A Farewell Letter from Beth Balmouth Raffeld

Dear Alums and Friends,

As the calendar year comes to a close, I write to share that in June 2026 I will retire from my position as senior vice president for alumnae relations and development after 13 years of service to Smith. I have such admiration and respect for the alums, students, faculty, and staff of this great college, and much gratitude for having served with both President McCartney and President Willie-LeBreton. Our community is strong and vibrant with lasting impact on the world in which we live. The world needs Smith and our dynamic graduates more than ever!

It is an exciting and important time to be affiliated with Smith. Under President Sarah’s leadership we have marked Smith’s 150th anniversary throughout this year of celebrations and connection. Smith simply would not be the college it is today without the dedication, partnership, and generosity of our extraordinary Smith alum network. Our talented and collaborative alumnae relations and development staff join with you to ensure that alums stay connected with their alma mater in meaningful ways. I am so proud of all we have accomplished together.

My tenure at Smith has been a fulfilling and exciting chapter of my professional life. Thank you for all you do to keep Smith strong and resilient. Your participation, your donations, your engagement, your good words about Smith—they all matter.

I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

Warmly,

Beth Balmuth Raffeld
Senior Vice President for Advancement
Alumnae Relations and Development