Spider Questionnaire
’Good people can become better people’
For Rachel Pierce Newell, W’72, the best parts of life have come from friendship, family, and taking each moment as it comes. In 7 over 70, she shared her pursuit of a purpose-driven life where the answer is always love.
In this Spider Questionnaire, she talks about what she’s learned from traveling, why lifelong friendships matter, and why she hopes the future holds more kindness, integrity, and grace.
What’s the best thing to happen to you in the last few years?
Good health, amazing family adventures — especially with grandchildren who are thriving and prospering — and inspirational visits to Normandy and Reims in France, where my dad was in World War II.
At this point in your life, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned?
To be in the moment, to be available, to be interrupted, to embrace my life which is not a dress rehearsal, and to be a human BEing and not DOing. I learned this in my recent trips to France and Switzerland where I enjoyed each country’s ambiance without an itinerary to see particular sites.
What makes you optimistic?
The people I meet who are kind, ethical, moral and full of integrity, honesty, grace, and justice. I found such people everywhere I went on my most recent travels.
What’s something you’ve held onto since college?
Although I lost my class ring and gave up my freshman beanie around the time of my 50th reunion, I hold on to photos, memories, and friendships.
What’s something you’ve had to learn the hard way?
Bad things happen to good people — and good people can become better people.
What’s your advice for students on campus today?
Carpe diem. Seize the day. Do not be afraid to try new things, meet new people, explore the unknown, and learn to be brave. Take the road less travelled.
What does being a Spider mean to you?
My education at Richmond has served me well and opened pathways I could never have imagined. Plus, it gave me lifelong friends. I chose well, and I am proud to be a University of Richmond grad.
What’s one thing you’ve learned not to worry about?
I can be myself and not care what other people think about me.
What is something about yourself or the world that you hope is different in 10 years?
I hope to see more kindness, more integrity, more honesty, more integrity, more ethics, more grace, more mercy, and more justice.