Wellesley College - Legenda Yearbook (Wellesley, MA)

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Lonely and isolated her life seemed at times. At first thought such a saying in connection with the life of a college president appears strange. On reflection it becomes true. The pen tributes which appeared in the February number of the We Ies ev Alagazine presented so yaried a view of Miss Shafer, the ' bear the impress of so much sympathy and loye, that one finds she is but repeating what has been already better said. I can bear witness only as a Wellesley student and alumna% but there are certain characteristics of Miss Shafer which have impressed all. Miss Shafer ' s keen sense of humor, which enabled her to enter more fully into the life of the students, her appreciation of f)ther sides of a cjuestion, her ready insight into character, her charit} ' , enabled her to call forth the best in those with whom she came in contact As regards herself, she was a true heroine. Many another woman with her frail physique would haye gi en up the struggle. She kept on bravely to the end, and passed into the larger life from the midst of her duties here. With her, duty was supreme, but duty transcending itself and becoming privilege. This sense of duty did not crowd upon her and oyerwhelm her in details. She was always thorough, but she did not lose her equilibrium. No matter what the pressure of work, she never expressed hurry in her manner. There was always a poise, a self-control. This was all a part of her singular sincerity, simplicity, and directness of character. It all comes back to her well-nigh complete loss of self. Wellesley, past, present, and future, has deep cause of gratitude toward Miss Shafer. Although but just begun, according to her plans, she had already brought the inner organiza- tion of the College to a high state of perfection. From the intellectual side, many new courses were introduced under her administration. The crowning point of it all is the curriculum, but newly introduced, which places Wellesle in the front rank ot progressive American colleges, and opens wide opportunities. Nor was she immintlful of the physical side. Her constant plea was for a new gymnasium, her constant desire for the health of tlie students. With all phases of the social life of the students she had sympathy likewise. She recom- mended to the Trustees the representation of alumnie on their Board. That recommendation has now been adopted. Certainly these are all indicative of the growth of the College under Miss Shafer ' s administration, and of the influence which she wielded. But the most potent influence is that of her own life. If I should try to formulate an expession of that life in brief, I should say that in her relation to the students there was perfect justness ; as regards her own position, a passion for duty ; as regards her character, simplicity, sincerity, and selflessness. Such was the woman to whom ve deliglit to do honor, however feebly. Such the woman ■whose loss we mourn. Such the woman for whose entrance into Light we rejoice. Caroline L. Williamson, ' 89.

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Legenda have only the pleasantest recollections of that office. Whether the sun streamed through the long windows, flooding all the room with sunshine, as it has a way of doing, or the rain beat against the windowpane, the recollections are always happv. From the first application from the Class of ' 89 for the issue of a college annual, Miss Shafer was always full of interest. Throughout its whole career she gave her hearty support. In each detail she was interested. When she felt unable to give her consent to the insertion of some feature, she always gave her reasons as fully as she could. Occasionally she would sav, Personally I should have no objection to that, but it does not seem wise to introduce it ; I would not. This warm interest has been extended through all the vicissitudes of the Legenda. There can be but few, if any, of the Wellesley students who knew Miss Shafer as Presi- dent, who have not had similar experiences in that little office. Perhaps sometimes it would seem that Miss Shafer saw manifold objections, and that the petitioner would go away with a feeling that her request would not be granted, only to find that it was granted more fully and completely than she had hoped. Perhaps she would go away feeling angry because her request was refused. I think that could not have happened often, and I have yet to find the Wellesley student who could not and would not sav, I can always feel sure of the fairness of Miss Shafer ' s decision. Again and again have Wellesley students said, She treats us like women, and knows that we are reasoning beings. There is another glimpse which is a most familiar one. It is that of Miss Shafer in her own parlor at Norumbega, graceful, cordial. Then, more than at any other time, in long, friendly talks did her absolute absorption in the College come out. It was her life. She seemed to have scarcely a thought beside it. She was so eager to develop it from all sides. Wellesley ' s interests were her own. Often she has said, I feel that one of Wellesley ' s strongest points is in her alumna. And once more, because of this confidence, the alumnae, as when students, were spurred to do their best, were filled with loyalty for their Alma Mater. Miss Shafer always welcomed with cordiality any plan or suggestion which an alumna might have for any department of college life and work. An alumna could not but feel that she had come into special privileges in knowing how activeh ' , wisely, and progressively Miss Shafer was engaged in pushing the interests of the College. It could not but fill one with amazement to see the manifold threads which so delicate a woman could hold and control. That they wore upon her more than any one was conscious is now apparent. Her delight in the tales and jokes of which her keen sense of humor made her the more appi ' eciative, was no doubt enhanced by a desiie for relief from the routine of her daily life. It was almost pathetic at times. Even more touching was the feeling in these later years that she could not know the girls; that she did not have their friendship and companionship as she had done.

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EBEH H. HORSFORD, A. A. ALEXANDER AcKEHZIE, D.D. PHILLIPS BROOKS, D.D.