In December of 2008, the Faculty Executive Committee voted unanimously to launch a pilot for a potential new Scripps tradition christened “Capstone Day.” On this special day the entire Scripps community comes together in celebration of the senior class’ accomplishments. Its centerpiece, the Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum, is intended to foster collaboration among students and faculty across the disciplines and to enhance the intellectual life of the College. Attentive to the diversity of student interest and accomplishment, the Forum will include a variety of formats for the presentation of student theses and capstone work: formal talks, poster sessions, and exhibitions, as well as musical performances. Capstone Day activities are open to students, faculty, staff, family, alumnae, and friends of Scripps College.
Capstone Day Schedule
- 9:30: A-session presenters check in with the Forum Clerk in the Humanities Courtyard
- 9:45-10:45: Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum — Sessions A1-A6
- 10:45: B-session presenters check in with the Forum Clerk in the Humanities Courtyard
- 11:00-12:00: Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum — Sessions B1-B10
- 12:00-1:30: Scripps Community Luncheon — Elm Tree Lawn (Musical accompaniment courtesy of Malott)
- 12:20: President’s and Dean’s address — Elm Tree Lawn
- 1:15: C-session presenters check in with the Forum Clerk in the Humanities Courtyard
- 1:30-2:30: Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum — Sessions C1-C5
- 2:30: D-session presenters check in with the Forum Clerk in the Humanities Courtyard
- 2:45-3:45: Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum — Sessions D1-D4
- 3:30-5:00 Scripps Tea: “Celebrating our Seniors” — Seal Court
- 5:00-6:00: Seniors vs. Faculty/Staff Soccer Game — Tiernan Field
- 7:00: Desserts for Students & Faculty — Margaret Fowler Garden
Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum
Established through the generosity of the late beloved alumna and trustee Mary Wig Johnson ’35, this forum honors her longstanding commitment to academic excellence at Scripps College. Members of the Class of 2009 selected by their faculty will present their thesis research to the larger Scripps community so that students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to learn about the first-rate work they have accomplished. Scripps bases its strength on the interdisciplinary Core curriculum as a foundation for focused research in liberal arts disciplines. Thus, each class is united in a common intellectual experience, and the Mary Wig Johnson Senior Forum showcases capstones of outstanding Class of 2009 students’ academic career.