As the sun shone down on Chapin Lawn on Sept. 9, community members gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the college opening to its first 14 students. The event featured cupcakes and ice cream, a WOZQ DJ and a photo booth. The Center for the Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability (CEEDS) acknowledged the milestone by inviting students to sign a geothermal pipe that will soon be put into the ground, part of the college’s ongoing renewable energy project and a nod to Smith’s future.
Smith’s birthday party falls into a broader series of commemorations. Marissa Hoechstetter, co-chair of the college’s 150th celebration, worked collaboratively for more than a year to plan different celebratory events.
“We did a lot of archival stuff, there are exhibitions, there’s been some virtual programs, some in person things. But [Sept. 9] is the day the doors actually opened in 1875 so we wanted to have a little party,” she said. “I think we wanted to make sure that we were marking this milestone and that everyone who’s part of the community is aware of it. Smith’s existence is so important and our thoughts of being here for another 150 years and even just the very act of being is important so we wanted to mark it.”
Smith College president Sarah Willie-LeBreton reflected on how founder Sophia Smith might have felt about the outcome of her endowment.
“I think it would have been probably hard for Sophia Smith to imagine the Smith of today, but she was Intrepid, and by that, I mean she was willing to put her entire wealth toward an organization and a college that wasn’t even founded yet, because she believed in the power of women, and she was absolutely sure that women getting an education would change the world,” Willie-LeBreton said. “So even though I think it would be surprising to her to see what Smith has become, she would be really, really pleased. And so to be here 150 years later, feels wonderful and a real honor.”
Across the lawn, spirits were high as students chatted and enjoyed their cupcakes and ice cream.
“It’s really sweet, it’s a beautiful day and I’m excited to be with other smithies and ice cream’s really nice and they have really cute stickers, overall great event,” Ange Joseph ’26 said. Many students were simply excited to be on campus 150 years after the college’s founding.
“I think it’s really cool that Smith has been around for 150 years and it feels so special to be a part of that long history,” Ava Barham ’27 said.
CEEDS chose to hold the pipe signing at the 150th celebration both to raise awareness about the benefits of geothermal energy and invite community members to directly participate in the project.
“This is an opportunity for people to feel like they’re part of the project that’s gonna be in the ground for at least the next 75 years,” said Beth Hooker, co-director of sustainability at CEEDS.
Students were also excited to sign their names on the geothermal pipe.
“I’m happy to sign the pipe with the class of 2029 and to know that it’s gonna go into the ground and it’ll be there forever,” Iris Nijbroek ‘29 said.
The geothermal energy project is part of the college’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, and, as members of CEEDS agreed, a major pillar of its future as an institution.
Many students envisioned greater cooperation and a broader approach to inclusivity for Smith’s future. “I want to see more collaborations between students, and faculty, and the administration. I think that Smith is a really wonderful place, but it’s also an institution and it’s not perfect. I would just love to see more collaboration across the board,” Joseph said.
“I think although we’ve made good progress there’s always more progress to be made when it comes to diversity and inclusion and also protecting trans students is something that really needs to be improved upon,” Barham added.
Desi Krasteva Gale ‘27 also explained how she feels Smith should be more direct in acknowledging and addressing issues surrounding inclusivity. “I think Smith needs to acknowledge a lot of its issues rather than trying to cover over them with [things like] educational classes. Instead I think we should acknowledge that there are some downfalls that we haven’t been able to fully fix yet and that there are still students who don’t feel fully comfortable on campus,” she said.
Nonetheless, others highlighted Smith’s progress towards a diverse and equitable institution as some of the most important parts of its history. “It’s become a lot more inclusive. Like for example we have Cromwell day, we have such a diverse student body and we’re making so many strides towards gender inclusivity and especially right now I think that is a really big thing,” Joseph said.
In considering Smith’s future, Willie-LeBreton explained that although she loves the small, residential nature of Smith, she wonders how the college might be able to expand its accomplishments and impact further.
“I actually think it’s so special what we do here, I’d love to see Smith replicated in the world,” she said. “I don’t know quite what that looks like … but it makes me wonder, what are the partnerships that we might have in the future where we could bring this extraordinary quality of a Smith education elsewhere.”
Such a well-written article! I especially like the way Della Baer included student interviews and their varying perspectives. She also brings in Smith history at key points!