Commencement Archives
Beloved rituals live on from year to year.
The faces and speeches, topics and fashions change with the times. The combination of honored tradition and modern sensibilities is a familiar blend for Wellesley.
It can be a pleasure to look back on Commencements past and take new inspiration from the words of advice and the aura of hope that comes with each of them.
Addressing the golden yellow class of 2011 at their commencement exercises on May 27, 2011, were The Reverend Pamela M. Barz '83; Class President Athena Gee; Claire Ayoub, student speaker; Jane Condon '73, comedian and commencement address speaker; and Wellesley College President H. Kim Bottomly, presiding at her fourth Wellesley commencement. The benediction was given by Najiba Akbar '03 and David Bernat.
Athena Gee '11
As we each walk across this stage, focusing on each step to make sure we do not fall, I am reminded of Newton’s third law; every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Read the entire introduction to the student commencement speaker.
Claire Ayoub '11
As I now tell first-years, nobody walks out of here as a 22-year-old, fully formed Hillary Clinton. It is all about the process. The Wellesley women before us did leave us a sizeable legacy, but it is not a burden. It is a gift. The generations before us gave us the power to redefine what greatness is.
Jane Condon '73
I remember my first day here. My mom dropped me off. I come from a real blue-collar town in Massachusetts called Brockton. (South Shore!) She says, “Janie, this place is going to be really good for you, because you’re kind of a diamond in the rough."
H. Kim Bottomly
Seniors, Class of 2011! You have made it! Today is the last time I will call you seniors. Tomorrow you will be Wellesley College alumnae.
Read the whole charge to the senior class.
