Black Alumnae/i Conference
Renew, Relate, Re-Engage
October 24–26, 2008
| WEEKEND AT A GLANCE | ||
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 | ||
| 8:30 am–8 pm | Registration Open for Friday Arrivals | |
| 9 am–4 pm | Classroom Encounter | |
| 11 am–Noon | Cambrian Row Tour | |
| Noon–1 pm | Conversation About Diversity Issues | |
| 1:30–2:30 pm | Lecture with GSSWSR Professor Kevin Robinson | |
| 4–6 pm | Bryn Mawr College Sisters Tea: Honoring Our Sisters | |
| 4–6 pm | Gathering for Graduate School Alumnae/i | |
| 6–8:30 pm | Alumnae/i Reception and Dinner: A Celebration of Black Presence at Bryn Mawr | |
| 8 pm | Friday Registration Closes | |
| 8:45–11:30 pm | Evening Music and Memories with Friends | |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 | ||
| 8:30 am–5 pm | Registration Open for Saturday Arrivals | |
| 8–9 am | Breakfast: Envisioning a Bryn Mawr Black Alumnae/i Network | |
| 9 am–3:30 pm | Child Care Session 1 | |
| 9–11:30 am | Bryn Mawr Today: Diversity as a Work in Progress | |
| 11:45 am–1 pm | Student and Alumnae/i Networking Luncheon: The Sweet Taste of Success | |
| 1:15–3:15 pm | Lobbying, Social Policy and Social Change | |
| 1:15–3:15 pm | Black Faculty Reflections on Bryn Mawr College and the Black Experience | |
| 3:30–4:30 pm | Campus Guided Walking Tour | |
| 3:30–6 pm | Afternoon Break | |
| 5 pm | Saturday Registration Closes | |
| 5:30–11:30 pm | Child Care Session 2 | |
| 6–6:30 pm | Professional Group Picture | |
| 6:30–7:15 pm | Cocktail Reception | |
| 7:15–9:15 pm | Bryn Mawr Legacy Awards Dinner | |
| 9:30–11:30 pm | An Elegant Evening of Jazz | |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 | ||
| 8–9 am | Breakfast | |
| 8–11:30 am | Child Care Session 3 | |
| 9–10 am | Are We Preparing Ourselves to Lead? | |
| 10:15–11:15 am | A Conversation with Bryn Mawr Black Undergraduate Alumnae: Creating Continuity and Community | |
| 10:15–11:15 am | A Conversation with Bryn Mawr Black Graduate Alumnae/i: Creating Continuity and Community | |
| 11:30 am | Conference Closes | |
| SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | ||
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 | ||
| 8:30 am–8 pm | Registration Opens for Friday arrivals | Wyndham |
| 9 am–4 pm | Classroom Encounter Experience the Bryn Mawr classroom once again. Classes are open to alumnae/i on Friday. | Various locations |
| 11 am–Noon | Cambrian Row Tour Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate College and Director of Intercultural Affairs Chris MacDonald-Dennis leads a tour of the newly renovated student-activities village at Roberts Road. Originally built as faculty residences, the Cambrian Row houses have been home to student organizations on campus since 2004 | Gather at the Multicultural Center |
| Noon–1 pm | Conversation About Diversity Issues Join Bryn Mawr students, staff and faculty for an hour long conversation about issues centering around diversity. Hosted by the Office of Intercultural Affairs, these bi-weekly discussions provide opportunity for the campus to engage in topics on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, class and disability, as well as other forms of difference. Lunch will be provided. | Multicultural Center |
| 1:30–2:30 pm | Our Blessed Health: A Case Study of Capacity Building to Reduce HIV/AIDS Health and Social Inequities Afternoon lecture with Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research Professor Kevin J. Robinson. Robinson will discuss his community-based participatory research and partnering with faith-based organizations to effect change. Robinson received his DrPH from Columbia University. He also holds an MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work, and an MHA from the Pennsylvania State University. Robinson is a member of the Faculty Advisory Group to the Social Justice Pilot Program at the College. | Taylor D |
| 4–6 pm | Bryn Mawr College Sisters Tea: Honoring Our Sisters Join Luvon Roberson '74 for a tea sitting and discussion, “Anarcha's Turn…Now Ours.” Anarcha, Betsy, Lucy, and numerous other slave women who are unnamed repeatedly underwent surgery—without anesthesia—performed by Dr. J. Marion Sims, the father of modern gynecology. Their suffering and pain led to the invention of today's surgical and gynecologic tools and procedures. A statue of Sims now stands in New York City's Central Park and on the Alabama State Capitol grounds. We will ponder, “where is the monument to Anarcha and our other Sisters in history?” You will also get tips on how to create tea party favors, select your own signature tea, and host an unforgettable tea sitting. Roberson is the founder of The High Tea Sisters™, which was featured in Essence Magazine in February 2007. | Perry House |
| 4–6 pm | Gathering for Graduate School Alumnae/i Come join graduate school alumnae/i to renew, relate, and re-engage. | English House Lecture Hall |
| 6–8:30 pm | Alumnae/i Reception and Dinner: A Celebration of Black Presence at Bryn Mawr Gather for dinner in a casual atmosphere and travel down memory lane. Young alumnae celebrate the collective legacy of Black alumnae/i through visual presentation. Remarks by Conference Co-Chairs Willa Seldon '82 and Linda Hill '77, Award Honoree and Trustee Emerita Dodie Norton, MSS '60, PhD '69, and Executive Director of the Alumnae Association Wendy Greenfield. | Wyndham |
| 8 pm | Friday Registration Closes Conference materials will not be available for pick up until Saturday morning. Please plan your arrival accordingly. | |
| 8:45–11:30 pm | Evening of Music and Memories with Friends Reconnect with friends as some of your favorite songs play in the background. | Wyndham |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 | ||
| 8:30 am–5 pm | Registration Open for Saturday Arrivals | Wyndham |
| 8–9 am | Breakfast. Envisioning a Bryn Mawr Black Alumnae/i Network: The Story of How it All Began and Where We Are Today In her compelling story, Nia Turner '05 will share how her interview with Evelyn Jones Rich '54 inspired her to pursue the development of a Black alumnae/i network with the purpose of fostering a stronger connection between current Black students, alumnae/i and the College. Turner will also give a brief overview of the conference agenda. | Wyndham |
| 9 am–3:30 pm | Child Care Session 1 For details see General Information. |
Phebe Anna Thorne School |
| 9–11:30 am | Bryn Mawr Today: Diversity as a Work in Progress Moderated by President Jane DammenMcAuliffe, student panelists share their College experiences. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jenny Rickard, Dean of the Undergraduate College Karen Tidmarsh '71, Provost and Professor of Psychology Kim Cassidy, Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Physics Liz McCormick, and GSSWSR Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions Nancy Kirby will then provide an overview of Bryn Mawr College today from an administrative perspective. The conversation will continue with Chair of the Diversity Leadership Group and Professor and Director of the Law and Social Policy Program Raymond Albert, Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate College and Director of Intercultural Affairs Chris MacDonald-Dennis, Associate Chief Information Officer and Equal Opportunity Officer Florence Goff, and Faculty Diversity Liaison and Professor of Sociology Mary Osirim. | Thomas 110 |
| 11:45 am–1 pm | Student and Alumnae/i Networking Luncheon: The Sweet Taste of Success Meet current students and network with alumnae/i around the lunch table. This luncheon is designed to create an informal space for you to network with one another and current students. The luncheon offers you the opportunity to learn about the professional skill sets of other alumnae/i. You will have the opportunity to share with current students how you defined success on your own terms, the lessons you have learned from your work experiences and tips for networking. | Wyndham |
| 1:15–3:15 pm | Lobbying, Social Policy and Social Change with Lobbyist Anita R. Estell Anita Estell will explore, from the perspective of her experience, the prospects and challenges of promoting social change through lobbying within the context of the United States Congress. (You may receive two CEU/Act 48 credits for attending; the form will be available at the discussion.) Estell is a pioneer in the DC lobbying community; in 1993, she was the first African American woman to become a principal at a major independent lobbying firm. She is also a former Clinton appointee, having served as chief of staff to Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole on the Clinton/Gore Transition Team. | Carpenter 21 |
| 1:15–3:15 pm | Black Faculty Reflections on Bryn Mawr College and the Black Experience Black faculty from the Africana Studies program will reflect on developments in curriculum, their research programs, experiences as faculty members in this community, and the relevance of a Bryn Mawr education to Black women in the 21st Century. | Thomas 224 |
| 3:30–4:30 pm | Campus Guided Walking Tour Join Glenn Smith, Director of Facilities Services, for a tour of recent campus projects and future facility initiatives. | Meet in Thomas Great Hall (Rainsite:Thomas 110) |
| 3:30–6 pm | Afternoon Break Hospitality area provides refreshments and a gathering place for alumnae/i | .Wyndham |
| 5 pm | Saturday Registration Closes | Wyndham |
| 5:30–11:30 pm | Child Care Session 2
For details see General Information. |
Phebe Anna Thorne School |
| 6–6:30 pm | Professional Group Picture | |
| 6:30–7:15 pm | Cocktail Reception | Thomas Great Hall |
| 7:15–9:15 pm | Bryn Mawr Legacy Awards Dinner with Remarks by President Jane Dammen McAuliffe During this elegant celebration, we pay special tribute to the honorees for their profound influence on the lives of Black students and exemplary service to the Bryn Mawr College community. They have taught us to honor the sacredness of our shared humanity, challenging us to achieve excellence in our lives. We celebrate the honorees for their commitment to promoting the educational achievement and personal development of Black students. We recognize that the honorees are threads woven into the colorful tapestry of Bryn Mawr College's legacy. | Thomas Great Hall |
| 9:30–11:30 pm | An Evening of Jazz Live jazz provides the perfect nightcap. | Thomas Great Hall |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 | ||
| 8–9 am | Breakfast | Wyndham |
| 8–11:30 am | Child Care Session 3 For details see General Information. |
Phebe Anna Thorne School |
| 9–10 am | Are We Preparing Ourselves to Lead? Linda Hill '77 will explore what it takes to learn to lead and the implications for your career and your potential to positively impact your organizations and communities. Hill is the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. A pioneer in executive education to manage cross-organizational relationships and develop leadership, Hill is a Fellow at Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc., a Trustee of Bryn Mawr College, and a Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund USA and The Children's Museum of Boston. | Wyndham Ely Room |
| 10:15–11:15 am | A Conversation with Bryn Mawr Black Undergraduate Alumnae: Creating Continuity and Community Come discuss how we can assist current Black undergraduate students with their transition from college to graduate/professional schools or careers; how we can build a sustainable network that is beneficial to Black alumnae; and how we can encourage giving to benefit current Black undergraduates. | Wyndham Ely Room |
| 10:15–11:15 am | A Conversation with Bryn Mawr Black Graduate Alumnae/i: Creating Continuity and Community Come discuss how we can build a sustainable network, how we can give back to the College in meaningful ways, and how we can support current Black graduate students. | Gateway Conference Room |
| 11:30 am | Conference Closes | |
