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Posts published in “Features”

The Persistence of Parsons House

For many prospective Smithies, house community is a critical aspect to their college decision. With Smith’s distinct neighborhoods and decades-long house traditions, these established support systems help first-years feel less adrift in this new stage of their lives. But despite being touted as a hallmark of the Smith experience, the traditional house community isn’t available to all students. For residents of Parsons House, it’s what they're trying to build. For residents of Talbot, it’s something they’ll need to fight to preserve. 

Northampton’s Future under Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra: An Interview on Her Vision and Plans for the City

Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Scarria '96, has attributed her decision to attend Smith College to the profound impression she experienced upon first driving into the city. After completing her undergraduate studies, Scarria pursued a career in political consulting in San Francisco and later joined the ACLU's national office in New York. While earning her graduate degree at the City University of New York, Scarria resided in Northampton and was a campaign manager for a local City Councilor before being inspired to run for office herself. 

Smithies and the Squirrels

“One time I saw a squirrel take a whole molasses cookie up a tree in its mouth. Another time I saw [one with] a whole bagel on a tree branch!” said Noah Good ’23. “They’re built different.” Here at Smith, the squirrels are everywhere, as much a part of the campus setting as the buildings and lawns, and they don’t go unnoticed. I talked to different members of the Smith community about why they think squirrels here are unique. 

“There are These ‘You’s’ That the World Never Knows:” A Poetry Reading by Jennifer Chang 

Kicking off this season’s readings at the Boutelle Day Poetry Center on Feb. 28, Jennifer Chang brought a calm but assertive energy with her writings of war, nature and family. Her soft spoken tone was evocative of childhood memories and reflections of trauma with poems such as “Again A Solstice” and “Dorothy Wordsworth.”

Chemistry Against All Odds

Danny Joubran ‘24, arrived at Smith as an intended English major. Her infatuation with reading and writing notwithstanding, Joubran decided to take CHM 111: Intro to General Chemistry. As expected, taking the class confirmed that a Chemistry major was not for her. However, advised by her chemist father, Joubran enrolled in CHM 222: Intro to Organic Chemistry.

His Last Year at Smith: an Interview with Professor Richard Millington

“I’ve always just loved to read,” said American literature professor Richard Millington. “Getting absorbed in books was this big pleasure… My interest was always in literature.” He’s not kidding. Millington’s office is covered in books — stacked and scattered across almost every flat surface.