The Mary Ingraham Bunting Institute of Radcliffe College, the nation's premier multidisciplinary center of advanced studies for women, will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a reunion of Bunting Fellows in Cambridge, May 16-18. Founder Mary Bunting-Smith, and alumnae Carol Gilligan, Sue Miller, Tillie Olsen, and Kathleen Cleaver are among those attending the weekend of festivities, which include symposia and cultural events at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges.

The reunion events, featuring some of the nation's most prominent scholars and artists, include a Clara Schumann concert with pianist Veronica Jochum Von Moltke; panel discussions on "Science and Creativity," "Voices and Vision" in the arts, "Transforming the Academy," and "Engendering Peace and Social Change"; a sculpture installation by Elizabeth King; and an exhibition of books by Bunting Fellows at Widener Library.

Former Radcliffe College President Mary Bunting-Smith, who founded the Institute in 1960 to address what she called the "climate of unexpectation" for women, will be an honored guest at the reunion. In 1961, Mary Bunting and her "pioneering experiment" became a Time magazine cover story and a front-page story in The New York Times.

Distinguished Bunting alumnae attending the celebration include Harvard psychologist Carol Gilligan; marine biologist Sylvia Earle; historian Diane Middlebrook; authors Sue Miller, Gish Jen, Tillie Olsen, and Carolyn Heilbrun; executive editor and vice president of Random House Kate Medina; social activist Kathleen Cleaver; and theatrical director Tina Packer.

"The Bunting Institute invites distinguished women scholars and artists to transcend the boundaries of their disciplines and to challenge conventional wisdom," said Florence C. Ladd, director of the Institute. "Their publications, exhibitions, and scientific discoveries continue to astonish the world."

Throughout its history, the Institute has addressed important issues, including tenure and parity for women at colleges and universities, domestic and international human rights, and the underrepresentation of women in the sciences and the arts. The Boston Globe Magazine dubbed the Bunting Institute "America's Think Tank for Women" in a 1983 cover story, and The Chronicle of Higher Education described the Bunting Institute as a place where "lives get turned around, books get written, discoveries are made. . ."

Former Bunting Fellows credit the Institute with transforming their lives, as evidenced by the following comments:

"There is no place in America that has enabled so many women to make such a difference in the world" -- Gish Jen, who wrote Typical American during her Bunting fellowship and Mona in the Promised Land as a visiting writer

"The Bunting took a chance on me, and their confidence gave me great courage; I wrote Fires in the Mirror there, the play that created this whole phase of my career" -- Performing artist Anna Deavere Smith

"I worked to refine my voice and craft in a caring and supportive environment with brilliant colleagues on all sides" -- Composer Augusta Read Thomas, whose composition chanson recently premiered with the Boston Symphony Orchestra

"The world needs the female vision, and the Institute is the place where alone and in community, that vision can be developed" -- Rosellen Brown, author of Before and After

Bunting Fellows' accomplishments have had an impact on every scholarly and artistic field in contemporary society. Noteworthy books that resulted from Bunting fellowships include: The Liar's Club by Mary Karr; Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy; Anne Sexton by Diane Middlebrook; Writing a Woman's Life by Carolyn Heilbrun; Living a Political Life by Madeleine Kunin; Balm in Gilead by Sara Lawrence Lightfoot; and Meridian by Alice Walker.

Bunting fellowships provide talented women greater recognition for their work, fostering more opportunities for awards and grants. Six fellows have received MacArthur genius fellowships after their Bunting year, including biologist Naomi Pierce, poet Jorie Graham, historian Mary Jo Buhle, social activist Pam Solo, performing artist Anna Deavere Smith, and educator Sara Lawrence Lightfoot.

Cost of the weekend of festivities is $50, and all events are open to the public. For more information, call 495-8238.