CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Former Harvard women's soccer student-athlete Margaret "Midge" Purce '17 has been elected to the Harvard University Board of Overseers. Her term will extend through Commencement 2026.
 
A native of Olney, Maryland, Purce is one of five newly elected members to the Board, along with Raphael William Bostic '87, Thea Sebastian '08, J.D. 16, Tracy K. Smith '94 and Jayson Toweh '19.
 
The Board of Overseers is one of Harvard's two governing boards, along with the President and Fellows, also known as the Corporation. As a central part of its work, the Board directs the visitation process, the primary means for periodic external assessment of Harvard's Schools and departments. Through its array of standing committees, and the roughly 50 visiting committees that report to them, the Board probes the quality of Harvard's programs and assures that the University remains true to its charter as a place of learning. More generally, drawing on its members' diverse experience and expertise, the Board provides counsel to the University's leadership on priorities, plans, and strategic initiatives. The Board also has the power of consent to certain actions, such as the election of Corporation members.
 
While competing for the Crimson, Purce helped lead the team to a cumulative record of 30-18-11 (22-2-4 Ivy League), three conference titles and three NCAA tournament appearances. Individually, Purce was a force on the pitch and currently ranks third in school history in career goals (42) and fifth with 96 career points.
 
Purce finished as a two-time All-American and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy as a senior. Additionally, the forward was honored as the Radcliffe Prize recipient in 2017 as Harvard's top female student-athlete. She also joined a select group of two-time Ivy League Players of the Year, and was a four-time Ancient Eight first-team honoree.
 
Purce went on to play professionally with the Boston Breakers in 2017, after the club took her with the ninth pick of the 2017 NWSL College Draft. She is currently with Sky Blue FC following a stint with Portland Thorns FC (2018-19). 
 
Two years after her graduation from Harvard, Purce earned her first career appearance in 2019 with the United States Women's National Team, making her the first player from Harvard and the Ivy League to debut for the U.S.