Come Home to Smith

Smith Voices

8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Alums are invited to register for the inaugural Smith VOICES gathering, a new program in which a Variety of Opinions, Interests, Cohorts, and Experiences are Supported. This year’s theme, Joyful Care, explores how we care for ourselves and our communities. Highlights include a keynote by AASC President Lara Marcon ’91, small group workshops led by alums and staff, lunch in residence houses, and more. The program is free but separate registration is required by October 21. 

Department of Art 200‑ and 300‑Level Student Showcase

8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jannotta Gallery, Hillyer Hall
View an exhibition of work by current students in 200‑ and 300‑level Department of Art studio courses.

Future Fest at the Conway Center

9–11 a.m. | Traveling Diary Mini Session Checkouts 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Neilson Library 103 
The Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center is excited for the Smith community to visit our open house. Enjoy a warm beverage and tasty treats as you take in the exciting opportunities we offer students! Be the first to experience our trailblazing financial literacy program: Fund Your Future. Hear how students are drawing on their coursework to question what exists today and use their imagination to explore what could be tomorrow: 2026 Co-Innovate for Change Challenge. And explore a special writing activity for students and alums that celebrates our shared history, reflects our current moment, and imagines our collective futures with our Traveling Diary. Conway Center interns, fellows, and staff stand ready to welcome you.

Open Hours for the Lazarus Center for Career Development

9–11 a.m. 
Kathleen McCartney Hall Lobby
Come connect with the Lazarus Center team, learn about the resources and services we offer, and discover how we’re here to support students throughout their time at Smith and beyond. All students and their families are welcome!

Botanic Garden

9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stroll through diverse plant collections and garden spaces that have supported teaching, research, and connection for more than a century.

Neilson Library: Architecture and Design Tour

Join executive architects Shepley Bulfinch and Smith Libraries staff for a tour of the new Neilson Library. Opened in 2021 and designed in collaboration with Maya Lin Studio, the historic library was transformed into a lively intellectual hub that revitalized the heart of campus. Guests will learn about key architectural and design features and have the opportunity for an extended self-guided tour afterwards. 

Exploring Plant Conservation at the Smith Botanic Garden

10–11 a.m.
Meet at Lanning Fountain. Limited to 80 guests.
For 130 years, the Botanic Garden of Smith College has been the steward of exemplary teaching collections — creating spaces for learning and research as well as joy and connection. Today, this cherished institution is working with current Smithies to tackle biodiversity loss and partner with conservation leaders around the country. Join Director John Berryhill for a tour of beautiful garden spaces and an exploration of projects that have set Smith apart as a groundbreaking botanic garden in the 21st century.

Exploring an M.S.W. in Clinical Social Work

10 a.m.–noon
Separate registration required.

If you've thought about becoming a clinical social worker and returning to Smith to get your M.S.W., come explore with the School for Social Work! Join Dean Marianne Yoshioka, Associate Dean Megan Harding, and members of the Practicum Education and Admission offices for this live, in-person event to explore the clinical M.S.W. on the beautiful campus at Smith College. After a tour of campus, attendees will hear brief remarks from each panelist and have the opportunity to ask questions in a roundtable format.  Location and other details will be sent upon registration.

Planting Bulbs in Capen Garden

10 a.m.–2 p.m. 
Registration required
Conway Gazebo, Capen Garden
Sign up to help with this annual Smith tradition, planting upward of 2,000 tulips in the beds surrounding the Jill Ker Conway Gazebo in Capen Garden. Tools, gloves, cider, and doughnuts will be on hand!

CEEDS Annual Apple Cider Pressing

All the Geothermal You Cannot See

Museum of Art

11 a.m.–5 p.m.
20 Elm Street
Free admission for all! Come check out what’s on view, including Michel Kameni: Portraits of an Independent Africa. The exhibition features portraits by the Cameroonian studio photographer Michel Kameni (c. 1935–2020) made at Studio KM in Yaoundé. The 55 prints featured were made during the 1960s and 1970s in the years following Cameroon’s independence.

Cider and Donuts with the Dean: Come Home to Smith

1–2 p.m.
Lilly Hall Lobby
Drop in and reconnect over cider and donuts with Dean Marianne Yoshioka! Whether you’re a Smith Social Work alum returning to campus or a Smithie Alumni interested in learning more about what’s happening at the School for Social Work, stop by to say hello, ask questions, and catch up with the community.

Rugby: Smith vs. Yale

11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lower Athletic (Equestrian) Fields
Smith Rugby will play Yale Rugby as one of the last regular season games for this fall season. Previous knowledge of rugby is not required to enjoy this exciting and growing sport. Please come out and support Smith!

DTI’s 10th Birthday Party!

11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Davis lawn patio
The Design Thinking Initiative (DTI) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a birthday party! Laura Lilienkamp ’18 will host a throwback DTI drop-in workshop open to all. Come and create an upcycled bag, share your fondest DTI memories with us on our collage timeline, imagine where you want us to go in the future, and enjoy a slice of cake, too! We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you.

Ada Bake Sale

11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Campus Center steps
The Ada Comstock Scholars Program offers a path for students of nontraditional age to complete a bachelor of arts degree at Smith College. The Ada cabinet and Ada coordinator are fundraising to support anniversary celebrations, upcoming events, and merchandise for the class. Drop by for a sweet treat and to learn more about how this innovative program supports non-traditional-age students. Cash is preferred, but Venmo will also be accepted.

Smith Athletics Volleyball Doubleheader

1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Ainsworth Gymnasium
Come cheer on Smith Volleyball in their doubleheader vs. Worcester State University at 1 p.m. and vs. Curry College at 5 p.m.

Artmaking with the Smith Office for the Arts 

1–3 p.m. 
Hillyer Atrium/Museum of Art 
Come join the Smith Office for the Arts (SOFA) in some artmaking of your own! Activities will include decorating a SmithArts pencil pouch or tote bag, button making, and zine making. Open to all, while supplies last.

Home, House, History (& Halloween) 

1–4:45 p.m.
Neilson Library, Special Collections Reading Room, Third Floor
Home, House, History (& Halloween) will feature materials about Smith house histories from the College Archives. Stop by the Special Collections Reading Room and learn about the women for whom Granville, Haynes, King, Lee, and Rothman Houses are named and then pick up some beautiful complimentary postcards of Smithies in action through the years. 

Montage: The Elements (Smith Department of Music)

4 p.m.
John M. Greene Hall
Explore themes of air, fire, earth, and water from different genres with performances by the Glee Club, Chamber Singers, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Wailing Banshees, Jazz Ensemble, Handbell Choir, and student a cappella groups.

The Meridians Project

4–5:30 p.m.
22 Green Street
Come celebrate Meridians 25th anniversary during our Smith Tea. Learn about the history of the journal and discover your new favorite feminist scholar while enjoying some light snacks and specially mixed Smith tea. The first ten attendees will receive a Meridians coffee mug! 

Smith College Bell Ringers

5–6 p.m.
Mendenhall Center Bell Tower
Students, family members, and alumnae are welcome to stop by the Mendenhall Bell Tower for an open house. Try your hand at chiming the bells and learn more about this unique piece of Smith’s living history! Enter the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts at the Berenson Studio across from Sage Hall, or follow the signs from the Green Street entrance to Mendenhall. Access to the ringing chamber requires climbing a short ladder.

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Tara Franklin

7:30 p.m.
Hallie Flanagan Theatre, 122 Green Street
SOLD OUT. In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.