Through the outstanding efforts and generosity on the part of members of the Class of 1971, the College established a lecture series named for the co-founder the Catholic Worker Movement. The annual Dorothy Day Lecture delves into themes at the intersection of sociology, history, economics, and political action.
The annual lecture series stemmed from the collective desire of 1971 alumni to create a lasting tribute. It honors not only their departed classmates but also celebrates the accomplishments and enduring impact of those still among us. It acknowledges the unique experiences they shared during their years as students and how those formative times shaped their lives.
In the fall of 2012, the class formed a Governing Committee, which crafted a proposal for an annual alumni lecture to be held on a Sunday afternoon, followed by a reception. The response from classmates was overwhelming, with contributions totaling over $100,000 raised in record time.
The success of this fundraising effort was commemorated the following April with a Class of 1971 Dorothy Day Endowment Panel Discussion. Titled “Changing Times, Changing Lives,” the event featured six distinguished alumni from the early 1970s, showcasing their diverse paths and contributions across various fields. Panelists included Mary Morris Anderson ’71, Executive Director, the Family Pantry of Cape Cod; Susan Cocco ’74, Chairman, Ridgefield, Conn., Democratic Town Committee and Executive Marketing Director, Colangelo (Omnicom); Mary Lou Frisbie ’72, Vice President and Compliance Manager, JP Morgan Chase Bank NA; the Honorable Mary McCauley Manzi ’71, Judge, Essex County (Mass.) Family and Probate Court; Louise Schiavone ’72, Contributing Anchor, NPR and P.O.T.U.S./ SiriusXM Radio, and Lecturer, John Hopkins University’s Carey Business School; and Diane Bonneau Tillotson ’70, Partner, Hemenway & Barnes.
The inaugural Dorothy Day Lecture took place on April 27, 2014, featuring Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK, a prominent national Catholic social justice lobby. Sister Simone is renowned for leading NETWORK’s impactful “Nuns on the Bus” tours, advocating for economic and social policy changes across the United States. Subsequent speakers include notable figures such as Amy Goodman, Patrick Radden Keefe, Diane Nash and others. See a comprehensive list of past speakers and their insightful topics.