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Surprised President Christ Joins 2013 Smith Medalists
This year’s Rally Day convocation, on February 21, began with seniors chanting
the name of Smith’s tenth president—“Car-ol, Car-ol”—as Carol T. Christ entered
John M. Greene Hall. The event concluded in much the same way.
President Christ was a surprised recipient of the
Smith College Medal during Rally Day February 21. |
In an announcement
that was, as Christ described, “a well-kept secret,” the
Smith College Medal Committee surprised the outgoing
president by awarding her the Smith College Medal.
After
11 years leading Smith, Christ will retire in June. Alumna
Judith Milestone ’66,
chair of this year’s medal committee, commended Christ for
her "pioneering leadership
for the education of women around the world."
"I'm overwhelmed...I so deeply believe in Smith's mission and power in the world," said
Christ before a crowd of students that roared her name and stood to applaud the
news.
Christ joined five Smith alumnae
in receiving the Smith Medal. They are: Gail Kern Paster ’66, Shakespearean scholar; Kay Holekamp ’73, zoologist and
field biologist; Janet Clarke McKinley ’76, global investor and philanthropist;
Anne Searls De Groot ’78, scientist and entrepreneur; and Sherry Rehman ’85,
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States.
Established in 1962, the Smith
College Medal is given annually to those alumnae who, in
the judgment of the trustees, exemplify in their lives and
work the true purpose of a liberal arts education. Milestone
called Christ "an honorary member of the Class of
1966."
Christ closed the ceremony with
a challenge to the Class of 2013.
"You and I are graduating together
this spring from a place that has transformed our lives,"
she said. "In the spirit of gratitude, I turn
to you and ask that you join me in making your first gift
back to Smith."
If 80 percent of the graduating
seniors make donations of any size by Ivy Day– that
is, 559 students by 9 p.m. on Friday, May 17—Christ will
contribute $2,013 toward the class gift to the Senior Campaign.
Rally Day also provides an annual
opportunity to honor Smith community members with several
different awards.
Given
annually by students to one non-tenured and one tenured faculty
member to honor their dedication to excellent teaching, the
Faculty Teaching Award was established 24 years ago as a
way for students to thank educators for their support, encouragement
and inspiration. This year's recipients are Darcy Buerkle,
associate professor of history, and Sara Pruss, assistant
professor of geosciences.
Given annually by students to
Smith staff members "who
have given extraordinarily of themselves to the Smith College
community as a whole." Established in 1984, the Gavel Award
is administered by the Student Government Association. This
year's recipients are Sandra Doucett, associate vice president
for development, and Robin Wood, senior housekeeper of Morrow
House. |
