Spring 1997 Newsletter

BiGALA's Link to the College:
A Profile of Wendy Hopkins

by Susan Paulson '88

The Executive Committee of BiGALA had no problem selecting the person to be profiled in this first of an ongoing series. The choice was clear; the decision was unanimous. For ten years, Wendy Hopkins has been affiliated with BiGALA (or GALA, as it earlier was known) as its "Alumni Office liaison" - ever since the College's Alumni Office, in response to the request of a gay alumnus, helped organize the first reception of gay alumnae/i at June reunion weekend. During the decade following that first reception, BiGALA's vitality has ebbed and flowed, and yet Wendy has remained committed to the success of the organization. Without a doubt, BiGALA is thriving today in large part because of Wendy's continuing support and enthusiasm through the years. Wendy was interviewed by BiGALA Executive Committee member Susan Paulson '88.

Wendy Hopkins is the Associate Director for Alumni Relations at Williams. In the Alumni Office she is responsible for the planning and implementation of a wide range of off-campus programs. This entails support of 70 formally organized regional alumni associations around the U.S. and the world. Her work is directed towards keeping alumnae/i connected with and informed about Williams, and encouraging their participation in the life of the college. Wendy also manages, with the support of the Office of Career Counseling, a network of alumnae/i career advisors who counsel other alums. Recently, Wendy has been working to develop a career services program for alumnae/i which includes career-oriented programs, panel discussions and more, sponsored by regional associations. It is clear that Wendy is the natural link for BiGALA to the College as we strive to bring gay, lesbian, and bisexual alums back in touch with Williams in a meaningful way.

Wendy first became involved with BiGALA ten years ago when in response to the request of an alumnus, a reception was organized for gay alumnae/i during reunion weekend. Subsequently, Wendy worked with Lew Wright '65 and others on the planning of occasional events, the continuation of the now annual reunion weekend gay alumnae/i reception and the development of a college-managed database of gay, lesbian and bisexual alums. Wendy remarks that "It is both rewarding and a personal pleasure for me to see the enthusiasm, commitment, and success of BiGALA."

As Associate Director for Alumni Relations, Wendy's goal is to help alumnae/i find positive ways to connect with the College and to support its central educational mission. "It is my hope that through BiGALA, and the people of color networks, many of our alums will re-engage with Williams, and grow from their relationship as alums with the College,"Wendy explains. "The Sterling Brown Endowment for a visiting black professor and the BiGALA student internship program are two examples of outstanding and meaningful alumnae/i support," she elaborates. "Even more importantly, these demonstrations of commitment lead to opportunities to serve the College as leaders through the Society of Alumni."

BiGALA is thriving today in large part because of Wendy's continuing support and enthusiasm through the years!

Wendy can be reached via email at Wendy.W.Hopkins@williams.edu.

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