What is "Names From the Wall?"
As you may recall, many alumnae have left their mark, literally, on the northern wall of the Rose Garden. Some classes have detailed, ornate murals surrounded with signatures while others thought their names were significant enough to mark their time at Scripps. Whether you remember it being called "North Wall" or "Graffiti Wall" this place holds special meaning for alumnae and remains in perpetuity.  Who are these women who signed this wall? What have they done? What are they doing today? What did Scripps mean to them yesterday and how does Scripps play a role in their life today? We don't know all of them, some are nothing more than signatures written in blue, black, red, or yellow acrylic. It is time to start getting to know these 'names on the wall' to showcase their talents and personalities-to find out who these alumnae are. That is what this new series Names From the Wall hopes to accomplish.

Each issue of Tenth and Columbia will feature a new alumna profile with a photograph and her answers to series of questions. An archive of Names From the Wall will be housed on both the online community and the Scripps College website. You are the authority in knowing what is happening with your classmates and friends.

Know someone who should be featured?
Please contact us! To view archived profiles click on the linked names to the left.
 June 2013
Laura Nolan '11
Estes Park, Colorado

What does your life look like now? (Profession, daily life, volunteer activities, etc.)
I recently moved to Estes Park, Colorado for a fellowship at Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center. Currently I am the Life After Eagle Rock Fellow and support students as they apply for jobs and college. Eagle Rock is an incredible place; it is a tuition-free, residential high school for students who have not found success in traditional educational settings. Many of the students are from under-served communities and will be the first in their families to access higher education.

I work and live on campus, so my day-to-day includes teaching a personal finance class, teaching SAT/ACT prep, and advising students through the college admissions process. The students are wonderful and I wake up every day grateful to be working at such an incredible place. I also am a certified yoga teacher, so I try to do as much yoga and meditation with the students as possible.

When thinking about your Scripps experience, how does it play a role in your life today? (influence your occupation, life philosophy, daily habits, etc…)
At Scripps I was politicized through my college access work and involvement in Asian-American student groups. Scripps College Academy (SCA) was one way I united my work in the community, passion for equity, and academics. SCA was also the best possible outlet to practice my politics and live out my belief in educational access; it launched me on the path I'm on. I'm particularly grateful to SCA because it showed me my heart is in working with under-served students.

As a whole, my Scripps experience empowered me to be an active member of my community and cemented my commitment to social justice. My politics informs my work with students today. My History and American Studies majors taught me that my academic and activist work go hand in hand. Through my academics, I gained a critical framework for understanding inequity and what I can do to transform those systems.

Scripps empowered me to take ownership of my own power on campus, and take on leadership experiences. Through Scripps, I learned how to integrate my core values with my work, and the importance of speaking bravely, taking risks, and following your heart.

Confidently, Courageously, Hopefully….is this you today? (“The paramount obligation of a college is to develop in its students the ability to think clearly and independently, and the ability to live confidently, courageously and hopefully." – Ellen Browning Scripps)
Absolutely. That is my framework with working with students--being able to see their true potential and their bigger trajectory.

What was your major at Scripps?
History and American Studies

What is your favorite Scripps memory?
Champagne Brunch

What is your favorite spot on the Scripps campus?
Toss up between Toll Hall's Star Court and Seal Court

Who or what most influenced your experience at Scripps?
Scripps College Academy and the History/American Studies Departments

Do you remember it as Graffiti or North Wall? Do you know where your class signed? Is your name on the wall?
Yup, you can find me under "Lolan"

Meet me at the Motley...what will you have?
Lavender steamer and a pumpkin vegan cookie

At my next Reunion I want to be able to say...
We only got better with age.

If I knew then, what I know now...
Treasure your relationships at Scripps and take ownership of your power on campus. Know that wherever you go after graduation, you will still have a wonderful Scripps family who will love you, help you be your best self, and make and consume bootleg Motley vegan cookies with you.

April 2013
February 2013
December 2012
October 2012
August 2012
June 2012
February 2012
December 2011
December 2011
August 2011
June 2011
April 2011
February 2011
December 2010
December 2009
October 2009
August 2009
Theresa "Teri" Gullo '79
Rebecca Eacret Kaplan '99
Vanara Taing '02
Gen Anderson '91
Judy Jenkins Onulduran '67
Deborah Kattler Kupetz '83
Emily Seaman '09
Robin Dobashi '09
Marga Rose Hancock '69
Juanita Marie Martinez '02
Christa Severns '85
Mary Alexander '01
Claire Esbenshade '07
Carolina Theresa Martinez y Ochoa '77
Patricia Ruth Fisher-Smith Welsh '51
Elizabeth Baker '06
Margaret Pumpelly Finnegan '87 
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