What do you do when two big anniversaries arrive? Throw a party! That’s what the Office of Alumnae Relations is doing this November in Paris and London. The fall 2015 celebration of 60 years of Hollins Abroad-Paris and 40+ years of Hollins Abroad-London takes place on November 7-11 (Paris) and November 11-15 (London). You can find details at www.hollins.edu/abroadcelebration.

First, however, it’s both useful and fascinating to read the remembrances of alumnae who participated in the programs over the decades. We start with excerpts from a book of Paris memories compiled by Berry Professor of Liberal Arts Jean Fallon, followed by short essays by alumnae who were on the London program, and one by longtime London director Sara Levine, who retired this year.

Two articles in this issue concern themselves with the academic strengths of Hollins. The charts in the essay by President Gray (“Success You Can Measure”) show that Hollins students surpass their peers at other baccalaureate colleges and women’s colleges in various important areas of opportunity, such as internships, leadership, study abroad, and research.

Research was the topic of the article by Director of Public Relations Jeff Hodges M.A.L.S. ’11, called “Throwing Yourself In Head First.” One student from each academic division describes her capstone project. The range and depth of the projects reflect the range and depth of the liberal arts. You’ll read about the erotic imagery in the Song of Songs, the rhetorical devices President Obama uses in his eulogies, the art and meaning of Tarot cards, and how biomedical research into a parasitic worm can potentially prevent a deadly disease.

Of course the present is informed by the past, and Beth Harris, special collections librarian and archivist, profiles Martha “Miss Matty” Cocke, the somewhat reluctant second president of Hollins (she succeeded her father, Charles Lewis Cocke), who overcame her reservations and made fundamental changes in the institution that left an important legacy—and caused her to be heralded as “The Living Symbol of Hollins.”

All roads lead to commencement, and there are signs along the way as students approach the important day. Abby Hargreaves ’14 lists 14 of them in her essay.

—Jean Holzinger M.A.L.S. ’11
Editor