College News

Summer 2021

John Rhodes

By Andrew Shennan, provost, Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56 dean of the College, and Rebecca Bedell ’80, professor of art

John Rhodes, senior lecturer emeritus of art history, died on March 21. For 28 years, from 1982 to 2010, John was a distinguished instructor in the art department and in the writing program. He was a co-author of an authoritative book on Wellesley’s landscape and architecture, published by the College in 2000.More

Summer 2021

Dorothea J. Widmayer ’52

By Mary Allen, professor emerita of biological sciences

Dorothea “Dot” J. Widmayer ’52, professor emerita of biological sciences, passed away on March 6. Teaching introductory biology and genetics, and carrying out research on gene action and expression in the protozoan Paramecium aurelia, Dot had a great positive influence on many students throughout her long career.More

Clockwise from top left are photo portraits of Marilyn Twomey Smith ’70, Bunny Winter ’70, Andrea Levitt ’71, Lois Juliber ’71.

Summer 2021

A Quartet of Committed Volunteers

Congratulations to the four dedicated volunteers honored with the Syrena Stackpole Awards at the virtual reunion in June.More

A. photo shows Muslim students flying kites while celebrating Eid on campus in spring 2021.

Summer 2021

Muslim Shared Identity Group Takes Flight

The WCAA welcomes a pilot shared identity group, Wellesley Muslim Alums (WMA), which held its first event on Zoom in April.More

A photo portrait shows the new WCAA president, Laura Wood Cantopher '84, wearing a Wellesley-blue top.

Summer 2021

Cantopher ’84 Assumes WCAA Presidency

By Lisa Scanlon Mogolov ’99

“My opportunities to be a Wellesley volunteer have been a sustenance through my whole life,” says Laura Wood Cantopher ’84, the new president of the Alumnae Association.More

Illustration of a mailbox with the spring issue of Wellesley magazine in it

Summer 2021

Want to continue receiving the print magazine? Let us know!

As we work to be both eco- and budget-conscious, we are piloting opt-in to print to ensure that we mail the print version of Wellesley magazine only to alumnae who wish to receive it.More

A photo shows a gorgeous rainbow arching above campus.

Summer 2021

College Road

On a rainy Sunday in May, the clouds parted at sunset long enough for a gorgeous rainbow to arch above campus.More

A photo of Massachusetts State Rep. Liz Miranda ’02 delivering her commencement address

Summer 2021

Finally, a Time for Celebration

By Catherine O’Neill Grace

Photography by Kayana Szymczak

On Friday, June 4, 570 members of the class of 2021 celebrated the College’s 143rd commencement. President Paula Johnson welcomed the seniors gathered on Severance Green and some 100 graduates attenging remotely from around the United States and overseas.More

Illustration of a globe (representing the Earth) with a butterfly flying out of it

Summer 2021

Wellesley Takes a Stand on Climate Change

By Jennifer E. Garrett ’98

In April, Wellesley announced a plan to address the urgent challenge of climate change that will affect how the College produces and distributes energy, how the endowment is invested, and how the campus community works together to reduce energy consumption.More