5 / Summer Opportunities
3 / Transformational Gifts
The Briar Wire Volume 12, Issue 3 | September 2026
Dear fellow alumnae and friends,
ABOV E
President Hutson greets prospective students and families.
Greetings from Sweet Briar, where we just welcomed our new and returning students to campus! We kicked off the academic year with Opening Convocation, and students launched into their fall semester of classes, athletics and riding, and activities among classes and clubs. While we won’t have the final fall census of our student population until the second week of September, enrollment is trending positively. As of Aug. 14, when we welcomed our new students, the number of deposits was 22% over last year’s number at the same time. I hope each of you had a wonderful summer filled with rest, relaxation, and time with those you hold dear. I was traveling the country for much of it, visiting with alumnae to share Sweet Briar with them and ask them to renew their support for our college. We held a retreat with Cabinet members, conducted internal assessments of our successes from the 20252026 academic year and our opportunities for
2026-2027, and developed our work plans for the coming year. While on campus, I met with many summertime visitors, including alumnae, Summer Arts & Writing Retreat participants, leadership of the summer camps we hosted, and other guests. I even did some painting with Sweet Work Weeks, and found a new appreciation for the work they do! Our community has so much to look forward to this year. In September, we will launch the year with the Richmond Symphony. Shortly thereafter, we will celebrate Founders’ Day with the traditional events. At the beginning of October, we’ll host parents and families for Families Weekend, during which we’ll also celebrate Sweet Briar’s equestrian legacy at our 100th Annual Horse Show! Later in October, we’ll welcome alumnae and friends for the 125th Anniversary Celebration Weekend (Oct. 23-25). And before you know it, students will head home for Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks, coming back to campus in the new year to participate in their first January Term (J-Term) as a part of the new academic calendar. You can see a schedule of events on the last page of this issue or by visiting sbc.edu/calendar. I continue to be impressed with our students in their academic, athletic, equestrian, and co-curricular achievements. They are able to reach their full potential thanks to the program enhancements, faculty support, additional scholarship funding, and stewardship of our natural and built environment that is made possible by gifts from our alumnae and friends. We are exceedingly grateful and fortunate for this ongoing support, and ask that you renew your gift each year. Every gift truly makes a difference to our students, and to Sweet Briar’s future success. While the Sweet Briar Fund includes the stewardship and maintenance of the College’s natural and built environment, that ongoing
WELCOME
Sweet Briar College Board of Directors
TO P
Justice Verda Andrews Colvin ’87, Chair
New students move into their dorms.
The Honorable Robert “Bob” Goodlatte, Vice Chair Katherine Williams, Secretary
BOT TOM L EF T
President Hutson at the VMFA event for the Declaration of Independence.
Elizabeth Groves Aycock ‘96 Elizabeth “Lele” Frenzel Casalini ‘82, P’14 Nancy Webb Corkery ‘81 Jane Dure ‘82
BOT TOM L EF T
Michela English ‘71
LuAnn Haag Hunt ‘90 and President Hutson paint during Sweet Work Weeks.
Laura Willits Evans ’79 Sally Mott Freeman ’76 Lendon Gray ‘71 J. Eric Greenwood P’12 Martha Holland ‘72 Keenan Colton Kelsey ’66 Dennis Ling Andrew McAllister P’21, ‘24 Michelle O’Neill ’85 The Honorable J. Chapman “Chap” Petersen Allan Stam, Ph.D.
Phillip C. Stone Claude Becker Wasserstein ’82 Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83, President (ex officio)
Alumnae Relations and Development Staff Claire Dennison Griffith ’80, Vice President of Alumnae Relations and Development Terrie Conrad, Chief Development Officer Calli Arida, Advancement and Stewardship Manager Edwina Bell, Senior Director of Major Gifts and Parents & Families Liaison Lea Sparks Bennett ’83, Advancement Services Coordinator Pam Boydoh, Executive Assistant Lee Anne MacKenzie Chaskes ’83, Director of the Sweet Briar Fund Paula Eanes, Director of Advancement Services Katie Hawk ’21, Advancement Services Associate Caroline Chappel Hazarian ’09, Associate Director of Alumnae Relations Abbey Novinger, Team Support Generalist Kathleen Placidi, Director of Foundation & Corporate Relations and Institutional Grants Megan Sunwall, Sweet Briar Fund Associate
The Briar Wire Staff Clélie Steckel, Director of Communications, Marketing, and Events Rachel Balsley, Associate Director of Communications Serenity Bishop, Communications Office Manager Abbie Duncan, Multimedia Communications Specialist Cathy Cash Mays ’84, Director of College Events
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stewardship of a historic campus sometimes needs additional resources. This year, we are focusing on updates to Meta Glass and Reid for fall 2027. Supporting Sweet Briar includes making an annual gift to the Sweet Briar Fund, and it takes many other forms, too. We still offer our travel program (also known as our fly-in program) for prospective students, reimbursing each student and one family member for their travel and a night at the Elston Inn when they schedule a personal visit or attend an admissions event. Making a gift to the travel program can make a college visit easier for prospective students from across the country. Sweet Briar’s application process for the fall 2027 cycle opened on Aug. 1. In addition to making your annual gift to Sweet Briar, please make it a priority this year to recruit a student, and invite them to come visit our beautiful campus. We know that when students visit, they have a much higher likelihood of applying and making their deposits. If an enrolled student is related to an alumna, she is eligible for a Legacy Award, which helps fund her Sweet Briar education. In May, I charged the members of the
Class of 2026 with the task of finding something they are passionate about, and stewarding its future growth. Now, I charge our alumnae and friends with the same: 1. Make your gift to Sweet Briar, whether to the Sweet Briar Fund or a specific designation. 2. Volunteer for Sweet Briar, whether with Sweet Work Weeks or as an Admissions Ambassador (open to non-alumnae, too!). 3. Recruit a student, and promote our college as a place where they will receive an excellent education in a place of unparalleled beauty. I hope that you will return to campus this year. When you do so, please take a moment to revel in Sweet Briar’s beauty, give thanks for the people who invest in our college, and most importantly, come visit. You are helping Sweet Briar thrive and endure with every action, you will help Sweet Briar become what it was always meant to be. With sincere gratitude, Mary Pope M. Hutson ‘83 President
The Briar Wire | sbc.edu
TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFTS
Sweet Briar Receives $10 Million in Transformational Gifts Sweet Briar recently received commitments to support the College’s greatest needs from two alumnae, one of whom wishes to remain anonymous. Both donors made these gifts to support the College’s operational needs, current priorities, and special initiatives. One such special initiative is the Campus Electrical Distribution Upgrade (CEDU) project, which provides muchneeded updates to Sweet Briar’s electrical infrastructure. Allison “Allie” Stemmons Simon ’63 has committed $6 million, which completes Phases I and II of the project, providing a new switchgear and a new building to house and support this important piece of equipment, which serves to conduct electricity to all circuits on campus. With this upgrade, future electrical issues will be easier to identify and address quickly. Allie is no stranger to the importance
Let the New Year Begin!
Volume 12, Issue 3 | September 2026
of philanthropy at Sweet Briar. She was also on the Where Women Lead campaign cabinet, was a long-time class leader and Reunion gifts committee member for the Class of 1963, served on Sweet Briar’s Board of Directors, and was named an Emerita Trustee in 2022. She also received the Outstanding Alumna Award in 1999. Allie has been a dedicated supporter of Sweet Briar College, as was her late husband, Heinz, before his passing. Sweet Briar continues to steward its historic natural and built environment through these priorities and initiatives. As previously reported in The Briar Wire and Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine, two top priorities are the renovations of Guion Science Center and Gray Hall. Guion is in need of modernization and upgrades, including laboratory configurations, furnishings, and equipment. Gray Hall, envisioned and constructed as a residence hall,
transformed into administrative spaces and classrooms in the early 2000s. Now, in keeping with its original purpose, and to properly steward Sweet Briar’s buildings in its National Register Historic District, Gray will return to housing for students during the school year, and accommodations for Reunion, camps, and retreats in the summer. An additional $4 million has been committed by an anonymous alumna. While it has not been designated for a specific initiative, it will support Sweet Briar’s current needs and priorities. There is no greater demonstration of dedication to and confidence in Sweet Briar than making a gift to the College, especially one to support these special initiatives and operational needs. These and other recent commitments and the work to fulfill capital needs keep Sweet Briar relevant and resilient, helping to secure its future.
On Aug. 14, Sweet Briar welcomed new students for the 2026-2027 academic year. As of move in, the number of first-year deposits was 22% over last year at the same time. We can’t wait for the year ahead with all of our Vixens!
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BY THE NUMBERS
Class of 2026 by the Numbers The Class of 2026 celebrated their Commencement in May, marking the beginning of their next chapters. Learn more about the class and what’s next for their careers and academic pursuits:
106
FROM
21
3
AND
States
Graduates
Countries
Outcomes
51%
80%
Have a job or plan to continue education
Working a fullor part-time job
25
60
Double Majors
1
M.A.T. Degree
15
Pursuing further studies
39
Graduates with 1+ minor
46
Class of 2026
B.A. Degrees
4
33
Biology Majors
Learn more about what’s next for the Class of 2026! sbc.edu/outcomes
29%
12
Honors Graduates
B.S. Degrees
17
Majors
2026 Certificate Holders Arts Management; Equine Studies - Management or Teaching; Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
The Briar Wire | sbc.edu
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Opportunities Offer Academic, Career Growth
1. Caelynn ReesJorgensen ’27 2. Asmita Bhandari ’27 3. Matohasanaj Archaeological Project 4. Mackenzie Autry ’27
For Sweet Briar students, the summer months are often a continuation of their academic and career pursuits. Through research, internships, and travel, students have the opportunity to expand their résumés while gaining invaluable experiences. On campus, five Vixens took part in the annual Honors Summer Research Program during which they partner with a faculty advisor and focus on an area of scholarly interest. This year’s cohort included topics ranging from literary reviews to experimental analysis. • Mackenzie Autry ’27: Wild Turkey Habitat Suitability & Functional Connectivity at Sweet Briar College (advised by Dean Lisa Powell) • Asmita Bhandari ’27: Simulating Microplastic Agglomeration (advised by Dr. Michelle Gervasio) • Mst Mithila Afroz Hridy ’27: Analyzing Polymer Flammability: Predicting LOI Using Material Properties, Functional-Group Chemistry, and DataDriven Analysis (advised by Dr. Bryan Kuhr) • Miracle Grace Imanchinello ’27: Fusing the Diaspora with Elements of Classical Mythology to Create a Unique Genre (advised by Dr. Joe Sacksteder) • A Member of the Class of 2027*: Sir Gawain and the Alt-Knight: Appropriation and Interpretation in Poetry and Film (advised by Dr. Joe Sacksteder & Dr. Susannah Nevison) Off campus, many students took on summer internships, opening the door to their future careers through hands-on experience and networking in their fields. Recent internships included: • Emily Michel ’27: Manufacturing Intern, Glad (The Clorox Company) • Caelynn Rees-Jorgensen ’27: Archaeological Collections Intern, Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs (State of Delaware) • Ayla Finnegan ’28: Project Intern, Rosendin Electric • Kendel Wickline ’27: Intern, Office of Representative John McGuire (VA-05) Abroad, the third installment of the Matohasanaj Archaeological Project took place featuring two Sweet Briar faculty members, one current student, and three recent graduates. *Student preferred their name not be included.
Volume 12, Issue 3 | September 2026
Lear n More
sbc.e du/n ews
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ART COLLECTION
Seeing Art: Presales for Essays on Sweet Briar’s Art Collection This October, Sweet Briar will release Seeing Art: The Art Collection at Sweet Briar College, a collection of essays by Annie Montgomery Labatt, the College’s former director of galleries and museum. The essays cover pieces by artists from around the world, and whose pieces are included in Sweet Briar’s impressive collection. Annie included works by Albrecht Dürer, William Hogarth, William Blake, Auguste Rodin, Mary Cassatt, Pablo Picasso, Helen Levitt, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Mitchell, and more. The book is hardcover, 282 pages, with full-color plates, and includes a foreword by President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83, a preface by former President Meredith Woo, and an introduction from the author. Presales are available to reserve your copy of Seeing Art today at:
sbc.edu/seeing-art
July Sweet Work Weeks Sweet Work Weeks recently returned to campus, welcoming 34 alumnae to complete projects on campus from July 10-24. Throughout the weeks, special attention was given to the dorms, including cleaning, painting, and making repairs. Outside, love and care was given to handrails, doors, and landscaping. Thank you, volunteers!
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The Briar Wire | sbc.edu
ALUMNAE MENTORSHIP
100th Annual Horse Show Oct. 3 | 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center Featuring new and exciting classes and prizes, a luncheon, and other events
Alumnae Mentorship Program Enters 6th Year, Delivers Student Impact Now in its sixth year, the Alumnae Mentorship Program The program has successfully mentored 195 students continues to see success and make an impact on current (and counting!) through meaningful one-on-one students as they prepare to graduate from Sweet Briar. relationships with alumnae. During the 2025–2026 academic In 2021, the Alumnae Relations & Development year, the program expanded to include current juniors in Office partnered with Career Services to launch the addition to seniors, broadening its impact and providing program, which continues to create unique opportunities more students with valuable mentorship opportunities. for members of each year’s graduating class to gain As a result of this expansion, the program matched incomparable career direction from seasoned Sweet Briar 52 alumnae with 52 students—the largest cohort in the graduates. Associate Director of Alumnae Relations Caroline program’s history. Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 Chappell Hazarian ’09 and Director of Career Services academic year, the program is excited to build on this Barbara Watts are intentional in matching the students with momentum by continuing to foster positive, impactful, alumnae based on each student’s future career interests. and productive mentoring relationships that strengthen The program starts with fostering career conversations connections between students and the Sweet Briar between the mentor and mentee, a résumé review alumnae community. session, guidance on fine tuning a cover letter or personal statement, and concludes with a mock interview. Mentors also often help students with a wide variety of related Ready to be a mentor? career development activities, including providing advice Sign up today at sbc.edu/ on graduate school programs, transitioning to the world alumnae-mentorship. of work, and even guiding students through the federal security clearance process.
Volume 12, Issue 3 | September 2026
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Sweet Briar College 134 Chapel Road Sweet Briar, VA 24595
Fall 2026 Highlighted Events Richmond Symphony at Sweet Briar
Sept. 9
Athletics & Riding Hall of Fame Induction
Oct. 16
Field Hockey vs. Barton
Sept. 11
Babcock Season: Chrysalis Chamber Players Oct. 20
Cross Country at Shenandoah
Sept. 11
Fall Play: Horse Girls
Oct. 22-25
Soccer at Patrick Henry
Sept. 12
125th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
Oct. 23-25
Volleyball - Tri-Match
Sept. 12
Vixen for a Day (Admitted Students)
Oct. 25 & 26
Show Team: House Mountain Horse Show Sept. 12 & 13
Fall Vixen Open House
Nov. 7
Founders’ Day Weekend
Sept. 18-20
As if Alive: Bodies & Machines Show Opening
Nov. 12
Volunteer Leadership Weekend
Sept. 18-20
Vixen for a Day (Admitted Students)
Nov. 12 & 13
Swim - ODAC Relays
Sept. 26
Fall Dance Concert
Nov. 13 & 14
IHSA Fall Home Show
Sept. 26
Concert Choir & Daisy’s Harp Performance
Nov. 17
Families Weekend
Oct. 2-4
Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 23-27
100th Annual Horse Show
Oct. 3
Vespers Service
Dec. 6
NCEA at Berry
Oct. 9
Fall Final Exams
Dec. 9-12
Fall Break
Oct. 10-13
Student Winter Break Begins
Dec. 12 BELOW
Students enjoy the traditional walk to Monument Hill during Founders’ Day.
Visit sbc.edu/calendar for details and additional events. One select game or match featured per sport. Visit vixenathletics.com/calendar for more athletics and riding events and details. Schedule is subject to change.