Test Your Smith Smarts

Think you know everything there is to know about Smith? Take this quiz, specially developed to coincide with the 150th anniversary issue of the Smith Quarterly, to find out.

1. What annual tradition lets the president surprise students by canceling classes for a day?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Mountain Day!

This surprise day off from classes each fall allows students a chance to rest, relax, and spend time with friends. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Mountain Day!

This surprise day off from classes each fall allows students a chance to rest, relax, and spend time with friends. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

2. In 2021, Smith completed a major renovation of which iconic campus building?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Neilson Library!

Renowned architectural designer Maya Lin reimagined the iconic campus building, which now features a rooftop patio and a café. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Neilson Library!

Renowned architectural designer Maya Lin reimagined the iconic campus building, which now features a rooftop patio and a café. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

3. Julia McWilliams Child ’34, famous for bringing French cooking to America, played what sport at Smith?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Basketball!

The famous chef, who hosted several cooking shows and published bestselling cookbooks, was 6'2". Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Basketball!

The famous chef, who hosted several cooking shows and published bestselling cookbooks, was 6'2". Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

4. Which feature of the Smith College Museum of Art made it into Atlas Obscura?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Its bathrooms!

Each feature of the museum’s bathrooms is a unique work of art. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Its bathrooms!

Each feature of the museum’s bathrooms is a unique work of art. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

5. The U.S. Department of Agriculture named Smith the “species champion” for which species?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Mountain magnolia!

Students and faculty are planting the tree at MacLeish Field Station to study its environment. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Mountain magnolia!

Students and faculty are planting the tree at MacLeish Field Station to study its environment. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

6. Smith is ranked among the top 10 colleges in the country for producing what?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Fulbright scholars!

Smith has held bragging rights in this area for over a decade. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Fulbright scholars!

Smith has held bragging rights in this area for over a decade. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

7. When did Smith launch its Junior Year Abroad program in Paris?

✅ Correct! The answer is: 1925!

The program was the first of its kind at a women’s college. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: 1925!

The program was the first of its kind at a women’s college. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

8. What inspired Betty Goldstein Friedan ’42 to write The Feminine Mystique?

✅ Correct! The answer is: A survey she conducted of her classmates at her 15th Reunion!

The survey was to measure whether her classmates shared her dissatisfaction with being a housewife. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: A survey she conducted of her classmates at her 15th Reunion!

The survey was to measure whether her classmates shared her dissatisfaction with being a housewife. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

9. What Smith tradition takes place the night before finals every fall and spring?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Primal Scream!

Because who doesn’t feel better after airing their frustrations? Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Primal Scream!

Because who doesn’t feel better after airing their frustrations? Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

10. What did Rally Day begin as?

✅ Correct! The answer is: A celebration of George Washington’s birthday!

It’s since morphed into a day of creative hats and Smith Medalists. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: A celebration of George Washington’s birthday!

It’s since morphed into a day of creative hats and Smith Medalists. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

11. In 2022, Smith became the first women’s college to do what?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Eliminate loans from undergraduate financial aid packages!

The move was a powerful statement about the importance of access to a Smith education. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Eliminate loans from undergraduate financial aid packages!

The move was a powerful statement about the importance of access to a Smith education. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

12. Which of the following TV characters is not a fictional Smithie?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)!

Though she certainly fits the bill for a Smithie, the character graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)!

Though she certainly fits the bill for a Smithie, the character graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

13. The class of 1965 adopted which Smith sculpture as its mascot?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Leonard Baskin’s The Owl!

The statue has called several campus locations home over the years. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Leonard Baskin’s The Owl!

The statue has called several campus locations home over the years. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

14. Which tree is botanic garden director John Berryhill’s favorite?

✅ Correct! The answer is: The American elm on Chapin lawn!

The tree is often considered to reside in the heart of campus. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: The American elm on Chapin lawn!

The tree is often considered to reside in the heart of campus. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

15. Who reportedly gave Paradise Pond its name?

✅ Correct! The answer is: Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind!

The name came about during an 1851 trip to Northampton. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

❌ Not quite. The answer is: Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind!

The name came about during an 1851 trip to Northampton. Learn more in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.

 

 

🎉 Wow—you really know your stuff!

You received a perfect score and earned some bragging rights. Check out more fun Smith facts in the Reasons to Celebrate Smith listicle.