Estée Lauder executive Alexandra Trower Lindsey ’86 told this year’s graduates, “You will be fine. More than that: You will be great.” She went on to reassure them that a liberal arts education continues to be relevant to the working world: “It might seem surprising that I spent twenty years of my career in financial services, given that I was an English and French major who never studied finance, accounting, or economics. But the key reason I kept getting promoted was because I could communicate clearly, be the devil’s advocate, ask the difficult questions, and relate to other people’s points of view—skills I’d been able to cultivate and practice on this campus every day.”

Following Lindsey’s address, Suzanne Smith Whitmore ’60, chair of Hollins’ Board of Trustees, awarded her with the degree of doctor of laws honoris causa in recognition of her more than twenty-five years of success in global communications, service as a Hollins trustee and a member of the Alumnae Association Board, and extensive volunteer work.

Go to the Hollinsvideo channel on YouTube to watch Trower’s commencement address.