Allie Wornell ’25

Other clubs, sports, activities you’d like to mention?
The Botanic Garden. I have been a horticulture summer intern, a BoGSE (botanic garden student educator), and a conservatory assistant (which is my current position). I have spent basically all my time there!

Describe your major in five words or less. (Feel free to have fun with this!)
Go touch (and design) grass!

Did you ever have trouble deciding on a major? What, ultimately, helped you decide?
I entered Smith without knowing what I wanted for my career, let alone what I wanted to study. I allowed myself to take various classes and loved most of them (enjoying too many things is the best kind of problem). I first declared an ES&P major with an LSS minor, but quickly realized it wouldn’t allow me to take enough landscape or plant-related courses. In the winter of my sophomore year, I heard of student-designed interdepartmental majors (SDM) and immediately set myself on the path of designing my own. Only then did I realize how important taking landscape studies and plant courses meant to me!

What was your favorite class outside of your major?
Asian American Drama with Naveen Choudhury! It was my “for fun” course for my senior spring and my first ever theater course. I have never laughed so much in or outside of class! It was a pleasure to cap my time off at Smith reading and discussing brilliant plays written by Asian Americans (and the occasional Asian Canadian). As cheesy as it is, I’ve never felt more inspired or hopeful because of a class. Experiencing the power of representation inside academia was potent, and I’m excited to continue reading plays for the rest of my life!

Where is your favorite spot on campus?
Since I will no longer be able to enjoy this space's solitude, I feel great sharing it now…Underneath the Conference Center/51 College Lane is an abandoned little path and a protected bench. If you look directly at the building and go towards the left, there is a little hill you walk down, and you can experience the Mill River in its glory without anyone else!

What do you see as your future dream job or career?
With great relief for my younger self and excitement for my future self, I can confidently say that a combination of horticulture and landscape architecture is my dream. These professions are inherently symbiotic, but are more often than not separated. As much as I love categorizing things, and although corporate America would love me to pick one track and run with it, the Smithie in me is excited to interweave these two professions in whatever manner I can!

Looking ahead to a decade (or two) from now, what’s something you’d like to have achieved?
As Smithie as it is to focus on establishing a killer career with a CV overflowing with accolades, ultimately, my relationship with myself and others is my lifeline. I want to create a home within myself and my physical space where people feel welcomed to come as they are.

What do you think has been the most “Smithie” thing you’ve done in life so far?
To my family’s dismay, I did the Smith chop before enrolling in a single class! I was curious to see what I looked like (a disgruntled raccoon) and wanted to experience the joys of hair that dries within the hour.