Simmons University Alumnae/i

10/16/2026

10/09/2026

MAHJONG TEACHERS?
I am still looking for a few more alums who would like to teach Simmons students how to play! We will be playing in BARTOL HALL on Friday, November 13, from 5-7 p.m.

Can you bring your set and teach a table of students how to play? They'll provide snacks and drinks and parking can be provided over at the Simmons garage, if you need it.

Please let me know if you are interested in paying it forward and teaching a new generation how to ‘rack’ their tiles and ‘Charleston’!

Email Lauren Sterling '83 @ [email protected]

10/08/2026

Happy DAF Day, Simmons! 💙

Today we're celebrating our donor-advised-fund donors and thanking them for the thoughtful ways they support Simmons, our students, and the University’s future. Their generosity helps create a lasting legacy at Simmons.

Interested in learning more about tax-smart strategies for retirement, estate planning, and charitable giving?

Join us for the next session in our Alumnae/i Financial Literacy Series:

📍 Tax-Smart Living in Retirement
🗓 Tuesday, November 10, 2026
🕖 7:00-8:00 PM EST
🎤 With Aaron McGarry, Director of Planned Giving at Simmons University

Aaron will share strategies to help you plan for retirement, think ahead about your estate, and make informed decisions about charitable giving.

Tax planning matters at every stage, and it's never too early to start preparing for this meaningful life stage.
👉 Register today! https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SimmonsUniversity/events/alumnae-i-financial-literacy-series-tax-smart-living-in-retirement

10/07/2026

Opening Reception in the Trustman Art Gallery: I'm here If you need me

The Trustman Art Gallery Presents "I'm here If you need me," a solo exhibition by Kate Holcomb Hale. Join us for the opening reception this Thursday, October 8, from 5 - 7 pm.

About the Exhibition:
At first encounter, Kate Holcomb Hale’s sculptures seem to be referencing failed structures — railings without stairs, flexible ladders you can’t climb, soft speed bumps that do not deter one’s speed —architectural elements engineered not to function.

However, when you notice that these sculptures are twisting and bending in response to their environment and see that the splatters of colors emerge and dissipate on their surfaces into bruise-like patterns, you realize that these forms are so much like our bodies. Our bodies are constantly adjusting in an attempt to fit into our surroundings, often getting bruised and injured in the process.

Hale’s ladders, speed bumps, and railings are soft and flexible, not because they are failing, but because they must remain agile and improvisational in order to accommodate any situations they encounter. Her sculptures reference bodies in constant transitions: bodies that falter but still hold on to carry our lives forward, bodies that take care of loved ones through pain, and the bodies of our loved ones as they begin to fail.

In this way, Hale’s work tells a story of bodies and caretaking. I’m here If you need me is not just an exhibition title, but a phrase of care and love. It reflects how we extend ourselves to take care of our loved ones, as well as the eventual grief that comes after losing the people we love.

Kate Holcomb Hale (b. 1976, Buffalo, NY) is an interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Arlington, MA. Kate's artwork examines how the built environments shape our experiences and memories via drawing, painting, sculpture, and craft. Kate received her MFA in critical theory and studio art from Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. She has exhibited throughout the United States and internationally, including exhibitions at The Danforth Art Museum (Framingham, MA), Zabludowicz Collection (London, UK), Praise Shadows Art Gallery (Boston, MA), Spilt Milk Gallery (Edinburgh Scotland) and LaiSun Keane Gallery (Boston, MA). Kate has been awarded residencies at the Jenny Family Residency in New Edinburgh, Nova Scotia and Virginia Center for Creative Arts in Amherst, VA. In 2026 she was awarded a Mass Cultural Council Creative Individual Grant. Kate’s artwork has appeared in The Boston Globe, Boston Art Review and is featured in Motherhood as Muse, Mother Art Prize 4th Edition and History, Practice and Pedagogy: Empathic Engagements in the Visual Arts.

The Exhibition is on view from Tuesday, October 6 to Friday, December 11, 2026.

Trustman Art Gallery hours are 10 AM – 4:30 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and 10 am – 7 pm on Thursday. The Gallery is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. The Trustman Art Gallery is located within Simmons University at 300 Fenway, 4th floor, Boston MA 02115. For more information, contact Loretta Park at [email protected]. Find us on Instagram or visit the Trustman Art Gallery at https://trustman.simmons.edu

10/06/2026

As we enter October, I want to make sure you saw the invitation to join me, our fellow alumna and my friend Harriet Lurensky Kuhn '84, and President Wooten for brunch on Sunday, October 25!

Harriet will be graciously hosting the event at her home in Bethesda, and we’re both looking forward to seeing as many area alumnae/i and friends as possible. As a former DC club volunteer myself, I am excited to reconnect with our local community and build new momentum for the Simmons network in the region.

Registration will close on October 16, so make sure to sign up at https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SimmonsUniversity/events/simmons-alumnae-i-gathering-in-bethesda?bbeml=tp-785g2x8IwUm-s2iIBbfPiA.j293D7mv_aUi2omLaMmFAnA.ru9rdb5q48EGb9dCQRJnQVw.ltnZWDhlHM0SK_n5TA_SVpw and reserve your spot.

We hope to see you in Bethesda!
Stacy J. Berman '85

Sunday, October 25
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
At the Home of Our Event Host
Harriet Lurensky Kuhn '84
Bethesda, MD

Registration will close on Friday, October 16. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Anderson, Advancement Events Manager, at alumevents@simm​​ons.edu or 800-831-4284. We hope to see you there!

10/06/2026

We warmly invite you to join us for our 2026 Fall Community Read: Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, edited by the late award-winning author and disability activist, Alice Wong. This collection of 37 essays share the insights and lived experiences of contemporary disabled scholars, writers, activists, artists, and everyday people. Visit the Disability Visibility LibGuide to learn more about the book and authors!

Virtual Round-Table Conversation with Disability Visibility Contributors

Wednesday, November 18, 2026
3:30 - 4:45 PM EDT
This event will be hosted on Zoom. Join us for our campus watch party (with snacks!) in the Linda K. Paresky Conference Center!
Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhppJcg6LaDwlqMYZ6crL6WJM1aWkZC9gBiomTPdsnV-FDGw/viewform

Alice Wong, a disabled activist writer, editor, and community organizer based in San Francisco, passed away at the age of 51 on November 14, 2025. She was the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture. From 2013 to 2015, Alice served as a member of the National Council on Disability, an appointment by President Barack Obama. Her tireless work as what friends called a luminary and “Disabled Oracle" paved the way for future generations to claim their place in movements for justice.

In celebration of Alice Wong, Simmons University is proud to host a virtual round-table discussion with four disabled scholars and contributors to the Disability Visibility anthology. Jen Deerinwater, Talila A. Lewis, Esq., Dev Ramsawakh, and Ellen Samuels will join us for this conversation. The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Briana Martino, Associate Professor of Communications.

Book Giveaway: We will be giving away 10 free copies of Disability Visibility to the community! Attendees will be able to 'opt-in' to the giveaway when registering for the event.

There will be a live captioner and interpreter on Zoom. Please reach out to the event organizers at [email protected] with any questions!

The Fall Community Read Program is sponsored by the Provost's Office, in collaboration with the Office of Research and Fellowships, the Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership and Engagement, and the Simmons University Library. This initiative is made possible through a generous donation by Eileen Friars '72.

10/02/2026

CELEBRATING FOUNDER'S DAY 2027
Every October, the Simmons alumnae/i community comes together to celebrate our founder, John Simmons. This year, we are pleased to extend the celebration over the course of an entire week: Monday, October 26, through Friday, October 30. Through articles, social media, and virtual programming, we invite you to take part in the following opportunities to honor John Simmons’ legacy and celebrate the vibrant University that bears his name.

Note that these events are the only two that require registration - other moments can be found on our social media pages or beyond. Check your email for more information, or reach out to [email protected] to learn more.

Register at: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SimmonsUniversity/events/simmons-university-founder-s-day-2027?bbeml=tp-785g2x8IwUm-s2iIBbfPiA.j0nlGoWI2Y0WLVsRJaxKfkg.rACdW5LGTuUy06qu3Cq-MjA.lo6lAJHiFk0CefqfVI_SYfA

What’s Happening Wednesday: An Alumnae/i Town Hall with President Wooten
Wednesday, October 28
7 - 8 PM | Virtual
Join Simmons President Lynn Perry Wooten and other members of Simmons Leadership Team for a virtual alumnae/i town hall, where you’ll hear updates on the soon-to-open Living and Learning Center and final phase of the One Simmons project, the cohort-based and career-focused student experience, and what’s ahead for 2027.

Storytelling Thursday
Thursday, October 29
12 - 1 PM | Virtual
Denise Doherty Pappas '71, '85MBA, HT, and the Simmons University Archives will present a dynamic program about the school’s founder. Denise will discuss the art of storytelling and her book about John Simmons, The Measure of a Man. Simmons Archives will share some fascinating historical pieces from their collection.

09/29/2026

Final Holmes Meet and Last Lap!
Please join James Sweeney, Simmons' new Head Swimming and Diving Coach, and the rest of the Swimming and Diving Team as we host our final home meet at Holmes Sports Center.

This will be a meaningful night for our current team, but also a celebration of everyone who has helped make Simmons Swimming and Diving what it is today - including you!

And because this will be our last home meet in the Holmes pool, we'd love to have our alumnae/i join us for one more swim. Following the meet, alumnae/i will be welcome to jump in the pool and take one last lap (or a few!) in Holmes Sports Center before we transition to our exciting new Aquatics Facility in the Living and Learning Center.

Whether you come to cheer from the stands, reconnect with former teammates, meet our current Sharks, or take that final swim in the Holmes pool, we hope you'll be part of this special evening.

Please mark your calendars and come home to the pool. We can't wait to celebrate the past, present, and future of Simmons Swimming and Diving with you!

RSVP at https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SimmonsUniversity/events/final-holmes-meet-and-last-lap?bbeml=tp-785g2x8IwUm-s2iIBbfPiA.jNApy2MPdyUiPLVzBX2VOeA.rx9vCEw-kVUSs8YF2VM70Pw.lQ2CxBiXlMU24V7szwIa-YA

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

09/25/2026

Save the Date: Celebrating Founder’s Day 2027
Every October, the Simmons community comes together to celebrate our founder, John Simmons. This year, we are pleased to extend the celebration over the course of an entire week - starting Monday, October 26 and culminating Friday, October 30. Through articles, social media posts, and both live and asynchronous virtual programming, we encourage you to participate in these opportunities to honor John Simmons’ legacy - as together we celebrate what a vibrant institution the University bearing his name has become.

An Alumnae/i Town Hall with President Wooten, Wednesday, October 28 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Join Simmons President Lynn Perry Wooten and other members of Simmons Leadership Team for a virtual alumnae/i town hall, where you’ll hear updates on the soon-to-open Living and Learning Center and final phase of the One Simmons project, the cohort-based and career-focused student experience , and what’s ahead for 2027.

Find out more here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SimmonsUniversity/admin/events/16409149

09/23/2026

Simmons alumnae/i had the opportunity to attend a Hard Hat Tour of the Living and Learning Center (LLC) on September 17.

Guided by Laura Brink Pisinski, Vice President of University Real Estate and Facilities, and our partners at Skanska, attendees got a firsthand look at the progress underway and learned how the project will transform the campus experience and bring the vision for One Simmons to life.

The tour included a preview of the new residence rooms, a glimpse of the gymnasium, and the pool, which is now filled with water!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DdolUlBDD3o/?img_index=1