Alumnae Matters—Spring 2009
New AA President to Stress Good Work, Strong Values of Alums
Cynthia L. Reed ’80 has a very clear understanding of the importance of women’s education. “The single most important factor in improving healthcare for women, children, and communities is to provide education for girls and women. The higher the level of education, the better the health and living standards,” she says.
Reed, a management and technology consultant for healthcare providers and medical-device companies, has been nominated as president of the Alumnae Association for a three-year term beginning July 1. Helping to spread the word about an MHC education by engaging and celebrating the good work and strong values of alumnae is tops on her to-do list.
“I want the Alumnae Association to be a touchstone to ignite shared values,” says Reed, who lives with John Collins and their three sons in Lexington, Massachusetts. “The more our programming reflects the incredible ways our alums engage with the world in their own lives, the better we are able to learn from each other and share what we learn.”
An Alumnae Association Medal of Honor winner in 2005, Reed is past chair of the Alumnae Relations Committee of the association board, has served as her class president and is currently copresident and reunion chair, and is on the association’s Strategic Planning Committee. She is also active as a fundraiser for Nashoba Learning Group, a private school for children with autism.
Reed has spent her professional career in nonprofit healthcare. After earning a master’s of public health in hospital administration at Yale, she served first as an administrator and later as executive director of the department of pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital of University Hospitals of Cleveland.
As a consultant, she has focused on strategic planning and program evaluation, management and technology. At St. James Ethics Centre in Sydney, Australia, where she and her family lived for four years in the 1990s, she helped companies align their corporate values and ethics. She currently serves as president and founder of Reed Collins LLC.
“Cynthia is a strategic thinker with extensive leadership experience,” says Jill Brethauer ’70, chair of the Nominating Committee. “Her enthusiasm for Mount Holyoke, her knowledge of the Alumnae Association, her experience living overseas, and her spirit of innovation will be invaluable.”
Just as her predecessor Mary Graham Davis ’65 did, Reed says she will continue the association’s emphasis on global outreach. Things she hopes to brainstorm about with her board colleagues include off-campus programming that brings the association’s work to the rest of the world; travel opportunities that are service oriented and draw on the intellectual and experiential resources of alums; and more programming targeted at current students.
Budgetary constraints will require that “we do more with less and make less stretch further,” she points out. Effective measures for evaluating the association’s offerings as well as getting useful feedback are all among her priorities. Collaborating with intellectual centers on campus, students, faculty, and Seven Sisters organizations are all important in the ongoing effort to offer better programming and reduce expenses, she adds.
“I’ve done a lot of volunteer work,” Reed says. “But the Alumnae Association is the most rewarding to me because I’m in a room with smart women who come prepared, listen respectfully, and contribute actively. And we laugh,” she adds.—M.H.B
Invitation to Ask MHC’s President
Whatever’s on your mind, here’s the opportunity to ask the president about it. President Joanne V. Creighton invites alumnae readers to submit questions to her via the Alumnae Quarterly. She will review the questions and respond to some in the summer issue of the magazine. Please send your questions ASAP to Quarterly editor Emily Harrison Weir (eweir@mtholyoke.edu; or Alumnae Association, 50 College St., S. Hadley, MA 01075-1486).
Class and Club News and Images Online
Two new wikis will be available for classes and clubs in time for reunion. That means whether or not you can attend, you can see slide shows, photos, and videos of the annual celebration as well as yearround class and club related news and events. And you can add text and photos of your own. Check out the offerings here.
Save the Date: January 6–10, 2010
Fourth Women’s Education Worldwide Conference
"Empowering Women:The Economic Imperative" at The Women’s College, University of Sydney, Australia
Announcing an intellectually stimulating four days of workshops and lectures with international experts in the field of women’s education. Women’s Education Worldwide (WEW) is a global network and biennial gathering of presidents, leaders, students, and alumnae from women’s colleges around the world.
Started in 2004 by Mount Holyoke College and Smith College presidents Joanne V. Creighton and Carol Christ, WEW has hosted conferences in the United States, Dubai, and Italy.
Check here for more information about the conference, or find out more at www.thewomenscollege.com.au.
Singers Converge for a Gleeful Reunion
What would bring eighty-three Mount Holyoke alums back to campus in the dead of winter? Why, music, of course, and the chance to sing with five wonderful current and former MHC choral directors. We descended on South Hadley in late January for the second Mount Holyoke Glee Club Choral Reunion.
Organized by a committee led by Debby Hall ’74, the chorus of alums— joined by nineteen undergraduates—came to the first rehearsal armed with practice CDs they had received weeks before, and a flexibility in adjusting to the various conducting styles they would encounter.
Joining Kimberly Dunn Adams, MHC choral director and visiting lecturer in music, were Catharine Melhorn, past choral director at MHC for thirty-six years; Marguerite L. Brooks ’69, conductor of the Yale Camerata and Yale Pro Musica; Christopher Aspass, conductor of St. Olaf ’s Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, and Lindsay Pope ’07, choral assistant to Adams.
The music ranged in period from the Porpora Magnificat to the premiere of an arrangement of I Can Dream, Can’t I? by MHC’s director of jazz ensembles, Mark Gionfriddo. There were a wide variety of musical styles and origins.
We learned overtone singing, in order to sing the Aboriginal- and Nepalese-based Past Life Melodies, by Sarah Hopkins; Swedish pronunciation for Ahlen’s Sommarpsalm, and Chinese intonation for Picking the Seedpods of the Lotus from Chinese Poems, by Chen Yi.
No less central to the event was the chance to see old friends. For many of us, the choral community is the one that connects us best to Mount Holyoke, both in our own four-year span and across generations. Joan Regan ’73 led a symposium about choral life after Mount Holyoke.
At Friday’s dinner, we were treated to a video about the history of Christmas Vespers made by Courtney Duhring ’09, as well as a performance by current students of “The Sewer Song,” from the MHC songbook of the ’50s and ’60s. Penny Gill, dean of students, articulated her desire to make MHC into a “singing campus” once more.
Our four days at the college culminated in a Saturday evening concert in Abbey Chapel that was enthusiastically received. And after a celebratory glass at the Yarde House, we headed to our various homes, fortified by a sense of achievement, a renewal of friendships, and a reminder of MHC’s special choral experience.—Paula Gerden ’74
Oh Yes, We Can
Two MHC alums are part of the sea change in Washington, D.C. Mona Sutphen ’89 has been named deputy chief of staff for President Barack Obama. Jane Famiano Garvey MAT ’69 served as a member of the president’s transition team. And Anthony Lake, a former professor of international relations and current trustee at the college, is a foreign policy adviser to the president.
Mary Lyon Award Winners Lisa Utzinger ’02, left, and Ingrid Ukstins Peate ’94 received the 2009 Mary Lyon Award. The third winner, Sally McFarlane ’97, was not in attendance. Read about their accomplishments, and their award citations here.
Nominees for Alumnae Association Directors and Committee Members
In accordance with article VI, section 2 of the bylaws of the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College, the Nominating Committee has prepared the following slate for election at the annual meeting to be held on May 23, 2009. Terms are for the three years ending June 30, 2012. Each candidate has been fully informed of the responsibilities and rights of the position and has indicated consent to serve if elected. Alumnae may submit additional nominations according to the procedure outlined in article VI, section 4 of the bylaws.
For Election to the Board of Directors:
President
Cynthia L. Reed ’80, Lexington, MA. Consultant, Reed Collins LLC. MPH in hospital administration, Yale University. Alumnae Association: Executive Director Search Committee member (2008), Alumnae Relations Committee chair (2005–08), Communications Ad Hoc Committee member (2005), Strategic Planning Committee member (2003). Class: current copresident, former reunion gift caller, reunion room chair, reunion Web site coordinator, and reunion lead gift committee. North Shore Club: former president and program chair. Boston Club: former 7-College Conference representative. Alumnae Medal of Honor 2005. Kellogg National Leadership Fellow 1987.
Chair, Alumnae Quarterly Committee:
Margaret L. Stark ’85, San Diego, CA. Contract writer for RealAge.com and the director of Seva Children, a nonprofit; author of three books, and freelance magazine writer. MS in journalism, Northwestern University. Alumnae Association: Quarterly Committee member (1998–2001), Marketing/Public Relations Committee member (1994–96). Class: former reunion sign chair and secretary. San Diego Club: former president. Mary Lyon Award 1997, Alumnae Medal of Honor 2005. Chairwoman of fundraising auctions for her children’s schools. Volunteer media relations work.
Chair, Clubs Committee:
Jenna Lou Tonner ’62, New London, NH. Retired. History major. Alumnae Association: Board of Directors member for career support (1994–96), Career Support Task Force member (1992–94), Nomination of Alumnae Trustees Committee member (1983–86). Class: former class agent, reunion welcome/hospitality chair, reunion nametag chair, and treasurer. New Hampshire Club: former president. Current president, New London Historical Society, and president, League of Women Voters, Kearsarge/ Sunapee.
For Election to the Committees:
Alumnae Honors Research Committee:
Katherine Turner Alben ’69, Schenectady, NY. Research scientist, New York State Department of Health. MPhil and PhD in physical chemistry, Yale University. Alumnae Association: Alumnae Honors Research Committee member (appointed 2008–09). Class: former head class agent, reunion gift chair and caller, and scribe. Former trustee, American Water Works Association Research Division.
Ann Holloway (“Holly”) Hughes ’75, New York, NY. Freelance editor/writer. MA in English, Oxford University. Alumnae Association: Quarterly Committee chair (1982– 85), Quarterly Committee member (1979–82). Class: former VP and reunion cochair. New York Club: former VP and former newsletter/directory editor.
Alumnae Quarterly Committee:
Jillian K Dunham ’97, New York, NY. Research editor, New York Times Magazine. Amherst College; Cambridge University, UK. Chicago Club: former assistant admission representative.
Alumnae Relations Committee:
Ellen L. Leggett ’75, Pasadena, CA. President, Leggett Jury Research LLC. EdM and EdD in psychology, Harvard University. Alumnae Association: Board of Directors second vice president for admissions (1992–95), Marketing Committee member (1994–97). Class: current class agent, former reunion chair and reunion gift caller. Los Angeles Club: former admission representative. College: current L.A. major gifts committee member. Current vice president of board of directors, Holy Family Adoption and Foster Care Agency.
Emily S. McFarlane ’02, Durham, NC. Survey methodologist, RTI International. MS in survey methodology, University of Michigan. Alumnae Association: Alumnae Relations Committee member (appointed, 2008– 09). Piedmont Club: current young alumnae chair; former assistant admission representative.
Classes and Reunions Committee:
Joanne Griffith Domingue ’65, Tahoma, CA. Writer, retired newspaper reporter and associate editor. MA in history, University of New Hampshire. Class: current class agent; former Nominating Committee chair, president, and Cornerstone representative.
Danielle Germain ’93, Washington, D.C. Director, National Academy of Public Administration. MA in international relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Class: former president and former reunion gift caller. Southern New Hampshire: former assistant admission representative.
Clubs Committee:
Anne Luders Dayton ’80, Norwalk, CT. Land use analyst, Robinson & Cole LLP. Class: former reunion gift caller. Fairfield Villages Club: former president, newsletter/directory editor, and officer; former cochair, Seven Sisters Alumnae Seminar.
Susan Davis Gerber ’75, New York, NY. Vice president, Carole Hochman Design Group. Class: former reunion gift caller and silent auction reunion cochair. New York Club: former president, first vice president, director-atlarge, assistant admission representative, and CAN chair.
Finance Committee:
Susan Ham Heldman ’76, San Francisco, CA. Vice president and controller, Schwab Charitable Fund. MBA, Monterey Institute of International Studies. Class: former president, vice president, class agent, reunion gift caller, reunion booklet chair, reunion sign chair, reunion Saturday night party chair, and lead gift committee member. Northern California Club: current treasurer; former president, ways and means chair, and admission representative; College: former major gifts volunteer, Legacy of Leadership. Loyalty Award 2006. Treasurer and a former deacon of the board of trustees, Calvary Presbyterian Church Foundation.
Nominating Committee:
Nina C. Dowlin ’87, Coatesville, PA. Training Coordinator, Keystone Helicopter, a Sikorsky Company. MS in organizational dynamics; current PhD candidate in training and performance improvement, University of Pennsylvania. Class: former secretary. Philadelphia Club: former secretary, newsletter/directory editor, and program committee member. Corresponding secretary, former Web site coordinator, program chair, and assistant admission representative.
Sarah Ann Haeger ’97, Seattle, WA. Account supervisor, The Fearey Group. MS in nonprofit management, Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy. Class: current reunion gift caller; former reunion chair, head class agent, class agent. New York Club: former vice president and program chair, newsletter/directory editor, and public relations representative. Member, board of directors, Seattle Works.
Nomination of Alumnae Trustees/Awards Committee:
Melani S. Cheers ’02, St. Louis, MO. Doctor of Medicine anticipated 2009, Washington University. Class: current class agent; former reunion gift caller. Pittsburgh Club: former program chair/secretary. College: young alumnae trustee (2003–06); former member, Residence Hall Oversight Committee; current Annual Fund Committee member. Member of Alpha Omega Alpha 2008; received Spencer T. Olin Scholarship 2005.
Sunny Park Suh ’91, Larchmont, NY. MEd and EdD in higher education administration, Teachers College, Columbia University. Class: current class agent; former head class agent and reunion gift chair. New York Club: former president, vice president, secretary, membership chair, and citywide assistant admission representative. Westchester County Club: former assistant admission representative. College: current Annual Fund Committee member. Alumnae Medal of Honor 2006. Alumnae admission recognition 1996.
RECENT APPOINTMENTS
Vice President, Board of Directors
(term ends June 30, 2010)
Maureen McHale Hood ’87, Cincinnati, OH. Marketing director, Procter & Gamble. MBA, Georgetown University. Alumnae Association: Board of Directors director-at-large (2005-08), Affiliate Group Ad Hoc Committee member (2006), Communications Ad Hoc Committee member (2005). Class: current class agent; former reunion gift caller, class agent, and reunion welcome/hospitality chair. Cincinnati Club: former copresident, program chair, vice president, and program chair, newsletter/director editor, and assistant admission representative. Alumnae medal of honor 2007.
Member, Alumnae Relations Committee
(term ends June 30, 2011)
Raluca Z. Dalea ’01, Houston, TX. Research associate, Deutsche Bank. MBA in finance, University of Texas. New York Club: former secretary, admission representative, program chair, and young alumnae chair. Former mentor and codirector of Prep Program mentees, summer programs, and financial aid for Minds Matter of NYC Inc.
Alumnae Representative to the College Committee on Fellowships
Carole Corcoran Huxley ’60, Loudonville, NY. Retired deputy commissioner, New York State Education Department. MAT in English, Harvard University. Alumnae Association: Nomination of Alumnae Trustees/Awards Committee member (1999–2001), Long Range Planning Committee member (1991), Alumnae Development Committee member (1987–88), alumnae trustee (1982–86), Board of Directors member (1982–83). Class: current Nominating Committee member; former reunion gift caller and cornerstone representative. College: trustee (2002–07, 1988–93); former member, Presidential Search Committee (1994–95); former Capital District LG volunteer; former Albany special gift volunteer. Alumnae medal of honor 1990. Member, board of directors, Historic Cherry Hill, the New Netherland Institute, and the NY State Archives Stewardship.
Proposed Changes to the Alumnae Association’s Bylaws
Bylaws amendments concerning the structure of Alumnae Association committees will be considered at the annual meeting of the association.
You can read the current bylaws here. Printed copies will also be available in the New York Room of Mary E. Woolley Hall during the first reunion weekend, May 22–24.
The proposed changes, which will be voted on May 23, are below.
Section 4. Composition and Responsibilities of Standing Committees.
1. Alumnae Honors Research Committee.
a. Composition. The Alumnae Honors Research Committee shall include the chair and not less than three nor more than five members elected by the Alumnae Association membership. The chair of the Nomination of Alumnae Trustee/Awards Committee shall be a nonvoting ex officio member of the Alumnae Honors Research Committee.
b. Responsibilities. The Alumnae Honors Research Committee shall recommend annually to the Board of Trustees of Mount Holyoke College alumnae for honorary degrees and shall recommend alumnae for other awards and honors as the Trustees of Mount Holyoke College or the Board of Directors may require.
2. Alumnae Quarterly Committee.
a. Composition. The Alumnae Quarterly Committee shall include the chair; not less than three nor more than five members elected by the Alumnae Association membership; a student representative and a faculty representative, both of whom shall be selected in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, and who shall serve without vote. The Editor of the Quarterly shall be an ex officio member of the Alumnae Quarterly Committee without vote.
b. Responsibilities. The Alumnae Quarterly Committee shall work with the Association staff in planning and creating the major content for each issue, both print and electronic; implement the editorial policies as set by the Board in accordance with the purpose and goals of the Association, and contribute, as appropriate, to the Alumnae Association’s strategic communications program.
3. Alumnae Relations Committee.
a. Composition. The Alumnae Relations Committee shall include the chair and not less than three nor more than five members elected by the Alumnae Association membership; one student representative.
b. Responsibilities. The Alumnae Relations Committee shall strengthen connections with Mount Holyoke College alumnae by understanding their needs and expectations and assisting the Alumnae Association in meeting those needs.
4. Classes and Reunion Committee
a. Composition. The Classes and Reunion Committee shall include the chair and not less than four nor more than six members elected by the Alumnae Association membership. No member of the Classes and Reunion Committee, with the exception of the Chair, shall be a member of the same class as any other member of the Classes and Reunion Committee.
b. Responsibilities. The Classes and Reunion Committee shall be a resource to encourage, support and coordinate class organization of alumnae and to be responsible for reunions.
5. Clubs Committee
a. Composition. The Clubs Committee shall include the Chair and not less than four nor more than eight members elected by the Alumnae Association membership. The Committee shall maintain geographic diversity within its members.
b. Responsibilities. The Clubs Committee shall be a resource for alumnae who organize or who wish to organize into a club based upon their geographic location or an affiliate group based on special interests and to encourage, motivate and coordinate with such clubs/affiliate groups.
6. Finance Committee.
a. Composition. The Finance Committee shall include the chair and not less than three nor more than five members elected by the Alumnae Association membership. The Treasurer shall be the chair of the Finance Committee.
b. Responsibilities. The Finance Committee shall recommend financial and accounting policy and an annual budget to the Board; shall be responsible for the supervision of the assets of the Association in accordance with the financial policies set by the Board—including the supervision of the Investment Sub-Committee; shall have authority to act on behalf of the Association with banking institutions; and shall have such other responsibilities as may be designated by the Board.
7. Nomination of Alumnae Trustees/Awards Committee.
a. Composition. The Nomination of Alumnae Trustee/Awards Committee shall include the chair and not less than three nor more than five members elected by the Association membership; the President or her designee as an ex officio member with vote and the Executive Director or her designee as an ex officio member without vote. No member of the Nomination of Alumnae Trustee/Awards Committee, with the exception of the Chair, shall be a member of the same class or from the same club area as any other member of the committee.
