The Wells College Alumnae Association celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 1999! During the year, we honored the long and rich history of the Alumnae Association and its support of Wells College. 

Activities took place all year around the country as groups of alumnae gathered, as well as in Aurora for the two special weekends of Reunion (May 27-30) and Alumnae Council in the fall. Plan to be part of this special celebration.

The centerpiece of the celebration was Reunion 1999, held on May 27th though 30th. All alumnae, including members of classes that are not celebrating an official reunion, were INVITED to come and join in the FUN! In addition to the terrific regular reunion programming, there were special events in honor of the celebration as well as a spectacular fireworks show. 

There were many ways for alumnae to take part in the anniversary. We celebrated our uniqueness and diversity through three separate projects: a quilt, an anthology, and an exhibit during Reunion.

The Alumnae Association 125th Anniversary Quilt

All alumnae were welcome to participate by contributing a square. The quilt top was displayed as a work in progress at Reunion 1999; the four quilt panels were displayed at Reunion 2000 in the Library. After this, the quilt will be displayed periodically in different campus locations. Each square was contributed by an alumna, in honor of her own special college memories or life’s achievements or in memory of a deceased Wells alumna. Over 200 Wells alumnae joined in creating a work of art which celebrates 125 years of service and support to our alma mater. 

The talents of project leader and quilter Jane Witter Reeves '59 and quilters Jane Marsh Dieckmann '55 and Nancy Lee Leeming '59 are noted with deep appreciation. 

The Anthology Project: Wells Wisdom -- Stories of the Women of Wells

Part of the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Alumnae Association in 1999 was the creation of an anthology of the lives of Wells women. Each alumna was invited to contribute a page to the volume, which will be kept in the Library as an enduring testament and reminder of the richness of the lives of Wells women. The volume was also reproduced for distribution to interested alumnae. The volume was unveiled at Reunion in June, 2000. 
 

BACKGROUND

Jane Marsh Dieckmann '55 captured the history of Wells College in her wonderful book, and each alumnae directory provides address information for alumnae. However, the story of Wells women has not yet been adequately documented and compiled. While every woman who attended Wells is invited to submit news to class notes each year, the space is too limited to express the texture and complexity of our lives. Incredible women have attended Wells College. The effort to capture the essence and spirit of these women, in their own words, is worthwhile and a fitting project for the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Alumnae Association. 

The anthology is a collection of ideas, expressions, and experiences by and for Wells women. The positive response to and participation in the Intergenerational Conversations held during recent Alumnae Council and Reunion programs evidence the importance and relevance of this project as well as the positive benefits that come from women sharing their experiences with other Wells women. The anthology will extend these benefits to a much larger audience. Every alumna was encouraged to participate in this collection of stories, as each person has her own valuable story to tell. 

Megan Donovan '88 served as project leader, and the cover art work was created by Virginia Tarrant-Hovendon '85. Dean Ellen Hall wrote the preface to the book. 

 

SAMPLE PAGE

The Guitar Lesson

The notes I learned in childhood- the sharps, the flats, the rests.
I didn't learn how to make music until long into my adulthood.
The notes alone do not make music- it takes heart and I had to find mine.

At 16, I tried to do it myself- I didn't want to be taught.
At 48, I allowed a teacher to teach me- I knew I needed to be taught.
Being able to need another's help is a gift.

At 48 when I started, I wanted to learn folk guitar- to play and sing.
Instead, I ended up learning- and loving classical guitar- and now blues.
All paths have unexpected turns that lead to new music.

At the start I had only one speed- everything got played that speed.
I had to learn to slow down.
One speed doesn't allow an awareness of nuances.

I played softly and without force.
My teacher said, "Take off your ballet slippers and put on your combat boots."
My attitude in life until then had been to go softly.

Difficult passages had to be played over and over again until my brain fingers
learned the lesson. 
I've had to keep re-playing the same life lesson until my emotional brain
learned the lesson.

When I tried to play rapidly with passion, I tensed up and tripped over my fingers. 
To live life passionately, I must stay loose and flexible.

At first when I made a mistake, I had to stop, go back, and play it correctly.
My teacher said, "Play through your mistakes."
Mistakes are not bad. They are part of learning- keep on playing. 

One lesson, I kept messing up and felt discouraged and inept. 
My teacher said, "Your mistakes are such a higher level now."
Mistakes are a marker of progress, not a marker of ineptitude.

Once I have a piece memorized, that's when I really start to learn how to play it
with feeling. The notes were just the first step.
As I've aged- I know the notes- and now I'm really learning how to play life's song-
with FEELING.

Kaffie White McCullough
Class of 1967