Dear Classmates, 

Happy Mountain Day in advance, and wherever you may be, get outdoors this fall!  However, come back in to your computer on Tuesday, October 5 at 4p.m. Eastern Time for a Class of ‘75 social hour Zoom for you to meet and greet your classmates.  Share your latest news, or if you wish, reminisce about how you felt as a new college student, a full five decades ago!

Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 20 art 11a.m. EST.  Join us for an informational Zoom on real estate, featuring a panel of ’75 realtors, Liz Hirsch, Carol Grunebaum Kelly, and Fran Schofield.  If you are thinking of downsizing, moving to a new location, or buying a second home in retirement, this program will certainly interest you.  Thanks to Liz, Carol, and Fran for sharing advice on the real estate market today.  Watch your inbox for the links to these events.

The Mount Holyoke Alumnae Association is planning over 20 online alumnae programs this year, listed at alumnae.mtholyoke.edu  You’re also invited to an Indigenous People’s Day teach-in on October 11 and the keynote speech for LatinX Heritage Month on October 14.  For details, go to events.mtholyoke.edu

 Here’s a sampling of news from the recent virtual Alumnae Association Volunteer Conference:

• Our Connections Class, the Class of 2025, is in South Hadley!  These students will graduate as we celebrate our 50th Reunion.  614 new students are on campus, including 100 students who took a gap year last year.    25% are students of color, 15% are first generation college students, and 19% are international students.  The average combined SAT score of incoming first-years is just over 1400 (submission of SAT scores has been optional in recent years).  Food for thought-  the present Mount Holyoke seniors are the only current students who have ever spent a full year at the College.

• 95% of students are fully vaccinated for Covid, 4% are partially vaccinated (foreign students who received vaccine upon entry in the U.S. ), and <1% of students are exempted from vaccination.  Students wear masks for class and indoor gatherings, and are tested for Covid twice weekly.  They are SO happy to attend college in person, that they eagerly support health and safety measures.

• Repairs on Mead Hall, damaged by a lighting fire this summer, will be completed by second semester.  Students who were supposed to live in Mead are temporarily housed in Hampshire College dorms, with frequent bus shuttles to MHC.

• Co-curricular and athletic activities are in full swing.  The huge tent normally erected on Skinner Green at reunions is up at all times this fall, to encourage students to spend more time outdoors, even for study.

• Last year was an extraordinary year for alumnae giving to MHC, the second highest in College history!  Remember, alumnae giving and the size of the endowment boost MHC in the U.S. News annual rankings.  This year, we tied with Bryn Mawr in the rankings, but Smith and Wellesley beat us.  Sandy Fotiades and Ruth Dillingham continue to do a stellar job as our Head Class Agents.

I welcome any questions you may have.  With best regards,

Elizabeth  Stone, Class Co-President, 

elizabethmstone2712@gmail.com