From the NAA President

My Dear Fellow Alumnae,

I have been honored to serve as your President of the Newcomb Alumnae Association (NAA), and I am overwhelmed by gratitude toward all of you who supported Newcomb this year. From serving on your reunion committees to raising over $45,000 during Give Green, your dedication to Newcomb is making an impact.

Newcomb has weathered several transitions since its founding, but you continue to keep the name of our beloved alma mater alive by attending our programs, supporting Newcomb Institute, and increasing Newcomb’s visibility. As leaders, changemakers, and conduits, your life experiences and passions are invaluable to the Newcomb Network, the living, breathing connective force that is our alma mater.

Your feedback in last year’s alumnae survey has guided our work to develop meaningful programs. This year, we co-hosted a powerful webinar about women’s leadership with former Wellesley president, Diana Chapman Walsh, and the Newcomb Scholars. Tulane’s inaugural Black Alumni Weekend was a success, including the much-anticipated BANTU Ball featuring Queen Tahj. Our feisty, feminist spring book club featured Drew Gilpin Faust, an author highlighted at the New Orleans Book Festival. We celebrated another amazing Under the Oaks by honoring the class of 1974 and welcoming an incredible new class of alums into the association. We also kicked off our Newcomb roadshow in Washington, D.C., at a spirited reception introducing our Newcomb Institute Executive Director, Anita Raj, to alums, parents, and Newcomb supporters. Our exciting virtual, third annual Newcomb Networking Night was on October 30th.

Please check the email newsletter for future events, including our upcoming book clubs and more receptions with Dr. Raj around the country.

I hope to celebrate in person with you during one of our many Wave Weekend Newcomb events, scheduled for November 7-10. We are now presenting our annual awards, including the first Live Oak Award, that weekend. Toast the award winners with us at our 2024 NAA Awards Champagne Reception on Friday, November 8th!

To further strengthen connections between students and alumnae of all ages, careers, and backgrounds, we are asking that alums please connect with the NAA and Newcomb Institute on LinkedIn. In Dr. Raj’s short tenure, our Newcomb Network on LinkedIn has already quadrupled to more than 1,000 followers!

Above all, I am thankful for the passion, time, and dedication of our 2024 NAA Board of Directors and Newcomb staff. I am particularly grateful for the strength and flexibility of our Executive Board, President-Elect Maggie Herman (PHTM ’15), Immediate-Past President Helene Sheena (NC ’87), VP of Alumnae Lauren Lee Pettiete Schewel (NC ’09), VP of Students Julia Broussard (LA ’10), Treasurer Ashley Smith (LA ’10), and Secretary Emily Greenfield (NC ’98). Moreover, I could not do this work without the mentorship of Anita Raj and the patience and encouragement of Elyse Harrison, Newcomb Senior Program Manager for Alumnae Relations.

Please know that whatever your involvement in the NAA has been so far, we need you to help shape the next generation of Newcomb!

With gratitude,

Andi Schippert Richardson (NC ’99)

President,

Newcomb Alumnae Association