April 2015, Smithie of the Month – Andrea Pilling

Name: Andrea Nadel Pilling

Class Year: 1976

How long have you lived in Philadelphia?

I moved to Philadelphia 28 years ago after marrying my husband, a native of the area.

What’s your favorite restaurant in the city?

Vedge, a vegan restaurant in the city, is my absolute favorite. I love the atmosphere and especially the food, which is creative, healthy and beautifully presented.

What are you up to now?

Now that my three children are out of college and gainfully employed, I have been taking painting classes at my local art center where I also volunteer. In addition, I am on the Boards of the Radnor Historical Society and the Radnor Historic Architectural Review Board.

What house did you live in on campus and what was your favorite thing about it?

I lived in Tyler House where I had a wonderful group of friends that I still see, even though they’re living in various parts of the world. I also loved the architecture and my sunny room at Tyler.

Why did you choose Smith?

I loved the idea of becoming a “Smithie,” whom I thought of as independent, fun and smart. The campus was beautiful and I liked the idea of the Five College Exchange program. Smith was one of the few colleges to which I applied that had an architecture program. Although Smith did not offer a BS in Architecture, the program prepared me for a Masters of Architecture which I later pursued.

What is your favorite Smith tradition and why?

I loved Friday Tea in the Tyler living room. It signified that the work week was over and that the weekend was about to begin. It was also a chance to get together with friends and to continue a tradition that had been a basic part of Smith.

Do you have a defining/favorite/most memorable/transformative Smith moment?

There’s not one particular moment that was transformative, although when I attended my last reunion, there was a seminar discussing “What to do with the rest of your life.” After attending the seminar, I decided to learn to paint and to follow my passion for creating art. Over the years, I have met many Smithies who have become lifelong friends. In addition, Smith has opened the door to many job opportunities through networking and/or because of Smith’s high academic reputation.