6th Annual Black Experience Summit |
The sixth annual Black Experience Summit: Embodying Faith, Seeking Racial Justice, explores the impact of racism in the life and mission of religious institutions. Keynote speaker Shannen Dee Williams, Ph.D. explores how Black Catholic sisters struggled to expose the rampant discrimination and misrepresentation that existed historically within the U.S. Catholic Church. These courageous women used their particular roles as educators and social justice warriors to seek equality and integration within the larger struggle for Black liberation.
An interfaith panel will discuss how faith practitioners raise their voices to exemplify the pivotal role that places of worship could play to eradicate racism and white supremacy both internally and externally. Keynote speaker Olga Marina Segura will address how contemporary movements for Black liberation, such as Black Lives Matter, are not only consistent with the social justice teachings of the religious faithful, but also continue to challenge the ongoing marginalization and invisibility of racial justice.
In keeping with their mission to unite neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God without distinction, to live simply, and act for justice, the Sisters of St. Joseph are co-sponsoring this year's Annual Black Experience Summit with Elms College. This year’s Summit is also made possible by grant funding from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and by support from the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity and Urban Education.
For additional information, event schedule and to register to attend the event please visit: https://www.elms.edu/events/bes/. Please register by Thursday, February 23, 2023.
We are excited to welcome you to Elms College for this inspiring and educational 6th annual Black Experience Summit!
|
|
"200 Women" Exhibit in the Borgia Gallery |
|
|
|
On January 25, the Elms Community gathered to listen to Diane Foley's inspirational story and see the "200 Women" exhibit in the Borgia Gallery at Elms College. The exhibit was organized by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation and will be on display in the gallery until February 12. |
|
|
|
|
The exhibition, 200 Women, is a collaborative effort. Kiernan E. Scott is the photographer. Geoffrey Blackwell and Ruth Hobday designed the original "200 Women" coffee table book, as well as the exhibition project. The women were filmed as they responded to the following five questions:
- What really matters to you?
- What brings you happiness?
- What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
- What would you change if you could?
- Which single word do you most identify with?
|
|
The responses to these questions are accessible through the QR codes and written text available throughout the exhibition. |
|
Students Create Marketing Plan for the Polish Center |
|
Student involvement is the key to community collaboration! An Elms Marketing class is developing a Marketing Plan for the Polish Center in Chicopee that will be presented to the center's trustees this coming April. During a site visit, students got a firsthand look at the exhibits and heard about the center's history, purpose, and current goals. |
|
On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Women's Basketball held an alumni game in memory of Kelly O'Connell '95.
Julie (Heroux), Lingenberg '96, a three-sport student-athlete who played soccer, basketball, and softball said:
"On Saturday, January 7, the 1992-93 M.A.I.A.W. State Champions in basketball (Massachusetts Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) reunited to pay tribute to Kelly O'Connell, our teammate and friend, by playing in an alumni basketball game. It was an amazing morning where we were not only on the court together again, but we were able to reminisce on our cherished memories on and off the court. We remembered our passionate, dedicated, and tenacious Kelly who will forever be number 12.
Making this day more memorable was having Kelly's brother David who was always at our games when Kelly played, and her 'extended family' there as well. Thank you to Coach Condon and Coach Proulx, and Lynn Korza, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Fund for making it so special, from the greeting to the shirts we played in with Kelly's number 12 proudly displayed on the sleeve in her honor. It was perfect!"
Another teammate of Kelly's, Linda Kieras Kenny, class of 1996, said, "This past Saturday, I had the great joy of reconnecting with some of my Elms College basketball teammates for an alumni game and to honor and remember our dear friend and teammate that passed away unexpectedly. Kelly was a dynamic force on the court. She played hard and with a great heart. She pushed to become better, lifted us up when we fell, encouraged us, and helped us to rise... a true teammate."
Kelly was a three-sport student athlete who played field hockey, basketball, and soccer. She continued her love of sports by becoming the Assistant Softball Coach for Coach Condon, Head Softball Coach at Becker College, Rivier College, and Smith College.
|
|
April 7, 2023
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Mary Dooley College Center
|
|
Seeking Nominations:
Sr. Margaret James McGrath Distinguished Alumni Award
|
|
Nominate alumni who exemplify the core values of Faith, Community, Excellence, and Justice, by March 17!
Our award recipient will be recognized at Reunion on June 3, 2023.
|
|
|
|
Join the Virtual Book Club |
|
On March 17th, the Elms College Book Club will begin reading Andrea Yaryura Clark's debut novel, On a Night of a Thousand Stars! We hope you will join us for some great discussions about this book as well as a virtual Q&A with Clark on May 9th. If you are a book club member, registration information for that event will be coming your way soon! If you aren’t already a member, please learn more about the Elms College Book Club and join here: https://www.pbc.guru/elms. Our community of readers is ready to welcome you as we embark on a meaningful reading journey together.
|
|
We are excited to announce that we are hosting a one-hour live Q&A and discussion with Geraldine Brooks as part of our After the Book Discussion for "Horse", open to all book club members currently reading this novel.
When: Tuesday, March 7th, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Virtually Via Our Online Streaming Platform
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity:
|
|
The Fall 2022 issue of ELMS Magazine is now available. |
|
- Help us get a jump start on our day of giving and reach our highest goal yet. In the spirit of Blazer Blitz make your gift today!
- Your gift will directly impact financial aid for our students and support their success at the Elms and beyond.
- Help us reach this year's goal of $95,000.
-
We need 300 donors to unlock $30,000 of challenge gifts. You have the power to help make that happen!
|
|
Elms Across America - Register ASAP |
|
Lynn Korza '88, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Email: Korzal@elms.edu
Phone: (413) 265- 2454
Jill Perry '21, Alumni Engagement Specialist
Email: Perryj@elms.edu
Phone: (413) 265- 2388
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
