Estelle “Nicki” Tanner ’57 visits campus for 10th annual conference

Estelle "Nicki" Tanner '57 visited the campus to attend the 10th anniversary of the Tanner Conference. The trustee emeritus, who maintains that what "is learned outside the classroom can affect not only how and what the students study, but how and what the teachers teach," has been present for nine out of the ten total Tanner Conferences.

Tanner, who now sits on the Board of Trustees for WNYC, New York's public radio station, delivered remarks during the Conference Reception at the Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall Ballroom.  Other speakers included President H. Kim Bottomly, trustee Elizabeth Pforzheimer '59, professor of sociology and co-chair of Tanner Conference Committee Lee Cuba, and executive director of the Center for Work and Service, Joanne Murray '81. The reception was open to the public, with mostly student presenters, faculty, administrators, and alumnae in attendance.

"It was a little surreal to see the Tanner Conference's namesake back at Wellesley, especially because she's relatively young to have something this substantial bear her name," Gloria J. Medina '11 said. Medina was present at the reception to receive an award for the Tanner Photo Contest. "Though, she's so dynamic and engaging, it's no wonder. Her presence for the 10th anniversary was the icing on the cake. It's a reminder that Wellesley women not only succeed in the world, but come back to share their success with the Wellesley community."

Elizabeth Pforzheimer '59, trustee, described Tanner in terms that students can easily relate to, "She was involved in everything. She sang. She danced, though I never saw it. She got good grades, and, listen to this, she remembered what she learned."

Pforzheimer's speech reassured students that out-of-classroom experiences can present valuable learning opportunities. She continued with an anecdote of a panel she once attended at a previous Tanner Conference, titled "Failed Internships." She explained how it featured three students who arrived at internships where, through bad timing and miscommunication, the students found that there was nothing to do. However, Pforzheimer said, "these three women persevered and made their silk purses in the truest way." Pforzheimer called them "true Wellesley women."

Lee Cuba and S. Joanne Murray '81, Co-Chairs of the Tanner Conference Committee, also addressed the reception, expressing their gratitude for Tanner's contribution. Murray reminded the audience, "It is being of service to the world that lies at the core of Wellesley's mission." She cited the Tanner Conference as a valuable means of reflection, suggesting, "Action without analysis can be misguided and ineffective."

Tanner finally closed with re-avowing her excitement for the conference, which she funded with a philanthropic gift to Wellesley College ten years ago. She likened students' presentations to the work of artists.

"A work of synthesis and integration is a hallmark of powerful learning," she said.

Tanner's remarks wrapped up a long day of 177 student presentations that replaced regular classes. Roundtable discussions and panels were also featured "to provide open and probing discussion of the questions that continually emerge from [Wellesley] students' reports on their work," according to the conference pamphlet. This year's conference also featured an interactive touch-screen map in the Pendleton Atrium, as well as the unveiling of Tandora, a scheduling website/application designed by computer science students and faculty.

President Bottomly praised the Tanner Conference as an experience that is "continuing to evolve, but it still remains transformative." Describing the arrangement of the Tanner Conference as a community building moment, the president thanked Tanner for her contributions to the College.

"I'm very deeply grateful to Nicki for her vision, which led her to create this conference," Bottomly said.