Interactive Mosaic

See Where Smithies Find Joy

The Grécourt Gates never looked so good! Thank you to all the alums who sent pictures to honor the inauguration of Sarah Willie-LeBreton. Here’s the digital interactive mosaic—try your hand and discover where Smithies find joy.

Tips: Use + and – (upper right corner) to zoom in and out of the mosaic. Click on the magnifying glass (upper left corner) to search for names, class years, or topics, such as tea, Reunion, or Mountain Day. You can also click on any individual image to see the sender, class year, location, and caption. 

24+

Countries represented

1947

Oldest class year to make a submission

650+

Images

How Did This Mosaic Come About?

We knew it would be an eye-opener when we asked Smithies to share images for a Joy Mosaic. We’re delighted (and not surprised) to report that this mosaic shows the deep connections between community and joy, and the ability of genuine community to enrich our understanding of each other. Here you will see individual images of joy—in as many permutations as there are people—and also the extraordinary, effervescent, engaged, caring, and global Smithie community at its best.

As you navigate the interactive mosaic, you’ll see that many alums feel joy in connecting with Smithies (Reunion and weddings are big). Some are into sensory experiences: landscapes, art, running in the wind, making and listening to music. Others experience joy from their work for good causes. There are skydivers, kayakers, marathon runners, and rock climbers. For many, the joy of family shines through powerfully.

Joyful Highlights

Check out these fun snapshots from a few of the alums who submitted pictures and read about what brings them joy.

Victoria Bram ’07

Keene Pride 2023 Madonna Tribute Show

Victoria lived in Comstock House and the Friedman Apartments while at Smith. A government major, she studied in Washington, D.C., as part of the Picker Program, and at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She now works in law firm administration. Annually, Victoria and her ’07 Smithie family have “Friendsgiving” in New Hampshire. “It’s a gift and a magical reunion each year,” she says.

Linda Smith Charles ’74

"Joy is the strong bond between the sisters in the great class of 1974. We've been together since 1970 and are preparing to celebrate our 50th Reunion in 2024."

Linda lives in New Jersey and reports that she enjoys swimming, aqua cycling, gardening, travel, and reading. “My biggest joy is spending time with my granddaughter and future Smithie, Naomi,” she writes. A Smith trustee emerita, Linda is a tremendously active volunteer, which includes being chair of the Smith Medal Committee, president of her class, and in Smith regional clubs.

Mary Goldschmid ’69

A Smithie-style celebration of birthday No. 75 ... flying high!

“I was the only female among the six ‘divers’ on our plane,” Mary explains. “Once a Smithie, always a Smithie!” Now retired from a rewarding career as an economist and economics professor, she reports: “I live in Florida for the warm climate. I miss New York edginess a lot. I am co-chair of planned giving for my Smith class. Great volunteer position. I get to encourage my classmates to be more philanthropic than they ever thought possible with zero immediate out-of-pocket cost.”

Jena Heath ’84

With my daughter, Caroline, in Paris. Caroline joined my class when I taught a five-week summer study abroad called The Art of Travel. We had a blast!

Jena works at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, as associate dean in the School of Arts and Humanities and as a professor of journalism and digital media. Her research and creative work focuses on oral history by the Chinese adoption community at Our China Stories.

She applied to Smith at her mother’s encouragement. “I didn't see myself clearly when I was young and had no expectation that I would ever be able to attend such an elite college. [My mother] had the imagination for me that I didn’t have for myself. I lost her in 2021, and am so grateful to her for seeing my future in a way I couldn’t.”

Wencong Priscilla Li ’18

I learned how to rock climb from my Smithie friends Pei Luo ’16 and Claudia Yun ’17 in 2016. Rock climbing brings me joy!

Priscilla was a mathematics and statistical and data sciences double major and the community education chair at the Jandon Center’s community service organization. She lives in Durham, North Carolina, and works in data analytics for Square Inc. A volunteer with the Smith Club of China, Priscilla will be getting married next summer, with Jinyi Yang ’18, Vedica Bhasin ’18, and Pinn Janvatanavit ’18 as her bridesmaids.

Laurie Schoeman ’98

Me at the office in the White House driving climate resilience!

Laurie finds joy in her work for the Biden administration “because I feel like I’m part of creating solutions that will save and protect generations to come, and ensure that humanity will be able to emerge into a new world where we are resilient and able to survive multiple climate risks. I have traveled over the world and seen how past civilizations have been completely wiped out as a result of climate induced risks.” She also loves spending time with her seven-year-old son, reading thick history books, and gardening.