25^th REUNION REPORT

Despite predictions to the contrary, we had beautiful weather for our 25^th Reunion. 182 classmates gathered on campus to meet, greet, squeal, and enjoy each others' company. Many brought children, family, spouses or significant others. We stayed in the newly renovated Comstock and Wilder and overflowed into Martha Wilson.

Early Friday arrivals had lunch in Cutter/Ziskind, wandered the campus or the dynamically rejuvenated town. Our headquarters were in Hatfield Hall, the language classroom building. Pat Peterson Bentley from Australia and Wendy Reilly Harris from Czechoslovakia proved how far a Smith woman will go for a good time. Friday's Class dinner featured margaritas and a Southwest theme menu. Then we FINALLY passed our first class Bylaws and elected new officers (See Class Officers' page). People gathered in various places to chat and remember.

Saturday's parade was beautiful. Wearing white visors, blue class ribbons, and carrying our Smith tote bags, we were wildly cheered by the students and their parents lining the route into the Quad. During the Alumnae Association meeting, College President Ruth Simmons, on her final Smith graduation weekend, got so choked up she could not deliver her closing remarks.

We got box lunches from Chapin Law tent. The weather was so inviting we skipped the indoor setting and had an informal class discussion-in-the-round under the tent. Topics ranged from generations, parental caretaking, health, children, life changes, homosexuality, professional goals, Smith memories, peri-menopause, and too many other things to remember. What I do remember was the interest we had in hearing that others had walked in similar shoes or survived things we had yet to encounter. Classmates had children in diapers and in college - a range many older Smith classes would not have envisioned. Some were yet to be mothers and some were already grandmothers or step-grandmothers. For me that discussion was the best part of the weekend.

As the Fund Team Results page shows, we had a wonderful year of giving to the College - our highest participation ever.

Saturday night cocktails were held outside in the Quad and dinner was held in King/Scales dining room where we filled every seat - 225. Afterwards many people walked over to see Illumination night where the Chinese lanterns swayed softly in the breeze and the band by McConnell competed with the acapella groups under the Neilsen-Alumnae Gym walkway.

Sunday's brunch was back in the Chapin tent. Few could stay to hear Toni Morrison give the Commencement address, but it was fun watching the seniors and their parents gather for the rituals.

I hope all those who attended enjoyed themselves and those who did not will try to be there in 2006 for our 30^th....

Karen Cody-Hopkins, 25^th Reunion Co-Chair