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Family & Friends Weekend 2025
Friends & Family Weekend
Events begin on Friday, October 24th.
Friday, October 24
Alumnae Achievement Award Ceremony and Reception
4:30 p.m., Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall:
Join us in celebrating the 2025 recipients of Wellesley’s Alumnae Achievement Award: Karen Grigsby Bates ’73, journalist and author; Jocelyn Benson ’99, Michigan’s secretary of state and a voting rights advocate; and Sue Wagner ’82, co-founder of Blackrock. This award, the highest honor the College bestows, recognizes alumnae who have brought honor to themselves and to Wellesley College through their outstanding achievements. We invite you to attend the ceremony to hear remarks from President Paula Johnson and the recipients, then to the reception to mingle with the recipients, alums, students, and parents.
For those not on campus you may view this virtually:
wellesley.edu/live. https://www.wellesley.edu/news-events/wellesley-live
For those not on campus you may view this virtually:
wellesley.edu/live. https://www.wellesley.edu/news-events/wellesley-live
Saturday, October 25
Wellesley at 150: Opening Ceremony 10:30 to 10:50 a.m., Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall:
President Paula A. Johnson reflects on Wellesley’s past and shares her vision for the College’s future.
Wellesley at 150: Women Leading Change
11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall:
This year’s Alumnae Achievement Award recipients, Sue Wagner ’82, Karen Grigsby Bates ’73, and Jocelyn Benson ’99, address how they define leadership, share their vision, and identify opportunities for positive impact in these complex times. Moderated by Tatiana Ivy Moise ’21, immediate past young alumnae trustee.
Lunch in the 150th in the Tent: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Severance Green (preregistration required) - Open seating for alumnae and guests.
(This time (11:30) is when those CE/DS who are participating in Walktober, and anyone else who wants to join us, are invited to meet at the CE House and walk around the lake with each other.
(This time (11:30) is when those CE/DS who are participating in Walktober, and anyone else who wants to join us, are invited to meet at the CE House and walk around the lake with each other.
Wellesley at 150: Facing the Climate Crisis
1 to 1:45 p.m., Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall:
Join Knafel Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, Rebecca Belisle, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Alden Griffith, and Frost Associate Professor in Environmental Science and Associate Professor of Chemistry, Rachel Stanley, for a discussion on climate change. Courtney C. Coile, provost and Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56 Dean of the College and Stanford Calderwood Professor of Economics, will offer opening remarks that highlight 150 years of faculty and curricular innovation at Wellesley, as well as how the College is preparing the next generation to lead through the pressing issues of our time. Moderated by Paulina Ponce de Leon Barido '05, trustee.
Join Knafel Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, Rebecca Belisle, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Alden Griffith, and Frost Associate Professor in Environmental Science and Associate Professor of Chemistry, Rachel Stanley, for a discussion on climate change. Courtney C. Coile, provost and Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56 Dean of the College and Stanford Calderwood Professor of Economics, will offer opening remarks that highlight 150 years of faculty and curricular innovation at Wellesley, as well as how the College is preparing the next generation to lead through the pressing issues of our time. Moderated by Paulina Ponce de Leon Barido '05, trustee.
Wellesley at 150: From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of “America the Beautiful”
2 to 3:30 p.m., Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall:
View the documentary From Sea to Shining Sea, followed by a discussion with filmmaker John de Graaf and Katharine Lee Bates biographer Dr. Melinda Ponder ’66, moderated by Kathryn Lynch, Katharine Lee Bates and Sophie Chantal Hart Professor of English. The Tupelos will perform “America the Beautiful.”
Now & Ever: Trivia, Treats, and Traditions:
3:30 to 5 p.m., Severance Green:
Join us for an afternoon of fun and community as we celebrate Wellesley at 150. Highlights include:
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Wellesley trivia: Test your knowledge of all things Blue, hosted by former Jeopardy! contestant Ann Velenchik, associate professor of economics and writing, and Shreeya Lakkapragada ’26.
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Limited-edition prizes: You could win fantastic prizes made by and for alums, including vintage Wellesley Wedgwood plates, jewelry by Porcelain and Stone, a framed Wellesley College map, and a whimsical Singing Whale stained glass item.
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Classic Wellesley desserts: We're bringing back the best of campus treats, including Pompadour Pudding, Wellesley Fudge Cake, Angel Cookies, and Peppermint Pie Pops.
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Celebratory toast: Listen to President Johnson, Zainab Khan ’26, College Government president, and others toast Wellesley College.
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Alma Mater: Join this special Alma Mater sing-along with student a cappella groups!
Written by Wellesley: Composers and Lyricists Throughout the Ages
5 to 6:30 p.m., Houghton Chapel:
This concert, sponsored by the Wellesley 150th Community Fund, highlights the diverse musical contributions of Wellesley alumnae and honors their rich legacy. The program features works spanning generations—from Katharine Lee Bates, class of 1880, and Katherine Kennicott Davis, class of 1914, to today’s students.
Special tours on Saturday - Historical Landscape Tour:
Meet at Mozart III outdoor sculpture, on the path between Founders parking lot and the Science Center, 9 to 10 a.m.
Meet at Mozart III outdoor sculpture, on the path between Founders parking lot and the Science Center, 9 to 10 a.m.
Join Suzanne Langridge, director of the Paulson Ecology of Place Initiative, for a tour of the Wellesley College historical landscape. Follow the history of campus from the central meadows to Alumnae Valley.
Clapp Library Tours
9:30 to 10:15 a.m., 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., and 3 to 3:45 p.m:
Join a student-led tour of the newly renovated library, featuring love letters from the 1800s (and the door through which they were delivered), a humanities hub, a makerspace for multiple media, and much more.
Join a student-led tour of the newly renovated library, featuring love letters from the 1800s (and the door through which they were delivered), a humanities hub, a makerspace for multiple media, and much more.
Archives and special collections
Open hours from 12 to 2 p.m.
Book Arts and the Makerspace
Open hours from 12 to 2 p.m.
Honoring our Past, (Re)Planting our Future: Dedication of Octavia’s Oak:
Wellesley College Botanic Gardens, Edible Ecosystem, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the centennial of the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens in the Edible Ecosystem Teaching Garden, where Fiona Maurissette, assistant teaching professor in writing, and her students will lead the dedication of the magnificent oak tree that shelters the garden to author Octavia Butler, toward a better future for humanity and our kindred beings.
Special hours on Saturday
Wellesley College Bookstore
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, 4th floor, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walk Around Lake Waban
Lake Path, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lake Path is also open during these hours on Sunday.
Davis Museum
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
See In Focus, the faculty artist exhibit, and Digging Into History: The Wellesley College Hall Project; step into an original sonic experience in Suzanne Ciani: Sound Lounge; explore the galleries; and join student-guided tours throughout the afternoon. Don’t forget to ask for a scavenger hunt at the front desk!
Botanic Gardens and Global Flora:
Botanic Gardens Visitor Center and Margaret Ferguson Greenhouses, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.:
Explore the Global Flora greenhouse. Visit the Durant Camellia, botanical highlights, and student-made exhibits!