January 21, 2009

 

With the campus blanketed in snow, icicles glittering from trees, and the sun sparkling on Lake Waban, we send this Wintersession issue of WellesleyWire, an occasional e-mail digest of noteworthy news and announcements from Wellesley College. For more frequent news and events from the College, visit -- and bookmark -- the News & Public Affairs page at .

Included in this issue are the following items:

FIRST MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2013 RECEIVE ACCEPTANCE LETTERS

The first 120 members of Wellesley's class of 2013 received their coveted early decision acceptance letters last month. The group represents approximately 20% of the expected total class enrollment. These new Wellesley women are an impressive and diverse group, representing nine countries and 22 states. Thirty-three percent are women of color, and 15 will be the first in their families to attend college.

The total number of applications is up over last year, with a total of 4,125 students seeking admission. Members of the Board of Admission are busy reading applications from students who have applied in the Early Evaluation and Regular Decision programs.

ALUMNAE TAPPED FOR KEY OBAMA ADMINISTRATION POSTS

Three Wellesley alumnae have been named to leadership posts in the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, class of 1969, has been nominated for secretary of state. She will be the second Wellesley alumna to hold that role; Madeleine Korbel Albright, the first female U.S. secretary of state, is a 1959 graduate of Wellesley.

Chicago business leader Desiree Rogers, class of 1981, has been named White House social secretary. She is the first African American to serve in the position, which is responsible for organizing and overseeing all White House functions and ceremonies.

Katie Johnson, class of 2003, is the new personal secretary to President Obama. As part of the position, Johnson will manage the president's daily schedule.

More information about these alumnae and links to news stories about their new roles is online at Releases/2008/120308.html

PRESIDENT BOTTOMLY ON WELLESLEY, WOMEN'S COLLEGES IN ST. PETERSBURG TIMES

During a trip to Florida earlier this month to visit with alumnae,
President H. Kim Bottomly took time for an interview with a St. Petersburg Times reporter about Wellesley and the merits of a women's college education. “As long as there are women who want to get the best educational preparation for success in life, I think there will be a demand for all-women’s colleges,” she said. "[W]omen apply to Wellesley because they value their intellectual growth. They like being surrounded by other smart women. They enjoy having friends who are like them, and knowing that being smart is cool."

The transcript of the full interview is online at http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2009/01/a-weekend-int-1.html.

THREE TO RECEIVE ALUMNAE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Wellesley College Alumnae Association will honor three alumnae with its highest award at the annual Alumnae Achievement Awards Ceremony Friday, February 13, in Houghton Memorial Chapel. The awards, given annually to alumnae for excellence and distinction in their fields of endeavor, will honor health policy leader Enriqueta Bond '61, sea bird conservationist Helen Hays '53, and jazz vocalist Barbara Lea '51.

For more information on this year's recipients or to RSVP to the event invitation, visit http://new.wellesley.edu/Alum/Awards/AAA/.

ALBRIIGHT RECEIVES NCAA'S HIGHEST HONOR

In a ceremony in Washington, DC, last week, Madeleine Albright '59 received the 2009 Theodore Roosevelt Award, the National Collegiate Athletic Association's highest honor. A table of Wellesley alumnae joined President H. Kim Bottomly in celebrating Albright's honor. “I would like to accept this award less on behalf of myself and more in recognition of the entire pre-Title IX population of women and girls, a vast group whose opportunities to excel were stunted by the prejudice of the era,” said Albright. "The athletics field is a marvelous place to learn about leadership, strategy, teamwork and competition."

More information, including a photo of Albright and President Bottomly, is online at
Releases/2008/120408.html.

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