There’s a lot of class pride at Wellesley. During orientation week (the week before classes start, when first-years are invited to come early and get acclimated to the campus, and each other), the campus is COVERED in the first-year class color (there are four class colors: yellow, red, green and purple). The class color for the class of 2014 is purple: royal purple, if you ask any of us. When I arrived at Wellesley, in the fall of 2010, the campus was covered in purple banners. I received a purple “Class of 2014” shirt, and even a purple lanyard for my keys. The class picture we took during orientation week is still hanging up in my room.
Beyond class color, there are a number of class traditions at Wellesley. Every fall, the College puts on first-year formal in alumnae ballroom—our theme was midnight masquerade! Sophomore tree planting also happens in the fall, during which the College hangs the names of every student in the sophomore class on the branches of the newly planted tree.
The base of the 1901 class tree! The tree is just behind the Tower Court dorm complex.
The 2010 class tree resides in the middle of the academic quad, just outside Founders Hall.
The junior class talent show happens in the spring semester, as does Senior Soiree. These traditions offer one more connection between current Wellesley students, and the thousands of women that have come before them. Everyday, when I walk to class, I am reminded of the Wellesley women that have come before me, and it feels incredible.
A handful of ZA seniors at this year’s senior soiree!