60th Reunion

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Text of Video Presentation by Dr. Sonya Stephens to the Class of 1965 at Our 60th Reunion

Class of 1965,

  Warmest greetings from Paris to each and every one of you on this, your 60th reunion! What a remarkable milestone, and what a joy it must be to gather again at Mount Holyoke, a place that shaped your early friendships and now welcomes you back into its embrace.

  I am so grateful to have met so many of you, to know you, to be a part of your class as an honorary member, and to have witnessed how, over the decades, your connections have transcended time and distance, enduring with strength, grace, and good humor.

  This gathering of the Class of ‘65 is a testament to the bonds that were forged in your student days; bonds that have only grown more powerful with age. The network of women that you represent—not only within your class, but across generations—is a living legacy of success, support, wisdom, and resilience. It is a catalog of stories of which I never tire, and it is truly something to celebrate.

  I am so very sorry not to be among you this weekend. I shall miss your rich and thoughtful conversations, the smiles and laughter that are so much a part of your gatherings, and the special beauty of the campus that always seems to shine brightest when you return.

Here’s wishing you a Reunion full of sunshine. May your return to campus be full as you are cheered by the sharing of stories, the rediscovery of old friends, and the making of new memories together.

  I wish you joy, connection, and celebration at this truly special gathering. Happy 60th Reunion!

Sonya Stephens

Honorary

MHC Class of 1965 

Provided by MHC’65ers Sally Wright Abbas,

Helen Tubesing Forester, Di Howland McIntyre and from Kim Hunter, MHC’75. 

Our Class symbol, the Griffin, is a marvelous mythical creature! It has an aerial head and a bestial body and is said to watch over kings’ gold as well as the green gold inherent in our forests. Its wings and talons are like those of an eagle, while its body, tail, and back legs are like those of a lion. Very strong and wise, griffins have often been used in heraldry and crests. In Greek and Roman mythology, they were connected to sun gods. In pre-Islamic Iran, the griffin was seen as a symbol of ascension, and new rulers in the early Islamic period used it to convey power. In literature, griffins are featured in The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Dante’s Divine Comedy, and they have had significant roles in films such as Witchcraft and Rebel Moon. 

What a good match, the Class of 1965 and the griffin: strong and wise and powerful!

We thank our classmate, Susan Throckmorton, a world-renowned paper cutting artist, for creating this fabulous image of our griffin.