Sonya’s story: From working-class roots to Cambridge University

Sonya’s story: From working-class roots to Cambridge University

BY MADELINE FITZGERALD ’21

This is the first in a two-part series on Sonya Stephens, Mount Holyoke’s newly appointed 19th president.

Warm. Kind. Funny. Aloof. Deceptive. Racist. In her three-year tenure as acting president of Mount Holyoke, a myriad of descriptors have been thrown at Sonya Stephens. She is alternatively depicted as a kindhearted academic striving for diversity and a closed-off fundraiser known among students for her perceived insensitivity. The Board of Trustees appointed her to the presidency with “unanimous enthusiasm” but her inauguration was sparsely attended, with fewer than 50 students present.

Mountain Day coverage throughout the years

Mountain Day coverage throughout the years

BY CHLOE JENSEN ’20

Since 1917, the MHN has been reporting on every student’s favorite opportunity to skip class and enjoy the beautiful fall New England weather — Mountain Day. From climbing, to sleeping in, chanting, singing, apple-picking, drinking and relaxing, the Mount Holyoke News has always been quick to cover the much-favored campus tradition.

New chess club hopes to empower students

New chess club hopes to empower students

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Mount Holyoke’s first chess club meeting in 22 years took place on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Linh Nguyen ’21, Austen Borg ’20 and Annegail Moreland ’20 are co-founders of the new Mount Holyoke chess club (MHCC), which was created due to several students’ collective interest. The meeting, which took place in Blanchard Hall’s Great Room, focused on the goals and vision for the club.

First-year wins international award for anti-bullying work

First-year wins international award for anti-bullying work

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Growing up in Miami, Florida, Emily Wolman ’22 experienced verbal and emotional bullying online and in-person. In response, she founded an anti-bullying initiative called Students That Offer Peace (STOP). The club grabbed the attention of students and faculty and eventually won Wolman the Posse Scholarship and the Princess Diana Award.

Wait ­­­­— so what happens when Baby gets here in the fall? New students reflect on their first experiences of MHC traditions

Wait ­­­­— so what happens when Baby gets here in the fall? New students reflect on their first experiences of MHC traditions

Traditions like Convocation are a defining aspect of the Mount Holyoke experience. They also mark the beginning of a journey at the College for many students, including first-years. For prospective students, Mount Holyoke’s traditions are often a deciding factor for choosing the College.

Community “rattled” regarding new alcohol service on campus

Community “rattled” regarding new alcohol service on campus

BY LILY REAVIS ’21 

The first-ever legal sale of alcohol on the Mount Holyoke campus took place on Monday, Sept. 3. The new Cochary Pub & Kitchen in Blanchard Hall serves a collection of local beers and wines, all of which are available to any community members of legal drinking age.

Skinner movie date gets five-star rating

Skinner movie date gets five-star rating

BY GRACE FITZGERALD

We set up first-years Aleasha* and Daphne* on a movie date in Skinner Hall. Aleasha described herself as a “dynamic and dedicated person looking for someone caring who she could make laugh.” Daphne, a self-described film studies nerd was looking for someone to watch movies with and be close to. Their similar senses of humor and a love of film made them seem like the perfect match!

The history behind Convocation

The history behind Convocation

BY LILY REAVIS ‘21

Though some archive records claim that Convocation has taken place annually since 1837, there are no formal accounts of any such event until 1931. If there was a tradition before then, it was likely very different in style. The official establishment of Convocation in 1931 marked a turning point for Mount Holyoke College. Today, Mount Holyoke College’s Convocation is a loud, vibrant celebration of the school’s community, but it wasn’t always that way; the tradition was originally far more formal and focused on individual student awards. 

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Nine things I learned my sophomore year

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Nine things I learned my sophomore year

BY MIA PENNEKAMP ’20 

1. One day you will finally get an A from the professor who has never given you anything but Bs. 


2. Don’t forget to keep up with your oldest friends. The ones who know you cold and ugly and like family. If you do forget, one of them will call you out for it on Easter in a coffee shop. She will sit across from you, wearing a leather jacket and a yellow scarf, and you’ll both tear up. 

Getting married at Mount Holyoke

Getting married at Mount Holyoke

BY SABA FIAZUDDIN ’21

For members of the Mount Holyoke community, many of life’s most important moments happen on campus, from their first convocation to commencement, with years of beloved traditions in between. For some, this connection extends beyond their final walk through the amphitheater. In addition to more well-known events held in Abbey Chapel and the Willits-Hallowell Conference Center, people can also use these venues for their weddings. Many Mount Holyoke graduates chose to do just that. 

UP THE HILL: HOW CLINTON’S TOP ADVISOR IS MOVING ON FROM THE 2016 ELECTION

UP THE HILL: HOW CLINTON’S TOP ADVISOR IS MOVING ON FROM THE 2016 ELECTION

BY  LINDSEY MCGINNIS ’18

Elle magazine described her as a key member of Hillary Clinton’s “Girl Squad.” To Fortune.com readers, she was “the wonk shaping Hillary Clinton’s plans for the country.” POLITICO named her one of the top 50 “thinkers, doers and visionaries” transforming American politics in 2016.

Everybody loves grass

Everybody loves grass

BY MIA PENNEKAMP ’20

The first time I saw Mount Holyoke it was summer. Everything was green. I wore white jeans and sandals, the sun browning my spaghetti strap-clad shoulders. There was powdered sugar on my jean jacket from a drive-thru donut shop (my mom came, so there had to be donuts). We toured the campus and she walked quickly ahead of me, her curls wild, shoes platformed and button-down tucked in. We spent the day exploring the valley and ended with white wine, pizza and conversation over a small wooden table in Northampton. “What did you think?” she wanted to know, clearly smitten herself. She had the giddy excitement of a school girl. The hazed eyes of infatuation, lovesick off her own college reminiscing — North Carolina in the ’80s. I had one burning question: “Mom,” I asked, “seriously, why is everyone lying in the grass?” 

MoRomance expands to the Five Colleges

MoRomance expands to the Five Colleges

BY GRACE FITZGERALD ’20

It can get lonely in the Pioneer Valley. To address this, we at MoRomance are sending MoHos on blind dates with fellow Five College students to find love! After all, isn’t that what the consortium was created for? We set up Mount Holyoke first-year Suzie* and Hampshire second-year Stephen* for our inaugural Five College date. Suzie described herself as an outgoing, energetic and vivacious person seeking someone who she can be comfortable and intimate with. Stephen, a musician, was looking for someone who loves music and can appreciate his offbeat sense of humor. Their shared love of movies and the arts seemed to make for a perfect match. We sent them on a date to the Smith College Art Museum followed by bubble tea in Northampton. The two met in the lobby of the art museum, and here’s what happened… 

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Vita and Virginia: A literary love story

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Vita and Virginia: A literary love story

BY GRACE FITZGERALD ’20

This week, we set up senior Virginia* with first-year Vita* on a movie date in Clapp to watch “Romeo + Juliet.” Vita described herself as an open-minded person who is fascinated by the world. As a self-described hopeless romantic, Virginia wanted someone she could talk about the depths of her soul with. Vita, who wants to know a little about everything, seemed like a perfect fit! Mid-’90s Leonardo DiCaprio plus the Clapp sloth sounded like the recipe for romance to us. The two met in Clapp to begin their date, and here’s how it went…

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