Paying It Forward as a Trustee, Committee Member

Professor Peter Rose was an inspiration to me as a Smith student, and I have been lucky enough to see him often over the years, particularly during my 10 years as a Smith trustee and subsequently as a chair of the Smith College Medal committee. Rose taught me a lot about civil rights and human rights back in the 1960s. I was honored to sit with him at President Sarah Willie-LeBreton’s inaugural dinner in 2023 and to see him when I was on campus celebrating my 80th birthday with my Northrop ’66 housemates.

I must give a special tip of the hat as well to Professor Susie Bourque, who taught me a lot about women’s rights. She later became a friend when I served on the board of trustees, and she was my neighbor for a brief period in the early 2000s. Bourque has been a pioneer in women’s history and shared some of her wisdom with my class at Reunion.

Both Rose and Bourque epitomize the substantive knowledge, curiosity, and support that I identify with Smith; it is because of faculty like them that Smith holds a special place in my heart!

This is just one of the many love stories we've received in conjunction with Smith's 150th. Submit your own using our love story submission form.