Wellesley College

The campus of Wellesley College is known for its natural beauty and its setting. It covers 500 acres in Wellesley, Massachusetts, a suburban town about 15 miles west of Boston. Old and contemporary architecture stand side by side here, and the prominent buildings and landmarks add to the appeal of the place. The campus was also planned with care, to create an atmosphere that supports and stimulates students. Natural landscapes, historic and modern buildings, and a range of facilities and resources give the college its own character and a strong sense of community.

Lake Waban sits at the middle of the campus and makes a calm setting for outdoor activities such as jogging, strolling, and picnics. The scenic Lake Waban Path encircles the lake, and both students and members of the public use it often. A large network of paths runs through the woods, so you can jog, trek, and explore outdoors. The campus also holds many green areas, gardens, and arboretums, quiet places for both leisure and academic work.

Many of the buildings at Wellesley College went up in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so older and modern styles both appear here. Among the most important are the Gothic-style Green Hall, the contemporary Science Center, and the well-known Galen Stone Tower. The college has a number of residence halls, and each one has its own character and architectural design. Most students live in the dorms, which were designed to build a sense of community and belonging.

The Davis Museum is an important cultural resource on campus, with a well-known art collection that reaches from ancient times to the present. The campus also has performance spaces, among them the Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall, which hosts concerts, plays, and other shows. Athletic facilities are wide-ranging. The Keohane Sports Center holds a basketball court, an indoor track, a fitness center, and a swimming pool. Outdoors, you will find facilities for sports such as tennis, soccer, and softball, among others.

Campus life at Wellesley College is active and diverse, and it is one of the things the college is best known for. You will find many ways to meet your peers, follow your interests, and build leadership skills. The community is welcoming and tight-knit, so students feel they belong and share in a common cause. Programs across campus help you connect with classmates, go deeper into what interests you, and grow personally and professionally. That sense of community and that supportive atmosphere are much of what makes the experience here distinctive and rewarding.

Most students live in the college's residential halls, which are meant to encourage community and a sense of belonging. Each hall has its own character and architectural style, and many carry traditions and activities that keep campus culture lively. There are roughly 150 student-run clubs and groups at Wellesley College, so you can follow a broad range of interests. These include academic and professional organizations, cultural and affinity groups, community service clubs, arts and performing ensembles, and other kinds of groups.

Wellesley College is deeply committed to serving the local community and to becoming responsible members of society. You can take part in a wide range of community service and social justice programs, both on campus and in the surrounding community. Athletics are open at several levels, including varsity sports, club sports, intramural sports, and recreational activities. The college is a member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) and of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

Through the academic year the college hosts a wide variety of intellectual and cultural activities, including performances, exhibitions, and lectures. Notable speakers, artists, and performers from a range of professions are invited often. Campus culture is also shaped by distinctive, well-established traditions that draw the student body together. These include the annual Flower Sunday ceremony, the Stepsinging competition, and the Hooprolling race.

The college makes a range of tools available to help you grow academically, personally, and professionally. These include counseling services, academic advice, career services, health and wellness services, and other kinds of support. Students, faculty, and staff at Wellesley College are actively working to make the community more inclusive and diverse. The institution provides resources, activities, and initiatives for students from a variety of backgrounds, and to encourage cross-cultural understanding and debate.

Wellesley College has produced many notable alumni in various fields. Some of its best-known and most accomplished graduates include:

• Ali MacGraw
• Amy Linker
• Ana Alicia
• Angelina Weld Grimké
• Anne Revere
• Anne W. Patterson
• Annie Jump Cannon
• Ayesha Jalal
• Barbara Babcock
• Blanche Baker
• Carolyn Gold Heilbrun
• Cathy Song
• Cokie Roberts
• Colette Flesch
• Desirée Rogers
• Diane Ravitch
• Diane Sawyer
• Elisabeth Shue
• Emilie Benes Brzezinski
• Henrietta H. Fore
• Hillary Clinton
• Hillary Jordan
• Jane Bolin
• Jean Kilbourne
• Judith Martin
• Katharine Lee Bates
• Katherine Kennicott Davis
• Kimberly Dozier
• Laura Allen
• Liz Peek
• Madeleine Albright
• Marcia Davenport
• Marjory Stoneman Douglas
• Mary Dewson
• Mary Rodgers
• Michele J. Sison
• Michelle Ye
• Nancy Friday
• Nayantara Sahgal
• Nora Ephron
• Ophelia Dahl
• Pamela Melroy
• Patricia J. Williams
• Rebecca Lancefield
• Rosalind E. Krauss
• Santha Rama Rau
• Soong Mei-ling
• Sophonisba Breckinridge
• Susan Wagner
• Vivian Kao
• Wendy Liebman