Hi, my name is Kimberly Blessing. I'm a computer scientist, Web developer, standards evangelist, feminist, and geek. This is where I write about life, the Web, technology, women's issues, and whatever else comes to mind.
Meeting Bryn Mawr’s President-Elect
Due to my responsibilities on the Executive Board of the Bryn Mawr College Alumnae Association, I had the good fortune of being on campus on Friday, February 8, when the Board of Trustees appointed Jane Dammen McAuliffe as the President-Elect. Furthermore, the Executive Board had the pleasure of hosting Jane, and her husband, Dennis, for lunch on Saturday.
After a round of introductions and lunch, Jane gave us a brief bio, then spoke about her impressions of the College and what she anticipates focusing on after she arrives.
One of the first things she said, with a look that I’d describe as astonished admiration, was, “This is a place that takes the life of the mind seriously!” Of course, that brought a smile to every face in the room, as that’s exactly how we know and why we love our College. In citing that Bryn Mawr is “educating the leadership of places all over the world,” she was almost certainly referring to alumna Drew Gilpin Faust ‘68, who is now President of Harvard University, and recognizing our tradition of producing strong female leaders.
“J-Mac”, as she’s already being called by students, recognized Bryn Mawr’s “extraordinary tradition of producing science graduates”, as well as its production of non-science majors that are well-versed in the sciences. “Science literacy has become a sine qua non to be a good citizen”, she emphasized, and nearly all of my fellow alumnae in the room nodded or voiced their agreement.
So, it appears that President-Elect McAuliffe came, saw, and conquered Bryn Mawr — I, for one, look forward to her tenure.
Comments (1)
Hi Kimberley!
Wow when I first saw this I thought it was referring to Bryn Mawr in South Wales UK (where I live). Then I remembered that in the last century many Welsh settlers made their home in Philadelphia and I couldn’t resist looking the college website. Sure enough the google map threw up familiar names such as Gwynedd Valley, Penlyn, St Davids, Newtown, Radnor, North Wales and even my street Belmont Terrace – such a small world and it’s great to see these names on the other side of the Atlantic.
Have you ever visited Wales? Stunning scenery in the summer, but pretty bleak right now as it is still winter.
Take care and “Diolch yn fawr”
John