“Why did you go to Smith?” (Part 2 of your full responses compiled, with permission, by Kim Boestam, class Secretary; edited versions feature in the Summer 2024 Quarterly edition.)
Adelaide S. Robb, M.D.
I chose Smith because the dean at Cornell when learning of my desire to be a physician said “honey you should be a nurse so you can get married and have children”. I decided I did not want to be a second class citizen at Cornell where only men were candidates for medical school. I went to Smith and then Hopkins for medical school (like my friend and classmate, Carolyn Scerbo Kaelin). I am now a tenured professor and chair of child psychiatry and pediatrics at GW. The dean at Cornell was wrong. I am married to another physician, and we have two wonderful children, a son Jonathan who is a 5th Year Neurology resident at U of Michigan and a daughter Schuyler who is a fourth year medical student at Georgetown applying for a dermatology residency. You can realize your dreams, and Smith made that possible for me and many others in the class of 83.
Laura Russell
So, why Smith? In addition to having a gaggle of grandmothers, great aunts, cousins, and aunts who preceded me (13 in all), including my mother and cousin Smith history prof, Jean Wilson ’24, I loved the idea of continuing my all-girls’ education with an all-women’s education. I have no regrets whatsoever, and every single day I felt blessed to be there.
Camille O’Bryant
I chose to go to Smith for three reasons: a) My financial aid package to attend Smith was better than any of the other colleges I was accepted into. Back then my financial aid award included a Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (we now refer to this as Pell Grant), federal work study at a whopping $2.90/hour and allowed to work 5 hours a week, and a subsidized student loan (max at the time was $2500/year). b) I liked the swimming pool. While that may not seem like a good reason to choose a college, it was important to me at this point in my life because swimming and lifeguarding were very important parts of my life at the time. c) it was close enough to home that I could get back to Boston on the bus. I think the one-way bus fare between Northampton and Boston was $15.00 my first year. One other very important reason why I chose Smith was there were no core requirements. I liked the flexibility of the curriculum and have since learned just how special Smith College is in this way. It was truly a gift and privilege to be able to attend one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country.
Audrey Robbins
Women came first. We got the best gym (not the old gym) and all of the opportunities.
This may seem silly…but we also ate on China- loved loved loved our Haven House dinners.
Jean Carter Ryan
The clincher for me was the letter I received from Smith’s swim coach, Kim Beirwert. His description of the team was such that I had to come to Smith. I wanted to be a part of that team and be a part of something special. And it was!
Melanie Smith
Small women’s college, diverse international community, students willing to listen to one another and think through tough problems.
Academic community with high standards.
Giulia Norton
Diane Proctor, my college guidance counselor who had taught me in 8th grade, asked me, “would you consider a women’s college?” I said, “well, boys aren’t that important to me now” and something about how I didn’t think they would be in 5 years. She knew me so much better than I did.
Also, I visited Smith in the fall. I had a great time, with a spirited dinner conversation and a movie on campus. I recently got to thank two of the (then) first-year students who made the trip so memorable. Smith didn’t disappoint. One of the reasons I love reunions is that I get the same feeling of vitality and interesting people to meet/renew acquaintances with.
Florie Seery
I had no intention of going to a women’s college. I interviewed because my music teacher’s daughter,(Anne Tripp ’80) spoke so highly of Smith that I thought I should check it out. I spent the night with her in Morris House and I met her housemates who I thought were fabulous. The house living and the stunning campus—the beauty and warmth of the environment, coupled with talented women having significant friendships and tons of fun, tipped the scales for me. To this day, my friendship with talented and fun women is the balm of my life. Little did I know that the Frederick Law Olmstead landscape design that I fell in love with at Smith, would also be reflected in my two favorite places to walk, Central Park and Frederick Churches’ Olana in Hudson, NY.
Kate West Walles
I looked at Smith because my grandmother and aunt went there. After my visit, I just fell in love. When I had to choose whether to apply early decision, my parents asked if Smith would be my first choice. I said yes, applied early decision and was accepted.
Diana Smith Bowling, PhD
I went to Smith because I knew I wanted/needed to be educated in an environment that was respectful and empowering of women. The ‘80s was a transitional decade…a time when it was still relatively novel to choose to pursue a full-time career in addition to marriage and motherhood. My time at Smith was an exceptional launch for all that has followed in my life.
Beth Garrity-Rokous
My college counselor suggested it. I thought no way am I going to an all “girls” college. I had a friend whose father went to Amherst and she invited me along on her tour of Amherst and Smith. I walked around the Smith campus and then walked into the admissions office and asked for an interview. That was it.
Kendra Tollackson
Not sure I can answer why, exactly, I chose Smith. Looking back, I wanted to go on an adventure as far away from AZ and CA as I could (due to family drama). When I toured northeastern colleges, I had a great time in Northampton. Liked the town, liked Fitzwilly’s and thought the campus was beautiful. I had never been east of the Rocky Mountains. Smith seemed welcoming and do-able for someone from Arizona.
MaryAnn Connelly McCabe
Four reasons led me to choose Smith: be a part of The Wild Bunch (swim and dive team); go abroad my junior year (Geneva); live in the Quad; be surrounded by bright, interesting women. Little did I know at the time how many of them would become treasured friends for life.”
Arlene Wszalek
In my high school English class, we studied the acclaimed poet and translator Richard Wilbur and I became a devotee. While doing my college search I looked into Smith and realized he was the writer in residence; even having the chance to study with him meant there was no other choice for me. I ultimately got to take two seminars with him (Edgar Allan Poe sophomore year, and poetry writing junior year). Forty years on I still can’t quite believe it!
Susan DeSimone
I applied to Smith because I was tired of being considered weird as a girl who liked science and math. I wanted to be someplace where my identity was not an issue. I am grateful to this day for my Smith experience and strong sense of self it helped me develop.
>>Read here Part 1 of our classmates’ responses to this question.
Please join the “Smith College Class of 1983” Facebook group to view and upload photos of our reunions and interact with our classmates:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/smith83/