Global Illumination Map
Introduction
Last May, in the midst of the pandemic, Smithies across the globe came together to create Global Illumination. Held in lieu of on-campus Illumination Night—and first proposed by Michelle Stahl AC '95—Global Illumination brought together 3,000 glowing images of lanterns, candles, lamps—even torches!—to celebrate the class of 2020.
This year, you're again invited to join thousands of Smith alums in a virtual expression of one of Smith's most beloved traditions. With this map, we celebrate the many ways, individually and collectively, we have brightened our communities as well as the lives of our neighboring Smithies. In lighting a light, let us welcome a new class of graduates into our wonderful worldwide network of alums, showing them that wherever life may take them there's always a Smithie nearby. As one alum noted last year, “I have never been so proud to be a Smithie.”
Explore by Regions
Explore the region by clicking on the following:
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Featured
As we celebrate the class of 2021 and Smithies around the world, here are a few of the featured stories from our alums.
4 of us Smithies here at Lasell Village--'43, '48, '63, '68. Once a Smithie, always a Smithie!!! – Shirley Dane Grossman '43
Let the light show you the way! Congratulations! Keep your minds and hearts open to all possibilities! [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] Dancing the night away! and of course singing to Seniors as a member of the Sophomore push group. – Despina Panagopoulou '00
Love from the Class of 1986. Wishing you all the best! Follow your dreams! [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] The campus looked gorgeous with the illumination from the lanterns. My parents and visiting relatives from Wales were so taken aback by the beauty. – Nicola Hill '86
Lighting the way for Smithies along the U.S./Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Congratulations to the Class of 2021, especially to Katelyn Smalley and Brenda Hernandez! [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] Seeing the look of wonder in everyone's faces and hearing the a cappella groups as we wandered around campus. – Susan Novick '81
May your light always shine as bright as the moon! [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] Walking around the campus with my two year old and watching the magic happen! – Sandra Pierce '73
Lighting your way... Oh the places you will go... – Kimber Dodge, parent/family member
Good luck, and always let your own light shine! I unfortunately did not attend Illumination Night, so I am very excited to participate 15 years later! – Jessica Parisi '06
Be considerate. Keep that playfulness and that curiosity. [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] It was like time stopped for a moment. – Stefan Flückiger, '86 (American Studies Diploma Program)
[My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] Singing, walking, fireworks, and a celebratory transformation of the campus. Thank you to staff, faculty, students, and alums, it is appreciated. – Kate Winger '01
With love and pride from all your friends and family in Croatia and Serbia! You did it! – Tatjana Kalinin, parent/family member
The world is a better, brighter place for having you in it. – Shana Worthen '97
Fifty years, but seems like yesterday! I so wish we could be there to celebrate you in person. Congratulations! – Holly Fitzsimmons '71
An old lamp for an old alum (almost 100). Smith lights are sprinkled all over the world as friendships and connections. Because of the lights I discovered a whole group of Smithies at my new retirement home. – Martha Tolles '43
Lighting the way. Welcome Class of 2021! – Anne Fitzsimons '86
Congratulations, Class of 2021! Love & Lanterns from Taipei! [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] Being a Sophomore Push! ...Although illumination night with umbrellas under a patter of rain was pretty romantic. – Lilith Acadia '08
[My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] The reflection of lanterns against Paradise Pond. It was the first tradition at Smith which was not related to academia or sports; it was a purely cultural experience of color and light. This was the moment when being an alumna really happened. – Christina Keating '03
[A photo of an] Illuminated rooftop, Nairobi. The world is opening to you! [My favorite memory of Illumination Night was] The lanterns reflected in Lanning fountain. There used to be trees all around it and it felt hidden and secret and magical at night. – Amy Drummond '96
The year I graduated, Illumination night was threatened to be rained out, but Smith took a gamble and hung the lanterns. At that time, they only had paper lanterns, so if it rained, the night was cancelled completely. We made it from Paradise Pond up to the fountain in the science quad when the rain began, and staff/volunteers stood by to grab the lanterns before they could be ruined. My friends and I took shelter in the campus center, and despite the night being cut short, there was laughing and music and dancing inside. Later that night, because we had missed sophomore push, we lined up on the back steps of Morrow house, and our sophomores did a private push for us. We cheered and sang our house songs and laughed and danced. It was an absolutely perfect night. – Lisa Anchin '04
