HWS News
19 July 2023 • Alums A Special Tradition for William Smith College
The Daisy Weeks Buchholz Class of 1912 Ring Award gives an exemplary William Smith student the class ring of an alumna of William Smith College.
Thirty-one years ago, the William Smith Alumnae Association created the Daisy Weeks Buchholz Class of 1912 Ring Award. The award recognizes a William Smith junior who is an exemplary leader and citizen, has served the College well in their time on campus and is likely to serve proudly after graduation.
“These women (who donate their class rings) are fantastic mentors. Once we get the ring and give it to a student, we make sure the student is connected to the alum.”
Chevy Devaney '95, P'21, P'23; Executive Director of Alumni and Alumnae Relations
Daisy Weeks Buchholz, a member of the 1912 charter class of William Smith, was an extraordinary woman and dedicated alumna. In 1987, two months after she died, Buchholz was posthumously awarded an honorary degree at the 75th anniversary of the first William Smith Commencement.
“This award named in honor of my aunt is flattering; it helps to preserve our family heritage and our ties to both Colleges,” shares Jerry Freischlag, the great-nephew of Buchholz, who stopped by campus in July. “I’m happy that this tradition continues. I plan to share the news throughout our family, and perhaps they could rekindle some connections with Hobart and William Smith."
Members of Weeks Buchholz’s family, who are graduates of the Colleges, include these relatives of Daisy: Arthur Buchholz 1909 (husband), Harriett Weeks Donovan ’32 (niece), Catherine Lalonde ’99 (great grandchild), Margaret Frisbee Sommer ’64 (grandchild), David Weeks 1906 (brother) and Janet Weeks ’36 (niece).
William Smith alums donate their class rings to be presented to the recipient of the award during the Moving Up Day ceremony. Executive Director of Alumni and Alumnae Relations Chevy Devaney ’95, P’21, P’23 is proud of the tradition and the connections that the award creates.“These women (who donate their class rings) are fantastic mentors. Once we get the ring and give it to a student, we make sure the student is connected to the alum.”
“I didn’t wear the ring anymore,” shares donor Christie Hayes ’71. “So, it sat in my jewelry box for several years. I was thrilled to have a chance to do something meaningful with it.”
This year’s recipient is Sadie Winton ’24, a sociology major and health professions minor, who says she was honored to receive the award. “I now wear this ring daily with both pride and humility. It serves as a reminder to me of how lucky and grateful I am to be a part of a unique community of incredible women. I would not be who I am today without the mentorship, opportunities and experiences I have had at HWS.”
This summer, Winton is serving as a business development and digital marketing intern for Rumble Boxing, a fitness company that recently launched in the Boston market. On campus, Winton is the president of the HWS Best Buddies Chapter, an O’Laughlin Ambassador in the Office of Admissions, and a civic leader through the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. She has served as a Teaching Assistant in the Sociology Department and is a member of the HWS LEADS program through the Centennial Center. This past semester, she studied abroad in Auckland, New Zealand, where she was able to intern for a New Zealand based philanthropic e-commerce startup.
Pictured above, William Smith students pass the laurel during Moving Up Day in May.
