Good to Meet You . . .

The Monday immediately following Reunion weekend, a quiet passing of the baton took place between Sally Bachofer ’97 and me, your new president and Alumnae Association representative on the Board of Trustees. This “changing of the guard,” if you will, in true Mawrter fashion, was a modest affair, much like the transitions of other incredibly dedicated volunteers on the Alumnae/i Leadership Council (ALC), elected class officers, club leaders, and volunteers who serve on committees such as the Black Alumnae/i Fund. A new cohort of Mawrters steps in to build upon the important work of those who served before them.

While Reunion celebrated class spirit, there was also something magical about seeing alumnae/i across generations greet one another with genuine warmth and joy and connect beyond their own four years at Bryn Mawr. I had my own delightful experience of intergenerational connection — thankfully in person and not through a computer screen — with Rita Louard ’76. Rita and her classmates received all the honors, pomp, and special Anassa kata cheers that a 50th reunion class deserves. Amid her class celebrations, she took a moment to join me in reflecting on the powerful intersection of volunteerism and philanthropy we have experienced through our service on the Black Alumnae/i Fund Committee. Giving back our time and treasure has expanded access and created a wealth of opportunities and experiences for the next generation of Mawrters. Through this work, we have been able to serve so many good purposes: supporting current students; opening doors to new explorations and opportunities; and, as a happy benefit, expanding our own circles of friendship well beyond our graduation years.

After Reunion, on my flight home to Ann Arbor, Michigan, I reflected on the weekend’s events as well as all the exceptional alumnae/i I had the opportunity to meet. The power of our network lies in its ability to bridge the seemingly insurmountable divides that graduation years, geography, or undergraduate and graduate experiences may create. Although, as we all know, once you see a Mawrter in the “wild,” the shared understanding is nearly instantaneous. We are enriched by the depth of these connections across our community.

I look forward to amplifying and building upon the significant work our alumnae/i network does to support students and connect Mawrters across the globe. Perhaps you, too, will feel inspired to raise your hand in a way that feels authentic to you and your lived Bryn Mawr experience, whether by becoming more involved with the College or with your local alumnae/i community.

It is a pleasure to meet you officially as your Association president, and even better to begin this next year together, doing great things for our alma mater.

Anassa kata!

Dana Thompson ’94

Member, Bryn Mawr College Board of Trustees

President, Bryn Mawr Alumnae Association