Alumnae Association President’s Message A.C.T. ONE: Alumnae Coming Together Converse College continues to serve as a catalyst for positive change on campus with current students and in the greater world through alumnae. This is not surprising given our College’s rich history of enabling women “to see clearly, decide wisely and act justly.” Just browse through our class notes and you will see extraordinary women committed to living creative and collaborative lives through study, leadership, service and travel. Converse afforded us well-documented advantages—the room to think and grow in an environment where opinions are valued and
sought after, strong academic programs in the arts and sciences, an uncommonly low undergraduate student–teacher ratio of 10:1 and many occasions for student-faculty collaboration and research. These benefits have been enjoyed by students for decades and have allowed us to seek opportunities throughout the globe to affect positive change. How wonderful to be a part of such a dynamic and exciting, evolving and influential force in the world! Collectively, we can act as ONE. Let’s come together to exceed the alumnae challenge. Will your class ONE UP another class in participation? ACT now and go to converse.edu/giveone. Your contribution makes a world of difference. I look forward to seeing you on campus April 27–28 for Reunion Weekend! Elisabeth Kinney McNiel ’89 President
Carrie Hill Coleman ’96 Named Director of Alumnae and Donor Relations Carrie Hill Coleman ’96, newly appointed Director of Alumnae and Donor Relations, was welcomed back to campus with familiar open arms, including three chocolate-chip cookies from Miss Bert in Gee (because she remembered Coleman’s undergraduate cookie habit). “It’s the people that make Converse so special. It’s my greatest honor to have been a part of Converse history, to be a part of Converse today, and to help create a future Converse,” said Coleman. The Alumnae and Donor Relations team will focus on all aspects of donor relations, including reaching out to non-alums. “It is my hope to strengthen our existing alumnae connections while at the same time attracting new friends to the College,” said Coleman. “I’m determined to make sure everyone feels as though they are a part of the Converse family and the excitement we’re currently experiencing.”
Photo caption: The Alumnae Office Dream Team (left to right, from top) Sally Spencer, Elizabeth Simons, Adelaide Capers Johnson ‘69, Nancy Smith Gage ‘82, Carrie Hill Coleman ’96 and Emily Collins.
“It takes a team approach to create an alumnae engagement program,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Bobby Stewart. “Having a team leader like Carrie who is truly collaborative and inspirational to those around her is a huge asset to making sure we serve our alumnae the way they deserve to be served.” Coleman will be working hard to find ways to get every alumna back on campus. “I want alumnae to see how far we’ve come but also to see that the integrity of our founder’s ideals are still very much alive and well. This should be a place to come home to, no matter how long it’s been. I am passionate about Converse and all that we have done for our women and our community. I want to use that passion to build new opportunities for engaging alumnae and friends near and far.”
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