Please note, this is a preliminary schedule. Events and details will be added as they are confirmed.
It is strongly encouraged that all visitors entering College buildings are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wellesley College Bookstore open hours
Stock up on Wellesley swag!
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, 4th floor
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walk Around Lake Waban
The entire Lake Path is open today. Enjoy a walk around the lake and the vibrant colors of fall on campus.
Lake Path
3 to 6 p.m.
Check-in and Information Center
Kick off FFW 2024 with a stop at the check-in center to pick up your name tags and some swag.
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Anderson Forum
3 to 4:30 p.m.
Meet the Class Deans
Come to Schneider to meet and chat with the Class Deans.
Schneider Center Reading Room
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Office of International Study Presentation
Learn about various programs and the application process. Hear from students who have studied in 6 countries.
Collins Cinema
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Davis Museum Reception
Enjoy time in the Davis Museum with friends and family through a scavenger hunt, self-guided tours, and spotlight talks by curators. Light refreshments will be provided.
Davis Museum
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Carillon Concert
Hear and see a carillon masterclass with students and a visiting carillon instructor. Please note, you must climb several steep staircases to access the bell tower.
To access the bell tower, please enter Green Hall from the Academic Quad door.
4:30 to 5 p.m.
Health Professions Advising Session
Join Cindy Seltzer, Director of Health Professions Advising, and Peer Career Mentors for a presentation on Career Education's advising for patient-facing careers including medicine. We will share how your student can be a strong applicant, trends in the field, and answer your questions.
Collins Cinema
4:30 to 6 p.m.
2024 Alumnae Achievement Awards
Join us as three alumnae, Claire Parkinson '70, climate change scientist and social justice advocate; Joanne Berger-Sweeney '79, college president and neuroscientist; and Amy Weaver '89, business leader and champion of equality, receive Wellesley’s highest accolade, given annually to graduates of distinction, who through their achievements, have brought honor to themselves and the College. Hear how Wellesley has influenced their lives, the lessons they've learned along the way, and their advice to current Wellesley students.
Alumnae Hall Auditorium
6 to 7 p.m.
2024 Alumnae Achievement Awards reception
Please join us in the Alumnae Hall Ballroom, after the Wellesley College Alumnae Achievement Awards ceremony, to celebrate the 2024 recipients.
Alumnae Hall Ballroom
5 to 6 p.m.
Shabbat Service
Join our vibrant campus community to welcome in Shabbat! A delicious shabbos dinner will follow services; all are welcome .
Houghton chapel, Multifaith Center
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat dinner
Houghton chapel, Multifaith Center
6 to 8 p.m.
Varsity Volleyball vs Bowdoin
Cheer for the Blue at the first game of the weekend!
Koehane Sports Center, Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse
7 to 9 p.m.
Whitin Observatory Open Hours
Come visit the observatory and see the night sky through the six and twelve inch telescopes.
Capacity is limited. The queue will close at 8 p.m., or earlier if maximum capacity is reached.
Whitin Observatory
7:30 to 9 p.m.
Jazz and A Capella Welcome Concert
Join us for a concert with Wellesley's student jazz and a cappella groups.
Jewett Auditorium
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Check-in and Information Center
Come say hello when you get to campus, pick up your name tags and some swag, and grab a snack!
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Anderson Forum
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wellesley College Bookstore open hours
You know you need a new sweatshirt, tee shirt, hat, tote, mug, water bottle, or other Wellesley gear. You do.
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, 4th floor
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walk Around Lake Waban
The entire Lake Path is open today. Enjoy a walk around the lake surrounded by gorgeous fall colors and see the campus from new vantage points.
Lake Path
9 to 10 a.m.
Chandler Pool Re-opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Varsity Swimming & Diving Exhibition
Keohane Sports Center, Chandler Pool
10 to 11 a.m.
Bonnie Dix Retirement Celebration and Pool Party
Keohane Sports Center, Chandler Pool
10 to 10:45 a.m.
Campus Tour
Meet at Davis Plaza for a student-led tour of campus.
Davis Plaza
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Varsity Softball vs Lasell
Come cheer on the Blue against Lasell!
Softball Field
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Botanic Garden and Global Flora Open Hours
Explore the Global Flora greenhouse. Visit the Durant Camellia, botanical highlights, and student-made exhibits!
Botanic Garden Visitor Center and Margaret Ferguson Greenhouses
11 to 11:30 a.m.
President Johnson's State of the College address
Alumnae Hall Auditorium
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
The Wagner Centers for Wellesley in the World
Wellesley aims to educate women to be a force for change in the world: hear highlights from the Wagner Centers: the Albright Institute for Global Affairs, the Hillary Rodham Clinton Center, and the Wellesley Centers for Women
Alumnae Hall Auditorium
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Varsity Volleyball vs New England College, Senior Day
Come cheer on the Blue!
Koehane Sports Center, Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Davis Museum Open Hours
See the Rory McEwen: Perspectives on Nature exhibit, explore the galleries, or join student-guided tours throughout the afternoon.
Davis Museum
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Lunch
Join your student for lunch in their dining hall! As we expect a large number of guests at our community lunch, we ask that you eat with your student in the dining hall closest to their residence hall to ensure the shortest wait time for everyone.
12 to 2 p.m.
Varsity Softball vs Brandeis
Come cheer on the Blue against Brandeis!
Softball Field
1 to 2:45 p.m.
Varsity Field Hockey vs Clark, Senior Day
Wear your new swag and cheer for the Blue!
Butler Stadium
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Campus Tour
Meet at Davis Plaza for a student-led tour of campus.
Davis Plaza
2 to 3 p.m.
Faculty Lecture: Professor Ismar Volić
Making Democracy Count: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation
You are invited to join Ismar Volić, Professor of Mathematics, as he explains how mathematics can lead us in rebuilding our civic infrastructure, encourage political participation, elevate a diversity of opinions, and make the system work for more of us.
Science Complex, Hub 101. There will be someone to swipe you into the building at the South entrance doors.
2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Sophomore Tree Planting
Join President Johnson and the class of 2027 as they host one of the College's oldest traditions, planting the Class Tree.
Academic Quad
3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Career Education Presentation
Learn about Career Education and experiential learning at Wellesley including opportunities available for global and domestic internships, fellowships, civic engagement, employer and alumnae connections, and more. Jen Pollard, Associate Provost and Executive Director of Career Education, will provide a full overview of the Career Education curriculum, advising model, and how students can make the most of the wide variety of opportunities available to them. You'll also learn about the new experiential learning requirement in the Wellesley degree program introduced for students entering as first years in fall 2024.
Science Complex, Hub 101. There will be someone to swipe you into the building at the South entrance doors.
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Music Showcase
Join the Music Department as they showcase the Wellesley College Choral Program, the Chamber Music Society, and more!
Houghton Chapel
5 to 7 p.m.
Taste of the Diaspora
Come meet Dean Patty Birch, Assistant Dean of Intercultural Education and Advisor for Students of African Descent, and hear the Harambee Singers.
Harambee House
6 to 7 p.m.
Dead Serious presents: Enemies and Strangers
Join Dead Serious, Wellesley’s best and only improv comedy troupe, as they present Enemies and Strangers for friends and families. Dead Serious is a student run organization that performs improv comedy for the Wellesley community, as well as with colleges and universities in the greater Boston area. They are very grateful to be performing for the third year at Friends and Family Weekend and apologize that auditions aren’t open to family members.
Jewett Auditorium
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Information Center
Stop by and say hi before you head out. We'd love to see you.
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Anderson Forum
8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Mindful Nature Walk
Join staff from the Paulson Ecology of Place Initiative, and Paulson Initiative student interns on a meditative walk using our senses to notice the flora and fauna on campus. No experience necessary, all welcome!
Meet at the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Firepit
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wellesley College Bookstore open hours
Stock up on Wellesley gear before you head out!
Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, 4th floor
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walk Around Lake Waban
The entire Lake Path is open today. Enjoy a walk around the lake, New England fall foliage, and spectacular views of campus.
Lake Path
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Houghton Chapel Open House
Come meet the chaplains and take a self-guided tour of Houghton Chapel. The Organ Club will join us at 10:30 to play the Fisk organ and share its history.
Houghton Chapel
10 am to 3 p.m.
Botanic Garden and Global Flora Open Hours
Explore the Global Flora greenhouse. Visit the Durant Camellia, botanical highlights, student-made exhibits, or join a student-led drop-in tour at 11 a.m.
Botanic Garden Visitor Center and Margaret Ferguson Greenhouses
10:30 to 10:45 am
Aiko
Come hear Aiko, Wellesley's Japanese drumming group, in an amazing performance.
Hay Amphitheater, rain location Tishman Commons
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Yanvalou Drum and Dance Ensemble
Yanvalou Drum & Dance Ensemble performs the folkloric music and dance of Africa as it exists today throughout the African Diaspora, particularly in Haiti and Brazil.
Academic Quad tent; Rain location Pendleton West 201
11 am to 5 p.m.
Davis Museum Open Hours
See the Rory McEwen: Perspectives on Nature exhibit and explore the galleries.
Davis Museum
12 to 2 p.m.
Alum Softball Game
Softball Field
3 to 4 p.m.
Catholic Mass
Houghton Chapel
4 to 5 p.m.
Christian worship
Houghton Chapel