Archive: Around Town

Aurora, NY - The Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni (WCA) has announced the 2018 recipients of the WCA Award, Fiona Morgan Fein '65 and Rebecca Haag '74. The award recognizes Wells alumnae and alumni of high achievement in their professions and careers, in volunteer and community work, in service to their alma mater or in some combination of those endeavors. Fiona and Rebecca will receive their awards during a special convocation ceremony held during Reunion weekend, 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, in Phipps Auditorium of Macmillan Hall.

Fiona Morgan Fein's service to Wells is unparalleled. As a member of the Board of Trustees from January 2009 to May 2017, Fein was admired for her perseverance, willingness to ask hard questions and encouragement of staff and faculty. Fein also chaired the board's Advancement Committee, guiding the collaboration between peers and College leadership to develop effective fundraising strategies.

Fein has been class fundraising chair for 51 years and chair of every Reunion. She is the first-ever chair of the President's Circle Committee.

She has held positions in classical music administration at New School Concerts, the New York String Orchestra Seminar and the Brandenburg Ensemble. She also worked with Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival, the Marlboro School of Music and the Mozart Bicentennial at Lincoln Center. Fein serves on the New School Concerts' Advisory Committee, where she still helps plan the New York String Orchestra Seminar.

Rebecca Haag joined the board of directors of the AIDS Action Committee (AAC) of Massachusetts in 1996 and was appointed executive director in 2003. In 2006, the boards of the AAC and the AIDS Action Council appointed Rebecca as Executive Director of both organizations. During her tenure, she spearheaded a coalition that led to the first coordinated national AIDS strategy for the United States. More recently, she merged two organizations to form AIDS United, one of the most powerful voices on behalf of Americans people living with HIV/AIDS.

In May 2016 Haag was named Executive Director of Island Grown Initiative (IGI), a nonprofit organization focused on creating food equity and stability for Martha's Vineyard residents. Although commonly viewed as a resort community, the island is one of the poorest counties in Massachusetts, with more than 11 percent of the year-round population living in poverty. Haag led a movement that initiated the first summer food service for Martha's Vineyard children and a mobile farmers market that sells produce at lower prices.

Her achievements have garnered awards including the John Russell Award for Public and Nonprofit Management, the Positive Leadership Award from the National Association of People Living with AIDS and the Schweitzer Leadership Award.

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