Human Rights Advocate Will Give Wells Commencement Address

Frances “Sissy” Tarlton Farenthold, one of the most dynamic and inspiring woman political figures in the United States to emerge in the post-World War II Era, will give the Commencement Address at Wells College on Saturday, May 25. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. outside Macmillan Hall.

Throughout her career, spanning numerous political and social shifts, Farenthold has remained an unwavering a champion of human rights and dignity. In particular, she has been a forceful advocate for the attainment of gender equity – even when her views did not necessarily guarantee votes and public popularity. Her commitment continues today.

While her contributions are numerous, she already has a permanent place in history as a pioneer who opened the door for women’s leadership in the America political system. She was a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami and was nominated for Vice President of the United States by Gloria Steinem, among others. It was the first time a woman’s name had ever been brought forth in that capacity. Ultimately, Missouri Senator Thomas Eagelton received the highest number of votes, and Farenthold was second; but history was changed.

Farenthold has been involved in public affairs at the local, state, national, and international levels. Over three decades, she has served as a human rights observer in Iraq, El Salvador, Honduras, South Korea, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union.

In 1991, she met with the president of the U.N. Security Council and in 1985 with Mikhail Gorbachev. She has testified before four committees of the U.S. House of Representatives on topics including daycare, campaign finance reform, and the situation of migrant workers.

She is a co-founder and the first chair of the National Women’s Political Caucus and served on the board of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. for the past 20 years. In 1988, she was a delegate to the Platform Committee of the Democratic National Convention and in 1984 served as a delegate in the national convention.

Farenthold has been interviewed extensively in the media by PBS and CNN as well as the major networks. A film, Farenthold, was made about her life and career, and she appeared in a documentary interview with Studs Terkel in a Bill Moyers series. Articles and guest columns she wrote have been published in USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, Newsday, and Redbook, among others.

A native Texan, she graduated from Vassar College and then attended the University of Texas Law School as one of three women in a student body of 800. Her years working in the legal profession gave her a firsthand view of poverty and other social problems, which shaped her beliefs and compelled her to enter politics.

In 1968, she gained a seat in the Texas legislature, taking a bold pro-choice stand on abortion in the conservative climate of Texas politics. Her fearless stand on the issues enabled her to revolutionize politics and brought her into the national spotlight.

She served as the 13th president of Wells from 1976-80 and was the first woman to be named the college’s president since its founding in 1868. As Wells' president, she declared women's colleges have a special responsibility to educate women for leadership roles.

Among her many contributions to the college, she founded the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) in Washington, D.C. This organization, still thriving today, advocates for the increased representation of women in public office.  PLEN is a consortium of women’s colleges and seeks to achieve its goals primarily by offering women educational opportunities in politics, service, and leadership studies. Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson currently serves as chair of PLEN’s executive board.

Today, Farenthold continues to speak, write, travel, and serve in order to continue her advocacy for democracy and equality. She received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Democratic Party in 1998 and is board chair of the Rothko Chapel in Houston.

May, 2002

Printing Collection “Worthy of the Smithsonian” Finds New Home in Wells College’s Book Arts Center

Wells College has received a large and unique collection of 19th century type along with other printer’s items and library materials from the estate of Robert Greenlee of Calumet, Michigan, according to Amy Robinson, Wells’ director of campaign development

The Greenlee Type Collection, valued at nearly $60,000, was given to Wells by Mr. Greenlee’s widow, Eloise, for use in the Book Arts Center. “The gift consists of several hundred fonts of rare type and over 1,000 ‘dingbats’ or typographic ornaments,” said Robert Doherty, a member of the Book Arts Center Board of Advisors and friend of Mr. and Mrs. Greenlee.

“My husband always said a printing shop is a college for those who work there. He was a person who enjoyed words and sayings and searched for just the proper word at all times and would tell others about each word as a means of better communications,” said Eloise Greenlee.

The Wells Book Arts Center, established in 1993, provides a broad learning opportunity for students in the art and craft of making and publishing books. “Access to the Greenlee collection will introduce our students to Bob Greenlee’s creative vision and passion for printing. They will also have more hands-on opportunities to learn about printing and the history of the book,” said Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson.

Victor Hammer Fellow Terry Chouinard, who teaches in the Book Arts Center, agrees the gift will create new opportunities for students. He also believes the collection will add to the growing stature of the center.  “We appreciate this gift enormously. It is a collection worthy of the Smithsonian,” he said.

Robert Greenlee’s career in printing began in Central Ohio. He eventually acquired a small newspaper in Idaho and then another in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Upon retirement, he founded the Gay Nineties Press, which was, according to Mr. Greenlee, “dedicated to preserving the ancient and honorable craft of letterpress printing.”

In addition to being a printer and collector, Mr. Greenlee was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and an accomplished musician who played with the Tex Beneke Big Band in the 1940s.

“His skill and craftsmanship was of the highest I have encountered in more than 60 years of printing. His collection of printing types and literature is unrivaled anywhere and a great legacy for future generations,” said Doherty.
 

May, 2002

Renewing A Jewel Among Finger Lakes Communities:
An Open Letter to Residents of the Village of Aurora and the Wells College Community

On March 15, the State Supreme Court Appellate Division in Rochester, New York, issued a ruling in favor of the village and the college regarding the plan to renovate the historic Aurora Inn.

The judges "unanimously affirmed" the good work done by Aurora’s elected officials, village trustees, the planning board, and other committees involved in the approval process. Their decision upheld Judge Contiguglia’s earlier ruling that the village and the college complied fully with Aurora zoning laws and the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The judges confirmed the claims made to the contrary by a small number of opponents were "wholly without merit."

On behalf of Wells College, I congratulate village leaders for their excellent stewardship and attention to process on the Aurora Inn project. Thanks to their integrity, dedication, and competence, the final outcome was never in doubt as the case moved through the judicial system.

A vocal minority stated their concerns; and these concerns were heard in the village, in the press, and in the courts. This process is necessary in a democratic society as is serving the common good. The village and the college will now move forward in partnership to continue the revitalization of Aurora.

This represents a true win-win for Aurora and Wells College. Wells and the people of Aurora are working together to create a renaissance in the village. The decision allows us to move forward with our plans to assure the historic Aurora Inn is once again the center of the community and to enhance the beauty that makes Aurora a jewel among Finger Lakes communities. In recent years, the impact of economic stagnation – a challenge to many similar communities – has visibly changed the Aurora environment. We are seeing early signs that our collective work is already reversing the decline.

Many heroes emerged during the process who have not received the public recognition they deserve. Local business owners, village residents who are not elected officials, and former village residents who now live far away, and Wells alumnae, joined together to support revitalization of the inn and the community. They remain united in their love for the village and their vision for the future. They believe in respect for the past; however, their actions indicate they do not believe we must live in the past and sacrifice the quality of life of future generations.

I believe Aurora can retain her unique identity as an historic Finger Lakes village and also provide economic prosperity for residents. I know a healthy village that can provide increased retail and social opportunities for students and their families is essential to the success of Wells College.

I thank Pleasant T. Rowland for her singular generosity and unwavering commitment to this project. Her appreciation of Aurora’s history and culture along with her practical knowledge of what a small village needs for economic survival in the 21^st century is another essential part of the partnership.

We will continue to develop plans to restore each of our college-owned properties and strengthen the village economy. We look forward to reopening the inn in 2003.

Sincerely,

Lisa Marsh Ryerson
President
Wells College

March, 2002

Senegalese poet reads at Wells College

The Wells College Visiting Writer Series welcomes distinguished Senegalese poet Amadou Lamine Sall to campus. On Wednesday, March 27, Monsieur Sall will read a selection of poems in French with English translation provided by James Haenlin. The reading begins at 8:00 pm in the Art Exhibit Room in Macmillan Hall, and is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

M. Sall will read from his Selection of poems from Kamandalu. This collection is to be published by the Wells College Press in a bilingual edition, with translation by James and Lydie Haenlin, professor of French at Wells College. This printing marks the first time this renowned poet has been published in the United States.

One of the most prominent African poets today, Sall mentors under Leopold Sedar Senghor, and is widely published in West Africa, France, Belgium and Canada. Sall’s latest book of poetry, Les veines sauvages, was published last July in Paris by Le Corbet.

M. Sall has written that “to be a poet is to be everywhere without permission,” a statement that he actively supports. He is the founder and president of the Maison de la Poésie in Dakar, and director of the Feu de Brousse publishing company. As an adviser to the Minister of Culture in Senegal, he works tirelessly to promote poetry and the arts in school curricula. As part of his duties at the Ministry, he oversees the realization of the Gorée Memorial Project, a UNESCO-sponsored memorial to the African diaspora during the slave trade.

This event is supported in part by a special grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, which provided funds for Professor Haenlin to translate into English the poetry of M. Sall.

For more information about M. Sall and the reading, please call Professor Haenlin at 315/364-3308.

The Visiting Writer Series is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the Virginia Kent Cummins Writers-in-Residence Fund, and the Mildred Walker Fiction-Writer-in-Residence Fund. Several writers are invited to campus each academic year.

March, 2002

Birds in Art exhibit takes flight at Wells College

Birds in Art, a nationally recognized art exhibit featuring birds and habitats from around the world, lifts off at Wells College on March 6. The exhibition remains on display in the String Room Gallery through April 30. An opening reception was held on Wednesday, March 6 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

The selection of 60 original paintings, drawings, mixed media, and sculpture comprising half of the entire collection has been created by artists hailing from as far afield as Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Kenya, The Netherlands, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United States. The traveling exhibit boasts a wide range of perspectives within its singular focus on birds.

Birds in Art has been organized by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, and is on loan to Wells College through the generosity of alumna Alice Woodson Smith, Wells class of 1970.

 “We are very fortunate to have this well-known exhibit on campus,” says Amy Robinson, director of campaign development at Wells College. “Birds in Art offers the entire Wells community and the public an opportunity to explore birds and the various mediums in which they are presented. We are particularly grateful to Joseph and Alice Woodson Smith for their support in bringing this wonderful exhibition to Wells.”

In addition to organizing the exhibit, the Woodson Museum also sponsored a Wells intern at its location in Wisconsin. Shannon Lozier of Rumney, New Hampshire, served as a summer intern in 2001 assisting with special events and the daily running of the museum. “This internship was a great opportunity to learn about the in-depth workings of an art museum,” says Lozier, who will graduate in May with a B.A. in Art History.

Following the exhibition’s close at Wells College on April 30, the show will move to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek, California.

“Birds in Art has presented a unique opportunity for collaboration between the Woodson Museum, Wells College, an alumna, and a current student,” Robinson shares. “Shannon has taken the hands-on experience she gained while working for the museum last summer and used it here at Wells. She has been instrumental in the coordination and actual hanging of the show.”

String Room Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about Birds in Art, please contact art professor and gallery director William Roberts at 315/364-3237 or wroberts@wells.edu.

March, 2002

Wells students enjoy new service learning options

During the fall semester at Wells, dean of experiential learning Terry Martinez worked with faculty and staff to broaden learning options for students that link service, experience, and academics. As a result, Wells students participated in four off-campus study options offered during January Term 2002 that explored contemporary issues:

The Immigrant Journey. To learn about the immigrant experience in America, 12 students traveled to New York City with associate professor of English Linda Lohn. Destinations included Ellis Island, the United Nations, and the Lower East Side Tenament Museum, as well as immigrant communities in Chinatown and Little Italy. President Lisa Marsh Ryerson hosted a dinner for the Wells women at the Cornell Club.

MADRE Organization Delegation to Cuba. Wells student Margaret Irving and associate professor of political science Nan DiBello were part of the MADRE organization’s delegation to Cuba, designed to teach participants about Cuba's public health system, which is highly praised despite persistent shortages of medicine resulting from the U.S. embargo. The delegation visited Santiago de Cuba, home to many Cubans of African descent, to study the island's diverse cultures.

Southwest Florida's Pioneering Spirit. Professor of religion and philosophy Jenny Yates took seven students to Naples, Florida. They focused their studies on the area's Native American heritage. They also visited museums and gained hands-on experience working with diverse populations by volunteering at an adult daycare center in the city and a soup kitchen in a rural farming community. Wells alumnae Sis Van Dorn Grace '69, in the spirit of the Wells Connection, held a potluck for the group.

Faith, Public Policy, and World Religions.  Visiting assistant professor of religion David Reis took three students to Washington, DC, to learn about religious traditions. Topics they explored included how Christians and other people of conscience respond to social justice issues. In addition to visiting numerous religious institutions, the Christian Coalition, and the People for the American Way, participants also performed community service activities. Deb Cotter '90 held a reception for the class and other Wells students studying or doing internships in the Washington area.

Dean Martinez visited students and professors in New York City, Naples, and Washington to learn firsthand how these new experiences enrich the Wells curriculum.

For more information about experiential learning at Wells College, please contact Dean Martinez at 315/364-3404.

March, 2002

Wells College highlights restoration details of historic inn

The restoration of the Aurora Inn, a project undertaken by Wells College as part of an effort to strengthen the economy of the village of Aurora, will be the focus of oral argument in the State Supreme Court Appellate Division in Rochester on Monday, February 25.

A lawsuit against the college and the village of Aurora was filed last fall by the Aurora Coalition, a small group of villagers, college professors, and alumnae who object to the project. Although the lawsuit was dismissed in November by Acting State Supreme Court Justice Robert Contiguglia who ruled that their claims were "wholly without merit," the group has continued to challenge the project.

According to Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson, "From the beginning, the goal of this restoration project has been to retain and enhance the original character of the historic Inn, while making it comfortable, attractive, and accessible for all. When it reopens in the spring of 2003, the Inn will once again be the heart of our community and the focal point of this lovely historic village."

The project is funded by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. Ms. Rowland, an alumna of Wells College, has been involved in the preservation and restoration of many historic properties throughout the United States. "Early pictures of the village inspired us to return the Inn to its original 1833 Federalist design. While the Inn will have all the amenities contemporary visitors expect, its great appeal will be the warmth and charm inherent in this historic structure, which we have gone to great lengths to protect."

Detailed explanations and plans for the Inn have been part of the public record since last spring. Work on the Aurora Inn began in January when additions to the rear of the building made in 1904 and 1958 were removed, highlighting its original Federal architecture. Among the historic elements the renovated Aurora Inn will feature are:

Central entry hall: The Inn’s spectacular location on Cayuga Lake has always been part of its appeal. Access to lake views will now be enhanced. The original central entry hall, traditional to Federal-style buildings, has been retained. With the removal of the prior additions, the central hall will now feature a view to the lake as one enters the building, just as it did in 1833 when the Inn was built.

Porches and balconies: The Inn’s front porch and second floor balcony will be replaced, and a third floor balcony will be added, replicating the original 19th century facade. The balconies on the rear of the building, removed almost 100 years ago, will be restored. These balconies open off guest rooms, providing breathtaking views and a comfortable private space in which to take in the sunset.

Comfortable accommodations: When the project is completed there will be 10 guest rooms, greatly improved in terms of comfort and aesthetics. Two suites on the fourth floor will have lake views and will feature kitchenettes, sitting areas, and whirlpool tubs. Four other rooms will have views of the lake, four will have working fireplaces, eight will have balcony access, and all will have well-appointed marble bathrooms.

Gracious dining: With its panoramic view of the lake, the Aurora Inn’s dining room and its new enclosed porch will be able to seat 75 guests. A cocktail lounge, open to the dining room, will seat another 25. A terrace overlooking the lake, capable of seating more than 75 people, will be added for outdoor dining in the summer months. The spacious banquet room on the lower level will open to a new lakeside patio for wedding receptions, private parties, and community events.

Rediscovered fireplaces: The Inn will have a total of eight working fireplaces when completed, four of which are on the first floor in the reception area, parlor, dining room, and bar. Three of the original fireplaces had been bricked-in during previous remodeling efforts, including one that was covered by an oven in the old kitchen.

Historic portraits: Four 19th century oil paintings by noted artist Charles Loring Elliott have been located and will be restored to hang above the fireplaces on the first floor of the Inn. They depict members of the Eagles family who owned and managed the Inn during the 1840s and 1850s. One of the family members, John Eagles (1783-1855), was a former sea captain (he holds a telescope in his portrait) who ran an inn across Cayuga Lake at Ovid before moving to the Aurora Inn.

Valuable mural: Since 1958, guests at the Inn have been greeted in the entry hallway by a mural painted by Cleveland artist Glen Shaw that depicts life in Aurora during the 1880s. The mural has been cleaned and will be rehung in the banquet room.

Replicated woodwork: Although much of the Inn’s original woodwork had been removed or altered over the years, some of it was intact and will remain in the building. Using these original pieces as prototypes, the original woodwork design will be replicated throughout the Inn. The existing wooden fireplace mantels have been saved and will be reinstalled. The missing mantels will be replicated based on those that exist.

Life safety and comfort: The Inn will be handicap accessible and compliant with all life-safety requirements. An elevator will be installed. The Inn will be centrally air conditioned throughout.

New market: A new market building adjacent to the Inn will be built in keeping with the original Vanderipe building that was razed. The building will house a market, a new kitchen for the Inn, and office space for staff on the second floor.

When the Inn first opened in 1833, the following editorial was published in the Auburn paper, The Journal:

AURORA HOUSE. During a short excursion a few days since, we had the good fortune to call at the Aurora House. We say, the good fortune, for it did our hearts good to witness the regularity, neatness and order everywhere exhibited - as well as the thousand little attentions which are paid to the comfort and convenience of travelers. Of the Village of Aurora it is unnecessary for us to say a word: It is known to our readers as one of the most delightful little retreats to be found in this section of the country - affording scenery unrivalled for its beauty; and from its situation in the midst of a rich, healthy and flourishing territory, possessing almost every advantage that could be desired - and we doubt not = the traveling community will give their most hearty approval of the present most laudable enterprise, by taking this lovely village in their route. This building is situated near the bank of the Cayuga Lake, and from its several balconies on the west, furnishes an uninterrupted view of water scenery of the most enchanting kind. It has but recently been opened - and furnished throughout in a style of neatness and elegance scarcely surpassed by the most extensive houses of our large towns.

* * * * * * *

Background on Aurora’s Historic Inn

In 19th century America, village inns were the center of community life. While most towns have lost these social centers as well as a sense of place, the Aurora Inn has served its traditional role throughout the 20th century.

Until recently, the Aurora Inn was a place for village residents to gather with friends and exchange news. They celebrated their weddings and birthdays there - it was an essential part of everyday life. In the past, travelers in the Finger Lakes region found comfortable lodgings, fine dining, and experienced the charm, hospitality, and culture of a region rich in history whose people had a proud memory of their past and hope for the future.

Since Wells College opened in 1868, the Aurora Inn had been a part of collegiate life, providing a center for faculty and students to gather and accommodations and dining for parents and other college visitors. In the late 1960s, when residence halls were overcrowded, Wells students lived at the Inn. While many college towns have, at best, strained relationships between the community and academy, villagers and students were all part of the Aurora community. The Inn had a key role in creating this harmony.

In recent years, however, the Aurora Inn, owned by Wells since 1943, had suffered significant losses and had fallen into disrepair due to a lack of investment capital needed to make necessary improvements. After a number of unsuccessful attempts to provide new management, the Inn closed in the fall of 2000. It appeared a cherished tradition and an important source of economic activity for the small village would not survive into the 21st century.

The darkened and dilapidated Inn stood as an ominous symbol that Aurora, like so many historic villages, was in decline. As Wells made changes and improvements on campus to attract and retain the best students, it became clear to college leaders that a thriving village was necessary to ensure a bright future for the college. Since Wells owns more than half of the commercial properties in Aurora, leaders also felt a social responsibility to help revitalize the village.

Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson notes, "Colleges and communities are discovering they can work together to achieve mutual goals. In recent years, Hamilton College, Colgate University, St. Lawrence University, and Syracuse University, among others, have formed partnerships with the communities where they are located. The result is economic, social, and cultural revitalization. I am pleased that Wells and the people of Aurora are working together to create a renaissance for the village."

Thanks to a partnership between Wells College and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, the historic Aurora Inn, built by entrepreneur E.B. Morgan in 1833, will have a second life. A revitalized Inn, as well as a healthy local economy, is essential to help Wells College attract and retain talented students and remain a national leader in liberal arts education for women.

For more information contact Ann S. Rollo, Wells College vice president for external relations, at 315. 364. 3416.

February, 2002

$20 million gift to Wells breaks fundraising record

Although not a graduate, Ruth Price Thomas believed in Wells; Cornell University's Department of Architecture also receives $20 million bequest from this local philanthropist

Wells College will receive a gift totaling over $20 million from the estate of Ruth Price Thomas, President Lisa Marsh Ryerson announced today. Mrs. Thomas was a generous supporter of the college for the last three decades who was an honorary Wells trustee at the time of her death. She was a longtime resident of Sennett, New York.

"We are deeply grateful for Ruth Thomas's generosity as well as her belief in our mission and our future. This gift is truly an endorsement of our commitment to the ideals of a liberal arts education for women, " said President Ryerson.

Following the terms stated in Mrs. Thomas's will, $1,250,000 of the gift will be used by Wells to expand scholarships for transfer and other nontraditional students – adding to an endowed scholarship fund for transfer students she first established in 1986. Also following her directive, the remainder of the money she left Wells, approximately $19,000,000, will also be placed in the endowment but will serve a more general purpose: to provide continuing income to support Wells' mission of high quality liberal arts education for women.

"This is the largest single gift Wells has received in her 133 year history," said Amy Robinson, the college's director of campaign development. "Mrs. Thomas never attended Wells, which makes her generosity even more outstanding. She learned about the college in adulthood and came to believe passionately in the work we do." The gift also gives Wells a place in national records of giving.

According to Jadwiga Sebrechts, president of the Women's College Coalition in Washington, D.C., "Ruth Thomas's contribution to Wells is definitely one of the largest ever made to a women's college. This is a wonderful distinction for Wells and her mission to educate women."

Mrs. Thomas was born on April 17, 1913, in Berlin, Germany, emigrated to Cuba shortly before World War II to escape the Holocaust, and then moved to New York City. Trained in graphic arts, she opened a studio in New York specializing in three- dimensional paper window and interior displays for department stores throughout the United States. She went on to become display manager for the Loft Candy Company.

In 1947 she married Leonard Brinton Thomas, an attorney, in New York City. The couple soon moved to Lime Ledge Farm in Sennett, New York, where they resided for nearly four decades.

"Ruth devoted herself to service to others and has been a significant, although humble, philanthropist to organizations in Cayuga County," said Arthur J. Bellinzoni, a professor emeritus of religion who now serves as President Lisa Marsh Ryerson's special assistant for strategic initiatives.

In addition to the gifts to Wells College and Cornell University, Mrs. Thomas gave financial support to the Cayuga Community College Foundation; Auburn Meals-on-Wheels; Cayuga County Red Cross; Merry-Go-Round Playhouse; Cayuga County SPCA; and Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center.

Both she and her husband have made generous gifts to Wells. Her giving is manifested most visibly in the endowed Ruth P. Thomas Scholarship for Transfer and Non-traditional Age students. Before her death, she also donated funds to construct a new science building at the college.

"From her early experience in Germany, Ruth knew firsthand about what it is like to live in fear and why reason and compassion must be encouraged through education," said Wells' President Lisa Marsh Ryerson. "She valued Wells' commitment to reason and humane action because she knew so much of the world."

Mrs. Thomas died at the age of 88 on August 29, 2001, at the Auburn Nursing Home after a long illness.

For more information on the Wells College gift, please contact Ann Rollo, vice president for external relations, at 315: 364- 3416; for information on the Cornell gift, contact Inge Reichenbach, vice president for alumni affairs and development, at 607-255-5142.

December, 2001

Sheradin to lead Alumnae Relations

Pamela Sheradin '86, daughter of Gale and Sandra Sheradin of Walton, NY, has been named Wells College's Director of Alumnae Relations. Since 1994, Ms. Sheradin has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Alumnae Relations Office. During the past year, she served as Acting Director. During her tenure in the office, Ms. Sheradin has strengthened the Alumnae Association's relationship with Wells, provided strong stewardship for volunteers, created the first e-newsletter for alumnae, and designed a new format for Reunion Weekend. While a student at Wells, Ms. Sheradin was an economics major who was active in campus affairs.

"With Pam at the helm of Alumnae Relations, Wells is well-positioned for continued dynamic relationships between the College and one of her most important audiences--our alumnae," said Ann S. Rollo, Vice President of External Relations. "Throughout Wells and the alumnae community, Pam, is a highly-respected negotiator and bridge-builder. Her appointment to this post is exciting for all of us," concluded Rollo.

"I have worked with Pam as an alumna volunteer for seven years. I am thrilled with her appointment as Director," said Patti Callahan '79, Alumnae Association President. "Pam is the ideal woman for the job: forward thinking, quick to respond, with excellent interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm for Wells. "I look forward to working with Pam to develop new initiatives for the Alumnae Association and its members," said Callahan.

"Working with Wells women of all generations and experiences is a true delight," commented Sheradin. "I enjoy building relationships to ensure everyone feels welcome communicating with and returning home to Wells."

Areas of particular interest to Sheradin are establishing new directions for the Alumnae Association, utilizing increased electronic communication, and the development of a comprehensive plan for continuous outreach to alumnae.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at 315.364.3260.

September, 2001

Earlier Articles in Wells College News:

September, 2001. - May.,2002	September, 2000. - May.,2001	May,1998	May - June,1997
	September, 1999 - August, 2000	April,1998	March - April,1997
	August,1999	March,1998	February,1997
	May,1999	February,1998	November - December,1996
	April,1999	January,1998	October,1996
	February -March, 1999	December,1997	September,1996
	January,1999	November,1997	June - Aug.,1996
	Fall,1998	October,1997	May,1996
	August,1998	September,1997	April,1996
	June -July, 1998	July - August, 1997	February - March, 1996