In this issue...

Volume 1   •   17 May 2006  •   Issue 5 

	Message from the Executive Director Spring, strawberries, reunion festivities		Strawberries and Champagne Toasting the Class of 2006
	Reunion 2006 Come back to MHC		Debut of Virtual Café Photo galleries, videos, blogs, and more
	Common Read for Fall 2006 Mountains Beyond Mountains		Be Part of an Alumnae Quarterly Article Share your ideas
	Alumnae in Action Earth Day events		Events Calendar Upcoming club, class, and MHC events
	Sports Studies at MHC Surveying alumnae about a new minor		Undergraduate Update By Emily Korab ’08
	Online Class Notes Read the latest news from your sister alumnae, or post your own today

Message from the Executive Director

pring has arrived at Mount Holyoke in all its splendor, just in time for reunion celebrations. This year, the Alumnae Association will welcome back returning alumnae both to our beautiful campus and to our elegantly refurbished Association headquarters. Our new look—the final piece of a year-long relaunch—represents the best of the Alumnae Association tradition and the dreams toward which we aspire. Helping alumnae realize their dreams is what we do as an organization: through alumnae grants, career and networking services, international travel programs, and a host of other programs created to enhance the lives of MHC alumnae around the world.

On campus, we were delighted this month to help soon-to-be-alumnae celebrate the fulfillment of an important dream. The Alumnae Association hosted its annual “Strawberries and Champagne” party in honor of seniors’ upcoming commencement, marking their achievement and welcoming them to the exceptional family of MHC alumnae. Like generations of women before them, graduating seniors will lead the Laurel Parade during Reunion I in May. They will be joined by their joyful alumnae sisters, who together represent sixty years of Mount Holyoke history. When the members of the Class of 2006 take their place in the wider world, they can count on the support of a vibrant Alumnae Association.

There is much to look forward to. As we prepare for Mount Holyoke’s 134^th reunion, we warmly invite you to participate in any way you can: returning for the reunion festivities, attending one of the wonderful Back-to-Class talks and workshops, or joining us online via Global Reunion. No matter where you are, you are a part of everything we do.

I hope to see many of you at Reunion 2006!


W. Rochelle Calhoun ’83
Executive Director, Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College

Strawberries and Champagne

trawberries and Champagne, a cherished tradition celebrating seniors’ upcoming graduation, is hosted by the Alumnae Association every year on the last day of classes. This year, at least 500 seniors attended, dancing, singing, and enjoying glasses of bubbly until well past “closing time.” The WMHC supplied a hip DJ who spun classic 80’s tunes (to the delight of the faculty and staff who attended). Even the president joined the party, posing with seniors who lined up to have their photos taken with her. Maya D’Costa, associate director of campus programs, welcomed the class of 2006 on behalf of the Alumnae Association, raising a toast to the seniors who are soon to become our newest alumnae.

Reunion 2006

pirits are high at the Alumnae Association as we prepare for the celebration of Reunion 2006. Hundreds of alumnae have already registered for their reunion, and we expect both weekends to be filled with stimulating activities and the pleasure of reconnecting with old friends. If you plan to attend but haven’t yet registered, you’ll be pleased to know we’re still saving a place for you! Late registration is still available online.

Back-to-Class at Reunion
Reunion has many highlights, and we’re especially looking forward to our Back-to-Class program this year. Classes are open to all alumnae and guests on both Fridays during Reunion I and II weekends (May 26 and June 2). Interested in learning how to cook a classic French meal? Like to master enough Spanish to get you through the back alleys of Madrid? Or how about a little Kripalu Yoga for some stretching and relaxation? The Back-to-Class program offers thirty-one classes in all, and every one of them is free!

You can sign up for classes at the reunion registration table on Thursday and Friday of each reunion weekend. Some classes have size limits; make sure to sign up early to get the classes you want. For more information about classes, times, and locations, please click here.

Global Reunion
For alumnae who can’t make it back to campus for reunion, we’re pleased to offer the very first Global Reunion—an online reunion experience for alumnae around the world. Read messages from your classmates, and post your own, on class message boards during reunion; watch a video of the Alumnae Parade; view photo galleries of reunion activities updated throughout the weekend. Whether in spirit or in person, come join us for a memorable reunion 2006.

Reunion Events for Young Alumnae and Seniors
Did you know that this reunion, for the first time, the Alumnae Association has planned three events especially for young alumnae and graduating seniors? The events are taking place on Friday, May 26, during Back-to-Class/Reunion weekend activities. (Visit our Web site for times and locations.) The three events are:

Financial Planning for Young Alumnae
Are you overwhelmed by the thought of paying off your student loans and saving for retirement? Join Lisa Utzinger ’02, young alumnae representative, Alumnae Association Board of Directors, and a panel of financial planning professionals for advice on managing your personal finances and making the most of your hard-earned paycheck.

Spice Up Your Networking Skills
In many professional circles, networking is regarded as a necessary skill that can lead to new opportunities. Networking can also be an enjoyable social practice with the potential to enrich your life. Come learn about the art of networking in a workshop taught by an experienced panel of Mount Holyoke College alumnae.

Networking Extravaganza
This is the first-ever alumnae/student networking event at reunion for all graduating seniors and alumnae. (You are welcome to attend whether or not you participated in the earlier networking workshop.) Come prepared to give and receive business cards and/or share contact information for career planning. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is not necessary, but please RSVP by May 22 if you plan to attend.

Debut of Virtual Café

he Alumnae Association is pleased to announce the debut of Virtual Café, our new interactive media page located on the top page of our Web site. Virtual Café allows you to view photo galleries of on-and off-campus events, watch videos (including Global Reunion videos of the Alumnae Parade and other reunion events), and pick up great technology tips from our new Alumnae Association blog, Ed’s Tech Tips. To enjoy these and many other features, visit our Web site.

Common Read for Fall 2006

ountains Beyond Mountains, the story of doctor Paul Farmer’s quest to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to the poor of Haiti, has been chosen as the MHC Common Read for this fall’s incoming class. Many alumnae enjoy reading the Common Read selection along with students and faculty, and some alumnae clubs organize discussion groups, Speakers’ Bureau events, and other gatherings that focus on the book. This fall’s Common Read selection, by Pulitzer prize-winner Tracy Kidder, reveals how its subject, Harvard professor, infectious-disease specialist, and recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant, fosters radical change in situations that appear insurmountable. Mountains Beyond Mountains also shows how a meaningful life can be created, as Farmer—a leader in international health and founder of the charity Partners in Health—blasts through obstacles and convention to get results.

Be Part of an Alumnae Quarterly Article

he Alumnae Quarterly magazine staff is gathering information for articles on the topics below, and we invite your input.

• Coping with widowhood
• Affordability and access to higher education
• Shaping your life while living on little money (a series of articles)—What issues would you like to see an alumna expert help you with?
• What brings international students to MHC
• What I miss most about MHC (We seek brief items for a “top ten” list on this topic.)

If you have something to say about any of the topics above—or want to volunteer to be interviewed by the article’s author—please e-mail Emily Weir (mention the article topic in the subject line) or send a letter to her c/o Alumnae Quarterly, 50 College St., South Hadley, MA 01075-1486).

Alumnae in Action

he April debut of Alumnae in Action, a new Alumnae Association community service program for classes and clubs, was a resounding success. Earth Day was the theme for inaugural Alumnae in Action events, as alumnae in Holyoke, Boston, New Orleans, Ann Arbor, and Durham gathered for cleanup projects at rivers, parks, and schools. Here on campus, Alumnae Association staff worked with student representatives of the MHC Environmental Action Coalition. The group chose the River Valley Academy, a school for teens with special needs in Holyoke, as the kickoff event site. On Saturday, April 29, a lively group of alumnae, students, and friends donned garden gloves and got to work pulling weeds, picking up trash, planting flowers and shrubs, and cleaning up the playground of the school.

Maria Bianciardi ’99 is a nurse at the small academy, which just moved to a new home after several years in a former meat-packing plant. “It means a lot to be able to create a better place for these kids,” she said, thrilled at the show of support from MHC alumnae and students. Bianciardi is eager to implement a health and nutrition curriculum at the school—and the new garden, which Alumnae in Action volunteers helped prepare, will play an integral part.

The Alumnae Association encourages future Alumnae in Action events in your home communities. For a list of resources, or to request an action kit containing custom-designed water bottles and bandannas for your volunteer events, please visit our Web site.

Events Calendar

ant a quick and easy way to find out what’s happening on campus and in your area? Our events calendar lists everything from club guest lectures to cultural events, from faculty panels to alumnae book signings. Check out the calendar for this month’s happenings—including a local reading at Odyssey Books by Judith Jaeger ’95, who will be signing copies of her new novel, The Secret Thief.

Sports Studies at MHC

he Physical Education and Athletic Department is researching the possibility of offering a Sports Studies Minor or a Five College Certificate with a focus on coaching education. Department staff are surveying alumnae to help determine if this type of program would have been of interest to you while you were a student, or if it would have helped you as an alumna. The survey is relatively short and should take less than 5 minutes. Please share your opinions today.

Undergraduate Update

s the school year really ending? Reflecting upon the achievements of the Student Government Association, I realized it’s been a busy year, leaving me to wonder how everything was fit in! The last month of school has been especially busy for the SGA. We held all-campus elections; Senate passed an ACLU-sponsored resolution; and we had our usual responsibilities of putting out the SGA’s biweekly newsletter, putting on Staff Appreciation, getting ready for next year and oh, studying for finals! We have been busy women!

This year, Class Board and SGA worked together to hold all-campus elections. The SGA executive board positions on the ballot were president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. The SGA constitution stipulates that for elections to be valid, quorum must be met or the Senate must vote to waive quorum and allow elections results to stand. Only 42 percent of the campus voted in the election and quorum is 50 percent of the campus plus one person, so Senate had a decision to make. After the Senate met with the Elections and Referendums Committee, a unanimous decision was made to waive the quorum instead of having a second election.

In addition to approving elections, the Senate passed an ACLU-sponsored resolution condemning the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The rationale behind the resolution was founded on the importance of acceptance in the community at Mount Holyoke. However, when the military comes to our campus to recruit, conflicting messages are presented to the LGBT community. The resolution will be sent to various College administrators and political leaders informing them that the MHC community is against the military’s discriminatory policies. Additionally, all recruiters (military or other) coming to campus will be issued a copy of the College’s anti-discrimination policies. You can read the resolution on the ACLU on Mount Holyoke’s Web site.

I hope this provides you with a little glimpse into what has been a busy month for the SGA! Have a wonderful summer and I am off to pack up my room.

Online Class Notes

o read more online class notes, or post your own notes and photos, please visit our Web site.

Daniela (Montecinos) Montecinos-Loubon (1986)
Daniela (Montecinos) Montecinos-Loubon (1986) writes, “Hi! I wanted to be give some news since it’s been 20 years I left MHC and went back very few times since I returned to my native Chile in ’93. Since our 20^th reunion approaches (once again... I’m far, and also too busy to make it, even if I feel quite nostalgic...) I wanted to touch base...”

Elizabeth Kramer (1996)
Liz Kramer (1996) and Jeff Bryan are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Maria Kramer Bryan. She was born on January 28, 2006 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and weighed 7 lb., 5 oz.. Jeff and Liz are very excited to bring little Maria to MHC for the first time at Reunion!  

Amy (Porter) Grohman (1992)
Amy (Porter) Grohman (1992) and Martin Grohman are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Hannah Margaret Grohman. She was born on April 22, 2006 in Portland, Maine, and weighed 6 lb., 7 oz.. All are doing well. Mom and Dad are getting used to their new titles and Hannah is getting used to her new world. We couldn’t be happier!  

Lisa (Morrow) Buffitt (1993)
Lisa (Morrow) Buffitt (1993) and Derek Buffitt are happy to announce their marriage on October 23, 2005 in Three Chimneys Inn, Durham, NH. They currently reside in Westfield, NJ. Teufelin (Peare) Traylen, Class of 1991, was the bridesmaid.  

Stephanie Gooding (1998)
Stephanie Gooding (1998) writes, “Greetings from Charlotte! I have attached a photo of my new dog in my new apartment. I have a great job in the online marketing department at Wachovia, and also teach yoga classes on the weekend. I hope that you all are healthy and happy. I continue to miss my time at Mount Holyoke....”

Alison Raymond (2000)
Alison Raymond (2000) writes, “I am completing my second semester of the Master’s of Public Administration program at LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. Hurricane Katrina greatly changed our lives in LA so it is an amazing time to be studying government! I live in New Orleans so there is even more incentive to be involved in state and local government. I love New Orleans and hope to aid in its recovery.”  

Melissa Iovanni (2001)
Melissa Iovanni (2001) and Jon Mattison are happy to announce their engagement. The wedding ceremony will take place on October 14, 2006 in Beverly Farms, MA at Tupper Mansion. We met on a blind date on June 2, 2005 at Silvertones in Boston, MA. We are currently living in Concord, MA and both working at Fidelity Investments.  

Laura Westfall (2003)
Laura Westfall (2003) writes, “After graduating from Widener University School of law next weekend (May 20th, 2006), I’ll spend the summer studying for the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bars. In August, I'm headed to Georgetown University to pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation. I’ll be concentrating in income and estate planning techniques for same-sex couples.If you’re in D.C. next year, get in touch!”