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Gotta love Sunday tea every week at 4 😋🍩🍒🍪😍

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Who’s ready for GLACIAL GARDINER! 

Snowflakes, Icicles, Glitter! Get Excited!!!

Maybe we’ll get some ‘Winter Is Coming” References? Or Snowmen, Snowwomen, Snowpeople?

We can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!!!!!!

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The last episode of the G. Spotlight podcast for this semester features an interview with next year’s House President, Kathryn! Tune in to learn more about her and her vision for next year’s house community.

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I wish I made a more deliberate effort to use the archives and the Sophia Smith Collection.

Catherine on Smith resources she wishes she’d taken advantage of earlier.

Full Quote: As a history major, I wish I made more of a deliberate effort to use the archives and the Sophia Smith Collection. The Sophia Smith Collection is the largest collection of women's history in the country, and as one of my professors keeps repeating, researchers pay good money to travel here and use our collections. I wish I had spent more time with it while it was right under my nose. I also wish I asked my professors more about research opportunities. I used to think that they were only for STEM majors, but I now realize that professors in all disciplines need help with course development, bibliographies, proofreading, all kinds of things that can lead to other great opportunities (especially if you are considering doing a senior thesis).

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Senior Series: Catherine, Pt. 2

Photos from Catherine’s time at Smith and abroad!

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Senior Series: Catherine Pt. 1

Catherine Bradley uses she/her pronouns, and hails from Ridgefield, CT.

What is your major and how did you pick it?

I am a history major, and I like to joke that I chose this because of a 4-hour long PBS documentary about JFK that I was watching during course registration my first year. The documentary reminded me of how much I liked U.S. history as a kid, so I signed up for a U.S. survey course and it kind of snowballed from there. I like to think that history at Smith is everything that they don't teach you in high school, and it's helped me understand so much about why our country is currently in the situation it is.

Where did you study abroad, and what was that like? 

I studied abroad the spring semester of my junior year in Córdoba, Spain on the PRESHCO program, and it is easily one of the best things I did at Smith. I lived with a host family, traveled to 14 cities in the country, and made lots of incredible friends who I am still in touch with. I was initially very hesitant to go because I didn't think my Spanish was good enough, but my professor/life guru Liz Pryor convinced me otherwise and I took the plunge very last minute. (I literally applied to go in September of my junior year. Word to the wise: you might think it's too late to do something. It usually isn't.) There definitely was a language and cultural barrier at first, but my Spanish improved tremendously, and I learned so much about Spain's rich (and sometimes ugly) history. I love and miss Spain so much, and I hope I can go back someday.

Have you been involved in any extracurriculars or campus jobs at Smith? Which have been most rewarding to you, and why?

I am the vice-chair of the Smith College Student Event Committee (SEC), which is the largest event planning organization on campus. We put on about 40 events per semester, including films, concerts, spoken word, and big speakers like Laverne Cox and Viola Davis! I have learned so much about event planning and teamwork through this organization, while also meeting some of my best friends. There is no prior experience or special talent required to join, and you learn a lot of cool secrets about this campus and the events that go on.

Can you tell us a little bit about the jobs you’ve had while at Smith? Which have been the most rewarding?

I have had four different work-study jobs during my time at Smith and one summer one, but my favorite by far is the one I just started this semester. I am a lunch and after school aide at the Smith College Campus School, a private elementary school for grades K-6 right here next to Talbot House. Even though sometimes the kids can be rambunctious and hard to manage (you were a little annoying in fourth grade, admit it), they always manage to say or do something that puts a smile on my face every time I go to work. They are all so smart and bright, and I am very sad to be leaving them in just a few weeks. One of my biggest Smith regrets (of which there are few) is that I didn't start working there earlier!

Is there a Smith event, either in the house particularly or on the campus as a whole, that you think is really special and wish more people knew about? What is it?

This is definitely self-promotion, but one of my favorite Smith events is SEC's Starlight Ball. We set up a large tent in the quad and have a live band, dancing, photo booth, food, and the ever-popular stemless wine glass giveaways. It has happened three of my four years here, and it's always such a blast. I have many smiley polaroids to prove it.

What’s your favorite Smith dining hall?

I eat lunch almost every day at Northrop/Gillett, the vegan/vegetarian dining hall on campus. Even for non-vegetarians, I think the food is some of the best on campus, and I always feel nourished after eating there. Personal favorites include the vegan jop chai and chana masala.

Favorite professor(s)?

My favorite professors are the ones who have forced me to push my comfort zone and challenge my previous ways of thinking. Special shout outs go to Elizabeth Pryor and Jennifer Guglielmo in the history department for teaching me everything I didn't know about slavery and immigration, Reyes Lázaro in the Spanish department for teaching me about Spanish colonialism and introducing me to some badass women writers, and Carol Berner in the education department for making me rethink what classroom activities could look like beyond a test and textbook.

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Senior Series: Bailey Pt. 3

Tell us about your housing experience at Smith! What are some of the most important things in your room?

My first two years at Smith I had a roommate, Analy. Our celebrity couple name and general nickname became Banaly. Having a roommate whom I immediately clicked with was one of the best beginnings to my Smith experience. Thankfully, my senior year I got my own room (junior year I was abroad), but Analy still lived across the hall from me.

My most prized items in my room are the various banners my mom made for me that are splayed across the ceiling between curtain rods and pipes. These are special because they were created out of love and helped me remember to keep my creative ideas alive and they brighten up my room. Another major addition to my room was my plastic Skeleton my parents brought me and Analy during our sophomore year. Skelly, as we affectionately called her, got partially dismantled our senior year from a bit too much dancing. Semi-jokingly, after her dismantlement I planned to bury her in the woods by the pond. Unfortunately, I decided against that, so you cannot find her in the woods.

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Senior Series: Bailey Pt. 2

Hmmm... I wonder if Mountain Day is important to Bailey? Look at these lovely Mountain Day photos!

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Senior Series: Bailey Pt. 1

Bailey uses she/her pronouns. She is from Minnesota.

What is your major and how did you pick it?

Anthropology major and Economics minor. I love to hear people’s stories. Understanding why people act and feel as they do is what anthropologists study, so it seemed natural. While I tried being an archaeologist for a summer and went on an archaeological dig in Lucca, Italy, I didn’t enjoy it. I decided to minor in economics to balance out anthropology to focus on a subject with a stronger quantitative base, and because I really enjoyed a lunchtime economics course I went to my first year. 

Is there something you wish you had done while at Smith that you didn’t get the chance to do?

I wish I had experimented with different fields from the start. While I do really enjoy anthropology, I came in with that focus. I had been harassed since high school graduation with the question “what are you going to major in?” I thought I needed to have it all together, so I didn’t try as many different fields/courses.

Where did you study abroad, and what was that like? 

I studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. I was on an Urban Studies program which explored the built environment of Copenhagen, Budapest and Berlin. From this program, I gained a greater appreciation of how housing complexes and communities are planned and how their designs shape and represent the values of society. This fit with my major and minor by combining understanding human actions with urban economics. My favorite part of study abroad was my host family. I learned about wine from my host dad Hans-Erik, general life lessons from neighbor Peter, and most of all understanding of cooking, Danish culture and family from my host mom Jette. Their home and love will always be in my heart and I hope to visit them again soon.

Have you been involved in any extracurriculars or campus jobs at Smith? Which have been most rewarding to you, and why?

I was Head of Special Events on the Student Event Committee my sophomore year. I had the best experience working with the chair and co-chair as well as planning bi-weekly Break from the Norm events as well as an Oscars party and Starlight Ball.

I was also involved in Gardiner House Council every year. My sophomore year I was one of three Head of New Students. HONS help new Smithies acclimate to college life and on move in day carry boxes up four flights of stairs. This year, I have been House President. I oversaw keeping the house community a positive space for all residents, helped the House Social Event Committee plan events, and most importantly baked cookies for Hump Day (Wednesday) evenings. I was happy to have an impact on campus and the house community because of the other Smithies I got to know.

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Seriously, a lot of similar collections are never accessible to undergrads; we got it good.

Tasha on Special Collections, a Smith resource she thinks people should know about.

Full quote: Special Collections is moving as part of the Neilson redesign but the staff in the archives and the rare book room are going to continue doing amazing work and if none of your classes ever meet in either of those places you should go and explore them yourself! They're really there for you and happy to just give a quick tour or let you see/touch some cool stuff. Seriously, a lot of similar collections are never accessible to undergrads; we got it good. 

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Senior Series: Tasha Pt. 2

What's your favorite thing about your room and why?

My room my first year at Smith was an open double on the fourth floor, the one at the very end of the hall on the right (410??) with two window seats and the biggest closet I've ever had in my life. Since then I lived on the 3rd and 2nd floors in singles, and I miss the window seats but they're still really nice. I'm pretty introverted so I love having my own space with a door that locks. Something that makes or breaks a dorm room in my opinion is how much of your wall isn't blank space. Cover them with posters and pictures and stolen street signs!

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Senior Series: Tasha Pt. 1

Tasha Binkowski uses she/her pronouns, and is from Dallas, TX.

What is your major and how did you pick it?

English Major. I can't be much help as far as why I chose this major, I knew coming in that it was what I wanted to do just based on what my favorite classes were in high school. I will say that the major has changed during my time at Smith and they've made it a lot easier to either double major or focus in something specific like creative writing. (You're only required to take one (1) dead white guy class now! I'm joking; Chaucer, Milton, and Shakespeare are all incredible classes that can help you determine your preferences within the major.) 

Have you been involved in any extracurriculars or campus jobs at Smith? Which have been most rewarding to you, and why?

I've worked at Neilson Library for three years, I know the building like the back of my hand so of course they're tearing it down this summer. If you're looking for a work-study job where you can help other students, staff, and locals find the bathroom every day... Kidding. It is really rewarding to help folks utilize the library resources available through the five college system, and I'm not just saying that because I'm going on to library school. Neilson is a great place to work, and I'm sure that won't change even as the building does. 

Did you have a cool internship or job you want to tell us about? What was most rewarding about it?

Last summer I got to work at the Ingalls Library at the Cleveland Museum of Art, mostly working on creating a freely accessible digital collection of rare books. I found this internship through the Book Studies Concentration but also through the Summer on the Cuyahoga Program, and both are things I highly recommend! SOTC has free housing, a huge variety of opportunities, connects you to the Smith Club in Cleveland, and you get to explore the city through after work events with the rest of the cohort! Book Studies is one of the Concentrations on campus which allow for a mix of hands-on/internship work and classroom learning. It's super interdisciplinary, you get to spend a lot of time in the rare book room, I can't say enough about it. Look into all the concentrations, it looks really good on grad apps, builds your resume, and more.

Is there a Smith event, either in the house particularly or on the campus as a whole, that you think is really special and wish more people knew about?

Everybody knows about Mountain Day but I really do love it a lot, and maybe more people could stand to know that you can go and tour at MacLeish field station. Get off campus, get into the woods, get crazy. Mountain Day. 

Favorite Professor(s)?

My favorite professor probably of all time is definitely my adviser Craig Davis (ENG/Medieval Studies). If you can take a class with him you should. I'm also a huge fan of Andrea Stone, Kevin Quashie, Nancy Bradbury, Barry Moser, and I would say Floyd Cheung but I'm sure Bae is going to talk about him. 

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I wish I had taken advantage of the peer resume review drop in hours at the Lazarus Center earlier. I think I would have gotten more internship opportunities if I had polished my resume sooner.

Nina on a Smith resource she wishes she had utilized earlier.

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Senior Series: Nina Pt. 2

What's your favorite thing about your room and why? Do you have a favorite item/photo/thing--what is it and why is it so important to you?

I love my plants because they've stuck with me despite my best efforts to kill them. The "damn plant" in particular is special because it was my brother's freshman plant in 2007 and is still going! When he got it it was about 3 inches tall and now occupies a whole corner of my room.

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Senior Series: Nina Pt. 1

Nina Merriam uses she/her pronouns and is from Montpelier, VT.

What is your major and how did you pick it?

I am an Engineering and Physics double major. I knew coming in to Smith that I wanted to do engineering as I had had several related internships during high school. I had always liked math, and engineering also requires a lot of creativity. It was a nice way to marry those two things together.

I picked the physics major also because of the department. I was fortunate to gain a mentor early on in the department who had a background in engineering and encouraged me in physics. I wanted more math and science than I was getting from the engineering department at the time, so in the fall of sophomore year I declared for both majors. The professors in the physics department are some of the nicest most supportive people you will ever meet. It's a small department (so lost of chances for individual attention) and they genuinely care about their students and their lives outside of the major.

Have you been involved in any extracurriculars or campus jobs at Smith? Which have been most rewarding to you, and why?

I have been an LA/ Grader for PHY 117/118 and a Gold Key Guide since sophomore year. I am also a student ambassador with the alum association. I have loved Gold Key because it is so simple to make a huge difference for prospies and how they see Smith. One of the big reasons that I picked Smith was because of my tour, and I hope I pass on that positive experience to every prospie I meet.

Did you have a cool internship you want to tell us about? What was most rewarding about it?

Last summer I had an internship in building energy modeling where I created computer models of existing structures and made recommendations for how to make it more efficient. I found this internship through a crazy friend of a friend connection. My mentor even had a Smith connection! (Here grandmother was a physics major too).

Is there a Smith event, either in the house particularly or on the campus as a whole, that you think is really special and wish more people knew about? What is it? 

Starlight Ball is hands down my favorite event of the year. There is nothing like live music and dancing to shake the stress away. It always helps me reset and refocus. Also having it right outside the Gardiner front door is nice too. :)

Junior year when, at our physics professor's encouragement, we skipped office hours in order to go sledding. Who says physics majors don't have any fun? 

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They have audio recording booths, they have a TV studio with fancy lighting and a green screen if you need it. THERE IS SO MUCH STUFF DOWN THERE. And they have drop-in hours and workshops...

Alex Miller, speaking about the CMP, a Smith resource she wishes she’d known about earlier. 

Full quote: The Center for Media Production, or CMP. It’s incredible, and I only really learned about it during J-term this year. The computers down there have the whole Adobe Creative Suite, which is big money for incredibly powerful programs. You can borrow DSLR cameras, video cameras, light kits, a karaoke machine (old and heavy, but it works!), microphones, and all sorts of other equipment from them—for free. They have audio recording booths, they have a TV studio with fancy lighting and a green screen if you need it. THERE IS SO MUCH STUFF DOWN THERE. And they have drop-in hours and workshops so if you have no idea how to use, say, Adobe InDesign, or Adobe Photoshop, you can get help. Also, if you go through the Smith Portal, you’ll see a link to Lynda.com, which is a subscription service that all Smithies have a subscription to and that has all sorts of tutorials, including Adobe Creative Suite tutorials, some of them with downloadable exercise files so you can follow along.

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Senior Series: Alex Pt. 3

What's your favorite thing about your room and why? Do you have a favorite item/photo/thing--what is it and why is it so important to you?

I really like everything about my room except for the fact that the radiator is loud and doesn’t obey me. A snowflake setting means I don’t want heat coming off you, friend!

I spend way too much time at the beginning of each year setting my room up and deciding where to put all my lovely posters, how to hang my lights, where to position my furniture. But it pays off, because then my room is always a space where I can actually relax even when I’m stressed and pacing the floor, trying to figure out what to write for an essay—it’s my space.

My posters are particularly important to me, as they liven up the otherwise drab walls. My UVERworld posters and DVDs are particularly important to me because I went to a bunch of their concerts in Japan because one of my host brothers is in the band. Also my speakers, because I love music. I also really love my light-strings. It’s really nice to watch Netflix late at night with the lights off except for my Christmas lights and lanterns.