51����Ƶ

The 51����Ƶ Alumnae Association was established in 1897. Since then, there have been 43 presidents, with Martha Gibbons Thomas, class of 1889, serving as its first.

Over this nearly 130-year history, each Association president has navigated the historical, social, and cultural waves of their time to advance the Association’s mission to “further the interests and general welfare” of the College and to “cultivate intimate relations and friendly feelings” among its alumnae/i.

The Association president is, by office, a Trustee of the College, and as of 2011, the president’s term was extended to five years to align with the term length of the College trustees. Guiding governance documents of the College (bylaws and committee charters) specify that five of the College’s trustees are advanced/nominated by the Association. This ensures evergreen representation of alumnae/i in the governance of the College.

This spring, during Reunion, the Alumnae Association celebrated the formal passing of the mantle from Sally Bachofer ’97 to Dana Thompson ’94. As per the bylaws, Thompson spent the past year attending the Alumnae/i Leadership Council as well as serving on the College’s Board of Trustees as an ex officio member. This tradition of a year-in-waiting intentionally and thoughtfully scaffolds smooth leadership transitions and offers a unique 51����Ƶ volunteer leadership experience spanning six years. Ahead of Reunion weekend, we asked Bachofer and Thompson to reflect on the Association, volunteerism, and what makes the alumnae/i governance structure unique.

What role does this “one + five” structure play in building momentum from one president to the next?

Sally Bachofer: The intentional overlap at both the beginning and end of the Association president’s terms thoughtfully creates space and time for Association presidents to work together to build on past success, and look forward to the possibilities of what could be next. In 2020, this meant I was learning, observing, growing, and taking in all that the Association was and is. The year provided me with the opportunity to strategically think about building on past presidents’ work to make the Association more accessible for our broader community. In 2026, this looks like partnering with Dana to ensure a seamless leadership transition, focused on setting her up for success.

Dana Thompson: It is easier to plan for the future when you have a year to think about what’s next. As the incoming president, it has given me the space to ask questions, familiarize myself with the Association bylaws, connect with Board of Trustees members as well as other volunteers, and, of course, the College. 51����Ƶ might appear to be small, but it is a highly matrixed organization grounded in well-worn paths while inviting exploration in exciting new directions. Like the presidents before me, this year helped me to start to unpack tradition as well as practice.

As President Wendy Cadge has mentioned over the course of the year, the College and the Association have a unique opportunity to plan for the future.

Can you name something unique about the Association?

SB: The Association has many unique aspects, one of which is its commitment to change and adapt to meet the current needs of both alums and the College. Over the last 130 years, the Association has periodically reassessed its activities and membership, while always staying true to its founding vision and purpose. Recently, we removed participation barriers that the Alumnae/i Leadership Council (ALC) recognized were holding back the Association’s ability to create meaningful volunteer leadership pathways for the greatest possible number of Association members. The ALC also acknowledged that we needed to make more space for graduates of all of the College’s degree-granting programs. In removing the limiting requirements, we’ve opened up the opportunity for more alums to be considered for Association leadership. There are so many alumnae/i who have raised their hands to give back; I am glad that we are honoring a more expansive and representative volunteer experience and hope for more of that in the future.

How does the Association create space for meaningful intergenerational exchange?

SB: Our Association is unique as it is made up of alums of the College’s undergraduate programs, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, and our Postbaccalaureate Premedical program. Our alums live all over the world and give back through myriad formal volunteer roles in addition to informal volunteer roles. Our Association creates space for meaningful intergenerational exchange through signature events such as Owls Fest, Reunion Weekend, and the International Forum, and by supporting place-based and virtual club programming. The College and Association support ongoing learning opportunities through the Career and Civic Engagement Center and the biweekly alumnae/i newsletter. Through each of these opportunities and events, we gather alumnae/i from their 20s to their 90s. And it’s often the informal roles, like a GOLD alumna hosting monthly craft nights, that quietly knit us together, regardless of generation. As the president, it was my delight to amplify all volunteerism and to say thank you.

DT: I have gotten to know more alumnae/i through volunteering than throughout my time as a student at the College. In my varied roles over time, I have learned from, disagreed with, and celebrated milestones with Mawrters across generations. I enjoy the fact that the common thread about Mawrters is that we are such individuals. We show up as our authentic selves in all areas and therefore have more space for creativity.

Why is now the right time for more alumnae/i to lean in and strengthen our community through the Association?

DT: Now is the right time for more alumnae/i to increase their engagement and help strengthen our community because, in times of change and transition, this Association matters more than ever. The 51����Ƶ alumnae/i network is an extraordinary intergenerational group of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, professions, and perspectives who are united by a shared commitment to one another and to the College. When we engage more deeply through the Association, we create space for support, mentorship friendship, and collective purpose. We strengthen not only 51����Ƶ but also one another — we remind every alumnae/i that they have a place in this community and do not have to navigate these times alone. Thanks to the steady and thoughtful leadership of Sally and the leaders before her, our Association is well positioned for the next generation of Mawrters.