President's Message

Dear Alumnae,

My name is Whitney Miller Ott ’03, and I am honored and excited to serve you and our beloved Agnes Scott College in these challenging times alongside a group of incredible alumnae leaders.

While we’ve moved to a digital format, I hope you are as curious and eager as I am to check out what your fellow Scotties have been up to in this edition of The Onyx. In fact, becoming increasingly curious about one another and the college and creating meaningful connections among alumnae will be focal points for this Alumnae Board. Thanks to all of you who have shared snippets of your lives with us — we celebrate you, congratulate you and support you.

“Engaging the challenge, together” is the college’s theme for the fall semester. While 2020 has been full of global, domestic and personal challenges for many of us and for humanity, clinging to this body of strong, spirited and selfless Scotties gives me great comfort and hope for what’s to come.

From the “Scotties Helping Scotties” alumnae-to-student outreach initiative that organically evolved into alumnae-to-alumnae check-ins this spring and the Gay Johnson McDougall Center for Global Diversity and Inclusion’s virtual Courageous Conversations series on racial healing and transformation to the recent outpouring of love and support for President Zak as she recovers, Scotties and college leaders have rallied to support and engage alumnae, students and others in our communities.

These are the meaningful connections we need — reminders that we are not alone, that we are stronger together and that we will more than survive these times. In fact, we will find ways to thrive and better our world while we’re at it.

If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that 2020 may be relentless, but Scotties are resilient. I remain forever #ProudToBeAScottie. May we continue to derive strength from within, from our personal Guiding Light and from one another. If you start to lose heart, look at your black onyx ring and let it remind you of the powerful protection and potential of our Scottiehood. And then be bold and reach out to a fellow alumna. It might be the connection that changes the course of your day… or even this season of life.

Stay safe, be well and please feel free to reach out to me with your suggestions, concerns or stories. On behalf of the Alumnae Board, thank you for leading everywhere, as Scotties do.

Best, Whitney Ott ’03, Alumnae Association President