae from around the globe.