INAUGURATION Greeting from the Alumnae


Laura Daignault Gates, President, Wellesley College Alumnae Association
May 9, 2008

I am Laura Daignault Gates, Class of 1972 and president of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association.

Kim, as we mark the beginning of your service as the 13th president of Wellesley College, it is my great pleasure to bring you greetings from the alumnae.  Greetings from 36,234 accomplished women, connected to each other through this remarkable, improbable college -- improbable at its founding in 1870, and in many ways, even more improbable in 2008.

Our beloved alma mater is now entrusted to your leadership.  Across the nation and the world, Wellesley alumnae await their chance to meet you, to learn about your vision, goals, and plans; to tell you about their Wellesley experience and what it has meant in their lives.  And yes, a few will even want to tell you exactly how to do your job.  My best advice?  Smile and say, “Thank you”!

I look forward to the waves of enthusiasm and excitement that are sure to come as more and more Wellesley women get to know you better.  They will hear the story of your life and career and how it has led you to a clear understanding of the challenges that women face and led you to a deep commitment to ensuring – in your words – that a women’s success does not depend on luck.

They will learn about your profound commitment to women’s leadership, women’s education, and now to Wellesley College.

Now, I’d like to share a quick story. A few weeks ago, I received a letter from a friend in Chicago, a member of the Class of 1940.  We carry on a regular correspondence of real letters, on paper, mostly related to Wellesley.  This time, her letter centered on her disappointment that she can no longer travel and thus would be unable to be here today.

She recalled the influence that Mildred McAfee Horton had had on her and her classmates.  Then she wrote, “I wonder what kind of president Kim will be?”  This was followed by her hope to meet you soon in Chicago and the exclamation: “She sounds so great!”

So you see, you are already “Kim,” already supported, already part of a network of generations of amazing women that is one of Wellesley’s greatest strengths.

And although we don’t want to count on luck for our success, we will take it when it comes our way.  We are so fortunate – and yes, even lucky – in our 13th president.  And we know it!

Welcome.