How long have you lived in Philadelphia? My daughters and I moved to Philadelphia in September, 2015 to join my husband who’d been working here since March.
What are you up to now? I work as a consultant to the executive search firm I worked with for past eight years. We recruit physicians and scientists for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. I am in charge of our research.
What house did you live in on campus and what was your favorite thing about it? I lived in three houses! Lamont freshman, Chapin sophomore, junior year in London and senior year in Friedman. Friedman was especially great because it was the nicest apartment I’d live in for a long time and my roommates and I had so much fun together.
Why did you choose Smith? I’d had the opportunity to visit Smith when I was a very impressionable 14 year old – when my brother married a Smithie in Helen Hills Hills Chapel with their reception in the Alumnae House. The campus was magically beautiful and I liked everything about it. It was also very exotic coming from my small Indiana town.
Who was your favorite professor/what was your best class? My favorite professor was Susan Van Dyne, and my favorite extra-curricular person was Miss Benson, Rita Benson who advised the synchronized swimming team.
Do you have a defining/favorite/most memorable/transformative Smith moment? I was an English major, but I liked to study in the music library. One of my favorite memories is tied to discovering that I could absorb Shakespeare best while reading along with recordings of his plays. Because I was listening to LP records on a turntable, I found I could play them at 45 rpm instead of 33 which allowed me to read more quickly and be extra amused as I went.
What makes a Smithie unique? I haven’t been able to pinpoint what it is that makes a Smithie unique, because there are so many variations. But, there is something consistent there. I’ll share that even at my first meeting of the Smith Club of Philadelphia, when I was a 20+ years older than any other attendee, I left feeling inspired, happy, and as though I’d been with friends.
