Social Life
Social activities were especially important to the students of William Smith College, particularly in the early years when the student body was so small. Social events helped the students ward off homesickness and get to know each other better as each new class arrived. Many of their letters and diaries were filled with descriptions of the teas, picnics, and dances that were held during their time at college. One class would often give a tea, a dinner, or a party for another class. The women in Blackwell House would host parties for those in Miller House, and vice-versa. And the faculty were always willing to entertain the women in their homes or take them out on excursions.
From the diary of a member of the Charter Class:
5/7/1909: "Prof. Eaton had a picnic at Slate Rock. We had a most wonderful time picking flowers, falling into the creek, and eating our lunch. That, of course, is the most important part of a picnic. Prof. Eaton built a fire to cook down some maple syrup into wax. Suddenly it began to boil over and you should have seen that dignified professor racing to the rescue and shouting as he went, "Oh, Lord have mercy. Lord! Have mercy!" Most of the syrup was saved, thanks to prayers and some hustling. We walked home - some rode - and went to bed, tired but gloriously happy."The Junior prom was a particularly popular event and in the years that followed the women reminisced fondly about it.
"Junior Prom. Such fun! I never had such a good time in my life and that's what they all say. The Grand March was the especial feature , as it should have been. Friends not fortunate enough to be invited came in to watch. We were so sorry for them, we let them stay." -- Alumna quote from William Smith Women: Creating a College, 1975
From the 1914 Pine yearbook:
"My sister, despise not the Hobart man,lest thy pride be brought low. For haply, when thy best beloved is called west on business,and when thy second choice lieth low with appendicitis,and when thy brother's friend hath married a wife and cannot come,and when thy brother hath broken a leg,then shalt thou rejoice if thou cansttake to the Prom a youth from Hobart."