This year, Wellesley’s annual Friends and Family Weekend included a celebration of the College’s 150th anniversary. Alumnae were invited to join parents, siblings, and friends for two days of special events: a panel with the 2025 Alumnae Achievement Award recipients, Karen Grigsby Bates ’73, Jocelyn Benson ’99, and Sue Wagner ’82; a screening of the documentary From Sea to Shining Sea, about Katharine Lee Bates, class of 1880 and Wellesley English professor, and the story behind her poem “America the Beautiful”; a chance to sample favorite Wellesley desserts; a College-specific trivia contest; crafts; and more.
During the opening ceremony, President Paula Johnson reflected on what founders Henry and Pauline Durant might think of Wellesley at 150. “They would be proud of an institution that is still recognizably theirs—but that has grown in stature to become the preeminent women’s college in the world, as an institution and as a community of alumnae that is a force for progress around the globe,” she told the audience.
Allana Stark ’92 and her goddaughter, Sarah Bakal ’25, enjoyed conversation and lunch under the large white tent erected on Severance Green. They had attended several Friends and Family Weekends together when Bakal was a student, and Stark said after Bakal graduated, she knew she’d miss those weekends. “So when we were invited as alums to the 150th, there was no way I was missing it,” Stark said.
Reflecting on the legacy of the College, Bakal said, “It’s exciting to think about Wellesley’s long history, and also where there is to go next.” Stark said she’s happy to help “carry forward the legacy of women who believed it was OK to be a little outside the social norm.”
Shreeya Lakkapragada ’26 led a trivia contest about topics that shaped Wellesley’s history, from its founding to the present. Ann Velenchik, associate professor of economics and writing, shared stories about her time as a Jeopardy! contestant during the intervals when students were adding up teams’ points. “I hope that everyone who attends, whether they join the trivia contest or simply watch, walks away having learned something new about Wellesley,” Lakkapragada said ahead of the 150th festivities. “I’ve always loved discovering the stories behind how Wellesley has evolved over time, and I’m excited to share some of those fascinating facts with our community.”
The celebration included the concert Written by Wellesley: Composers and Lyricists Throughout the Ages, funded by a grant from the 150th Community Fund. Reinaldo Moya, associate professor of music, was the faculty supervisor and worked alongside Audrey Wang ’25 and Alexis Cai ’28 to put it together. “We did internet research, worked in the Archives, communicated directly with the living composers, and put together a program that highlights the creativity of Wellesley students all the way back from the College's beginnings to today,” Moya said.
“It was honestly so interesting, and touching, to see 150 years worth of Wellesley music,” Cai said after the event. “It made me proud that I was now part of that ongoing legacy, and that we had the opportunity to share our findings and the talents of the College with the rest of the community.”
