April
11 , 2003 Calhoun
Named Alumnae Director
| 
Photo:
Paul Schnaittacher
Alumnae
Association Executive Director Sally J. Lemaire '68
(left) and Executive-Director-Elect W. Rochelle Calhoun
'83. |
by Nancy Doherty
FP
Acting Dean
of the College W. Rochelle Calhoun '83 has been named executive
director of the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College effective
August 1. She succeeds Sally J. Lemaire '68, who has served
as executive director since 1991.
Calhoun has served
in positions of increasing responsibility during her seventeen
years at the College. She began her career at Mount Holyoke as
assistant dean of students and has served as ombudsperson, director
of diversity and inclusion, and associate dean of the College/dean
of students. Since January 2002, she has been acting dean of the
College, the chief student affairs officer responsible for overseeing
academic advising and student services.
"Although the loss to student affairs is significant—she's
been a terrific dean and wonderful colleague—I can't
imagine a better person to build a productive partnership between
the Alumnae Association and the College," said MHC President
Joanne V. Creighton. "Her appointment bodes very well for
the future. I applaud the Alumnae Association for an inspired
choice."
Dedicated to Mount
Holyoke's commitment to diversity and community, Calhoun
is considered vital to the College's success in these areas
and in 1995 was awarded the Alumnae Association's distinguished
Mary Lyon Award for her efforts. Calhoun sees supporting the association's
increasingly diverse alumnae body and building collaborations
with the College as a continuation of this work.
"Building connections has been the hallmark of all the work
that I have undertaken in my years at Mount Holyoke, and I look
forward to continuing this work as the Alumnae Association's
executive director," says Calhoun. "I am motivated
to move the Alumnae Association forward at this defining time
in its history and know that I can make a significant contribution
as I steward the association toward its goal of an enhanced collaboration
with the College in service to alumnae and students."
Citing "the building of enhanced collaborations with the
College, promoting the value of alumnae to the College and each
other, and exploring ways to best serve a diverse alumnae body
of 32,000 women" as some of her first priorities, Calhoun
has articulated the value of an independent Alumnae Association
in a way that opens new avenues of communication. She comments,
"The joint agreement between Mount Holyoke College and the
Alumnae Association conveys the mutual gain of a strengthened
partnership between the two organizations and the continued autonomy
of the association. I look forward to advancing and expanding
the essence of that agreement."
The Alumnae Association's board of directors and search
committee members see Calhoun's reputation as a builder
of relationships, problem solver, and mediator, as well as her
commitment to the mission and culture of both the College and
the association, as outstanding qualifications for her new position.
Search Committee Chair Margaret Claytor Woodbury '58 says,
"Rochelle is the embodiment of the value of a Mount Holyoke
education. She is a leader who analyzes situations well, engenders
enthusiasm, and is good at gaining acceptance of, and participation
in, change. She is charismatic and inspires loyalty. The search
committee extends its sincere gratitude to everyone in the Mount
Holyoke community who contributed to this search process."
Alumnae Association President Karen M. Hendricks '76 expressed
similar enthusiasm, saying, "This is a wonderful opportunity
to have a woman with Rochelle's depth of understanding of
alumnae, the Alumnae Association, and the College and its operations,
lead the association into the future with grace, energy, and an
immensely enjoyable sense of humor."
In a personal note to her successor, Lemaire said, "The
board's election of you to become the next executive director
is exciting and an excellent decision. . . .You bring a distinct
style and focus and positive energy that will be welcome."
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