October 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Crew Dedicates New Four

Northampton, MA: All sixty members of the crew and 50 parents and friends attended the christening of the Martha Clute/Rita Benson on Sunday, October 26. The event, held at the Connecticut River boathouse, was held in conjunction with parent’s weekend.

Barbara  Jackson Gattermeir, Class of ’62, who learned to row on Paradise Pond, donated the money for the new four in honor of her rowing instructors Martha Clute and Rita Benson. Both women were instructors in the Physical Education Department (now Exercise and Sport Studies Department) for over 30 years.  The four, that has Rita Benson on one side of the bow and Martha Clute on the other side, has been used in practice and competition all fall and adds to the Smith “fleet” of six eight’s and three fours . Champagne was poured over the bow in lieu of breaking the bottle in fear of damaging the boat. Smith coach, Karen Klinger, remembers fondly  that “In the past twenty years, there has always been a “Benson” in the house.”  The most recent Benson eight was sold last spring to a startup club in New York.  Klinger continued “This was a wonderful event to celebrate rowing at Smith.  It’s important for our current students to understand the history of the program and honor the women who helped develop it.”