News & Events

More for Sophmores

By Shoshana Walter

S’more sandwhiches were a big pull for students at Sunday’s “More for Sophomores” event, but the real satisfaction came from embracing all of what Mount Holyoke has to offer – from academics and alumnae to study abroad and snacks aplenty.

Nearly 200 students from the sophomore class filled Chapin auditorium from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday for the event, sponsored by the Alumnae Association, Academic Dean’s office, Dean of Students office, Career Development Center, Center for Global Initiatives, and the Sophomore Class Board.

“Sophomore year is one of those years,” said executive director of the Alumnae Association, Rochelle Calhoun ’83. “They need to have enough information to help them make decisions.”

And information they received. A panel of Mount Holyoke faculty and alumnae provided an introduction to sophomore year, while alumnae Cynthia Reed ’80 and Lisa Utzinger ’02 taught a workshop on networking.

Afterwards, students snacked on s’mores and other treats and visited informational tables featuring various departments and services, such as the Career Development Center and the Center for Global Initiatives. About ten alumnae also sat at tables, answering student questions concerning such issues as how to choose a major, get an internship, study abroad, and network.

“This is extremely helpful to the sophomore class,” said sophomore class president Ximena Gomez.  “We need alums to tell us what they did to reassure us that things are going to be okay, that we don’t need to know everything right now,” she added.

Sophomore Ahyoung An also appreciated the presence of alumnae at the event. “I really liked that our alums were giving personal testimonies,” she said.  An has not yet decided on a major, but is interested in communications and music. She shares those interests with Linda Utzinger ’02, who works with young musicians for a nonprofit radio program in Boston. “I liked her testimonial even more,” said An of Utzinger. She said she could learn from Utzinger’s experience and wanted to learn more.

Utzinger said she was more than happy to share. “I’ve had a lot of alums be very generous to me and that has really compelled me to give back,” she said.  In 2004, Utzinger attended a conference in New York and found she needed a place to stay. After posting on the Alumnae Association Web site, an alumna soon offered her a bed.  Since then Utzinger has offered students a place to stay at her own home in Boston. “If you’ve received help, you give help back,” she said.

Calhoun shared with students a similar sentiment, something her mother told her before she left for her first year at Mount Holyoke: “I’ve never known anyone who’s accomplished a lot without somebody’s help,” she said.

Many alumnae present at the event said they were eager to help.

“It’s important for women in particular to reach back and create openings for other women,” said Cynthia Reed ’80, who led a networking workshop with Utzinger. Reed emphasized the importance of networking with alumnae, who she said were good resources for students. “You’ll find that alums are doing everything,” she said. “Even reading a list of what people do will give you an idea of what’s out there.”

But alumnae, not just students, found the event useful.

“I love coming back,” said Anna Bennett ’04, who currently lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts. “It’s not just an opportunity to network with students, but a way to network with each other,” she said.

Theresa Perrone ’97 said she knew why so many alumnae come back to Mount Holyoke:

“It’s a no-brainer. We all really value the experiences we’ve had here,” she said. “And there are cookies!”