![\"toddlers](\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Anne-and-Maire-200x280-2.jpg\")
When Kristen Williams<\/a>, professor of political science<\/a>, arrived at Clark for the fall 2001 semester, she was glad to meet Jackie Geoghegan<\/a>, professor of economics<\/a>. Like Kristen, Jackie was pregnant. In fact, their due dates were just weeks apart.<\/p>\n The shared experience paved the way for a quick bond as the two balanced research responsibilities while on the tenure track while preparing for motherhood — a connection that blossomed into a close friendship.<\/p>\n “The six-week difference made it very special,” recalls Kristen. “It was nice to have somebody in the same position.”<\/p>\n A few months later, Jackie and Kristen became mothers: Maire Geoghegan ’24, CDP<\/a> ’25, was born Feb. 3, 2002, and Anne Culhane-Williams ’24, MBA<\/a> ’25, arrived a few weeks later on March 16. That spring, Kristen and Jackie spent their first Mother’s Day together. A photo of infants Anne and Maire at Jackie’s house memorializes the occasion.<\/p>\n One could say that the daughters’ Clark journeys started in childhood.<\/p>\n “I have memories sitting in Sackler 121 painting my nails and looking at the periodic table,” says Maire. Anne can remember running up and down the staircase in Jefferson. “My mom would try to tire us out before heading home,” she says.<\/p>\n “The Clark campus has always felt like home for me.”<\/p>\n -Maire Geoghegan ’24, CDP ’25<\/p>\n <\/cite>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\n<\/p>\n