Stay Connected

Welcome Parents

Whether your student is beginning or continuing the undergraduate adventure, you are embarking on an adventure of your own. While there is so much we're proud of at the College, one facet of the Sarah Lawrence experience holds particular distinction: the community. What makes this community so rich is the strength of its connections, its unusually generous spirit and the openness of its members, including staff, students, faculty members, alums, and, yes, parents.

What makes this community so rich is you.

Since the spring, there has been an exciting momentum growing within our parent community. Across the country, we've had nine Welcome Receptions for admitted students and their parents, many of which have been hosted by current parents. As the College is eager to welcome parents into the fold, these receptions have been an effective way of connecting with new members of the Sarah Lawrence family in an intimate, informal setting. Seeing how this network has grown so quickly and organically has been incredibly gratifying for us at the Office of Parent Programs.

As a testament to the strength of this community, even our alums are getting into the act. Over the summer, Leslie Holland '88 hosted a reception at her home in Houston, in the midst of a Texas heat wave. Admitted students had the opportunity to speak directly to Leslie, who is the Vice President of Legal Affairs at Clear Channel Entertainment, and ask how the College helped shape her life. For Leslie's part, she loved meeting new students and reconnecting with the College in this meaningful way.

In Los Angeles, Janna and Jim Harris, parents of Emma '14 and members of the Parents Advisory Council, hosted 65 people at their home. The Harris' enjoyed learning about the incoming class and getting to know their daughter's future classmates and their parents.

In Dallas, Carol and Frank Riddick, parents of Taylor '11 and National Parents Fund Co-Chairs, met Dallas-area new parents at an art lecture, hosted by parents Ruthie and Jack Pack.

Increasingly, it is evident that this budding community is comprised of caring, committed individuals who look out for one another and share a profound appreciation for the unique Sarah Lawrence education. The parent network is taking firm root as a result of these receptions and the subsequent friendships that are formed. We couldn't be more thrilled.

If joining this dynamic community appeals to you, there are a myriad of ways you can participate, including:

• Hosting a welcome reception in your home
• Making supportive phone calls to help ease the last-minute jitters of parents of new students
• Becoming a member of the Parents Advisory Council (PAC), which aims to strengthen the student experience, starting now and continuing for years to come
• Contributing to the Parents Fund, resting assured that your gift will instantly translate to the enriched experience of your student and his or her classmates, by supporting immediate initiatives

This is just a sampling of ways you can get involved. If you have other creative ideas, the College is ready and able to help you channel your particular passions into a meaningful experience for your student and the entire student body. For more information, please contact the Office of Parent Programs at (914) 395-2536.