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The Sophian

Devotion to Dahl in Wes Anderson’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”

The literary world of Roald Dahl is eccentric, humorous and often mischievous; naturally, the cinematic universe of Wes Anderson is its perfect match. Yes, Anderson’s latest Dahl adaptation, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” (Netflix, 2023), is every bit as charming as his last, “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009). Despite a seemingly never-ending influx of movie adaptations, Anderson claims “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” as his own by combining his eccentric aesthetic and Dahl’s authorial wisdom in this 41-minute short.

‘There Is Still So Much to Learn’: Barbara Kellum on a ‘Heartfelt’ Teaching Career

For Barbara Kellum, Professor of Art, teaching at Smith College was “love at first sight.” She began teaching at Smith in the mid-1980s following the completion of her PhD at Harvard University. Moving to Cambridge for graduate school was her first experience on the East Coast as a California native, but she hasn’t looked back since, calling it a “revelation” to be here. This year, Kellum has been honored with the Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching.

With Affirmative Action Overturned, Smith Grapples with Next Steps

When the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in a landmark 6-3 decision on June 29, 2023, colleges and universities across the country scrambled for a response. Months later, it is clear that institutions of higher education, including Smith College, are still struggling to find a way to ensure diversity.

Can’t Take a Joke? A Review of Ashley Gavin’s Stand-Up Show at the Academy of Music

When comedian Ashely Gavin announced a Northampton stop on her tour on Oct. 1, I knew I had to go. I first saw Gavin scrolling on my TikTok “For You” page a few months ago. In this first short clip, Gavin describes a conversation with a contestant on The Bachelor who slid into her Instagram DMs (Direct Messages). It led me on a deep dive into her TikTok page, building my excitement for her stop at the Academy of Music. Her performance offered not only two hours of laughs but also unique insights on recently having a changed reputation in the world of social media cancel culture.

President Kathleen McCartney on a Decade at Smith

When it was first announced that I was going to be the eleventh president, I was invited to campus while Carol Christ was president. There was an event in John M. Green, just like there was for Sarah, and I talked about college access and affordability. I think you might know (because I talk about it frequently) that I’m the first person in my family to go to college. My dad didn’t finish high school — he worked in a factory — and I’m just passionate about this. In order to have people like me on campus, it requires generous financial aid, so that was the one goal I came in knowing that I had.

Smith Admits 19% of Applicants from Largest, Most Diverse Pool in Smith’s History

For the Class of 2027, Smith College received applicants from all 50 states and DC, 4 U.S. territories, and 140 different countries. Out of 9,968 applicants, 19% were admitted. On May 1, National Decision Day, admitted students made their final college decisions, and Smith’s class of 2027 is on their way to Northampton. 

Kara Jackson’s Debut Album: A Stirring Reflection on Love and Loss

In her debut album, Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love? 23-year-old Smith alum Kara Jackson grapples with colossal concepts of love, death, and self-worth, delivered with delicate hands and an eternally powerful voice. The prior Youth Poet Laureate has incorporated her skillful penmanship into a new medium, her hard-hitting lyrics underscored by smooth acoustics and flourishing arrangements of guitar, piano, and banjo. Pitchfork awarded her “Best New Album” with a whopping overall score of 8.2, a testament to her impressive musical abilities.

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