Bridging Time & Distance: Smith in Europe Reunion 2024
A multigenerational group of alums from 19 countries and four continents gather in Paris, celebrating their connections and the spirit of Smith
Smith in Europe attendees in the Grande Salle at Reid Hall.
Published November 15, 2024
As an alum, it’s easy to miss Smith even when you’re stateside. For those living abroad, the beloved Smith in Europe Reunion helps to bridge the distance, “[capturing] the true essence of what it means to be a Smithie, transcending age, location, circumstances, and profession,” says Denise Silber ’74 (Paris).
An alum-led initiative, the Smith in Europe Reunion brings Smithies based in Europe and around the world to a different European city every two years. Together, they delight in local culture and cuisine, develop friendships, and hear updates from campus. Now in its 44th year, the program has taken place consistently since it was established in 1980, skipping only 2020 because of the pandemic.
This year’s reunion, organized by Robin Silver '76 (Paris), was held from October 24 to 27 in Paris, where nearly 70 alums representing the classes of 1952 to 2024 gathered to celebrate. For some, it was their first Smith in Europe Reunion; for others, it was a tradition of many years. Anne Hornung-Soukup '74 (Geneva), Maggie Dufresne-Amatori '78 (Milan), and Lillian Agapalidou '70 (Athens) are dedicated attendees, having participated in all but one or two reunions.
“It was truly gratifying and an honor for me to organize the Smith in Europe Paris 2024 reunion. We all came away energized and inspired by our fellow Smithies—an amazing group of personally and professionally accomplished sibs of all ages!”
Many of the reunion events took place at Reid Hall, the center for Smith’s Paris Study Abroad Program. Highlights included talks from esteemed guests and alums, including Susan Elbow ’78 (Hamburg), a 33-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, who recounted her remarkable life and career. Sarah Belal ’01 (Lahore), founder and executive director of Justice Project Pakistan, discussed her advocacy work, which earned her a 2024 Smith Medal.
Alums also enjoyed guided visits to the National Library of France and the Musée Jacquemart-André, a mansion-turned-museum known for its fine and decorative arts. Walking tours explored the “Literary Left Bank,” once frequented by luminaries like Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, James Baldwin, and James Joyce, as well as the city's historic covered passages. A champagne master class was also among the offerings.
The celebration culminated in a gala dinner at the elegant Halle aux grains restaurant in the Bourse de Commerce.
Countries Represented
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Pakistan, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Tunisia, United States
Reflecting on her reunion experience, Sa’mya Wilson ’24 (Galicia) remarked, “As a recent grad, it really meant a lot to me to know that my connection to Smith hasn’t ended just because I’m no longer on campus; instead, it’s truly expanded into a network of extremely accomplished, brilliant, and kind Smith alums.”
Future opportunities for alums to reunite in Europe include the centennial of the Smith College Paris Study Abroad Program, from June 12 to 15, 2025, and the 2026 Smith Reunion in Europe, which will be held in Denmark.
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