Bryn Mawr College welcomed its first class of students 140 years ago on Sept. 21, 1885.
The College celebrated its 140th birthday a few days early on September 19, with students, faculty, and staff. Yellow commemorative mugs and ice cream from the “Lil Pop Shop” were handed out from 2-4 p.m. on Taylor Drive. People began gathering before the event started; students in line called friends telling them to rush over before the line grew any longer. When the celebration officially began, a line stretched from the front of Taylor Hall to Old Library, and curved towards Canaday. The line for mugs moved quickly and transformed into another line for ice cream that stretched to the backside of Taylor Hall.
President Cadge told the Bi-Co News via email that “It was great to see so many members of the community celebrating together. Pausing to mark 140 years of Bryn Mawr history helps us dream forward over the next decade as we build the college’s next chapter.”
Bryn Mawr College is in the process of preparing for its next milestone, the sesquicentennial. A draft of the college’s next strategic plan has been assembled, and in coming months will continue to be updated with feedback provided from the community. The strategic plan is titled “Building the Next Chapter” and will span the next ten years. According to a shared draft accessible online to students, faculty and staff, this plan outlines four focus areas: “redoubling our commitment to academic excellence and distinction, providing holistic support for students and alumnae/i, advancing a community approach to access and inclusion, and enhancing visibility, reputation, and impact.” This strategic plan will work in tandem with the comprehensive campus plan and various pilot grants.
The Bi-Co News asked President Cadge how she views her role in providing guidance to Bryn Mawr as we prepare for the next chapter, she wrote that “We have an extraordinary opportunity to work together in the coming years to build on all that BMC has been and will become, and to live the College’s mission in the world.”
As Bryn Mawr plans ahead for the next decade, it looks to community members to engage with the administration and see their values reflected in the college. The work that is done now will determine what future Bryn Mawr students inherit.
