SCCNYC Quarterly Newsletter - Fall 2023
JULY 2023
Presidents' Letter
We are pleased to be starting our first year as co-presidents of the Smith College Club of New York City. We see the year 2023-2024 as a year of renewal, with many new and exciting times ahead. We'd like to share our thinking about where we are headed.
Last year was a year of transition,. during which we returned to in-person activities, saw our membership numbers increase to pre-Covid levels and had record-breaking results for our annual scholarship benefit.
In the coming year, we want to build on those achievements, and have defined three primary goals. They center around the Club's role in the Smithie lifecycle, from engaging high school students through our Admission Committee, supporting current Smithies and engaging with the New York City area alums.
In August the Club hosted a student send-off, welcoming 52 Class of 2027 incoming Smithies from New York City. What an impressive group of young people! During the year, our Admission Committee will continue to connect to potential Smithies with book awards to outstanding high school juniors and interviewing applicants. We will maintain our connection to current Smithies by offering activities/events that coincide with holiday breaks, and, of course, continuing our tradition of end-semester care packages.
This year we will increase our engagement with all New York City alums, centering around our four cornerstone events, the Membership Party, the Holiday Party, the Scholarship Benefit and the Annual Meeting. We are offering more opportunities for volunteer engagement, from revamping our website to organizing activities. We have planned a broad selection of informal activities that reflect the interests of the alum community and are always keen to entertain new ideas.
We will continue to plan for the future. We are re-igniting the strategic planning initiative that was started before the Covid pandemic and will be revitalizing our mission statement.
Just as it's a new era for the club, it's a new era for the college. We welcome our new president, Sarah Willie-LeBreton, and wish her the very best. We can't wait to introduce her to the Smith College Club of New York City.
More than anything else, we want to have fun! We'd love to know each and every one of you. Join us for an activity, volunteer with us, and please reach out to us to share any ideas you have for the Club.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Wendy Kassel '73 and Trish Tidwell '73
President@smithclubnyc.com
Our Board was elected at the Annual Meeting in June and started work in July.
OFFICERS
Wendy Kassel ‘73, Co-president, Treasurer
Patricia Tidwell ‘73, Co-president
Camilla Colegrave ’85, Member-at-large, Chair Community Engagement
Heather Gallagher ’06, Secretary
DIRECTORS
Tiffany Chen ‘17
Joan Dilakian ‘74
Nancy Judge ‘73, Chair Admission Committee
Hannah Leung ‘09
Ellen Matzkin ‘69, Chair Marketing and Communication, Benefit Co-chair
Kathy Miller ‘66
Elizabeth Holder '92
ADVISER TO THE BOARD
Barbara Massey '63
AUGUST 2023
Admissions Summer Send-off Event
The Club hosted a ‘Summer Send-off’ mid-afternoon gathering on Tuesday, August 22, for 53 Class of 2027 incoming Smithies from the New York City area.
The event took place at Jones Wood Foundry, a British gastropub on Manhattan’s upper eastside, at the remains of a 19th century foundry located in what were then lush woodlands owned by Robert Jones, who bequeathed the area to NYC.
Thirty-seven of the 52 NYC regional students, representing all five city boroughs, and southern Connecticut attended. After a brief welcome by the Club’s Co-presidents Wendy Kassel and Trish Tidwell, both class of ‘73, and greetings by the outgoing and incoming SCCNYC Admission Committee Chairs, Joan Dilakian ‘74 and Nancy Judge, ’73, respectively, the students spent a few animated hours becoming acquainted, in some cases learning of similar house assignments, discussing academic interests, all while enjoying delicious pub fare (and soft drinks). Midway during the afternoon, recent graduate volunteers, Daseul Kim ’22 and Lucy Brandenberger ’23 led a Q&A session, addressing subjects as diverse as Smith College traditions, junior year abroad, navigating the dining halls and proper bedsheet sizes.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Annual Membership Party
W
hat a great night! More than 70 alums gathered at Manhattan's Penn Club on Wednesday, September 13 tokick off the fall season at our first cornerstone event of the year, our Annual Membership Party. It was a lovely and lively event. Officers and Board Directors were on-hand with warm welcomes directing guests to an elegant reception where Smithies energetically mingled and conversed,while enjoying an inviting buffet of assorted warm and cold hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Mid-evening, Co-presidents Wendy Kassel '73 and Trish Tidwell '73 formally welcomed guests, remarking on their plans and aspirations for the coming year with an emphasis on engaging members in volunteering their energy and ideas. Audrey Muhirwa '22 won the $50 SCMA gift certificate raffle - congratulations!
The evening flew by. Guests left the party smiling, still excited, each with a handsome Smith College gold-tone bookmark, a souvenir for an evening worth remembering. Thanks to all the volunteers and attendees who made our 2023-24 Annual Membership Party a great success. Well done!
Wednesday, September 19 - Early morning bells proclaimed Mountain Day on campus and Smithies worldwide were alerted of this cherished Smith tradition - a joyful break from classes on a crisp autumn day - to enjoy fall activities -and for alums, to remind us of the deep bonds that connect us to the college and other Smithies around the world.
In keeping with our local tradition, about 15 urban NYC Smithies met up, once again, at the pink granite Bryant Park fountain from early afternoon until dusk to reconnect, reminisce with stories of Mountain Days past, while sharing favorite fall refreshments, such as pumpkin-flavored lattes and donuts.
By definition, planning a Mountain Day is on short notice - thanks to all who could make our annual Smith surprise event! Here's to another year of friendship and community!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are looking for volunteers to help the Club achieve our goals of continued growth with an emphasis on ensuring that the Club reflectsthe College's core concepts of knowledge, community and generosity. We are interested in volunteers for the following:
- Interviewing applicants to Smith
- Creating and planning fun activities
- Analyzing our membership and demographic data
- Increasing our presence on social media
- Improving our website
Supporting the Club is supporting Smith and provides a way of giving back. If you have a half-hour (or more) or if you just have a bundle of ideas, we welcome your involvement! If you are interested in volunteering for the Club, please contact Wendy Kassel ’73 and Trish Tidwell ’73 at President@smithclubnyc.com.
Watch for upcoming events... and Pecans!
October events are upon us and November events soon to follow. Be sure to check our email announcements and visit the website from time-to-time to remain up-to-date. Information on how to order pecans in time for your Thanksgiving feasts is available here! 
REFLECTIONS
- Sarah Willie-LeBreton
Become a member of the Smith College Club of New York City - your support is welcome.
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