Regis College - Mount Regis Yearbook (Weston, MA)

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REriAISSAMCE i I he year is 1988. Something wonderful has happened at Regis College. A renaissance has occured. You may not have noticed; so subtly did it come upon us, but if you look closely, the signs are all there. Mo, ours was not the original Renaissance revisited. It was more of a quiet, person- al awakening within ourselves. In the time that we have been here, the girls have grown into women. The original Renaissance was a period of great in- tellectual and spiritual awakening, when an individ- ual strived for perfection of body, mind, and soul. This is what our liberal arts education has inspired us to do. It has nourished our qualities of inquisitive- ness, pride, and self-confidence. You can now see the History and Economics majors down in the silkscreen room working on a new stencil, and the English and Art majors in the Biology lab studying the evolution of humankind. The whole world is open to us and we are able to explore and experiment whatever it has to offer, not being confined to just our major field of study, or for that matter, our campus. Our four years at Regis have shaped our lives. Yes, there have been turbulent times, even pain; many of us have suffered in our personal lives; have struggled with choices of roommates and majors, and have coped with often overwhelming demands on our time and energy. However, once over the shock of learning what was really espected of us, we blossomed in the warm light which brings forth fruit and flower, and that great sanity, that sun, the feminine power. Our friends, classmates, and professors instilled within us a strong sense of what it is to be a woman. We have something our grandmothers only dreamed of, the freedom of choice. Whatever career we wish to pursue, whatever achievement we wish to strive for, we know that our goals are within reach, never have we felt the inequality we might have if Regis were a larger, co-ed school. Since we were educated among women, as women, we have always felt comfortable expressing our opinions and attitudes, not afraid to let our emotions color our words. From this we have evolved into women of depth and character. Although we may not know where or what we will be in the years to come, we will leave Regis in a renaissance state of mind, confi- dent that we can carry on and empower our fellow women with this feeling. Regis has opened our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to things which four years ago, we had not thought possi- ble. Our path has a clear focus and it has no room for passive- ness. Let us begin our journey. Cara mia Piscitelli Michelle M. Miller I I I I I

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PRESIDEnT ' S MESSAGE y dear Regis Class of 1988; Your theme of renaissance to typify your four years of Re- gis is one rich with meaning. The word itself is one that keeps exploding with new meanings. In the last analysis that is, indeed, what a liberal arts education is all about and what the life of a liberally educated woman becomes! My first word, therefore, is one of congratulations. A Renaissance is, in truth, a re-birth, a new beginning. It comes at a time when enough events coalesce to disturb the smooth work- ings of a vast number of accepted systems. The Renaissance in England, for example, was such a time — a whole series of events and discoveries transformed and called into question most of the institutions and habits of mind that preceded it. The result was an unprecedented era of excitement, of striving, of confidence, of adventure, of energy, and of trust in people and their new ideas. Our times offer some obvious analogies. For sixteenth century England the gradual break-up of fuedalism — for us the Civil Rights and Feminist movements — heralded vast social changes. For them the invention of the printing press and cheap paper — for us the computer and floppy discs — changed the method of communication. For them the limitless navigation of the ocean — for us the navigation of space — opened up new worlds of discovery. For them, the challenge to the authority and unity of the Medieval Church — for us the discovery of Eastern spirituality — introduced new dimensions in the search for a deeper life of the spirit. The examples could go on. But the most significant similarity I would like to explore a bit further. Because the call for change, the ferment, the creative restless- ness that brings about a renaissance can only come from people, and because the in- novation, the energy, and the initiative that brings about significant change can only come from people. A true renaissance is a time when every person is important, when talents are en- couraged and supported, when contribu- tions are appreciated. In the kind of renaissance we seem to be in, there are signs that the people who will count more than ever before are women. Jean Elshtain has said it best. As we focus our vision for the future it is not a case of looking at women in a new way. Nor is it a case of searching out a brilliant woman lead- er here and there as we have had for centu- ries — and we can really count them and they are numerous. It is a case of putting women in the picture and the whole landscape looks different. In this more complete landscape I believe that women will be seen as the change agents. They will be the ones with the new ideas, new responses. Women will effect this renaissance in ways that are peculiarly their own. This relational bent of women, their innate reconciling response is being recognized, ac- knowledged, accepted, and documented by such recognized scholars as Carol Qilligan. Women — young women especially — can raise their sights about what they can expect in society, in politics, in the Church and pre- pare to take their place whenever opportuni- ties come — or together — create opportuni- ties in systems that need to be changed. It will be women who will encourage one an- other, sustain and support one another in the groundswell that is heralding a renais- sance in the United States, if not in the whole world. Your theme tells me you know that you are a part of that creative movement and that you are ready to be an active force within it. Know too that in that journey you are daugh- ters of a living Alma Mater who will always be here for you. You are now, forever, a living part of Regis history, heritage, tradition and new life for others! Sincerely yours. Sister Therese Higgins, csj President President ' s Message

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And now I See With Eye Serene, The Very Pulse Of The Machine, A Being Breathing Thoughtful Breath, A Traveller Between Life And Death, The Reason Firm, The Temperate Will, Endurance, Foresight, Strength, And Skill, A Perfect Woman, nobly Plann ' d, To Warm, To Comfort, And Command. Wordsworth ! i 7