ELLIS AFTER FIFTH AVE. HIGHLIGHTS ALUMNAE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE 
While alumnae choose many paths after they leave Ellis’ Fifth Avenue campus, they continue to share many common ties: a fierce commitment to their careers, a lifelong love of learning, and a desire to uplift and support fellow women. With honed intellects and broad experience, our alumnae used their power to create space for themselves and others this year by sharing their expertise in Ellis After Fifth Ave. A virtual webinar series, Ellis After Fifth Ave. celebrated and highlighted the diverse experiences and expertise of our alumnae community. Featuring rotating alumna hosts that covered topics from baking to investing to interior design, the masterclass sessions offered a chance for alumnae to learn new skills and find common ground in a welcoming, inclusive space.

• The Art of Negotiation Hosted by Divya KRISHNAN ’10
• The Science (Fiction) of Storytelling Hosted by Andrea HAIRSTON ’70
• Telling Your Own Story Hosted by Jamie Beth COHEN ’93
• Fall Baking Class Hosted by Ginger FISHER Baldwin ’02
• Investing in Yourself Hosted by Beth HAMMER Genter ’77
• Building The Perfect Charcuterie Board Hosted by Sarah ZIMMERMAN Tuthill ’87
• Taking the Creative Road Hosted by Colleen DAILY Simonds ’95 

REUNION WEEKEND: OCTOBER 8–10, 2020 
Alumnae from all over the country gathered virtually to celebrate Reunion Weekend 2020. Classes ending in 5s and 0s celebrated many tried and true Reunion events like the Alumnae Career Panel as well as hosted their own virtual gatherings throughout the weekend.

ALUMNAE CAREER PANEL
Alumnae and students logged in to watch the Alumnae Career Panel with Michelle GIRTS ’70, Nicole VELEZ ’00, Susan DAVENPORT Austin ’85, and Kristen HAUSER ’10. The group answered questions and shared stories about their career, life lessons they learned at Ellis, and the importance of finding your people along the way.

"I have never once felt shame or fear around voicing my perspective and actively soliciting feedback or clarification on technical or corporately-political topics. I fully attribute this to the discussion-based learning at Ellis." -Kristen HAUSER '10, Automotive Engineer

"Ellis broadened my knowledge of the world beyond textbooks and neighborhoods— it was my springboard to new ideas, cultures, and geographies." -Michelle GIRTS '70, Environmental Scientist

"Ellis helped me develop a framework for how to learn new things that I was able to apply throughout my education. As a result, I felt that I could develop goals and a plan to achieve them." -Nicole F. VÉLEZ, M.D. ’00, Dermatologist

“The life lesson I learned from Ellis was that I really could do anything that I set my mind to. In particular, being at an all-girls school gave me the confidence to believe that anything was possible. Whatever I wanted to do, the opportunity was there and I wasn’t held back.” -Susan DAVENPORT Austin ’85, Chief Financial Officer

50TH REUNION CLASS DONATES LARGEST CLASS GIFT EVER
The Class of 1970 made history by donating the largest-ever class reunion gift to Ellis —totaling over $65,000. They were also awarded the Kraft Cup, an honor that recognizes the highest number of classmate participants in Reunion giving. However, the Class of 1995 gave the women from 1970 a run for their money, also raising funds in honor of their 25th Reunion and coming together to celebrate their classmate, Elissa McCARTHY Tessier ’95, who was this year’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.

ANNOUNCING THE EDNA JONES ENDOWED LIBRARY CHAIR
Another lasting impact that emerged from Reunion 2020 was the creation of the Edna Jones Endowed Library Chair which was endowed with funds raised by the Class of 1970. Edna Jones was the Head Librarian from 1963–1985 and impacted decades of Ellis students. At the virtual gathering held to celebrate the endowment and its first recipient, many stories were shared about Edna’s sense of humor, commitment to knowledge, and skill for getting books donated to the Ellis library from publishers. A mark of professional distinction, the Endowed Faculty Chair was bestowed upon School Librarian Sara Brooke. Ms. Brooke started at Ellis in 1991 as the Lower School Librarian. She was the Department Chair from 1995–2000 and became chair again in 2016. She developed Author Day and instituted Ellis’ participation in the PA Young Reader's Choice Award program. She has taught classes in all three divisions and served on numerous committees. 

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: Dr. Elissa McCARTHY Tessier ’95
While at Ellis, Elissa McCARTHY Tessier played field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse for the Tigers from grade 7 through grade 12. During her athletic career, she was awarded MVP in Varsity Field Hockey in 1994 and 1995, MVP in Varsity Basketball in 1994, and MVP for JV Lacrosse in 1992, as well as Varsity in 1994 and 1995. During her senior year, she was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.

After graduating from Ellis, Elissa was a four-year letter winner for the Denison University field hockey and lacrosse teams. She was a five-time All-American and eight-time All-NCAC honoree. Her career was highlighted by a pair of first-team All-American honors in 1996 and 1998 for field hockey. In 1997, she was named the NCAC’s Offensive Player of the Year, and in 2004 she was named to the prestigious NCAC 20th Year Anniversary Team. She remains the only three-time All-American in Denison field hockey history. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut and has worked for the Veteran Healthcare Administration since 2006. She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and three daughters.

SARA FRAZER ELLIS AWARDEE: Kathleen McMORRAN Murray '70
A centennial laureate, former trustee, and stalwart supporter of all-girls education, Kathy graduated from Ellis in 1970, received a B.A. in Mathematics and General Science from the University of Rochester, and earned an Advanced Management Program degree from Harvard Business School. She is principal of McMorran Strategists, LLC and an experienced business growth executive, angel investor, and advisor. Previously, Kathy has held key C-Suite roles in operations, real estate, sales, and marketing at publicly-traded firms and corporations such as Aetna, PwC, and FARO.

Liz SUCCOP Altman ’70, Kathy’s classmate and longtime friend, shared, “Esse Quam Videri is embodied by Kathy McMorran Murray. With a brilliant and curious mind, Kathy puts her vast knowledge and wisdom to work efficiently and precisely. Her calm, steady confidence allowed her to climb the corporate ladder her way. Today, she takes her authentic wisdom and works to improve small businesses and female entrepreneurs. She shares all that she has, making her world and those in it better every day. I can't think of a better alumna to receive the Sara Frazer Ellis Award.”