In what Radcliffe College billed as the first-annual "Celebrate Radcliffe" day, alumni, staff and a handful of undergraduate women sampled the witty words of noted National Public Radio (NPR) journalist Nina Totenberg, eight panels addressing the college's current programs and a picnic lunch featuring entertainment by female campus choruses.
The event was designed to incorporate Radcliffe College's undergraduate convocation--traditionally scheduled during Orientation Week--with Saturday's Alumnae Council meeting.
"What's more important to us than anything else is to have you all together," said Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson in her introductory remarks. "This is a day we've been looking forward to for some time."
While participants filled the lower According to Kathleen Quick of the office ofthe dean of educational programs, about 30 to 40undergraduates registered for "Celebrate Radcliffe'98." Free T-shirts and a gourmet picnic lunchultimately drew more to Radcliffe Yard, thoughless than 5 percent of female undergraduatesattended. "It wasn't especially intended forundergraduates," said Dean of RadcliffeEducational Programs Tamar March, who decidedRadcliffe Convocation should no longer vie forstudent's time during the first busy weeks ofschool. "Why compete with Harvard ? Why should wemake students feel like they have competingloyalties?" Undergraduate women who attended blamed the lownumbers on a lack of publicity. "I didn't hear about this event until we wereasked to sing," said one Radcliffe Choral Societymember. Diana E. Post '67, who was recently namedsecond vice president of the Radcliffe CollegeAlumnae Association, questioned why anundergraduate event would be scheduled duringclasses. "How can there be a convocation on a Fridaymorning?" she asked at the afternoon reception. "It wasn't a convocation," March said. "It wasa broader bringing together of the variousstrands." "Undergraduates are an integral part-but only apart of the Radcliffe community, March told TheCrimson Wilson said she was not disappointed by theundergraduate turnout. "I'm delighted we had a good crowd," Wilsonsaid. "we made it a very welcoming opportunity.We're always eager to have [undergraduates] come." Among those who did attend, one undergraduateclaimed the celebration brought her closer toRadcliffe. "I attended the event because it is importantfor me to feel connected to the Radcliffecommunity," said Natalya D. Vinokurova '99. "I dobelieve that Harvard is not responsive to women'sneeds." A Full Day Among the day's event was a morning lecture byMcKinsey & Company partner Pamela Thomas-Graham'85. Thomas-Graham, who is also the author of themystery novel A Darker Shade of Crimson,spoke about how she has fulfilled her life'sgoals. "Aspirations" was the day's official theme. "Women, I think, are often told what hills theyshould climb," she said. "Ignore all those thingsand decide for yourself which hill you want toclimb." Thomas-Graham also noted the importance of astrong network of women in helping her achieve hergoals. "Radcliffe has always been a place where peoplecan come together and form these networks," shesaid. In an afternoon closing address, Totenbergspoke about the importance of a women's supportnetwork, both in her work as a reporter and as shewas dealing with the extended illness of herhusband, Her speech drew tears from the audience. "One of the great things the woman's movementhas done for me and done for us has been to giveus a community of women at work," said Totenberg,who has spent the past 23 years as a legal affairscorrespondent for NPR. "I almost always have a hell of a good time [inmy job], and I can't think of a better aspirationthan that." Totenberg said. Wilson awarded Totenberg, who never graduatedfrom college, with a Presidential Commendation, anhonor Wilson said was "not given often and notgiven lightly." Wilson praised Totenberg for her persistentcommitment to investigative and ethicaljournalism. The day's events also featured morning paneldiscussions that introduced alums to some ofRadcliffe's current programs, including theSchlesinger Library, the Radcliffe Public PolicyInstitute and Bunting Institute. In an additionalpanel, female undergraduates discussed creating awomen's movement at Harvard-Radcliffe. (Please seestory, this page.) Celebrants ate a lunch of Tuscan wraps beneatha tent decorated with festive Radcliffe balloonsand banners while listening to performances by theRadcliffe Choral Society, the Kuumba Sisters, the'Cliffe Notes and the Radcliffe Pitches. "This is a time of celebration," Wilson said."I'm as high as a kite."
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