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Spring/Summer 2010 |
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| Letter from the President | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greetings, Hampshire County Smith Club! On behalf of the Club, I want to thank the dedicated core that has made the Club such a success over the past two years; I am blessed to have been able to work with you and I sincerely appreciate the friendships that have been forged and all the experiences we have shared. While a number of you will not be returning to serve on the Board, your impact will forever be linked to our Club history and your insight and feedback will always be cherished. Thank you! When I decided to become more active in the Club and joined the Board, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Though Smith College and all the College events were going on around me, I had become more distant and lacked confidence in my ability to connect with my community. I could recall taking away so much away from my Smith experience – book smarts (I hope!), lasting friendships, memories and pictures, a beefed-up resume, etc. - how could I possibly give back after only a handful of years post-graduation? Well, I learned quickly that even the simplest “tasks,” such as emailing words of encouragement to local students who had been accepted into Smith, can make a difference. As a result of giving up only 15 minutes of my time, I connected with the next entering class, relived the memories of pre-college jitters (seems so long ago!) and I felt appreciated for my willingness to simply volunteer. I know requests to help the Club can seem daunting in the context of a full and busy life. However, if a few willing alumnae agree to collaborate, have fun and share the work load it can be a huge success! (Programs always need help to setup and breakdown events; Membership needs envelope stuffers for the Annual Membership Appeal; and, the Board welcomes articles for the bi-annual Newsletter.) If you are curious to see how you may help the Board with the “little” things while helping to keep the Club strong and active, please contact me at autumnronco@yahoo.com. All my best, |
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| Feature Articles in this Issue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Reminiscing about Smith: Following Traditions (and Sometimes Bending the Rules!) |
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As we prepare for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 3rd, we'd like to ask you to flip back through the pages of your memory, and remember some of your fondest days as a Smithie. The most deceptively ordinary moments can often become the sharpest and most touching memories. Two Hampshire County alumnae, Scotty Faerber '64 and Kelly Coffey '02, think back on such campus days...
We hope you can join us to reminisce on Tuesday, June 3rd! Click here for details. |
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| Learning in Retirement Looks at Smith By Kathryn McArthur '67 |
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One of the many things a Smith education gives you is an interest in “life long learning.” One of the advantages of living in Hampshire County is the opportunity to participate in Five College Learning in Retirement (5CLIR). For the past few years, I’ve been taking advantage of learning more about our Alma Mater through 5CLIR. I participated in a seminar on Women and the Law and learned about obstacles women faced to obtain an education in this area in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. I have a new found respect for Emma Willard, Mary Lyon, Sophia Smith, and John M. Greene. As a participant, I also enjoyed introductions to the Smith Archives, the Sophia Smith Collection, the Mortimer Rare Book Room and a tour of Ford Hall. Have free time during the week? If so, consider joining 5CLIR (you don’t have to be retired)! For 10 weeks each semester participants explore a wide range of topics in weekly two hour seminars. The moderator at each seminar provides a list of possible report topics, but you are free to add your own. Topics cover history, science, popular culture, current events and fine arts. A partial listing of the seminars for this coming fall include Women Ahead of Their Time, American Art Since 1945, Contemporary Choral Music, and King David the Study of a Life and California Poets. Many of the seminars actually meet on Smith campus. It makes you feel like a student again! 5CLIR offers museum trips in the summer and a series of computer workshops on Smith campus during winter break. To learn more about 5CLIR, check out their website at www.5clir.org. The moderators for the fall seminars will introduce their programs on April 25th from 2-4pm in the Smith Campus Center Carroll Room. Come check it out! If you have any questions, please e-mail me at Kathryn@sonixproaudio.com. |
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| Hampshire House Reunion By Kathryn McArthur '67 |
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Were you a member of Hampshire House during your Smith career? Local students from Northampton and Hatfield who commuted to Smith met at Hampshire House for house meetings, but also for bridge games, Friday teas, and the occasional party. It was a place to hang out between classes. In the sixties it was located in the basement of Albright House. It later moved to Unity House and then to space above the Quill Bookshop. |
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| Athletic Facility Memberships for Smith Alumnae By Kathryn McArthur '67 |
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Did you know that for an annual fee of $150 Smith Alumnae are eligible to use the athletic facilities at Smith? This includes the tennis and squash courts, the indoor track, Olin Fitness Center, the pool, and the climbing wall. You are also eligible to attend Get Fit Smith classes, including yoga, Zumba, and strength training classes (offered on weekdays only). And you are entitled to bring one guest with you every time you come. For more information go to www.smith.edu/athletics/facilities/alum.html |
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| Reach Out to Local Children | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leave a legacy – teach a child the skills you’ve learned over a lifetime. Join the RSVP Children & Youth Team or the RISE Program and make a difference in a child’s life by working with children and youth in summer and after-school programs.
Flexible scheduling and time commitment at locations throughout Hampshire and Franklin Counties. |
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| Club Updates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Program Update | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dear Hampshire County Smith Club Members, |
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| Click here to check out upcoming events at Smith! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury Update | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Hampshire County Smith Club is showing a modest profit for the fiscal year 2009-2010, due largely to the success of our Fall and Spring bus trips. We would like to donate some of our profit to the College, perhaps for the benefit of the Library. We recently confirmed the Club is a registered 501(c)3 organization in good standing, meaning that donations are tax-deductible. Club members and others are encouraged to send any donations to the Club by mid-June so they can be included in this year's gift to the College. Please send donations to: HCSC Treasurer PO Box 893 Northampton, MA 01061 |
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| Update from Alumnae Admissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We have had a very successful academic year, thus far. Currently, 136 area students are enrolled at Smith, and 84 area women have been identified as prospective students. The Office of Admission has admitted seven (7) area students to the Class of 2014 under the Early Decision program, and three (3) students have accepted their offers, as of January, 2010. On September 22, 2009, the HCSC sponsored another extremely successful Essay Writing Workshop for students from area high schools and their parents, teachers and guidance counselors. Approximately 150 people filled the Carroll Room of the Campus Center and attentively listened to Deb Shaver, Director of Admission and Holly Davis, Counselor at the Jacobson Center for Writing, Teaching and Learning and a member of the Smith English Department as they explained how to write a compelling college application essay. Holly addressed choosing an essay topic, organizing the essay and finding expression. Deb Shaver reduced students’ stress by explaining how the essay fits into the overall college application process. Both used entertaining anecdotes to illustrate their points. In mid-February, letters were sent to 16 area high schools inviting them to select students as recipients of the Smith Book Award program. The recipients are outstanding juniors (or sophomores) who exemplify the academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith College. In addition to receiving the award and a wonderful book, students who are honored as Smith Book Award recipients have their application fees waived should they decide to apply to Smith. The 2010 Book Award recipients will receive Smith Voices, Selected Works by Smith Alumnae, edited by Patricia Skarda. In the past, HCSC members have given generously to support this important recruitment and public relations program. The cost of each book award is $30.00 plus shipping and handling. If you would like to support this program, please send a check, payable to HCSC and including the notation “Book Awards Program” to: |
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| Membership Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The statistics for the Hampshire County are in our favor as the hometown club; the area is home to approximately 1,800 “Smithies!” In the heyday of the Club, our membership totaled over 200, board meetings were well attended and there was a plethora of volunteers aiding the Club behind the scenes. Of late, the membership base has dwindled from 176 members in January 2008 to 140 members (including 8 honorary members) in May 2010. The decline in membership also brought about a drought of volunteers and meeting and event attendance has also diminished. Over the past 4 years a small core (5-8 alumnae) have steered the direction of the Club with the support of our Sage Advisors (past officer/members) and the Alumnae Association. The Hampshire County Smith Club appreciates your membership, participation at events and your generous donations to Programs, the Book Awards and the Scholarship Fund. The Club helps to bring together and support the varying “social needs” of local alumnae and Smith attendees (no degree) just like you; the Club fosters an awareness of and a Smith presence in the area high schools (Book Awards, Essay Writing Workshop, etc.); and the Club provides monetary support to a current Hampshire County Smith Student. Your membership also makes the bi-annual e-Newsletters possible and, as a member, you may request a hardcopy of this Newsletter by checking the box on the membership form. In addition to the Newsletter your membership supports periodic mailings that informs the Club of various exclusive events (Ford Hall/Engineering Building tour, etc.) and event discounts (NYC Bus Trip, etc.). All of these benefits go hand-in-hand with your membership and that is before delineating all of the basic social opportunities and benefits that the Club offers to its members through the year! To those who are not yet members, please consider joining by using the membership form in this newsletter. You can mail it, together with your check, to Autumn M. (Ronco) Storozuk ’03, 24 Thomas Circle, Southampton, MA 01073. If you have any questions, you may reach me at autumnronco@yahoo.com or by phone at (413) 221-5653. |
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| Would you like to help Smith by hosting an occasional overnight visitor? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Over 60% of Smith's traditional students and almost 90% of Ada Comstock Scholars receive need-based financial aid. While the college often hosts visiting prospective and admitted students overnight in the residence halls during the academic year, there are no accommodations available for parents or families. Paying for a hotel room is out of reach for many. |
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| Book Award Program | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Each year, the Hampshire County Smith Club participates in the Smith Book Award program for high school juniors. In 2008, approximately 20 high school juniors in Western Massachusetts high schools received book awards from the HCSC. Please support this very worthwhile program by making a donation to the Friends of the Book Award Program. In the past, donors have given generously to support this important recruitment and public relations program. The cost of each book award is $30.00 plus shipping and handling. Each year, we ask each area high school to choose an outstanding junior who exemplifies the academic achievement, leadership qualities and concern for others that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith. In addition to receiving the award and a meaningful book, the award recipients will have their application fee, should they decide to apply to Smith. Please support this program by sending a check, payable to HCSC and including the notation “Book Awards Program” to: If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Eileen Sullivan '73, HCSC Alumnae Admissions Chair at ems736951@yahoo.com or 413-532-1120. Please note that as of July 1, 2010, Lindasy Bennett-Jacobs '01 will be the new Alumnae Admissions Chair, and she can be contacted at lindsay.bennett.jacobs@gmail.com or 615-426-7711. Thank you so much for encouraging Hampshire County’s most talented young women to apply to Smith College! |
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| HCSC Membership Directory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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