Paris and London: Memory and Rediscovery

November 2015 saw celebrations of milestone anniversaries of two important programs: Hollins Abroad-Paris, 60 years, and Hollins Abroad-London, 40+ years. It all added up to a reason to celebrate 100+ years of Hollins Abroad programs in two of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Group at the Eiffel Tower, (photo by Margaret Rodgers ’81).

In Paris the group relived their student days by returning to Reid Hall, the program’s home base, where they met the current director, Audrey Stavrevitch, and former director Henning Nouneberg. They reconnected and remembered times past at various illustrious locations, including the Automobile Club of France, the Bristol Hotel, and the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The travelers also learned about the Prinet family at a special coffee hosted by Gail Thurman Moore ’63. Marguerite Prinet, the first director of the program, was regarded as “an intellectual pillar for generations of Hollins women.” Prinet worked with Frances Niederer, a longtime professor of art history at Hollins, to make sure visiting students saw in person the works they had studied in books.

Many members of the group traveled via the Chunnel for part two of the reunion experience. In London, they dined at the exclusive Sloane Club, participated in Evensong at Westminster Abbey, and had tea at the House of Lords.

The Paris reunion ended on Tuesday, November 10, just days before Friday’s terrorist attacks. None of those who remained behind in the city to continue their visit—and no current students on the Paris program—were injured.

The successful celebration would not have been possible without the hard work of the alumnae who served on the planning committees: Leslie Lykes de Galbert ’72, Joy Sparrowhawk ’04, Jeannie Hall Rutherfoord ’74, Missy VanBuren-Brown ’76, Barrie Da Parma Kerper ’81, Abby L’Hommedieu Dunham ’62, Anne Faircloth M.A. ’00 (creative writing), Gail Thurman Moore ’63, Molly Lowell Borthwick ’78, Meredith Pierce Hunter ’97, Holly Peterson ’97, Kat Osborn ’10, and Paige Smith Jernigan ’87.

 To read: “Je ne regret rien”: Sixty Years of Hollins Abroad-Paris, the book of alumnae memories collected by Berry Professor of Liberal Studies Jean Fallon, visit www/hollins.edu/HAP60years.

Paris event photos by Sarah Hazlegrove ’90

Enjoying the kickoff event at the Westin Paris-Vendôme are Amelia “Mimi” Ridenhour Fountain ’63, Wyndham Robertson ’58, and Ruth “Tifi” Webb Bierley ’60.

Mary “Mimi” McConnell Hutton ’69 and Berry Professor of Liberal Studies Jean Fallon at the reception in the apartment of Gail Thurman Moore ’63. The reception was followed by a walking tour.

Elizabeth Page Phillips Dekker ’84, Leah Harper Williams ’84, Amanda Miller ’86, and Leigh Anne Taylor ’86 enjoying coffee, tea, and treats.

Attending the soiree in the Castellane Room of le Bristol Paris, located on the fashionable Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré: Sue Barth Dobbs ’63, Fred Beaujeu-Dufour, Julian Beaujeu-Dufour, Anne Faircloth M.A. ’00, and President Gray.

Gina Stewart and Cynthia Hale ’75 at the welcome reception.

Ann Lawson Willig, Hollis Willig ’76, Joyce Jackson Wood ’67, and Frances Wood ’03 at the opening-night reception, which was followed by a Bateaux Mouches cruise on the Seine River.

Elizabeth “Betty” Hardaker Marsh ’66, Joy Sparrowhawk ’04, and Bethany Ewing ’05 at the cocktail party at le Bristol Paris.

Alumnae panelists in Reid Hall, home of Hollins Abroad-Paris. Front row: Betty Marsh ’66, Amanda Miller ’86, Elizabeth Greer ’91, Lucy Smith ’17. Back row: Sue Barth Dobbs ’63, President Gray, Missy VanBuren-Brown ’76, and Audrey Stavrevitch, director of the Paris program.

London

Enjoying lunch at the Wallace Restaurant in London are Elizabeth “Libbie” Gummey Cluett ’61 and Beryl “Berry” Robison ’61 (left) and President Gray. The restaurant is located within the Wallace Collection gallery, which houses some of the best paintings, porcelain, and furnishings in the United Kingdom (photo by Suzy Mink ’74).

Libbie Cluett ’61, Rory Keeley ’17, and Marian “Marnie” Vanderpoel ’76 at the Sloane Club (photo by Pierce Gafgen).

The London reunion concluded with a special gala dinner at the elegant Sloane Club in Chelsea (photo by Pierce Gafgen)..

Jennifer Wise ’76 outside the Kensington Hotel, home base of the London reunion (photo by Pierce Gafgen).

Alumnae Profiles

Beth JoJack ’98 interviewed three Hollins alumnae. Read her fascinating profiles >